Sunday, October 31, 2010

Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate

Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate
This is such a yummy, warm, themed treat that I'm sure your trick-or-treaters would LOVE to come inside after a long night of trick-or-treating and warm up with.
 
Ingredients:
3 cups whole milk
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ounces white chocolate (roughly chopped)
pinch salt

Directions:
1. Heat the milk, pumpkin puree, and spices in a sauce pan until it just starts to simmer and remove form heat.
2. Add the chocolate and stir until it has melted.
3. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and garnish with cinnamon.

Sonic on Halloween

Over 1800 Sonic locations across the country will have $.50 Corn Dogs available on Halloween.  Some will even be doing Free Face Painting and handing out candy!

*This event is scheduled for Oct 31st from 5pm-10pm.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

FREE Blackjack Taco from Taco Bell On Halloween!

To celebrate the World Series Game and Halloween falling on the same night, every single Taco Bell across the Country will be offering a Free Blackjack Taco from 6pm to Midnight! So mark your calendars so you don't forget. 

Cute Apple Smile Treats

apple smiles

Apple Smiles By Annabel Karmel

Ingredients
    Smooth peanut butter 1 red apple, cored and sliced into eighths Squeeze of lemon juice Miniature marshmallows
Directions
  1. Spread peanut butter on one side of each apple slice (squeeze a little lemon juice over the apple if not serving immediately).
  2. Place four miniature marshmallows on one apple slice and then lay another apple slice, peanut butter side down, on top.

    For more kid-friendly Annabel Karmel recipes, visit www.annabelkarmel.com or see her cookbooks.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Free crafts at Lakeshore!

Free crafts every Saturday at Lakeshore Learning Center from 11am to 3pm

Unfortunately I missed some pretty cook crafts earlier this month... 
But better late then never I guess.

Oct. 30th    Spooky Spider Treat Holder
Nov. 6th    Fall Leaves Mobile
Nov. 13th   Turkey Table Topper
Nov. 20th    Thanksgiving Place Mat
Nov. 27th    Autumn Tree

Have a Healthy Halloween

It's that time of year again. While I love for my daughter to go to the Fall Festivals, carnivals, and Trick-or-Treating, I do not LOVE the insane amount of candy that they bring home. After she eats waaaay too much candy Halloween night and finally calms down from the sugar-high and heads off to bed, I toss candy that I really don't want her to have. I set aside the candy that Mommy likes for later... and I get a few ziploc bags and fill with candy that does not look Halloween-ish and I use this candy for stuffing Christmas Stockings.

I hate giving candy out, because I have this love/hate relationship with the sugary treats. In the past I have given individual packs of gold-fish, animal crackers, etc... to the younger kids. I like to give something they will want to eat when their moms say no more candy. I compiled a list below... These are just to give moms like me a little inspiration if they're looking to hand out non-candy Halloween treats this year. These are all items I would LOVE for my daughter to get in her trick-or-treat bad rather than that Snickers bar.

5 Healthy Candy Alternatives

Individual Packs of Gold-Fish
Animal Crackers

Sugar Free Gummy Bears

Granola Bars

Fruit bars such as Fig Newton’s


5 Halloween food Alternatives

Glow in the dark necklaces

Halloween themed bubbles

Party-bag size playdough

Silly Bandz

Coloring Books/Crayons

Free Kids Meal at Applebee’s on Halloween


Here’s another free meal option for your kids this weekend.  On Sunday, take your costumed kid to Applebee’s for a free meal.  Click here for more information about the free kid’s meal on Halloween at Applebee’s.

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day!

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day!
Every Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day (MSBD), which means better odds of winning BIG Swag Bucks denominations – up to 10,000 in one search! Swagbucks is completely Free and Swag bucks can be traded in for rewards such as gift cards, electronics, apparel, household goods and much more! 

Looking for more information on Swagbucks? Just head over here, for my previous post! I am earning my way to a CASH FREE CHRISTAMS!!!! I have earned $150.00 in Amazon gift cards for just searching the web and am hoping to pay for most of my on-line Christmas shopping by just using Swagbucks!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Monster Rice Krispy Treats

 Skulls and Monsters

 So lil'bit and I got invited to a last minute pot-luck Halloween party. Usually i'd go all out and make the 40 candy apples for everyone to take home (I make them every year)... But honestly I am just flat out exhausted and don't have the energy this year. Really I just want to do as little as possible... I figured I could make cupcakes, they're easy right? But chances are, one of the other moms going to the party will probably bring cupcakes too... So I searched and searched and finally found this! Monster Rice Krispy Treats that are made with PREMADE Rice Krispy treats (YES! Less work for me)
 
Ingredients
1 box (6.2 oz) Rice Krispy Treats, unwrapped
1 can (12 oz) whipped fluffy white frosting
Green and yellow paste or gel food colors*
Chocolate mini M&M’s candies or M&M’s mini baking bits
Chocolate sprinkles (jimmies)
Lime Tic Tacs
1⁄4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tube red decorating gel

Preparation
Put Treats on a wire rack over wax paper. Place frosting in a microwave-safe bowl (reserve a couple table spoons in a ziplock bag for decorating later), using food colors, tint frosting in other bowl to match Tic Tacs. Microwave bowl, stirring every 10 seconds, until frosting is pourable. Spoon over Treats until covered. Add sprinkles for hair and Tic Tacs for eyelids and bolts. Refrigerate to set.

Cut a tip off corner of ziptop bag; pipe eyes on Monsters. Melt chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Spoon into another ziptop bag and cut tip off corner; pipe eyes and mouths on Monsters. With red gel, pipe scars on Monsters. Refrigerate until serving.

FREE Ihop Free Scary Face Pancake

Head over to IHOP after your kids get out of school on October 29th!  IHOP is giving out Free Scary Face Pancakes for kids 12 and under.  What a fun thing to do to get excited about Halloween the following day!

Reader Inbox: Prop 19

I received a nice little letter in my inbox last night and it brought up something I'm actually passionate about but tried to shy away from addressing in this blog since last time I addressed political issues I got bombarded with hate mail.  )-:

Dear Wife Mom Blogger,
I have been a long time reader of your blog and I notice that we are both from California. With With the midterm elections coming up I was wondering your thoughts on one proposition in particular. Prop 19, which legalizes marijuana is on the ballot, but kind of goes against everything the military stands for. I was just curious your stand on this and why or why not you are for or against it.
                              Love the blog, Lacy.

Free T.G.I. Friday’s Halloween Weekend!

Halloween Weekend this year, you can head to your local T.G.I. Friday’s for some freebies when you dress up!

■ Friday, October 29 – Free Appetizer for anyone wearing a costume. Choose from Mozzarella Sticks, Pot Stickers, or Crispy Green Bean Fries.

■ Saturday, October 30 – Free Appetizer for anyone wearing a costume. Choose from Mozzarella Sticks, Pot Stickers, or Crispy Green Bean Fries. Plus, enter the Costume Contest for a chance at a $100 Best Buy gift card.


■ Sunday, October 31 – Free Kid’s Meal with the purchase of an adult entree for any child in costume.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Teen Mom star looses baby

Geez! This girl has got a world of problems! Then again, she pretty much brought them all onto herself. Teen Mom star Amber Portwood has reportedly lost custody of her 2-year-old daughter, Leah. Sources say Amber's baby daddy Gary reveal that almost a week ago, Amber dropped the baby off at Gary's house and then vanished. She hasn't visited, called, texted, emailed or anything in six days. She seems to have cut off all contact with Gary and by association, her own daughter! That is not going to sit well with the judge when her domestic violence case comes up! What kind of mother just abandons her child like that? What kind of mother could stand leaving something so precious and not even care to check up on it! Awful!

How to Save Money While Deployed

Most of the time your basic needs are taken care of while you are deployed – your food and shelter are provided, and you often receive tax free pay, a token Per Diem (yeah $3.50 a day!), and sometimes other benefits such as hostile fire pay, hazardous duty pay, family separation, etc. You earn and deserve each penny that you receive while deployed and I want to show you how you can put that extra money to work so you will be in a better financial position when you return home. Some of these tips will take some advance planning, while others can be done while you are deployed.

Pumpkin Spiced White "Hot Chocolate"

Ingredients:
4-5 cups whole milk
12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
4 teaspoons cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pure pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:
In a heavy saucepan, combine 2 cups of milk, white chocolate, and cocoa powder. Cook over medium heat, whisking periodically, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is well combined. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, and ginger. Add the remaining milk, 1 cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

If desired, serve topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg. Just be sure not to fill the mugs too full before adding the whipped cream, or you might have some overflow.

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

This is a super yummy, super easy, super fun Halloween drink that everyone must try!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Brioche and Pumpkin Pudding Trifle

I have to thank Sandra Lee for this yummy recipe. I made this recipe last year and it was so easy and yummy I've got to make it again. But to be a little fancier I've gone out and gotten plastic campaign glasses and plan on making mini parfaits for a party we're having on Saturday.
Picture of Brioche and Pumpkin Pudding Trifle Recipe

Marine Corps Ball

With Marine Corps Ball season coming upon us I found a need to make a post about it... Even though I think everyone attending a ball this year should refer to my "What NOT to wear... to military balls" post from a couple years ago (it's probably my most Googled post). None the less I still compiled what I think are the 5 most important points to keep in mind when attending the Marine Corps Ball.

1. Don't dress like a skank. Most places, full length gowns are the norm. Never go above the knee.


2. Don't wear a corsage or glitter. This is not your high school prom.

3. Don't get hammered. Your behavior and appearance reflect on your Marine.

4. Stand whenever the wives at the head table stand during the ceremony.

 

5. Keep your mouth shut and LISTEN during the ceremony. Whispering is rude, and there is a lot to be learned about the Marine Corps culture during this important event.

Pumpkin Puffs

These are just WAY too cute... Check out this awesome recipe... I just wish I could remember where I got it from.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Paycheck Question

I recently received a reader e-mail from a new Army spouse regarding military pay:
I’m newly married to an Army Soldier and he is going to be deployed to Afghanistan soon. Will the Army send me a paycheck monthly or does my husband have the final say about money? And how much money will I receive and when will I receive it if I do?
Thanks, Trisha
Hello Trisha,
Congratulations on your marriage! I’m sure you are going through a big culture shock right now – adjusting to military life is never easy, especially dealing with deployments!
OK, to answer your question, military members’ paychecks are directly deposited into the military member’s account. This is required by the military – it must be directly deposited (no payments by cash or check). The Army will only send this to the account on record, and they will not automatically send you a check unless your name is also on that account.

Free Frosty Coupons

Check your local Wendy's to see if they are participating in the Frosty Booklet Promo!  If they are, you can snag a Booklet of 10 Free Frosty Coupons- all for just $1.00!  And the proceeds go to the Dave Thomas Foundation.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Did you vote?

A good friend of mine has entered her husband, DZ2 SW Chris Langtry, in a Hometown Hero contest to win a Victory motorcycle. If you could simply take a minute out of your day, and click on this link to vote for him, we would greatly appreciate it. You don't have to register or anything, just click... You can even vote multiple times if you clear your browsing history and cookies.http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Victory-Motorcycles/hometown-heroes/Pages/videos.aspx?status=200&id=iW9GaamUaqg

FREE Buca Di Beppo

Head on over to Buca Di Beppo for World Pasta Day on Monday, October 25 to get your FREE Spaghetti with meat sauce or marinara when you buy any small or large Pasta or entree.

If you didn’t see this already, there was a coupon featured in the 10/17 Red Plum insert for $10 off any $20 purchase at Buca Di Beppo.

The Adaption to My Generation

I find this absolutely amazing... This artist has taken a picture of himself every day for over 10 years in an ongoing daily photo project titled "The Adaption to My Generation". In 2008, he compiled the photos he had taken and created a video titled Living "My Life Faster" (see below). More of JK Keller's art work can be found on his website.

Old Navy Coupon: 50% Off Outerwear!


Old Navy just released a HOT coupon to celebrate their one millionth Facebook Fan. Get 50% off one piece of outerwear 10/26-10/28! You'll only be able to print the coupon through TODAY, Sunday 10/24, so be sure to do it now if you want to take advantage of this. One per customer.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Daydreams

I stumbled across this blog called Mila's Daydreams where one mom uses artfully arranged blankets, the carpeted floor, and her baby's propensity to sleep all the time,to stage imagined dreamscapes for her daughter on her blog. The pictures on her blog are just waaaaay too cute!!!
baby_little_red_hood.jpg

Build A Bear Promotions

Build-A-Bear Workshop has some promotions that I wanted to share with you. I am trying to get into the full swing of Holiday shopping by posting as many promotions as I can. I love Build-A-Bear but I generally don’t shop there until there are coupons or promotion deals.
Here are a couple promotions they are currently running: 

FREE CeleBEARation Teddy When you Buy a CeleBEARation Teddy at Regular Price at Build-A-Bear Workshop®! Use Code 95383, Shop Now! 

FREE Trick-or-Treat Bag when you make any Purchase of $15 or More at Build-A-Bear Workshop®, Shop Now!

Pentagon Instructs Military Recruiters: Allow Openly Gay Applicants

The Pentagon has instructed military recruiters on Tuesday that they should allow openly gay and lesbian people to sign up for military service, with the caveat that applicants must be told that the current injunction barring enforcement of the military's openly gay personnel ban, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" or DADT, could be overturned at any time and that the DADT policy could once again be enforced. From the CNN:

The Pentagon has advised recruiting commands that they can accept openly gay and lesbian recruit candidates, given the recent federal court decision that bars the military from expelling openly gay service members, according to a Pentagon spokeswoman.
The guidance from the Personnel and Readiness office was sent to recruiting commands on Friday, according to spokeswoman Cynthia Smith. The recruiters were told that if a candidate admits he or she is openly gay, and qualify under normal recruiting guidelines, their application can be processed. Recruiters are not allowed to ask candidates if they are gay as part of the application process...

Friday, October 22, 2010

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic: Build a Flapping Bat

Build a Flapping Bat at the Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic on Saturday, October 23, 2010 , from 10am – 11am. This does require registration online, which helps to see which stores are participating!

Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project!

$4.25 Old Navy performance fleece + 8% cashback



Today only you can score select Performance Fleece items for the whole family priced at just $5 online at Old Navy! Use code ONTREAT at checkout to receive an additional 15% off, making them just $4.25 each. Plus if you shop through Ebates you can get an additional 8% cashback.
Here's to get your additional 8% cashback:
  • Register with Ebates or sign in.
  • Search for Old Navy, and click on the link so you receive credit for shopping through Ebates.
  • You'll receive a credit within 30 days for your 8% Ebates cashback. Plus if you're a new Ebates member, you'll receive a $5 sign-up bonus!
  • Use code ONTREAT at checkout to take an additional off any purchase.
This sale is only for today 10/22, so don't wait! Of course, you can also pick up $5 Performance Fleece Vests in stores tomorrow morning.

Bass Pro Shops - FREE Halloween Event

This is the first I've heard about Pass Pro Shop hosting Halloween events, we got there every year for their awesome Christmas and Easter events, but never for a Halloween event. Unfortunately now we've moved and the closest Bass Pro Shop is about 2 hours away so I think we'll be missing all of this years fun... That doesn't mean you have to though...

Friday, October 22nd
5-7pm Pumpkin Mask Craft
4-8pm Trick-or-Treating

Sunday, October 24th
(Marchmallow Roast & Apple Dessert Samples)
2-4pm Pumpkin Mask Craft

Friday, October 29th
4-6pm Peanuts Trick or Treat Bag Craft
4-8pm Trick-or-Treating
6-7pm Costume Parade!

Saturday, October 30th
(Marchmallow Roast & Apple Dessert Samples)
2-4pm Pumpkin Bird House Craft

Sunday, October 31st
(Marchmallow Roast & Apple Dessert Samples)
2-4pm Pumpkin Bird House Craft

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day.

It’s Mega Swagbucks Day!

Every Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day (MSBD), which means better odds of winning BIG Swag Bucks denominations – up to 10,000 in one search!   Swagbucks is completely Free and Swag bucks can be traded in for rewards such as gift cards, electronics, apparel, household goods and much more! 

Looking for more information on Swagbucks? Just head over herefor my previous post! I am earning my way to a CASH FREE CHRISTAMS!!!! I have earned $150.00 in Amazon gift cards for just searching the web and am hoping to pay for most of my on-line Christmas shopping by just using Swagbucks!

FREE Events at Michael's Craft Store

I had no clue that Michael's Craft Store offered FREE demos & events... And holy cow, I lot of them...

October: Michaels Crop Nights
October: Halloween Boo-tiful T-Shirt Make-It Take-It
October: FREE Halloween Glow Explosion Make-It Take-It

Thursday, October 21, 2010

You can help by voting

A good friend of mine has entered her husband, DZ2 SW Chris Langtry, in a Hometown Hero contest to win a Victory motorcycle. If you could simply take a minute out of your day, & click on this link to vote for him, we would greatly appreciate it. You don't have to register, just click. You can even vote multiple times if you clear your browsing history & cookies.

Deals: Mimi's Cafe

Through the end of the month (Oct 31st), Mimi's Cafe will be offering a new deal every day!

Dunkin Donuts inspired Pumpkin Donut

One of the things I love most about fall is all the "pumpkin spice"/"pumpkin pie" flavored goodies that shops come out with... Last week I gave you a recipe for a Starbuck's inspired Pumpkin Spice Latte... Today I give you a recipe for a Dunkin Donuts inspired BAKED Pumpkin Donuts


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pastry flour (4 ounces) or 7/8 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons dry buttermilk (1 ounce)
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (1 1/4 ounce)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons water

How to Get Free Food from Restaurants

Getting free food from restaurants is easy! Free food offers include everything from full meals to free desserts. Here are some tips for how you can find free food deals.
  • Sign up for email or birthday clubs as a way to get free food from restaurants. Many will send you coupons for free food items just for signing up. Birthday freebies can include anything from free desserts to a free full meal! Several restaurants will email you ongoing coupons for free food items, buy one get one free offers or other discounts.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Free Photo Calendar

FREE Photo Calendar

Vistaprint is offering a FREE photo calendar - just pay shipping! I love making these for the grandparents for Christmas gifts!!

Candy Corn Jello

For anyone that knows me, I love love love jello, particularity in the summer... I never have much to do with it, at least party wise in the fall... Well that is until now... Check out what I found, these SUPER cute "Candy Corn Jello" by Jello Shot Test Kitchen
Prepare a flexible silicon mold (this one works great) by spraying lightly with PAM cooking spray, or wiping each mold cavity with a little vegetable oil. Follow by wiping each mold cavity with a clean paper towel. This will leave the slightest reside which will aid in un-molding the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance of your gelatin.

Place the mold on a stable, movable flat surface, such as a cookie sheet or cooling rack (make sure it fits into your refrigerator).

Prepare milk layer.

Milk layer
1 cup water
2 envelopes Knox gelatin
1/2 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz can)

Pour water in a small saucepan, and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the sweetened condensed milk.

Transfer the mixture to a microwave safe bowl. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of the condensed milk mixture into each mold cavity. Place the mold in the refrigerator and chill until fully set, about 30 minutes. Make sure you over the bowl with the remaining milk mixture with cellophane. Wrap a towel around the bowl to further conserve heat.

Prepare the orange layer

Orange Layer
1 cup water
1 envelope Knox gelatin
1 box orange flavored gelatin dessert mix

Pour water in a small saucepan, and sprinkle with the Knox gelatin. Allow to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add the orange gelatin dessert mix and stir until fully dissolved.

Spoon about a tablespoon of the orange gelatin mixture into each mold cavity, over the chilled white layer. Return the mold to the refrigerator and chill until fully set, about 40 minutes.

When the orange layer is fully set, unwrap your bowl containing the milk gelatin mixture, and stir in a few drops of yellow food coloring. If the mixture is clumpy, microwave it for 15-20 seconds (make sure it doesn’t get too hot, or it will melt the set gelatin).

Spoon in a teaspoon or two of the yellow milk gelatin mixture into the mold cavities. You can fill to the top. Refrigerate until fully set. These little beauties can be made a day in advance.

To serve, unmold.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Hometown Hero Contest

A good friend of mine has entered her husband, DZ2 SW Chris Langtry, in a Hometown Hero contest to win a Victory motorcycle. If you could simply take a minute out of your day, and click on this link to vote for him, we wound greatly appreciate it. You don't have to register or anything, just click... You can even click on the link and vote as many times as you want.

Updating...

Alright, so we are up to 77 followers now and I've been betting quite a few emails in the past two months asking me why I do not allow comments... Well honestly, it was originally to avoid drama... But I have been getting soooo many positive emails, which by the way thank you all so very much for the support... I try to email back as many people back as possible, but it gets chaotic around here and some people/emails slip through the cracks and I apologise... So to make it easier for everyone else, I have enabled comments to anyone, you don't even have to be logged into Blogger... So now feel free to comment on posts, well maturely of course... Drama is one thing I can't stand.

Monday, October 18, 2010

FREE Orange ‘n Creme Swirl Frutista Freeze

Get a FREE Orange ‘n Creme Swirl Frutista Freeze from Taco Bell. Valid through 11/25/2010 or until 500,000 coupons are redeemed. The other Frutista I’ve had are really tasty and this one reminds me of a orange dreamsicle. I bet it is good too! Free makes it even better!

Old Navy deal!!! Up to 38% off plus $5 cash back!

You can save up to 30% off at Old Navy now through October 21, 2010. Just enter coupon code ONLOVE30 at checkout.

■ Spend $150 – Save 30%
■ Spend $125 – Save 25%
■ Spend $100 – Save 20%

Here's how...
■ Sign up or log into your
Ebates account.
■ Shop Old Navy Spend $100 – $150 to save 20 – 30% off your entire order.
■ Check out and use coupon code ONLOVE30

When you shop
Old Navy, be sure to use Ebates as you will receive 8% back! If you are new to Ebates, you can read how you can earn cash back on your online purchases! Plus, you get a $5 bonus when you sign up using this link and make $20 or more in purchases within 90 days!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Mini Pumpkin Tarts

Sometimes it’s not enough for a dessert to just be rich and creamy, yet light and airy, sweet and wholesome, and made from scratch. Sometimes you need a dessert that’s adorable, too. Well, here’s the dessert for you. Mini-pumpkin tarts. With a buttery, flaky crust and sweet, custardy filling, they’re the perfect fall dessert, and since you make them in a muffin tin, they look like a little pie for elves. Or conversely, you can pretend you’re a giant eating regular-size pies.

Mini Pumpkin Tarts
makes 12 mini tarts

For the crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
9 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
4 tablespoons ice water
3/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

In a food processor, process flour, salt, and sugar together until combined, about 10 seconds. Add butter and pulse until the butter is size of large peas, about ten pulses. Mix the vinegar and ice water in small bowl. Drizzle the mixture onto the dough and pulse food processor 3 times. Turn the dough out onto your work surface, gather the dough and then flatten into a disc. Wrap the round in plastic and refrigerate until firm but not hard, 1 to 2 hours, before rolling.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 12 cup muffin tin. Prepare a lightly floured surface and roll the dough out into a large rectangle. Cut the rectangle into 12 pieces, roughly 5 x 5” each. Fold the dough square into the buttered muffin tip cups, folding any extra dough under the edge. Use a fork to poke several holes in the crust. Cook the pie shells for 10-15 minutes, until the dough is barely golden. Remove from oven and allow shells to cool.

For the filling:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon flour
3/4 cup pumpkin or squash puree
2 room temperature eggs
1/3 cup brown sugar (more for a sweeter pie)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
several grinds of black pepper

For the filling, whisk together 1/4 cup of the cream and the flour, and continue whisking until it thickens. Slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup cream and whisk until ingredients return to a boil, then remove from heat. In a large bowl whisk together the pumpkin and eggs, and then whisk in the sugar and the spices. Slowly add the cream mixture to the pumpkin. Whisk thoroughly, and pour into the small shells, being careful not to overfill.

Bake on a cookie sheet for 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a rack for an hour. Gently lift the tarts out of the tin and serve.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Yellow Ribbon Program for GI Bill

Who Benefits from the Yellow Ribbon Program?

If you have served at least 36 months of active duty after September 10, 2001, you are probably eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. You may also be eligible if you were honorably discharged from active duty for a disability caused during service, provided you served at least 30 continuous days of service after September 10, 2001. Eligibility can also be extended to dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran’s service.

You must be also be eligible for maximum benefits under the Post 9/11 GI bill in order to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

What Do Eligible Recipients of The Yellow Ribbon Program Receive?

If you are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon program under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you’ll receive funding to cover the amount of tuition and fees that exceed the highest public state undergraduate tuition and fees. This allows you to attend a private institution, graduate school, or attend a state school where you are not a resident.

Schools which participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program voluntarily will choose the amount of money to be contributed per eligible recipient; and the VA will match the amount and make their payment directly to the institution on behalf of each recipient.

Participating Colleges and Universities Requirements

Participating colleges and universities of the Yellow Ribbon Program must agree to provide funds to qualified Yellow Ribbon applicants on a first-come, first-served basis; within the current academic year and in all subsequent academic years while the student maintains attendance requirements and satisfactory academic performance. The school must also state the maximum number of people per academic year may receive the contributions, and state the dollar amount that is contributed on behalf of each participant of the program during the academic year. The funds must be made toward the program, on behalf of the recipient in the form of a scholarship or grant.

How Do I Apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

Each participating educational institution can establish their own application procedures for students. They also determine how many students per year may receive funds under the Yellow Ribbon Program.

You must also apply for an educational institution that offers the Yellow Ribbon Program – a list of 2010 – 2011 schools sorted by state is available here:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/YRP/YRP_List_2010.htm

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bread

One of the things I love most about this time of year, well besides Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte's is Pumpkin Cream Cheese Rolls. My grandmother used to slave over the kitchen for an entire day, producing a single, coveted Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll from her 14 hours of labor. The task was lengthy, full of finicky instructions, and required strict obedience to a slew of carefully timed steps.


Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bread
1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
5 Tbsp. butter
2 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tablespoons cinnamon

8 oz. cream cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
  1. In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin, brown sugar, sugar, 3 eggs, milk, butter, flour, baking powder and cinnamon until well-mixed.
  2. In a second bowl, beat together cream chese, egg, and sugar.
  3. Generously grease and flour a large bread pan.
  4. Spoon a thin layer of the pumpkin batter into the bottom of the bread pan.
  5. Make a well in the center of the bread and spoon half the cream cheese filling inside.
  6. Cover with another pumpkin batter, then swirl the rest of the cream cheese into that layer before covering all signs of cream cheese with one last layer of pumpkin batter.
  7. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until a toothpick poked into the center of bread comes out clean.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Cash for Clunkers Scams

The Cash For Clunkers bill was recently passed by Congress, and is currently waiting to be signed into law by President Obama. The Cash For Clunkers Bill, officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), gives consumers the opportunity to trade in old vehicles for a voucher to be used for a new car.

Understanding the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS)

Here is how the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) works: Consumers need to turn in an old vehicle to receive a $3500 to $4500 voucher that can only be used on a new car. The voucher has no cash value and cannot be transferred to another individual. The car will be destroyed, so it is important to note that trade-in values should be less than the voucher amount, or it will not be worth trading the car in for the voucher. Here is some more information about the Cash for Clunkers Bill:

  • Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify.
  • Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in.
  • You don’t need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase.
  • Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.

Beware of Cash For Clunkers Scams

Thieves and con artists are already taking advantage of the confusion surrounding the Cash for Clunkers Bill. It is important to understand how the Cash for Clunkers Bill works to avoid the scams that are already taking place. For official Cash for Clunkers information, visit the official site at http://www.cars.gov/, or the Frequently Asked Questions.

To avoid Cash for Clunkers scams you should also follow these tips:

If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. Common scams include:

  • Websites alleging to “pre-authorize” applications.
  • Websites offering to give you cash for your voucher (vouchers are non-transferable).
  • Websites that state they are the “official” Cash for Clunkers or Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) website. The official site is http://www.cars.gov/.

The best bet is to visit the official site before giving away any information.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Pumpkin Spice Latte (Starbuck’s Copycat)

Are any of you as addicted to the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbuck’s as I am? I can go all year and pass on every Starbuck’s menu item, but then when fall comes around, I can’t help but to indulge in these heavenly coffee treats. The only bad thing about them is the price tag. At more than $3 for a small, or as they call it “tall” (like using Italian measurements is fooling any of us into thinking it’s bigger than it is), it puts a huge dent in your wallet if you have an addiction like myself. I have recently been scouring the web for a good copycat recipe, and I finally found a really great one. This recipe, which I adapted to be vegan, is sure to satisfy your pumpkin latte cravings and put money back in your pocket.

Ingredients:
Servings: 1 Servings Size

  • 3 tablespoons canned pumpkin
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla-flavored syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tablespoons Splenda
  • 1 cup vanilla soymilk
  • 3 ounces espresso or VERY strong coffee


Directions:
  1. In a small saucepan, stir pumpkin puree into soymilk.
  2. Add vanilla syrup, Splenda and pumpkin pie spice.
  3. Heat gently, continuing to stirring occasionally just until steaming and foam begins to appear.
  4. Pour pumpkin flavored milk into a tall mug and pour espresso over.
  5. Top with whip cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice.
  6. Note: If you like it slightly sweeter; add a bit of vanilla flavored coffee cream.

Oi-Vey!

Oi-Vey! I don't know what else to really say... I have spent HOURS text msging my ex back and forth and am aoooo tired! So apparently I didn't work hard enough on the marriage... Even though I begged him to go to councling with me (and he refused) I should have tried harder... I should have physically drug his bitt there. So now it's all my fault that our marriage broke up becuase I didn't make him dump his girlfriends and didn't do enough to try to change his mind ::rolls eyes::

So ANYWAYZ, he begged me to move on and get over him... So what did I do, 3 months later I reconnected with an old friend from high school and went on a date... So I gave my ex a heads up cuz I really liked the guy and my ex flipped... Started posting random weird posts on facebook, pegging me as the bad guy... Then emailing MY friends... Not even OUR friends... But MY friends and just talking shit trying to make ME look like I was the one who left him... He's got is all ass backwards.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Lucky day?



10/10/10 10:10
I wonder how many people are getting married today... Or how many women are gettin endused.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Donate $1 to "Save the Children"

Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner are teaming up to support Save the Children and help make sure that more children have access to nutritious foods this holiday season and all year long.

You can join us by setting a place at our virtual kids' table. When you do, Frigidaire will donate $1 to help kids in need and you'll be entered for a chance to win the daily prize, $50 toward your holiday spread, and the grand prize, a new Frigidaire Professional® freestanding gas range.


Step 1: Click
http://www.maketimeforchange.com/
Step 2: Click "Set a Place" link on website
Step 3: Select a place setting
Step 4: Fill out the short questionnaire.
Step 5: Frigidaire will donate $* to help kids in need.

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Worst Restaurant Breakfasts in America

I found this article in Men's Health that had looked into American fast food breakfast foods and compiled a list of the worst breakfasts in the area.



Worst Breakfast Beverage
Starbucks Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with whole milk and whipped cream (venti, 24 oz)
720 calories
27 g fat (17 g saturated)
103 g sugars

Drink This Instead!
Iced Caffe Mocha (16 oz, no whipped cream)
200 calories
6 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
26 g sugars

Worst Pastry Breakfast
Cinnabon Regular Caramel Pecanbun
1,100 calories
56 g fat (10 g saturated, 5 g trans)
47 g sugars

Eat This Instead!
Cinnabon Stix
379 calories
21 g fat (6 g saturated, 4 g trans)
14 g sugars


Worst Scrambled Eggs Breakfast
Bob Evans Border Scramble Biscuit Bowl
1,028 calories
57 g fat (25 g saturated)
3,055 mg sodium

Eat This Instead!
Garden Harvest Omelet
542 calories
38 g fat (17 g saturated)
1,762 mg sodium




Worst Breakfast Sandwich
Denny’s Grand Slamwich
1,320 calories
90 g fat (42 g saturated, 1 g trans)
3,070 mg sodium

Eat This Instead!
Veggie-Cheese Omelette
500 calories
37 g fat (12 g saturated, 0 g trans)
940 mg sodium
Worst Pancakes
Friendly’s Apple Caramel Walnut Pancakes
1,540 calories
30 g fat (11 g saturated)
2,290 mg sodium
Eat This Instead!
Super Sizzlin’ Bacon Combo (with 3 scrambled Egg Beaters, hold the toast)
570 calories
29 g fat (5 g saturated)
1,310 mg sodium



The Worst Breakfast in America
Cheesecake Factory French Toast Napoleon
2,460 calories
61 g saturated fat
1,769 mg sodium
246 g carbohydrates

Eat This Instead!
Shiitake Mushroom, Spinach and Goat Cheese Scramble
570 calories
16g saturated fat
994 mg sodium
13 g carbohydrates