Dream Nursery Sweepstakes

For those of you who have Baby Fever, there is a dreamy giveaway waiting for you!

PARENTS Magazine, American Baby and Posh Tots have a fabulous $10,000 Dream Nursery Sweepstakes!

Official Rules

Imagine having $10,000 at your disposal to create the nursery of your dreams for your precious little one.  Let your imagination soar!

Don't delay...this sweepstakes end 6/22/12.

Solar Eclipse May 2012

#1 - Solar Elcipse at the start of our outing.

For the first time ever I was able to see a solar eclipse...and I was just as excited as my girls. (perhaps even more so)

Solar Eclipse glasses on hand even on the slide!

The fact that today was the day, the time that I happened to be at the park was the right time and some very generous strangers happened to have two extra viewing glasses were a series of coincidences falling together just to ironically brighten my day.

#2 - Solar Eclipse starting...see the little mirrored image in that light reflection?

#3 - The attempt of taking a shot of the eclipse through a pair of
the special glasses...not so great.

Since I was not expecting to take part in this event, my camera was sitting very comfortably nestled back at our home instead of in my hands.  The pictures I captured with my DROID RAZR surprised me.

#4 - Solarized feature of my RAZR.

#5 - Same shot without solarize filter.

As we waited the kiddles played, I kept checking on the status of the sun and hoping that I wouldn't miss the "ring of fire" that was suppsed to occur.

Can you tell I'm a little tired?  Hahaha

#6 - Almost there!

Get your glasses on!!!

The only downfall, the clouds moved in right over the sun JUST AS the complete eclipse was happening. What were the odds of that? And then to rub it in, they moved beyond the sun to show us all that the moon was on it's was across the other half. Not going to lie, I was MAD.

#7 - Just before the full eclipse...

the darned clouds moved in!

Did you get to see it? This really was one of the most amazing things I've experienced...so strange having it get darker little by little without the clouds being the cause. Almost like a smokey haze over the whole valley floor.

Ah well, I guess I'll just have to try again next solar eclipse...
According to Wikipedia that will be in 2014: A partial solar eclipse is in store for the western United States on Oct. 23, 2014. Western Canada, Alaska and the northern edge of the U.S. border between Washington state to Wisconsin should have the best view, with more than 60% of the sun's diameter (its center line) blocked by the moon's shadow. California and the U.S. Southwest should see more than 40% of the sun's diameter covered.

According to NASA in 2017: A "total" solar eclipse will completely cover the sun's light, blotting out even the sun's outer fringes. Total eclipses are far more exciting because they will shroud the land in an eerie midday twilight. The Aug. 21, 2017, total eclipse will be trailing through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, northeastern Kansas, Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky, Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and South Carolina. 

See you all then!

A day filled with love...

A day filled to the brim...that's what we've had.

Love #1 - First I spent my morning hanging out with my girls and watching their new Bratz Kids FairyTale movie...which I have to say was pretty cute.  Even found myself bopping along with the music while Grace & Rose performed for me.

Love #2 - The afternoon was was pretty full with a trip on over to our church, Victory City Church, to help make lunches to help feed 1,200 people!  (actually our final lunch number was 1,242)  I love being involved with a church that has such a heart for serving others and reaching out to make a difference.

Love #3 - Shared a little love with our buddy Max and a slew of 1st graders at EZ Air (Indoor Trampoline Park).  Kids have the best birthday parties these days...we never had anything like this place when I was little. We watched all of the kiddles bounce, flip, bump, plunge to their hearts' content.  And I am pleased to announce that all of the bouncing took it's toll on my kiddles and mellowed them out for the rest of the night. (in fact Rose fell asleep before Captain America even transformed)

Love #4 - Got to spend a little Mom, Dad & Grace time watching Captain America & Cars 2.  It's not often that we get to sit down with her alone and have a movie night.  She even was incharge of making the popcorn...her choice: White Cheddar. (that's my cheesy little girl)

Love #5 - Getting to bed before midnight!!!  That almost never happens.

Ghirardelli Sweepstakes

Click the image above to enter the GHIRARDELLI Chocolate San Francisco Getaway! Only one entry per person. Ends July 31st.

One Grand Prize winner and a guest will be whisked away to San Francisco for a weekend of pure chocolate decadence.
Prizes include one (1) Grand Prize:

• Two tasting tickets to the 17th Annual Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival
• Roundtrip airfare to San Francisco (restrictions apply)
• Hotel accommodations
• San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise
• Basket full of Ghirardelli Chocolate

Estimated Retail Value: over $3,000


Second Place Prizes:
Two (2) Second Place winners will receive a Ghirardelli's All Things Chocolate Gift Basket
Estimated Retail Value: $180

Dark Chocolate Kahlua Mocha Cake (a.k.a Blackout Cake)

Oh this cake definitely takes the cake!  And it's a bit of a cheat along the way. ;)  Which makes it a perfect cake for all sorts of gatherings.

I needed to start things off right...so of course I have my mocha & the "cheat" in the forefront.

And then the other additives/supporting cast.  They make all the difference in the world. (the only components not included in this photo shoot...eggs, water & vegetable oil)

Follow the instructions on the cake mix box...with a little tweak to the water measurement. I substitute half of the water for Kahlua liqueur. (if you don't like Kahlua, use 1 Tbsp. of instant coffee mixed with the called for water measurement)

Always make sure to scrape down the sides to get everything incorporated.

Chop and drop in the chocolate chips and the coffee granules! (I tend to go with decaf granules since there is so much chocolate already)

Batter goes into an oil sprayed and lightly floured Bundt pan, into the oven and comes out looking like this!

Hold back and allow it to fully cool before adding...

the Chocolate Mocha Ganache.

Dark Chocolate Kahlua Mocha Cake (Blackout Cake)

Prep: 15-20 minutes
Baking Time:
  Bundt®: 33-36 minutes
  Two 8": 26-31 minutes
  Two 9": 24-29 minutes
  13" x 9": 26-31 minutes
Level: Easy

Ingredients:
1 box Duncan Hines Classic Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake mix
3 Eggs
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup Kahlua liqueur (or disolve 1 additional Instant Coffee granules to water)
2 Tbsp. Instant Coffee Granules
1/2 cup Girardelli 60% Cocoa Chocolate Chips

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 350°F for metal pan, 325°F for dark or coated pans. Grease the sides and bottom of the pan(s) with shortening or oil spray. Flour pan(s) lightly.

Chop chocolate chips and set aside.

In a large bowl blend cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water and Kahlua liqueur at low speed. 
Scrape down sides of bowl and blend at speed 2 for 15 seconds.  Add chocolate chips and coffee granules to batter. Blend at low speed for an additional 15 seconds.

Immediately pour batter into prepared pan and place in preheated oven.
Bake according to the time chart above. Add 3-5 minutes to bake time for dark or coated pans. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Invert and allow cake to cool completely before frosting with Chocolate Mocha Ganache.

A Moment To Just Reflect

This morning I decided that I needed a moment for just me...out of the confines of my home. (It's my daily office after all, not an escape) Usually a morning escape includes some dear friends, "The Momma Crew" as I like to refer to us, but this morning it needed to just be a solo venture.

There has been so much going on in the lives of those that touch my life...I just needed time to sit, reflect and sift through it all. There have been several cancer diagnoses, deaths, job changes bringing the move of a very dear friend from The Momma Crew, the verge of kindergarten & 1st grade completions...just so much that takes an emotional toll.

It's been so long since I could just get a moment alone without family duties and work knocking on the door.  Before the past several months I would have thought that I could take it all on without a problem...instead I have found myself randomly in tears as thoughts pop up.

My body has been trying to process and I have been ignoring it...and in the process I have been concerning my darling kiddles.  How does one explain that Momma us just an emotional mess to a 5 & 7 year old? 

The silver lining in all of my emotional turmoil is that it has caused me to spend so much more quality time with God. Crying, talking, singing and reflecting on Scripture have become tender moments that I have spent with my God & Savior.

Do I have all the answers? No.

BUT I do have an assurance that it was all foreseen and that God has a way of turning things into amazing testimonies of His grace and love.  When I look back on moments in my life and people who have touched it, there has always been a larger purpose to every twist and turn.  And it has always been far different than what I first perceived it to be.

When it boils down to it, even in my "ME" moments, God/Jesus/The Holy Spirit is at the center of it all. HE is my core and walks every step of the way with me...I can't imagine the void my life would have if I had to walk it without Him.

I feel better now...perhaps I'll go bake something.  :)

10 Days Of REDBOX Deals!

I LOVE REDBOX!!  Really, I do.  And I'm thrilled to pass along a little savings from one of my favorite treats...cheap family movie nights!

Discount code expires 5/22/12 at 11:59:59pm CT and is subject to terms at the end of this  post.

WHEN YOU TEXT "MAY" TO 727272, YOU'LL GET 2 MESSAGES. 
Limit 1 discount code/day. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to quit, HELP for help.

Charges will be on your wireless bill or deducted from pre-paid amounts. Participating carriers only & depends on device compatibility.

Additional Terms: Code expires 5/22/12 at 11:59:59pm CT. Valid for either a 25¢, 50¢, or $1 discount off the standard daily rental fee for the item rented at a kiosk for the first night of rental. Limit: 1 code per transaction, regardless of # of rentals. 1 time use of code only. Not valid online, via app, or for prior rentals. Your payment card (necessary for any rental) will be charged the excess daily rental fee for the item and the full daily rental rate for any additional items, plus applicable tax (except for MD rental transactions for which additional tax is not charged) for the first night of rental, if applicable, and will be charged the full daily rental fee for all items plus applicable tax (except for MD rental transactions) for each day you do not return your rental by 9:00 pm local time (at the kiosk) after first rental night. Void where prohibited by law. Code must not be copied, sold, or otherwise offered. Any other use constitutes fraud. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not redeemable for cash. Offer subject to cancellation or change at any time. cancellation or change at any time.

First 1st Grade Spring Music Performance

My darling little Grace had her first school performance tonight.  There she is in her pretty blue dress wearing her "I can't wait, I'm so excited" smirk...and Momma (Daddy too) was SO very proud of her...so proud that I have to share. :)

All of the kiddles were so good...and entertaining.  I keep watching the videos and cracking up at how cute they are.  Couple the end of the school year right around the corner with a program geared for Mother's Day & Father's Day and you get a room full of very happy/proud/emotional parents. 

We also learned that the backdrop to the performance was created by each of the classes for the moms & dads.  And, of course, they all had to show off what part they did to bring it all together.

Grace was so excited and thrilled that everything went so well, "I almost cried Mommy...because I was so happy!"  Confession: That statement made me tear up.

"She needs to be on stage. Did you see how animated she was?"  Thank you Mrs. Peak...I can't wait to see her blossom since she loves performing so much.

FREE Shipping From Autism Awareness! FINAL DAY!!

I just came across this great deal...
Autism Awareness is offering FREE shipping on orders of $25 or more!  But you have to be sure to use their code: FREE25

One of the best things, besides the products & pricing, is that every purchase helps
My favorite items:

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If you know anyone who has a precious little one with autism, there are some great gifts to be had for Mother's Day!

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