Just last week I was talking about comfort food and how it hits the spot.

Well, this Sunday I hosted my Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange! What fun as always.

And, what a perfect time to add a little savory with the sweet. As hard as it was, I shared my Blake’s all natural chicken pot pie and their Shepard’s pie…..

What a hit!! Just what we needed to balance out the treats with a yummy dose of healthy, “hit the spot” comfort food!!

Where to find them? I found mine at Target- how convenient!!

You have to check them out!! For more information about these products and more of their line go to:

http://www.blakesallnatural.com

It’s beginning to look a lot like…

A Holiday Cookie Exchange!!!

Have you been to one? Or would like to organize one??

Deets in a few…..

Love to use coupons? Maybe the next extreme couponer in the making? 

Then I may be preaching to the choir, but…

Around this time of the year the coupons to almost everything is out!! But what’s the best part is that you can stack at some places.

What do I mean by “stack”? Here’s an example: I recently received coupons in the mail for DSW shoes. Included in the mailer was a coupon for a free tote with purchase ($29) and $20 off a $49 purchase. If you’re like me you like to peruse the clearance areas first. 

Today I found 3 pairs of shoes that were 70% off each and a cute Vera Bradley wristlet that was 50% off. I was over the $29 to qualify for the tote, and I also qualified for the $20 deduction. 

Now I join a lot of store “clubs”.   With the points I accumulated during the year I received a $10 gift certificate!! 

So, there’s my “loot” for all under $25 with tax!! 

Happy holidays!!

You know it’s the Holidays when UPS shows up at the mall in a semi instead of a box truck! Hahahahaha!!

Hopefully your Black Friday adventures were a successful mission!! Don’t forget though, a lot of stores aren’t done with their offers on Friday. It’s like an appetizer to Cyber Monday!

Happy hunting!!

As much as I tried, I had last minute shopping to do on Thanksgiving eve!!

Oh well, c’est la vie…. but wait! What do I see at the “W” store?? A countdown to Christmas!!!!

And I haven’t had my traditional pumpkin pie from Costco yet! HAHAHA!!

The battle will continue as retail tries to push the Holidays faster and we with our Traditions of not decorating until after Thanksgiving.

With that, wishing everyone a “Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!”

Congrats to Mari Gutierrez!!

She has won this cute bag and t-shirt combo from Blake’s All Natural Foods!!!

Amidst the running around of the weekend I had sometime between laundry loads. As the tv provided background sound I hear that we’ll have lows in the 20’s- 30’s and highs that won’t reach 50!! 

So what came to mind?? Something warm and a”hit the spot” winner….

COWBOY CHILI!!! Cowboy because you use chunks of beef instead of ground beef.

With the time I’ve been given prep work began! Now keep in mind, I made this yesterday. Why? Because the flavors “marry” better together overnight!

As the weather changes so do our cravings. The temperature is is lowering and we are searching for that one dish that hits the spot. The one dish that is what we fondly call “Comfort Food”!! Instant yum!!

But, in our day to day rush sometimes comfort food takes a little more time than we have to give. Sure you pick something up- but what’s in it??

Solution?? Look for Blake’s all natural foods in the freezer section of your local Target SuperCenter. Need more proof? Stay tuned for the testing/tasting panels views.

But wait!! I mentioned a prize!!!

First reader to comment on their favorite comfort food wins this fun and fantastic bag and t-shirt combo from Blake’s All Natural Foods!!

Enter now!

Absolutely love the Holidays!!! Yes, I know it gets crazy hectic and we wonder what were we thinking !!

And I’m one of those that has found the radio station that is already playing Christmas music!!

But, I’m not going to bypass Thanksgiving!!

Our local Maggiano’s has cooking classes for kids!!! Look for them at your local Maggiano’s , they are worth it!!

Here’s the first photos from the 2 hour event:

It’s always fun to go to the movies, even better when you get free passes to a premier screening!!!

Now your all on board for that! Sometimes you get passes for a movie and you think,” if it’s good we stay, if not – eh, it was free”.

Then comes along passes for “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them”.

All I can say is WOW!! What a great film!! And if you’re a “Harry Potter” fan….. you’re going g to love it!!

Of course, I took our resident Harry Potter with me!

I could not imagine a world without art- could you??

It doesn’t have to be a Van Gogh or Picasso. A macaroni necklace is art!! Because it is made with love.

All forms of art “fire up” our creative juices!! Without these creative juices we wouldn’t have the everyday products and appliance we can’t live without.

Check your neighborhoods for places that offer different art classes and great prices. Kids and adults love it. The best part is you don’t have to be an expert or someone who’s had classes. Newbies welcome!!!

Over in my area we have “All Fired Up”, check them out at:

http://www.getallfiredup.com

They have all kinds of specials for all ages at great prices!!

Ever watch the morning shows and they have the “Steals and Deals” segments? Well, every time I do I talk myself down from taking advantage of the deal.

But, for some reason I couldn’t turn this one down.. ok it’s because it was part of “Oprah’s Favorite Things”. According to the segment she carries this in her purse wherever she goes.

It sounded so yummy! I’ll give an update once I try it!

Thanksgiving is such a special time for family and dear friends!! We give “Thanks “for all we have been Blessed with. Both good and bad times have enriched us.

But…. I am a HUGE HUGE fan of the Christmas season!!

So, with that…. it’s time for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the malls and parks!

I’m not trying to by pass Thanksgiving. On the contrary, we’ve already put the menu together and just need to pick up all the ingredients.

But…….. I couldn’t resist. Hopefully the chocolates make it to myAnnual Holiday Cookie Exchange in a few weeks.Yes, hope springs eternal!!

So the Milano Toasted marshmallow is new this season. And the verdict?? They smell fabulous and taste s’more-like. 

I would call it a light S’more- pretty good!!

I had the great fortune of being able to attend the WowSummit 2016, conducted by MomsMeet- if you haven’t joined on their website please do (www.momsmeet.com).

We’ll, I won!!! My name was drawn and I won a gift basket from Earth’s Best. Have you heard of it? Check their site: http://www.earthsbest.com

They’ve got more than what’s pictured in my gift basket; such as fruit bowls and frozen goodies. 

Babies, like us adults, love to have a little something to snack on. But as a parent you don’t want anything that could choke them as they’re eating or make them too full to eat at mealtime.

And along comes Baby Mum- Mums Rice Rusks!!! They’re light, melt in your mouth ( yes, I ate some too!!) and come in  different flavors so you don’t get tired of them.

Now, I feel very lucky to have been chosen by MomsMeet to share his product with my mommy group and their kids. Our superstar is the just turned 1 baby boy of the group. And by the looks of how he wasn’t about to share his Mum-Mums I’d say it’s baby approved!! For more information on this product go to: http://www.mummums.com

Did you see the box of samples that arrived?? Want in on it too?? Then go to MomsMeet ( http://www.momsmeet.com) they’ve got great programs and tips! Is such a fun community, you’ve got to join!!

Sometimes a product comes along and it makes you wonder why you didn’t discover it sooner! 

Through the HouseParty program I was chosen to share the Finally Light bulbs with my closest friends! They sent me what I thought were, everyday light bulbs. But one was an LED and the other the Finally light bulb that you can find at any Staples store. 

Below are the comparison test we did on ordinary color blocks and Opi nail polish.

We were amazed with what we found!! The brightness and clarity of the colors were surprising!!

Where has this light bulb been all our lives!!

Would you like to be included in a program like this ?? You HAVE to go to http://www.houseparty.com!!!

Want to learn more about this amazing light bulb?? Go to http://www.finallybulbs.com

Pick one up at Staples today- you’re honing to LOVE it!!!

Yes, you saw right. Pecan pie soda from Abita Craft Sodas, because extra fizzle always keeps the brightness going!

#houseparty #finallybulbs #abitacraftsoda