I’m reposting one of my first posts on my blog because 1) I love Ebates; 2) I want everyone else to love Ebates; and 3) it’s my blog. Nanernaner.

I just received another big fat check from my friends at Ebates.  So here’s the repost:

Ebates is the pioneer and leader of online Cash Back Shopping. The company was founded in 1998 by two Deputy District Attorneys in Silicon Valley who used to prosecute online fraud & identity theft before starting Ebates (so you can be sure we are very into secure online transactions!). So go ahead, sign up and start shopping now. Joining Ebates is always free – you’ll never pay us anything. And four times a year or more, we’ll mail you a Big Fat Check, or transfer the money to your PayPal account if you’d prefer. We can even send the money to your favorite charity. All 100% free.

People often ask: “This sounds too good to be true, how are you able to do it?” It really is quite simple. Just like almost every other online shopping center, we get a commission from the stores when you make a purchase. Instead of keeping that money – like almost all other sites do – we share it with you!

So, as long as 1200+ of the world’s top online stores are happy to pay a bonus to attract the new, valuable customers we send their way, Ebates is going to continue to send Big Fat Checks to our satisfied customers across the globe.

I watched this clip originally during the Winter Olympics last year. I know that there will be a lot of coverage for this 10 year anniversary but I would urge you to make time to watch this story about the town of Gander Newfoundland, and how the entire community came together on 911 to provide food and shelter to the thousands of passengers who were in flight on September 11th to the United States, but were diverted to Canada. It is a remarkable story. In the chaos that followed this disaster, few even thought about what happened to all the planes that were in air at the time. I cannot imagine how scared these passengers were, but they were welcomed in this small community. It is a 45 minute clip, which I know is long, but you will be hooked within the first few minutes. I am so proud to be an American. So proud of the spirit that Americans showed on September 11th and afterwards. I am also so thankful that Canada welcomed my fellow Americans with open arms during this crisis. This story shines a bright light on the better part of our humanity.

Update July 20, 2012 – The link above no longer works.  I searched for hours to find the clip originally, and only found it on the one website. I am leaving this post in the hopes that the link will return, but I know as of today it is broken. Sorry!

Don’t hate me because I love nutella.

Nutella Bread*

(makes one loaf

 – so you know, double or quadruple this recipe)

• 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature (16 tablespoons or 1 cup)
• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• One 13-ounce jar Nutella

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  Lightly grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, tapping out any excess flour. (I like to brush the loaf pan with melted butter, lay a cut sheet of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan, butter that and then flour the entire inside and then tap out the excess.  It ensures that your bread comes out perfectly.)  In a medium bowl, whisk the 1-1/2 cups of flour with the baking powder and salt and set aside.

In a large bowl beat the butter with the sugar at medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes.  With the mixer at medium-low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, making sure each one gets incorporated before adding the next one.  Add the vanilla extract.  Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, beating at low speed between additions until incorporated.  Continue to beat for 30 seconds longer.

Spread one-third of the batter in the prepared pan, then spread half of the Nutella on top.  Repeat with another third of the batter and the remaining Nutella.  Top with the remaining batter.  Lightly swirl the Nutella into the batter with a butter knife.  Do not overmix.

Bake the cake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes.  Invert the cake onto a wire rack, turn it right side up and let cool completely, about 2 hours.  Cut the cake into slices and serve.

This will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.  It can also be wrapped tightly and frozen.

*Recipe and photo from theitaliandishblog.com

Did you know that Sally Hansen sold makeup? Me either.  Until I was in CVS browsing the makeup isle.  I found this pink concealer for under $10, and had to buy it.  I’m impulsive like that. It really is more of a highlighter than a concealer. It’s very creamy. Really brightens up the old bags. And this old bag.

I am still trying to find the Sally Hansen Natural Highlighter in Pink Luster, as it appears to have both white and the pink highlighter, but so far have been unlucky in finding online or at a CVS store.  I will find it though, do not doubt that for a minute. Now that I know Sally Hansen has a very affordable line of makeup, i.e., cheap, I will be testing more.