Monday, March 18, 2013

Tater Tot Casserole


 

Tater tot casserole is quick and easy to fix and good to eat.
1 pound ground beef 80/20 mix is best
1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can green beans (we added this to recipe)
2 cups of grated cheese (your favorite)
enough tater tots to cover the top
9 x 13 casserole spray with cooking spray
Preheat oven to 325 if using glass pan
Saute large onion and brown ground beef.
Drain grease off ground beef and add onions and vegetables.
Mix together with can of cream of chicken soup and just enough milk to stir around and get all the soup out of the can. Stir until all ingredients are heated.
Pour into 9 x 13 greased casserole.
Add approximately 2 cups or more of cheese on top of meat/veggie mixture.
Place tater tots on top of cheese. Reminds me of rows of round hay bales in the pasture. My husband said it reminded him of Jim Hooper (today is Jim Hooper's birthday!) lining up the high school band for the parade.
Cook in 325 degree oven for 35 minutes or until tater tots are cooked and cheese melted.
Just serve with a salad and you have a complete meal. Kids love this casserole.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day


 

ST. PATRICK'S DAY
This is my husband's favorite holiday....no shopping....no presents....no travel....no cooking huge meals...he says all you need to do is eat corned beef brisket with cabbage and drink green beer! For weeks he can be heard reciting Irish limericks...."I'm an Irishman, I'm an Irishman and I'm full of Irish booze....If you don't like my Irish song, I'll throw up on your shoes!" He is full of limericks!!
The History of St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day, celebrated every year on March 17, is a holiday honoring Saint Patrick, the missionary credited with converting the Irish to Christianity in the A.D. 400s. Saint Patrick's real name was Maewyn Succat. For his first 16 years, Maewyn lived a normal life as the son of a wealthy landowner and magistrate in Britain.
At 16, Maewyn was captured and sold into slavery by a group of pirates who raided his village. After six years of herding sheep, Maewyn escaped, went to France and became a priest, adopting the name Patrick.


During his training, Patrick discovered that his calling was to convert Irish pagans to Christianity. He returned to Ireland, established monasteries across the country, set up schools and churches, and converted many with his winning personality. Patrick carried on a very successful mission for thirty years. When he died on March 17, that day was commemorated as St. Patrick's Day.


Originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. In America, in fact, St. Patrick's Day is basically a time when everyone becomes Irish, wears green and goes out to party.
This is the cute guy I put out on the top of my file cabinet at work.

Fun Facts...Did you know...


That green is associated with St. Patrick's Day because it's the color of spring?


That the shamrock is a traditional symbol because Saint Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to represent how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could exist as separate elements in the same entity?


That the first St. Patrick's Day in America was celebrated in Boston in 1737?


That the following things on St. Patrick's Day will bring you good luck? Finding a four-leaf clover, wearing green and kissing the Blarney Stone.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Scotty Williams - In Memory

Our nephew, E.S. Scotty Williams left this earth one year ago. In his short 39 years he touched more people and brightened more lives, than anyone I have ever known. He never said a bad word about anyone, and always seem to find the positive in every situation. He always encouraged others to look at the positive side of things. He was certainly a one-of-a-kind young man. He was much like Will Rogers in that...he never met a man (or woman) he didn't like. Scotty took pride in helping others and was the first one there if he knew someone needed him.
 
Scotty came to our house on January 31, 2012 and it was the first time he had ever been to our house. We had just always got together in Gravette or Ardmore or the Ranch or other places. This time we had no gatherings planned so Scotty came to see us. After he passed there were lots of people telling his Dad that Scotty had just came to see them...it was like he had made a huge circle of visiting his friends, and family in the months prior to his passing. There have been so many wonderful stories told in the past year about Scotty and all those he touched and that loved him. We all miss him more than words can express.
 
 
 
QUOTE FROM SCOTTY WILLIAMS:
(on the bottom of the Obituary)
 
"Do not spoil what you have,
by wanting what you don't have.
Remember what you have now,
was once among the things you only hope for."
 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Friday Foto

 
My daughter-in-law snapped these photos of Chase, Austin and Blake,
 up at this pretty waterfall area in Missouri.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

White House Cats

India Willie Bush
India "Willie" Bush
 
While dogs may have seemed to dominate the history of White House pet residency, there have been plenty of cats who have spent time curled up in front of one of the 28 fireplaces that can be found at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
India “Willie” Bush (George W. Bush) - This American shorthair was a reflection of his presidential parent in more ways than one. Sure, there’s the head-scratching name of India Willie. But what would a Bush story be without controversy, particularly in the form of ticking off people around the world.
Amy Carter and cat

Amy Carter with Ying Yang.
The name India drew the ire of some in that country, which included reports of the burning of a Bush effigy in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. While many protests of one of the most divisive presidents in history were valid, this one was much adieu about nothing. The kitty was named after baseball player Ruben “El Indio” Sierra, who happened to play for the Texas Rangers when Bush owned the team. All the stress apparently did not get to India, since he passed away at the ripe old age of 18 in 2009.
Misty Malarky Ying Yang (Jimmy Carter) - Dubya clearly did not have the strangest name for a cat in presidential history. That honor goes to the Carter family’s seal point Siamese. MMYY was known to spend time in Amy Carter’s indoor doll house.
Socks (Bill Clinton) - Presidents’ dogs may usually steal the national spotlight, but Socks had a pretty good run. As the story goes, Socks made the leap to the White House first metaphorically when he jumped into Chelsea Clinton’s arms in 1991 before she left her piano teacher’s house in Little Rock, Arkansas. After passing away in 2009 from cancer, Socks’ ashes were transported back to Arkansas.
Calvin Coolidge with cat

Calvin Coolidge with Tiger
Tabby (Abraham Lincoln) - While he wasn’t the first president with a cat, Abe was the first (known) to bring one into the White House. His son Tad asked to bring his cat Tabby, and Lincoln obliged.
Piccolomini, Miss Pussy and Siam (Rutherford B. Hayes) - Of the three Hayes cats, Siam was the most momentous, since he was the first Siamese cat in the U.S.
Slippers and Tom Quartz (Theodore Roosevelt) - Teddy was a trailblazer, so one should expect his pets to be a little different as well. Slippers was a gray, six-toed cat. There was also Tom Quartz, named after the cat in Mark Twain’s book, Roughing It.
The Six Cats of Calvin Coolidge - President Coolidge’s affinity for cats started early in life when as a young boy he saved a litter of kittens from drowning. While he occupied the White House, Coolidge had felines named Smokey, Blackie, Tiger, Bounder, Timmie and Climber.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cats-who-have-called-the-white-house-home.html#ixzz2MONV54Ho

Care2 found the article by Jason Knapfel at PetsUncaged.com:

Jason, selected from PetsUncaged.com

Jason Knapfel is Co-Founder of PetsUncaged.com, a growing resource for all things related to the beloved animals that we share our homes with.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Gourmet Adventure Sweeps from BHG


OFFICIAL RULES
Void outside the 50 United States, District of Columbia and where prohibited. Do not proceed to enter if you are not at least 21 years of age and a legal resident of, and located within, one of the 50 United States, or the District of Columbia, at the time of entry. By participating, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to this sweepstakes.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Eight O'Clock Coffee "Gourmet Adventure" Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes") begins at 12:01 a.m. CT on 12/01/12 and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on 3/31/13 ("Sweepstakes Period").
SPONSOR: Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa ("Sponsor").
HOW TO ENTER: During the Sweepstakes Period, visit www.bhg.com/wincoffee, www.rachaelraymag.com/wincoffee, www.parents.com/wincoffee, www.fitnessmagazine.com/wincoffee, www.lhj.com/wincoffee, www.familycircle.com/wincoffee and follow the instructions provided to submit a completed online entry form to receive one (1) entry. There is no cost to register or enter. Entering the Sweepstakes will automatically register entrant at www.bhg.com, www.rachaelraymag.com, www.parents.com, www.fitnessmagazine.com, www.lhj.com, and www.familycircle.com if entrant has not already registered. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or practices, or by any means which subvert the entry process will be void. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on 3/31/13 to be eligible. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned.
LIMIT: One (1) entry per person and per email address, per day, per site. Entries received from any person or email address in excess of the stated limitation will be void. You may only use one (1) email address to enter this Sweepstakes.
ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 21 years of age or older. Employees of Sponsor, and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes and each of their respective parents, agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members (regardless of where they reside) or household members, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win. "Immediate family members" shall mean spouses, parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, and their respective spouses. "Household members" shall mean people who share the same residence at least three months a year.
WINNER SELECTION/DRAWING: On or about 4/15/13, Sponsor will conduct a random drawing from among all eligible entries received to select five (5) potential winners. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received.
WINNER NOTIFICATION: Potential winners will be notified via email, phone and/or mail and may be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, IRS W9 form, and Release of Liability/Publicity within ten (10) days of date of notification or an alternate winner may be selected in a random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, Sponsor is unable to contact potential winner or potential winner is not in compliance with these Official Rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor's discretion, an alternate winner may be selected.
PRIZES (5): One (1) Grand Prize: A $4,000 check.
Two (2) first prizes: one (1) Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System, Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") $149 and ten (10) 12-count K-Cup pack coffee cartons, ARV $72.90; total ARV $221.90.
Two (2) second prizes: one (1) Cusinart DGB-650BC Grind-and-Brew Thermal 10-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, ARV $126.89 and ten (10) 12 oz bags of coffee, ARV $69.90; total ARV $196.79.
Total ARV of all prizes: $4,837.38. Prizes are awarded "as is" with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by Sponsor. Winners may not substitute, assign or transfer prize or redeem prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided. All prize details are at Sponsor's sole discretion.
PRIVACY:
Registration at www.bhg.com/wincoffee, www.rachaelraymag.com/wincoffee, www.parents.com/wincoffee, www.fitnessmagazine.com/wincoffee, www.lhj.com/wincoffee, or www.familycircle.com/wincoffee is required to enter the Sweepstakes. When you register, we collect personally identifying information about you, including your name, complete mailing address, and email address. The information that you provide will be added to a centralized Sponsor database and you will simultaneously be registered for Sponsor's other websites as well. By entering and providing the required registration information, you acknowledge that Sponsor may send you information, samples, or special offers it believes may be of interest to you about its publications or other complementary goods offered by Sponsor. Sponsor may also include your name and postal address in postal address lists that Sponsor sells or rents to third parties for marketing purposes. Your email address will not be sold or rented to third parties. For more information about how Sponsor uses the information you provide, see Sponsor's privacy policy at www.bhg.com/wincoffee, www.rachaelraymag.com/wincoffee, www.parents.com/wincoffee, www.fitnessmagazine.com/wincoffee, www.lhj.com/wincoffee, or www.familycircle.com/wincoffee. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
ARBITRATION: Except where prohibited by law, as a condition of participating in this Sweepstakes, entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and exclusively by final and binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association and held at a AAA regional office in New York, NY; (2) the Federal Arbitration Act shall govern the interpretation, enforcement and all proceedings at such arbitration; and (3) judgment upon such arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages including attorney's fees or any other damages, other than for entrant's actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs associated with participating in this Sweepstakes), and entrant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
RELEASES: By participating in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release Sponsor, and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes and each of their respective parents, agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and prize suppliers, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, as well as each of their respective successors, representatives and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all actions, claims, injury, loss or damage arising in any manner, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation in this Sweepstakes and/or acceptance, use or misuse of the prize.
OTHER: Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, undelivered, garbled or misdirected entries or registrations; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prizes, or in any Sweepstakes-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to entrants' or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of these Official Rules. Sponsor further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate or modify this Sweepstakes if the Sweepstakes is compromised by virus, technical corruption, non-authorized human intervention, or any other causes which, in the sole discretion of the Sponsor, corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, proper play or integrity of the Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it believes has tampered with the entry process. In the event of cancellation or termination, Sponsor reserves the right to select the potential winner in a random drawing from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to date of cancellation or termination. In the event of a dispute regarding online entry, entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail account associated with the entry and he/she must comply with these Official Rules. The authorized account holder is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR WILL DISQUALIFY ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) AND OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Except where prohibited by law, entry constitutes permission to use each entrant's name, hometown (city and state), voice, biographical information, likeness, photograph and any statements regarding this Sweepstakes in all media now known or hereafter discovered, for any purpose, including without limitation, in connection with, and to promote, market or advertise, the Sweepstakes, in whole or in part, without review, approval, credit or attribution, notification or payment from or to entrant or any person or entity, worldwide, in perpetuity, or on a winner's list, if applicable. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable U. S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. Grand prize winner will be issued an IRS 1099-MISC tax form in the amount of the prize retail value as stated herein.
WINNERS' NAMES: For the names of the winners, available after 4/30/13, send a separate, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Winners' Names, ATTN: , The Eight O'Clock Coffee "Gourmet Adventure" Sweepstakes, 1716 Locust St. LN-102, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Apricot Pork Loin

My husband comes up with amazing ideas to turn the "same ole meat" into a new adventure. On this day he took a can of Apricot Halves to transform our pork loin.
 
First he sliced and onion (thick slices) and placed in the bottom of his Paula Deen pan.
Next he put the pork loin in the pan on top of the onions.
Then he poured the juice out of the can of apricots on top of the meat.
He added pepper and a tiny bit of salt on top of that.
Last he placed the apricot halves on top of the meat.
He cooked in a 325 degree oven for 4 hours.
(it was probably done before that, but the 4 hours fit in with his nap schedule)
He served the apricot pork loin with potato salad.
YUMMMMMMMMY!!!

Monday, March 11, 2013

BHG Organized Home Sweepstakes



OFFICIAL RULES
Void outside the 50 United States, District of Columbia and where prohibited. Do not proceed to enter if you are not at least 21 years of age and a legal resident of, and located within, one of the 50 United States, or the District of Columbia, at the time of entry. By participating, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to this sweepstakes.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Better Homes and Gardens Find a Pro Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes") begins at 12:01 a.m. Central Time ("C.T.") on 9/1/12 and ends at 11:59 p.m. C.T. on 3/31/13 ("Sweepstakes Period").
SPONSOR: Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa ("Sponsor").
HOW TO ENTER: During the Sweepstakes Period, visit www.bhg.com/improvesweeps and follow the instructions provided to submit a completed online entry form to receive one (1) entry. There is no cost to register or enter. Entering the Sweepstakes will automatically register entrant at www.bhg.com if entrant has not already registered. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or practices, or by any means which subvert the entry process will be void. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. C.T. on 3/31/13 to be eligible. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned.
LIMIT: One (1) entry per person and per email address, per day throughout the Sweepstakes Period. Entries received from any person or email address in excess of the stated daily limitation will be void. You may only use one (1) email address to enter this Sweepstakes.
ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 21 years of age or older. Employees of Sponsor, and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes and each of their respective parents, agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members (regardless of where they reside) or household members, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win. "Immediate family members" shall mean spouses, parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, and their respective spouses. "Household members" shall mean people who share the same residence at least three months a year.
WINNER SELECTION/DRAWING: On or about 04/15/13, Sponsor will conduct a random drawing from among all eligible entries received throughout the Sweepstakes Period to select one (1) potential winner. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received.
WINNER NOTIFICATION: Potential winner will be notified via email, phone and/or mail and will be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, IRS W9 form, and Release of Liability/Publicity within ten (10) days of date of notification or an alternate winner may be selected in a random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, Sponsor is unable to contact potential winner or potential winner is not in compliance with these Official Rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor's discretion, an alternate winner may be selected.
PRIZE (1): A $5,000 check. Winner may not substitute, assign or transfer prize, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided. All prize details are at Sponsor's sole discretion.
PRIVACY: Registration at www.bhg.com is required to enter the Sweepstakes. When you register, we collect personally identifying information about you, including your name, complete mailing address, and email address. The information that you provide will be added to a centralized Sponsor database and you will simultaneously be registered for Sponsor's other websites as well. By entering and providing the required registration information, you acknowledge that Sponsor may send you information, samples, or special offers it believes may be of interest to you about its publications or other complementary goods offered by Sponsor. Sponsor may also include your name and postal address in postal address lists that Sponsor sells or rents to third parties for marketing purposes. Your email address will not be sold or rented to third parties. For more information about how Sponsor uses the information you provide, see Sponsor's privacy policy at www.bhg.com. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
ARBITRATION: Except where prohibited by law, as a condition of participating in this Sweepstakes, entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or the prize awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and exclusively by final and binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association and held at a AAA regional office in New York, NY; (2) the Federal Arbitration Act shall govern the interpretation, enforcement and all proceedings at such arbitration; and (3) judgment upon such arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages including attorney's fees or any other damages, other than for entrant's actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs associated with participating in this Sweepstakes), and entrant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
RELEASES: By participating in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release Sponsor and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes and each of their respective parents, agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and prize suppliers, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, as well as each of their respective successors, representatives and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all actions, claims, injury, loss or damage arising in any manner, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation in this Sweepstakes and/or acceptance, use or misuse of the prize.
OTHER: Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, undelivered, garbled or misdirected entries or registrations; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prize, or in any Sweepstakes-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to entrants' or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of these Official Rules. Sponsor further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate or modify this Sweepstakes if the Sweepstakes is compromised by virus, technical corruption, non-authorized human intervention, or any other causes which, in the sole discretion of the Sponsor, corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, proper play or integrity of the Sweepstakes. In the event of cancellation or termination, Sponsor reserves the right to select the potential winner in a random drawing from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to date of cancellation or termination. In the event of a dispute regarding online entry, entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail account associated with the entry and he/she must comply with these Official Rules. The authorized account holder is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR WILL DISQUALIFY ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) AND OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Except where prohibited by law, entry constitutes permission to use each entrant's name, hometown (city and state), voice, biographical information, likeness, photograph and any statements regarding this Sweepstakes in all media now known or hereafter discovered, for any purpose, including without limitation, in connection with, and to promote, market or advertise, the Sweepstakes, in whole or in part, without review, approval, credit or attribution, notification or payment from or to entrant or any person or entity, worldwide, in perpetuity, or on a winner's list, if applicable. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable U. S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. Winner may be issued an IRS 1099-MISC tax form in the amount of the prize retail value as stated herein.
WINNER'S NAME: For the name of the winner, available after 4/30/13, send a separate, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Winner's Name, Better Homes and Gardens Find a Pro Sweepstakes, 1716 Locust St., LN 102, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Spring Forward - Daylight Saving Time!

 
SPRING FORWARD
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS
 
 
SET YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD ONE HOUR

Saturday, March 9, 2013

BHG Pantry Sweepstates


OFFICIAL RULES
Void outside the 50 United States, District of Columbia and where prohibited. Do not proceed to enter if you are not at least 21 years of age and a legal resident of, and located within, one of the 50 United States, or the District of Columbia, at the time of entry. By participating, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to this sweepstakes.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The $2,500 Love Your Pantry Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes") begins at 02/15/13 on 12:01 a.m. Central Time ("CT") and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on 3/31/13 ("Sweepstakes Period").
SPONSOR: Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa ("Sponsor").
HOW TO ENTER: During the Sweepstakes Period, visit www.bhg.com/winpantry and follow the instructions provided to submit a completed online entry form to receive one (1) entry. There is no cost to register or enter. Entering the Sweepstakes will automatically register entrant at www.bhg.com if entrant has not already registered. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or practices, or by any means which subvert the entry process will be void. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on 3/31/13 to be eligible. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned.
LIMIT: One (1) entry per person and per email address, per day. Entries received from any person or email address in excess of the stated daily limitation will be void. You may only use one (1) email address to enter this Sweepstakes.
ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 21 years of age or older. Employees of Sponsor , and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes and each of their respective parents, agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members (regardless of where they reside) or household members, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win. "Immediate family members" shall mean spouses, parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, and their respective spouses. "Household members" shall mean people who share the same residence at least three months a year.
WINNER SELECTION/DRAWING: On or about 4/8/13, Sponsor will conduct a random drawing from among all eligible entries received to select one (1) potential winner. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received.
WINNER NOTIFICATION: Potential winner will be notified via email and/or mail and will be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, IRS W9 form, and Release of Liability/Publicity within ten (10) days of date of notification or an alternate winner may be selected in a random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, Sponsor is unable to contact potential winner or potential winner is not in compliance with these Official Rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor's discretion, an alternate winner may be selected.
PRIZE (1): $2,500 check. Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any.
PRIVACY: Registration at www.bhg.com is required to enter the Sweepstakes. When you register, we collect personally identifying information about you, including your name, complete mailing address, and email address. The information that you provide will be added to a centralized Sponsor database and you will simultaneously be registered for Sponsor's other websites as well. By entering and providing the required registration information, you acknowledge that Sponsor may send you information, samples, or special offers it believes may be of interest to you about its publications or other complementary goods offered by Sponsor. Sponsor may also include your name and postal address in postal address lists that Sponsor sells or rents to third parties for marketing purposes. Your email address will not be sold or rented to third parties. For more information about how Sponsor uses the information you provide, see Sponsor's privacy policy at www.bhg.com. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
ARBITRATION: Except where prohibited by law, as a condition of participating in this Sweepstakes, entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or any prize awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and exclusively by final and binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association and held at a AAA regional office in New York, NY; (2) the Federal Arbitration Act shall govern the interpretation, enforcement and all proceedings at such arbitration; and (3) judgment upon such arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages including attorney's fees or any other damages, other than for entrant's actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs associated with participating in this Sweepstakes), and entrant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
RELEASES: By participating in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release Sponsor, and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Sweepstakes and each of their respective parents, agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and prize suppliers, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, as well as each of their respective successors, representatives and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all actions, claims, injury, loss or damage arising in any manner, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation in this Sweepstakes and/or acceptance, use or misuse of the prize.
OTHER: Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, undelivered, garbled or misdirected entries or registrations; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prize, or in any Sweepstakes-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to entrants' or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of these Official Rules. Sponsor further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate or modify this Sweepstakes if the Sweepstakes is compromised by virus, technical corruption, non-authorized human intervention, or any other causes which, in the sole discretion of the Sponsor, corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, proper play or integrity of the Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it believes has tampered with the entry process. In the event of cancellation or termination, Sponsor reserves the right to select the potential winner in a random drawing from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to date of cancellation or termination. In the event of a dispute regarding online entry, entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail account associated with the entry and he/she must comply with these Official Rules. The authorized account holder is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR WILL DISQUALIFY ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) AND OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Except where prohibited by law, entry constitutes permission to use each entrant's name, hometown (city and state), voice, biographical information, likeness, photograph and any statements regarding this Sweepstakes in all media now known or hereafter discovered, for any purpose, including without limitation, in connection with, and to promote, market or advertise, the Sweepstakes, in whole or in part, without review, approval, credit or attribution, notification or payment from or to entrant or any person or entity, worldwide, in perpetuity, or on a winner's list, if applicable. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable U. S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. Winner will be issued an IRS 1099-MISC tax form in the amount of the prize retail value as stated herein.
WINNER'S NAME: For the name of the winner, available after 4/30/13, send a separate, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Winner's Name, $2,500 Love Your Pantry Sweepstakes, 1716 Locust Street LN-102, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Friday Foto

I am sure you have seen this on Facebook, but I love it and want to make sure to share it with everyone!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Hayley Sweet 16

Happy 16th Birthday Hayley
 
This little 7 pound 2 ounce bundle has brought so much joy to our family. It is hard to believe that she is already 16 years old. My niece Hayley is a awesome young lady. This photo on the day she was born, has been on the front of my frig for 16 years! Hayley is the smart one in the family. She is taking college classes in high school. She writes beautiful poetry, takes amazing photos, is the most kind and loving person, and we are all so proud of her.
These are some of the photos she took on their family vacation in December.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYLEY

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Jalapeno Broccoli

Even if you are not a diabetic, I would recommend you signing up to receive the Diabetic Gourmet newsletter.           http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/
They have some really good and healthy recipes on their site. Each of their recipes include the Nutritional Information (Per Serving). If nothing else just sign up for "new ideas" for your meal planning. Knowing my love for Jalapenos this recipe really peaked my interest:)
 

Jalapeno Broccoli

Yield: 4-5 servings
Source: "America's Everyday Diabetes Cookbook"
Book Info:
http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/17.shtml
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/952.shtml

Ingredients

- 1 teaspoon salt, optional
- 1 head broccoli, trimmed and separated into spears
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced (with or
  without seeds, depending on desired hotness)
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- Few sprigs fresh coriander or parsley, chopped

Directions

Bring a pot of water to the boil and add optional salt.
Add the  broccoli spears and boil over high heat for
3 to 5 minutes (depending on desired tenderness).

Drain and transfer broccoli to bowl of ice cold water for
30 seconds. Drain and lay out the cooked spears decoratively
on a presentation plate. Drizzle evenly with balsamic vinegar.

In a small frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat for
30 seconds. Add sliced jalapeno peppers (with seeds, if
using) and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.

Take peppers with all the oil from the pan, and distribute
evenly over the broccoli. Garnish with pine nuts and herbs.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories: 142; Protein: 8 g; Sodium: 206 mg;
Cholesterol: 0 mg; Fat: 9 g; Dietary Fiber: 6 g;
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Lean Meat, 1-1/2 Fat

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

St. Patrick's Wreath

St. Patrick's Day Wreath
 
I made my Granddaughter a St. Patrick's Day wreath.
Took a wire coat hanger and made it into a circle.
Cut strips of Shamrock fabric into strips.
I used almost the entire yard of fabric.
Tie the strips around the coat hanger in a knot.
Wore three blisters on my fingers tying the knots.
Then I just tied a bow around the top of the coat hanger.
This was a great snowy day activity, when the electricity was out,
during the Western Oklahoma Blizzard of February 2013!
 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Spring Cleaning, House Warming, Wedding Gift...Idea

It is the time of year people start thinking of "spring cleaning"...
You may know someone who has just moved into a new place...
Going off to college...Or...
You need a practical wedding gift for the newlyweds...
what ever the need or gift idea this is one of my favorites.
 
Get a good sized basket, basket wrap and bow...
add cleaners, paper towels, sponges, and any other item
you know someone might need to get started.
This is the kind of stuff they need and adds up when just starting out. 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Navy Beans with Ham

 
My husband cooked a smoked ham on Saturday and then on Sunday he put some of the chunks of ham in the crock pot with two pounds of Navy beans. He also used the juice from the ham and added water to cook the beans for extra flavor. He cooked the pot of beans on high for eight hours...WOW they were really good! Then he made cornbread with a can of creamed corn added in the mix. For some reason we had not had white beans in a long time and these were extra good.
Navy beans got their name because of their staple-food status for the U.S. Navy during the early part of the 20th century. They are pea-sized, eggshell-white little legumes with a smooth, mellow flavor. They offer substantial benefits, says the World’s Healthiest Foods, to your circulatory system, blood sugar levels, brain function and energy level. So it’s probably a good idea to keep them on hand, right? Whether canned or dried, navy beans are super-easy to store, easy to prepare and can be served as a healthful side dish or used to enhance the flavor of soups and casseroles.