Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Shop Mothology For Gorgeous Holiday Gifts #sponsored



When I want to shop for truly lovely gifts for family and friends, I shop at Mothology.

Mothology is an online shop that offers gorgeous gifts for your home, from one of a kind throws, to tableware, to decorative accessories.


When I am entertaining family and friends, I never seem to have enough platters or serving pieces. These Artisan Ceramic Platters from Vagabond Vintage have an off white glaze, and come in a set of three.

They are perfect for serving appetizers, breads, desserts, and much more. They look so pretty on a Thanksgiving or holiday table, but are also perfect for all year round.

I have quite a collection of white and cream colored dinnerware and serving pieces. I think that food looks so much better on a white background, and really stands out


Candles and candleholders are one of my absolute favorite gifts to give and receive. Nothing makes a room prettier or cozier than candles that are burning.

These are Antiqued Mercury Glass Hurricanes by Vagabond Vintage. They comes in a set of three, small, medium and large.

If you are looking for a truly pretty gift for the candle lover on your gift list, I would absolutely say these are perfect.
The glass looks so vintage and lovely  with a candle shining from inside, and would be perfect for your holiday mantle or tabletop.


Mothology offers pretty linens, pillows, table runners, cotton napkins and more. There is a selection that fits every home.

These Reversible Coverletts are made from cotton, all one of a kind, and available in different colors and patterns.

They can keep you toasty warm, or look pretty displayed over a chair or sofa. They are also wonderful for using as a bedcover.

Mothology offers gifts to choose from that are under $25, and would make great holiday hostess gifts or stocking stuffers.

There is also a gift code exclusively available for Popcorn and Pearls readers. It will give you a 10% discount off your entire order. Just use promo code PEARLS10.

There are so many pretty things to choose from at Mothology, and I have some of them on my Christmas list.

If you are looking for unique and lovely gifts for your friends and family this holiday season, I recommend you shop at Mothology.





*I received items from this company and all opinions are my own.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Gingerbread M&Ms Christmas Bingo Fun #HolidayMM #shop #cbias



I always know the holidays are coming soon when I start thinking about gingerbread and my favorite gingerbread recipe. My kids have always loved gingerbread, and I made it for them at Christmas all the time when they were little.

I'm a grandmother to four little ones now, and so of course I make them gingerbread, too. We love the flavor, and it's one of our very favorite desserts and snacks.

We are also big M&M lovers, and when I found out that M&Ms came in new Gingerbread flavor, you know I had to rush out and buy some.

They are available exclusively at Walmart, so I went and picked up a few bags, along with some supplies that I needed to help one of my grandsons make a fun crafts project


Liam wants to give his preschool buddies a little gift for the holidays. We wanted the gift to be homemade, and easy enough to make that he could help make it. And hopefully, candy would be involved!!

I put on my thinking cap and came up with the idea of Christmas Bingo. Bingo is an easy and fun game for kids of all ages to play, and we would use the new Gingerbread M&Ms as the bingo space markers.

We put the M&Ms in a cute Gingerbread decorated bag, with enough for eating and playing.


I Googled free Christmas Bingo images and printed them out on white paper. I thought these were sweet, and of course it had to have a Gingerbread Boy on it.

Then I cut out rectangles from red poster board that were a little larger than the Bingo Cards. I didn't measure anything, so nothing is perfectly even, and that is part of the charm of receiving a home made gift from a preschooler.

Liam and I glued the Bingo papers on to the poster board pieces, and then we tried the game out. He loved it.

Who doesn't love a game when there's candy involved?


While we were making the games, Liam had to sample those yummy Gingerbread M&Ms. He had to sample lots of them.


This Christmas Bingo game was super easy to make. I already had most of the supplies at home. When I was at Walmart, I picked up the Gingerbread M&Ms, and the cute Gingerbread decorated bags.

We put some M&Ms in a bag, and then tied it with a red ribbon. We used cellophane to wrap up the Bingo cards and Bingo game cards.

Super easy and super cute. I love projects for preschoolers that come together quickly, and this one did.


Liam loves the Christmas Bingo game gifts that he'll be giving to his preschool friends during the holidays.

You can buy these yummy Gingerbread M&Ms at Walmart for a limited time, and let them be the inspiration for your own great holiday decorating ideas.

They are perfect for your favorite cookie recipe, Gingerbread house, fun crafts, and much more.

Here's a great coupon to save $1.00 off  of a bag of Gingerbread flavored M&Ms, 9.9oz, or larger.



If you need some festive holiday decorating ideas check out these fun Gingerbread M&M's crafts.  If you have some creative ideas of your own, participate in the Gingerbread M&M Instagram contest to win a great prize!



HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Upload an original image to Instagram with inspirational ideas and creations using Gingerbread M&M's to decorate and craft during the holidays, caption that image with the hashtag #HolidayMM, and share on Twitter (an “Entry”)


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Save Money On Books With Campus Book Rentals #sponsored

We all know how expensive it is to be attending college nowadays. With so many high costs to worry about, it's great to find a way to save money any way we can.

Campus Book Rentals lets you rent the books you need instead of spending a small fortune to buy them. Their program is simple and easy to use, and a great money saver for yourself or the college student in your life.

My son, and son-in-law have both used Campus Book Rentals, and have been very happy with their service.









Here are just some of the great perks you get when you use Campus Book Rentals:

-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
-free shipping both ways
-can highlight in the textbooks
-flexible renting periods
-they donate to Operation Smile with each text book rented

Campus Book Rentals also has a fantastic new program called RentBack.
RentBack is a new initiative that allows students to rent the textbooks they own to other students... which is great because it makes them 2-4x more money compared to what they'd make through buy back options.

Choosing to use Campus Book Rentals is a smart and easy way to manage the high price of buying college text books.

Check out their website to start saving money on all those expensive college textbooks today.




*This is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.


Keeping Our Kitty Happy And Healthy With Sheba Cat Food #ShebaCat #shop #cbias



We have had our cat Spazzy for almost 15 years now. When you have an animal this length of time, they absolutely become members of the family. So of course you want to take the best care of them possible. For us, that means choosing a premium cat food like Sheba.



We have been a bit concerned about Spazzy because she hasn't been eating much lately. The vet assured us she was in good health for her age, and we should offer her a few different kinds of food because maybe she was simply bored with the same brand of cat food she has been eating for years.

We want to keep our sweet kitty happy and healthy for as many years as possible, so buying Sheba cat food for her is a smart choice.

I took a trip to Walmart to buy Sheba, and was happy to find it at such a great low price. I love a bargain, and using a coupon makes it even better!

Sheba offers a coupon for when you buy 6 cans, you get 1 free, which you can find right here.




While I was at Walmart to pick up food for Spazzy, I bought her this orange feather toy. She wasn't very interested in it.

 I remember the little kitten that she was, running everywhere, chasing balls and toys, and generally just full of mischief.

Our vet told us that it was natural for her to slow down at her age, but we should try to keep her as active as possible.

He also said that feeding her a high quality diet, regular vet visits, and plenty of love and affection were the best tips he had to give us to keep Spazzy healthy.




Sheba offers many varieties of cat food to choose from. We bought Spazzy Chicken and Liver Entrée, Beef Entrée, Mixed Grill Entrée, Turkey Entrée, and Salmon and Chicken Entrée.

With so many choices, I was hoping she would start eating again. At first she only sniffed and walked away. But when I came back a few hours later, she has eaten half of her food.

By day three, she was back to her regular eating schedule, and loves her Sheba cat food!!!

It's such a relief to have her eating regularly, and I'm so grateful to see a little bit of her spunky self back again. We will definitely keep on feeding Spazzy her Sheba cat food, and next time I go Walmart, I will pick her up some of Sheba's other flavors.




Go to the Sheba cat food website to learn more about their products.You will find product reviews, where to buy Sheba, how Sheba is responsibly sourced, special offers and more.

You can also connect with Sheba on Facebook and Twitter.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Celebrate National Pizza Month With Classico and Giveaway #sponsored



It doesn't have to be National Pizza Month to enjoy eating and making your own delicious pizzas.
With Classico pizza sauces, it's super easy to put together the ingredients and enjoy fresh from the oven pizza at home.

Classico sauces come in Traditional Pizza Sauce, White Pizza Sauce, and Fire Roasted Pizza Sauce flavors. All three are delicious, and you can count on Classico to use the finest ingredients to give their sauces a delicious, full-bodied flavors.

My family and I recently enjoyed a family pizza night, and I made a delicious pizza with a homemade crust, and using Classico Traditional Pizza Sauce.


I love making my own pizza crust from scratch, but you can save time by using a prepared crust from the store.
Just oil a pizza pan with olive oil so that the crust doesn't sick to it, then spread the crust generously with the pizza sauce of your choice. Put on the toppings of your choice, and then top with a generous amount of Mozzarella cheese.

Homemade pizza is super easy , and Classico sauces really are a great start to a delicious pizza.





My grandchildren's favorite pizza is pepperoni with black olives, topped with lots of Mozzarella I like this too, but I spice it up a bit by adding finely chopped red onion.


Yum, nothing like hot, homemade pizza, right from the oven!!






*In the spirit of full disclosure, I've partnered with Classico and received product, coupons, premium items, and reader giveaway coupons, as part of my participation. However, no payment was given, or expected for posting about the program, and all opinions  expressed here are my own.




In honor of National Pizza Month, Classico Pizza is giving away a coupon for a jar of free pizza sauce to three readers.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Oct 30 2013 and ends on Nov 14 2013 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent products to review for my post.



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Pumpkin Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting




Now that we are just about done with October, we are in peak pumpkin love at my house.

I love the smell of pumpkin treats baking in the oven. These cupcakes are so yummy, and the cream cheese frosting is amazing.

I made these and posted them on my other blog, Frugal Family Tree, and you can hop over there for the complete recipe.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Enjoying Bigelow Tea and Their Exciting New Look #AmericasTea #cbias #shop


Bigelow's great new look.


When I like something, I tend to really like it, and so I don't want what I like to change. Are you like that too?

I recently found out that Bigelow Tea was changing their packaging, and since Bigelow is one of my very favorite brands of tea, I wondered what kinds of changes they had in mind.

Bigelow Tea is a family owned company that has been in business for almost 70 years. I've enjoyed drinking their herbal tea, green tea, and other flavors almost every day for many years now. I'm a passionate tea drinker, and I love how Bigelow offers so many varieties and flavors to choose from.

So off I went to Walmart to stock up on Bigelow Tea for these chilly days we are having, and to check out their new packaging.

I have to say that I love the new look, it's streamlined, and cleaner, and simpler. Each box also lets you know all about the particular kind of tea you are drinking, why the tea comes in a special foil pouch, and much more.




I came home with lots of boxes of tea, including one of my favorites, Constant Comment, a very flavorful black tea. I'm also trying something new, Lemon Ginger, an herbal tea that contains probiotics which supports healthy digestion.

While I was at Walmart, I ran into an old friend who is going through a tough time. She invited me over for a chat, and I knew right away that I would bring her a basket filled with Bigelow Tea and treats to cheer her up. Who wouldn't love a tea basket filled with Bigelow's lovely new packaging and delicious varieties of tea? And my friend is a tea lover just like me, so this would be a welcome surprise for her.




Bigelow Tea's new packaging includes information on the back of the box on how to brew the perfect cup of tea, and how much caffeine (if any) is in each variety of tea.

On the top of each box is one of nine stories about the company's heritage, values, and a lot of fun facts about Bigelow Tea. I especially loved the story about how plucky and hard working Ruth Bigelow was, and how determined she was to make the company a success.

 I like supporting family businesses, and knowing more about the Bigelow family and how they started their company is interesting to me. This is a great touch that lets me connect with the company on a personal level.




This year I had promised myself that I would be more health conscious and aware of the foods and drinks I consume. I've actually been pretty good at replacing a healthy cup of tea for something that might be loaded with sugar or lots of calories.

This Lemon Ginger tea is delicious, and I am a big probiotics fan, so I'm happy to be getting some in my tea. Green tea is also one of my favorites, and it is so healthy for you, too.

One of the things I love about Bigelow Tea is that they offer so many choices to their customers. I can find herbal tea, decaffeinated tea, black tea, and green tea in an amazingly large number of flavors.
I love being able to offer family and friends a large choice of teas to drink, and it really makes the cup of tea personal to the tea drinker.

For me, Bigelow Tea sets itself apart from other brands because of it's quality, wide selection, and dedication to bringing the very best tea available into our homes and kitchens.




Here in Washington State, we are famous for our large amount of rain, and we've already had a number of wet and rainy days so far this fall.

Having a hot cup of tea is one of my favorite ways to chase away the gloom. Sharing tea with my family and friends is such a good way to keep our connections strong.

My mother used to say that things always look a little better after a cup of tea, and I think she was right. She loved Earl Grey tea in the mornings, and often had her own friends over to share a cup.




I was happy to put together this basket of Bigelow Tea for my friend, and take it to her. I also included some chocolate, a new tea mug, and some freshly baked cookies.

Sometimes I forget about how important friends really are, and Bigelow Tea inspired me to show how much I care about the people in my life.

If you are a tea lover, or know tea lovers, be sure to go check out the all new Bigelow Tea packaging.

 You'll still find all your favorite varieties and flavors, but in their lovely new boxes.


Bigelow Tea has a wonderful website that I frequently go to for recipes, information, and inspiration. Right now there is a great recipe for Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread, using Bigelow Pumpkin Spice tea.

You can also connect with Bigelow Tea on  Facebook and Twitter.







Friday, October 25, 2013

Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies



I'm a real brownie lover, and have started making them from scratch, which is really easier than you might think.

But then I ran across a recipe that was for cream cheese brownies, using a mix, so I gave this recipe a try. Wow, these are super delicious!!

I'm putting them on my list of go-to recipes for the future. While, my family gobbled them up here at home, they would be perfect for an up-coming holiday office party, or similar event.
Just make sure you use a high quality mix. I used Ghirardelli Brownie Mix.




Recipe for Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Ingredients:

Filling:
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Brownies:
1 regular size box brownie mix
water, vegetable oil, and eggs called for in brownie mix
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease bottom only of 9-inch square pan with vegetable oil or cooking spray.
In a small bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Set aside.

Make brownie batter as directed on brownie box. Spread 3/4 of brownie batter in pan. Spoon filling by tablespoon evenly over brownie batter. Spoon remaining brownie batter over filling,
Cut through mixture with knife several times for marbled design. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Bake 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out almost clean. Cool completely before cutting, about 2 hours. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes approximately 12 brownies, depending on size of slices.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Donuts, and More Donuts



It is no secret that my family and I love sweets. The fall seems to bring out something in me that wants to bake delicious desserts and treats all the time.

Donuts are one of my favorite things to make because they are delicious any time of day. In fact, a cup of tea and a freshly baked donut is one of the best afternoon pick-me-ups I can think of.

I shared this recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Donuts over on my other blog, Frugal Family Tree. If you love donuts, buy yourself a donut pan because making them with a pan is super easy.
And so worth it, they are delicious.

I made Chocolate Donuts With Orange Glaze awhile back, too. The chocolate flavor in these donuts really stands out in this recipe, and it's a must for chocolate lovers.

Have a fabulous Friday everyone :)

Monday, October 7, 2013

Quick Family Meals, Sweet and Sour Rice Bowls #kraftrecipemakers #shop



I love being a part of my daughter's very busy household. She is a super active mom of three, a great wife to her husband, and now has a part-time job. So you can imagine that we are always on the look-out for easy meals that are quick, delicious, and help solve the nightly question of what to cook for dinner.

I recently picked up a package of Kraft Recipe Makers, the Sweet and Sour Chicken flavor.
Kraft Recipe Makers are yummy meal kits that contain two sauces with a recipe, and you add your own fresh ingredients. Each meal starter will help you make a quick and delicious dinner that is sure to please your family.




I decided to make Sweet and Sour Rice Bowls with chicken meatballs. We actually eat a lot of rice, and are always looking for ways to put more veggies into our meals. Bell peppers, especially red ones, are a favorite to cook and eat.

This Recipe Maker comes with a Sesame Ginger simmer sauce, and a Sweet and Sour Pineapple finishing sauce.

I'm really hoping my son-in-law likes this dinner. He loves rice bowls, but is used to eating them at restaurants or take out places.




I'm making a big batch of chicken meatballs, some to use now, and some to freeze for later. You can make your own, but it's much quicker to use the already cooked and frozen ones from the grocery store. Just pop them in the microwave to heat them. This is a great time-saver when you are in a hurry.




I chopped up the two bell peppers and red onion and put them in a large frying pan. Then I added the Sesame Ginger simmer sauce and cooked them until they were crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.




Then it was time to add the meatballs, can of pineapple chunks, and the Sweet and Sour Pineapple finishing sauce.




Cook for about 3 minutes more, or until heated through. Stir everything all together and serve over hot rice. The sauces smelled so good, and I just had to taste a meatball with all that yummy sauce!!




I like making rice in the rice cooker because it's so easy. Just make rice your favorite way before you start your other meal preparations.

Kraft Recipe Makers really make cooking your meal fast, so make sure you have your rice ready.

I love family meals that appeal to all of us, including my grandchildren. With everyone so busy, it's important that we all sit down together for dinner each night. When I cook, I don't always have the time to cook from scratch, so I welcome short-cuts in the kitchen.




My Sweet and Sour Rice Bowls were a hit. The kids liked them and my son-in-law asked if I could make some for him to take to work, where he can heat them up. Yay!!

I'm always happy to find ways to make cooking easier, but still lets us enjoy great tasting meals. I can't wait to try the other flavors of Kraft Recipe Makers.


Recipe for Sweet and Sour Rice Bowls with Chicken Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 package Kraft Recipe Makers Sweet and Sour Chicken flavor
5 cups cooked white rice
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 small red onion
about 20 small, precooked chicken meatballs (homemade or store-bought)
1 8 oz. can pineapple chunks, drained


Instructions:

Cook rice.
Heat frozen meatballs in the microwave until hot, set aside. Cut bell peppers into bite size pieces.
Slice onion. Put vegetables into a large frying pan. Add the Sesame Ginger simmer sauce to the pan.
Cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
Add cooked meatballs, can of pineapple chunks, and Sweet and Sour Pineapple finishing sauce.
Stir together. Heat 3 minutes, until heated through.
Serve over hot rice.

Serves 5


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

My Fall Favorite, Apple Bread Pudding With Vanilla Ice Cream



Fall is definitely in the air here in Washington State. Apples are everywhere it seems like, and inspiring us to make some yummy desserts.

Come see the recipe for my Apple Bread Pudding at Frugal Family Tree, where I am also writing with my two daughters, Samantha and Laura, again.

Hope you are enjoying your fall.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Cheap But Fabulous Vintage Shopping



Over the weekend I did one of my absolutely favorite things, shopping at thrift stores and estate sales.

It happened to be a particularly good couple of days to find some bargains. The Franciscan Dinnerware was a fantastic bargain at Goodwill. I got six dinner plates in perfect condition at only a dollar each.

They are listed at $10.75 each right now on Ebay. I remember these from my own childhood, so there is great sentimental value in having them.




This very heavy, old mixing bowl was only $3 from an estate sale I went to. It's perfect for cake making.



I love these dessert dishes for the upcoming fall holidays. They were $5 for six of them at the estate sale. Love the color.



I collect baskets, and this pink one was in perfect condition, and only $1. I think it has a sweet vintage feel to it.



I love old sugar and creamer sets. This French inspired one is something I'll use right away. Coffee and tea are even sweeter with this.

I love shopping for old and vintage items. When it's a day out with my girls, it's even better.

Do you shop for vintage? What are some of your great finds?