Saturday, October 31, 2009

Recipe of the Week

Beef, Cheddar and Potato Pie

2 lbs. ground beef (I use less--more like 1 1/2 lbs.)
2 carrots, cut into 1/4" cubes
1 large onion, cut into 1/4" cubes
2 stalks celery, cut in 1/4' cubes
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
1 large baking potato, peeled and cut into 1/4" cubes
1/2 c water or beef broth
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed but cold
1 large egg yolk, beaten with 1 Tbsp. water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In skillet, combine beef, carrots, onion, celery and potato and cook, breaking up meat, over med-high heat till beef is cooked through and some liquid has evaporated, about 15 mins. Lower heat to med, add water or beef broth and cook 10 mins. Add the cheese, 2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Let cool.

On floured surface, roll 1 puff pastry sheet into 12" round. Place in 10" skillet or deep pie dish. Roll remaining puff pastry sheet to 11" round. Using slotted spoon, transfer meat mixture to the skillet. Lightly brush the edge of the crust with some of the egg wash, then place the second sheet on top. Press the edges to seal, then trim to 1/2" edge.

Place the pie on a baking sheet. Brush the top with more of the egg wash and cut an X into the pastry. Sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Bake for 45 mins,tenting with foil if crust darkens too quickly. Transfer to rack to cool for 15 mins.
Serves 8

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Editon *Giveaway*


Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a Disney classic, has just been released from the Disney vault and is available now in the Diamond Edition DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack. This beloved story is presented with a newly restored picture and 7.1 Digital Theater System Hi-Def Surround Sound for the ultimate viewing experience.

The Combo Pack comes with lots of bonus features like "The Princess and the Frog" Sneak Peek, "Someday My Prince Will Come", a music video by Tiffany Thornton, and lots of interactive games and activities. You can take part in the "Heigh-Ho" Karaoke Sing-Along or play Jewel Jumble, a game in which players put jewels from the Dwarfs' mine in the proper order to win.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of 14 Disney classic movies that will be joining the Diamond Collection over the next 7 years. These titles represent the most sophisticated in picture and sound technology, bonus content and interactive features available only through the wonder of Blu-ray technology. Look for some more of your favorites coming soon!

The release of this movie comes just in time for the holiday season--it would make a perfect gift for a young child or even someone who's young at heart! The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack is priced at $39.99 SRP and the 2-Disc DVD set, coming November 24, 2009, will sell for a suggested price of $29.99.

Win It!:

Would you like to win a copy of the Diamond Edition Combo Pack? Thanks to One2One Network am I able to offer one of my readers the chance to do just that! All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite childhood movie.

Extra entries:
1.) Subscribe to my blog
2.) Follow my blog
3.) Post about my giveaway on your blog and link back here.
4.) Add my button to your sidebar.
5.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway.
6.) Enter the Name Your Tune giveaway here.

Giveaway will end Friday, November 6th at 10 p.m. EST. Winner will be selected at random and will be contacted via e-mail (so make sure that I have yours)! Good luck!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

List of Halloween Freebies


Free Sample Freak has a BIG list of all kinds of freebies you can snag this Halloween! Go check it out!

*HOT Coupon* 50% off Entire Purchase @ Payless


The Oprah Winfrey Show is offering viewers a coupon for 50% off of your entire purchase at Payless ShoeSource good through closing on Friday, October 30th. You can either print the coupon or text to receive the offer on your phone. More details here.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Name Your Tune: Personalized CDs for Children *Giveaway*



I'm proud to introduce to you the coolest new product I've come across lately: Name Your Tune CDs! These CDs are made-to-order especially for each customer and come with 14 personalized songs with your child's name right in them! In fact, your child will hear his or her name over 80 times while listening to their special songs! You'll hear such songs as "Little __ Had a Farm", If You're Happy And You Know It, and Boom, Boom Ain't It Great To Be YOU! (For the complete playlist and to hear each song, click here).

Name Your Tune graciously sent me a personalized CD for my own two boys and they were SO excited to hear their names! I watched them both as their eyes lit up when they recognized that the song was all about them...it was priceless. Even the label itself can be personalized with a special message for your child. Mine reads, "Special Songs for Josh and Austin... Love, Mommy and Daddy".

There are over 4000 names available and the list is constantly being updated. In fact, they are headed into the studio next week to record even more names! Not only is the product impressive but the people behind it are amazing, too. They have decided to donate a portion of their sales to Hear Here, a non-profit charitable foundation that purchases hearing aids for children. In addition, their packaging is also fully recycled and fully recyclable.

Name Your Tune has been featured on The Today Show and is a favorite product of many celebrities! They also offer other personalized items such as lunchboxes, placemats, wall art and paintings...the list goes on and on and the possibilities are endless!

Buy it:

It goes without saying that these would make great Christmas gifts and they will be ready in time for the holidays as long as you order by December 19th. My little niece is a drama queen and I KNOW she'd love the mention of her own name in a CD, so I've ordered one for her for Christmas. What's awesome is that just for being a reader of my blog (thank you!) you can get a special discount on your order. Just go to Name Your Tune's website and enter the code "oneday" when you order to save $5 off your purchase!

Win it!:

I am so happy to offer one of my readers the opportunity to win a personalized CD themselves! All you have to do is tell me who you'd make a CD for if you won! If you'd like extra entries, you can do any of the following:

1.) Subscribe to my blog
2.) Follow my blog
3.) Post about my giveaway on your blog and link back here.
4.) Add my button to your sidebar.
5.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway.
6.) Tell me how you found my website.
7.) Head over to Name Your Tune's website and tell me one other product you like.

Giveaway will end Friday, November 6th at 10 p.m. EST. Winner will be selected at random and will be contacted via e-mail (so make sure that I have yours)! Good luck!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Five For Fighting "Slice" Review



Five For Fighting is back with a new album, Slice! Thanks to the One2One Network I had the opportunity to listen to it and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

I've always been a fan of the music Five For Fighting puts out. John Ondrasik lays down the vocals and has such an easily recognizable voice--he brings something unique to the table with his sound. There wasn't a track on this CD that I didn't like! Most of the songs have more of a ballad-type feel to them, which is the style of music I typically like to listen to. It's the perfect soundtrack for anything you're doing, whether it's cleaning around the house, driving in your car, or hanging out with friends and family.

Each song tells a different story and evokes all kinds of emotions. Titles on the album include:

1. Slice
2. Note To The Unknown Soldier
3. Tuesday
4. Chances
5. This Dance
6. Above The Timberline
7. Transfer
8. Hope
9. Story Of Your Life
10. Love Can't Change The Weather
11. Augie Nieto

Give this album a listen and I know you'll be hooked! If you want to see Five For Fighting in person, they've just started their concert tour. Dates are as follows:

18-Oct Toronto, ON El Mocambo
20-Oct New York, NY City Winery
22-Oct Bay Shore, NY (Long Island) YMCA Boulton Center
23-Oct Uncasville, CT The Wolf Den
24-Oct Washington, DC Jammin Java
26-Oct Boston, MA The Paradise
27-Oct Philadelphia, PA World Café Live (downstairs)
29-Oct Nashville, TN The Belcourt
30-Oct Chicago, IL Lakeshore
3-Nov Salt Lake City, UT The State Room
5-Nov Seattle, WA Crocodile
6-Nov Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
10-Nov San Francisco, CA Swedish American Hall
11-Nov Los Angeles, CA Largo at the Coronet

If you'd like the chance to win tickets to a concert, check out Five For Fighting's website and sign up! (You'll see the link on the right sidebar).

Monday, October 26, 2009

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix Recipe Booklet


Text "BETTY" to 467467 to receive a free Betty Crocker Cookie Mix recipe booklet with 10 holiday recipes and coupons. You'll receive a text back asking if you'd like recipe newsletters sent via e-mail, but you don't have to respond in order to receive the free recipe booklet.

Recipe of the Week

Crock Pot Potato Soup

6 c. cubed potatoes
5 c. water
2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. diced celery
1/2 c. diced carrots
1/4 c. margarine
4 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 12-oz. can evaporated milk
3 T. parsley

In a large slow cooker, combine the first 9 ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 7 hours or until the vegetables are tender. Add milk and parsley; mix well. Cover and cook 30-60 minutes longer or until heated through.

Free Kentucky Grilled Chicken Today, 10/26


Each person who stops by Kentucky Fried Chicken today (Monday) will get a FREE piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken. No coupon necessary.

Find a location near you here. Enter your zip code in the box at the top of the page.

$1 Chicken Meals at Boston Market


Just received this awesome coupon in my inbox: Pay only $1 for a quarter white or 3-piece dark chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread at Boston Market. I can't post the link here but I would be glad to forward the coupon to you--just leave me your e-mail address! I believe you could use the coupon for your entire party as it states one meal per person per visit. This offer is good Monday, October 26th through Sunday, November 1st.