Saturday, July 28, 2012

Another reason to celebrate....

Chocoholics unite—it’s National Milk Chocolate Day!

 
How is milk chocolate different from other chocolates? It's a mix of cocoa solid with either dry or condensed milk. 

You might say milk chocolate is the star of the chocolate world.

While dark chocolate is usually a baking ingredient, this sweet treat is used to make many chocolate-coated candy bars. It’s also great on its own, tucked inside a s’more or melted into hot chocolate.  

While dark chocolate can be a little too bitter for some, milk chocolate finds its way into all kinds of candy bars and coats everything from peanuts to potato chips.

Did you know that chocolate actually has mood-enhancing benefits? That’s right—chocolate can make you happy! This is due to the fact that it contains a stimulant called theobromine and a compound called anandamide. Now that’s a reason to celebrate!

 Even if you're normally a dark chocolate, or even white chocolate, fan give milk chocolate a chance for your afternoon indulgence.  Today, enjoy milk chocolate your favorite way. 

 Happy Milk Chocolate Day!


Recipe for Chocolate Cinnamon Buns 

Check out our articles that include milk chocolate:
Check out our recipe categories for everything milk chocolate:
Maybe you'd want to celebrate by watching.....



One last picture to celebrate with one with age will recognize this famous TV scene.....







Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Hot Fudge Sundae anyone???

National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

A sundae is the perfect treat to enjoy on a summer night. Good thing it’s National Hot Fudge Sundae Day! The cold ice cream paired with a warm, chocolate topping is a delectable combination. Whether you choose to cover yours with nuts, whipped cream, cherries, or all three, an ice cream sundae is always delightful.

Several record-setting sundaes have been documented by the Guinness Book of World Records. For example, the most expensive sundae can be ordered at Serendipity 3 in New York City for the hefty sum of $1000. Meanwhile, the longest sundae was created by The Kids Club in Brunswick, Georgia in 2009. It measured over 130 feet long!

To celebrate National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, you don’t have to go to such great lengths. Just treat yourself to a scrumptious hot fudge sundae with all of your favorite toppings!

Just pick out your favorite flavor of ice cream and top it off with some of our delightful homemade sauces.

After you take that first sweet bite of decadent hot fudge you will agree that National Hot Fudge Sundae Day is one of the best holidays created.

Check out our recipes and articles that include hot fudge sundaes:


Whatchya Reading????


Haven't don a WWW lately so I'll post one today...


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?


Reading Now....

Just Finished Reading...

Next Read....





Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Apple-ing Treasure


I just found this meme.  The House on the Side of the Hill has a meme every Tuesday called Tuesday Treasures.  It is where you post a picture of something you treasure.  She posted a beautiful teapot and cup.  It is most beautiful.  view it here.   here is one of a treasure I thought I'd post.....




Hardily as beautiful and elegant has her's but this is a pot my mother gave me in May.  I just love it.




Gone....Camping




Monday, July 23, 2012

A few things worth Celebrating today....


National Hot Dog Day

Don't ask us what goes into hot dogs that make them so tasty. No really, don't ask. You don't want to know. All we can say is they're the favorite food of ballparks, barbecues, and sidewalk vendors. Dress em up with mustard, relish, sauerkraut, chili, or pretty much anything you can think of. Treat yourself to your favorite hot dog today.

With ketchup, mustard, onions, or relish, no one would argue that hot dogs are truly delicious! Hot dogs are a timeless American tradition and a favorite food to eat at baseball games and cookouts.

Other common names for hot dogs are frankfurters, franks, wieners and dogs. They are also often the subject of food-eating competitions across the globe. In fact, did you know that the world’s largest hot dog was 1,996 feet long? It was created by Sara Lee Corporation in honor of the 1996 Olympics.

National Hot Dog Day celebrates one of America's favorite summer sandwiches. It is only fitting that this dog gets its day.


Its summertime. Hot dogs are center stage on the grill, and at picnics all across America. They are at the ballpark. They are sold from carts on street corners in every city. It's not hard to find them. We consume hundreds of millions of hot dogs on the Fourth of July alone.


Enjoy National Hot Dog Day to the fullest. Have a couple of hot dogs for lunch or dinner. And, don't forget to cook a few on a stick at the evening campfire.


What's in a hot dog? Don't' ask, and we won't tell. Sometimes, its best if you don't know.

Happy National Hot Dog Day!




How many Hot Dogs do we eat? We consume so many hot dogs, in so many venues, that the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council hesitates to forecast consumption. But, it does report that each year we buy over 837 million packages of hot dogs at retail outlets, and over 24 million hot dogs at baseball stadiums alone.


Hot Dog Trivia - Test your Knowledge of Hot Dogs.



Although credit for the original hot dog is claimed by more than one source, one thing is certain -- they're enjoyed by dozens of countries throughout the world. Its ancestor -- the sausage -- has been a common food for centuries. In the U.S., the hot dog has become a national icon, right up there with apple pie and baseball. 

There are as many different ways to celebrate "National Hot Dog Day" as there are varieties from which to choose. Try these three regional specialties to get you started. 

Chicago Dog - A steamed all-beef dog on a poppy seed bun, garnished with bright green sweet pickle relish, onions, mustard, a dill pickle spear, tomatoes, hot peppers and celery salt. 

Coney Island Dog - Topped with beanless beef chili and garnished with chopped onions and yellow mustard. 

Dodger Dogs - A foot-long pork hot dog served on a steamed bun and garnished with condiments of your choice. This dog can be either steamed or grilled.

click to go to recipe


National Vanilla Ice Cream Day

Vanilla is the oft-overlooked flavor in a sea of complex flavor possibilities. Or perhaps it's just considered the base ice cream to mix in fudge, cookies, caramel, peanut butter, etc. And that's all fine and good for vanilla because everyone knows that when you're ready for a sundae or to make something a la mode, vanilla is exactly what you need.

 July is National Ice Cream Month, with July 23 being designated specifically for vanilla. Out of all the hundreds of flavors of ice cream available to consumers today, vanilla still ranks by far the number one choice, coming in at 29 percent. (Second place is held by chocolate at only 8.9 percent.)

 National Vanilla Ice Cream Day celebrates one of Americas favorite ice cream flavors.

Vanilla and chocolate ice cream vies for the taste buds ice cream lovers. Chocolate may win the popularity contest. But, vanilla is a close second. It is also more refreshing, and more versatile.


Its easy to celebrate Vanilla Ice Cream Day on a hot summer day like today. Enjoy it in a cone, a dish, a float, a shake, or in a cake. If you get it in a cone today, ask for extra scoops, and worry about the calories later. Just make sure to eat it quickly, before it melts.


If you go out for ice cream today, watch for discounts and special promotions on vanilla ice cream!





Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Wedded to War
• River North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2012)
by
Jocelyn Green


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When war erupted, she gave up a life of privilege for a life of significance.
Tending to the army's sick and wounded meant leading a life her mother does not understand and giving up a handsome and approved suitor. Yet Charlotte chooses a life of service over privilege, just as her childhood friend had done when he became a military doctor. She soon discovers that she's combatting more than just the rebellion by becoming a nurse. Will the two men who love her simply stand by and watch as she fights her own battles? Or will their desire for her wage war on her desire to serve God?

Wedded to War is a work of fiction, but the story is inspired by the true life of Civil War nurse Georgeanna Woolsey. Woolsey's letters and journals, written over 150 years ago, offer a thorough look of what pioneering nurses endured. This is the first in the series "Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War," a collection of novels that highlights the crucial contributions made by women during times of war.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wedded to War, go HERE.


Saturday, July 21, 2012

National Junk Food Day.....

National Junk Food Day

July 21st, 2012

This holiday is celebrated by seriously overdoing it on all of your favorite fatty, fried, salty, sweet, cheesy treats. And then when you're done, let out an 'Ungh, why did I do that?' groan and take a nap. We'll see you tomorrow at the gym.


It’s National Junk Food Day! Do you have a sweet tooth? Or are you constantly craving salty snacks? Well, today is the day to indulge all your junk food cravings!
Did you know that the average American eats about 25 pounds of candy per year? What’s more, each American will consume about 45 slices of pizza annually. Now that’s a lot of sweet and salty goodness!
Grab a bag of buttery popcorn at the movies, order some fries at the drive-through, or make an ice cream sundae for dessert. Whatever you do, enjoy National Junk Food Day with at least one of your guilty pleasures!




Thursday, July 19, 2012

Recipes to Beat the Heat!

RecipeRoundUpBanner

We've had so many HOT days in the high nineties that we've lost count, and we know that many of YOU in the south and west have had more than your fair share of summer here lately too! Whether it's salads, sandwiches, grilled goodies or ice cream for dinner, how do you keep everyone fed at this time of year?
Tell us...
What are YOUR favorite BEAT THE HEAT recipes?
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up!


Here's one of our favorite flavor-packed recipes that doesn't heat up the kitchen. Bonus: You can use your garden's freshest veggies too!

Panzanella Salad
From our own kitchen, this is our version of this popular summertime salad...adjust it to what's growing in the garden and for your family's taste. You can even use ready-made salad dressing for quick preparation. Enjoy!
1/2 c. olive oil, divided
1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 t. salt
2 to 3 ripe tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 red pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cucumber, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1/2 red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 bunch fresh basil, coarsely chopped
3 T. capers
Optional: salt and pepper to taste

Vinaigrette:
1 t. garlic, minced
1/2 t. Digon mustard
3 T.  champagne vinegar 
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
Heat 2 tablespoons oil over low to medium heat in a large skillet. Add bread and salt to skillet; saute until deep golden, about 10 minutes, tossing frequently and adding remaining oil as needed. Drain on paper towels. Mix remaining ingredients except salt and pepper in a large salad bowl; add bread. Whisk together all Vinaigrette ingredients. Drizzle Salad with Vinaigrette and toss; add salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Watch our video below to see it all come together!






Link up your BEAT THE HEAT recipes below 
and, if you're joining this hop, link back
here by using the handy button below.

GBPRecipeRoundUp
Want to add this hop to your OWN blog?
Be our guest...just click here to get the code.
Come back this SUNDAY to see which linked recipe were the favorites of our blog readers...we'll tally up the "likes" on Friday. Add yours and YOU could be featured!





Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Why didn't someone tell ME?






We have a problem Huston.  All day Sunday I wore these barrettes; one one each side of my head pulling my hair back.  AND no one told me they didn't match.   Were they being nice or did no one really notice?????  



Mommy Kat and Kids



Mommy Moment





Mom Spotted


My Wee View

Go Graham Go



Monday, July 16, 2012

Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Almost Amish
Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2012)
by
Kathryn Cushman


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy, but all her life she knew that she wanted to write a novel “some day”. For her, “some day” came in 2003, when she started writing and never looked back.

Her first two manuscripts remain firmly ensconced in the back of her closet (the dust bunnies tell her they really are terrific!). Her third attempt became her first published novel.

A Promise to Remember and Leaving Yesterday were both finalists for the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, and Waiting for Daybreak was a finalist in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award.

On the homefront, she has been married to the wonderful and handsome Lee for nearly twenty-five years now, and their two daughters are currently braving the worlds of high school and college.

They’ve lived in Santa Barbara for over twenty years. It’s a beautiful place and Kathryn feel blessed to be there (although a seventy degree Christmas still leaves her dreaming of a white one—or at least a colder one!)

When she's not writing or reading or braving seventy degree holidays, you’ll find her trying her best to keep up with her daughters in their various theater, softball, dance, and filled-with-activity lives.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Proving the Simple Life Isn't So Simple After All

Overcommitted and overwhelmed, Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She knows she should feel blessed as a mother and wife--but she just feels exhausted. And then, the miraculous happens. Her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series about trying to live like the Amish and needs another family to join her. It's just the break Julie needs.

But the summer adventure in simple living soon proves anything but simple. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, or dressing differently, each new Amish challenge raises new complications...and soon each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Almost Amish, go HERE.


Saturday, July 14, 2012

My what a Whrilwind



My day yesterday was such a whrilwind I didn't know if I was coming or going at times.

Because of today being my baby's birthday and she is generally our baker, I had to make the B.day cake.  Her request was one she saw online here.  We changed it up a tish-bit.



Oreo Delight Dream Cake



Start by baking your favorite Chocolate cake (mix or scratch) per instructions.  

Right before cake comes out of oven mix up two boxes of oreo pudding per instructions. While cake is still warm poke holes in the cake with wooden spoon handle and pour pudding over cake.

We added this step from where we got the recipe.  After pudding is set-up, frost with whipped topping and before serving add crushed oreos for garnish if desired. 

**Note:  oreos will get soggy and little yucky looking so if you want pic. perfect don't add till serving.  we learned hard way.  ;P

I don't have picture of cut product because we haven't had party as of this posting.  



Then I had to get time in to do my nails as we had a wedding to attend.





I had to treat myself with a free refresher from Starbucks too....can't have all work..

Last but not least I had to get a few stitches into the cross-stitch for FNSI...

and few is exactly what I got...
before


after

Can you tell what color was added?????  few red stitches and some green but you may not notice them as much. 


Handmade by Heidi