Tidymom

Necco Wafer goes All Natural {review}

2009-11-08T16:32:00.001-06:00

I know that most everyone has tried Necco's Sweetheart Conversation Hea rts during Valentines Day - right?

But have you ever had Necco Wafers?

My kids didn't even know what they were.

That's why I was so excited when I had the opportunity to be one of the first people to send an email to Necco Wafers and tell them that I would LOVE review their product (that has gone ALL Natural), in exchange they sent me a bag of Necco Wafers to share with my family and friends.

What are Necco Wafers?

Did you know Necco Wafers have been around since 1847, and very little has changed about them in over a century and a half, other than the price, until now. Necco Wafers are now All Natural, making them the largest mass-produced candy line in the U.S. to shed artificial flavoring and colors.
This means that all NECCO Wafers are fat-free, gluten-free and nut-free and now NO High Fructose Corn Syrup as well as artificial colors and flavors

Each assorted wafer roll contains a combination of the seven flavors and colors: lemon (yellow), orange (orange), clove (purple), cinnamon (white), wintergreen (pink), licorice (black) and chocolate (brown). **Lime(green) was eliminated when they went All Natural -"Green, one of eight original wafer colors, was too hard to duplicate in the all-natural process. It seems the lime flavor could be reproduced naturally, but the color lacked consistency so it was scrapped."

********

I have been a fan of Necco Wafers since child hood, they were a favorite candy of my mom's. Now as an adult I have a new reason to love them. I like the fact that besides being All Natural, it's also a fat free candy. The bag that was sent to us contained 23 rolls of nine in original flavors. (The calorie count for each roll is 50 with 0 g total fat) After eating one roll, my sweet tooth was satisfied! I like to suck on them for a bit, so one roll lasted me the better part of the afternoon. I got to enjoy a delicious treat without the guilt. I also love that each wafer is packed full of flavor! The chocolate only packs were Sunshine's favorite!

We passed out some to Trick-or-Treaters! So hopefully we introduced some more kids to this wonderful treat!

~ FUN ~

check out the Necco website here and see how Necco's are made!

Twilight Fans - have you seen Necco's Twilight Sweethearts?! I've picked up a few boxes at Walgreens to snack on when we go to the Midnight premier of New Moon on Nov 20th!

***********

Got a Necco wafer story? Did you eat them as a kid?

TidyMom radio interview "On The HomeStretch" with Debbie Alan

2009-11-08T09:02:00.005-06:00

A little over a week ago I was a guest on Debbie Alan’s morning radio show

“On The HomeStretch“

I was SO nervous (click here to read my post about it) !

But Debbie made me feel like I was talking to an old friend!

If you missed the interview,

and want to know a little more about TidyMom

Click here to listen to my interview!

Thanks again Debbie for visiting with me, and to Julie for setting it all up!

FREE E-Book: Old Schoolhouse Holiday & winners

2009-11-07T09:00:00.002-06:00

The Old Schoolhouse has posted a link to their Digital Holiday Supplement for Thanksgiving and Christmas available for everyone HERE!

This 175 page digital magazine is packed full of wonderful ideas to prepare you and your family for the upcoming holidays with holiday recipes, activities for the kids, craft ideas with instructions, articles on staying sane during the holidays and making the most of our Christmas season and much much more!

I also have the four winners of the

Don Aslett Housework Help Books Giveaway!!

Random.org chose the winners for me!

#1 Christina is the winner of How to Make Your House do the Housework

#77 Lindsey is the winner of No Time to Clean

#23 Amanda is the winner of How to Handle 1,000 Things at Once

#47 ConvientlySimplistic is the winner of For Packrats Only

Congratulations ladies!! I'm sure you will love the books!

Remember, if you place an order for any of Don's books and you mention that you are a TidyMom reader, you will receive a FREE Microfiber Dust Cloth with your purchase!! Just click the button below or over on my sidebar.

They sent me the Help! Around the House book, "A Mother's Guide to Getting the Family to Pitch in and Clean Up"......and I have to say I'm REALLY enjoying that book!! I love this quote:

"We've made cleaning part of the responsibility
of being a member of the family.
If you live in the house, you help take care of it.
It belongs to all of us."

"Love the Pie" Party!

2009-11-06T04:00:00.002-06:00

I'm having a Party!!

a PIE PARTY that is!!

On Monday November 16th I'm throwing a

"Love the Pie" blog carnival!!

Every great pie starts with a GREAT PIE CRUST!!!
You don't have to be a "domestic goddess" to make a great pie crust!
I have a secret, (remember... I like "easy") I ALWAYS use Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pie Crust!
Just add a pinch of personality and a dash of inspiration and you'll have a pie that would make your Grandmother AND Martha Stewart proud!!

So, just in time for Thanksgiving!
Get your recipes ready and post about your creation
then come back here on November 16 to link up your post!

OH! and what's a party with out prizes?????
Pillsbury® will have some prizes for a few of you who link up to the "Love the Pie Party!"
EDITED to say....I have a few more sponsors who will be participating as well, so there will be lots of fun prizes!! I have room for a few more, so if you would like to sponsor a giveaway for this party, just email me!

Looking for a pie recipe to try? Pillsbury® has some great recipes to try!
www.Pillsbury.com/pie
you can also find a money saving coupon here for your Pillsbury® Pie Crust

You can use the code below if you'd wish to blog about Love the Pie or put the button on your side bar! I'll post this code again on Nov 16th so you can add it to your post too!

I will put the party up starting 9pm CT on Sunday Nov 15

Freezing Cookies for Holiday Baking {Guest Post}

2009-11-05T05:41:00.005-06:00

I'm SO excited!! I have a guest poster for you today!!
Bridget of Bake at 350!!
Bridget and I have really connected and I'm a HUGE fan of her blog where she shares all of her fabulous cookies, tips and more! Today's she's sharing how to ease some of the stress of holiday cookie baking.

So, grab a cookie and come along.............

Hi, TidyMom readers! I am so thrilled to be here guest posting today on one of my favorite blogs! Thank you, Cheryl, for the invite!

Well, ladies...the season is upon us. The baking season, that is. I love baking and decorating cookies, but sometimes just the thought of how many I have to bake...for teachers, neighbors, friends, relatives...in December makes me tired.

Guess what? You can FREEZE sugar cookies and save them for later! Yay!

Here's how I do it:

Bake the cookies and let them cool completely,
Stack in gallon freezer baggies between layers of wax paper,

Place the baggies in freezer safe plastic containers (this gives them an extra layer of protection and keeps them from getting crushed).

To thaw, just take them out of the freezer about 3 hours or more before decorating. (Do not refrigerate.)

Cookies already decorated with royal icing can also be frozen! This is great if you're planning a big party, just make your cookies in advance and pop in the freezer. Again, take them out a few hours before you need them, and you are all set. If you've bagged them, leave the cookies in the bags to thaw.

Happy cookie decorating!

Thanks again Bridget!! Your cookies inspire me every day! You make it all look so easy with your "I can do it" attitude and all of the advice you share! I can't wait until we can actually meet in person one day!

Pumpkin Spice Coffee-Mate Works for ME!

2009-11-04T08:02:00.002-06:00

Have you tried Coffee-Mate's Pumpkin Spice creamer?

OMG - I no longer need to stop at Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice latte! I'm going to give it a try with our Back to Basics Cocoa-Latte Machine
and make our own latte's - but it's delicious just poured into your cup of morning joe!!♥

It's only available November thru January - so grab some quick before it's gone!

Coffee-Mate's Pumpkin Spice creamer Works for ME!

No one paid me to write this post - I just wanted to share something that I LOVE!

Secret Agent Spy Party!!

2009-11-02T19:31:00.004-06:00

You MUST click over to Moore Minutes and see the AMAZING

Secret Agent Spy Party

Lisa pulled off for her 9 year old son!!

It sounds like SO much fun!! Sunshine read the whole post with me and wants to know why I never did something like that for her!LOL

Holidays and picture taking! Mom*tog

2009-11-02T07:09:00.005-06:00

With the holidays quickly approaching, I know many of us will be taking pictures.....LOTS of pictures!!

One of the ways I keep up with photography and learn new skills is by following some of my favorite blogs and photographers! One of my favorite blogs to follow for WONDERFUL pictures and LOTS of AWESOME tips is Mom*tog

Mom*tog is a site devoted to Mom photographers!! Drew B is an amazing photographer who started a blog for moms that love photography because she is one! She is easy to relate to and incredibly helpful, she answers the questions of her readers and shares so much advice on topics like: focus, camera bodies, how to pose and dress your clients, locations that may work and a recent post "The best age for photographing babies" and "using your garage for photo shoots!". If you haven't checked it out you should! Click her button below!

November 2009 desktop theme

2009-11-01T09:40:00.002-06:00

I love having the current month's calendar on my computer desktop!

Julie of LeeLou Blogs makes the cutest desktop wallpapers each month for you to download for FREE! Click the picture above or click here to get your FREE November 2009 desktop theme like I did!! Be sure to leave Julie a comment thanking her for her generosity!! ~Thanks Julie!!

Vampire Salon!

2009-10-31T09:58:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween!!

Yesterday I made cupcakes and took up to the salon where Hollywood works. I printed the CUTE cupcake toppers (free) from my generous and talented friend Amy of Living Locurto - you can print your own here.

All of the girls at the Salon dressed as Vampires.....so you know I had to take my camera as well! Take a look at the fun we all had! They even had gummy fangs to pass out to trick-or-treaters!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Have a SAFE and Happy Halloween!

Flavor of the Month - PUMPKIN!

2009-10-30T08:05:00.003-05:00

My buddy Bridget of Bake at 350 host's a party titled Flavor of the Month at the end of each month. (her party will start this evening - so I'll link this post up then)

This month's flavor is PUMPKIN!

I have been having FUN with Pumpkin this month!! It's one of our favorite flavors and can be used so many ways! I have several pumpkin recipes to share!

Actually the first Pumpkin recipe I tried, was one Bridget posted for

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

This was GREAT with my whole wheat bagels!

I adapted Bridget's recipe to what I had on hand, you can find Bridget's recipe here.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla
4 TBSP brown sugar

Beat all ingredients together until smooth. Refrigerate.

Next up, we made Pumpkin Pancakes!

These were a huge hit! We've made them twice already this month!

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 eggs

1-1/4 cups buttermilk (*I used powdered)

4 TBSP melted butter

4 TBSP canned pumpkin

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp allspice

Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with no stick spray.

Combine eggs, buttermilk, butter, pumpkin, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
Use an electric mixer to blend ingredients.

Add dry ingredients to wet
ingredients and blend with mixer until smooth.

Pour or scoop the batter onto hot skillet, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake.

When the batter stops bubbling and edges begin to harden, flip the
pancakes. They should be golden brown. This will take from 1 to 2 minutes.

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

Serve warm with syrup.

Makes approximately 16 pancakes.

*TIPS:

1. I used the powdered buttermilk, this way I always have some on hand - if you use the powdered - replace buttermilk with 1-1/4 cup water in the wet ingredients, and add 5 TBSP of buttermilk mix to the dry ingredients

2. My skillet makes 4 pancackes at a time, I heat my oven to about 180° and place cooked pancakes on a plate and place in oven while I cook the next batch, remove plate to add another batch to plate and place back in warm oven until all pancakes are cooked.

3. I plan to make a few batches and freeze them - Cool pancakes completely on wire rack, After they've cooled, stack them up between sheets up wax paper and freeze. Wrap pancakes securely in a moisture proof air tight freezer bag, then place in another bag (double wrapped). Freeze for no more than six weeks. Separate, then microwave to reheat - Stack 3 frozen pancakes on a plate, microwave uncovered on HIGH for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 minutes or until pancakes are hot.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

Brownie Batter:

1 prepared Brownie Mix

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix according to box adding 1 tsp cinnamon. (I use Ghirardelli or Duncan Hi nes)

Cheesecake Batter

6 oz cream cheese, softened

1 egg

1/3 cup sugar

2 TBSP flour

1/2 cup pumpkin

1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8"x8" square metal pan.

Mix brownie batter and cinnamon in bowl.

In separate bowl, beat together cheesecake batter.

Spread about 2/3 of brownie batter into prepared pan, and spoon cheesecake batter over top. Dollop remaining brownie batter over cheesecake batter. Swirl together with a knife.

Bake for 40 minutes, or until center is set.

Cool completely on wire rack and chill before cutting and serving!

These were SO good!! Sunshine likes to pick which piece is her's when I make something she really likes, and sometimes she will "claim her piece!" LOL

I walked into the kitchen and there is a note on which piece she want! LOL

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

This is another yummy idea I got from Bridget! She made mini muffins here.
I made full size muffins

Chocolate Pumpkin Mini-Muffins
(makes approx 18 large or 43 mini muffins)

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1/2 c mini chocolate chips
2 egg whites
2 TBSP water
mini chocolate chips to garnish

Preheat the oven to 375°.
Spray the insides of your muffin liners with no stick pray, otherwise the muffins will stick to the paper. Place in muffin tins.

In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until a little foamy.

Add in the remaining ingredients and stir until well-blended. Use an icecream scooper to fill prepared baking cups. Bake for about 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Sprinkle with a few mini chocolate chips as soon as they come out of the oven!

Remove from pans and let cool on a rack.

Other pumpkin recipes I've posted in the past

Pumpkin Fluff

Layered Walnut Pumpkin Pie

Enjoy!!

If you have any pumpkin recipes to share,

be sure to link up over at Bake at 350,

or just head over there for more FAB recipes!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget my giveaway while you're here too! Click here!

Check out these great links for more fabulous recipes!!

I've also linked this to Kimba's DIY Day and Dessert Friday on Stop and Smell the Chocolate

TidyMom on the RADIO!

2009-10-28T08:37:00.007-05:00

YIKES!

Yes, you read that right!

I'm completely excited and nervous!

Tomorrow morning, Thursday Oct 29, 2009 at 10:45 am CT

I will be doing a LIVE radio/podcast interview

as a guest on Debbie Allan's morning radio show On the HomeStretch.

Tune in to hear me share some tips on how to keep a Tidy Home, and what my passions are!

You can listen online at http://OnTheHomeStretch.com (during the interview) or you can call in LIVE at 877-474-3302

Don't worry, if you miss it, I will post a link to the podcast so you can listen anytime.

So feel free to pour yourself a cup of coffee and listen in our our conversation about keeping your home Tidy!

Don't forget to enter my latest giveaway if you need Housework Help!! I have FOUR of Don Aslett, America's #1 Cleaning Expert's books to giveaway to my readers!!

Click here to win one of FOUR Housework Books!

Don Aslett Housework Books & GIVEAWAY!

2009-10-27T12:44:00.011-05:00

After my post Tips for a Tidy Home , I had a lot of people contact me letting me know they've been applying some of those tips to their home with great success!!

It is not as difficult as it may seem to keep a home that is well organized, tidy and clean. Just remember.... it will not happen overnight . Unfortunately there is no way to avoid housework. But you can keep your house clean and tidy if you just get organized.

Don Aslett, America's #1 Cleaning Expert and founder of one of the country's largest cleaning firms, Varsity Contractors, is one of my new sponsors.

Aslett has written over 40 books and sold millions on cleaning topics, including
Clutter's Last stand - “the book that convinces you to declutter.” With a nonstop sense of humor and hundreds of hilarious illustrations, it lays out the case for dejunking, dramatically demonstrating how clutter invades and affects every area of our homes and lives.

and Do I Dust or Vacuum First? -Don uses an entertaining Q&A format to provide quick and easy answers to the most frequently asked questions about housecleaning. With Don's practical, inexpensive solutions, you'll maximize your energy and minimize your efforts—and get any job anywhere done in half the time. You'll also learn strategies to prevent housework and earn more free time for yourself. So, Do I dust or vacuum first? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out!

Right now if any of my readers order any of Don's books and you mention that you are a TidyMom reader, you will receive a FREE Microfiber Dust Cloth with your purchase!! Just click the button below or over on my sidebar.

Oh yeah..........I mentioned a GIVEAWAY didn't I?!

Aslett Books has generously offered to send 4 TidyMom readers one of Don's books.

We will be giving away one copy of each of the following books

(click the title to read more about each book)

Make Your House do the Housework

No Time To Clean

How to Handle 1,000 Things at Once

For Packrats Only

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
How to Enter:
(Remember leave a new comment for each entry. Each comment is an entry, so if you do several things, but only leave one comment, you would only be entered once instead of several times- you can enter up to 6 times, so you would leave 6 comments)

REQUIRED:

1.Leave a comment on this post letting me know what is your favorite (or what you think would be your favorite) Don Aslett book. (be sure to leave your email address if you don't have a blog)

Extra Entries: -( leave a separate comment letting me know )

2. Blog about the giveaway.

3. Follow Me on Twitter @TidyMom

4. Tweet about it. Don Aslett Housework Books Giveaway! @TidyMom to enter visit http://tidymomof2.blogspot.com

5. Add my button to your blog. (on the right)

6. Follow my blog, or Subscribe

Contest Ends on November 6, 2009 at 11:59pm (CT).

Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

2009-10-27T06:32:00.003-05:00

We are having the wettest and one of the coldest Octobers on record here in St. Louis.

So I've been in a soup mood!!

Soup is a GREAT Halloween meal as well, you can fix a big pot during the day, and easily eat before or after Trick-or-Treating!

One of my favorites at St. Louis Bread (Panera Bread) is their

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup!

So, I've been on a search for similar recipe! I found one and tweaked it just a bit!!

OMG! I LOVE LOVE LOVED how this soup turned out!!

It's filling, hearty and makes GREAT leftovers! Just be sure to add a little water when re-heating.

It will definitely become a regular in our house!

Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients:

2-3 Tbl Olive Oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 celery
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 cooked, boneless chicken breast halves, shredded
1 (4.5 ounce) package quick cooking long grain and wild rice with seasoning packet
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
2 cups heavy cream

Directions:

1. Cook chicken breast - I cooked mine in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil until cooked thru (about 4-5 mins on each side), removed from pan and shredded with a knife and fork. **You could also use a rotisserie chicken, just pull chicken from bone. Set cooked chicken aside.

2. In a large pot over medium heat saute garlic cloves in olive oil, then add carrot and celery and saute for a few minutes until softened.

3. Add broth, water and chicken. Bring just to boiling, then stir in rice, reserving seasoning packet. Cover and remove from heat.

4. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper and flour. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in contents of seasoning packet until mixture is bubbly. Reduce heat to low, then stir in flour mixture with a wooden spoon by tablespoons, until thick, to form a roux. Whisk in cream, a little at a time, until fully mixed and smooth. Cook until thickened about 5 minutes.

5. Add cream mixture into broth and rice, stir slowly. Cook over medium heat until heated through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Yields approximately 8 servings.

Check out these great links for more fabulous recipes!!

Glowing Jack o' Lanterns & Halloween Apothecary

2009-10-26T07:48:00.004-05:00

I have a couple favorite blogs for crafting and projects!! These talented ladies have shared some great ideas for Halloween!

Are you still looking for some Halloween projects ?

Emily of Not So Idle Hands made these incredibly cute Glowing Jack o' Lanterns. Head over to her blog, you won't believe how inexpensive they are and easy to make, even the kids can help!

Amy, of The Idea Room made some spooky Halloween Apothecary's with these label's from Love Manor!

I posted a link to Jonny Love's brilliant potion labels last year (here). Head over to The Idea Room and Amy will show you how you can make your own CREEPY SCARY Apothecary's using Jonny Love's potion labels!

Both of these creative ladies are full of fantastic ideas! Be sure to browse all thru their blogs for more amazing ideas!

Not So Idle Hands

The Idea Room

Survey Time!!

2009-10-22T16:17:00.007-05:00

I would LOVE to learn more about YOU, my readers!

In effort to improve my blog I'd like to hear what you like, and don't like, what you'd like to see more of or less of! Be honest!!

So pretty please, if you don’t mind, take the time to answer 11 quick questions? Most are multiple choice. Inquiring minds wanna know…

Please and Thank you!!

Survey is now CLOSED! Thanks for your help!

Click here for the survey

Good thoughts and well wishes needed

2009-10-21T13:45:00.003-05:00

Because of this.............

We have not been doing any of this for 2 weeks now!

Sunshine injured her middle finger in this basketball game. The pediatrician sent her to an orthopedic surgeon who confirmed that it was not broken, but the swelling still has not gone away, and it's still very sore and she can not move it very much.
So we are headed back to the orthopedic surgeon on Friday. There are only 2 games left in our basketball season, I'm really hoping she can at least play the last one next Thursday!!

~~~

This little guy, my bestest buddie, Mr. Cullen could use some good thoughts as well, on Thursday.

He's going to "lose his manhood" as Sunshine puts it! LOL
That's right, he's getting neutered on Thursday, I know it's very common and the responsible thing to do, but I'm still nervous about him going.

He's going to be doing a lot of this for the next several days........

and not so much of this for a while.....

~~~

On one more note, my external hard drive (where I store ALL of my pictures and music) has been in the computer hospital, they called today to tell me she is ready to come home!! YEAH!! I actually had to replace the hard drive, but they were able to save and transfer everything for me!!

Never a dull moment here, I tell you!!

Cookie Cutter Search {feature}

2009-10-20T12:01:00.002-05:00

My Easy Candy Corn Cookies have been featured again!!

This time on Cookie Cutter Search website!!

My feature is here

Be sure to check out their entire site!

CookieCutterSearch.com

"Along with lots of information on cookies and cookie cutters and all things related to them, we have a searchable database just for cookie cutters. We are constantly adding to our database as well as adding new articles and information to our site. We want to be your complete resource for all things "Cookies." We hope you enjoy it."

Thanks again for featuring my cookies Rosemary!

Upside-Down Apple Pecan Pie

2009-10-19T20:58:00.006-05:00

YUM!!

This is one of my favorite ways to make apple pie!!

It's a self-glazing apple pie that tastes as wonderful as it looks!!!

And it's easy too!

Grab your apron!

We're going to make an apple pie that's sure to knock their socks off!

Upside-Down Apple Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup melted margarine or butter
1 box of Pillsbury All Ready Pie Crust
1 tsp flour
6 cups (6 medium) sliced & peeled apples
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Heat oven to 375°F.

1. In 9" pie plate, combine pecans, brown sugar and margarine; spread evenly over bottom of pan.

2. Prepare pie crust according to package direction for two-crust pie (flouring each side of crust).
Place bottom crust over pecan mixture in pan.

3. press crust down around sides of pan.

4. In large bowl, combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. mix lightly.

5. Spoon into pie crust-lined plate.

6. Top with second pie crust, and flute.

7. Cut slits in several places.

8. Place pie plate on cookie sheet and bake at 376° for 40-50 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Cool pie upright in pan for 5 minutes

9. Place serving plate over pie (after cooling for 5 mins)

10. Invert pie, Carefully remove pan. Some nuts may remain in pan, replace on pie with a knife

Cool at least 1 hour before serving.

Here's one more look at how yummy it looks!!

Check out these great links for more fabulous recipes!!

visit Blissfully Domestic for some domestic bliss
and Southern Hospitality for more great recipes!

PLEASE NOTE

If you have a FAB Pumpkin Recipe,
Bridget of Bake at 350 hosts a bloggy carnival at the end of each month titled
Flavor of the Month
October's theme is PUMPKIN!
I have several pumpkin recipes we've been making to share with you!

Get your recipes ready to share too, click Bridget's button below for details!!

Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies {book}

2009-10-19T13:21:00.005-05:00

Have you ever read a book to your children and know you've just read something very special?

Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies is a beautifully illustrated book about a nice witch, who is not beautiful on the outside, but on the inside. She makes wonderful pies for the Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween. Her house is the last stop at midnight for some excellent pie and cider.

We've had this book for several years, and I pull it out every year with our halloween decor, and even at 13 and 21, my girls STILL love this book!!

You can buy Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies

at my Amazon Store by clicking here

I promise you will feel like you can smell the pie and feel anticipation of getting a slice.

This is the perfect story to read to children, young and old, not fond of scary stories

...the perfect Halloween tale!!

no one paid me in any way to write this post, we just love this book and I wanted to share it with my readers!

Since we LOVE this book for Halloween

I'm linking it to Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family!

Winning and Losing

2009-10-16T06:04:00.003-05:00

My greatest enjoyment about blogging has always been about connecting.

Connecting with bloggers and readers and with the friends that I’ve made here. It’s all about sympathizing when things go wrong.... and celebrating when they go right. Because when you think about it, blogging is about community, and being part of the blogging community is something I love!

Without readers and comments, bloggers would just be "talking to our selves". Readers make our blogs what they are! Those comments are the reason we continue to blog.

Sometimes being apart of that community opens up opportunities. Contests and giveaways are some of the thrilling opportunities of a blogging community.

Recently I entered a blogging contest thru Twittermom's and Samsung Home Appliances {click here to see all those posts}. This contest initially required the help of the bloggers readers and comments. Boy, did my readers step up to help! Their comments were supposed to help me win a new Samsung Washer and Dryer. They spent countless hours as a community, helping one of their own.

I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting to hear the results of your support (over 43,000 comments). Did I win the Washer and Dryer?

After the contest was over, Twittermom's informed all entrants that they were no longer going to choose the blog with the most comments, but they would choose a random winner to be announced on Tuesday Oct 13, 2009. I have yet to hear anything, no notice of a winner has been seen or heard. (UPDATE: the random winner was announce late Friday Oct 16)

During the month of September I heard about the Chevy and Mommy Madness campaign that was coming to St. Louis looking for Mommy Bloggers to drive a sweet Chevy for four weeks! Heck yeah!! I applied..........but I was not picked as one of the six lucky bloggers. Too bad, looks like fun! Congrats to those bloggers who were picked!! I follow a few of their blogs (Extraordinary Mommy and STL Mommy), and they are GREAT mommy bloggers!

So, I was feeling a little sorry for myself....when I get a message from
Jyl of Mom it Forward

Back in August she had a giveaway!
You needed to share your best or worst housework experience
in her comments
to win one of three Dyson Vacuum cleaners!

Guess WHAT?!!!!

I WON!!

A DYSON BALL VACUUM CLEANER! (DC24)
I couldn't believe it!!
♥ Isn't she BEAUTIFUL ♥

How EXCITING was THIS!!?

This beauty just arrived at my house yesterday,
you better believe I'll post soon to tell you all about her!

I think she needs a name doesn't she??

I'd love to hear your ideas!!

Thanks again to Mom it Forward and Dyson for making this mom's life a little easier!

I linked up to Beautiful Life Friday at the Inspired Room!

Posh Pixels

2009-10-15T06:28:00.002-05:00

Meet my newest Sponsor,

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Please stop by Posh Pixels via button in this post or on my sidebar!

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I'm accepting new ads for placement on my sidebar.

I love supporting small businesses and other blogs!

If you are interested in advertising on TidyMom click here for more info

Halloweenology Feature!

2009-10-14T15:17:00.002-05:00

My Easy Candy Corn Sugar Cookies have been featured at Halloweenology!

It's a GREAT website full of Halloween ideas!

Halloweenology

"The spookiest blog devoted to Halloween!"

Check them out! You'll find everything from fun to gross and cute to scary!

Halloween {Fall} Touches

2009-10-13T06:35:00.003-05:00

There's been a crispness in the air as we have below normal temps here in St. Louis for October {highs in the 50's}. So it's been easy to get into the fall nesting mood!

I finally got around to spreading some Fall and Halloween around the house. Here's a glimpse into a few spaces at my house that are sporting a fallish look.

I made this great little BOO picture last year with a frame from Dollar Tree! Joy gave all the easy "how to's" here.

I ♥ those battery powered candles!
and too bad you can't smell thru the computer - my tart warmer is waifing a wonderful Pumpkin tart I got from Bath & Body Works....I didn't know they carried tarts until the other day!
I don't see them on their website, but they had them in the store!

I decorated the front porch first, then we got a LOT of rain then cold temps, before I had a chance to take pictures, so my mums are not looking to great any more.

The Bug Man got my corn stalks for $1!! The farm where he hunts said he could pay them $1 for as many as he wanted if he cut them down himself!

Wooohooo! Thanks Honey!

Take a look at the gourd we found growing in our yard!
We did not plant it, The Bug Man said a bird must have dropped some seeds.
I haven't checked in a few days to see if there are more, but Sunshine picked this one, to put on the porch with the ones we bought!
It's SO cute!! Now she wants to plant gourds! LOL

Thanks for taking the tour.........
are YOU ready for Halloween?

Easy Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

2009-10-12T16:24:00.006-05:00

I first posted these Candy Corn Cookies last year when Sunshine and I made them!

They are just too cute and easy not to post them again this year!!

CANDY CORN COOKIES

Refrigerator Sugar Cookie Dough
Orange Food Coloring (*or red and yellow)
Bakers Bittersweet Chocolate
Bakers White Chocolate

Take refrigerated cookie dough (I used 2 rolls and got about 30 cookies) add orange food coloring (*or red and yellow to make orange) Knead the dough until orange. Roll dough and cut cookies with candy corn cookie cutter (or you can use a triangle cookie cutter). Bake for 10 mins. Let cool. Dip bottom of cooled cookie in melted Baker's chocolate, and dip top end in melted white Baker's Chocolate. Freeze for 5 mins. to set.

~ENJOY!~

Check out these great links for more fabulous recipes!!

I've also linked up to Kimba's DIY day!!