Inspired Entertaining With Nancy's Appetizers - CONTEST!

Now that the holiday season is in full-swing, I love to host gatherings with friends and family - both large and small - to bring us together and connect. It can be challenging with work, home, family and other social/civic obligations...but I have a friend in my freezer! Nancy's Frozen Appetizers help me provide a lavish spread of delicious treats without any fuss or budget-busting drama! Each is well-made and elegant - quick to warm in the oven or even thaw-and-serve! The Pin Wheels are a family favorite! I hosted a fabulous girls-only make up party this weekend featuring Nancy's Appetizers for snacks, and they were literally "gobbled up" by my appreciative guests - all without any stress or toil! I could relax and enjoy the fun with my guests rather than being in the kitchen cooking and serving.

From cheese soufflés, to mushroom turnovers, crab cakes, petite quiches, and pastry tarts, the Nancy's line serves up a delectable spread that has something for everyone. With the price-point of $4 to $13 per package, they can fit easily with your entertaining budget. Add them to the list of items to stock up on at your local grocery or club store to keep on hand for spontaneous drop-ins! You can find the nearest store to pick up Nancy's or go online to find entertaining tips and recipes at www.Nancys.com.

CONTEST:
I am excited to host a blog contest for one lucky winner. Winner will receive a coupon for Free Any one 12 ct Nancy's Frozen Appetizer (expires 4/30/10) to try and enjoy! Please post your comment below with your favorite party planning secret. One entry per person, please. All entries must be received by 12/14/09. Winner will be selected by random drawing from all entries received and notified by email on 12/15/09. If unable to contact, a subsequent entry will be notified. US residents only.

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nancy’s Appetizers and received 2 coupons to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate."

Holiday Party Recap and Super Bowl Recipe Idea

Well, our family survived the holidays and eagerly anticipate the New Year filled with hope and longing for health, stability, and grace! Here's wishing you and your loved ones are blessed and content....

While doing the annual social whirl of work, civic, religious, and friendly events and activities, I relied heavily on my absolute favorite party fare specialty of saucy meatballs! Everyone has their favorite take on these yummy, comforting treats - even my own kids have their special preferences on the spice or meatball consistency. I make my meatballs first by mixing ground beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, and ketsup together and baking them in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Just plop them in the crockpot with the sauce recipe provided below and warm. Perfect for the crazy holidays and now also for the joyous wonderment of football playoffs and Superbowl Sunday just over the horizon!

Here's the fast and easy recipe direct from Heinz:

Ultimate Party Meatball Recipe - TANGY. SAUCY. EASY....
1 16-ounce can Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce
1 12-ounce bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
1 2 pound bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail-style meatballs

Combine sauces in a large sauce pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally. Makes 30 appetizer servings.

Slow cooker preparation: Place meatballs in slow cooker. Combine sauces and pour over meatballs. Cover and cook 4 hours on HIGH.


In recognition of this important season, Heinz and Ocean Spray have teamed up to make a great, easy recipe. Their Ultimate Party Meatball recipe comes together with two steps and only three ingredients, perfect for a quick party appetizer or to throw together when unexpected guests show up on your doorstep. Heinz and Ocean Spray have also created the Ultimate Party Meatballs website (http://www.ultimatepartymeatballs.com), filled with additional recipes.

Finding Your TrueNorth

Now that the cooler weather has arrived here in Sunny F.L.A., I enjoy a nice, light and wholesome snack to keep up my strength as I dash through the Christmas Crazy Shopping Lanes and all those festive office parties. etc.!

I discovered my "TrueNorth" while working at my first not-for-profit employer - an association for retarded citizens in Putnam County, New York. P.A.R.C. was an amazing organization that helped serve this community with dignity and respect. I worked in the Day Treatment Program as the administrative assistant to the director of the program. I was amazed at the caring and compassion displayed reciprocally by the clinicians, teachers, and clients! The clients all wanted to learn new life skills and independence for the least restrictive environment possible based on their ability. It was a life-altering experience, and I've worked in the not-for-profit sector ever since!

I am totally "hooked" on TrueNorth brand snacks from Frito-Lay! These great snacks are great tasting and good for you! Lots of nuts for a nutty world, huh?

Frito-Lay's TrueNorth™ brand of nut snacks is built on a core belief that we all have inspirational stories to share and to celebrate, and they are dedicating themselves to using that brand to discover, document and share those stories with the world.

TrueNorth is inviting people to submit a story that describes how they (or someone they know) are pursuing his or her life's passion at www.truenorthsnacks.com/story. One story will be chosen to share with the world in the form of a 60-second commercial aired during the 81st Annual Academy Awards® broadcast on February 22, 2009. The inspirational spot will be directed by Oscar®-winning actress Helen Hunt and the winner will receive $25,000 to help in the pursuit of his or her passion.