Cupcake Fanatic

What is it about cupcakes? Lately, they are all the rage. Cupcakes in so many shapes, colors, and sizes. Cupcakes for weddings. Cupcakes for birthday parties. Cupcakes are everywhere. My very creative friend Tracey Harrelson is C-R-A-Z-Y about baking cupcakes. She has declared me an official taster of her cupcakes and I am MORE than okay with that. My husband had to get in on the testing too. So he is officially one of her testers as well. What I love about Tracey is her passion for baking. She will bake and bake and bake, until it is juuuuust right. I can guarantee you that within each of her cupcakes is a piece of her heart! Her latest batch of cupcakes were Snickers! Let me begin by describing the icing: smooth and creamy, not too sweet, with caramel and snickers on top. Below is a picture. Inside, she baked a mini-snickers that added to the amazingness of them!

Side-View (notice the cute polka-dot paper wrapper)

View from the Top

Lastly, I must tell you about Tracey's fabulous Cake Pops. She made these for me a few months ago and I can not tell you how excited I was to see these waiting on my desk at school one morning. I promise, if you had one, your day would be DELIGHTFUL! She made them again for our after school gathering today and they were a HIT! Everyone had to get 2 Cake pops since she made Chocolate and Vanilla! If you would like to see how she made these, you can visit http://www.bakerella.com for the recipe. There are lots of neat treats on this site! The picture below is of the Cake Pops she made today that are made to look like Musical Notes--- NOW that is something to sing about. All I have to say is BAKE ON TRACEY! You are wonderful!

5 Kernels

This evening, Daniel and I were eating dinner with with Rosalee and Steve (my in-laws), discussing the day and sharing cute "kid stories" My mother in law is a wonderful teacher who puts thought into every word that is spoken to her children. She told me a story about the Legend of the Five Kernels.I had never heard this story and was immediately hooked. Posted below is the story. This simple story will remind you of the struggles that the Pilgrims and Indians endured. This year, our family will share in the same tradition passed from the Pilgrims. Enjoy and Blessings to all this Thanksgiving Season!

It was very cold for the Pilgrims that first winter.

Food was in short supply.

Some days, they had only five kernels of corn.

When spring came, the Pilgrims planted the remaining corn.

The sun and rain helped the seeds to grow

and much food was harvested in the fall.

Every Thanksgiving thereafter, the Pilgrims placed

five kernels of corn beside each plate

to remind them of their blessings.

The first kernel reminded them of the autumn beauty.

The second kernel reminded them of their love for each other.

The third kernel reminded them of their family's love.

The fourth kernel reminded them of their friends...

especially their Indian brothers.

The fifth kernel reminded them of their freedom.

This Thanksgiving, let us all remember the blessings of our lives.

Count the kernels, count your blessings.

Christmas Fun

So tonite I am headed to the Southern Christmas show with a few friends and can't wait to be surrounded by amazing homemade goods, great food, and neat ornaments. To get the season started I thought I would post something handmade that I found on http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com. This simple, but sweet Christmas card may need to be given out this year. If you would like to print this free card, simply click on the link underneath the picture.

If you want to get a jump on printing out Christmas goodies, here's a hand-drawn holiday card, compliments of Mufn Inc.

Dare you to Move

Everyday we step out of bed, into the shower, and then into the rest of our day. Everyday God is daring us to move- to make something happen. The song Dare you to Move, by Switchfoot is by far one of my favorite songs. It makes me think of the children of this generation and what a different world they are born into. It also reminds me of the everyday trials that everyone faces. As we makes mistakes, we learn and we "pick ourselves up off the floor" My favorite line is "I dare you to move like today never happened. Easy to sing, but so hard to remember. We walk around with scars on our hearts. Scars that many do not know about. Scars that have changed our whole life. Please take a moment to listen if you have the time.

And remember.... All of us are insecure. All of us are damaged. All of us are loved.

The Oak Inside the Acorn

"The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

A few years ago my mom bought me this book, The Oak Inside the Acorn. This book, by Max Lucado, tells the story of a little acorn that is so scared about leaving his mother Oak. Before he falls from her limbs, she tells him over and over again that " Within you is a great oak. Just be the tree God made you to be." As you journey with the little acorn, you hear of his fears and worries, but as he matures and grows, he begins to understand what his mother meant all along. Although this book is intended for young children, it is a perfect reminder to us as adults that God is still working in us and through us. This sweet story of the acorn is a powerful moral lesson, one of growth, regeneration, potential, patience, and faith. This week I will be reading this story to all the second graders at Ida Rankin, in hopes they will take away this message and walk away wondering "Wonder what I could be one day?" Have a blessed week everyone!

Feels like Home....

As many of you know, Daniel and I are anxiously waiting for our home to be built. We drive by daily and dream of memories we will make in our new home. I've been thinking lately how I have had many "Homes" throughout my lifetime. My first home was a Log Home on Belle Rd in Point Pleasant. I had many homes during college in Huntington, WV. I have a Home here at my In-Laws while my home is being built. But to me having a home is so much more. To me home is a weekend with my mom, or laughing with my dad, telling jokes with my brother, or fun days with friends. Home is listening to my Ma Ma Lee's stories, a day spent with the children at school and home is laying in bed blogging. To me, the meaning of home is connected with comfort, relationships, family, relatives, friends and traditions that give meaning to our lives. My idea of home has so many layers. Home to me can be a warm blanket, a new book, a candle burning, and a prayer. Home is a word that makes me feel safe. Think today about what reminds you of home. While you're thinking, listen below to the song, Feels like Home, By Edwina Hayes. It is so pretty and makes me feel well.... home.

Dignity

I've been reading a lot about bestowing dignity. According to the book, 10 Conversations You Need to Have with your Children, every human being has value and every human encounter is a fresh chance to let him know it. Some people believe in human kindness, others believe it is to love and be loved, but we also need to remember to confer dignity on all of God's creatures. It made me think, "Do I practice this daily." Well....sometimes, is what I told myself. Let's clear up the definition of the word before going an deeper. This is what dictionary.com stated.....

dig·ni·ty

   

[dig-ni-tee] Show IPA

–noun, plural -ties.

1.

bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect orappreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion orsituation.

2.

nobility or elevation of character; worthiness: dignity ofsentiments.

Sounds to me like it is our job to impress value upon the lives of others. When you smile at someone, ask about their day, offer a compliment, you are conferring dignity. You bring them to life. Whenever you make someone feel that they matter, you lend them dignity.

Let me know of ways that you confer dignity to others....

Thanks for Reading!

Life Planner

Okay, I will admit it.... I LOVE PLANNERS.... CALENDARS.... ORGANIZERS and I am always on the lookout for the perfect planner. As I was blog browsing last week, I found the absolute b-e-s-t planner ever! Found it at http://www.erincondren.com. Erin is a stay-at-home mom and has twins! She is amazingly creative and her designs are so fun and funky.

I quickly messaged my mom and added this to the Christmas List! She personalizes the front of the planner to your pleasing and adds lots of personal touches throughout the planner as well!

Below is a video of what is inside the planner and how she puts it together. If you have time, please watch. If you can't stand planners and think this was a waste of time..... kindly disregard the video and return later for more postings!