Tidymom

Buy Smart & Save at HansonEllis.com

2009-12-29T13:59:00.004-06:00

Christmas time is a magical time for couples to become engaged!

The new year then brings a time of planning...
that fits your style and your budget.

Turn a special day into an event to remember forever with Hans on Ellis, they can make your event extra memorable with their collection of gifts.

This past September my friend Liz had a beautiful wedding with an outdoors/rustic theme - wouldn't unique we dding favors such as these personalized twig pencil place cards have been perfect?!

A cute Heart cookie cutter set with Heart measuring spoons and tuck in a yummy butter cookie recipe and you have an adorable bridal shower favor.

HansonEllis.com has personalized gifts & more for weddings and any occasion.

Be sure to check out their SALE! Up to 50% off

disclosure policy

Hilarious Outtakes - i heart faces

2009-12-28T11:54:00.002-06:00

It feels like forever since I've participated in i ♥ faces weekly challenge.

When I saw that this week's theme was "Hilarious Outtakes", photos that are just funny or humorous or just make you smile. I knew I had a few pictures I could post!

1. This picture is from 2007 when I was trying to get a cute Christmas picture of my girls.

2. Here's one from this fall when Sunshine got her braces off! I brought my camera in to the office, and she wouldn't let me take her first picture with NO BRACES! LOL

3. This one cracks me up.....Sunshine is giving me "that look" like "Seriously? She's kissing Leo?" LOL

4. My sister-in-law is going to kill me for this one! This was from her Birthday party, she looked so cute in her boa and hat, but I could NOT get a good picture of her, she kept shutting her eyes just as I would take a picture (or I got several of her eating! ....Linda, just be glad I didn't post one of them! LOL)

5. This last one is another one that's going to get me in trouble........... Over the summer, Sunshine's blond hair turned GREEN from the pool water. So we covered her in tomato sauce and plastic wrap! (it did NOT get the GREEN out of her hair)

Go check out i heart faces this week to have a good laugh: everyone can enter FIVE (5!) photos!

Following my Bliss

2009-12-26T08:40:00.002-06:00

Follow Your Bliss

"do something that makes you happy"

That is the theme of Blissdom 2010

Blissdom is a fabulous blogging conference that brings bloggers from all over together face to face, to get new ideas, tips and inspiration to take your blog to new spheres.

My blog doesn't really fit into a particular niche.

It's just my voice.
I'm not just a stay-at-home mom who loves to bake, craft, photography, bargain shopping, or a housewife who obsesses over keeping things tidy,
but also a woman with multiple interests, a little creativity,
and her own unique perspective.

I write about what I know and love,
with the hope that my readers will like me for who I am,
and want to come along for the ride.
THAT my friends, is following MY BLISS.

Blogging, being on Facebook and enjoying Twitter
give me the opportunity to meet other women I might not have otherwise met.

Bliss would be meeting many of them in person!

Kimberly of Mom in the City is offering a FABULOUS Giveaway!

She is not able to attend Blissdom 2010 in Nashville this year
due to family scheduling,
so she is
GIVING away a Blissdom Conference Pass
so someone else can go!!
How amazing is THAT?!

While I am still working on finding a conference sponsor,
a FREE Conference Pass would certainly put me one step closer to Nashville.

Thanks again to Kimberly for the chance to win!

Merry Christmas to all........

2009-12-24T08:11:00.003-06:00

...may your Christmas be Merry and Bright . I'm wishing it's filled with love and joy and I hope you are able to spend a wonderful peaceful time with your families.

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Cullen turns One!

2009-12-23T08:34:00.003-06:00

One of THE BEST things that happened to me this year was ♥Cullen♥

My family surprised me with him for my birthday! I know they are reading this and laughing because they tease me that the day they went to get him I told a friend "Gosh, I hope they are NOT getting me a dog!" LOL

You can see all of my Cullen posts here

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

~Roger Caras

He's my best little bud, he's always by my side!

He waits for us to get home

He's always ready to play

and he sits up like a pretty boy when he wants attention

He turns ONE on Christmas Eve!

♥ Happy Birthday Bud-Bud!! ♥

Cullen is a full-size Yorkie with floppy ears, he weighs about 11 pounds.

He is my fur-baby.

Cullen is passionate about squirrels

He loves to chase them, and retrieve them when Dad hunts them (Mom thinks this is YUCKY)

He does NOT like car rides, and gets sick every month he goes to the groomer.

He knows how to ring the bells on the door when he wants out, and will bring you any of his toys you ask him for.

He loves to share food with Dad and cuddle time with Mom.

Sticks! how could I forget sticks, he LOVES to find sticks in the yard and run as fast as he can with the wind whipping his ears behind!

I have been blessed to have such a dog to love..........and one who loves me unconditionally!

Garlic Chicken Puffs & Christmas Party!

2009-12-22T06:49:00.008-06:00

We had a GREAT time at a family Christmas party on Sunday.

I have to share my aunts home with you all!

She decorates for Christmas in Turquoise and Red,

and their finished basement is St. Louis Cardinals themed.

Don't you just love all the little touches, the ornament balls on top the votive candle holders? The Santa hats lined up on a shelf, the baseballs mixed with ornaments! That white tree changes colors, well the lights change colors, she also has these adorable red feather wreaths that I didn't get a good picture of to show you, but they are adorable with a turquoise bow and turquoise ornament hanging in the middle!

We snacked, we drank, we played a White Elephant Ornament Exchange, this year all 17 people played!

and we laughed.....

Everyone brought an appetizer.

I brought something I had at my nieces house a few months ago, so I called her for the recipe.

Garlic Chicken Puffs!

These are a rich creamy garlic chicken mixture inside a croissant and baked to form yummy puffs. A big crowd pleaser and great for gatherings!

They are a little messy to make, and I think I filled mine a little too much, so some of the chicken mixture oozed out, but still tasted DELICIOUS!

Garlic Chicken Puffs

Printable recipe

yields 32 puffs (I made a double batch)

4 ounces cream cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 cup cooked shredded chicken*

2 cans refrigerator crescent rolls

Mix cream cheese, garlic and chicken until well blended.

Unroll crescent rolls and cut each triangle into 2 triangles (when you unroll the crescent rolls, 2 triangles are attached making a big square, I just cut from there following the perforation for one cut and made another cut from the other corners = giving you 4 little triangles)

Place 1 tsp of chicken mixture on the center of each triangle and fold the corners in over the creamy mixture.

Place on cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 12-14 mins.

I used 2 cookie sheets at a time, and had to bake 3 batches to get all of mine baked (so allow for that time if you're making a lot)

Also, mine were ready in about 11 mins, so watch for how your oven cooks.

*For cooked chicken, I buy those big bags of frozen chicken tenderloins, I just threw 6 of them on a cookie sheet and baked for about 25 mins.

I'm sharing this recipe at Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Dining With Debbie , Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Tuesdays at the Table , Blissfully Domestic recipe exchanges and Kimba's DIY Day.

Holiday Tips (Wrapping, Picture taking and more)

2009-12-19T07:30:00.004-06:00

Can you believe that Christmas is now only 5 days away?

Are you starting to panic like I am?! I have done a little wrapping, and plan to start cookie baking today.

I thought I'd share some helpful Christmas Tips I've seen in the last week or so!

Check out HGTV's daily tips

Good Housekeeping has wonderful ideas on how to create a Gift Wrapping station!

Photo by rachel r

Digital Photography has several great Christmas picture taking tips

GREAT video tutorial for making FABULOUS bows for your packages from Happy Housewife.

How Does She shares a GENIOUS idea for reusable beautiful fabric gift bags!

Do you have a tip you'd like to share?
Leave me a comment telling me about it!

Christmas Memories & Traditions

2009-12-17T22:42:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Day 5 of the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash! I'm flattered to be chosen to host the Christmas Traditions & Memories portion of the event! (Thanks, Jerri for hosting this event and asking me!)

Christmas is such a special holiday filled with traditions and memories.
Some of the happiest memories of my life were made during the Christmas season

Putting up the Christmas tree, always brings back memories of Christmas' past.

Like the year my husband cut down a tree off a friends property, it was a nice big tree and FREE!.......It was big alright, when we got it into the house it's branches stretched across more than half of or family room! It just wasn't going to work, and taking it back out of the house proved even more difficult! We still laugh about that tree to this day! Which is probably one of the reasons we no longer get a real tree.

This was our FIRST Christmas tree, our first Christmas we were married, and our only Christmas that we were not parents.

(oh, I think he's going to shoot me for posting some of these pictures! LOL)

Each year as we fill the tree with ornaments, we play Christmas music and reminisce about each of the girls ornaments. Mama buys them an ornament each year, and every year Sunshine get's upset that her older sister has more ornaments than she does! LOL
Each year the same angel is placed atop the tree.

Santa wraps gifts at our house, and each girl has her own Santa paper. One is green the other is red, that's how they know who's gifts belong to who.

For many years we went to my parents house for Christmas, and as we would get out of the car, their door would open wide and Bruce Springsteen would be singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town so loudly over their Bose system, I'm sure the neighbors could all hear it! That song is STILL my girls favorite Christmas song.

Every year the grandkids would assemble, awaiting their stockings and gifts from Grandma and Grandpa.
Look at the look of excitement on my nieces face!

Of course we have the tradition of taking pictures, you know the kind........
the family picture,
usually in front of the tree

(OH NO! did I really just post that? LOL)

These pictures are VERY special to me........
They were taken the last Christmas we spent with my Dad

This is my family -
Me, my Dad, my Mom and my Brother

My Dad passed away from Lung Cancer just a few weeks after these pictures were taken.

As silly as taking all of those pictures may seem some times, I'm SO thankful I take them.

There is also a picture with the grand kids every Christmas.

Milk and cookies are still set out on Christmas Eve for Santa, along with a carrot or two for the reindeer.

As our girls have gotten older, we have let some traditions go (no more trips to the mall to see the Big Guy...)

and have started some new traditions, like shopping together on Black Friday, and this will be the second year that Hollywood will host Christmas Eve at her house!

It would be wonderful to hear about some of your Holiday memories and traditions ! If you don't have a blog, tell me about them in the comments!

Please feel free to link up below so that we can all see your Christmas Memories and Traditions . The linky will be up thru Monday! Don't forget that if you link up on this post you'll be entered to win some fun prizes over at Simply Sweet Home. Hope you join us!

Find more holiday posts at The Inspired Room's Holiday Linky Friday.

Decorating Christmas Cookies {Butter Cookie Recipe}

2009-12-17T05:26:00.009-06:00

It's Recipe Day at the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash and I thought I'd share my Butter Cookie recipe!

Be sure to head over to Simply Sweet Home for lots of great recipes!

Last weekend we had our second Drop In and Decorate Party!

These cookies were bagged in sixes and are being delivered this morning to

The Agape Food Pantry.

This time Hollywood and a couple of her friends came to help!!

I make our cut out cookies with a family favorite recipe from my sister-in-law (The Bug Man's sister)

Butter Cookies

2 Cup butter (NOT margarine - I use salted butter)
1-1/2 Cup sugar

2 eggs
4 Tbsp milk
3 tsp vanilla

6 Cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

cream butter and sugar

add egg, milk and vanilla.

add baking powder, salt

add flour one cup at a time, stopping to combine each cup

form into 2 balls, chill at least 1 hour (If I leave it over night, I take it out of the fridge a good hour or so before rolling

break into 3 pieces and roll out and cut

Bake at 400 for 5-8 mins (the large cookies I do for 9 mins)

Yields approx 30-35 large cookies or 60 smaller cookies

Royal Icing

I use Wilton's Meringue Powder, so I use the recipe that comes with it.

3 Tbsp Wilton Meringue Powder

1 pound (4 cups) SIFTED powdered sugar

6 Tbsp warm water

Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks (7-10 mins at low speed with a heavy-duty mixer, 10-12 mins at high speed with a hand-held mixer)

Makes 3 cups

One batch of icing is enough for one batch of the recipe I posted above.

Bridget of Bake at 350 has great tips for royal icing -

you ~~can~~ MUST read them here.

Click here to see all of my cookie related posts for more tips, tricks and pictures.

Want to know more about Drop In and Decorate? click here to see all of my previous posts

**EDITED TO SAY: Several people have asked me about the book you see laying on the table while we iced the cookies - we used it for inspiration, Wilton's Cookie Exchange - you can find it here

(Click this picture to see all of the pictures from our 1st weekend Drop In and Decorate Party.)

*you can click on TidyMom Recommends (up at the top )to find many of the baking supplies I use.

Be sure to link up at Simply Sweet Home your Christmas Recipe and leave a comment so you can be eligible for all the prizes being given away!

**Remember I'll be hosting Friday's theme Christmas Memories & Traditions!- get your posts up and ready to link up, I will try and have it up late this evening.

Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash

Monday Dec. 14
Homemade Gifts
hosted by Tater Tots and Jello
Tuesday Dec. 15
Christmas Trees
hosted by A Baby Changes Everything
Wednesday Dec. 16
Christmas Crafts
hosted by Blue Eyed Blessings
Thursday Dec. 17
Christmas Recipes
hosted by Simply Sweet Home
Friday Dec. 18
Christmas Memories & Traditions
hosted by ME! TidyMom

I'm am also participating in Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Dining With Debbie , Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Tuesdays at the Table , Hoosier Homemade, Blissfully Domestic recipe exchanges. For more blogger recipes go to these links.

Christmas Craft - {Glass} Ball Ornament Wreaths

2009-12-15T15:35:00.006-06:00

I couldn't resist the urge........
you know, follow the pack, copy my ~~peers~~ heroes.

Last year I made my first {Glass} Ball Ornament Wreath

You can buy wreaths like this with vintage glass ornament, and they're not cheap!

If you can't buy it....MAKE it!!

That's EXACTLY what I did! For just under $15!- AWESOME!

I didn't have vintage glass ornaments, instead I bought shatter proof ornaments at Walmart.

You can read my tutorial (with pictures) here in this post from l ast ye ar.

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This year, I started seeing these wreaths pop up all over blogland again.

Eddie Ross started the ball rolling with a fabulous idea using a WIRE HANGER!

I'm pretty sure most of us have them, we may not like them, and may not admit that we use them sometime - but I bet you have a spare wire hanger in your house! I did! **note, use a flimsy wire hanger, it's much easier to work with!

I headed to the Dollar Tree I turned all of this

into THIS!

I LOVE it!!

I don't know if it's the colors, or the varying textures, but I LOVE this one even more.

Sarah, the FABULOUS Thrifty Decor Chick has a great step by step tutorial on how to make the wreath with a wire hanger! Go read her instructions, learn from her mistakes!

These wreaths don't have to be just for Christmas.........

check out the one Chris of Just a Girl made, wouldn't that be cute for Easter?!

Do you have a Christmas Craft to share? Maybe you're still looking for some Christmas Craft ideas.......

Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash!
Day # 3 is
Christmas Crafts
hosted by Blue Eyed Blessings

Don't forget that if you link up you'll be entered to win some fun prizes over at Simply Sweet Home. Hope you join us!

**Remember I'll be hosting Friday's theme Christmas Memories & Traditions!-

Making my OWN {Glass} Ball Christmas wreaths Works for ME! I'm linking this post to We Are THAT Family's Works for Me Wendesdays

The Halls are Decked!

2009-12-14T06:50:00.013-06:00

Please, come in from the cold.........

The Nester says, "I cannot wait to see your creative, beautiful, imperfect homes."

Did you hear that last part? IMPERFECT HOMES!! yep!

If you surf enough blogs, it's easy to think everyone has a perfect home, perfectly decorated, perfectly clean and they have it all PERFECTLY together!! The truth is, most of us have imperfect homes.

My home is NOT a perfectly decorated home at Christmas, it's not full of several beautiful wreaths, wonderfully arranged displays, we only have one Christmas tree, and a few areas to display.

My tastes are changing, so I have a mix of Christmas decorating PAST and Christmas decorating PRESENT, while in envision Christmas decorating FUTURE! Chestnuts are NOT roasting on the open fire (I wish we had a fireplace!) and Jack frost is NOT nipping at my nose (since we can't seem to get any snow here in St. Louis)

But it's OUR home! Our beautifully lived in, loved in HOME!

So come along, grab a cup of hot cocoa, you don't even need to bother getting dressed! ......note to self, learn how to take better pictures indoor with low light! Christmas decor is hard to photograph! If anyone has any tips, I'd love to hear them! (I know getting a prime lens will make a difference - do you hear that Santa?)

First up, is our tree!

These things look SO much better in person, but you get the idea....

We went "fake" several years ago. I still miss the fresh tree sometimes, but I sure don't miss the mess.

Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash
Day #2
Tuesday Dec. 15
Christmas Trees
hosted by A Baby Changes Everything

Come post your trees!

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This display includes my Dollar Tree jars and candy I made in THIS POST.

I really like how they look in this spot, but like the tree, the pictures don't do it justice.

This wreath is another one of my new (inexpensive) additions this year!

Check back on Wed when I post how I made this wreath!
(it's different than the one I made last year)

I made an ornament ball wreath last year, and I even posted "how-to" instruction (click here to see that wreath)Our Santa and reindeer shelf,

Our Snowman collection/display.

A cute little tree by our front door that I tuck into a crock.

So that's it for the Christmas decor in our house.
Hundreds of bloggers will be opening up their doors to showcase their
Christmas decor.
I've linked to the following: The Nester!, It's So Very Cheri, Home for the Holidays, Hooked On Holiday House Tours, Thrifty Decor Chick, Funky Junk Interiors, The Inspired Room, Tip Junkie, Home for the Holidays,
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Here's what's in store for the rest of the week at the
Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash

Monday Dec. 14
Homemade Gifts
hosted by Tater Tots and Jello
Tuesday Dec. 15
Christmas Trees
hosted by A Baby Changes Everything
Wednesday Dec. 16
Christmas Crafts
hosted by Blue Eyed Blessings
Thursday Dec. 17
Christmas Recipes
hosted by Simply Sweet Home
Friday Dec. 18
Christmas Memories & Traditions
hosted by ME! TidyMom

Homemade Sugar Scrubs and Christmas CD

2009-12-13T21:29:00.023-06:00

Today is the first day of the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash and the theme is Homemade Gifts hosted by Tater Tots and Jello

Be sure to click over at the party and link up your home made gift idea and check out all of the awesome links that have been posted!.........there are prizes too!! (click here to see more information on the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash going on all week!)

I'm not all that crafty. I love small projects. I like simple and quick. I get too impatient for projects that are too involved. That's why I was just thrilled when Domino® / C&H® Sugar contacted me about making something from the homemade gift section of their site.

I hadn't given much thought to using sugar in a gift unless it was for baking something yummy! So, it seemed only natural to give their homemade gifts a try. Domino® / C&H® Sugar was kind enough to send me a $20 gift card to help with the cost, as well!- now who could turn that down?!

After checking out their gift ideas, I instantly knew I wanted to try their Sugar Scrubs!

These easy-to-make sugar scrubs can have all the glamour of a luxurious spa gift. Add a glittery ribbon, a scented candle and a soothing music CD as the perfect complements to your gift basket. It's just the right way to relax after a long day of baking!

Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Scrub

(Adapted from White Cane Glimmer Sugar Scrub)

1 cup - C&H® Pure Cane Sugar
1 cup - light olive oil
4-5 drops vitamin E oil
5 or 6 drops - of cinnamon essential oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 16oz. - glass container with lid

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl until well blended. Using a spatula, transfer mix into the container and secure lid. Contents will settle, mix before using. Scoop a teaspoon or two of the scrub on your hands and gently massage in circular motions onto your skin. Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes before thoroughly rinsing. The scrub will tighten on your skin.

Sweet N’ Spicy Brown Sugar Scrub

1 cup - C&H® Dark or Light Brown Sugar
1 cup - C&H® Pure Cane Sugar
¾ cup - light olive oil
2 tsp. - cinnamon, powdered
2 tsp. - ginger, powdered
2 tsp. - nutmeg, powdered
1 16 oz. - glass container with lid
Cinnamon sticks, optional

In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredients until thoroughly blended. Be sure to break up any lumps from the brown sugar or from the spices. Spoon into the glass container and secure with lid. Scoop a teaspoon or two of the scrub on your hands and gently massage in circular motions onto your skin. Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes before thoroughly rinsing. The scrub will tighten

Be sure to visit C&H Sweet Ideas Page for more edible and non edible ideas they even have these wonderful gift tags you can download for free and print!

Who couldn’t use a little pampering around the holidays? Let me tell you, Sunshine and I both tried this, she was pretty skeptical about it and has very dry hands......she LOVED it! It made our hands very soft and silky!! - now she wants a jar of it! LOL

Disclosure: C& H Sugar provided me with a $20 gift card to help me with expenses in this project.

If you're looking for another gift idea, and this would even be great packaged with a sugar scrub.........

the last few years I burned some CD's of our favorite Christmas songs, and Amy at Living Locurto designed this great cover that I used last year, and she has it on her blog to download and print for FREE!! Thanks Amy!! Click here to get her design and download it for yourself!

Here's how I packaged the CD's for gift giving last year.
I didn't have a clear cello bag large enough to fit the cd, so I just used the roll of Christmas cello I have. I placed some green crinkle paper on the cello tied it up around the cd with some pretty red and green ribbon and tied on a cute ornament!

I linked this post to DIY Show Off, It's So Very Cheri, Make it for Monday, Dare to DIY, Creating Christmas Blog Fest, The Inspired Room, Making the World Cuter, The How-to Gal, Kimba's DIY Day, Get Your Craft On, Toot Your Horn Tues, Tackle it Tuesday, Works for Me Wed. , Blue Cricket's Show and Tell, Penny Pinching Party ,Frugal Friday Holiday Edition, Just Something I wiped up, Tip Junkie's Christmas Show & Tell

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Here's what's in store for the rest of the week at the
Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash

Tuesday Dec. 15
Christmas Trees
hosted by A Baby Changes Everything
Wednesday Dec. 16
Christmas Crafts
hosted by Blue Eyed Blessings
Thursday Dec. 17
Christmas Recipes
hosted by Simply Sweet Home
Friday Dec. 18
Christmas Memories & Traditions
hosted by ME! TidyMom

Drop In & Decorate Party {cookie decorating}

2009-12-09T10:28:00.006-06:00

Last month my friend Bridget of Bake at 350 blog, invited bloggers to participate in a virtual Drop-In and Decorate, decorate Christmas cookies and donate them to a local charity.

Last Saturday we had our first (of 2) decorating parties as part of a volunteer effort called Drop in & Decorate. You can read my original post all about it here, and my post about baking 260 cookies here.

Pillsbury donated VIP coupons, worth $3.00 each, off any Pillsbury product so I used mine for flour and a local business, Bahrs Discount Foods was generous and donated many of the other supplies needed.

Sunshine and her friends had fun decorating! - they even sang Christmas carol's while they worked!

When they were finished decorating 115 cookies, they each got to eat one!

Our decorated cookies!

This batch was decorated and donated to A.L.I.V.E (domestic abuse support)
They wanted the cookies in bags of six, so we put them in large zip lock bags, and I made labels to put on each bag (if you are participating and would like to use my labels, you can download them here for free, they work with Avery Template labels 5163)

The girls did a fantastic job and said “It feels good to know that you’re giving back, maybe make someone smile.. and.... it was fun!.”

We will be having another decorating party this weekend for The Agape Food Pantry.

Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash starts soon!

2009-12-08T17:20:00.000-06:00

The Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash will be here in less than a week. I'm so excited and I hope you are too! It will be 5 days worth of Christmas linking. We have some really great categories lined up for you to link up to and so that you have plenty of time to prepare, here is the schedule:

Monday Dec. 14
Homemade Gifts
hosted by Tater Tots and Jello
Tuesday Dec. 15
Christmas Trees
hosted by A Baby Changes Everything
Wednesday Dec. 16
Christmas Crafts
hosted by Blue Eyed Blessings
Thursday Dec. 17
Christmas Recipes
hosted by Simply Sweet Home
Friday Dec. 18
Christmas Memories & Traditions
hosted by ME! TidyMom

The Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash will run from Monday, December 14 through Friday, December 18. Please grab the button below and let your readers know. Prizes: Everyone who participates in the week's events will be eligible to win prizes!

Sounds fun, huh? I hope everyone will stop by and participate!

A big THANK YOU to Jerri of Simply Sweet Home for putting this all together!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

2009-12-07T10:30:00.011-06:00

Is it a cookie? or is it a Brownie?

Warning...........

I take no responsibility to what this post may do to your waistline!

Truly the best description of these bars is, they are absolutely phenomenal! Imagine this: rich, decadent brownies topped with chocolate chip cookie dough! Topped again with Chocolate ganache! you just can’t get much better than these bars! Part Brownie, part cookie! It’s everything you know and love, baked up into one amazing dessert.

Make these and all of your family and friends will love you forever. ~ I made them for Hollywood's 22nd birthday!! They were a huge hit!

The best part, besides how amazingly yummy they are.....they are AMAZINGLY EASY!

All you need is your favorite brownie mix and a pouch of Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix.

Here's what I used - we LOVE the Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownies (I mixed up 2 boxes because they make a small batch of brownies) and One pouch of Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Follow the directions on the box for making the brownies and pour into a greased 9 X13 pan.

Next, mix the cookie dough as directed on the pouch and drop by rounded tablespoons into the brownie batter. I pressed the dough down lightly into the brownie batter.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. When they’re done, take them out and let them cool completely.

The Betty Crocker website suggests you frost with a can of Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Chocolate Frosting, but I made Chocolate ganache!

Chocolate Ganache
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
6 Tbsp butter

In a small saucepan, heat cream and butter until just before the boiling stage.
Pour over the chocolate morsels.
Stir until smooth.

Pour ganache on top and spread it out evenly. You will want to let the ganache set up before cutting.

Once the ganache has set, then cut the brownies and enjoy.

They sure look YUMMY!

They taste even better!

Source: Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

*Tip from the Betty Crocker Kitchens*
This is one of those little secrets we know you’ll love! Cutting brownies or any bar with a chewy and dense texture is much easier when you use a plastic knife.

Check out other recipes this week at these great sites!!

Dollar Store {Holiday} Decorating!

2009-12-05T19:53:00.022-06:00

Who said that decorating your home had to cost a fortune to look like a million bucks? You can find many great items at your local dollar store that can make your home beautiful and won't break the bank.

I was reading Melissa's blog, 320 Sycamore, when I fell in love with her dollar store version of Williams Sonoma's glass hurricane! Click here to see what Melissa's Dollar Store knock off!

Mellisa's post inspired me to make a run to my dollar store (ok, who are we kidding? like I NEED a reason to go to the Dollar store?! LOL) My Dollar Tree did not have the tall white skinny candles, so I had to come up with a few other idea's - but really, the ideas of how to fill these are limitless!!

Take a look! Here's what I picked up at Dollar Tree (E-6000 I got at Walmart)

See the glass candle stick? I glued them to some of the glass candle holders like Melissa did!

First I filled them with the ornaments that I bought for another project (you'll just have to wait for that one!) then tied some holiday ribbon on each one and........wahlah!

Then I filled them with candy! You can buy those big candy cane sticks at Dollar Tree 2 for a $1!
I LOVE how these turned out!! I may have to go back for more!

It will be so fun to change these up for different seasons and holidays. Thanks for the inspiration Melissa!

I'm linking this post up to : Make it Monday, It's So Very Cheri, Metamorphosis Monday, DYI Show Off Holiday Highlights, Make it for Monday, Kimba's DIY Day, Trash to Treasure Tuesday, The Inspired Room,
Get Your Craft On, Toot Your Horn Tues day, Tackle It Tuesday, Penny Pinching Party, and since the dollar store works for me, I'm linking to Works for Me Wednesday, Frugal Friday Holiday Edition, Tip Junkie's Christmas Show & Tell

Winter Wonderland Holiday event

2009-12-03T05:59:00.000-06:00

Last weekend we had the opportunity to volunteer our help at a wonderful holiday event - The Gateway Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society presented Winter Wonderland 2009.

Allison Starling created an evening of wintry magic and holiday family fun to get us in the holiday spirit....Family photos with Santa. Delicious Food, Activities for the kids - cookie decorating, ornament painting, time with Rudolph and Frosty and there was a wonderful performance by The Muny Kids .

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. According to Allison Starling, director of special events, more than 900,000 Americans are affected by blood-related diseases. Blood cancer is the leading cause of death for children under age 19, yet it strikes 10 times as many adults!

Danielle of Extrodinary Mommy had contacted me several weeks prior to the event asking if I knew of anyone who could help with the event. They were in need of volunteers; elves to work with the children and volunteers to dress in full Rudolph and Frosty costumes.

I knew right away that my girls and their friends would love to help out!

Hollywood's boyfriend was my first thought for Rudolph!! He's done a full costume before and he's great with kids! Sunshine and her friends were excited to wear some elf bling and help out at the children's stations!

I got a little video clip of Rudolph dancing while the carolers sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! LOL

Rudolph dance from Cheryl Tidymom on Vimeo.

It was a beautiful evening, children were able to get their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, spend time with Rudolph and Frosty, play games, decorate cookies and ornaments, while their parents shopped the silent auction and everyone enjoyed delicious food and a wonderful performance by The Muny Kids!

M.O.M Knows Best {Jiffy Lube Giveaway}

2009-12-02T12:15:00.005-06:00

Maintaining your car can be one of the easiest way to save thousands in repairs. Some of the leading motor oil companies have funded a site Motor Oil Matters to help you learn many ways to prolong the life of your car. You can easily locate key information that will help prolong your engine´s life and improve overall efficiency, as well as help answer any questions you may have about motor oil. In addition, the site offers a fun, educational game for you to play called "M.O.M. Knows Best" where you can put your motor mind to the test with an interactive quiz.

Did you know?

According to a study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, nearly 9 out of 10 female motorists are involved in their household's vehicle maintenance and repair

According to a national survey that polled 522 women, 46 percent incorrectly assumed simply switching from conventional engine oil to synthetic enables the number of miles between oil changes to be safely extended

Using a quality motor oil in the right grade can help maximize fuel economy, and help save money by preventing costly engine damage

Off-brand, no-name or discount oils that do not meet industry standards or the vehicle manufacturer´s requirements could cost consumers in the long run by potentially damaging the vehicle´s engine or possibly voiding the manufacturer´s warranty

My blog spark provided me with a $35 gift card to use at Jiffy Lube courtesy of Shell Lubricants and MotorOilMatters.org and they would like to give
one lucky TidyMom reader
a $35 gift card for their own free oil change!

I have to add, my experience at Jiffy Lube was beyond wonderful!!
Jack, the Assistant manager was the most kind and courteous attendant that I have encountered at ANY business in a LONG time!! You can bet that I will be going back to Jiffy Lube!
They were fast, friendly and simply a pleasure to do business with!

Not sure where the nearest Jiffy Lube is? Visit here for Locations.

How to win:
(be sure to leave your email if you don't have a blog!)

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
RANDOM WINNER WAS
#35 Sara -
Sarah said... M.O.M. Knows Best Score: 85.71% (60 points)
I passed!
Congratulations Sara!

REQUIRED*Leave a comment telling me what you learned by visiting Motor Oil Matters.

*You can gain an entry by subscribing to TidyMom via email, reader or Google Friend Follow . Be sure to leave a comment after your subscribe (or that you already do).

*You can gain a 3rd entry by adding my button to your blog. Or let me know you already have it on your blog!

*You can gain a 4th entry by tweeting this giveaway! just be sure to leave me the link.

*You can gain a 5th by posting this giveaway on your blog. Please leave me the link.

*You can gain a 6th entry by telling me your score of the M.O.M Knows Best Game

Remember to leave comments telling me you have done any of these and if you don't have a blog, be sure to leave your email address.

This contest will end on December 9th at 11:59am CST

Thanks My Blog Spark and Jiffy Lube for my free oil change and for the one to giveaway!

Measuring Flour for Cookies- Works for Me!

2009-12-01T20:50:00.003-06:00

My problem when mixing large batches of cookies always comes into play when it's time to add the flour. It's not good to dump all of the flour in at once, so I add some flour, then mix, add more flour, mix and so on.

When you mix a large batch of cookies, it often requires a large amount of flour, and if you're like me..........I lose count. When I recently made 260 butter cookies for Drop In & Decorate, I mixed up 4 double batches of cookies dough - each double batch needed 6 cups of flour! I add one cup of flour, then mix, add the 2nd cup of flour, mix......add the 3rd...or was the last one the 3rd? uggggh! See, I lose count!

I don't know why I never thought of doing this before, but this time I measured out the six cups of flour into a bowl, I actually used my FAVORITE Pampered Chef 8 cup glass measuring bowl.

I measured out my 6 cups of flour in that bowl, then I didn't need to keep count while I added some and mixed! when my flour bowl was empty, I knew I had added my six cups of flour!!

Works for me!!..........I just wish I had thought of this years ago! LOL

Check out all of the other WFMW tips at We Are THAT Family.

FOTM: Three Cheese Baked Mostaccioli

2009-11-30T05:29:00.002-06:00

It's the end of the month, and time for Bake at 350's Flavor of the Month party!! This month's theme is "Traditions". Maybe you have a recipe from your mom, grandmother, favorite aunt or (let's not leave out) dad that is a family tradition? Maybe you have a recipe you would like to START as a family tradition. Head over to Bake at 350 and post your recipe and check out all of the other family tradition recipe!.....maybe you'll find a new "Tradition" (*December's theme will be cookies!)

I posted this recipe well over a year ago, but I thought it certainly deserved another post, especially a post about tradition.

Three Cheese Baked Mostaccioli is a recipe that was always a specialty of my sister-in-law Bobbie. I'm so fortunate to have gotten her recipe years ago. We lost our beloved Bobbie to breast cancer over 8 years ago - gosh, I can't believe it's been that long - but we think of Aunt Bobbie EVERY time we eat her WONDERFUL Mostacciloi.

This dish is becoming a Christmas tradition in our family. You can make this dish in advance, refrigerate, then cook before serving!! It's a real crowd pleaser with friends and family, and serves a lot!

So grab your apron and lets get started - it's really very easy!!

Three Cheese Baked Mostaccioli
(approx 10 servings)
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 pound salsitccia (if you can't find this, you can use Italian sausage)
garlic to taste
45 oz Raghu Old World Style Spaghetti sauce
Italian seasoning to taste
1 box Mostaccioli Noodles
6 slices American Cheese
6 slices Mozzarella Cheese
3 slices Provolone Cheese

Boil your noodles according to the box

Brown the ground beef and salsittcia and garlic
Add Raghu and Italian seasoning and let simmer for about 15-20 mins.

Grease a 9x13 glass dish and layer
1/2 of your noodles
tear up 3 pieces of American Cheese and
3 pieces of Mozzarella Cheese
and place on top of noodles
(**placing the cheese on the noodles is an VERY important secret step)

Next pour 1/2 of your meat sauce over cheese and noodles

Now add the other 1/2 of your noodles
and top with other 3 slices of American cheese
and 3 slices of Provolone Cheese

Pour other 1/2 of your sauce over 2nd layer of cheese and noodles
Then top with remaining mozzarella cheese

Place in oven on 350 for 45 mins

Enjoy!

I also have this recipe posted over at The Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen, you can get a printable version, if you need it, by clicking here.

~ Have your heard about the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash?
Get all of the details HERE ~

Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash (Dec 14-18)

2009-11-29T11:17:00.002-06:00

Jerri of Simply Sweet Home is planning a Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash!!

I will be one of 5 bloggers who will host a different theme linky party at their blog each day of the Christmas Bash!!

Get your posts ready to link up December 14th - 18th!

Here's a run down of the host bloggers and themes!!

Monday, Dec. 14 - Homemade Gifts - The best Christmas gifts come from the heart. Whether you sew, bake, paint, or glue, a homemade gift is always special and unique to those who recieve it. Come join us over at Tater Tots and Jello and share something that you've made, or share something that someone made for you.

Tuesday, Dec. 15 - Christmas Trees - It's so amazing to see all the different decorating styles people have out there. And we can't wait to see yours! Share some photos of your Christmas tree. Do you have a special theme? A favorite ornament? Post your link at A Baby Changes Everything.

Wednesday, Dec. 16 - Christmas Crafts - Christmas is a wonderful time for crafty people to show off their skills. Do you make your own Christmas decorations? Ornaments? Cards? Scrapbooks? Gingerbread Houses? Something else? Come on over to Blue Eyed Blessings and share your creations with us!

Thursday, Dec. 17 - Christmas Recipes - Food and the Holidays go hand in hand. Come and share your favorite Christmas recipes over at Simply Sweet Home. Whether it's an appetizer, a dessert, a drink, a side, or the main course, I'm sure we'll all be hungry for seconds!

Friday, Dec. 18 - Christmas Memories & Traditions - We all have our favorite Christmas stories, from the sweet and sentimental to the unforgettably funny. Tell us your favorite Christmas memory. Or tell us about a favorite Christmas Tradition that your family has. Then link up over at Tidy Mom.

Jerri is also currently looking for event sponsors. If anyone's interested in being a sponsor, please send her an email, so we can get you lined up!

Here's a button you can add to your blog if you'd like to help spread the word!!

Sounds fun, huh? I hope everyone will stop by and participate!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T05:01:00.003-06:00

I'm thankful for each and everyone of you who come here to read, share and listen to me ramble. Thank you so much for sharing in my life and letting me into yours.

I'm thankful for all of your sweet comments and emails you leave me encouraging me to do something I love.

I'm thankful for my family. These are the people that love me the most, cheer for my successes and pick me up & brush me off when I fail.

I'm thankful for my puppy, Cullen. My life hasn't been the same since he entered it this past March! He is smart and sweet and for some reason he loves me no matter what! I couldn't imagine my life without him.

We will be visiting my sister-in-laws house for Thanksgiving today, I'm taking cupcakes, pumpkin pie, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce! Should be a nice relaxing day with family and great food!

Last year was the first time Sunshine and I left the house before dawn to experience "Black Friday" maddness! (I've always had to work, so I've never really gone) She enjoyed it so much, so we'll be hitting the road early again tomorrow!! Wish us luck!

Do you go shopping on Black Friday, or do you enjoy the comfort of your warm bed and wait until later to shop?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope your day is full of good food,
good company, and good memories.

Vanilla Pumpkin Cupcakes w/ Cinnamon Buttercream

2009-11-24T06:34:00.016-06:00

If you've been reading my blog for any time, you know my love affair with anything pumpkin. So when I spied Kraft's Jello Instant Pumpkin Spice Pudding Mix I just KNEW I had to make something with it!! - not a pie, although they do have a yummy pie recipe on the Kraft website, click here for that recipe.

I had visions of cupcakes! A soft moist vanilla cupcake with just a hint of pumpkin! And why not top it off with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting!......and hey, sprinkle a little cinnamon and sugar on top!!

Oh YUM!!! these cupcakes turned out even better than I had dreamed!♥
I'm making another batch for thanksgiving!! What a great treat for the young, and not so young!

Grab up a few boxes of the Kraft Jello Pumpkin Spice Instant Pudding mix if you see it at your local grocer, it's only available for a limited time!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Vanilla Pumpkin Cupcakes

1 Box Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla cake mix
1 pkg. Jello Instant Pumpkin Spice pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup softened butter
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl mix all ingredients, batter will be very thick.

Bake cupcakes 23 mins (test with toothpick)
*my first batch of cupcakes fell - not sure why because I don't think they could have baked any longer - but they still tasted great and you couldn't tell with the frosting on top!

Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

1 cup real butter (softened)
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 pinch of salt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

In a mixing bowl, blend butter and shortening until smooth. Add a pinch of salt, vanilla and cinnamon. Continue mixing until well blended. Gradually add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Eventually you will have a very thick gooey mixture. On the highest speed of your mixer, stream in the heavy whipping cream- pour nice and slow.
Continue beating on high speed until frosting is fluffy.

Sprinkle tops with cinnamon and C&H sugar! ENJOY!

Check out other recipes this week at these great sites!!

Shabby Chic Recipe Party

_______________________________________________________________

**Don't forget to enter my current giveaway for a $50 Gift Card to ScanDigital! GREAT Christmas ideas there! and if you follow Lisa's Blog, you could win her fabulous Giveaway!**

Love the Pie recap and winners!!

2009-11-23T15:00:00.001-06:00

I wanted to thank everyone who participated in my Love the Pie party last week!! Pillsbury was kind enough to spark that idea when they asked if I would encourage my readers to use their refrigerated pie crust! They didn't have to ask......I LOVE Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie crust!! I've used it for years!

So when I called out for your pie recipes you did not fail me!!

We had savory pies

(recipes from: Bake at 350, The Picky Apple, Blooming on Bainbridge)

We had a variety of coconut pies

(recipes from: gluten free easily, We Are THAT Family, Simply Sweet Home)

My mouth watered over all of the chocolate pies!

(recipes from: Prone to Wander, All Things Heart & Home, Living Locurto)

Of course there were scrumptious apple pies

(recipes from: Stop & Smell the Chocolates, Joy in My Kitchen, Created by Diane)

and we can't miss the "wipe the drool from your face" recipes!

(recipes from: Kelly's Favorite Recipes, Designs by Jessie, The Hazel Bloom)

Wonderful variations of Pumpkin Pies!

(recipes from: Hoosier Homemade, Heart N Soul Cooking, Happy Housewife Living Life)

There were so many fantastic recipes shared! Head over to the party to see all of them! There are recipes in the comments as well! Thank you to everyone who generously shared their pie recipes!

This party included PRIZES!!

Thanks to my WONDERFUL SPONSORS!!

Happy Housewife L iving Life, Created by Diane and Feeding Four

were all winners of the Pillsbury Love the Pie t-shirt, just like the one I'm wearing!

Berry Morins Bits and Tips and Blooming on Bainbridge

each won a one year subscription to EveryDay Food Magazine from MagsDirect.com

Simply Sweet Home

Won a gorgeous personalized apron from Preppy Poppy!
She can choose her choice of fabric and monogram!

Our Nifty Notebook

Was the lucky winner of the adorable Mother/Daughter Apron set from DaySpring!

All winners have been contacted and need to send me an email with your information!

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this a fun party!!

_______________________________________________________________

**Don't forget to enter my current giveaway for a $50 Gift Card to ScanDigital! GREAT Christmas ideas there! and if you follow Lisa's Blog, you could win her fabulous Giveaway!**

Girlfriends Guide To The Business of Blogging Online Conference

2009-11-22T21:37:00.001-06:00

Save the Date! Register NOW!

December 8-10th 2009

The First Ever Girlfriend’s Guide to The Business of Blogging Online Conference is where you want to be! Connect with other bloggers right from your own office or home and learn what being a Pro in the blogging world really is. No Travel Fees, all for just $15!! ~A portion of proceeds goes to Anissa Mayhew (a fellow blogger and young mom who recently suffered a stroke) fund at American Stroke Association.

Learn the ins and outs of Social Marketing. Learn how to set up your blog, the basics of page rank, SEO, ethics, and very basics of business will be discussed. How to’s of offering ads, advanced sponsorship opportunities plus legal and professional insights and much much more. Each speaker, a professional in his or her own niche, will bring you hints, tips and takeaways that you can use right now, TODAY. Take your blogging and business up a notch, learn to be a professional in every aspect of your blogging and social media participation. You’ll even be able to have the opportunity to ask your questions directly to each speaker!

Click the button below to register!...........and I'll "see" you there!

Be sure post this on your blogs so no one will miss out!!