Weekend Roundup: Generosity, Your Vote Counts & Recession-Proof Alpacas!

Today's a day for Cleaning out the Cyber-Cobwebs. From my Blog. From My E-mail. From my Mind.

• First of all, Congrats to Tara R., Rhonda and Becky, the winners of Thursday's Pay It Forward Holiday Fest. These Three will be receiving a Very Special Prize that Aunt Julie and Veggie Mom cooked up Just. For. Them! And thanks so much to everyone else who has decided to Play Along and Pay It Forward on their own Blogs. What a simple way to Share the Holiday Spirit! Like to point out that Liz was actually the 3rd Commenter (Commentator?) in the Contest. When I E-mailed her yesterday, however, she demured, saying, "I'd rather the prize go to the next person on the list or someone you know...I love winning things but really would rather pay it forward!!" I think it's a Special Sign that Liz's Blog is named Gratitude and Good Deeds. It bodes for a Holly, Jolly Holiday, I'd say!

• Secondly, I'd like to Give a Plug to my Bloggy Friend Melissa B., who is a Finalist for a Special Blog Award. Those of you who know The Scholastic Scribe know that she's a teacher, and a Darn Good One! Well, Melissa B. Made the Cut in EduBlog's Prestigious "Eddies" Confab. She's been nominated for Best Individual Blog. So, let's demonstrate the Solidarity of Cyberspace by getting out there and VOTING! Click Here to Make Melissa B. a Winner!
  
• The Third thing on my mind is Alpacas. Yup, the cute little (well, not really so petite!) furry critters whose wool is Super Soft and used in Yummy Sweaters. You might remember Julie Eliz's Alpaca Snaps Here and also Here and Here. Well, meet Atticus, who also resides in Southwestern Wisconsin! Saw a story on the news the other night about Alpaca Farming. Seems that these Beautiful Beasts are Recession-Proof! So, if things aren't Going Well for you at Work, think about putting a couple of Alpacas under your tree this Christmas. I hear they also make wonderful stocking stuffers...

Chocolate Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

~Anything is good and useful if it's made of chocolate~

Anyone who knows Anything about Veggie Mom knows that I *Heart* Chocolate! That's why I was Tickled Pink to receive this Sweet Bit O' Bling the other day. We were gifted by Melissa B. at The Scholastic Scribe, who was gifted by Tara R. at If Mom Says OK.

The Octamom Award , like All Things Involving Chocolate, came to be in a Silly, but Sweet, way. It was designed by Debi, who blogs at Who Says Eight Is Enough? The award was created in honor of Octamom, who takes her Own Sweet Time about getting things done.

And Why Chocolate, the Nectar of the Gods? Because Chocolate Makes the Heart Grow Fonder! Because of this indelible and irrefutable fact, and just to be a Sweetie Pie, I wish this Chocolate Bling Upon the Heads of All Who Have Blinged Me Before. If you've received this one already, don't fret...Re-Gifting is allowed!

1. Marla, at Pak Adventures x2
2. Mama Rose, at The Real Scoop on the Poop
3. Blogstalker, at Blogstalker x2
4. Melissa B., at The Scholastic Scribe x2
5. Kathryn, at Ritch in Love
6. Kally, at A Little Bit of Life on the Side
7. AJ, at A Little Bit Nutty

And even though this Chunk o' Change involves Chocolate, there are a few rules from the Gifter that the Giftee must follow:

1. You must eat a Piece of Chocolate in honor of accepting The Octamom Award.
2. You must, um…..Eat Yet Another Piece of Chocolate when you put The Award on your blog.
3. You must visit Debi B. (who designed the award) by clicking Here. Debi Needs to Know that You Care...especially about Chocolate!
4. Try to go by and see the other Giftees...That's What Linky Love Is For!
5. Don't forget to display This Pretty on your blog!
6. Feel free to add or subtract from the rules as suits your fancy…except the Chocolate Requirements...Those are Mandatory!
7. And, but of course, if you're reading this post & feel like you need a little Chocolate in your life, please Give Yourself The Octamom Award, with our blessing!

Our Great New Pop'rs Giveaway is More than Pie in the Sky!

OK, folks...We've all enjoyed Aunt Julie's Recipe Week, now, haven't week? It's time to Increase the Stakes a tad. That's why Uncle Lynn is launching The Great New Pop'rs Thanksgiving Extravaganza, just in time for the holidays!

To get started Click Here. Here's. The. Deal: For every yummy recipe you E-Mail to Veggie Mom, you'll get an entry in Our Great New Giveaway. And, for every comment you leave at Eat Your Veggies! between now and 11:59 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve, you'll get another entry. Such a Deal, huh?

Veggie Mom promises to publish each and every one of your Delish Dishes, right here at Eat Your Veggies! And, on Thanksgiving Morning, after Uncle Lynn selects thems via Random Drawing, we'll be announcing Five Grand Prize Winners!

What do you win? A complete box of Pop'rs, that so-go-for-ya seasoning that really does encourage One and All to Eat Their Veggies! Pop'rs come in Eight Delish Flavors. What a great way to spice up Turkey Day!

So, let's get with the first three recipes of our Great New Pop'rs Thanksgiving Extravaganza. They're brought to you by our Own Bloggy Friend, Melissa B. She's the one who runs the Silly Sunday Sweepstakes over at her place each week. Please visit her today, and get in on the fun!

Don't know about you, but I'm in the mood for a slice of Susie Clark's Pecan Pie. And think I'll wash it down with a couple of Spritz Cookies and a nice warm hunk of Mystery Coffee Cake!

Spritz Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
3 egg yolks
2.5 cups flour
2/3 cup white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract

Mix together. Spoon dough into cookie press. Press dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar. Bake about 7 minutes at 400 degrees. Watch closely, so the cookies won't burn!

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Mystery Coffee Cake

Step 1:

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tbsp. flour

2 tbsp. melted butter

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Blend together with a fork and set aside.

Step 2:

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 egg

1.5 cups flour

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture, alternating with liquid. Spread half of the butter evenly in a greased and floured 8x8x2 pan. Sprinkle half the filling (Step 1) over the butter. Top with remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining topping. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.

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Susie Clark's Pecan Pie

1 cup Karo Syrup

1 tbsp. butter

1 cup pecans (broken in pieces)

3/4 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

Beat eggs well; mix with sugar. Add remaining ingredients and pour into an unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 or 50 minutes, or until knife comes out clean.