Free $10 gift card with $50 Target purchase!

If you are planning to make some purchases at Target , print a Target coupon for a free $10 Target gift card with any $50 in-store purchase.  Happy shopping!

Thanksgiving recap with pictures!

We had an action packed Thanksgiving weekend with our family! Wednesday night Poppa Jim (Slim Jim Poppa K) arrived in State College just in time for dinner. The girls had a great time having some one on one time playing and showing off for Poppa :)

Poppa Jim, Caitlin, DaDa and Fiona

Our little family

Thanksgiving started out as a lazy morning at home and then we all head over to my parents around 12:30. We drank wine, ate way too much food, laughed a lot and the girls refused to nap among the excitement.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Knowles twins!

Nana (Ryan's mom) came and stayed the weekend, since she couldn't make it for Thanksgiving. I'm almost done Christmas shopping, the tree is up, house decorated and we are full speed ahead to Christmas! :)

What I am Thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is able to spend quality time with their family today!

 I totally feel for the people that work in retail over this holiday. I can't believe that most stores are opening at midnight and some even open on Thanksgiving! Before the girls were born, I was in the retail business. I was the Senior Executive Merchandising Manager for Macy's and as of that time, I was working until 11:00PM the night before Thanksgiving to prepare for the sale, was exhausted through Thanksgiving and back to work at 3:00AM on Friday to be ready for 5:00AM opening. It's so much worse now that they are opening at midnight since I know it takes at least 2 hours to be ready to open meaning their Thanksgiving is being robbed from them. Sorry for the rant! I just really feel for these hardworking associates and managers this holiday season!

I have so much to be thankful for this year. It's astounding to me how very blessed I am! Here's a short list-

-My patient, caring and hardworking husband and that his tenacity allows me to stay at home with my girls and not work outside the home.

-Of course, my beautiful, funny, smart and adventurous toddlers. They have made everything in my life better, I can't imagine life without them! 

-The fortune of good health. Myself and my family have been blessed with good health and that is something to be very thankful for. 

-My mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law. I'm so thankful that we are so close and we are ale to visit often. I'm so blessed they are in my life and love my girls so much.

-That I am going to be an aunt!! I'm thankful that my sister and JR are expecting a baby in May!

- For my renewed faith and spirituality. I have been feeling a lot more driven in my faith and have felt a renewed energy with prayer. My hunt for a new church is on!

-A comfy house that is warm, filled with fabulous food and lots of love. I may complain and I want more space, more bathrooms, ect... but I am so blessed for what we have right now.

I could go on and on but I will spare you! I hope you count your blessings today too, Happy Thanksgiving!

Best Chili Yet!

I have tried MANY chili recipes and haven't found 'the one' until I stumbled upon this one. I am a vegetarian (pescitarian actually, I occasionally eat fish and shellfish) so finding a recipe with tons of flavor that didn't include meat and was hearty enough to fulfill my carnivore husband has been a challenge.

Cooking Light

Chunky Vegetarian Chili

Here is the link to the recipe!

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 2 cups chopped onion 
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper 
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 
• 2 (16-ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, undrained 
• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained 
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained 
• -After chopping the peppers, onion and garlic, heat oil in a dutch oven over meduim/high heat.

-Add the peppers, onion and garlic; saute for 5 minutes or until tender.

-Add beans, tomatoes, brown sugar and spices.

-Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes.
-Add additional salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

I tried it as the recipe states and after adding a little more salt, it was perfect! My husband has the idea of adding Morningstar farm crumbles (faux ground beef made of soy protein) so I added a 1/2 cups of the crumbles and wow, it was fantastic!

Nutritional Information

Amount per serving

• Calories: 257
• Calories from fat: 9%
• Fat: 2.7g
• Saturated fat: 0.3g
• Monounsaturated fat: 0.5g
• Polyunsaturated fat: 1.2g
• Protein: 12.8g
• Carbohydrate: 48.8g
• Fiber: 14.2g
• Cholesterol: 0.0mg
• Iron: 4.5mg
• Sodium: 876mg
• Calcium: 150mg

Thanks to Cooking Light for this recipe!

Land's End sale!

If you'd like to score some Christmas gifts with an extra 30% off and FREE shipping (with $50 purchase), landsend.com is your place!  Just use coupon code DRUMSTICK plus pin 1121. I love ordering from Land's End when they have their free shipping deals! You can also return any of your Land's End purchases to your local Sears so if something doesn't work out, you don't have to pay for return shipping. 


Here is one great example of this sale, for one of those hard to shop for men on your shopping list.

This Men's Classic Squall Parka is regularly priced at $119.50 + $10.95 shipping. With the current sale and coupon code, this can be shipped to your door for $48.97!


Here's another for the ladies on your list.

This Women's Blissful Knits Draped Cardigan is regularly priced at $29.50 + $5.95 shipping. With the current sale and coupon code, this can be shipped to your door for $11.85!

Happy shopping and safe travels for all of those traveling today and tomorrow!

Croissant french toast

This is the current favorite breakfast in our house. We eat super healthy breakfasts normally, but once ever week or two I make this for a treat. We have always been french toast fans but after trying croissants instead of bread, we can't go back :)


Croissant French Toast- 3 servings
*Croissants- 3- a few days old is best, or cut them in half and leave them uncovered over night
*Eggs- 4-5 eggs
*Milk- 1/4 cup
*Vanilla- 1T


Wisk to together the eggs, milk and vanilla in a long, shallow dish. If not already cut, cut the croissants length-wise and soak the croissants in the egg mixture. I usually let them sit 30 seconds per side, varying the time depending on how dried out the croissants are. 


On a griddle or pan heat to medium/high and melt 1/2t in pan. Cook croissants until golden brown on both sides. Serve with powdered sugar and syrup.


Enjoy!

Where did this week go?! & Starbucks deal!

This week has absolutely flown by! We had a major computer crash on Tuesday in which we are still recovering from. Luckily we retrieved almost everything we lost, including hundreds of Ryan's work files. Wednesday Ryan worked a super long day, gone from 8 AM until 10 PM and Fiona started getting a cold. Luckily, Fiona is feeling a little better and the weekend is upon us :) 

Making masterpieces this morning

So, today through Sunday (11/18-11/20) from 2-5 PM, where you can buy 1 Holiday Drink and get one free!  You’ll be able to choose from Peppermint Mocha (or new Skinny Peppermint Mocha), Caramel Brulée Latte, Gingerbread Latte or the longest-running holiday favorite, the Eggnog Latte!  This sounds the the perfect afternoon treat! 


I will be doing my 'recipe of the week' tomorrow morning since I have been a total slacker. It's not a new recipe for me but one of my favorites for breakfast, stay tuned!

We are... Penn State

Photo-  USAtoday.com

I haven't yet blogged about the Sandusky scandal because honestly, I didn't know what to say.


I have been a Penn State fan since birth. I was born at the hospital that overlooks Beaver Stadium. My dad has been employed by the University since before I was born and is proudly working his way toward retirement after more than 30 years. Thanks to opportunities that Penn State has given my dad, my mom was able to stay at home with us when my sister and I were children. I was able to graduate from Penn State in 2004 without any loans or debt, thanks to the generous employee discount my dad receives as part of his benefit package. 


I met my husband my first week of college and we have grown into Penn State proud alumni and settled down here in State College. We love it here because this is who we are. Our twins were born in the same hospital that I was born and I looked out my window at the stadium and imagined all of the tradition and history I would share with my beautiful babies. We bought them their first Penn State gear from the gift shop before we even left the hospital.


Then the report came out with the unimaginable allegations against Jerry Sandusky. I couldn't believe something this heinous was going on right in our back yard. Then the information came out showing that there was ample opportunity from those who had witnessed or had been informed about this abuse  to go to the proper authorities to STOP this from happening again and start an investigation. Unbelievable. It was a week of mixed emotions.


As I walked into the stadium Saturday, the energy was palpable. For the fist time that I know of in history, the team held hands and walked out on the field. The show of respect brought me to tears. Both Nebraska and Penn State (and many past PSU players) together knelt on the field and prayed. The 106,000 fans stood in complete silence as tears ran down many faces.


Sure, we lost the game but the healing had started. The focus shifted to the victims, where is obviously needs to be. We stood together and cheered, just as we always do because a handful of people who have made horrible decisions does reflect who WE are.


I ask you to join me in praying for victims. It's time that these young men get the attention and respect they deserve. Hopefully our prayers can ease some of the pain and help them have the strength they will need as the legal proceedings move forward.   
  

We Are... Penn State!

Apple chips, a big hit!

For a different snack this week I made delicious oven baked apple chips and they were a bit hit with everyone in the Knowles family! They were also really easy to make and my house smelled like apples and cinnamon the whole day.

Apple Chips

2 large apples, cored 

2 T. sugar (optional, I only used 1 T)

1 t. cinnamon

canola oil spray

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Thinly slice apples crosswise about 1/8-inch (2 mm) thick with a mandoline or sharp knife.  Arrange apple slices in a single layer on two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets, and spray with canola oil cooking spray.

If using sugar, combine in a small bowl with cinnamon.  Put mixture into a sieve and sprinkle evenly over apple slices.

Bake in the top and bottom third of the oven until apples are dry and crisp, about 2 hours (most of mine were crisp at 2 hours, a few I flipped over and put back in for 15 more minutes).  Remove from oven and let chips cool completely before transferring to a sealed container for up to 3 days.  Makes about 2 cups of apple chips.


Recipe Adapted Slightly from Ontario Apple Growers, via Snack Girl


We love getting apples at Harner Farm, here in State College. The girls love apples and this was a new way for them to enjoy them. 

Rite Aid: 15 Free Greeting Cards AND 25 Free 4×6 Prints ($16 Value!)

Here is an amazing deal from Rite Aid. For a limited time, you can get 15 4×8 flat greeting cards AND 25 4×6 prints completely FREE. Rite Aid has a selection of Christmas and New Years cards so this is an easy way to make 15 cards and pay nothing out of pocket. 


I've already ordered my Christmas cards but  I can always use 25 more 4x6 prints!


Here's how it works-

* Head over to the Rite Aid Picture Center
* Create an account or log in to your existing account
* Click on Cards and choose the 4×8 Photo Cards category and pick your theme (baby, holidays, ect)
* Upload your images, add text and head to checkout
* Add 15 cards to your cart
* To order prints, go to Order Prints (top left)
* Upload your image(s) and add up to 25 4×6 prints to your cart
* Head to checkout and be sure to choose in-store pick-up (if you prefer to have the items ship to your home, your shipping costs will be $2.95)
* Enter the promo code FREECARDS
* Enter the promo code FREEPRINTS
* Final Cost $0 for 25 prints AND 15 cards



(Thanks, Hip to Save!)

Weekend fun and Banana Bread

We had a really nice, relaxing weekend here at the Knowles house. The shopping trip with my mom and sister on Saturday was very productive and fun. Ryan got to have some great quality time with his girls, including a pizza party and The Muppet's movie :)

We also had a surprisingly smooth transition to the time change with Day Light Savings. We went out for a huge breakfast yesterday and then they napped at their normal time, went to the park in the afternoon and had dinner and bedtime as usual. The Steelers kept me up late and we lost in a heart breaker, but all in all it was a great weekend.

Recipe of the week: Banana Bread

I made this recipe this morning and it was seriously one of the easiest recipes I've ever made. It also has the house smelling absolutely glorious! This turned out really tasty and I will be making it again. 

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/

Ingredients

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Weekend shopping deals!

Tomorrow my mom, sister and I are going on a shopping trip and I'm super excited! Fiona and Caitlin are staying home with Ryan to have some serious daddy/daughter bonding time :)


I really need some new fall clothes. I haven't really bought much for myself since before the girls were born!  Shopping for them is much more enjoyable and much easier than shopping for myself. But tomorrow, it's time for me to update my wardrobe.


I was looking ahead online to see where I'd like to focus my shopping (I'm 'a planner') and found some great sales! I wanted to share some of these with you, in case your fall/winter wardrobe is looking as frumpy as mine or you're just ready to start some holiday shopping.


Macy's is having the Big November Sale, here is a coupon for an extra 20/15% off all sale and clearance! http://akimages.crossmediaservices.com/listingimages/Retailers/macys/Coupons/36460_102.pdf


Old Navy is having their Friends & Family event with an extra 30% off! http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/info.do?cid=34939


JC Penny has a great $10 off $25 purchase coupon!
http://f.jcpenneyem.com/i/2/95827765/main.html


Hallmark is offering a $5 off $10 purchase, you have to 'like' them on FB.  https://www.facebook.com/HALLMARK?sk=app_160552987369443


Yankee Candle has a buy 2, get 2 free on any large jar or tumbler, great to have some new scents for the holidays and for Christmas presents!
http://www.yankeecandle.com/assets/email/oct25_1/coupon_Q4B2G2.html

Baked Oatmeal

For my new recipe of the week I made Baked Oatmeal. I used this http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2011/07/baked-oatmeal-355-receipe-052-serving.html as my inspiration and made a few changes.

1.5 cups	milk
1 cup	plain yogurt
1 large	egg
1/2 cup	brown sugar
2 cups	old-fashioned oats
1/2 tsp	baking powder
1/4 tsp	baking soda
1/4 tsp	salt
1 tsp	ground ginger
1/4 tsp	cinnamon

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 8x8 baking dish coated with non-stick spray.

STEP 2: In one bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (milk, yogurt, egg, sugar). In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients (oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon). Combine the two bowls and stir until evenly mixed. Pour the in the baking dish.

STEP 3: Cover the dish with foil (to keep the moisture in and steam the oats) and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove the foil at 20 minutes and continue to bake until the top is golden brown (about 25 minutes more).

STEP 4: Serve warm with cold milk, fruit, whipped cream, vanilla yogurt or just plain!



I added another 1/4 cup of brown sugar in top and baked it an additional 10 minutes . I also added 2 tbs. of ground flaxseed to up the nutrition power! 

I'd give this recipe a 7/10.



Fiona's oatmeal this morning.



I was introduced to the idea of baked oatmeal while staying at this fantastic bed and breakfast, Mountain Hideaway in Port Matilda, PA http://mthideaway.com/ I would highly recommend a stay here if you are in the need of some R & R. We've been there twice and I can't wait to return soon.



Caitlin enjoying her breakfast this morning!





As suspescted, they're naturals...

at trick-or-treating! The girls were incredible last night! We still use the wagon or a stroller when we are out with the girls, if not in a confined space. We tried hand holding at a mall a few weeks ago and it was a huge fail, they did the famous twin trick of running off in opposite directions at precisely the the moment.

Last night though, was wonderful. We walked up and down our street, holding hands and they were great. We trick-or-treated at 10 houses and Ryan and I *ahem*  I mean the girls have tons of candy.

Coming tomorrow is my first review on my 'New Recipe of the Week', yay or nay... we shall see.