I've been thinking about the recipes I use primarily at holidays and this one is special.

Divinity is a lot of work and sometimes a failure so I don't make it year round.

Ingredients

* 2 cups sugar
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/3 cup light corn syrup
* 2 egg whites
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup diced candied cherries
* 1/4 cup diced candied pineapple
* 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees F (hard-ball stage). Remove from the heat.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly pour hot sugar mixture over egg whites, beating constantly. Add vanilla and salt. Beat until candy loses its gloss and holds its shape, about 14 minutes. Stir in fruit and nuts.
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

I enter lots of sweepstakes mostly for practical things either I or my family can use. I found this sweep and I would really love to win because after all who can't use a gift card that is just like cash. Travel Sweepstakes Blogger is giving away a $50 AMEX card and you can enter too.

Let me know if you win and I will celebrate vicariously.

Update to Harlem Globetrotters

Well, I won the tickets and took my grandson and his two boys to the event. It was so much fun although prices for concessions are totally unreasonable.

I grew up being a fan of the Harlem Globetrotters. My favorite was Meadowlark Lemon. He was such a clown but boy was he good with the basketball. I never got to see them in person but now, so many years later, I have the chance. They are going to be here in Omaha on April 16 and I'd love to take my grandson and great grandson to see them.
There's a great blog Star Impulse that is giving away tickets to one performance nationwide. I'm entering because I really want to see the Globetrotters and if I can get free tickets, all the better.
Actually anyone can enter by going to the website and I'll even give you the link, but please don't try too hard. I really want those tickets for myself.
Star Impulse
I recommend visitors go to the home page and look at everything Star Impulse has to offer. I'd much prefer you look at the rest of the blog and not pay too much attention to the Globetrotters tickets, okay?

I really need to spend more time working on improving this blog and less time reading everyone else's writings. But how will I ever learn what draws people to a blog unless I read the very successful ones?
I know the first thing I have to do is get this cleaned up and organized.

Super Bowl XLV is just hours away. Which team will win? My daughters are big Green Bay Packers fans and I love Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers so we will be happy with either team.
My prediction is that the Steelers will win 28-21.
If you would like to have a new recliner to watch TV take a look at Leather Recliner and Ottoman here. You can also enter to win a new recliner here Go Recliners.com/

I decided to show some of the quilts I've made. I haven't done anything recently and looking at my pictures it makes me really want to start making quilts again. I have several I've started and put aside and I have enough fabric to make several quilts.

Do you have a favorite quilt design? I like things fairly simple but the neon quilt I made for Tara is definitely the exception. Initially it was supposed to be for a twin bed but Diane kept calling me and saying they had moved her to a bigger bed and I had to keep adding on to make it the right size. I think it turned out pretty well.

Sometimes you run across a really great giveaway. Out Of Debt Again is running one of those right now. I missed out on the first four days of entry but there is still plenty of time to win a very nice prize. Over $800 in prizes are being given away and there is something for everyone. From a Starbucks gift card to a Microsoft Windows upgrade and lots in between I would be thrilled with any of the prizes.
Ending on September 27th so hurry on over and enter.

New Giveaway for a $50 Visa card

Head over to Thrifty Wifey to enter for her latest giveaway. She is reviewing Cora Carolina and their wonderful products. Cora Carolina has some darling handmade dolls and offer so many choices every child can find one they would love.
Along with the review Thrifty Wifey is giving away a $50 Visa gift card. Who couldn't use that! The giveaway ends on 9/27 so don't delay entering.

I'm not doing this blogging thing well

I started this blog to share my love of all kinds of crafts. I planned to post photos of the things I had made and encourage others to try their hand. Instead I've gotten caught up in the contests so many bloggers are posting. I admit I've won some pretty nice things but I think it's time I got back to the real reason I started this.
I've been reading so many posts about pride of accomplishments and I'm realizing I'm not doing what I planned. So give me a couple of days to get some photos and I'll be back with something to show everyone.
This post was inspired by The Follower Appreciation Extravaganza over at In Through The Out Door!

I don't really do well at writing anything except dry boring reports. I nearly failed English comp because I tend to "report" everything instead of making it interesting.

Nevertheless, I decided to participate in Homemaker Honey's giveaway and as a result I am posting 10 random things about me.

1. I love to read, especially murder mysteries
2. I knit and crochet in my spare time
3. I've made several quilts, but only machine stitching, nothing by hand
4. I spend way too much time on the computer
5. Very few people ever realize that I really don't want to talk to them
6. I don't feel old until I realize that my great grandkids are starting middle school - WOW!
7. I just realized that I am now one of those old ladies who shouldn't be wearing shorts in public.
8. I'm a junk food junkie
9. I really want to retire but can't afford to
10. My friends think I'm very lucky at winning things - they don't realize it's my second job :)

That wasn't too hard so maybe I'll get the hang of writing something reasonably interesting eventually.

Want the ability to multi-task just a little easier? Well, we can't give you super powers. But you could win a Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset and feel like a super hero while you get things done. Angie at 5 Vinez Monkeys is giving away a Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset with a rechargeable case that extends talk time to over 15 hours to one lucky winner! To find out more and enter to win this awesome prize, just stop by before 11:59pm ET on May 9th. Don't miss out!

Win a great Henckels knife

Enter a great giveaway for a Zwilling JA Henckels Twin Signature 8" Chef's Knife from CSN Stores at A Bluebonnet in Beantown." linking to this blog post for three extra entries. Please provide a link to your blog.

Kroger Cart Buster Savings Event Review & $25 Gift Card Giveaway

I found this fascinating quote today:

I had the chance to test out an Oreck Halo Vacuum Cleaner. When I received the box I was very excited to take it out of the box and give it a try. Of course all the daycare kids were watching me as I open the big box wondering what was in it. I was really expecting a lot of pieces to put together but I was very surprised. I took it out of the box and the only thing I had to put on was the handle. It was very simple to put on. It also has two attachments and the hose that came with it. Soon as I got the vacuum together I plugged it right in and went ahead and gave it a try. I was very amazed at all the dirt that it got up. I actually saw the dirt vibrating to the vacuum. Here is a look at how the vacuum cleaned…Deborah Wellenstein, You can earn 1 extra entries each for doing any of the following (you must post a separate comment for each one that you do), Feb 2010

You should read the whole article.

Have you tried any nut butters other than peanut butter? The only one I've tried is the one made with hazelnuts (I won't say the brand name because I don't like it). What a difference in taste. I love hazelnuts so I'm not sure why I don't like the nut butter. I want to try the nut butters from MaraNatha
Today you can enter to win coupons for 3 products. You can choose from several different butters including almond and cashew. Head over to Thrify Maven to enter.

If you hurry you can enter to win Caress Beauty Bars at Rockin Mama. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Earn Bonus Box Tops and Help Your Favorite School Even More! To help celebrate the partnership of Kroger Family of Stores and Box Tops for Education on www.RewardYourSchool.com, Angie at 5 Vinez Monkeys is hosting a giveaway on her blog to give one of her readers a $25 Kroger Gift Card. You won't want to miss this giveaway! Stop by before 11:59pm ET on February 19th, get all the details, and enter to win!

The Princess & The Monkey: Fitness Friday: Denise's Daily Dozen by Denise Austin

The Princess & The Monkey: Fitness Friday: Denise's Daily Dozen by Denise Austin

My mattress is over 15 years old. I know I need a new one, but I can't afford one right now so I've tried adding a nice little foam topper. That does help but my body is still telling me that it isn't enough. Well, I've been looking for alternatives. Today I found a possibility! Bizzie Mommie is giving away a new Sealy Posturepedic® Signature 11-Series innerspring mattress to one of her Lucky Readers! I want to be the winner but if it can't be me I'd love for one of my readers to be the lucky winner. Head on over and enter and good luck.

Enter to win a fabulous new Delta faucet at One Project Closer
This thing is a work of art. I can't even imagine having one in my kitchen. I'd probably spend all my time admiring it.

Dirty Little Secrets

I just found a new blog with a great little contest. The prize is a very interesting book called "Dirty Little Secrets". A story of a teen whose mother is a hoarder. I have a tendency to keep things that should be thrown away so I can relate to the embarrassment a child would have if the parent keeps everything and the home is overrun with junk. Take a look at Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm

My Entry For the Kia Sorento Ultimate Road Trip Sweepstakes

If I could take my family on a road trip anywhere it would be to the East Coast. It would have to be a very long trip because I would want to spend several days in every area. I'd like to start in New England. When I was a teenager my mother had a subscription to a magazine and there was a column written by Gladys Taber (I have no idea how I remember the name - it was 50 years ago). That column was so descriptive of the area in all seasons. I think she lived in either Maine or Vermont. I even thought her description of being snowed in for weeks during the winter was wonderful.
Then I would have to stop at all the historical cities, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and on through Virginia and into the Carolinas.
As long as we were in the general area I couldn't miss spending some time in Georgia where a noted art center bears my maiden name. I wonder if I would find any long lost relatives there.
A detour through the beautiful Smoky Mountains would get us headed back toward the midwest and home. I've had this dream for a long time. Perhaps some day I can convince my grandchildren to do all the driving and I'll get my dream road trip.

Ending today is a great giveaway. Save money and be eco-friendly with the Fountain Jet Soda Starter Kit. Using regular tap water you can make your own sodas. Take a look at Because I Said So! Mom Knows Best!

Win $50 cash at Saving Money Plan
Don't wait - enter today.