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Monday, May 26, 2008

Camping







We took the kids camping this weekend. We went to Timberland Lake Campground, in Jackson NJ. It's a 2 minute drive from Six Flags Great Adventure, a theme park we have season passes to! It's only 20-25 minutes from home too, so it's nice! We slept in a tent, cooked on a tiny charcoal grill, and the open fire! We played mini golf, took a lil hike, a hayride, we went out on a row boat! The kids had a blast, and so did Norman and I! It was a nice weekend for all.. infact 2 weeks from now we plan to go back. We have actually reserved a lot for 3 consecutive weeks!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Social Spark...A way to make CASH

Well, as some of you have noticed, i do a little advertising Blogging, to make a bit of extra cash! A momma's gotta do what a momma's gotta do!

Look what I found.... A new network, made for Bloggers! SocialSpark! They offer you the blogger the opportunity to make some money blogging. They provide the opportunities, all you have to do is accept them , and start blogging!

I have tried other sites, but the number of opps was ridiculously low, not giving the chance to make money like SocialSpark, they have lots of opps available at on time!

I never would have thought I could make serious money just talking about stuff. Believe me I LOVE to talk.

Social spark also allows you to connect with other bloggers. This is my first opp with SocialSpark, but they are very straight forward about what they want from you as a blogger!



There is a Message center on SocialSpark, you can receive messages from other members, as well as message letting you know if you were approved for an Opp. There is also a spot for others to leave you feedback. I love how easy it to tell which opps are available, and which ones you qualify for.

When blogging about one of Social Spark's opps, you must disclose that you are making money for it. At Social Spark they are looking for real opinions, not someone to just BS through some blogging! SocialSpark is also 100% search engine friendly!

Sponsored by SocialSpark

Printabl Coupon Stes

Some one was kind enough to share some awesome coupon sites wiht me, so I thought I should share them with everyone that stops by my Blog!

http://www.coolsavings.com/

http://www.smartsource.com/

http://www.coupons.com/

http://www.boodle.com/

http://www.couponloop.com/

Monday, May 19, 2008

Study Jams


StudyJams! is a new online, subscription-based learning experience for kids in grades 3-6. Developed by Scholastic, StudyJams! is dedicated to helping kids learn math and science in ways that are fun, relevant and rewarding. Click on the special offer link to start your free 14 day trial.
StudyJams! was designed to introduce and reinforce key math and science concepts. Whether your child needs help to better understand a challenging topic or simply wants to learn more about a subject they already enjoy, StudyJams! can help. StudyJams! was created in conjunction with leading educators nationwide and all of our content is based on state curriculum standards.

Study Jams
if you click the link i get Credits!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Cool Search Sites

If you need to find stuff, I have some sites for you! Search for games, movies, programs!


Some Freebie Sites

Friday, May 16, 2008

Matty is Cookin!



today was the day to finish making the cake! Home maade whipped cream between the layers, and then home made Decorator's Icing on the outside.... Not to toot my own horn, but the icing was INCREDIBLE! Tasted JUST like icing form the Bakery.....

Whipped Cream Filling
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Beat cream until it begins to thicken; add sugar gradually, add flavoring; until to beat until cream holds its shape when the beater is raised.

Fluffy Cake Decorator's Frosting
1 cup vegetable shortening 4 cups powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar1 teaspoon clear imitation vanilla extract3 ounces heavy cream
Food coloring as desired
With an electric mixer, beat shortening until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and continue beating until well blended.
Add salt, vanilla, cream of tartar and the heavy cream beating on low speed until moistened, adding a small amount of heavy cream if necessary. Add food coloring, if desired. Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.
Makes 3 3/4 cups frosting.
Note: Recipe can be successfully doubled.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Baking Carlie



We spent today making the cake layers for a Birthday cake for My Mother In Law. Friday is the last day of our bowling league, and we have nice buffet dinner there, and are all encouraged to bring desserts. So i figured a Giant Birthday cake would be great! Here is Miss Carlie helping to make the cake layers. One strawberry , and one Vanilla.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Vacation Planning


Whether you're looking to get out of the house, out of town or out of the country, GORP.com can help you plan and execute your adventurous escape (however temporary it may be).


As the winter weather lifts across the US, the Great Outdoors are calling — and GORP is there to answer. The Great Outdoor Recreation Pages offers resources on everything from the best places to hike, bike, snorkel and ski to gear to bring to booking your trip. So it really is your one-stop-shop for getting in touch with your wild side.
VISIT GORP

Tonight's Dinner (fried Chicken)

Southern Fried Chicken


House Seasoning:

1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder


Southern Fried Chicken:

4 eggs
1/3 cup water
1 cup hot red pepper sauce
2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon pepper
House Seasoning
2 1/2-pound chicken, cut into pieces
Oil, for frying, preferably peanut oil


To make the House Seasoning, mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

In a medium size bowl, beat the eggs with the water. Add enough hot sauce so the egg mixture is bright orange.

In another bowl, combine the flour and pepper.

Season the chicken with the House Seasoning.

Dip the seasoned chicken in the egg, and then coat well in the flour mixture.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a deep pot. Do not fill the pot more than 1/2 full with oil. Fry the chicken in the oil until brown and crisp. Dark meat takes longer than white meat. It should take dark meat about 13 to 14 minutes, white meat around 8 to 10 minutes.

Potato Pancakes


Preparation Time:
Servings: 6
Cook Time:
Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
1/2 Cup (finely chopped) Onions
6 Medium (peeled, shredded) Potatoes
1/4 Teaspoon Seasoning - Black Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Seasoning - Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
2 Tablespoons Flour - All Purpose
2 Eggs
Cooking Directions:1. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Mix in potatoes and onion.2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In batches, drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture into the skillet. Press to flatten. Cook about 3 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Dad's night out WITH the kids



While i was making dinner, Norm took the twins and the puppy out for a walk. Well I found them nextdoor on the school Playground. I never miss an opportunity to take pictures of theses gorgeous lil ones! So here they are on ther slide, even the puppy!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Some of My Creativity!

Just wanted to share some tags I have created as of lately!

Of course they are bigger than they are showing up here!

But at least you get the idea ...





Monday's Dinner

No recipe today, just gonna cook some steaks! I put salt pepper & Chicago steak rub on them! We are also having Baked Potatoes and Jalapeno poppers to go with it! I also cleaned out the freezer in my basement. Oh my, i have like 30 packs of hot dogs.... at least i won't need to buy any for Jr's Birthday picnic! But at least tomorrow i can go down there and take a real inventory. Hopefully i can go another 3 weeks without grocery shopping! I 3 packs of meat on Saturday, before that i went atleast a whole month!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's DAy! These are my gorgeous flowers! I also got an ice cream maker, and at school Jr maked me a trinket box, and a card! We had My granmom, Mom, Dad, brother & Mother in law over for dinner! Salad, Lasagna, cheese bread, rolls, potato salad! My brother was in charge of dessert, he did good, apple pie & Cheesecake! Can't go wrong there! Jr cleared the Dishes, and norm loaded the dish washer, it was really nice! Now thanks to cleaning to have company, my house is now looking really good! We sent the guys outside to take apart the old swing set and take the main part to grandmom's house. Everyone said they enjoyed the dinner, I'm glad cuz i even made the sauce myself!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Lazy day

Well, Fridaynight my grandmom kept the kids overnight, so saturday we woke to an empty QUIET house! We went to the movies, saw Baby Momma, it was good. Funny, but we kind of expected funnier! then off to the grocery store for meats! We lucked out, a huge pack of drumsticks for 5 bucks; and we split it into 4 meals..also a big package of sausage for 4 bucks, another 4 or 5 meals outta that. We stopped at the police station to report that someone ransacked our car sometime between friday night and saturday morning when we went to the movies... Norm is real anal about locking the car, well sometimes our clicker doesn't always work. We went to bed thinking it was locked, someone went in and every thing from the glove compartment and the center console was EVERYWHERE! But they didn't take the radar detector, or the cell phone that was layin on the floor! Cradk head, prolly looking for loose change or some shit! Also someitme last week someone went in our garage and took Matt's bike... So now we have locks on EVERYTHING! i am ambout to bolt down the porch furniture!

But anyway, we had an easy dinner, more beer battered Tilapia, and some fried cauliflower! YUMMY!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Meatloaf In Peppers


Well, since i am out of work, we no longer order out for dinner.... So tonights dinner(wich smells wonderfull by the way) is meatloaf in pepper rings. I got the idea from The Food Network, where lese?!?!

This is how I did it.... Made my favorite meatloaf recipe... thick cliced some peppers, red, yellow & green. about 3 slices per pepper. Put the peppers on a cookie sheet, stuffed the meatloaf into them. Put on my hubby's favorite meatloaf topping(KETCHUP, MUSTARD& A LIL BROWN SUGAR) 350 degrees for 35 mins..... they smell yummy!

I am also serving 3 cheese potatoes from Betty Crocker & mashed sweet potatoes, along with cranberry sauce. I am trying to use up all my boxed mix stuff! I want to get to the point where we re eating everything made from scratch!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Chicken tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini

8 ounces Vermicelli, broken in half
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) cream of mushroom soup;undiluted1/4 cup half & half
3 tablespoons Dry Sherry (i left this out)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast (about 3/4 pound)
1 cup frozen peas (I USED CANNED)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup fresh coarse bread crumbs ( i used canned)
2 tablespoons butter;melted

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 8inch square baking dish with non stick coking spray; set aside.

2. Cook Pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

3. Meanwhile combine soup, half and half, sherry, salt, and red pepper flakes in large bowl. Stir in chicken, peas, & cheese. Add pasta; stir until pasta is well coated. Pour into prepared baking dish.

4. Combine Bread Crumbs and butter in a bowl. Sprinkle over casserole; Bake uncovered 25-30 minutes or until heated through and bread crumbs are golden brown.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Swedish Meatballs

Well for tonights dinner, I served Swedish Meatballs. My husband was leary of meatballs NOT serve on a torpedo roll, with red sauce. But he enjoyed these, so did Jr, who HATES meat. So here is the recipe I used. Believe it or not, I actually followed the recipe.

1 1/2 Cups fresh bread crumbs
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (divided)
1 small onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, divided
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup beef broth
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon all purpose flour

1 Combine bread crumbs and heavy cream in a small bowl, mix well. Let stand 10 minutes.

2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until onion is tender.

3. Combine beef, pork, bread crumb mixture, onion, 2 tablespoons parsley, salt, all spice, and pepper in large bowl; mix well. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour.

4. make about 36 (small) meatballs. Melt remaining tablespoon of butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs. Cook 10 minutes or until browned on all sides and no longer pink in the center. Remove meatballs; drain on paper towels.

5. Drain fat from skillet, but DO NOT wash. Pour broth into skillet, Heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently and scrappin gup any browned bits. Reduce heat to low.

6. Combine sour cream and flour in small bowl; mix well. Stir sour cream mixture into skillet;cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Do Not boil. Add meatballs; cook 5 more minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Beer Battered Fish

OK, beer batter, may sound intimidating, but it's SIMPLE. 2 1/2 cups beer & 2 cups flour. Mix it, set it aside for a couple hours. I also added some seasoning to mine; salt, pepper, & cajun seasoning. I used Tilapia; took the fillets, cut them in half..... dipped em in the batter, then into the hot pot of oil..... It was Delisious.

I also made home made fries... they were YUMMY! sliced up the potaotes using my Vidalia Slice Wizard... put them in a bowl sprinkled a little cornstarch, salt, pepper, & cajun sesoning. I let that sit for about 30 minutes. Then into a sperat pot of hot oil.

OK, so not a figure friendly meal, but it was delicious, and HOME MADE...so ya know exactly what's goin in there!