Holiday Baking Fun with Becel

Posted on November 30, 2015 by NonMom: Everything BUT the Kid!

The holidays and baking go hand-in-hand and I know every year I try to come up with a fun new recipe to try out, I try to top myself and usually when I start doing my recipe searches I get intimidated and can’t get over the amazing creations others come up with.

Here’s where Becel’s ‘Anything Goes’ Cookie Dough recipe comes in. It’s a lovely basic dough and you can add all sorts of things to it without having to find a whole new recipe (but your cookie-eating friends likely won’t notice –wink wink).

Deciding what to bake each holiday season can cause stress, but with this recipe you can do a half-batch one style, and the other another. Definitely a way to get more out of your dough ;).

And, just in time for the holidays for the baker in your life, Becel is having a fantastic contest! Read on for the details!

I’m thinking of adding some of the leftover Halloween candy to make my dough and cookies more fun! How yummy does crushed up peanut butter cups sound? Or Reese’s Pieces? Mmmm!

BECEL ANYTHING GOES COOKIE DOUGH RECIPE

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups  all-purpose flour

1 tsp.  baking soda

1/2 tsp.  salt

1 cup  Becel® Buttery Taste margarine

1 cup  firmly packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 Naturegg Omega 3 eggs (where available – otherwise, please use your preferred brand)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190° C). Combine flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl; set aside. Beat Becel® Buttery Taste margarine with sugars in large bowl using electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla until blended. Gradually add in flour mixture; beat just until blended. Add your choice of mix-ins (i.e. chocolate chip, dried fruit, seeds, toffee bits, etc.). Drop by tablespoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets, 2-inches (5 cm) apart. Bake 7 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool 2 minutes on wire rack; remove cookies from sheets and cool completely.

About the contest:

Get into the holiday spirit by #BakingWithBecel!

Share a photo of your Anything Goes Cookie Dough creation with Becel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest and be entered for your chance to win 1 of 4 baking prize packages valued at $625! See below for additional details, and be sure to visit becel.ca for the full rules and regulations, or click here.

Contest Entry Dates:

Monday, November 16 to Sunday, December 13

How to Enter:

Get creative! Add your favourite ingredients and/or mix-ins to the Becel Anything Goes Cookie Dough recipe (included below) and share a photo of your #BakingWithBecel creation alongside a tub of Becel Buttery Taste margarine in one of the following ways:

  • Instagram:  To enter via Instagram, log in to your public Instagram Account and post a photo of your cookie creation using the hashtags #BakingWithBecel and #Contest and an explanation of your suggested added ingredients to the Becel Anything Goes Cookie Dough Recipe
  • Twitter:  To enter via Twitter, log in to your public Twitter Account and tweet a photo of your cookie creation using the hashtags #BakingWithBecel and #Contest and an explanation of your suggested added ingredients to the Becel Anything Goes Cookie Dough Recipe
  • Facebook:  To enter via Facebook, log in to your Facebook Account and post a photo of your cookie creation to the Becel Facebook Page Wall using the hashtags #BakingWithBecel and #Contest and an explanation of your suggested added ingredients to the Becel Anything Goes Cookie Dough Recipe
  • Pinterest: To enter via Pinterest, log in to your public Pinterest Account and create a Pinterest board with the title #BakingWithBecel and pin your Photo to that board, including the hashtags #BakingWithBecel and #Contest , the date, and your added ingredients to the Becel Anything Goes Cookie Dough recipe in the Pin description

To enter, participants must post a photo of their baked-with-Becel creation alongside a Becel tub to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest using the hashtag #BakingWithBecel and tagging Becel’s pages where appropriate.

Prizing:

Each week, one winner will be drawn to win a #BakingWithBecel baking prize pack valued at $625.

Baking prize packs include a 5.5 quart stand mixer, baking sheet and set of measuring cups and spoons from Cuisinart Canada, four packages of HERSHEY’S CHIPITS Baking Chips and product coupons from Burnbrae Farms (outside Atlantic Canada) and Becel!

Prizing Eligibility:

To be eligible to enter the contest, an individual must be a resident of Canada (excluding Quebec) and have reached the legal age of majority in his/her province or territory of residence.

Happy Baking to all!

 
This post was sponsored by Becel, however, all opinions are my own :)

Filed under: Blogging, Giveaway, Holidays, kids, Life | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Adventures in Babysitting…Nonmom style!

Posted on November 29, 2015 by NonMom: Everything BUT the Kid!

Yes you read that right, plus, it remains one of my favourite movies to this day.

I was asked to babysit my adorable neice and nephew (he’s my mini-me I swear), and overall I’m pretty pleased at how it went.

I adore them, however I don’t see them as much as I’d like as my schedule doesn’t match up with theirs as often as we’d all like. But I assure you, I adore them.

Now, it is important to note that in my teen years I did a lot of babysitting, like A LOT a lot of babysitting. I loved it. I had a couple of regulars and I was known for my grilled cheese sammiches and also my love of crafting, board games and Disney movies.

But it’s been a while. And I admit, I was a little bit nervous. So, I decided on a plan, my nephew has been wanting me to teach him how to knit so I took along my loom (I taught myself for him as I’m a crocheter) and some yarn and he and I had a blast.

My neice is younger (he’s 5, she’s 2) so was understandably a little confused when I arrived to get her from her nap instead of her regular sitter, or her mommy or daddy, or, my mom or dad.

It took a bit of explanation (no no, mommy at work, so is daddy, you have Aunty Amy today), but she relented and even let me change her pull-up.

And here’s where I had a refresher of sorts. When I took the post-nap one off I noticed it worked just like a diaper on the sides. So I didn’t worry when the sides came loose when I put the new one on. The tabs stuck, it stayed on, but apparently (thank you Jackie!!!) it really is supposed to pull-on. I’m still taking it as a win, it totally stayed on. ;)

The kids played, and nephew-kins knitted with me (we traded off rows on the loom) and then the giggling started as the kids warmed up and indeed perked up around me. We were all giggling before long and the neice and I happily played with Mr. Potato Head while nephew-kins did some extra rows all by himself. Hashtag #ProudAunty on that one :).

We laughed, we smiled, they loved being called Goofball 1 and Goofball 2 and when their daddy came home I was admittedly a little sad as we had been having such a fun time.

All in all, a success. Babysitting skills somewhat updated (we’ll tackle a meal next time), happy munchkins and very happy Aunty:).

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Reno’s for my sanity and the insanity they cause

Posted on November 13, 2015 by NonMom: Everything BUT the Kid!

Renos. Yup, we made the decision that since our home’s location is pretty much perfect we’re acknowledging that some updates need to happen.

‎This year, after staring at my too dark living room I finally snapped and it was painted. It took three days, but it was worth it, I cannot get over how a little paint can make such a BIG impact in a space.

That was phase one.

Phase two has been the kitchen. I loathed it. I’ve put up with it since 2002 and enough was enough. This project took a lot of research, tears, compromising and planning, but it’s finally coming together.

After my tears of realization of what a new (or even re-faced) kitchen was going to cost, hubby and ‎found a solution: new doors and hardware (we re-used our hinges) and a new hood.

After ordering the doors my sanity returned, then the insanity set in as I waited, and waited for them to arrive. They were a couple weeks late, but oh so worth it.

Then, the insanity kicked up again as adjustments had to be made on our present cupboards. Things were banged, tools were worn out, new ones were purchased. A process I thought would be quick is on week two now.

It has been a process, and it’s not over yet (4 handles to go and the hood!), but it’s close. And I’m calming and realizing that’s OK.

My sanity will return.

And then we’ll go to phase three…‎my poor husband ;).

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Today We Remember #LestWeForget

Posted on November 11, 2015 by NonMom: Everything BUT the Kid!

Today, and for the past couple of weeks, I proudly wear my poppy in remembrance and thanks to all those who have served, do serve and will serve.

Because of your sacrifices we enjoy freedom’s many parts of the world wish they had.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

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The Little Moments

Posted on October 8, 2015 by NonMom: Everything BUT the Kid!

Every morning on my way to the office I have to cross one particular street. On the other side is a bus stop for the kids, I know because of, let’s call him: Spider-kid.
Every morning he watches for cars and ‘races’ them running from one street to another (basically the width of two houses).
He does this while wearing his Spiderman hat too.
It’s adorable and he in fact beats me every day…My car seems to not be at speed there ;) (within reason, if there’s a car behind me obviously I’m safe and not going to cause a problem by going too slow).
It’s just the cutest and sweetest way to start my day and I wanted to share it.
Kids. They really do the cutest things :).
Where do you find your happy moment?

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Get Your Family Game On with Hasbro

Posted on August 25, 2015 by NonMom: Everything BUT the Kid!

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As my regular readers and friends know, in
our house, board games and games in general are always fun and special shared time.

So many memories of family time involve board games (Monopoly, Life, and Clue to name a few) and now with my husband and our friends we’ve built upon that with Taboo, Funny or Die and the classic and oh-so-fun Twister!

Going out is indeed great fun with friends, but staying in and playing some classic (and trying some new) board games is always a fun time.

How do the best games nights go? Well, as much as hubby and I enjoy actually playing against each other, having friends over definitely adds to the fun.

Our ingredients for a Great Games Night:
Invite some great friends (or of course, have the family over)
Plan some yummy snacks (see the book in the picture for tips)
Pick some great games
Let the fun begin!

Games where teams form are always fun, but so are board games, it all depends on the group at the time. A few favourite board games of ours are Clue, Minion Operation and of course Monopoly. And a new couple favourites for even more fun are Funny or Die and Taboo. Hubby and I admit, Taboo when we tried it out was immediately acquired.

The last long-weekend of the summer is upon us, and what better time to have your own games night than this.

Which games will you choose? What’s your favourite party snack? I’m thinking outdoor Twister followed by some Funny or Die and Taboo with ‘Itty Bitty BLT’s’ :).

Like, comment and share and you may just win a fantastic ‘Get Your Game On’ prize pack ;). ***Canada Only

Filed under: Blogging, Giveaway, kids, Life, Reviews, Toys | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Road Trip to #Gettysburg Part Two

Posted on August 3, 2015 by NonMom: Everything BUT the Kid!

Admittedly this post is a little delayed, but that shouldn’t take anything away from it.

On our second full-day at Gettysburg, and I mean full too, we accomplished A LOT.

We started off at the Gettysburg National Military Park visitor centre and attended a fantastic lecture (complimentary too) put on by one of the fantastic NPS park rangers. This one was an overview of the whole battle and was made all the better since we had driven it the day before. We highly recommend attending one of their talks, or more.

We then did the video, the cyclorama and museum on-site… and some shopping afterwards of course. I thought the cyclorama was simply a painting, but wow, it was that and so much more. An interactive telling of Pickett’s charge from Cemetery Ridge where you are ‘in’ the line, we were very impressed.

The museum took you from beginning to end and showcased many of the poignant stories from the battle along with a history of the period. The one that touched me was the story of a Union soldier who was identified post-mortem by the sweet picture of his children he was clutching when he passed.

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After our adventures at the visitor centre we headed to the Jennie Wade House for a tour. Jennie was the sole civilian killed during the battle and seeing the actual spot where she was killed and the actual bullet hole was very moving. This tour is another must. She was a young girl who was only at this house to help her sister Georgia who had just given birth to a baby and was killed while making bread and biscuits for the Union soldiers.

Where Jennie was killed

Where Jennie was killed

Myself and Jennie's statue

Myself and Jennie’s statue

That evening we enjoyed another fantastic meal, this time at The Farnsworth House.

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The food was period fare and included a starter of Jennie Wade bread (which I’m trying to find the recipe to) and a delectable menu. The Farnsworth House also offers haunted ghost walks. I was all over that. Our guide was Tom and he was fantastic. The house itself is said to be occupied by spirits and when we were in the attic the door did slam by itself. Tom said that was the spirit of a little boy named Jeremy who likes to play. We also saw the window from which snipers took their shots during the battle and in fact, it is strongly suspected that the shot that killed poor Jennie Wade came from here.

The window where the sniper shot likely came from

The window where the sniper shot likely came from

Our guide Tom

Our guide Tom

Tom took us up the road and showed and told us more stories, and just the history alone makes these tours so great, and we ended on a road where there are said to be a lot of spirits. I of course took out my camera and got a couple of ‘interesting’ pictures. Judge for yourself, but I know what I see ;).

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All I know is, we’re counting down until we can go back… and I will have my camera ready again too ;).

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