Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Wednesday Online Special: Woven Traditions Ramekins--Only $15





I am really excited about these pottery ramekins.  They are oven- and microwave-safe and come with a woodcrafts topper for only $15 each.  Choice of 7 colors.  Wedensday, November 28, 2012, noon-11:59 pm EST.

Purchase Now

Quick Dinner Solutions: Spinach-Bacon Quinoa Quiche

This recipe has become a family favorite because it is healthy, filling, and nutritious. It satisfies my big eaters and I feel good after eating it--lots of fiber, protein, and veggies.  Keep quinoa on hand and cook up a cup in chicken or vegetable broth the night before or earlier in the day.  Double the recipe and save for lunches or freeze for another day.

Ingredients:

1 c. quinoa
2 c. chicken broth
1/2 onion, diced
1/2 c. real crumbled bacon (Costco sells a 20oz bag you can store in the refrigerator)
1 1/2 c. frozen chopped spinach, heated in microwave and drained (or equivalent cooked fresh spinach)
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese (more if desired)
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
6 whole eggs (or 3 whole eggs and 3/4 c. egg whites)

Instructions:

Rinse quinoa thoroughly in fine-mesh strainer.  Bring 2 cups of broth to a boil; add 1 cup rinsed quinoa and cook for 20 minutes or until liquid is fully absorbed (water can be used if you don't have chicken broth, but you will need to add more spices to flavor).

While the quinoa is cooking, saute chopped onion in 1 Tbsp. oil.  Add bacon crumbles and heat slightly.  Add cooked spinach and mix together with salt and pepper to taste.

In a medium sized bowl, mix cooked quinoa, cheddar, Parmesan, and spinach-bacon-onion saute.  In a separate bowl, beat eggs until blended and then add to quinoa mixture.

Pour mixture into a greased 9-inch pie dish and bake at 350F for 35-45 minutes until set and lightly browned.  Alternatively, you can make this in mini-muffin tins--they make wonderful appetizers that are easy to eat.

Variation:  Use chopped broccoli and additional cheddar cheese in place of the spinach and bacon.

Adapted from recipe on IowaGirlEats blog.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Longaberger 2012 Holiday Helper Jingle Bell Basket Set

A wonderful gift that keeps on ringing!  Get one for that special child in your life or one to hold a surprise gift for your sweetheart.  Create a Christmas tradition year after year!

The Jingle Bell Lid is a real working jingle bell and the Paprika Drawstring Liner is perfect to tuck a small holiday gift inside. Set includes Basket, Paprika Drawstring Liner, Protector and Metal Lid. 4 1/2"d x 3 1/8"h; Rec. Wt. Use: 1 lb.

Purchase Now


2012 Christmas Collection Drum Basket Set





This lidded drum basket set could be the start of a great holiday tradition.  Use it to present a special gift each year on Christmas Eve, or put it on the sideboard or entry hall table to present a holiday cookie or treat to departing guests.  Set includes Basket (10"d x 5"h; Rec. Wt. Use: 17 lbs.), Flax Drop-In Liner with embroidery, Protector and WoodCrafts Lid in red, green or white. 

Purchase Now




 

Longaberger Artisan Bread Basket

Artisan Bread Basket
Longaberger Artisan Bread Basket

Just imagine this beautiful basket on your holiday table filled with an artisan loaf of bread or special breakfast muffins and rolls.  Artisan Baskets are a combination of hard working maple and decorative wrought iron. Each Wrought Iron handle is made of round stock metal and is completely handcrafted. Therefore, no two pieces are exactly alike and subtle variations may be apparent making it very unique in nature. The Artisan Bread Basket is a classy addition to your table. It’s perfect for napkins, bread, rolls or dessert chocolates. Available separately are a Protector and Lidded Protector. Protectors are dishwasher safe. 14 1/2"l x 7 1/2"w x 3 3/4"h (8 1/2"h w/handle); Rec. Wt. Use: 10 lbs.

 Purchase Now

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Chocolate Mint Brownies to Die For

Just had these at my neighbor's party.  Soooo good!

Brownies

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
2 beaten eggs
2 squares Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate, melted
1/2 tsp. peppermint flavoring (quality brand)
1/2 cup sifted flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Beat eggs, butter, and sugar together.  Add melted chocolate and peppermint flavoring.  Stir thoroughly.  Add flour and nuts.  Pour into 9" greased pan and bake at 350° F for 25-30 minutes and cool.

Frosting

1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. peppermint flavoring

Chocolate Coating

1 square Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate, melted
1 Tbsp. melted butter

 Once brownies are cool, spread peppermint frosting on top of brownies and chill.  Top with chocolate coating and chill again. Don't eat too many!!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Get It While Its Hot! New Flameware Cookware 20% Off in August

Now Available for the first time: the new Flameware® Cookware from Longaberger. On sale for 20% off in August only! Available in Ebony, Ivory, Butternut, Sage, Cornflower, Chocolate, and Paprika. Order Now

Sunday, July 22, 2012

25 Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier

Found this at the Daily Buzz Blog--had to share it with you!
.
Clever ideas: hull strawberries with a strawVia: amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com
Why didn’t I think of that?! We guarantee you’ll be uttering those words more than once at these ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems … some you never knew you had! (Above: hull strawberries easily using a straw)..

Clever ideas: use a walnut to heal furniture scratches Via: apartmenttherapy.com
Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes..
.
Clever ideas: WD40 for cleaning crayon off TV screensVia: unplggd.com
Remove crayon masterpieces from your TV or computer screen with WD40 (also works on walls)..
.
Clever ideas: keep a cut apple from going brown 
Via: athomewithrealfood.blogspot.com
Stop cut apples browning in your child’s lunch box by securing with a rubber band..
.
Clever ideas: store bedlinen sets inside their pillowcases 
Via: marthastewart.com
Overhaul your linen cupboard – store bedlinen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match.
.
Clever ideas: bowl as iPhone sound amplifierVia: realsimple.com
Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music..
.
Cleaver ideas: wet wipe dispenser as plastic bag storage Via: savvyhousekeeping.com
Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags.
.
.
Clever ideas: baby powder to remove sand from feetVia: iheartnaptime.net
Add this item to your beach bag. Baby powder gets sand off your skin easily – who knew?!
.
.
Clever ideas: velcro strip on wall to hold soft toysVia: realsimple.com
Attach a velcro strip to the wall to store soft toys.
.
.
Clever ideas: gift wrap storage on cupboard ceilingVia: flickr.com
Look up! Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.
.
.
Clever idea: stocking over vacuum to pick up lost itemsVia: instructables.com
Gotcha! Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose.
.
.
Clever idea: box lid cupcake holderVia: realsimple.com
Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses into a box lid.
.
.
Clever idea: how to fold a fitted sheetVia: stephmodo.com
For those who can’t stand the scrunching and bunching: how to perfectly fold a fitted sheet.
.
.
Clever idea: magnetic bobbypin storageVia: sprwmn.blogspot.com
Forever losing your bathroom essentials? Use magnetic strips to store bobby pins (and tweezers and clippers) behind a vanity door
.
.
Clever idea: use shower caps to hold shoes when packingVia: realsimple.com
A tip for holiday packing. Store shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty soles rubbing on your clothes. And you can find them in just about every hotel!
.
.
Clever idea: muffin pan craft storageVia: familyfun.go.com
A muffin pan becomes a craft caddy. Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant.
.
.
Clever idea: bread tags as cable labels 
Via: unplggd.com
Bread tags make the perfect-sized cord labels.
.
.
Clever idea: cook cupcakes in ice cream conesV
ia: kiboomu.com
Bake cupcakes directly in ice-cream cones – so much more fun and easier for kids to eat. Definitely doing this!
.
.
Clever idea: microwave your own popcorn in a plain paper bag 
Via: squawkfox.com
Microwave your own popcorn in a plain brown paper bag. Much healthier and cheaper than the packet stuff.
.
.
Clever idea: use a tension rod to hang spray bottles 
Via: jengrantmorris.blogspot.com
Brilliant space-saver: install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles. Genius!
.
.
Clever idea: how to make heart-shaped eggs 
Via: 9gag.com
Win friends at breakfast with this heart-shaped egg tutorial. Aww shucks!
.
.
Clever idea: use upside-down muffic pan to make cookie bowls 
Via: wilton.com
Turn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough over the top and voila – you have cookie bowls for fruit or ice-cream. Click here for recipe.
.
.
Clever idea: freeze aloe vera lotion for soothing burns 
Via: realsimple.com
Freeze Aloe Vera in ice-cube trays for soothing sunburn relief.
.
.
Clever idea: gutter veggie garden 
Via: lifehacker.com.au
Gutter garden: Create a window-box veggie patch using guttering.
.
.
Clever idea: egg cartons for Christmas ornament storage 
Via: re-nest.com
Use egg cartons to separate and store your Christmas decorations.
.


Source: 25 Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier