Marvelous Monday Giveaway

Today's Marvelous Monday

is a Giveaway

Valentine's Day is around the corner and this little

Shabby Chic Cherub would be such a sweet addition to your home.

Cherup Angel Wall Plaque

Shabby chic decor creates an atmosphere of comfort, simplicity & charm.

Visit our Shabby Chic section in Embellishments for The Home .

We have added new items for the Cottage Look we love.

How to get points:

• Leave a comment on this post. +1
• Visit our e-store and share your favorite item. +1 (unlimited)
• Post about the give-away on your blog. +3
• Become a Pineapple Hill Follower +3 (if you're already following, just mention it)
• Add our Blog or e-Store Button to your Blog +3 (give me the link in your post)

Posting begins 01/25/2009 A random winner will be chosen on Monday, February 2nd.

We will post the winner and request your e-mail address to correspond regarding delivery.

Heart Parties?

Here's A fun Valentine Party

Idea for Girls

(approx. 6 yrs - 12 yrs)

A Valentine Party with a Peppermint Twist

Make Peppermint Invitations

Hand over your heart with a personally delivered invitation that combines a heart, a bow, and a peppermint stick. Have party guests come dressed in wearing red, pink or white.Set the scene for Peppermint Treats. Use large Doiles for placemats. Tie ribbons to the straws with a peppermint to top it off.Peppermint Floats

• Fill heart-shaped ice cube trays with raspberry soda and freeze overnight.
• Put 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream into each tall glass
• Pour gingerale into each glasss (pouring slowly)
• Press a heart-shaped ice cube into the incecream in each glass.
• Add a fancy straw garnished with ribbons and candy and Serve.
  

Shortbread Hearts

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• raspberry jam
• powedered sugar

Directions:

• Mix butter and sugar together. Add vanilla
• Add the flour a little at a time. Mix well.
• Press the dough into a flat, round shape. Wrape it in plastic and put it in the refrigerator for at least a half hour.
• Roll out the dough about a half-inch thick.
• Use heart-shaped cookie cutterst to ut out the cookies. Using different sizes cutters is fun.
• Cover the cookies and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Bake the cookies until they're light gold (6- 10 minutes)depending on the size of the heart.
• After cookies cool on a wire rack, paint a jam on heart on each cookie. Or put two cookiestogether to make a heart sandwich with the jam in the middle. Press each side of the sandwich onto a plate of powdered sugar.

Peppermint Password Game:

Each girl gets a bag of 10 peppermints. Tell everyone that anytime they say the word I, they have to give a ppermint to shomever they're talking to. After 15 minutes, say "stop". The winner is the girl holding the most peppermings.

Valentine Word Game:

Pass out pencils and paper. Have each girl write the word peppermint on one side and valentine on the other. How many words can they find scrambled in those two words? Set a time limit. The girl with the most words is the winner.

This idea is from (a very old)American Girl Magazine.

Clothespin Valentine

Secure a small satchel of Valentine's Day treats with this festive fastener. Use any size of clothespins and as many different colors of paper as you like, but it's best to use wooden pins, which hold the glue better than the plastic variety.

Aren't these cute!

Martha Stewart Living Television

Tools and Materials:

• Wooden clothespins
• Decorative paper
• Tacky glue
• Card stock or other heavy-weight paper
• 1/16-inch circular punch or paper edgers (optional)

Clothespin Valentine How-To:

1. Use the clothespins to determine the desired size of your hearts: Fold a piece of card stock in half, place the clothespin against the seam, and mark the top and bottom of the clothespin. Draw half a heart from the seam edge of the card stock that is slightly larger than the marks. Keep the card stock folded, and cut out a heart. Use this as a template to trace out hearts on the decorative paper. Make a front and back heart for each clothespin.

2. Cut out the heart. Apply tacky glue to one side of the clothespin, and affix the heart. Repeat on the opposite side. If desired, use paper edgers to decorate the heart, or try punching small holes around the border with a 1/16-inch circular punch.

Instant Heart Cookies

Skip the whipping, the mixing and all the baking,

Heartfelt Crafts by Matthew Mead

and create a cookie that will be loved just as much as those you make from scratch.

Click here for Instant Heart Cookies instructions.

Fabulous Blog Award

Pineapple Hill was selected for the Fabulous Blog Award!

A Big THANKS to Peace, Love & Applesauce who nominated us.

Check out her blog HERE.

I need to list 5 addictions that I have and then nominate 5 other blogs...

5 Things I Can't Live With Out:

Baby Kisses

Sewing Machine

Sunshine

Cell Phone

Windex

The 5 Fabulous Blogs I nominate today:

Day by Day

Nana's Kitchen

Grace Violet

Tutti Dulci

Just Us

Tuesday Tip

Stain Busters We searched and we found some Great Stain Removal Guides First ~ is this great stain removal cheat sheet that we found from Martha Stewart Living.

Go here to print.

There is also a great chart from Real Simple. You can download any of these and print them off for your laundry room. Good Housekeeping has an Alphabetical List (don't you love that) for stain removal techniques on their website. You can check it out here .

For Baby Laundry TipsGo here.

Marvelous Monday

Today's special will last all week!

Our Marvelous Monday Special

is FREE SHIPPING on your entire

purchase.

Coupon Code: Marvelous

Expiration Date: 1/24/09

Chocolate Chip Cookie and Cream Tart

This tart is a combination of three classics; chocolate chip cookies, whipped cream, and fudge sauce. The crust is a thick chocolate chip cookie, which is spread with chocolate truffle fudge sauce and covered with vanilla whipped cream. As it cools, the center of the baked cookie sinks slightly, which makes room for the truffle filling. Recipe Courtesy of: The Essential Chocolate Chip Cookbook

Mixing time: 20 minutes for crust, filling, and topping Baking: 350° F. for about 17 minutes Crust:

• 1 cup plus
• 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Filling:

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup (4 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Make the crust. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter a 10-inch springform pan. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smoothly blended, about 1 minute.

Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until blended, about 1 minute. The mixture may look slightly curdled. On low speed, add the flour mixture, mixing just until it is incorporated. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Use your fingers to spread the dough evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake just until the top begins to turn golden but the center is still soft, about 17 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cookie from the pan, and cool the crust in the pan on a wire rack.

Make the filling. In a medium saucepan, heat the cream and butter over low heat until the cream is hot and the butter melts. The mixture should form tiny bubbles and measure about 175° F. on a thermometer; do not let the mixture boil, or it may form a skin on top. (If this does happen, use a spoon to carefully lift off the skin and discard it.) Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate chips, and let them sit in the hot cream mixture for about 30 seconds to soften, then whisk until all of the chocolate is melted and the filling is smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Let the filling cool and thicken at room temperature for about 30 minutes, so it won’t run off the crust. Leaving a 1-inch plain edge, spread the sauce over the crust. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm the filling.

Use a small sharp knife to loosen the sides of the crust from the pan and then remove the sides of the pan. Use a sharp knife to loosen the crust from the bottom of the pan and then a wide metal spatula to slide the tart onto a platter.

Make the topping. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until firm peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the chocolate filling, mounding it slightly in the center.

Serve, or cover carefully and refrigerate for as long as overnight. Serve cold.

Makes 10 servings

this would be nice for Valentine's Day coming up soon....don't ya think~

Brownie Heart Cupcakes

Transform chocolate brownies into decadent cupcakes for a Valentine's Day (or any day) sweet certain to induce a smile.

Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 15 ounces (3 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 12 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 3 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Basic Buttercream
Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with cooking spray, line bottom with parchment, then spray parchment.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
• Place butter and chocolate in a heatproof mixer bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring until chocolate melts.
• Attach bowl to mixer, add sugar, and whisk on medium-high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture.
• Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Spread remaining batter in square pan.
• Bake until set but still soft, about 20 minutes. Let cool in tins and pan on wire racks.
• Frost cupcakes with buttercream.
• Cut out 24 hearts from brownie in pan using a 1 1/2-inch heart-shaped cutter.
• Top each cupcake with a heart.

Makes 24

Fun Meets Function

We're always scouting out fun new products for you, your home and garden.

Look what we found!

Pot racks are an incredible, space-saving piece of furniture for kitchens. Instead of having to search for the pot or pan you are looking for in a cabinet or drawer, you can grab the exact pot you want off of the rack!

Whimsical Pot Rack

Professional-style hanging pot rack gets a witty touch from a bevy of sturdy hooks with "fork and spoon" tops! Fresh bright-white finish and simple styling blend effortlessly with any décor; twelve sliding pothangers let you organize and customize with ease. Stylishly keeps cooking essentials right at hand!

Metal. 35 1/2" x 21 1/4" x 11 1/2" high. Our Price: $49.95

Visit our e-store

Tuesday Tip

Did you drink your water today? Water & 20 Tips For Getting Your 8 Glasses Daily

*Why You Need to Drink Water - Your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.

*Signs of Dehydration - You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active, you lose more water than if you are sedentary. Diuretics such as caffeine pills and alcohol result in the need to drink more water because they trick your body into thinking you have more water than we need. Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles,lower back pain, headaches and constipation. A strong odor to your urine, along with a yellow or amber color indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B Vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.

*How Much Water do You Need to Drink? - A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. If you exercise you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day. As you can see, your daily need for water can add up to quite a lot. Twenty percent of your water need will come from the foods you eat. The rest of your water need should come from the beverages you drink. Water is the best choice. Sodas have a lot of sugar in them, so if you drink sodas, you may take in more calories than you need. Herbal teas that aren't diuretic are fine. Sports drinks contain electrolytes and may be beneficial, just look out for added sugar and calories that you don't need. Juices are good because they have vitamins and nutrients. Caffeinated beverages will also add to your daily water need. Even though caffeine is a diuretic, if you regularly consume caffeine, your body will regulate itself to that diuretic effect. *Drink Enough Water - It may be difficult to drink enough water on a busy day. Be sure you have water handy at all times by keeping a bottle for water with you when you are working, traveling, or exercising. If you get bored with plain water, add a bit of lemon or lime for a touch of flavor. There are some brands of flavored water available, but watch for extra calories. Hydration Calculator - Drinking Enough Water

Water - The Miracle Worker

Simple water -- when it's pure and free of contaminants -- is truly a "wonder drug." Without chemicals, additives, or anything unnatural, a steady dose of 8 glasses of water a day (ideally ½ your body weight in ounces of water) will:

1. Improve Your Energy
2. Increase Your Mental and Physical Performance
3. Remove Toxins & Waste Products from your body
4. Keep Skin Healthy and Glowing
5. Help You Lose Weight
6. Reduce Headaches and Dizziness
7. Allow for proper Digestion
8. Help to keep you more Alkaline

Marvelous Monday

Pineapple Hill Blog is hosting special coupon codes and give-aways for you, our Blog Readers. Since today is Monday and it IS a Marvelous Day.... Check out this beautiful

Floral Cutwork Candle Holder

A Pineapple Hill Favorite

Golden light gleams through lacy floral cutwork, forming an enchanting pattern of light and shadow. An ivory finish and intricately traced patterns add genteel appeal to this stately column-shaped candle holder; a sweet dash of old-fashioned romance that's just right for any decor! Holds a pillar candle (not included). Iron with glass sleeve. 4 diameter x 8 3/8 high. Regular Price $17.95

Marvelous Blog Price $13.95

When you check out use code:

blogger

to receive the discount.

Hurry offer is for TODAY!

See What's New!

What's on Sale?

A Recipe For You

Banana Split Brownie Pizza

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients:

• 1 (20-ounce) box fudge brownie mix (recommended: Duncan Hines)
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1(8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
• Marshmallows
• Maraschino cherries
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• Coconut
• Chocolate syrup, for drizzling
• Whipped cream
• Mint, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 15-inch pizza pan.Prepare brownie mix according to directions on box. Pour onto prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and cool.

Beat cream cheese while adding pineapple and sugar together in a bowl. Spread mixture over brownie crust. Arrange banana, strawberry slices, marshmallows, and cherries over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with nuts and coconut. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Add whipped cream on top and mint for garnish.

To serve, slice as you would a pizza and enjoy! Print Recipe

The Heart Truth

In 2008, Mrs. Bush marked her fifth anniversary as The Heart Truth ambassador. Mrs. Bush has traveled throughout the United States to talk with women and raise their awareness of the risks of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Although heart disease deaths have been decreasing, nearly 650,000 Americans die of the condition, and more than half of them are women. Sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Heart Truth campaign has helped save tens of thousands of women's lives. More women are aware that heart disease is their number one cause of death. In 2007, 57 percent of women recognized heart disease as their number one killer, up from only 34 percent in 2000. Fewer women are dying of heart disease. Heightened awareness is leading to action. The last six years saw the first decline in decades in the number of heart disease deaths in women. The yearly decrease in deaths from heart disease since 2000 amounts to 36,703 lives saved. The Heart Truth campaign is empowering American women to fight back against heart disease, which is often preventable. By leading a heart-healthy lifestyle-eating wisely, getting physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, seeing a physician for routine preventive screenings, and controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes - people can reduce their risk for heart disease by as much as 82 percent.

For more information about The Heart Truth, click here

Pineapple Hill is happy to donate 5% of the proceeds from the purchase of all items listed in our category Little Red Dress in Girlfriends to the American Heart Association all year round. So, take a deep breath, indulge in a long walk and start loving your heart and supporting the cause today!

Support the Cause

New Year-Fresh Start

Don't you just love the beginning of the new year.

The simple thought of a New Beginning and a Fresh Start is so rejuvenating. It's a great time to get into a Spring Cleaning mode with habits, attitudes and of course the home and office. January is a great time to organize your pantry, closets and cabinets. Shelters are always in big need in the winter months. The public schools and pre-schools can usually use donations for art classes, etc.

I love using baskets and containers to keep things in order.

My daughter just got a label maker for Christmas and told me she doesn't know what she did before she had it. Check out these free labels from Style Guide.

They're perfect for baking goods and come in three pretty colors!

Pretty in pink, this precious trio of flowerpots with matching tray is adorable for a little girl's nursery. A witty way to hold cotton balls, Q-tips and little knick knacks! Dressing your baby and locating clothes as you need them can be made easier. Start with an organizing system based on interchangeable modular units such as boxes, baskets, and sacks. Martha Stewart Kids-2001

Read the full article HERE

These are a few of our favorite "Organizational Inspiration" Spots:

• http://www.jooners.com/
• http://organizetips.com/
• http://www.ineedmoretime.com/
• http://www.organizedhome.com/
• http://www.flylady.net/
• http://www.executivehomemaker.com/content.asp?pid=1
• http://www.lazyorganizer.com/blog/

Happy 2009!

 
HAPPY NEW YEAR from PINEAPPLE HILL

As the new year begins, here are some things to think about...

"Don't Put Off Your Happy Life" Create your own "happy-life" list! ...

click here 14 Timeless Ways to Live a Happy Life by Alex Blackwell Print This Post

How we achieve happiness can be different for each one of us. Our passions, expectations, life experiences, and even our personalities all contribute to the level of happiness we experience in our lives.

Some find happiness in their careers while others prefer the bliss found in their marriages or other intimate relationship. No matter how you define happiness for yourself, there are certain universal and time-proven strategies to bring, and sustain, more happiness into your life.

The following 14 ways to live a happy life can be adapted and even customized to fit your needs. Over time, these strategies will become positive and life-changing habits that will begin to bring more happiness, joy and peace into your life.

1. Notice What’s Right

Some of us see the glass as being half-full, while others see the glass as half-empty. The next time you are caught in traffic, begin thinking how nice it is to have a few moments to reflect on the day, focus on a problem you have been trying to solve, or brainstorm on your next big idea. The next time you get in the slow line at the grocery store, take the opportunity to pick up a tabloid magazine and do some “guilty pleasure” reading. Take all that life throws out you and reframe it with what’s right about the situation. At the end of the day, you will more content, at peace and happy. Take the time to begin to notice what’s right and see the world change in front of your eyes.

2. Be Grateful

How many times do you say the words “thank you,” in a day? How many times do you hear these same words? If you are doing the first thing, saying the “thank yous,” the latter will naturally happen. Learn to be grateful and you will be open to receive an abundance of joy and happiness.

3. Remember the Kid You Were

Do you remember how to play? I’m not referring to playing a round of golf or a set of tennis. I’m talking about playing like you did when you were a child – a game of tag; leap frog, or street baseball when the bat is a broken broom handle and the bases are the parked cars. One way to find or maintain your happiness is to remember the kid you were and play!

4. Be Kind

There is no question that by merely watching acts of kindness creates a significant elevation in our moods and increases the desire for us to perform good deeds as well. Kindness is indeed contagious and when we make a commitment to be kind to ourselves and to others we can experience new heights of joy, happiness and enthusiasm for our lives.

5. Spend Time with Your Friends

Although an abundant social and romantic life does not itself guarantee joy, it does have a huge impact on our happiness. Learn to spend time with your friends and make the friendships a priority in your life.

6. Savor Every Moment

To be in the moment is to live in the moment. Too often we are thinking ahead or looking ahead to the next event or circumstance in our lives, not appreciating the “here and now.” When we savor every moment, we are savoring the happiness in our lives.

7. Rest

There are times when we need the time to unwind, decompress, or to put it simply, just “to chill.” Life comes at all of us hard and fast. Time, as do the days on the calendar, keeps going forward at its own natural pace, which is not always the pace we would choose. Fatigue, stress and exhaustion may begin to settle in on us faster than we may think, or notice. The best remedy for this is indeed rest.

8. Move!

The expression a “runner’s high” does not infer an addiction, but a feeling or a state of mind - a state of euphoria. There is no question exercise, or any physical exertion, elevates your mood and enhances a more positive attitude as well as fosters better personal self-esteem and confidence. Indeed, one way to increase your happiness is to move!

9. Put on a Happy Face

Sometimes we have to fake it until we make it. I’m not suggesting that we not be honest, real or authentic, but I’m suggesting, sometimes, we just need to put on a happy face and keep moving forward. Researchers claim that smiling and looking like we are happy will indeed make us happier. Studies further show that if we act like we are happy then we can experience greater joy and happiness in our lives.

10. Pursue Your Goals

The absence of goals in our lives, or more specifically avoiding to pursue our goals, makes us feel like we are stuck and ineffective. The pursuit of goals in our personal lives, in our relationships, or with our careers, is the difference between having a mediocre life or a life full of passion and enthusiasm. pursue your goals and watch your happiness soar.

11. Finding Your Calling

Some find meaning in religion or spirituality while others find purpose in their work or relationships. Finding your calling may be much more than accomplishing one simple strategy for increasing your happiness, but having a sense of purpose – of feeling like you are here for a reason – can perhaps bring the greatest joy of all

12. Get into the Flow

Flow is the form of joy, excitement and happiness that occurs when we are so absorbed in an activity we love that we can loose ourselves and time seems to stand still. What creates flow is unique to each one of us. To find and sustain true happiness in our lives, we must get off the sidelines and get into the flow.

13. Play to Your Strengths

One way to achieve flow is by understanding and identifying our strengths and core values, and then begin to use these every day. Once we aware of our strengths and we begin to play to your strengths we can better incorporate them in all aspects of our lives.

14. Don’t Overdo It

Know when to say when. What gives you joy and happiness the first time may not work the second time. Too much of a good thing may begin not to feel as good if the “thing” becomes more of a routine, or an expectation. Set healthy and reasonable boundaries for yourself and don’t overdo it. The adorable graphic is designed by Linzie Hunter and is available here.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you Hope, Love and Happiness!

from Pineapple Hill

Gift Tags

Fun, FREE, Gift Tags

Click Here: Gift Tags To Print Out

Click Here: marthastewart

Click Here: grandrevivaldesign

Painted China Gifts

It's easy to find plain, reasonably priced ceramic pieces at home goods stores; applying dot-painted designs transforms them into meaningful gifts. Add a friend's monogram or favorite motif, or design a pretty pattern yourself. Fill painted mugs with bags of candy, or tie a stack of flower-covered plates with a ribbon. You will need: Ceramic mugs or plates (available at home goods stores) Red transfer paper Tape Ballpoint pen Food-safe ceramic paint, such as Pebeo Porcelaine 150Small containers Wooden coffee stirrers Applicator bottle(s) Scrap paper Baby wipes You'll also need one of Martha's templates: Monogram Script Bird Block Letters Floral Design

Another Give Away

Want to win our Merry Measuring Cups? Go HERE to find out how!

Pretty Personalized Pearls

Need we say More....

See for yourself!

Holly Jolly Polka Dot Bag

HOW CUTE IS THIS!

Large Jute Red with White Dots Bag

This is the most adorable jute tote we have seen!

A huge favorite, it is lined inside and has a magnetic closure and zippered pocket.

As a handbag or as a tote, bags just don't get much more fun than these!

Roomy enough to hold shopping goodies, books and papers,

or the "life" that you fill your purse with, this bag is just plain fun!You'll love our great 18" by 16" larger jute tote with great round wooden handles. Single letter curls letter will go on this bag in the spot shown.

To Die For

Old-Fashioned Drop Cookies

Mix together thoroughly:

• 1/2 c. soft shortening
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 eggs Stir in:
• 1 c. sour cream
• 1 t. vanilla
• Sift together and stir in:
• 2 3/4 c. flour
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. salt

Chill at least one hour. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls about 2" apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees about 8 - 10 minutes. Bake until delicately browned, just until, when touched lightly with finger, almost no imprint remains. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Easy Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter (room temperatur
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1b. 10X powdered sugar
• 1-3 teaspoons milk, half and half or cream

Using a mixer, cream softened butter and vanilla until smooth. Add sugar gradually, allowing butter and sugar to cream together before adding more. If you want your frosting a little creamier, add a teaspoon of milk at a time and beat on high until you get the right texture.

Fun Flirty Aprons

We have two new aprons just in time for the holidays! They are so fun and personalization is included.

So cute with a name or monogram embroidered for the perfect finishing touch.

Just In

Thanksgiving Inspiration

Talking Turkey

with

Emeril

(photo from Williams-Sonoma)

Celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse, shares his expertise for the big day! Carve that turkey to perfection with these great tips:

First off, make sure you have a very sharp, long, slender knife, and a 2-pronged, long-handled fork to easily grip the turkey and keep it from sliding. Having the right tools will definitely help you remove the meat in attractive slices.

1. Place the turkey on a large platter or cutting board where it will not slide or shift while being carved. Cut the string and remove the contents of the carcass.
2. Remove the drumstick and thigh from the carcass by inserting the point of the knife into the leg joint and what looks like, and what commonly is called, the oyster. Cut the dark meat completely from the body by cutting along the carcass.
3. Cut through the joint between the drumstick and thigh. Lay a drumstick flat on the cutting surface and hold it steady with the fork, and slice parallel to the bone. Cut the thigh in a similar manner.
4. Cut through the wing joint and remove it from the breast as you removed the legs. Leave the wings whole and place on the serving platter.
5. Carve the breast by holding one side of the breast with the fork, and slicing full-length slices of meat by pulling the knife down through the meat, parallel to the breastbone.

Handmade Cornucopia (Martha Stewart Living)

A raffia cornucopia filled with fall produce looks bountiful when set on a sideboard or chest. Get the Step-by-Step Instructions

Harvest Wreath

Now is just the moment for a crisp-as-fall wreath made with artfully layered dried cornhusks.

Get the Step-by-Step Instructions

Give THANKS by GIVING! Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting. ~Princess Elizabeth Asquith Bibesco We are rich only through what we give, and poor only through what we refuse. ~Anne-Sophie Swetchine

12 Days of Junkie

Tip Junkie ( one of my favorite places for inspiration) is having a 12 Days of Junkie where there will be 2 winners announced each day for the next 12 days! It's to help promote the women who are selling their products in the Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon.

(By the way, Pineapple Hill is one of them, so check it out!)

Visit Tip Junkie and enter the contest and check out all the amazing gift-giving possibilities in the shop-a-thon! Good Luck!

Pineapple Hill Designs

Save 20%!

Use Code: TipJunkie

The Lil' Peanut Patch

A few months ago, my little granddaughter, Addie,was featured as The Lil' Peanut of the Month on the website The Lil Peanut Patch. My daughter, Marci nominated me for their "Marvelous Mommy" feature which was very kind of her( she's not biased at all). The Lil' Peanut Patch is great website dedicated to moms and kids. Check it out. Do you know a "Marvelous Mommy" who should be featured a The Lil Peanut Patch? Send them an e-mail with her name and e-mail address.