Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Chocolate Spice Cake Recipe



I have always loved Chocolate Spice cake like my school used to make. Or we can get at Furs when we go out to eat. But since we do not do that too often I thought I would try and make my own for David's Birthday next week.

So since I am making it I thought you might also enjoy the recipe. If you have ever made it how did it turn out? Would you fix it again or is there something else you would rather have?



Chocolate Spice Cake Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min. + cooling
MAKES: 16 servings


Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons brewed coffee, room temperature, divided
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons baking cocoa,divided
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1-1/2 cups raisins
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1-1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • Directions

    1. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in applesauce and 1/2 cup coffee. Combine the flour, 1/4 cup baking cocoa, cinnamon, baking soda, allspice, salt and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture until blended. Fold in raisins and walnuts.
    2. Pour into a 10-in. fluted tube pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
    3. In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar and remaining baking cocoa and coffee; drizzle over cake. Yield: 16 servings.
    Originally published as Raisin-Nut Chocolate Cake in Healthy Cooking April/May 2010, p50
 Glenda, Charlie and David Cates 


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Rockin Green Laundry Soap Review and Giveaway

When my samples from ROCKin GREEN arrived I noticed I was sent the Hard samples and I was sent three different scents. I liked knowing they will do 2 loads of laundry in a Toploader as this is what we use.
David was not too sure of the soaps but after he opened the first one and tried it out I could tell he likes it as much as I did. My favorite out of the 3 we where sent was the Lavender Mint Revival as I like anything that has Lavender in it. Plus Lavender can help you relax and it will help you sleep better. So I had David try it out and he says I was right about that. This is one we will get again and one that I would not mind giving as a gift as I know my friends and family would like it as much as I did.

The second sample we where sent is the Motley Clean and both David and Charlie liked the name of it. We used it on Davids uniforms and once they where done we could tell that they cleaned better than the soaps we normally use. So this is also something I would not mind getting again. If you have dirty uniforms to clean I hope you will check it out as it works wonderfully.

The last scent I was sent was the Smashing Watermelon and we used it on Charlies clothes and he has said it is all he would like to use. Now if I could just get him to get a job and order some it would save me some money.

I like knowing that ROCKin GREEN comes in three different levels of hardness. They have soft rock, classic rock and hard rock. I also like knowing that they carry a stick that will show you what your water type is and which samples you would need for your household.

I also like knowing they have products for women as well as pets. I can tell you I can not wait to try them both out as it is something I need especially the one for the pets.

If you would like to try out ROCKin GREEN your in luck as I have a bag to giveaway. You even get to pick which scent you would like to win.

Hard Rock- Sample Remix
This sample size bag will do 2 loads in a Toploader and 4 in an HE machine!


Enter to win a bag from ROCKin GREEN@!! of there 

45/90 load bag of detergent in the winner's choice of scent/formula 

You will need to do the following task:
Leave a valid email for me to reach you at:
Visit ROCKin GREEN and tell me which pack you would like to try out.
http://rockingreensoap.3dcartstores.com/Rockin-Green-Soap_c_1.html

How Else Can You Use Rockin' Green?

Last Updated: Nov 01, 2012 03:28PM CDT
Did you know that Rockin' Green can be used for more than just clothing? Here are just some of the ways our customers use Rockin' Green:
  • ·         Slippers
  • ·         Old stinky sneakers
  • ·         Works great on my hubby's stinky, sweaty Vibrams (toe shoes)
  • ·         Carpet, pillows...oh, and dress shirts that were being sent to the cleaners!
  • ·         Sinks and toilets
  • ·         Kids toys and walkers.
  • ·         My husband's grubby baseball caps.
  • ·         Stinky kitchen cloths/towels
  • ·         Half a tbsp in the dishwasher
  • ·         A tbsp in a sink full of hot water to mop the kitchen floor
  • ·         It works great on military uniforms
  • ·         in the SpotBot to clean pet messes off the carpets
  • ·         Shower curtain liners
  • ·         I've made a paste and used it for carpet cleaning and deep stain treatment.
  • ·         I used it to soak my son's hamster bed area that had calcified urine caked on. Pretty nasty and hard to scrape off. But after soaking it in RNG and H2O, it almost wiped off with little scrubbing.
  • ·         Carpets, walls, floors... pretty sure I rock a soak on my house!
  • ·         I use it to clean my cat - urine soaked clothes.
  • ·         Old (and new) stains on baby clothes!
  • ·         Make my own all purpose cleaning spray with it.
  • ·         I've mixed it into hot water to hand scrub the grout on our tile floors. Works great!
  • ·         ‎2 tbsp sprinkled into the kids' wooly area rug
  • ·         Pressure washed in the driveway, good as new! Maybe even better than new!
  • ·         Car seat cover, baby swing cover, things covered in nasty grimy who-knows-what
  • ·         Worked like a charm on my dirty, dirty gardening gloves. Rocked a soak in a small bucket and they're all clean!
  • ·         A necklace that was grimy and smelt of perfume
  • ·         I put it in the back of my toilet bowl to help with the hard water build up. Also keeps my tanks from turning brown from the hard water.
  • ·         Garbage disposal. It gets that nasty smell out.
  • ·         I use it and the funk rock soaks to wash our dog's kennel blankets.
  • ·         Used it on our Thanksgiving table cloth after the feast!
  • ·         Pet stains (or baby stains...) on carpets! =D
  • ·         Dog beds!
  • ·         Used it to degunk my fabric softener dispenser.
  • ·         I use mine as a tub 'n toilet cleaner.
  • ·         Vacuum filters
  • ·         My hubby came home from a business trip with some yucky stains around the neck of his white dress shirts. Made a rng paste and scrubbed with my finger and after a wash the stains were gone! Yay!
  • ·         Bath mats we rock a soak in hot water and they look like new. I swear my bath mats were never this dirty before I lived with boys!!
Email us with your tips for how you use Rockin' Green around the house!








Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Collars 2 Switch

 With 2 dogs collars and leashes can become expensive. Especially if you are like me and like to change them out all the time. So I was glad when I found this new site called Collars 2 Switch and at: collars2switch.com I also love that they always offer free shipping in the US.  Knowing that they are made in the US is also a plus in my book.  Plus I also like knowing that they offer a fundraising program.  If you are in need of raising funds they Please check into there fundraising program at
http://www.collars2switch.com/fund-raising-partnership-opportunities-page-23
Another thing I like is that they offer Gift Certificates.  If you have not visited there site I hope you will and I hope you will sign up for there newsletter. Since I was not sure what size collar Lucy and Sandi would need I was able to use there sizing chart and it worked out perfectly. I can tell you that if either of the dogs could speak they would tell you to bring your dogs to the site and let them pick out there favorite collars. The ones I like are the ones I can personalize and the collars for care. I also like knowing that they carry collars for the Holidays and I am thinking for Valentines to get both Lucy and Sandi this one: http://www.collars2switch.com/winter-valentine-s-day-c-1_22/pink-valentine-p-156 as everyone who has seen my puppy Sandi knows she is a true girly girl and it has to be pink or purple for her. Lucy could care less if she even has a collar on or not.






Custom/Personalized Dog Collars Designer dog collars can be expensive! For just $19.99 you get our custom nylon dog collar and 2 washable, switchable, designs--peel off one, put on another, without removing the collar and tags from your dog! Simply choose your collar size, then the 2 designs of your choice. Be sure to check out our Featured Designs for the latest in-style designer dog collar fashions! Personalized dog collar designs--collars2create let you be the designer for a truly one-of-a-kind dog collar. We are taking personalized dog collars to a whole new level! Always FREE SHIPPING in the USA! Our products are hand-crafted in the USA! Get going and decorate your dog for holidays, seasons, special events, the big game, or everyday fun the easy, affordable way. Watch how easy it is: http://youtu.be/3LacfSFyOHg Fund Raising Partnership Opportunities Since our beginning, collars2switch has proudly donated a percentage of our sales to dog/pet rescue groups. Now, we are offering to partner with these groups for fund raising. Here is how it works: We will donate $5 to the non-profit dog/pet rescue group for every collar set that is sold to the group's supporters on our site. The non-profit group simply helps us get the word out--sends out an email, newsletter, and/or posts the information on their site, facebook, etc., whatever they deem appropriate. Minimum information should include a code (so we know who to donate to), our site address, and a request that the buyer send an email to the non-profit so that they can keep track, as well. So easy!
 Check out this You Tube video at:
http://youtu.be/3LacfSFyOHg

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Mommies Point of View Christmas Gift Guide Avon

Today I would like to showcase one of my Christmas Gift Guide Sponsors. This is another Avon Rep. You may ask why I would have 2 different Avon Represenitives in my Guide and so I would like to explain to you why.

I am in Texas and this is where Deborah is located and so people who want a local rep. can shop with her. She was kind enough to send me her Bubble Bath to try. Then I have Trakelia Jimerson who I will be hosting a review and a giveaway as well. In this feature I would like to share with you some of the items that Avon carries and share my thoughts with you.

Today's products that I would like to share with you all is: Argean Oil treatment For luxuriant hair, discover the secret of Moroccan Argan Oil. 5 healthy benefits, 1 nourishing treatment: - renewed strength - instant shine - irresistible softness - smooth silkiness - weightless movement Formulated with argan oil, provitamin B5, and vitamin E, it helps to nourish and smooth dry, damaged hair. Leaves hair looking softer and healthier. 2 fl. oz. My hair has a tendency to break and it flys away and it is also brittle. With this product it helps keep it shiny and it does not break as easily. it does not make my hair greasy which is a plus. If you have not checked it out. Anew genics eye care Some women never have to lie about their age…their eyes do it for them.

Now eyes can look 5 years younger.* Genics Eye Treatment with Youthgen™ Technology is designed to help skin cells act younger. Undo 5 years from the look of your eyes.* Diminishes the appearance of fine wrinkles and fine crow’s-feet.** Eye area feels re-energized and restores the look of youthful brilliance, remarkable smoothness, definition and elasticity.* To Use: Every morning and evening, smooth around eye area .5 oz. net wt.

I can tell you this is on my wish list as I am getting older and I hate the way I look and so I really want to try this out and see if it can help me. I am 45 and soon I will be taking Charlie to school and I do not want to look like a old hag and so if this can help me look and feel better about myself I will be buying it all the time. I will also be purchasing it for my sister as she has lost so much weight that it makes her look older than she is and if she can look and feel better about herself I would like to help her with this.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

How many of you feel like I do?

I am already tired and stressed put from all of the Holiday running around. I wish I could just jump on a plane and run away. I have been searching travel sites for deals for places with sunny beaches. Only I know I could never run away as it would not be fair to my son who is looking forward to Christmas. Plus with David not working a steady job right now there is no money to travel anywhere. If there was I would like to visit Hawaii or Australia with just David and I as I am not sure Charlie would enjoy either of these spots. Plus David and I never had a honeymoon or have even been able to take a trip together and so I think it is time. I keep saying when we retire but after losing my daughter I am not sure I want to wait. What is one of us does not make it? So I have been looking into travel sites that offer last minute flights as I think if I could budget my money then I might be able to make it. Have any of you been to either place and which one would you think we should visit?
Glenda and David

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Karo Syrup Holiday Recipes


I would like to invite you to come and share your favorite Holiday Recipes using Karo Syrup and I know we have been using it in my house all my life. My Baked Beans would not exist without it. What do you make with it?

Karo Syrup wants to celebrate all holiday baking recipes! Consumers who share their favorite recipe to bake in Karo's Recipe Sweepstakes are entered to win a special New Year's Eve package in Chicago, including a two-night stay at the Wit Hotel, dinner at Mastro's Steakhouse and a chocolate tour. Visit  the "Tis the Season" tab at www.Facebook.com/KaroSyrup to share your recipe, enter to win this fabulous trip and see some of Sarah Levy's favorite holiday recipes.


  "Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Karo Syrup prize package in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place. All opinions are my own."

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!  
You will find OVER 100+ blogs participating. 
We are all have gift cards and gift certificates.
Thank you for joining us for the first Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop. We are so excited to have over 230+ blogs participating. That means for 5 days you will have the opportunity to enter over 230 FABULOUS blogs and their great holiday giveaways.
Prize #1 $10.00 Gift Card From Staples


Prize #2 $10.00 Gift Card from Walmart
Prize #3 Eclipse Spa Gift Valued at $20.00
Prize #4 Blog Redesign Valued at $25.00 
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