Rocky Road Fudge

Have you started your Christmas baking yet?  I hope to get started with ours this upcoming weekend. One treat that we love to make every year is Rocky Road Fudge.  I shared this recipe last year, but it is so good I think it needs to be shared again.

Here are the ingredients you will need. (they are currently on my shopping list)

a bag of chocolate chips
1 cup of butterscotch chips
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
a 10 oz bag of mini marshmallows
1 tablespoon of butter or margarine.

You will need to grease a pan and cover it with plastic wrap. Since the pan is greased the plastic wrap "should" be able to be removed from the pan easily later on.

In a large saucepan on medium heat, melt the chips (both chocolate and butterscotch), peanut butter and margarine. Stir constantly to make sure it does not overheat.  When it is melted remove from the heat and add the marshmallows.  

Spread evenly in the pan.  I remember thinking last year that I either wanted to use more chocolate or add a few less marshmallows.  I love marshmallows and chocolate, so I think I would go with the former. The thickness of the fudge will be determined by the size pan you use.  Place in the fridge for at least 3 hours to set.

Invert the fudge on a cutting board and remove the pan and plastic wrap. If the fudge is too cold to cut, allow it to sit for a couple of minutes especially if you want to give it as a gift.  It can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.  

Writing this post has made me hungry. I think it is time for lunch!  

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Sonic the Hamster, Chapter 2

Some of you might remember in late October when Kara had to say goodbye to her sweet friend Sonic. He was a great hamster. He was full of life until the very end, when a cancerous tumor had grown too big for his tiny body.   

This past Friday we stopped by the pet store to pick up some crickets for our Bearded Dragon, when she saw a hamster cage with a hamster in it.  Someone had decided they no longer could keep him, and returned him to the pet store.  When he popped his head up from his bedding  to say hello, she started to cry. He looked EXACTLY like Sonic, and even had the same cage that Sonic  had owned.  We asked the girl working if he was for  sale. She said that he had just been brought in, and the person who was in charge of pricing would be in over the weekend.  They took our name and number, and said they would call soon.  This afternoon, they had not called yet. Kara could not take it anymore, and begged me to go to the pet store. 

She ran to the back of the store where his cage was located. She was devastated when she did not see him in  the cage.  One of the girls who working today was standing nearby feeding some of the animals.  She told me that  when she was cleaning his cage, he got loose and was currently under a nearby shelf.  They had been trying to get him out, but so far had no luck.  She was very stressed that he had got away.  I told her that Kara had a way with animals, and asked if she could try.  She said, yes of course she can!   

Kara was bound and determined that she was going to get him out. She was not going to leave the store without him!  I knew not to even try to make her leave. I made myself a seat on a nearby shelf. 

Within 20 minutes or so, guess who Kara retrieved from his hiding place.   Once he was safe and sound, the manager said if we wanted the hamster he was only $5.99. (with a  few free  treats thrown in by a relieved worker)  It would have cost us more  if we needed his cage, but we did not need it.The cage he was in  was taped up and looked a lot like the one our cat had knocked off the shelf.  Since we already have THREE cages and another hamster,  we told them we just wanted him. .  Right now he is making himself at home in the new cage we bought for Sonic the 1st in  September.  Shadow the hamster lives in a different cage.  Shadow and Sonic  have sort of met when they were both in their hamster balls at the same time.   This Sonic is only 7 or 8 months old, so hopefully he will be around for awhile.

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Countdown to Christmas - Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Christmas is just two short weeks away, and many of us still have some shopping to do.  I am more than halfway done, but still have a lot of odds and ends to pick up. One thing I still need to do is buy stocking stuffers for my family.  Jessica from Moxie and Mischief shared many great stocking stuffer ideas on this week's Dare to Share, which I think might be helpful for those who still need inspiration on what to buy.  You can see Jessica's full list on Moxie and Mischief HERE.

Thank you so much for linking up your great ideas Jessica! 

If you would like to be the Dare to Share Feature of the Day, but sure to link you favorite posts to the Dare to Share linky party HERE.

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Countdown to Christmas -Kids Christmas Art Projects

If you have small kids and are looking for something to make for the grandparents for Christmas, Nichole from Pinkie for Pink shared some adorable kids project on Dare to Share. There are so many great ideas in her post  using the hand prints and foot prints of your kids.  If my kids were younger, and their feet and hands a little smaller, I would so be making some of these ideas.  These projects  are great way to preserve how small those precious hands are because before you know it they are bigger than you and in adults size shoes.. (I speak from experience here)  You can see how to make Mistletoes and so much more on Pinkie for Pink HERE.  Thank you so much for linking up Nichole!

If you would like to be the Feature of the Day be sure to link your favorite post on the new Dare to Share linky party HERE.

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UPS My Choice

Are you doing a lot of online shopping this holiday season? Do you worry that your packages might arrive when you are not home, leaving them unattended?  UPS has a great service that can ease your mind. You can chose delivery features that fit your busy schedule.  With UPS My Choice you will get delivery alerts the day before your package is due to arrive.  You can reschedule, reroute and even authorize a shipment release to a trusted friend or neighbor.   This service will help keep your packages safe and unseen by curious children.  The best thing about UPS My Choice is that it is a FREE service.  To sign up you just use a valid name, username, password and address.   This post is "sponsored content".

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Dare to Share #37

It has been a busy week here in our household.  Last weekend Kara had a good friend spend the night and we went to go to the Living Christmas Spectacular that my friend's church puts on every year.  You drive through many scenes of Jesus's life from when the angel appeared to Mary to his death and resurrection. Kara's favorite scene is always the city scene, because there are real live animals. I allowed her to take pictures, but because of the lighting all of them came out blurry except for this one.  She was excited because she got to pet the donkey while we were stopped.

Here is the manger scene. They go all out for this event. Live camel and other animals were in the scene.
We are given hot chocolate and cookies to enjoy during of our visit.  It was a fun night, and a great reminder of the reason for the season.

Did you have a chance to see some of the  Christmas posts that I shared this week?  

Peppermint Tinsel Tree

Homemade Snow Ornaments

Christmas Lights 3 Ways

I currently have a giveaway going on! Have you entered yet?  

You would win a Febreze coupon booklet and a $15 Visa Card 

Enter HERE

Here is a recap of the super awesome Features of the Day this past week. 

Felt Christmas Tree by Pounds 4 Pennies

Baby Jesus Lunch by Creative Kid Snacks

Stained Glass Scarf by Shades of Safhire

Skinny Coconut Macaroons by Pamela's Heavenly Treats

Not it is your turn to share.  I don't really have any rules to join Dare to Share.  While following is not a requirement, I would love for you to follow in some way to see when you are chosen the Feature of the Day. 

GFC on the blog 

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter 

Bloglovin

Now have fun and Link up !! 

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Snow Ornaments

Last week I made a few snow themed ornaments.  While I am not a big fan of snow in real life, I love it in ornaments.

I recently bought some snow flakes from Target for only $2.29.  This bag is a pretty good size so it will last  a very long time.

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Christmas Lights 3 Ways

If you have been a long time follower, then you might have heard the story of my miracle Christmas tree.  At the end of Christmas season in 2010, we saw that our tree was  beginning to show signs of a lot of wear.  

I was really hoping we could get a new one, but it was not really in the budget. I said a little prayer asking for a new tree if it was meant to be.  Around New Years Day I had to go to Target. Since Kara's dance class was nearby, we decided to stop by after her class.  I was surprised to see that Christmas items were 90% off that day. Since it was already after 7 .p.m., I knew that I would have little to no chance to finding a Christmas tree.  I looked around just in case, and as I thought there was no trees left. As I was looking at ornaments, a Target worker walked up to me carrying a big box.  He told me he had found a tree in the back, and wanted to know if I would like it.. Of course I said a big YES!!  It was a 7+ foot pre-lit flocked tree. It was beautiful!  The original price was $225, and I could have it that day for only $22.50. 

The only thing that I wished I could have changed was the color of the pre-lit lights. It was an all white tree, but I have always been partial to color lights.  Now when the tree goes up,  I add some color lights in addition to the white lights. 

I love how the white and the color lights look together!  This picture does not do it justice.  

Having both white and color lights on my tree is really having the best of both worlds.  

When we feel like white lights, all we have to do is plug in the white light cord.  When we want color, we do the same with the color light cord. When we really want a lot of lights, we plug in both.  This would be a great idea if you have two people in the same house who prefer different types of lights, or if you want to set different moods during the Christmas season.  

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Countdown To Christmas - Skinny Coconut Macaroons

Have you started making \your Christmas cookies yet?  We have not, and might wait another week or two, but hope to make some soon.  If you are looking for cookie recipes to try this year, why not try Pamela's Skinny Coconut Macaroons from Pamela's Heavenly Treats.  They are simple, colorful and full of coconut flavor.  If you would like to see Pamela's recipe, be sure to check it out here.  Thank you so much for linking up Pamela!

If you would like to be a Feature of the Day, be sure to stop by and link up on the Dare to Share Linky Party.

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Febreze Holiday Collection and Giveaway

I recently received a Cozy Vanilla gift pack from Febreze.   They sent me a scent  which is part of their new Holiday Collection.  Oh my, this scent is heavenly!!   I plugged in a Noticeable near my kitchen and the Cozy Vanilla Sugar scent  makes my house smell like sugar cookies. My daughter also  really enjoys the air effects spray and has been spraying it all over the house.   We love this scent because it is so comforting and welcoming.  

There are several other scents in their limited edition holiday collection that you might also want to try  to use in your own home.

Cranberries and Frost  Rich as ripe cranberries and frost on white winter's day.
Glistening Alpine As smoothing as a tree lined mountainside glistening with the scent of pine
Winter Magic & Glow Crisp as sunshine lit icicles in the fresh, frosty air
Holiday Bloom & Cheer  A cheerful chorus of holiday aromas blended with winter blossoms.
Apple Spice & Delight  The warming scent of fresh-baked apples with sweet cinnamon (available only online)

You can  learn more about each scent and see holiday decorating tips are perfect for each scent  from designer Candice Olson here.

Febreze would love for you to try their new  Holiday Collection scents and is giving a prize  pack one of my readers.  If selected the winner, you will receive a $10 Febreze coupon booklet and a $15 Visa gift card.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



*The Febreze product, information and two gift packs have been provided by Febreze.

*Febreze (c)  does not represent or warrant  the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor goes it endorse any opinions expressed within this blogsite.

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Peppermint Tinsel Tree

Tinsel trees have been all over the internet and Pinterest for awhile. One reason why I love tinsel trees is because you can customize them in so many ways.  This year the Dollar Tree has a really cute peppermint tinsel that comes in white, read and green versions.  I really liked the white version because it kind of reminded me of  snow.

Using a cardboard cone that I bought for under $2 at  the craft store for the base, I then  wrapped  two strands of peppermint candy cane tinsel.   I did you a small spot of hot glue at the beginning and the end to secure the tinsel in place.  I also glued a peppermint to the top of the cone

If you prefer to use a styrofoam cone, those also work very well.  Here is the bottom of the one of the trees I made last year.  

I love all the different looks depending on which tinsel you use.  If you do decide to make a tinsel tree, watch out! It is very addicting! 

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Countdown to Christmas - Stained Glass Scarf

It's been one of those days when everything took longer than it should, but at least a lot was accomplished.  
Today's Feature of the Day is late, but better late than never.  This scarf made by Helen from Shades of Safhire caught my eye. I just love the pattern  and\ bright colors.  If you are still thinking of making gifts for your friends and family, why not make a stained glass pattern scarf.  You can read more about Helen and her scarf of Shades of Safhire HERE.

Be sure to link up your favorite posts to Dare to Share, and you might be featured like Helen.  Thank you very much for linking up Helen.

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Del Monte Prize Pack Winner

Rafflecopter has chosen a winner in the Del Monte Prize Pack Giveaway.  Congrats so Christie H!  Thank you to all that entered.  Tomorrow I will be be announcing another chance to win when I will be sharing about Febreeze and their new holiday scents.  Be sure to check back!

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Countdown to Christmas - Jesus in the Manger Snack

Want to remind  your kids about the real reason for the season?  Amy from Creative Kids Snacks has the perfect way to do it.   Serve your child a Jesus in the Manger lunch which is today's Feature of the Day.  Be sure to check out her blog Creativekidsnacks HERE..  Thank you so much for linking up this wonderful snack Amy!

If you would like to selected to be a Feature of the Day, but sure to stop by the Dare to Share Linky Party and link you your wonderful posts.  

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Countdown to Christmas - Felt Christmas Tree

I am loving all of the posts on Dare to Share. All of the ideas are really fantastic.  This particular post caught my eye today.  How cool would it be to make a Homemade Felt Christmas Tree for your little ones like the one from Pounds4Pennies.  When my kids were little they were always messing the Christmas ornaments that were their level.  Having their own tree they could decorate over and over, would have been something I know they would have enjoyed.   Be sure to stop by Pounds4Pennies and see how she did it.  Thank  you so much for linking up Amy!

If would like to be selected to be the Feature of the Day,  be sure to stop by the Dare to Share Linky Party and share your favorite posts.

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