Jerri at Simply Sweet Home

Friday Favorites – Week 148 – Featuring Blog Planners

January 3, 2013 10 Comments

Happy New Year everyone! Friday Favorites is back after a little holiday break! Today apart from linking up your current projects and recipes, I’d love to invite you to link up your favorite posts or favorite post round-ups of 2012. I always enjoy looking back at everything I did over the course of the year. It’s also fun to see which posts got the most hits, comments, etc!

I have to apologize that there are no features for today’s party. After doing a little research, I learned that the latest version of WordPress is currently experiencing some problems; that is, it is deleting some script codes such as the Linky Tools code when you schedule your posts ahead of time. For this reason, last week’s party didn’t not include the linky, and I was out all day and didn’t realize the mistake till it was too late. Oops!

But to make it up for it, I’m re-sharing these fun, printable blog planners that I shared last year. If you’re hope to get more organized with your blogging 2013, these will certainly help! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Friday Favorites, organizing, planning Tagged With: calendars

How to Freshen Your Walls with Frames from Picture Frame Guys

January 1, 2013 1 Comment

As you get ready organize and decorate your home in this new year, you can instantly create new looks in any room just by updating your family photos and picture frames. Picture Frame Guys has premier frames in a variety of types and colors, as well as other supplies. And their site is also a great resource of information on the materials and process of framing.

Even First Time Buyers will find it easy to place their orders, by following their four easy steps: Frame, Mat, Mounting Board and Glass.

When choosing your frame, you get to pick between the traditional wooden frame and a more contemporary metal frame.

Next you will choose your matting. The primary purpose is to put an air space between the glass and the artwork so that the two do not stick to each other over time. A secondary purpose of matting is to create a border between the frame and the artwork, thereby drawing the viewers eye inward, towards the piece. For matting, you will need to choose the grade of matting you would like, as well as the number of layers, and the color(s).

Next you will choose your mounting board, and finally you will choose your glazing. You can choose standard, anti-glare, ultra violet reducing glazing.

The perfect frame and matting will really give your artwork and family photos something extra and make them really pop!

For more information on framing and the products at Picture Frame Guys check out their FAQ.

Filed Under: decorating Tagged With: DIY, home decor, picture frames

12 Favorite Recipes from 2012

December 31, 2012 4 Comments

As one year draws to a close and another begins, I always like to look back on my posts for the year and share some of them with you. Today I’ve got 12 Favorite Recipes from 2012. Not surprisingly most of them are desserts! haha! Happy New Year to everyone! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Best Posts, breads and sides, casseroles and quick meals, cookies and candy, cupcakes, desserts, recipes

Mighty Mug Review

December 28, 2012 1 Comment

It’s cold outside! As you warm up with a nice cup of hot chocolate or your favorite coffee, pour it up in a Mighty Mug. What makes the Mighty Mug unique is its patented Smartgrip Technology which allows Mighty to resist tipping over and spilling that cup of coffee all over your pants (or even worse your computer). [Read more…]

Filed Under: product review

Merry Christmas from Simply Sweet Home

December 24, 2012 Leave a Comment

I want to take a moment to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for all your support this year! I wish you all the best of luck and happiness in 2013!

Filed Under: announcements

Cheesecake Puppy Chow

December 23, 2012 5 Comments

It’s time for one more last minute holiday treat! I’m sure you’ve seen or heard of Puppy Chow. Well, today I’ve got some Cheesecake Puppy Chow for you! It only takes 4 ingredients, and you can make it up in minutes, so it’s perfect for a little Christmas Eve snacking or for that New Year’s party that is just around the corner!

I’m sure everyone has had puppy chows or muddies during the holiday season. Today I’ve got a fun and sweet new take on this recipe to share with you: Cheesecake Puppy Chow.

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I’m linking up at Tidy Mom and these parties.

Filed Under: Christmas, cookies and candy, desserts, party ideas, Recipe of the Week Tagged With: gift ideas

The Gift of Whirley Pop

December 23, 2012 1 Comment

If you are looking for a last minute gift idea for the home cook who has everything, consider giving them a Whirley Pop popcorn popper. Everyone loves popcorn, right? And they will especially love some freshly popped popcorn for movie nights. With the Whirley Pop popcorn popper, movie nights are even more fun!

The Whirley Pop is a hand-cranked stove top popcorn popping. And it is also fast and easy to use:

1. First time use: Season the Pan
2. Once you are ready to pop, add 1/2 Cup Popping Corn and 1-3 T Popping Oil into the Whirley Pop
3. Place Whirley Pop on burner and set heat to Medium – Medium High
4. Hold the wooden handle with one hand, and slowly turn the crank with the other. Continue stirring for about 3 minutes or until you only hear an occasional pop or the crank becomes difficult to turn.

To make movie nights and parties even more fun Whirley Pop also sells fun supplies like popcorn bags and tubs. And when it comes time to party or just snack around, you don’t have to stick to the buttered popcorn, because they offer the supplies you will need to make all sorts of flavored popcorns with your machine. Their flavors include chocolate, caramel, red cinnamon, blue raspberry, grape, and cherry pink.

And for even more fun gift ideas and movie fun, Whirley Pop offers all kinds of party packages, which include a variety items like popcorn making supplies, seasoning, popcorn bowls, snack trays, movie size candies, and more!

After Christmas you can also check out Whirley Pop for birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, and corporate gifts.

Filed Under: appetizers and snacks Tagged With: cooking, gift ideas, kitchen

Friday Favorites – Week 147

December 20, 2012 5 Comments

POST UPDATE – If you came by to link up for Friday Favorites and didn’t see the linky, I apologize. I scheduled the post, and assumed it went off without a hitch. For some reason, the code I pasted in seemed to have disappeared. When I checked the post, there was only an opening and closing tag for the linky. Weird!! Anyway—should anyone come by and still like to link up, it should be here now! haha!

Hi Ladies! Welcome to Friday Favorites! Can you believe it’s only a few days till Christmas? Yay!

If you’re in need of any last minute holiday snack ideas, I’m sharing a sweet and easy treat, Cheesecake Puppy Chow, on Friday over at Amber’s blog, SaltTree. You can also find several recipes from guest bloggers as well as my own recipes here on my blog, and of course, check out all the yummy things being linked up at my Christmas Treats Party.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Christmas, drinks, Friday Favorites, recipes

Guest Post: Lemon Ginger Biscotti from Tanya at Lemons for Lulu

December 20, 2012 Leave a Comment

Today I’m pleased to present another Christmas treat guest post. This one is from Tanya at Lemons for Lulu, and she will be sharing her scrumptious looking Lemon Ginger Biscotti! Everyone please welcome Tanya!

I’m so excited to be here today! Thank you Jerri for having me. My name is Tanya and I blog over at Lemons for Lulu. I’ve been blogging since March. I started out sharing all sort of recipes, but realized my true passion is dessert! The truth is, I can’t live without my sweets! Here’s one of my latest creations. Lemon Ginger Biscotti.

I love gingerbread! Ginger is one of my favorite flavors, it is the quintessential spice of Christmas! I find it pairs beautifully with lemon. The smell of these biscotti baking in the oven was absolutely amazing! It was warm, cozy and mouth-watering!

Biscotti is an easy cookie to make, but it does take a little time, as it is twice baked. I love giving biscotti as gifts this time of year! I hope you enjoy this lemon ginger biscotti as much as I did! Happy Holidays!

Lemon Ginger Biscotti

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1 whole, large lemon, zested

2 eggs

3 tablespoons molasses

2 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon crystallized ginger, chopped (adjust amount to taste)

1/2 lb white chocolate, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a large bowl. Beat on medium speed until blended. Add in eggs and molasses, mixing well. Blend in lemon zest. With mixer on low, carefully add in flour and baking powder beating until well blended and dough starts to come together. Mix in crystallized ginger.

Shape dough into a long log, (the length of your baking sheet, or divide into two logs) onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until golden brown and slightly cracked. Remove from oven and let stand on baking sheet for 15 minutes.

Reduce oven to 325. With a serrated knife, slice log into 1/2 inch slices and place on baking sheet, cut side down. Bake for an additional 9 minutes. Turn cookies over and bake another 5 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Melt chocolate in microwave. Drizzle chocolate over cookies. Let cookies stand so that chocolate can set. Store in an air tight container.

Thanks so much for being here today Tanya! Everyone be sure to visit Tanya’s blog Lemons for Lulu.

I’m linking up at Tidy Mom and these parties.

Filed Under: Christmas, cookies and candy, desserts

Febreze Holiday Collection Review with Giveaway

December 18, 2012 24 Comments

After the tree is trimmed, the halls are decked, and Christmas dinner cooked, we all like to do our last minute clean ups and touch ups around the house before the guests arrive. Febreze makes it easy for you to freshen your home with the Febreze Holiday Collection.

There are six great holiday scents available:

Apple Spice & Delight: The warming scent of fresh-baked apples coated with sweet cinnamon (available only online)
Cozy Vanilla Sugar: Sweet as notes of vanilla that comfort you like a cocoon of blankets
Cranberries and Frost: Rich as ripe cranberries and frost on a white winter’s day
Glistening Alpine: As soothing as a tree-lined mountainside glistening with the scent of pine
Winter Magic & Glow: Crisp as sunshine-lit icicles in fresh, frosty air
Holiday Bloom & Cheer: As cheerful as a chorus of holiday aromas blended with winter blossoms

The Febreze Holiday Collection is available in the form of candles, spray, air freshener, car vent clips, fabric refresher spray, and Noticeables scented oil.

I received a review pack of the Cozy Vanilla Sugar. My favorite product is the Noticeables scented oil. Like other Noticeables products, it is dual scented. The two scents are Cozy Vanilla and Vanilla Bean. Both of these are very sweet smelling. They fill the room with a lovely fragrance without being overwhelming, and since I started using the product I’ve gotten compliments on how nice it smells in the house.

I also received Febreze spray in the Cozy Vanilla Sugar. It smells very nice, and I think it’s a great product to spray just before company comes over.

And I also received a candle. I don’t burn candles a lot, because of the cats, but I do like to set them out. Right now I’ve got the Cozy Vanilla Sugar candle on a sidetable right by my front door, so you get a slight hint of vanilla right when you walk in, which is very nice.

I’m really enjoying these products, and I think they’d be of great use to you this holiday season!

You can shop for the Febreze Holiday Collection in stores or online at Walmart.com, where you’ll also find decorating tips from design expert Candice Olson.

And you also connect with Febreze on Facebook and Twitter.

Giveaway: One Simply Sweet Home reader will win a $10 Febreze Coupon Booklet and a $15 Visa Gift Card.

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The information, review products, and prize pack have been provided by Febreze. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Christmas, cleaning, decorating Tagged With: air freshener, Febreze