Guess who's here

Regan Ella was born Wednesday at 7:50 AM. We are all doing fine. Madison loves her little sister and is very protective.....all those get ready for baby books really do work....I will resume regular blogging next week. Thank you for your continued well wishes and prayers

Jack-O-Lantern Brownie

This is the cutest brownie. It will be a hit at any party or can be made as individual brownies for a kids class.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, melted
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Yellow and red food color
• 1 can (16 oz.) canned vanilla frosting
• Garnishes: HERSHEY'S MINI KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates, Twizzlers Nibs Licorice Bits, Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel, HEATH English Toffee Bits, HERSHEY'S assorted baking pieces

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 12-inch round pizza pan. If using a disposable pan, place on baking sheet to bake.

2. Beat melted butter, sugar and vanilla with spoon in large bowl. Beat in eggs. Stir in dry ingredients; beat with spoon until well blended. Spread in pan.

3. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool completely. Add yellow and red food color to frosting for desired shade of orange. Frost brownie; garnish to resemble a jack-o-lantern. 12 to 16 servings.

Tonight I am full with emotions as I prepare to for the arrival of my second daughter. I go in tomorrow for my pre-op procedures as my c-section is scheduled for Wednesday. I have feelings of excitement as I anticipate her arrival. I wonder who she will look like this time and how my 3 year old will adjust to the new addition, but surprisingly I am not nervous or worried. I have a certain peace....or maybe I am just tired of being pregnant :)

In touring the hospital yesterday, I reflected on the difference between having your first and second child. It is funny how the first time around you question yourself more and look to others for direction. The second time you have a stronger sense of security as this is a road you have traveled before. You know to sleep when the baby sleeps or to get help from others. I will keep everyone posted on my progress....but don't expect a post before the week is out......I'm not that good.

Thanks to all my readers for your continued encouraging words and prays........keep us in mind this week.

Frightfully Fun Cupcakes

Cooking is fun but cooking with your children is really fun.....messy but fun. Check out this adorable cupcake for Halloween. For other Frightfully Fun Cupcakes check out Better Homes and Garden site

Peeking Monster

This creature cupcake is sure to be a monster hit at your Halloween get-together.

To make it, follow these steps:

1. Start with frosted store-bought or homemade cupcakes.
2. Insert sour candy corn in frosting for hair.
3. Cut 1 Necco Wafer in half and place at the top of baking cup for eyes.
4. Use frosting to stick two blue mini M&Ms to Necco Wafer for pupils.

Support Mompreneur-Partylite

Momma Momma is always ready to support other mothers and their various businesses. Many of you may be familiar with Partylite, but my friend just started selling the line and I wanted to give her my support. They have some wonderful holiday pieces for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check out her site at www.partylite.biz/amooreambiance
Feel free to contact about purchasing products, fundraisers and even income opportunities.

These pieces will add a special touch to any home.......

How to look great on no sleep

As a follow up to my sleepless in Dallas post....I found this great article that gives helpful hints from makeup artist Bobbi Brown on ways to look rested even when you have had little or not sleep.

Her are a few of her suggestions:

1. If your complexion seems flat you can brighten it with a sheer pink gloss and blush.

2. Puffy eyes the problem....turn used (cold and squeezed out) black teabags into puff-reducing compresses....she also recommends Juara Sweet Black Tea Eye Cream that retails for $37.....think I'll try the teabags first.

3. Dark circles she suggest using your fingertips to blend a creamy, flesh toned concealer into undereye circles.....Bobbi Brown has a Face Touch up Stick for $22.

4. Her last suggestion is to dab shimmer at the inner corner of your eyes to look more alert when you have tired eyes....

These are simple suggestions that we can all follow that will make us feel/look rejuvenated even after a bad night of sleep.

NFL Brings Breast Cancer Awareness to the Field

As we kick off breast cancer awareness month, I was amazed to see the NFL getting involved with promoting awareness and research. Watching Monday night football there was everything from pink cleats to pink Gatorade towels and coaches in pink baseball caps. The campaign, "A Crucial Catch", a partnership with the American Cancer Society, is focused on the importance of annual screenings, especially for women who are over the age of 40. The official site includes a list of ways to help fight breast cancer as well as steps to reduce risk.

According to the NFL, "This is an issue that has directly touched the lives of so many in the NFL family, and we are committed to helping make a difference in breast-cancer prevention".

This in one time we can allow our husbands/significant others to watch football and know that they will still be thinking about an issue that relates to us.

Check out NFL.com and click on the pink to get further information about screening and other related issues.