Toaster Oven Giveaway

I found this giveaway thru Twitter - it's hosted by @mommieswithcent. They're giving away the cutest toaster oven - I like having appliances that look pretty too. And snacks from Tyson too - I've got to try some of them, they sound yummy. Check it out on the the blog here - Mommies With Cents - good luck!

My lawn is taking over...

The grass is growing like crazy these days. I'm certain it knew that the riding mower quit working and thought it could go run wild and free. We did manage to get the mower serviced and all but I really wanted a bagging attachment so all that long grass didn't clump up all over. Went to Home Depot and bought what I was told was the correct item. Major pain putting the thing together...only to find out it didn't fit. Aagghh! Called the store - they said I needed an adapter. Called the company that makes the mower - they said no, it's the wrong bagger entirely. Oh nuts. Took the darn thing back to the store and went to the dealer where we bought the mower. Got a different bagger. Guess what? I can't get this one to fit right either. I can't stand it - the shop said they'd see about sending someone over to help figure out why this one doesn't fit - that works for me. Gotta love the independent stores - they're very nice and helpful. I did have to end up just mowing the yard - it now looks like a field. Might have to try raking the piles of grass clippings if it doesn't rain. Hopefully we can get this yard looking a bit better than it does - I am so not the "Lawn Ranger" : ) And by the way - Happy Earth Day! Go plant something, recycle or reuse something, get some earth friendly cleaning products...or just something to help the environment today - and keep it up!

Spring JavaCupcake Collaboration Giveaway!

Spring JavaCupcake Collaboration Giveaway!

Fantastic giveaway with some yummy prizes - go to Java Cupcake's Blog for details! I'll post more info here later - got to get the furniture moved - carpet people coming tomorrow!

New Giveaway!

So...I'm participating in a giveaway with some people I've met on Twitter. No details as of yet, but keep an eye out - should be coming up by the end of the week. And for Twitter updates - follow @JavaCupcake , @OhSoSweetTreats and @frostedtreats . Wow, those all sound yummy, don't they?

Chocolate chip cookies anyone?

Who could resist a warm chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven? That's the best time to eat them, in my opinion. With a cold glass of milk. The boss however, likes them after they've sat for a day. And since he whined repeatedly about bringing him cookies - I broke down and baked a batch. Or two. He is kinda sweet in his crabby way - and he's addicted to chocolate chip cookies apparently. Had to bake plenty so that everyone at home got some, and everyone else at work got some....and the boss got his own container (as he knows he will!). And I even shared some with a new Twitter friend from Lancaster Newspapers who stopped by to pick hers up. I do enjoy baking - and it's nice to have some place to share the goodies. I'm sure we don't need to eat all these calories ourselves!

Friendly's!

Went out to run errands and decided to have dinner out at Friendly's. Not a bad little place to eat - and of course, the ice cream is always good. Embarrassed my daughter by shooting my straw paper at her. What fun - she actually leaned to the side right about the time I took aim and blew the straw paper - shot it right past her onto the next table - HA! Good thing only the waitress was over there cleaning the table off. Life's too short to act like an adult, right? Mom was a blast - she kept waving and making faces at a toddler two tables away. I'm sure his parents would have preferred that he actually sit and eat his dinner. Couldn't convince Mom to sit there and quit distracting him either. Taking an 86 year old woman with Alzheimer's out is certainly an experience and a challenge.

Muffins!

Ok, I've been sadly neglecting my blog here. I've really got to get busy and keep up with things better. So for your reading enjoyment - another recipe! Chelsea got an interesting little book for Christmas from her grandmother - '1 Mix, 100 Muffins'. Every kind of muffins from sweet to savory. Yum! So we tried out a recipe, actually she made them, I just ate a bunch. They were pretty tasty. Here it is:

Mini Bleu Cheese and Pear Muffins

oil or melted butter for greasing (unless using liners)
14oz/400g canned pear halves in natural juice, drained
2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
freshly ground black pepper
heaping 3/4 cup finely crumbled bleu cheese such as Stilton or Gorgonzola
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
6 Tbsp. sunflower oil or melted, cooled butter
heaping 1/4 cup walnut pieces

~Preheat the oven to 400 degrees/200C. Grease two 24-cup mini muffin pans or line with paper liners. Chop the pears into small pieces. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper to taste into a large bowl. Stir in the bleu cheese and pears.
~Lightly beat the eggs in a large pitcher or bowl, then beat in the milk and oil. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the beaten liquid ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
~Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Scatter the walnuts over the tops of the muffins. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until well risen, golden brown and firm to the touch.
~Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then serve warm.

These would be great served with a bowl of soup or stew...a wonderful cold winter meal!