Day: December 13, 2013

  • The Christmas Train Blog Tour

    The Christmas Train Blog Tour

     

    Christmas train


    The Christmas Train

    In this children’s picture book, President Thomas S. Monson recounts a Christmas memory from his childhood. As a boy, he yearned for an electric train. To his delight, on Christmas morning he got exactly that a train that operated through the miracle of electricity. Then he noticed a second train that his mother had purchased for the boy down the street whose family was struggling. Although it was only a wind-up train, it had an beautiful oil tanker car, which little Tommy wanted for his own. Soon after, Tommy s mother invited him to accompany her to the neighbor s home to deliver the gift. Young Mark was thrilled with his new train and, of course, didn t notice the missing train car. However, a remorseful Tommy did. What happened next will bring the spirit of Christmas into every heart and home. Illustrated by renowned artist Dan Burr, The Christmas Train is sure to be a classic Christmas story and a beautiful addition to every Christmas library.

    Includes a QR code for a FREE download of President Monson’s narration of the story!

    Winner of the 2012 Gold Medal Mom’s Choice Award!

     

    Download the new interactive Christmas Train app for your iPad!
    The pages come alive with animations, sound effects, and narration by the author, Thomas S. Monson. Kids will love listening to a true Christmas story, read by a familiar voice, while navigating trains, turning Christmas lights on and off, and experiencing the importance of giving during the Christmas season.


    Click Here to Learn More

    About the Author

    President Thomas S. Monson was set apart as the sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. He had previously served for twenty-two years in the First Presidency of the Church, after having been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since October1963. Five years after his call to the Twelve, he was given a special assignment for the work of the Church in Europe, requiring many visits with members behind the Iron Curtain. He was instrumental in the construction of the Freiberg Germany Temple and in advancing the Lord’s work in other eastern European countries that were part of the communist bloc. He also served as chairman of the Scriptures Publication Committee and supervised the process that resulted in the new editions of the scriptures. His ministry has been characterized by his compassion for the needs of individuals and his gift for one-on-one service. President Monson and his wife, Frances, are the parents of three children, grandparents of eight, and great-grandparents of eight.

     

    About the Illustrator

    Dan Burr earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Utah State University and a master’s degree in illustration from Syracuse University. He and his wife, Patti, are raising their two children in the Teton Valley of southeast Idaho, a setting that provides great artistic inspiration and fantastic fly fishing. Dan is a well-known illustrator, having been in the business for many years, most recently working as a children’s picture book illustrator. A few of the books Dan has illustrated are The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes; God Bless Your Way; A Christmas Journey; and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

     
     
    Tour Giveaway

    $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

    Ends 12/31/13

    Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  • Foodie Friday Featuring Say It With Cake

    Foodie Friday Featuring Say It With Cake

    Welcome back to another Foodie Friday
    I would love it if you took a moment to visit my co-host Diane at Simple Living and Eating
    If you’re new to Foodie Friday, here’s the run down
    1. Link up your recipe or any food related post below
    2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 
    3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
    4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)
    This week we’re featuring:
    Say it With Cake

    Anyone out there love cake? Who doesn’t like it? ok, most of my family, but that’s besides the point. I love cake. When they look pretty, I love them even more. 
    Shamene is the owner behind Say It With Cake. She is married with one little boy. Ever since Shamene started joining us for Foodie Friday, I have been captivated with her beautiful cakes, and amazing photography skills. What has really stood out to me though, is how simple Shamene’s cakes are to recreate. She uses boxed cake mixes, with a couple additions to up the flavor in each one. 
    Last week Shamene shared some holiday inspired mini cakes, truffles that would be a great neighbor gift, and a Black Forest Cake that makes my mouth water looking at. Links to the recipes are under the photos.
    Connect with Shamene from Say It With Cake
    christmas-cakes
    Shamene includes a recipe for Marshmallow Fondant and Buttercream icing here. 
    truffles
    Truffles are really easy to make, and give as gifts to friends and neighbors during the holidays. 

    blackforestcake1
    I can’t resist cherries and chocolate. It’s a heavenly combination. Included on this recipe is the history behind Black Forest Cakes, which is pretty interesting. 


  • Gingerbread Cookies and Mulling Spice Sachets

    Gingerbread Cookies and Mulling Spice Sachets

    *This post is sponsored by McCormick and Business2Blogger. I received compensation for this post. All opinions are 100% my own*

    Christmas is in 13 days! It’s the time of year most of us find ourselves in the kitchen baking for our kids, extended family, and sometimes for our neighbors. I personally love turning to McCormick for my baking needs. Does anyone else have a cupboard dedicated to baking? I’ve got a shelf full of McCormick spices in my cupboard (I should share a pic sometime of that!).  I was really excited when McCormick asked me to bake up some of their recipes and share them here with you. 
    While looking through their list, I knew I couldn’t stick to just one. I mean really, what goes better with Mulled Cider than a fresh batch of Gingerbread Cookies?  Picture yourself curled up by the fire with a blanket, a warm mug of Cider and a plate full of cookies ..mmmm… sorry I went to a happy place there. 

    Are you hungry yet?  Let me share the recipes with you. We’ll start with the Gingerbread Cookies, because you need the most time for these.

    Ingredients
    3 cups flour
    2 tsp McCormick Ginger, Ground
    1 tsp McCormick Cinnamon, Ground
    1 tsp baking soda
    1/4 tsp McCormick Nutmeg, Ground
    1/4 tsp salt
    3/4 cups butter, softened
    3/4 cup firmly packed Brown Sugar
    1/2 cup Molasses
    1 egg
    1 tsp McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
    Directions
    Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. 
    *At this point you can start making the Mulling Spice Sachets
    Preheat oven to 350 F. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into different shapes. Gingerbread Men are classic, but we chose to make Christmas Trees and presents for a holiday scene. Place cookies 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. 
    Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheet for 1-2 minutes, and then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days – IF you can make them last that long
    Cream Cheese Frosting (my recipe)
    8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
    1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
    4 cups Powdered Sugar
    1 tbs Milk
    1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
    Whip cream cheese and butter until well mixed and fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Continue to mix well. Frost cookies. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. 
    While you’re waiting for the cookie dough, these Mulling Spice Sachets are a cinch to put together. They are great to have on hand for yourself, or include as a gift to friends and family. 
    Ingredients
    McCormick Cinnamon Sticks, broken in half
    McCormick Cloves, Whole
    McCormick Allspice, Whole
    Cheesecloth
    Directions
    Cut cheesecloth into 4inch squares. Place 2 cinnamon half sticks, 2 cloves, and 2 allspice on the center of the cloth. Pull ends together, and tie with string. 
    To mull your own Cider, add 1 sachet to 2 cups Apple Juice (or Cider). Simmer over medium heat 10-15 minutes, or until fragrant. Discard the spice sachet and enjoy. 
    I know you are all going to go make these right now for your friends and family, so I’ve made this cute gift tag you can download and print to add to the Spice Sachets. Just make sure you DO NOT fit to print screen, and print wallet size.