Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Is blogger having issues???? or WHAT????

At first I thought it was my computer, but I'm thinking now it is blogger.   ARGH!  I need to get some things posted but I'm having problems....  why is it when you need to do something there is a problem?  I guess I'll just go read a book and be done with it for the night.


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1st Day of Christmas Baking....


On the first day of Christmas baking I made for my true love......

Chocolate Covered Cherries

ingredients:  
2 pounds powdered sugar (or 7 & 1/2 cups)
1can of sweetened condensed milk
1 stick butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-4 jars of maraschino cherries 
1-2 packages almond bark chocolate


Drain the cherries, saving some of the juice for any left-over cherries.  Line cookie sheets or baking pans with wax paper.

Mix the powdered sugar, condensed milk, melted butter and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.  When the mixture begins to  form a dough, then mix by hand (this helps get the lumps out of the powdered sugar.)  


Pinch off a small amount of dough.  Press the dough into a circle in the palm of your hand.  I have found that sprinkling powdered sugar on surface and pressing it in the powdered sugar is best; otherwise it does get gooey on your hands and the gooeier it is, the harder to form the circle this is a time consuming step.  make the circle of dough slightly larger than your cherry.  (tip:  more powdered sugar on your hands/surface the better keep applying all the while making these.)


Take one cherry and roll the dough around it

Place on cookie sheet or baking pan.  After all the dough is gone, place the cherries in the freezer for about an hour.  

After cherries have been in freezer at least an hour melt chocolate according to directions on package.  Remove the cherries from the freezer as you need them (I have found they are easier to chocolate coat frozen than room temperature.)  

Dip the cherries in chocolate and replace them on wax covered cookie sheets.  I have found the easiest way to cover the cherry is stabbing the frozen cherry with a toothpick and using a spoon to kind-of pour chocolate on top of cherry.  

Make sure the whole cherry is covered with chocolate.  If you desire you may return back to freezer for about 10 minutes to harden the chocolate.  These are better with age.  Make about three weeks before you want them.  the centers will get gooey like your store bought cherries.  You'll see seepage here and there but that is ok too,  it'll harden up

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Doll Giveaway


 
What Ever you can Imagine, You can Create. Wow, My Salon Doll’s Really Great!
Brynn, Malaree, Kendrey
A young girl and her doll quickly develop a fast and lasting friendship. This new relationship will provide hours of creativity, imaginary play, dress up and YES hair styles.

My Salon Doll delivers a real treat! Uniquely designed, each doll is manufactured with real human hair. Their hair can be curled with a curling iron, straightened, crimped and blown dry. What ever you can imagine you can create.

My Salon Doll’s are vinyl; this design makes it possible to join her best friend everywhere… places like the pool, sprinklers, or tub are no longer off limits. Every moment with My Salon Doll is memorable and enjoyable. Another fun feature from My Salon Doll are her pierced ears, making it easy to add glam with real earings and other accessories.

Watch the video to see how amazing they truly are.






Currently My Salon Doll has three dolls available Brynn, Malaree, Kendrey with a rapidly expanding product line. Each girl has her on personality, hobbies, and talents. The adventures are just waiting to begin! While exploring the website, visit the Styles and Smiles link. This is a fun place where you are taught different things like styling your My Salon Doll’s hair, special techniques, and safety tips. Styles you can recreate on your own hair!

My Salon Doll is hosting a Christmas giveaway.
Enter to win a your very own, MY SALON DOLL.
The First and Original Doll with Real Hair.

TO PARTICIPATE: For a chance to win you must complete the following three (3) steps below between November 7, 2011 and December 15, 2011 to qualify;

Step 1: Visit www.mysalondoll.com and get to know the three different dolls: Brynn, Malaree, and Kendrey. Then decide if chosen, which doll you’d like to win.

Step 2: Send an email to contest@mysalondoll.com with your first name, last name, email address, doll of your choice, and share where you heard about the contest.

Step 3: “Like” the My Salon Doll Facebook page

CONTEST DATES: The contest will be active from November 1, 2011 through December 15, 2011.

GIVEAWAY RULES: Open to USA and Canadian residents, age 18+ to enter, one entry per household. Winner announced on Facebook on December 16, 2011. No purchase necessary. Thanks for entering and good luck! Winner selected through random.org and notified by email.

Blog, Tweet or Share on Facebook about the giveaway and be entered twice in the contest. Make sure you leave a message on the My Salon Doll facebook page letting us know that you’ve done this.



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Monday, November 28, 2011

Lost Melody by Lori Copeland & Virginia Smith




This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Lost Melody
Zondervan (October 25, 2011)
by
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. Lance and Lori have three sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Lance and Lori are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market. To date, she has had over 100 books published.

Virginia Smith is the author of more than a dozen Christian novels and over fifty articles and short stories. Her books have been named finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Award, and ACFW's Carol Award.

A Certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church, Ginny's messages are always well-received by a variety of audiences in conferences, retreats and churches across the country. When she isn't writing or speaking, Ginny and her husband, Ted, enjoy exploring the extremes of nature – snow skiing in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, motorcycle riding on the curvy roads in central Kentucky, and scuba diving in the warm waters of Mexico and the Caribbean.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The beautiful piano sitting in the corner of Jill King's apartment begs to be played. For over a year, it has sat untouched, ever since a terrible accident shattered Jill's ambition of becoming a concert pianist. The ragged scar on her left hand is a cruel and constant reminder of the death of her dream. But another dream is about to come to life---an unexpected, horrifying dream that will present Jill with a responsibility she never wanted. And choices she never wanted to make. Hundreds of lives depend on Jill's willingness to warn her small, oceanside town in Nova Scotia of a nameless, looming disaster. But doing so could cost Jill her reputation, jeopardize the political career of the man she loves, and ruin their plans for a future together. The fate of an entire community hangs in the balance as Jill wrestles with the cost of heeding one still, small voice.

If you would like to read a chapter excerpt of Lost Melody, go HERE.



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman






This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Marriage Carol
Moody Publishers (September 1, 2011)
by
Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

CHRIS FABRY is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.

GARY CHAPMAN is the author of the bestselling Five Love Languages series and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary travels the world presenting seminars, and his radio program airs on more than 400 stations.

ABOUT THE BOOK
On Christmas Eve twenty years earlier, Marlee and Jacob were married in a snowstorm. This Christmas Eve, they are ready to quit, divorce is imminent. Their relationship is as icy as the road they’re traveling and as blocked with troubles as the piling snow. They take a shortcut to get to the lawyer’s office, on a slippery, no-fault path. She thinks they need to stay on the main road. He disagrees. They fight. Story of their lives and they slam into a bank of snow , spinning, drifting, falling, out of control. Just like their lives. Reluctantly, freezing cold, hungry, scared, she trudges up the hill. Paul is nowhere to be found. Her ears frozen, fingers and hands red, she comes to a house on the hillside, built like a Bed and Breakfast, a green wreath on the red door and the door-knocker is in the shape of a wedding ring.

The red door opens and the first thing she notices is the fire in the room, blazing hot, a warm, inviting, friendly place and the voice of an old man welcomes her in. There are three golden pots on the hearth, shining, glimmering things. The old man claims that they are used to restore marriages. She laughs—and begins a journey through her past, present, and future that will test how she views her lifelong love. There are two futures available. Which will she choose?

If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of A Marriage Carol, go HERE.


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Who would of THUNK!!!!



that.....





Plus....



 Makes WAFFLES!!!

and SUPER EASY too....  Last Thursday I had two different recipes in my box to try it.  SO  since I had a tube of Biscuits try it we did then on Sat. I picked up Cinnamon Rolls and we tried it with them...The Cinnamon Rolls won out for the best though they both were wonderful  and easy peasy to make.  









Thanks to....
Cinnamon roll Waffles @ Gal in the Middle

Biscuits Waffles @ Goodness Gracious

We now have waffles in the fast lane. What they won't think of next?!  




Monday, November 21, 2011

Promise Brides by S. Dionne Moore



This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Promise Brides
Barbour Books (November 1, 2011)
by
S. Dionne Moore


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

S. Dionne Moore resides in South Central PA with her family. She is a weekly contributor to The Borrowed Book where she posts tips on the writing life, recipes, and teaches on various writing-related subjects. In addition to writing cozy mysteries, she pens historical romances that bring strong focus to locales within her region of Pennsylvania as a way of indulging her passion for history. In Fall of 2011 her first of three romances set in Wyoming, A Sheepherder's Song, will release.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Love is the same, no matter when, no matter where—it never comes without sacrifice. Theodore risks capture for Ellie, but will their hope for a future together be defeated? Can Marylu trust Chester, or is she asking for another broken heart? Will Alaina and Jack find common ground, or will flood waters destroy any possible future? Enjoy three romances from the historic state of Pennsylvania.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Promise Brides, go HERE.


Saturday, November 19, 2011

Christmas coming alive

Handmade by Heidi



The Friday night Sew-in results are here, but first have to give you a sneak peak at the fun material I got on Thursday night.....






I had sew much fun Thursday evening after dropping off daughter @ work choosing this material which I worked with last night during the sew-in.  It was just right to set the holiday mood.  SEW... I stuck in the favorite Christmas music by Lorie Line, oh, no first I changed into some comfy clothes (sweats) But then again maybe I hiked up the music first so I could hear it while I was changing and gathering my stuff...  Any way Christmas music played last night.  I have three fav.  Lorie Line (she is awesome, some day I may get to go to one of her concerts.  dream, dream, dream)  another fav. is Mannheim Steamroller and North Sound's Christmas Sleigh Ride.  Sew we got it all rounded up and the candle lit and turkeys on night watch.....


yes we had Christmas and Thanksgiving rolled into one night. I love the holidays.  and I can't wait 3 weeks and 6 days and my oldest will be home for the holidays.  This is the first she's been away living in dorm life ....  man I miss my baby.



sew I got the pattern out Thanks to Erin and quilting gallery's Christmas quilt along.  Erin submitted this adorable Christmas Angel quilt block for their 2011 Christmas Quilt along.  When I saw her I knew I needed to make her into a table top runner for my kitchen table.  I have angel place mats I use during Dec. and she'd be just the added thing.  Sew I'm making two and going to stick them together head to head for the center of my table.  Any way I had only a little over 2 hrs to work before hubby got home from work I had to work hard and furiously. 


work hard I did I thought I got alot accomplished.....






she's taking shape quite well. Sew that was what I accomplished during November's FNSI. 

Oh yes, did I mention that this is also standing in my Kitchen....

I picked this cute little tree up at the second hand on Thursday evening.  It is 4 ft. We have decided to down size from big 7 ft this year.  Sew now I have to put it in its place.  hehehehe I usually put up tree after Thanksgiving, unless my my mom comes then we put up the tree and have Christmas while she is here, but she isn't coming this year.  In fact, dd took Amtrak to Grandma's for Thanksgiving, it was closer than coming home (1 day train ride to 3 days).

What did you get accomplished??

Friday, November 18, 2011

Christmas In Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Christmas In Sugarcreek
Avon Inspire (October 25, 2011)
by
Shelley Shepard Gray


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, and Abingdon Press. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.

Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page

ABOUT THE BOOK

Judith Graber has always been the obedient daughter. When her older brother Josh struggled with his love life, she offered wise counsel. When her younger brother Caleb flirted with the idea of leaving their order, she firmly told him he was wrong. Over the years, she’s watched her younger siblings, helped around the house, and worked in her family’s store during her spare time. Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and underappreciated this holiday season.

But everything changes when her father hires Ben Knox.

Ben Knox is the “bad boy” of Sugarcreek. Though he’s never considered jumping the fence, he’s certainly never tried to be anything close to dutiful. Two years ago he left Sugarcreek under a cloud of shame. Rumors circulated that his rumspringa had been filled with more than the usual harmless explorations.

Now he’s back and working side by side with Judith.

As the chaos of the holiday season threatens to sap all joy, sparks fly between Ben and Judith. But Judith steels herself to ignore her infatuation. The last thing she wants to be is just one more girl who falls under Ben’s spell. Ben, on the other hand, wants Judith to realize there’s more to him than his bad reputation. When he fled Sugarcreek, he was running from a disruptive home life. Now that he’s back, he wants a fresh beginning.

Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Christmas In Sugarcreek, go HERE.