Hormel Gatherings Party Trays help make any gathering a little more fun #ad #hormelgatherings #partytrays #alreadyready #hormel #gameday #gamedaygathering #party #appetizer #stressfreeparty #partytips #friends #football #tailgate @HormelFoods

“I received free product in exchange for my honest review.”

Fall means so many things to my family but most of all it means getting together with friends and family at least a few times a month. We always step it up even more between Thanksgiving, Game Days, Christmas and holiday parties galore. I love this season, don't you? What is more fun than having a houseful of friends and family while you are relaxing with some delicious food and drink? 

Over the years I have developed a real system for making a party great. Do everything ahead of time and say yes to delicious and easy shortcuts.  Of course you love to include some of your favorite recipes and appetizers but take some of the work out of your gathering and you will enjoy it more. Check out some of these party tips to make hosting a cinch. Consider an easy appetizer or two. Think dips, crackers, cheeses and items that are easy to do ahead of time. You have to create stress free party planning to make it simple and fun for everyone. The easier it is, the more time you can spend relaxing with friends and family. Choose a few ready-made nibbles like a bowl of nuts that are ready to go and you will be happy you did so.  There are tons of ways to make it easy!

We just had 20 people come for a recent Thanksgiving party and then this past weekend we had a big game party with another 15 guests. Both events were easy-peasy because I planned ahead and took my own tips on using ready made nibbles and easy appetizers. One item that really makes a party is meat, cheese and crackers. Everyone loves cheese and crackers plus those little extras like pepperoni and olives. Hormel has created a new option that simplifies all the shopping and puts many of those delicious snacks in one tray. There are several varieties so you can choose your favorites but wow, what a time-saver. You can use one of these trays by itself or supplement with additional appetizers. Either way it saves a bunch of shopping and prepping. Whether you love honey ham and turkey or adore hard salami and pepperoni, Hormel has a tray perfect for your next event. HORMEL GATHERINGS® Party Trays make it fun and easy. 

For Thanksgiving, I set out my HORMEL GATHERINGS® Party Trays as part of the appetizers. Add a few hot and cold dips, some additional crackers and bread sticks and I was done in a flash. Hormel crafted these portable party trays to make party hosting easy since they are a cinch to use. You can unwrap and serve right from the clear tray or you can re-plate and get a little fancier. They are priced very reasonably too. These appetizer trays really are perfect for any event including a tailgate or fall football. These party trays are totable and certainly would make a welcome hostess gift. There are several varieties available so you can try one or more at your next event.  

Get some ideas from other party people by following HORMEL GATHERINGS® Party Trays on social too. I love getting tips and ideas from Pinterest, Facebook and Youtube, don't you? Life is about friends, family and making those connections so keep it simple and let yourself have fun this season with a little help from Hormel. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Classic Book review and giveaway: Catherine Marshall Christy 50th anniversary of a classic American novel #sponsored #giveaway

I remember reading this as a teenager. What a great book. Really, start reading it and who can resist this captivating story of young Christy Huddleston and her new life as a novice teacher in rural Cutter Gap. The details just keep you reading and reading. Christy tells riveting stories with such vivid details. In fact, you learn so much with the character development about people and life deep in the Appalachians. The habits and mentality of the people are ingrained in the old country because of the isolation. You just get pulled into this story and can't stop reading it. You have to pick this up and read it, or perhaps re-read it again now on the 50th anniversary. This book is a classic that you will love if you have never read it before. Take a peek at the Christy giveaway and win too!

This edition of Christy celebrates the 50th anniversary of the beloved novel's first appearance on the New York Times Best-Seller List in November 1967. You will truly see why millions of readers fell in love with Christy back in the '60's, '70's and even 80's. The book is loosely based on the life of Catherine Marshall's mother.  Christy captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series many years ago. The story was crafted with Catherine's mom and Catherine around the kitchen table back at Evergreen Farm.  As her mother reminisced about her experiences as a young teacher, Catherine probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders. The story began there as she realized how interesting the experience was and how fascinating it would be to put the story to paper.

Early on in the book you find Christy on an ancient train taking the young nineteen-year-old teacher from her home in Asheville, North Carolina to rural Cutter Gap. That train might as well be transporting her to another world. Once Christy arrives, the Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels like another world. The people live in an old way. Many of their ideas are suspended in time. Most everyone is trapped by extreme poverty, disease, superstitions, and traditions from the old country.  The book shares all the struggles that Christy goes through to become respected and a part of the community. It is really hard to break into the connections of the people of Cutter Gap. You see and feel all the challenges she experiences as a novice, young teacher in her one-room school and how she manages them. Her faith is challenged many times over. Of course the story includes love and you have to wait to see which man wins her heart.  You will enjoy reading about Christy's devotion and her hope to make a difference and live a life of purpose.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Goat Milk Lotion by Canus is ultra hydrating and feels great on my skin #gotitfree #trynatural

Winter is coming and my hand and skin situation was not doing so well up until recently. Winter has always been the bane of my existence when it comes to my skin. It is hard when you have dry skin your whole life. It certainly makes many challenges especially when you are in a profession where you need to wash your hands frequently. What is a girl to do, really? Good moisturization does make a difference but I like to keep it natural if possible. So I was excited to try this new Goat Milk Lotion from Canus. It is fall and the cold is setting in so my skin needed more help than ever. I had never tried this brand before and I was impressed with the really clean ingredients in the lotion.

Canus has crafted a Fresh Goat’s Milk Lotion that contains plant-based ingredients to soothe and hydrate skin. I received 2 complimentary samples (0.34 fl.oz each) of Nature by Canus Goat’s Milk Moisturizing Lotions in their Original Formula. I liked the way the lotion felt on my skin. It contains shea butter, minerals, vitamins, proteins and triglycerides to moisturize skin naturally. It is free of parabens, chemicals, gluten or sodium lauryl sulfate. It contains only eco-friendly preservatives. It is not tested on animals.

This is a nice option to try to moisturize dry skin. The Canus Goat's Milk Moisturizing Lotion did not irritate my skin and it absorbed quickly. I received two small samples. One was the Original Formula and the other was the Shea Butter. They were both nice and left my skin feeling smooth and comfortable.
  
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

SPLENDA Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener taste testing with #crowdtap #splendasavvies @crowdtap @splenda #sponsored #splendanaturals

Ready to try something delicious and new? You know all kinds of sweeteners are out there now and some of them save a few calories or a lot of calories but the tastes and flavor really make the difference. A sweetener has to truly taste great to be good. You know SPLENDA, it has been around for eons. Well, they just came out with a new option that is a winner. We taste tested new SPLENDA Naturals Stevia Sweetener in a bunch of drinks and we even baked a batch of sweet treats. The results are in and we LOVE it. This new natural stevia-sugar combination is an extension of the SPLENDA Sweeteners portfolio. SPLENDA Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend contains non-GMO ingredients, has no artificial ingredients, no bitter aftertaste plus it has no added flavors or colors. This sweetener has 50% fewer calories than traditional sugar and is great in almost any recipe or beverage. What more could a busy mom that is trying to save a few calories want?

• SPLENDA ® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend is is made with pure cane sugar and stevia leaf extract.

•  It uses a blend rich in Reb D so there’s no bitter aftertaste.

• ½ teaspoon of the blend is equal to the sweetness of one full teaspoon of traditional sugar.

• SPLENDA ®Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend contains two non-GMO ingredients, and has no added flavors or colors.

• SPLENDA ®Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend can be used almost anywhere traditional sugar is used.

•  Has 50% fewer calories than traditional sugar.

• Average retail price: $7.99 for 2LB bag.

I was really impressed with the SPLENDA Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend. It is a delicious option that lets you cut the sugar by blending it with natural stevia. It has a great flavor that dissolves very quickly. It gives you versatility to use it in beverages or baking. My family has been trying to cut down their sugar consumption and we thought this was a great way to do it and not feel deprived. We agreed that this is a good option to use for the whole family. I liked that this comes from a brand that I have used for years and that gives me a lot of confidence and comfort as well. We would recommend that you give this blend a try! You can find it at Walmart and a host of other retailers around the country. Let me know what you think.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.