You Can Meet Chef Marcus Samuelsson Philadelphia June 25

This post is sponsored by Macy’s Culinary Council; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

 Join Macy's Culinary Council Chef Marcus Samuelsson for an American Icon "Table Talk"!

I love to cook and watch cooking shows.  I watch them any chance I get.  One of my favorite chefs is  Chef Marcus Samuelsson his practical cooking to  approach and moth water recipes make me excited about food.  So I am getting the chance to learn and experience his brilliance 1st hand.  If you live in Philly you can too at the Macy’s Culinary Council.
Macy’s Center City Philadelphia
Chef Marcus Samuelsson
Thursday, June 25th, 2015 at 5:00 PM

Free event.

Seating is limited and on a first come, first served basis. To RSVP, visit http://marcussamuelsson-macyscentercity.eventbrite.com

Impress your friends and family at your next gathering with tips and tricks from our very own Macy’s Culinary Council Chef Marcus Samuelsson at his Table Talk, hosted by TV Host, Lifestyle Expert, and Food Lover Anji Corley.

At just 24, Marcus was awarded three-stars from the New York Times as the Executive Chef at Aquavit. The James Beard Foundation named him “Best Chef- New York City” in 2003 and honored him with the “Best International Cookbook” for A Soul of a New Cuisine in 2006. Marcus also serves as a recurring judge for Chopped, one of Food Network’s highest-rated series with a following of over 20 million viewers a month

 Join Macy's Culinary Council Chef Marcus Samuelsson for an American Icon "Table Talk"!

• With any purchase* of $35 or more in the Home Department receive a $10 Macy’s gift card and a copy of Marcus’ book Marcus Off Duty**, which he’ll sign for you***.
Fine print: **Purchase must be made 6/14 – 6/25/15 at Macy’s Center City. **One per customer, while supplies last and time permits. Gift card valid 6/25-6/29/15. ***While time permits.

Hope to see you there.

Whiffer Sniffers Review

Whiffer Sniffers Review  We were recently provided Whiffer Sniffers for a review disclosure I did receive them for a review.  What are the Whiffer Sniffers? Remember those great scratch and sniff stickers that you use to put on your notebooks in grade school.  You would scratch them and smell the stickers, the little smell would get through the next math problem.   Whiffer sniffers are smelly plush that smell just like those stickers from your childhood!!   I know awesome.

whiffer sniffers

Whiffer Sniffers Review

When we received the Whiffer Sniffers Review toys my daughter loved them and could not wait to do the unboxing videos.  These are first offering of the Whiffer Sniffers.  The have many of your favorite scents.:  Like Pizza, Pop Corn, Pickle and more.   Each package has a name of the smelly character and a scratch sticker to preview the smell.

This is Dilly Yo

whiffer sniffer

This is Tangeriana Ballerina

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This is Kaumana Wanna

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Whiffer Sniffers Review : Mystery Packs

 

Included in our Whiffer Sniffers Review is the Mystery packs that include a special smell.  So the child gets a surprise in every mystery pack.   Currently there are 3 different Whiffer Sniffer mystery packs.   The could possible contain Frenchy, Bubbles (seen below) and my daughters Favorite Jimmy S’more.

My daughter and her friends love them and are starting to collect and trade.   They are all attached to there back packs then they take them off and play with they at recess.  I love them as a Gift Idea,  different and collectable.

 

whiffer sniffer

They retail for around  $ 9 here   Whiffer Sniffers  and also to find a store check here

Here are my daughters video of Whiffer Sniffers Review which share more detail each of the characters and what the plushy characters are like.

 

They are also offering a Large Size Whiffer Sniffers,  for your bedroom.  I love the concept of these toys they are nostaigic  for us and fun for them.

disclosure affiliate

An Interview with Grundy the Bowling Bulldog

I wanted to share for my Wednesday post,  my Bowling Bulldog Grundy because a stupid pet tricks are no longer on the air with David Letterman.  Grundy will never have his day.  So my interview with my bulldog and a bowling ball is best toy for a bulldog.

Bowling Bulldog

An interview with Grundy The Bowling Bulldog

What were you like prior to taking up Bowling?

Grundy the Bowling Bulldog : “I had a problem I hated toys, I had an need to destroy any toy that came in the house.   I prided myself on distracting Llyods (my adoptive doberman brother) I would take his tennis balls,  shred them before he knew they were gone.   Rope toys with a knot What was the point ? to see who could get to the center .. kind of like a tootsie pop.  I even use to hang on the tire outside the one the “little humans” played on .. I would hang as it spun.   The Terminator of Toys  was my nickname.  ”

“I was  seeing therapist for a while,  she keep on giving me this red thing with a hole.  They shoved peanut butter in named after a giant gorilla.  I just ate the red thing.. it tasted like crap ”

So Grundy how did you discover your love of bowling?

Grundy the Bowling Bulldog:  “The large male human brought a large hard ball in to the house it was black and had some holes.   There was also a skull on it.  It sat near the door so I check it out.  I tried to bite it.   I couldn’t,  I licked it it was cold, so I pushed it .. it rolled.   So I chased it.”

 

Grundy the Bowling Bulldog

What is your strategy?

Grundy the Bowling Bulldog:  “My main goal is to keep my ball away from my humans and my brother Lloyd.  I am the perfect height to set my chest on it.  I also don’t like when it get stuck in a coner of the house. I try to maintain a speed that I can catch up to it.”

He continued .. “I recently got a new colored ball can’t tell you what color it is because I am color blind- True story.   The new bowling ball has  no holes or no smell of humans smell fingers  the old balls holes smelled of beer, pizza and cigarettes which was very pleasant.   This one since it has no smell I focus on the game more.”

 

Bowling Bulldog

How does your Family feel about your bowling obsession?

Bowling Bulldog:  “The big female human is always running around with a white rectangle thin in her hands when I am practicing always calling may name and saying look here.   The little humans chase me around when I am bowling it is very annoying.”

What are your hopes:

Grundy the Bowling Bulldog:  “I hope for a steak, more short walks ( I get tired fast the whole short nose thing and the heat), central air in the summer (again the breathing thing) , good belly rubs, no more manicures the nail clipping sucks, I also would like more trips to the stream.. I like the cool in the heat.   Also I would like a larger space to bowl.”

“Also Someday I would like to meet other Bowling Bulldogs and form a League with the little shirts.. dare to dream”

Have a Great summer check out Grundys Videos below.

Earlier Videos:

Have a great day!

How to make Barbecue Bagel Chips

how to make barbeque bagel chips

How to make Barbecue Bagel Chips: This past Friday was the 4th grade breakfast.  I love going to the school parent breakfast, every year for the last 9 years I have gone.  First with my son and now with my daughter, this is the last one as my daughter moves  on to the next school.   So after me feeling teary as we leave the middle school it is the end of an era.

Their were 100 or so bagels that we left after the kid and parents were done. The PTO president said the teacher were never going to eat all those bagels. I mention to a mom earlier about  my teach boy.  Next thing I knew, I was taking 20 or so bagels home.   So when life gives you day old bagel you make bagel chips.

My son is a huge fan of barbeque potato chips.  After the third  batch of chips  from my oven I figured out what works best to dry out the sauce and make a great barbeque bagel chips.

How to make Barbecue Bagel Chips

Ingredients

  • 3 Day Old Bagels (or more)
  • 1/4 cup of your favorite barbeque sauce

The trick is low and slow to cook the chips

  1. Preheat over 325
  2. Slice the bagel thin the thinner the better it allows them to become crispy

How to make bagel chips sliced them thin

  1. Line on a parchment lined baking sheet
  2. Brush on the barbecue sauce  (or us the back of a spoon) thin do not goop it on thick- like it did int he picture .. it tends to burn and become sticky.How to make barbeque bagel chips
  3. Cook for 25 minutes
  4. Allow to cook and store
  5. They should last a week if them they it that long in your home 

 

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Try other varieties of bagel chips

  • Brush on oil and sprinkle salt cook the same as above
  • Brush oil and use Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (does get dark)
  • try a sweet flavored or plain bagel with oil and cinnamon or powder chocolate
  • I loved the marbled rye chipHow to make barbeque bagel chips

 

This weeks menu plan:

  • Monday: Chicken Burritos Bake
  • Tuesday: Pork chops, corn and cucumber salad
  • Wednesday:  Chicken Thighs, Rice Pilaf
  • Thursday: Tacos
  • Friday; Homemade chicken Nuggets, and Bake Hand cut fries

I am linking up to Motivation Monday and Organizing Junkie

Check out my some other posts

Easy Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower

Easy Slow Cooker beans

easy slow cooker beans

 Water  Ideas

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Have A Great week

Menu Planning

mushroomsMenu Planning  This week is a bus week with memorial day and the short week.  So I am thinking easy simple dinner for later this week when the temperature reach 92 degrees.

 

Monday :Picnic food

Tuesday: Spaghetti and meat sauce

Wednesday: Chicken Enchiladas with Spanish rice

Thursday:  Sausage and peppers

Friday: Homemade Pizza

 

Have a great Memorial Day

Link up to :  Organizing Junkie

Motivational Monday

 

How to Make Easy Asia Coleslaw

easy aisa salad

How to make Easy Asia Coleslaw Salad : This up coming weekend is Memorial day.   I am also going to be out at various end of the year events for various groups.  I have to Menu plan for my busy week, including having kids over and off school, (my kids are also off for elections day.)  Summer is coming too fast,  I have to really come up with some great meals that don’t heat up my kitchen.

So as we plan for weekend parties. I love an easy salad for Memorial day.   This is a easy favorite salad, make no mayo so it does well during hot summer days.

Salad
1 1/2 cups shredded purple cabbage
1 1/2 prepared cole slaw, shredded
1 cup of shredded carrots
½ cup green onions chopped
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower
2 pkgs. Ramen Noodles
½ cup butter

Dressing
1/2 cup sugar or splenda
1/4 cup honey
3 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 cup veg oil
¼ cup apple cider wine vinegar

  1. Melt the butter in a saute or frying pan melted butter for Asian Cole Slaw Salad  easy
  2. Toss the broken ramen in the butter to toastedRamen Asian Cole Slaw Salad  easy
  3. Chop the green onions in the Mix the salad together , add toasted ramencarrots in Asian Cole Slaw Salad  easy
  4. Blend the dressing  in a cover lid container
  5. Dress salad before serving Asian Cole Slaw Salad  easy

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All check out some of my other Salad Recipes:

Pea Salad with bacon

Baccon Pea Salad

Cucumber Cups

cucumber cups

Cauliflower Salad

cauliflower salad Check out more of my salad post click here

Menu Planning

Monday : Beef and Noodles

Tuesday: Shepards pie with left over pork mixed with beef

Wednesday : Pizza

Thursday: Grilled Pork chops an apple sauce with left over noodles from beef

Friday: Tacos

Have a great Memorial Day

Link up to :  Organizing Junkie

Motivational Monday

What to Look for when Replacing Windows

Disclosure: I was asked to review Window Nations service,  I received a window for my home opinions in this post are all my own.

Window Nation Replacement Window

Window Nation review: Window Nation is a window provider that sells and installs windows, and doors for your home,  they service several states.   When I was asked to review a window company I was apprehensive a salesman will come to my home.  I was not looking for a high pressure sale.  When the salesman Dave came I did not expect to my pleasure I received an education in windows,  and how they can affect  your home.

Window Nation is big on excellent quality, they have one of the top rated companies in the window industry with an A+ rating.  Also they call for your feedback through out the process to make sure you were pleased with your service.  They want to be the best and are open to suggestions.   A company that listens.

You can loose the majority of heat through the windows in your home.   Dave the Window Nations salesman showed me using a heat lamp and a heat reading sensor how the different types of glass pains and gas can affect the heat that escapes from your house.  The window industry standard  that is 36% heat loss,  my original windows in my home the one I am looking to replace (single pain) window let a whopping  91% of heat loss. This large picture window in  home just think  my window was almost an entire wall, so think how draft my living-room is?    The Window Nation Window heat loss is 23% amazing way lower than the industry standard.  I was impressed to see the demonstration Dave brought- you could feel the heat through the glass on many of the samples,  the  Window Nation window you can not.

Put you hand on your window.. do you feel hot or cold how much heat/cool are your windows letting out?

 

window heat loss

The salesman Dave was super great he taught me in the last 10 years the window industry has really changed.  10 Years ago my husband I replaced all the windows except this large picture window, so I had some knowledge of what what I did not want.

The first thing Dave taught me was the fit of a windows and insulation is one the most important concern when purchasing a window.  (My old windows my husband measured.) Because if you have a great window, does not fit and it is installed improperly you can loose all heat or air condition just leaks out the sides.

Window Nations windows are fitted to 1/8 of an inch,  they sent a Window Nation Measure Tech who work for at the manufacture to measure the window so it fits perfect.  The salesman is not the same person who measures so your window,  they spend the time in having a person come dbl check the measurements, taken at the original sales call to ensure your replacement windows with be made to your exact home.  I liked the idea measure twice make once.

fitting a custom replacement window being installed

Then the Window Nations installers use a flexible latex insulation (OSI) that creates a seal around the windows that grows, expands, but also shrinks when need with the home.  The latex insulation is important because if you have the wrong foam that expands too much it can actually push out the window,  is what both Dave the salesman and John the installer explained.  It makes sense, your house is change with the whether so should the space around your windows.  Better efficiency better quality.

 

installing the latex expandable insulation

Window Nation Window that makes it a premium window.    I also learned about the windows and gases in the windows.  Window Nations have a high level of Argon Gas but also a non visual silver lining, and a UV protect-ant so your furniture will not fade.    The lower window frame slants down and away  to make sure that water runs off.  I think this is great I have a friend that said she bought windows and the did not slant away and had major issues with water pooling  not a problem with Nation Window Windows.

window nation window with a slanted ledge so the water does not pool toward your home

 

Also the glides in the windows allow it to slide easier then others, they are also very durable and cast metal so they don’t break (trust me my other windows have issues with bad glides). Visually the Window Nation windows are lovely the grids in the windows are shaped they are between the layer,  they are not just flat.  The windows tilt out and the screens pop out for easy cleaning

window nations  glides

screens on a window nations window

So you can see the difference?

 

What to expect from Replacement Window Installation:

The called to confirm the time a day prior  then the installer call ed prior to coming,  He was at the begin of the time frame for the installation window.  Window Nations installation team.  John came to install the window with his assistant.   Prior I was asked to more my items away from the window,  I was not able to move my large desk and John worked with me.

removing the old window

The laded down plastic both in and outside the window. The removed my old 1951 window with easy and it was painted in.  The design was the original window we had  the house 2 side windows one large in the middle, I went the same layout with the replacement.   They installed the windows cleaning as they went.  John was in my home for 2 hours installing my window, installation, and then wrapping the window.  It was profession done and nothing was out of place when they left.

window nations installer wrapping the windows

The Result :

We have lived with our new Window Nation  window for the month.   Hello beautiful view !  Out my beautiful window,  where I sit at my desk everyday enjoying my windows that open, and I can close them to keep out the heat.  I am never driven out by the rays of the sun because the heat stays outside on a 90 degree day.     The week in April the window was installed the the temperature dropped into the 30’s.

The first night my husband came home he from work  said “WOW,  I can feel the difference it is less drafty.”

It has made a huge difference in our electric bill and how much more we enjoy our home.  I seriously want them to come back at some point and replace the windows I replaced 10 years ago.  All I can say is amazing change in our home thanks to Window Nation,  it is the prettiest and largest window in our home great job.

Old window..Yuck in bad shape

old window need to be replaced

New Window

 

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Have you seen my pretty new window openers and latches?   they tuck away  How cool!

window latches

Do you need new windows ? Have you replaced your windows? Was it a good experience?

BigGirlsGuide : My Plus size Fashion Blog

My Plus size Fashion Blog: I want to introduce you to my Plus Size Fashion Style Blog. BigGirlsGuide.com  It is a Fashion blog dedicated to the plus size women over 40.  After doing Superexhausted for many years,  I decided to add another place where I can share my point of view.  So I have been blogging at BigGirlsGuide for 2 years and I realized if you are a reader her you might not know about my fashion blog unless you follow me on twitter.

So here is a peek the Plus Size Fashion of what you will see if you Visit BigGirlsGuide :

plus size fashion Sherry Aikens BigGirlsGuide

plus size fashion Sherry Aikens BigGirlsGuide

plus size fashion Sherry Aikens BigGirlsGuide

 

 

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I feature accessory tips and finds:

plus size fashion Sherry Aikens BigGirlsGuide

So Be sure to check out to take a look into a Great resource for you to looks stylish as a plus size mom.  Come for a visit or follow me on Pinterest

Big Girls Guide BBG-399 wide

Menu Planning Monday

mushrooms

Menu Planing This week is a beautiful weather.  It makes me want to plant and grow veggies. We went to my husbands family farm this weekend. As we drove home we stopped by a plant nursery purchased veggies, a well established beef steak tomato plant.  I also purchased 4 different peppers red, green, yellow, and purple.   The finally veggies is zucchini  which I will really enjoy during the summer,  my kids really like roasted zucchini almost like a chip.

I am really looking forward of becoming one with my food, since I love to cook.  I have great plans to do it every year, then vacation happens and they all die.  So this year we are not going away so I am hopping I can keep my crop going.  On Pinterest I have found some great ideas for simple irrigation methods.  Also I have been reading about dirty and how to have great healthy rich soil.  The concept of growing your own veggies seems like a great idea.. but it also seems like it can be expensive,  if you don’t figure out some great DIY methods.  Check out on my pin board some great ideas.

Follow Sherry’s board Garden grow on Pinterest.
This weeks Meal Plan:

Monday – Easy Baked Chicken and Potatoes

Tuesday – Beef and  Noodles

Wednesday- Homemade Pizza

Thursday- Crab Cakes and Fries

Friday- Tacos

Saturday- Easy Ravioli Bake

Linking up to organizing junkie