Thursday, February 27, 2014

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party ~ Use your Noodle

I missed last week's party but am back for this week. I hope that you enjoyed the Potato Party last week, there were lots of great links. This week's party is all about noodles...

A Celebration and A Cupcake Party

Beignet Cupcakes for Mardi Gras

I was making beignets the other day and I thought this would be perfect to make for a cupcake and decorate them in a Mardi Gras colours.

Starbucks Verismo 580 Review

I have to say that I was so excited when I received the email asking if I would like to review the Starbucks Verismo 580 from Staples. I have always wanted an machine that I can make my own espressos and lattes. With the espresso pods and milk pods I can now make my own.

Sun Streaks in the Snow

We are just coming out of a big snow storm/blizzard and have spent the last 3 days shoveling and moving snow. Hubby would shovel it on top of the already 5 feet of snow that we have in our yard. Climb up the bank and move it further down the way so that we can put more. The life of living in the U.P. and every day I wonder why....

Crazy Ingredient Challenge ~ Strawberries and Mustard

Have you ever made something and it just didn't turn out the way you wanted it too? That is what happened when I made my recipe for this month's Crazy Ingredient Challenge.

Clouds and Blue Skies

We have been most fortunate these last couple of weeks as we have had lots of sun. This isn't normal for us as it is usually overcast and snowing. We have gotten lots of snow but for the last couple of weeks it has been down to just a small skiff per day... During the winter the sky even seems bluer then during the summer, I am not sure why that is. Is it because of the blue against the white of the snow it seems more brilliant? Or is it just because we don't see it that often that we are amazed by the colour? It doesn't matter ~ the sky is blue and it is wonderful.

Pay it Forward ~ Creative

Have you ever pay-it-forward to anyone or had it done to you. It feels wonderful both ways. I love paying-it forward to others and one of the ways I have done it is leaving enough money to pay for part of the person bill behind me in the coffee line, dropping off something to the neighbors just because or putting money in the parking meter when I notice the time is running out. This summer I had a stranger pay-it-forward by leaving a gift card at Tim Horton's for the next person that came to the til.. That person was me. Leave me a comment if it has ever happened to you or how you have Pay-It-Forward.

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party ~ Snack Foods

Hope everyone is staying warm and safe these last couple of days. Sounds like everyone but us is getting hit by snow, ice or rain... Well we are getting snow but just our usual amount.. nothing to worry about, not like we do here anyways. With this storm coming through it is a great time to have a party with....

Steak Dinner

I will be the first to tell you that I do not make the best steak, but I am coming pretty close to being that person. And I will let you in on my secret.. although I am sure it is not a secret to those that make steaks perfect...

Winter Carnival

We have been lucky this week as the sun has been shining brightly most days and we got no extra snow. The downside was that it was very cold..... But even with the dreadful cold, the Tech students still ventured out and made snow and ice sculptures.

Foodie Friends Friday ~ Valentine's Party.

I am a little late getting my party out there this week. But it is better late then never... This week on Foodie Friends Friday we are going to have a.....

Valentine's Party

And on Valentine's Day all calories cancel each other out.. We are eating for LOVE! I can't wait to see what you all are bringing to the party. I have seen some wonderful Valentine's Recipes out there on facebook, google +, pinterest and the rest of the place I search for recipes. I know that you have some.

Last Week's Highlights

Host Favorites

Head over to the Daily Dish Magazine to check out which recipes were our host favorites... Each week every host picks her favorite recipe. Then then are featured over at the Daily Dish Magazine on Mondays. To have your recipe picked you must have a link back to Foodie Friends Friday or the host blog that you linked up with. Next week your recipe just might be here.

Host Favorites

My Favorite

I love cheesecake so when I saw this Raspberry Cheesecake Bars from Baker Becky I just fell in love.. Check out the picture and you will too. Thank you so much Becky for sharing these last week.

Photo Credit: Baker Becky

Recipes with the Most Clicks

I have to say that I feel a little sheepish even mentioning this but all three of my recipes that I linked up got the most clicks this week. Thank you so much for all of you checking them out. I appreciate it.

Apple Cranberry Croissants
Berry Salad with Basil Chia Vinaigrette
Basil Strawberry Lemonade

This Week's Party

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

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An InLinkz Link-up

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Fill the Cookie Jar with Chocolate Almond Shortbread

Diamond, Flowers and Chocolate are the perfect gift for Valentine's Day. Although I can't give you diamonds.... I will give you some chocolate with maybe a decorated flower or two to fill your cookie jar this Valentine's Day... The catch is that you have to make them yourself but they are worth it if you like a chocolate cookie with a crunch that melt in your mouth.

Heart Cup Cozies

I have been into making cup cozies this winter. This one is perfect for February's Heart Health Month or even for Valentine's Day.. If you know how to knit and purl it is easy to make and only takes about an hour or two depending on how fast you knit.

All She Cooks Blog1versary ~ $200 Paypal Cash

All She Cooks is ONE!!

We're joining in with some amazing blogging friends to celebrate in blogging style... with CASH. You know, it's raining money! Well, okay... maybe not raining money, but we're giving away $200 in CASH via PayPal. Giveaway is open WORLDWIDE- just make sure you have a PayPal account so we can send you the money.

We've come a long way in our one year at All She Cooks, from some of our most visited recipes: Gooey Cinnamon Toast Sandwiches, Crockpot Copycat Zuppa Toscana, and Strawberry-Limeade Rum Punch, to our blogging eBook, meal-planning and our travels in New York... it's been a great year! We can't wait for all that our second year has to offer!

So... have some Fried Ice Cream on us, and enter the Rafflecopter below to WIN $200 USD!!

Thank you to all of our readers, because without you there would be no All She Cooks. And a HUGE thank you to all of our contributors! You make All She Cooks happen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Frost on the Windows..

One of the best parts of winter is the sun shining through the designs that Jack Frost does, especially on the window. With the sun shining in the designs they are awesome..

All these pictures were taken in different rooms in the house. I think because of the cold this year, more frost has been deposited on the windows. Jack has given me more opportunity to play with my macro lens.

My favorite frost picture is this one:

I love how the sun is shining on the tree in the background.

Google + then animates some of the pictures... Which I think is cool....

This post is being shared over at Sunlit Sunday., Mosaic Monday

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Tea Bag Holders

This is a pinterest craft that I have pinned and have wanted to make for some time. I thought it would be perfect gift to make for friends that may be tea lovers. For anyone that does any kind of paper crafts like scrapbooking this would be an ideal way to use up those scraps. An inexpensive and easy way to send tea.