Book release -The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society: A Novel by Darien Gee

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Today is the book release of The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society: A Novel by author Darien Gee, who also writes under the name Mia King. Her first novel, Friendship Bread is a tasty fiction book full of Amish Friendship Bread recipes.
This is breaking news! For any author the release date has to be seen as giving birth day when your book is released into the public and from there it will truly have a chance to grow and be shared with many. So today is the birth day of  The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee. Will you help it grow? Check out some fo the early reviews on Amazon. It is already ranked and off to a great start. 

(I'm in the back 3rd from the right and Darien is next to me, 4th from the right)
I know the author personally and have been behind the scenes helping her since before the actual release of Friendship Bread 4/5/11. I'm excited to say that little old me is mentioned in both her books (my few seconds of fame ;). I am also the Friendship Bread Kitchen Assistant where I help her with the tasty website, Friendship Bread Kitchen. Stop over and check out the over 250 recipes made and tested in the Friendship Bread Kitchen by Darien and I as well as from Kitchen Friends all over the world. A few of my favorites and I included the link to the first recipe which will take you to the Friendship Bread Kitchen. The other ones are there too, but I will be posting those recipes on my blog this week in celebration of the release of her new book.
 Chocolate Caramel Amish Friendship Bread BrowniesRecipe is in her first book, Friendship Bread. I took the photo.
 Oreos and Cream Amish Friendship Bread made into muffins Amish Friendship Bread Basic CookieAmish Friendship Bread Mocha Chip Scones
The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society (ALSS) book is set in Avalon population 4,243 and is a small river town in Illinois. The book is about a group of women who form deep friendships and sharing together, bringing in other women into their circle by way of scrapbooking. The leader and founder of ALSS, Bettie shares her passion of scrapbooking and wants everyone to preserve their precious memories. Through this group, the women share their past and work together to help one another move into their future by dealing and working through their life issues. 

Just like Friendship Bread, ALSS is chocked full of carefully developed characters which Gee shares with us in this town of Avalon. The book made me laugh, shout for joy, shed tears of sadness as well as tears of joy. Gee crafts the novel to draw the reader into Avalon and be a part of the town which is why I felt all those emotions reading the book. I truly felt the emotions of the characters. Now this, friends, is a perfect example of a book full of developed characters. 

If you order the book today, on its release day 1/29/13 you can get free goodies from the author! Check out the DEAL on Friendship Bread Kitchen website.  In case you are wondering, yes you can read this book if you haven't read the first book, Friendship Bread and if you aren't into scrapbooking ;) Did I mention the book has recipes? I love fiction books with recipes which Darien Gee and Mia King books always include.

I'll leave you with a few quotes on early reviews of the book.

“In a gathering of women there will always be compelling stories. Throw in a love of craft and these stories take on a whole new dynamic. There are shared secrets, support, encouragement, and love as the Avalon Ladies come to terms with the past and boldly step forward into the future.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

“A three-hanky nod to It’s a Wonderful Life. Gee gets the unapologetically schmaltzy tone just right with the irresistible premise that we can love the impossible. A surefire book club hit.” Publisher’s Weekly

“Truly charming! You’ll want to read and then immediately share with your best friends (and then start a scrapbooking society of your own!). Darien Gee writes about friendship and family with depth, grace and heart.”—Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author of Blackberry Winter and The Violets of March

Author Darien Gee featured in USA TODAY!

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My friend and author, Darien Gee is famous! Her book, The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society was released yesterday and there was a write up about it in USA TODAY yesterday! Way to go, WOMAN!
Picture of author Darien Gee taken from her Facebook Page
You can check out her book on Amazon. Look at how it did on its release day yesterday!


To find out more about Darien and her books, you can visit her website,www.dariengee.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter and Friendship Bread Kitchen and on Facebook. 

{Super Bowl Recipes} Spinach Artichoke Focaccia with Fleischmann's yeast

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Here is another easy Spinach Artichoke Super Bowl Recipes. It uses Fleischmann's Yeast for the Focaccia which turns a dip into  portable bread bites. 


Before I give you the recipe I want to share with you a Super Bowl Special Big Game promotion for Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust yeast on their Facebook page. All you need to do is submit your favorite "Big Game" pizza recipe to be entered to win a pizza stone, pizza cutter and other great prizes. 

I am working on my Big Game Day recipes to share with family and friends. For the day, our group loves to prepare simple, tasty and savory recipes. I tried out this Fleischmann's Yeast recipe to see if it was worth taking on Sunday. It was a hit with my family so I will be making it for game day. They love spinach artichoke dip and this recipe make for a portable snack because it is layered and baked on top of a home made focaccia.

Do you cook or bake from scratch these days? I'm finding more and more that I am going back to the basics and baking from scratch. This focaccia recipe didn't take too long to make and the taste was so much better than a frozen one from the store. It was fresh and didn't have any added preservatives!

I was telling my teen, who helped me with this recipe, that 15 years ago I alway made my own bread, hamburger buns,etc. Over time I did stop baking bread from scratch because of all the easy to buy baked goods at the local store. Guess what? My pantry is stocked with Fleischmann's yeast so get ready for more made from scratch recipes here on my blog. I've already found a few more ideas from the Fleischmann's yeast baking website and plan to try out their Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust yeast.


Spinach Artichoke Focaccia

Makes: 18 servings 
Prep Time: 25 minutes 
Proof Time: 30 to 40 minutes 
Bake Time: 30 to 35 minutes 

Ingredients

Bread:2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour1 envelope Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast1 tablespoon sugar1 teaspoon salt1 cup very warm water (120° to 130°F)2 tablespoons olive oil2 tablespoons butter OR margarine, melted1 tablespoon Spice Islands® Minced Garlic
Topping:1 tablespoon butter OR margarine1/4 cup minced onion1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup mayonnaise1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands® Garlic Powder1 package (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and drained 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions

Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large mixer bowl.  Add water and oil and beat for 2 minutes.  Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.  Turn out onto floured counter and knead 5 to 6 minutes, until smooth.  Cover dough and let rest 10 minutes.  Combine butter and minced garlic; set aside.
Roll or press dough to fit into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan.  Using wooden spoon handle or a finger, poke holes in dough every 1 to 2 inches.  Drizzle with garlic butter mixture.  Cover and let rise 30 to 40 minutes, until doubled.  Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes; remove from oven.
While focaccia is baking, make the topping.  Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until onion is soft.  Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise and garlic powder.  Stir until blended and softened.  Squeeze any remaining liquid out of spinach.  Add spinach and artichokes to skillet, stirring to blend.  Spread over partially baked focaccia.  Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese.  
Return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Best served warm. 

Kitchen Notes: We loved this and it tasted just as good warm as it did cold. One of the teens suggested to use less topping and add chicken next time to make it a meal. I thought that was a great idea and will add it next time.

So what do you think? Will you try this easy to make Super Bowl recipe? What snacks will you make or expect to eat? Which team are you cheering for? Don't forget to enter the Big Game Promotion which will end 2/3/13. 

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for ACH. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.”

Over 500 Best Ever Cookbooks

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My contributor Best Ever Cookbooks board on Pinterest has over 500 pins with almost 10,000 followers. This is the go-to spot to find reviews of cookbooks and taste tested cookbook recipes.

Share anything that you want to in the linky! I would especially love for you to share your favorite cookbooks, favorite Pinterest board and/or Pinterest ID so that I can follow you back! My featured board is Best Ever Cookbooks so stop in and see all the wonderful reviews of cookbooks.
Want to join in the FUN today?
HOW TO JOIN THE LINKY Party (all optional)
1) Pin this Party Post to Pinterest- Please! 
2) Link up your most clicked on post, most followed Pinterest board, favorite pinterest pin, etc...anything goes.
3) Add your Pinterest name to the linky.
4) In turn pin a few things on the linky.

Please follow my boards on Pinterest- SusieQTpies Scraps of Life and cohost  Crystal and Company and  3 Boys and a Dog. We do follow back.

Super Bowl Recipes

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Super Bowl Recipes are so fun to make. We are always putting together easy to grab recipes and fun drinks. Celebrate Sunday with family and friends! Go Team! 



Here are some of our favorite go-to Super Bowl Recipes! I hope you find something new to make! If you have any Super Bowl Recipes on your blog, feel free to share them in the comments!  Super Cheesy Super Bowl Dip
Sangria Bamboola-slushy fruit drink Antipasto PlatterSpinach Artichoke FocacciaBuckeye Brownies Don's Mexican SaladBuffalo Chicken SandwichCocktail Meatballs & WienersJalapeño Popper DipBuffalo Chicken Dip
Looking for more tasty Recipes? Check out my recipe data base. Remember, don't drink and drive. 

{Childrens Clothes} Little Frugalistas online thrift stores

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Smart moms buy used clothing for their childrens clothes at Little Frugalistas! Online thrift stores, such as Little Frugalistas is the smart way to save time and money! Used Clothing
I'm a mom of three girls, two of which are twins. When I was pregnant with the twins, my hubby was just graduating college and headed into another 4 year program. So from the beginning I have always shopped thrift stores for childrens clothes. My girls are all teenagers and we still shop at our favorite used clothing shops. How about you?
Thrift Store
Just recently I found out about Little Frugalistas which is an online thrift store for childrens clothes. I so wish this online thrift store was around when my girls were little. They carry sizes 0-3 months all the way to 7-8 for girls and boys. I was reading their guarantee and all the gently worn clothes have been "doubly and triply" inspected for no rips or tears, no missing buttons and not stains or defects. Since it is an online store you might be concerned with the cost of shipping. Guess what? They offer free shipping for orders over $40.
Stop over and check out Little Frugalistas which is a wonderful money saving resource for your family.
This is a sponsored post and my own thoughts and opinions are expressed here.

Healthier Lifestyle Apps for Healthy Living

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Are you making 2013 your year of Healthy Living? Here are a few Healthier Lifestyle Apps that I have found helpful on my journey. Today is week 5 of the 52 Weeks of Inspiration and I'm featuring healthy apps.

Healthy Living Apps

Run Keeper is my current favorite app where I record or track my walking and running exercises that I do outdoors and indoors. It works great for track walking, elliptical and treadmill use. I love that it keeps track of my miles, calories, time,etc. The only downside for me is that it doesn't do so well with circuit training or my exercise classes. I manually add in that information. I also have it set to remind me to workout daily. I don't need it but I have it just in case I'm being lazy the app will tell me to go exercise. Here is a screen shot of my Elliptical use where it keep track of my best times, distance, etc. All my records are from the Fall. I need to get working harder on the Elliptical!

Healthier Lifestyle App
This Fall, teen Anna got me hooked on LifeKraze which is on the desktop and apps for the smartphones. It is my daily check in spot to make me accountable for exercising. It is also my go-to place for inspiration on my healthier lifestyle journey. Daily I go in to see what others are doing, give them points for their accomplishments and leave comments that inspire them or praise them for their efforts. I have learned a lot about exercise from all the other members and I daily feel inspired to do more and to keep on going. Here are 2 screen shots. One is my personal accomplishment page and the other are accomplishments of others.
I exercise almost daily and have now lost 65 pounds since April 2012. I do go through plateaus and decided to find something to help me track my calories in and calories burned. I don't get frustrated because exercising makes me fell great and I know that it is a life long process of change. 
Through careful research I discovered BodyMedia.  It is an arm band that tracks calories in and out which includes tracking exercise, sleep, food and more. I can use it as a healthier lifestyle app as well as a desktop journal. The below iPhone screen shot shows one of the first few days when I started using the app. I learned that I needed to burn 500 more calories daily than I ate to lose 1 lb a week and burn 1000 calories daily to lose 2 lbs a week. When you are burning way more than you are taking in your body isn't getting what it needs and you will plateau. So this screen shot truly pointed out what I was doing. 
The following week I ate more food (healthier food), exercised the same and finally started loosing weight again. I pushed passed the plateau! By the way, BodyMedia is what they use on The Biggest Loser. I didn't know that and started using it before this season began. I would love to see their results using the BodyMedia bands.
This shot is from their website, BodyMedia. Love this picture with the arm band, phone app and desk top view. 
Do you have a healthier lifestyle app which you enjoy using? Link it up below. I will be going through each healthy living post listed so I can get some new inspiration on my journey! I will share more in the future so check back. 
Check out Week 1, Week 2, Week 3 and Week 4 of the 52 Weeks of Inspiration!

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