Valentine’s Petit Fours
Oh yeah. You heard me. I’m going hardcore Bakerella for V-day this year. My beautiful stepdaughter Katie is an amazing baker, so I’m making her help me. We will tackle the fabled Petit Fours. Do not be afraid, join me in this Master Bakerella adventure.
Valentine’s Day Petit Fours
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus melted butter for pans
- 1 pound almond paste
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Pinch fine sea salt
- 8 cups tinted Royal Icing, recipe follows, or store bought
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brush 3 (12 1/2 by 9-inch) rimmed baking sheets (otherwise known as quarter sheet pans) with melted butter. Line the pans with parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on opposite sides. Butter the top of the parchment paper as well, then set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the almond paste and sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 5 minutes. Add the almond extract. Roughly cut the room temperature butter into pats and gradually add to the almond paste-sugar mixture. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Add the flour and salt and beat until just combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared baking sheets, about 2 1/4 cups each sheet, smoothing the batter out with an offset spatula. Gently tap the baking sheet on the table to remove any air pockets in the batter. Air pockets will cause holes in the baked cake and give a ragged look to the finished product. Bake until just set, but not browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Give the baking sheets a turn halfway through baking, after about 8 minutes, for even baking, if needed, but don’t worry too much because we’re covering the cakes. Test with a toothpick or skewer and if clean, remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool.
To make the jam easier to spread and to prevent tearing the cake, puree the raspberry jam in a food processor. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Turn 1 cake layer out onto the lined baking sheet. Spread half of the raspberry jam in an even layer over the cake. Carefully flip the cake out of the baking sheet and top with a second cake layer. Spread with the remaining jam. Carefully flip the final layer out of the baking sheet and top the cake. Place a piece of parchment paper over the final layer and top with a second baking sheet. Weigh down with 2 large (28-ounce) cans. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
Remove the cake from the refrigerator and cut into 1-inch squares. Place onto a wire racks over at least 2 baking sheets, leaving at least 1-inch between each cake piece.
Place each of the tinted royals icings in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, with the bottom of the bowl not touching the water, until pourable. You should have about 8 cups total. You’ll be using about 1 heaping tablespoon icing on each. Carefully place a cut cake on a chocolate fork/dipper (or a small fork). Place the cake over the icing and spoon the icing onto the cake. If the cake drops into the icing, carefully pick it up with your spoon and place back onto your fork/dipper. Place back onto the wire rack using another dipper or fork to slide onto the wire rack. Top with decorative dragees, as desired. Repeat with the remaining icing and cakes. Alternately, for each tinted frosting, set 3 cooling racks over baking sheets and divide the cut cake pieces evenly among the racks. Pour the tinted frosting slowly over the cake pieces. If you need extra frosting, just remove the cooling rack, scrape the excess frosting from the baking sheet, melt or microwave until pourable and touch up any area that the frosting didn’t coat the first time. Let stand until set, about 30 minutes at room temperature or cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 1 week until ready to serve.
Royal Icing:
- 6 tablespoons corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 17 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar (about 5 boxes)
- Pink food coloring
In a large heatproof bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon water, corn syrup and almond extract. Once incorporated, slowly whisk in the sugar until fully combined. Alternately, slowly mix together in a stand mixer and transfer to a heatproof bowl prior to icing cakes.
(Editor’s note: I pulled this from the Food Network with some minor alterations.)
Wait. What?
I had my “once a year, low-expectation” lunch with three of my favorite girlfriends yesterday. Now that we’re all staggering under a massive workload and demanding children, we’re proud of ourselves if we get face-to-face once every 365 days.
I was showing off pictures of my adorable baby Zoe when Carolyn chirped, “oh, that’s so sweet! And just think, you’ll be having her Period Party before you know it!”
“Ah…her what?”
My 3 best friends since, like, junior high school looked at me blankly.
“Her Period Party.” Clarified Alex, “where you celebrate the joy of her First Menstruation.”
My mouth gaped open like a carp’s and I could only hope I’d swallowed the last of my salad before my friend’s little revelation.
“Period Party? For getting her period? Seriously?”
My girlies nodded gravely and I shut my mouth with an audible snap.
People, come ON. When I started my cycle at the age of 14, my mom chucked a box of pads at me and said dryly, “congratulations, you’re a woman.” When did we graduate to a cake and party streamers for something that’s usually celebrated with a speedy trip through the self-checkout with an armload of feminine hygiene products? And who am I supposed to invite to Zoe’s theoretical Period Party? Classmates? Nana? Uncle Kelly? I know that at 14 if my mother had invited a group of people over for cake and a celebration of my awkward introduction to tampons I would have made my way to the I-15 freeway, laid down on the cement and prayed for the next 18 wheeler to crush me into a paste. What am I missing, here?
I Really Believe This…
Don’t Hate Me For My Celebrity Lifestyle Part 3,011
So we just got back from picking up our press credentials for the Sundance Film Festival and I was still giggling a little because a French director kissed my hand and called me “vous êtes charmante, mademoiselle Erin.” Cue to the living room where poor little MacLean projectile-vomited over every piece of furniture–the boy is thorough, I’ll give him that. Nothing like spending your evening cleaning up a stomach virus while that French director is off drinking champange somewhere. Sigh…
What’s REALLY Keeping You From Your Success?
The power of the subconscious has always fascinated me, because no matter what you resolve with your surface awareness, if your entire mind, heart and soul aren’t in agreement, it’s just not gonna happen.
We’re hosting a FREE event at the B98.7 studios Thursday (1.19.12) to help you defeat the “dark underbelly” of your subconscious. Paul Smith (aka Mind Over Matter Hypnotherapy) is a gifted hypnotherapist who’s going to work through the basics of hypnotherapy, and do a session with all of us on reducing stress and anxiety. Imagine being able to sleep through the entire night…no more panic attacks! Need to lost weight? Quit smoking? Join us and talk to Paul about it.
(Editor’s note: I’m a huge believer in the benefits of hypnotherapy–I was really nervous before my first plane flight when I was a little girl. My father–the shrink–hypnotised me to be “so relaxed that you’ll fall asleep before the wheels leave the tarmac.” It took me 21 YEARS to be able to stay awake on a flight!)
We’ll have dinner, massage therapists and lots of goodies to give away. I’m excited for all of us to work through this together–it’s going to be a very healing night! We’re located at 434 West Bearcat Drive (2300 South) in Salt Lake City, and “Mind Over Matter” will run from 6-9pm. Find more information here. Join us! It’s going to be an amazing night…
Lovely Lemon Bread
Lovely Lemon Bread
Zoe’s Nursery! (Nine Months…3 Hot Glue Gun Burns…16,101 Paint Splatters And $227.83 Later)
Look, I came from a family of 7 kids. I never got my own room. OF COURSE I’m going to wildly overcompensate with Zoe, just like I wildly overcompensated with Zachie and MacLean. Of course, I’m 11 years older and (please, Lord!) 11 years smarter than then. I’m more interested in putting money in Zoe’s college fund than her bedroom. I wanted to try a tree stencil to go with the Fairy Princess theme. You DEFINITELY need 4 hands for application! I got the crib on a daily deal site for a fraction of the regular price and painted it charcoal gray to go with the amorie I kept from the twin’s room. I LOVED the idea of a crystal chandelier, so I picked up one from IKEA for $21.00. There’s so much pink that it looks like a princess exploded across the room, but she’s my first girl!
The rocker and toy bench both come from IKEA, too. Another $94.26. I whitewashed both and sewed some pink mattress ticking stripe cushions for the chair. I really wanted something playful that respected Zoe’s Japanese ethnicity, so I ordered a bunch of Japanese paper lanterns online–$1.99 each or less! I had piles of pink ribbon left over from something else, so I suspended them from the ceiling over the rocking chair.
The bedding is a gray toile–I found it on Overstock.com for $12.98. I spent the longest time scraping the wood floor afterwards to get up all the paint splatters. A tidy painter, I’m not. I was at a luncheon the other day where another attendee was boasting about her granddaughter’s “$12,000.00 nursery.” What–seriously? I was proud of keeping on my budget. In an era of so much need, it seems so much more meaningful to spend time and thought to make something beautiful. So, it’s not a designer nursery, but I’m proud of it. And Zoe loves batting her paper lanterns around the room like giant balls. 
I’d love to see your pictures of your cute and clever kid’s room makeovers. Please send so we can all admire the cleverness of you!
Zoe Update
Awwww, dangit! I’ve flooded Zoe with every chord of classical music I can find, I’ve Mozart’ed that little monkey within an inch of her 10 month-old life. Guess what just sent her over the edge, squealing and dancing? Jane’s Addiction. I knew my filthy love of JA would turn around to bite me in the butt. Great. So much for her career as a classical harpist.
Sunday’s Motivation Moment
I gave up my nightly glass of wine a month ago–kinda wanted to make sure I could enjoy the Holidays without requring alcohol, you know? However, since then I’ve been WILDLY craving candy. I needed this motivation moment today…it’s a good reminder that even after you get to your goal weight, you need to stay there. Good luck on your goals this week!
Thursday’s Motivation Moment
I’m off to hike my hills again. Who ever thought I’d like that? Whatever your personal challenge today, I hope this photo keeps you going.
Free Business Cards, Photo Calendars & More From Vistaprint
I really like Vistaprint’s new approach for 2012: reconnect. How about a personalized calendar for someone you like? A photo mug with your mug on it? Vistaprint’s also offering 250 free business cards, 10 folded personalized greeting cards and more, all FREE. Just pay shipping and they’re yours! Click Mr. Purple Box above to get started.
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Wednesday’s Motivation Moment
I’ve started hill climbing to keep my fanny from like, sliding down my leg. (I swear that’s what it looks like!) The hills around our neighborhood look like this.
It’s a beating, but I’m actually enjoying it! Whatever your personal challenge, I hope this inspires you, too!
FREE Decluttering & Organization 2012 Calendar
My Simpler Life has a free Declutter and Organize Calendar ready to print for 2012. The author says you’ll find “short, weekly tips on saving time, taking care of yourself, relaxing ideas, organizing tips, and ways to create a saner, simpler life.” I just downloaded it–really excited by the small challenge for each day. It looks really promising!
Monday’s Motivation Moment
It’s 1.2.12. You still keeping your Resolution? You rule!
Happy New Year!
2012 is a wonderful fresh start for all of us. We let go of last year’s worries, create new hopes for our future, and embrace change. I know that last one is hard to do sometimes. Radio is an industry in constant flux–we’ve been bought and sold so many times that I’ve written the name of the new company on my hand to remember when I’m doing station ID’s.
But That Went Well is about to undergo a change I think you’ll really like–I’ve spent the last few months asking questions of the TWW community, discovering what’s most important to you, what you need. We’ll unveil a new look and a big fat bunch of really amazing features in a week or so. Your feedback as always, will be greatly appreciated.
Happy New Year!
The very happiest of New Year’s to our beloved community here at That Went Well! We all held each other together though an insane 2011. I loved watching us all support each other through disappointment and sorrow, and loved even more the generosity and cheers for happy and hopeful news. We love you, and we’re so grateful that you share your lives with us. Love, Todd and Erin.
PS: The Japanese Floating Lanterns RULED!!!!
Clearing The Christmas Clutter
There’s nothing sadder to me that the pine trees tossed to the curb after Christmas…sniff. However, clearing the madness and excess of the Holidays is crucial to beginning 2012 with a serene mind. More and more, I’m convinced that a cluttered house does nothing but heap more anxiety, stress and frustration on the entire family. Organized Home has a wonderful article about clearing the Holiday debris:
Santa’s Rule: Get One, Toss Two
Try this simple idea to pack a powerful clutter-cutting punch as you put away new holiday gifts: for each gift received, toss two counterparts.
As you put away holiday gifts, take time to make extra room throughout the house. For example, for every new Christmas DVD you add to the shelves, remove two older titles. Did Nana gift the children with new holiday pajamas? Find two outgrown sets to add to the donation bag. If craft supplies made it into your stocking, be sure to remove double their number from your stash before adding them to the craft closet.
Whether you recycle, donate or sell the tossers, each gift will reduce clutter in your organized home–and the excitement of new possessions helps cut the ties to old, outworn items.
Get One, Toss Two: short, sweet and painless way to declutter for the New Year.
Take The Holiday Mailing Box Challenge
Have mailing boxes piled up as holiday gifts arrived? Sure, you could recycle or reuse them, but for maximum end-of-year clutter-cutting, take the Holiday Mailing Box Challenge!
Your goal: to fill every seasonal mailing box with items suitable for donation to Goodwill or a similar recycler for used household items, and deliver them to charity before year’s end.
Using stacked-up mailing boxes as a yardstick, the Holiday Mailing Box Challenge a good way to be sure that holiday gifts don’t create more clutter in the home. By filling all mailing boxes with donation candidates, you’ll keep clutter down when adding holiday gift.
Better, donating mailing boxes filled with no-longer-needed household linens, books, VHS tapes, crafts supplies or toys gets surplus items into the hands of those in need, and best of all? The built-in deadline for an end-of-year tax receipt provide extra decluttering motivation!
Observe Oosouji
In Japan, clearing dirt, clutter and the disorganization from the old year is an integral part of Japanese New Year tradition. Because each year is seen as separate and distinct, the final week of the old year is devoted to cleaning, decluttering and organizing.
To observe oosouji, Japanese homes receive a top-to-bottom cleaning. Business offices are sorted and organized and children clean out school desks. “Removing the dirt from the old year” creates a clean state of mind to welcome the New Year, and invite prosperity in the year to come.
Sort Before You Stow
Once the New Year arrives, most families take down holiday decorations and store them for the following year–but too often, there’s a sense of “sling it in there and worry about it later” when it comes to putting away Christmas ornaments, holiday linens and outdoor lighting.
This year, pay it forward: sort and declutter holiday decorations, linens and specialty cooking items as you store them. Cut the non-working, the tattered, and the tired from the herd as you put away holiday decorations. Has-been decor items can be recycled or donated; stained linens can be repurposed as cleaning cloths.
Streamline holiday decorating next year: sort before you stow!
Send White Elephants On Their Way
When it comes to holiday giving, it’s the thought that counts. But when those thoughts leave you scratching your head? Come up with a plan to wrangle the year’s white elephant gifts: those “really, you shouldn’t have!” gift items that have entered your home during the season.
Before they can become clutter in your New Year’s home, try these strategies to sort out white elephant gifts:
- Consign “regifting” candidates to the gift closet. Did the big, bountiful gift basket include a lovely cheese board, spreaders and dipping bowl–identical to the other three sets now living in your cabinets? Nosh on the snacks, but set the unneeded items aside in the gift closet. Next year, they’ll be the start of a lovely gift basket when packed together with some good cheese and a box of specialty crackers.To prevent regifting faux pas, scribble a short note outlining who gave what for each new gift closet find. Hint: make a note on the original gift tag; it’ll prevent you from regifting unneeded items in the wrong circle.
- Hold an after-Christmas White Elephant exchange. Inviting friends for dinner on January 1st or hosting a Super Bowl party this year? Ask everyone to bring a wrapped white elephant for a post-Christmas gift exchange.You’ll clear clutter and breathe new life into white elephant gifts. Who knows? Your white elephant may be someone else’s favorite gift! Just be sure to avoid circulating gifts that have been given by your guests!
- Stuck with unneeded books? Consider an online swap! Web sites like Paperback Swap and Book Mooch make it easy to turn trite titles into a welcome read–and cut clutter on household bookshelves!
- Set Up A Toy Library
Families with young children can find bedrooms and storage spaces overflowing after Santa’s passed through. Solution: set up a toy library to remove excess toys to a “loaner” status.
A toy library is a set of playthings that, while old and familar, still retain play value. Pushed out of the limelight by new Christmas toys, toy library items will seem new and exciting if they’re given a rest for a few months, then brought out to liven up a rainy Spring afternoon.
Look for good toy library candidates: construction sets, doll houses, blocks or playsets such as FisherPrice or Playskool brand products that have been pushed to the sidelines by the arrival of new Christmas toys. Sort and organize smaller pieces, then store each toy library item in an attic or storage area. Plastic garbage bags or lidded plastic storage containers make good homes for toy library items.
When checking out an item from the toy library, ask children to replace it with a different plaything. Rotating toys keeps clutter at bay, and enhances the value of children’s playthings–proving that absence does make the heart grow fonder!
Reprinted from Organized Home
What I’m Doing For New Year’s Eve
I LOVE this–I ordered Japanese Floating Lanterns for our New Year’s Eve celebration. Everyone will write a wish for 2012 on one side, and a worry or grief from 2011 on the other. As they drift into the sky and float away, they’ll carry our miseries away and send our wishes to the heavens to come true. I found them on this site–they were the least expensive but I haven’t used them before. What’s your plan for New Year’s Eve?
Toblerone Shortbread Cookies
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you THE most amazing cookie recipe ever–the Toblerone Shortbread Cookie. It’s nearly impossible to mess these up. I’m giving them out as gifts this year with a pretty mason jar with the dry ingredients layered in a pleasing way. Because the minute you eat these cookies, you will NEED to make more.
Toblerone Shortbread Cookies
Makes 28 cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup + 2 tablespoons icing sugar
¼ cup cornstarch or rice flour
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 ounces of toblerone chocolate bar, chopped into ¼ inch chunks
1. Preheat oven to 350 º F.
2. Beat butter until light and fluffy. Sift in icing sugar and beat again until fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl often.
3. Sift in cornstarch or rice flour and blend in. Sift in all-purpose flour and salt and mix just until dough comes together. Dough will be soft. Mix in vanilla extract. Gently mix in toblerone chunks.
4. Using a small ice cream scoop (about 1 ½ inches across) scoop cookies onto parchment lined cookie sheet, leaving 2 inches between cookies. You should be able to fit 12 cookies on a 12 x 18 inch cookie sheet.
5. Bake on the middle rack for 9 minutes. Rotate sheet and bake another 9 minutes, until bottom of cookies are lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheet to cool on a rack.
This recipe comes from The Food Network Baker Anna Olsen. These cookies freeze very well.
Personalized Initial Christmas Wreaths
I love these kind of holiday decorations–it makes the twins feel cool to have a personalized Christmas wreath over their beds, and I just made one for Zoe’s first Christmas.
Cost of materials:
- pine boughs I swiped from tree trimming in the graveyard=0
- glitter initial from Target=$2.00
- leftover ribbon=0
- hot glue gun burns=$3.50 for bandaids
I still love it.
The Christmas Tree Memory String
My favorite Christmas tradition at the Collard house is one The Todd came up with the year we married. He cut the bottom off the tree before sticking in the water, and stood looking at the disc. The Todd grabbed a Sharpie and wrote T+E 1996. I threaded it on a ribbon, and we kept adding to it every year. We’re 16 discs in now, and it’s so fun to hang that long stream of memories up every year. It’s long enough now that the only place it fits is streaming down our second story entry. If you’re just starting out, or would like to create a new tradition, this is a wonderful one.
I know I’m superstitious, but I always keep a loooong string of ribbon at the end for many discs to come.
Three Amazing Peppermint Treats
MacLean is a freak about peppermint flavored-anything, so I wanted to find some recipes the twins and I could make together. Given that my sons are just as likely to set the kitchen on fire as bake in it, I had to find some with a quick outcome and immediate gratification. Here’s my three favorites, see what you think:
White Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookies
1 package Oreo cookies–try to find the special Christmas ones with the red peppermint-flavored frosting.
6 ounces white chocolate
1 package peppermint sprinkles
Melt white chocolate.
Dip each Oreo in the white chocolate, then lay out on a paper towel or baking rack.
Sprinkle with peppermint sprinkles.
Let them cool for about 30 minutes.
Peppermint-Chocolate Marshmallows:
I made these for a sleigh ride where we entertained clients for the radio station. Some people used them as swizzle sticks for their hot cocoa and Schnapps, some just ate them outright like a lollipop. I myself prefer BOTH ways.
Here’s what I used…
First, I melted about half the bag of chocolate chips in the microwave.
It took me about 2 minutes (stirring every 30 seconds) to get it smooth and melted!
While that’s going on (or afterwards if you easily get distracted like me), you’ll want to put your marshmallows onto coffee straws or plastic “stir sticks”. I found the straws I used on the paper aisle at Walmart…next to regular straws and napkins and such. I think I paid $2-3 for a box of 250!
I put a sheet of wax paper (or parchment paper would do) onto a platter to get ready for the next step.
You’ll also need to get your “dips” ready. Crushed peppermint will be super yummy to make Peppermint Hot Chocolate, but you can also just use sprinkles. I used some of both!
Now, I didn’t get any actual pictures of dipping the marshmallows into chocolate, then sprinkles, because well…I just don’t have that many hands, or that much talent. Maybe one day I’ll figure out how others do it.
But…I ended up with a variety of Dipped Marshmallows!
Note… chill for about 10 minutes in the fridge before wrapping or the chocolate gets everywhere. Ask me how I know!
Thanks, Adventures in Savings!
If you’re feeling a little more ambitious (Editor’s note: or have children with an attention span longer than–”SQUIRREL!”) Try this one, sooooo good.
Peppermint Meltaways
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cornstarch FROSTING: 2 tablespoons butter, softened 1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 2 tablespoons 2% milk 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract 2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
Directions: In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. In a small bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, extract and food coloring if desired; beat until smooth. Spread over cooled cookies; sprinkle with crushed candies. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: 3-1/2 dozen. Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie equals 90 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 13 mg cholesterol, 36 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
Originally published as Peppermint Meltaways in Simple & Delicious November/December 2008, p33
Making Extra Money For The Holidays
If making some extra money over the next few weeks can make the difference between an okay holiday and a great one–where maybe you can share with others who need help–here’s some options for making extra money at home. Let me be clear: I’m hesitant to suggest most “make money at home” options. There’s several there are a ridiculous amount of work for little return, or demand money from you to get started. The following are programs that I’ve personally participated in, or have close friends who can vouch they’re on the level.
Important points to consider:
- Be consistent: set aside an hour–or what you can spare–a day to work and take as many surveys as they offer you. They’ll track who’s always participating and send you better options.
- Be realistic: you’re NOT going to get rich doing surveys. But you can earn a helpful addition to the household budget if you stick with it.
- Be accurate: pay attention to what they’re asking you. Most companies utilize software that track inconsistent answers.
- I’ve checked all these companies with the Better Business Bureau, if you’re looking at one not on this list, check for complaints or non-payment before applying.
UPDATED LIST– there’s some new contenders that look really promising:
Consumer Advisory Group makes it simple to earn gift cards quickly, unlike some of the research groups I’ve struggled with. Female? Click here. They’re short on male participants, so your chances of getting in are excellent, so click here.
Become a member of our Fresh Ideas Panel!
Please share your thoughts with us on our product ideas and offerings.
By sharing your opinions with us you are eligible for monthly giveaways!
Click here to apply.
The NPD Group is a good one because they pay cash as well as gift cards. My girlfriend tells me they have quite a frw monthly giveaways as well. Click here to apply.
Vindale Research is the industry leader–I’ve been trying to get on with them for over a year, but I’m apparently not that mysterious demographic they need. My girlie Carmen has scored a pile of things from ice cream to hair product to review and keep. Depending on what they need, you can earn from $5.00 to $75.00 per survey. Click here.
Pinecone Research is my personal favorite–$3.00 for every survey. They pay promptly, the products are fun, and they often send you the goods to try out! They’re looking specifically for Spanish-speaking households. Click here.
Inbox Dollars is another consistent earner–and they’ll kick in $5.00 for a signing bonus. Click here.
Ipsos i-Say has a contest where new particpants can win a cash prize of $5,000. With this company, you complete surveys for points: which you “spend” on items like tv’s, iPads, etc. Click here.
With Valued Opinions, you can earn up to $5.00 per survey. You then redeem your account value into gift cards to use. Click here.
I’m very interested in Global Opinions–you’re taking surverys and using products already on the market to improve them. One of my girlfriends just got her first check and confirmed it was DEFINITELY worth her while. Click here.
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Go Get A Box Of Kleenex…
Chief Master Sergeant John Gebhardt is in the USAF serving in Afghanistan. His ranking is as high as you can go in enlisted ranks (E-9. ) John Gebhardt arrived as a medivac to find that this little girl’s entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head. But they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John’s hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The little one is beginning to respond to voices and questions. I will NEVER doubt that we did the right thing scattering the Taliban from power. NEVER.
Chocolate-Peppermint Roll–SO Making This Again
Chocolate Peppermint Roll
Serves 8 people
For the chocolate genoise recipe, click here.
Peppermint Buttercream Frosting.
- 12 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 5 tablespoons of heavy cream
- 2 cups confectioner sugar
- ½ cup chopped Peppermint andes
1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat until smooth.
Chocolate Pouring Sauce
- 2/3 cups dark chocolate
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
- 4-5 tablespoons water, warm
1. Place chocolate and heavy cream in a bowl over simmering water. Let chocolate and cream sit for 2-3 minutes to melt without stirring. Then slowly stir mixture to combine. Add powdered sugar and mix to combine. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition until pouring consistency is reached. Set aside and let sauce cool to warm.
Assembly
- Unroll Genoise and spread filling to a 1/4 inch in thickness. Roll filled cake from end to end. Trim ends as needed for a clean finish.
- Place fully assembled roll on a serving plate (or on a cooling rack for a cleaner pouring finish) and pour chocolate on top.
- Finish with peppermint Andes shavings.
Just a thought–
- When heating the eggs and sugar, Martha’s instructions indicate that the mixture is ready once it becomes warm. Since I’ve made this recipe several times, I find for the best results the “warm” should be about 118-120 degrees F. For a non-thermometer gauge, the mixture should feel warm to the touch. That’s warm, not tepid. The time approximation is about 3-4 minutes.
- Once the egg mixture enters the whisking stage Martha’s instructions includes whisking the mixture until it almost triples in volume. I find what is more helpful is keeping that in mind and looking for the mixture to create ribbons (see picture).
Thanks to BakersRoyale.com
Trying This…
…because I have to be honest: I vastly prefer the bloody Awesome of Halloween to the gracious traditional of Christmas. But if I don’t want to raise my offspring to become serial killers, I should probably make an effort, eh? I love the natural–and usually free–elements that make this look so pretty.
Step One: I always start with the fillers. In this pot, a multitude of tree toppers to fill the center. Next the spillers, the cedar stems beginning that phase.
Step Two: additional fillers and spillers; blue coned cedar, blue berried juniper, magnolia, oregonia and long needle pine. Finish with the thrillers; ponderosa pine cones, faux green and red apples plus faux berry stems.
Step Three: why faux? I love the look of real berries and rose hops, and if you’re in a temperate climate that allows it, go nuts. I live in a winter area that’s just one step below the conditions that forced the settlers to EAT each other at Donner’s Pass. Frozen berries turn black and nasty. How do you get good faux? The only faux ornamentals I recommend is the solid plastic. How would you know? Try piercing the faux with your fingernail, if it leaves an indent or pierces the fruit, walk away. It is styrofoam with a coating and will burst when freezing. The quality faux’s will last for years.
Step Four: Willow Eucalyptus, cedar, silver fir, spruce, cones and left over ivy and white Kale.
Look how clever you are!
Thanks, 5thandState!
Needing Some Inspiration Today?
Feeling grim today. Need some inspiration. Need the knowledge that most of us are good people. You have that same feeling? Here you go.
Irena Sendler 1910-2008 A 98 year-old Polish woman named Irena Sendler recently died. During WWII, Irena worked in the Warsaw Ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist. Irena smuggled Jewish children out; infants in the bottom of the tool box she carried and older children in a burlap sack she carried in the back of her truck. She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers wanted nothing to do with the dog, and the barking covered the kids’ and infants’ noises. Irena managed to smuggle out and save 2500 children.
She eventually was caught, and the Nazis broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar buried under a tree in her backyard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived and reunited some of the families. Most had been killed. She helped those children get placement into foster family homes or adopted.
SO Making This for Thanksgiving Dinner…
…I’m not a fan of pumpkin pie (sorry, Mom!) but look at this glorious pumpkin bread with a cinnamon cheesecake layer! Thanks to “Culinary Confections By Peabody.” I tinkered with the recipe just a bit to make it a gluten-free option–it bakes up beautifully with rice flour if you want to try it.
Pumpkin Bread With Cinnamon Cheesecake Layer
Cheesecake Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
Scant 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon (approximately) ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon flour
1 large egg
Pumpkin Bread:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the cheesecake ingredients; beat until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.
Place pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl of an electric stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat for about 1 minute, until fully combined. Add flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture and mix just until combined.
Pour half of the pumpkin bread batter into the loaf pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture on top of pumpkin batter layer and then pour on the remaining pumpkin batter.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool bread in pans for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pans and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Serve at room temperature or cool.
Behold The Awesome: The Shopping App That Will Rock Your World
I discovered the Red Laser App from the brilliance that is my girlfriend and UtahMama.com founder Rachael. This sucker will change EVERYTHING about how you shop this year!
Click here to see the YouTube tutorial, but the basics are these–scan a barcode (groceries, toys, clothes, anything.) The Red Laser App with then scan the ENTIRE WORLD and give you a breakdown of price comparasions in other stores and online. You can then decide if it’s worth it to drive to another store or hit the laptop.
Don’t you LOVE IT? The app is free and available on iTunes…just click here.
Thank you Rachael, you are my Queen.
Ham & Turkey Deals
The Todd is tackling a Turducken again this Thanksgiving, much to our extended family’s delight. (Editor’s note: for the uninitiated, a “Turducken” is a de-boned turkey, a layer of stuffing, a de-boned duck, a layer of stuffing, a de-boned chicken, another layer of stuffing then stitch the whole bad boy up. Unbelievable.) If you want to try it yourself, click here to watch a step by step instruction video from my talented spouse.
For the locals: if you’re still checking out ham and turkey prices, WinCo Foods is offering a free turkey to shoppers who spend at least $100 on groceries. Some Walmart stores will match this offer. (Call your local store before you go to make sure yours does.) In addition to the free-turkey offer, many stores are offering low prices on frozen and fresh turkeys. Smith’s, for example, is offering a 12- to 14-pound hen turkey for $8 or a 16 to 20-pound tom turkey for $10 with a $35 grocery purchase. You can get an additional $3 off either of those by purchasing four qualifying Coca-Cola 6- and/or 12-packs for $10.00.
Nationwide: there’s an excellent, comprehensive store comparasion list on Pinching Your Pennies.com.
*There is a $5 mail in offer for fresh or frozen Butterball turkeys, available HERE to print – when you send it in you will get (5) $1 coupons good off of Butterball products.
This rebate form is also in the SS-11/13 insert.
Some of the Associate Foods stores ads have a $1.00 off coupon for the purchase of a Norbest Tender-Timed Young Turkey.
Winco Foods -
FREE turkey with $100 purchase
(excludes Butterball, $100 purchase excludes cost of turkey, limited to stock on hand)
OR, frozen whole turkey, .74/lb (without $100 purchase)
Walmart -
Frozen bone-in turkey breast, 1.68/lb
Frozen turkey, .78/lb
SuperTarget -
Butterball Premium frozen turkey 10-24lb, .97/lb
Use: Save $3.00 on Butterball turkey when you buy (4) participating products – StoveTop stuffing mix, Heinz Homestyle Gravy and/or Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, exp. 12/1/2011 (see GroupA) – MUST buy the participating products in same transaction
OR: Save $3.00 on any Butterball Whole Turkey (fresh or frozen) wyb any combination of four packages of Heinz Homestyle Gravy, Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls or Stove Top Stuffing Mix (12-31-11) SS-11/13
Market Pantry whole frozen turkey 10-24lb, .79/lb
Market Pantry frozen turkey breast, .99/lb
(limit 2 per guest, except in ID or NM; quantities limited, no rainchecks)
Market Pantry fresh turkey 10-24lb, 1.09/lb
Winegars -
Turkey breast, 1.29/lb
Reams -
Norbest whole frozen turkey, 1.19/lb
Norbest frozen turkey breast, 1.79/lb
In-ad coupon for $2.00 off any whole Norbest Turkey, good at any Ream’s Food store.
ALSO, $4.00 off your frozen turkey when you buy 4 12pks of Coca-Cola products.
Fresh Market -
Frozen bone-in turkey breast, 1.29/lb (limit 2)
Norbest frozen turkey hens or toms 10-24lbs, .69/lb with $50 purchase
Smith’s -
Honeysuckle or Private Selection frozen USDA Grade A turkey breast, 1.79/lb
Fresh Jennie-O turkey, 1.39/lb
FREE boneless Private Selection turkey breast (2.5lb) when you buy American Chef boneless ham (4lb) for $17.96 ($4.49/lb)
Private Selection or Gold Crest frozen hen 12-14lb, $8.00 ea with card and $35 purchase ($5.00 when you also buy 4 Coca-Cola 12pks or 6pk of 16.9oz bottles)
Private Selection or Gold Crest frozen tom 16-20lb, $10.00 ea with card and $35 purchase ($7.00 when you also buy 4 Coca-Cola 12pks or 6pk of 16.9oz bottles)
Save $3 off ANY frozen holiday turkey purchase wyb 4 Coca-Cola 12pks or 6pks of 16.9oz bottles.
Macey’s -
Honeysuckle White turkey breast (frozen, bone-in), 1.29/lb
Lee’s Market -
Frozen bone-in whole turkey, .77/lb
Peterson’s Marketplace -
Frozen bone-in turkey breast, 1.29/lb
Ad has a $1.00 off coupon for Norbest Tender-Timed Young Turkey
Harmons -
Deal – Save $5 on ANY size of frozen or fresh turkey wyb (4) 12pks or 6pks (.5 liter) of Coca-Cola products [which are 4 for $11 this week]
Norbest frozen hens or toms 10-24lbs, .88/lb (limit 2)
Norbest FRESH hens or toms 10-24lbs, 1.88/lb
Grade A frozen turkey breast 7-9lb average, 1.99/lb
Norbest Family Tradition or Free Range turkey 10-24lb, 2.19/lb
Sunflower Farmers Market -
all-natural free-range turkey (does not state fresh or frozen), 1.47/lb
Buy Low -
frozen turkey, .79/lb
Don’s Meats (Sunset) -
fresh turkeys, .99/lb
Ridley’s -
Norbest frozen whole turkey, .19/lb with $150 purchase
Norbest fresh whole turkey, 1.58/lb
THANKSGIVING HAM PRICES
Harmons -
Harmons sliced ham bone-in, 2.49/lb
Hormel Cure 81 boneless ham, 3.99/lb
Macey’s -
WF spiral sliced ham, 1.89/lb
Fresh Market -
WF spiral sliced ham, 1.89/lb
Smith’s -
John Morrell spiral sliced bone-in, 1.99/lb
American Chef boneless, 4.49/lb
Cook’s shank portion, 1.19/lb
Ridley’s -
Farnland boneless, 1.69/lb
Hormel Cure 81 boneless, 3.48/lb
WF spiral sliced, 1.88/lb
Albertson’s -
shank portion smoked bone-in, 1.49/lb
Albertson’s spiral sliced half ham bone-in, 2.59/lb
Sunflower Farmers Market -
spiral cut bone-in, 2.49/lb
SuperTarget -
Archer Farms spiral-sliced honey ham, 1.89/lb (limit 2 per guest)
Thanks, One Cheap Chick and Candi!
Evil Genius: Meatloaf Cupcakes
The neverending battle of my life as a Mom is tricking the twins into consuming anything even resembling a vegetable. They’ve discovered them hidden in smoothies, lasagna–then, it’s the look of disgust and reproach as they shove away their plate. My latest weapon in the veggie battle?
Meatloaf Cupcakes.
Bear with me, they are The Awesome. And delicious.
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped spinach or broccoli
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup ketchup, divided
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, extra lean (raw)
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- Cooking spray
Mashed Potatoes
- 4 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potato (about 2 pounds)
- 1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
- 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Garnish
- 3 tablespoons chopped chives
- 4 pieces of bacon cooked and them chopped
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Cool.
Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.
Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons ketchup. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes.
While the meatloaf is cooking, make the mashed potatoes. Place potato in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. Put potatoes into a ricer for best results. Return potato to pan. Add milk and remaining ingredients; stir with a spoon to desired consistency. If they are not creamy enough for you, add up to 1/4 cup more milk – although they need to be stiff enough to pipe on top.
Put the potatoes into a pastry bag with a wide star tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf. Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and chopped chives.
Thanks and recipe credit to: FoodGawker.com
Creating Your Own Boot Socks
I try very hard in most areas of my life to be frugal, to not collect, to not overspend. Um…except for when it comes to boots. I have a love of boots so filthy that all it takes is one alluring picture of a new and exciting pair, and I’m online like a super-shopping zombie, numbly repeating my credit card number. Boot socks have become really popular this season. Given that Utah winters are as long and horribly cold as the one that made the settlers eat each other on Donner’s Pass, I wanted to stock up on some nice wooly socks to go with my 3,002 pair of boots.
I have managed to assuage some of my boot-buying guilt by buying old sweaters at the Salvation Army Thrift Store to create the socks. Here’s a step by step guide to creating your own long-legged fabulousness.
I bought a pile of the chunkier knit sweaters–but you’ll be shocked at how many cheap cashmere and merino wool sweaters you can pick up for a leaner silhouette.
So–
Then…
And…
Then…
You’ll want to…
Adding your own adorable embellishments is the fun part, I’m big on buttons and lace that keep the book socks tight around my thighs.
Photo credits and original concept credits to: MadeByLex.com
Okay, I’m SO Doing This…
Tell me that’s not a perfect Thanksgiving greeting! The trick: use flatter pumpkins–like the ones pictured here. Gently hammer a wooden dowel between each layer to keep them stable. Pretty!
Best Holiday Cookies EVER
Saw this recipe in “Better Homes & Gardens.” They were so amazing that The Todd got me an apron that reads “The Dark Mistress Of Flour.” Try it and rule the world.
- 1/2
cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
- 2 1/2
cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2
cup sugar
- 1
cup cold butter
- 12
ounces white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped
- 1/2
teaspoon almond extract
- 2
drops red food coloring (optional)
- 2
teaspoons shortening
-
White nonpareils and/or red edible glitter (optional)
3. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2-inch rounds.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.
5. In a small saucepan, combine remaining 8 ounces white chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, roll dipped edge in nonpareils and/or edible glitter. Place cookies on waxed paper until chocolate is set. Makes about 60.
- Storage Layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Servings Per Recipe 60,
- Calories 87,
- Protein (gm) 1,
- Carbohydrate (gm) 9,
- Fat, total (gm) 5,
- Cholesterol (mg) 9,
- Saturated fat (gm) 3,
- Vitamin A (IU) 97,
- Sodium (mg) 28,
Sweet Potato Cupcakes With Toasted Marshmallow Frosting
Okay, how cool is this for Thanksgiving? I’m so going to bake these again… Only big change I noticed is that I wanted to bake fresh sweet potatos for the recipe, and there’s lots of evaporation. You’ll need two HUGE sweet potatos to have enough. Canned sweet potato puree works just as well.
Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting
Printer-Friendly Version
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
16 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
3 large eggs
17 oz. sweet potato puree
½ tsp. vanilla extract
For the frosting:
8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
½ tsp. cream of tartar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; stir together with a fork and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Mix in the sweet potatoes and vanilla extract, beating just until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cupcake liners. Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in the top of a double boiler. (Note: I just set my clean, dry mixer bowl over simmering water, to avoid dirtying two bowls.) Heat the mixture, whisking frequently, until it reaches 160° F with an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk starting at low speed and gradually increasing to medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form. Mix in the vanilla until combined. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired. Brown with a kitchen torch and garnish with a sprinkle of brown sugar, if desired.
Thanks, Annies-Eats.com!
Speaking Of Veteran’s Day…
Oh my heart…4 year-old Paige Bennethum really, really didn’t want her daddy to go to Iraq. So much that when Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum lined up in formation at his deployment this July, she couldn’t let go. No one had the heart to pull her away.
Roast Chestnut Soup With Parsnip & Goat Cheese…
Roast Chestnut, Parsnip, Apple and Goat’s Cheese Soup
Now, don’t be afraid, I know you never expect me to come up with anything amazing–but this soup is so good you’ll be screaming like a pre-teen at a Justin Bieber concert. (Phoyos courtesy of “What Katie Ate.”)
- – - – - – - -
{Recipe features on page 27}
Serve piping hot with a swirl of cream and a scattering of finely sliced fresh chives
Operation Baby Bundle
There’s nothing more wonderful to me than a new life being welcomed into the world. But we all know that not every newborn has everything they need. We at B98.7 are thrilled to be teaming with KUTV2 and the March Of Dimes for Operation Baby Bundle. This drive benefits the Teddy Bear Den–which is an amazing program for mothers at risk. Pregnant and new mommies “earn” points by finishing school, stopping smoking, attending parenting classes, etc. They can then “spend” their points at the Teddy Bear Den for what their little one needs–diapers, wipes, warm clothing, etc.
We’re asking for your help–please donate to OBB at any Dan’s Foods location through Sunday, 11.6. Find your closest location here. If you don’t want to put something together, each store will have tidy little bundles available for sale for $9.87. Buy one, drop it in the donor bin, you’re done! You can learn more about the Teddy Bear Den program here.
Here’s a list of the most needed items:
- WARM clothing, coats, mittens, socks, hats, sleepers sizes Newborn-T2
- Diapers–all sizes
- Diaper wipes
- Clothing, especially boys–sizes Newborn-T2
- Grooming items like shampoo, baby powder, diaper rash ointment, nail clippers
- Car seats
- Strollers
- Blankets
Last year, my dear friend Karen sailed into the store with half a dozen quilts she’s made for these babies. It still makes me smile to think of little ones snuggled under a hand-made blanket.
Just Go Get A Kleenex Right Now…
This is EXACTLY why the only thing I wouldn’t budge on during our big, messy, Emergency C-section was that my boys could NOT be seperated.
This picture is from an article called “The Rescuing Hug”. The article details the first week of life of a set of twins. Each were in their respective incubators and one was not expected to live. A hospital nurse fought against the hospital rules and placed the babies in one incubator. When they were placed together, the healthier of the two, threw an arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. The smaller baby’s heart stabilized and temperature rose to normal. amazing♥
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Look, you’re disemboweling that poor gourd anyway, at least put the seeds to good use:
Clean the seeds:
I usually just throw them into a big bowl of water and rub them briskly to get all the goop off the seeds. (Editor’s note: yes, “goop” is a scientific term. Really) Throw the cleaned seeds into a colander and rinse well. The fastest way to dry those bad boys is to spread them out on your cookie sheet and blast ‘em with a hair dryer. (Don’t look at me like that! It works!)
Season the seeds:
The Old School solution is either butter, vegetable oil or olive oil. All work well and crisp the seeds nicely when toasting. If you want to get all fancy-dancy, you can add cinnamon, allspice and a little ground ginger to your oil mixture. Usually 4 tablespoons of butter will cover an entire cookie sheet of seeds. I always add coarse sea salt on top.
Baking the seeds:
Pre-heat the oven to 275. Our oven cooks very quickly, so 10 minutes is plenty. Since every oven is different, stir often and keep an eye on those little suckers. It can take from 10 to 30 minutes to toast them to a nice golden brown. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
Sneaky inside tip #1: For free pumpkin carving stencils, go here.
Sneaky inside tip #2: Thanks to Pumpkin Patches and More for the seed recipe, it’s a wonderful resource to find a pumpkin patch near you.
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Ready To Coupon?
"Extreme Couponing" on TLC has done one thing for all us would-be frugalistas--while no one I know wants to be quite that crazed, couponing is looking more attractive, am I right? Here's your coupon options in a tidy, almost shamefully easy format:
Cellfire loads coupons directly to your card. Scan that bad boy at checkout--no clipping!
Coupons.com, hands-down my favorite for ease of navigation and big fat coupons. You'll need to download a toolbar to print. Do not fear the toolbar, it will bring you many goodies.
Coupon Deals Daily.com offers 50-90% off items locally available. Worth checking often, since nothing lasts for long.
So, "catalinas" are the slips of paper-style coupons you get at checkout along with your reciept to use for next time. Print them on Coupon Network.com, and use them THIS trip. Clever you!
No insurance? Or does your lousy coverage refuse to pay for certain medications? Enter the Pharmacy Coupons--this network allows you to print coupons for up to 75% off your prescription costs. In the economy? A literal lifesaver.
Red Plum Coupons cover a huge variety--everything from grocery to your local tire store. Take a look around by clicking below.
Do you have estrogen? Then you will love Woman Freebies.com. They send free girly samplys and piles of high-value coupons. No catch!
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