5.13.2010

Music on the mind

I started listening to some of my old music favorites last night. 

10,000 Maniacs/Natalie Merchant were one of my late 80's and early 90's preferences (along with the Cure, The Smiths, Morissey, Depeche Mode, etc...I miss good music).

I saw them in concert before heading off to college, before Natalie Merchant went solo. 
Way back when...1992 if you youngins really must know. 
And I wore this t-shirt everywhere as a freshman and sophomore...


I'm still feeling for my poor college roommates who had to listen to my dreary sleepy music every night.  It's taken me years to get over my "can't sleep without music" problem.

Anyways, I've always loved this song.  So much that my blog is even named after it.
Posting for my posterity's sake, though, tonight.
But you're more than welcome to read the lyrics.

These are the Days

These are days you'll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You'll know it's true
That you are blessed and lucky
It's true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you
These are days that you'll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You'll know it's true
That you are blessed and lucky
It's true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you
These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you'll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It's true
Then you'll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they're speaking
To you, to you

5.09.2010

3 Poems

Mother's Day Letter

Dear, Mom
My mom's the BEST!
On mothers day I make stuff for her.
The best mom is my mom.
Here is a gift Mom.
Every mothers day my Mom likes.
R (are) the Best.

Love,
Jared



My Mom

My Mom's name is I don't know, but I call her Mommy.
She is 14 years old and 14 feet tall.
She has blue and brown eyes and brown hair.
Her favorite color is pink and purple.
My Mom wears a size large.
My Moms favorite food is fish.
Her favorite drink is coffee diet coke.
My Mom likes to take a shower.
Her favorite place to go out to eat is McDonald's.
When she doesn't have anything to do, my mom usually likes to play video games.
I love my mom because she plays the wii with me.

Mother's Day 2010
I love you.

Evan



 My Mom 

My mom is happy when I come home from school and helpful when she helps me do my job.
My mom wonders if I have fun at school.
My mom hears my brother and I play.
My mom sees our family being happy.
My mom wants something I made rather than something from a store for a present.
My mom is happy when I come home from school and helpful when she helps me do my job.

My mom pretends my sister is a princess.
My mom feels that I am like her.
My mom touches my heart.
My mom worries when I come home from school late.
My mother cries when somebody gets hurt.
My mom is happy when I come home from school and helpful when she helps me do my job.

My mom understands that our church is true.
My mom says I should play outside.
My mom dreams of us being happy somewhere.
My mom tries to help our family as much as she can.
My mom hopes we will love each other when we are older.
My mom is happy when I come home from school and helpful when she helps me do my job.

By: Tyler

5.07.2010

Something is wrong with me

This week I organized a cabinet.
I mopped the kitchen floor.
My ottoman is finally finished...
with 3 throw pillows to go with it.
Another batch of cupcakes were made.
This time...Lemon Cream!
Which means a new favorite recipe added to my list.
I went to playgroup.
My children had playdates, too.
All the kids made it to the dentist
and left with a 100% clean bill of dental health!
I somehow managed to motivate 3 of my children to deep clean their bedroom.
And the end result brought me to tears.
Seriously...I cried because my boys cleaned their room.
How ridiculous is that!
(You should have seen it, though...beautiful work!)
And get this...I randomly decided that I should make Anna a dress.
Which had to included a matching bag.

During a typical week, I struggle to make sure dinner is on the table and that my son gets to school in the morning.

Something is really wrong.  Or maybe it's Spring Fever.  But something jump started me...
and has left me wondering how long this will last! 

5.03.2010

Cupcake!

A few weeks ago, we stopped by a friends house to see their son who had just had a major surgery.  We came with toys and a card and ended up leaving with a plate full of mini chocolate cupcakes...talk about walking in at the perfect moment!!

And these cupcakes were SO delicious.  Thankfully, I didn't have to beg for the recipe and Jenny freely shared it.  Many, many thanks!!!!!

We made the full sized cupcake version today and they did not disappoint (however, I did enjoy more the small pops of flavor of the mini cupcakes).  The kids and I agreed, though that the frosting was our favorite part of this treat!

It was a happy Monday evening at our home because of them!




Cream Cheese Frosting
By Baker’s

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup Cool Whip, thawed

Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended.  Gradually beat in sugar.  Whisk in Cool Whip.   Keep refrigerated.





Best Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake
By Kraft

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. (4 serving size) Jell-O chocolate instant pudding
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup water
1 pkg. (8 squares) Baker’s Semi-Sweet baking chocolate, divided
8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.  Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened, scraping sides frequently.  Beat on medium speed 2 minutes or until well blended.  Stir in 2 squares of the chocolate, chopped (or I just used Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate chips).  Spoon into prepared pans.

Bake 30-35 min. or until toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean.  Cool in pans 10 min. on wire rack.  Gently remove pans.  Cool completely on wire racks.

Place remaining 6 squares chocolate and whipped topping in medium microwaveable bowl.  Microwave on HIGH 1 ½ to 2 min.  Stir until well blended and shiny.  Cool 5 min.  Place 1 cake layer on serving plate; spread ¼ of the chocolate mixture over cake.  Place second cake layer on top; spread remaining chocolate mixture over top and sides of cake.  Garnish with sprinkles or almonds. 


*For mini cupcakes- bake at 325 degrees for 11-13 minutes.

5.02.2010

A Hobby.

I love digital scrapbooking.
I wish I had more time to spend creating my book of family memories.
And I love getting recognized for the scrapping that I do find time to do!!

I think all digital scrapbookers are familiar with MSA--My Scrapbook Art.
I'm the Featured Scrapper in their May newsletter, Flourish!!  

If you want to check it out, you can find the newsletter HERE.
(Scroll over the button next to "full screen" and click on "paper view".  I'm on page 9 and 10).

And in other scrapbooking news, my great friend Denise is the "Treat of the Month" over at The Sweet Shoppe.
At the Sweet Shoppe, you can purchase some "Inspired by Denise" templates by Darcy Baldwin.

Here's what I made with one of them...

 

And a layout created with one of Denise's own templates...