Woo-Hoo Wednesday: Cookbook Giveaway

I LOVE give-aways. I love being a part of them, I love hosting them and of course I LOVE WINNING THEM! Don't you? Well I started thinking, with yesterday being the official release date of  my cookbook why not celebrate and have a give-away with my cookbook?  Our First Year: Cost Effective Recipes from the Home of Newlweds.




Here's How to Enter:

In the right hand column of my blog, there is a section where you can subscribe to follow my blog. You can do it either through Networked Blogs, Google-Join This Site, or through my Follow By Email tab. Do one of the three and then leave a comment on my Facebook in the Give-Away Album Section: Click Here. This will get you your entry to win a copy of my book.

And even if you already have a copy - remember - it makes a great gift item, so start entering now so you don't have to buy that next bridal shower, Christmas or wedding gift!

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ENTER:
(Be sure to leave a separate comment for each additional entry).

- Join Our First Year on Facebook

- Follow Our First Year and tweet about this give-away.

- Write a review on my website: http://www.a-sugarnspice-life.com/post-a-review.html

-Update your friends on Facebook, letting them know about the give-away. When you do so, use your "status update" as your comment below.

-Write a review about my book on Amazon

That's 6 ENTRIES for everyone!!! Pretty great right? 

Winner's will be chosen by Random.org
Give-Away ends October 18th. So start entering! And tell your friends too!

Remember - leave a comment below for EVERY entry you do.

WOO-HOO!!

How- To Tuesday: Peel a potato

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, A tale of a fateful trip. That started from this tropic port Aboard this tiny ship...The mate was a mighty sailing man, The skipper brave and sure. Five passengers set sail that day, For a three hour tour, a three hour tour....

Oh  I'm sorry...I got a little side tracked....I had received an email a while back about the easiest way to peel a potato and Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) from Gilligan's Island demonstrated it. I'm sure many of you received the email as well, so I thought, "Heck, I'm going to try it." (If you want to check out her video, click here )

For me, the month of October starts off Fall, and Fall means: "Big Hearty Home Cooked Meals" Which for my hubby means MASHED POTATOES! And lots of them.

The tip from Dawn Wells is to boil the potato whole and peel aftewards.

The first step is to bring a pot of water to a rapid boil:



Next, prepare your ice bath by filling a bowl with water and then adding a bit of water:



While your water is coming to a boil, you want to wash each of your potatoes and score them across the center:



Once water is boiling, add the potatoes to the pot. (I boiled about 8 potatoes at a time):



Set timer for 15-20 minutes and cover.
Once timer goes off, remove one potato at a time with tongs and submerge in ice bath for about 5 seconds:



Remove from ice bath and using both hands peel back the skin and voila! Peeled (cooked) potato!



I believe I have certainly fallen in love with this method! Personally I do not like peeling potatoes, cutting potatoes, then cooking potatoes and then MAKING mashed potatoes...seems like all too much work for me! But this worked out perfectly.

Some things I learned while doing this:
(1) The rounder/smoother the potato, the easier it was to peel
(2) The more little pits the potato had, the more difficult it was to peel
(3) Only submerge potato in ice bath for 5 seconds...longer does not help
(4) Do not re-submerge the potato in the ice bath, this does not help when peeling.
(5) I would cook the potatoes a bit longer (towards the 20 minutes end) as I cooked them for only 15 minutes, and the bigger potatoes were not fully cooked when I made the mashed potatoes.

All in all, I would definitely do this again!

Weekend Wrap: Apple Cider

This weekend, my husband and I took the kids to a REAL pumpkin patch....a REAL one -- not a cardboard box at the grocery store....or a tent in a dirt parking lot (not that there is anything wrong with those, we tend to frequent that type of pumpkin "picking" on a yearly basis) but a real pumpkin patch, where we were able to pick the pumpkins right off the vine...It was gorgeous there, but part of my favorite experience  (despite the joy in my daughters eyes) was enjoying a delicious bottle of fresh apple cider...




Nothing beats it! My husband expressed his enjoyment by saying, "It tastes like I am drinking a red apple!"
Thank you Plumper Pumpkin Patch for such a wonderful time!

Last Halloween I made up some delicious homemade apple cider myself, I'm thinking I need to dig out the recipe....when I do I'll be sure to share.

What is your favorite fall time drink?

Thankful Thursday: Hot Glue Guns..

Hot Glue Guns....ya....we've got a love hate relationship! Do you know what I'm talking about? For instance, I'd love to think that I could just hot glue anything, but realistically, it's only great for crafting. I'd also love to think that my skin is resistant to the slow burn and blistering, but realistically, it's most definitely not! Love - Hate.

Today I started working on my daughters Halloween costume and out came the Hot Glue Gun. I am very thankful for this little device as it was helped me create quite a few crafts, costumes and projects. (even a few repairs here and there). It actually has been used quite a bit this week since I've been working on my son's costume too, that required the sticky glue. Part of me really wants to give you a hint about the costumes, but I have several family members reading up on the blog and if you know me, you know that I like to keep everything a surprise! So you will soon find out the adorable outfits that I will dressing them in, but not just yet.
(I was at the craft store and the woman asked what I would be making. My response: "Oh just some costumes that I'm sure my kids will hate me for later!" Hah!)

There have been a few battle wounds between me and the Hot Glue Gun. One in particular happened about a year and a half ago and I still have a major scar on my shin from it. I was preparing my Tea Party Hat for my daughters Half Birthday Party, when the flower I was working with leaped from my hands and smacked itself right dab in the middle of my leg. Or course my initial reaction was, "oh lets just let this sit here while I let it dry so it will easily come of." YEAH RIGHT!!!????? It was more like "AHHH!!! AHHHH!!! AHHH!!!" RIPPPP! Off with the flower (and my skin!) But here's the kicker, when I told both my mom and mother in law about this incident, they both said I should have responded like the first part I mentioned-- letting it cool and then peeling it off gently. Um, seriously? That is not a first reaction response. :)

Searching a bit online I came across some interesting facts about glue. Apparently glue dates back to 4000 BC where archeologists found clay pots repaired by a glue substance made from tree sap! The ancient Greeks even had a recipe for glue which included: egg whites, blood, bones, milk, cheese, vegetables and grains.

I'm not about to make that recipe, so I think I'll stick to the slightly dangerous, yet highly effective hot glue gun!

I found a few cute Halloween crafts online that you can make using a hot glue gun. Check them out at the following sites:

Halloween Pendant

Halloween Banner

Cheesecloth Ghosts

Pumpkin Family

Sorry no pictures today kiddos...I know, the photos are my favorite part so I can only imagine how bummed you are. :)

Happy Crafting! And be safe!

Woo-Hoo Wednesday: Three Little Pumpkins...

In light of the beautiful month of October, I would like to dedicate this months posts to all highlight a little bit of fall. You may be asking yourself, "but why was yesterday's post about measuring flour?" And I have the answer -- because I didn't realize it was October already! Remember the sleep deprivation?  So from here on out we'll be focusing on OCTOBER!!

I absolutely love the month of October. First off, it hosts one of my very favorite holidays, Halloween. But mostly because I get to start transforming the house to feel like fall. I say feel because really, here in Arizona we don't necessarily get the changing of the seasons....we get BLAZING HOT YOU THINK YOUR SKIN IS GOING TO MELT OFF....and then we get the most beautiful weather you can imagine. Which this morning, as I type today's post, I am enjoying the "beautiful" part. Our french doors are open, windows all cracked, letting in the cool breeze of fall.

I wanted to take a minute to talk about Three Little Pumpkins. Our home is actually covered in decorations from floor to ceiling, that i have been collecting since I was little. (I seriously had a shed that I purchased when I was about 16 to store all of my *future* home decorations...I know my dad LOVED that one). Anyways, since I do my best to focus on cost effectiveness; shopping the discount stores, decorating with family heirlooms and always walking to the sale section, I wanted to show you 10 different ways you could arrange a centerpiece using just Three Little Pumpkins and some common pieces you may have around your home. As you will see, I used the same three pumpkins, the same strip of material, and same table for each of the pictures. What's so great about these ideas is realistically, you could change up your decorations all throughout the month (and even into the month of November) for no extra spending. Change it up and your friends will notice it each time they come to your home or even just rearrange for yourself. It's so fun and will keep you smiling all day long with just a few bucks from the grocery store.

#1


Using a green goblet that I have in my cupboard, I flipped it over and placed one pumpkin on the base of the cup. Then positioned the other two against the cup.

#2


Using one of my very favorite glass bowls, I displayed the pumpkins bunched together. If you wanted to spend a few extra bucks, pick up some flowers and position them throughout the display. (That or "shop" your home, I'm sure you have some extra foliage that will make it look like you brought the outside, in)

#3


If you take two glass bowls you can arrange your pumpkins in a number of ways, just have fun with it!

#4


I absolutely love candles, especially right now with the glow of all of my autumn decor. Place a few votive candles along with your pumpkins to make a long centerpiece down a table, over a mantle or in your entry way.

#5


By taking a few votive holders I was able to make a three piece centerpiece that I have fallen in love with! These cracked glass votives are at the top of my favorites list and can be found at pretty much any local craft store.

#6


Pedestals are also some of the favorite pieces that I own. I then paired it with a rice filled vase and voila! Beautiful centerpiece once again.

#7


I'm sure you've all seen hurricanes filled with pumpkins, squash or any other holiday decor. I think this would be so cute paired with little white pumpkins as well. But remember, we're sticking with the Three Little Pumpkins!





#8


Decorating with dried beans, noodles and rice have become a new obsession of mine and I think they compliment the fall decor so nicely. Search your pantry for your favorite noodles and some rice and you'll be adding those little accents that everyone will be talking about.

#9


If you have a small easel, decorating with plates is a great way to spruce up your kitchen table.

#10


And last but not least: Decorating with OATMEAL! I love love love it! I'm thinking these might make it to the Thanksgiving table next month!

I hope I was able to give you a little inspiration for fall. Remember, it's ok to take some decorations down (pictures, figurines, etc) and put them in your closet for a few months. De-clutter and then Redecorate!

Have fun!

How- To Tuesday: Measure Flour

Today's How-To Tuesday was suggested by my husband. I sat here on the couch this morning, informing him that I think I can actually feel the bags under my eyes from nearly 5 months of no sleep (here's where I insert the part about having an amazingly handsome baby boy that when he smiles my heart just melts like a cookie in the oven, but he tends to wake me up about every 2 or less hours each night).

I voiced out-loud "What should I blog about today?" Half just talking to hear myself talk and the other half hoping that either my husband or nearly 2 year old daughter would suggest something to me. My husband sat laughing at this beautiful mess of sleep deprivation that I am in and said, "How about - How to measure flour?"..............You have no idea, but I was actually so shocked by this fantastic suggestion he had! It was perfect! Sure enough, he had a little glow about himself the rest of the morning, being so proud of this great idea!

Thanks babe!



Many people may not know the proper way of measuring flour, which is why they may also have a frustration with baking, as many of their dishes probably don't come out....and this could all be resolved by measuring flour correctly.

With flour, you do not just scoop it into your measuring cup as you would sugar. If you do scoop out the flour with your measuring cup it may result in about 25% more flour than the recipe calls for, which is what makes your baked goods usually too dry or tough.

To properly measure flour, you will need a small spoon that you gradually scoop flour with into your measuring cup. Plan to have your measuring cup either over the flour container or over a separate bowl from where you are mixing your ingredients, for when any flour overflows, it is not falling into your mixing bowl.  Spoon enough flour into the measuring cup so it is overflowing. Next, take the back side of a knife (the flat side) and level off the flour with the measuring cup. This will give you the proper amount of flour that the recipe calls for!

Happy Sleeping --- I mean Baking! hah! I've gotta get me some coffee...

Weekend Wrap: Recipe Time!

Here you thought I forgot about you this weekend....Nope! I surely didn't. (I gave this topic the title of "weekend" wrap for a reason! lol --- got me the whole weekend to post about it!)

I was in California this weekend for a dear friend of mine. Her mom passed away and we all gathered together for her funeral this past Friday.

While I was there, the kids and I stayed with my Aunt, who is a phenomenal baker. Phenomenal might even be an understatement. Anyways, any time I'm there we are always talking about recipes, what she has made, and what she plans to make.

This time she made sure to show me one of the recipes she had been saving, knowing that I would absolutely love to make it!

It looked so delicious I immediately wrote it down. It's pretty easy .... so perfect for the blog too!

Savory Party Bread



Doesn't it look delicious???

The recipe comes from Taste of Home and can be found here, but the version we had was slightly different. Here is the recipe that was clipped out of a magazine she had...

Ingredient
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 round loaf sourdough bread  1 pound Monterey Jack cheese, slice
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2-3 tsp poppyseeds

Cut bread diagonally into 1-in. slices to within 1/2 in. of bottom of loaf. Repeat cuts in opposite direction. Arrange cheese slices in cuts. Combine butter, onion and poppyseeds. Drizzle butter mixture over bread.

Wrap loaf in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 8 servings.

Enjoy!
EnParty Cheese Bread2 50