Scrapbooking Software Giveaway

My Memories Suite Software Giveaway

Would you like to win free digital scrapbooking software? MyMemories scrapbooking and photobooks program is very easy to use from beginners to avid scrapbookers. Anyone can create great looking, interactive albums in minutes. Going beyond traditional photo albums, My Memories Suites program has more tools and sharing options than any other software available. Send your albums to DVD and share with family and friends. Turn your album into a JPG and email it. Make albums using simple already created templates or experience your creative side by using the tools and options available. 

If you would like a chance to win your very own free My Memories Suite software, Email me at granny.papasboys@gmail.com with one of your favorite photos along with the ID number from one of the templates at MyMemories.com.

A winner will be picked and posted right here on my Blog along with the winners submitted photo.

 I've posted a few pages from an album I put together to show what you can do with little effort. I used one of the templates available, which was very simple and took minimal time. You can use your creative side and design your own pages to make your scrapbook or photo book.

 *You must email me your photo along with the ID number from one of the templates at MyMemories.com to be eligible to win. Deadline for your entry is Friday, Oct. 28.

REVIEW: Fun-da-middles Cupcakes

Fun-da-middles are a lot of Fun

Thank you Betty Crocker for giving me the opportunity to try your new product. First of all, I find the name to be quite clever and well, fun. And the package has a cheerful, sunny look that catches your attention.

Soon after beginning, I couldn't help but think of my grandkids and how much they would enjoy helping grandma make these cupcakes.

They come in several varieties: Yellow Cake with Creamy Vanilla filling, Chocolate cake with Creamy Vanilla  filling, Yellow Cake with Creamy Chocolate filling. 

 

I made the Yellow Cake with Creamy Vanilla filling.

After mixing the ingredients of cake mix, water, oil and eggs, fill 12 paper cupcake inserts about 1/3 full. The convenience of the already prepared filling is great. Just knead the package containing the filling about 20 times (the kids/grandkids would have fun helping with this part), cut the tip off one of the corners of the package and squeeze evenly in the center of all 12 cupcakes.

Finish filling with remaining cake batter, making sure to completely cover the filling with the batter and then bake. It's almost too easy!

After removing from the oven, I immediately transferred the cupcakes from the pan to a wire rack for cooling. I could hardly wait to try them, the sweet aroma was incredible.

And the taste - even more incredible. That sweet aroma I had been smelling didn't disappoint my taste buds. Still slightly warm, because I just couldn't wait for them to cool, it reminded me of a Twinkie on a really good day.

The cake was very moist and the filling was just right and just enough.

I picked up a can of Betty Crocker cream cheese frosting. I have always frosted my cupcakes, but quite honestly, these cupcakes don't need it.

I recommend picking up a box of these cupcakes and your kids or grandkids and see for yourself how much they'll enjoy helping you with this quick and easy recipe. There's a good reason they call them Fun-da-middles.

You can find Fun-da-middles cupcake mix at any of your local grocery stores, they sell for around $3.29 a box and it easily makes a dozen cupcakes. Go to Betty Crocker's website for coupons and some really great recipes.

I really enjoyed making this new and great idea for cupcakes. Can't wait to try the Chocolate with Creamy Vanilla filling. I might even throw in some Dairy Queen vanilla ice cream or Breyer's Vanilla Bean!

Thanks for visiting and if you have also tried these new cupcakes and would like to share your comments, I would love to hear from you.

Maybe you have a product you would like me to review or a family recipe to share. I would love to post your Family Favorite recipe or a special family story right here. And don't forget about that family photo too!

Until next time! VA

Family Favorite: Pineapple upside-down cake

Pineapple upside-down cake has been a favorite in my family for as long as I can remember. My mom made it for us when we were just kids and at almost 93 still enjoys baking one from time to time. And like my mom, I too have enjoyed baking them for my family. A favorite of the men in the family, I often make one on birthdays and holidays.
We recently celebrated our 5 and 2-year-old grandsons birthdays. Their birthdays are within a few months apart so we had a small celebration for them both, they live out-of-state. We had a nice gathering with some family at a friends house. I picked up a cake on the way and had it decorated with Kung Fu Panda - a favorite of the boys as well as Papa and I.
The gathering was very nice - visiting, swimming and grilling and then cake time! Nope,  I never got past the kitchen counter with the cake. As I was heading outside with the cake and presents I proceeded to lose total control of the cake and flipped it totally upside-down!
My sweet grandson however, was very sincere after seeing the cake and politely asked after one look, "Can I have a candy bar grandma?"
It's now a week later and time for papa's birthday - and what does papa request? A pineapple upside-down cake! No problem, I'm a pro at upside-down cakes!
My grandsons were very excited when I told them they could make papas upside-down cake and very curious about how you would bake a cake upside down. This cake may not be the prettiest pineapple upside-down cake out there, but according to papa - the main ingredient was the best - LOVE - from his boys.
The recipe I make starts with the basics, a Duncan Hines box cake mix. My favorite part is the topping so I really indulge. You'll notice in the photos that I also used blueberries where traditionally people use cherries (my boys request). And the Wall-e birthday candle was also picked out by my grandson who explained that we had to use a Wall-e candle for Papa (Wally). I couldn't of agreed more.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and would love to post your Pineapple upside-down cake recipe or any other favorite recipe you may have. Enjoy!
Pineapple upside-down cake
1 Box Duncan Hines Pineapple Supreme cake mix (mix according to direction but I like to replace at least half of the water with the juice from the pineapples.
1 20 ounce can sliced pineapples
1 20 ounce can crushed pineapples (well drained)
1 1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 small can maraschino cherries or replace with fresh blueberries
Optional chopped walnuts is also good

Directions
Melt butter and pour into bottom of 13 x 9 baking pan. Add brown sugar and mix well.
Spoon well-drained crushed pineapple over entire bottom of pan over sugar and butter mixture (do not mix)
Arrange pineapple slices on bottom of pan and place either cherries or blueberries in centers of pineapple slices.
Mix cake mix according to directions and pour over pineapple topping in pan.
Place on center rack at 325 degrees for at least 45 minutes or until top springs up when pushed or well browned.
After removing from oven, place flat platter or sheet cake pan on top of cake and flip upside-down. (The boys really liked this part).

Slowly remove 9 x 13 pan (careful, will be hot).
Allow to cool completely.
Beautiful!
Now enjoy as we did.
Hope to hear from you soon - VA

Family Events

If you're looking for some fun to beat the hot weather, look no further than Waterford Oaks. From the Tropical -theme wave pool,  Dual-flume Slidewinder Waterslide and wave-action pool to the Big Bucket Ragin' Rapids, there's plenty to do. Take the family and enjoy any day until 7 p.m. through the end of August. Check out their website at DestinationOakland.com for detailed information and photos.