Enter the BED & BREAKFAST FREE NIGHT'S STAY GIVEAWAY TODAY!

Yes, you heard me correctly. One lucky winner will get to stay in the available room of their choice (up to $200 value) in this luxurious Bed & Breakfast in Metropolis, Il. (the home of Super Man himself!) *

The Summer's Riverview Mansion, is a spectacular retreat that puts the BREAK in Bed and BREAKfast!

My husband and I recently spent a wonderfully relaxing night in a room fit for royalty!(An early Christmas gift from him)We were pampered and well taken care of by the innkeepers who have lovingly put their hearts into making our experience a memorable one.

Our stay included a quick tour through the home on arrival, to late snacks prepared for us and delivered to our door, to delicious food and peaceful surroundings, and beautiful decor with much attention paid to details.



Lovely on the inside and outside, with a delicious full breakfast to boot!

Many people ask me why we choose to stay at a Bed and Breakfast rather than a hotel. Well, take a look at these photos, and I think any questions will be answered. NOTHING compares!

Let me take you on a tour (through my camera's eye)....


Each beautiful suite had a matching Christmas tree and wreaths on the doors and the gorgeous fireplace mantles were beautifully decorated as well.














The gorgeous Parlor









And the all inclusive full breakfast served from this beautiful dining room.














If you're thinking this would be perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary getaway, you are right--but ALSO, a new Wedding Chapel has been added to the property for an intimate ceremony.






So, would you love a great place to spend a romantic New Year's Eve? Or Valentine's Day? Anniversary? Honeymoon? Birthday?


Truly, I could go on and on about this place, and I've many more pictures I could share, but I want to get back to the contest...

Here's the rules:

1.If you enter, PLEASE only do so if you truly plan to take advantage of this special night (or at least give it to someone who you know will enjoy it.) (This is in the Southern Illinois area, and offer is good from now until March 2012.) CONTINENTAL US ONLY.

2. You need only to enter by leaving a comment. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. Please leave your name and a way to contact you. Winner will be chosen by random draw. Contest closes on Sat., Dec. 17, 9 pm. Winner will be announced on this blog and contacted by email( or facebook)after 9 PM Dec. 17.

*You may use the ANONYMOUS option for commenting, however, you will still need to leave your name and a way top contact you. *IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE LEAVING A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG, email me at asmurphy@clearwave.com

For more info on this B&B, click here.

If you decide to book a night here, even if you are not the winner, tell em Sherri sent ya!

A giveaway...for you to give away!

Okay this giveaway is a treat for you...but the real treat it is giving away your creations.

Remember awhile back I gave away the Gifts In a Jar "Cookies" cookbook?

Well this month, I'm giving away the GIFTS IN A JAR- BARS AND BROWNIES Cookbook!
Thank my generous Cousin Angie who gave me the cookbooks to be given away.

The cookbook is filled with delicious recipes and comes complete with gift tags and instructions for assembly. All you need to do is assemble and find someone to give them to.

To have a chance to win the cookbook, all you need to do is leave a comment.
For another chance, become a follower (or let me know if you are already one.
For 3 extra chances, TWEET this, Post it on FACEBOOK or your blog. Let me know if you did.

Contest ends Nov. 24, midnight.

Winner will be drawn by the old fashioned name in the hat method. Scouts honor- I WILL BE HONEST!

WInner's name will be announced on NOV. 25 by 9:00 am.

Before you go, I'd like for you to visit this site, christmaschange.com.

It is a movement of people who are willing to change up their Christmas gift giving traditions. Instead of purchasing SO MUCH for those who don't need it, would you consider buying Less for those people , and spending a portion of your savings on those who are in DESPERATE need?

A needy neighbor? Missionary? Or a worthy charity?

There are so many needs around us. It is time to make a change.

It's no trick- just a couple of great treats! A Wonderful Magazine giveaway and A recipe for Mini Pumpkin Cakes

I am pleased to be giving away a one-year subscription (13 issues- a $19.95 value) of my favorite magazine, SOUTHERN LIVING.

Each month I sit back and enjoy their beautiful photos of some of the best recipes and gorgeous home decor that Southern hands can create.

I have yet to try one of their recipes that I didn't love!
So, I decided to share this treat with one lucky reader!

It's easy to enter:

*Leave me a comment telling me about your favorite magazine. (1 chance)
* Follow this blog (1 extra chance)
* Post about this giveaway (1 extra chance)
*Put a link on your sidebar about this giveaway (1 extra chance)
* Tweet this post (1 extra chance)

Now, be sure to tell me if you deserve extra chances and leave a link to your blog so I can find you.

This offer is good in the continental US only.
Contest ends on Sunday, October 25, at midnight (CT)
Winner's name will be announced Monday, October 26 by 9:00 AM (CT)

The winner's name will be drawn by the good old fashioned name in the hat method. SCOUT'S HONOR I will be honest and fair.

Winner will receive their first magazine 4-8 weeks following the announcement date.
*Southern Living is in no way involved in this giveaway- this is from yours truly.

Now, for the recipe.

I chose to share the cover recipe from the current issue.

MINI PUMPKIN CAKES


*Makes 8 pumpkins
Ingredients

* 3/4 cup butter, softened
* 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
* 2 cups sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* Caramel-Rum Glaze*
* Or Vanilla Glaze
* Caramel Stems, Leaves, and Vines (optional, instructions below)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla.

2. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Spoon batter into 2 lightly greased pumpkin-shaped muffin pans, filling three-fourths full.

3. Bake at 350° for 24 to 26 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

4. Cut rounded tops off muffins to make them flat. Invert top muffins onto bottom muffins, forming pumpkins. Drizzle Caramel-Rum Glaze over pumpkins. Decorate with Caramel Stems, Leaves, and Vines, if desired.

*Vanilla Glaze may be substituted.

CARAMEL STEM: Press 1 caramel between fingers, lengthening to 1 1/2 to 2 inches to form a stem. Curl stem gently.

CARAMEL LEAVES: Roll caramels into 2-inch squares on a flat surface, using a rolling pin. Cut into leaves, using a paring knife. Gently press tips of leaves to flatten, if desired. Score leaves, using a paring knife. Pinch bottoms of leaves together.

CARAMEL VINES: Cut 1 caramel into 3 equal pieces. Squeeze each piece gently to flatten, and roll between hands or on a flat surface into a long thin rope. Twist ends to curl.

Note: We tested with Wilton Dimensions Multi-Cavity Mini Pumpkin Pans. Only have one pan? Bake batter in two batches, washing and drying pan between batches.

*Recipe and photo is from their website: www.southernliving.com

GOOD LUCK!

*Be sure to check out more Blog Carnival Giveaways here.

My Special Feature and a Special Giveaway

Today I am being featured at Eat at Home so hop over to Tiffany's place to say Hello.

But before you go, be sure to check out this contest!




Just in time for the cool weather baking season, I have been given a book (by my generous cousin Angie) to pass along to one lucky reader of this blog.

The book is filled with delicious cookie recipes and gift tags, for your convenience.
It is a $10.95 value and will be mailed to one lucky winner!

First of all, before you decide that jar gifts are outdated, remember, these gifts don't have to go in the same old mason jars. For a new look and twist on the jar gifts, try placing your mixes in any of these styles which can double for canisters or storing jars to be used later in any room of the house to store treasures.




These are basic styles that can be purchased at Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target. (Be sure to purchase one that is airtight).

These would make wonderful gift ideas to take to someone who is under the weather, or a school teacher, co-worker, birthday , Christmas or congratulations gifts. Everyone appreciates a gift of food that is already organized for them.

Some of the recipes included are:

Grand Slam Triple Chocolate cookie mix
Gourmet Cookies
Raisin Crunch Cookies
Orange slice Cookies
Trail Cookies
White Chocolate Macadamia nut
Oatmeal Scotchies
Candy Bar Cookies
and many more traditional cookie recipes.

The contest starts today, and will end on Sunday Eve. Sept. 27 at 12 PM. Winner will be announced on Monday,Sept. 28 by 9:00 AM (CT).
Winner will be chosen by the old fashioned name in the hat method.

TO ENTER: CLICK HERE.

A Spring Fling GIVEAWAY!!!

Here's your chance to win a few things to make your spring cooking time in the kitchen more enjoyable!

Here's what one lucky winner will receive:

*A CD of 200 recipes "JUST DESSERTS"
* 2 Cookbooks!
"Sensational Salads" and "Quick Time Dishes"
*A Coupon Keeper
*A reusable "earth friendly" grocery bag



Here's how you enter.
*You may do one or more of the following:

1. Leave a comment telling me that you would like to win. (worth one entry)

2. Follow this blog site. (2 entries)

3. Tell me what you would like me to post as a recipe or menu idea, such as chicken recipe, casseroles, using fresh veggies, etc. (worth 3 entries)

4. Get another blogger to mention your name in THEIR comment ("Suzy sent me") worth 4 entries

5. Put a link in your sidebar for this contest then come back and tell me that you did.(worth 5 entries)

6.. Write a post about this giveaway- linking back to this site. Then be sure to let me know about it. (6 entries)

Contest ends on Saturday, April 18 @ 10:00 pm Central time.

Winner will be announced on Sunday , April 19 @8:00 AM Central time.

*Sorry, this contest is open to those in the continental US only.


SO get busy and ready for the SPRING FLING! Let me hear from you today!