Virginia

New Flavor Creations from Ghirardelli

May 10, 2012 By Virginia 19 Comments

It is no secret that I heart chocolate. So much so, that I figure a little chocolate into my calorie count at least once a week, if not every day. When I received the opportunity to try some of Ghirardelli Chocolate’s Newest Flavor Creations, including Gourmet Milk Sea Salt Escape and Dark & Truffle, along with some proven favorites, I couldn’t reply “Yes, Yes, Please Yes!” fast enough.

When the box of individually wrapped chocolate dreams squares came in, I was SO excited!!

First, I’ve always enjoyed truffles. Second, I had been wanting to try the flavor sensation of dark chocolate with sea salt.

Ghirardelli Chocolates have long been one of my favorite chocolates because it is ridiculously easy to factor in the 55 to 80 calories for one square into my calorie budget. If I want more than one square, I simply go for a walk.

Of the new flavors creations, my favorites are the Intense Dark Sea Salt Soiree and the Dark and Sea Salt Caramel. Oh. My. Yum. Let’s just say, I’ve taken a few extra walks. LOL.

Save 10% on Ghirardelli Mother’s Day Gifts with code: CJ10ED!

Shhh… I think I’m going to order me some more as a Mother’s Day gift to myself.

Ghirardelli Chocolates are available at retailers nationwide, including Target, Walmart, on Amazon, and at .

Filed Under: On the Menu, Reviews Tagged With: chocolate, giftideas, mothersday

Monster Jam Building Sets

May 10, 2012 By Virginia 6 Comments

As you know, Mister loves to build. We recently received the 30th Anniversary Grave Digger® Building Set, one of the new MonsterJam® Intro Trucks, from K’Nex, for review. It was right up his alley!

Celebrating it’s 30th Anniversary, the Grave Digger® remains one of the most popular monster trucks in Monster Jam®!

This commemorative set is complete with 38 parts, including a buildable body shell that works within the K’NEX system. It features new and improved working suspension; big, chunky tires; and a K’NEXman driver! With authentic logos and graphics, your little builder can recreate the look of the 30th Anniversary Grave Digger®. Assembled, this monster truck is 1:43 scale and works like the real thing. What’s more, it comes in a wedge-shaped box that can be used as a ramp! Step-by-step building instructions included. Recommended for builders ages 5+.

This truck was right up Mister’s raceway!

The new MonsterJam® Intro Trucks are available at Walmart, Target, and Toys“R”Us nationwide, as well as on knex.com and Amazon.

***I received a product sample to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.***

Filed Under: Reviews, Toys Tagged With: knex, Review, toy

Wordless Wednesday- Marco Island Sunrise

May 9, 2012 By Virginia 22 Comments

I had the privilege of spending part of last week in Marco Island, at the Riverside Club (Condo’s leased by Harborview Rentals), with three other ladies in ministry. I hope to tell you more about my trip in the days to come.

This is one of the beautiful sunrises that greeted our mornings from our lanai.

Original photo, shot with my Canon Elph.

Filed Under: Photo Tagged With: #florida, inspiration, photo, quotes, sunrise

Quote- Solitude

May 4, 2012 By Virginia 21 Comments

I have a lone iris bloom in the back yard. I’m not sure if the rabbits and squirrels have eaten the other buds, or what, but Iris got me to thinking about loneliness and solitude. The two are not necessarily the same. Which led me to think of Henry David Thoreau, and my favorite quote from Walden (which is free for Kindle on Amazon).

Shot with my Canon Elph in my own backyard.

“I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude.”- Henry David Thoreau, Walden.

In a world full of noise, being alone can be painfully uncomfortable to the unaccustomed. If one is not careful, being alone can quickly lead to loneliness (which, by the way, can be felt in a room full of people, as well). It is in solitude, however, that one can truly know themselves and learn to hear the voice of God. Solitude can be both refreshing and restoring. The difference, then, between loneliness and solitude is perception and vulnerability.

Job struggled. Else why would he have need to write, “Teach me, and I will be quiet…” Job 6:24

Jesus needed solitude… “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:15-16

It isn’t often that I get a few minutes alone. When I do, though, I can choose to be happy and reflective, or I can choose to be lonely and seek to fill the void left by the absence of noise.

How about you? Are you able to enjoy being alone?

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Faith, quotes, solitude, thoreau

The Muffin Tin Cookbook

May 3, 2012 By Virginia 17 Comments

I recently received The Muffin Tin Cookbook, by Brette Sember, for review, from Adams Media. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was to try this cookbook. I have one of the pickiest eaters ever. At least, I think so. My son would like to protest all things green and all things new or not previously served.

It is a battle getting him to eat anything that is unfamiliar. One look and it’s, “Mommy, I don’t like that.”

We are working on that attitude.

I’ve read, though, that if you can make it fun, they are more likely to try it. Hence, my excitement over this cookbook. What can be more fun than itty bitty sized meals?

I decided to try the Sloppy Joe Cupcakes one night (see page 59 of the cookbook for their recipe). Of course, I am not one to leave a recipe unaltered, so I adjusted it a bit. For one, my son will typically eat my Simple Sloppy Joe Recipe, so I decided to use it instead of the sloppy joe recipe in the book. As well, the recipe called for refrigerated pie crust. I thought I grabbed refrigerated pie crust when I went to the grocer. Instead, I had grabbed refrigerated crescent rolls. oops. I decided to make it work.

Work it did. Apparently, food is much more fun if one can hold it. And we all know that fun equals edible. HA!

The Muffin Tin Cookbook is chock full of 200 recipes, from quick-serve appetizers and sides to gourmet entrees and desserts, there is an amazing array of tasty options, including:

Deep-Dish Pizza Cups

Shrimp Cakes with Cilantro Lime Dipping Sauce
Egg Crescent Pockets
Cornmeal-Crusted Mustard Chicken with Sweet Potato Coins
Zucchini, Corn, and Tomato Cups
Duchess Potatoes
Mini Ice-Cream Cakes

Adams Media books, including The Muffin Tin Cookbook, are available in the Adams Media Bookstore, at retailers nationwide, and on Amazon. Check out the Adams Media eBooks available on Amazon today.

***I received a product sample to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. ***

Filed Under: On the Menu, Reviews Tagged With: cookbook, muffin tin, Review