Prayers to Tornado Victims

Prayers to Tornado Victims

It's devastating to wake up to morning show reporters breaking news of yet another tornado to rip across yet another US city. This time in Missouri.

{Photos from nytimes.com}

The images and television footage look as if they are scenes from a horrific movie. 

Sending my condolences to those who have lost friends and loved ones in any of the horrific tornados over the past two months, and thoughts, prayers, and strength to those who are living this nightmare.

Click here for an article I came across with ways you can help victims in Missouri.

Pick Your Battles...

One of the best pieces of advice I received going into marriage,

was "pick your battles"...

{an old saying, suggesting that one should choose their fights wisely; don't expect to win every battle...}

This mantra holds true in my own marriage.

As you all know, 

there will be days when you see black, and your significant other sees white. 

I have learned to not make scenarios bigger than life.

A good majority of fights, 

will blow right over because I have learned to let things go, or GIVE IN.

There will be times when I will "take one for the team" to appease my hubby.

F.A.B. Fridays

Marriage
Contrary to popular belief, having a healthy marriage is a HUGE part of staying in balance. When the wife aint happy, nobodies happy, and the wife aint happy when she's failing to make her marriage a priority.  I admit, I'm guilty of forgetting about my husbands needs, and I'm not just talking about sex, although we all know that plays a MAJOR role in a mans happiness.  Men are such simple beings. They have only 3 major needs. To be appreciated, food in the tummy, and sex. As apposed to us women who have.. oh gosh,  I can't even count, let's just not even go there.
So my goal here is to be sure to plan a weekly date night, as well as focus on some things I can do to let my husband know I appreciate him.  I heard somewhere that when you're taking the time to serve one another in your marriage, your less likely to be so critical of each other.

Artistically Inclined Tees from Exhibit Kids

A recent U.S. study of playground attire revealed an epidemic occurring on the chests of children. [See exhibit A: faux vintage tees.]

Only a handful of kids were identified as wearing T-shirts that had graphics with a fresh perspective. [See Exhibit Kids: a T-shirt company for littles that features designs from up-and-coming artists around the world.]

Upon further investigation it was discovered that the children wearing Exhibit Kids tees totaled 250 per T-shirt design, a number that can be attributed to the limited-edition, small runs. The most recent release, Bird by Zhishi, is from a Russian design duo who infuse humor into their stark illustrations.

In poststudy interviews, the parents of these kids expressed a keen interest in cultivating their children’s artistic eye and supporting emerging artists (each designer receives 20 percent of the revenue generated from his or her shirt).
Officials recommend swiftly responding to procure these shirts and dress your child to a tee.

Available online at exhibitkids.com, $28.

Pop & Lolli

A fabulous new designer who recently burst onto the scene of wall decals for children is Pop & Lolli – www.popandlolli.com. Pop & Lolli wall decals are made in the USA, 100% eco-friendly, 100% safe for use with children – and 100% amazing! Re-usable and repositionable many times over, girls and boys are bound to enjoy the many varied combinations possible with Pop & Lolli wall decalls: think glitzy girls, brave boys, animals from the farm, the jungle, the forest, tweetie birds and magical trees – every range is downright charming!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

I've been dreaming up these cupcakes for awhile now, and although I didn't have any specific occasion to bake, I decided to just go ahead and celebrate the warmer weather with cupcakes. Because when life hands you lemons...

Bake pink lemonade cupcakes!

The recipe is really easy -- basically replacing the water called for in a white cake box mix with pink lemonade concentrate. They bake up pretty tart, so if you don't totally love lemon, just dilute the concentrate a little more. We're big lemon fans over here, so I appreciated the tart flavor, but the recipe is flexible!  
Pink Lemonade CupcakesFor Pink Lemonade Cake:
1 box white cake mix
3/4 cup frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 egg whites

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 24 muffins tins with liners
- Combine all of the ingredients in an electric mixer and begin by mixing low for 30 seconds, then increase the speed to medium for another minute.
- Divide the batter evenly, filling the liners about 2/3 full
- Bake cupcakes for about 25 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean
- Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting

For Two-Tone Pink Lemonade Buttercream:
3 cups confectioners sugar
1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 tbsp frozen pink lemonade concentrate
Pinch of salt
2 colors of food coloring
- Combine all ingredients in an electric mixer fit with a paddle attachment and mix on low until combined
- Increase speed to medium-high and beat until frosting is light and to your desired consistency
- Separate frosting in 2 bowls and color as you desire
- Follow Grin and Bake It's tutorial on the technique for piping two-tone frosting
- You may need to double the buttercream recipe if you plan on piping tall frosting swirls on 24 cupcakes like I did (that's a lot of frosting per cupcake, just the way I like it!)

Ready For Fun! Imaginative, Colorful & Fun Toys

Today I'm very excited to share some terrific toys from B. toys. They are colorful, creative and the stunning packaging makes these fantastic gifts.

The B. Fish & Splish bath set, winner of the American Baby Toy of the Year, is a boat load of fun. It comes with a ton of accessories including a captain, nesting cups (they have holes in the bottom so water can shower out of them), a fishing pole/hook, fish and more.

I love that this one comes with a nail brush (shaped as a fish). I think this is a nice little touch because my kids could care less about the dirt under there nails and now grooming is just part of the fun! Since all the pieces fit into the boat, it's also a self contained system which is a major plus to help keep things tidy after bath time. Get this for $18.59 @ Amazon.Com, $18.95 @ Target.Com, $29.99 @ OneStepAhead.Com,

9 buggy string-along friends! The B. Snug Bugs is a squeezy, chewey, colorful and connective toy made for kids 10 months to 3 years old. The fun little bugs can be played with by themselves or snapped together to make a bug chain.