Happy Valentine's Day!

From my cranky boy to your (hopefully non-cranky) family, happy heart day!

Sorry it is blurry... had to keep this kid in focus ;)

I did find a recipe to make for dessert... I am going to change it up a bit! We will see how it goes.

Single or not... celebrate the love in your life today <3

Menu Plan Monday - Week of 2/13/12

This is going to be a lazy week, trying to use up what we have here and stretching out grocery shopping until next week! This menu was created very quickly this morning!

Monday: J. has  late meeting so we are having frozens
Tuesday: Heart day!!! Crock Pot Pizza Chicken and I'll probably make some brownies.
Wednesday: burritos from the freezer
Thursday:  leftovers
Friday: Grands ham and cheese melts
Saturday and Sunday: I try not to cook on the weekends, but I don't think we'll have enough leftovers for both days. Maybe we will go out for Valentine's Day, we do have a few restaurant gift cards!

For more menus visit orgjunkie

Cozy mystery Challenge 2012: Book 1: Eggs in Purgatory

I signed up for the challenge last year and DID read all of the books I signed up for... I just didn't blog them all. Oops. So we are trying again this year. Wish me luck!!!

Eggs in Purgatory (A Crackleberry Club mystery) by Laura Childs review

Description: Suzanne, Toni, and Petra lose their husbands but find independence when they open the Cackleberry Club. Then their cozy cafe becomes the scene of a crime when a lawyer dies with a secret on his lips and egg on his face. What this all has to do with a religious cult and Suzanne's past could put her own life on the line. (via amazon)

Review: Eggs in Purgatory starts off with the murder being quickly established. The tale spins of from there and includes a lot of characters - I got lost among them. I had no clue who the murderer was - even after the person was named! However, I did like how different Suzanne, Petra and Toni were. Each one added their own part of the story. And I SO wish the Crackleberry Club really did exist!

I too wondered how a cult would fit into this story and it brings a level of seriousness to the story. I enjoyed trying to figure out how each different element fit into the murders - cults and churches and egg delivery trucks and the mayor and even the bumbling chief of police.

Eggs in Purgatory was very engaging and definitely a puzzler. It is the first in the Crackleberry Club series, and I will be sure to read the rest of the series.

Whitney Houston - Greatest Love Of All

You have probably heard that Whitney Houston died this afternoon, at the young age of 48. I was such a huge fan of her when I was younger... so many of us were. Watching her destroy her life was so heartbreaking. I hope she rests in peace, and hopefully her death will wake up some people who need their eyes opened.

How many times did I sing this song in front of the mirror?

Six and Twelve...

I went to a Valentine's craft and brunch moms meetup yesterday. I found  recipes on the Internet for Funfetti heart cookies and red velvet cake batter dip. Sounded good so I made them for the meetup. and i was going to share them w/whoever is still reading this blog!

But I didn't really like them. The cookies were very bland to me. I should have used my own (awesome) cut out cookie recipe. And the dip was ok. Red velvet isn't my fave but the dip just seemed eh.

I took them anyway - I needed to bring something. And the moms loved them! One literally had 5 cookies dipped in the dip! Which made me realize that just because I think it's bad doesn't mean everyone will. We all have different tastes!  (DUH LB!!)

Two days later, the cookies taste better, I guess a little stale works for them? (I would still use my recipe though) and the batter dip is not too bad, once it warms up for awhile. And it made A LOT!!!

Here is a pic... do you want me to share the recipe? I am still undecided!!

funfetti heart cookies and red velvet cake mix dip

Menu Plan Monday - Week of 11/16/12

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Is it too late to say that? LOL

I apologize for the lack of posts - the holiday season was insane, and after tackling a 9 month old who goes everywhere and gets into everything, I am wiped.  But I really enjoy blogging and hate to think of all the hard work I have done getting followers and connecting with companies just gone. I am going to try to build up again, but I can't make any guarantees! So without further ado, here is post number one for 2012!!!

Monday: dinner out with the in laws

Tuesday: Cooking Light's slow cooker barbecue chicken (from their slow cooker cookbook - couldn't find the recipe online)

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday:  Easy Enchiladas using leftover chicken from Tues.

Friday: leftovers

Saturday: Country Frittata

Sunday: something from the freezer

For more information or to join the hop, go to I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Purell Jelly Wrap Carriers Review

I was so obsessed with Purell when it first came out! I had several of the on the go carriers and took them everywhere! Eventually I switched to a different brand because those sanitizers were scented. I did not like some of their features as much but the scent caused me to stay. I still use the Purell pump bottles, at work when I was working, and I bought several when Baby E. was born to help keep him healthy among all of his visitors!

So I was eager to try to the Purell Jelly Wrap Carriers to see if they were as good as I remembered. Sadly, I was disappointed. Previously, the carriers fitted over the top of the bottle so the bottle stayed upright. Now, the bottle faces down, so the caps come undone during your daily routine. The sanitizer also spurts out when it is used. Also, before, the carrier had a longer loop (you could choose from 3 positions) so it was easier to access and to share with others.

However, there are good things about Purell Jelly Wrap Carriers. The to go nature itself is wonderful. Very easy to take anywhere with you so you are always protected. The sanitizer is also very smooth and blends into your skin easily. It was not drying either, which is such a plus!

So, Purell itelf is great! I would say these carriers are just all right. For more information, visit purell.com.

 
I received the product from bzzagent  to review. No other compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Black Friday 2011 - I Survived Unscathed!

Did any of you go shopping on Black Friday? This was the first time in awhile I did a store opening - in fact, due to the new midnight opening times, I pulled an all nighter!! and I had such a great time! The best part is that I paid cash for everything, except BRU and, of course, Kohls. Below is a long summary of my night that I posted on a message board (edited to remove items I bought since people I buy for read my blog). I'd love to hear your experiences.

Started at 8:30 p.m. at the outlets, for B&BW, which opened at 9:30 (the mall itself opened at 10). It WAS DEAD in the entire place. At 10 p.m., the mall was giving out $10 gcs to the first 100 in line... I was 4th. Pretty good but by 10 I was frozen and my legs hurt. Went to a few stores there then headed out at about 11. By then it was busy outside but the stores themselves were not too packed.

Kermit the Frog Cupcakes!

I have seen this on other blogs and thought it was so cute! Since J. and I are seeing an advance screening of The Muppets tomorrow (SO EXCITED!!!) I thought I would share it as well! We might do these for Thanksgiving or maybe for our Christmas Eve open house!

BOGO Free Hoilday Drinks at Starbucks

Starting TODAY! from 2 to 5 p.m. every day through Sunday the 20th, buy one holiday drink at Starbucks and get one FREE!! Woo hoo!!

The holiday drinks include:

• Peppermint Mocha
• Skinny Peppermint Mocha
• Caramel Brulée Latte
• Gingerbread Latte
• Eggnog Latte

I think I will try the new Skinny Peppermint Mocha - the regular ones are my  favorite, so I wonder how this differs!