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MasterCard “Here’s to Moms” Spend & Get Offer

This offer is for MasterCard cardholders who enroll for the program then spend $200 online with their registered MasterCard card from November 15 through December 31, 2011. Once you spend $200 you will receive an email confirming your qualification and instructions on how to get your $20 MasterCard gift card, provided that you comply with the Terms & Conditions for the program.

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Celebrating my nieces first birthday we were looking for a fun way to make a decorative birthday cupcake. I came across this fun flower cupcake idea and thought I’ll try that. It is a simple process and all you need are some sugar sprinkles and mini marshmallows.

Here’s how to sugar your marshmallows.

Step 1.Begin by placing sugar sprinkles on a small plate or in a bowl.
Step 2.Cut the mini marshmallows on a diagonal.
Step 3.Press the freshly cut sticky side of the marshmallow into the colored sprinkles. The sprinkles will stick easily to the marshmallow.
Step 4. Set each one aside to be used when you are ready to decorate your cupcakes.

When you are ready to design your cupcake, begin with a good layer of frosting for the marshmallow to stick to. Next, start in the center of the cupcake and working in a round place the marshmallows sprinkle side up, filling the top of the cupcake. Viola! When you have finished the process your cupcake will resemble a small dinner plate dahlia. Easy right? I do not claim to be any kind of cake decorator but I thought these turned out pretty cute.

While trying to create these cupcakes I thought this could easily translate into a fun way to decorate a cake top or sugar cookies. With some red sprinkles and large marshmallows, I think these could easily resemble a poinsettia. Wouldn’t that look great as a part of your next Christmas party spread? Try to cut the marshmallows into different shapes, use different colored sugars and be creative!

There’s a great new coupon up this morning.  Print this Post Grape Nuts, Shredded Wheat or Raisin Bran $1/2 cereal coupon quickly, before it disappears.  Remember, you can print each coupon twice.

Hope you are not tired of all the soup recipes I have been posting the past month. I just LOVE soup, especially at this time of year!

This is another great recipe from my sister-in-law. Enjoy!

BACON POTATO SOUP

1/2 cup bacon bits (I like to use precooked real bacon bits from Costco)
2/3 cup margarine
2/3 cup flour
7 cups milk
4 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed (you can add more depends on the size)
4 green onions, chopped
1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook about a minute. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup bacon bits, 2 tablespoons green onions and most of the cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in sour cream and heat through. Serve topped with remaining bacon, onions and cheese. And if you don’t have any sour cream, you can leave it out and it still tastes great!

I learned this trick last year. You can microwave popcorn in a brown paper bag! East, quick, and all natural. Here is how you do it.

You will need:
A brown paper lunch sack
1/4 c. popcorn kernals
some tape

Pour the popcorn kernals into the brown paper bag, fold over once and tape closed. Put into the microwave. Microwave on high for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Remember all microwaves are different, so this is just an approximate time. You don’t want to burn your popcorn so watch it closely.

Now the popcorn is all done! The bag should be nice and full.

Now you can enjoy some popcorn, how you like it! This is the best part. Here are some things you can add to customize your popcorn:

spray butter
Parmesan cheese
chili powder
cinnamon & sugar

Have you tried this before? How do you like your popcorn?