Uprinting.com Post Card Giveaway!

Do you have something that a postcard could be perfect for? Do you have advertising for your small business needed? Do you want a creative way to send invitations, thank yous, or a holiday message?

Uprinting.com offers among many other items, postcards. They come in a variety of sizes, quantities, and paper types, and colors. The quality of their printing is impeccable, and it allows you creative control.

In order for you to try this out, Uprinting.com is offering a giveaway!

Buy It

Uprinting.com offers a number of choices at REASONABLE prices.

Win It

Uprinting is offering one of my lucky readers the chance to win 100 postcards! These will be 4x6, 14 pt. Card stock Gloss, and full color on both sides. Very nice.

Rules

Please tell me what you plan on doing with this amazing giveaway. What do you plan on putting on these postcards? Open to Everyone as you must pay your own shipping. Contest ends January 3, 2010 at 11:59 pm Arizona time.

Extra Entries

-tweet this contest and leave me the link for one extra entry

-follow me here on blogger for one extra entry

-follow me on Twitter @kaiasmommy for one extra entry

-blog about this for three extra entries(leave your link here)

*thank you Uprinting for providing the giveaway item and my review item*

Making Tuesday Tasty-Pumpkin roll

This is Libby's pumpkin roll recipe. It's really super yummy and I make it for my Mother in Law every holiday season! She loves it. I don't add the nuts and have tried it just cream cheese. It didn't really work. You need the butter to hold things together. Comes out really moist.

CAKE

•1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
•3/4 cup all-purpose flour
•1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•3 large eggs
•1 cup granulated sugar
•2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
•1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

FILLING

•1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
•1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
•6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
conversion calculator DirectionsFOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

COOKING TIP:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Libby's recipes

Making Tuesday Tasty-Peppermint Bark

Yay! It's December. My question now is, how did this creep up so fast? I'm not ready! My little girl is going to be 3 December 26Th and I'm definitely not ready for that either. I do love this time of year. I am a sucker for the goodies both salty and sweet. I love mint and chocolate, and spices and cider. Yum.

Here's my first recipe. Minty and chocolately! mmm

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients

12 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped

24 hard peppermint candies

Directions

Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat or in a microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Be careful not to scorch the chocolate.

Place the peppermints in a resealable food storage bag and, using a rolling pin, tap the candies to break into small pieces. Place the crushed candies into a strainer with medium holes and shake over another bowl - only the very large pieces should remain in the strainer. Add the melted chocolate to the small pieces and stir to combine.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and pour the chocolate-candy mixture onto the paper. Using a rubber spatula, spread smooth to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Press the large peppermint pieces onto the top of the mixture and transfer to a refrigerator to firm.

When firm, break the bark into bite-size pieces and place in an attractive serving bowl or package in airtight containers to give as gifts. Serve at room temperature.

This is best refrigerated if kept for any length of time.

thank you to Food network for the photo and thank you Emeril Lagasse for the recipe.

Online Poster Printing 16x20 Rolled Canvas *CLOSED*

Looking for a unique gift this holiday season? Online Poster Printing offers rolled canvas prints for one of your favorite photos or a great new way to spice up your business advertising.

They offer both rolled canvas and gallery stretched canvas for a selection. There is a satin finish for vibrant colors, a protective coating for UV protection and stains, and they offer a three day turn around! If you would like to know more about Online Poster Printing, please check them out at Yelp.

Would you like to win one of these wonderful rolled canvases just in time for the holidays?

Buy It

You can find multiple sizes and styles at onlineposterprinting.com

Win It

Enter to win a custom 16x20 rolled canvas of your own!!

Rules

Please let me know what photo gifts you are planning on giving this holiday season to your loved ones.

Extra Entries

-Blog about this giveaway and leave a link here in your entry, for two extra entries.

-Tweet this giveaway @uprinting for one extra entry.

-Follow me for one extra entry

U.S. entries only. Free UPS ground shipping included. Ends December 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM Arizona time.

*thank you online poster printing for sponsoring this giveaway*

Making Tuesday Tasty-Green Bean Casserole

In keeping with the Thanksgiving theme, I'm adding another super yummy recipe to the mix. Here is a yummy scratch version of green bean casserole. The ingredients are fresh and delicious. I still personally like the french onions for the texture and flavor myself. The wonderful thing about recipes is, you can make them to suit you.

Ingredients

3 pounds green beans

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 loaf crusty Italian bread

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves

4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 pounds mixed mushrooms (such as button, cremini, shiitake), sliced

2 shallots, sliced

1 cup heavy cream

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add a big pinch of salt and the green beans.

Cook for about 5 minutes, the beans should still be crisp, they will be cooked more in the oven. Drain them and set aside.

Butter a baking dish large enough to hold the green beans with 1 tablespoon butter and set aside.
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Tear the bread into 2-inch pieces, put them into a bowl, and add 1 tablespoon chives, 1 tablespoon thyme, 1 tablespoon rosemary, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Stir well to coat and spread onto a baking sheet. Bake just until the bread just starts to turn golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the mushrooms have released their liquid, about 10 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream, add the remaining thyme and chives, and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the green beans and stir well. Put the green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish, top with the croutons, and sprinkle on the remaining Parmesan. Bake until everything is hot and bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes.

*recipe and photo courtesy of Tyler Florence and Food network*

The Big Deal-Campaign 24

Ok, next month is Christmas. NEXT MONTH. Not to mention Hanukkah and many other holiday traditions. It's creeping up quickly. Do you need stocking stuffers? How about some cute decorating ideas to make things festive?

Campaign 24 has an amazing offer called the BIG DEAL! 8 lip balms, 4 hand lotions, and 4 bath paints for kids.

How much is it? Only $12. Normally this would be $19.84. Time to stock up.

http://mbreyer.avonrepresentative.com

Twilight Dress Giveaway! *CLOSED*

Hello everyone. I want to introduce myself to those of you who are new to this blog. My name is Melanie and I have recently started selling Avon and mark products via website and I am contacting people local to me as well. I just listed all the awesome prices on the most recent campaign and am hoping people take advantage of the time to stock up!

I want to start this new campaign with a BANG! I have a super cute mark(tm) Twilight Dress in Grey satin. It is adorable for this season and would look fantastic with a pair of tights, a rockin' long necklace, and some boots. Can you say holiday dress? The dress is a mini dress with 3/4 flared sleeves, and looks like a tunic. Very modern, simple, and classy.

You can't buy this right now as it's unavailable on the website. I have one dress in a L (11/13) juniors sizing. $28 value.

Win It


Mandatory entry go to my website and subscribe with your email address and basic information. U.S. Entries only please! You don't have to be a blogger to enter. Please leave a way for me to contact you or I will select someone else. Trust me, happens all the time. Don't be the one who misses out!

Extra Entries

If you buy something from me , in any dollar amount, give yourself 10 extra entries. Please do them individually so you get credit!! Note that you did and what email address you have listed.

Join my Myspace for 1 entry

Follow my blog 1 entry

Follow me on twitter @kaiasmommy 1 entry

This contest will end midnight November 15, 2009 Arizona time.

Making Tuesday Tasty-High Heat Turkey

It's November so I'm gonna start things out right! A classic Turkey prepared and cooked on high heat. Whenever I cook poultry on high heat it turns out succulent and delicious. As long as you cover it properly in the beginning, make sure there's water at bottom of the pan and, and let it rest, you're going to have one beautiful bird! Not to mention shaving off precious time in the cooking process.

Ingredients

16-18 lbs fresh whole turkey

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh black pepper, to taste

3 cups as needed chicken broth

Directions
1. Dry a 16 to 18 lb. turkey inside and out with paper towels.

2. Oil the turkey inside and out with any kind of vegetable oil (olive, canola, etc.) using your hands.
3. Cut away any excess skin around the opening of the cavity and wedge a fork inside the cavity to open it further. Leave the fork in to keep cavity open.

4. Rub spices, herbs, or just pepper all over the bird with your oily fingers.

5. Place the turkey, breast side down on a rack in a large metal roasting pan.

6. Cover the top of the turkey, including legs and wings with greased foil.

7. Pour ¾-inch of chicken or turkey broth in the bottom of the pan. As the turkey cooks, check the liquid every 45 minutes and add more in case it evaporates.

8. Cook the turkey at 500° to 525° for 2 hours.

9. Remove foil, stuff the turkey with cooked stuffing and return it to the rack breast side up.

10. Cook the turkey 30 to 45 minutes longer until an instant-read thermometer stuck deep in the thigh reads 175°.

11. Let the turkey rest at least 20 minutes, this allows the meat to reabsorb its juices.

Suggestions to go along with this cooking process. If you salt or over salt you will be taking the juices from the bird. Find a large enough pan to fit the bird in and put it on a rack so it's not "stewing". Allow the heated air to flow around the bird and cook it properly. Don't baste the bird because it breaks down the lovely caramelization on the bird as well as uses up the pan juices that would be later used for gravy. Don't cover with cheesecloth because it prevents browning and color to the bird.

**This recipe I've used is taken courtesy of Recipezaar/kiwidutch. Photo courtesy of Recipezaar**

In Bloom-New Fragrance From Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon has put a stamp of approval on a new fragrance called In Bloom. The fragrance evokes a woman's changing seasons, and each experience she collects in her memory.

"Sensual and elegant, it entices the senses with gardenia blossoms and lush florals, enveloped in amber wood and peach tea leaves. 1.7 fl. oz." taken from site

This lovely, feminine scent is being captured in an eau de parfum spray and a Limited Edition 1 oz. parfum. If you would like to get it for the holiday's, there is a wonderful Gift Collection that includes the eau de parfum spray, body lotion, and shower gel, and a gift bag. Perfect for that lady or girl in your life that loves luxurious fragrances! You can also check out the other name brand fragrances on my site here. Happy Shopping.

Melanie

Making Tuesday Tasty-Pumpkin Pancakes

This is labeled as IHOP's pumpkin pancake recipe...they are a favorite here in my house! Delicious and they taste like Autumn, how can you go wrong?

Ingredients
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons canned pumpkin
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice

Directions

1 preheat a skillet over medium heat.

2 Coat with oil or cooking spray Combine eggs, buttermilk, butter, pumpkin, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.

3 Blend ingredients together.

4 Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl.

5 Mix in the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and blend until smooth.

6 Pour the batter into the skillet to form 5-inch circles (1/4 cup portions).

7 When the batter stops bubbling and edges begin to harden, flip the pancakes.

8 They should be dark brown.

9 This will take about 1 to 2 minutes.

10 Flip the pancakes and cook the other side for the same amount of time, until dark brown.

Courtesty of Recipe Zaar

Happy Easter

I'm going to post the lyric and video of this song I recently heard. It tugged at my heart strings immediately. I listen to christian music radio here and there but, I'm really bad at knowing who the people are that sing them.

I struggle daily with sin, doubt, and procrastination yet, Jesus is alive. He has taken my place and I'm forever indebted. Praise him and blessed is his name forever.

Happy Easter!

Breath Of God by Shane Barnard

A life you cannot define

A purpose that's benign

They need to see and believe

Be lead to the rugged tree

The one on which He cried

not for His pain but for our debt

The very same tree that He conquered death

It was an unfair deal on the part of Christ

He got my sin I got eternal life

Make me the breath of God

And I'll show them the One that means the most to me

They'll see the face of love

Be touched by the very One

That died upon the tree

Oh, Make me the breath of God

And I'll show them the One

that means the most to me

They'll see the face of love

Be touched by the very One

that died upon the tree

Small talk is a better choice..A way to avoid Your voice

I need to feel the dust on my knees

And lead them to the tree

The one on which He cried

not for His pain but for our debt

The very same tree that He conquered death

It was an unfair deal on the part of Christ

He got my sin I got eternal life

Make me the breath of God

And I'll show them the One

that means the most to me

They'll see the face of love

Be touched by the very One that died upon the tree

Oh, Make me the breath of God

And I'll show them the One

that means the most to me

They'll see the face of love

Be touched by the very One that died upon the tree

Will you follow me?

Lead them to the tree?

Can't you just believe?

Will you take a knee?

For eternity?

For eternity?

Make me the breath of God

And I'll show them the One

that means the most to me

They'll see the face of love

Be touched by the very One that died upon the tree

Oh, Make me the breath of God

And I'll show them the One that means the most to me

They'll see the face of love

Be touched by the very One that died upon the tree

Oh, I'll be the breath of God

St Patricks Day With A Little History Thrown In

I'm not Irish and if I am, it's the smallest amount of all of me. I do recognize the holiday by wearing green, which also happens to be my favorite color. I don't do the green beer or partying but, I think it's fun to dress the part. Must be the woman in me?!

I looked up St.Patrick to see what all the hub bub was about and some of the things I knew over time and some things were a little surprising to me. St.Patrick's day was a religious holiday back in the day. Not surprising since it's an Irish national holiday celebrating a saint. Traditionally, "Saint Patrick's blue" was worn to associate St.Patrick but, the term "wearing of the green" was long associated with Irish nationalism and/or loyalty to the Roman Catholic church. Some protestants have begun wearing orange on St.Patrick's day in defiance. Interesting.

A surprising fact is that it became a national holiday in 1903 in Ireland and the pubs were ordered to be closed on March 17 but, it was changed in the 1970's. Surprising because I'm sure that many people that celebrated this as a religious and national holiday would be amazed at the amount of debauchery that goes on now! Some think that the reason so many have turned this into a secular holiday is this coincides with a pagan festival celebrating the god of wine. Yet another new one for me.

According to wikipedia, St.Patrick was a Roman-Britain born a christian missionary and was captured by Irish raiders and made a slave to Ireland before he escaped, about six years later. There is much more information and even some theories, but I won't type all these up. Happy St. Patrick's day however you celebrate it. Just don't celebrate TOO much!