Once in a Blue Moon Giveaway

One of my lucky readers can win a copy of Eileen Goudge's Once In a Blue Moon and a copy of Eileen Goudge's best seller Woman in Red. All you need to do is leave me a comment here. Tell me, what's the best book you've read recently? Why do you think it's the best? I'm still trying to muddle my way through the 52 Books Challenge, so I am all ears!

Winner will be chosen at random on October 26, so Comment!

Good Luck!

UPDATE: Contest is now Closed.  Congratulations to Kristin on her win!

TableSpoon.com Giveaway!

I was recently introduced to TableSpoon.com by Betty Crocker and MyBlogSpark. Cool site! Although it is new, there are tons of great recipes there...and as soon as I have 5 minutes to spare, I intend to upload some of MINE! Is there anything that I have made that you think belongs there? Any favorites? Let me know! Until then...

When you visit Tablespoon.com, you can:

• View more than 25,000 of the best recipes on the web


• Share recipes easily on places like Facebook and Twitter
  

When you join Tablespoon.com, you can:

• Add your own recipe creations


• Create your own version of existing recipes that suit your taste.


• Save up to $80 every month with printable coupons from brands you love Rate, comment, and save the recipes you try

Now, I wouldn't just ask you to visit TableSpoon without a little incentive, would I? Naaahhh. I have a Prize Pack! One reader will be chosen at random to win:

• 2 nice potholders (they are thick!)


• a metal measuring cup (sturdy!)


• Cute little metal measuring spoons (one can NEVER have too many!)

Just hit your BACK button and leave me a comment on the post that brought you here. That's all! (Of course, I would love to know which of my recipes you'd like to see on Tablespoon, but you can comment whatever you want!) Good luck!

Because Sometimes You're Just Too Tired

Like today. Today started entirely too many hours ago. Actually, today started yesterday. Many of you know that I have a little store. Not a food store, a novelty store of sorts. And yesterday at 8 am, I set off to Tennessee to an auction house to see about stocking it again with candy and other goodies. After buying the candy, the auction started at 1 pm, and our truck was finally finished loading a bit after 12 midnite. I crawled into bed with a fussy Seven at around 4, only to be awakened by the doorbell at 7or so. After that, it was off to unload the trailer of merchandise. I did get a nap in this afternoon, but nothing good. So now I’m dragging. Luckily, my grandmother made dinner and I didn't have to feed Seven and myself. But, if I had needed to, tonight would have been the ideal night for a frozen dinner.

A couple of weeks ago, i was sent a sample of the new Wanchai Ferry Frozen Meals. I had the Orange Chicken variety, which is one of my favorite take-out flavors. Normally, I’m no into frozen bag meals, but this one was really very good! I also think that at around $6.99 a bag, you are getting a great deal. That’s $3.50 per person – about a third of what you would have to pay for Chinese takeout. Best part – it was quick. Start to finish in under 15 minutes...and uses only ONE pot. Nice.

Thanks to the folks at Wanchai Ferry and My Blog Spark, I have the opportunity to set you up – one lucky DoughMessTic Reader will win a Wanchai Ferry "Stay-At-Home" prize pack that includes 2 free coupons as well as some great Asian inspired rice bowls, chopsticks and bamboo placemats. I love my set! Foodies Bloggers? This little gift pack will give you some props for your Asian Food Photos – how cool is that? All you need to do to win is leave me a comment here. Simple as that. Just tell me – if you resort to making a frozen dinner, what do YOU make? Have a favorite brand? A go-to stress reliever in a bag? Won’t you share it with this really, really tired Mom?

Until a winner is chosen at Random on September 25, there is a $1.50 off coupon available at www.wanchaiferry.com – money in your pocket! Use it!

Competition Cake

Pardon the horrible quality...it was taken with my iPhone as I left the house this morning. It's only about half done, I am putting wire on top (someone advise on how to do this - you know, with stars, I'm new to this)
I also intend to put furry icing around the edges of the cube. Like Jacque of Daisy Lane Cakes did on her own birthday cake. Now, this cake is for the 10th Anniversary of a Hospital. Thats why you see little scrubs and doctors coats.

I need advice. There's still time to change things, as I said I still have about half of it to do. I haven't done any of the icing, really. Should I write something about 10th Anniversary on the top of that bottom layer? I was intending to pipe "10" into that center circle on the cube, but can nix that. I was also intending to pipe some decorative dots down there with the jackets - you know me an piped dots. But - really - what can I do to make this better? I am even willing to remove the globe from the top if you all think it look attrocious.

Help!! Tweet me your ideas and solutions?

Pillsbury Prize Pack Giveaway!

Yay, you clicked through!

Pillsbury & the folks at MyBlogSpark have generously provided me with 2 fun little prize packs! For your little ones, a super cute Giggling Doughboy...Seven LOVES his! And for you, a copy of their magazine that is full of past BakeOff recipes! After just flipping through, I have seen so many things I am going to have to tackle!

Why are they giving these items away? Well, because it's time to spread the word about the newest feature of the BakeOff! It's called You Be the Judge...which means, for the first time ever, we the people get a say in who goes to the BakeOff! Every two weeks from now until October, 2 recipes will be paired against each other on the Bake-Off websiite. Go there and vote, and those 10 winners will get a shot at being the next BakeOff Millionaire! Cool, huh?

So now you know, and now you GO...to the BakeOff webpage!

Before you do, enter to win the Prize Packs, okay? Just leave me a comment here telling me your favorite way to "cheat" using a Pillsbury product...or a recipe you have seen using pre-made items that looks too good to be true. I will announce my two winners on Friday, June 19th...and they will of course be chosen by random. So Comment!

Thanks everyone!

A Review of 10 10 10 by Suzy Welch

Being a Stay at Home Mom wasn't ever something I thought I would be. Deep down, I guess I never even thought I'd be a Mom, due to some fertility issues. But here I am. Me. A Mom.

I don't know if I am a typical SAHM. I do have a business - a store that landed in my lap when my Grandfather decided it was time to give up working, though thankfully, I have a lot of familial help with it. I cater a bit as well, which I really enjoy, and it does help pay the bills. And of course, I blog...my favorite part time job. But I still consider that I am a Mom as a profession. It's rewarding unlike any job I have ever had...and I have had a few.

There are struggles though. Like how to balance everything. Should I be doing more? Should I give something else up? Should I throw in the towel and try to find a "real" job again? All of these questions can only truly be answered by ME. Sure, I can get advice from every Tweeter and Blogger and girlfriend in the world, but when it comes down to it - I choose. Me.

Suzy Welch's new book 10 10 10 is a Godsend for this very reason. Filled with personal stories as examples, Suzy's book is based on a simple premise: What will be the results of the decision I make in 10 minutes? In 10 months? In 10 years? (I'm guessing her title of 10 10 10 was chosen because "Just Stop and Think a Damned Minute" was already taken.)

The truth is, if you don't make decisions for yourself, someone else is making them for you whether you realize it or not. Not making a choice is still making a choice. This book really helped me realize that the decisions I make shouldn't make me feel guilty. And I loved how easy it was to read - her stories really brought it all together and put it on a personal level for me. Truly a great book.

If you are on the fence about something and need a little kick in the tail or are feeling guilty about having to make decisions - pick up this book. It doesn't just apply to women, nor does it apply to just Moms...it applies to anyone who ever has to choose. Like you.

So choose to click this link and buy it for yourself. You'll thank yourself for it.

Romano's Macaroni Grill Review & Giveaway

So I made you curious, eh?

I'll just go ahead and admit it - I am all about boxes. Cake mix, brownie mix, Dinner in a Box... Why not? It makes life so much easier when you've had a long day and haven't got the time to whip up something gourmet. That's not to say I don't like Slowfood...I do. I prefer it. But life moves at a quick pace and sometimes neccessity steps in. (Especially with a hungry toddler.)

Luckily, this Dinner in a Box provides all the taste of Slowfood in only 20 minutes. No kidding...20 Minutes.

The folks over at My Blog Spark were kind enough to send me a box of the Romano's macaroni Grill Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta to review, and I am thrilled they did. I may have never noticed these products tucked in between the Hamburger Helper and Velveeta Shells and Cheese. What you get with this box is top quality pasta and seasonings (think sun dried tomatoes), which really do make a difference. You supply the Chicken (or Pork or Shrimp) and the box takes care of the rest. Don't be put off by the higher than Hamburger Helper pricetag - this box goes further and tastes out of this world better. Our Walmart carries these products for $3.62. Add a pound of Chicken and you have a great dinner for just about $5.00. Even better than that? Click here for a coupon that will save you a whopping $1.00 off just so you can try it yourself. Now we're talking.

But Susan, I want to try it for free! And I want a strainer. And a grater, and a big metal spoon, too! You do? Well, lucky for you I have exactly 3 Prize packs just like that to give away! All you have to do is Comment here. Tell me - have you tried any of the new Macaroni Grill products? How do you feel about Dinners in a Box in general?

Winners will be chosen at random on April 20, so enter to win now! Good Luck!