Back To School Sale on The Bingo Book!

Hey Ladies, in celebration of back-to-school I am having a SALE on both the hard back and soft back copies of Bingo's Big Adventure. This is a children's book which can proudly say I wrote and published.


I know many of you have children to whom you read, so this slight diversion from aprons may be just the thing for this time of year.

For hardback books the price is currently reduced from the list price by $2.00 and the softback book by $1.00. As Bingo's Big Adventure is already competitively priced that brings the cost down to $13.99 for a hardback and $7.99 for a soft back.

Inside this colorful story of a curious cat you can find an action adventure for your kids. This book is suitable for ages 3 to 8 . . . and adults have been buying it for them selves too.

Apparently, it is making a great addition to coffee tables. Within the pages of Bingo's Big Adventure, there are great photos and a lively story line which introduces NEW words to children.

Bingo said during his last post, ". . . if you want your kids to learn new words, let them hang out with me. If you need some background, there is an excellent study explaining the importance of new words to kids HERE.


Bingo continued to explain, "While I appear casual and relaxed for my daily grooming, I am really thinking of new words that should be introduced to children. I want kids to have a BIG vocabulary. It makes their minds grow!"

Then he thought, "I guess I should have been wearing an apron for this post... Drat. Next time I will ask for a cat sized apron."

"As I lay between the corn rows contemplating what new words I could use, I realize that it was not long ago that I was taller than the corn . . . but I digress."


Then Bingo was heard to say, "I was thinking about what vocabulary enriching text I could use in my next book . . . Hmmmm."


Then going off on a tangent Bingo explained, "I think kids get bored after a while with the same "ole" word set. For most kids my book will seamlessly merge into the family library. For other kids who are not quite ready for my word empowerment, then the adult humans should wait until those kids are a little bigger before letting them dig into my thoughts!

So with all things, parents are crucial in implementing a reading program that broadens children's exposure to new words. If you want your kids to grow their minds, read books like Bingo's Big Adventure to them! It will make reading a treat and expand their vocabulary at the same time.

And remember your purchase supports a women owned business and independent author and publisher. If nothing else check it out and spread the word.

Thanks!!!

Bye for now Apron Goddesses.

I've Been Making Whoopie.....

Lots of whoopee. Whoopee in the morning, whoopee mid day, and whoopee in the evening. Can't get enough whoopee!

.....Whoopee Pies that is!

I love chocolate chip cookies so I thought I would try these first.

Chocolate Chip Whoopee Pies
by: Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell

Ingredients:
2 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 tbs. vegetable shortening
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 tbs. milk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. mini chocolate chips

*Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
*Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt onto a sheet of waxed paper (I skipped this step)
*In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter, shortening, and both sugars and beat until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the buttermilk and beat until combined.
*In a measuring cup, combine the milk, baking soda, and vinegar. Add the milk mixture to the batter along with the flour mixture and beat on low until just combined. Add the vanilla and beat on medium for about 2 minutes, until completely combined.
*Using wooden spoon, stir in chocolate chips until incorporated.
*Using a spoon, drop about 1 tbs. of batter onto one of the prepared baking sheets and repeat, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes each, or until the cakes begin to brown. Remove from oven an dlet the cakes cool on the sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.

Makes about 48 2-inch cakes.

Classic Marshmallow Filling:

1 1/2 c. Marshmallow Fluff
1 1/4 c. vegetable shortening
1 c. confectioners' sugar
1 tbs. vanilla extract

*In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the Marshmallow Fluff and the vegetable shortening, starting on low and increase to medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low, add the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla, beat until incorporated. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes more.

Personally? I wasn't too thrilled with the Marshmallow Fluff center. It was fine the first day when it set, but the next day? Not so great. Next time I am going to give butter cream filling a try.

Cupcake Provocateur? Yes! It's time for a Giveaway.

Morning Apron Goddesses!

Are you ready for a new giveaway to double cross your fingers about?

If not, you should.

Cynthia at The Cupcake Provocateur has offered your choice of a hostess apron for the current giveaway.

I happen to have an apron from CP. I use it first out of all my aprons...


I was recently wearing it while "frosting" my son's birthday cake. And YES. I forgot to unplug the mixer before this stupid frosting tasting maneuver. But I lucked out and did not chop off my tongue . . .


But at the Cupcake Provocateur store, I currently am loving these aprons:

This is the Cindy Apron-Rag Doll. You will see upon visiting this store that Cynthia has designed Retro & Vintage Inspired Aprons and Housewares for the Haute` Hostess!

There are cooks aprons, half aprons, children's aprons, gifts and more at The Cupcake Provocateur. With all the gorgeous aprons, it's just a matter of choosing which one you like best that is the challenge.

My next favorite is the Cindy Apron-Homemade Cupcakes in Blue. I don't have any blue aprons so maybe I should think about one of these for my next addition....Hmmm.

With colors to match your mood and whim and a touch of a little more...you will be sure to find just what you are looking for in aprons at this wonderful store!

Now to enter this giveaway you need to hop over to The Cupcake Provocateur and browse the apron selection. Come back here to TAG and make a comment about the hostess apron that you would like to win. That will give you one entry into the giveaway.

You can gain one more entry if you join up or already follow The Cupcake Provocateur Blog!

For five extra entries into the drawing create a blog post about this giveaway, leaving your permalink in your comment. Be sure to mention this in your entry.

And for 10 extra, bonus chances at winning send in a picture of you or a family member wearing an apron and a few words about you and your apron. Give me the dirt! Leave a comment that you are sending in a photograph too! (Contact is above) No headless apron wearers please!! We will write up your "apron-ography" in the weeks to come.

Closes September 9, 2010

Winner....Here winner, winner, winner.... of the Apron from Sugar 'n Spice Aprons

Hello Ladies!!!

I have a winner of an apron. An apron from Sugar 'n Spice Aprons! It looks like this:

Super cute if I am aloud to say so myself.

And the winner is number 45 as spit out by the random number generator for this drawing. And this means that Maria D at Downright Domesticity is the winner. But seeing as how she is expecting a baby very soon, the apron might not get used right away.

I was over at her blog and saw her husband trying out baby stuff.

He was not exactly using things correctly. But at least he is trying...

Well he made me laugh and I think you might laugh too.


Please go and say congratulations to Maria D and her very funny husband at her blog Downright Domesticity. And you can also wish her best of luck with the new baby!!

A little apron art and poetry

I was digging through some of my old photos and found this. I believe this photo was taken for a TAG contest last summer. I just love it! It would be great to frame it and hang it in my kitchen someplace.

I also found this wonderful apron poem today and just had to share!

Grandma's Apron
courtesy of cowboyfun.com

When I used to visit Grandma.
I was very much impressed,
by her all-purpose apron,
and the power it possessed.
She used it for a basket,
when she gathered up the eggs,
and flapped it as a weapon,
when hens pecked her feet and legs.
She used it for a hot pad,
to remove a steaming pan,
and when her brow was heated,
she used it for a fan.
It dried our childish tears,
when we'd scrape a knee and cry,
and made a hiding place
when the little ones were shy.
Farm produce took in season,
in the summer, spring and fall,
found its way into the kitchen
from Grandma's carry all.

Wishing you a most wonderful weekend!

Kim -theUngourmet

Apron God and Goddess: Yes it's a Matched Pair

Good Morning Apron Goddesses! Here's a treat today...it's an apron-ography from a husband and wife with matching aprons. And with the rapidly approaching holiday season this may give you some ideas for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Matching husband and wife aprons anyone?? I am seeing some potential in my own home....


Ellen wrote, "My husband and I live about 400 miles away from my family, and Hubby's family is typically out of the country. We're always traveling for Christmas and we have a busy fall due to college football season. So several years ago we decided we'd just do Thanksgiving at our place with our kids. Whoever shows up eats with us. One time we got Chinese food with Hubby's parents. The year after we first hosted Hubby's parents and brother for traditional Thanksgiving they gave us these matching aprons for Christmas.

The year of this photo my mom came up, and at the last moment we hosted an Indian couple from my husband's work. Plus our then 1-year-old.

Although it's all but impossible to avoid the holiday shuffle, trying to see all parents, siblings, step-siblings, cousins, etc, we've gotten back a bit of the season by declaring we're staying home for Thanksgiving!"

Ellen blogs over at Stuff Growing. Please give her a holler and say good morning. Every body likes to have some comment love.

Thank you Ellen for sharing your photo and story!

Thank you Ellen for sharing your story.

Nature's Goodness

Good Day Apron Goddesses! Suzi here. We received a four pack sampler of honey from Mohawk Valley Trading Co. I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Love the just about anything that involves sugar! So what better way to enjoy it than in it's rawest and most natural form?

Here are the jars of raw honey, from Mohawk Valley Trading Co. The package contained orange blossom, apple blossom, Adirondack wildflower, and Maine wild blueberry blossom honeys. The flavor's of these honeys are hinted with the flower from which the bees gathered nectar and pollen.

This honey is: Pure, Unpasteurized,Unfiltered, Unprocessed, Unheated, Unblended, Gourmet Wildflower Honey.

This morning I decided to have it on my butter milk hotcakes. I typically dress hotcakes in Agave Nectar, but decided to try out the Raw Orange Blossom Honey. It tasted quite good, complemented the other flavors in the hotcakes. I could taste a hint of the orange trees the bees raided their pollen from. The taste of this one resembles the taste of honey purchased in the grocery stores.

I figured if the Orange Blossom tasted that good then the Apple Blossom must taste just as good. I did what any person who loves honey does....I grabbed a spoon and dipped it right in. The Apple Blossom Honey has a drier taste to it, but I could taste a bit of the apples it was derived from. I am imagining what I might enjoy it with....a cup of tea, an English muffin, cornbread, added to salad dressing and the list goes on. I am quite satisfied with both jars of honey.

Julia prefers to use this delicious honey on her wheat toast while working on the blog in the morning. As you can see by the lack of honey in the jar, this Main wild blueberry blossom honey is very popular in her house. Julia's kids love this stuff too.

These honeys are very delicately flavored and are really great used full strength to accent the foods you eat. We highly recommend the Mohawk Valley Trading Co. honey products as they are very high quality and are of course, made in the USA!!

Lucy is An Awesome Apron Goddess!!!

Yes, I used three exclamation points in the title, but because of THIS:

This Apron Goddess is Lucy who blogs at Closer To Lucy.

Lucy wrote, "As the self proclaimed Queen of Everything without the palace, the jewels, power, money, or the glam, I’m always in search of ways to indulge my inner Diva; this includes the kitchen. Even if dinner is just a bottle of wine, a night on the town, opening a box of instant dinner, or an entire day making kitchen magic, this (in my mind) countess loves to play dress up; accessories make it all happen, if that means heal, hose, and an occasional crown then so be it!"

Thank YOU Lucy for sharing your Apron Goddess spirit! I love it!

Do You Know What These Are?

Happy Weekend Apron Goddesses!

We celebrated my son's birthday today and I just HAD to share the cupcakes I made. I love the pirate cupcake liners I found in the grocery store. They really saved me and provided a great base on which to plan the colors of the frosting.


I went all out and did a chocolate and vanilla cupcake, filling part of the liner with each mix. Then I did a cream cheese frosting and mixed orange and white frosting to get a swirl effect.


Those frosting sleeves (frosting applicator tubes) are not as easy to use as you'd think. I made quite a mess, but I persevered. And I think Wyatt loved his cupcakes. Maybe his friends too!

What else do we do at our house during a party?

Well it pretty much comes down to John Deere.

The John Deere lawn mower that is.

We let the kids take turns driving around our property towing the other kids in a little wagon.


Then the next kid gets a chance. They all get to drive a big loop around our five-acre property.

I think everyone had a fun time.

Well that's what I like to think! I liked this photo because if you knew nothing else, based only on the teeth it's easy to age these little women! They've got the six year old smile!

It's an Apron Giveaway Sponsored by Sugar 'n Spice Aprons

Sugar 'n Spice Aprons has generously sponsored the newest giveaway at The Apron Goddesses, and it is one that will surely make you smile to wear it! This apron is called the Clara and it's half smock, half apron! The Clara is cute and simple, with two pockets on the front, wrap around ties at the waist, and a button closure in the back.

At Sugar 'n Spice Aprons you can find quality retro and vintage inspired aprons which have been constructed to suit every lifestyle and age group. Owner Danielle says, "My aprons are flirty with a retro flair. These are for the lady looking to spice up her daily chores."

Danielle also wrote, "If you're a working mom who needs an apron for function or fashionista who wants one to wear over jeans as a great accessory (oh yeah, people do it!), I am sure that you will find an apron to match your personal style among my creations. All my aprons are original designs!"

My favorite apron from Sugar 'n Spice Aprons is the retro 50's full bib flared Dorothy!

What's yours??

Now to enter this giveaway you need to hop over to Sugar 'n Spice Aprons and browse the apron selection. Come back here to TAG and make a comment about your favorite item. That will give you one entry into the giveaway.

For five extra entries into the drawing create a blog post about this giveaway, leaving your permalink in your comment. Be sure to mention this in your entry.

And for 10 extra, bonus chances at winning send in a picture of you or a family member wearing an apron and a few words about you and your apron. Give me the dirt! Leave a comment that you are sending in a photograph too! (Contact is above) No headless apron wearers please!! We will write up your "apron-ography" in the weeks to come.

Giveaway closes August 20, 2010. Good luck!!

How 'Bout Them Blueberries?

I like to get magazines that talk about nutrition and fitness. One of them is Shape. While I don't have subscription to this particular one, I will buy one on occasion. The last one I bought was the July issue and it has an awesome, healthy blueberry muffin recipe and I am going to share it with you.

Better Blueberry Muffins



For the muffins:
1 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 c. plus 2 tbs. sugar, divided
1/2 c. quick cooking oats (not instant)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. plus 2 tbs. lowfat buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tbs. canola oil (I used applesauce instead)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 c. fresh blueberries, washed and dried

For the topping:
1/4 c. blueberry all fruit spread (I used blueberry jam, it's all I had on hand)
24 fresh blueberries, washed and dried.

Preheat oven to 375. Combine flour, 1/2 c. sugar, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, oil, and vanilla. Toss blueberries with flour mixture and stir gently. Line a 12 count muffin pan with paper liners (or spray with nonstick cooking spray). Divide batter evenly; sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake 12-15 minutes or until tops are set. Remove from oven; top each muffin with 1 tsp. fruit spread and 2 blueberries. Bake 3-5 minutes more or until golden. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and serve.

So tie on your apron and get to baking! You will enjoy these moist little morsels.