April Contest Winners

[Digg] [Facebook] [MySpace] [Twitter]

Top 10 Spring Cleaning Contest

We asked you to give us must-do’s for this year’s spring cleaning chore list! It made us realize that we have A LOT of work to do in order to have a tidy living space for the summer! Everyone had lots of ways to add to our own list, but the winners are…

Brittany
Deborah
Angela
Nancy
and…. Lucia!

Congratulations winners and thank you to all who added to our chore list this year! You’ll be keeping us very, very busy!

Hug the Planet Writing Contest

We asked Parents for all of the ways that you could contribute to mother nature on Earth Day by writing us a quick note about the ways people can help clean up trash, switch off lights, and stop running water. The entries were inspiring and we hope that everyone thinks about what they can do for Mother Earth, not only on Earth Day, but all year round. The winners are in and we’d like to say a big congratulations to…

Denise
Alena
Katie
Sara
and… Michalle!

Yet again, a big congratulations to all of the esteemed winners. We hope that you enjoy your prizes! A big, big thank you to all who entered- not only from us- but from the Earth too!

Take a look at the next page for the winners of the Floral Arrangements Photo Contest’s beautiful creations!


Add a comment (+)

Two New Contest Winners Announced

[Digg] [Facebook] [MySpace] [Twitter]

As we plunged headlong into Spring we asked you to send us your input on a couple of great springtime themes. Boy did we get some answers. Here are the winners from two of our Spring contests!

Top 10 Baby Food Flavors

And the winners are…

Crystal

Lindsey

Julie

Sandy

Ari

and, last but not least… Jess!

Congratulations to those who won and thank you to all for your wonderful suggestions! We hope the winners enjoy their Webkinz Jr. Orange Cat plush pets!

Best Original Nursery Rhymes

And the winners are…

Tessa-Jane

Jeanene

Noel

Samantha

and, finally, Abigail!

Congrats winners! We hope you have a lot of happiness with your Webkinz Jr. Monkey Plush toys! A warm thanks from us to all of you who entered. It was so hard to choose!

Read Comments (3)
Add a comment (+)

St. Patrick’s Day Contest Winners

[Digg] [Facebook] [MySpace] [Twitter]

We launched two awesome contests in March for the Irish celebration of St. Patrick’s Day! While the competition was stiff the winners were fighting Irish all the way to end. Here are the winners of these two illustrious, all-green, St. Patrick’s Day contests!

Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

Wearing green, eating green, drinking green, and pinching those who aren’t green were among the top rated in the Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions contest.

And the winners are…

Healey

Debby

Ava

Angela

Stephen

Congratulations guys and we hope you enjoy your Virtual Clover Puppies! A tip of the hat and a “top o’ the morning’ to all of you who entered.

St. Patty’s Day Recipe Writing Contest

Some time honored classics, some new twists on old favorites, and some entirely new inventions were included in the entries for the St. Patty’s Day Recipe Writing Contest. We hope everyone dives into these winners’ recipes and has a true Irish cuisine experience. Remember, you don’t have to save the Irish food for St. Patrick’s Day, you can have it all year round!

Julia- Irish Boiled Dinner (Corned Beef)

How to Make It:

  1. Rinse the beef brisket under cold water, and place in a large pot.
  2. Add enough water to cover the roast by 6 inches.
  3. Peel the onions, and place them in the pot with the roast.
  4. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 30 minutes at a rolling boil.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low so that the water is at a gentle boil, cover, and cook for 3 1/2 hours.
  6. Remove the lid from the brisket.
  7. Remove onions, and cut into wedges. Return them to the pot.
  8. Add carrots to the pot, then place the cabbage over the roast.
  9. Place the potatoes on top of the cabbage.
  10. Place the lid back on the pot, and cook for another 30 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
  11. The potatoes should be immersed in the water by now, but if not, keep the lid on so they can steam. Remove the vegetables from the pot, and place in a separate serving bowl. Keep the corned beef in the pot until ready to slice and serve because it dries out quickly.
Emily- Shamrock Pancakes
Recipe Ingredients:
  • 1 container of green food dye
  • 1 container of pancake mix
  • 1 silicon frying pan
  • 1 rubber spatula
  • 1 knife or cookie cutter in the shape of a shamrock
  • 1 teaspoon
  • 1 bottle of cooking oil
How to Make It:
  1. Grease the frying pan.
  2. Preheat the stove. (the time will depend on the brand of the pancake mix.)
  3. Make the pancake mix (the instructions will be different depending on the brand).
  4. Make the pancakes and put it onto the pan.
  5. Add 1-2 tsp of green food dye (this amount will depend on how large the pancake is).
  6. Step 6: Flip the pancake over with the spatula when it dries on the edges.
  7. Step 7: When the pancake is finished cooking, take it out and cut it into the shape of a shamrock/clover (or use a cookie cutter) and enjoy!
Jay- Cabbage Soup
How to Make It:
  1. Heat 2 quarts of chicken broth on the stove.
  2. Chop up a head of cabbage and 3/4 of a pound of carrots. Add veggies to the broth and cook one hour.
  3. Add in 12 ounces of cut mushrooms and one red pepper finely sliced, cook another 1/2 hour.
  4. Add in one pound of cooked chicken cut into small pieces and cook until all veggies are cooked.
  5. Top with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.
Shannon- Irish Soda Bread
  • Oil for the pan
  • 2 c flour, plus additional for the work surface and topping
  • 1/2 t baking soda
  • 1/4 t salt
  • 1/4 c sugar
  • 4 T butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 c plus 1 t buttermilk
How to Make It:
  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Oil and flour a baking sheet, tapping the baking sheet to remove any excess flour.
  3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
  4. Add the cooled butter and 1 3/4 c of buttermilk and mix just until combined and the mixture pulls together to form a very sticky dough.
  5. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead, adding flour as necessary, just until the dough is firm and elastic, 3-4 minutes.
  6. Shape into a round loaf. Rub the top of loaf with 1 t buttermilk and sprinkle lightly with flour.
  7. Using a sharp knife or scissors, cut an X into the top of loaf. Carefully transfer the loaves to the prepared baking sheet. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, until the crust is golden brown.
  8. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool slightly.
Truman- Momma’s Irish Stew
Recipe Ingredients:
  •  1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/4 pounds well-marbled chuck beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 6 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups beef stock or canned beef broth
  • 1 cup of Guinness beer
  • 1 cup of fine red wine
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
  • 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 7 cups)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cups 1/2-inch pieces peeled carrots
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
How to Make It:
  1. Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Lightly salt.
  2. Working in batches if necessary, add the beef (do not crowd the pan, or the meat will steam and not brown) and cook, without stirring, until nicely browned on one side, then use tongs to turn the pieces over.
  3. Continue to cook in this manner until all sides are browned, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute.
  5. Add beef stock.
  6. Add vegetables to beef stew. Simmer 90 mn

Congratulations to all of the winners of the St. Patrick’s Day contests and thanks again to everyone who took the time to enter. We hope you all had a truly grand St. Patrick’s Day! Erin go Bragh! 

1 Comment
Add a comment (+)

Wacky Winter Contest Winners

[Digg] [Facebook] [MySpace] [Twitter]

Well the results are in and we have some fantastic winners for the Wacky Winter Contests!

Top 10 Tips to Keep Cozy

We asked you to let us know your favorite ways to stay warm and cozy over the long winter! Now that winter is behind us, let’s see who had the best ideas for keeping warm!

And the winners are…

Italia

Phoebe

Haley

Jimmy

and… Elizabeth!

Congratulations guys and we hope you enjoy your plush Radiant Rhinos! Thank you to all who entered and we hope to see your entries for the next round of contests!

Winter Wonderland Treats Recipe Writing Contest

Well we had a feeling there were some delicious winter themed treats recipes that we weren’t aware of- and wow were we right! We asked you to share your recipes with us and while there were way too many to try and make each oner, we’ll definitely be trying these top 5 winner’s recipes on next year’s first blustery day!

Rebecca

Quick Easy Mochas: This recipe is perfect for family night or for an adult get together!

How to Make It:

  1. First brew a pot of coffee. (My family likes Butterscotch-toffee flavored by Don Francisco)
  2. In each coffee mug put in a large dollop of caramel syrup, a large dollop of chocolate syrup, a large dollop of half & half, and 1 – 2 tablespoons of sugar (I know but we are going for decadent and rich. NOT calorie counting!).
  3. Pour the coffee into each cup, stir, and enjoy.
  4. If you wish you can add a garnish (marshmallows, mint sprig, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, let your imagination go wild!)
Samantha
My favorite winter treat is Chocolate Snowballs! Here’s how you make them.
Recipe Ingredients:
  • 3/4cup of butter, softened.
  • 3/4cup packed brown sugar.
  • 1 egg,
  • 1/4cup of milk
  • 1teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 2cups of all purpose flour
  • 1/2cup baking cocoa
  • 1teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/2teaspoon salt
  • 1/4teaspoon baking soda
  • Confectioners sugar
How to Make It:
  1. In a large bowl,cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the egg,milk and vanilla and mix well.
  3. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and baking soda and gradually add to creamed mixture.
  4. Cover and refrigerate over night.
  5. Shape into 1in balls place 2in apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  6. Bake at 350 for 7-8 mins, or until tops are cracked.
  7. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  8. Roll in confections sugar.
And there you have Chocolate Snowballs enjoy. YUM!!!
Amanda
Amanda also sent us some Snowballs! It’d be awesome to try both!
Recipe Ingredients:
  • 12 vanilla or chocolate wafer cookies or six 1/2-inch-thick slices of your favorite cake
  • 6 scoops of your favorite ice cream
  • 3 egg whites at room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract chocolate syrup,
  • sprinkles,
  • maraschino cherries
How to Make It:
  1. Break each cookie or slice of cake into small pieces and divide them into six 3-inch ramekins, pressing them to the bottom.
  2. Put a scoop of ice cream into each ramekin and press it level.
  3. Put the ramekins on a cookie sheet in the freezer while you prepare the snow (meringue).
  4. Heat the oven to 500F.
  5. Put the egg whites in a bowl and beat them with an electric mixer until they resemble bubbles.
  6. Add cream of tartar and mix until it looks like shaving cream.
  7. Add one tablespoon of sugar at a time to the mixture.
  8. Next add vanilla extract. continue beating until stiff peaks form.
  9. Spread meringue on the ramekins.bake the ramekins on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes
Julia
No snow? No problem. Whether you live in a Sun Belt state or a wintry climate, your kids can easily build their own mini versions of Frosty.
Recipe Ingredients:
  • Small powdered doughnut
  • Powdered doughnut hole
  • Decorators’ gel
  • Pretzel or potato stick
  • Haviland Thin Mint
  • Reese’s peanut butter cup miniature
How to Make It:
  1. Set a powdered doughnut hole atop a mini powdered doughnut. (For a taller version, use a pretzel stick or a potato stick to secure a second doughnut hole atop the first.)
  2. Use decorators’ gel to add a face, buttons, and a carrot nose. (If the gel won’t stick, try smoothing the powder with a dab of water first).
  3. To add a top hat to a shorter snowman, stick a small piece of a pretzel or potato stick through a Haviland Thin Mint and into a Reese’s peanut butter cup miniature, then secure the hat in place on the snowman.
Kynlee
I am going to show you how to make a Gingerbread Cake.
Recipe Ingredients:
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup hot water
  • Whipped cream, optional
How to Make It:
  1. First you have to preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. (NOT 350!!!!)
  2. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mix ONLY the: flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
  4. In a DIFFERENT bowl, stir together the brown sugar, butter, molasses, egg, and water.
  5. Now add the two bowls together and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about a minute, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
  6. Pour the batter into your pan and bake it for about 40 minutes. If you stick a toothpick in the middle and you pull it out clean, you know it’s done.
  7. You can serve this to 9 or less people.
  8. You can put toppings on it if you want. (I desire whip cream!)
Congratulations to all of the winners! We hope you enjoy your Cuddly Koala Plush pets. A sincere thank you to everyone who entered for making the competition so mouth watering!
1 Comment
Add a comment (+)

Valentine’s Day Contest Winners!

[Digg] [Facebook] [MySpace] [Twitter]

Top 10 Love Songs Contest!

We asked you to tell us your picks for the Top 10 Love Songs and you answered in a chorus!

And the winners are…

Erica

Madison

Nina

Richelle

Mika

Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to all who entered! We hope the winners enjoy their plush Love Monkeys!

Valentine Desserts Photo Contest!

Becky

Megan

Jessica

 Heather

Congratulations to all of the winners! And thank you to all those who sent us your delicious dessert photos! We hope the winners enjoy their plush Eluvants!

1 Comment
Add a comment (+)
Pages 1 of 4»