Back to School Time

I cannot believe that my "baby" started the 7th Grade yesterday!  She still lets me take first day photos; I love  it!  Seventh grade is smack dab in the middle of "Middle School", so she's not the baby of the school nor is she the queen.  That's kinda nice, less pressure, just being.  I volunteered to hand out schedules as an excuse to be there without being one of "those" mothers (not that there's anything wrong with "those" mothers .... that's usually me!).  It was fun to see the anticipation in the kids' faces even as they are being so cool.  The volume in the cafeteria was LOUD as they all reconnected.  Several kiddos looked so shy and lost, while another group seemed to take up the room with their presence.  And that's middle school!  Miss T is just happy that most of her friends have the same lunch period, she was able to open her locker, and has a schedule she likes for the most part.

image from RadioButlers

Switching gears -- come join me on Pinterest!  I recently pinned this adorable School Supplies Cake from http://radiobutlers.blogspot.com/. Here's the direct link to the tutorial. SO STINKIN' CUTE!!  I can't wait to make one.

Gotta head to work -- Have a spectacular Day!!
Shawnee

Get Energized with Centrum

I'm excited to share this little contest with you -- while I'm not in the running for the most energetic mama, I might be next month -- I just started taking Centrum Ultra and cannot wait to report the results!!!

This holiday season, the makers o fCentrum® multivitamins and Molly Shannon are in search of“America’s Most Amazingly Energized Woman” and they want your help!

In celebration of women who live life and love to the fullest by staying healthy and energized, even during the busiest time of the year,Centrum® is kicking off a new contest.

Visit LoveFeelingHealthy.com to nominate yourself or someone special in your life. Tell them your secret to maintaining healthy energy levels so you can enjoy the great things the holiday season brings – including friends and family time, giving gifts, hosting parties, and so much more!

Participants are asked to submit 300 words or less that explains how you (or who you nominate) does it all. Nominations are being accepted until January 3, 2011 (12pm EST). Contest open to US residents only.

Five finalists will be selected and then, from January 17-31, 2011, the public can cast their votes for who should be coined“America’s Most Amazingly Energized Woman.”

PRIZING

• Grand Prize: $3,000 XPERIENCE DAYS Gift Certificate.
• Four (4) Runner-Up Prizes: $400 XPERIENCE DAYS Gift Certificate
  

XPERIENCE DAYS offers thousands of unique gift experiences nationwide

Sweepstakes Rules & Regulations Here.

Achieve better health during the holiday season! Download a $3 coupon for Centrum® Women’s or Centrum® Men’s

.

Top Reads for Christmas Gifts

If you have a reader on your list, this post is for you. I bet you'll find these on the shelf of your local book seller (it's so nice to buy local when you can).

I have been blessed with a variety of wonderful books this year to read and review; I've also purchased quite a few books that I love. Any one of these would make the Reader on your list exceedingly happy!!

The Foodie:

Poor Girl Gourmet, by Amy McCoy

Put 'Em Up!, Sherri Brooks Vinton

A World of Cake, Krystina Castella

Cake Pops, Bakerella

The Crafter:

Sewing School, Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle

Sew What Bags, Lexie Barnes

Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies, Twinkie Chan

For Mommies of Little (or not so little) Girls:

Six Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl, Dannah Gresh

Christian Novels:

A Shadowed Mind, Julie Cave

The Vigilante's Bride, Yvonne Harris

These are Great for the New Year -- Devotionals and Simple Living:

The Rewards of Simplicity, Pam and Chuck D Pierce

God Never Blinks, Regina Brett

A Year with God, RP Nettelhorst

Becoming a Woman of Simplicity, Cynthia Heald

And one last Inspirational book:

City on Our Knees, TobyMac

The links are to my affiliate account at Amazon; if you purchase from them, I get a few cents on the dollar (if I can ever figure out how to access those funds...). These books were provided for my review and your viewing pleasure. ENJOY!

Apron Giveaway on The Apronista

Candace from One Tree Lane USA sent me these beautiful aprons - check out those lovely tassels. T and I LOVE them and feel so very sassy while baking (a much better picture HERE).

I’m excited to share with you that Candace is giving away one apron of your choice to a lucky Apronista in a Christmas-time giveaway!! Pop over to my post on The Apronista for details and to enter!!!

RHCC Advent Conspiracy - GIft Giving Ideas

Tonight, I'm at my church sharing a few inexpensive gifts you can make for friends and neighbors.

CANDY CANE SOUP

This Candy Cane Soup comes from Organized Christmas and is a family-sized gift of hot chocolate mix. You can follow the website's step-by-step directions and also download adorable printed tags. I also like to attach a candy cane and include the legend of the Candy Cane from Home Schooled Kids:

The true meaning of the Candy Cane

Look at the Candy Cane What do you see? Stripes that are red Like the blood shed for me

White is for my Savior

Who's sinless and pure!

"J" is for Jesus My Lord, that's for sure!

Turn it around And a staff you will see Jesus my shepherd Was born for Me!

DOG BISCUITS

Last year, we gave our neighbors delicious Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits. My favorite recipe is from Paula Deen HERE, but there are any number of yummy recipes to be found.

I like to wrap a stack of six with a red ribbon (paw-print embellished is even better) and then give several stacks to neighbors and friends.

CHOCOLATE SPOONS

I posted my spoons a few years ago but it deserves a re-post:

Easy Gift - Chocolate Spoons

Here's a quick and easy gift idea for you. I made spoons like these for my nursery volunteers last week, and my co-CB Michelle brought in the wrappings and tags.

• Two bags Candy Melts or Bark, one milk chocolate and one white chocolate (I had extra from my Red Velvet Cake Balls so used those)
• Candy Sprinkles or Baking Sugar
• 30-40 Heavy duty plastic spoons (I bought the multi-pack at Kmart for $6; I could have bought 300 for $10 at Costco, but I couldn't stand the thought of owning 300 spoons)
• Waxed Paper or Roul-Pat
• Cellophane bags or wrap
• Coordinating ribbon

1. Lay out the Roul-Pat or waxed paper on large flat surface - my dining table was perfect since my counter space is non-existent.

2. In a microwaveable bowl, melt the milk chocolate candy according to manufacturers directions or use a double boiler.

3. Scoop each spoon into the chocolate, filling the bowl of the spoon, level the surface and set on pad/paper to cool. Check out a very efficient way to lay out the spoons. You'll be glad you did.

4. Next, melt the white chocolate as directed and place into decorating bag or ziploc baggy. If using the baggy, make a small snip in the corner for piping. Careful, the chocolate is HOT!

5. Since you laid out the spoons in tidy rows, it's now very easy to pipe decorative accents on your spoons. Be generous with the chocolate!

6. Before everything sets, add the baking sugar, sprinkles, etc.

7. Allow to harden for an hour or so (do not refrigerate or the chocolate with discolor), then package up real nice.

I forgot to take a picture of my finished product, but here's an idea of what your spoons can look like:

Fun Friday Questions - Please Comment!

Here's a fun getting-to-know-more-people MEME. Leave a comment here and then stop by the other blogs and say Hi. Follow if you like or not, but definitely leave a quick comment please! I love reading them!!

1. Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper? I sleep very neatly, staying in my little box. Of course, it helps that I'm constantly fighting for real estate with the great dane/mastiff, manly hubby and an occasional child visitor! I just hold still and hang on to the side of the king-size mattress so I don't fall off!

2. Fill in the blank. I wish I was more healthy! I've been working on my weight and overall health for years. This is the year - thank you Mamavation and SparkPeople!

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about? How much I'd miss my parents once they're gone and to not waste precious time.

4. What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market? My hubby bought me a beautiful sewing cabinet for super cheap and I adore it!

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be? Since I'm starving, anything! I'd love a healthy breakfast waiting for me ... refreshing smoothie, asparagus omelet and fresh fruit salad.... yummm!

And, just a quick reminder about the great price I found on the Gruve body monitor ... through Sunday, August 8, you can purchase The Gruve and a one-year online subscription for only $99! I liked it so much, I'm an affiliate! Leave a comment if you decide to try one - I ordered MINE Wednesday and it's already on it's way to me!!

AND, just to let my swappers know, Flirty Apron Swap Back to the Future partner emails will be sent after work tonight -- I finished the matches LATE last night. The 36 of us will have a BALL!!!