- Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

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This is a Fashionista Event and a promotional item was provided to me by Sweetworks. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde after all these Years and ModlyChic.

sweetworks candy giveaway

Autumn is in the air, and it is officially fall. I love this time of year because the temps cool down, and I can bake good things to eat and not swelter in the kitchen. I especially love gingerbread, and I have a quick and easy gingerbread cake recipe for you, using Sweetworks Pearls in Autumn colors to dress it up.

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Easy Gingerbread Cake

1 package of your favorite gingerbread cake or cookie mix

OR 1 batch of your favorite gingerbread cake or cookie recipe, gluten free or regular, such as this one I found for gluten free gingerbread.

1 container of cream cheese frosting mix, or 1 batch of your favorite cream cheese frosting

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 container of Sweetworks Pearls in autumn colors

Mix up and bake the gingerbread according to package or recipe instructions. Let it cool completely. Open the container of cream cheese frosting, or mix up a batch using your recipe. Add 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice and stir until mixed in well. Frost the gingerbread cake with the Pumpkin Pie Spice Cream Cheese frosting. Add on a generous amount of Sweetworks Pearls, and you will have a not so ordinary gingerbread cake that looks as good as it tastes!

Pumpkin Spiced Gingerbread Cake dressed up for Autumn with Sweetworks Pearls

Sweetworks wants to make it even easier for you to decorate your home and your baked goods with their pretty autumn colors, by giving away 25 prize packs of their candies, each worth $50! Each of 25 bloggers, including me, will be giving one away. You can enter the giveaway here on Fabgrandma by using the Giveaway tools form below. Then, be sure to scroll all the way down, to the linky, where you will find the links to all the bloggers participating in this great giveaway! Enter them all for 25 chances to win!

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Good luck! You can enter every day from now thru October 16th at 12:01 a.m.! Just look at all the goodies included in the prize pack:

Foiled Semi-Solid Turkey 1 $ 2.00
Harvest Sixlets Laydown Bag 1 $ 2.00
Milk Pumpkin Spice BAP 1 $ 3.00
Dark Orange BAP 1 $ 3.00
Caramel Apple Gumballs Bag 1 $ 4.00
Autumn Mix Gumballs Bag 1 $ 3.00
Autumn Mix Pearls Jar 1 $ 4.00
Autumn Mix Sixlets Bag 1 $ 4.00
Mint Ovation Sticks 1 $ 3.00
Orange Ovation Sticks 1 $ 3.00
Sixlets Bowling Coupons 2 $ 12.00
3705 Sixlets 9oz Bag 1 $ 3.00
Halloween Mix Sixlets Bag 1 $ 1.00
Foiled Milk Choc.Hall. Balls 1 $ 3.00
Jack-O-Lantern Discs 1 $ 3.00
TOTAL $ 53.00 * Substitutions are at the company’s discretion but value will be $50 or over

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Here’s the linky to use to enter all the other giveaways in this campaign!

An InLinkz Link-up

Decorating 101: Opening Up A Small Space

Karen · 1 Comment

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Whether you’re a student, a single professional or you’ve just got a small, irregular space to contend with in your home, decorating in cramped quarters can be quite a challenge. Here are a few tips to open up that space and make it your own.

Paint

Paint should be kept monochromatic; the more confusion in the room, the more crowded it will seem. You can either use light, airy colors, or choose one bold, dark color, but limit it to one wall; the remaining walls can either be painted white or an extremely light shade of the darker wall. If you’re going with the dark wall, make sure it’s a wall at the long side of the room, or the wall facing the interior of the home, depending on how the room is laid out.

For example, if you have a small, rectangular room, and the walls on either side of the entrance are longer than the wall that faces you as you enter the room, paint the facing wall the darker shade. if it is a square-shaped room, or a rectangular space that is off to the side, like a niche, paint the wall facing toawrd the center of the home the darker shade.

Furniture

The furniture should fit the room, not overwhelm it. Any larger pieces, like sofas, should have either a solid color or small designs if it’s a printed fabric. Chairs and tables should have an open design.

Finishing touches

Once you have your painting done and your furniture in place, this where the fun begins. Objects d’art open up a smaller area if the are metallic or another reflective surface. Another idea to make the room seem larger is to use mirrors on the wall instead of paintings or photos. Don’t clutter the room; one or two interesting objects, or small groupings of objects, work best. For lighting control and to enhance the space further, consider motorized shades installations in the Alpharetta area (or a local service near you) to provide even lighting and maintain a clean, modern aesthetic. If your sofa is a solid color, you can go for bold prints on the accent pillows. Light should be even throughout the space to avoid shadows.

Buying home decor and furniture items online can risky; you never really know what you’re getting when you only see a stock photo or read a brief description. Visual customer feedback, like Balsam Hill Video reviews, offer a better way to gauge a business. They allow customers to show you details about their experience with a company, rather than just giving a text review. If the review is conducted by the company itself, it will give customers a much better sense of that business than a static review.

Join C-Space and Become An Adviser to Brands

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This is a sponsored post. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

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Ever wish you could share an idea directly with a brand to help create positive change? C Space specializes in bringing the customer and the brand closer together, so they can create impactful growth with their combined opinions and ideas.

You’re invited by C Space to join one of their newest, private online communities, where you can be an adviser to all your favorite brands, like Twitter, Unilever, Colgate, or Godiva (to name a few). Interact with others like you, engage in activities, surveys and discussions that interest you, and earn Amazon gift codes for your participation.

HarborWalk Village in Destin, Florida: Brandcation #FinalDESTINation15

Karen · 1 Comment

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I told y’all about the fabulous condominiums, Emerald Grande at Harbor Walk Village, where our accomodations were for Brandcation: #FinalDESTINATION15. Emerald Grande all by itself would be a wonderful place to stay, but when you add in Harbor Walk Village, it becomes a grand vacation. You don’t even have to leave the resort: They have everything to do to keep you busy whether you are two or ninety-two.

There was a great view at Margaritaville at HarborWalk Village

After I got checked in, I was hungry for some seafood, so a couple of the other girls and a I went over to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Restaurant at HarborWalk Village. It is just a short walk from the Emerald Grande lobby. We soon had too many people for our table for four, so we moved to a bigger spot. I had a delicious Last Tango In Paris drink, that was made with mango and rum and some other things. It didn’t last long!

Last Tango in Paris drink at Margaritaville at HarborWalk Village

For lunch, I ordered the Shrimp Louis Wedge Salad. A great combination of wedges of lettuce, grilled shrimp skewers, avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, capers and hard-boiled eggs served with paradise island dressing. It was more than I could possibly eat, and I tried really hard to eat it all, LOL!

With a wide variety of salads, burgers, desserts, and entrees, you are sure to find at least one of your favorites on the menu at Margaritaville. They have a pretty nice Gluten Free and Vegetarian Menu as well.

Margaritaville is not the only restaurant at HarborWalk Village. There are several more, including 10 On The Harbor; Crab Island Cantina; and LaFamiglia On The Harbor. For a complete list of places to find food and drink at HarborWalk, check out the list here.

Leaving the boardwalk at HarborWalk Village

I wish we had had time to do more activities because there are so many things to do at HarborWalk Village. Whether you want to rent a kayak, laying the sun on a private beach, splash in a swimming pool, get a temporary tattoo, go deep sea fishing or on a dolphin cruise, you will find a place to do that, and more. And of course there are many shops to explore if your favorite pass time happens to be shopping. We did get a chance to visit the private beach. We took a shuttle boat over to there. The view was fantastic!

There were beach towels and cold drinks available on the boat, and beach chairs and umbrellas set up waiting for us on the beach. It was really nice to have this service available. For someone like me, who has never been to a private beach, it was so fun. Here I am at sitting in a lounge chair enjoying the day:

Sitting in my lounge chair at the beach, enjoying the lazy hour or so.

The shuttle boat runs every half hour from the time the beach opens in the morning until it closes at night. Check at the dock for times. I was able to stay about an hour or so, before the sky threatened to fall on us. We took the boat back to HarborWalk, and had time to take a shower and a very short nap before our next adventure.

The shuttle boat came back all too soon.

What activities would you plan to do if you were going to Emerald Grande and HarborWalk Village in Destin?

Fall Update For The Garden

Karen · 9 Comments

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I haven’t updated you on my garden lately, so this is a good time to do that. I found a nursery nearby that sells fabulous plants. I picked up several fall vegetable plants, and Fabgrandpa spent several afternoons cleaning out the summer plants that were dying out, and re-potting the new ones. The one above is Rainbow Swiss Chard. It is a beautiful plant that tastes really good. I steam it and we either eat it just like that with a little butter and salt, or I add it in with some stir fried chicken and garlic. Either way, it is delicious. Four plants will provide two or three meals a week for a couple of months, until we get a freeze. And then, if I a quick enough to cover them up, it should still produce for a while longer.

In addition to the chard, we got some broccoli, some kale, and some Brussels sprouts. We love all of these, and are hoping they will mature in the 48 days the tags indicate. I use kale to make a fantastic kale and sausage soup. The broccoli will either be steamed or stir fried; and the Brussels sprouts will be steamed or roasted. These veggies also make pretty plants, so our little garden will look so good once they get growing.

This geranium was a really good investment for our porch garden. It has bloomed all summer, and is still blooming its little heart out. I just go out there with the kitchen shears every now and then and cut off the dead blooms, give it a does of Miracle Grow, and she takes off again. Fabgrandpa is planning to bring it in the house when cold weather comes to see if he can get it to come back in the spring.

Fabgrandpa’s Moss Rose is still blooming, too. Today was overcast, so it closed up the blooms early, but on sunny days, it is still a wow factor on our porch. We’ll get another one in the spring. This one has brought us a lot of joy over the summer months.

We pulled out most of the petunias to make room for the fall vegetables, but we kept this little pot going because it is so pretty. If you are thinking of planting a garden, on a porch or in the ground next spring, get a few petunia plants and you’ll have blooms every day.

The Dinosaur Kale has large, rumpled leaves, and is a dark green color. It is sometimes called Lacinato Kale. I like this kind better than the ruffly, lighter green kind because it is not as bitter. Once the plant gets started, you cut off the outer leaves as they grow, and it makes more and more. I can’t wait to get a bunch of it so I can make a pot of sausage and kale soup.

Fabgrandpa's Maidenhair Fern — Fabgrandpa’s Maidenhair Fern

Fabgrandpa has been looking for a nice Maidenhair Fern for a few months. He found this one at the same nursery where we found the vegetable plants. It is an indoor plant, but on nice days it goes out and sits on the porch rail to get some sunshine.

This is Destiny Broccoli. The tag says it takes 48 days to mature. That means in just a little over a month, we’ll have a head of fresh picked broccoli to add to a pan of stir fried chicken and garlic. I add some Chinese Five Spice Powder, some basil, salt and pepper, and serve over rice with soy sauce.

Putting together this makeshift raised garden was one of the best things we have done since I became disabled. It has provided a little bit of fresh vegetables over the summer, and will give a little more during the fall months, but mostly, it has been a great source of pleasure and pride for both of us. We had forgotten how nice it is to have plants growing around us. Gardening is such good therapy. If you have a disability that has prevented you from pursuing a garden, find a way to make one next spring, or right now for fall. It will raise your spirits tremendously.

How could you stay depressed if you had flowers like this right outside your door?

Once more look at that geranium.

And one more look at those lovely petunias. How could you stay depressed with flowers like this right outside your door? Do you have a fall garden planned? What are you planting in it?

Ideas For Columbus Day Getaways

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There are so many places I want to go, and add more to my “bucket list” all the time. Here is a short list of places I would love to go on a three day weekend:

Beachside Retreat at Wild Dunes Resort- Charleston, SC

Nestled on the northern tip of Isle of Palms located 30 minutes from historic downtown Charleston, Wild Dunes Resort, A Destination Hotel, is offering Columbus Day savings of 25% off nightly rates at the Boardwalk Inn or Village at Wild Dunes. In addition, guests receive an extra $25 resort credit per night to enjoy. Offering a year-round menu of championship golf, nationally-ranked tennis, award-winning recreation, watersports, spa services and restaurant options, Wild Dunes Resort is the ideal location for a Columbus Day getaway. For more information, please visit www.wilddunes.com or call 866.359.5593.

Explore Bristol Package- Bristol, RI

This Columbus Day Weekend, travelers can discover the charming seaside town of Bristol, Rhode Island, with the “Explore Bristol Package” from The Bristol House Bed & Breakfast. Bristol is the quintessential coastal New England city and one of the state’s most prominent and picturesque boating communities and historic seaside towns. The “Explore Bristol Package” starts at $659 per night, for two people and includes a two-night stay at The Bristol House Bed & Breakfast in a deluxe room, two “Bristol Explorer Multi-Attraction Passes,” shopping discounts for local boutiques and spas, $50 dining certificate to local restaurants and choice of a full day kayak or bicycle rental. For more information, please visit www.bristolhousebnb.com or call 401.396.9066.

Guitarist Quinn Sullivan- Paducah, KY

Since the age of seven, Quinn Sullivan, the sixteen year old guitarist, has been sharing stages with legendary players like Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Los Lobos, Joe Bonamassa and BB King at iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, and Red Rocks. This Columbus Day Weekend, he brings his performance to the Clemens Fine Arts Center in Paducah, Kentucky on Oct. 10 at 7:30 pm. Situated in Western Kentucky, halfway between Nashville and St. Louis, Paducah is vibrant and sophisticated, culturally rich and full of flavor. For tickets to Quinn Sullivan or for more information, please visit www.artsinfocus.org or call 270.534.3212.

Narmada Winery- Amissville, VA

Guests can relax and enjoy great company and culture during Columbus Day Weekend at Narmada Winery and Vineyard. The vineyard’s annual weekend-long celebration gives guests a taste of Virginia’s booming music scene, along with some local craft wine. The celebration kicks off Friday, Oct. 9 and features a tasteful mix of Rock, Country and Blues with musical performances by Mosby Territory and Aubrey Driggers. For more information, please visit www.narmadawinery.com or call 540.937.8215.

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours- Natchez, MS

For two weeks each fall (Sept. 25-Oct. 12), the doors to some of Natchez’s most historic homes are put on display for touring and entertainment for the public. Ideal for a Columbus Day weekend getaway, nineteen antebellum mansions will feature costumed guides, acting as family friends and descendants of the original owners. Each house is filled with 18th and 19th century furnishings, porcelain, clothing, tools and documents. Tickets start at $10 for children and $15 for adults. For more information on Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, please visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com or call 800.647.6742.

Pirates of the High Seas Fest- Panama City Beach, FL

Situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches boarding emerald-green waters, Florida’s Panama City Beach is hosting the Pirates of the High Seas Fest during Columbus Day weekend Oct. 9-11. A chance for those young at heart to embrace their inner pirate, guests can participate in costume contests and protect the beloved city from invading pirates. To get a closer look at last year’s Fest, check out this video on MSN.com. For more information, please visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/piratesofthehighseas or call 800.233.6503.

Ziplining at Nantahala Outdoor Center- Bryson City, NC

There is no better way to see fall foliage this Columbus Day weekend than while soaring through the air on one of Nantahala Outdoor Center’s five zip line courses. NOC offers a handful of aerial and zip line adventures and the signature course is NOC’s Mountaintop Zip Line Tour. Perched on the rim of the Nantahala Gorge and over 500-feet above the Nantahala River, this course features 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the river below. Zipline tours begin at $49.99 per person and can be combined with NOC rafting trips, creating a full day of fun and adventure through North Carolina’s fall foliage. For more information, please visit www.noc.com or call 828.366.7502.

Would any of these places be on your list of places you want to see? Which one?

Hamilton Beach Wave Action Blender Review and Giveway

Karen · 42 Comments

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This post is brought to you by Hamilton Beach

I loved reviewing this blender from Hamilton Beach. It has loads of power and is a durable blender that easily makes smoothies or shakes, and it’s also great for making soups, sauces, or salsa. Ordinary blenders spin contents around the walls of the jar, which can leave whole chunks untouched by the blades. The Hamilton Beach Wave~Action® System is designed to continually force the mixture down into the blades for consistently smooth results. They have been making blenders for over a hundred years, so they know a thing or two about blenders.

Wave Action Blender from Hamilton Beach.

To fully test out the blender, I decided to make a some frozen pops and a smoothie, and add some baby carrots to them, just to see how smooth the Wave Action could make them. Here is the list of ingredients I used:

1 banana

1/2 cup fresh raspberries

2 containers greek yogurt, any flavor (I used Raspberry and Strawberry Banana)

2 cups coconut milk

1/3 cup Splenda

1/2 cup baby carrots

I put all the ingredients into the blender, placed the lid on, and let her spin! In just about 15 seconds, I had a very smooth and tasty concoction to pour into my frozen pop cups. I poured the rest into two glasses for me and Fabgrandpa to drink for a quick afternoon snack. There were no lumps at all, and Fabgrandpa didn’t even know I added carrots to it. That’s a pretty sneaky way to add some veggies into someone’s diet if they are a picky eater.

The smoothie also makes great frozen pops.

Here is a list of features of the Hamilton Beach Wave Action Blender:

Wave~Action® system pulls mixture into the blades for smooth results
Lid spout makes pouring easy
48 oz. glass jar
Ideal for smoothies, shakes & icy drinks
700 watt peak power motor
Dishwasher-safe glass jar
Lid with pour spout & filler cap
Three-year limited warranty
Stir spoon included for thicker foods & mixtures
BPA-free in food zones

You can purchase the Hamilton Beach Wave Action Blender, online for $34.99 at the Hamilton Beach website. One lucky reader will win one! To enter the giveaway, use the Giveaway tools form below:

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Frieling Black Cube Fry Pan

Karen · 10 Comments

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I received product from Frieling in exchange for this post.

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I was cooking with some old pots and pans that had a non-stick coating on them that was peeling off. So, Frieling contacted me and asked if I would like to try one of their Black Cube Fry Pans, I was happy to give it a try. This frying pan has a non-stick coating that looks different than any other non-stick I have ever seen. It has little spaces all over that are not coated, so that you get the benefits of cooking in a stainless steel pan while having the non-stick quality so food doesn’t stick, and clean up is a breeze.

Close up to show the coating, with the spaces in between.

I like that even though the handle of this pan is metal, it does not get hot while I am cooking. I often forget to pick up a potholder. I haven’t had to worry about burning my hand when using the Black Cube Fry Pan. Also, while I do use a nylon spoon when cooking in my fry pan, I don’t have to because the coating will stand up to using metal utensils.

I use a nylon spoon but you can use metal with this pan.

I have used this frying pan to scramble eggs, to stir fry veggies, and to make stir fry chicken and garlic. I don’t have to use as much oil as I did with my old frying pan, so I am getting a nice benefit from that, too. The clean up after cooking in the Black Cube Fry Pan from Frieling is so quick, you won’t believe it. Even scrambled eggs just wipe out with a paper towel, then a quick swish in the sink with soapy water, and it ready to hang up or use again. I don’t think you would go wrong with this pan. The 9.5 inch fry pan retails for $69.95 online at the Frieling website.

My Black Cube Fry Pan from Frieling hangs on the pot rack between uses.

What would you use this pan to cook? Do you use non-stick coated pans now?