Little Buddies and Summer Treats

Well, the summer holiday is off to a busy start! Last night and the night before we were at our daughter's graduation ceremonies. Wow, kids grow up fast. We have another grad next year and again the following year. (Then a little bit of a break before the next three...)

This morning started early with a great play date for the youngest girls. They made little cake pop critters & treats.

Here is the recipe that we used. These pops were nice and round. You can see by the picture below what products we used.

One  chocolate cake mix
One small box of chocolate pudding mix (just dump the whole box in, no prep)
no water, just milk as per box (this time we used 1 1/4 cup milk)
no oil
and 3 eggs

We got the idea from this book, but they are definitely different. 

This was our starting point. I really had no idea what we'd use. 

The batter should not be runny. Put less in than you think because it will spill all over and make a yucky clean up mess.

The perfect cake pop... ;)

The girls and I melted the chocolate in the microwave then put it in the squeeze bottles (in the above picture.) In this mold we squirted chocolate & placed the cake pop inside. (Give them a gentle push) We didn't put enough in, however, so just put enough in to have the chocolate come up all the sides. (These creations were made by girls who were 5, 8 and 10.)

In a microwave bowl, the girls melted the red candy wafers. We only used 2 bags of red, one of chocolate, and one sprinkle variety. 

This is a different step. The ones with the chocolate bases are just the cupcake ones, this is how they made their ladybugs...dip them in and then freeze for a few minutes. Once set, dip the under sides and set aside.

Okay, back to the cupcake pops...

With the chocolate bottom.

A little dip in the sprinkle candy.

They added a few toppings.

For the lady bugs, they used Junior Mints for the face and feet. Candy eyes that my 5 year old just happened to find at Michael's and a little heart candy topping mouth. The line and dots were the chocolate from the squeeze out container.

Finish it off with some fruit, pink lemonade, little pepperoni's, some flower shaped grilled cheese and voila...!

You have a great outdoor tea party! Way to go girls! I'm proud of my daughters and her friends.

Little Buddies and Summer Treats

Well, the summer holiday is off to a busy start! Last night and the night before we were at our daughter's graduation ceremonies. Wow, kids grow up fast. We have another grad next year and again the following year. (Then a little bit of a break before the next three...)

This morning started early with a great play date for the youngest girls. They made little cake pop critters & treats.

Here is the recipe that we used. These pops were nice and round. You can see by the picture below what products we used.

One  chocolate cake mix
One small box of chocolate pudding mix (just dump the whole box in, no prep)
no water, just milk as per box (this time we used 1 1/4 cup milk)
no oil
and 3 eggs

We got the idea from this book, but they are definitely different. 

This was our starting point. I really had no idea what we'd use. 

The batter should not be runny. Put less in than you think because it will spill all over and make a yucky clean up mess.

The perfect cake pop... ;)

The girls and I melted the chocolate in the microwave then put it in the squeeze bottles (in the above picture.) In this mold we squirted chocolate & placed the cake pop inside. (Give them a gentle push) We didn't put enough in, however, so just put enough in to have the chocolate come up all the sides. (These creations were made by girls who were 5, 8 and 10.)

In a microwave bowl, the girls melted the red candy wafers. We only used 2 bags of red, one of chocolate, and one sprinkle variety. 

This is a different step. The ones with the chocolate bases are just the cupcake ones, this is how they made their ladybugs...dip them in and then freeze for a few minutes. Once set, dip the under sides and set aside.

Okay, back to the cupcake pops...

With the chocolate bottom.

A little dip in the sprinkle candy.

They added a few toppings.

For the lady bugs, they used Junior Mints for the face and feet. Candy eyes that my 5 year old just happened to find at Michael's and a little heart candy topping mouth. The line and dots were the chocolate from the squeeze out container.

Finish it off with some fruit, pink lemonade, little pepperoni's, some flower shaped grilled cheese and voila...!

You have a great outdoor tea party! Way to go girls! I'm proud of my daughters and her friends.

My Arbonne

Here are a few pictures of some of the Arbonne products. I've become a consultant and I've so excited. I have used so many products and this is the only one I will stick with. I have pictures of my cyst problem on my chin and oily problems on my forehead. I am documenting my progress. This product adapts to your skin. I am using the RE9 anti-aging line. Truly amazing. The dry parts were moisturized and the oily parts of my face were dried up. I'll post my face pictures soon. In the meantime, here are some product pictures. If you want anything from Arbonne, contact me at netshappyplace@gmail.com I'll gladly place an order for you.

An assortment of high quality skin care products and make-up.

Here is the infamous RE9 anti-aging line. (I used this for 3 days and saw results immediately!)

Nutrition, baby care and a skin care line for oily/dry/normal skin, great for my teenage daughters.

I use the powder foundation and bronzer. It covers amazing, especially the scarring (that has changed from bright red to light pink with the Revelage brightening line - not shown above) My skin feels light and fresh, smooth and clean. Yesterday my daughter and I went for an intensive walk for 3 hours in the muggy heat, and my make-up stayed put!! 

Feeling beautiful inside and out makes it easier to...

Be Happy in the Journey!

My Arbonne

Here are a few pictures of some of the Arbonne products. I've become a consultant and I've so excited. I have used so many products and this is the only one I will stick with. I have pictures of my cyst problem on my chin and oily problems on my forehead. I am documenting my progress. This product adapts to your skin. I am using the RE9 anti-aging line. Truly amazing. The dry parts were moisturized and the oily parts of my face were dried up. I'll post my face pictures soon. In the meantime, here are some product pictures. If you want anything from Arbonne, contact me at netshappyplace@gmail.com I'll gladly place an order for you.

An assortment of high quality skin care products and make-up.

Here is the infamous RE9 anti-aging line. (I used this for 3 days and saw results immediately!)

Nutrition, baby care and a skin care line for oily/dry/normal skin, great for my teenage daughters.

I use the powder foundation and bronzer. It covers amazing, especially the scarring (that has changed from bright red to light pink with the Revelage brightening line - not shown above) My skin feels light and fresh, smooth and clean. Yesterday my daughter and I went for an intensive walk for 3 hours in the muggy heat, and my make-up stayed put!! 

Feeling beautiful inside and out makes it easier to...

Be Happy in the Journey!

Butterflies, Butterflies & More Butterflies

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. I was able to head out to the Devonian Botanical Garden on Friday with one of my daughters on her school field trip. What a beautiful place. We didn't even get to see half of it, what with all the frog and bug catching. (yes, a few children did end up falling into the mud and water, but it was a good time had by all)

When all was said and done, my daughter and I were the last ones to leave so we headed over to see the butterflies. Those guys are so elegant to watch but alas, they were a little camera shy. (or perhaps playing a little too hard to get...) I snapped a few pictures that I thought you might enjoy.

Not only that, but what a great place to take your sweetie on a romantic date. Apparently, every Thursday until the end of August (started in June), you can "stroll the garden till dusk, have dinner and drinks at the Patio cafe", and there are different amusements every week, such as learning to tango, listening to live jazz or watching a movie under the stars. Adults are only $10! Anyhow, here is the website if any of you are interested - devonian.ualberta.ca

This was in the Japanese Garden section. Beautiful.

If you look closely you can see them all dancing above.

Can you find him?

Now, as promised here are my not so exciting pictures of our basement. I show you now so that we may compare once the new house is built. (Which is coming along nicely. The finisher is wonderful and has finished all the trim, and baseboards where the carpet goes, plus most of the shelving in the linen closets, mud room, kids closets and he is just about finished our pantry.)

As you can tell, we are a little squished.

This other door is where we have our meager storage room. Soon, I hope everything will have its place. Whether it makes it all back to its place is another story...

Butterflies, Butterflies & More Butterflies

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. I was able to head out to the Devonian Botanical Garden on Friday with one of my daughters on her school field trip. What a beautiful place. We didn't even get to see half of it, what with all the frog and bug catching. (yes, a few children did end up falling into the mud and water, but it was a good time had by all)

When all was said and done, my daughter and I were the last ones to leave so we headed over to see the butterflies. Those guys are so elegant to watch but alas, they were a little camera shy. (or perhaps playing a little too hard to get...) I snapped a few pictures that I thought you might enjoy.

Not only that, but what a great place to take your sweetie on a romantic date. Apparently, every Thursday until the end of August (started in June), you can "stroll the garden till dusk, have dinner and drinks at the Patio cafe", and there are different amusements every week, such as learning to tango, listening to live jazz or watching a movie under the stars. Adults are only $10! Anyhow, here is the website if any of you are interested - devonian.ualberta.ca

This was in the Japanese Garden section. Beautiful.

If you look closely you can see them all dancing above.

Can you find him?

Now, as promised here are my not so exciting pictures of our basement. I show you now so that we may compare once the new house is built. (Which is coming along nicely. The finisher is wonderful and has finished all the trim, and baseboards where the carpet goes, plus most of the shelving in the linen closets, mud room, kids closets and he is just about finished our pantry.)

As you can tell, we are a little squished.

This other door is where we have our meager storage room. Soon, I hope everything will have its place. Whether it makes it all back to its place is another story...