Recipe Corner: Yummy Granola Bars

Last week I made some delicious granola bars that were so easy to make, I just had to share.  And although it made a pretty good amount, they were gone in less than 2 days.  My sister-in-law and husband were skeptical at first because of the added coconut, but you can't really taste the it.  It just brings a little extra sweetness to this delicious snack. We are hosting my mom's birthday party here next week and I've already had requests to make them again for the party.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sweetened condensed milk, butter, coconut, chocolate chips and cranberries with your hands until well blended. Press flat into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, depending on how crunchy you want them. Lightly browned just around the edges will give you moist, chewy bars. Let cool for 5 minutes, cut into squares then let cool completely before serving.

Affordable Scarves Review and Giveaway

As most of you know, winter and I don't get along very well.  The low temperatures and frigid winds are enough to make me cry (or just whine a lot).  My neighbor often laughs at my girls and I, because during the winter months we wait at the bus stop in our car.  Hey...why be cold if you don't have to?  However, thanks to Afforable Scarves, I now have a fun and stylish scarf to keep the cold at bay.

At "Affordable Scarves you may indulge in high-quality, unique fashion scarves with prices that can't be beat. With their huge variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves, Affordable Scarves is just the answer for any smart shopper. They carry an unbeatable selection of styles, from silk scarves, cashmere scarves, and pashmina scarves to loop scarves, knit scarves, and shawls, with all items priced under $20. Looking for the perfect gift? Try a knit tartan fashion scarf or an animal print silk scarf. Our scarves are the perfect accessory no matter your style or budget. They also offer FREE standard shipping on all orders over $40."

 Affordable Scarves sent me the Apen Extra Long Scarf (shown above) to review.  This long, multi-colored scarf is extra warm and perfect for those extra windy days.  I chose the neutral brown colors because it matches perfectly with most of my outfits and coat, but they also sell they same style in blue.  Affordable Scarves has such a huge selection of scarves, that you are sure to find one that fits your sense of style.

Thanks to the generous people at Affordable Scarves, one lucky reader of Between the Lines is going to win a scarf of their choice.

Mandatory Entry:  Visit Affordable Scarves and leave me a comment telling me your favorite style and color.   Please leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.

Extras: (Remember each entry must have a separate comment and an email address is needed to contact winner.)

~ Follow me on Facebook (5)
~ Follow Affordable Scarves on Facebook (5)

~Follow Between the Lines (2)         

~ Subscribe to my email (2)

~ Grab my button and leave a link of where it’s displayed (5)

~Add me to your Blogroll and leave a link (5)

~ Follow Affordable Scarves on Twitter (2)

~Follow me on Twitter (2)

~ Add my Spotlight Saturday button and leave a link (5)

~Tweet this giveaway leaving me your link. (3x a day not back to back) (1 entry each)

~ Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 each)

~Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link (10)

This giveaway will end on March 1st @10p.m Eastern

Giveaway open to US and Canada only.  Winner will be chosen randomly. An email notification will be sent to the email address provided by the winner. The winner must respond within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in being disqualified and a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary scarf in exchange for my honest review. The opinions & thoughts expressed are my own. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review. Prizes are mailed out by the distributor and Between the Lines cannot be held accountable for prizes not sent

The 2011 Grammy Awards

If you love award shows like I do, you probably watched the Grammy Awards last night. No award show experience is complete without tuning in early to catch the arrival of the stars. The red carpet never fails to fascinate me. It is graced by some of the world’s best singers and actors. They are picked apart by the world’s toughest critics. And it is televised to millions and millions of homes. Despite all this, the stylists’ of the stars still keep their jobs. Take Nicki Minaj, Jenna Ushkowitz, and Florence Welch, for example. How was their stylist able to convince them that the dress they chose worked? Or better yet, why was there no one around to advise them against their own choice. Nicki Minaj was wearing all cheetah print from hair to toes, Jenna Ushkowitz was wearing a dress made out of see through black ribbon, and Florence Welch was wearing an all new swan dress. Then there are those like Lady Gaga who decided nobody needed to see her dresso n the red carpet.  So she made her grand entrance while incubating in a human size egg. Of course, there are always the few good exceptions to the red carpet. The stars that choose to keep it simple (like Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, and even Selena Gomez) never fail to stun their viewers with their classic beauty.

 The Grammys this year was not short on surprising  performances. Lady Ga Ga being born from an egg and Gwyneth Paltrow joining some puppets and a big rainbow chicken are the first that come to mind..Of course, let's not forget Justin Beiber and Will Smith's son up on stage acting like they are in their 30's.   However, after I made it through those performances, I was able to enjoy the rest of the show. I was happy to see artists like Martina McBride, Jennifer Hudson, and Norah Jones give a good old fashion performance without all the glitz and glamour. I know it is fun to show your creative side, but sometimes musical artists get a little bit out of control. What were your thoughts on the show last night? Loved it? Hated it? Seen Better?

Grab a Latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Cool Gear International Review and Giveaway

Everywhere you look today, people are on the go.  Whether on the way to work or traveling for vacation, most of us find ourselves stopping at a fast food restaurant for a quick bite to eat or even to grab a quick cup of coffee.  Of course we all know that eventually that fast food is going to find its way to our hips and thighs and those disposable coffee cups are going to overrun the landfills, but sometimes the convenience seems worth the price.  Thanks to Cool Gear International, we now have an alternative choice.  Cool Gear International creates innovative products for today's busy lifestyle.

StayFit Deluxe Cereal Kit

Cool Gear has ten great lines of products that are designed to fit almost every need.  I was sent a bowl from the EZ-Freeze StayFit line and a mug from the eco2go line.  The moment I saw the StayFit Deluxe Cereal Kit, I knew that it would be perfect for my husband.  He is up, moving, and commuting 3 hours to work every morning by 5am.  Most days he just skips breakfast, but other days he grabs a quick bite from the fast food joint in his office building.   As a family, we try to maintain a healthy diet, but mornings are often too crazy for him.  With the StayFit Deluxe Cereal Kit, I can pack him a healthy breakfast the night before and he can just grab it and save it for when he gets to the office.  The top of the kit contains a non-toxic, BPA free, freezer gel that will keep his milk cold until he is ready to eat.  The kit even includes a folded spoon that will make sure you are never without.

Cool Gear International also sent me the above mug from their eco2go line.  This reusable, eco-friendly mug, hold 16.9 oz of hot or cold liquid.  Not only is it great for travel, but it also has all the conveniences of a regular mug.  With the lid off, it microwavable and it is also dishwasher safe.  I love that it is leak proof and cool to the touch, even straight out of the microwave. The Cool Gear products can be purchased online at the Cool Gear Store, or at many local retailers.  I've just recently bought a EZ-Freeze Water Filtration bottle from their Pure line at my local grocery store.

Thanks to the generous folks at Cool Gear International, one lucky reader will win an StayFit Deluxe Cereal Kit and sn eco2go mug (in blue or brown). 

Mandatory:  Check out the wide range of Cool Gear products, and let me know which one you would like to try. Please remember to leave you email address so I can contact you if you win.
Extras: (Remember each entry must have a separate comment and an email address is needed to contact winner.)
~ Follow Cool Gear on Twitter (2)
~ Like Cool Gear on Facebook (2)
~ Follow Between the Lines on Facebook (5)
~Follow Between the Lines (3)
~ Subscribe to my email (5)
~ Grab any of my buttons and leave a link of where it’s displayed (5)
~Add me to your Blogroll and leave a link (5)
~Follow me on Twitter (2)
~Tweet this giveaway leaving me your link. (3x a day not back to back) (1 entry each)
~ Enter any of my other current giveaways (1 each)
~ Grab my Twitter Hop or Blog Hop button and leave a link (3 each)
~Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link (10)

This giveaway will end on February 28th @10p.m Eastern

*This giveaway is open to US and Canada only. Winner will be chosen randomly. An email notification will be sent to the email address provided by the winner. The winner must respond within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in being disqualified and a new winner will be chosen.  

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary bowl and mug  in exchange for my honest review. The opinions & thoughts expressed are my own. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review. Prizes are mailed out by the distributor and Between the Lines cannot be held accountable for prizes not sent

 

NOVICA Winner!

Congratulations to heartnsoulcooking!  You are the winner of the NOVICA $35 giveaway!  Out of 366 entries, heartnsoulcooking won with comment #52, "Grabbed your button and added it to my side bar".  The winner has 48 hours to claim her prize or another winner will be randomly selected.  Thanks to everyone who entered and a HUGE thanks to NOVICA for sponsoring such a fun giveaway!

Silent Sunday

This is my baby's work station while Mommy is working.  She has everything from puzzles, to crayons, paints, and games!