Elvis Presley Cake

I had an amazing thing happen today.  After connecting with a very dear old friend (on Facebook several months ago), as in someone I went to school and confirmation with during junior high - yes, we went EVERY Saturday for 3 years to study for confirmation, she shared with me that she'd just seen my high school graduation announcement, and name card, in one of her scrapbooks.  Now I hate to count how many years ago that was ... 1971 you do the math ... but couldn't believe she had kept that.  I may have a copy in an old hope chest that's covered with boxes that I haven't looked in for probably 10 years - but I doubt it. 

She is so sweet and is going to send it to me where it will go immediately into my family history album before I misplace it.  I LOVE memorialblia, just ask my family, but I haven't been very good at keeping it organized.  I think I'll go dig out some of my OLD photo albums and look up her picture.  It's a lovely gift to reconnect with an old and dear friend!  Thank you God for blessing me by putting Lisa back in my life.

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I posted this on my Facebook and thought I'd share it again too.  Wonderful words ... imagine if we could each do this every day?  We all be calmer and probably nicer to be around!

Honor True Self
Forgive with Compassion
Receive ALL of life with Thanksgiving
CHOOSE with Thoughtful Consideration
Dream with Powerful Vision
Act with Bold Courage
Dance with a Light Heart
Relax in the Arms of Spirit
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

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And now on today's important date ... Elive Presley's birthday!  Here's a recipe to celebrate, if you feel so inclined.  For more background on the recipe please go to the site.

Elvis Presley Cake

http://www.southernplate.com/2008/08/elvis-presley-cake.html

This is one of my favorite sites and Christy Jordan posts the most wonderful recipes and she's very entertaining as well.  Today she is celebrating Elvis Presley's birthday (January 8, 1935–August 16, 1977).  The older I get the more I appreciate his talent.  (My family has never let me live down getting up in an airport cafe and dancing to "You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog" when I was four, so guess I liked his music back then!)  Just yesterday I was listening to a video of him singing gospel songs - guess I was celebrating his birthday early.  When he died it was one of those events that "I'll always remember where I was" when I heard the news ... bartending in Hart Bowling Alley, if you were wondering.

 

CAKE:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 (3-ounce) box vanilla pudding (not sugar free!)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 (16-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1 cup sugar

FROSTING:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick butter or margarine, softened
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix cake mix, pudding, eggs, oil, and milk. Beat until smooth.Bake in greased 9x13-inch pan in 350F preheated oven for 45-60 minutes (or until center springs back).While cake is baking, boil pineapple and sugar on top of stove until sugar has melted. While cake is still hot, punch holes in cake and pour hot pineapple over cake. Let cool.
2. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar gradually and beat until creamy. Add pecans, if desired, and mix well. Drop by dollops onto cake until top is mostly covered, then smooth and spread to frost cake.

If you want to see pictures of all the steps to make this cake just go to the blog.

Life is too short ...

This came to me in an email about breast cancer (thanks Ruth!).  I thought it deserved to be shared repeatedly because it's a great description of how to live life.  (I just love when I find "directions" for how to live!)

Life is too short to wake up with regrets..
So love the people who treat you right..
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy,
they just promised it would be worth it.

I really have made the decision to surround myself with people I love, who are encouraging, positive and joyful!  Life is just too short to spend time with people who criticise, drag you down and are negative.

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I've got a question about something I've observed the last 2 days when I've been out and about ... all the gas stations I've seen have bumped their price up to $3.29.  I'm talking ALL of them, like maybe 9 or 10 different gas stations.  NEVER have I seen the same price like this before.  I'm also a little outraged that my favorite station jumped from 3.09 to 3.29 OVER NIGHT!  Is there something going on I don't know about.  Have they all conspired together?  It is bizarre!!!  (BTW - how much is the gas where you are?)

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This is a wonderful blog about raising children.  It's not the usual view point about how wonderful motherhood is and I love the honestly this Mom shared. 
http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/04/2011-lesson-2-dont-carpe-diem/

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Here's another blog post that I related to about how self critical scrapbookers are often with their work.  Why we compare ourselves to other talented women who have completely different styles from ours and we let their creativity dry up ours, instead of embracing the differences.  For the most part, I've accepted that my style is "simple".  I don't like adding lots of bulking embellishments and rarely scrap with just one photo on a sheet of 12" x 12" paper.  It's just not me and that's OK (most of the time).  Please share this with all your scrapbooking friends!

http://nathaliesnotes.typepad.com/nathalies_notes/2012/01/eyes-on-your-own-paper-yall.html

Guess this is a good place to end this post.  I hope you've enjoyed the variety today of all the different topics.

Wishing you a peaceful Sunday and GREAT week! 

XOXO,
Karen

010512 Peppermint Cookies

I discovered something I didn't know existed last month ... Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips.  If you know me, you know I LOVE peppermint - the taste, the scent, and especially Peppermint Chocolate Chips shakes at Chik-Fil-A only available during the holidays!!!

Anyway, I found a recipe on the back of the package called Andres Peppermint Crunch Chunkies.  Of course I HAD to make them and they were SOOOOO good!  Here's the recipe:

2 sticks butter
1 cup dark brown sugar (I used light brown because that's what I had on hand)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1-3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sweetened grated coconut
1-1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans1
1/2 cups Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
Red sprinkle sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (F).  Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes).  Beat in egg and vanilla extract.  On low speed add baking soda, salt and then flour.  Mix completely.  Stir in oats, coconut, pecans and Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips.

Measure out 2 tablespoons for large (or 1 tablespoon for small) cookies.  Place round balls on a lightly greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.  Press slightly.  Sprinkle some of the  remaining  chips on top of cookie.  Bake 20 minutes for large cookies or 12-15 minutes for small cookies. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER BAKE.  They get crunchy on the outside but remain soft on the inside.  Remove from cookie sheet and let cool.

NOTE: I rolled the cookies in the red sprinkle sugar for an added festive flair.

Yield: 30 - 3" or 60 - 1-1/2".

These are amazing and will definitely be adding to our yearly Christmas must have goodies to make.  I just wished I bought several bags to staff in the freezer.

If you make these, please let me know what you think of them.

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I've been working on finishing my December Daily album and I just realized that I didn't take one single picture of the things I made this year (Chow Mein Goodies, Cowboy Cookies, Puppy Chow and the recipe above).  Geez Louise!!!  Guess I'll just add the recipes and hopefully remember to take pictures of them the next time I make them!

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Whoo Hoo ... just bought my Christmas cards for this year at 75% off!  Now ... where do I put them so I can find them in November???

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“What we do today, right now, Will have an accumulated effect on all our tomorrows.”
~ Alexandra Stoddard

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a FAB-U-LOUS Friday!!!

XOXO,
Karen

Some Practical Reminders and Car Wash Brownies Recipe

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.
What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.”
-A.W. Tozer

Here's something I ran across that I wanted to share with everyone.  A little planning for an emergency can effect the outcome of it.  It's all common sense and things I know, but ... I get lazy and this is a good reminder to put a little time and effect into doing something that's so easy.

Here are a few practical reminders for your home, and if you drive, for safety and maintenance of your vehicle.

Just a few preparations could save a life.

For the home:

     Check and replace smoke detectors.

     Make sure there is one fire extinguisher in the dwelling.

     Keep extra water in containers for emergencies.

     Have flashlights and batteries, candles, and matches for power outages.

     Keep important phone numbers handy.

Vehicle:

     Check tire pressure-keep pressure gauge in car.

     Schedule regular tune ups and engine maintenance.

     Put together emergency kit for vehicles. Put in a box the following:

            First aid kit

            Knife or scissors

            Blanket

            Flashlight

            Water

            Batteries

            Cell phone charger

            Hammer, screwdriver, rope

            Snack bars, a few cans of food.

Thought I'd off set this practical advise with a really yummy sounding brownie recipe.  I definitely am going to try it, just because the name is so funny.  I admit I'm better at "collecting" recipes than I am making them, but when I'm inspired look out, there will be magic in my kitchen!

Car Wash Brownies

http://frickonastick.com/2010/12/a-birthday-tradition/
(note: I have no idea why they’re called Car Wash Brownies but I don’t even need to know…)

1 cup margarine
4 Tbsp cocoa
1 cup water
2 cups flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ cup sour milk (add lemon juice)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs

Icing:
½ cup margarine
¼ cup milk
4 Tbsp cocoa
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350°F

Mix in a pot the margarine, cocoa and water, bringing to a boil. Remove from heat and add flour, salt, and baking soda. Stir until combined. Add milk, sugar and eggs last. Mix well and pour into 9×13 pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until it tests done.

Icing:

Bring margarine, milk and cocoa to a boil. Take off stove, add icing sugar. Stir until combined add vanilla. Mix with beaters until smooth, then pour over lukewarm brownies.

If I hadn't just made a batch of Magic Cookie Bars I'd be whipping this up in my kitchen instead of blogging about them. I'll report back after I've personally taste tested them.

If you try them, please let me know how you liked them!

Sending you HUGS and chocolate dreams,

Karen

010212 Have you ever made a LOVE LIST?

I guess you could also call them a Life List or a Bucket List but I'm going with Love List because it all the things I "want" to do in 2012.  They're not necessarily the typical kind of get healthier goals but all are to support my having more FUN in my life.  (Through therapy last fall I truly GOT that I don't have much fun in my life and I'm more than ready to change that!)

My LOVE LIST for 2012 …

1.     Get together with Ruth every month

2.     Get together with Andrea and Doylene at least every other month

3.     Focus on having fun

4.     Walk 10 minutes a day

5.     Quit smoking by 2/14/12

6.     Do a monthly scrapbooking double page layout EVERY month

7.     Send birthday cards ON TIME

8.     Get my nails done every month

9.     Save money every month for Christmas

10.  Finish my Christmas shopping by 12/01/12

11.  Go the Texas State Fair

12.  See Josh Groban in concert

13.  Make ornaments for Sara and Tiffany

14.  Declutter 15 minutes a day

15.  Make red hat Renuzit angels

16.  Make photo gift tags

17.  Make list of family birthdays, addresses and phone numbers

18.  Keep track of how many sbing layouts I do

19. Do Project Life - a weekly photo album with tidbits of journaling. 

20, Call my uncle for a weekly chat to inquire about our family history.

21. Take my granddaughters to the Fort Worth Zoo 

22. Decorate my house for every holiday

Some of these will require some $$$ and planning to make them happen but none are hard.  They will all add a spark, some joy and perhaps some grace in my life!  Most important, if I focus on this list daily my spirit will be reminded to do what I can TODAY to make them happen, rather than sitting on the computer and watching TV for hours an hours accomplishing nothing.  In fact, I'm going to pencil them in on the top of my calendar months.

It's a choice we all have how we're going to LIVE our life or just EXIST!

I'd love to hear what you might add to a list of your own.

New Years Wishes

May peace fill all the empty spaces around you
And in you, may contentment answer all your wishes.
May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.
And may the coming year
Show you that every day is really a first day,
A new year.
Let abundance be your constant companion,
So that you have much to share.
May mirth be near you always,
Like a lamp shining brightlyOn the many paths you travel
May you be true love.Author Unknown
~Author Unknown

I'm wishing you love and joy,
Karen

010112 Happy New Year

This is my year to blog regularly AND post them.  You see, I've been blogging (almost every day) but not sharing them.  I love collecting tidbits and recipes and inspirational thoughts and quotes ... so I'm going to not only collect all these kind of goodies but I'm going to "go public" with them!

Before I forget, I want to say I "borrowed" the Happy New Year banner above because it's very whimsical and I LOVE anything I think is whimsical.  I apologize for not taking better care in giving credit to where I found it.

I had the BEST new year's eve last night ... it's been YEARS since I did anything special.  Well, it couldn't have been anymore fun - I spent the afternoon and evening with 2 of my dearest friends - Ruth and Doylene.  Ruth was our hostess and took us to a fabulous little hole in the wall for great hamburgers (let me go look at the business card I picked up ... it was Maple & Motor).  We enjoyed every bite (along with some onion rings, homemade potato chips and a basket of fries) and interacted with a group next to us.  The 3 of us have never met a stranger and Ruth soon was cutting up with them and had everyone laughing.  She says she can get with anything since she's old.

The best part of the evening was hearing my youngest DD went home from the hospital.  It was stressful week with my oldest being in the ER for 48 hours and my youngest having a procedure on Thursday and had to go the ER on Friday evening with side effects.  I was a real UNHAPPY Mama for a couple of days.  Thank you God for answering my prayers about them!!!

A Few Facts About New Year’s

• Besides Auld Lang Syne , other popular songs for New Year’s are It was a Very Good Year (Frank Sinatra), Imagine by John Lennon, and What a Wonderful World made popular by Louis Armstrong.

• From 1981-88, Manhattan switched and dropped a big, lighted apple instead of the ball.
• New Year’s Eve is the busiest day of the year at the Walt Disney theme parks.
• Dick Clark started hosting New Year’s Eve in 1972, offering a younger type of programming to contrast with CBS and Guy Lombardo.
• For more on the ball drop in Times Square, read “The Times Square Ball Drop.”

The evening with spent nibbing on goodies and enjoying some coffee and Baileys!  We watched CNN to see how Kathy Griffith was going to embarrass Anderson Cooper (because that her goal every year).  I wound up going home at 1:30 A.M. - hoping and praying all the way that I didn't encounter any drunk drivers.  Made it home safe and sound although I think I held my breathe the entire 10 miles.

The following caught my eye since I've been mulling over what my new year resolutions might be.  I know what my one thing to leave behind is ... procrastination!  I'm living  with the theme "JUST DO IT" in 2012.  Tomorrow I'll share what my LOVE LIST is (instead of resolutions I'm focusing on what I want to accomplish, in addition to eating healthier, moving more and yes, quitting smoking again).

What One Thing Will You Leave Behind?

http://www.thebridgemaker.com/what-one-thing-will-you-leave-behind/

While the New Year gives us the opportunity to see life as a clean slate, there are some things we don’t want appearing on that slate again. Different from making a resolution, identifying what we want to leave behind gives us the chance to consider something that is no longer serving a purpose; doesn’t bring value or is no longer working for us.

It is something that may be keeping us from finding the happiness, peace and love we deserve.

Identifying what we want to leave behind isn’t about ignoring a difficult circumstance; it’s about acknowledging our reality and then deciding to do something about it.

I'll end with a lovely prayer I found:

"New Years Prayer" by Charlotte Anselmo: http://www.mamarocks.com/

My New Years wish for you:
" I wish you Health
So you may enjoy each day in comfort
I wish you the Love of friends and family
And Peace within your heart
I wish you the Beauty of nature
That you may enjoy the work of God
I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities
For those things that really matter in life
I wish you Generousity so you may share
All good things that come to you
I wish you Happiness and Joy And Blessings for the New Year
I wish you the best of everything
That you so well deserve!

Wishing all of you, all of these, and hope you have a Happy New Year's Day!

XOXO,
Karen

2012 - January

01 - Oprah's show with Steven tyler
Cowboys lost to the Giants and will not be going to the playoffs

02 -

03 - Switched at Birth, ABC Family CH 199

04 -

05 -

06 - 7:00pm Bunco, Plano

07 - Sat

08 - Sun

09 - Mon

10 - Tues: 12:00 Browz

11 - Wed: People Choice Awards

12 - Dr Sarles

13 - PU Mike's pain pills

14 - Sat: Stamp Show with Doylene at Mesquite Rodeo

15 - 3:00 Izzie and Christian's bday party
832 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75023-4633

16 -

17 -

18 - Thanks for signing up to join us on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 for "How to Take Amazing Project Photos" with Nichol Magouirk. So glad you'll be there!  The webinar is scheduled for 12 noon Eastern time. Can't join us at that time? No worries - a replay will be made available for a limited time after the event.

Here's where you'll go to log in:
 https://truescrap.webex.com/truescrap/onstage/g.php?d=664947625&t=a

You'll be using your computer speakers to listen to the audio. Sometimes there's a bit of a delay when you log in -- don't freak out! If you have issues, contact Webex directly at 1-888-469-3239.

19 -

27 - Josh will appear on Tony Bennett: Duets II, a new special airing on PBS. He will perform the duet “This Is All I Ask” with Tony Bennett. The show airs on Friday, January 27th at 9pm