November 22, 2012

The Holiday Season has Offically Start !!!!!!!!




 

Happy Thanksgiving!




After you have added a

 
 
This year when you sit down with your family


 
 
I know you will



But please please please don't forget to


For all her/his hard work!!!!!!
 
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
 

November 21, 2012

Santa Claus Post Marks 2

More Zip Codes For your Holiday Cards.

Christmas FL 32709
North Pole AK 99075
Santa Claus IN 47579
Bethlehem PA 1816
Noel Mo 64854

For Complete post see Santa Claus Post Mark posted earlier.


 

Ohhhh The Best Ever Quickie.... MMMM

Candy Bar Pie
1 Oreo Pie Crust/ Shell
1 8oz Cream Cheese
1 Tub Whip Cream
6 Full size Butter Finger Candy Bars smashed to crumbs
Kiss candies  to decorate

Beat together until smooth the Cream cheese and  whip cream . Hand stir in the Butter Finger Crumbs. chill for at least four hours. Best if left over night. Decorate with kisses.



The easiest pie to make in the fastest time! Always the first one gone at any gathering. Never have had a left over crumb!!!!!

November 20, 2012

Got FaceBook?

 Do you have a Facebook? Will you have a few seconds on Thanksgiving and during the Holiday Season? Duracell the copper top people have made it really cool to be Charitable!Starting Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22) and through Dec. 20, our Facebook fans will have an opportunity to not only win the hottest Holiday toys. How cool! But that is not the awesome part.The awesome part is for every entry received, they will donate a Duracell battery to Toys for Tots to help power a toy for kids in need. It’s a fun, easy way for you to help give back this holiday season!

All you have to do is comment RSVP  and come back daily starting on Nov. 22 for a chance to win and be charitable!

November 19, 2012

Santa Claus Post Marks

I saw this a few years ago and did this for Little Beast From Santa when Big Big was stationed in Korea.

You can have letters and cards Post marked from Santa Claus In.  They have this really cool picture cancellation stamp on them.  It's a neat idea for holiday cards, letters from Santa, Family newsletters, or just a Christmas fun letter to your Soldier overseas.

- Allow a 2x4-inch space near the stamp for the Santa postmark;
- Add postage stamps to your cards or letters before bringing them to the post office;
-The special Santa postmark is only available in December;
- Limit your requests for the Santa postmarks to 50 picture postmarks (hand cancellations) per person per day.
-Must be get to the postmaster at IN by the 15th of Dec

If you want to have the Santa Claus Post Office add a picture postmark and then send your holiday mail  to your recipients, package all your cards and letters -with postage stamps affixed-in a sturdy envelope or box, and mail to:

Santa Claus Postmark
Postmaster
Santa Claus Station
Santa Claus, IN 47579-9998

There Is An App For That

There is an App for almost any thing and everything these days and cooking Thanksgiving is no different.  Go to the App store and type in a key word such as "Roasting Turkey" or Thanksgiving food" and you come up with many many apps just for that! They will tell you how to cook the turkey of how many pounds for how long, be the timer and do many other things. They range in price from free on up.

Some Apps that I found on Itunes:
Time to Roast
Turkey Timer
Cooking Times
Is it Ready Yet
I Roast






This Blog Post loving dedicated to my hubby Beast.
 

November 18, 2012

Cranberry Sauce

You can't have Thanksgiving dinner without Cranberry sauce. Like it or hate it, you buy it or make it any because it is tradition.

Cranberry Sauce

1Package of Cranberries
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of orange juice
Optional add ins orange zest, raisins, currants, all spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, or blueberries

In a saucepan over medium heat stir dissolve sugar and orange juice.

Stir in the cranberries and cook until they pop 10 -15 minutes. This would be the time you would add in the optional ingredients.

Remove from heat and let come down to room temp.and then chill in refrigerator. It thickens as it cool.
*Note it does not look like the jar stuff.


 

More Military Mailing dates

Holiday Dates for Military Mail

Calculated for December 25, 2012.
Addressed to Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2 Space Available Mail (SAM)3 Parcel Post® Service
APO/FPO/DPO AE
ZIPs™ 090-092
Dec. 3Nov. 26Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE
ZIP 093
Nov. 30Nov. 26Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE
ZIPs 094-098
Dec. 3Nov. 26Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AA
ZIP 340
Dec. 3Nov. 26Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AP
ZIPs 962-966
Dec. 3Nov. 26Nov. 13

Mailing Dates for Military Mail for the Holidays

Holiday Dates for Military Mail

Calculated for December 25, 2012.
Addressed to Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1 First-Class Mail® Service Priority Mail® Service Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2 Space Available Mail (SAM)3 Parcel Post® Service
APO/FPO/DPO AE
ZIPs™ 090-092
Dec. 17Dec. 10Dec. 10Dec. 3Nov. 26Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE
ZIP 093
N/ADec. 3Dec. 3Nov. 30Nov. 26Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE
ZIPs 094-098
Dec. 17Dec. 10Dec. 10Dec. 3Nov. 26Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AA
ZIP 340
Dec. 17Dec. 10Dec. 10Dec. 3Nov. 26Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AP
ZIPs 962-966
Dec. 17Dec. 10Dec. 10Dec. 3Nov. 26Nov. 13

November 17, 2012

10 Things Every Woman Should Have

10 Things I Think Every Woman Should Have
1.  A little black dress!  Every girl needs a black dress you can add accessories to and change the look of. 
2. 3 Pairs of fantastic shoes!
     1 pair of great flats.
     1 pair of universal business height  heels.
     1 pair that you wear with number 9.
3.  A killer chicken recipe. Nonni says " the way to a man's heart is threw his stomach." Lets face it we all have to :)
4.   A sense of Humor.  Ugh this is very important. Humor gets you threw the horrible times for example Deployment ok enough said there.
5.  A good friend.  One you can call in the middle of the night, who understands why you just hate her, one who laughs with you, crys with you and is willing go on a road trip it anywhere!!!!!
6.  A signature perfume." The scent of her lingers. "  Always use perfume as it is the purest form and it lingers on him and clothes, sheets etc. for hours. LOL.
7. One great love of a lifetime.People have written rules of attraction, rules of engagement, none of that matters with that one great love of a lifetime.
8. One great piece of jewelery. Ummm yeah no not your engagement ring. Whether it is a Necklace, pin, or ring, one statement piece.
9.  Perfect set of PJ's!!! 2 sets
      1 comfy pair
       1 that makes YOU feel like the sexiest person on the planet.  Ohhhh yeah don't forget the shoes from number 2!
10.  Mascara!!!! It makes your eyes pop. If it is the only thing you put on it is the one thing that instant wakes your look up.

Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup (you can get Low Fat to make it healthy)
1 Package Fresh sliced Mushrooms
1Small Bottle of Lowfat Ranch Dressing
2 Family size Frozen Green Beans ( cook green beans as directed on package)
1 Cup of Cheddar Cheese ( Yep they have low fat cheese to)
1 Large Can of Fried Onions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

In a large bowl combine soup, mushrooms, ranch,and a 1/4 of the onions and green beans and mix with wooden spoon.

Put ingredients into a baking dish. Cover. Bake for about 40 minutes or until bubbly. Cover with cheese and Onions and Bake Until onions are golden brown.

 

Beast Potatoes

Beast Potatoes

2 Bags Frozen cauliflower
Butter  or Margarine to taste
Salt and or Pepper optional

In a pot boil water and put cauliflower in.Simmer until soft. Remove and Drain. Smash as if it were a potato. Add butter and salt if desired.

This is a nice dish because you can add anything you would add to your potato to it, for a special occasion. For example you could add Fat Free Sour Cream, Turkey Bacon Crumbles, Dry Ranch Dressing ohhh the list is endless.




 

November 15, 2012

When Alone In The World With Your Turkey

Whether you are a nervous newly wed or a seasoned wife cooking a turkey can sometimes be tricky. You feel as if you are alone in the world, just you and the darn turkey and your guests will be arriving soon. At some point we all need help from a friend.  The friendly folks at ButterBall man a help line to talk you through all types of turkey trauma. From now until December 24 someone is there to smooth your ruffled feathers and get you back to roasting the perfect bird in no time. These friendly people have been leaning a helping hand every Holiday season since 1981.

1-800-BUTTERBALL

Make Ahead Dishes For Thanksgiving

Lets face it, it just makes life easier to make dishes ahead time for a big dinner. Here are some recipes!

 
 
Creamy Ranch Potatoes
 
1  -5 pound bag of Baking Potatoes
1-8ounce package of cream cheese
1 dry package of Ranch Salad Dressing
1/2 cup butter soften
2- cups of sour cream
 
Bake potatoes in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour or until soft.
 
scoop potatoes out of the skins into a Large mixing bowl and mash.  Add cream cheese, ranch, butter, and sour cream.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nanna's Sweet Potato Casserole
 
Yams/Sweet Potatoes as many as you think you need
Stick of Butter as you like it
1 package Tiny Marshmallows
 
 
Smush yams with potato masher cutting butter up into TBS and adding it while mashing.Add 1/2  the marshmallows and then bake at 350 degrees covered in tin foil until alittle firm add the rest on top bake until golden brown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Modern Twist On  Grandma Stuffing
2 Boxes of Chicken Stuffing
1 Green Pepper
1Onion
1 Tube of frozen breakfast sausage thawed
1/4 cup of a finely chopped walnuts
1 cup broth
Brown the sausage. Saute' the pepper onion, and,celery until soft. Do not drain. Put  stuffing, sausage, veggies,  and walnuts in a mixing bowl add broth to moisten. Put mixture in a Baking dish and bake @ 350 degree until top is golden brown
 
 
 
 
 

 

Twas the Week Before Thanksgiving

Twas the week before Thanksgiving and all threw the house. All the mixing bowls are stirring. I've looked all over,but where is my spouse?
Oh yeah, In the Army of course. They get him first.

MJ and Kathryn are playing the Wii.
I have at least 20 places to be.
I'm stuck here waiting for PeaPod, to make a delivery.

I'm dressed all in sweats. Waiting to see, the long night unfold before me.

When what before my wondering eyes should appear!
 The PeaPod driver in all his gear.

Out of the truck he flew like a flash.

Gathering our groceries so lively and quick.
I knew by his name tag, his name was not Nick.

Sign here he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight
 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!



 

Today is the Annual Great American Smokeout

Today is the Annual Great American Smokeout. One of the hardest thing you'll do, for the best cause!!!!  You are always worth it!
 
 
 

November 12, 2012

Stuff The Bus

On the way to school on Friday,MJ was talking about all the damage the Storm Sandy had done, all the houses that he saw on the News "that were broken and the sad people."

I decided it was a good idea to take this and turn this into a teaching moment. One of our local radio stations were hosting an event called Stuff The Bus, the idea behind the event is the community comes together to donate items to fill the bus and the bus load is then donated to food pantries. Items such as canned goods, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, non perishable groceries are what they were looking for.

 So bright and early Saturday morning MJ and I went out so he could buy a few items for this event.  I let him do the shopping for the items, and check them out, and bring them to donate.

 
 
The volunteers who donate their time are just awesome!
 

November 6, 2012

Thanksgiving the Forgotten Holiday

Some where between the candy rush of Halloween and the jiggle bells and packed malls of Christmas we forgot about Thanksgiving. This year the first Holiday Season TV ad came out a week before the first piece of Halloween candy ever fell in a child's bag on October 31. I just happened to be in the Mall on November 1, it looks like a Christmas wonderland. The decorations adorn the mall already!

I remember Thanksgiving as a big Family event.  The women  of my family spent all week cooking special recipes you never say any other time of the year. Thanksgiving day  started off with wonderful smells drifting from the kitchen. We watched the Macy day Parade. At the end, Santa without fail would come every year. Santa kicked off the Christmas Season. You didn't see or hear of anything Christmas before that.No matter how many family and friends and kids there were we all had dinner together and there was always room for that last add in or two or three.  No one left to go to a pre sale or to the movies. Nothing was open on Thanksgiving day. If you forgot to buy something ugh... Let's face it you were talked about until Christmas, and you prayed someone screwed up by then. LOL.

In recent years Thanksgiving doesn't have the same meaning. It seems to be glanced over, like a speed up, to Black Friday. Next time you watch TV or go to shopping look no one even mentions Thanksgiving.  It has become the forgotten Holiday.

 

 

November 3, 2012

Gas Wait Wait Wait Gas

Isn't it funny how until we start running out of something we take it for granted.I have a friend who has an app on his phone called Gas Buddy and two weeks ago gas was dirt cheap in Toledo Ohio. This he was compelled to tweet about. Road Trip umm no I'll pass. Not that I don't like Ohio. I like it there just there just fine. In fact our cat Ohwyio is actually a native Ohio, so is my hubby and his Family. But to go for gas there for us is not just economical no matter how cheap. 

 Last night with a sleepy child and a car loaded with groceries and melting ice cream only to pull in to gas station after gas station to find out they were out of gas!!!! Sorry no gas! Were they joking?! No, they serious. Sandy, left parts of NYC, Staten Island and Long Isand without gas, food, and electric and the gas crisis was branching to Dutchess County NY.  I finally found a gas station that had gas, only to wait in a LONG line.  After grocery shopping and hunting for a gas station that had gas a line was the last thing I wanted to wait in. I kept telling myself at least I found gas.

On Facebook today people are posting which gas stations had gas, lines and which were out. It is so heart warming see people pulling together and helping each other. In all that has been wrong with how politicians have handled Sandy it is wonderful to see average citizen coming together and handling things.