...Holiday Giveaway

Hey, Friends! I'm super excited to share a great giveaway with you courtesy of Cookware.com!

I've picked out three items from the line of Rachael Ray Cookware that I think are super cool, and each of them are something I'd love to have in my kitchen. The winner will get to choose one of the three items!

1. Rachael Ray Bubble and Brown Rectangular Lasagna Pan in Green. How cool is this stoneware? Love the cut-out handles. Perfect for lasagna or baked penne. Read more about it here.


2. Rachael Ray Yum-O! Bakeware 4 Piece Cake Pan Bakeware Set. Even if your kitchen is already stocked, who couldn't use an extra set of bakeware? These baking pans are sure to fill any need. See the features here

3. Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel 8" & 10" Open Skillet Twin Pack in Green. Love the silicone handles and they're oven safe to 400 degrees! How great is that? Read more about 'em here.

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So, how can one of these 3 great items become yours?

It's easy! Just leave me a comment between now {December 1th} and {December 17th} telling me your favorite holiday memory. I'll close comments at midnight on the 17th and choose {ONE} winner on December 18th!

One comment per person, please....and be sure to leave your email addy so I can contact you if you win!

But wait! There's more!!!

Want an extra chance to win? Post a link to this Giveaway on Facebook, blog about the giveaway, or tweet about it, and you'll be entered again for each additional referral. Just let me know in comments and befriend me on Facebook and/or Twitter and you'll have another shot at these great gifts :)

Have Fun...and Merry Christmas!

Thanks to the promo team at CSNStores for this awesome opportunity!

...What December tastes like

I haven't gone completely crazy like I did back in October with The Month of Pumpkin extravaganza. I just might make this ice cream over and over to get my December peppermint fix.

The chocolate bowl was a sweet added extra.

To make: inflate a small balloon. The smaller the better {I washed the balloon thoroughly just to make sure that powdery substance was gone before I blew it up}. Lightly rub softened shortening over the bottom of balloon, covering only the area you want as your mold-this will help the balloon release later.
Melt a good quality chocolate in the microwave checking constantly. Don't heat too much or it may pop your balloon! Heat til just melted, you may have to stir to finish melting it.

Using a spoon, drop some of the melted chocolate {about the size of a 50cent peice} onto a parchment/waxed paper lined baking sheet. This will serve as a base for the bowl. Dip the greased end of the balloon into the melted chocolate, swirling to coat. You may have to use a spoon to spread the chocolate. When you have the desired sized bowl, set the balloon upside down in a coffee cup, chocolate side up, and refrigerate until almost set. When the chocolate mold gets to the point where it won't drip anymore, you can turn the chocolate mold onto your chocolate base to finish setting up {this took only a couple of minutes for mine}. Return the molds to refrigerator to completely set up. I left mine in for about 30 minutes.

To release the balloon: pull up the top of the balloon where the knot is. Slowly prick the balloon with a needle or the point of a sharp knife. You want the air to release fairly slowly so as to not pop the balloon and possibly shatter the chocolate bowl. The shortening should make it easier to pull the balloon away from the chocolate revealing a perfectly shaped chocolate bowl {I tried one with the shortening, and one without. It was much easier to separate with the shortening}.

Fill with ice cream, pudding, mousse, or anything, really.

Print the Peppermint Crunch Ice Cream recipe here.

Print the Chocolate Bowl instructions here.

...Fun Finds

Yes, working at the Maxx is definitely not condusive to saving money. I can generally go for long periods of time without making a purchase, but sometimes, things end up being put away in the wrong places and I run across them. So, it must be fate then, that we were meant to be together forever.

I love these silicone baking cups from Tovolo. They're cute to look at {isn't the gingerbread guy so adorable?} and they're easy to use. I think they'd make a cute hostess gift: bake a cupcake, slide it into a clear cellephane baggie, and tie with festive ribbon. Easy Peesy.

**disclaimer** This is a private blog that has not received any free products in return for review. Products blogged about have been purchased for personal use at an off-price retailer.

...Date Night

I enjoyed a date night with Thom on Friday night-- dinner, shopping, and a giant-screen movie at the Aerospace Education Center.





The lobby has some really cool planes and the replicas of the Lunar Module and a Wright plane.



The movie was kind of lame....but the giant screen was way cool...and the company was nice :)

...Birthday Month!

Hi friends! Can you believe it's December already? I can't believe how time flies these days. Not a lot going on down here in Ark. It's {brrrrrr} cold down here. only 37 today...and rainy. We'll probably see a few snowflakes this evening if the rain persists. Tomorrow should be better, though, with highs in the 50s and some clouds mixed with sun.

It is officially the start of Birthday Month! Today, my cousin Luke and his wife Kimmie welcomed their first born into the world. A great day, since it was the day my Grandma K was born too! I'm enjoying "talking" with my cousins on Facebook. We have decided that Knuppenburg girls ROCK! We dominate over the boys on that side of the fam, for sure.

My birthday is in 17 days....WOOOT!! And guess what? I'll be 19...again!

Thom is out running errands and I'm making some dinner, doing laundry, and reading some blogs. Hope y'all are having a G R E A T week! {for some reason I keep thinking it's Tuesday!} I'll be seeing you all S O O N!!!!

...Tofurky Day Recap

I know you've all been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for a peak at our Thanksgiving Tofurky. Luckily, I took pictures. I present to you.....tofu turkey {insert appropriate drumroll}.


We splurged and purchased "The Feast." It came with dumplings, gravy, and even a Tofurky Jurky Wishstix! The dumplings were yucky. Actually, they might have been okay, but I set the plastic wrapped dumplings on the hot stove surface and they all stuck together and turned into a mushy mess that wouldn't separate; even when we put them in the boiling water to cook. The mushroom gravy was yucky as well. The wishstix was more hilarious than tasty. Too smoky tasting for me.

So, how was the Tofurky, you're surely asking? It was quite tasty. We both liked it a lot. It came out of the package looking much like a large, round mushroom. We roasted it with some veggies and basted with a sauce of soy sauce, olive oil, and sage. The roasted veggies were delish.

The center of the Tofurky was stuffed with a wild rice stuffing....good stuff.

Here's my plate. I ate most of it.

I made an awesome Pecan Pie....my first attempt. {okay...actually I think it's a second attempt...made one for Dad years ago but I don't think he liked it...this one will blow his mind}. Thom fell in love with me all over again. You can print the recipe here.

I decided to go with good, ole Pumpkin Pie for myself.

I'd tell you what I wished for but then it might not come true!

We had a quiet, enjoyable Thanksgiving day down here in Ark. I spent that evening baking goodies for the potluck at work. Mom called and we booked my plane ticket home for Christmas. Work was crazy busy for Black Friday.

It's Sunday morning now. I'm having toast and strawberry jam. The house is quiet. And I am content. Hope y'all are as well!

...Happy, Happy!!

Lisa shared this poem on her blog and I love it. So cute!!

'TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING, BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS, I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED - THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE.

BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING IN ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.

SO I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR.

AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TILL ALL OF A SUDDEN I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING FLOATING INTO THE SKY
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.

BUT I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES
HAPPY EATING TO ALL, PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP,
MAY YOUR POTATOES AND GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Wishing y'all a great holiday season and I'm so grateful for your friendship and love!! See you guys in December...cuz...{singing} I'll be home for Christmas :)

...Giving Thanks & Goodies

I spent a few hours in the kitchen tonight making cookie and muffin doughs for the rest of the week. I signed up to bring an assortment of cookies for the store's Black Friday potluck. I also agreed to bring some veggies and I have a cute plan for the veggie display {seen on this blog} but I'm not sure that I a.) will have the energy to put it together and b.) will have the funds to do it.

I spent some time putting together some goody-thank-you boxes for Thom's nephew and his bestest friend. They were extremely helpful with my car-less situation these last few week. I bought the little goody boxes at The Container Store {I LURVE that place!}

I used my fave Thickers and fall ribbons {didn't get a detail shot-there is ribbon attached from one side of the box, around the back, and along the other side} from American Crafts I actaully broke out stamps and ink pads too. Feeling quite ambitious, I guess!

I'm filling the boxes with mini pumpkin spice muffins, soft sugar cookies, and mini-chocolate chip cookies.

I haven't even done the food shopping for Thanksgiving dinner. I was so gung-ho to be prepared this year and have it all done by now, but it just didn't happen. I'm still searching for a deep dish pecan pie recipe for Thom, deciding what kind of pie to make for myself, and looking around for some kind of different side dishes to make for dinner. I was going to attempt to make pie dough but didn't get around to it. I'm toying with the idea of making yeast rolls....I suppose I should decide soon, eh?

So, anyway. What are your plans, menus for Turkey Day?

...When the clouds part, watch for falling spirits.

The sun finally came out again down here in Ark. It's been so rainy and dreary {again} and it gets so dark SO early. It's been a bit depressing. So, today, when the clouds parted and the sun made it's grand appearance, my mood lifted and my spirit floated away.

The store's music system started playing Christmas songs, a tad bit early in my opinion, but I was cool with it. It made me feel happy that I'm getting to go home for the holiday.

And then. Suddenly. My mood crashed back down to Earth with the super depressing news that my car is dead. Gone. Shot. Basically, it's just a pile of scrap metal with wheels {which, by the way, are pretty worn anyway}. Yeah. So. No car. And now I'm miserable again. Perfect timing to start out {another} three day weekend. Guess I'll be spending that extra time-off trying to figure out how I'm going to buy another car.

And...I'll make these again. They make me happy. Get the full recipe here. Go ahead. Go now. I'll wait. Click, click. The filling is definitely worth leaving me. I'll be here when you've finished licking the bowl.... since I have no car and all...{sigh}.

...The Day Before Friday, the 13th

It's been a couple of crazy days around here. Yesterday, on the way to work, Thom's engine light came on. I started to panic slightly since his is the only vehicle we have right now {Thom's good friend has loaned us his old [i'm sure Thom would call it vintage] beater truck so that he can tool around town if he needs to}. I turned around immediately and headed back home, called work, and took a vacation day.

Then, just after midnight, Thom's mom was taken to the hospital by ambulance. She's had problems breathing all week. Thom was at the hospital until 6 am. His mom was transferred to Little Rock. She'll likely be there the whole weekend.

Today we've said goodbye to a couple of fixtures around the Scenic house. My car has finally left the driveway, via another tow truck. It's on it's way to ~hopefully~ be fixed.

I don't think I've ever mentioned this on the blog, but we've had a couple of parakeets for just about a year. Thom's good friend {of aforementioned vintage- truck- loanage} so graciously gave us the pesky birds cuz they were annoyingly loud. They were a lovely addition to the household for about a week before they annoyed us too. We've endured Para's and Keet's noise a long time, in my opinion. It just got to be too much though...so they're on their way to a new home. I told you Thom was starting a menagerie. Two birds and a fish at the Scenic house...and the two kitties at the Lake house.

I'm working a few hours on Saturday and all day on Sunday...so I'm getting in some baking while I have the where-withall. Is that the expression? Hope y'all are well and feelin' fine. Would love to hear your weekend plans!