A GIVEAWAY SERIES!!!

Come over to Screaming Meme's and check out our GIVEAWAY series!!!!

Here is a peek at one giveaway!





http://thescreamingmeme.blogspot.com/2011/04/screaming-memes-favorite-things.html

remembering dad

june is just around the corner...and that means father's day is very close.
how about a head start on our fav father's day finds for good old dad?

our fav golfer gift...the "kiss my putt" marker from tiny tokens designs.

beer for dad?  yep...in soap!  i love this one...beer soap, the brunnette, from concord soap is perfect!  and to answer your question, no you don't smell like beer when you wash with it! $4.75.

and since we know that dad didn't do as good as you will for him...buy a BEER soap & get a lip balm FREE! {a little something for Dad & a little freebie for Mom!} put the code CREATEAHOME in the notes to seller.

cufflinks...we have some uber fun finds!

for the reading dad...a handmade copper bookmark from pearlie girl...mention "pcah blog" in your purchase and receive 15% discount on the bookmark TODAY ONLY.

these geek cufflinks are from crimson king...

a super fun t-shirt for dad...world peace...from rc tees. $20.

a travel humidor for the cigar loving daddy...this is not only gorgeous but useful for a business traveler. wilbur wood offers this deluxe travel humidor.

a deluxe metro bi-fold wallet from sewlutions by AMO for $60.  gorgeous combination of suiting wool and rivets, with lots of style and purpose.

laptop guy??  check this handsome and metro laptop sleeve to protect electronic love of his life.  fullgive accessories offers this custom leather sanctuary for dad's fav laptop!  and talk about deal...fullgive is offering a $20 discount on any item {in the form of a rebate}! mention "pcah blog" at checkout to receive your refund! woo hooo!

and for the dad who has it all...a beer cozy for that #1 dad by knitrovert for $14...mention PCAH in your buy and get free shipping!!!

go ahead...get going on dad's gifts!  you have a great start here!!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

winner of the lip balm...

and the winner of the lip balm giveaway is...

i am kinda hungry now after thinking about blueberry cheesecake and creme brulee.  i think i'll have a little lip balm myself!

congrats to sara...and don't forget to keep looking around...there's more giveaways and fun advice coming your way soon!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

making the best blueberry cheesecake...

straight from sheknows.com...the very best tips for making the best blueberry cheesecake.  we just had to share them with you!!!
"Every cake deserves its own special day and May is the month for blueberry cheesecake to have its moment. May 26 is National Blueberry Cheesecake Day, giving you just one more reason to indulge in a creamy blueberry dessert. And since blueberries are considered one of the healthiest fruits, you can treat yourself to a luscious slice of blueberry cheesecake without feeling all that guilty. Here are some cheesecake tips and recipes to help you celebrate National Blueberry Cheesecake Day.

CHEESECAKE TIP #1: CHOOSE THE BEST CHEESE
The most common cheeses to use for most cheesecakes are cream cheese or ricotta cheese. Cream cheese will give you a denser cake as compared to ricotta. Other fresh creamy cheeses, such as mascarpone, cottage cheese and goat cheese can also be used. For the most luscious mouth-feel, use a full-fat cheese. And if you must reduce the calories, substitute only half of the full-fat cheese with a low-fat variety.

CHEESECAKE TIP #2: START WITH ROOM TEMPERATURE INGREDIENTS
Before you begin making the cheesecake filling, make sure all of the ingredients are at room temperature. This is especially important for cream cheese – it should be soft so it blends easily and you don’t end up with lumps in the filling.

CHEESECAKE TIP #3: DON’T OVER BEAT
Over-mixing the filling can lead to cracks in the finished cheesecake. Always start by beating the cheese by itself in the bowl before adding any other ingredients. Make sure the cheese is extra creamy and lump-free. Once you add the remaining ingredients, only mix until just blended.

CHEESECAKE TIP #4: USE FRESH BLUEBERRIES
If you are adding blueberries to your filling, fresh blueberries are your best choice. Fresh blueberries are preferred over frozen because frozen blueberries will have more liquid in them, which can water down the filling. If you do use frozen blueberries, make sure they are thawed, drained and dried very well.

CHEESECAKE TIP #5: BAKE BUT DON’T BREAK
Perfect cheesecakes are crack-free. You can achieve this by using a spring form pan, baking cheesecake in a water bath, and baking it slow. A spring form pan allows you to easily remove the sides of the pan, no unmolding necessary. A water bath helps ensure even baking and less chance of cracks. Baking a cheesecake slowly and at a consistent temperature will make a much creamier and uniform cheesecake.

CHEESECAKE TIP #6: DON’T OVER BAKE
Cheesecakes will continue to bake after they are removed from the oven, and baking too long will lead to cracks. Remove cheesecake from the oven when the middle is still just a bit jiggly. It will continue to set up as it cools.

CHEESECAKE TIP #7: COOL AND CHILL
Proper cooling is an essential part of baking a perfect cheesecake. When you take cheesecake out of the oven, remove it from the water bath and run a knife around the edge of the cake to release the filling from the sides. As the cheesecake cools, it will shrink and if it isn’t released from the pan, it will crack. Also, once cool enough, place cheesecake in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours to completely set up. If possible, make your cheesecake the day before you plan to serve it."

sheknows.com has great tips...thanks to them for these!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

mmmm...cheesecake! and another giveaway!!!

one of the joys of being an american is that we know how to celebrate...and we eat our feelings!

may 25th is national blueberry cheesecake day!  i know, right?  we have a whole day honoring blueberry cheesecake!  so go ahead and make some up!!

love to bake...well, HERE's your tasty recipe to celebrate the day from she  knows!

you say you don't want the calories...well, have we got a surprise for you!!! take a look at these fab and calorie free ways to celebrate all year long!

jewelry that adds to the outfit, but not to the waist!
earrings that are delish...and super cute from sinner's sweets.

a sweet little mouse charm...from sweetie bird's for $4.

get the smell throughout the whole house...and some cuteness to boot from this candle! from pookaberry for $5...but we are offering it as a FREEBIE giveaway!!!  head over to pookaberry candles and tell me one thing you can't live without...winner chosen at random at midnight EST.

happy blueberry cheesecake day!!!
danyele @ a thorn among roses

lip balm giveaway!!!!

blueberry cheesecake day is tomorrow and you have to be ready...and we are here to help with a giveaway!
who can't fall in total love with lipbalm...i mean, you get the taste, no calories!

passion mood potions has some awesome blueberry cheesecake lip balm for $3!!
oh so you say you want some blueberry lip balm for free?? well, we can do that for you today!!!!
here's how...enter by simply going to  passion mood potions and tell me in a comment what your fav thing is and why...

easy peasy...so get going!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

free summer family fun

with summer just around the corner, it's time to start planning some fun times...and those times have to be budget friendly.  here are a few great finds for free summer fun...

many large theater chains have free movie times for families and kids throughout the summer.  and it's super easy to find...head to the theater closest to you {{here's regal's site} for your showing dates, times and all the fun, free details!!!

bowling anyone?  2 games free each day of the summer per kid when you sign up at kids bowl free.

how about some hand-on fun building stuff?  lowes offers free clinics for kiddos most saturday's at 10am...and it's building fun stuff like race cars and catapults!!!  you have to register prior HERE but it's super fun...and free!  it builds kids confidence and they build something fun too!

home depot offers the same deal...between 9 and noon on the first saturday of the month.  check out home depot for more info.

add some arts and culture...target stores offer target free days at many museums around the country...take a look HERE for places near you.

so get on out there and have some good, old fashioned FREE fun!!!

danyele @ a thorn among roses