Sunday, November 29, 2015

*QUICK* Turtle Cheesecake

Do you ever over-commit and then find yourself it a pickle for an elegant dessert?  While I love the holiday season and seeing everyone we love, there are days it can feel a bit overwhelming!
 
Here is a quick trick from my wonderful friend, Joy!
 
*QUICK* Turtle Cheesecake
 
 
Ingredients:
 
(Of course home made equivalents can be substituted when you're not in a pinch for time!)
 
Butter Flavor Cooking Spray
Graham Cracker Crumbs
Ready Made Cheesecake Filling
Caramel Sauce
Chocolate Sauce
Pecans
Mini Chocolate Chips
 
This recipe is one of the few times I use the cups that came with my punch bowl.  They are the perfect size! 
 
Here's how you do it!
 
Spray the inside of the punch cup with butter flavor cooking spray.  Add about a teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs.  Shake gently to coat the inside of the cup.  Add a nice scoop of cheesecake filling.  Drizzle caramel and chocolate sauce.  Sprinkle pecans and chocolate chips.
 
In no time, you have a lovely little dessert for several guests!

 
Since my punch bowl cups are clear, I like to stack a clear cake plate on top of a clear platter which makes a pretty display!
 
Please tell me one of your quick tricks!
 
;-)  -Marci

Friday, November 27, 2015

Girl Gang

There's a super cool group being formed over at Dorkface!  Jemma has the crazy wonderful idea of spreading positivity across blog land!
 
 
Dorkface
 
 
 
 It's called Girl Gang, but you can join even if you're not a female!

Here are the rules:

1. You promise to spread joy, kindness and positivity in the blogging community whenever you can.

2. You believe in celebrating diversity.
 
3. You recognize that you are absolutely beautiful, and awesome.
 
  
I might struggle a bit with the last one, but those first two... 

Sign me up! 

Oh, yeah!  I already did that!  If you would like to jump on this fun band wagon, hop over to Dorkface !

;-)  -Marci

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Book Review: The Triumph of Deborah

by Eva Etzioni-Halevy
 
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A partial synopsis from Good Reads:  In ancient Israel, war is looming. Deborah, a highly respected leader, has coerced the warrior Barak into launching a strike against the neighboring Canaanites. Against all odds he succeeds, returning triumphantly with Asherah and Nogah, daughters of the Canaanite King, as his prisoners. But military victory is only the beginning of the turmoil, as a complex love triangle develops between Barak and the two princesses.
 
My thoughts:  Since this book is based on Judges 4 and 5, I had to go back and read that.  ;-)  The author definitely stays true to the Bible.  This is a well-written novel and I enjoyed it.  I think my favorite chapters involved the liberation of the captives and how they were treated once they returned to Israel.
 
What have you been reading?
 
;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Ready for a Party? Tuesdays with a Twist

 
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 Y'all make choosing features so difficult!  There were GOBS of great links last week!  Thank you!  Drum roll, please...

'So cute!  So clever!  Tin Can Projects





from Darlene at Let It Shine!
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Friday, November 20, 2015

Garden Guest: Brown Thrasher 2015


The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I have a series of posts to show you our Garden Guests.
 
If you would like to see more, please take a look at my Gardening Page
 

 These lovelies are Brown Thrashers.  I guess a baby was nearby while I was taking photos, as they kept scolding me.  This photo of two side by side show how different their markings can be.

 
Thrashers are usually seen in the denser flower beds in our yard.  They toss leaves and sticks while looking for insects.  I assume that's where they get their name, from all that thrashing!  They are actually quite noisy!

 
These photos were taken mid Summer even though I am posting them as a winter storm blows into Northwest Arkansas.  I guess I am not quite ready for cold weather yet!  ;-)

I like adding blogging music to my Garden Guest posts.
 
 Rascal Flatts, I Like the Sound of That


So, what's happening in your back yard?
 
 ;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Let's Party! Tuesdays with a Twist

 
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 Y'all make choosing features so difficult!  There were GOBS of great links last week!  Thank you!  Drum roll, please...

'Sorry!  I haven't been feeling well.  No feature this week.
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci









 

Monday, November 16, 2015

Link Party Feature

Exciting news!  My post about how to
 
 

is being featured today at
 
Join Our Weekly Link Up on Mondays!
 
 
What an honor!
 
;-)  -Marci
 
 


Saturday, November 14, 2015

More, please!

Oh, my goodness!  It is so exciting to hear lyrics about rodeos in Country Music again!
 
Jason Pritchett - Independence Cowboy
 
 
This is the second time I've posted a song by Jason.  Click HERE for the first one.
 
Yep, I definitely want more of this kind of music!  What songs are you playing these days?
 
;-)  -Marci

Thursday, November 12, 2015

GARDENING GIVEAWAY!!

'Remember how much I *LOVE* heirloom seeds?  If you haven't tried them already, here's your big chance to try them for FREE!  ;-)
 
 
 
 
 


We are THRILLED to sponsor another Giveaway for Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  This is our largest giveaway opportunity yet.  You have a chance to win 1 of 3 organic gift packs from Mary's Heirloom Seeds.
 

A total of 3 winners will be chosen!!!
This giveaway is live and ends Sunday, November 15th at 11:59pm

About our prizes.... 

 An excellent starter pack!  Includes 10 varieties of organic, non-GMO seeds (25 seeds per pack), Coconut Coir seed starting pellets,  Plant Markers, organic plant food and detailed growing instructions
Organic, Heirloom, Non-GMO Seeds: St. Valery Carrot, Tom Thumb Lettuce, Roma Tomato, Black Beauty Eggplant, Blue Lake Bush Beans, New Jersey Wakefield Cabbage, National Pickling Cucumber, Early Scarlet Globe Radish, Yellow of Parma Onion and Black Beauty Zucchini
8 ounces Mary's Organic Plant Food 3-4-4
Options: 24 Coconut Coir Pellets


Many of the most common herbs found in the garden can be beneficial to your health while adding flavor to your favorite dish.

This combo pack includes 7 herb varieties!  This includes 1 full pack of the following varieties:
Genovese Basil, Calendula, Echinacea Purpurea, German Chamomile, Mugwort, Oregano and Yarrow

*Mortar and pestle not included*
 
This one quart sprouting jar is everything you  need to learn the basic aspects of sprouting.   A perfect way to get started. Grow your own sprouts for a delicious and nutritious meal or snack for just pennies!!!
Each Kit Includes:   wide-mouth glass sprouting jar (quart size),  lid & screen, organic SEEDS and detailed sprouting instructions.

Mary's Heirloom Seeds is a "mom and pop" small business created out of a desire to help people become more sustainable and self-sufficient. Our customers know that we are a simple phone call or email away

We currently offer over 250 varieties of open-pollinated, non-gmo & non-hybrid, non-patented,  untreated, organic, heirloom garden seeds.   Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.  
Most orders place Monday-Thursday ship within 48 hours, except for Holidays.
Order herb and veggie varieties together and get an extra free seed pack!
*$10 Order Minimum on all seed orders*

From our seed pack envelopes to our labels and packaging material, all of our paper comes from post-consumer recycled material. We hand-pack, print and label all of our own seed packages. Our website is hosted with a wind-powered, sustainable company. 


Are you ready to enter the giveaway?

Giveaway is open to all Residents of the US and Canada.
Giveaway opens 11/12/2015 and ends Sunday, November 15th at Midnight.
All giveaway entrants will be added to Mary's Heirloom Seeds mailing list.
Your information is never sold and we never send spam emails.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Party Time! Tuesdays with a Twist

We're your co-hosts:
 
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 Y'all make choosing features so difficult!  There were GOBS of great links last week!  Thank you!  Drum roll, please...

This one reminds me of my dad and uncles...

30 Reasons to Carry a Handkerchief 

Did you know all of these uses for a handkerchief? There are many more. Be responsible, be green, be a grownup, carry a hankie!

from Gregg at The Rural Economist!
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Monday, November 9, 2015

A New Chris Ledoux?

My family is into rodeos.  I grew up riding horses and competing.  Chris Ledoux was favorite singer.  It's been a while since country music featured a "real" cowboy.  This morning while driving into work, I was radio hopping and heard the very tail end of this song.  As soon as I got to my office, I was searching like CRAZY trying to find it.
 
Jason Pritchett - Good Show
 
 
 
 
Oh, my word!  *LOVE*  this song!  Do you?
 
;-)  -Marci

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Hyland Ponds

Something I love about the Denver area is all the green spaces!
 
 
This one was just up the street from our hotel.
 

One morning we spent an hour or so exploring it.







Will you please help me identify this little beauty?
 







 
 






 
 
 
I hope your days are filled with lovely places to explore!
 
 
 
Happy Hiking!
 
;-)  -Marci

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The Great Blog Train {November}

Chugga Chugga Chugga Chugga Toot Toot!

Wow!  Where has this year gone?  Is it really time for NOVEMBER's Great Blog Train?!
________________________________________________________

The Great Blog Train

A monthly blog hop departing from your online train station on the first Wednesday of every month!
 Great Blog Train

The Great Blog Train has 7 Engineers
plus a "Destination Co-host"!!
If you link up that means your blog will be seen on 8 different blogs!!!


Please meet our Destination Co-host:
Yarikza from "Latin Mama In The South"


This month we will be travelling to PUERTO RICO
Also, remember to visit the DINING CAR on one of the Engineer's blogs!

If you are interested in being a Co-host for the Great Blog Train then please click HERE and fill out the form (THANK YOU!!)


_________________________________


The Great Blog Train's Great Giveaway!!!


1 Lucky winner will win the following:

- $10 Paypal Cash from Angie
- 1 Monthly Ad Space on God's Growing Garden - $15 value
- 3 ebooks "My Cookie Creation Countdown", "Making Your Own Cedar Roping",  "Gourdon Kringle Christmas Company (Children's picture book)",   by Angie





a Rafflecopter giveaway ________________________________________________________________________ 



God’s Growing Garden




Remember to join the fun even if you are running a little late.  The last entry will receive the Caboose Feature! 

October's Caboose and featured blog happens to be:
"Purfylle" Congratulations!

This amazingly creative blog will inspire you in so many ways!  This is how Stella describes her blog: "Purfylle is a word that has fallen out of common use and means ‘to embellish’. Purfylle is all about embellishing life primarily through sewing, crafting, pets, photography & all the little things that make life wonderful."

______________________________________________________________________ 



Blog Train Rules, by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com
Linking up to the Train is as easy as
1, 2, 3!
 photo BlogTrain1_zpsd738cd09.jpgThe Great blog Train by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo BlogTrain2_zpsf10a0b46.jpg The Great blog Train by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo BlogTrain3_zpsdc2185c5.jpg












Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Get Your Links Ready! It's Time For Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party!

We're your co-hosts:
 
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 Y'all make choosing features so difficult!  There were GOBS of great links last week!  Thank you!  Drum roll, please...

My wine lovin' buddies are going to FLIP for this one! 

How to Peel Wine Corks



from Robin at  Redo It Yourself Inspirations!
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci