Giveaway: VTech Kitchen Basket Prize Pack

We are excited to partner with VTech and provide you with the opportunity to win this great prize package! Our Chief Editor uses VTech phones in her office and loves them, now you can too! There are lots of opportunities to win, so be sure to follow the instructions below!

RULES: Must have a U.S. shipping address, be 18 years or older, and enter by the giveaway deadline of October 15, 2012. They are daily entries available so be sure to come back regularly!

Retail value $100.00

Good luck :)

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World Pasta Day

Pasta is one of my favorite foods. Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti, Lasagna, I love them all! I don't know what it is about a big bowl of pasta that just screams "comfort"!


With that being said, I must mention that today is World Pasta day! So grab a seat, enjoy some of your favorite pasta and get ready to fall in love with these delicious pasta recipes.

Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese
Chicken Asparagus Penne Pasta Salad
Chicken and Pasta Primavera
Scarpetta’s Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Garlic Basil Oil
Healthier Lemon Pasta 
Sesame Noodles With Shrimp And Vegetables 

National Chicken Month

I could probably eat chicken every day of the week. I don't know why, but I could. 

My husband on the other hand can't. He wants things like hamburger, steaks and pork chops. Weirdo......(just kidding).

So if you're in love with chicken like I am, here are some great chicken recipes!

Pot Roast Chicken
Campbell's® Grilled Chicken Salad
Easy Chicken Skillet Stew
Chicken Asparagus Penne Pasta Salad
Lemon Thyme Chicken
Chicken with Olives
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas
Crispy Fried Chicken
Sesame Chicken

Breakfast Is So Important

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It's what gives us the energy we need to start our day and it also kick starts our metabolism! 

Normally I only have time to cook a big, hearty breakfast on the weekends. Weekday mornings are so busy for me that I normally need something that I can grab and take with me. Either way, eating breakfast is a habit that everyone should have. 

Fabulous Breakfast Recipes:
Buttermilk Pancake Mix (and others)
Campfire Eggs & Breakfast Tortilla Wraps
Breakfast Pizza
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Cherry Delight Breakfast Cake

Breakfast To-go:
Berry Crumble Muffins
Apple Cheddar Muffins
Banana Smoothie

Do you ever skip breakfast or it one of the things that you must have before you can start your day? What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast?

A New Kitten

Within in the past month we have acquired a new kitten at the house. I've always been against cats in the house because of my allergies, but after hubby gave me the pitiful look and asked if he could get her a litter box and collar I agreed to let her stay. For now. :) 

With this new little addition to our family, I've been checking out some information on kittens.

Here are some useful cat/kitten tips that I found.

Little Box Training
Problems with Cat Scratching Furniture
First Aid for Cats (and Dogs)
Proper Kitten Nutrition
Removing Pet Urine Smells


If you are looking for a new 4-legged family member, here are some great Pet Adoption Guidelines: Choosing a Pet

At Home Spa

Everyone could benefit from a day at the Spa. I've had a few trips to the spa here in VA and when we lived in North Carolina and I loved every second if it. Time to relax and unwind, a time to forget about the stresses of the day or week. But sadly I don't have time to go to the spa a lot (or the money for that matter).

So instead here are a few little "Spa" like things you can do at home.


A Guide To Pampering Pedicures
Fifty Ways to Use Essential Oils
Relaxing Herbal Teas
Rose Toner, Tea and Facials
Orange Face Mask
Treating sore, cracked and stinky feet
Brown sugar oatmeal scrub
DIY Bath Bombs

Patriot Day

Today is Patriot Day, the day we remember the victims of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. 


I remember that day, I was in French class in high school when we got the news. Our teacher rolled a TV into our classroom so that we could watch the news. It was an awful day. 

A day that brought out the America Pride in everyone. It's also the day that hubby decided to join the military. 

A day in history that has affected so many people. 

Today we're joining together as a nation and thinking about and remembering the victims, their families, our service men/women and their families and everyone affected by the attacks on 9-11.

Feeling extra patriotic today? Here are a few of our favorite patriotic recipes and crafts:

Lemon Bar Flags
Patriotic Crispy Rice Star Sparklers
Independence Punch

Fireworks Flowers 
Glitter Glue Yarn Stars 
Patriotic Flag Patriotic Candle Jar

Always Be Prepared for an Emergency

An emergency can happen anytime and anywhere. There are normally no warning sings and emergencies can turn from bad to worse in a matter of moments. Natural disasters, automobile accidents, and health problems are just a fraction of the kinds of emergencies that can spring up at anytime.

While you can't always prevent emergencies from happening, you can be prepared for them! Plan out escape routes in case of a fire and set up a meeting spot with your family. Make sure harmful chemicals are kept out children's reach. Put together a home First Aid Kit and make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is kept. Learn CPR and make sure that your other family members do as well.

Here are some other helpful links that can help you plan for and prevent emergencies:

First Aid Kits: Stocking the Essentials
How To Make Your Own Emergency Kit For Your Home
Hidden Dangers: Children, Choking, and Toys
Bathtub Safety
Room-By-Room Safety Tips
Keeping Afloat Around the Pool

Frankenstein in the spotlight

                                                                                                                 

August 30th was Mary Shelley's Birthday. You know who that is don't you? If you don' t already know, Mary Shelley wrote the novel "Frankenstein" in the early 1800's. Mary was born on August 30, 1797, in London, England. This famous author also wrote: Falkner, Lodore, The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck, and The Last Man.

In honor of Mary's birthday, we've put together some birthday goodies and some Frankenstein inspiration, enjoy!

Chocolate Bundt Cake

Vegetable Dips

Granola Fruit Kabobs

Frankenstein Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Frankenmallows

Frankenstein Trail Mix

Frankenstein Pudding Cups

Frankenstein Crafts:

Tin Can Frankenstein

Frankenstein Treat Bags (Favor Bags!)