Jul 272015
 

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I love crafts and one of my favorite things to do is knit.  I am not sure why but I find it very calming and relaxing.  I recently received my July Subscription box from KnitCrate.  When I saw that red package in the mail I was so excited!

Each month you can get a package in the mail that includes:

  1. Premium yarn by a different company each month
  2. Pattern(s) for a surprise project suitable for your subscription level
  3. Enough YUMMY yarn to complete the pattern
  4. A Sweet/Soothing extra to enjoy
  5. A Fun Extra to love
  6. Bonuses like promo codes with exclusive discounts

My package in included yarn from Delicious Yarns that was hand dyed.  See how pretty it is above?  It included a pattern for a Diagonal Rib Eyelet Cowl.  I haven’t started it yet – but the pattern looks pretty and like something I could do. The Soothing Extra was Vintage Bee Creamed Honey and Rex just loved it.  He loves to eat honey on his oatmeal in the morning.  The Fun Extra was Stashbox by Hannah Fetting.  (It helps determine how much yard you should be for your projects.)

This would be a great gift for the craftier/knitter you know.  You can buy different types of subscriptions too.  Find out more about KnitCrate options HERE.

Kaisy1

Jul 272015
 

vcsPRAsset_2983120_64085_837ccb9f-125c-4563-85fe-5fdd47eeb603_0One of my favorite comfort foods is a grilled cheese sandwich.  What is your favorite comfort food?  Here is the perfect pan to cook your grilled cheese in. It is specially designed for making grilled cheese, the T-fal Mini Grilled Cheese Griddle is a small, non-stick pan that heats up quicker than larger pans and is the perfect size for cooking a single grilled cheese sandwich. It has a flat griddle base to ensure even heat distribution for a perfectly melted grilled cheese sandwich. The griddle is scratch-resistant and its nonstick coating ensures quick and easy cooking and clean up. Available at T-falUSA.com for $6.90

Below is a yummy sounding grilled cheese sandwich – the Lobster Grilled Cheese recipe is courtesy of T-fal.

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Lobster Grilled Cheese courtesy of T-fal

Makes 4 whole sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Lobster Stock (If you can’t find Lobster Stock, get seafood stock, which should be available at Whole Foods or Fox & Obels)
  • 4 (1 ½ pound) lobsters, claws removed
  • ¼ cup Sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 6 ounces (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 tablespoons canola oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
  • 8 slices of fontina cheese
  • 4 slices Pullman Loaf or other high-quality thick sliced white bread (1” thick)

 

Preparation

  1. Cut the tails off the lobster bodies, and into 1-inch pieces while the tails are still in their shells
  2. Bring the Lobster Stock to a simmer and add the Sriracha, soy sauce and lime juice. Piece by piece, whisk in 6 tablespoons of butter until emulsified. Reduce the remaining sauce until it slightly thickens, about 2 minutes.
  3. Toss the lobster tail pieces in oil with salt and pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes or until cooked through. Place the lobster pieces in a bowl and transfer to the fridge until cooled. When the lobster pieces have cooled, pop the meat out of the tails and set aside.
  4. For each sandwich take two slices of bread. Place one slice of fontina cheese on top of the first slice, cover the cheese with some lobster meat, sprinkle ½ tablespoon of tarragon, cover with a second slice of fontina cheese, and then top with the second piece of bread. Brush the outer sides of each slice of bread with melted butter and season with salt. Grill the sandwich on the T-fal Mini Grilled Cheese Griddle and serve with a small bowl of the chili sauce on the side.

 

Enjoy!

Kaisy1

I was not compensated for the post.

 

 

 

Jul 272015
 

F5_DIA_11300_03Do you like Dial soap? If you do sign up for their new Dial Rewards program and you can win  prizes. You’ll get points for participating in monthly activities, then can use them for chances to win exciting prizes like a $1,000 cash giveaway, gift cards, and Dial products.

I just signed up and it only took me a few minutes ~ it was very easy to do.  When you join use this code 4T04R.  You get bonus points for using it.

Kaisy1

Jul 262015
 

goetze-logoDo you remember Cow Tales® and Caramel Creams®  the creamy caramel with a white cream in the middle?  For me they remind me of summer and maybe a bit of the fall.  Along with eating these nice sweet treat we used them a lot for baking.  I remember a killer brownie recipe that had caramel, nuts and chocolate wonder if I can find the recipe some place.

Goetze’s has been celebrating 120 years of sweet caramel goodness.  They have created a Caramel Creams BBQ Sauce recipe to celebrate and thank all of their loyal fans. Caramel Creams BBQ Sauce is tomato based with a tangy kick and overlay of caramel flavor. Delicious on a BBQ sandwich or slathered on chicken, hot from the grill, it’s a great new recipe for picnics, cookouts and family reunions. We know that many Southern cooks love to add “secrets” to their recipes to delight their friends and families. It will be little added fun for them to unveil the secret to their BBQ sauce – Goetze’s Caramel Creams!  Here is the a fun new recipe.

Goetze’s Candy Co., Inc. Recipe

Caramel Creams® BBQ Sauce

A delicious combination of tang and caramel with a little bit of a kick, this recipe for Caramel Creams® BBQ sauce is the perfect accompaniment for grilled chicken, beef or pork.

Ingredients:

1 C ketchup

1/2 C water

1/4 C apple cider vinegar

2 TB light brown sugar

1 t ground black pepper

1 t ground mustard

1 t Worcestershire sauce

30 unwrapped Caramel Creams®

1 t vanilla extract

In a heavy bottom pot add the first 7 ingredients and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the Caramel Creams®. Keep stirring until combined, making sure the sauce does not come back to a simmer. Once combined take off the heat and add the vanilla extract and stir until combined.

Your Caramel Creams BBQ sauce is now complete.

Remember to coat your cooked meat with the BBQ sauce at the end of the grilling time.

Enjoy.

This recipe was provide by  Goetze’s.

Goetze’s Candy Company, Inc. is a fifth generation, family-owned company, manufacturing confections since 1895, and specializing in caramel and cream sweet treats. Goetze’s caramels are branded under the Caramel Creams® and Cow Tales® names and are always made with the finest U.S. sourced ingredients in our plant in Baltimore, Maryland. www.goetzesome.com http://www.goetzecandy.com

Kaisy1

 

Jul 242015
 

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The big news here the last couple weeks is “One of Oregon’s top earthquake experts predicts the “really big one” will wipe out the entire Northwest. In fact, the area’s FEMA director said everything west of I-5 “will be toast”.  Isn’t that great news?  I have been meaning to put together an earthquake kit at home and one at work.  So when I was offered the chance to try Valley Food Storage Enchilada Beans & Rice I was happy to.

What makes Valley Food Storage different from other food storage brands is the way they package the meals. By refraining from the use of MSG, and removing harmful ingredients such as hydrogenated oils and syrups, trans fats, and GMOs, the shelf life of our products is increased, keeping them fresh, delicious, and safe to eat for up to 25 years.

Rex and I tried the  Enchilada Beans & Rice one day for lunch and I was surprised how good it was.  It had a lot of flavor and is something I could see eating either when camping, backpacking or if we do get the big earthquake that is predicted for the area. I will be adding some of the meals from Valley Food Storage to my kit.

Valley Food Storage has more than just the Enchilada Beans & Rice they have a variety of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can purchase a single package or a 1-12 month supply with everything you need.  They also have  kits for disaster preparedness, 72-hour emergency kits, water purifiers, and fire starters to keep you sustained for the first 3 days of an emergency or natural disaster.

You can find everything you need on the link below from Amazon.com.


Kaisy1
“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jul 242015
 

c0a4e053-f8c8-46bd-9206-e554fe77b771About the book:
Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor (Howard, June 2015)

When Heather Toulson returns to her parents’ cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder.

Libby, a free spirit who can’t be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver’s death.

Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family’s cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She’s mourning her father’s passing but can’t let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family’s belongings left behind in the cottage. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family’s history.

Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways.

Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1HuCCkT
7a47c5fd-ccf1-4873-a2cf-c34d85f9e932

About the author:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of thirteen historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels. Two of her novels won Carol Awards in 2011, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana in 2010. Melanie lives with her husband Jon and two daughters near Portland, Oregon.

Find Melanie online: website, Twitter, Facebook

My Review:
I really enjoyed Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor.  I liked the characters and liked how it had two different timelines but was easy to read.  I really like Libby and how carefree she was. I also liked how the relationship between Libby and Walter. The book was hard to put down and I wanted it to continue on.  I think many of you will enjoy this book too!
Kaisy1I received a Copy of this book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for the review.
Jul 242015
 

perfect-touch-virtual-tour

Perfect_Touch_CoverPerfect Touch: A Novel

By: Elizabeth Lowell

Releasing July 28, 2015

William Morrow

Blurb

Sara Medina is a designer and art dealer from San Francisco. She matches her clients desires with fine and folk art from the world over–living up to her thriving business named Perfect Touch. She still remembers her rural childhood of hard work and poverty on the family dairy farm, but she keeps it firmly in the past as she searches out new artwork and artists that are on the breaking edge of acclaim. After she experienced the cultural riches San Francisco had to offer, she decided her life would be that of an urban career woman rather than a working mom commuting from the suburbs. With the intensive hours and travel required to grow her business to the next level, she has no time or energy left for romantic or family entanglements.

 

Jay Vermillion recently inherited Vermillion Sky, a ranch that nestles up to Wyoming’s Grand Teton Mountains–and the estates of the rich and restless. As a returned veteran of numerous deployments over the course of two wars, he finds himself wrestling with the demands of a ranch that has been run down during his father’s long illness. Between the urgent need to modernize and revitalize the Vermillion Sky, as well as an unexpected and vicious fight with his former stepmother over the custody of now-valuable paintings that were part of his father’s estate, Jay has no time for finding a wife and creating a sixth generation of Vermillions to ensure the family legacy continues.

 

When Jay hires Sara to appraise and market his father’s cache of paintings by Harris “Custer” Armstrong, neither one expects the explosive results of their eventual meeting in Jackson, Wyoming. In addition to a mutually inconvenient attraction, they a discover double murder at the edge of the ranch lands and a potential betrayal even closer to home. All trails lead to Custer’s artworks as valuable enough to kill for, especially an unknown painted rumored to be called The Muse.

 

As Sara and Jay unravel the motive for the killings, they both discover that love, like murder, doesn’t wait for a convenient time. On the heels of that soul-shattering realization, Sara is targeted for murder. Suddenly, the war-weary soldier finds something he is once again willing to die for…

 

 

Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/06/perfect-touch-novel-by-elizabeth-lowell.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24871110-perfect-touch?ac=1

 

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo  

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Touch-Novel-Elizabeth-Lowell/dp/0062328344

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfect-touch-elizabeth-lowell/1120611725?ean=9780062328342

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/perfect-touch/id936880251?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/perfect-touch

Author Info

Elizabeth Lowell’s exciting novels of romantic suspense include New York Times Bestsellers: Dangerous Refuge, Beautiful Sacrifice, Death Echo, The Wrong Hostage, Amber Beach, Jade Island, Pearl Cove, and Midnight in Ruby Bayou. She has also written NYT best-selling historical series set in the American West and Medieval Britain. She has more than 80 titles published to date, with over 24 million copies of her books in print. She lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her husband, with whom she writes novels under a pseudonym. Her favorite activity is exploring the Western United States to find the landscapes that speak to her soul and inspire her writing.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Website: http://elizabethlowell.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethLowellFans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lowellwrites
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19051.Elizabeth_Lowell

Excerpt

A glance at her watch told her she was out of time. Soon, a different stranger would be deciding the fate of her career in a Jackson courthouse. With a silent curse, she hurried to the front desk.

“I’m in room 101,” Sara told the woman who answered. “My room has been robbed. Computer and coat missing. Tell the sheriff or whoever cares that I’ll be at the courthouse.”

Leaving the woman stuttering questions behind her, Sara strode out the front entrance into the chill streets of Jackson in the spring. Within ten steps she was regretting the loss of her coat.

And she had forgotten her coffee.

Quickly she walked down what had to be the coldest sidewalk in town. The wind rolled straight off the snow of the Tetons through the streets. The chill was made worse by the fact that the sun was shining bright and hard enough to look like summer.

An archway leading into a small park caught her eye. At first she thought the arch was made of the bones of cattle that she’d seen as a child. But these were different. They were more elegant and pointed, tapering out. They didn’t feel like the finality of death, but more a symbol of life cycling through change.

Antlers, she realized. Grown and shed each year in a cycle that isn’t birth or death, but simply another way to be. Like Custer’s paintings, a beautiful and eerie reminder that wilderness—wildness—isn’t all that far away.

Shivering, she hurried on.

I should be back in San Francisco, holding hot coffee from Murray Cafe as I head up to the offices of Perfect Touch.

But then all I’d know about my mystery man is his voice.

So what? The practical part of her mind pointed out. The last thing I need is a man.

Sara liked living her life on her own terms, doing what she wanted whenever she wanted. As the only girl out of seven children, she’d had more than enough diapers, house work, and babysitting to last her a lifetime.

Wind with icy teeth bit at her black slacks and tugged at her red pullover sweater. The only thing that kept the wind from billowing up her sweater was the sleek black leather belt snugged at her waist. But it wasn’t enough to keep her warm.

Damn that thief.

Then she reminded herself that it could be worse in so many ways. She could be back home on the dairy farm—a plain, rebellious teen hauling a feed cart through damp, drafty barns, then making the return trip leading a stubborn Holstein.

At least there aren’t any holes in my boots forcing me to get up close and personal with fresh cow flops.

The phone in her pants pocket rang.

If it’s the sheriff, he can wait.

My Review:

I enjoyed reading Perfect Touch: A Novel.  I have in the past read a couple books by Elizabeth Lowell and always liked them.  This was no different ~ I liked the characters and the story.  Sara has a business that she helps people with art.  She has been talking to Jay Vermillion the last few nights.  There is something about his voice that makes Sara want to tell him things that she normally wouldn’t talk with a client about.  Once she meets Jay the sparks fly!  As you can see from the Blurb above they work together to try to solve a double murder.  I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading – the book was so interesting!

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kaisy1I received a Copy of this book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for the review.

Jul 242015
 

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I am always looking for good snacks or sides, that is one of the reasons I like Home & Family on the Hallmark Channel.  They have lots of good recipes. You can watch Home & Family weekdays at 10 am ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel. This week I would like to highlight Lightly Fried Zucchini and Tzatziki.  I love Tzatziki and would not have thought to eat it with Fried Zucchini.

Lightly Fried Zucchini and Tzatziki

Ingredients:
  • 4 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/8 to 1/4 inch rounds or matchsticks
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, plus more as needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup olive or vegetable oil for frying, plus more as needed
  • 1 lemon cut into large wedges
  • 1 recipe Tzatziki (Recipe below)
Ingredients for Tzatziki:
  • 1/2 Seedless english cucumber, peeled
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided, plus more to taste
  • 2 cups plain greek yogurt
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and mashed into a paste
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
Directions for the Zucchini:
  1. Gently squeeze the zucchini slices over the sink to drain the excess water. Lightly season both sides of the zucchini slices with the salt and pepper. Spread the flour out on a large plate or baking dish. Dredge the zucchini in the flour and shake off any excess.
  2. Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat until it simmers, adding more if necessary to come 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan.
  3. Test the temperature of the oil by gently placing 1 zucchini slice into it. The oil should bubble pretty vigorously around the zucchini.
  4. Working in small batches, carefully slip the zucchini into the hot oil and cook briefly until crunchy and golden, about 4-5 minutes per side, watching carefully and turning to prevent burning.
  5. Using a slotted metal spoon, transfer the fried zucchini to a large plate lined with paper towels to drain. Sprinkle again with a little more of the salt while piping hot, if desired. Serve immediately with the lemon wedges and with Tzatziki.


Directions for the Tzatziki:

  1. Coarsely grate the cucumber using a box grater or food processor and toss with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt.
  2. Place the grated cucumber in a fine mesh sieve set over a bowl and drain for 10 minutes.
  3. Working in batches, a handful at a time, squeeze as much remaining water from the cucumber as possible, transferring the drained cucumber to a medium mixing bowl
  4. Add the rest of the ingredients along with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and mix well. You can serve the Tzatziki immediately, but I prefer to let it sit in refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours so that all of the flavors blend and come alive.

I am thinking about making these this weekend!  Enjoy your Weekend!

Kaisy1

*Photo Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media Family Networks/Photographer: Jeremy Lee

 

Jul 242015
 

3 Cosmetic Lasers That Are Worth the Investment

The installation of a cosmetic laser can draw a crowd to your health spa unlike any you’ve seen before. But what if you aren’t sure which models are the best? How can you differentiate between brands, features and prices? Here are just three lasers that deserve a second look.

1. Aeslight Q-Vanish

Tattoo removal is a lucrative business, and you can tap into this market with the purchase of the Aeslight Q-Vanish. In addition to ridding your guests of their ex-boyfriend’s initials, it can also treat melasma, reduce the appearance of lesions and rejuvenate the skin on a cellular level. Some guests even report looking and feeling a decade younger after treatment! Everyone wins when you buy an Aeslight Q-Vanish.

2. Aeslight Smooth Diode

When people are tired of gels, razors and waxing strips, they turn to laser hair removal. The Aeslight Smooth Diode is the best in its class when it comes to ridding individuals of unwanted body hair, and it even works on a variety of skin tones, something that many laser hair removal machines can’t do. No matter how your guests are pigmented, they’ll be able to enjoy the effects of the Aeslight Smooth Diode. Their ideal bikini body will be well within their grasp!

3. Aeslight Expert Pulsed Light

Optimal pulse technology (OPT) makes this laser one of the most effective on the market. It even comes with things like sapphire contact cooling and RF output technology for clearer and longer-lasting results. As an added bonus, all of this technology is available for a fraction of the cost of other machines. If you’re searching for a laser that will pay for itself a thousand times over, no look further than the Aeslight Expert Pulsed Light.

These are just a few lasers that are sure to attract new guests to your spa, salon or health club. Click here for more information on cosmetic lasers and what benefits you’ll enjoy when you buy them. They can completely turn your business around, but only if you have the courage to take the plunge and buy them!

Kaisy1

Jul 242015
 

Gelato Makes a Great Addition to Summer Parties

Pool and other summer parties are a lot of fun. Ice cream is an essential at these warm-weather gatherings. If you want to make sure everyone is pleased with the treats that are available, consider adding some gelato to the available mix of sweet treats to enjoy.

Why Gelato is Popular

Gelato products are increasing in popularity in both ice cream shops and stores. This Italian-style ice cream offers a lighter taste that is low in fat. However, nobody has to sacrifice taste when they eat gelato. This yummy treat has a unique flavor that people will come to love quickly.

What Should a Gelato Maker Have?

There are a few things that gelato makers need to have. A couple are frozen yogurt cups and gelato pan liners that help ensure that the ice cream comes out perfectly. These pan liners hold 5 liters, and there are matching lids available. You will also want to make sure you are well-stocked with disposable cups and spoons.

Do Reusable Liners Make a Difference?

Everyone in the catering business needs to find ways to save time, and disposable items seemingly offer a quick solution. However, reusable liners for gelato pans are a very good solution that has broad appeal. One of the biggest advantages is that you will save money by not having to replace these liners. The more you control your operating costs, the more product variety you will be able to offer your customers.

Keeping Everything Safe

One of the biggest advantages that reusable liners offer is making it easy to transport the gelato to the event. You can be sure that each of your flavors will have its own liner, complete with a lid to keep everything secure. The best part of using these containers is that it is easy to store everything after the event.

Buying the right supplies for making gelato makes a crucial difference for a business that makes a lot of ice cream. Companies that rely on ice cream sales or catering orders featuring ice cream will enjoy taking advantage of gelato. Using the best supplies and equipment for manufacturing ensures that your gelato will be a winner each time.

Kaisy1