Cattle and Cupcakes

Smiley Face Cookie review. :)

2012-02-02T10:09:00.000-05:00

Make sure you enter my apron giveaway!

So I’m really on a roll with the sweet stuff this week,huh? I love Valentines Day. In fact, one of my most popular posts is onValentines Day Cupcakes. I got a headstart this year on the sweets this year with some heart shapedcookies from Smiley Cookie.

These cookies are SO buttery and yummy. (And they better be, at 250 calories apop!) I’m definitely going to hand a fewof these out to friends for Valentines Day. In a cello bag with some other candies these will be SO cute. These are the perfect Valentines Day present.

You can also totally create your own custom smiley cookies-howfun is that?! And the cookies ship in aREALLY cute, high quality box. You don’thave to worry about these breaking in the mail. They are really well packed.

If you order, you can get 10% off with the code BLOG10.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Flirty Aprons-Win one!

2012-02-01T12:11:00.000-05:00

I have an apron problem. Seriously. I probably have 15aprons. My apron thing started with my first apron, a Williams and Sonomaapron. It was my favorite, and when Ifirst flew to KY to check out where my future husband lived, he’d taken thecolors from my apron (Which I’d sent to him in the mail as a gushy cutepresent) and he'd painted the kitchen in colors custom matched at the hardware store from my apron! I know, I know, it’s too sweet. Since then, I've just amassed a very diverse collection of fun aprons. I think wearing aprons is special, too. There's something that happens when you put on an apron-you "Feel" something-more special? Cuter? I'm not sure what words to use to describe it, but when I saw that Flirty Aprons was looking todo reviews, I jumped at the chance to try their aprons!

I was given a sample of an apron in Blue Chocolatefrom Flirty Aprons. This is socute! I really love how the ties arethick and long. There are no thin,flimsy ties here. And it’s practicallyreversible! The backside is really cuteas well. The pockets are also very wellplaced, and are deep-enough to keep a few wooden spoons or a pair of scissorsin easily. But most of all, the rufflesare so flattering.

They have quite a few different color schemes, and they areall really adorable. Whathusband/boyfriend/significant other wouldn’t LOVE to come home to his wife inone of these cute aprons? And one of myreaders is going to get one, thanks to FlirtyAprons!

The winner can choose between Pink Chocolate, Blue Chocolate, Frosted Cupcake, Sassy Black, Chic Pink, or Scarlet Blossom apron.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Brownies, and marshmallow, and caramel, oh my!

2012-01-31T08:34:00.000-05:00

I made some brownies today that were so richly delicious, and SO easy. They were absolutely perfect. Then I made them even better by pouring carmel sauce and marshmallow frosting on top.

The end.

No, but really.

For these brownies I used Bakedom's brownie recipe, store-bought caramel sauce, and her toasted marshmallow frosting recipe. These brownies were magnificent. The PERFECT textureDense and rich, but not fudgy. I doubled the recipe, thinking I would slice the cooled brownies in half and slather the marshmallow and caramel between them, but I ran out of time, so I just poked holes in the top, dumped the carmel on top, and then spread the marshmallow frosting all over it and called it good.These brownies are SO easy. You don't even need a mixer! I may even try to cook this over a campfire this summer. :)

Hello! SkinnyJeans Review and GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-27T08:27:00.001-05:00

It's Megan again! Get ready, I have a confession:I have no butt. There. I said it. My butt is FLAT. It’s been an ongoing joke my whole life. It’s awful trying to find jeans that fit someone with NO butt, yet don’t make me look like a 13 year old, or a “mom”. Really. It’s hard. And it’s an often unsuccessful endeavor when I go shopping. I’ll even admit that as a gag, my family bought me butt pads. (Hey, if I can’t share it here, where CAN I share it?!)

You know that Carls’ Jr. commercial way back when when they sang a song entitled “I like flat butts?” Yeah. That was a hard time for me.But, Hello!SkinnyJeans have come in to save my day. While they don’t give me a badonk-a-donk, they DO push everything in the right place. They feel kinda funny at first when you put them on, but after a few wears you get used to them.
<The COOLEST thing about these jeans is that they don’t fit great in the morning and then get all saggy and baggy by the afternoon (Here’s looking at you, Wangler Aura). These STAY snug ALL day-or all night-whichever you pefer.Their sizing is a little different than normal though, so you want to make double sure you’re buying the right size. I also love that their inseams can be SUPER long. I have to have long inseams. I’m 5’9”, and many times after a few wears my jeans somehow shrink an inch or so. But these are still good to go! They don’t LOOK like they’re really stretchy though, which is really awesome. They look like thick, sturdy denim. The washes they have are great, too. I got a pair in NightWash!

Now, these jeans are an investment. But, I’m realizing, that to have a pair of jeans that work, sometimes you have to spend some money. I’ve gone through enough Mudd & Old Navy Jeans to choke a horse. When I get some money for some new jeans, Hello! SkinnyJeans will definitely be on my list!Since Hello! SkinnyJeans is aware of all this, they’re allowing me to GIVE AWAY a pair of their SkinnyJeans!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Perplexus Giveaway!

2012-01-22T20:11:00.000-05:00

I remember one time my aunt gave me this puzzle that had a$10 bill in the center of it that I had to figure out before getting themoney. That puzzle probably got moreplay-time than any other toy that year. I always remember that toy as being fun and interesting.

Well, Perplexus has completely enamored me with their newesttoy.

Now, don’t be confused in thinkingthis is just for kids. My husband hasplayed with this toy longer than I originally imagined. And he still hasn’t figured it out all theway! He’s only gotten to puzzle#66. These things are TOUGH! I’m really impressed. Annabelle even likes to roll the Perplexusaround and hear the ball rattle. I thinkthis gift would be great for ANYONE. Really. Kids, adults, teens- Ithink this would be a fun gift for everyone on your list! Also, this would be GREAT to take on a roadtrip! And get ready-someone’s gonna winone of their very own!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nuts About Granola Giveaway!!! DON'T MISS THIS!

2012-01-17T16:55:00.001-05:00

I recently fell in love with Granola. I never really ever thought I’d like granolafor some reason. Why? I have no idea. Probably the same reason I didn’t eat mashedpotatoes until I was 21.

I keep discovering these foods that I never thought I’d like, thatI just LOVE.

Granola is now on that list.

I love Nuts aboutGranola. I recently won a giveaway forsome granola from Nuts about Granola. Igot their Off Road Edition, and their chocolate peanut butter edition.

This stuff is ridiculous. Iwill be giving this as a gift to every kid that goes off to college that Iknow. This stuff, and some Lush soap. That’s all they’ll ever need! It’s way affordable, too-there’s tons ofdifferent flavors; seasonal ones as well! When you get your package, they also include some super handy-dandyrecipe cards. Like a banana rolled ingranola. Are you kidding me? I never would’ve thought of that. I tried it this morning. Holy yum, batman.

This granola has been sitting in my house less than 24 hours andit’s already over half gone. (Real time-it's gone!) Kids willeven like this. And Sarah, one of thehead honchos, is awesome to work with. Their company is one that you can feel good about buying from! It’s a business started by a mother anddaughter, and in the beginning they only made the granola for a fundraiser-andit grew from there! They’ve been on theRachel Ray show, involved in the Emmy’s and I’m sure that they are growing bythe day! Nuts AboutGranola and Shiloh Farmshave won a bid from the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind and VisionImpaired (SABVI) to produce their natural foods in a 19,000-square-foot production facility employing blindand vision-impaired workers.

I can’t stop eating this stuff! And someone here gets a $10 gift certificateto Nuts about Granola!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ReviewRetreat 2012 THIS is why you want to send me!

2012-01-16T11:24:00.001-05:00

I love being able to review awesome products on myblog. That wasn’t my original intentwhen I started www.cattleandcupcakes.com, but, I find that sharing not only my life, but also theincredible products I find, is what myblog has morphed into. I didn’t think tomyself one day “Hey, I’m gonna start a review blog!”, it kinda just...well, happened. And I think that's pretty common. Which is why many of us need help-we have NO IDEA what we're doing!

When I found out about ReviewRetreat 2012, I was immediatelyscheming how to bribe my husband into letting me go. I was trying to figure out what foods tocook, what outfits to wear, and what to say in order to “Butter him up” enoughto let me go.

But, in reality, that’s a lot to ask, and I understand thatreally, the presumable answer would be “No, we can’t afford it.” Because, in reality, we can’t afford the gas,the hotel, the ticket, the food, and everything else. Being a blogger is not only hard work,(Believe me, I didn’t realize it was this hard when I started) but it can beexpensive, too! But you guys, I CAN DOTHIS. I know I can. I can make this blog work-I just need to beable to get some insight and advice from some of the others that have traversedthis road before!

When I heard about the Reviewer’s Retreat giveaway, and knewI had to enter. (And pray!) This conference has an incredible line-up, y’all. One speaker, specifically, is one of my “Bloggyrole models”. She also happens to sharemy name. Kinda. Just a different spelling-I think it stillcounts, right? Well anyway, it’s Meagan Paullinfrom Sunshineandsippycups.com. Her blogis a wealth of awesome tips and inspiration. Getting to rub elbows with the likes of her, and some other awesomereview bloggers, would literally spin my blogging world on it’s head. I’m absolutely positive it will help mebecome a much better blogger. I have somany questions about blogging that just aren’t easy to answer, and I know thatthe speakers attending this conference would probably have the answers to everysingle question I have. Because, yousee, not many people REALLY understand blogging. It’s hard trying to discuss the hurdles withnon-bloggers. I’d love to just sit amongother bloggers (Meagan Paullin, Piera Jolly, and Amy Bellgardt, yes, THE AmyBellgardt!) and just bask in the knowledge that everyone around me has BEENTHERE, and to be able to soak up their knowledge like a little country beginningblogger sponge- It would be SO refreshing.

Also, really, I need a break. I haven’t taken a vacation since, well, I’llsay 5 years ago. I didn't get a honeymoon, and farming really prohibits long vacations. I am overworked,underpaid (LOL), and I could use a few trips down some crazy wedgie-inducingwaterslides. The last time I wentswimming in a REAL POOL? I can’tremember. I’ve been cooped up on thisfarm TOO LONG!!!! I live to have a pizzadelivered. Really. I haven’t had delivery in YEARS. The closest the delivery guy will come isabout 20 minutes away from my house. I'd kiss the deliveryperson that came to my house square on the lips.

Not to mention that this time, right here:

Is very precious, since it’s the only time I can really getanything done on my blog. I frantically type emails, upload photos, and type reviews while this happens, at a frenzied pace. I realize there is a REASON why I can type 90 wmp. (I kid you not) If I couldhave a WHOLE WEEKEND of time to focus on my blog, can you IMAGINE the awesomethings I could get done?

And most of all, I want to go to ReviewRetreat so I can KEEPbeing a SAHM and not missing out on these moments:

So, please, gods and goddesses of ReviewRetreat, I wish wish wish that you’ll choose me to come hangout at ReviewRetreat. Your generosity willNOT go un-noticed, or un-appreciated. I’llbring cookies!!!

Vanilla Extract DIY and GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

As you know,I’m a cooking queen. I probably use aGALLON of vanilla extract every year. And I’m not kidding, that stuff gets expensive quick. Even the imitation vanilla! A few years back I found an awesome DIY forvanilla extract, and I’ve shared it over on www.couponclipinista.com before, butI realized I haven’t shared it here.

So, withoutfurther adieu, I give you my vanilla extract recipe:

5 vanillabeans (I used to say 4, but I've been told that 5 is the right ratio!)

1 cup vodkaor rum (Grain vodka, not potato vodka)

Jar

Take thevanilla beans, split them lengthwise, and put them into the jar. Pour the vodka or rum over the vanilla beans, and put that jar in a dark, dry place and walk away. You're done! Well, almost. You have to let it sit and get happy.

I usually let mine sit for at leasta month before using it. You shake itevery day, but don’t use it till at least a month has passed. For gifts, I let it sit six months, that wayit’s ready and rich and full of flavor when they get it!

Now, I alwaysbuy my beans through www.beanilla.com. I’m telling you, I can’t afford vanilla beansat the grocery store. Beanilla hasawesome prices on vanilla beans, vanilla paste, and everything elsevanilla. Their shipping isextraordinarily fast, and the customer service is awesome. Trust me on this. Beanilla is the best.

And, to helpsomeone get started on their own vanilla extract, I’m giving away two vanillabeans from Beanilla!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tylerse Coffee Giveaway!

2012-01-11T12:21:00.000-05:00

I'm going to be giving away a package of Tylers Coffee! Enter below!

Dill bread. Make it.

2012-01-05T09:45:00.001-05:00

I posted this recipe over on www.couponclipinista.com, but it is so delicious I wanted to share it with you!

I’ve been searching hi and lo for a recipe for some good dill bread. There’s a vendor that goes to local fairs and sells her breads-and has always sold out of the dill first. The toughest part was that I couldn’t replicate it! It had a soft, light crumb on the inside, and a wonderful, fresh dill taste. I would sit in my stall at the fair, selling my jams, jellies, and whatever else I had, and I’d eat a whole loaf all by myself.

But guess what?! I bought our first church cookbook last week, and under the bread section it’s got a recipe in it for dill bread-and I made it.

I can die a happy woman. The bread was wonderful! And the secret ingredient was cottage cheese. I never, ever would’ve guessed it! And here is the recipe for you. Make this for your family!

1 pkg. dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water (I’d say a little over 100)
2 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP grated onion
1 TBSP butter
2 tsp dill seed (Or dill leaves)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg
2 1/4 cups flour
1 c. cottage cheese, heated to warm.

Soften yeast in lukewarm water and combine in mixing bowl with cottage cheese, sugar, onion, butter, dill, salt, baking soda, and egg. Stir in flour. Knead well. Let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk (About 1 hour). Punch down and knead again. Form into loaf (I made it into two mini loaves!) and place in greased and floured 9 x 5 loaf pan (Or two mini loaves, or muffin tins…) let rise in warm place for 30 minutes. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.
This will be in my bread rotation from now until eternity. I grow my own dill and preserve it-I’ll be planting double the amount of dill this year!

SmartTouch Stapler Review

2012-01-03T10:32:00.002-05:00

I’ve been an administrative assistant/office manager/contract administrator for over 10 years-I recently retired to be a stay at home mom. It’s amazing how many crappy products companies buy for their admins to use. I’ve gone through more tape dispensers, scissors, and staplers than I care to admit.

I have found an awesome stapler though-thanks to Shoplet.com. Shoplet sent me a Swingline SmartTouch Stapler and a box of of Premium Swingline staples. My first impressions were that this stapler takes up less room, since you store it on it’s front-but I was wrong. It’s actually flattened on one side so you can just lay it like a regular stapler if need be (I LOVE that feature). It’s got a really comfy grip, and it takes 50% less pressure to staple stuff. I do wish it came with directions, as it took me a minute to figure it out. Really. It was so confusing that at one point I almost gave up! They should definitely include a diagram of how to put in the staples.

The Swingline brand also has less misformed staples, too, which is super helpful-I remember back when I used regular staplers, just “Feeling” the staple get all crooked as I was stapling, and I just dreaded trying to take the paper out-I’d stand there just imagining how long I was going to have to mess with ripping the paper from the stapler, then using a letter opener or some other sharp object to get the jammed staple out. Thankfully, since the Swingline Premium Staples have less jams, I wouldn’t have to worry about this as much! I would definitely recommend the staples, too. They don't come in flimsy cardboard boxes like others do. They come in a sturdy plastic case.
Thanks Shoplet!

***I received the Swingline SmartTouch stapler and box of Swingline Staples in order to complete an honest product review as part of the Shoplet.com blogger program. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. Any opinions expressed are my own.***