Sunday, January 24, 2010

A New Adventure

I am thinking about becoming an instructor for Grocery Smarts coupon classes and want to get a feel for who would be interested in having classes. It would be a LOT less work than Pampered Chef and I could make more money than I am at the dentist office I am working at now, although I would do both for a while till I really got up and running with my classes. They now have booking gifts and host gifts and I am SO excited to start up. Just need to decide if its something I want to do before Brooklyn gets here or after she is born....

Friday, December 11, 2009

December Pampered Chef Newsletter

Amber Perkins
Your Pampered Chef Consultant
Consultant #497744
(702) 325-3352
tiggerific814@yahoo.com
www.pamperedchef.biz/amberperkins

Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are so grateful for all that we have. I am especially grateful for those of you who have supported my business!!!
When it comes to gift-giving, I know you've made your list and checked it twice. Now, let us do the rest. Have you forgotten anyone: teachers? neighbors? friends?? We have GREAT gift ideas for anyone!!
Or how about your own wish list. Is it getting long? Are there a tons of Pampered Chef items on it? Why not host a show and get some for FREE!! We have awesome host/guest specials for December. Not to mention the great recipes we have to share with you: Festive Holiday recipes; Quick and inexpensive weekday dinner recipes. Invite me to your home and let me show you and your friends how to prepare one of them.

In this issue you will find:
- 60% off Holiday Favorites!!
- Deck the Halls with FREE Decorator Bottles
- January Specials
- Great Gift Ideas for Anyone
- Outlet Specials
- Recipe of the Month

If you no longer wish to be on this mailing list, simply reply with 'Remove" in the subject line.
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Save 60% off Holiday Favorites!!
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Host a Show in December and save 60% on new holiday favorites and classics you love!

The higher your sales, the more you can earn!

With $150 - $549.99 in guest sales ...
SAVE 60% on ONE item. Choose an adorable snowmen serving platter, a snowmen plate set or a set of stackable cooling racks!

With $550 or more in guest sales ...
SAVE 60% on TWO items. Plus, your selection includes our new Cookie Press!

PLUS
As a host, you can always earn our exclusive host benefits:
- FREE, half-price and discounted products of your choice
- 10% discount for a year
- FREE shipping on your order

Get the date you want! Contact me today to book your Pampered Chef® Cooking Show!

Note: The Monthly Host Special is available to hosts of December Cooking Shows, Catalog Shows, Fundraiser Shows and Wedding Showers of at least $150 in guest sales (before tax and shipping). To qualify for the December Host Special, Shows/orders must be held Dec. 1-31 and submitted to the Home Office no later than midnight CT on Jan. 15, 2010. Hosts with guest sales of $550 or more may select up to TWO products from Levels 1 and 2 at 60% off. Hosts may select only one of each item. Hosts with guest sales of $150 to $549.99 may select ONE product from Level 1 at 60% off. The past host from whom the December Show was booked (if the past host's Show was held on or after June 1, 2009) is eligible to receive their choice of ONE item at 60% off. They may select from the same level(s) available to the current host, based upon the guest sales of the current host's Show. The Pampered Chef is a registered trademark used under license.

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Deck the Halls with FREE Decorator Bottles!
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Receive a FREE Decorator Bottle Set with any purchase of $60 or more in December.

Create perfect icing accents just in time for holiday baking with these easy-to-use decorator bottles. Plus, you'll receive creative decorating ideas and a cleaning brush with this set of three!

Contact me today to learn more about this incredible offer and more!

Note: The December Guest Special is only available through December Cooking Shows, Catalog Shows, Fundraiser Shows and Wedding Showers. The Guest Special does NOT apply to individual orders (electronic, mail), online orders or Wedding Registries. To qualify for the December Guest Special, Shows must be held Dec. 1-31 and submitted to the Home Office no later than midnight CT on Jan. 15, 2010. You may receive only ONE with purchase of $60 or more (before tax and shipping). The Pampered Chef is a registered trademark used under license.

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January Specials
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HOSTS: Get 50% MORE for FREE!!! The higher your sales, the more FREE products you get.
GUESTS: Get one of the following for free with $60 purchase
Mini-serving spatula
Slice 'N Serve
Large Serving Spatula
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Great Gift Ideas for Anyone
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SALAD LOVER: $77.00
Medium Bamboo Square Bowl $19.00
+ Coarse Sea & Himalayan Salt $5.75
+ Peppercorn Medley $5.75
+ Bamboo Tongs $7.00
+ Grinder Set $39.50

WINE CONNOISSEUR: $79.25
Dots Stemware $39.50
+ Dripless Pourer/Stopper $10.00
+ Wine Bottle Opener $20.00
+ Drink Charms $9.75

SPLENDID SERVER: Beaded Serving Set $32.00

ENTERTAINER: Trifle Bowl $39.00

PASTRY CHEF: $137.00
Stainless Mixing Bowl Set $74.50
+ Pastry Cutter $12.00
+ Master Scraper $15.50
+ Striped Kitchen Towel Set $14.50
+ Korintje Cinnamon $5.75
+ Double-Strength Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract $14.75

CHOCOLATE LOVER: $25.00
Coffee & More Cups $18.50
+ Sweet Mocha Hazelnut Sprinkle $6.50
+ Hot Cocoa Mix (I have recipe)

BAKING BEAUTY: $48.00
Mini-Serving Spatula $4.00
+ Small Mix 'N Scraper $12.50
+ Stainless Whisk $12.50
+ Small Spreader $4.50
+ Oven Mitt $14.50

MULTI-TASKER: $194.50
10" Covered Skillet $150.00
+ Bamboo Spatula Set $8.00
+ TPC 29 Minutes to Dinner $14.75
+ Clock/Timer $16.00
+ Rosemary Herb Seasoning Mix $5.75

HAPPY HOUR: $89.50
Ice Bucket & Shaker Set $45.00
+ Dots Martini Glasses $44.50
ELEGANT ENTERTAINER: $58.00
Beaded Cheese Bistro Set $32.00
+ Reversible Bamboo Cheese Board $26.00

TAKE A DIP: $56.50
Bamboo Cracker Tray $15.00
+ Bamboo Snack Bowls $24.00
+ 1-2-3 Dip! Set $17.50

EASY APPETIZERS: $36.50
Medium Bamboo Platter $29.00
+ Easy & Impressive Appetizers Recipe Collection $7.50

WEEKDAY DINNERS: $75.50
Deep Covered Baker (white or cranberry) $69.00
+ Weekday Dinners-Done! Recipe Card Collection $6.50

SIZZLING STIR-FRY: $162.50
Stir-Fry Set $24.50
+ Executive Cookware Stir-Fry Skillet $138

PIZZA PARTY: Pizza Party Set $44.50

HOW SWEET IT IS: Sweeten It Up Set $18.50

GREAT GRILLING: Great Grilling! Seasoning & Recipe Collection $19.00

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Outlet Specials
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Chillzane Servers 20% off!!!

Chillzane Rectangle Server
Was $35.00 NOW ONLY $28.00

Chillzane Sectional Server
Was $40.50 NOW ONLY $32.50

Remember these and other GREAT discontinued products are available ONLY online through the outlet. Take a look and place your order online by December 15 for delivery by December 22.
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Recipe of the Month
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Mini Carrot Cake Cups

Ingredients:
Cups
1 pkg (9 oz/250 g) yellow cake mix
1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) allspice
1 egg
2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil
2 medium carrots, peeled, divided

Filling & Garnish
6 oz (175 g) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup (175 mL) powdered sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) thawed frozen whipped topping
Chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray each well of Deluxe Mini-Muffin Pan with nonstick cooking spray. For cups, combine cake mix, allspice, egg and oil in Classic Batter Bowl; stir with Small Mix 'N Scraper(R) until ingredients are moistened. (Mixture will be very thick.) Grate carrots using Ultimate Mandoline fitted with grating blade. Stir 3/4 cup (175 mL) of the carrots into batter; set aside remaining carrots for garnish. Using Adjustable Measuring Spoon, divide batter evenly among wells, filling wells about two-thirds full; bake 11-13 minutes or until cups feel firm to the touch.

2. Meanwhile, in clean Classic Batter Bowl whisk together cream cheese and sugar until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Spoon cream cheese mixture into resealable plastic bag; secure bag and set aside.

3. Remove pan from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack. Press tops of cups with lightly floured Mini-Tart Shaper to make slight indentations. Cool in pan 3 minutes. Carefully remove cups from pan; cool 5 minutes. Trim corner of cream cheese-filled bag with Utility Knife; pipe filling evenly into cups. Garnish cups with chopped walnuts and reserved grated carrots, if desired.

Yield: 24 tartlets
Nutrients per serving: (1 tartlet): Calories 100, Total Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 2.5 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Carbohydrate 13 g, Protein 1 g, Sodium 100 mg, Fiber 0 g

Cook's Tip: If desired, Cinnamon Plus(R) Spice Blend can be substituted for the allspice.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009

First OFFICIAL Pregnancy picture

Taken November 16 (21 1/2 weeks)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

2nd Birthdays!!

The celebrations of his birthday were a blast.
We had friends over on Saturday for the bounce house, cake & ice cream. The bounce house
Look at the air he got!!!
He had some help from Daddy blowing out those candles!
Do you see that look, "Really? Do I have to?"After all the gifts were open.
Friends who celebrated with us:
Maria, Emily & Maddie Sackett
Carlee & Kaylee Hansen
Sean, Genie, Liz & Matt Brooks
Todd, Andrea, Avery & Kayden Garyson
Thank you all for coming and sharing this special day with us!!!
Then we had our (in-town) families over for cake & ice cream on Sunday.

Family in attendance:
Grandma & Papa Perkins
Aunt Belinda, Jessica, Stephanie, Kayden & Izaak
Uncle James, Aunt Renna, Michael & Sam, Kayla, Tim & Wesley
Papa & Tutu (Hawaiin for Grandma) De La Rosa & Danny
Aunt Nikki, Uncle John, Karli & Baby LeilaCarson got so close to the candles as he blew them out (ALL BY HIMSELF) that he ALMOST burnt his little nose.Bowling ball from Papa & TutuHe seemed to enojy this ribbon on his head a little more than the bow!! Super cute Elmo PJs from Aunt Belinda, Uncle Mark & Family


He got a LOT of cute outfits from friends & family along with a bowling ball game, books, and a puzzle. He was getting SO excited as he opened each of the gifts on Sunday. He would squeel as he pulled each item out of the bag or wrap it. I enjoyed it almost as much as he did.

Carson, we love you so much and are so proud of you and all you have accomplished. You are a great boy and bring so much joy and love into our life!!!

2 Year Check Up

Carson had his 2 year well baby check up today. I am happy to announce that CONTRARY to popular belief, Carson IS gaining weight. He weight in at 25 lbs, 13 oz!! That is just over a pound more than he was 6 months ago, but he has been bumped up into the 20th percentile (instead of 5% where he’s been for the rest of his life). He also was measured at 32 ½ inches (back down to 10%) with 48 ½ cm head circumference (25-50% - his normal).

Our baby really is growing. I am so excited. As I keep saying, good thing I am having another one soon enough!!!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Carson!!!

Well, it has officially been 2 years since Carson was born. I cannot believe how time flies. For as little as he actually is, he has gotten so big. When he was born we decided we would track his growing by taking pictures of him in Daddy's Carson Palmer jersey. Of course when he was first born, we just bought his own outfit.
1 Day Old
1 Year Old
2 Year Old
Some of the things Carson has done this past year to show how big he is:

- He is sleeping in a "BIG BOY" bed now. We have a 4-in-1 convertible crib where the front comes off and you can add a toddler rail. But we did not have the toddler rail and he just wasn't adjusting very well to it. Luckily, my mom had a toddler bed she gave us to use. Carson loved helping mommy put it together and loves going to bed in it. We've got the nighttime routine down pat: Bath (when needed), family prayers, book, juice/milk, music and then he rolls over and snuggles himself to sleep. I LOVE IT!!!- He just got a Little Tikes jungle gym with slide for his birthday from Grandma & Papa Perkins and Mommy & Daddy. He loves climbing on it and going down the slide.- His vocabulary is growing, a LOT. His favorite things to say: "I want that", "I want t'eat" (to eat, especially first thing in the morning). He asks for almost anything he wants to eat. He says "pease" and is still signing thank you. And he has been playing copycat with almost everything we say!!! Time to watch our mouths!! HAHAFirst Birthday CakeSecond Birthday Cake

- His favorite TV shows: Hi-5, Pat-Pat (Little Einsteins), Tooo ('Toodles' from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), Ooh-Ooh (which could be Curious George or Tarzan) and Choo-choo (Thomas the Train)
He loves wearing everybody's shoes. If they are lying around, he gets them on.

- His favorite foods: "Sausj", "Ezz", "Cheese" (all for breakfast), "(r)ice", "Chi'n", "H'dog", beans, and milk (with or without chocolate) - which for some reason he calls "balk" while doing the sign for milk.
He just started climbing the rope ladder at the park this week. He loves being in the kitchen while we are cooking. He loves dancing and singing and his new favorite song is Book of Mormon Stories since we did it for FHE last week. He loves watching football and baseball on TV with all of us.
The past two years have been so fun, while challenging at times as well, but we could NOT imagine it or the rest of our lives without Carson. He was such a blessing to us when he joined our family and has continued to be one!!!

Carson we are so proud of you and the big boy you have turned into. I know you are excited to have your new little sister in 4 more months and you will be a GREAT big brother!! You are a great help to me and Daddy and a joy to all those who know you. We all LOVE you VERY much!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Ultrasound results

We went to the Doctor last Tuesday and had a great ultrasound. As some (or many) of you may know we are having our baby at home, as we did with Carson. We had such a great experience that we plan to have ALL our kids at home, unless there are medical necessities requiring a hospital birth. So this was only our second trip to a Doctor's office. We have been seeing our midwife, April Kermani on a regular basis and she is FABULOUS!! Dr Roberts is the obstetrician April works with (in Summerlin) and we were able to meet with him after the ultrasound. The tech did a great job. The baby was VERY uncooperative for quite a while. The baby stayed curled up in a ball/fetal position for most of the appointment. There were only a couple times when the baby would stretch out. At one point, the baby stretched out one leg and had the other bent like the baby was modeling or something. Very cute.
All in all the results showed that the baby is well and healthy!! The baby is growing just as the baby should. The baby has a great heartbeat and good organs. The tech did a VERY comprehensive exam to be sure that EVERYTHING looked good. Granted, since the baby was curled up for so long, the tech had to spend some extra time to get the baby into a position so that we could see what the gender was. As soon as the tech got the picture of the baby's legs on the screen, I saw it immediately. Or should I say, the lack of IT!!!
That's right, we are having a GIRL!!!! Little Brooklynn Nic(h)ole is going to be joining our family in March. We are so excited to have our little baby girl. Unfortunately, I can't get the scanner to work on our laptop, so I can't get the ultrasound pictures on here yet. But I am working on it. If nothing else, I will take them up to my mom's and get them scanned there.

Surprise Pictures...

I know you have all been SUPER curious to find out what the surprise pictures were going to be. Well, without any further adieu, here they are (self-explanatory):
Before After
As you can see, Carson FINALLY got his first haircut. He will be 2 next Sunday (11/15) and he JUST got his FIRST haircut last week!! He was so good when it was being done. Our friend Marlo did it at her house. She did a GREAT job. Thanks Marlo. Carson loves it!!!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Ultrasound alert!!!

No, it hasn't happened yet. We have our appoitment Tuesday at 1:40. Just wanted you all to be on alert. We should find out if she is a girl or boy. I am HOPING for a girl, Eric wants another boy. However, we will both be happy either way.
Also, new pictures will be posted Tuesday after the ultrasound. It should include ultrasound pictures as well as other surprise pictures.
Stay Tuned!!!

Halloween Fun

My mom made Carson's Halloween costume. The monkey outfit was SO CUTE! But as you can see he was not so keen on the idea of wearing it. He made it through Trunk or Treat (Friday) and Trick-or-Treating with the body suit alone (after much bribery). He was still cute. Thanks mom for the ADORABLE costume.
My mom also made Karli's costume. Here they are together, Carson without his head and Karli without her wig. Aren't they adorable?!?!?
After Trunk-or-Treat Carson, Karli & Mom played on the floor, laughing hysterically!! It was so cute!!
We were a little late in carving our pumpkins (Friday and Saturday afternoons). I did this one for Carson and myself. He picked out the pattern.
So proud of our pumpkin!!! This is the one Eric chose to do. He did a GREAT job. I only wish the candle would have burned brighter inside.
We had chili for dinner one night and the next day for lunch, Carson had leftovers. This is his chili & "say-cheese" smile!!