Smarterer Strikes Again!

I know I've mentioned this once or twice, but I'm a BzzAgent. That means I get to try some really cool products & share my thoughts on them with everybody.

Lately I've been testing my knowledge on Smarterer. I've done this campaign before but, uh, I wasn't very smart. Now I've picked up a few things & did quite well. I answered enough questions correctly to get some cool new badges for BzzAgent, Blogger, Facebook & Twitter. (I attempted a bit of HTML, but gave up rather quickly. Like 2 questions quickly.) So I probably could have done better, but I only answered so many questions before I was distracted by the kids. But here are my scores anyways:

    BzzAgent - 268 to 544
    

    Facebook - 199 to 606


    Blogger - 163 to 466

    Twitter - completely forgot to look before I started to 720

Smarterer has tests spread over various topics. Some of the standard tests include: blogging, social media, browsers & web development. There's also a place where you can make your own questions. I'm assuming that's where these came into play: 90's music, knitting, anatomy, TV & movies. (The Goonies & SOA are on my list to take.)

& it's all based on an 800 point scale with badges awarded per level.

• Beginner - less than 300 points (just that, a beginner)
• Familiar - 300 to 449 points (basic knowledge)
• Proficient - 450 to 699 points (comfortable) 
• Expert - 700 to 779 (fluent)
• Master - 780 points or more (pro)

Sounds pretty serious huh? No, not really. The questions are timed & if you get one wrong or your time runs out you lose points. That's what makes it fun! You'd be amazed at how much adrenaline starts flowing. & how many you get wrong even though you know the answer!

So go ahead & try it. Head over to Smarterer, take a few tests & earn a few badges. Then come back& let me know how you did!

                                  "Redefining the skills section on everyone's resume."

Hooray for Johnny!

As a KD parent, I know firsthand some of the trials & tribulations other KD families endure. We are a tight knit community that is always there for one another. We can be a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. The distance between us does not matter. In actuality, we are one.

Yesterday was a good day for us. News quickly spread that Johnny, a KD survivor, had been cleared to STOP his aspirin therapy after being on it for quite some time. The instant I heard that I wanted to hug both him & his mother, Linda, although we have never actually met. That is the bond we all share.

Today I wanted to keep the celebration going. Everyone is invited to congratulate Johnny & his family in the comment section below.

                    HOORAY FOR JOHNNY!!                           

               CONGRATULATIONS VOLPE FAMILY!! 


*Read Johnny's KD story here. For more information on Kawasaki Disease, please visit The Faces of Kawasaki Disease & The Kawasaki Disease Foundation 

   

"Leftover" Stromboli

Have you ever had "leftover" dinner? No, not leftovers for dinner. "Leftover" dinner is when you make dinner using the leftovers you already have.

Last night was a "leftover" dinner kind of night. I had a few things that needed used up & I decided to go with the honey ham from the Amish deli. What could you possibly make to feed a family of 4 (#5 doesn't eat food yet) with a handful of deli ham? Well add the handful of pepperoni, the half package of bacon, the 3/4 empty jar of pizza sauce, the almost empty bag of shredded mozzarella & a palm size chunk of mozzarella. Now what? Stromboli was what I thought, so stromboli it was!

I had no bread dough though, so I had to make some. This recipe was easy to make & very easy to handle. So much so, that I will NEVER buy frozen dough again. Just prepare to the point of letting the dough rise once, punch it down & then cut in half. & since this made a double batch, we might have rolls with our dinner tonight. Just put the extra in a ziploc bag & plop it in the fridge.

Now the fun part, my "measurements".

Start by spreading your dough out on a sheet to rectangle form (you may need a bit of cooking spray depending on your surface).
Sprinkle down the middle with:

• pizza sauce
• salt & pepper
• garlic powder
• parsley
• whatever else you have that sounds good

Next, top with:

• chopped deli ham
• bacon, cooked & crumbled
• pepperoni
• thinly sliced onion
• mozzarella, shredded or sliced
• whatever else that sounds good & might be in your fridge (I wanted banana peppers too, but we were all out)

Fold sides over, then fold ends in to seal. Bake at 400 degrees till done (20-30 min.) Brush with garlic butter & top with grated Parmesan or shredded mozzarella. Broil till bubbly & just beginning to brown.

Let it cool for 10-15 min. before slicing. Ingest & enjoy.

Don't forget to take the trash out when you're done. After all, you just cleared quite a bit from the fridge. Although sadly, you're only going to go buy it all again soon so you can make another yummy stromboli. You do still have dough to use....

Now go & pin this using my handy dandy Pin It button! :-)

Mile High Bacon Cheeseburger "Pie"

I know you've been here before, "What sounds better for dinner, cheeseburgers or pizza?" (Get it? A pizza pie!) My answer to this dilemma - BOTH!

I had come across a recipe on, yep you guessed it! Pinterest. But seeing as how I never seem to follow a recipe as written, it came out a bit different. But just as a reference, you can take a look at the original recipe here.

Now first let me start with the crust. I found this super simple recipe that did not require an extensive time to make. And as a plus, it tasted good too! But let me add as a disclaimer, that I did not use the cornmeal on mine.

Next step, toppings (at least most of them). Beware of my "measurements".

• enough pizza sauce to cover to within about an inch of edge of crust
• 1 lb. hamburger, cooked & crumbled
• 1 pkg. bacon, cooked & diced (don't forget to drain your meats of grease)
• pickles (I used sandwich stackers)
• red onion, thinly sliced
• shredded mozzarella & cheddar cheeses, almost a whole bag of each....but not quite

Bake at 450 degrees until your cheese is nice & melty. Let your pizza sit for a minute or 2 before slicing. Top each slice with some finely cut lettuce & tomato, then a sprinkle of salt & pepper. Hence the mile high! Sit down & enjoy!

The only thing that I found that may be missing, was a bit of sour cream on the top. I thought of mayo since that's what you would put on a burger, but drew the line at topping my pizza with it. Next time I make this (because there WILL be a next time), I'll be sure to have some sour cream handy to try it out.

Yes, you will probably need a fork too ;-)

I'm Baaack!!!

Ok, so remember when I said I kicked some sickie arse? Yea, I was wrong. I got it worse than anyone. Just keeping up with the bare minimum & the kids proved to be quite challenging. Blogging? No way. But, thanks to my wonderful doctor, I'm now feeling MUCH better. & hopefully I'll be back to 100% in a day or 2.

But in the meantime, I have a TON of things to catch up on. Of course housework, mountains of laundry & "work". But all of my fun stuff too. I have many projects planned in the next few days. Some edible, some not, some fun & some necessities (but still fun to make). I know you're excited to see what me & my crazy self can get into! So just be sure to check back in tomorrow, mkay?

Calling ALL Consultants!!!

I'd like to announce a special opportunity to all of the independent consultants I know (& even ones I don't). Starting next month, I will be having a featured consultant. I'd like to do this not only to help the individual consultant, but I view it as a wonderful excuse to buy something every month. Shh, don't tell the hubby! ;-)

If you are interested in participating, please contact me at smithandblessings@gmail.com. All I need at the moment is which products you sell, contact info & if you would be interested in offering a special promotion when featured. (I'll get back with you at a later date for more in depth info.) But, don't forget, I do plan on purchasing at least 1 item from each consultant. I know a few companies will be featured more than others, but don't worry, I've got a big shopping list!

We Love Pancakes

Ok, so I'm blogging this a bit later than I had intended. But in my defense, the sickies invaded my house. I played "Superhero Mom" , & kicked some arse! But unfortunately, they left their mark on me & I am now stricken with this annoying cough. Which I will gladly take over the "choking on air" style cough I had only days prior. But, eh, what's a mom to do?...

So, anywho, pancakes. We love us some pancakes in this house. Especially the kids. Well, the older two since Hayden is only a few months old. But, ironically, I love my kids too! (Shocking, I know!) Well, I found a GREAT way to show my kids I love them, while giving them something they love.

I was able to do this with this wonderful Pancake Pen I found on Amazon.com. Simply make your pancake batter however you prefer, transfer to the Pancake Pen & create. & when you need to, simply turn it upside down for a bit & the batter will make it's way to the top. Piece of (pan)cake!

& the kids absolutely LOVED it! They thought it was so cool. However, now I'm going to have to learn some skills so that I can be Picasso on the griddle. ;-)

Paige, age 6

Damien, age 2