Sneak Peeks and a Winner

Today this little pasta recipe I created over the weekend is featured on the Quad City Mom's Blog.  I am beyond thrilled they asked me to contribute.  This blog connects mom's in our area via various activities and support groups.  Whether it be cooking (like my love), kid's play dates, garage sales, discount and coupons to local stores or just some good 'old advice from other moms, this blog has now become one of my daily reads.

Check out my 15 Minute Smoky Spaghetti Carbonara here.

Or wait a couple of days and I'll post it on my blog too.  Your choice.

But, really check out their blog, it's neat.

Another great thing happened over the weekend.  I opened up my new August/September issue of Taste of Home magazine and there lay my Chocolate Caramel Cracker Bars, featured in their Bake Sale section.

I of course call these my Homemade Twix Bars, but for liability reasons the name was changed.

Rules.

They are so easy and fun, you have to make them.  Today.  Or tomorrow.  At least this week, okay?

So a friend of a friend of a friend, gave us some black raspberries last night.  Follow that?  Rumor has it he picked 500 lb. of them, but then due to his air conditioning going out he had to get ride of them stat.

Guess who got 20 pints last night?  Yep, me.

So at 7 p.m. I started rinsing, drying and laying them all on large baking sheets to freeze.  Tonight after they have spent a day in the deep freeze I'll throw them into Ziploc baggies.

We cannot wait to make smoothies, pies and other fancy-schmancy desserts.  Stay tuned on that front.

And finally the winner of my YUM plate Giveaway!  Thanks to all who entered!

Erika Havlik, you are the winner!  Please send me an email and I'll ship it out pronto.

Enjoy your Tuesday everyone!