Me Time?!

Hi all!  I really am alive.  Just too busy to anything, but what MUST be accomplished for the husband, the kids, the home, the business.  That being said, I need to get right back to it.  ANyone know how I can score some me time?  Even 5 minutes would be nice.  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Prayer Request

Hi all!  Today's post is a simple one a simple request for a fellow blogger's family.  DC GOP Girl's cousin's husband stepped on an IED yesterday in Afghanistan and surely needs our prayers.  You can access her post here.  Take a moment to thank God for all that you have and for the men and women who fight for us every day.  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Coca-Cola Cake Recipe, the Right Way!

Hi all!  As promised, here is the correct recipe for Coca-Cola cake.  I should know better than to try to do 100 things at once!  Please do try it, I think you'll love it!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Coca-Cola Cake


Ingredients:

For Cake:


1 C Coca-Cola
1/2 C oil (again I use Wesson best blend)
1 stick butter
3 Tbsp cocoa
2 C sugar
2C flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 C buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

For Frosting:

1 stick butter
3 Tbsp cocoa
6 Tbsp Coca Cola
1 tsp vanilla
1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar


Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour (well, I use extra cocoa) a 9x13 pan.

In a saucepan, bring Coca-Cola, oil, butter and cocoa to a boil. In a seperate large bowl, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Pour the hot mixture over the flour mixture and beat well (again, I use my KitchenAid). Add eggs, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla and beat well. Pour into your prepared pan and bake fro 20-25 minutes or until done. Cool on a wire rack while making the frosting.

To make the frosting, in a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa and milk. Heat until butter melts, then beat in the other ingredients (for this, I just use a hand mixer). Spread this warm mixture on the cake when it's just cool to the touch

Where Did the Time Go?

Hi all and a happy Monday to you!  I can't believe I haven't posted anything since Thursday!!!  I had a migrane that lasted for two days and basically felt horrible.  Then I had to make up for all the down time.  One thing I did do this weekend was make the Coca-Cola cake I posted here the other day AND realized I totally screwed up the recipe.  I will repost it tomorrow correctly.  That's what happens when you are doing too many things at once.  Okay, slow down and breathe...

I really need to find a few minutes to post pictures from Eldest Daughter cheering and Eldest Son's football games.  Hopefully, Wednesday.  Which brings me to what I'm doing whenever I find a few free minutes.  I'm going to start reading the "Blind Side."  Yes, I've seen the movie and it was great.  That being said, I much prefer reading and look forward to the story.  After I finish it, I will also be reading "In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving," which is written by the Touhy's.  I'm very excited about both and look forward to telling you about them. 

Well, the older two are calling my name.  TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Oh, Poor Coach Dooley!!!

Hi all!  Hope your week has been good for you.  If not, here's a little pick me up to make your day.  Coach Dooley can't figure out who he's playing for...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1345089824?bctid=609841851001

TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Did you Know This About Music Cards?!

Hi all!  Well, I learned something new today and wanted to share it with you.  While not earth shattering, I believe it is quite useful knowledge.

With so many music cards on the market, I'm sure most of us (or at least our kids) have received one.  Well, did you know the post office charges extra for these cards?  And, if they do not have the extra postage they may very well return them!  It's not becasue they weigh more or have a different shape.  It's because they require more labor by the post office.  These cards can NOT be run though the machines.  If they are, the cards will NOT work! So, here's the advice I was given:  if at all possible, take these cards to your post office or mail center.  If not, add an extra stamp and write "Hand Stamp Only" on the card.  That way, your card won't be returned or, worse yet, ruined.

Just thought I would pass this little tidbit on.  Now, you can add it to all the "useful" trivia you have stored in your brain, as well!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Tied to the Cause

Hi all and a Happy Tuesday to you!  I swear, I don't know where my Monday went.  Well, I know at least two hours of it were spent at the doctor's office with Eldest Daughter.  Don't worry, she's fine.  We just had to wait and wait.  You know how that goes. 

Today I want to tell you about Vineyard Vines and it's support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  This month, they are supporting this organization through their tied to the cause program with these two adorable ties,

as well as being a national sponsor of the Luekemia Cup Regatta series.

This means a lot to me, as DH's best friend was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma a few years ago and has successfully completed treatment.  He is as healthy as can be and owes that to great doctors and treatments with research funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  So, go check out the ties and the Regatta series.  See what you can do to make a difference.  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Remember our Heroes -- Words of Wisdom

Hi all!  Just a few words to remember our heroes and all  our loved ones who were lost on that tragic day.  TTFN. 

Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew.

- President George W. Bush

 
 
XOXO,

Kim

Coca-Cola Cake Recipe

Hi all and a Happy Friday to you!!  Well, I figured I would keep the cake recipes going and, for today, I present you with a recipe for Coca-Cola cake.  I make this cake for a neighbor and she simply adores it.  She says it makes for a very moist and rich choclate cake.  I don't eat the cake, as I can't deal with the extra caffeine.  I've considered making it with caffeine-free Coke, but just haven't yet.  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Coca-Cola Cake

Ingredients:

For Cake:

1 C Coca-Cola
1/2 C oil (again I use Wesson best blend)
1 stick butter
3 Tbsp cocoa
2 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt 
2 eggs
1/2 C buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

For Frosting:

1 stick butter
3 Tbsp cocoa
6 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour (well, I use extra cocoa) a 9x13 pan.

In a saucepan, bring Coca-Cola, oil, butter and cocoa to a boil.  In a seperate large bowl, combine the sugar, flour and salt.  Pour the hot mixture over the flour mixture and beat well (again, I use my KitchenAid).  Add eggs, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla and beat well.  Pour into your prepared pan and bake fro 20-25 minutes or until done.  Cool on a wire rack while making the frosting.

To make the frosting, in a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa and milk.  Heat until butter melts, then beat in the other ingredients (for this, I just use a hand mixer).  Spread this warm mixture on the cake when it's just cool to the touch.

  

Hummingbird Cake

Hi all!  Sorry my posts are a little scattered this week, but between the holiday and Ittybit starting a new year of preschool, I feel so far behind!  I've been promising this for a while and finally had the time to sit down and post.  For those of you who asked, here is the recipe for Hummingbird Cake -- with a few pictures of the family, of course!  This was the cake Eldest Son requested for his birthday.  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Hummingbird Cake

For the Cake:

cooking spray
3C (plus a little for dusting) all purpose flour
1tsp baking soad
1 tsp salt
2C sugar
3/4C vegetable oil (I use Wesson best blend oil)
3 large, ripe bananas, chopped
1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple with juice (I only use Dole)
1-1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1tsp ground cinnamon
4 large eggs, beaten

For the Frosting:

1 pound (1 box) powdered sugar
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 stick butter, softened
1tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 and spray and flour three 8 or 9 inch round cake pans.  Tap out excess flour.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the cake.  I tend to use my KitchenAid to make sure all ingredients are incorporated without breaking up the pineapple and banana too much.

Divide among the three pans and bake for about 30 minutes.  If using more than one rack, make sure to rotate cakes halfway through for even cooking.  Cakes are cooked when the tops spring back after being lightly gently pressed.

Cool on wire racks for about 10 minutes in pans.  Remove cakes from pans and let cool completely, top side up, before frosting.

For frosting, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and beat until creamy.  You can add milk for your desidred consistency, but I don't use any.

Use about 1/4 of the frosting on the first layer, 1/4 of the frosting on the second layer and the remaing frosting for the rest of the cake.  Makes a beautiful three layer cake.  Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.  Bring cake back to room temperature before serving. 

Note:  You can also add pecans or walnuts  to the cake and/or the frosting, but we opt not.

And the Winner Is...

Hi all and welcome to a new, but short week.  Well, the giveaway has officially endeed and the winner has been chosen.  Do you want to know who it is?  Do you, do you?! 

Well, the winner is  Looking 4 Lilly!!!  Congrats to you.  Now, please contact Bleu Bird to create your spirit top.  I hope you all enjoyed this giveaway and have found a top (or outfit) or two or three that you will be purchasing from either Bleu Bird or Becs TweetFeet!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim 

Labor Day Words of Wisdom

Hi all and welcome to the last weekend of summer vacation for some.  Others of us have been toiling away for over a month now!  As we celebrate, don't forget these are the last days to enter the spirit top giveaway I'm hosting.  Entries will be accepted until midnight on Monday, September 6, with the winner being announced on Tuesday.  Now, here are the words I know I need to live by.  What about you?  Do you ever forget to relax?  To recharge?  Do you keep going endlessly?  TTFN.

The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on. ~Elbert Hubbard

XOXO,
 
Kim

We've Got Spirit... Tops Reminder

Hi all!  It's almost time for a great holiday weekend.  What do you have planned?  Hopefully, you'll be entering my spirit top giveaway!  Here is the original post with all the details!  Good luck to all who enter!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim


Hi all!!  Welcome to a new week and a very special giveaway that I'm super excited to share with you!


I would love to introduce y'all to Bleu Bird Deigns and Bec's Tweet Feet.  These two ladies have collaborated on some of the cutest clothing ever and they have gracioulsy offered one lucky reader their choice of spirit top ($50 retail value).  I absolutely adore the spirit wear they have made for my little ones!  Now, they can cheer Eldest Son on in style. 

 Here are some other spirit wear designs they have made.

 

And here are some other outfits made my Bleu for my cuties, as well as other examples of their work...

 

Well, since all of us can't win a spirit top, Bleu has generoulsy offered all my readers a 10% discount using the code Spirit10.  Simply, convo Bleu through her Etsy shop to receive your discount on any new purchase.


Now, here are the rules:


The giveaway runs until September 6 at midnight with the winner being announced on Tuesday, September 7.  What a fun way to celebrate back to school!


For one (1) entry you must follow this blog and let me know


One (1) entry for "friending" Bleu Bird on facebook, again comment this has been done


One (1) entry for "friending" Bec's Tweet Feet on facebook and comment this has been done.


One (1) entry MANDANTORY go to Bleu Bird Designs Etsy page and pick out your favorite item and comment about it here.


Two (2) entries for sharing this giveaway on facebook or tweeting about it (@4kidlets).  I must be able to verify.


Three (3) entries for blogging about this giveaway and letting me know to verify.


Please combine all of your entries into one post.  Good luck to all who enter.  TTFN.


XOXO,

Kim

Hello

Hi all!  Hope your week is going well.  Much too busy here and now were playing catch up since Eldest Daughter has been sick.  Thankfully, she's back to her old self today!  Yet, we had Ittybit's Open House today and I still have a few errands I need to run, not to mention the school work that needs to be finished.  Oh the joys of homeschooling!  Truth be told, I still wouldn't change it for the world!  I love watching my children grow and learn.  There is nothing more beautiful than seeing them grasp a new concept. 


Don't foregt about the adorable spirit top giveaway I'm hosting, as the deadline is fast approaching!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim