Outside My Window

Every day I get up and sit at my computer desk which happens to be right by the window. I have a lovely sight (when it's not raining). I have a Dogwood Tree right outside my window. Now I don't remember ever seeing a Dogwood before. It's beautiful. It has the prettiest flowers on it. I am told it's the biggest Dogwood tree people have ever seen. We also have a smaller one, but this one is just so beautiful. It puts me in such a good mood when I look out my window. Let me show you what I see and you can judge for yourself. Isn't it beautiful?

Check out this blog

Hey guys I've been following and reading a friends blog and she could use some followers. She blogs about freebies and everyone loves freebies, and I don't know how she finds them but she sure has some good ones. It's funny because the name of her blog is similar to mine. Her's is A Little Bit of This and That. So if you have a minute, check out Michele's Blog: http://micheleslittlebitofthisandthat.blogspot.com/

Romano's Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites

Tired of the same old thing for dinner? Well I found something to break that cycle. They are Romano's Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites. They come in 4 different flavors: Creamy Basil, Chicken Alfredo with Linguine, Garlic and Herb, and Chicken Marsala with Linguine. It's a whole kit all you do is add the chicken or whatever meat you want, (oil, water, milk or butter depending on the meal), and you may add extra vegetables if you want. We chose the Chicken Marsala with Linguine, however I used jumbo shrimp. It was very easy to make, and the end product was "Molto Bene". The Marsala wine sauce had a delicious flavor and poured on top of the linguine and jumbo shrimp with some grated some Parmesan cheese, made us feel like we were at the local Macaroni Grill. You can buy these meals in your local grocery store or.....http://restaurantfavoritesathome.com/MacaroniGrill/default.aspx is giving to one of my lucky readers:

Macaroni Grill Creamy Basil 
Macaroni Grill Chicken Alfredo 
Macaroni Grill Chicken Marsala
Macaroni Grill Garlic & Herb 
Colander
Serving spoon
Cheese grater

Here's what you have to do to win:

You have to visit restaurantfavoritesathome.com and then come back and tell me what flavor you would like to try.  This is mandatory!

Extra Entries:
1.Follow my blog
2.Blog about the giveaway and link back here and restaurantfavoritesathome.com.
3.Follow me on Twitter
4.Tweet about the giveaway and come back and leave the URL that you tweeted.
5.Grab my button, then leave the URL where it is.

Giveaway is for the Continental US only
Giveaway will end June 11th
Make sure you leave some way for me to contact you in your post.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is picked.

Buon Appetito!


GIVEAWAY IS OVER....WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER THIS AFTERNOON...

WE have a WINNER!

carolasar is the winner of the L'oreal Paris's Dermo-Expertise Advanced REVITALIFT Deep Set Wrinkle Repair. CONGRATS and ENJOY!!!! I have heard back from carol already and will be mailing out her prize within the next couple days.

Long Weekend

Hope everyone had a great Memorial weekend. I had a fun day yesterday at Gary's parents. We started BBQ'ing in the rain and then it let up but all in all it was worth getting a little wet. We made Bratwurst and hamburgers and asparagus on the grill. Gary's mom made Potato salad and deviled eggs. I made dessert it was a peanut butter n fidge swirl pie. It was delicious, a little rich but so good. The recipe is in the Kraft Food & Family magazine that I get for free. You can get recipes and coupons and all kinds of good information: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/home.aspx Here is the recipe for the pie:

Prep Time:

15 min

Total Time:

4 hr 15 min

Makes:

8 servings

What You Need!

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

1 OREO Pie Crust (6 oz.)

1/4 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed

Make It!

BEAT cream cheese, sugar and peanut butter in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gently stir in COOL WHIP.

SPOON into crust; drizzle with fudge topping. Swirl gently with knife.

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Refrigerate leftovers.

MomDot BLOG LINK-A-THON

Running out of things to do while surfing the internet? Check out some blogs. MomDot has a whole list of blogs for your viewing pleasure. There are so many blogs, so little time so ya better get going :o)

1 Year Cancerversary!

So one year later and here I am still alive and kicking. Last year on this day I was questioning whether I would be or not. Last May 20th I received a phone call from Dr. Mark Radowich (never forget that caller ID) at about 7:42pm. He told me my breast biopsy that I had the day before was cancerous. Now a year later, my hair is growing back (it's about 3 inches long now), my eyebrows and eyelashes are back. Other than getting tired a lot easier, I'm doing very well. Big difference in the before and after pictures.

Sandier Pastures (click here to enter)

Sandier Pastures is giving away your choice of handbag from Handbag Heaven. (http://www.handbagheaven.com/). Make sure you enter! Good Luck!

Very fun & creative giveaway! (click here to enter)

An Optimistic Beauty is having a giveaway sponsored by "Creative Individual". They are giving away a set of 2 Monkey’s Pop-Ups! So visit Optimistic Beauty and enter. Good Luck!

My crazy son Jack

I have been so stressed lately and my youngest son Jack knows it so he tries to make me laugh all the time. He calls and makes me laugh everyday. Lately he sent me a picture that only a mother could love and I am going to share it with you. It's hilarious. Don't ya just love the glasses? He makes me so proud. LOL He is 24 and my youngest son and we have always been close. He tells me everything, sometimes I wish he wouldn't, he could leave a few things out. lol Anyhow when I was going through breast cancer treatment and couldn't travel for the holidays he came here to see me. He lives in Pa. and I live in MD. He was only able to stay a few hours. Then he came to visit me again in April and stayed a few days. He's my baby bear (his nickname). I am proud of him so wanted to introduce him here. This is Jack.

Another Yummy Giveaway

I've been very lucky to have had the chance to try another new tasty snack. Have you ever heard of Medora Snacks? Well I have a feeling they will become a household name soon. Medora Snacks let me review their products: Corners, Pogos, Pucci, and Sotos. They are Fabulous! I am a big snacker and in my world they are Snackalicious!!! Not only are they Snackalicious they are healthy! Wait is that possible something this tasty is aslo healthy??? Sure is. A 1 ounce bag of any flavor doesn't have over 130 calories. Nor does it have over 6% of daily fat grams. If you're a snacker like me you will be hooked, like me:) Corners: Are popped corn tortilla and are made with real corn, extra virgin olive oil, all natural ingredients and no trans fat. Corners unique popping process combines popped corn and tortilla chips, two of Americas favorite snacks, in one great snack. They are so delicious you can enjoy them alone or with your favorite dips and salsas. They have 3 delicious flavors: Sea Salt, Zesty Ranch, and Nacho Cheese and come in 3 different sizes-1.5, 3 and 6 oz. Pogos: You have never tasted a potato cheese stick like it! When you open the bag, the aroma of cheese tells you - it’s the real thing! Tons of crunchy, cheesy taste and none of the messy orange stuff left on your hands. Our unique baking process allows us to create a more wholesome product using only all-natural, non-GMO ingredients. Better-for-you has never tasted so good. They come in 3 mouth watering flavors: White Cheddar, Hickory Smoked and Jalapeno Cheddar and come in 3 sizes- 1, 2, and 5 oz. Pucci: Are like real pizza in a bag! Fun to eat and totally delicious. The aroma of freshly made pizza makes your mouth water as soon as you open the bag. When you crave “a slice” just pick up Pucci’s and experience the delicious taste of 100% extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella and parmesan cheese baked into every bite.They come in 3 yummy flavors: Tomato Basil, Classic, and Garlic and come in 3 convenient sizes- .85, 1.75, and 3.75 oz. Sotos: It is hip to be square. They pack highly nutritious multi-grains in each little square for a better-for-you snack you will love. Our unique baking process captures the flavor of the all-natural seasonings to give you a satisfying crunchy experience that you’ll want to try again. They come in 3 tasty flavors: Sea Salt, Cheese with Olive Oil and Lemon, and Cinnamon Streusal and come in 2 available sizes- 1.5 and 3 oz. Well Medora Snacks has so generously offered to give one of my readers a case of these delicious tasting snacks. Here is what you MUST do to qualify for this giveaway: You must visit the Medora website and return here and let us know what product and flavor you would like to try and when you would eat them. Here is what you can do to earn extra entries into the giveaway: 1. Follow my blog (you will receive 3 extra entries into the giveaway) 2. Every time you blog about the giveaway and link back here and to the Medora Website (you will receive 2 extra entries into teh giveaway) 4. Follow me on Twitter: elliejf (you will receive 1 xtra entry into the giveaway) 5. Every time you tweet about this giveaway leave a comment with the URL where you Tweeted (you will receive 1 xtra entry into the giveaway) Make sure you leave seperate comments for each extra you do :) Giveaway is for the Continental US only. Giveaway will end June 5th. Make sure you leave some way for me to contact you in your post and winner will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and another winner is chosen. HAVE FUN and thanks Medora!! GIVEAWAY IS OVER! WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN!

31 Days of Giveaways: Day 9 (click here to enter

Fantabulously Frugal is having 31 days of giveaways and they are on day 9. Check it out!

5 Minutes For Mom is giving away Parker Hippie Purse, in solid black(click here to enter)

Head over to 5 minutes for mom, they are giving away a beautiful Parker Hippie Purse from Coach. Don't miss out.

Fantabulously Frugal Giveaway (click here to enter)

Fantabulously Frugal is giving away Reusable sandwich & Reusable snack bags. Good Luck.

Danica's Daily Annie's Mac & Cheese Giveaway: (click here to enter)

A yummy giveaway being held at Danica's Daily. Just click the link above. Good Luck

Vaseline Clinical Therapy

I recently received a sample of Vaseline Clinical Therapy in the mail. It temporarily protects chapped or cracked skin. I don't know if any of you are like me, but I normally don't use hand lotion because to me it's always too greasy and I end up washing it off anyhow. Well I tried this lotion, and the first time I used it, it didn't seem too greasy and I thought I didn't put enough on. So the second time I used it, it also wasn't greasy feeling so this time I used even more, and still not greasy. All the other times after when using it, it as not greasy. I LOVE it. It makes your hands so smooth. I also have trouble with rough, dry elbows, well I've been using it on those also. What a difference. I HIGHLY recommend this product to everyone. It works wonders on dry skin and doesn't leave the greasy feeling after you apply it.

Giveaway

This giveaway is for L'oreal Paris's Dermo-Expertise Advanced REVITALIFT Deep Set Wrinkle Repair. Diminish the appearance of deep set wrinkles. Like forehead and furrow lines and enjoy younger looking skin. And how many of us could use that? Advanced Revitalift Deep Set Wrinkle repairs and targets deep wrinkles from with in by combining the power of Pro-Retinal A to reduce the size and depth of the wrinkles with New Fiber Restoring Complex to stimulate and regenerate the fibrous network of the skin. This light weight lotion provides 24 hour hydration and UVA/UVB SPF 15 protection from the harmful effects of the sun. After 4 weeks: Reduction in wrinkles Skin noticeably smoother After 8 weeks: Deep set wrinkles are visably minimized Skin looks and feels younger. I have 1 bottle of Intensive Restoring Treatment SPF (15) Day Lotion 1 bottle of Night creme. (arv $40.00) Now here's what you need to do to win: Post what wrinkles you would like to get rid of. For extra entries you may do all or any of the following: 1. Follow my blog (3 xtra entries into the giveaway) 2. Blog about the giveaway. Then leave me a comment to the URL.(2 xtra entries into the giveaway) 3. Add my button to your blog, then leave a comment that you did. (3 xtra entries into the giveaway) 4. Follow me on Twitter: elliejf (1 xtra entry into the giveaway) 5. Every time you tweet about this giveaway leave a comment with the URL where you Tweeted (1 xtra entry into the giveaway) Giveaway is for the Continental US only. Giveaway will end May 27th. Make sure you leave some way for me to contact you in your post and winner will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and another winner is chosen. GOOD LUCK!!!!

CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER!

Congrats to Reva Skie, the winner in the Popchips giveaway. I emailed the winner and she has 48 hours to contact me before another winner will be chosen. CONGRATS REVA!

Mother's Day....blah

The last couple days have been so weird for me. I have been kinda down, and a little short and cranky. I also have been eating everything in site and I seriously can't control it. Now I know Mother's Day is Sunday, and I hate Mother's Day since I lost my mom in 1998. That could be some of it. My kids all live far from me, and I haven't seen them in a while due to my health and then becoming unemployed before breast cancer treatment. My youngest son I saw this year because he came to me. It just sucks and I'm not looking forward to it. Gary's mom is very good to me and like a mom to me and I love her for that, but no one can replace my mom and I would do anything to have her back. Sometimes I worry if I should be over this feeling since it's been 11 years on the 17th of this month that she passed as we sat at her bedside. Not to mention I lost my dad 6 years after. I think about them everyday and wish things were the way they used to be. I would have loved Gary to meet them, they would have liked him. He gets along with everyone and he's a good man, and they would have been proud of me for finding him. I really struggle with guilt now that when my mom was a live there were times she annoyed me so much I didn't want to be around her. Well now I'm not around her and WANT to be. When they used to hug me, I just really miss that. Sometimes I sit around and I can picture in my mind our whole living room set up at my parents house and all of us sitting around watching some variety show (they were big back then). Back then as my youngest sons says "When the dinosaurs roamed the earth" the little shit. So how do you move on? How do you make those days (Mother's and Father's Day) enjoyable again? Does it ever happen? Am I holding onto this too much? Should I be getting over it? Because I can't, I miss them, I miss them terribly. I even downloaded a Men at Work song to my iPod because it was my dad's favorite song. I downloaded Bobby Vinton, Englebert Humperdink and Ray Charles because those were my mom's favorite. Is this normal behavior? I don't know. All I know is I miss them. So now you know why I hate Mother's Day. Blah

5 Minutes For Mom is giving away a laptop! (click here to enter)

Enter 5 Minutes for Mom's Mother's Day giveaway for a sleek, ultraportable Toshiba Portege. Good Luck!

Very cool, and useful giveaway. (click here to enter)

Texas Banter is sponsoring a giveaway for a Mattress Protector. For those of you with allergies I believe this is a must. But now days I think it's a must for all just because of all the Flu's and things that are going around. All you have to do is click the click here to enter and it takes you to her site. BRAVO to Texas Heartland for this giveaway.

Menopause & Hotlfashes?

Ladies as most of you know I went through breast cancer treatment last year. I went through Chemotherapy first and then Radiation. While going through Chemotherapy I developed the worlds worst hot flashes. I mean the sweat just poured off of me and at night I would sweat so bad my sheets were soaked. Anyhow I was literally going out of my mind because not only is it embarrassing as hell, it was so uncomfortable. I was explaining this to the Nurse Practitioner at my Rheumatologist's office that used to work with my Oncologist and she said there was an over the counter herbal remedy that was supposed to help with hot flashes since I had to give up my Premarin at my diagnosis. It's called Black Cohosh. It works wonders. I still have a few hot flashes, and some can be bad but mostly I have a mild one, it's quick and I don't sweat like I used too. So if you have bad hot flashes this is the herbal remedy for you, and it's safe.