About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She's also a cat lady in the making.

Turnage Theatre – Why You Need to Visit This Historic Theatre in Washington NC

February 14, 2019 By Liz 19 Comments

When you spot a historic downtown theatre in active use, it’s a sure sign the town is alive and thriving, and that’s certainly the case for the beautiful Turnage Theatre and its home of Washington, North Carolina.

I had the chance to tour and explore the building, and I discovered some compelling reasons people should make a point to visit this handsome historic theatre.

The Turnage Theatre is the only known U.S. building with two theatres inside.

The Turnage Theatre building was constructed in 1913 as a bakery and shoe store with a Vaudeville theatre on the second floor. Touring vaudeville groups would perform here, including famous acts like Roy Rogers.

As the popularity of “talking” movies took over (and traffic noise escalated), a new 432-seat palace theatre was added to the rear of the building in 1929 (away from traffic) thus becoming two theatres-in-one. However, the Vaudeville stage was essentially abandoned when the new palace theatre opened.

To the right of the theatre was originally an alley for carriage drop-offs.

Nostalgia reigns supreme.

Right inside the lobby is a fabulous display of memorabilia and furnishings from the original Vaudeville theatre including old metal marquee numbers, slide show projectors, plaster ceiling flowers still wrapped with wires, wood and twine, and an original theatre seat.

The palace theatre blends grand old style with a state of the art entertainment experience.

Multi-million dollar renovations restored the theatre to its former glory and introduced new lighting and sound equipment, a catering kitchen, new dressing rooms (one’s named after favorite son, Cecil B. DeMille) and three art galleries with rotating exhibits. There’s also a dessertery with high-end chocolates and gourmet treats.

Programming includes everything from Broadway HD and movies on the big screen to comedy shows, music concerts, dance performances, community theatre, children’s events and more. The day I toured the theatre there was a concert one night and a Bubblegum Theatre Halloween production the next.

One of the three galleries inside the theatre

The music jams are an attraction in themselves.

Whether you bring an instrument to play or sit back and listen, the informal jam sessions where musicians improvise and riff without rules is some of the best free entertainment you can find anywhere. Thursday evening jams take place at 6:30 pm and Saturday morning jams kick off at 10 am. If you love traditional all-strings music (guitar, banjo, ukulele, etc.) you won’t want to miss the jams! More info here.

jam session at Turnage Theatre- Washington NC

Photo: Pironti Photography

Plans are underway to restore the old Vaudeville playhouse.

I had a chance to peek inside the old theatre (pre-restoration), and it’s going to be quite amazing when it’s all done. I was thoroughly enchanted when I saw the original theatre doors, the mezzanine, tin ceiling, plaster walls with stamped brick, earthquake rods and a full bank of windows looking out over Main Street.

It’s hoped that restoration will be complete in about two years, and once finished, there will be seating for about 180 people in this area.

It was built with a slanted floor so there’s a natural grade for chairs.

Original Vaudeville theatre doors

View from the Turnage Theatre onto Main Street

Bonus: there’s a ghost.

Now that may or may not thrill you, and odds are you’d never encounter “George the ghost,” but I think it adds to the lore of the building and makes for a fun reason to visit. George lives in the Vaudeville theatre and has reportedly been seen as a dark male figure at the end of the hall and upstairs in the mezzanine.

You’ll have to visit Turnage Theatre when the Vaudeville restoration is complete for a chance at seeing George. Let me know if you spot him! And for the record, I didn’t.

And then there’s the neon sign.

Make sure you visit downtown Washington at night so you can see the Turnage Theatre marquee all lit up. There’s just something about neon lights…

Public tours of the Turnage Theatre are available and encouraged!

Many historic theatres will let you poke around on your own, but the Turnage Theatre will happily arrange to take you on a guided tour and share even more of what makes it such a special place. Contact Arts of the Pamlico for general info, tour details and a comprehensive arts and events calendar.

For other Washington, NC visitor info and a visitors guide: visitwashingtonnc.com and be sure to check out my post on Washington’s other historic must-see tour stop.

How to Navigate the Financial Planning Process Successfully

February 13, 2019 By Liz 20 Comments

I grew up in a family in which the complete financial planning process was an integral part of daily life, so you’d think it would have rubbed off on me and I’d have my financial ducks all in a row.

I do.

And I don’t.

I’m debt-free, so there’s that. It took five painful years of hard work and sacrifice to pay off every bit of the credit card debt I was carrying, but it was worth all the suffering. I’ve been debt-free ever since (over 12 years now!), I live completely within my means, and I’ve never felt a greater sense of freedom and security than in financial independence. It’s very empowering!

But, since I plan on retiring one day and traveling even more than I do now, it’s time I took the next step in my financial planning journey so I can fulfill all my dreams, and move closer to my long-term vision of complete financial stability.

Navigating the Financial Planning Process

This is a sponsored post. Opinions and experiences are my own.

#LetsMakeAPlan. Determine your long-term financial goals, strengths and weaknesses.

My weakness is with investment. I have a comfortable savings cushion built up but it’s just sitting in a regular savings account accumulating what feels like pennies each year. I cringe every time I think about how much larger my nest egg would be if I’d started my financial planning process years ago! If I plan on retiring at all, I’d better start planning now.

Get help from a financial advisor.

Financial help is available on an hourly, flat-fee or ongoing basis depending on your needs. In my case, I’m looking to sit down with someone on a short-term basis to help me create a roadmap to retirement and develop a personalized investment strategy. I’m comfortable managing my investments once they’re set up, but many financial advisors can assist with that if you’re not.

What to look for in a financial advisor.

Please, please, please choose carefully. Anyone can put a “financial planner” shingle out and claim to be an expert. I watched someone I thought I knew well do it. I never invested with her because I have a personal policy of not mixing business with family or friendship, but she did well and developed an enormous client base. Turns out she was embezzling. Thankfully she was caught, prosecuted and went to prison. You can’t be too careful, folks.

–Check credentials. Financial planners carry a variety of licenses and certifications, but the gold standard is largely considered to be the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.

In order to receive the CFP® certification, one must pass an extremely difficult CFP® certification exam (average pass rate is 55-60%) which vigorously measures the tester’s ability to apply financial knowledge to real people and situations. In addition, CFP® pros have over 4,000 hours of financial expertise in 75 different areas of financial planning from starting out in life to saving for education to retirement planning.

Go with your gut.

When you meet with a potential CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, make sure there’s a good vibe and you feel comfortable. Not all personalities mesh, so it’s perfectly fine to interview more than one financial advisor before making your decision.

Where to find a financial advisor.

The best place to start is always with referrals from friends and family, and for help finding a CFP® professional near you, click here. You can also visit www.facebook.com/CFPLetsMakeAPlan for more information, resources and guidance.

Pistachio Pudding Cookies with Chocolate Chips

February 11, 2019 By Liz 2 Comments

These pistachio pudding cookies with chocolate chips are delightfully soft and chewy and I’m in love with their pudgy little shape! The minty green color turns them into a fun St. Patrick’s Day cookie too.

But, to be honest, they’re perfect any day of the year!

To make the pistachio pudding cookies with chocolate chips, I like to use cold butter. It helps the cookies retain that puffy shape when baking, but it does make it more of a pain in the tuckus when creaming the ingredients together.

If you’d rather use softened butter, I’d chill the dough before baking.

But you do you. I won’t be mad.

But I definitely recommend using a cookie scoop so all your cookies will be the same size and bake evenly. It’s the best cookie helper!

The cookies will be a bit delicate when they’re fresh from the oven, so be careful when transferring them to your cooling rack. You may lose a chocolate chip or two (which you are then free to eat).

Pistachio Pudding Cookies with Chocolate Chips

Delightfully soft and tender, these puffy cookies with their minty green color are super fun to eat and perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

Keyword pistachio pudding cookies with chocolate chips

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 36 cookies

Calories 84 kcal

Author Liz

Ingredients

2 sticks butter
2 eggs
2 3.4-oz pkg pistachio instant pudding mix
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In mixer, cream together eggs, butter and pudding mix until combined and smooth. Add flour and baking soda. Fold in chocolate chips.
Drop teaspoonfuls of dough an inch apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cookies will have a golden hint on edges but will still be very soft. Carefully remove to cooling rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

Recipe Notes

There's no additional sugar in the recipe as the pudding mix provides all the necessary sweetness.

Nutrition Facts

Pistachio Pudding Cookies with Chocolate Chips

Amount Per Serving

Calories 84 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 3g 5%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Cholesterol 9mg 3%

Sodium 36mg 2%

Potassium 64mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 10g 3%

Sugars 3g

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 0.4%

Calcium 0.8%

Iron 5.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The best thing about these scrumptious pistachio pudding cookies with chocolate chips is that they retain their softness over time. They are SO yummy!

Pistachio Pudding Cookies with Chocolate Chips

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Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum

February 6, 2019 By Liz 11 Comments

I stepped inside the bright orange caboose housing the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum in Washington, NC expecting to feel a sense of heaviness and grief.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

While there’s no denying the very nature of slavery carries the weight of sadness, the museum exemplifies goodness. The stories of freedom seekers and the abolitionists who helped them are full of hope, faith and the promise of a better life.

In co-founder Leesa Jones’ words, “It’s the story of how the whole town worked together at a time when humanity wasn’t at its best, but the Underground Railroad was humanity at its best.”

Leesa admits she didn’t set out to found a museum. The truth is the museum found her.

When researching her family ancestry for her grandkids, she discovered records for 143 plantations in the Washington area and 300 years of black history that had never been talked about.

Leesa was able to back up oral history and stories with a staggering amount of found documentation which ultimately led to the Washington waterfront’s designation as an official Underground Railroad to Freedom site and to the creation of the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum itself.

Official certificate on display in the museum

The museum does an excellent job of illustrating the secret codes and communication techniques used on the underground railroad. Everyday items of food, clothing, songs, certain colors or quilts would convey information in a way that the average person wouldn’t pick up on, and these codes were changed frequently.

Leesa explains the hidden meaning in quilt patterns

For instance, if vegetable sellers were along the waterfront, freedom seekers would wait for specific things they’d say such as “Rutabagas, I got your fresh rutabagas. ” The word “fresh” indicated there was new information and instructions and they should go the route of the beggar to find it out. Turnips meant an abolitionist had turned up to help.

Sunflowers or okra flowers on display but not for sale indicated there were too many eyes watching and freedom seekers should leave the waterfront area.

Washington was a huge slave market so there were always people either looking to buy slaves or looking for escaped slaves in order to cash in on reward offers. Freedom seekers had other worries as well. They had to look out for those who pretended to be abolitionists and slaves who would sell them out in order to garner their master’s favor.

The Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum tells an incredibly rich and detailed history of freedom seekers who passed along its shores, and it’s well worth a visit.

The balanced approach to history reminds us that there were good people in the world trying to do the best they could even in a time when many others weren’t.

I promise you it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Visitor Information:
Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum
1776 Gladden St. Washington NC
Hours: 11-5 Thurs-Sat
Facebook page

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PS. Don’t miss my post on things to do in Washington NC.

Washington NC – Hidden Gem of the Inner Banks

February 4, 2019 By Liz 22 Comments

Most everyone has heard of the Outer Banks but Eastern North Carolina’s Inner Banks (the coastal plain) has its own secret charms including the quaint maritime community of Washington NC.

Fast becoming a favorite getaway destination, Washington has the makings of a perfect weekend escape: a peaceful waterfront, a historic downtown, and a unique and diverse collection of restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

Washington NC was founded in 1776 and was the first town in the United States to be named after George Washington. It’s the original Washington, but its diminutive size relative to our nation’s capital is how it came to be known as ‘Little Washington’.

This small town treasure is the heart of the Inner Banks, and it’s a secret too good to keep to myself. Plus, it’s the perfect stopover on the way to or from the beach as it’s just 1 1/2 hours from Nags Head and just over an hour from Atlantic Beach.

Washington NC Waterfront

With an ideal and incredibly picturesque location on the northern bank of the Pamlico River, the waterfront is an especially wonderful place to hang out and I found myself drawn to it time and time again throughout my hosted weekend visit. I especially enjoyed strolling the mile-ish long boardwalk promenade with its panoramic views.

There are waterside swings, benches and Adirondack chairs in which to cozy up as you bask in the last golden rays of a glorious sunset, watch kayakers at play or admire the boats sailing along the river.

Love selfies or photo ops? Don’t miss the crabby little statues located around the dock area. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

A can’t miss experience is the world’s first estuarium, the North Carolina Estuarium, where visitors can explore what makes an estuary’s unique fresh and salt water ecosystem so vital to the nation’s fish population. Allow about an hour to watch the movie and wander through the colorful, kid-friendly galleries, hands-on exhibits and aquariums,

Look for this crab outside the Estuarium.

One of the highlights of the estuarium includes seeing and hearing about the massive art installation in the lobby. Be sure to ask about it!

Historic Downtown Washington NC

I started my two-day adventure in Washington NC with a visit to the Underground Railroad Museum which is currently housed in a bright orange railroad car just a hop and a skip from the riverfront itself. It’s a small but mighty museum that does a beautiful job of telling the stories of freedom seekers who passed through Washington NC.

After lunch, I walked over to the historic Turnage Theater, once a vaudeville circuit stop for the likes of Roy Rogers. Eventually, the theater transitioned to silent movies and “talkies” abandoning the upstairs vaudeville theater. Fortunately, Arts of the Pamlico has plans to restore the old theater. Stay tuned!

I spent the next couple hours strolling the historic district on a self-guided walking tour. Stop by the Washington NC visitors center for a copy of the tour book and then enjoy the gorgeous stately homes, gardens and vintage commercial buildings of Main Street. I enjoyed this so much that I made plans to come back with my boyfriend and take the tour together.

Pamlico House Bed & Breakfast

Restaurants in Washington NC

For a morning caffeine fix, I dashed into the Giddy Up Coffee House, a super cute place to grab a cuppa joe and a quick bite.

For delicious pastries, sandwiches, soup, coffee and tea, I loved Rachel K’s Bakery. I went at lunchtime and ordered a delicious BLT sandwich with a side of hummus. I also tried (and failed) to resist the baked confections, and ended up leaving with an enormous iced orange roll and a fluffy scone for dessert.

Worth it.

For dinner, I stopped at Grub Brothers Eatery on Main Street, a casual eatery serving up burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. You know I love my spice, so I settled on the Firehouse Burger with fried jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion and a side of black beans and rice.

FAN-tastic.

On my second day, I stopped in at Down on Mainstreet (a local favorite) for a Caesar salad. The nautical decor was delightful and I sat by the window for some prime people watching.

I also had dinner at The Bank Bistro & Bar housed in Main Street’s original 1852 bank building, and to say my dinner was exceptional is an understatement.

I had the pleasure of chatting with the chef and his creativity brought new flavors and textures I never expected to my filet mignon dinner. Chefs hate when people order steak well-done (and I go well beyond that with my triple well-done butterflied hockey puck requests) but he was kind enough to indulge me and it was magnificent. His Bordelaise sauce was out of this world!

I cry at the mere memory of the flavor. Delectable.

One of my favorite meals ever.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the most legendary food stops in Washington — Bill’s Hot Dogs, a local institution since 1928. It’s bare bones simple (just hot dogs, chips and drinks) but it’s definitely where the locals eat. Tip: Order your hot dog “all the way” for spicy chili, mustard and onions.

Washington NC Shopping – Boutiques and Galleries

One of my biggest surprises was discovering the shopping in Washington NC is superb! I was expecting… well, not much, but I was blown away by how on trend, distinctive and special each of the boutiques and galleries was.

I loved Cottage Junkies so much I visited twice and found lots of little gifts for the holidays and a few treats for myself.

Some of my other favorite finds were Little Shoppes, The River Girl, and Secret Garden. I also loved the fun combination of gourmet goodies and books inside Wine and Words where there’s a free wine tasting every Friday from 4-7pm.

Secret Garden Gallery & Boutique

Wine & Words Gourmet

With its captivating waterfront location, fabulous shops and restaurants and fascinating history and architecture, Washington NC has the makings of a perfect weekend getaway. I stayed at the new Fairfield Inn just minutes from the historic downtown area, but there are also a number of wonderful B&B’s within the historic district itself.

For more info and a visitors guide: visitwashingtonnc.com/

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Kickstart Your Healthy New Year with Sam’s Club Deals and Exclusives

January 31, 2019 By Liz 9 Comments

This post has been sponsored by Sam’s Club. All opinions are my own.

The new year inspires change and many of us have chosen to live healthier and more active lifestyles this year! In my case, I made big changes last year and fully intend to keep them up for a lifetime, but it’s easy to get in ruts and routines that take all the fun and excitement out of it. Often that just means it’s time to try something new or different.

Fortunately, there are some amazing Sam’s Club deals and exclusives right now to help you kickstart your healthy new year (and mine) without breaking the bank!

Healthy Living Deals at Sam’s Club

Wearable tech

Smartwatches are all the rage these days, and you’ll find them for great prices at Sam’s Club. Whether you’re looking for built-in GPS, music storage, a heart rate monitor or an easy-to-use touchscreen, the perfect tech device is waiting for you.

Vitamins, Supplements, Probiotics and More

Not everyone eats a balanced diet every single day, and some of us have dietary restrictions or medical conditions that interfere with receiving necessary nutrients. I like to think of vitamins, supplements and probotics as extra insurance that my body is obtaining what it needs to function at its best.

Your healthcare provider can point you to the best dietary supplements for your individual needs, but rest assured Sam’s Club has something for everyone at great prices.

Healthy Eating Deals at Sam’s Club

Buying healthy food and snacks in bulk at Sam’s Club can save you a good deal of money. Check out the protein bars, protein powder, fruit and veggies for smoothies, yogurt, nuts, cheese and protein pancake mix and oatmeal cups.

Just walk through most any row in the grocery department and you’ll find terrific healthy eating deals, including products with instant savings.

Be sure to stop by the cookbook section too, which is where I found this Healthy, Quick & Easy Smoothies recipe book. It’s full of ways to kickstart a morning with powerhouse ingredients and delicious flavors.

Healthy Exercise Deals at Sam’s Club

Fitness Equipment

Get yourself moving with a great deal on a new treadmill, elliptical machine or inversion table. Sam’s Club also has workout helpers like yoga mats, hand weights, water bottles and headphones. Try something new to you for fresh motivation at a great price!

Activewear

Pick out some sassy new workout clothes to keep you looking and feeling your best. Choose from sports bras, capris, socks and shoes in all sorts of fun colors and patterns.

Pro tip: Set your exercise clothes and shoes right next to your bed so when you wake up in the morning, they’re the first things you see. Once you have your activewear on, you’re a lot more likely to follow through with your daily workout.

Here’s to kicking off a happy and healthy 2019 with these hot money-saving deals and exclusives from Sam’s Club.

Easy Ham and Egg Stuffed Peppers

January 29, 2019 By Liz 6 Comments

These quick and easy ham and egg stuffed peppers are perfect for any time of day, and we often enjoy them for light weekend lunches. This is a sponsored post; all opinions are my own.

As much as I love to cook, I’m always looking for time-saving shortcuts and one of my absolute favorite shortcuts is using already peeled and hard-boiled eggs for my recipes.

It irritates me to no end when I boil and peel them myself and a big chunk of egg peels off along with the shell. It’s maddening! When I buy already peeled eggs, I don’t have to worry about any of the waste, mess or fuss, and I can purchase Almark Hard-Boiled Eggs at Sam’s Club in a 12-pack value sized package.

Not only are the already peeled and ready to eat eggs perfect for my recipes and meal prep, they’re great to have on hand for protein snacks and post-workout fuel-ups!

And here’s how to take this delicious shortcut and make ham and egg stuffed peppers.

Slice and/or dice a dozen hard-boiled eggs. (I do a combination of slicing and dicing when I make mine.)

Cut six red and green bell peppers in half lengthwise and boil them until they reach your desired tenderness. Shake off any excess water and place them cut side up on a baking tray.

While the peppers are boiling, prepare a ham and ricotta mixture for the filling.

Toss in some chopped fresh spinach leaves.

And add the sliced and diced hard-boiled eggs.

Carefully mix all that goodness together.

And stuff each of the peppers with an equal amount of filling.

Bake the peppers in the oven, sprinkling on a little bit of shredded cheese in the last five minutes.

Ham and Egg Stuffed Peppers

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Ham and Egg Stuffed Peppers

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 12 servings

Calories 160 kcal

Author Liz

Ingredients

6 bell peppers seeded and halved lengthwise
16 oz container low-fat ricotta cheese
1 cup diced ham
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cups chopped spinach
12 Almark peeled and ready to eat hard boiled eggs

Instructions

In large stockpot, bring water to boil. Add pepper halves and boil 7-11 minutes or to desired tenderness. Shake off excess water and lay cut side up on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ham, pepper, salt, seasoning, spinach and chopped eggs. Mix together carefully. Fill peppers with mixture, dividing evenly between them.
Bake, covered with foil for 25 minutes. Remove foil; sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

Ham and Egg Stuffed Peppers

Amount Per Serving

Calories 160 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g 12%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 203mg 68%

Sodium 336mg 14%

Potassium 263mg 8%

Total Carbohydrates 6g 2%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 3g

Protein 13g 26%

Vitamin A 54.7%

Vitamin C 93.8%

Calcium 13.8%

Iron 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Serve the ham and egg stuffed peppers and enjoy!

DIY Valentine’s Day Candy Jars for HERSHEY® Lava Cake KISSES Chocolates!

January 23, 2019 By Liz 10 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of HERSHEY® for SheSpeaks. All opinions are 100% mine

I love making creative Valentine’s Day gifts, and I do it every year! I also love, love, love gifting chocolate, and I think we can all agree that it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day if chocolate weren’t involved, right?

I’m always looking to see what’s new when Valentine’s Day candy starts arriving in stores. Walmart, a one-stop-shop for all things Valentine’s Day, was setting up their Valentine’s Day candy aisle and I spotted NEW HERSHEY® Lava Cake KISSES chocolates . When I saw the gorgeous foil wrappers, I was inspired to make Valentine’s Day candy jars that sparkled just like the wrappers do.

And that’s how I came up with these Valentine’s Day candy jars for HERSHEY® KISSES chocolates!

Why HERSHEY® Lava Cake KISSES Chocolates? That’s easy. The rich, creamy dark chocolate morsels have gooey, gushing chocolate centers just like lava cakes. And that my friends, is simply irresistible.

NEW HERSHEY® Lava Cake KISSES chocolates come festooned with metallic pink hearts and the “lava cake” plume hints at the surprises inside.

They’re the perfect way to show someone you care about them… they scream of affection, and that iconic and oh-so-poppable shape is forever the best!

But fair warning, they’re indescribably delicious, so make sure you get an extra bag for yourself!

How to Make DIY Valentine’s Day Candy Jars for HERSHEY® KISSES chocolates

You’ll need:

Glass jar with lid (in the size of your choice)
Shimmer metallic pink spray paint
Silver metallic spray paint
Glitter silver spray paint
Glitter spray sealer
KISSES-shaped template
Contact paper (great use for old scraps)
HERSHEY® Lava Cake KISSES chocolates (found at Walmart)
Ribbon
Optional: Valentine’s Day stickers

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the glass jars. Wipe outside of jar with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining residue that could prevent paint from adhering to the glass surface.

2. Use KISSES-shaped template (or draw freehand) on the reverse side of contact paper and cut out. Peel off backing and apply to center front of jar.

3. Spray the entire outside surface over the contact paper and bottom of jar with a thin coat of paint. Let dry. Repeat until desired coverage is reached. Spray with a sealer and let dry completely.

Hint: Turn the jars upside down while painting to avoid getting paint inside where the candy will be.

Glass jars after painting

4. Carefully remove contact paper to reveal HERSHEY® KISSES shape. Gently tap along edges of paint outline to stop them from pulling up.

5. Fill the Valentine’s Day candy jars with NEW HERSHEY® Lava Cake KISSES chocolates. HERSHEY® KISSES chocolates symbolize caring and affection, so I gift them throughout the year.

6. Put the jar lids back on and tie a ribbon around the rim, hot gluing in place if needed. Add Valentine’s stickers on top, if desired.

7. Give your Valentine’s Day candy jars full of HERSHEY® Lava Cake KISSES chocolates to the people you “lava” most!

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Ling Ling Potstickers with Spicy Broccoli

January 22, 2019 By Liz 12 Comments

Ling Ling potstickers with spicy broccoli. This post was sponsored by Ling Ling. All opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Ever since my kids were little, we’ve explored cultures, traditions and food dishes from all over the world, and Asian cuisine has become a staple favorite.

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to celebrate with a special Asian meal of spicy broccoli and Ling Ling potstickers!

We looooove Ling Ling at my house – it’s perfect for families! Ling Ling’s authentic Asian recipes are bursting with flavor and they’re made with superb, clean ingredients — freshly sourced veggies and savory proteins.

Plus, they’re so convenient and easy to prepare! I made chicken and vegetable Ling Ling potstickers (also available in pork and vegetable and vegetarian varieties) on the stovetop in just eight minutes.

They’re absolutely scrumptious and so fun to eat!

And the potstickers come with Ling Ling’s delicious signature dipping sauce, so you don’t have to think about a thing… just enjoy!

If you’d like to add some veggies or a salad to your Ling Ling potstickers meal, I’ve got the perfect spicy broccoli recipe for you and it’s as easy to make as the potstickers are.

Saute some broccoli and steam for a few minutes until it reaches the desired tenderness, then salt and toss with a sweet red chili sauce.

Serve hot as is, or serve on top of some greens with tomatoes and sweet peppers.

It’s a delicious light addition to your meal.

So, celebrate Chinese New Year (beginning February 5) by serving up Ling Ling potstickers and spicy broccoli! And be sure to try some of my other recipes with Ling Ling Asian foods!

Spicy Broccoli Salad

Servings 4 servings

Calories 99 kcal

Author Liz

Ingredients

1 tbsp canola oil
4 cups broccoli florets
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp sweet red chili sauce
4 cups romaine lettuce
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 red pepper, chopped

Nutrition Facts

Spicy Broccoli Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 99 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 4g 6%

Sodium 472mg 20%

Potassium 516mg 15%

Total Carbohydrates 14g 5%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 7g

Protein 3g 6%

Vitamin A 106.8%

Vitamin C 134%

Calcium 6.2%

Iron 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Spicy Broccoli

Fun Facts about Chinese New Year:

Chinese New Year begins on the first full moon after January 21 and lasts for 15 days. This year, it begins on February 5, 2019.

The new year begins a new Zodiac animal’s year. 2019 is the ‘Year of the Pig’.

Also known as the Spring Festival, the holiday celebrates Spring’s new beginnings and fresh starts and it’s the most widely celebrated holiday in the world.

Children receive red packets filled with lucky money symbolizing a transfer of good fortune.

New Year’s Eve is the biggest event of the Chinese New Year as families come from far and wide to reunite for “Nian Ye Fan” – the reunion dinner. Eight dishes are served during the dinner.

“Gung Hay Fat Choy” means “Happy New Year” in Chinese.

It’s considered good luck to thoroughly clean the house before the festival commences and homes are filled with red paper strips, cutouts and decorations.

The Chinese New Year celebration ends with the Lantern Festival.

Carnegie Inn and Spa – A Luxurious Escape in State College PA

January 21, 2019 By Liz 11 Comments

I have to admit that I was a bit worried about staying at the luxurious Carnegie Inn and Spa in State College, PA because it’s a AAA 4-diamond award winner and I was worried it would be hoity-toity. I adore luxury properties (who wouldn’t?) but the air of pretentiousness that sometimes goes with them… not so much.

However, I couldn’t have been more wrong about the Carnegie Inn and Spa.

The lovely and cozy boutique hotel with its twenty rooms and two king suites was staffed by the warmest, friendliest Penn State student the evening I checked in, and I felt at home immediately.

She was so gracious in escorting me to my room and made sure I had everything I needed before leaving me with a gift bag of chocolate chip cookies and bottled water. Hotel snacks are so appreciated!

I stayed in the Muirfield Suite, one of the king suites!

My jaw dropped when I opened the door to my home for the next two days because the Carnegie Inn and Spa was kind enough to host me with the king suite experience. The suite was positively palatial with a sitting room and TV, small kitchen, eating area, work space and desk, king-size bed with another large screen TV, walk-in closet and bathroom suite with shower, sunken tub and double sinks.

The decor was Victorian in style and made me feel as if I was in a European countryside estate, and each of the rooms had beautiful Oriental rugs and artwork. It was all very grand!

The spacious suite was lined with windows overlooking the beautiful property and flooding the room with light in the daytime, and the bathroom (with separate soaking tub and shower) was large enough for dancing.

And as you’d expect, the king bed was plush and oh, so comfy. I fell asleep in a near instant!

In the morning, I made my way to the dining room where breakfast is served daily. (Breakfast is included with a stay, and I’m talking about a fresh, made to order breakfast from a menu of gourmet options.)

I ordered the fresh fruit, yogurt and granola. The presentation was nearly as fabulous as the breakfast itself.

On my second morning, I chose the slightly heartier and equally satisfying nested eggs.

By the way, lunch and dinner are available in the dining room as well, but not included in the room price. The convenience of having a meal just steps away from your guest room is ideal, and if I hadn’t stopped to eat just before checking in, I would have happily tucked in for dinner.

There are also lots of sitting areas and cozy spots where people are encouraged to sit, relax and enjoy conversation. It’s a wonderfully inviting place to stay in State College!

One of my favorite things about the Carnegie Inn and Spa (other than the hospitality, impeccably clean rooms, ultra comfy furnishings and delicious free breakfast) was that it was located just minutes from Penn State, but it was tucked away in a quiet, serene neighborhood overlooking a golf course making it the perfect escape. It was the most inviting luxury boutique hotel I’ve ever had the pleasure to stay at, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return.

If you’re in Happy Valley or visiting Penn State, make a point to stop overnight and stay at the Carnegie Inn and Spa in State College, PA.

Carnegie Inn and Spa

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Winning Game Day Appetizers + Farm Rich Giveaway

January 16, 2019 By Liz 10 Comments

My game day appetizers post is sponsored by Farm Rich. Ideas and opinions are my own.

We love homegating! It’s the new, leveled up version of tailgating! When you combine food, friends, family and football, it’s a touchdown every time. And now that we have an even bigger TV, we’re super excited to watch our most anticipated football games of the year in larger-than-life style while munching on our favorite game day appetizers!

The key to choosing winning game day appetizers is to stick with quick, easy-to-make and easy-to-pick-up finger foods and that’s exactly why Farm Rich takes center field on my party table every time.

Winning Game Day Appetizers & Tips For a Fun Homegating Party

Stick to finger foods.

People love finger foods, so stick to those if you can. They’re fun and easy to eat! You’ll need a variety of serving spoons, forks, toothpicks and tongs on the food table, but if people don’t have to juggle silverware along with their plate of game day snacks when they’re eating, all the better.

Go with quick and easy.

I mentioned Farm Rich snacks are key on my homegating menu, and there’s a reason for that. Not only do they bring fun to the food table, many of the items like Mozzarella Bites, NEW Grilled Cheese Sticks, Pulled Pork Sliders, Meatballs and Loaded Potato Skins can be microwaved and ready in minutes, so it makes it super easy and convenient for me to keep the food refilled throughout the game. After all, I want to enjoy the party too!

My three favorite game day appetizers are:

~ Farm Rich Mozzarella Sticks – I like to cook these in my home fryer, but they can be put in the oven easily as well. That gooey, melted string of cheese surrounded by a crispy, golden crunch is loved by everyone.

~Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites – These can be prepared in the oven or microwave, and the soft, pillowy clouds enfolding gooey, melted Mozzarella cheese are to die for.

~ Farm Rich Jalapeño Peppers – They’re perfectly breaded and have a little kick to them balanced by a smooth layer of cream cheese. I prepare these in the home fryer, but they can also be made in the oven or toaster oven. Either way, they’re hot and ready in minutes!

Cool things off.

To balance the hot, satisfying game day appetizers, I like to serve cool, crisp veggies like celery sticks and carrots, cherry tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower. It’s nice to have the variety.

Add some crunch.

Crunchy snacks are infinitely satisfying and easy to eat, so include a selection of pretzels, nuts and chips on the party table.

Don’t forget the dip.

People love dip! I always make sure to have favorites like marinara, BBQ sauce, onion dip, Ranch and tomato salsa on hand, but I also love to serve unexpected dip flavors to surprise and delight guests. Try basil pesto, red pepper pesto, black bean salsa, peach salsa or a spicy mango habanero salsa.

Now that your winning game day appetizers are on the table, you’re ready to relax and enjoy your football party!

By the way, I found everything I needed for my homegate party at Walmart. They have a great selection of Farm Rich snacks. Click here for more game day ideas!

Enter the Farm Rich giveaway for the chance to win a game day party in a box (+ TV)! Visit the Farm Rich Instagram page @FarmRichSnacks to enter and click here for giveaway terms and conditions.

Thank you Farm Rich, for sponsoring my winning game day appetizers post!