Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Days of Beauty: Plan

Today and tomorrow - I'm going to sort of veer slightly off the beauty path and complete some giveaways/reviews that I'm needing to get done. Hopefully, it will be beauty to those who win!!

Ok, I take that back - I am going to say a few words about beauty. See, I can't help myself?! One of the very best things that helps me to be successful in creating and pulling off beauty is to plan ahead!

I've already mentioned the site Organized Christmas! If you haven't ever checked it out before, I hope you will - just downloading the pages for your own Christmas notebook or signing up for e-mails is absolutely free.

I love Christmas and I especially love being able to savor the days and not feel hurried and harried through them. They are holy days, high days that deserve a different pace.

Now, I have two giveaways today!

First up is this Gooseberry Patch Quick & Easy Christmas cookbook! Gooseberry Patch cookbooks are always so much fun and inspiring to look at. And, I love that they are created by readers just sending in their recipes and compiling all the best of what is received.

So far, I've got a new favorite recipe from this cookbook and I'm going to share it with you! You know my struggle to love my Crock Pot - and I am really working at enjoying it. I am now up to more than two recipes we love from the Crock Pot. Yes, I am serious.

Ok - so here's a new one for you to try!

Slow Cooker Potatoes (I did not take a photo because photos of Crock Pot food are just not all that appetizing or beautiful!)

32-oz. package frozen shredded hashbrowns, partially thawed
2 10 3/4 oz. cans Cheddar cheese soup (I only used one)
13 oz. can evaporated milk
1 c. green pepper, diced
2.8 oz. can French fried onions, divided
Cubed cooked ham

Spray your Crock Pot with non-stick cooking spray. Add hashbrowns, soup, milk, green pepper, ham and all but 1/4 c. of the onions. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Sprinkle with remaining onions just before serving. Serves 6-8.

You can visit the Gooseberry Patch ladies in a number of places: blog, web page, Facebook or on You Tube!

And, while we are on the topic of Slow Cookers, I have another cookbook to giveaway today!

The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes book! I have only skimmed this book so can't give you more than a basic review. There are great pictures and lots of categories for recipes! Some of them look a little gourmet and time-involved for our taste, but I know one of you will find a way to make it work for you!

Truly though, isn't having dinner ready and cooking while you do something else beauty?! Yes, yes it is! Ok, two of you are going to win today - just leave a comment to be entered. Comments will be accepted until Thursday, October 20 at 10pm EST. Open to US residents only.

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have really enjoyed your 31 days of beauty. You have a wonderful insight and inspire me to live a simple life. I love the Goooseberry patch books. Thanks for a chance to win. Dawn
meadow19994@yahoo.com

Kimberly said...

I am definitely struggling with variety when it comes to using my crock pot and would love some new recipes.

Jthemilker said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my crock-pot. Another good source for recipes is "crockpot girls" on FB.

Your posts on beauty are refreshing. I'm personally trying to soak up the beauty of the fall-season, which where I live, is in full swing. It will soon be gone, baren, and then I think I will mourn. But for these days, I shall drink in as much of it as I can.


God bless you Monica. Have a lovely day!

Jthemilker AT gmail DOT com

Ginger said...

I love my crockpot, but my son does not. Go figure! But, seriously, with my schedule, I have to pull it out at times.

Amy said...

Ooo, I love my gooseberry patch cookbook! Thanks for the opportunity to win another!

Diane Hannon Allman said...

I have been so blessed by your 31 days of beauty. I am looking at my life through a new set of ideas and it is inspiring and challenging at the same time!

Shelby said...

Again Monica I love your blog and your heart for your home and would love a chance to win.

Shelby
richellecucchi@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to love my crockpot, too! Our schedule has changed quite a bit, and these would help me, I'm hoping! :-)

~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com

Natalie Meester said...

mmm...potatoes, onions, ham, slow cooked all day...sounds divine!

I have always loved gooseberry patch and love to use my crockpot so either book would be awesome! Hope I win and thanks for a great giveaway!

Hugs,
Natalie

Wendi said...

I <8 anything from Gooseberry patch. I really need to start using my crockpot more. I recently tried cooking a ham in the crockpot instead of the oven and it turned out really well.

Enjoy your day!

Elise said...

LOVE Gooseberry Patch cookbooks!! They are cutest!!
Elise

Anonymous said...

I an seeking beauty in my life for His glory, thanks! kslaurie58@yahoo.com

Lisa @ Simply Things Family said...

Thanks for another 'beautiful' giveaway. I read each and every one of your inspiring posts. Keep it up!

Dee said...

I'm always looking for more slow cooker recipes. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Stephanie said...

Both of these cookbooks look good. : ) I've enjoyed your 31 days series; such good food for thought, especially as I raise my girls.

(I've been doing a 31 days series on reading with your children.) : )

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and would love either of these books! Jamie jmiller_221@yahoo.com

Davonne said...

Thank you for the giveaway!

I love the beauty post about your mani/pedi with your girls :)

Peggy said...

Thank you so very much for this giveaway! I have really been enjoying your 31 days of beauty... in fact I've been doing a little editing and plan on printing them up to have on hand as a reminder when I need it the most! Once again thank you!

angie said...

I enjoy reading the Gooseberry books as if they were a novel! And I really want to color in the illustrations.
I do like my Crock Pot, but tend to use the same few recipes over and over.
Yes, I agree, planning ahead allows us to enjoy the holidays more.

Agnes said...

sounds like 2 good cook book! Thank you for sharing beauty with us.

barbara said...

I don't like my crock pot as much as I love Gooseberry Patch cookbooks :) I especially like the little comments on the bottom of each page that give you quick and easy ideas for adding beauty to your home or making something a bit more special without much effort, and with things we probably already have around the house. THANKS for the opportunity to win!

Jessica said...

Like you, I wish I liked more slowcooker recipes. I would love to win!

being molded said...

I love Gooseberry Patch too :)
I'd love to be entered.

Annie said...

I'm always looking for a new, great recipe. Thanks for the chance to win!
Annie

reynoldsfour at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love Gooseberry Patch! Would love to win.

Thanks!
Amara
kwasfamily@sbcglobal.net

A Dusty Frame said...

I LOVE the crockpot!
Thanks for entering me~I'd love either one.
Lizzie~A Dusty Frame

Jordin said...

The Gooseberry Patch book looks wonderful! I desperately need help with organizing Christmas...I feel like I rush through in order to get things done and completely miss out on the special things.

Thanks for the Organized Christmas link and recipe, too!

*carrie* said...

Oooh, these both sound like fun books!

I need to try that recipe soon, especially since it calls for green pepper. Eric went to the garden one last time last night because it dipped to 20 degrees overnight, and he brought home probably two dozen tiny peppers! It was 25 when I took Nathan to school--yikes!

Elaine said...

I really enjoy your blog even though I do not always comment. Just coming to it and seeing how pretty it is makes me smile even before I read your posts. I would love a chance to win! It is just beginning to get cool here and I was thinking yesterday I needed some new crock pot recipes. Thanks for the opportunity to win a cookbook.

Anonymous said...

Hello! I have enjoyed your blog for quite sometime now. It is wonderful. What a great giveaway! Sylvia

Rachel said...

I use my crockpot pretty regularly. I do lots of soups and love to have something in it to come home to after church. This week I did Emeril's pulled pork in the crockpot, but probably cooked it for more than 15 hours, and it came out tender and delicious and I didn't have to wet baste it every 45 minutes for 7 or more hours. I love the cuteness of those Gooseberry Patch cookbooks.

Blissful & Domestic said...

I love these cook books. Gooseberry patch books are my favorites! and anything going in the slowcooker I love. Love your giveaways and love your blog:>

Danielle
www.blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com
blissful_and_domestic@yahoo.com

Kaira said...

I really do like using my crock pot but so many recipes use ingredients I prefer not to use. It is a fine balance to find recipes that work and have better ingredients.

Anonymous said...

I would love both of these books! Thank you for inspiring my life thrugh your blog.
Kaflannery@juno.com

Unknown said...

Oh, I love Goosebery Patch cookbooks! So many new tempting and tantalizing recipes to try! :) Thanks so much!

Yellow Trunk Designs said...

Hooray for giveaways AND for delicious food that is easy to cook and yummy to eat. Love your blog! May God continue to bless all of your efforts!

Anonymous said...

I would love to win! Thanks for hosting. Love your blog!

flyingpreacher1@aol.com

Thanks,
Amy

Julie Ball said...

PLANNING is something I've been working on lately! And I agree, there is something beautiful about not having to make dinner in the evenings, because it's already done! On school days, my son doesn't get off the bus until 4:20, so I barely have time to chat with him and get him started on homework before I have to get busy with dinner. My good ol' Crock Pot makes those busy evenings much more manageable and enjoyable! :) Thanks for the giveaways!

Heather said...

Thanks for another giveaway! I'm all about the crock pot, have 3 (in different sizes) and at times have to wait a day to make something because they are all in use!

These sound great,
Heather

Deborah said...

Monica, I haven't had a chance to let you know but your days of beauty have so blessed me. Thank you for sharing yourself with the rest of us. You always leave me with many new and inspirational thoughts. God bless.

Lisa said...

Monica,
Thank youo for such a wonderful giveaway! I would love winning either book! Have a great day.
Thanks again!
Blessings,
Lisa

tina b said...

Thanks for sharing the recipe. It sounds super yummy! And thanks for offering the giveaway, too!

Crystal said...

I love crockpot meals! Please enter me!

Becca said...

I love my CrockPot! I actually have corn chowder in mine right now.. it smells so yummy!
I just found your blog and I love it! Keep up the great work..

Melanie said...

I use my crock pot often, but I only make a few things in it.
I would love to enter your giveaway! Thank you for the recipe. I'm going to have to give it a try. :)

Jill said...

I sooo can't wait for Christmas. We're already playing Christmas music while we cook. Great give away!

Amy said...

Thanks for the giveaways! We use our crockpot a few times a week and I agree- it's not always photogenic- but generally it tastes good. And I like Gooseberry Patch books- always cute ideas. brian amy 10 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Both of these cookbooks look great! Would love either one! Thank you for the chance!

Sincerely Yours said...

I also have a hard time finding crock pot recipes that my family really loves. It is always fun getting some new inspiration!

I rarely comment but I do very much enjoy your blog.

Crystal said...

I love to use my crockpot and I love Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks. It would be wonderful to win. Thanks for being such an inspiration. I love checking every morning to see what encouraging words you have for me.

Kathy said...

Yum! Would love to win a cookbook!

Thanks for your series on beauty!

Kim Stewart said...

I love Gooseberry Patch cookbooks! I am enjoying your series! Thanks!

Carly said...

Great books, Thanks for the giveaway!

~katie~ said...

What wonderful cookbooks! I don't own any of the Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks, but they've always attracted my eye ~ such country home cookin' charm! I love to use my crockpot but have not mastered many recipes. Thank you for the chance to win!

Blessings to you,
Katie