Never know what will be next

Less than a year ago when I first mentioned blogging,
Megan said go for it.  I didn't have a clue what I would blog about.  Then I began reading your blogs, and have made a friendship with some.  Then I had my first giveaway and now I have had four.
 Now as of yesterday I have joined Etsy.  Yes, thanks to your comments about the journal jar I have an etsy.  Now if I could just figure out how to put it on my sidebar.  But until I do here is the link
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8264754&section_id=6506657

I also have a few more ideas coming in time for Christmas so keep watching.                                        I watch my followers grow, seriously who doesn't.  It's an ego thing.  But as always, my prayer is one that I never grow too much not to comment back to those who leave me comments, by email, or comments on their blog.   To me that's the fun of it.  You comment, I reply.  What good is a one-sided conversation?  And to me when I leave a comment, and never hear any feedback or a comment on my blog.  I assume it was never read. 
Secondly, when I do have something inspirational to blog about, my prayer is that in some small way it will encourage somebody.  We all have trials, hurts, and dissappointments.  But if in some small way if my blog brings you encouragement for that day.  Then my time has all been worthwhile.

Chicken Pot Pie

Linda over at    http://2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com/  is having Flavorful Fall.  You might remember her from Random Dozen.  She posts questions every Tuesday to be answered and then she answers them on Wednesdays.   Okay Im rambling, Flavorful Fall,  that means is to use favorite, homespun, not necessarily healthy Fall comfort food recipes.   This week it's on Tuesday, but for the next four weeks it will be on Mondays.  She has posted an awesome Potato Soup recipe.  So go check it out.  Not to mention she's doing a giveaway of an apron.  And will do another giveaway at the end of the five weeks.  Or there about.  Mine is Chicken Pot Pie, perfect recipes to warm us up from this cooler weather.

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

1 package boneless chicken breast (I use strips for convienence)

1 pack frozen mixed veg. (corn, carrot, pea and string beans)

1 package lipton golden onion soup mix (half sleeve)

1 can campbells cream of chicken

I can campbells cream of mushroom

(don't use reduced fat or sodium it takes away from the flavor!!!)

1 can campbells chicken broth

Topping:

1 stick real butter

1 cup milk

1 pack Bisquick original biscuit mix or,  1 cup

(you can also use 1 cup self-rising flour)

Directions:

Boil chicken strips about 10 minutes or until done. Cut into bite size pieces. Boil mixed veggies about 6-8 minutes until tender. Drain.

Mix the three soups and dry soup mix... add veggies and chicken. Pour in casserole dish.

In a bowl blend (with mixer) bisquick, milk and stick of butter (melt the butter in microwave it's easier!) Pour topping on casserole.

Bake at 400 F for 45-50 mins or until golden brown!!!

250 Free Custom Stickers/labels Giveaway

Uprinting has done it again.  I was fortunate enough to give away 250 business cards through them and win a set for myself.  Now Uprinting  is offering 250 Stickers/Labels for One (1) lucky winner.

Sizes: 2” x 3.5”, 2” x 4”, or 3” x 3”

Paper: 70 lb Label Matte

Specifications: Full color front, blank back; 4 Business Day printing

I have something in the works that I need labels for.  So this has come at a perfect time for me. 
 This giveaway will run until next Friday, October 23rd.  Then using Randon.org I will choose ONE lucky winner of 250 free custom made stickers/labels.

To enter:
First,  you must go to Uprinting and come back and leave a comment saying what you would use the stickers/labels for.   I would love to hear all the creative ways ya'll come up with to use them. 
Now for extra entries:

Follow me and Uprinting on twitter and tweet about it.   Uprinting #giveaway  250 free custom made stickers/labels  http://nanathena.blogspot.com/2009/10/250-free-custom-stickerslabels-giveaway.html    (two entries)

Follow my blog. 

Join Uprinting on Facebook.  http://www.facebook.com/UPrinting  

Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post and to http://www.uprinting.com/. Leave a comment with a link to your blog post. (2 entries)

Please leave a comment for each entry or tell me in a comment which entries you are eligible for. Oh the heck with it.  Every comment is worth two entries.  It's too confusing to make it do this for one entry, do this for two entries.  So for every comment you leave telling me how you qualify, it's two entries.  I like things simple.  Can you tell?

Rules:  FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the USA (Canadian residents need to pay shipping and taxes). Offer is not available to residents outside the US and Canada.

The prize will be awarded via coupon code which  Uprinting will send out on November 6.

Winners must respond within 48 hours of being notified to qualify.

 Disclosure:  I will receive 250 stickers/labels, at no cost to me, from  Uprinting.

250 Business Card Giveaway Winner

The winner of the 250 free business cards is Missy

Congratulations  Missy.  Uprinting will be contacting you.

Everyone else keep watching more giveaways coming up soon. 

Sugarless Applesauce Cake

Lisa over at  http://stopnsmellthechocolates.blogspot.com/  is having a Fall Fruits Festival.  Everyday this week is recipes with a different fruit, other than Friday.  She has declared that to be chocolate day.  Well today is apples.  So I decided to share a apple recipe that is probably a little different.  I made it for my ex-mother-in-law for her birthday every year because she was a diabetic.  It's a very simple recipe.

Also Diana over at  http://dfseason.blogspot.com/  is looking for Fall recipes for a wonderful cookbook giveaway.  So please go check both of these ladies, they are both wonderful bloggers. 
Sugarless Applesauce Cake

1 cup raisins                     

1 cup diced dried apples

2 cups water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsps. cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup natural applesauce
2 Tbsp liquid sweetener
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Combine raisins, apples, and water in a saucepan.  Cook uncovered until water is evaporated and fruit is soft.  Set aside.  In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.  In another bowl combine eggs, applesauce, sweetener, oil, and vanilla.  Add nuts and fruit mixture.  Stir in dry ingredients and blend thouroughly.  Pour into a 10-inch greased bundt pan.  Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until done.

Our County Fair by the Kiwanas

The fair started here yesterday.  I took so many pictures but I won't bore ya'll with all of them.

They thought they wanted to ride the ferris wheel but it wasn't working.  It had just stopped raining so some of the rides weren't running.

Nobody braved this one.

There wasn't much the girls wouldn't ride.  Even the rides way up in the air. Braver than me. I like to keep my feet on the ground.

 And then the food.  Brianna asked me why are you taking pics of the funnel cake.  Makayla answered real fast and said to blog about it.  Getting bad I guess when kids start seeing you with a camera alot  all the time.

Then Megan, Denny and Emily found us and Emily had to have her first taste of funnel cake.  Even if Mama says no, you know Nana always gives in.

And a good time was had by all.

This N That

For some reason this morning my mind seems to be going in all different directions and not really on blogging.  Sorta a BLAH morning.  It's dreary here, chance of rain and we're suppose to take the kids to the county fair tonight.  Only night that my two step-kids will be here to go with us.  So I sit here and ponder, do I blog about all the awesome giveaways I've come across.  Then I saw an idea from Jessica over at   http://wrongweek.blogspot.com/2009/10/spreading-love-this-saturday.html    I'm not stealing   copying any of her links.  You will just have to go check them out yourself. 

Blogs that have information on them.  Not just your everyday happenings.

http://faithfulbloggers.com/blogging/using-your-blog-for-good       Using your blog for good, there's some great tips, so go check them out.

http://www.blogcoach.org/  This is another one with great blogging tips.

http://yourlittlebirdie.blogspot.com/  For a really cute little girls bathroom idea.  Very simple and affordable.

http://www.deepsouthdish.com/  Are you looking for some great southern recipes?  Look no further she has plenty of them.  I'm trying her sour cream biscuits soon.

http://2setsoftwins-helene.blogspot.com/   Found this one recently, always good for a laugh or two.  She's handling life with 2 sets of twins.  More power to her.  I couldn't do it.

http://notimeforflashcards.com/  This one has great activities for young children.  She's uses simple everyday stuff you have around the house.

http://ordinarychristianwomansheart.blogspot.com/    When I need encouragement I go to read Jennifer's blog.  She is so real.  She comes across as the type that she is what she is.  That no matter where you might see her, or what day it is, she's still the same.

http://www.survivalmodeparent.org/    Mandy has started a wonderful volunteer program.  If you have ever had a child in the hospital you know there's always so much that is needed to be done back at home.  If nothing but a hot meal for those at home, or bring one to you.  You can't stand but so much take-out.  Go check her out she can explain it so much better than I can.


I could go on and on but for some reason it won't copy and paste or link anymore and it's just too frustrating.   Just check out my blogroll, trust me there is plenty there.  The kids are waking up and are wanting breakfast.  Clothes need to be folded, and dishes washed.