Stop and Smell the Chocolates

ABC - It's All About Me

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

My friend Kristal recently posted this and I enjoyed it. I wanted to post something today just so I could say HI to all of you {waving hi to you right now!} and I haven't done one of these in a while. It's fun to get to know each other a little better!

Here are my ABC's:

Age: 41 - hey it's fun! :)

Bed size: California King - 'cause hubs is 6'6"!

Chore you dislike: Yes. LOL - if it says "chore" I probably don't like it, but I'm trying to do them all joyfully anyway.

Dogs: Basset hound - who happens to be very stinky right now.

Essential start to your day: Getting out of bed - I find it really helps. :) Also coffee, checking e-mail, breakfast, and reading/praying time.

Favorite color: Red

Gold or silver: Silver

Height: 5'5"...ish (I seem to have already begun the shrinking process - booo.)

Instruments you play(ed): Piano, clarinet, saxophone

Job title: Imperfect Homemaker

Kids: 1 fantastically fabulous son

Live: California, but not near the beach.

Mom’s name: Judy

Nicknames: Never had a real nickname, but my cousins called me "Lee."

Overnight hospital stays: So many as a kid - bladder surgery, tonsils removed, and several stays for pneumonia. As an adult - childbirth!

Pet Peeves: Poor customer service, drivers that don't use their turn signal, talking during movies - just to name a few!

Quote from a movie: All that comes to mind right now is from Kung Fu Panda - "You're awesome...last thing I'm gonna say."

Righty or Lefty: Righty

Siblings: 2 younger sisters

Time you wake up: Morning! I'm not gonna say what time 'cause it's been too late, but I'm currently working on that!

Underwear: Yeah, I like it. LOL!

Vegetables you don’t like: This is embarrassing - broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, olives, mushrooms and I'm probably missing some. But I do eat some of these mixed into foods sometimes! :)

What makes you run late: ME. Poor time management.

X-Rays you’ve had: Arm, chest (lungs), dental, and the one for ladies over 40. :)

Yummy food you make: Do you really think I make anything that isn't yummy?! OK, so I do sometimes - LOL! My Recipe Index has all my yummy food - pick anything there and fill it in here. :)

Zoo animal favorite: Tiger

Play along if you like! Have a fabulous day friends!!

Encouraging Bloggers ~ Giveaway Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Thank you again to all of you who have participated in or have been quietly reading my Encouraging Bloggers series! I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have! If you missed anything, just stop by the Encouraging Bloggers Intro post where I have all the links to the whole series.

And now - giveaway winners!!

Congrats to Kim @ Homesteader's Heart - winner of the journal, pens, and tea!!

Congrats to Sweet and Savory Eats (Ally) - winner of the Ebook Notes to Aspiring Writers!!

Thanks again everybody! Keep on blogging - you never know who's listening and needs to hear your words!

Have a blessed day friends!

Encouraging Bloggers ~ Link Up

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the final post of my our Encouraging Bloggers series! I have so enjoyed hanging out with all of you, sharing encouragement from my heart, and watching you spread that encouragement to others as well as back to me! I sincerely thank you all for joining me, whether you have been here for the whole series or just a post or two.

If you've missed any of the posts or want to look at one again, here are the links:
~ Intro: Small or Hobby or Nicheless or New, This Blog Series is Written For You
~ Part 1: A Blog is a Blog no Matter How Small
~ Part 2: One *Why* Or Another
~ Part 3: Money Can't Buy You Love
~ Part 4: Variety Is The Spice Of Life
~ Part 5: Go Forth And Comment
~ Part 6: Out of Clutter Find Simplicity
~ Part 7: Thrive on the Encouragement of Others
~ Part 8: The Art of Getting Noticed Naturally
~ Part 9: The Blessings of Blogging
~ Part 10: Send Some Blogger Love Letters
~ Part 11: Be YOU, But Better
~ Part 12: Your Turn
~ Part 13: Sharing is Caring

Now I would love it if you would link up a post today (or through the weekend)! Any post you've written on encouraging bloggers or how you've been encouraged or just an introduction of you and your blog is welcome! Link on up so we can visit each other and share some encouragement! Feel free to use the image at the top in your post. Please include a link to this post so we can find our way back. :)

**Giveaway closed.** How about a little giveaway for some encouragement?

For one blessed Encouraging Bloggers reader - a pretty journal and pens so you can dream and plan for your blog while sipping some Constant Comment tea (a nice Winter tea and maybe it will inspire you to "constantly comment" on other blogs ~grin~). *If* you would like, I could be persuaded to include some homemade Dried Cranberry Biscotti with it. :)

But wait - there's more - one more reader will receive a copy of the eBook that helped inspire me to write the Encouraging Bloggers series: Notes to Aspiring Writers: Your Dream, God's Plan - in Kindle or PDF.

**Giveaway Closed.** How to enter: Leave a comment on this post telling me which of the posts was most helpful to you or what specifically you found most encouraging. For one extra entry - link up a post and leave a separate comment telling me you linked up. Giveaway will be open until 10PM PST Monday 1/23 and winners will be chosen using Random.org.

Disclosure: I did not receive anything of value for this giveaway - it's a gift from me to thank you for *your* encouragement!

I hope that you will keep on blogging and want you to know that you are important in this crazy blogosphere - whether or not you see traffic, subscribers, or comments right now. I pray that you all have a very blessed day and weekend!

Link on up and let's get this party started! :)

Encouraging Bloggers Link-Up Reminder!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:15:00 +0000

Oops - I meant to remind you about this sooner!! Tomorrow (Thursday) is the last Encouraging Bloggers post and an opportunity for you all to link up! And maybe a small giveaway since you're all so sweet. :)

You can write a new post that either encourages other bloggers or shares how you have been encouraged in blogging or that simply introduces your blog and what you are all about (or all of the above!)! If you have already written a post covering these topics, you may certainly link up an older post. You can use the image above in your post if you want (just right-click and save the image to your computer).

The link-up post will be up on Thursday (I will try to get it up by midnight). Don't worry - if you don't have your post ready tomorrow, you can still link up on Friday and through the weekend!

Come on by and join the fun! See you Thursday! :)

Cranberry-Raspberry Mousse-Topped Chocolate Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

I got the basic recipe for this cake from a Pampered Chef recipe booklet several years ago. I tried it once and it was yummy, but then I forgot all about it. I made it for one of our Christmas desserts {I also made Peppermint Chocolate Ice Cream Pie which I posted over at Pennies and Blessings}. The pretty pink on top of chocolate makes it a great choice for a Valentine's Day cake too, don't you think?

The original recipe called for a Devil's Food Cake mix, but I thought I'd be "cool" and make that part from scratch. I mixed up temps though and had all kinds of trouble with this cake part. Just shoulda made life easy and used a mix! Oh, and also, depending on your springform pan, you might want to wrap the bottom in foil or put it on a cookie sheet unless you enjoy big globs of smoking/burning cake batter on the bottom of your oven which may cause your company to wonder what "that smell" could be. *ahem*

After brushing the chocolate cake with cran-raspberry juice concentrate, the lovely pink mousse topping gets spread over and smoothed out, then off to the refrigerator it goes.

Why does that slice of cake look so short? Oh there's a story. The cake was goopy in the middle because of all my temp goof-ups, brushing on juice, etc. so I didn't want to serve that part nor did I want to waste a bunch of topping on a hole in the middle. I put an upside-down pyrex prep dish over the middle and pushed it all the way down - it was almost level with the cake. Then I put the topping over everything and the glass in the middle kept the cake slicer from getting to any of the mushy center. ~giggle~ It seems like my motto is: Above all, we *must* save the dessert!

Cranberry-Raspberry Mousse-Topped Chocolate Cake

~ adapted from a Pampered Chef recipe

1 9-ounce* package Devil's Food cake mix (box that makes only 1 layer cake/12 cupcakes or use 1 1/2 cups cake mix from bigger box or make your own half recipe)

1 cup thawed, frozen cran-raspberry juice concentrate, divided

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 3.3-ounce package white chocolate instant pudding (I can't find this anymore, so I substitute cheesecake pudding)

8 ounces heavy whipping cream

Powdered sugar to taste

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour springform pan. In mixing bowl, prepare cake mix (or homemade cake) according to package directions. Pour batter into pan. Wrap bottom of pan with foil or place on cookie sheet. Bake 25-28 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely in pan on wire rack.

2. Brush cake with 1/4 cup of the juice concentrate. In bowl, whip heavy whipping cream and add powdered sugar to sweeten to taste. Set aside 1 cup of whipped cream for garnish.

3. Place softened cream cheese in large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Gradually add remaining juice concentrate, whisking until smooth. Add pudding mix; whisk until smooth. Fold in remaining whipped cream. Spoon filling over cake and spread evenly. Refrigerate cake for at least 30 minutes.

4. Before serving, carefully remove springform pan side (I usually run a knife around the edge first). Garnish top with a decorative border using remaining whipped cream (or just top each slice with some whipped cream). Slice. Serve. Enjoy!

* Hello - might have been nice if I had actually noticed the 9 OUNCE part in front of the cake mix in the ingredients (which I just noticed NOW as I was typing this post)! No wonder I got everything goofed up - I only needed to make a half recipe of the cake - LOL! I was wondering why the cake seemed so much taller than the first time I ever made this dessert. I am soooo not perfect - now you know. ;)

Who else thinks that pink and chocolate are just delightful together? :) And who else agrees with me that above all, the dessert *must* be saved - LOL?

This post linked to:

~ Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

~ Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace

~ Chic & Crafty Party at The Frugal Girls

~ I'm Lovin' It at TidyMom

Have a fantastic day friends!!

Encouraging Bloggers ~ Sharing is Caring

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome once again to Encouraging Bloggers - Part 13 today (can you believe it?)! You can catch up on the whole series by stopping over at the Intro post where I have linked up all parts. Whether you have been blogging forever, are just thinking about blogging, or only read blogs - you are welcome here!

I have been doing my best to share from my heart and my blogging experience to encourage all of you. But I thought you might like to hear some encouraging words from bigger bloggers than me - bloggers who have tried to follow their hearts and God's leading with their blogs. They care about other bloggers and shared some encouraging words - just for you!

From the lovely Sarah Mae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee:

My biggest encouragement would be to figure out your blog's mission (I got this gem from the fantastic eBook by Laura called Blogger Behave). Once you can hone in on the particular audience you are speaking to, and what you are called (and enjoy) to write about (have a focus-a vision statement), then you can be free to write and leave the results to God. You can still take strategic steps to grow (if you're wanting a larger audience or you'd like to earn some money), but stay focused. I highly recommend reading Blogger Behave because it will help you define your blogging purpose. Also? Find your voice; here's an article to help you find it: 10 Steps to Finding Your Writing Voice.

From the beautiful Jessica at Muthering Heights:

Please, please, P L E A S E do *not* compare your blog to anyone else's! Just as in any other sphere of life, comparison is a sure recipe for a whole host of convoluted emotions. Whether you are tempted to compare up or down, flee from that desire, and instead, trust that God has brought just the right people to your site. Ultimately, He knows who needs to read your words, and with whom you need to connect.

Excellent words from some talented ladies who have gone through many of the same blogging struggles and frustrations that you have! I love how we can share and encourage each other in this big ol' blogosphere, making it feel like we all just live down the block from each other. :)

We really have come to the end of my Encouraging Bloggers series, but I do want to have one last post next week with a link-up! I would love for you to post something on your blog - either what you and your blog are all about, or what has encouraged you as a blogger, or your best blogging advice, etc. - and link your post up here next Thursday (1/19). It can be a past post if you've already written something that fits well with these categories.

Be encouraged and keep on blogging! Do come back next week and link up a post so we can all have fun visiting each other! Let's make it an Encouragement *Party*! :)

A special thank you to Sarah Mae and Jessica for sharing their words today!

Do you have some encouraging words you'd like to share today?

Have a beautiful and blessed day friends!

Tintin + Cost Plus World Market + Chocolate = Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:30:00 +0000

**Giveaway closed.** Congrats to the winner: Punkinmama !!

Oh I do love a chocolate giveaway! More about that in a bit though...

Have you seen the movie The Adventures of Tintin? My family saw the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it! Lots of high adventure and amazing lifelike animation! It may be a bit much for younger children - you can check out the info and trailer and decide. My son is 12 and he absolutely loved it! I loved it too! I first discovered the Tintin books in the library when I was a kid and really enjoyed following his adventures.

One of my fave stores - Cost Plus World Market , a specialty retail store featuring items from all around the world - now has an exclusive line of Tintin products based on the movie!

They have things like Tintin metal lunch boxes, mugs, travel pasta that comes in fun shapes and a few more items! But better than all that (in my world anyway), is this - Tintin chocolate bars! Each of 4 different bars is a different flavor and has a different character from the movie. I bought a milk chocolate bar to share with my family and it was yummy - of course!

A little side note - are you a World Market Explorer? If you love the store, then you need to sign up - go check out the perks - like 10% off when you sign up which means getting chocolate for less! I especially like that you earn a free bag of World Market coffee for every 6 that you buy! Hint - you get double credits for coffee purchases on Wednesdays, so buy all your bags of coffee on Wednesdays and earn a free bag after buying just 3!!

Back to the chocolate! I get to offer one of you dear readers (U.S. only) 4 Tintin chocolate bars in a variety of flavors! Woo Hoo!

**Giveaway closed.** How to enter: Simply leave a comment on this post! If you'd like an extra entry, feel free to share about the giveaway through your favorite social media and come leave a separate comment letting me know! Giveaway will be open until Monday 1/16/12 at 9pm PST. Winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Disclosure: I did not receive anything of value to do this post - not even free chocolate! :) All opinions are my own as always.

Have a chocolatey day friends!

Chicken Caesar Lasagna

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:30:00 +0000

I found this recipe in a magazine a few years ago and it has become one of our family's favorites! I like to make it for special occasions - we've had it on several different holidays like Easter, Christmas, and Valentine's Day but I've even taken it to church potlucks. I originally posted it on my healthier blog (I'm not really writing there anymore) a few years ago, but I think you deserve to have it right here! You can make it a healthier dish by using light Alfredo sauce, less cheese, and whole wheat or whole grain noodles.

I prefer to use my friend Kathy's recipe for easy homemade light Alfredo sauce. So good!

Chicken Caesar Lasagna

9 dried whole wheat lasagna noodles
2 (10 oz) containers refrigerated light Alfredo sauce (or homemade)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
3 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
1 cup bottled roasted red sweet peppers, drained and chopped
1+ cup shredded Italian blend cheese (more if you like)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water; drain again. Meanwhile, in a bowl combine Alfredo sauce, lemon juice, and black pepper. Stir in chicken, spinach, and red peppers.

2. Lightly coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles in bottom of dish. Top with one-third chicken mixture. Sprinkle 1/3 of the cheese over mixture. Repeat layers twice, topping with remaining cheese. Cover; bake for 45-55 minutes or until heated through. Uncover. Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Makes 9 servings.

Have you ever made a chicken lasagna? Do let me know what you think if you try this!

This post linked to:
~ Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace
~ Chic & Crafty at The Frugal Girls
~ Fusion Fridays at Jane Deere

Have a terrific day friends!

Happenings

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Every now and then, I feel the need to share what's happening in the blogosphere and with me. And it seems like a Monday sort of thing to do. :)

1. 31 Days to Clean on Facebook - I love the book {affiliate link} and I've joined up before with Christin from Joyful Mothering (love her!) to do a 31 Days to Clean challenge, but I only got so far and then basically gave up. This time she's going through the daily challenges at a slower pace and people that join up can encourage each other on her Facebook page! And yes, I am determined to do this even though I.am.already.behind. :)

2. Inspiration for the New Year - Happening all week (1/8 - 1/14) at The Cozy Nook. I'll have a guest post over there this week and will let you know when it's up, but in the meantime stop over there to read a wonderful guest post on marriage from my dear friend Charlotte!

3. Starting Well ~ Beginning 2012 with Enthusiasm and Focus - This series starts today at Teri Lynne Underwood. I always look forward to a series by Teri Lynne - it is sure to be full of helpful info and encouraging.

4. Today at Pennies and Blessings - I have this Peppermint Chocolate Ice Cream Pie deliciousness to share with you! Yum! I'd offer you a piece, but it's long gone people. :)

5. Hello Mornings - I.signed.up. (Registration has closed for this session, but that doesn't mean that you can't work on getting up earlier yourself!) I desperately need to get up earlier in the mornings and start the day with some time with the Lord and get somewhat organized before everybody is up (especially since I'm homeschooling this year). This sounds like just the thing to get me going! Pray for me!!

6. Oh...and I get to give away some **CHOCOLATE** on my blog this week! Woo Hoo! So be sure to watch for that! :)

What's happening with you?

Have a super day friends!

Encouraging Bloggers ~ Your Turn

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

We're almost at the end of my Encouraging Bloggers series - I'm so glad you joined me once again! If you've missed anything, be sure to stop by the Intro post with links to all parts of the series. And don't forget - if you're looking for little blog helps, stop by my Blog Tips Pinterest board (I keep adding to it a little at a time).

I have been doing my best to share some encouragement with all of you (and hoping that you will help share more encouragement through the blogosphere), but I am certainly no expert on blogging! You are just as "qualified" to encourage other bloggers as I am! So I am asking for your help today.

Would you be willing to share some blogging encouragement in the comments today? Was there one post from this series that spoke to you? Have you read a post somewhere else or been given advice by someone that encouraged you in your blogging journey? Do you have some helpful advice for other bloggers? Are you a non-blogging reader that has a word of encouragement for the bloggers you visit?

Thank you so much for being willing to share a little encouragement! You all have been very encouraging to me! I can't wait to read what you have to share!! And yes, I like exclamation points - LOL!!

Keep on blogging - you are in the blogosphere for a reason and your voice is unique and valuable!

Have a beautiful and blessed day friends!

Baked Caramel French Toast

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

For Christmas morning I wanted something special for breakfast, but I needed it to be easy since we would be going to church in the morning. I had thought about making some cinnamon rolls, but kiddo wasn't that interested (yes, this is my kid who also does not like brownies - something is clearly wrong - LOL). When I saw this recipe in my Best Recipes from American Country Inns and Bed & Breakfasts - I knew I had to try it! The best part was that I could put it together the night before and just pop it in the oven on Christmas morning!

You start with a yummy layer of caramel in the pan!

After putting in slices of French bread, you pour the egg mixture in, then cover and refrigerate overnight.

Look at that gooey caramel on top! No syrup needed here.

Baked Caramel French Toast

1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
5 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 loaf French bread, cut into 3/4 inch slices (I only fit 1/2 loaf or less)

In saucepan on medium-low, combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Stir until melted together. Spray 9x13 pan with nonstick spray. Pour caramel mixture into prepared pan.

In bowl, combine eggs, milk, and vanilla. Whisk well. Arrange bread slices over caramel mixture in pan - fit as many slices as you can, but keep in a single layer. Pour egg mixture over bread slices, making sure to coat all parts of bread. Cover dish and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, bring the dish to room temp as you preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Uncover baking dish and bake about 45-50 minutes. Serve directly from dish, flipping slices over onto plates so caramel layer is on top. Be sure to serve and eat right away so the caramel layer is nice and soft. After it sits for a bit, the caramel layer can get very chewy and harder to eat.

This was a fun treat for Christmas morning and a yummy version of French toast! I'd like to play around with the recipe and see what variations I could come up with. I think adding some pecans might be yummy.

I served this French toast with some bacon and Fabulous Fruit Salad (couldn't find nectarines for it so I subbed some white peaches I found). Did you have something special for breakfast Christmas morning? Do you have a fave French toast recipe?

This post is linked to:
~ Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace
~ Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
~ Chic & Crafty at The Frugal Girls
~ Fusion Fridays at Jane Deere

Have a delicious day friends!

Three Words for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:15:00 +0000

For the last 2-3 years, I've been seeing people come up with one word to focus on for each year rather than making New Year's resolutions which often fail. I've always liked the idea and thought I'd try it this year. But I am rather a rebellious sort of girl (picture hubs nodding enthusiastically) so when you tell me I have to come up with one word, well...the hands go to the hips and I start wondering just why do I only need one word? :)

So I came up with three. Three times as good as the one-word I say - LOL!! I just felt that my one word wasn't giving the full picture of where my focus needed to be. Now that I've come up with the three - I'm a little scared, which tells me that I'm on the right track. Part of me doesn't want to tell you what they are because then I'll really truly have to follow through (or attempt as much as possible because none of us is perfect!). Only the Lord will be able to help me stick to my three words.

So, after some hesitation, here they are:

The great thing about these words is that I can use them separately or all together. Using all of them might sound like this: I want to create a peaceful earlier dinner time for my family. I will commit to meal planning and prepping dinner earlier in the day. I will complete my goal by consistently* serving dinner at a reasonable time and not causing my family to feel rushed or myself to feel stressed.

*Consistently is not 100% in my world, more like 90% ('cause last time I checked that was still an "A" - LOL!).

Do you have a word, or words to focus on for the new year? Or do you have resolutions or goals for 2012? I would love to hear them!

Have a wonderful day friends! (Notice - I wanted to create a post so I committed to writing it and making a pic of my 3 words and now I have completed sharing my words with you - hee,hee!)

12 Books in 12 Months 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:30:00 +0000

The last couple of years I've made a list of 12 books to read in 12 months to help me get back into reading. The first year I completed 9 of the 12. This past year, I read 10 of the 12 but also read other books for a total of 17 - woo hoo!

So here's what I read for 2011:

Finished a couple books from the original list of 12:
~ Knowing God by J.I. Packer
~ Speed Cleaning 101 by Laura Dellutri

Read 10 of the books on last year's list:
~ Created To Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl
~ Organizing Magic by Sandra Felton
~ Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
~ Pilgrim's Progress (unabridged) by John Bunyan
~ You On a Diet by Roizen & Oz, M.D.'s
~ Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
~ The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John MacArthur
~ The Millionaire Next Door by Stanley & Danko, Ph.D.'s (Actually didn't finish - it's an old book and kept repeating the info I already knew.)
~ Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
~ Everyday Geography of the United States by Barbara Fifer

Read books from friends:
~ An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison (about bipolar disorder which my mother suffered from)
~ 31 Days to Clean by Sarah Mae (Going to join up with Joyful Mothering on Facebook next week and go through this cleaning challenge again!)

Read some books to review (and to enjoy!) on my blog:
~ Just Too Busy by Joanne Kraft
~ How to Market and Sell Your eBook by Sarah Mae
~ Notes to Aspiring Writers: Your Dream, God's Plan by Brooke L. McGlothlin

I have a new list of 12 books for 2012, but I'm not going to put it in any certain order this time as I'll probably be reading some simultaneously. I also know that other books will come along during the year, so I'm hoping that I'll beat last year's 17 books! I make my main list only from books that we already own. Why? Because it drives me crazy that we own all of these unread books! One of these days I'll have read them all. :)

12 Books in 12 Months 2012:

~ Raising Your Children for Christ by Andrew Murray
- Finishing from last year's list.

~ Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
- Reading out loud with kiddo - it's on his Junior High reading list and is fascinating anyway.

~ Tell Your Time by Amy Lynn Andrews
- I really need time management lessons!

~ Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis
- Gift from a friend, sounds like a wonderful book about missionary life.

~ One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- I know - I'm one of the few bloggers that hasn't already read it, but now I own it and look forward to reading!

~ Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider
- I.Need.This.

~ The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
- Another one on kiddo's reading list that I look forward to reading.

~ Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- On my original list and I still want to read it - was a much-loved book when I was younger.

~ David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
- It's on the shelf and scares me a little with the size, but I find that I like Dickens books so I'll attempt it!

~ 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck
- So many inspiring stories behind the hymns.

~ The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel
- For the reminder and the comfort.

~ How to Crochet by Pauline Turner
- I know the basics, but want to go through this to learn some other stitches and try some of the projects.

How about you? Do you have a reading list? I'm so glad I started doing this or I wouldn't have read as much as I have the last couple of years. Written goals and accountability really help me! Plus, the more I do read, the easier it gets to continue reading - helps the brain to focus I think.

Money Saving Mom has a great free printable blank reading list that you can use! And I'm linking up at Nesting Place where Nester and others are sharing what they've read this year.

Have a wonderful day friends!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Send Chocolate

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

An unexpected package arrived in the mail yesterday. Somebody seems to be under the impression that we like chocolate. Chocolate from Germany. That somebody is my sister. And she is correct. :)

Thank you Sis!

Linking up to Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes For Mom today - stop over to check out some great photos.

Have a super (and chocolate-filled) day friends!

The Week After Christmas Meme ~ 10 Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

I couldn't find an After-Christmas meme, so I decided to come up with 10 questions of my own! Feel free to tag yourself and post your own answers (let me know if you do so I can come read!) or leave them in the comments!

1. How long do you leave Christmas decorations up? Since I get them up so late (er...like Christmas Eve), I like to leave them up a while - for sure until after January 1st - maybe even another week after that.

2. How many days until your kids are bored with their presents? We don't give my son that many gifts (I think we gave him 4 - a book, a movie, a toy, and something for Boy Scouts) and he usually loves what he does get. His fave this year is a remote control helicopter and he declared that he "will never get tired of it!" Too cute!

3. Do you shop the after-Christmas sales? I usually don't, but I've seen so many great offers this year. I did a little online shopping and hubs headed out to a sale so he could use a gift card.

4. Do you have to return any gifts? Hubs has to exchange a shirt, but I think that's it. NO WAY I'm returning any of my Starbucks gift cards - LOL! :)

5. When do your kids go back to school? We'll start school back up on Tuesday 1/3. Guess that means I should come up with some lesson plans this week.

6. Are you still mailing cards - late Christmas cards/New Year's cards? I got them all mailed out before Christmas Eve - Woo Hoo! Just high-fived myself. ;)

7. Do you have special plans for New Year's Eve/Day? Don't think so. After hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas, I just want a nice quiet weekend of relaxation with my little family!

8. Are you taking any road trips this week? No - too much to do around home. This week will fly by I think!

9. How many Christmas desserts/goodies do you have left? Too.Many. Let's see - Peppermint-Chocolate Ice Cream Pie, Cranberry-Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Cake, biscotti, cupcakes, snack mix, chocolate truffles, candy canes. We'll get rid of stuff and be back on track next week (back to a low-carb, no sugar diet for January).

10. How many Christmas pictures do you have to upload? I am the worst at taking pics for holidays - isn't that terrible? I just like to enjoy the moments and not have to worry about grabbing the camera (and I call myself a blogger??). There are no pics of our gathering, but I did take one today of the kiddo with a Christmas present - still gotta edit that one!

I'm linking up to Oh Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday today - stop by for a little fun!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Have a lovely day friends!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 07:30:00 +0000

Have a blessed Lord's Day and a Merry Christmas friends!

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Gingerbread Granola

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0000

This is a really last-minute homemade gift idea (or just a yummy recipe to make for yourself)! If your oven is free today, you could whip up this granola and have it for Christmas breakfast or give it as a last-minute homemade gift on Christmas Day. Bonus - it makes your house smell fabulous!!

Are you celebrating Christmas at somebody else's home? How about giving the host/hostess a gift of homemade granola and other breakfast goodies like fresh fruit, coffee/tea, etc.? It's nice not having to cook breakfast the day after preparing so much food!

Gingerbread Granola
(adapted from a recipe in All You Magazine)

3 cups old-fashioned oats (I used organic)
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup golden raisins (optional - dried apples would also be good)

Place racks in top and bottom thirds of oven. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with foil.

In large bowl, mix oats, nuts and wheat germ together. In a smaller bowl, combine brown sugar, molasses, oil, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Whisk together until smooth. Stir molasses mixture into oat mixture until well-coated. Spread evenly on 2 cookie sheets.

Bake granola about 45-50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. After 25-30 minutes, switch cookie sheets from top to bottom and turn sheets around. The granola will be dark due to the molasses. After baking, remove cookie sheets from oven and put granola into a large bowl to cool. Stir occasionally and add in raisins or dried apples if desired.

One of my favorite ways to eat granola is with vanilla yogurt. Doesn't it make a cute parfait? Yummy too!

Do you have a favorite granola recipe? I also like to make this Super Light Granola to give as a gift and to eat with my yogurt.

This post linked to:
~ Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Have a fabulous day and a Merry Christmas friends!!

Coffee Break In A Box

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Another last-minute homemade gift idea today! If you're looking for a homemade gift for a group of people - like in an office - you might like this idea! I put it together last week to share with the staff at our Christian school and they loved it!

I found 3 boxes of the same design but different sizes at Dollar Tree, but you could use tins or baskets too. You could also combine this into one big basket.

In the first box I put a variety of hot chocolate packets, Starbucks Via instant coffee packets, and different tea bags. You could add in packets of hot cider too. I added a little sign that said "Pick 1."

In the second box I put two different kinds of homemade biscotti - Dried Cranberry Biscotti and Double Chocolate Walnut Biscotti. You could fill this one with any homemade goodies! I added a sign that said "Pick 2" and made sure I included enough for 2 for each staff member.

In the third box I put enough snack size baggies for everybody. I labeled some "Coffee Break" and some "Afternoon Tea" and a few "Chocolate Attack." :) Cute labels printed off the computer would be the way to go, but I didn't have time and what you see is actually cut up name tag stickers - LOL! I put in a sign that said "Pack it up" so each person could take their coffee break with them.

This was actually quite thrifty and fun to put together! Do you know a group of people who would enjoy this? The great thing is that you can do this any time of year as a special treat - not just Christmas!

This post is linked to:
~ WFMW at We Are THAT Family.
~ Chic & Crafty at The Frugal Girls.
~ I'm Lovin' It at TidyMom.

Have a fabulous day friends!!

Sweet Spiced Nuts

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:30:00 +0000

It's not too late to make homemade goodies to give out to family, friends, and neighbors for Christmas! I mean, really, there are still 5 whole days - plennnnty of time! :)

I made these yummy spiced nuts for Thanksgiving - tore the recipe out of a magazine a couple years ago (Food Network magazine). They would make a great treat at a party or to bag up and hand out.

For Thanksgiving, I borrowed the idea from the magazine to put the nuts in a waffle cone at each place setting to look like a cornucopia. All that's missing is a cute ribbon (but I just had guys at my house, so no ribbon necessary - LOL)!

Sweet Spiced Nuts

1 large egg white
1 tablespoon water
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (red) pepper
3 cups assorted nuts
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Whisk egg white and water in large bowl until frothy. In small bowl, combine sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cayenne pepper. Toss nuts in egg white mixture. Stir in spice mix and dashes of Worcestershire.

3. Spoon nuts onto baking sheet in small clusters. Bake 30-35 minutes, until golden. Cool completely and then break into pieces.

I'll have a couple more last-minute homemade food gift ideas to share this week. And if you're need of a warm drink to go with your homemade goodies, stop by Frugal Plus where I posted a recipe for Snow-Topped Tea Nog!

This post linked to:
~ Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Have a delicious day friends!

Encouraging Bloggers ~ Be You, But Better

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Welcome once again to Encouraging Bloggers - Part 11 today! Don't forget - you can stop by the Intro post with links to the whole series if you've missed anything. I hope you're enjoying this little journey we're taking together. Glad to have you here with me!

I've already mentioned before that you want your blog to reflect yourself. Being YOU on your blog keeps you happy and is what draws your unique audience to your blog. But sometimes we need more to stay motivated.

Are you satisfied with your blog? Do you have blogging goals? Do you feel the need to be striving for something? Do you want to improve your blogging skillz?

If we keep blogging the same as we've ever done without goals (or new goals) or trying to improve ourselves, we may eventually feel like things have become stagnant. Working toward something is more motivating than just doing something because you've always done it. When I first started my blog, I was working toward learning how to do everything and building my readership. When I felt like that goal was reached (or at least as far as I wanted to go) I floundered a bit. Knowing your purpose is what really keeps you going, but striving for goals and improving your skills certainly helps keeps things new and fresh!

As we approach the new year, I think it's a good time to look at our blogs and make some goals. There are so many things we can work on: writing with a purpose, writing more consistently, starting a link-up, learning to design, adding photos, taking better photos, making connections, learning how to use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, etc. Are there things you would like to improve on your blog or do you just prefer to keep things status quo?

I have been trying to gather links on one of my Pinterest boards called Blog Tips. Stop by there to find different articles and tutorials for blogging. I'm still adding to it as I remember or search places where I've found helpful blogging info. Maybe you'll find something new on my Blog Tips board to try! And if you are not on Pinterest - you should be! :)

If you have run across some great articles or tutorials that have helped you with your blog, please share the links in the comments! Helping each other improve our blogging skills and knowledge is another great way to encourage each other!

We are almost at the end of this series, but I do have at least another post that I want to share and then I'd love to end it with a link-up for everybody so we can visit and encourage each other some more! But I'll wait until the new year to make that happen. Enjoy this blessed Christmas season!

What blogging skills do you plan to work on? Are you taking time at the end of the year to think about your blog and God's will?

Be blessed in your blogging journey!! Have an encouraging day friends!

Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:45:00 +0000

What do you use for dishwasher detergent?

Did you know you can make your own? Stop over at Pennies and Blessings to see what I've been using. But more importantly, I'd love for you to share over there any homemade dishwasher detergents you've tried!

Have a super day friends!

I.Am.Not.Ready.For.Christmas.

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:30:00 +0000

This is nothing new - I say it every year.

In 2008, I posted about how I wasn't ready for Christmas - on December 16!

In 2009, I showed my Christmas reality as of December 23! True confession - that tree was never decorated. *hangs head*

In 2010, I posted my "last" post on December 6 (That only lasted 4 months or so - LOL!), so you never heard about how I decorated my tree just a day or 2 before Christmas!

So why should I be surprised? Well because by this time, there are usually *some* decorations appearing in my house and I will know what outfits we'll wear for our family pic and I'll be listening to Christmas CDs every day! None of these things have happened! I was horrified to just now realize that I have not played a single Christmas CD yet! *sniff*

What is going on??? Life, I guess. In the last 2 weeks or so I...went out-of-town for a funeral, hosted Thanksgiving, served on a jury, caught up with homeschooling, and attempted (but failed) to catch up on basic household chores. And our Christmas plans are up in the air at the moment. I think my brain hasn't felt ready for the Christmas ~~chaos~~ fun yet. Sooooo, if you could give me an extra week or so, I'd really appreciate it. :)

Oh I forgot to mention - we DO have icicle lights on the outside of the house because my hubs rocks! And we DO have Christmas gifts for the kiddo. So that's something.

I think this Saturday is free so maybe I can get caught up to where I want to be!

So, how many of you have all your decorating, shopping, and card-sending done? How many of you dare to confess that you're as behind as me (if there are *any*)?

Of course, my family knows that even if there are no decorations, or goodies, or pictures, or cards, or music, or gifts - it does not take away from the joy in our hearts and the reason for the season, Jesus!

Have a blessed, joy-filled, and productive day friends!!

Serve It Up In a New Way

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Here are a few dishes I pulled out of my cupboard:

Stop over at Pennies and Blessings, and I'll give you some creative ideas for serving dessert in dishes like these! See you there! :)

Have a great day friends!

Encouraging Bloggers ~ Send Some Blogger Love Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to Encouraging Bloggers - Part 10! Sorry for the delay - jury duty sidetracked me, but I'm back on track now. Glad to have you here with me friends! If you've missed any of these posts, stop by the Intro post where you'll find links to the whole series.

We all need a little encouragement from time to time. No matter what size our blog is or how popular or unpopular we feel, us bloggers get those insecure feelings at some point. That's part of the reason I'm here with this series - to encourage you and to encourage myself at the same time!

One thing that encourages me is encouraging others. I like that we've been able to do that throughout this series! When you take the time to encourage, it's amazing how that can in turn be an encouragement to yourself! Let's spread the blessing of encouragement through the blogosphere!

I have an encouragement challenge for you today. I thought it might be a good time to do this before we get too far into the busy Christmas season (I know that we're really already into it, but please pretend for my sake that Christmas is still weeks away - LOL). :)

I know that I've encouraged you before to leave comments on blogs, but this challenge is a little different. I would like you to write some Blogger love letters! Sometime in the next few days, choose 2-3 of your favorite bloggers or bloggers you want to encourage and write them an e-mail (not just a comment on a post - unless you have no other way to contact them). You can usually find their contact info on blogs or on profiles. Send an e-mail telling each blogger why they mean so much to you, how they have inspired or encouraged you, and tell them to keep up the good work!

Feel free to send these "love letters" to any bloggers, even the "big" ones. All bloggers love to hear that they are making a difference. Please do not expect a response when you do this!! Some people may be too busy to respond and some may be surprised and unsure how to respond. Don't be disappointed if you hear nothing back - that's not why we're doing this. Assume that your letters are read and greatly appreciated!

If you have a chance, I'd love for you to leave a comment and tell me if you were able to send any "love letters" and how you felt after you did. Do you like this idea? Have you ever received an e-mail or a note from a reader or a friend regarding your blog?

I hope you all know that I appreciate you! I'm glad that you have followed along on my little encouragement journey (which is almost done)! Keep up with the blogging - your words are a blessing to someone, though you may not realize it today!

Have a blessed day friends!