Holiday Baking- Maple Pecan Pie

I recently tried this new recipe for a pecan pie, the pie was gone that night! It was delicious and defiantly a holiday comfort food. Below is the recipe, I hope you try it and enjoy!

 Ingredients-
1/2 cup Karo Corn Syrup
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
 2 tablespoons butter, melted
 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) pecans (whole)
1 (9-inch) unbaked or frozen  pie crust

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix corn syrup, maple syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla using a spoon. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into pie crust. (Tip: don't over fill pie crust)
3. Bake on center rack of oven for 60 minutes (Tip: if the crust starts to get to dark just pop a piece of aluminum foil over it loosely). Cool , serve with Ice cream or whipped cream and Enjoy.

***Please leave feedback if you try it or if you have a tasty holiday recipe.

24/7 in the Kitchen with a Sprinkle of Daily Advice!

My new home has become my kitchen. As my son has gotten older the bottomless pit which is his stomach is always hungry and looking for me to replenish it! I'm always in the kitchen getting a snack, milk juice, meals etc. His first word was cookie, i should have known then that there was an evil worm lurking in his belly always wanting more!

Lately i have realized even though he is asking for food all the time when he does sit down to eat it he never finishes.

The light bulb went off (BING!)

Maybe more verity in each meal is key for him in keeping his interest in what he is eating. I purchased plates that had separators so that i could add three different things to the plate instead of one. I also decided do get Tupperware just for his food which i can then cut up fresh fruit, roll up cold cuts or make individual servings of different healthy snacks. It ended up being the best thing ever, once he had gone to sleep for the night i prepared his snacks and lunch for the next day so that i was ready and all i had to do was give it to him, no more rummaging through the fridge and trying to through things together before he had a melt down because he was hungry.

Us moms usually have to do are errands with our kids which can be a hassle. One thing i now do that can make it a bit easier and save you some money is bring your lunch ,water and snacks with you. I purchased a great Rachael Ray lunch bag which keeps everything nice and cold or hot. By doing this i not only save money, I'm also able to feed my son healthier choices as a pose to fast food.

From a person who has invested in just about every brand of tupperware the beast in my opinion is Lock & Lock which can be purchased on Amazon.com, or Qvc.com

P.S. Please post any tips tricks or stories!

Daily Advice- Getting through the Holidays without breaking the Bank!

Us moms always end up doing the bulk of Christmas shopping and end up being stressed with the long lines, crazy people, and the empty wallet at the end of the day.

The holidays can be done stress free while keeping your budget down and still producing a out of this world holiday!

I believe in only giving the most important people gifts and anyone else can receive a card. I think that way because if you ended up buying every person you knew a gift you would be broke! Big families can always do a grab bag for the adults so that everyone has one person to buy for which will save on having to buy every adult in your family a gift.

Always begin with a realistic budget of how much you really can afford to spend on gifts decor and any extras you may need (by chopping your tree down at a tree farm instead of purchasing one at one of those side lots can save you a few dollars) . Don't go over board Christmas isn't only about gifts, many people go in to debt around the holidays buy trying to get every little thing.

Once you have made out your budget start shopping no later then November 1st, this will insure you wont be crunching by Christmas.

I suggest you browse the Internet and get some ideas of  what you are going to get for each person and make a list this will help you stay on track. Always browse the clearance aisle which usually has some great stocking suffers if not some bigger gifts,(Target and Walmart always keep clearance items on the inside ends of the aisle).

If your up to it shopping on black Friday it can be a plus. ( I usually do not !)

Try buying Christmas gift bags for everything that way you eliminate the wrapping paper mess and you can keep reusing the bags for years to come ( I do this every year, i save a lot on recycling Xmas gift bags, I purchased a huge set from QVC.com with different size bags, wrapping paper, bows and a organizer and after all the toys are opened i fold up the bags and save them for next year!)

Homemade gifts are always a money saver and are very thoughtful.(a great homemade idea is my snowman hot coco cup, directions are below, you can also make a pie, bake cookies and put in a nice tin from the dollar store, or make Christmas chocolate lollipops and all the ingredients for that can be found at Micheals and is SUPER EASY!)

Remember the holidays are about family and you don't have to shower your family with gifts for the holiday to be amazing. You can bake cookies together, watch a Christmas themed movie with popcorn, play some board games, or decorate stockings to hang.

Enjoy the Holidays with family!

Directions for Snowman Hot Coco

I start off by buying a great Christmas mug from the dollar store, i then go to a grocery store and purchase Land O Lakes individual packets of hot chocolate which come in different flavors, I then grab a bag of real store brand mini marshmallows, a candy cane, bow, snack size zip lock baggies and cellophane.

You place the packet of hot coco in the mug, add mini marshmallows in a zip lock add in mug, place a candy cane in mug wrap in cellophane, tie with string and add bow. Wallah! you have a great gift  for about
$5.

Please post any tips, tricks, advice or story. Thanks!

Attention Attention: Christmas is Coming!!!

 I have officially kicked off my Christmas shopping today. I'm tired and over whelmed trying to figure out what gifts to get  for everyone. I have to start early because i don't like to rush or shop on black friday.

I feel Christmas has become less about the tradition and family gatherings but more about getting gifts. I don't want my children growing up spoiled so i have decided this Christmas i want it to be more about being together as a family rather then focusing on only gifts.

We defiantly will be cutting our own tree down this year which will serve as a great family outing and be decorating it together (instead of me just doing it ) while listening to Christmas carols. I want my kids to be in the spirit and enjoy the time we share together.(while sipping hot coca w/ mini marshmallows, of coarse)

It's so important as parents to bring your family together and enjoy each others laughs and smiles because we can all tend to get lost in the monotony of everyday life which can consume us to the point we don't even realize you really haven't spent any time together!

Please comment with any Christmas ideas, tips, advice, or stories!

Good Luck Moms on your holiday shopping, I know it can be stressful !

Daily Advice- Places to Take your Little ones for fun!

It can be hard to find great places to take your toddler on a day-cation. Below is a list of places i have been to and have found that are great and not expensive to take your little one. Have Fun!

*Jumpin Jakes (Fun)

*Sesame Place

*Park

*Adventure Aquarium: Camden, NJ (Amazing Place)

*Children's Garden: Camden, NJ

*Max Brenners Restaurant: NYC (Amazing, Like the real Willy Wonka)

*Maritime Aquarium: Norwalk, CT (Good)

*Children's Museum: NYC (So Fun)

*Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia, PA (So fun)

*Great Wolf Lodge: Poconos, PA (AMAZING, We go once a year)

*Bronx Zoo: Bronx NY

*Turtle Back Zoo: West Orange, NJ

***If you do go to any of these places please leave feed back on your adventure, or if you need any info or feedback on any of these places feel free to comment with questions and i will give you my review. Thanks!

***Please comment with any tips, advice or stories,

Busy Bee!

Sorry Moms no post today! I'm off with many things to do. Catch up with me tomorrow for another dose of  daily topics and a new recipe i have just for you!

Enjoy your TGIF and have fun with the little ones, there only little for so long!

*Please comment with advise, fun stories, or just a tip.

 Thanks for following!

Daily Advice- Rainy day blues!

As you look out the window and see the rain pouring down I'm sure your screaming quietly NO! (as i did this morning when i saw it was pouring) You have now come to the realization you will be inside all day with your energetic toddler!

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With a little planing you could have an amazing day and you wont find your self going crazy. Below are a few fun ideas you could try if you ever find yourself stuck inside.

1. Throw a sheet over the kitchen table it will be a magical castle to them. This will keep them busy for a while. (I just did this and he is still amazed)

2. Give them a bath with tons of toys.

3. Art projects, weather its just gluing, coloring, or even finger painting with paint or pudding they will have loads of fun.

4. Reading story books

5. Good old fashion pots and pans, they will love to drum and bang on them.

4. Flash light, i give my son the flashlight turn off the light in his room and he loves to see the light on the walls.

5. Indoor Picnic for lunch

6. Enjoy popcorn a snuggle and a cartoon/disney movie

Hope you have a great rainy day!

*Please post any comments, tips or advice. Thanks!