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Berry Pina Colada Cake

August 23, 2010 7 Comments
I don’t know about you, but around here it is still very much the summer season, despite school being back in session, high school football starting this week, and so forth. I laughed today when the weather guy on the radio said, “Much cooler and less humid today. High of 94.” (I know we all long for the days when it’s only 94 degrees outside!)  As you can imagine, a cool treat would really hit the spot about now!

 

I discovered this recipe back in July. Each year my hubby’s family celebrates the 4th of July by having a family reunion, complete with seafood gumbo, fried chicken, potato salad, and of course—dessert!  Today I’m sharing one of the yummies that was served at this year’s event!
Don’t forget to come by here on Thursday and share a fruity dessert with us for Sweet Thursday!

Recipe for Berry Pina Colada Cake:


Ingredients
1 yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 to 1 1/3 cups water (depending on brand you’re using)
1 16 oz. can pineapple juice
1 8 oz. tub whipped topping
1 bag flaked (or frozen) coconut
1 package strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 package blueberries, fresh or frozen

Directions: Mix together cake mix, oil, water, and eggs.  Bake as directed on box. Let cake cool completely. Use a utensil to poke holes in cake. (A wooden spoon, skewer or other round utensil works best.) Then pour your pineapple juice over the entire cake.  Next spread your whipped topping over the cake, and sprinkle your coconut over the top.  Finally arrange your strawberries and blueberries on top of the cake as desire.  Let chill in the fridge. Serve cold.

I’m linking up with some fabulous ladies at these linky parties!

-Jerri

Filed Under: desserts, Recipe of the Week

Friday Favorites – Week 26

August 19, 2010 9 Comments
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Welcome and thanks for stopping by this week! Last week for week 25 we had 60 posts linked up here! Yay!  Thanks for all the great links!
By the way, I had one person who came by to link up and had problems doing so.  Apparantly the problem solved itself because they were able to link up later.  But if anyone did try to link up last week and was turned away, I apologize.  Sometimes these linky things have little glitches.  If anyone has problems in the future I ask you to please try linking up again, and if the problem continues, please let me know via email.
One other quick note or notes.  I just started a new giveaway for an etsy shop called Kinley Lane Designs.  We have a really cute prize, so please check it out!  Also, please help support my blog by visiting my newest sponsors! (Ads in right sidebar!)  And one more thing, if you’re interested my Sweet Thursday Dessert party will be held next week.  Please send in your email submissions by Tuesday or link up a the event starting Wednesday night! Thanks!
Now let’s get the party started!  If you’re featured, please grab my featured button for your blog. And if you’re new here, please join us by linking up a post below!

Tie Dye Cupcakes & Party from Our Life in a Click
Black Bean Brownies from Rockin’ Deals
Eye Spy Bag from The Quiet Crafter

Luby’s Butternut Brownie Pie from Brenda’s Canadian Kitchen

Peanut Buttter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from kathie’s kreations

I’m looking forward to seeing your posts from this week! Link up below! Please link up the actual post you wish to share, instead of your blog so that it’s easy for us to find your post. And please include my button or a link somewhere on your blog so that others may find this party! Thanks!

-Jerri

Filed Under: Friday Favorites

Easy Initial Art

August 19, 2010 4 Comments
I know this project has been going around the blogosphere for a while, but I made this a couple of weeks ago and just had to share, as it goes right along with some upcoming decor posts I’m doing.
And who knows? New ladies are discovering the blogosphere every day, and there may very well be someone here who hasn’t seen this.
I love this initial art idea because it’s easy and quick. (For someone who doesn’t have a lot of patience for a longterm project, this is a real plus!)  And I also love it because this is a great personalized item that you could make for anyone, to match any decor.

What You Need:
a picture frame
scrapbook paper
letter stencil
scissors
pen
Mod Podge
paint brush
(The cat is optional.)

Directions:
Use a stencil and pencil to trace your letter onto the back of a sheet of scrapbook paper. By drawing on the back side of the paper, you can avoid having lines on your letter.  (Just don’t forget to draw the letter backwards, or else when you cut it out, it will come out wrong.)
Next, if necessary, cut your scrapbook paper to size so that it fits in the frame.  Now take your paint brush and brush a little Mod Podge on the make of your letter. (I used the matte kind.) Allow to dry a few minutes.  Then take your paint brush and add a light coat of Mod Podge over the entire piece of scrapbook paper.  (Be careful not to use too much, or your paper will wrinkle.)
After your paper is completely dry, place it in your frame, and you’re done!

I’m linking up at these fabulous linky parties.

-Jerri

Filed Under: crafts, decorating, Home/Garden

Kinley Lane Designs Giveaway

August 17, 2010 78 Comments

I was very excited when Tricia at Kinley Lane Designs contacted me about hosting a giveaway for her shop.
Kinley Lane Designs offers adorable headbands, fashion tops, rings, and more!  Tricia’s style is a classic vintage look with fabric flowers.
The main attraction in her shop is her headbands.  Headbands made in this style are so popular right now.  The headbands are made of high quality, attractive material and come in a variety of colors to match any outfit.  And if you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, Tricia will make a custom design just for you!
And this August, Kinley Lane Designs has a fun promotion, where you can get 10% percent off your next order when you take a photo of yourself in a Kinley Lane Design and add it to their Facebook Fan page!
How to Connect!  
Like Kinley Lane Designs on Facebook.
Read Tricia’s Blog – Kinley Lane Designs.
And Follow Tricia on Twitter @KinleyLane.

Win it! Kinley Lane Designs is offering one Simply Sweet Home reader a  Cotton Candy Love Headband.
This adorable handmade headband is a sweet, classic with a sprinkle of vintage feel. It will be the perfect add on to any hair do and to any outfit. The headband is made to fit an adult and the fabric flowers are attached to an elastic band. And it usually sales for $15.99
Mandatory Entry: To enter, please visit Kinley Lane Designs, and then come back here and tell us an item that you like. Enter by Sept 2.

Extra Entries:
1 for liking Kinley Lane Designs on Facebook.
1 for following Tricia’s blog.
1 for following Tricia on twitter.
2 for subscribing to my email newsletter.

2 for following Simply Sweet Home on Twitter.
1 for becoming a fan of Simply Sweet Home on facebook.
2 for subscribing to my RSS feeds through Feedburner.
1 for following me through blogger’s Google Friend Find.
1 if you have my button on your blog.
1 for writing about this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook.  (Sample Tweet: I want to win a headband from Kinley Lane Designs! http://bit.ly/cPEsg1  @SimplySweetHome @KinleyLane  #giveaway) (Limit one entry per day.)

-Jerri

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for hosting this giveaway.  Giveaway prize is provided by Kinley Lane Designs.

Filed Under: fashion, Giveaways, shopping, Sponsors

Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza with a Twist!

August 16, 2010 11 Comments
It’s over a hundred degrees here and very humid and has been this way now for weeks! It’s been so hot for so long that the grass is brown.   Even our neighbors who ordinarily mow every week (often twice a week….no lie!) and who have the TruGreen guys come out once a month to ensure they have the greenest lawn in the neighborhood……yes, even they have brown grass now!
Needless to say, the last thing I want to do is heat up the house by cooking.  But sometimes it’s just unavoidable. So I’ve been trying to do a lot of stove top meals, and if I do use the oven, I’m trying not to cook anything that takes over 30 minutes to bake.  So pizza is a great option!
Here’s a bacon cheeseburger pizza that I made with a slight twist that I think adults and kids will like.  My only regret was that I didn’t have enough cheese to top it off as I normaly would, but it was still quite tasty. 

Recipe for Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

Ingredients:
1 refrigerated pizza crust.
1 lb hamburger meat
several pieces of bacon, crumbled (or bacon bits)
shredded cheddar cheese
ketchup
mustard
1 small onion, chopped (optional)
1 tomato,chopped or sliced (optional)

Directions:  Brown your hamburger meat and cook bacon in a skillet on the stove. (To save time, I use precooked bacon. Or you can also use bacon bits.)  Drain the fat and set aside.  Roll out your pizza dough on a pizza pan or baking dish.  If you do any prebaking on your pizza crust, do it at this time.  In a small bowl, mix together your ketchup and mustard. (I didn’t measure it out; I just started mixing until I got the consistency and amount I needed.)  Spoon out your ketchup and mustard mixture on to crust. Next chop up your onion and tomato if using, and add all toppings to your pizza as desired. (I like to do a layer of cheese, followed by other toppings, and then another layer of cheese on top.)  Bake pizza as directed on crust package, and serve!

Linking up at these parties.
-Jerri
Filed Under: casseroles and quick meals, Recipe of the Week

Whimsy Couture

August 13, 2010 Leave a Comment
Calling all you crafty domestic goddesses out there!  Whimsy Couture, a fabulous etsy shop, offers easy to use, hand written sewing patterns with step by step instructions and colored pictures.  These patterns are perfect for busy moms to whip in a short time.  And you’ll love the variety of items you can make for your child from the patterns at Whimsy Couture.
Denise is the owner of this etsy shop.  Her style is vintage inspired and whimsical.  Among the items offered in her shop are patterns for dresses, tops, pants, skirts, aprons, bloomers, capes, and more.  She even has pattern for cute appliques for your projects.

Pattern styles include everything from the peasant style, to A-line jumpers, to pillow case tops, strappy tops and items with cute ruffles.  Whimsy Couture even offers you great savings through 3 Packs.

And if you don’t have a small child in your family, you should check out Whimsy Couture’s adorable pet bed patterns for the  4-legged, furry members of your family! So cute!

Check out Whimsy Couture  on etsy and pick up your patterns for these lovely creations and more.  You can also follow Denise through her blog Whimsy Couture and follow  Whimsy Couture on Facebook.

-Jerri
If you’d like to advertise on Simply Sweet Home, please see my PR page. Ad prices start as low as $6/mo.
Filed Under: crafts, shopping, Sponsors

Curtsay Designs

August 12, 2010 Leave a Comment
I’m pleased to introduce you to Curtsay Designs, my newest sponsor and home of adorable crochet hats and gifts.
The artist behind these sweet hats is wife and mom of two boys, Lindsay.  Lindsay started her etsy shop the same way a lot of stay-at-home moms do, “I spend a lot of time taking care of my boys, and wanted to find something that I could do for myself. I started getting creative and I love it. I love to create anything that makes my life as a mom easier and lovelier.”  Curtsay Designs also allows Lindsay to “add a little girlie frill” to her boy filled life, and she’d love to share that girlie frill with you!
Curtsay Designs now features many new items:

~The Curtsay Cloche
~The Curtsay Daisy
~The Curtsay Daisy Mini
~The Fedora
~ & The Newsie

All hats at Curtsay Designs are made with 100% cotton yarn and are made to order to specifically fit your child! The hats are high quality and come in a variety of bright and beautiful colors and many are embellished with the most adorable crochet flowers!

Curtsay Designs also carries several non-children’s items, including dish/bath scrubbies and cute clutch purses like the one below.

Please visit Curtsay Designs today, and pick up a cute hat for your child!  You can also follow Lindsay at her blog The Quiet Crafter.  

-Jerri
If you’d like to advertise on Simply Sweet Home, please see my PR Page for details. Prices start as low as $6/mo! 
Filed Under: crafts, shopping, Sponsors

Friday Favorites – Week 25

August 12, 2010 11 Comments
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Hi everyone! Welcome to week 25 of Friday Favorites.  I’m posting a little early tonight because it looks like it’s going to storm here, and our internet may be out later tonight.  Anyway, I’m pleased to report that last week we had over 50 posts linked up, the most so far!  Thanks for sharing your posts with me and helping to make my first 25 weeks a success!
One more thing before we move on to this week’s party.  I have a new sponsor; it is a pendant and jewelry shop called Rock of Ages.  I would really appreciate it if you would stop by this shop and see all the lovely creations Jeanette at Rock of Ages has to offer! Thanks!
Now onto the party.  If you’re featured this week, please take my featured button for your blog!  And if you’re new here, please join us by linking one (or more) of your favorite posts from this week! 
Rocky Road Cupcakes from AliLilly
Summer Blooms Quilled Frame from Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom

Boy Camp Out Party from Moore Minutes
(LOTS of great ideas in this post!)
Bar Stool Makeover from Mandy’s Creative Corner

Watermelon Lemonade from Lisa’s Recipes Cards
Party time!  I look forward to seeing all the things you’ve been working on this week.  Please link your posts up below.  Don’t forget to include my button or a link back to my blog.  Thanks!

-Jerri

Filed Under: Friday Favorites

Milly the Pinkest Kitten Review & Giveaway

August 10, 2010 106 Comments
I can’t think of anything cuter than kittens, except maybe a PINK kitten!  And what could be cuter than a pink kitten? Milly the Pinkest Kitten!  Milly comes from  Aurora World Inc, the company behind the best selling international toy brand YooHoo & Friends. (You may recall the YooHoo & Friends Giveaway I had earlier this year.)
Ten perfectly pink variations feature Milly as freestanding plush, in dress up or even portable via scented toy pet carriers!

Milly Birthday Girl  is available in two styles, holding either a colorful cupcake or birthday balloon. Milly WannaBes are dressed as a princess, ballerina or fairy.  And Aurora has introduced a line of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry scented carriers. Milly Cupcake Carriers include a removable eight-inch Milly plush animal.

For this review, I received Milly Birthday Girl and a Milly Cupcake Carrier.  Here’s a picture of them:

Aren’t these just adorable?! Each plush kitty cat is very soft and furry, and they’re even a little bit sparkly. They have the cutest little faces, and just like theYooHoo & Friends line, they have the cutest little tails.
Birthday Milly wears an adroable pink dress and wears a shiny Birthday Girl Crown.  My particular Milly carries a birthday cupcake.  And she’s eight inches tall.  I think Milly is just about the cutest stuffed animal I’ve ever seen!  I know I would have been thrilled to have received one of these as a kid for my birthday, and I imagine any girly-girl would love her.  I certainly would give these as a birthday gift myself and would recommend her to any of you who are shopping for birthday gifts as well.
And Milly Cupcake Carrier is just as equally adorable.  This Milly kitten is a little bit smaller than Birthday Girl Milly.  And she comes in her own scented cupcake pet holder.  These come in 3 different scents.  They are chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, and the scent is said to last about 6 months.
The scent of my cupcake carrier is strawberry, and it smells just lovely!  The cupcake carrier is pink, magenta, and white in color.  It’s very soft, shimmery, and features shiny carrying handles.  And the carrier is even topped off with a little red strawberry.  Milly fits in nice and snug and is cute as a button in her cupcake carrier!

Buy it!  You can purchase Milly The Pinkest Kitten online at Aurora World Inc.

Connect! Aurora World on Facebook.

Win it! One Simply Sweet Home reader will win one plush Milly the Pinkest Kitten toy.

Giveaway closed. Congrats to Rachel of The Dalai Mama!

-Jerri
Disclosure: I was not paid to write this review.  For hosting this giveaway, I received two Milly the Pinkest Kitten plush toys from Aurora World.  They will also be providing the winner’s prize.  The opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Filed Under: Giveaways, product review, shopping, Sponsors

Grilled Chicken Florentine (and a Giveaway!)

August 9, 2010 157 Comments

Did you know that  Macaroni Grill  had a new line of Frozen entrees?  They are designed to give you a delicious Italian food experience within the comfort of your own home.
Available in the freezer section of your local grocery store this summer, Macaroni Grill frozen entrées contain delicious authentic Italian flavors inspired by the Macaroni Grill Restaurant you know and love. The four new Macaroni Grill frozen entrées are perfect for quickly and conveniently recreating premium quality meals right in your own kitchen.
The new Macaroni Grill frozen entrées are made with high quality meats, colorful vegetables, distinct pasta and flavorful sauces and come in 4 delicious varieties:
-Grilled Chicken Florentine
-Spicy Italian Sausage Pomodoro
-Roasted Garlic Shrimp Scampi
-Basil Parmesan Chicken

I recently had the opportunity to try the Macaroni Grill Frozen Entree in Grilled Chicken Florentine.  I was very excited to try this because Chicken Florentine is one of my favorite pasta dishes (second only to alfredo).  Before I even opened the package, I was immediately impressed by this product because I found this was something I could make in less than 20 minutes on the stove top.  Furthermore, the only additional ingredient I would need was a little milk.

For anyone who’s ever been pressed for time or found themselves having to make dinner at the last minute (and I daresay, that’s probably all of us), you know how convenient it is to have something like this on hand!

The entree features Grilled White Meat Chicken, Spinach with Farfalle Pasta, and a Creamy Parmesan Cheese and Garlic Sauce.  Upon cooking this meal, I was very impressed by the quality of the ingredients, including the chunks of spinach (as opposed to tiny specks).  And I was very impressed by the overall flavor of this dish, especially the taste of the cream sauce.  Furthermore, my husband, who seems to be the authority on taste in our house, was very impressed by the meal, and he concluded that he’d definitely like to eat it again in the future.
Finally, the size of the entree was just perfect for the two of us. Obviously, most of my readers have children and would need food for more than two people, but I figure you can always buy more than one package if you need it. Right?  And then again, I think if you served everyone a salad and bread to go with this, you could possibly stretch it out to feed 3 or 4.
Overall I’d recommend this product to anyone who loves Italian food and is looking for a new quick and convenient meal to make at home.

Buy it! If you’d like to try Macaroni Grill’s new frozen entrees, they are now available in the freezer section of your local grocery store.  Go to Macaroni Grill at Home to print out a coupon for $1.50 off.
Connect! Follow Macaroni Grill on Twitter. Or check them out on Macaroni Grill on Facebook.
Win it!  One Simply Sweet Home reader will win a prize pack which includes one of the new Macaroni Grill Frozen Entrees, a pasta dish, and tongs. 
Giveaway Closed. Congrats to Jenn at Just Getting Started!

-Jerri

Disclosure: Information, frozen sample, prize pack and giveaway have all been provided by Macaroni Grill through  MyBlogSpark. The opinions in this post are mine.

Filed Under: casseroles and quick meals, Giveaways, Sponsors
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