Free Ebook: 31 Days to Clean!

From Sarah Mae:

"From RIGHT NOW until midnight tonight (EST) you can get 31 Days to Clean – Having a Martha House the Mary Way FREE just by using the hashtag #31daystoclean in a tweet and linking to 31daystoclean.com OR by blogging about the ebook! Once you do one of these two things, email me (or DM me @sarahmaewrites) with your email address and I’ll send you a download link! Ready? GO!!!!!!!!!!!! :) And thank you so much for spreading the word!"


Visit Sarah Mae's site from more information!

Lemon Drop Cookies

I would not call myself a baker but I love to bake. My creations (usually) turn out very yummy but often do not turn out looking like the beautiful pictures that accompany the recipe. Lemon drop cookies are the exception. They turned out beautifully and they taste even better! They are chewy and crunchy at the same time (thanks to the crushed lemon drop candies) and the glaze is heavenly. I think I have a new favorite cookie!



Lemon Drop Cookies (From See Jane Cook)

2 c. sugar
1 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon extract
4 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. salt
Finely chopped zest of one lemon
1 (6-oz) package lemon drops (sometimes these are tricky to find, I usually keep two or three bags in my pantry)
2 c. powdered sugar
juice of two lemons



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In mixing bowl, cream sugar, shortening, and eggs; add flavorings. Stir in dry ingredients, lemon zest, and crushed lemon drops (I crush them in my blender). Roll into balls, flatten slightly, and bake on parchment lined (if you don't use parchment, cookies will stick to pan) baking sheet for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool slightly on pan for a couple of minutes. Make a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice. Brush glaze over cookie tops. Let cookies cool completely.

Makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies(...really!)

Earth Day and Spring Cleaning...for Kids!

With spring well underway, many of us are doing some spring cleaning and getting rid of the clutter collected during the winter months.

Why not get the kids involved in the spring cleaning activities? Here is a great Earth Day/spring activity: host a toy exchange! Have your child pick out several toys that he would like to exchange, invite a few buddies over and do a toy swap. Any toys that remain can be donated to children's shelters, Goodwill or other non-profit organizations.