Gooey Upside Down German Chocolate Cake!

Is it HOT where you are?!
Ugh, we have had more than 10 days in a row of 90+ temps with our heat index over 100!
Sunshine has summer basketball going on, but even with evening games, the temps are still in the 90's and they're playing in a gym with no AC!

During the day, I've been working on a new blog look!! I'm excited about how it's coming along, and I hope to have it up and ready to share in the next few weeks. 

So in the mean time, I  may be posting a little less often. But rest assured, it will be worth the wait!!  I'm hoping to have a few guests post and fun giveaways while I'm busy.

Early this month was my mom's birthday!
She requested her favorite cake.....so I thought I'd share with you!

It's a combination of a Gooey Butter cake and German chocolate cake....but upside down!

You do know, everything tastes better upside down don't you?

 

Gooey Upside Down German Chocolate Cake

(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut

1 cup pecans, chopped

1 box German Chocolate Cake mix, prepared

1 pound (4 cups) powdered sugar

1- 8oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup butter, melted

Directions:

• Flour & grease 9x13 pan
• preheat oven to 350°
• Sprinkle coconut and pecans in bottom of pan
• Prepare cake mix per box instructions
• Pour prepared cake batter over coconut & pecans
• Mix sugar, cheese and butter in medium bowl until well blended
• Pour/spoon over cake batter - do NOT mix in
• Bake 50-55 mins 

ENJOY!!

I'm sharing this recipe at
Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, Mouth Watering Mondays and Tuesdays at the Table, Tuesday Tastes, Tasty Tuesday, Delicious Dishes

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I want to introduce you to the newest TidyMom supporter!



ShadowCase
Janna is a stay-at-home-mom who has created a product line of 12X12 shadowboxes called ShadowCase that customers can customize to display scrapbook pages, keepsakes, collections, and memoirs.
 
How cool is THAT?!

Help them reach their goal of 200 Facebook Fans!!
When they reach their goal, they will giveaway  a FREE ShadowCase! ($60)!

Just "like" and post on their page to enter!  Tell them TidyMom sent you!!
GO check them out here!

We'll be having a giveaway here on TidyMom in a few weeks!!

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May Sponsor Shout Out!

It's time to share how grateful I am for the sponsors who have been so generous and supportive to TidyMom during the month of May! Show some love to these fantastic people and click over to their sites!

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Photography Haven

A resource blog for tutorial, free and for purchase textures and actions as well as workshops for photography and editing to help both new and seasoned photographers.
Amanda provides Photoshop Element tutorials twice a week with step by step screen shots. Once a month she provides a video tutorial.


Amanda is also offering Photoshop Elements workshops . She is offering 3 two- hour online classes; Beginners, Intermediate and All About Actions. Each class is only $25 and includes access to private video tutorials that Amanda has created.

Snootie Patootie

is owned by mother and daughter team, Judy and Robyn. At Snootie Patootie you can find great gifts for every occasion or for yourself. From children’s clothing, products by Little Giraffe, jewelry, Vagabond House pewter, and stylish bags, you can find them here.
*Keep your eyes peeled for a great giveaway coming up soon.




Eclectic Whatnot

is owned by Ruthanne, a homeschooling mother of five. It gives her the opportunity to combine two of her new-found loves - photography and sewing. Her shop features shabby, chic and just plain fun camera strap covers and aprons {and more to come!}. Her sewing is fueled by good coffee, streaming episodes of 24 and show tunes





The Rusted Chain

Beki Hastings began making custom jewelry in 2003.

Her designs feature the best of timeless elegance and trendy looks, with the end result being quality jewelry that will look as new and fresh years from now as it does today. Each piece is custom made using sterling silver, natural stones, and the finest components. Her products include hand stamped jewelry, earrings, brooches, and hair accessories.




ColorIncProLabs

a full-service digital photo lab and offers a wide variety of other products such as quality standard prints at low prices (express prints are only 19¢), albums, photo books, greeting cards, color corrected printing and even12 x 12 scrapbook size pages!

Everyone can get 25 (4″x6″) prints FREE if you use the code tidy10!

Click here to enter to WIN a Gallery Wrap Canvas (ends 5/25)




RemodelingThisLife.com

Emily mostly writes about simplicity and frugality. She touches on organization, decluttering, and ways to simplify. She documents her family’s journey of downsizing to a smaller home and a simpler life, while sharing ideas for living fabulously without spending a lot of money.




PhotoJewelryMaking.com

is a family owned and operated business that makes making your own photo jewelry at home fun and easy! This is such a fun idea for making creative personalized gifts. Another AWESOME way to show off the ones you love most.



Designs By Jessie

is a shop full of gorgeous fabrics made into, camera straps, camera strap covers, iPhone pockets, Notebook covers, CD visors and more!

Once again, THANK YOU to all of my sponsors this month!

You really are the best!

If you are interested in advertising on TidyMom.net, please contact me at tidymom{at}charter.net{dot}net

This post sponsored by:

want to see your ad here? contact me

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Photography Haven & PSE Workshop Giveaway!

If you read my blog, you know I have a HUGE fondness for photography. Something you may not know is that I spend nearly every day trying to learn everything I can about it!

My 365 project has been a GREAT learning experience.

Taking pictures is just one part of photography........knowing your camera, the settings and having an eye for something other's may not see.

But there's a whole other side to photography.........and that's EDITING! Did you know that most all pictures you see from a photographer are not the shot they took straight out of the camera? They edit their pictures, some more than others, but rarely do you see a photo that hasn't had some bit of editing done to it.

For those of us just starting out in photography, or even those just wanting to take their family snapshots and "kick them up a notch".....editing is not always an easy task!

Where do I start?

What program do I use?

HOW do I use it?

In steps a GREAT new site that my amazing friend Amanda has started!

Amanda says....."I created Photography Haven for very much the same reason I started Beautiful Blog Designs, to be a resource to other people. I kept bookmarking neat tutorials or places for free actions, so I decided to put them all in one place and so Photography Haven was born. I hope other photography enthusiasts find it useful and if you find things that can or should be shared here, please leave me a comment.

My personal blog, Moving Forward, is a place for me to share my 365 pictures and other daily happenings. Please feel free to pop in and see me there too."

Many Photographers use PhotoShop or Lightroom to edit their photos. But these programs are rather pricey. PhotoShop Elements is a smaller, much more affordable, program that can do some really amazing things to your photos!

Problem is.........there are not nearly as many online tutorials or places to turn to for help with PhotoShop Elements.

Do you have Photoshop Elements and have hardly utilized it all because you can’t figure out how to use it? Have you tried to edit some photos but can’t get the results that you see others get with the program? Do you hear about “actions” all the time and wonder how the heck to use them?

Amanda is offering beginner and intermediate online workshops for PhotoShop Elements starting at the end of May. Attendees will be able to see her screen as she edits photos and hear her describe what she is doing. They will also be able to type in questions and comments during the workshop. Each workshop tuition is an unbeatable $25 and last two hours. Read specific details, dates and time here.

Are you interested but can’t decide if you’re a beginner or intermediate PSE user? Click here to help you decide.

Don't have PhotoShop Elements yet? Not sure if it's right for you?

You can download

photoshop and/or photoshop elements
from the adobe site for a free 30 day trial.

So, you have nothing to lose and oh so much

to gain.

click here to register

hurry! Classes are filling up fast!
(I'm signing up for the intermediate class)

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Oh, did I mention a GIVEAWAY?????

Amanda is generously offering
free tuition to one of her workshops
to one lucky TidyMom reader!

How to enter:

Required: Vist Photography Haven and leave a comment here telling me what you would like to learn from one of Amanda's Workshops.

Extra Entries: (be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do)

2. Subscribe to Photography Haven
3. Subscribe /Follow TidyMom
4. Tweet the following: I REALLY want to win a seat to PSE online Workshop @TidyMom sign up to join in on the fun! http://bit.ly/aze23w @AmandaPadgett #giveaway
5. Blog about this Giveaway
6. Put this button in your sidebar


<a href="http://photographyfinds.com/?p=55/"><img border="0" src="http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k190/tidymom/PSEWorkshop.jpg" /></a>


Giveaway will end on May 14, 2010 at 5 pm CST. One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. I will email the winner, they have 48 hours to claim the prize or I will choose someone else. Be sure to leave your email address, or have it available on your blogger profile.

Don't miss a post subscribe via Rss Reader or by E-Mail

University of Cookie, a winner & new sponsors!

I know these days many of us are trying our hand at royal icing and cookie decorating. Along with that comes a LOT of questions.......

I don't know about you, but I'm a VISUAL person. I can read and read, but SEEING what I'm supposed to do can make ALL the difference when it comes to cookie decorating.

Well, we are in luck!

University of Cookie is a new site devoted to cookie decorating!

It's going to be "THE PLACE to be" for cookie decorating, tutorial, videos and more!

Who's the "Dean" of this awesome place of higher learning you ask?

Why non other than my buddy Bridget of Bake at 350!

Bridget has always been so giving of information, tips and how-to's with her cookie baking....well now she's bringing it to a whole new level!

Video!

Yep that's right.....it will be like we are right in the kitchen with Bridget!

She has also invited me and an impressive lineup of other "Visiting Professors”, who will each contribute videos of their own! .....she said I can do some cupcake posts!! woohooo!!

So head over and take a look at the first video Bridget has up on flood icing. - she's SO cute!

Bridget says "University of Cookie will get a fabulous look in a few weeks after Jessica of The Frilly Coconut gets a hold of it!"

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Next up.........I promised to announce the winner of the

Custom Vintage Monograms from Cathe Holden

.......boy you ladies LOVE Cathe and Monograms!!

random.org choose one winner out of 187 entries!

Congratulations to Cindy she wrote:

44. Pretty Little Things for Home Life said...

Vinyl for a wall decal. As well, I'd have stencils cut to do some glass etching on some vintage apothecary jars on my bathroom counter, among other things! :)

Remember, if you didn't win.....you can always purchase your Custom Monogram from Cathe's Etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageMonograms

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and one last bit of news......

I have 2 fabulous new TidyMom sponsors!!

SnootiePatootie.com

Snootie Patootie is owned by mother and daughter team, Judy and Robyn. At Snootie Patootie you can find great gifts for every occasion or for yourself. From children’s clothing, products by Little Giraffe, jewelry, Vagabond House pewter, and stylish bags, you can find them here.

You can also find Robyn and Snootie Patootie at Our Homeschool Home, Robyn on Twitter, Snootie Patootie on Twitter and on Facebook.

and

RemodelingThisLife.com

Emily is a 30 year old stay at home mom to 2. She blogs about her life.

Emily had been deep in consumer debt after years of overspending on stuff that she thought she needed to be happy. After digging herself a hole more than $10,000K deep by the age of 23, she has been debt free for over 5 years now.
4 years ago, Emily and her husband along with their then 1 year old daughter sold their big house in cold and gray New York and moved to Florida, where they decided to change their life and their ways.
Mostly she writes about simplicity and frugality. She touches on organization, decluttering, and ways to simplify.

You can also follow Emily on Twitter.

If you're interested in a sponsor partnership with TidyMom, you can email me for more information. Right now I have a Mother's Day's special rate if you sign up by Mother's Day!

Don't miss a post subscribe via Rss Reader or by E-Mail

Thank you to TidyMom Sponsors

I would like to take a moment and give my sponsors the credit they deserve. They support me and give me the opportunity to do what I love most: share the things I love with you. But most important, they offer some really beautiful things.

Check out what these fine groups have to offer.



Beki Hastings began making custom jewelry in 2003.

Her designs feature the best of timeless elegance and trendy looks, with the end result being quality jewelry that will look as new and fresh years from now as it does today. Each piece is custom made using sterling silver, natural stones, and the finest components. Her products include hand stamped jewelry, earrings, brooches, and hair accessories.

Beki is offering a 10% discount at The Rusted Chain to all TidyMom readers thru the end of April!
Just use the code tidy10 when you check out to receive your discount!

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Amanda, is a stay-at-home mom of four children. She started buying Usborne Books in 2003, joined the company in 2006 and by April 2007 had been promoted to supervisor.

Usborne Books and More are award winning, high quality educational children's books for all ages. With over 1400 titles, we have something for everyone!

80% of our titles are priced under $10

"The future of our world depends on the education of our children. UBAM delivers educational excellence one book at a time. We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values. We touch the lives of children for a lifetime."

Visit Usborne Books and More and buy $85 worth and receive free books and qualify for two customer specials.

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PhotoJewelryMaking.com is a family owned and operated business located in Michigan. It is the world's largest photo jewelry supplies super store, offering a large selection of photo jewelry making items, offering wholesale photo jewelry pricing to everyone. They work hard to bring you new photo jewelry making supplies and new Italian photo charm making supplies and kits each week.

Photojewelrymaking.com makes making your own photo jewelry at home fun and easy! Many of their customers have even started their own small businesses making and selling photo jewelry to clients!

Click around PhotoJewelryMaking.com and try your hand a new project.

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Jessie is a mother to 3 wonderful boys, with a very supportive husband, and a very hyper puppy. She is an entrepreneur, crafter, inventor and engineer. Most importantly....she is just a girl, playing around with pretty things that make her happy..

Designs By Jessie is a shop full of gorgeous fabrics made into, camera strap covers, iPhone pockets, Notebook covers, CD visors and more!

Click here to visit Designs by Jessie to see all of her yummy designs!

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Liz McIntyre of Foster, Rhode Island purchased Brown & Hopkins Country Store in 2004, and is honored to carry on the tradition of the oldest country store in continuous operation in the United States. The store now specializes in primitive and country home accessories, reproduction furniture, and period lighting.

If you're lucky enough to live near or visit Rhode Island, you can browse two floors and discover wonderful gifts candles, quilts, framed prints, and more! Of course, you'll still find old fashioned candy (still some for just a penny!), gourmet specialties, yard goods and an assortment of antiques. From the potbelly stove (retired, but still admired) to the old wooden floors and beamed ceilings, Brown & Hopkins maintains much of its authenticity and continues to attract people from all over the country to its doors.

If you're not one of the lucky ones who can visit Brown & Hopkins in person, you can shop their online site and purchase many items that can be found in this historical landmark.

Liz invites you to visit often ~ truly step back in time and experience for yourself good old fashioned charm and hospitality.

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Tanya's goal of Lucky Girl Design Studio is to make your blog or website reflect your personality and make it feel like home!

Visit Lucky Girl Design Studio now!
Everything in the studio is 15% off thru April 11th, 2010

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I hope you’ll take a minute to look around at each of these wonderful places. These are all small shop owners who are trying to stay afloat in our economy and I wish each of them the best.

If any of you out there have a shop you’d like to advertise with me, I have some slots available, so please contact me by email for my current rates - I LOVE supporting small business and my friends, I do more than just put your button on my sidebar!

This post sponsored by:

want to see your ad here? contact me

I'm Lovin' It! ~Easter Cut-Out Cookies

Welcome to the Party!! I'm Lovin' It is a party I host at the end of each week to celebrate things that makes us happy....things we are loving! Please share anything from a new(or old) product, to a recipe, a picture you took, a project, or even your children or family.....really anything that you would like to share that you are loving right now!!

First I have a bit of business to address........

• You may want to pop over here to see if you were the winner of The Rusted Chain Giveaway {hint, there's a little something for everyone!}
  

• Did you see who was the guest poster here on TidyMom yesterday? Stephanie of Somewhat Simple posted a few great projects you can see here and I will be guest posting on her AMAZING blog today(friday)!!.......so when you're finished here, hop over to Somewhat Simple and say hello to me over there and take a look around while you're there!!

This week I am loving the Easter/Spring cookies I made!

I used my Butter Cookie recipe and decorated with Royal Icing and sprinkles.

I owe some BIG thanks to Bridget for all of her wonderful tips on Royal Icing!.....
if you've never decorated cookies with royal icing, or would just like some tips from a pro.....Bridget has a few fantastic posts .....

Royal Icing 101 and Royal Icing 102

See that cute green egg with the yellow hearts?

Learned how to do that snazy trick from Sweetopia here

you'll never guess how easy that was!

and I think these little chickies are my favorites!!

Bake it Pretty has an awesome video on how to roll out cookie dough!
see the video here.

I'm not very steady with my piping .......but click the picture below to see my cookies from last year!

This was my first attempt at royal icing......not bad, but I think I've improved some!

Over the weekend I got together with a few friends to show them how easy it is to decorated cupcakes!! - didn't they do a fabulous job?.....You can see more pictures on Angie's blog. - I'm going to warn you though, she shows you how messy I am when I decorate! LOL

Check out these great parties that I linked this post to:
Bake at 350, Strut Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff Easter/Spring, Ultimate Recipe Swap,

This post sponsored by:

want to see your ad here? contact me

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Now it’s your turn, let us know what you’re lovin' this week! If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link below. Just please be sure to:

1. Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address in the MckLinky form below (need help with finding the permalink? click here to see a great post Darcy wrote on this!)
   
2. Include in your blog entry a link back to this post so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is loving today and have an opportunity to contribute! You can use the code below to add the banner to your posts or blog if you'd like.
   
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what makes a party fun!! You don't want to come to a party and have no one talk to you!!
   
4. Let me know if you have any questions, problems or need help!
   

MckLinky will stay open until April 4, 2010 11pm CST.

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