Spoonful of Comfort ~ product review

* I received a complimentary gift package of Spoonful of Comfort for my review. 

I have not received compensation for this post. *

I've always heard about Spoonful of Comfort. Always thought it sounded amazing. Maybe even went so far as to wish someone would send it to me. /fine - no maybe - I have!/

I've sent it to a friend before and she loved it. Said it was an incredible surprise and an amazing relief for her to have dinner for her and her husband. I was glad. And still intrigued. Would it be weird to send it to myself? 

Yay! Thanks for being you! Love, Me?

And so when the Spoonful of Comfort team contacted me about possibly reviewing their product, I was all in. Yes, please, when can I try it? 

Within no time at all I had this beautifully organized package of goodies at my door. 

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I scream, you scream, we all scream ...

For SNOW CREAM?

What?

If you're a fairly new southern girl like I am (what? Almost 8 years is still fairly new!) you're probably wondering what in the heck snow cream actually IS.

I know I was.

Have been for years.

We really don't get THAT much snow down here. Not usually. But this winter is total #snowmaggedon aka #snowpocalypse or something like that. Seriously.

So, what's a mom to do?

You guessed it. Make her child (and herself, come on, it's GOOD) really happy with this snowy and surprising treat.

Snow Cream 101 coming right up!

I've tried making it two different ways. The first one comes out like vanilla ice cream.

Honest.

Get yourself a can of sweetened condensed milk and some vanilla extract.

Wait for your bowl to fill up with fresh snow.

I think I forgot a step. Obviously, you need snow to make snow cream.

So get yourself a bowl, a mixing bowl works great for this. Put it outside - away from where your dogs - and possibly kids - can reach. Collect away!

Recipe #1

Step 1. Freshly powdered snow fills up the bowl.
 * Don't forget - you might need to move your snow into a bigger mixing bowl (I have this set of mixing bowls and they're perfect. They've also lasted for YEARS!) otherwise you'll find yourself cleaning snow up off the counter or quite possibly the floor. Unless you have dogs. They'll take care of it for you.

Step 2. Mix in a can of sweetened condensed milk (and vanilla extract, use a splash or two, that stuff is powerful!).

Step 3. Eat and enjoy!

Note for Step 2. You're going to have to mix it pretty hard. Get all that snow in there. It's going to be a workout, so you can skip the gym today. You're welcome.

Recipe #2. 

Step 1. Collect yourself a beautiful bowl of snow.

Step 2. Add 1c sugar, 1c milk (I used skim) and a few splashes of vanilla.
 * psst. You might need to move your snow into a bigger mixing bowl. Leave room for movement!

Step 3. Get your child to do the work this time. Mix it up really well.
 * Note: You MAY need to add more snow, depending on how much milk you've added. We had to.

Step 4. Add some chocolate chips. It's instant vanilla chip ices.
 * It's a little slushier than Recipe #1, which is more of an ice cream consistency. Using milk/sugar instead of the sweetened condensed milk definitely affects the flavor and texture, but will still do in a pinch.

So, there you have it. If I can do it, you can totally do it, too.

It's seriously so easy and really quite yum.

Let me know if you've tried these recipes or any other for your snow cream. I'm sure adding some whipped cream or sprinkles would rock. As would chocolate sauce. I've added some to my daughter's hot chocolate this morning, and my coffee, too. It cooled them down, but tasted really good.

Enjoy!

p.s. There are links throughout this post to make your shopping easier for you - if you use them I'll make a few pennies towards my next Amazon purchase! Thanks. 

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Wordless Wednesday: Dessert Heaven

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Holiday Baking: Episode 1

I first posted this on TriangleMommies' blog last week - so forgive the outdated references to the cookie swap I attended last weekend. I'm just re-posting for my readers and am too lazy to edit!

I love this time of the year. I love the holidays, the chill in the air. The family time.

I love not traveling. I have to admit that I miss my family terribly. I miss Christmas morning with my nieces and nephew. I miss Chanukah candles lit in my parents' kitchen. But I love staying home. Call me a homebody. I don't care!

And yesterday I prepped for cookie swapping. This is something I had never heard of prior to moving to North Carolina. I assume it has spread to my home-city by now, but it never hit me before here. I was way pregnant, and ready to rock. My daughter was born in early February, 2007. This was December, 2006.

I needed my husband's help. I enjoyed baking, but never did anything besides follow the info on the package. What else was there to do? Cookies from scratch? Ha!

So the husband helped me come up with a way to create a cookie that was more fun. I grabbed several rolls of store-bought ready to make cookie dough. Peanut butter flavor. And I bought a whole truckload of Hershey's kisses. Do you see where I am going here? Peanut butter blossoms. The old standard. Funny thing was there was another pregnant lady at the cookie swap that year - and she made the same danged cookie. Only her dough was from scratch. Well - lah - di - dah. I kid, I kid. I am on my way to becoming that lady! At least mine had a variety of kiss flavors. Ever try their cherry kind? Or their minty one? Or whatever else I used? It was so yum. And it wasn't easy. I am sure I have a picture somewhere with the loads of cookies I made that night. And it was fun!

Since then I have gone to many a cookie swap. I've gone through many a cookie making phase. I did Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey whatever they're called cookies one year. I used devil's food cake mix, and spice cake mix. Don't worry - not together! I felt so accomplished in that I brought a variety of cookies. Two kinds. Of course someone made crackle or crinkle cookies, so mine looked similar, but tasted different. I love them both. I'm an equal opportunity cookie taster.

The following year I think I tried to make like four different kinds of cookies. I went a bit too far, as I can barely recall what kinds I made. Last year we were stuck in Oreo Cookie Ball mode. Seriously. Even my husband was addicted. They're something else. If you have never tried them or made them I suggest you google them. Or click my link. I even have a Mike Rowe picture there for you. Go on, you know you want to! Anyway - I tried them in loads of different flavors and they each rocked. Yum. Though I didn't especially love the ones with the candy cane pieces on them. Kind of threw the flavor for a loop a bit.

This year I haven't 100% decided which type of cookie I am making for the swap I am attending this [which was really last] weekend. But I have already made snowballs (thanks, blueviolet!) snickerdoodles (I definitely put too much vanilla in there, but my husband was happy with that slight error) and pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips. I have another kind I am planning to attempt today or tomorrow, and will see from there what my cookie adventures bring. I'm quite adventurous this year thanks to Pinterest. Check out my boards here.

What about you? Do you like to bake? Do you go overboard on the cookies this time of year? Or just kind of go with the flow and eat what other people make for you? I obviously enjoy sweets, and I enjoy making them even more. Don't even get me started on the egg nog pound cake I made for my husband this week. Whoops! It's not a cookie but it has to count.

Happy baking, eating and holidays!

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Wordless Wednesday ... Trick Or Treat in Disney World!

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Wordless Wednesday ... Asheville

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Nutella: It's what's for breakfast!

Major bummer that my plans for a Nutella Party playdate a week or so ago fell apart since almost everyone that was supposed to come was sick. The flu, the weather, teething and a crazy long drive kept people away from my house full of Nutella goodies.

I truly wanted to throw a fun party for the mamas that participate in my local mom site, and are in the PPD support forum with me. I was totally ready, as Mommy Parties completely stocked me up. BIG time. Nutella is a little dose of heaven, and so I thought if anyone deserved it these ladies did.

But, alas, it was not meant to be. So instead I am handing out goodies to my friends and waiting to celebrate at another date. I know this kind of breaks the Mommy Parties rule, but I am still talking about my party - even though it fell flat.

I am SO in love with Nutella I could cry. Seriously. And can you imagine that they sent me a huge jar, like a jumbo sized one, which you can probably get at BJs or somewhere like that - AND - ready for this? I have not yet eaten the entire jar. Yay for me!

It's so huge, it's almost ominous. I would feel awful if I ate it all by myself, so I just treat myself to a little bit now and then. Yum. Pure heaven.

If you have not ever tried Nutella you really must. They sent me some teeny-tiny samples that are so cute, and some coupons for me to pass on to my friends. Along with a travel mug, and a special Nutella spreading knife. Safe enough for your kids to use. But who am I kidding? As if you'd really share your Nutella with your kids! HA!

I'm a little bit lazy right now, but maybe I'll even do a giveaway and surprise someone who comments on this post with a Nutella prize pack. What do you think? (It may take me 100 years to get to the post office, but if you're okay with waiting, I'm okay with picking you!)

Anyway - I decided that since a bunch of people weren't coming and bringing their yummy waffles and graham crackers that I would make my own attempt at incorporating Nutella into something breakfasty. And so I began.

I started with a box of Pillsbury Pumpkin bread mix. (Another dose of heaven right there!) And made my batter as per the directions on the back of the box (they give you muffin instructions, which is how I almost always make mine). And then I separated the batter, just about halved it. Well, that's kind of a lie, as what I really did was make a batch of a dozen muffins BEFORE adding the Nutella to the mix. And then I took the rest of the batter and added a whole bunch of swirls of Nutella in there. It looked really realllllly good.

And when they were baking they smelled delicious. Only I am sad to say that when I tasted them they were not Nutella-y enough for me. Maybe I needed more. Maybe I just am so used to tasting it straight off the spoon? **Guilty!** Maybe maybe maybe. Either way, I am definitely going to give Nutella a try with other baking recipes down the line. We'll see how they turn out.

Some of my favorite ways to eat Nutella:

- Off the spoon. Yes. I'm serious.
- In a tortilla. Preferably flour. Sometimes warmed up in the microwave.
- In S'mores. Graham crackers, marshmallows and a scoop of Nutella, pop in the microwave and melt. Have I mentioned the word heaven yet?
- On frozen waffles. Perfection. Especially when they're slightly warm. It melts a bit. Oozes a bit. And it's perfect. Yum.

Anyway, if I haven't sold you yet you'll want a reason to try it, I'm sure. And the Nutella website has a giveaway where they will send their winner a CASE of this incredible treat. Check it out here for more details.

And in case you couldn't tell by now ...
**I was not compensated in any way for this post. All opinions in this review of the product are entirely my own. I <3 Nutella and thank Mommy Parties for providing me with the materials to host a fun Nutella Party ... even if mine did kind of fall flat!**

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Review: Bundt Pan from CSN Stores

So prior to the new year I had an opportunity to review some products from CSN stores.

I was really excited, and if you have never shopped at their online stores, you're truly missing out. There are so many options that it's practically impossible to not find what you're looking for.

This was the case for me, as well.

I began my *shopping trip* with a focus on kitchen supplies, specifically bakeware. If you follow me on Twitter at all you already know that this holiday season had me in the mood for baked goodies. Or non-baked goodies. Whichever suits your sweet tooth!

Anyway, I have always had a fascination with bundt pans. Seriously. I'm so serious that I posted a thread on my local mommies' group for support and advice prior to choosing the perfect pan. I was pretty sure I was going with Nordicware (which is completely not related to Nordic Trac, in case you were wondering) as they appeared to be the best of the best. I was not sure if I should opt for the 6-cup, the 12-cup, or the anniversary edition pan. As it was, if I'm being 100% honest with you peeps, I totally opened the box when it arrived and was shocked. I knew I got the 12-cup one, but totally thought I ordered the silicon pan. Duh. Guess what? I didn't. No biggie - I am absolutely in love with this pan. I've used it twice already just because.

I made carrot cake (from a box mix) into bread in this thing, and made almond loaf cake from Tastefully Simple taste like it was from scratch. It could be because of the almond slivers I tossed on top, or maybe, just maybe, it was this incredible pan.

With the discount code I received from CSN Stores, I also purchased another product, but that review is on hold for the time being. I bought a single-serve blender type thing, and it worked really well the first time, but not so great the second and third, so I'm reserving complete judgment until I have tried it out a few more times.

In the meantime, check out this pan (image from CSN website) and it's shiny beauty. And get yourself one if you want to feel fancy like me!


** I was not compensated in any way for this review. I was given a coupon code for $ to purchase an item (or two) of my choice to facilitate this review, but the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.**

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'Twas the Morning of Christmas Eve Day

With Mommy in the kitchen and Daddy at the lap (top),
The child settled in with a yelp and a clap!

What are you doing? she asked, sly as a fox.
Making pumpkin muffins, straight out of the box!

A box, you question, your eyes full of fright.
But the taste and the flavor was exceptionally light.

Muffins for breakfast, not one, two, but three.
Can we leave one for Santa when he comes to our tree?

For Santa? A muffin? Really? I said.
But of course, said the child, digging into the bread.

And cookies, too, with gingerbread lumps.
That we decorated yesterday, with fresh icing bumps.

Can we make more today? asked the child with glee.
But of course we can, honey, said the quite tired me.

And the errands we ran, as the morning progressed,
Then we came home to eat and to get a little rest.

And Daddy ran out, back to the store,
For stockings must be stuffed and that we can't ignore.

For tonight is Christmas Eve, and with the blessing of being a Jew
Daddy is in charge, not me and not you!

Of course somehow I end up being gift wrapper extraordinaire.
And shopper, and baker, and whatever I dare.

To myself I count the hours til you crawl into bed,
With visions of Santa Claus dancing in your head.
And I'll say to myself, Hey, what do you think?
And my answer shall be - my G-d, I need a drink!

So to all out there celebrating Christmas today,
Where the parents play Santa and kids hide away,
I suggest you pretend to hear Santa's sled,
So that your children shall hurry to bed,

And then as their eyes roll into their heads,
You can break into your own stash of cookies and bread!

And once you do that, well, what else do you think?
You should all pour YOURSELVES something to drink!

Cheers to all and a Merry Christmas!

And yadda yadda yadda ...

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Share a Spoon: Bobbing for Apple ... sauce?

Hey, peeps! What's cookin' good lookin'?

So today over at Think Tank Momma it's SAS, and I am so excited to have been the prompt of the theme for Share a Spoon this week!

I'm slack, though, as I don't have pictures of my recipe, as, well, I've been lazy, and I was going to make it yesterday, because I love it and lived off it last year, and, well, we ordered Papa John's instead. Oops.

Anyway, here's a yummy recipe for you all, it includes apples ... in the form of applesauce, but I promise you'll love it anyway, AND, if you REALLY want to go all out, well, you can make your own applesauce. And if you do, let me know how that goes for you. Because, well, this lazy mom ain't up for that these days.

This is my addiction:

2 lbs (6 medium sized, but fewer large ones work) of sweet potatoes
1-1/2 c applesauce [or cube up a couple of fresh apples]
2/3 c brown sugar
3 tbsp butter - melted
1 tsp cinnamon
top w. chopped nuts (optional!)

Peel sweet potatoes if you want (I did) and slice/cube. I used two HUGE potatoes, instead of so many small ones. Put potatoes in the CP. Combine all other ingredients (except nuts) in a bowl, pour over potatoes. Cook on Low for 6-8 hrs. Mash potatoes together or serve as is, w. "sauce" on top.

I actually mixed the sauce into the potatoes and let them cook that way. So yum! Oh, and I omitted the butter the second time I made them and they were just as good, so I feel a little healthier eating all of this than I did the days before. And yes, I do mean days, because when I make this, I'm almost always the only one eating it, and it becomes my side dish, my lunch the next day, my side dish again, and so on until it's all gone. So you get why I'm trying to reduce the butter aspect, right?

I have had friends make this and tell me with the fresh apples it's divine. Even if you don't peel them. I've had other friends say they added marshmallows on top at the end (oooh) and others still say they added nutmeg and ginger (I'm not a huge fan, so I don't) and turn it into a crumble on top. Whatever your pleasure, it's quite a delight!

OK, so now I have to go and make this. But it's after 1PM, and it probably won't be done in time for tonight. Sigh -- what to do -- what to do? I'll figure something out, I'm sure. But for the rest of you ... Enjoy!

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Wordless Wednesday!

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Go find me ...

I guest-posted today (Monday) over at Musings of a Mommie, so go and find me there and say hi to her while you're at it!

Pretty please with sugar on top, and whipped cream and sprinkles and a cherry?

Damn, now I have to go have some ice cream before bed. It figures ...

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Muffin Tin Monday!

Join Michelle by clicking the button above to find out all about Muffin Tin Monday!

Here's ours from Saturday (ssh!):




Chicken fingers, ranch dressing, french fries and apples. Along with a Fruitables drink box (which it took her 2 days to finish!)

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Strawberry Pickin' Recap ... in pictures!

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Fill in the Blank Friday

The movie I could watch over and over again is _______.

DIRTY DANCING.

I should change that sentence to say, the movie I HAVE WATCHED over and over again is Dirty Dancing! I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have seen it, but it's got to be closing in on (if not over by now) 100. My favorite line in the movie may be unexpected, but if you're a true fan, you'll know it:

"I carried a watermelon."

It's quite possibly the funniest line of the entire thing.

Never mind the fact that I love Patrick Swayze (may he rest in peace) so much, and have since then, and probably long before then, as well. And that Johnny Castle is every girl's dream man. Hot, bad boy, really a good boy, the guy you meet on your summer vacation and learn from. Did I mention how hot he is? I did? Oh, good. I thought you missed it.

Ah, Johnny. To have met a man like you when vacationing in the Catskills with my family. Although I would have been wayyyyy too young at the time, and it wouldn't have been as wonderful as it was for Baby. And you would have gone to jail, and, uh, well, let's just leave all of this in my dream world, shall we?

Fill in the blank Friday is a meme over at The (Un)Experienced Mom. Click her button below to check her out!

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Muffin Tin Monday!

We used our new muffin tin for this week's MTM. Very exciting! Michelle's theme for this week was People and Faces, so I took the easy way out and made another snack tin.

I know she's enjoying this more than it seems ...

Pensive Face!

The first two Stars were filled with Cars Teddy Grahams

Another unusual expression ...

The next two stars were Goldfish crackers, and the final two are Smiley Faced fruit chews and her "Monkey Milk," which is a Danimals strawberry yogurt drink. The monkey has a face, so that counts!
(btw: she took this picture by herself!)

Her final odd expression ...
I think she had enough of my picture taking and just wanted to EAT! Honestly, can you just see her teenage expression looking over at me?
M-OhOh-MMM! (insert eye-roll here!)

If you want to join us in MTM next week, check out Her Cup Overfloweth for more info on MTM! The more the merrier!

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Things that make me happy

In no particular order ...

* Ice cream
* Sleep
* Laughter
* Music
* Chocolate
* A massage
* A really good book
* A chick-flick
* Quality time with my friends
* A crisp, cool glass of white wine
* Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
* The numbers on my scale going down
* Holding hands with my hubby
* Listening to my daughter play by herself
* My dog and my cats (most of the time!)
* Spending time with family
* A steal of a deal
* Sweet dreams

What makes YOU happy?

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Muffin Tin Monday!

So, today's Muffin Tin Monday theme is *Planes, Trains and Automobiles!* And although I am not even remotely as creative as the other participating mommies in today's event, I tried! And she's still eating, so that has to mean something, right?


So the first thing she did was take all of the muffin tins and remove them from their vehicles. Then she started eating a little bit, then proceeded to play a bit, and then put everything back to where it was when the meal started. Uhm, okay! Whatever you want, it's your fun meal, and if Mommy lets you have your toys on the table during lunch, well, you should go for it!

The firetruck held a tin of spiral noodles, the airplane held some french fries, the actual tin help a hot dog dressed up as a boat (not so well, but hey, I tried!) and there were goldfish swimming around it! And a lone string cheese in one of the vehicles nearby, just because!

And some of my images seem a little blurry today, at first I thought it was the viewfinder of the camera, but then I realized it was Miss Sticky-fingers, who likes to take her own pictures. I think she must have touched the lens!


Oh, and don't let me forget her "Sheep in a JEEP" book! We'll read that later!

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Muffin Tin Monday!

Another Muffin Tin Monday! This week's theme is a party theme, so we opted for our usual (boring, I know) aluminum foil tin and our newly opened tea party set. This was one of her holiday gifts, but we just opened it the other day (I'm good like that!)

So we had a tea party with Tasha and Uniqua from The Backyardigans, and lots of yummy snacks. Mini Oreos, Mini Chips A'hoy Chocolate Chip cookies and Disney Princess fruit chews.

And the most exciting thing ever ... Goldfish makes S'mores bags! Grahams, Chocolate Grahams and mini marshmallow fish! So fun! She ate the fruit chews first, then the Goldfish, and the Oreos. Mommy ate the other cookies, and I'm not even ashamed to say so!

Doesn't she look so thrilled in this one?

Head on over to see Michelle for more MTM posts and to join in the fun! Oh, and if you DO participate, can you tell me where you find all of the cute MTM supplies out there? 'Cause obviously, I'm lacking!

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Wordless Wednesday!

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