Happy Spring

Well, I have been away from the blogging world for awhile, but IM BACK! So nice to feel refreshed and ready to share some new ideas and views of today and the future!
Hope you will join me and share your comments, I welcome you all back again.

Danielle :)

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Seeing is believing!

Well its that time of year....Back to School time. I don't know about you all, but this summer has just flown by and I cannot believe my son will be in the 2nd grade. It's just amazing! And with all the preparing that goes into this last month before school like; backpacks, school supplies, clothes and shoes, and a new bedtime schedule, its really important to think about getting your son or daughter in for an eye exam. That way they can determine even before school begins whether they will need eyeglasses.
Usually you are required by the school district when children begin school in Kindergarten, but I feel that getting their eyes checked every year is the best option. You never know when sight can change. Its especially important to do this if you see your child squinting, closing one eye while watching TV, or holding his papers or books really close to his/her face while reading or writing. Those are signs that they may need prescription eyeglasses!
My son has had many eye exams and usually they have been a very quick process. He hasn't had any problems but from friends with children who do, they may need to have other exams to determine the severity of their sight issues. If your child does need glasses, it can be an adjustment for them. Remember that they need a little time to get used to wearing them and may need your help to give them some confidence. I know a few children that wear glasses and at first it was hard, but after some time, wearing glasses became just part of their routine.

I realize that glasses can be very expensive at times, and in today's economy we need to search for places that have the best frames and better deals. I received a great pair of glasses online just the other day and I have to say I was very impressed. Glasses USA offers many options for adults at great prices. They even recycle and give those glasses to agencies that offer them to people in need.

So remember, take your child to the doctor and have their sight checked. Its so important. And also, head on over to Glasses USA and check out their selection of frames.

Thanks for Reading, Danielle

Le Creuset and Chicken Divan

With these cold weather days and even colder nights, I am always in the mood for comfort food. I don't know about you but there is just something so comforting in having a nice casserole for dinner too!
I was thinking about when I was young and how my mom would have that casserole in the oven when I got home from school and the house always smelled so good and so inviting. Most times when I brought friends home, they would end up staying for dinner! (I guess they couldn't resist the yummy smells either! LOL)
So, I thought I would start making the one casserole that I absolutely love and hey, I'm not to proud to say that it is SO easy as well! The quicker and easier the better for us busy mom's right?
What makes this even better is that I was able to make this delicious Chicken Divan casserole in my new Le Creuset Bake Ware. I was so excited!
If you remember my post last week, I was saying that I had been contacted by Ashley at CSN Stores to do a review of any product I wanted. How great is that? And when I saw this Bake Ware, I new I just had to have it!

I just love this lime green color too! (I've been wanting to get a few pieces that brighten up my kitchen and I think this one is perfect!)
This Le Creuset 9" square baking dish is perfect for casseroles or really anything you want to make and serve right from the oven. A few ideas are chicken Parmesan, baked spaghetti, Lasagna, or Chicken Divan. (Recipe to follow!)
This poterie stoneware can be used in the oven, microwave or broiler and will not pick up any odors or flavors. It has a beautiful appearance, as you can see from my pic above, and it is so durable it resists chipping and stains.
And the greatest part is that when I was finished with dinner, clean up was a snap. I just rinsed off the dish and put it in the dishwasher. Yes ladies, dishwasher safe! Woo-Hoo!!
As an added bonus I got the 5" baking dish too. It is small but I can make Mexican dip, spinach artichoke dip, or even a yummy individual dessert and serve it in this beautiful bake ware.

So to show you how impressed I was with it, here is a picture of my delicious Chicken Divan casserole.

I can honestly say my family was so impressed with not only the casserole but the presentation as well. It looked really lovely!
So please check out CSN Stores online. They not only offer bakeware or kitchen items but all kinds of other great products as well like shoes, mailboxes, childrens toys and baby items too!

This bakeware is a product I will definitely recommend and I am thinking of buying a stock pot in the same pretty lime green color for winter soups and stews. Just thinking about it makes me hungry! LOL

Now for the Chicken Divan recipe. Its fast, its easy, its delicious. Here it is.....
1 pkg frozen broccoli (16 oz)
4 small chicken breasts or small rotisserie chicken
1 TBSP lemon juice
1/2 TSP curry powder
1 can cream of chicken soup, fat free
1 cup light mayonnaise
2 cups shredded cheddar
bread crumbs for topping


I thaw out broccoli in microwave and add it to casserole dish. Then take your cooked chopped chicken and add that over broccoli. Mix together in bowl, can of soup, mayonnaise, 1 cup of cheese, curry, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
Pour that mix on top and sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes and it will come out bubbling and delicious. You can serve with rice or pasta or a vegetable, whatever you like! ENJOY!

You Don't Wanna Miss This....

If there is one thing I know all of you love as much as me, it is shopping. And even better, who wouldn't love being able to find all the items you need online?

Well, I was recently contacted by Ashley from CNS Stores to do a review of one of their products, and since I love to cook, I chose the Le Creuset 9" and 5" baking dishes in Kiwi.

Aren't they fabulous?

Please watch for my review, along with great recipe's that you can use with this fantastic bake ware!
It will be arriving soon in my Mailbox... I can't wait! :)

Cheers, Danielle

Brrrr...Baby It's Cold Outside!

I hope you all have gotten into the swing of these cold and snowy winter days and nights. Try as I may, it's just not happening for me.
I just used to love the snow and would stay out for hours playing, skiing, building snow forts, or having snowball fights with my friends, but as I get older, I'm more of a nice and warm kind of gal!
I don't mind looking out at the beautiful snowflakes and admiring all Winter has to offer, but I prefer to do it from my living room window with a cup of coffee or tea in hand. And I love to see my son making a snowman and playing in all that white stuff as long as I'm standing in the doorway with my camera and slippers, LOL.
This is the way it is and I'm not too proud to say it. "I do not like the cold weather at all!" There, I said it, it's done, and I'm sticking to it. (Although don't tell my son this news cause it would break his heart I'm sure.)

So, here's to all of you. Have a wonderful winter, keep safe and warm, crank up that heat, pour a cup of tea and enjoy!!!

Now I'm off to grab my blankie and read a good book! :)
Danielle

Merriest Christmas

Okay, once again it is that time of year where we are all scrambling to buy those last minute gifts, bake our goodies, wrap our presents, and even a few (who will remain nameless, LOL) that still are decorating the house and yard. It can be a very stressful time. Agree?
I am trying so hard to be organized, in fact, I had a list in early November of things to accomplish on a weekly basis...Then, as the season grew nearer, my list turned into daily tasks, all of which I vowed to complete. Did I do it? Who thinks they know the answer to this question? (Did you accomplish all of your Holiday items in advance this year?)
Or are you like me.....YES, I didn't stick to that list. I really fell off my schedule and now I am like flying around trying to get everything done. AND I still have a few small gifts to buy as well.... WHY, WHY, WHY?

Well, whether you are that organized gal, or the absolutely frazzled, crazy running around gal... I want to wish you all the best this Holiday season and may you and your loved ones share a memorable time together. Remember that those days go by so fast, so sit back and try to relax and enjoy!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year blogging friends.....




All photos courtesy of MarthaStewart.com