For Valentine's Day and Beyond

Today, Valentine's Day, I received a few articles and links about love, so I thought I'd spread the love and post them here for you to peruse. Don't forget to read through to the bottom of this post, so that you can try out my hubby's wonderfully decadent Two-Tone Guinness Brownies!

• The Harp Connection's Romantic Harp Music Albums for Valentine's Day and Beyond! View all of their recommendations, including my Haste to the Wedding CD, filled with traditional Celtic love songs.*

• It's never too late to send an e-card to your sweetheart. You could send a silly card from RubberChickenCards.com loaded with fine dating advice (get a free six month subscription right here). Or some Hunny Bunny e-cards or the little-bit-naughty Bunny Burlesque e-cards from the folks at BanjoBunny.com. Or head on over to my other blog for special ways to say "I Love You".

• Acupressure Point CV17, for Healing Your Heart Emotionally. Stressed out because you are head-over heals for a certain someone? Or are you getting over a relationship? Check out this link.

• Does Dark Chocolate on Valentine's Day Help Your Heart? You bet it does, according to RealAge.com. But did you know that not all chocolate is healthy for you? For it to contain the maximum amount of antioxidants, the chocolate needs to be cold-processed--Healthy Chocolate! Join and make income while enjoying the benefits of high antioxidant chocolate.






Speaking of chocolate, here's that special recipé from my hubby, "Mr. Bakerman", for Two-Tone Guinness Brownies:

Ingredients for Bottom Toffee Layer: 
Cooking spray
6 Tbs. softened unsalted butter
1 1/2 C. packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking power
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. chopped pecans or walnuts

Ingredients for Chocolaty Top Layer:
3 oz. finely chopped unsweetened chocolate (or you could use 3 Healthy Chocolate Power Squares if you cut back a bit on the granulated sugar)
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 C. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C. Guinness stout
1 C. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 13 x 9" baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Prepare the bottom layer by combining butter and sugar in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. With a wooden spoon, stir in flour, baking powder, salt and nuts. Spoon batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake 20 minutes and remove from oven.
3. Prepare the top layer by placing chocolate and butter in a double boiler. heat gently and stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar, then add eggs, vanilla and Guinness, stirring until well-combined. Whisk in flour and salt until all ingredients are combined. Slowly pour over partially baked bottom layer.
4. Bake 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out almost clean. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan, placed on a wire rack, before slicing.
Serves 24 (or more, if you slice them into smaller squares). Serve within 2 days.


Sending loving thoughts,
Anne :-)

* Purchase my Haste to the Wedding Album all over the Internet, including at my website, where you can request an autographed copy. Or download it from CDBaby.com, amazon.com, and iTunes.

Your Chance to Win $350 In Wedding Prizes Ends This Friday!

The subject line says it all. See the last post for directions for entry into the "Get Ready for Your Wedding" Contest. Simply "follow" this blog by scrolling down and clicking "follow" in the right hand margin of this blog. Then add your comment. Enter a second time and increase your chances of winning by reading the directions in the last post.

Good luck!!!!

The "Get Ready for Your Wedding" Contest!--Contest Extended to July 15th!

Is your wedding around the corner and would you like to win over $350 in wonderful prizes? 

Here's a contest geared just for you or for your friend or loved one who is preparing to "tie the knot"!

Here's all you need to do to enter the contest: 

1. Subscribe to my blog at http://celticharpmusic.blogspot.com

2. Post a comment on any one of the articles that live there

Do this before July 15th, and you'll automatically be entered into my raffle. In addition, when you post the following on Twitter and/or Facebook (you need to friend me on Facebook so that I see your comment in the newsfeed), your name will be entered into the drawing twice, increasing your chances to win. 


Wondering how to follow to this blog? Simply scroll down and click "follow" on the right hand column of this blog.

RT: Brides, win over $350 in prizes by subscribing to http://j.mp/66I0Rs and leaving a comment there. Good luck, @anneroos

Here are the prizes:

10 lucky subscribers will be awarded:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

5 very lucky subscribers will be awarded:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

- My Celtic wedding music CD, "Haste to the Wedding" ($18 value)

1 exceptionally lucky subscriber will receive the Grand Prize:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

- My Celtic wedding music CD, "Haste to the Wedding" ($18 value)

- Hand-made Celtic-style earrings ($24 value)

- Relaxing Heart Rock herbal bath gift set ($20 value)

- My soothing "Through the Mist" CD, filled with environmental sounds ($16 value)

- A Beachbody workout kit, including DVDs and a diet and exercise book containing simple guidelines to get you in shape for your wedding day and keep you in shape long thereafter ($129 value)

- A one-months supply of Xocai Healthy Chocolate High-Antioxidant Protein Meal Replacement Shake to enjoy while you are shaping up for your big day ($165 value)

Winners will be chosen at random from among followers to this blog who add a comment to any article on this blog between June 7th and July 14th. People who subscribe and tweet the above message will be entered into the drawing twice. Winners will be announced July 15th right here at http://celticharpmusic.blogspot.com. If you already happen to follow my blog,  no worries… simply post a comment on the blog and you can take part in the raffle as well.

The Contest is open only to men and women who: (a) are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, Washington, DC, and at least eighteen (18) years of age) at the time of entry; and (b) possess a valid e-mail address.  Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. P.D.T., July 14, 2011. 

One entry per blog follow who adds a comment on the blog. A bonus entry is added for that follower who also posts the specified verbiage above on the Facebook newsfeed, and/or Twitter newsfeed.