Apple Cherry Breakfast Bake Recipe

Apple Cherry Breakfast Bake

Since I have been trying to lose weight I have been having cereal for breakfast almost every morning, and it is starting to get boring!  So today I made this Apple Cherry Bake for breakfast, and it was delicious.  Because there is nothing in it but fruit it is pretty low calorie, about 230 calories per serving according to the online recipe tool I used.  The portion was huge, and it was very filling.  It is kind of like a fruit crisp, only without the topping.  It does take a while to bake, but I think it would work well in a slow cooker, so I am going to try that next time and start it before bedtime.

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Bosch ICON Wiper Giveaway and Stormchasers Sweepstakes

BoschReedTimmer

Are you a fan of Stormchasers?  This Discovery Channel series follows teams of Stormchasers in Tornado Alley as they collect tornado data and film the impressive storms.  They go through some crazy storms and of course for that kind of weather you have to have top of the line equipment.  [Read more...]

Winners

Here are the winners of the giveaways that ended last week. 

Stevie Sweater – Debra P.

Sea-Bands – Jeanne C.

All the winners have been notified and confirmed. 

Celtic Woman Believe CD and DVD Review and Giveaway

celtic woman cd coverCeltic Woman is an all-female singing sensation featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt.  They perform a wide range of music, which includes classic Irish songs such as “The Water Is Wide,” “Green Grow the Rushes”, along with pop and inspirational songs such as “Bridge Over Troubled Water and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”  Their newest album Believe was just released this week, along with a companion live concert DVD.  The concert DVD was filmed in Atlanta, GA this past fall, and includes many of the songs on the CD, plus some extras, like “I Dreamed a Dream”. [Read more...]

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Ideas

When it comes to Valentine’s Day desserts chocolate is almost mandatory.  Here are some ideas for yummy chocolate desserts from Pinterest.  My daughter is looking for something to make for her boyfriend, and maybe this will give her some ideas!

Source: tasteofhome.com via Anne on Pinterest

French is my daughter’s favorite class at school, so Chocolate Crepes would be perfect.
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Tips for Safe Winter Driving

snowy road (640x318)

The worst thing about snow is having to drive in it.  This year we have been very lucky and have had only a small amount of snow, but that is not typical.  I live in the Syracuse NY area, which has the highest average snowfall of any city of over 50,000 people.   Last year we had 179 inches of snow, so I have had way too much experience driving in snow, and here are some tips I have for safe winter driving.

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My Son’s Favorite Clothes–Jeans #LuvCookies #cbias

My son Robert is twelve, and even though he is not a teen yet he has adopted the standard teenage boy dress code of jeans, hoodies and t-shirts.  Those are his favorite things to wear – except for his pajama pants, but I won’t let him wear those out of the house.  So whenever he is going anywhere he wears his jeans, with a t-shirt and hoodie.  Robert is still waiting for a big puberty growth spurt, but he still goes through clothes pretty quickly. [Read more...]

Valentines Day Gift Ideas

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERAWith Valentines Day only a few weeks away it is time to start thinking about gifts.  Now my husband and I usually just stick with cards for Valentines Day, so I am not thinking about presents for me.  But my 15 year old daughter has a boyfriend, and she has no idea what to get him, and is asking me for advice.  I suggested dumping him and eliminating the problem, but apparently she is looking for constructive advice!

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Chinese New Year–Year of the Dragon

PF Chang New Years KitToday is the official Chinese New Year, and the start of the Year of the Dragon.  My oldest daughter, Grace, just turned 19, and we celebrated with a Chinese New Years themed birthday party for her this year!  The date of the Chinese New Year varies every year, but this year it fell exactly on her birthday, so it was perfect timing.   To make our party even better P.F. Chang offered to send me a Red Envelope celebration kit to help celebrate.   The Red Envelope is a significant tradition in Chinese culture. Red Envelopes, filled with gifts, are presented to family and friends during the Chinese New Year. The color red symbolizes good luck, which is perfect both for a New Year and for a birthday!  The kit from P. F. Chang included lanterns for decorating, two P. F. Chang’s Home Menu noodle entrees, $10 gift certificate, a Chinese calendar and a “Year of the Dragon” T-shirt.

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Menu Plan Monday

My daughter is heading back to college this week.  We will miss her, but it does mean I don’t have to make so many vegetarian meals.  My son’s basketball practice is also starting up, which naturally is on the same days as my daughter’s dance class, so our evenings will be even more hectic.  Luckily it is a short season, and hopefully they will win a few games so it seems worth it.  It wouldn’t be so bad if the time and place of basketball was consistent, but it varies between 6 and 7pm, and rotates among three different schools in a seemingly random pattern.  So I constantly have to double check where and when he is supposed to be at practice!

Monday: Corn Tostadas

Tuesday: Sausage and Potato Hash

Wednesday: Steak with Mushroom Gravy and potatoes

Thursday: Salmon with Leeks and zuchinni

Friday: Thai Mussels

Saturday: Spaghetti with Bolognese Sauce