Home Maid Simple

Day: December 7, 2012

  • Win a 2nd Honeymoon! Pin it to Win It with ModernGreetings

    Win a 2nd Honeymoon! Pin it to Win It with ModernGreetings

    Do you remember me telling you about Modern Greetings? I reviewed their website here, and am sending out our Christmas Cards we got from them this week.  Then I shared some HIL-AR-I-OUS wedding photos that I entered into their 2nd Honeymoon Contest.
    Well, I didn’t win round 1. Thankfully they’ve got a couple more rounds coming to win a 2nd Honeymoon.
    Round 2 has started, and it’s a pinterest of a good time!

    Here’s what you need to do to win a 2nd Honeymoon

    1. Follow ModernGreetings.com on Pinterest
    2. If you didn’t enter round 1, you’ll need to enter your email on this page
    3. If you did enter round 1, head on over to the Facebook page for the official Round 2 entry form
    4. Pin the official contest Image (can do from the facebook page) onto a Second Honeymoon Contest Board, and make it the cover image.
    5. Start pinning images of your ideal 2nd Honeymoon.
    6. Go back before December 13th at midnight and fill out your entry form.
    The winner will be chosen by and independent Modern Greetings Judging Panel.  So what are you waiting for? Go start pinning!!
    I’m off to pin some images from Italy. Gondola’s, vatican city, gelato, and pasta.  
  • Il Volo: We Are Love. Music for the Holidays {2012 Holiday Gift Guide}

    Il Volo: We Are Love. Music for the Holidays {2012 Holiday Gift Guide}

    Music for the Holidays

    I love this time of year. Have I mentioned that? It is one of my most favorite seasons, because of the feeling of love and caring in the air. There is a special kind of feeling around the holidays, most describe as the “Christmas Spirit”.
    I start getting the feeling about the beginning of October and it lasts through to the New Year.  One way I like to indulge in the Christmas Spirit, is by listening to music. Not just your ordinary radio station music, but music with a meaning.  We all know the classic Christmas songs, and I think everyone can get into the spirit with these songs playing.  I like to add more classical music as well this time of year, and other vocalists. 

    Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

    Did anyone watch the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center this year? I love watching this program every year, but this year I only caught a little bit of it. It’s not just any Christmas Tree Lighting, there is live music and an overwhelming feeling of the Spirit of Christmas. You can’t help but feel joy watching this program.  Anyone know where I can find it online? One year I’d love to attend it in person!
    This year Il Volo, a new Italian teen sensation, performed at the Lighting. I just became acquainted with their music, and it makes me slightly more bummed that I missed them singing. They are a very talented trio of boys.

    Il Volo: We Are Love

    Il Volo just released their 2nd music CD, We Are Love, in November. I have been listening to it weekly as I try to keep the Spirit of Christmas in our home.  These boys really do have some amazing talent. It doesn’t matter that I don’t understand their Italian, I do understand the feeling of love and joy behind their music.  
    We Are Love includes Il Volo’s soaring version of the Aerosmith/ Diane Warren hit “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (“Questo Amore”) along with a new Warren song “I Bring You To My Senses”.  Il Volo also performs a cover version of the U2 Hit “Beautiful Day” and the title cut “We Are Love” both in English. The group’s members are Piero Barone (19), Gianluca Ginoble (17) and Ignazio Boschetto (18).

    Connect with the Group


    BUY IT
    Purchase your own copy of We Are Love on Amazon
    WIN IT
    3 readers will win a copy of We Are Love in the 2012 Holiday Gift Giveaway
    *I received a copy of We Are Love to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

  • Chipotle Lime Taquitos

    Chipotle Lime Taquitos

    We’ve been craving some Mexican lately, and I’ve felt some inspiration from some Taquito Recipes I found on past Foodie Friday’s.  These Chipotle Lime Taquitos turned out quite nicely, and the kids even enjoyed them. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click on and purchase through them.
     
    I have had quite the week in the kitchen.  It was mostly one day, but it felt like the whole week.  Sunday night I decided it was high time I use the pitted cherries in my freezer. I had been sitting on a recipe for Cherry Vanilla Butter for quite some time.
    Well, a crock pot of burnt Cherry Butter later, and I decided to try something safe – bread in the bread machine. It shook itself right off the table, and someone unplugged it before the bake cycle. I saved it in the oven, but I was a bit nervous to make anything else on Tuesday.
     
    Thankfully I had a successful dinner Tuesday night with Hezzi-D’s Bruschetta Chicken Pasta.  Thank you, Heather for a yummy recipe on a crazy day. 

    Chipotle Lime Taquitos

     
    Chipotle Lime Taquitos

    Chipotle Lime Taquitos
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    Ingredients
    1. Corn Tortillas
    2. 1 can refried beans
    3. 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese
    4. 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
    5. 1 tsp Wildtree Chipotle Lime Rub (more or less depending on how spicy you like it)
    6. 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella
    7. 3 Roma Tomatoes, chopped
    8. Guacamole
    Instructions
    1. Mix the guacamole according to the directions on the seasoning. Set aside in the fridge.
    2. Preheat oven to 350 F.
    3. Grease a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.
    4. In a medium bowl, mix the beans, 1/2 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and chipotle lime rub.
    5. Working with 2 at a time, microwave the corn tortillas for about 1 minute.
    6. Place a heaping spoonful of the bean mixture on one side of each tortilla.
    7. Roll the tortilla, and place in the prepared pan.
    8. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas.
    9. Once the pan is full, top with the rest of the mozzarella.
    10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted.
    Notes
    1. Enjoy with Sour Cream, Guacamole and fresh chopped tomatoes
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/


     

    ~FEATURES~
    Poppy Sesame Vinaigrette tossed with Greens, Cranberries, Chicken and More
    Sometimes after a lot of hearty winter meals, a salad is the perfect meal.
     
    Bacon Hash
    This is the perfect hearty breakfast for cold mornings.
     
    orange julius recipe
    Orange Juice Smoothie

  • Jack Franklin: Best Ties for Dad {2012 Holiday Gift Guide}

    The Necktie – it’s a classic gift we have all given our dad’s at some point in our lives. It’s useful, for some daily, and you can usually get a fun tie for cheap. The problem is, that’s exactly what they usually are – cheap.   If they’re not cheap, then you’ve probably paid more than anyone ever should for a piece of neckwear.  
    Inline image 2Jack Franklin ties are different.  These are fine quality ties, that the average wage earner can afford. Well made neck ties aren’t just for the rich you know!  I remember my dad always wearing ties, and now Mark, just to teach school.  They should look just as sharp, and feel just as well dressed as the men working Wall Street.
    I was pretty excited to offer this review, since it got to include Mark – something I don’t always get to do here on the blog.  I spent a good day browsing the ties at Jack Franklin, trying to find the perfect one for Mark. I thought the 70’s School Teacher tie was pretty nice, and fitting for a teacher, but I eventually decided on the Midnight Tie.
    Now since as a female, I don’t know that much about ties, I had to ask Mark for his opinion. According to Mark it is a nice thick tie that will hold a good knot.  Normally a $75 tie, the Midnight tie is only $24 at Jack Franklin.
    Here’s a little info you should know about the Jack Franklin Ties:
    • 100% quality silk
    • Woven with an Italian Weaver
    • Wool interlining
    • Hand Sewn
    They are so sure you’ll love these ties that they back every one with a No Questions Asked return policy!  If that isn’t confidence in product, nothing is.
    Now I may not know much about ties, but I do know a thing or two about sewing. A careful check over this tie, and I know it’s been well made. I am very pleased with our Jack Franklin tie – from the quality to the design, I know where I’ll be looking for future tie purchases.
    BUY IT
    Visit Jack Franklin online to purchase a fine Tie
    WIN IT
    3 of my readers will win a $50 Gift Card to Jack Franklin Ties.
    ALL of my readers who enter the 2012 Holiday Gift Giveaway will receive a 50% Off code to try out Jack Franklin Ties.
    Inline image 4