About Liz

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

Dollywood Harvest Festival – What to Do, Eat and See

October 11, 2019 By Liz 13 Comments

The Dollywood Harvest Festival takes the best of Fall and celebrates it with a month-long festival of family fun. During the event, the park is filled with festive decorations, magical lights, delectable treats and more fun than ever.

The festival is so well-loved that this year it was voted “Best Theme Park Halloween Event” in the 2019 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards.

DOLLYWOOD HARVEST FESTIVAL

DOLLYWOOD HARVEST FESTIVAL CARVES OUT FUN

Dollywood is a beautiful place all year long, but there’s no denying that when the park is filled with autumn colors during the Harvest Festival, it comes alive in an extra magical way.

Stroll through the park and you’ll encounter traditional, whimsical and spooky decorations for all ages. Photographing and taking selfies with the gourds, scarecrows, and intricately carved pumpkins is half the fun!

Keep an eye out for pumpkin carving demos throughout the day for a chance to watch pumpkin masters at work creating their wildly unique masterpieces.

DOLLYWOOD HARVEST FESTIVAL FALL FLAVORS

Going home hungry is very nearly impossible during the Dollywood Harvest Festival, but you may have a tough time deciding which of fall’s decadent treats you need to try first.

During my hosted visit last year, we went straight for Dollywood’s 25-pound apple pie because why wouldn’t we?! It takes 40-60 apples to make one pie and a single slice (weighing three pounds) can feed six adults.

It’s a Dollywood must-eat, even if you just have a forkful!

You’ll find this and a mouthwatering array of other confectionery treats at the Spotlight Bakery, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch them in the act of decorating. What talent!

For kettle corn fans, they’re always mixing up new flavors of this sweet and salty treat at Kettle Cookers so stop by and taste it!

When you’re ready for lunch, you can’t go wrong with the fried green tomato BLTs and skillet potatoes cooked with peppers and onions. You can only get skillet potatoes in the fall at Dollywood so get them while you can at Market Square Sausage.

Another delicious option is the white chicken chili and low country boil on the harvest buffet at Aunt Granny’s.

hearty mountain chili and white chicken chili at Dollywood

My favorite Dollywood treat is, thankfully, available all year round, so stop by the Grist Mill for a loaf of the impossibly delicious cinnamon bread.

It takes them mere seconds to coat a loaf of bread with a butter and sugar combination you’ll never forget. I highly recommend digging into it while it’s warm and extra decadent.

It’s Dollywood’s most popular food item so don’t miss it!

For dinner, head to the Front Porch Cafe for hearty fall specialties like cabbage rolls stuffed with seasoned beef and rice and topped with tomato sauce, Reuben wontons and a light and airy pumpkin fluff for dessert.

We also tried the meatloaf stacker, turkey dinner and pumpkin crème brule. The Front Porch Cafe is one of Dolly’s favorite stops when she’s in town!

The perfect way to end our day was with a deep-fried pumpkin spice funnel cake and candy apple cider at Splinter’s. The batter is made with pumpkin pie filling, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon and then topped with maple pecan glaze and lots of whipped cream!

You can also get this dessert at Crossroads Funnel Cakes.

For more information on Dollywood Harvest Festival dining, click here.

HARVEST FESTIVAL ARTISANS

Dollywood has talented craftspeople all year round, but during the Harvest Festival, there are dozens of visiting artisans from all over the country displaying and selling their unique wares as well.

Guests can watch master craftsmen at work on glass, leather, wood, fiddle-making and even chainsaw carving while shopping for jewelry, ornaments, pottery, old-fashioned games and more!

SOUTHERN GOSPEL JUBILEE

During the Dollywood Harvest Festival, there’s no shortage of music throughout the park. It’s the largest Southern gospel event in the U.S. with over 500 performances throughout the event.

You’ll probably catch a small stage pop-up or two throughout the day, but you can also check the theater schedule to see when and where your favorites are harmonizing.

GREAT PUMPKIN LUMINIGHTS

The fun doesn’t stop after sundown, so make sure to stay until dusk and beyond when the Great Pumpkin Luminights display is all aglow, including the iconic 40-foot tall pumpkin tree, the centerpiece display in the Plaza at Wilderness Pass.

Kids can also visit with Halloween meet-and-greet characters or get their faces painted with glow paint!

As you can imagine, the popularity of Great Pumpkin Luminights can lead to congestion on some of the walkways so follow these Dollywood-provided navigation tips for the best experience.

WHEN IS THE DOLLYWOOD HARVEST FESTIVAL?

Celebrate Halloween at Dollywood! This year’s Harvest Festival takes place September 27 – November 2, 2019. Ticket info here.

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Seven Springs Autumnfest in the Laurel Highlands – Four Weekends of Pre-Ski Season Fun

October 10, 2019 By Liz 9 Comments

It may not be ski season just yet, but the ultra-fun Seven Springs Autumnfest event gives the whole family a chance to have a blast at Pennsylvania’s popular mountaintop resort long before the first snowflake hits the ground.

With four themed weekends of fun, food and adventure set amidst a vivid backdrop of changing orange, red and yellow leaves, what’s not to love?

GET ADVENTUROUS AT SEVEN SPRINGS AUTUMNFEST

Take a scenic chair lift ride for a sweeping view of the slopes, mountain bikers in action, the alpine slide and all the Autumnfest Seven Springs activities.

📷: Charles McCool

Ride the alpine slide.

This was my favorite Seven Springs Autumnfest activity even though it’s an added cost. It’s not a scary ride at all — it’s just fun. Joyful fun!

Riders sit on a sled and have complete control over their own speed by pushing or pulling on a lever. Personally, I found that the sled’s natural speed through the course was just about spot on. I had the best time!

Pro tip: Plan to take your first (and maybe even second) ride right when Autumnfest activities begin. Lines build up quickly for this popular attraction and wait times could be 20-25 minutes later in the day. STILL worth it.

The quick dip is exhilarating!

Get out on the water.

Take a hydro bike, paddleboat or kayak out for a leisurely afternoon spin on the lake.

Stretch yourself in a whole new way with NamastHay goat yoga.

While I didn’t take part in goat yoga at Seven Springs due to the timing, I have done it before and it’s absolutely hilarious! Try to hold a pose and not laugh when goats are running here, there and everywhere.

Actually, give up and laugh. It’s so much fun!

📷: Seven Springs Resort

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS AT AUTUMNFEST SEVEN SPRINGS

No matter which themed weekend you pick (2019 included Oktoberfest, Chili and Kids’ Halloween weekends), you can count on a petting zoo, pony rides, a hay bale maze, pumpkin patch, a kids’ zone, craft show, artisans and horse-drawn wagon rides.

Pro tip: Sign up in the kids’ zone for a wagon ride time as soon as you arrive! It’s a popular activity.

The petting zoo is hysterical! With the option to feed them by bottle or snack cup, you’ll find yourself surrounded by hungry goats, pigs, cows or donkeys in seconds. It’s so much fun!

In one of the crafter tents, there was a mama and baby alpaca. Or maybe they were llamas? I can’t keep them straight, but they were cute!

I also spotted a very talented pumpkin carver’s booth. I’m guessing he was demo’ing his carving skills throughout the weekend, but he was just arriving when I got there.

The hay bale maze is perfect for even the littlest ones because they can see above the hay bales while solving the puzzle.

If your littles are into hands-on fun, they may enjoy painting a pumpkin or whatever else their hearts desire in the kids’ crafts area.

Kids can get their wiggles out by jumping on the Eurobungy or climbing the neighboring rock wall.

Photo ops are plentiful, and there’s a great spot near the pumpkin patch where you can have your portrait taken by a professional.

Or you can just use your own camera and be silly like me.

HEAD INDOORS FOR MORE SEVEN SPRINGS AUTUMNFEST FUN!

Go bowling, play a game of mini-golf or play arcade games and rack up points for prizes in the Bear Trap Fun Zone Game Room.

Fill up your belly at the Autumnfest Buffet!

I can’t believe I didn’t take any photos of my very full plate. I guess I was too darn hungry after a morning of festival fun!

The buffet (inside the ski lodge) changes according to weekend theme, so when I visited during Oktoberfest, there were goodies like spaetzle, bratwurst, carved meat, pork chops, chicken schnitzel, potatoes au gratin, baked corn custard, braised red cabbage, veggies, salads, bread and the most amazing selection of desserts.

📷: Seven Springs Resort

Are you excited to check out the Autumnfest Seven Springs event? Pin this post to Pinterest for future travel inspiration!

SEVEN SPRINGS AUTUMNFEST

For more information on the Seven Springs Autumnfest weekends, visit the resort’s website and contact the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau for help in planning a trip.

Love quirky festivals? Check out this Mars-themed festival just north of Pittsburgh and the Eliot Ness Festival in Coudersport.

How to Make the Crispiest Chicken Buffalo Bites

October 9, 2019 By Liz 10 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CrispyCreations #CrispiestChicken #CollectiveBias

Would you believe I never once cooked fried chicken for my kids when they were growing up? My mom never made it, so I didn’t have the know-how, and my ex told me his mother made the worst fried chicken, so he didn’t bother trying either.

That was then.

Now I make the best and crispiest chicken, and one of my favorite crispy creations is this recipe for the crispiest chicken buffalo bites.

They’re absolutely scrumptious, and I make them with a secret ingredient that makes fried chicken better than ever: Argo® Corn Starch.

It’s the leading corn starch brand with over 100 years of quality and trust over multiple generations and it can be used in lots of different ways so it’s a pantry essential.

Other uses for Argo® Corn Starch

The crispiest chicken, obvi

Fabulous thickener for soups, sauces and gravies

Excellent binding agent in baked goods

Perfect for crisping meats and veggies quickly (flash-frying), especially in Asian cooking

Fun activities for kids like oobleck, slime and silly putty

Bonus: Argo Corn Starch is also naturally gluten-free!

How to Make the Crispiest Chicken Buffalo Bites

Start with about two pounds of chicken cut it into 1-inch cubes. Then let the chicken marinate for a couple of hours in your favorite buffalo sauce in the fridge.

Prepare the coating mix for the chicken and don’t forget the secret ingredient – Argo® Corn Starch.

The ‘secret ingredient’ of a recipe is what sets it apart from other recipes and makes it so memorable.

In this case, Argo® Corn Starch is the secret ingredient you’ve been looking for! Whether you’re using it as a worry-free solution to thicken, adjust texture or just elevate your cooking and baking, it’s an absolute must-have in helping you create easy, delicious dishes and fun for the whole family!

And the crispiest chicken buffalo bites will bring lots of smiles to the table, so dredge the chicken pieces in the corn starch spice mixture until they’re thoroughly coated.

Heat your cooking oil to 375 degrees. I use an electric deep fryer because it maintains the temperature throughout the cooking process and if the oil isn’t hot enough, you can get greasy fried chicken.

Ain’t nobody got time for that.

So let those chicken nuggies cook for 5 minutes.

And bam! You’ve got the crispiest chicken buffalo bites you’ll never forget!

Ooo, baby… they look good.

When you use Argo® Corn Starch in fried chicken batter, you’ll get moist and juicy chicken on the inside with that gorgeous brown color and crispy coating on the outside and a satisfying crunch you can hear with every bite. It definitely makes fried chicken better!

Now gather the family at the dinner table and dig in!

Crispiest Chicken Buffalo Bites

Pin this recipe to Pinterest!

Crispiest Chicken Buffalo Bites

Servings 4

Calories 414 kcal

Author Liz

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups buffalo sauce
3/4 cup Argo corn starch
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

In a large bowl or freezer bag, marinate chicken cubes in buffalo sauce for 2-3 hours.
In a small bowl mix together Argo corn starch, flour and spices.
Heat oil in fryer to 375 degrees.
Shake excess off chicken pieces then dredge through the corn starch spice mixture to coat completely. Drop into hot oil; cook 5 minutes. Let drain on paper towels.

Nutrition Facts

Crispiest Chicken Buffalo Bites

Amount Per Serving

Calories 414 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 145mg48%

Sodium 3950mg172%

Potassium 875mg25%

Carbohydrates 35g12%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 50g100%

Vitamin A 473IU9%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 11mg1%

Iron 2mg11%

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

Check out the Argo recipe page for more recipe ideas!

It’s Time for Your Annual Flu Shot

October 8, 2019 By Liz 1 Comment

This post is made possible by the American Lung Association, in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

It’s time to welcome in a most warm and wonderful holiday season and the best way to make it a happy and healthy one is to help protect yourself as much as possible against sicknesses like the dreaded influenza (flu). I especially encourage those of you 50 years of age and older (or with loved ones who are) to get your annual flu shot!

The American Lung Association’s MyShot campaign, in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur, aims to help educate those of us in the 50+ age range about the potential flu dangers and the importance of protecting your health.

Even though I’m 50, I don’t feel it and I enjoy a busy, active lifestyle, but after listening to JoJo in the below quick video… I’m convinced more than ever to just stay on the safe side and do everything I possibly can to remain healthy. That includes getting an annual flu shot.

Once adults reach the age of 50, they’re more likely to have one or more chronic health conditions like lung or heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Combined with the flu, those chronic health conditions can worsen and cause serious illness and can increase risk of heart attack, stroke or pneumonia.

When should you get your annual flu shot?

The ideal time to get a flu shot is in the fall and winter, as it takes about two weeks for the antibodies to fully develop in the body and help provide flu protection.

Each year brings with it new flu strains and your body’s immune response decreases over time, so you need the new flu shot formulation in order to most effectively fight against currently circulating viruses.

Even if you do happen to get the flu after getting a flu shot, the vaccination may lessen the severity of your symptoms and help you avoid complications and/or hospitalization.

If you or a loved one is 50 years of age or older, visit GetMyShot.org to learn more about the importance of getting your annual flu shot and talk to your healthcare provider about the best flu vaccine options for you.

SAUS.IFLU.19.07.3895 – 08/19

Chocolate Monster Donuts for Halloween

October 7, 2019 By Liz 20 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Food Lion. All opinions are 100% mine.

These chocolate monster donuts for Halloween will add spooky deliciousness to October 31st and all your Halloween party celebrations!

And they’re so darn easy to make that even the kids can help!

I got the idea to make chocolate monster donuts the other day when I saw all the Halloween candy in my local Food Lion and at the same time, I realized how fortunate I am.

Not only can I count on my Food Lion for affordable everyday staples and favorites to help me nourish my family, but I can also afford to splurge on ingredients for seasonal recipes throughout the year.

Not everyone can.

1 in 8 people struggle with hunger in the U.S.

1 in 6 children face hunger every day.

130,000 veterans are homeless and hungry.

5 million seniors face hunger in the U.S.

When it comes to fighting against hunger, Food Lion inspires me far beyond grocery shopping. I’ve talked about Food Lion’s commitment to helping their neighbors in the communities they serve and how they take an active and caring role in working against hunger through #FoodLionFeeds. They have committed to donating one billion more meals through the program! It’s going to help so many people dealing with food insecurities and it makes me love Food Lion even more than I already do!

How to Make Chocolate Monster Donuts for Halloween

You can use any kind of donut you’d like, but I opted to go with something glazed.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire cooling rack on top. Place the donuts on the rack.

Then chop up two semi-sweet high-quality chocolate bars. Look for them in the candy row; Food Lion has a great selection. Dump the chopped chocolate into a medium mixing bowl.

In a small saucepan, heat some heavy cream until it reaches a very hot temperature but before it boils.

Pour over the chocolate pieces and let it sit and melt the chocolate for a minute or two.

Stir to mix together into a shiny and delicious chocolate ganache.

Add black food coloring to deepen the chocolate color even more, then use two forks to dip each donut into the ganache on both sides.

Carefully use forks to transfer donut to wire rack. Let extra chocolate drip off.

Add candy eyes to the soft chocolate as desired, then let the donuts rest so the chocolate can set up.

Place the donuts on a cute Halloween tray and serve to family, friends and neighbors. They’d also make a fun treat for a school party!

Chocolate Monster Donuts for Halloween

Pin this easy Halloween treat to Pinterest!

For more spooky treats for your next Halloween party, try these other ideas:

Mummy Bites

Slimy Slurpies

Paranormal Parfaits

Coffin-shaped Homemade Pop Tarts

Fall Popcorn Balls

Witch Hat Cookies

Monster Mash Halloween Brownies

Graveyard Pie

Chocolate Monster Donuts

Course Dessert

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 8

Calories 422 kcal

Author Liz

Ingredients

6 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
black food coloring
8 cake donuts
candy eyes

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, waxed paper or aluminum foil. Place a wire cooling rack on top.
Put chocolate pieces in a medium bowl. Set aside. Heat heavy whipping cream on stove over med-low heat until very hot. Don't let it reach a boil. Pour cream over chocolate and let sit a minute or two. Stir until smooth and fully combined. Add 5-8 drops of black food coloring to deepen the chocolate color.
Dunk both sides of donut into chocolate, letting extra drip off before transferring to the wire cooling rack to set. (Using two plastic forks to stabilize and manipulate the donuts through the dipping process works well.) Place candy eyes on donuts as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Monster Donuts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 422 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%

Saturated Fat 15g94%

Cholesterol 42mg14%

Sodium 201mg9%

Potassium 137mg4%

Carbohydrates 45g15%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 29g32%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 339IU7%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 48mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

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

Check out all of Food Lion’s Weekly deals and for extra convenience, try Online Shopping with pick up or delivery.

St. Francis Inn – A St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast Favorite

September 30, 2019 By Liz 18 Comments

The perfect place to stay in the nation’s oldest city is the city’s oldest inn – the St. Francis Inn. Nestled in a quiet corner of St. Augustine’s historic district, the St. Francis Inn offers a cozy escape, romance, plush accommodations, amazing food and more amenities and hospitality than you could ever ask for.

My stay was part of a hosted press trip but all opinions are my own.

Enter the courtyard of the St. Francis Inn where lush tropical plants and a koi pond with a babbling fountain coax you to sit, relax and enjoy the serene beauty of this magical place.

The courtyard is sheltered with high coquina stone walls and iron gates, reminding guests that its fortified design was essential for protection during St. Augustine’s tumultuous early years. Read more about the inn’s history here.

Now it’s simply a sanctuary with lots of nooks and crannies in which to tuck in and chill out any time of day or night.

ST. FRANCIS INN ACCOMMODATIONS

The St. Francis Inn is unique from other lodging options in so many ways, but one key difference is that guests can choose to stay in the main inn, the Wilson House next door, a cottage or the 1894 House (a few blocks away). There’s also an adults-only sister property available – Casa de Suenos and three beach cottages on St. Augustine Beach.

I stayed in Saffron’s Suite, a spacious three-room suite located on the first level of the Wilson House just across the one-way cobblestone avenue and facing the St. Francis Inn.

Each of the suites in the Wilson House has its own porch or balcony. I spent time every morning and evening in one of these red rocking chairs on my porch.

My extremely spacious three-room suite on the first floor opened to a sitting room with a queen-sized sleeper sofa, TV and working fireplace. It also had a second smaller sitting room which opened to a bedroom with a queen-sized bed, TV, desk, dresser, fridge and microwave.

The full bathroom had a 2-person whirlpool tub and shower and was in the most beautiful shade of blue!

Front sitting room

Second sitting room

Queen bedroom with ceiling fan and TV

Desk workspace

2-person whirlpool tub and shower with frosted windows for privacy

QUENCH YOUR THIRST AT THE ST. FRANCIS INN

As a tea lover, I found my happy place in the St. Francis Inn. The variety of Stash teas was incredible but there were also several loose-leaf teas and sweet and unsweet iced tea.

The St. Francis Inn is killin’ it with the tea!

There was also a specialty coffee bar, hot cocoa and water, but I was blown away by the tea because most places don’t put much effort into their tea selection.

BREAKFAST AT THE ST. FRANCIS INN

Stroll in anytime between 7:30-9:30 AM (7:30-10:30 AM on weekends) and help yourself to the breakfast buffet of goodies. You’re welcome to sit in the dining room or grab your plate and head outdoors to a cafe table in the gardens.

SOCIAL HOUR AT THE ST. FRANCIS INN

Come and enjoy a refreshing beverage and a selection of appetizers and snacks every afternoon between 5-6 pm in the main dining room. The appetizer changes daily but there are always fresh veggies and a housemade dip. Grab a cup of coffee, hot or iced tea, soda or water and enjoy. Wine, beer and cocktails are also available for purchase.

If you’re starting to think about making your dinner plans for the day, it’s a great time to mingle with other guests and share local favorites. Some of the best restaurants are discovered through word of mouth.

NIGHTLY DESSERTS AT THE ST. FRANCIS INN

Unwind from your busy day exploring St. Augustine with a sweet treat. Each evening from 8-9:30 PM, guests can help themselves to a varying selection of tantalizing freshly baked desserts. On my first evening, I was delighted to discover chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting, almond fudge-topped shortbread and all the fixings for s’mores at the courtyard firepit.

SWIMMING POOL

Take a dip in the inn’s 80°F heated pool any day of the year. It feels wonderfully secluded!

GO FOR A BIKE RIDE!

Guests of the St. Francis Inn are free to explore St. Augustine with one of the complimentary bicycles available for use.

FREE TICKETS TO THE LIGHTHOUSE

All guests receive tickets good for complimentary admission to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and 50% off on admission to the Oldest House Museum.

FREE BEACH ACCESS

Guests of the St. Francis Inn can spend the day on St. Augustine Beach and enjoy off-street parking and the comforts of beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, a refrigerator and a private bathroom with shower.

There’s so much to love about the St. Francis Inn, including owners Margaret and Joe Finnegan. Not only are they warm and welcoming, they love to swap stories and chat about the inn’s history. (Ask about ghosts!)

They’re always available but never invasive and pesky, as some guests prefer less mingling and more privacy.

The St. Francis Inn is the perfect St. Augustine bed and breakfast for everyone.

ST. FRANCIS INN

Pin this post as a reminder to stay at the St. Francis Inn on your next visit to St. Augustine!

1894 House

Casa de Suenos - St. Augustine bed and breakfast

Casa de Suenos – adults-only sister B&B

Book a stay at the St. Francis Inn in St. Augustine!

279 George St. St. Augustine
Website

Love Florida? Check out more of my Florida travels!

A Royal Christmas Wish and A Gingerbread Romance out now by Hallmark Publishing!

September 20, 2019 By Liz 7 Comments

What could be more feel-good than watching a Hallmark Christmas movie?

Well, nothing before now, but with the arrival of a brand new series of heartwarming books from Hallmark Publishing based on Hallmark Original Movies, fans can bring the holiday movie magic into their homes in a whole new way!

Are you as excited as I am?

Some of the books are based on Hallmark movies you already know and love and some will be brand new novels with new characters, relationships, romances and riveting mysteries.

Each of the special books will be available in time for Christmas and holiday gift-giving in paperback, e-book or audiobook formats, and get this… they include an original recipe inspired by the story!

Take a look:

A Gingerbread Romance – Lacey Baker

With Christmas just weeks away, the architecture firm Taylor works for enters her in a contest in which the teams will design and build life-sized gingerbread houses. After the contest, Taylor will likely be getting a promotion to a position in another city. The firm teams her up with Annabelle, a renowned French pastry chef with whom Taylor instantly locks horns. When Annabelle backs out, Taylor stumbles into a local bakery and meets Adam, a baker and single dad.

In an act of desperation, Taylor convinces Adam to partner with her for the contest, arguing that winning would give the bakery and his designs much-needed exposure. For years Taylor has been resistant to call anywhere “home” for fear it will only be temporary. But the time she spends with Adam and his daughter Brook in their cozy home, decorating for Christmas, and exploring Philadelphia at Christmas, fills her with a longing for a place to call home.

Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Sauce Recipe

There’s nothing like the smell of gingerbread to make you think Christmas—but why build a house when you can eat Gingerbread Cake! In A Gingerbread Romance, Taylor finds herself baking and rebaking the layers needed for a life-sized gingerbread house, but you can pop this easy-to-make cake in the oven and sit back and enjoy your book while it bakes.

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

Gingerbread Cake
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ cup unsulfured mild molasses
¾ cup hot water

Lemon Sauce
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

As needed whipped cream

DIRECTIONS
1. To prepare gingerbread cake: preheat oven to 325°F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan; set aside.
2. Combine butter and brown sugar in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.
3. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg and salt; stir to blend. In a separate bowl; combine molasses and water; stir to blend.
5. Alternately add about 1/3 dry and wet ingredients to mixing bowl and mix until just combined. Scrape down sides of bowl; pour batter into pan.
6. Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on rack. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
7. To prepare lemon sauce: combine all ingredients in saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens.
8. Slice cake into wedges; top each with warm lemon sauce and whipped cream.

A Royal Christmas Wish – Lizzie Shane

Jenny knows she isn’t the princess type. Sure, she’s friendly and caring, but with her clumsiness and lack of self-confidence, glass slippers would only make her trip. When Dom, the cute guy she runs into in the park, turns out to be the prince of San Noelle, she figures he must not be her happy ever after.

But a mysterious countess grants Jenny’s one wish, and she finds herself married to this handsome prince! Unfortunately, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas night, her life will go back to normal.

In funny and touching ways, Jenny navigates royal traditions the best she can. But even as she grows closer to Dom, the clock is ticking. With love and a little holiday magic, could she somehow make the enchantment last forever?

Chicken Shawarma Recipe

In A Royal Christmas Wish, Jenny wakes up to find herself married to a real-live prince. As she attempts to navigate the royal lifestyle—with less-than-successful results—she does miss a few things about her old life in New York City, including the chicken shawarma from the place around the corner. Our recipe for it is so delicious, it’s fit for a princess. Make it once, and you’ll be craving it, too!

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Spice-Rubbed Chicken
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, smashed
3 large or 4 average boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Garlic-Cumin Sauce
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, fine minced
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Marinated Cucumber Salad
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
½ cup thin sliced cucumber
½ cup drained chickpeas
¼ cup thin sliced red onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon black pepper
8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water
4 naan (or pita or flatbread), warmed on grill, in oven or in a skillet
¼ cup spicy hummus
As needed, flatleaf (Italian) parsley, chopped
4 grilled lemon halves (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. To prepare spice-rubbed chicken: combine dry spices, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in a large bowl (or zip-lock bag) and stir to blend.

2. Slice chicken into thin 2-inch pieces: place in bowl with spice rub and toss to evenly coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

3. To prepare garlic-cumin sauce: combine all ingredients in bowl and whisk to blend. Refrigerate.

4. To prepare marinated cucumber salad: combine in ingredients in bowl and toss to blend. Refrigerate.

5. Heat grill to medium heat. While grill is heating, thread spice-rubbed chicken pieces evenly on bamboo skewers.

6. Grill chicken skewers for 10 minutes, or until fully cooked, turning frequently.

To assemble chicken shawarma: spread each piece of naan with hummus. Top evenly with marinated cucumber salad, spice-rubbed chicken skewers and garlic-cumin sauce. Garnish with chopped flatleaf parsley and a grilled lemon half, if desired.

How much fun will it be to read and bake along with your favorite Hallmark holiday movies? These books will completely delight Hallmark movie fans!

Get A Royal Christmas Wish and A Gingerbread Romance now and look for An Unforgettable Christmas Sept. 24 and Wrapped Up in Christmas Oct. 1

HALLMARK MOVIE BOOKS GIVEAWAY

(1) One winner will receive a copy of A Gingerbread Romance and A Royal Christmas Wish books.

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Motion Sickness Bands – Do They Really Work? (ReliefBand 2.0 Review)

September 19, 2019 By Liz 12 Comments

Have you ever tried motion sickness bands?

I get sick from rocking, spinning, twirling and all things virtual reality. A couple of years ago, I took a helicopter ride in Hawaii and thought I was going to DIE. It was beautiful up there, but I spent the whole time trying not to throw up.

My daughter gets soooo sick in taxis, on buses and pretty much anytime she’s riding in a vehicle as a passenger.

So when the makers of Reliefband 2.0 asked if we’d like to try out their new motion sickness wrist bands. we said yes. As it happens, we were about to take a cruise so the timing was perfect.

Were we skeptical? Of course, but we were also hopeful. (But, we did bring Dramamine along just in case.)

HOW TO WEAR A RELIEFBAND 2.0

To ensure you place the device in the proper spot, find the P6 area on the underside of your wrist. It’s between the two tendons about an inch or so below where your wrist bends.

Apply a small amount of the conductivity gel (included) to this area and spread it in a quarter-sized circle. Then place the metal plates of the motion sickness bracelet right on top of the gel circle and fasten the device snugly.

HOW DO RELIEFBAND 2.0 MOTION SICKNESS BANDS WORK?

The Reliefband 2.0 will send electrical pulses through the nerves with the idea being that it will block the part of the brain which controls nausea and vomiting.

The intensity of the electrical pulses can be controlled and adjusted. If you feel a little zinging in your palm and middle fingers, you know it’s working.

I kept my intensity pretty high throughout the entire cruise and surprisingly, my daughter kept hers pretty low.

But we wore them every day – all day, and adjusted the intensity as needed.

And we never got sick!

wearing Reliefband motion sickness bands

My Reliefband is hiding behind the celery. lol

The conductivity gel should be reapplied every few hours or if you find the tingling sensation has diminished, and you do need to make sure the contact plate and your wrist are kept clean to ensure maximum effectiveness.

The motion sickness wrist bands operate on rechargeable batteries, so we took them off each night and let them recharge. In spite of the fact I wore mine at a higher level intensity, the charge held from morning to night and the motion of the ocean didn’t seem to bother me while I was sleeping… thankfully.

Final Thoughts: The Reliefband 2.0 motion sickness wrist bands definitely kept nausea at bay on the open seas and we never had to take Dramamine. When I take my next cruise this fall, you’d better believe I’ll be wearing it again.

Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt Bowl – A Light & Fit Breakfast!

September 16, 2019 By Liz 11 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Dannon Light & Fit. All opinions are mine alone. #BreakfastIsOnatPublix #CollectiveBias

Wake up your taste buds with this incredibly delicious mixed berry Greek yogurt bowl and start the day off with a happy tummy! Have you ever made a yogurt bowl for breakfast? It’s a great way to start your day and a refreshing change of pace from the traditional eggs, bacon, sausage and pancake meal.

Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt Bowl

How to make a yogurt bowl

Start with Greek yogurt. I’m all about Greek yogurt because it packs a protein punch and my favorite Greek yogurt breakfast choice is Dannon® Light & Fit Greek Nonfat Yogurt because it’s the softest, creamiest nonfat yogurt I’ve found. I love it so much!

It also has 12g of protein and just 80 calories per 5.3oz. cup (35% fewer calories than the average Greek yogurt**).

I like using vanilla flavor because it blends beautifully with every single kind of granola I throw at it, and that’s certainly true for this mixed berry Greek yogurt bowl as well.

However, Dannon® Light & Fit Greek Nonfat Yogurt is available in other mouthwatering flavors too. Try blueberry, strawberry, cherry, peach and strawberry cheesecake. You’ll find them all at Publix, so indulge your sweet tooth and go wild! It’s Light & Fit!

For each yogurt bowl, spoon one container of Dannon® Light & Fit Greek Vanilla Nonfat Yogurt into a bowl.

Sprinkle in some fresh blueberries and raspberries.

Add a scoop of Kellogg’s ® Special K ® Red Berries Cereal. The thin, crisp cereal flakes and soft and chewy dried strawberries are perfect with Greek yogurt bowls.

And then sprinkle on your favorite granola mixture. Mine has oat clusters, raisins and almonds in it, and I like to sprinkle it over the fruit for some color and texture contrast.

Spoon a second cup of Greek yogurt into the center of your bowl in a pretty dollop and drizzle with a bit of honey, if desired.

It’s so easy to make, good for you and unbelievably delicious!

Now dig in!

Look for Dannon® Light & Fit Greek Nonfat Yogurt in the refrigerated aisle of Publix. Good luck choosing from all the yummy flavors!

For a limited time at Publix, you can save $1.00 on any ONE (1) Dannon® Light & Fit Greek Nonfat Yogurt 4-pack. Coupon offer available until 10/14 and must be redeemed by 10/30.

**35% fewer calories than average Greek yogurt: Light & Fit: 80 calories, 0g fat. Average Greek yogurt: 130 calories, 2.5g fat per 5.3oz

Pin this delicious breakfast bowl recipe idea to Pinterest!

Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt Bowl

Servings 1 bowl

Calories 321 kcal

Author Liz

Ingredients

2 5.3oz cups Dannon Light & Fit Greek Vanilla Yogurt, divided
1/4 cup Fresh raspberries, washed and drained
1/4 cup Fresh blueberries, washed and drained
1/4 cup Granola mix
1/4 cup Kellogg's ® Special K ® Red Berries Cereal
Honey (optional)

Instructions

For each yogurt bowl, spoon one container of Dannon Light & Fit Greek Vanilla yogurt into a bowl.
Sprinkle in some fresh blueberries and raspberries.
Add a scoop of Kellogg’s ® Special K ® Red Berries Cereal.
Sprinkle on your favorite granola mixture.
Spoon the second container of Dannon Light & Fit Greek Vanilla yogurt into the center of your bowl in a pretty dollop and drizzle with a bit of honey, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt Bowl

Amount Per Serving

Calories 321 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 1mg0%

Sodium 261mg11%

Potassium 244mg7%

Carbohydrates 64g21%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 22g24%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin C 11mg13%

Calcium 36mg4%

Iron 12mg67%

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

For more recipe inspiration, click here!

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum

September 16, 2019 By Liz 15 Comments

The best-kept secret in Harrisburg just might be the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum where you can immerse yourself in the world of firefighting history for an unforgettable experience.

Even if you have no background or interest in firefighting, you’ll get caught up in the excitement. The restored 1889 G.W. Reily Fire Station No. 10 houses such a cool museum!

PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL FIRE MUSEUM

WITNESS A FIRE CALL

The first thing visitors will experience at the Harrisburg fire museum is a life-size diorama-style reenactment of an old-time fire call in action. I got chills as volunteer firemen yelled, alarm bells clanged and horses ran through the streets. The urgency and tension were palpable.

Look at the men pulling the carriage: a storekeeper, blacksmith, carpenter and railroad worker. In the early days of firefighting when the alarm sounded, a variety of men abandoned their regular jobs and headed straight to the firehouse to help.

Bert and Charlie lived in this firehouse.

JUMPERS, SPIDERS AND CRABS, OH MY! (HOSE CARRIAGES YOU HAVE TO SEE)

The collection of vintage fire apparatus in the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum is impressive and includes the oldest working fire apparatus known anywhere – a 1792 hand pumper. It could discharge about 150 gallons of water per minute, but the water had to be dumped into the wooden box by buckets or come from another hose.

It’s incredible that it’s still in its original condition.

Early fire extinguishment began with human bucket brigades stretching from the water source to the fire or the hand pumper, and the water buckets and hoses were made out of leather.

As you can tell from the photo above, those leather hoses were really stiff and didn’t bend easily, so fire hose carriages with big wheels around which to wrap the hoses came into use and there are several examples of them in the museum. I just love how intricately designed they were.

They were called jumpers, spiders, crabs and several other names. This Cinderella-style carriage was known as a spider carriage.

Finally, steam engines came into use with their massive boilers.

The one inside the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum is a work of art with stunning and detailed embellishments.

FIREFIGHTER ORNAMENTATION

Don’t miss the impressive collection of parade hats and helmets in the museum. Parade helmets were a huge part of a volunteer firefighter’s life and a great source of pride. Lavish and colorful parades marked events like the opening of the Erie Canal, the nation’s Centennial and George Washington’s birthday celebration.

In the pre-civil war years, firefighters would don their finest headgear – intricately hand-painted and varnished felt stovepipe hats and the crowds absolutely loved it!

The collection of parade hats and helmets is vast and unique – definitely one of the highlights of a visit to the museum. You simply won’t find a collection like this anywhere else.

Before the advent of radios, a fire chief would use speakers to communicate with his crew. It was the only way he could be heard above the din. Nowadays, the beautiful speakers are largely ceremonial and there are quite a few on display in the museum.

The Reily Hose Company had its own song which they’d sing at conventions and annual dinners.

SEE AND HEAR A WORKING GAMEWELL ALARM SYSTEM IN USE

The alarm room is absolutely fascinating and volunteers will activate the Gamewell alarm system for you. Gamewell made alarm systems for big cities and the unit on display at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum came from Johnstown, PA. Made of slate, brass, copper and tile, the system weighs several tons and operates on weights and chains!

There were alarm boxes at major street corners or important locations like hospitals and each box had a unique number, in this case “31”.

When someone would hold down the alarm, it would send a morse-like code to the main panel, bells would clang to indicate the box number (ding, ding, ding, pause, ding indicated 31) and a machine would punch out the box number on paper.

Once the initial alarm had been pulled, the bell signal would be sent to all the first alarm firehouses for that box.

Also on display are other panels and systems including an old fire panel from downtown Harrisburg that handled all the 3 Mile Island alarms.

343

Every state has a specially trained rescue team for high hazard events and the Pennsylvania FEMA team was based in Harrisburg. They were the first team other than FDNY to arrive on the scene at the World Trade Center and there’s a moving display with some of the gear worn and twisted steel from the fallen buildings.

Three hundred forty-three firefighters died that day.

There’s so much more to explore in the Harrisburg fire museum, so make time to visit the city and see it!

It’s impossible to leave the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum without an appreciation and respect for the legacy of these everyday heroes. There’s no other occupation where unpaid volunteers are willing to go through the exact same training and work the same intense hours as paid firefighters.

Their fierce sense of pride, attention to detail and discipline are evident in everything they do which is why you’ll never see a rig that’s not perfectly clean, shiny and beautiful.

Firefighters are amazing.

Pin this post to Pinterest!

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum

Website
1820 North 4th Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Admission: Adults $7, Seniors & Students $6
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sundays 1pm – 4pm, Closed Mondays and holidays

While in Harrisburg, don’t miss visiting the stunningly beautiful state capitol building and check out the Visit Hershey & Harrisburg website for a visitors guide and more info on the area.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings + More Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken

September 10, 2019 By Liz 19 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Food Lion. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love making this easy chicken and dumplings recipe for dinner on busy nights. It’s one of my family’s favorite feel-good dinners and it’s a 20-minute meal. Total bonus.

It’s also the perfect way to use the delicious and convenient rotisserie chicken you can pick up at Food Lion.

It’s seasoned so yummily so it def makes the perfect meal on its own, but if you have leftover rotisserie chicken, use it for this easy chicken and dumplings recipe.

Scroll down for a list of more ideas on how to use rotisserie chicken.

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Pull the meat off the chicken with your fingers and shred or tear into chunks. You can also use two forks to pull the meat apart or dice it into small pieces. It’s up to you what size chunks you’d like!

Heat your choice of chicken gravy to a low boil. Sometimes I use jars and sometimes I use mixes. Choose your favorite.

While it’s heating up, mix up your dumpling batter.

Add the leftover rotisserie chicken to the hot gravy.

Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the boiling gravy stew. The dough will be very sticky, so you’ll have to scrape it off the spoon with your finger.

Reduce heat to a simmer and let cook uncovered for 10 minutes, then cover and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Serve immediately, spooning gravy over the tops of the dumplings as you serve them.

The dumplings will be deliciously soft and tender!

It’s such a quick and easy meal and a great way to fill an empty plate!

Speaking of empty plates, I’m so moved by Food Lion’s #NoEmptyPlate initiative. If you follow my Instagram (and you should) you’ll see that I was in Charlotte when Food Lion made the announcement they’d be donating ONE BILLION MORE MEALS by 2025 through Food Lion Feeds to help fight against hunger!

View this post on Instagram

AD: 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗦! I got all teary 😢 when I saw that amazing #NoEmptyPlate message emblazoned on the side of a skyscraper in Charlotte for all to see. But they’re happy tears because @FoodLion is such a nourishing, caring neighbor to my community ♥💛 💙♥ I know many people in our local towns struggle with hunger every single day and don’t have access to healthy, fresh food options, and it truly hurts my heart. 💔 Food Lion is committed to donating 𝟭 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 by 2025 and it’s yet another reason I love them. They’ve always made it easy for me to nourish my family with fresh and affordable options, but there are plenty of people who have to make tough choices every day when it comes to food. Food Lion cares deeply about the communities they serve and believes that 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 should have access to affordable and nutritious food. Our community is #OurHome and #OurFoodLion cares. 👏 👏 Find out more: https://izea.it/aZTVDl8 I’ll post a video of the big skyscraper announcement so you can see what made me get all 😭😭😭 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘥!

A post shared by Liz – EatMoveMake.com (@eatmovemake) on Aug 22, 2019 at 6:02am PDT

Food Lion takes such an active and caring role in the communities it serves. I heart Food Lion big time.

So, I’m more than happy to help Food Lion reach their new goal of donating 1 billion more meals to our neighbors by 2025 by participating in the #NoEmptyPlate social challenge, and I encourage you to join the challenge as well.

Here’s what you need to do:
Post a selfie to your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account to let your friends and family know they can help Food Lion fight food insecurity in their communities.
Use the hashtags #FoodLionFeeds and #NoEmptyPlate anywhere in your post
Food Lion will donate one meal to our neighbors in need for every photo with the hashtag #NoEmptyPlate

Please help!

EASY CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Pin the chicken and dumplings recipe on Pinterest!

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Servings 6

Calories 572 kcal

Author Liz

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds rotisserie chicken
2 cups chicken gravy can be more, but at least this much
2 cups Bisquick baking mix
2/3 cup water
fresh or dried parsley, to taste

Instructions

Pull meat off rotisserie chicken and tear or cut into pieces. Set aside.
In small bowl, mix together Bisquick and water to make dumpling dough. Dough will be very sticky.
In large skillet, heat chicken gravy to a boil. Add chicken and then drop large spoonfuls of dumpling dough on top of the boiling stew. Lower heat to a simmer; let cook uncovered 10 minutes. Cover; cook 10 more minutes. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 572 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 189mg63%

Sodium 1515mg66%

Potassium 611mg17%

Carbohydrates 29g10%

Fiber 1g4%