Merry Christmas!

Just want to wish everyone a very merry and peaceful Christmas. It's snowing at midnight in my neck of the woods in Tennessee. A white Christmas!

Want to also share this oldie but goodie with you. Remember this?



Merry Christmas!
God bless us, every one!

Love,

Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits and $15 Visa Gift Card {giveaway}

A few days ago I was offered the opportunity through MyBlogSpark.com to do a review and giveaway for new Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits. I readily agreed and was sent a nice package with a bread basket, butter dish, spreader, a coupon for a free package of Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits, and a $15 Visa gift card to facilitate my review.

Unfortunately, in the rural area where I live I have not been able to find the Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits. :(

I guess I could have purchased regular Pillsbury Grands frozen biscuits, but that wasn't the purpose of this promotion. I love trying new products, but sometimes it takes forever for those new products to trickle down to the country area where I live.

So I thought I wouldn't be able to do this review/giveaway at all, which was a little depressing, let me tell you. MyBlogSpark is one of the better promotion companies to work with and I just knew this would be a "black mark" on my record with them.

Oh well. That's life.

Imagine my surprise - and shock! - when I received a next-day delivery box of two packages of frozen Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits packed on dry ice!! Yes!! MyBlogSpark came through for me!!

I'm telling you this because it's my way of thanking Chris for going out of the way to facilitate my review and giveaway. Thank you Chris!! You deserve a raise... and you can tell them Shady Lady said so! :)

I couldn't wait to heat up the oven and try the Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits. They are tiny when frozen - they are not much bigger than, say, a poker chip. And quite flat. Huh. "Mini" they certainly were, but how in the world would they live up to the name "Grands"??

Boy, was I surprised when I took them out of the oven! They had nearly tripled in height (not circumference - they were still about the size of a poker chip around) and were baked to golden brown perfection.

They were cooked perfectly, and I have to say they tasted nothing like "canned biscuits". I daresay these minis can rival even homemade! Just a little crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside. I spread some butter on a couple and couldn't resist tasting them. Delicious!

They were even more delicious when I spread some of my sister's homemade blackberry preserves on them!

I'm very pleased with Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits and will definitely be buying more. If you are a single or 2-person household, you will see the savings of buying the minis in the resealable frozen package. They are small, yes, but just the perfect size for one or two people. And the perfect size for tiny hands, too!

One other thing I like about them? They are small enough that I can still enjoy a biscuit every now and then and not blow my whole carbohydrate allowance for the day! Yay!! If you're on a low-carb diet and crave a biscuit once in a while, these are perfect for you! There's still a place in this world for the "regular" size biscuits, of course, but these Minis definitely fill a need that... well, maybe that we didn't even know we had. :)

I'm going to try them as dumplings in stew later this week. I figure I can halve or quarter the Minis and drop them into bubbling stew for instant dumplings. And there are oodles more recipes that you can find here.

~~GIVEAWAY~~ One lucky Shady Lady reader will win the same Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits package I received, including a $15 Visa gift card! Lucky you!! This giveaway is open to US residents only please.

Entering is easy. Please do the mandatory first step before doing the extra entries. Winner will be determined by using Random.org. Entries will be verified before winner is contacted, so please make sure you use the same username, name, and/or email address for each entry, or tell me how to identify you. And PLEASE leave an email address in your comment if it is not publicly visible on your blog! Thank you for adhering to these giveaway rules.

~~Mandatory~~You must follow my blog with Google Friend Connect. That's it! Just leave a comment below saying that you follow. Not a follower yet? It's not too late! See the gadget on the sidebar? Just click "Follow" and you can be entered into this giveaway too! Easy! This step is required before extra entries will count.

Extra entries - please leave separate comments for each:

*One extra entry if you follow me on Twitter @tnshadylady Leave your Twitter id. Current followers qualify also.

*One extra entry if you friend me on Facebook. Current fans/friends/followers qualify also. Get a bonus extra entry if you share this giveaway on your Facebook page.

*DAILY ENTRY - Tweet this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet. Feel free to copy and paste:

#Giveaway at Shady Lady: #Win Pillsbury Grands Mini Biscuits gift pack incl $15 Visa GC! @tnshadylady http://bit.ly/dADRW0 ends 11/14 PL RT!

*One extra entry if you follow with Networked Blogs. (see sidebar) Current followers qualify also.

*One extra entry each if you are a subscriber to my email updates and/or rss feed. (see sidebar) Tell me what email address and/or reader you use. Current subscribers qualify also.

*One extra entry if you visit the Pillsbury recipe website and tell me a recipe you found there that these Minis would be perfect in.

*FIVE ENTRIES - Help me spread the word! Post this giveaway on your own blog or giveaway site or linky. Leave me a link so I can verify. Be sure to leave five separate comments.

*FIVE ENTRIES - Post my button on your blog. It must be on your main page. Leave a link so I can verify. Be sure to leave five separate comments.

Giveaway closes midnight CST Sunday November 14, 2010. Giveaway open to US residents only please. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Remember to leave separate comments for each method of entry! This is the only way to be sure that you get all your entries. And if you are already a subscriber or follower, you still get those entries! So be sure to get all the entries you are entitled to.

Disclosure: I received a Pillsbury® Grands!® Mini Biscuits prize pack which included a VIP coupon good for a free package of biscuits, a $15 gift card to purchase recipe creation/experimentation needs, a biscuit basket, a butter dish, and spreader. The prize pack and information were all given to me from Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark. My opinions are my own.

I don't do mornings...so bite me! {review}

I'm an absolute slug in the mornings. Until I've had my coffee, don't even talk to me. I won't respond. Or if I do respond, you might not like what I have to say.

Can't help it. Been that way all my life.

Don't like it? Bite me.

I might even tell you that too. But now I don't have to actually say it. I can give you a graphic illustration.

No, not that, silly! I mean this:

That's a piece of toast, in case you can't tell from the picture. And it has "Bite Me" burned right into it.

Perfect.

Now I don't have to actually talk in the mornings until I'm good and ready (which may be a while, so pack a lunch).

PopArtToasterStore.com has this fabulous thing called the

Morning Bytes Gift Set that would make the perfect gift for someone you know who doesn't do mornings either.

Vintage toaster with 7 heat settings, 3 toasting functions, and a slide-out crumb tray comes with 2 stencil art plates: Bite Me and Ugh.. Also included is a 2-compartment melamine breakfast tray and a USB cup warmer that plugs into your computer. Price only $44.99

PopArtToasterStore.com sent me this amazing toaster set to review and I have to tell you, I haven't had this much fun in the morning in a long time!

Love the soothing retro color and look. And so easy to use. It's a regular toaster, only better.

The secret to the design is interchangable metal plates like the one I'm holding below.

These plates simply slide down into the toaster in metal slots and the rest is automatic. Nothing could be easier!

When you engage the toaster (just like a regular toaster, by pushing down the lever on the end) the bread slices are toasted like normal on one side, but the side next to the center of the toaster - next to the special plates - comes out with the fabulous design on them.

Yep, that's me in the morning!

The toaster comes with two design plates, "Bite Me" and the "Ugh.." un-smiley face. You can also easily remove the plates in case your in-laws are coming for breakfast. Or not. Your call. Just don't come crying to me when you serve your mother-in-law toast that says "Bite Me".

The toaster also has seven heat settings, but the recommended setting is between 3 and 4, which is what I used for the above pieces of toast. You can adjust to your preference, of course. I happen to like mine almost burnt, really crispy. This toaster does a wonderful job. Don't let the design and special plates fool you, this is still a toaster and it works beautifully.

It also has this really handy slide-out crumb tray that makes cleanup a breeze. You know how some toasters have a little door/latch on the underside that you swing open to release the crumbs and hope you're holding it over the sink or garbage can when you do? Forget that. This tray does the job so much better.

Another thing I love about this Morning Bytes Gift Set is the cup warmer that is powered through a USB cable. Yep! No more hunting for an electrical outlet to plug in your cup warmer. Just plug the cable into your computer USB port and keep your coffee warm while at the computer. Love it!

All in all, this is one fantastic package for that special person on your gift list who can relate to the "bite me" and "ugh.." sentiments.

Like me.

As a consumer reviewer, I love showing you products like this, but I am also aware of my responsibility. There is one small design problem that I want to make you aware of with this toaster.

This is the back of the same toast. See the triangle-shaped indents? The way the toaster gets the graphic impression on your bread is by pressing a spring-loaded metal bar (triangular, just like the shapes above) against the bread slice to hold it firmly against the graphic plate. This bar only engages when you engage the toaster by pushing down on the lever on the end.

Problem is, we all know that bread slices often are not perfectly square or perfectly flat. So the first batch I toasted almost burned up because the bread slice got hung on the bar because it was not perfectly flat. I had a slight moment of panic as I saw smoke rising and didn't know what to do to stop it. (now that will wake you up in the morning!!)

But all I had to do was push the "cancel" button on the end and the process stopped, cutting off the heating elements and releasing the bar off the bread slice so that I was able to easily remove it. (love this feature! wish all toasters had a "cancel" button instead of having to manually raise the lever)

Okay, so maybe "problem" is not the correct word to use here. Let's just say I want you to be aware of this and not leave the toaster unattended, or watch your little ones when they use it, because the bar will continue to hold the bread against the heated plate as long as the toaster is engaged... and if the bread slice is "warped" and preventing the toast from popping up when done, well... you can see my concern.

But overall that's a small thing when you look at the benefit of this wonderful toaster. Wouldn't it be great to put a smile on the face of that grumpy non-morning person in your life?

And just so you know, there are interchangable plates if "bite me" and "ugh.." aren't quite your cup of tea. There are lots of different ones and each is only $3.25!

PopArtToasterStore.com has much more fun in store for you! Go take a look at all the great things they offer. I'm sure you'll find something perfect for yourself or for a gift.

Disclaimer: I was provided a sample Morning Bytes Gift Set gratis in exchange for providing an unbiased review of the product. (Thanks Dana!) No other monetary consideration was involved, and my review was not influenced in any way.

Lotus Cleaning System...really cleans!! {giveaway}

I'm not the greatest housekeeper in the world, I fully admit that. It's not that I don't like a clean house, it's just that I have soooo many other things demanding my time that something's gotta give. And unfortunately it's housework.

That doesn't mean I live in a pigsty. "Clutter" and "filth" are different things. I can stand clutter, because it's just stuff I haven't had time to sort and put away yet. But filth? Nope. Can't abide filth.

So when the Lotus Cleaning System arrived on my doorstep, it was not a good time to jump right into housework. I had too many other things to do. By the time I got around to actually using the Lotus Cleaner, well, let's say my apartment was...eek!...bordering on filth.

Which just presented a challenge to the Lotus Cleaner.

And it stood up to the test brilliantly!

I started with the kitchen, because it needed the most attention. Setting up the Lotus cleaner is a breeze. There's a large booklet inside the box that walks you through every step, with pictures and easy to read clear instructions. I was very pleased with the amount of information included in the booklet. So many times, manufacturers just don't give you enough info, or it isn't presented in the clearest fashion. But the Lotus people are doing everything right, even down to the instruction manual!

Anyway I just did what the instructions told me to do, like installing the filter and running a cycle completely before using the cleaner. I guess this was to break in the filter. They also suggested using that water I just ran and water my plants with it. So I did. Nervously. Wasn't sure what kind of effect it would have, ya know?

Three days later, my plants look like they have a new lease on life!! Seriously!! New shoots, glossy leaves...must have really liked something about that water!

Okay, back to my kitchen... After running the first cycle and watering my plants, I prepared another bottle and tackled my refrigerator. It has one of those textured surfaces, the kind that may look clean but harbors dirt and germs and who knows what all in those little cracks. I used the sprayer and wiped with one of the enclosed cloths. Then I ran my hand over it. Okay. Fine. Feels clean. Then I ran my hand over an area I hadn't cleaned yet.

Oh my.

I could definitely feel the difference! Even though the surface of the refrigerator wasn't "filthy", there was still a layer of grime and grease that came off when I used the Lotus on it. I was amazed at how squeaky clean my refrigerator could be!

Next I moved on to the microwave. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm one of those that, even though I may neglect other housework, I want my microwave spic and span. I shudder to think of the germs and whatnot that a dirty microwave holds. And every time you use a dirty microwave, you run the risk of adding that "stuff" to your food that you're about to eat! So I'm kind of a fanatic about using a plate cover to prevent spatters, immediately rinsing the plate cover, and immediately wiping down the microwave after use. I wipe it down again everytime I do dishes. Just habit, I guess, but one I have no intention of breaking.

So I used the Lotus sprayer on what I thought was my clean microwave.

Wow!! I was astonished at the gunk and junk that came out of the tiny corners and nooks and crannies inside the microwave! Even with my diligence at keeping it clean, the Lotus got it even cleaner! I couldn't believe the stuff I was wiping out with the cloth. I feel better already about cooking and heating food in there, now that I have the Lotus!

Did you know that the Lotus system can also sanitize your fruits and vegetables? That's important, not only for the food you get at the supermarket but also the roadside stands. You don't know what kind of chemicals and pesticides and all that are coating the surfaces of your produce. But you can destroy all that bad stuff simply by putting the produce in the wash unit that comes along with the sprayer bottle in the Lotus sytem and letting it run through a cycle.

I'm sitting here writing this review and munching on an apple that I cleaned in the Lotus, and I can't tell you how good it feels to know that no nasty stuff is going into my body! The Lotus strips away germs, chemicals, and all that's left is the apple in its purest form. Doesn't your family deserve clean food? And don't you deserve the peace of mind from knowing that it is clean? Hey, did I mention you can even clean meat with the Lotus? And it's great for sanitizing pacifiers, toothbrushes, kitchen gadgets that are difficult to wash, and what about tweezers? Hairbrushes? Combs? Nail clippers? The possibilities are endless.

One thing I really like about the Lotus System is that it doesn't use steam to clean. You're not going to be steaming your apples or toothbrushes, or handling boiling hot water in the sprayer. No, the Lotus works with cold water. It's the patented process that makes it effective at cleaning and sanitizing.

I am simply amazed at the difference this little gadget is making in my home, not to mention how much better I feel about cleaning now. It's as if all the cleaning I've done up to this point has been superficial at best, even with all those nasty chemicals. The Lotus does it much better, more efficiently, more affordably, and definitely more environmentally-friendly. What more can you ask from a cleaning system?

Now the next thing on my list is to see how the Lotus sprayer performs in the bathroom. Judging by the refrigerator, I can't wait to see how squeaky clean it will make the shower door!

~~GIVEAWAY~~ Want to win a Lotus system? Then you're in luck! One lucky Shady Lady reader will win the same system I reviewed! Lucky you!! This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only please.

Entering is easy. Please do the mandatory first step before doing the extra entries. Winner will be determined by using Random.org. Entries will be verified before winner is contacted, so please make sure you use the same username, name, and/or email address for each entry, or tell me how to identify you. And PLEASE leave an email address in your comment if it is not publicly visible on your blog! Thank you for adhering to these giveaway rules.

~~Mandatory~~Visit the Tersano website (makers of the Lotus system) and tell me something you learned about the Lotus. This step is required before extra entries will count. Please don't copy from someone else's post.

Extra entries - please leave separate comments for each:

*One extra entry if you follow my blog through Blogger or Google Friend Connect. (see sidebar) Current followers qualify also.

*One extra entry if you follow me on Twitter @tnshadylady Leave your Twitter id. Current followers qualify also.

*One extra entry if you friend me on Facebook. Current fans/friends/followers qualify also.

*DAILY ENTRY - Tweet this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet. Feel free to copy and paste:

#Giveaway #Win Lotus Home Cleaning System! Easiest way to clean your home! @tnshadylady @mytersano http://bit.ly/d7yxYz ends 11/3

*One extra entry if you follow with Networked Blogs. (see sidebar) Current followers qualify also.

*One extra entry if you like Tersano/Lotus on Facebook. Get an extra entry if you leave a comment that you entered to win the Lotus at Shady Lady (http://tnshadylady.blogspot.com)

*One entry each if you are a subscriber to my email updates and/or rss feed. (see sidebar) Tell me what email address and/or reader you use. Current subscribers qualify also.

*One extra entry if you follow Tersano/Lotus on Twitter.

*FIVE ENTRIES - Help me spread the word! Post this giveaway on your own blog or giveaway site or linky or other social networking site. Leave me a link so I can verify. Be sure to leave five separate comments.

*FIVE ENTRIES - Post my button on your blog. It doesn't have to be "above the fold", but it does have to be on your main page. Leave a link so I can verify. Be sure to leave five separate comments.

Giveaway closes midnight CST Wednesday November 3, 2010. Giveaway open to US and Canada residents only please. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Remember to leave separate comments for each method of entry! This is the only way to be sure that you get all your entries. And if you are already a subscriber or follower, you still get those entries! So be sure to get all the entries you are entitled to.

Disclaimer: I was provided a Lotus system gratis in exchange for providing an unbiased review of the product. (Thanks Melissa!) No other monetary consideration was involved, and my review was not influenced in any way.

Chex Mix Snacks "Game Day" get-together

I wanted to share with you some pix of our Chex Mix Snacks "Game Day" get-together. I received a great package of goodies from MyGetTogether including three packages of Chex Mix, some coupons, football themed paper plates and napkins and a great HUGE snack bowl!

Take a look at what I got -

And here's how I set up a side "buffet" for my football guests -

 

Have to give a shout out to our MEMPHIS TIGERS!!!

Although the Tigers didn't win today  :(  we still had a great time watching the game together and eating great tasting Chex Mix! As you can see, my friends love to munch while they watch the game --

Since this group was mostly adults, they said they preferred the traditional Chex Mix to the new sweeter varieties. But as you can plainly see, there wasn't much of ANYTHING left after the game.  :)

All in all it was a terrific gettogether made even better by having great traditional and new Chex Mix! Thanks, MyGetTogether for providing the party goodies!

And don't forget to go enter The Ultimate Chex Mix Game Day Sweeps at their Facebook page!

Affordable little shoe rack that doubles as extra shelving {review}

My closet is a mess. There isn't room enough for my clothes, let alone anything else I need to store there. And I only have the one closet in my entire apartment. So I was in desperate need of something to keep shoes off the floor and out of the way. So naturally I turned to CSN when I went shopping for a shoe rack.

The Trimmer 4-tier is a great shoe rack for the price. I looked at all the racks, and ended up selecting this one not only for the price but for the added convenience of extra shelving if needed. It's very sturdy.

The package came wrapped and double-wrapped to insure that none of the parts got chipped or bent. I was very pleased with that, because being made out of metal wire, it could easily have been damaged in shipment. So I appreciate the extra care in packing.

Putting it together is simple...but you might need an extra pair of hands to do it! All the pieces are separate. You simply hook the bottom shelf on one end support piece, then hook it on the other end support piece, and then add shelves as you go up. It took a bit of wrangling for one person! But it really was simple - just be forewarned that you might need some help and don't get frustrated (like I almost did).

Since the shelves literally just lie on top of the outer supports, I was worried that when I loaded it with shoes it might collapse. I worried for nothing. It is very sturdy and there is just the right amount of clearance so that the shelves do not come off easily, they are hooked on pretty tight.

I can get 12 pairs of shoes on it, and it could easily go into the bathroom as a small shelf if you need something near the bathtub, for instance. I wouldn't put books on it, because there is not enough back support to hold books upright, but towels, knick-knacks etc. would be fine.

Overall I'm very pleased with this shoe rack and would recommend it mainly because it does double duty as extra shelving if needed.

{Disclosure: I purchased this shoe rack from CSN with my own money. My review was not influenced in any way.}

My first body pillow - and it's a doozy! {review}

I've never had a body pillow before. But after having hip replacement, I found that I was stuffing pillows between my knees to keep the "bad" hip comfortably in place. I'm a side sleeper, so my knee was always at an angle to my body, twisting my spine and putting undue pressure on that artificial hip joint.

CSN offered me a gift code so I could get a product to review on my blog and after some deliberation I chose this one, the Sarah Peyton Memory Foam Body Pillow.

Good choice, if I do say so myself. :)

When it came in the box, I was a little surprised...the box was small and HEAVY! Surely my new body pillow couldn't be in this box?! But the pillow had been compressed very tightly and then rolled up for shipping. When I unrolled it, I thought no way. Then I noticed the little sticker that said to give it up to 48 hours to uncompress before using.

So I had to wait a couple of nights before I could try it out. After a few hours, I checked on it and lo and behold, it had tripled in size already! I waited the full 48 hours before using it, and by the time I did use it, the pillow was fully uncompressed.

This thing is huge! I'm 5'6" and it's at least 4' long - quite long enough to support not only my knee but my ankle as well (which was a problem when using standard pillows). I LOVE IT!! It's soft but firm. The memory foam is amazing. Once you get settled comfortably, the pillow conforms to your individual shape and you're all set for several hours of comfortable snoozing and rest.

The pillow is rather heavy, I admit, because it is literally stuffed full of memory foam. Very substantial. Having never experienced a body pillow before, I was expecting something about like a regular king-size pillow only longer. This is truly a remarkable product and a bargain at that price. Not at all the flimsy long pillow I was expecting.

Having this firm but soft support underneath my leg and knee, when I sleep on my side my spine is no longer twisted and I don't wake up with a backache anymore. Also, sleeping on my side meant my arm and shoulder were twisted as well, but now I have support there too because this pillow is long enough to go from my ankle to my elbow. My spine no longer screams at me for the nightly abuse. Highly recommended!

{Disclosure: CSN provided me with a gift code in order to purchase a product to facilitate my review. No other monetary consideration was involved and my review was not influenced in any way.}

Ultimate Family Vacation...with my sister!

Sponsored By

Cheerios® is giving you the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, your ultimate family vacation. As part of a paid promotion for their “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, Cheerios® is sponsoring my post today about what my ultimate family vacation would be. Read mine and Enter the Sweepstakes for a chance to actually win your own fantasy family trip or one of a bunch of other great prizes.




When you hear the words "family vacation", does that make you think of loading up the whole kit and kaboodle for a week at the beach? or a visit to a theme park? or how about a cruise? or an extended stay with another family member who lives on a farm or in a big city with lots to offer for entertainment?

Yes, the kiddos, grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins and the family pet are important to consider when planning a "family vacation", but don't forget the other members of your family.

Take for instance my sister. It has always - and I mean ALWAYS - been her dream to visit Australia. Personally? Sure, I'd love to visit Australia too, but it doesn't hold the same appeal for me that it does for her. I'd much prefer to visit Europe - Paris, London, Rome, Vienna - but I admit Australia does hold some charm for me.

But for my sister, it's like The Land of The Holy Grail or something. Seriously. I don't know if she fell in love with Crocodile Dundee and has never gotten him out of her system or what. :) But she constantly thinks about winning a trip to Australia or looking at travel websites to see how many years she must save her spare pennies to be able to pay for a trip to The Land Down Under.

It's almost an obsession with her.

Which brings me to my point. It would be an honor to take a "family vacation" with my sister, just her and me, to Australia. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do or anyplace else I'd rather be.

Except maybe Fiji.

You see, Fiji is my dream vacation. Fiji is my "Bali Hai" and yes, it calls me.

So the Ultimate Family Vacation in my book? A South Sea adventure with my sister wherein she gets to visit Australia and I get to visit Fiji. It's going to be an enormously expensive trip either way, so might as well kill two dream birds with one stone.

G'day mate!




Don't forget to enter the “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, for a chance to win your own ultimate family vacation. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

The Sweetness of Life

My sister has this great old house built about a hundred years ago. It has an octagonal porch with a porch swing. She's also decorated the porch with lots of wicker furniture with brightly-colored cushions, outdoor lanterns, ferns, etc.

It's a wonderful "outdoor room".

This summer an old childhood friend was back in town for a visit. Since he had recently got married, we were anxious to visit with him and meet his new wife.

So we decided to have a little "meet and greet" reception on my sister's porch, with just a small gathering of friends and family, wine, cheese, grapes and Pepperidge Farms Milano strawberry cookies.

The party was a huge success. I can't think of many things better in life than spending a summer evening outdoors on the porch with a gathering of close friends and family. Good company, good wine, good food... It doesn't get much better than that!

Everyone was sorry to see the evening end. One of life's sweetest moments now only lives in our memories and the photos we took.

But now every time I taste a Pepperidge Farms Milano strawberry cookie with dark chocolate, that sweet moment comes rushing back to me and I can relive a bit of that evening, even if time and distance have separated us once again.

Funny how a simple thing like eating a cookie can bring back a rush of memories of a wonderful time. But these are no ordinary cookies. These are Pepperidge Farms Milano strawberry cookies. This fabulous little cookie deliciously pairs luscious strawberry filling with rich, dark chocolate for an irresistible, sweet indulgence that brings a moment of satisfaction to any day. And guess what? They go great with both red and white wine!

Create your own memorable sweet moments! Remember to pick up Pepperidge Farms Milano cookies for your next get-together and watch the sweetness unfold. Then you too can savor the memories as you savor the cookies in the future.

And now you can save $1.00 when you use this coupon to purchase Pepperidge Farms Milano cookies! Be sure to visit the Pepperidge Farms Milano Facebook page for more great discounts and offers.

New England Coffee - it doesn't get any better than this!

I'm a coffee junkie. If I don't have at least two cups of coffee first thing in the morning, I'm cranky and listless the rest of the day. Caffeine really doesn't make me jittery like it does a lot of folks. But still it gives me enough of a jumpstart to my day to make getting going a little bit easier.

You see I'm something of a sluggish bear in the mornings. Yes, it's true. Just ask anyone in my family. :) Recently I read something that kinda made sense to me, because it said that some people experience a very low drop in blood pressure while sleeping so that they are groggy and slow in the morning before the blood gets pumping again. I think that describes me very accurately.

I've always envied those folks who jump out of bed rarin' to go, or awake from a fifteen-minute power nap fully refreshed. Not me. Naps just tick me off and make me mad. Unless I can sleep until my natural circadian rhythm says it's time to wake up, if my sleep is interrupted by an alarm clock (every freakin' workday) then I'm cranky and slow to get started. Can't help it. Just me.

So coffee is not just a luxury, it's a necessity.

Imagine my delight when New England Coffee sent me several packages of their coffee to try! I couldn't believe how generous they were. I received six packages in six different varieties to try. And I started trying them the very next morning.

The New England Breakfast Blend was my favorite. It had a hearty flavor while still being smooth as you would expect from a breakfast blend. I was very impressed that it didn't have a bitter aftertaste like some coffees. New England Coffee's Breakfast Blend is a mix of Central and South American beans, medium-roasted to perfection. Love it!

Second favorite was San Francisco Blend, a bold mix of Kenya and Sumatra Mandheling beans French-roasted for a darker, more robust flavor. Yet still not over-powering or acidic. Perfect for those times you need a real coffee pick-me-up!

I also tried the Blueberry Cobbler flavored coffee, which surprised me because I really didn't expect to like it at all. But New England Coffee Company is masterful at achieving just the right blend of flavors. While this isn't a coffee I will drink often, it would be a nice change of pace now and then, and definitely a nice after-dinner cup.

Hazelnut Creme was delicious! I use hazelnut-flavored coffee creamer a lot as it is one of my favorite coffee flavors, so I expected to love this coffee--and I did! Definitely will be purchasing that in the future.

New England Coffee also sent me a couple of varieties of decaffeinated coffee to try, and to be honest I'm not a big decaf fan but these were also very delicious and would be perfect for late-night or whenever you really don't need the caffeine stimulus but still want a satisfying cup of coffee.

There is not a doubt in my mind that New England Coffee is a cut above all other coffees. They have mastered the art of blending different beans and roasting them to perfection. You will never get a "bad" cup of New England Coffee! And you won't believe the prices--about what you'd pay for garden-variety coffee brands, but with the flavor of specialty coffee. Only $5.49 for a 12-oz. bag! That's definitely the best deal I've found in a long time!

New England Coffee is available in many retail stores and you can also order online. If you are a coffee connoisseur or just a coffee lover like me, I strongly urge you to check out New England Coffee for yourself. I love trying new coffee blends and brands and flavors, but I think I just found my new favorite brand!

Here's a bit about the company taken from their website --

New England Coffee is owned and operated by a third generation of the Kaloyanides and Dostou families and has been providing quality and service for over 90 years. Our beliefs in the highest standards of customer service and product quality have been passed on in the true tradition of family business.

In the early years, we were located in a building at the corner of Milk and Broad Streets in Boston, where hand-roasted coffee was delivered by horse and wagon. Our first truck was purchased in 1918 and other family members started to join the business. In 1966, after outgrowing several homes in succession, we finally settled into our present location at 100 Charles Street in Malden, Massachusetts.

Today we occupy five buildings and have hugely expanded our manufacturing and packaging capabilities. While we've grown to become New England's largest independent coffee roaster, our philosophy and goal are still the same - to buy and sell premium coffee and provide the best service possible.

Our methods are not cutting edge. In fact, they're antiquated by most people's standards. And we wouldn't change a thing. It's the only way we know how to make sure that you'll always enjoy a consistently great cup of coffee.

As fine coffee becomes more and more integral to the American way of life, we will continue to indulge you with our consistent tradition of good taste.

Believe it. And try New England Coffee for yourself. I know you'll love it like I do!

Disclaimer: I was provided samples of New England Coffee gratis in exchange for providing an unbiased review of the product. (Thanks Kathleen!) No other monetary consideration was involved, and my review was not influenced in any way.

Making pasta at home is a breeze with ATG! {giveaway}

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - PENDING WINNER VERIFICATION

When I see those cooking shows on tv that show someone making their own pasta, kneading the dough, then rolling it out thin and yet thinner still in one of those pasta machines that also cuts the pasta into recognizable noodles, I'm always envious.

Making my own pasta at home has always been something I've wanted to do. So when ATG Stores offered me the chance to review a product and host a giveaway for my readers (more on that later) I knew exactly what I wanted to review.

A pasta maker.

ATG Stores very generously sent me the Prago Traditional Pasta Machine. Since this would be my first time ever to make pasta, I enlisted the help of my mother. Four hands are better than two, and hey, she's got a much nicer kitchen than my crappy little apartment kitchen!

I chose the plain pasta recipe, which is simply 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of warm water, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix this into a dough, let it set for about 15 minutes, then the pasta making can begin!

Setting up the machine was easy. Even though this was our first time for both my mother and myself, we went by the simple directions that came with the pasta maker and had no trouble setting it up or figuring out how it works. It's really really simple. We were both a little intimidated at first, but the ease and simplicity of the machine quickly alleviates all doubts you may have.

There's a handy C-clamp included so you can clamp the machine to a table or counter top. I highly advise you to do this so that the machine isn't moving around all over the place. Then just attach the cutter mechanism to the main unit (it simply slides into place), stick in the handle, and you're ready to make pasta.

The basic recipe makes quite a bit of dough, and as you roll it out and keep making it thinner, you will see that it makes a lot of pasta. We split it up into 4 sections and worked with each section at a time so that our workspace wasn't overly crowded.

 

There are 7 settings on the rollers that press the dough thin. The instructions advise you to start with 7, run the dough through a few times, then gradually move the numbers down, running the dough through again and again. The lower the number, the thinner the pasta. At the 2nd and 1st settings, the dough is so thin you can almost read through it. This would be good for very fine angel hair pasta or even pastry dishes where you want a very very thin crust.

For spaghetti, use from 3 to 5 to get the thickness of the noodle that you prefer. We were so fascinated by how easily the machine thins the dough that on our first batch we went all the way to 1 and the pasta almost fell apart before we could cook it, that's how "dainty" it is! So it may take a bit of experimentation to get just the right thickness that you and your family prefer.

When you've got your dough all flattened out nicely, it's time to run it through the cutter. That part is easy too. Simply move the handle from the rollers to the cutter mechanism and do the same thing, running the dough through. It automatically cuts the dough into thin strips.

The length of the dough piece you put in will determine the length of your noodles. Since this was our first time, there was a lot of trial and error, and we found that it really makes things a lot neater if you trim your dough into nice straight edges first. A simple kitchen paring knife does that job easily.

The instructions suggest that you hang the pasta noodles to dry before cooking. They will dry pretty fast. We didn't really have anything appropriate to hang them on, so we cooked them fresh as is.

Fresh homemade pasta takes only a fraction of the time to cook that store-bought pasta takes. Make sure you use plenty of water and get it to a full rolling boil before adding the pasta. Depending on the thickness you chose for your noodles, it will cook very quickly. We were a bit skeptical of this at first, so our first batch came out overcooked and a bit mushy. The next time, we let the noodles cook for no longer than 3 minutes and they came out perfect. So again, experimentation is key, because it really depends on your personal preference.

Just for the sake of variety, we served the noodles with alfredo sauce and regular spaghetti sauce. Don't they look good enough to eat? :)

Overall we were both impressed with how easy it is to make your own pasta with this pasta maker. It takes a little longer, sure, but isn't that what makes it special? And no preservatives! A great family activity that even the kids can participate in. Spend a Saturday making up several batches, let them dry completely, then store for later use.

And wouldn't that make a great gift! A bag of homemade pasta noodles and a jar of sauce in a nice little basket would be a fabulous and much appreciated gift.

Hmm... I think I just figured out what to give those people on my gift list who are so hard to buy for...



~~GIVEAWAY~~ATG Stores is giving one lucky Shady Lady reader a $50 gift certificate! Lucky you!! This giveaway is open to US and Canada only please.

Entering is easy. Please do the mandatory first step before doing the extra entries. Winner will be determined by using Random.org. Entries will be verified before winner is contacted, so please make sure you use the same username, name, and/or email address for each entry, or tell me how to identify you. And PLEASE leave an email address in your comment if it is not publicly visible on your blog! Thank you for adhering to these giveaway rules.


~~Mandatory~~Visit ATGStores.com and tell me what you would purchase if you win this gift certificate. Please leave a link to the item, along with your email address. You must leave a link to an item you found on the ATGStores.com website. (Getting the link is easy: once you find the item you want, click in the address bar at the top of your browser and copy the URL. That is the direct link to the item you chose. Then just paste that into your comment. Let me know if you need help doing this.)

Extra entries - please leave separate comments for each:

Since many of you are not bloggers or tweeters, I want to offer you some extra entries as well.

For an extra entry, tell me if you've ever made homemade pasta and what your experience was like. Got any tips for me?

For another entry, email this giveaway to a friend and carbon copy me (cc: tnshadylady(at)gmail.com). You'll get an extra entry for each person you email about this.

Bonus entry if anyone you sent an email to enters the giveaway and states in their comment that you sent them. One entry for each referral.

FIVE ENTRIES if you follow the ATGStores Blog http://ourblog.atgstores.com

FIVE ENTRIES if you follow my blog with Google Friend Connect. (see left sidebar) Be sure to make five separate comments to get all the entries.

THREE ENTRIES if you become a fan of ATGStores on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ATGStores

THREE ENTRIES if you "like" me on Facebook http://facebook.com/tnshadylady

THREE ENTRIES if you follow @ATGStores on Twitter http://twitter.com/ATGStores

THREE ENTRIES if you follow me on Twitter @tnshadylady Leave your Twitter id.

DAILY ENTRY - Tweet this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet. Feel free to copy and paste:

#Giveaway #Win $50 GC to @ATGStores! Over 500 stores! Shopping online has never been easier! @tnshadylady http://bit.ly/9pgPW2 ends 9/15

FIVE ENTRIES if you follow me with Networked Blogs. (see right sidebar) Be sure to leave five separate comments.

THREE ENTRIES each if you subscribe to my email updates and/or rss feed. (see left sidebar) Tell me what email address and/or reader you use. Three entries for each one, so leave three separate comments, or six comments if you do both.

THREE ENTRIES if you subscribe to ATGStores Email List

TEN ENTRIES - Post this giveaway on your own blog with a link back to this giveaway and also a link to ATGStores.com. Leave me a link so I can verify.

Giveaway closes midnight CST Wednesday September 15, 2010. Giveaway open to US and Canada only. No PO boxes please. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

per sponsor: Anyone who is currently hosting an ATG Stores product review or giveaway is not eligible to enter.

Remember to leave separate comments for each method of entry! For instance, if you follow me on Twitter, leave THREE comments with your Twitter ID. This is the only way to be sure that you get all your entries.

Disclaimer: I was provided a sample product from ATGStores.com gratis in exchange for providing an unbiased review of the product. No other monetary consideration was involved, and my review was not influenced in any way.