You've been Egg'd

get your holiday Easter lunchis at http://www.lunchi.org

In March, we shamrock'd some neighbors and now in April we are going to egg them!  You're probably thinking, I'm glad you're not my neighbor.  Truthfully our antics really aren't as bad as they sound - unless you are on a diet and can't eat sweets.

In honor of the Easter holiday, I wrote two poems (below) and designed a Easter Holiday Lunchi to raise money for charity.  Our family packaged them up three ways and dellvered them to some special people in our life and even left some randomly throughout the city.  

If you enjoy giving to others in a creative way, download the graphically designed lunchi's and package them up for your friends and neighbors.  It is a great tradition to share with your kids and the $2 donation goes to charity. Or you can copy and paste my poem below.  Just make sure to put Lunchi.com after it as the intent is to give back to others =)

If you feel like baking instead of leaving candy, here is a fabulous sugar cookie recipe, otherwise jelly beans and traditional chocolate are great egg fillers.

LEAVE A BASKET FOR YOUR TEACHER WITH THIS POEM

(fill a basket of eggs and leave in the classroom for the teacher or on the doorstep of a family)

You've been Egg'd  

written by Tricia Cohn - graphically designed version is at http://www.lunchi.org/lunchistore.html

An easter bunny hopped along
looking for some treats,
over the hills and mountaintops
he tired his little feet.
It was then he stopped to take a rest
near some delicate painted  - rocks?
Some of them were striped real funny 
just like a pair of socks.
Some had dots and some had spots
that were green, blue and black
One of them even had, a tiny little crack. 
He peeked inside...
what did he find?
...so many treats to eat!!!
But he couldn’t eat them all you know
for his mom would blow a gasket...
so he gathered them up and left some for you
in this little easter basket.

FOR CHRISTIANS

(Add this poem inside a golden egg and leave it for your Christian friends and/or someone you would like to invite to know Jesus.)

You've been Blessed

written by Tricia Cohn - graphically designed version is at http://www.lunchi.org/lunchistore.html

 For three days a bunny hopped
searching for some relief.
He’d just overcome a treacherous event
which led him to your street.
It was here he found a special sign
and knew it was the right place -
your loving heart and unwavering faith
brought a smile to his face.
The bunny was happy and rose again
and started to hippity hop...
Hippity Hop, Hippity Hop,
Hippity Hop  - KerPlop!
Every time he jumped for joy
an egg would land - KerPlop!
it’s then he knew to share his love
with everyone nonstop!
So he left these eggs at your door
to say thanks for being faithful
and loving HIM evermore. 

HAPPY EASTER

Add this poem to a mason jar filled with Jelly Beans (see picture above)

Red is for the blood he gave

Green is for the grass he made

Yellow is for the sun so bright

orange is for the edge of night

Black is for the sins we made

White is for the grace he gave

Purple is for his hour of sorrow

Pink is for our new tomorrow.

- author unknown

Enjoying sharing the love!  I guarantee you will feel the love too.  If you would like to KNOW HIS love, you are invited to attend church services at Crossroads In Corona.  Consider yourself egg'd.

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My Favorite Things Party Theme

Last night I went to a "My Favorite Things" party.  It is now one of my favorite party themes.  (see other party themes I've recommended in the past.)

The hostess was inspired by the idea posted on the adorable blog Bushel and a Peck.  Thirty guests were invited and asked to bring their favorite appetizer or dessert as well as their favorite item (under $5) wrapped for 5 people.  I went to my favorite store, SurLaTable and picked up cookie cutters in the shape of a bat, a pumpkin, a christmas tree and a heart. Just in time for the holidays! I included my Very Best Sugar Cookie Recipe Ever with it.

When we arrived, each guest wrote her name on 5 pieces of precut decorated paper and put them in the bowl.  We enjoyed Italian Cream Sodas and everybody's apps and desserts.   I learned so many new recipes I am excited to try, especially some bite-sized goodies like pigs-in-a-blanket and banana bread bites.  Everyone was handed a bag with their custom designed label (designed by me!) as we took our seats. One at a time, each lady would introduce herself and explain what her favorite item was.  Then she would pick out 5 names from the bowl and hand those 5 people her favorite thing.  At the end of the evening, everyone left with 5 different items.

The top 5 creative items I remembered were:
1. A Finch Bird Seed Kit
2. Homemade creme brulee
3. HairWraps for when you get out of the shower.
4. Trader Joes Recycle Bags
5. A month supply of Styrofoam Cups with straws.

Candles, lotions, cleaning supplies, and candy kits were the most popular items shared.

A favorite things party is a fabulous way to share time with friends and learn a little something new about them.


In the meantime, what ideas do you have for a favorite things party? What would you share?

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Raspberry Pretzel Casserole Dessert

Traditionally our bunko group has a Thanksgiving Potluck every November.  This year I made the Raspberry Pretzel Casserole Dessert to bring.  However, it didn't quite make it to the party because the jello hadn't firmly set in time.  It tasted fabulous when I got home though.  Make sure you make this the morning of your event if not the night before to be safe.  Here's how to make it:


INGREDIENTS
crust
2 1/2 cups of pretzels, crushed into crumbs
1 stick of butter, melted
3 tbsp sugar


center
8oz cream cheese
12oz of Cool Whip
1 cup sugar


topping
1 6oz box of raspberry Jello 
2 c boiling water
1 bag of frozen raspberries


HOW TO MAKE
In a food processor, blend all the crust ingredients until fine.  Firmly press into a lightly sprayed 9x13 casserole dish.  Bake at 350˚ for 10 minutes. Let Cool.


In a food processor, blend the center ingredients until creamy.  Layer on top of the cooled crust making sure to block any holes that the jello mixture might seep through.  Seal it completely. Let chill.


Add 2 cups boiling water to the Jello mix and stir until completely dissolved.  Add 1 bag of frozen raspberries.  Let sit in fridge for 1/2 hour to cool and slightly firm up.  Then pour mixture ontop of cream cheese center.


Let stand for at least 4 hours before serving.

Looking for other fabulous casseroles to make once a week or to bring to a party? See the 30daysof...casseroles photo album with links to fabulous recipes. 

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Redecorating Inspiration from Toddler to Tween

No more little girl mural. 
See the LOVE?

Everyone said it would happen.  I just didn't think it would happen to MY little girl.  But she is growing up and I don't know how to control (er I mean stop) it.  The first part of this transition came when we went clothes shopping.  Her eyes would roll every time I showed her the matchy-match outfits off the racks. 

But then she wanted me to redo her room.  The room I did when she was 4 1/2 years old with the painted horse and rainbow mural she loved,  along with the poorly painted ceramic class projects, stuffed animals and pictures of her in cute costumes hanging on all her walls.  "Mom, these are so babyish.  I don't want them in my room anymore!"  (A tear just dropped as I typed that comment.) 

Hesitantly I agreed to change her room.  When I asked her what she wanted she exclaimed, "ZEBRA and turquoise!" ...then my eyes rolled to the back of my head.    The inspiration came from the zebra sheet set in the Pottery Barn Teen Catalog. However, I ended getting the bedding at HomeGoods for a third of the cost.  Here is the new bedding. 

We did over thirty things to upgrade her room from a toddler to a tween's room.  You can view the transformation and some ideas in the 30daysof facebook fan page album.  

I did manage to paint over the horse mural above.  It was the last thing I did and I cried like a baby.  Luckily I remembered to take a picture and incorporated it into the new room as a screen saver on her computer. 

Here's how you can get started with your room transformation

1. Find the inspiration from a magazine
2. Pack up all baby things in boxes 

3. Choose your bedding (this will set the tone for the room) Be prepared to be BOLD and stick with the color.
4. Choose paint swatches and samples.  Test out on walls to make sure it looks good in light.

5. Prepare the room for painting.  Use Blue Tape for the edges and ceilings and plastic for floors.

6. Paint walls with the first coat.
7. Build new furniture.  We added a board in the nook of her corner for a desk.  ($60 vs. $300 for something we didn't really like)
8. Add painting textures - We painted a chalkboard tree and zebra stripes using different sheens of paint. She can write whatever she wants on the branches as she grows. (see album with ideas)

9. Add decals - we used Owl Mirrored Decals from Target
10. Find new furniture - Be patient with this one and use the Craigs List app for great deals. We found an armoire, side table and giant mirror for under $200.

11. Find Posters of their favorite celebrities, shows, causes, bands, etc.

12. Get Pillows, Blankets, Rugs
13. Make custom artwork - Blow up big pics, make collages, or jewel some wooden letters to spell out their name.

14, 15, 16  Reorganize Collections - Repainted the keychain holder and displayed the trophies above on a shelf in a graphic design shape. Also redid the shadow box of all her baby stuff and replaced it with her favorite shells instead. (cried)

17. Organize the desk area - get bookshelves, storage containers, filing cabinets

18. Lighting - choose a desk lamp and or ceiling lamp.  I say keep these neutral at the base to go with any decor.

19. Electronics - alarm clocks, computer, keyboard, stereo (NO TV though)

20. Paint Old Furniture or replace hardware to make more modern

21. Organize a Clothing System 

22. Mirror - Every girl needs a full length mirror.  

23. Retreat Area - Find a corner of the room to place a chair so she can read and relax.

24. Jewelry Station - I used a bulletin board to hang her necklaces and found a cute jewelry box for everything else.

25. Calendars - have some kind of calendar scheduler in the room.  These MTWTHF dots are adorable.

26. Drapery - Hang blinds, drapes, or beads to accentuate the windows

27. Ceilings - Don't forget to look up.  Write messages in invisible glow in the dark ink for when she goes to sleep at night. 

28. Add a Pet - Birds, Lizards, Hamsters, Snakes are a way to add life to any bedroom.  

30. Floral Arrangements - plants, trees and flowers look great in any room.  Real is always best but you can also get creative with artificial manazanita branches and eliminate #24 - jewelry station.

This will be a room she will be in until she graduates from school.  I believe every child deserves his/her own space and it should be a reflection as to who they are and inspire them to dream about who they want to become.   

Did this inspire you?  How many times do you redo your kids rooms.  Don't forget to check out the album for the details and inspiration.

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A Perfect 10 Pasta Salad Recipe

My cousin makes the BEST pasta salad consisting of lots of vegetables and seasonings.  I created this pasta version based on her ingredients and kept the measurements to a total of 1.  Does that make sense?  Read the recipe and then it will.

1 16 oz bag of spiral pasta (cooked per package)

1 cup of Cherry Tomatoes (cut in half)

1 cup of Pepperocinis (sliced)

1 cup of Red Onion (diced)

1 Green Bell Pepper (diced)
1 Yellow Bell Pepper (diced)

1 can of Black Olives (sliced) 

1 bunch of fresh chopped basil
1 packet of Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing (prepare as directed.  Need red wine vinegar and olive oil)

And last but NOT least - 

10 pinches of McCormicks Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning.

Become a fan of facebook for new contests, recipes and inspiration for creators, writers, designers and moms.

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Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza

Here is a great dessert to serve at a summer bbq.  I brought this one over for a memorial party in the color scheme of red, white, and blue.  It was gone within 5 minutes. 

Here's how to make:
SUGAR COOKIE FRUIT PIZZA

3/4 cup of butter, softened (must be softened, not melted in the microwave)
1 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I USE Pure Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste from SurLaTable)
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Roll out dough evenly on a clay cookie stone.
 

Bake 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.  Trim the uneven edges with a pizza tool after the cookie has cooled.

Mix 1 pack of cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar (white or powdered) until creamy. Spread on the cooled cookie. 

Use your favorite seasonal fruits on top.

slice with the pizza cutter of a large knife as pizza slices.

The above sugar cookie recipe can be used for Shamrocking, egging, booing your neighbors and friends.  Learn how to here:

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Asian Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Inspired by Craig Strong's Asian Pulled Pork Sandwich - see his recipe
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=12500875

The month of April, I am inspired to think ASIAN, mostly because I am deeply affected by the situation in Japan.  I can not imagine what they are going through. 
So while doing research "of all things Japanese,"  I have learned what a beautiful culture they have.  The food, decor and traditions.  A post will soon follow with 30 of my favorite Japanese - (Asian) inspired items but until then,  here is the first - Asian Pulled Pork Sandwiches.  I served these at a New Years Eve party and they were a big hit!

INGREDIENTS

For the Pork
1 pork shoulder (Costco sells two, freeze one for later)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup pineapple juice
2 cups Soy Vay veri veri teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

For the Slaw
2 cups julienned red or green cabbage
¼ cup julienned carrot
¼ cup julienned red onion
½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
¼ cup red bell pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 dashes Tabasco
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

For the Bread
8 Hawaiian rolls, cut in half
and toasted

HOW TO MAKE

Season pork shoulder with salt and pepper. In a medium saucepan add oil, place on medium-high heat, and brown pork shoulder on all sides. Remove and place in pan with all other ingredients of the pork mixture. Cover and bake in pre-heated 300˚ F oven for 3 hours the 250˚ for 1. Remove pork from liquid. Allow to cool enough to handle and pull into shreds and removing and fat. 
Simmer liquid and reduce by 50%. Strain liquid and mix ½ cup with pork.

In separate bowl, mix all slaw ingredients.
Serve Buffet style so guests can layer themselves.

Please like this post if you think you will ever make these.  Or become a fan of the blog on facebook. 

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You've been Egg'd with a Lunchi

This Easter, egg your neighbors to show them you care.  Make them these delicious sugar cookies and decorate them however you like. Then print up our new holiday lunchi's from Lunchi.org and surprise your neighbors, teachers, or friends with a sweet surprise at their door.  

Each Lunchi sheet comes with three sayings to choose from.  Two of them are written by me...You've been blessed and You've been egg'd.  100% of your $2 donation will benefit a children's charity listed on the site.  Here is how to make the cookies. Or fill plastic eggs with some goodies to make them smile.

EASTER EGG SUGAR COOKIE

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups butter, softened (must be softened, not melted in the microwave)
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I USE Pure Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste from SurLaTable)
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour. This is MANDATORY (or overnight).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with the easter egg cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on parchment paper or a clay cookie stone.
 

Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.  

Decorate with your favorite vanilla frosting and green sugar sprinkles.  

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE 30daysof...

Bite-sized goodies

Traditions

Home Away Poem

Looking for love

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Shamrock Sugar Cookies

Cut out the shenanigans! Stop talking blarney and be sweet on St. Patrick's Day.  For it was the Irish who originally wanted us all to GO GREEN...and how can you not like tiny leprechauns?  Or are they now called little "green" people?    

So to honor all little "green" people we started a new tradition this St. Patrick's Day...we "shamrocked" the neighbors and the teacher. 

I baked the same sugar cookie recipe I do every month (great to freeze and cut up when the kids come over). I bought a shamrock cookie cutter and got my green on!  I was literally covered in green sparkle by the time it was over.  

While baking and cooling, I printed out my notecards with the You've Been Shamrocked poem written on it - written by ME.  These are available for a $2 donation at the website lunchi.org. All of the money raised at Lunchi.org is donated to charity...so your support is appreciated.  

Ready for the recipe?  Here is it!  

In the meantime, may the GOOD LORD take a liking to you...but not too soon!

I FOUND LOVE in the cookie dough! See it?

SHAMROCK SUGAR COOKIES 

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups butter, softened (must be softened, not melted in the microwave)
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I USE Pure Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste from SurLaTable)
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour. This is MANDATORY (or overnight).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with the shamrock cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on parchment paper or a clay cookie stone.
 

Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.  

Decorate with your favorite vanilla frosting and green sugar sprinkles.  

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE 30daysof...

Bite-sized goodies

Traditions

Home Away Poem

Looking for love

And if you like this can you please share!  Or become a fan...Thanks.

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A "sweet" 40th Birthday Party Theme

If you have a friend who is turning 40 but doesn't want to make it a BIG DEAL...this party theme is a "sweet" idea. 

The "sweet" theme was inspired AFTER the invitations were sent and the rsvp's started coming in.  Over 10 people regretted they couldn't celebrate our friends 40th because they had other plans.  The adjective "sweet" preceded the birthday girls name in every one of these regrets.

So the party became an intimate gathering.  We booked a "suite" at the Waterfront Hilton in Huntington Beach (suite 1125 offer the following views.)  

In the hotel room I decorated a manzanita branch with the birthday girls favorite flower and used it as the centerpiece.  Sprinkles Cupcakes and Gelsons Market supplied her favorite sweets - cupcakes and french macaroons along with assorted platters of gourmet cheeses, meats, fruit, and crackers.  The cocktail of the evening, a Chief Lapu Lapu geared us up to dance the night away to the 80's tribute band FlashBack Heart Attack at the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach.  Get an Imix of the songs here.

The birthday girl went home with a beautiful box of birthday wishes I typed on custom designed notecards as well as a set of beautiful bracelets from Brighton. Set up your wishlist for your party today!

This event turned out to be a great night in honor of a truly special and SWEET friend.

And if you have a friend who frets turning 40, here are 10 reasons why it is really NOT that bad! 

1. 40 is the new 30!!!

2. You're not 40, you are 18 with 22 yrs. experience!!

3. Enjoy the moment because when you are 50 or 60 you will wish you were 40.

4. Just think of all the wisdom you have, pass it on and make a difference in the world!

5. Turning 40 is better than the alternative.   

6. Look for balance in everyday of your life. Don't sign up to do things that will overwhelm you.

7. Like fine wine we get better with age! 

8. Best birthday ever, really! Life starts at 40!

9. It only gets better. What you have learned the first 40 years seems almost irrelevant as you develop into your new and spiritual self. You love deeper, appreciate life more and divine great pleasure in the little things and the world around you.

10. Depends are cheaper at Stater's   

Do you have a great 40th party theme to share? Please share below. 

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