lemon cookies, blackberry cobbler and zucchini brownies

Today's food for thought friday post is the last in the bake-off series. I think that makes about 5 or so posts with three recipes each for a grand total of around 15 tasty recipes from the women in my neighborhood. Have you tried one yet? I hope so! If not, today's lemon cookie recipe is super easy so you have no excuse not to try it. If you don't have lemon cake mix and frosting on hand you better stock up--these cookies are tasty! The blackberry cobbler is perfect paired with vanilla bean ice cream, and I've probably posted my zucchini brownie recipe before but it's so totally worth posting again. Happy baking!

Easy Lemon Cookies
1 pkg. lemon cake mix
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 container lemon frosting

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet. In large bowl mix cake mix, oil and eggs until dough forms. On cookie sheet drop dough by teaspoonfuls. Bake about 8 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool completely. Frost with lemon frosting. Makes about 4 dozen. (I told you it was easy!)


Wintertime Blackberry Cobbler
Butter
2 c plus 2 T Bisquick
1 1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1/2 c milk
1/4 c butter, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 (16-oz) pkg. frozen blackberries, thawed
Vanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9" square baking pan with butter and set aside. Place 2 c Bisquick, 1/2 c sugar, egg, milk, butter, vanilla and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl and stir with a fork until blended. Set aside.

Place the blackberries with their juice, the remaining Bisquick and all but a heaping tablespoon of the sugar in a large mixing bowl and sir to combine. Spoon the berry mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Spoon the cobbler topping over the berries in dollops. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of sugar over the cobbler.

Bake the cobbler until the filling is bubbling and the topping has browned, about 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream. 8-9 servings.


Zucchini Brownies
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 1/2 c white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 c shredded zucchini
1/2 c chopped walnuts

Frosting
6 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 c margarine
2 c confectioners' sugar
1/4 c milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven or until brownies spring back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares. (Note: these are so good you might eat the whole pan, but at least you'll be getting your daily dose of veggies!)

"I don't cry over spilt milk, but a fallen scoop of ice cream is enough to ruin my whole day. ~The Quote Garden

from prom date to exhibiting artist

When an old (okay, we're not that old...yet) high school friend turns out to be a fantastically amazing artist, I find that the perfect subject for a that's hot! thursday post. Though I was looking far from hot in our prom picture David Lindsay looked rather dapper in his tux...and we did have a really fun time. Over sixteen years later we have reconnected via Facebook, and after a couple wall posts I discovered my good friend now has exhibits from Oregon to Italy.

When I first browsed some of his work online I was left speechless--and that's happens only rarely. I wish I could speak intelligently about his artwork and exhibitions but art was never one of my strong subjects. (Actually, it was never really a subject at all.) For those who know a bit about it, here is David's take on his work:

My work focuses on the interaction between images of the human form and the structured, three-dimensional surfaces upon which the figures are depicted. ... This visual relationship speaks of the push and pull between perception/identity of the individual perceived. Creating this type of metaphorical relationship allows me to explore ideas about how we depict and perceive ourselves within a vast, complexly structured society.

I would love to say more about his work but I could never do it justice; you'll just have to see it for yourself. --Emily

excellent Etsy find: LeatherPrince Shop

It's been a while since my last excellent Etsy find. To tell you the truth I just plum forget about it come Wednesday night. My brain checks out for the weekend by then and it's all downhill from there. But I'm determined to get back into the habit and I have a great Etsy shop for you today.

LeatherPrince Shop offers the cutest hand-cut and hand-stitched designs by Beon and Candy, a husband and wife team. Beon, from Singapore, and Candy, from Taiwan, love working with colorful leather and enjoy making items together. (I wish I could learn how to work well alongside my husband, but that's another post.)

Most of their collection is made up of key chains though they do offer a few purses, iPod (LOVE the Taka Ninja in red) holders and coin pouches. Of the 118 key chains your bound to find one or two (or five) that strike your fancy. I'm lovin' Fiona the Owl and Ronnie the Raccoon and their juicy red apple key chain would make a wonderful end-of-the-school-year teacher gift. And they take custom orders, so if you'd prefer a hot pink ninja you need only ask! --Emily

love and chocolate

I am really trying hard to get a new post up every weekday but some days you're going to have to settle for a lame post like this one or no post at all. That's just how life works around here. I would love to have a bit more time to treat you to a true wonderful web wednesday post but instead I am spending the rest of my evening writing my guest post for Mom It Forward. The title? "Do you have a love affair with chocolate?" Writing a wonderful web wednesday post or writing about chocolate? wonderful web wednesday or chocolate? Not the hardest decision I've ever made!

I believe the post will go live this Friday while the Mom It Forward women are attending BlissDom. (Wish I were going but my husband still doesn't get this whole social media/networking thing and I doubt he'd like me heading back east for a women-only blogging-related conference.) I'll be sure and link to it if it does. The Diet Coke and chocolate are kicking in so I'm off and writing! Have a great Wednesday--and may it be filled with lots and lots of chocolate! --Emily

cheeky & swank: the perfect combination

I much prefer doing a take it off tuesday than a fashion trend tuesday. Exercise and fitness is much more my thing than the latest styles and trends but since my brownie, bread and Oreo diet isn't having the desired effects I'm not feeling the fitness thing this week. What I am feeling is super cute styles for parents and baby, and that's what Cheeky & Swank is all about!

Cheeky & Swank, a company "for cheeky kids & swank parents," has something for everyone, from bibs and burp cloths for baby to stylish tees and bags for moms and dads. One of my favorite items is their Magna-Bib. Kind of sounds like a superhero, doesn't it? And it just might be with its high-temperature, special magnets hidden in the neck. The magnetic closure means no scratchy Velcro and no snagged tights coming out of washer or dryer. Velcro is probably my least favorite. The tie-on bib is a step above because it stays secure but it can be quite the battle trying to tie it on a very hungry, very squirmy baby. I love the idea of a bib with a magnetic closure. Thank you, Cheeky & Swank!

Beyond bibs the company also has a beautiful collection of blankets, burp cloths and slings. And let's not forget about those swank parents! I absolutely love their Blushing Bird and Madame Butterfly tees for Mom and Owl messenger bag. Their tees for Dad are pretty cool too (the V-Dub long-sleeve is my fave). Oh, and I forgot to mention their cute line of apparel for kids. I just might have to purchase the Miss Peacock smocked top for my little girl. So sweet!

In our house being cheeky will either get you in trouble (those over the age of 8) or make Mom & Dad laugh (those under the age of 4). And style has nothing to do with it. If you're looking for that perfect combination you'll want to check out Cheeky & Swank. They've got it down perfectly! --Emily

chocolate eclair cake, chocolate mint bars and chocolate peppermint candy cookies

Do you detect a theme to today's food for thought friday post? It's all about the tasty chocolate desserts from the church bake-off. (After today we'll do just one more dessert post and finally be done with our bake-off series.) I am a BIG fan of chocolate so these were some of my favorite treats from that night, although I will say there was a pretty tasty lemon sugar snap recipe I'll be sharing with you next week. And for me to say a lemon cookie is tasty means it's pretty dang good!

Chocolate Eclair Cake
Approximately 45 graham crackers
3 c milk
1 large container Cool Whip
2 small packages Instant Vanilla Pudding
1 can chocolate frosting

Layer the bottom of a 9x13 dish with graham crackers. Mix pudding and milk in a bowl and beat until thick. Blend in Cool Whip. Pour half of the pudding mixture over graham crackers. Add another layer of graham crackers and then layer the remaining pudding. Add a third layer of graham crackers. Take the foil off the frosting container and microwave for 30 seconds. Pour frosting over top. Refrigerate 24 hours before serving.

NOTE: This recipe makes too much pudding mixture for the dish. You can divide the ingredients and use the 9x13 and a 9x9 with 1 1/2 cans of frosting. It will fill both dishes.


Chocolate Mint Bars
Bottom Layer
1 c flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 c sugar
1/2 c egg substitute
1/4 c melted butter
2 T water
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 (16-oz) can chocolate syrup (about 1 1/3 c)

Mint Layer
2 c powdered sugar
2 T milk
1/4 c melted butter
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
2 drops green food coloring

Glaze
3/4 c semisweet chocolate chips
3 T butter

To prepare bottom layer, combine all ingredients for bottom layer and mix with wire whisk till smooth and blended. Pour batter into 13x9 pan coated with cooking spray and bake at 350 degrees for 28 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Do not overcook or the bars will be dry. Cool completely.

To prepare mint layer, combine all ingredients for that layer and beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread mint mixture over cooled cake.

To prepare glaze, combine chocolate chips and butter and microwave on high for 1 min. or until melted, stirring after 30 seconds. Let stand 2 minutes. Spread mixture evenly over top. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Dessert can be made up to one day ahead.

NOTE: I haven't tried it but I'm wondering if you could use a simple brownie mix for the bottom layer and cut the prep time and needed ingredients. Thoughts?


Chocolate Peppermint Candy Cookies
1/2 c butter (room temperature)
1 1/2 c sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 c milk chocolate, melted
1/2 c cocoa
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
45 round peppermint candies or several candy canes (about 8) coarsely crushed

Cream butter. Add sugar and whip until blended then add eggs and beat until fluffy. Add vanilla and peppermint extract, then add cocoa. Blend well. Stir in melted chocolate. Add remaining dry ingredients and stir in 1/3 of crushed peppermints, reserving 2/3 of the candies. Refrigerate dough until firm, about 30 minutes (or wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight).

Using a 1 1/2-inch scoop, form mounds of dough; dip tops into remaining candies to coat. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing 2" apart. Bake at 350 degrees until just set (about 12 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes. Cool completely and store cookies in an airtight container. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces." ~Judit Viorst

Parents Everywhere: strengthen family connections

Suzette Boyette, one of the women behind The Madness of Motherhood show (LeShan was a guest on the show in 2007), filled us in on a new-to-us website called Parents Everywhere. The site strives to strengthen family connections by utilizing an incredible group of experts who provide you with timely parenting tools.

The network of shows includes everything from children's health to family vacations to living green. Though you can listen any time, you might want to register. Membership is free and benefits include:

• Finding out how to boost your child's self-esteem
• Learning techniques to prevent sibling rivalry
• Learning the top 5 things you can do to avoid a cesarean delivery
• Knowing the pros and cons of epidurals for you and your baby
• Discovering the things to avoid to have a healthier pregnancy
• Learning how to encourage independent thinking and problem solving skills

You also receive free attendance to informative parenting tele-seminars and can listen to exclusive recorded interviews with top experts in parenting and family issues. Plus when you register at Parents Everywhere you will receive Suzette Boyette's Top 3 Parenting Secrets, an 18-minute audio show where Suzette shares secrets to creating "magical moments" with your children.

Though you wouldn't normally think of a parenting site as worthy of a that's hot! thursday feature, but in this day and age families are more important than ever. Parents Everywhere is striving to strengthen family connections and that is (not as Paris Hilton would say) hot! --Emily

tired of the CPSIA? we sure are.

If you follow me on Twitter or simply follow any #cpsia tweets, or if you're lucky enough to know someone in the business of creating products for children then you've probably had an earful by now about the CPSIA or Consumer Product Safety Improvment Act. But even an earful isn't enough as the possible effects of the law are felt by more and more businesses (think Etsy), organizations (think the ALA--American Library Association) and you, the end customer (think less choices and higher prices).

Today has been designated as a CPSIA Blog-in, a virtual sit-in of sorts. Perhaps if we inundate the Web with what we know about this badly written law, we will finally be heard. I'm not sure Henry Waxman, Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, will ever listen to the message I left on his voicemail. (As someone said on Twitter, he probably has an assistant sitting nearby with one of those bus-driver clickers keeping count.) But as seen from the recent Motrin fiasco, we do know the power of bloggers--it's a force to be reckoned with!

I have already posted about the CPSIA with some of my favorite links but here are a few more just in case you thought you, the end customer, wouldn't be affected by its reach.

• The CPSIA: Soon to bar kids from libraries? (Yes, your toddler may not be able to thumb through those board books after February 10th.)
• Ten predictions for the CPSIA's effects on children's products for 2009
• "Say No to the CPSIA" Blog-In (I love this one as it breaks down those affected by groups, from the entrepreneur to the second-hand shopper.)
• CPSIA Series: Business is Personal (You too should take it personally!)
  
• CPSIA Links (Probably the most comprehensive list of resources out there: articles, videos, contact information and posts from experts)
• The Ballad of the CPSIA (This is quite possibly the pièce de résistance of the posts for today. I much prefer to laugh than cry...)
  

LeShan and I are doing our own protest of sorts and have yet to take an XRF gun to our line of infant apparel. Though the law does not allow us to use certificates of compliance from our suppliers (American Apparel for our tees and a local screen printer for designs), we will have their certificates stating both tees and inks are lead free. For us, that is enough. As our local American Apparel distributor said, and I quote, "Don't they know there's no lead in apparel?" And by "they" I'm pretty sure he meant the idiots behind the CPSIA.

We feel confident our infant wear is lead free and will continue to sell it on our site. We are also confident that change is in the air. We will be offering a really great sale in the next few days in "honor" of the CPSIA, so keep your eyes out for that announcement. (We are still working out the details.) Because we did not do our own testing, though it would've cost us only a few hundred dollars, you will not see our infant line on some of our online boutiques. Hopefully the law will be resolved soon and we can all get back to work. I know for many of us this CPSIA has caused more than a few gray hairs and more than a few added pounds due to stress-related eating.

We would love your help in spreading the word about the CPSIA and the possible National Bankruptcy Day on February 10th. If you don't feel up to contacting your local congressman perhaps you'd be willing to link to this post from Twitter, Facebook or even your own blog. If you've never participated in a sit-in, or blog-in in this case, now's your chance! --Emily

win a laptop from Mom It Forward's Gab & Give event!

Four Different Giveaways.
Five Amazing Prizes.
Thirteen Winners.
Four Ways to Enter: Vlog, Blog, Photo, or Comment.
One Great Purpose: To Mom It Forward!

If that doesn't pique your interest on this wonderful web wednesday, I don't know what will! Mom It Forward (aka #GNO in the Twitter community) is kicking off its first Gab & Give Event in a really, really big way. The giveaways are all about promoting service—-the mission behind Mom It Forward--and MomIF is having four different giveaways. Although you can enter all four you can only win once. Sigh...I know...but we all need to learn to share.

By the time you read this post one of the deadlines has already come and gone so you better get moving on the other three. Prizes include an HP laptop, HP Photosmart printer, Muvee Reveal movie editing software and an He's Just Not That Into You movie soundtrack or hoodie.

For more details and to enter the giveaway check out "Announcing MomIF's First Gab & Give of 2009!" Get ready to give service and gab about it! --Emily

Babycapes sale! 40% off all styles!

I reviewed Babycapes not too long ago on Boutique Cafe's Daily Dish. (You can read my Babycapes review here.) Though it took a few tries to get the hang of it we have fallen in love with this stylish, warm, super soft--and very safe--coat. The retail price (around $80) is a bit high for some budgets but since the coat can be worn from infant to toddler I still feel it's a worthwhile investment. Plus your child is a lot safer buckled in her car seat wearing a Babycape than that bulky sweater or coat!

If the price tag kept you from purchasing your own Babycape, you're in luck. The company just announced its American Economic Recovery Sale. All Babycapes are now 40% off! That is just about wholesale so you won't find a better deal anywhere online or at any other time of year. Don't wait too long to choose your favorite--popular styles will go quickly. You can view the entire collection online at Babycapesonline.com.

P.S. Keep your eyes open for our own special sale. We'll be announcing it soon! --Emily

the giving tee

You've heard of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree but have you heard of Tiny Revolutionary's The Giving Tee? I doubt it's as well known as the aforementioned book yet it has just as strong an impact, if not more, on society. Why? Because The Giving Tee supports a variety of worthy causes.

My favorite Giving Tee has "This shirt saved a life" emblazoned on the front. The tee is the result of Tiny Revolutionary's partnership with Africa Aid. The shirt truly is a life saver. When you purchase a "This shirt saved a life" tee, $20 is donated directly to Africa Aid to fund a child in their school lunch program in the Buduburam Refugee Settlement in Ghana for an entire year. Yes, an entire year. The design is printed on a super soft 100% cotton vintage black tee with non-toxic inks. Each tee includes an inside print explaining the program and is hand-numbered before it's shipped so it's truly one of a kind.

Tiny Revolutionary has two other Giving Tees, both just as cool as their "This shirt saved a life." "No guitar left behind" helps provide music education and instruments to homeless and underprivileged kids in the Chicago area through Rock for Kids. "Where there is love, there is life" helps caregivers learn techniques that improve their ability to nurture a child's social, cognitive and physical development through Hands to Hearts International.

Giving Tees cost from $34 to $40, but $10 to $20 of that goes directly to a charitable foundation. (I can't say the same for my latest Esprit t-shirt purchase.) Tiny Revolutionary is giving you an easy way to support a worthy cause, something that's always in style and even more so in today's economy. Make your next apparel purchase your most fashionable one yet. --Emily

101 posts for your blog

Though I have quite a stash of bookmarked sites ready and waiting for our blog, a day will come when I've run out of ideas. If you're a blogger, mom or not, this same scary thought may have crossed your mind as well. Have no fear! Mom Bloggers Club is here!

In "101 Post Ideas for Your Mom Blog" Jennifer James of Mom Bloggers Club compiles a list of 101 statements, thoughts and questions aimed at getting your creative posting juices flowing. Being a mom we often suffer from that whole mommy brain thing where all coherent thoughts somehow unexplicably disappear. When you're having such a moment you can browse through Jennifer's lis; I guarantee at least one or two items will get you thinking...and then get you writing.

Browsing the list I found at least three ideas out of the first ten that beg to be written. I can only imagine how many I'll find as I read through all 101! Yes, mom bloggers have many life experience from which to draw but sometimes those same life experiences are what sap our brain of its usefulness. When those times hit--and they will, trust me--you can read through Jennifer James' "101 Post Ideas for Your Mom Blog." It will get you over that writer's block in no time! --Emily

P.S. The answer to #37? The mailman...and I plead the 5th as to why...