Monday, March 25, 2013

EASTER is also my BIRTHDAY: March 31, 2013

Roe Clark's Homemade Paper Box with Easter Goodies!



Cupcake Chicks! For a POTETIAL CONTEST if we find someone to SPONSOR this event with a prize (worth $1.00 - $5.00) write to me here to SPONSOR


Easy to make Easter Cupakes



Boiling a different way! 
For a POTETIAL CONTEST if we find someone to SPONSOR this event with a prize (worth $1.00 - $5.00) write to me here to SPONSOR
 


Dying the egg on the inside!




POTENTIAL Contest of March for my bloggers and fan page 
 if we find someone to SPONSOR this event with a prize (worth $1.00 - $5.00) write to me here to SPONSOR

Bird's  Nest

Face Washer Bunny for you Moms or crafters!
Easter Snacks for Moms or Anyone!  I'm doing this for my husband and I this year!

POTENTIAL Contest of April for my bloggers and fan page 
 if we find someone to SPONSOR this event with a prize (worth $1.00 - $5.00) write to me here to SPONSOR

POTENTIAL Contest of April  for my bloggers and fan page 
 if we find someone to SPONSOR this event with a prize (worth $1.00 - $5.00) write to me here to SPONSOR



Sunday, March 24, 2013

PINTEREST PARTY this Wednesday 3/2713



Well my Etsy shop is starting to come alive with a WEDDING theme and more!  So I thought what better way to start the fun than having a PINTEREST Party on Wednesday night 3/27/13.  6pm ET - 7pm ET.  I will have the rest of the information about it posted here on Monday night!   And you will be able to send your email to me and I will email you the details.  Thanks so much for considering this!  Mark your calendar!

Well this is awkward...





Hi!  Thanks for stopping by, it's been lonely here for awhile.  I write a lot of articles for three blogs and lately the only person really reading and replying is my husband (thank you John!) or people who enter into a giveaway.   My blog doesn't have ads and I don't get paid for this or for having a group and doing most of the giveaways.  So I was wondering,...  could you help by stopping at my Etsy shop and seeing if something is of interest to you to help me float the giveaway boat?  <big smile>  I would really appreciate it.  And if you can't do that, can you go to the top of the Carolyn's Candles page and click on the notifications so you can see more of what I post there and "like" and "share" the messages (even if it isn't giveaway related?)  I feel like we're a community and I would love comments on my blogs too.  I do them for you and other readers and hope that I do a good job but you really never know if someone doesn't say something and that is awkward...
not because I feel like I need the praise but I'm reaching out to all of you and hoping you are reaching out to me too!  The other blogs that I write are:

Carolyn's Candles And More
http://carolynscandlesandmore.blogspot.com/
(I will be opening my Etsy shop for next weekend on Easter and my birthday, March 31st!)  I'm not having a giveaway on that day but hoping you will go there and find something you like.  You can always tell me in comments the things you enjoy buying on the Internet and if you can use a credit card?  or PayPal?  Thanks!

Doing Random Acts of Kindness
http://doingrandomactsofkindness.blogspot.com/
This one I've fallen behind on and need to catch up on soon! But there is much to read there.  Thanks!

Well that's pretty much it and THANK YOU for being a fan of the webpage! 

Fold a Paper Box Contest TODAY ONLY 3/24/13


THE CONTEST IS:

How to make a gift box! You do the same for the top of the box as you did for the bottom of the box. I need to find one more item to go with this. This is a contest for a $5.00 giftcard to your choice of Target, Walmart, Amazon.com, or Starbucks! You can decide with me in email after I pick the winner! GAME #1 FOR TODAY! You have until 8pm PT 3/24/13   11 pm ET to complete the whole thing (top and bottom) and I made these recently and posted mine at the top of the page.



Tips

  • For best results, fold neatly. For each fold, carefully align the edge or corner with whatever edge, crease, or other feature it should meet, then crease the paper firmly.
  • You might want to dab some glue on the bottom of the triangular flaps in order to make them stay down, or you can use tape.
  • If your paper is colored on one side, fold it so that the colored side faces down at first.
  • To make a lid for your box, create a square of paper half a centimeter larger than the first box, and repeat all steps.
    • An alternate method for making a lid is to repeat the steps with the same size paper, but on steps 12 and 13, don't fold the edges all the way to the center. Instead, leave about 1/8 of an inch between the edge and the center on both sides.
  • You can use poster board to create a bigger box. You can use sticky notes to make a very small box. But beware it is very difficult.

Warnings

  • Don't put anything too heavy in the box, or it will collapse. Remember, it is paper.
  • Watch out for paper cuts.

Related wikiHows


Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Fold a Paper Box. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Optional:  
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Origami
is for anything that you would like to do in origami for the top of the lid. There's a heart there that isn't very complicated. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Origami-Pocket-Heart
So where are the contestants? I want to provide you with opportunities to win that are challenging and not always easy to do like say true or false. Thanks!!






ROE:
 
                                         AND!

ASHLEY:



Congrats gals!  Thank you for sticking your neck out there and taking the challenge (even though it was totally NEW and DIFFERENT to you and me)....   I LOVE LOVE LOVE your work!!

Tell me which card you want in email HERE along with your email address and this will come to you on the 3/27/13.   Thanks  again!

Friday, March 22, 2013

How to: Sequin Egg Toppers

Easter is one of those holidays with traditional décor — pastels, colored eggs, and carrots everywhere. It’s pretty easy to decorate for. But what if you want to spice things up? What if you want something just a little bit different? Add a few sequins and see what happens. These sequin Easter egg cake decorations can be made in minutes.

Sequin Egg Cake Topper on onecharmingparty.com #eastereggs

You will need: styrofoam eggs (from the craft store), lollipop sticks, 2 yards of sequins (per egg), hot glue gun, scissors
Using the scissors, puncture a small hole the width of the lollipop stick in the bottom of the egg. If the paint peels off, it’s okay. The entire surface will be covered with sequins. Insert the lollipop stick in the bottom of the egg. Starting at the top of the egg, place a small amount of hot glue in the center and attach the beginning of your sequin rope. Carefully wrap around the surface of the egg dabbing occasionally with hot glue as you go. Once you get to the bottom, cut the end of your sequin strand, and seal with a small dot of hot glue. Repeat steps for several other eggs in other colors. Place on the top of a cute cake and admire! You can also put the eggs on toothpicks to decorate cupcakes!

Sequin Easter Egg Cake Toppers on onecharmingparty.com #eastereggs
Sequin Easter Egg Cake Toppers on onecharmingparty.com #eastereggs
Sequin Easter Egg Cake Toppers on onecharmingparty.com #eastereggs
Sequin Easter Egg Cake Toppers on onecharmingparty.com #eastereggs
Sequin Easter Egg Cake Toppers on onecharmingparty.com #eastereggs
Sequin Easter Egg Cake Toppers on onecharmingparty.com #eastereggs
Photography, design + styling by Lexy Ward.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The INCREDIBLE EDIBLE Good for You Simple Truth products!

 

I want to help you make better food choices, too!
I'm so glad that my husband and I made the choice to eat better foods for us almost 2 years ago when I wrote this blog post.  We've discovered uncomplicated, honest foods from Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic.  The simplicity of ingredients brings these products closer to the way nature intended. 

None of these 101 artificial preservatives and ingredients are included in Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic products:

Acesulfame-K (acesulfame potassium)
Acetylated ester of mono- and diglycerides
Ammonium chloride
Antibiotics
Artificial colors
Artificial flavors
Aspartame
Astaxanthin
Azodicarbonamide
Autolyzed yeast extract
Bentonite (acceptable in supplements)
Benzoates in food
Benzoyl alcohol
Benzoyl peroxide
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
Bisulfites
Bleached flour
Bromated flour
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
Calcium bromate
Calcium disodium EDTA
Calcium peroxide
Calcium propionate
Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
Calcium sorbate
Caprocaprylobehenin
Carmine
Certified colors
Cochineal
Cyclamates
Cystine (I-cysteine), as an additive for bread products
DATEM (Diacetyl tartaric and fatty acid esters of mono and diglycerides)
Diglycerides (acceptable in supplements)
Dimethylpolysiloxane
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)
Disodium calcium EDTA
Disodium dihydrogen EDTA
Disodium guanylate (GMP)
Disodium succinate
Dimethylamylamine (DMAA)
EDTA-ethylenedia mine-tetra acetic acid-chelating preservative
Erythorbic acid
Ester gums
Ethanol, ethyl alcohol, except that which is used as a natural flavor carrier
Ethyl vanillin
Ethylene oxide
Ethyoxyquin
FD&C colors (food dye & color)
Glycerol ester of wood rosin
Hexa-, hepta- and octa-esters of sucrose
High-fructose corn syrup
Hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated fats & oils
Hydroxpropyl guar gum
Methylene chloride
Modified food starch (acceptable if not chemically modified)
Monoglycerides
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Neotame
Nitrates/nitrites
Oxystearin
Parabens
Partially hydrogenated oil
Polydextrose
Potassium benzoate
Potassium bisulfate
Potassium bromate
Potassium hydroxide
Potassium metabisulfite
Potassium nitrate or nitrite
Potassium sorbate (acceptable in supplements only)
Propionates (calcium and sodium)
Propyl gallate
Propylene oxide
Propylparaben
Saccharin
Simplesse
Sodium aluminum phosphate
Sodium aluminum sulfate
Sodium benzoate
Sodium bisulfate
Sodium diacetate
Sodium ferrocycanide
Sodium glutamate
Sodium metabisulfite
Sodium nitrate/nitrite
Sodium propionate
Sodium sterol lactylate
Sodium steroyl-2-lactylate
Sodium sulfite
Solvent extracted oils, as stand-alone, single-ingredient oils (except grapeseed oil)
Sorbic acid
Sucralose
Sucroglycerides
Sucrose polyester (Olestra, Olean)
Sulfites (Sulfur dioxide)
Tartrazine
TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)
Tetrasodium EDTA
Trans fatty acids
Vanillin

Do you remember the OLD LOOK on the left?  And now the NEW LOOK on the right!

ORGANIC!



Natural

Simple Truth brand offers several natural products such as meat, chicken and eggs.
These products meet or exceed our standards for natural because they:
  • Contain no antibiotics, ever
  • Are minimally processed
  • Contain no artificial ingredients
  • Are fed a 100% vegetarian diet
  • Contain no added hormones*
*Federal regulations do not permit the use of hormones in chicken.
The term “natural foods” applies broadly to foods that are minimally processed and free of synthetic preservatives; artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and other artificial additives; hydrogenated oils; stabilizers; and emulsifiers. The term is not regulated except for meat and poultry. Kroger policy has remained the same as FDA natural policy since 1993.


You can now enjoy SIMPLE TRUTH at your Ralph's or Krogers and MORE

Saturday, March 16, 2013

The Pin To Win It With Customizo Event!

Customizo Pin it To Win It

Welcome to The Pin To Win It With Customizo Event!

 The Customizo website is fabulous!
Add at least 5 sentences about your thoughts on the Customizo website, Pinterest Parties or how great it would be to make and customize clothing like those on Customizo.   My husband is wearing the shirt now because it is TAGLESS and that is how he likes his shirts!  We're going to be buying some for him this summer!
Customizo is an innovative group of sites that help groups with apparel and product design, collaboration and purchasing. With their design tools, group collaboration platform, mobile content integration and centralized hub of fully customizable artwork templates, creating and designing, bringing your designs to life is easy.
Here is your chance to win all 5 pieces of clothing that you "Pinned" to your own Cutomizo Board! For your chance to win, follow the simple steps below:

1 - Follow Customizo on Pinterest AND The Review Wire on Pinterest Create and Design 5 Items from the Pinterest Party Category on Customizo.com. Use one of the free templates or upload your own artwork to customize your items. Save your designs and grab the Share link to post to Pinterest, you will have to create an account to do this.

3 - Create a Pinterest board and title it "Customizo Fashion" or "Customizo Custom Designs." Make sure to tag each pin with #Customizo!

4 - Come back and fill out the Giveaway Tools Form with your direct link to your Custom Customizo Board!

Pin It To Win It Giveaway


3 Winner's Will Each Receive their "Pin It to Win It Customizo Board" {RV $125}  See Form for Entry Details. Open to U.S. You must be 18 years old to enter to win. Ends 4/1
Disclosure: This event is sponsored by Customizo and hosted by The Review Wire. CONVERSATIONS WITH CAROLYN is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Companies and bloggers, if you would like to participate in group giveaway events like this one, sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by The Review Wire.

Friday, March 15, 2013

First Tribute to my Mother In Law


It's been a hard road here trying to get through each day without my Mother In Law.  As a friend said to me, "she was the sunshine and the sons and grandchildren were the sun rays."  I immediately spoke up and said. "That's exactly what I've been trying to describe to my husband."  Shirley was my best girl friend!  She came from a large family.  She had 2 brothers and 6 sisters.   She was born in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She out-lived all of her brothers and sisters as she was number 5 in the line up and lived to be 90!  We celebrated her 90th birthday on this entry.   I will share more about her life in another entry to come sometime this month on a separate blog I have for Colorectal Cancer Awareness.


   

Even though she was on Hospice in a nursing home here, we visited her everyday day that we could as though she were in her own apartment still.  The visits pretty much took place like they were the same.  I would find something in the Avon catalog ALWAYS for her!  I would buy it from our Reps. Mag. and order the item before it was available to the public.  I would be happy to tell her that she's the first person I have (given) sold a (necklace, bracelet, pin, blouse, lip stick or gloss, etc...) to and she was most always enthusiastic.  Sometimes the bracelets were too big for her small wrists.


Today marks ONE MONTH since her death and it feels like it was yesterday that she passed on to heaven.  The hurt is still so raw and I cry often and never when I expect it.  My husband and I are doing ok.  We're just getting out ourselves now and being able to enjoy life together just the two of us and of course with Sandie our dog (who loved Mom and Mom loved her!)  We will show pictures of Mom with Sandie in future dedications to her.


Listening to this song as I wrote this:
  http://www.vevo.com/watch/celtic-woman/you-raise-me-up/USMR80900051

You Raise Me Up
Artist(Band):Westlife Review The Song 

When I am down and, oh, my soul's so weary,
When troubles come and my heart burdened be,
Then I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
[Instrumental break]
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up to more than I can be.


Writer: LOVLAND, ROLF U. / GRAHAM, BRENDAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Format : CD Single
Producer : Steve Mac
Recorded : Rokstone Studios, London 2004
Label : Sony BMG
Length : 4:01
Genre : Pop
Released : October 24, 2005

"You Raise Me Up" was the debut single from Westlife's fifth studio album, Face To Face.This version is considered by many to be the most popular, of all the various versions of the same song. The single peaked at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the band's 13th Number One. It was the first song to be released following the departure of Brian McFadden from the group. The single sold 540,000 copies on UK so far. 

John (my husband) with Sandie

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Teachers! Don't settle for the bad apples getting attention!

TEACHERS! HERE'S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE NOTICED FOR THE GOOD THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY!

The NEWS is loaded with stories about bad teachers.  Why doesn't the news focus on the good that teachers do until there's some sort of tragedy in which a teacher helped a student or more or when teachers receive awards?

Do you know a teacher with a good news story?  If so, please
send your news story and article written by you as the friend who is sharing!

These will be due on APRIL 30, 2013 and there are no requirements because this is something that children and adults can enter.  There will be three prizes awarded to the winners and the prizes will come from two sources:  Avon and Scentsy.

Please submit your good news story about a teacher by 5pm PT on April 30, 2013 to carolynjm@live.com and be entered immediately into the contest.  Contest judges wanted!  Will accept a panel of 5.  Judge applications are also available at  carolynjm@live.com APPLY SOON!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: One Happy Family!

Carolyn, Sandie and John

Lose the fat, not the flavor! Morningstar Mac 'N' Cheese

 


When Morningstar Farms says "lose the fat, not the flavor," what do you think of as far as the flavor of the food?  I used to think that it was all TOFU and I wanted nothing to do with it!

Wow was I ever wrong.  I had the following products and LOVED THEM ALL!  One in particular is the meal that John basically made that I started.  Without his help in this I would have been totally stuck for time.  We had a party and I needed to decorate for the event!  Due to privacy to our party goers on the Internet, we are not actually showing the party pictures.  But I will show pictures of the meal and my husband who worked so hard on helping me with this meal.

We start with Michael Symon's Mac 'N' Cheese recipe and then we start tweaking it with the Morningstar Farms food products using:

MorningStar Farms® Veggie Bacon Strips
 and
Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters® Grillers® Recipe Crumbles™


Michael Symon's Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
  • 1 Pound Bacon (diced)
  • 3 tablespoons All Purpose flour
  • 1 Onion (diced)
  • 1 Butternut squash (peeled and diced)
  • 2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 Quart Half & Half (plus 3 cups)
  • 1 Pinch Nutmeg
  • 1 Bunch Parsley (chopped)
  • 1 Pound Rigatoni
  • 1 Cup Gruyere
  • 1 Cup Marscarpone
  • 2 Cups Bread Crumbs

Step by step directions. We've Made Cooking As Easy As 1-2-3!
  • ingredients 1 Pound Rigatoni
    instructions Bring 6 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Add 2 table spoons of salt. Cook the rigatoni in boiling water until tender. Drain, then set aside.
  • ingredients 1 Pound Bacon (diced)
    1 Onion (diced)
    1 Butternut squash (peeled and diced)
    2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
    1 Quart Half & Half (plus 3 cups)1 Pinch Nutmeg
    1 Cup Gruyere
    1 Cup Marscarpone
    3 tablespoons All Purpose flour
    instructions Cook bacon until crisp. Sweat onion, butternut squash, and garlic in pan until translucent, then add flour to pan to make roux. Slowly pour in half and half while mixing, and bring mixture to simmer. Add in 1/2 of the gruyere and nutmeg, and constantly stir until all of the cheese is melted. Add the marscarpone and mix until melted and combined. Add the cooked rigatoni and toss pasta until it’s well mixed in the cheese mixture.
  • ingredients 1 Bunch Parsley (chopped)
    2 Cups Bread Crumbs
    instructions In a medium mixing bowl, toss bread crumbs, remaining gruyere and parsley. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the casserole and bake at 375-400F for 5-8 minutes (until the top is golden brown).



and then you come up with:


Mac N Cheese with Morningstar Farms products

Thanking the major CHEF JOHN!

My husband John with the 2 casseroles that this recipe made!  Enough for 12 people.


We are pleased to say that there are left-overs for us.  With this cold weather that we've been having here at the beach this winter, a solid MEATLESS MEAL is just what we need!  We're planning on using the MorningStar Farms® Veggie Bacon Strips for breakfast soon and also the Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters® Grillers® Recipe Crumbles™ for an incredible portabello mushroom meal that Carolyn makes.  That's me! 

We ended the evening with a game where they won coupons for the Morningstar Farms products and that was a big hit!  A number of them have promised to have the group back together in their houses now before summer arrives and we are all grilling!  Of course we can always grill the burgers that Morningstar Farms makes. 

YES, every person I spoke with in person or communicated with online mentioned in this BzzReport knows that I'm a BzzAgent and that I received a product sample, coupon, collateral or other special premium from BzzAgent.

From FOOD NETWORK:  50 Mac N Cheese Recipes
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...