Food that cheers the heart

I saw a blogpost awhile back on the Free People blog for tie dye cupcakes.

I thought, "Gasp!  That is so cool.  I must make them sometime!"  And I saved the website on my "recipes" tab.

And finally, the occasion presented itself to take a desert to a gathering so I set about my task with a glad heart :-)  It's quite simple really.  I just picked up a box of yellow cake mix and some vanilla funfetti frosting.  A little note on frosting - if you decide that you are going to pipe on the frosting using cake decorating tools, you will need 2 or 3 cans of frosting.  I ran out really quick, but luckily had some shortening and powdered sugar on hand, so I just whipped up some extra frosting :-)

Make the cake mix as directed on the box and then separate it into bowls - one for each color that you are using.

I went for red, yellow, green, and blue.  I also use Wilton color gels.  They are soooooo much better than  regular food coloring.  You can get them at craft stores and I have also seen them at Target in the food baking section.  Trust me the colors turn out so much better.  Wilton gels ... use them!

So, I am not good at remembering to take pictures along the way so I don't have pictures of the colored cake mix or the next step.

But basically, all you do is drop the different colors of cake mix by teaspoon on top of each other.

I started with blue - so I put a spoonful of blue in each cup.  Then I did the same with yellow.  Then green.  Then red.

In the end they looked like this:

Then you bake as directed on the box and they come out looking like this:

Do you see the overgrown mass of cupcake towards the bottom - that was the first one I did and it was way too much batter.  I learned that it is easier to start with a tiny bit of batter, because you can always add but it is harder to take away (sometimes I learn things the hard way).

I then used the frosting that I bought and the homemade batch to pipe icing onto the cupcakes.  Next, I sprinkled them with the sprinkles that came with the store bought frosting.  Don't they just look so fun and wonderful ... but that's nothing.  Wait till they are cut open :-)

Ready for the rainbow?

Eek!  It's my favorite!  I would seriously get so happy every time I had one because they are just so bright and colorful.  It's happy food!!!

On my wish list

I found this watercolor painting on Etsy.  I absolutely adore it.  I want it so badly.  So sad that my birthday has come and gone :-(

And while we are talking about must haves...

Fellow children of the 80s, check out this music compilation.  It's like the perfect road trip mix!!!  I want to buy it, get in my car, roll down the windows, and go ... singing at the top of my lungs.  Just thinking about it puts me in a state of bliss.  I need a road trip ... very very soon.

Giveaway winner

First of all, I would like to give a huge thank you to all who came to visit my blog and to all who entered the giveaway.  Every entry that was received, put a great big huge smile on my face.  It looked a little something like this:


Here is the winner:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:12Powered by RANDOM.ORG

** Note: I just realized that the max field reads 100 when put on my blog.  On the random.org site, I really did put in the min 1 and max 16 for how many comments there were.  I don't know why it shows up as 100 here.  I copied and pasted straight from the site.  Weird.  Just wanted to throw an explanation out there for the large number field.  I really did take every step I knew to take to make this as fair as possible :-)

Katie said...

What a simple yet so challenging question...I think that one of my favorite things about myself is my hair. For a long time I despised it, but have always received so many compliments about it, somewhere along the line I guess I just decided to receive those complements as truth!

Congratulations!!

Thanks again for everyone who entered.  I really truly wish that I could send everyone a copy of this book, but one is all that I could do for now.  I am thinking that I will give away more of this very book in the future though (stay tuned).

Stay posted for upcoming giveaways.  I have some things in the works that might be paving the way for many more goodies to give away.  I am also planning to do a giveaway for my 100th blogpost.  So, check back for more freebies.

This past weekend I came across some things in the blogging world that really brought a smile to my face.  I plan on sharing some this week, so come back and check it out.

So, basically, I guess what I am trying to say is, "Come back" :-)  And thanks to everyone who entered.  You are all wonderful!

I am now off to do some art journaling.  It's been too long since I have spent some time with my art journal and there is lots in this head of mine that needs to be creatively thought through :-)

Currently reading...and my first blog giveaway!!

------- This giveaway is closed ---------

So, there's this book...

I talked about it in my last blog post...raved about it in my last blog post.

Was halfway through on my last blog post and now I am on Chapter 1.

Chapter 1?  You might say, "Um, Melany.  Isn't that a little backwards."

Nope.  I finished it and then started right back on Chapter 1 :-)  Yes, I am reading it again already.

Oh my word.  Never in my life has a book hit so to the core as this one.

It really did meet me on a journey towards worth.  I needed this book.  I was desperate for this message.

I have been believing lies for a very very very long time.  For a very very long time I have looked in the mirror and hated what stared back at me.  No matter what anyone else had told me, I have always had a hard time seeing beauty in myself, but that ends here.

I have felt so unworthy of blessings and have beat myself up.  I have been my own worst enemy.  I have spoken too many words of death and defeat over myself and believed things that were not true - and it ends now.  No more.

I guess that I am so addicted to this book because it has been the icing on the cake of a journey God has had me on - a sweet sweet covering with roses and sugared grapes :-)

It feels so good to look in the mirror and see a beautiful face staring back - to see a woman worthy of love and blessings.  I am looking at that face in the mirror with new eyes.  For once, I am starting to like what I see :-)

I posted on Facebook the other day that if I was rich I would buy this book for every female that I know.  It's true - I would.

Alas, I am not rich BUT I do have a piggy bank :-)

So I emptied out my piggy bank and bought another copy of this book to give away.

Isn't my piggy cute?  I love him :-)

It's my very first blog giveaway!!!!!  Yeah!!!!  I am so excited!!!!  Can you tell?

So, here is how it will go:
Just leave a comment and answer this question:

What is one of your favorite things about yourself?

I will get you started with an example - One of my favorite things about myself is my laugh - I have a great laugh :-)  And I laugh a lot (just ask anyone that has been around me for more than 5 minutes)

Now it's your turn - I know there are so many fabulous things about you.  Tell us one of your favorites...
    ... it could make you a winner :-)

Ps. If you read this blogpost off my Facebook, you may also leave a comment on Facebook to count as your entry.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Winner will be chosen on Monday, April 25.

Currently Reading (a new favorite?)

I am reading a book that absolutely has me captivated and is pretty much moving "Captivating" by Stasi and John Eldredge down a notch on my favorite books list.

The book is called "God Loves Ugly (& love makes beautiful)" by Christa Black:

I saw an ad for this book in Relevant Magazine.  It is based on a song written by Christa Black called "God Loves Ugly".  I went to itunes and downloaded the song and after listening to it knew that I just had to have the book (you can listen to the entire song here).  I was then disappointed to find that the book is not available as a digital edition, but sort of felt like this is a book that I would want to pass along for others to read anyway.

So my copy arrived last week and I started it yesterday.  I am now halfway through and I'll tell you what, this book absolutely hits it on the head for me in so many areas.  My gosh!!!  There is a sea of pink highlighting the pages of my copy.

I know that it is probably mostly gals that read this blog, so I am going to speak to the ladies and say, "Girl!  Go get this book!"

On the back cover of the book, there is a question posed:  "Do you ever look in the mirror and hate what you see?"  (I know that for me, I rarely look in the mirror and DO like what I see - but God is changing that)  The synopsis on the back cover continues to say: "Your eyes can lie. [Amen to that!] Rejection, shame, and self-hatred can poison perceptions and hinder us from seeing and believing what's actually true .... You were made to live free.  Whether you are struggling with an eating disorder, depression, addiction, or just feeling a little insecure, God Loves Ugly will shift the way you think, motivate permanent change, and inspire your heart to find peace."

I can honestly say that if I had the money I would buy multiple copies of this book and just give them away - the message is THAT important.  For me personally, God has been hitting the subject of worth, beauty, and love in many different areas of my life.  I was actually thinking earlier of how much I am loving this journey that I am on.  My life is just being so filled with affirmation through books, music, and things that others have spoken to me.  I just want to keep filling into the tank because pouring affirming words into ourselves is pouring His truth in.  (I also have a story from this past week of some lies that I have found as well and what I did with it.  I will share that story in a few days.)

So, ladies, read this book.  I think that I will actually be putting it on my list of books to read at least once a year.  It's good, good, good!!!

Freedom Friday - Reject Apathy

One of my favorite magazines is Relevant Magazine.  I have been a huge fan since the magazine came into existence.

In this edition of "Freedom Friday" I wanted to highlight the "Reject Apathy" feature of Relevant Magazine.  They have an article in each edition of Relevant and also have their very own website that is a wealth of information with articles and videos.  Check it out by clicking here.

There are 5 different categories highlighted on the website:

Loss of Innocents: Rape. Child soldiers. Sex trafficking. Abortion. Slavery. The innocent and their innocence are stolen and destroyed around the world every day. Lending our voice to theirs can bring justice. Supporting victims for the long haul can bring healing.

Creation Care: From deforestation to coal mining, climate change and our interaction with the earth have severely impacted the poorest of the poor and their ability to survive. Paying attention to our lifestyle and how that affects the environment as well as facilitating sustainable agriculture globally can go far in lessening our negative impact on the earth and its inhabitants.

Preventable Disease: Today, HIV, malaria, measles, tuberculosis, pneumonia and diarrhea—all completely preventable diseases—will kill tens of thousands around the world. But there is hope. These diseases can be stopped—and it can be done in our lifetime.

Poverty: It’s about more than money—poverty is a lack of dignity. And true restoration will take more than a simple donation. Our hearts and our daily lives must become attuned to the poor—globally and locally. We must see how our lives impact theirs and seek sustainable solutions.

Unjust War: The effects of unjust war on the vulnerable are vast and devastating. We can become advocates for the voiceless victim—a light in one of humanity’s darkest places.
Source

So, go check some things out.  Educate yourself and pass the word along.

Have a wonderful Friday :-)

Currently Reading (a change in perspective)

My final thoughts about the book Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond:

I posted about this book a few days ago here.  I was a huge skeptic at that point, but you know what - a lot changed.  In the matter of 24 hours, a lot changed.

In the midst of these closing thoughts, I have to go down the "life with God" track a little bit.  And I love that it is necessary.  I love that God is a part of every aspect of my life and that writing final thoughts about a book I have been reading means that I have to share about what He is teaching me.

I have been doing this Bible study through DC Metro church called Breaking Free by the wonderful Beth Moore.

This past week, I procrastinated big time on my homework and wound up having to do pretty much all of it on Tuesday (the day that my group meets).  So here I was poised to do my Bible study homework having just the previous night written about the skepticism I have about love, and what was the subject of my Bible study that week - Love!  Coincidence? - I don't think so.  It was through doing that homework that God really reminded me of the fact that I am worthy of radical love.  I learned a lot about myself and my viewpoint (which are both currently under construction).

After doing that weeks worth of homework, I went back into reading this love story called "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" with different eyes.  Eyes that were not blinded by skepticism but realized that yes indeed and most definitely these things do happen and they will someday happen for me.

Final thoughts on the book:
It's good.
It's real life (which has lots of ups and downs).
I highly recommend it.
It makes me want to move to Oklahoma and go from ranch to ranch looking for the single cowboys, which has never been my type.  I lean more towards the rugged in an adventurous, stubble faced, laid back, jeans and t-shirt wearing, risk taker sort of way.  I guess this book challenged my views in many ways :-)

Now, if you will excuse me, I have lots of packing to do...Oklahoma beckons me.

I am, of course, kidding about the above statement (just wanted to clarify).