13 Oct 2011
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How to Say it With Flowers

The perfect evening has been planned. You have thought of everything including picking up flowers. You think the flowers are beautiful but what do they really mean? Every flower has a specific meaning and sends a special or not so special meaning. Picking flowers as a gift has more to it than choosing your favorite color. Making sure flowers send the message you were hoping for is as important as remembering the flowers themselves. Be prepared before you head out to your local florist or log on to your favorite online flowers shop.

Love is a special message. When choosing flowers for someone you love you never want to get your signals crossed. Red flowers are an obvious choice and a good one to make. Red flowers mean passionate love. There is no mistaking the message you are sending. There are other types of love too. You might not want to send red roses to your mother but pink carnations are a better option. The pink carnation means “love of a mother”. Letting a new love know how special they are is as simple as sending a thorn less rose. The thorn less rose means “love at first sight”. Sending a special flower based on how a relationship is progressing will always keep love new and vibrant.

Perhaps the message is friendship. Alstromeria is a happy flower that sends the message of friendship. Ivy is often considered a vine but also lets someone know that you appreciate their friendship. The chrysanthemum is also a symbol of friendship. The chrysanthemum is the perfect choice for a coworker, neighbor or a new friend. The iris is a simple symbol of friendship that may be appropriate for a friend from church as it also symbolizes the fleur de lis.

Not often will you intentionally want to send a negative message with your flowers but you may want to avoid some. Yellow flowers may be beautiful but they have some very negative meanings. Yellow roses mean jealousy or a decrease in love. Not exactly the right message for date night. Yellow carnations send the message of disappointment which may not be appropriate for a graduation, wedding or get well gift!  Staying away from all of the yellow flowers may seem like a safe bet but even the striped carnation can get you in trouble. This eye-catching flower means “No or a refusal”. It sends the message that you cannot be in the relationship. The larkspur means “fickleness” which may not be a great message for a new love or a relationship in transition. A fluffy bouquet of delicate hydrangea sends the sharp message of “heartlessness”.

Sometimes your message will be unclear. This is when a special message may come in handy. A baptism may be a great opportunity to give white lilies, white carnations, daisies or a white rose, which all mean purity and innocence. A yellow poppy wishes the recipient wealth and success which would make any graduate smile. Stephanotis has a duel meaning of happiness in marriage and desire to travel which makes it an ideal choice for honeymooners.

Flowers are the perfect gift. They can say so many things even when we can’t find the words ourselves. Love, friendship, jealousy and appreciation can all be conveyed through the simple act of giving a flower. If for some reason the message you intended doesn’t get conveyed the first time you can always send a beautiful bunch of purple hyacinth. What a better way to say “I’m sorry”!


13 Oct 2011
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

I usually buy birthday cakes. It’s just the way my mom always did it so I never thought about making one. This year on Mr. M2C birthday I decided that I would attempt to make his cake. I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, expecting something simple for my first official birthday cake attempt. He tells me he wants a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cake with vanilla cake. I smiled and said OK! On the inside I was freaking out! He couldn’t just say chocolate?!

Still I was determined to pull it off. I must tell you that it didn’t turn out quite as pretty as I had hoped and I also hit a few snags along the way but it was pretty tasty!

What you’ll need:

  • 1 boxed vanilla cake mix
  • 2 1.5 pint cartons of Cookie Dough ice cream
  • 1 Chocolate Buttercream Frosting recipe (see below)
  • Chocolate Sprinkles
  • 1 Box of Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Pieces

I started with a boxed cake mix. I would have made one from scratch but since they are going to be in the freezer, I figured it would be fine. I prefer Duncan Hines cake mix but any boxed cake mix will do.

While the cake is cooling, I used the same pans to make the ice cream layers. Line the bottom of the cake pan with plastic wrap and start scooping in your ice cream. Each of my cake pans holds 1.5 quarts of ice cream. Make sure you soften the ice cream a bit first by sitting it out on the counter.

Keep pressing the ice cream down and smoothing it out so it fills in all of the holes. You want a solid layer of ice cream. Once all of the ice cream is in, pull the sides of the plastic wrap up over the top and put in the freezer until hard.

I set one cake pan on top of the other one in the freezer and that seemed to help freeze the layers faster.

Make sure you shave the rounded part of the cake layers off to make the flat and as even as possible. I put the large pieces that I shaved off in a bowl and this keeps kids and husbands away from your cake because they have some to snack on!

THIS is one of those snags I was talking about! While I was getting the ingredients out for the frosting. Our dog Holly decided that she would test out the cake. This layer had to be tossed and I had to make another layer of cake!

Once I am back on track with my cake layers, I start making the frosting. Make sure you sift the sugar and cocoa powder together. I think this makes a huge difference in the end result. Unfortunately, I don’t have a nice stand mixer even though it’s been on my Christmas list for I don’t know how many years. I use a hand mixer and I must warn you that this can be a bit messy!

The lighting is not great on this picture but the frosting should be a light brown color.

Now it’s time to start assembeling your cake! Select your thickest cake layer for the bottom. This will give you a sturdy base.

I found it’s best to put the rough sides of your ice cream layers together.

I used a large knife to shave off excess ice cream. They are slightly bigger than the cake layers because the cake draws away from the sides of the pan when it cooks making them smaller. Once they are even, start putting the frosting on. This was the most frustrating part of the whole process. As the ice cream gets soft it won’t allow the frosting to stick. I used a butter knife to scrape off the melted part as I frosted the sides. This part takes patience! Just keep going and adding more frosting. Once I hit my rhythm, it was a lot easier. Push back, pull forward, push back, pull forward…

It’s not perfect but I was so happy just to have it frosted that I didn’t care! At this point I put it in the freezer just to firm up a bit while I got my decorations out.

I used chocolate covered cookie dough chunks and chocolate sprinkles for the top. Mr. M2C wanted to keep it simple but you could get as fancy as you want.

The cake sliced wonderfully! Everyone got a giant piece with lots of ice cream and the cake was so moist!

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or 1/2 pound), softened (but not melted!)
  • 3 1/2 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract or you can use 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, whichever you prefer
  • 4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Cream butter for a few minutes in a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Turn off the mixer. Sift 3 cups powdered sugar and cocoa into the mixing bowl. Turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the dry ingredients do not blow everywhere) until the sugar and cocoa are absorbed by the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add almond (or vanilla) extract, salt, and milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add a little more sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time.

 

11 Oct 2011
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Where’s My Sense of Adventure?

I don’t know about you but ever since becoming a parent, my sense of adventure has been limited to traveling with two toddlers and a cat from one side of the country to the other. I don’t take very many risks and for the sake of my kids, I like to lead a structured life. I suppose being responsible for human lives other than your own will do that to you.

I was thinking the other day about a girl I used to work with in my early 20′s. She got married and her husband was into Travel Nursing. They would move around the country every couple of months. I remember her sending postcards from Hawaii, Texas and Vermont. They got to see so many places and experience so much of this country. Not only did this give him the chance to Discover Nursing but also different places. What an exciting adventure!

I know that one day my kids will be grown and it will be just Mr. M2C and I. I hope that we get to experience something extraordinary. I’ve put my sense of adventure on hold but I hope it’s resting up!

How do you feed your sense of adventure?

 

Brought to you by our friends at travelnursing.com
11 Oct 2011
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Special Delivery From California Wine Club

I get lots of things in the mail. At least three times a week there is a package on my doorstep. Most of the time it is a Lalaloopsy doll for Ansley, coupons, a years supply of deodorant, not real exciting stuff. I rarely get anything for me other than bills.

A couple of weeks ago, that all changed.

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When I found out that I was being gifted a 3 month Premier membership to the California Wine Club I was beyond excited! I mean, this is WINE we are talking about! The secret behind good moms everywhere. I couldn’t wait for my first shipment. I was walking down the driveway with the kids. We were heading to the store but before I could get them buckled in, the FEDEX truck stopped in front of the house. I met the driver in the driveway and he handed me the most wonderful gift…a BOX of wine! No No No, not a “box” of wine but a box with bottles of wine! I was so excited, I could not wait for Friday night. For those of you who don’t keep up, Mr. M2C and I have a wine night every Friday. We put the kids to bed and open up a bottle…or 2 of wine. It’s our grown up time together and I look forward to it every week.

It was absolutely wonderful having the wine show up at my door. I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to buying it at the store. I like having my sweet little gift show up. Friday arrived and Mr. M2C and I opened the first bottle. It was a 2008 Perry Creek “Zinman” Zinfandel. To be completely honest I never buy zinfandel. I drink it when we go wine tasting but it never makes it into the cart at the store.

This wine was amazing. Mr. M2C and I both loved it. It was light and smooth. A little hint of sweet and it would be perfect if you are just getting into wines. Mr. M2C and I even argued over who got the last glass…I won.

The second bottle was a Perry Creek El Dorado Chardonnay. Sticking with the theme of complete honesty, I am not a chardonnay girl. Again, I drink it at wine tasting but I would never buy a bottle at the store. However, because I was so impressed with the Zinfandel, I am actually excited to try it. I am trying to find a great dish to pair it with. Maybe something light like a nice fish and steamed veggies or maybe grilled chicken. This week is my 5 year wedding anniversary as well as Mr. M2C 30th birthday. I think this bottle of chardonnay may be part of a special meal. I can’t wait to open it up.

Overall experience with California Wine Club?…A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! The wine holds a special place in my heart but I also learned about The Boring Wine Guy. Make sure you check out his Facebook page as well as follow him on twitter. So informative and takes all of the “stuffy” out of drinking wine. Wine is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Whether you are just getting introduced to wine or are a seasoned drinker, the California Wine Club is for you!

I can’t wait for my next shipment and to share my experience with all of you. If you were here with me I would pour you a glass but since I can’t share my wine, I want to help you get some of your own! For being a reader of Mommies 2 Cents, California Wine Club is offering a 10% discount off of your first month PLUS an extra bottle of wine on your first order if you use the code “mommies2cents” at checkout. There is no obligation to stay past the first month! How great is that?! Even though I am 100% confident that you will be hooked just like me.

You can’t deny that this would be an amazing gift to send, especially with the holidays coming up so you will also receive a 10% discount on any gift orders you send using the same promo code, “mommies2cents” at checkout.

Join me next time on my newest wine adventure and keep your eyes peeled for an amazing California Wine Club giveaway!

**I was provided a premium subscription to California Wine Club for this review but all experiences and opinions are 100% my own!
10 Oct 2011
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Words To Live By…

Last week was a rough one for me. Nothing big or tragic happened just lots of little things that took a toll on me emotionally and mentally. This week I am determined to get a fresh start and have a great week. This week is Mr. M2C 30th birthday and it is also our 5th wedding anniversary. I want this week to be wonderful.

I am a complete quote junkie. I have them bookmarked all over my computer and scribbled in notebooks all over the house. I thought it would be a good idea to start this week off with a few of my favorite quotes and some of my blogger friends favorite quotes.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself,
instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.
-Judy Garland

No truer words have ever been spoken.

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.
-Katharine Hepburn 

It’s good to be naughty every once in a while. The next quote is a favorite of Rebekah over at Honey and Cheese

The happiest people do not have the best of everything, they make the best of everything they have.

-unknown

Favorite quotes of Penelope at Penelopes Oasis provided these great quotes:

“If not you, who? If not now, when?”

“Just Be. Here. Now.”

I think my favorite quote of all…

I am not afraid…I was born to do this.
-Joan of Arc

I hope these quote will inspire you and start your week off on the right foot.

 

10 Oct 2011
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Transforming flea market finds to fall decorations

Guest post written by Ashley Bridges

There are all kinds of things that I love to look for at flea markets. But I think out of all the possibilities, things for my home are the surest bet. I’m always on the lookout for a new accent or picture to hang up on my wall. My home is a never-ending project and I’d like to keep it that way, too! But I also love to find some seasonal decorations at the flea market too.

I just finished decorating my home for fall and I think that I did an excellent job. I went online with my directv internet to get some really good inspiration for stuff and while I was looking all of that up, I found all kinds of ideas!

MY flea market fall decorations are the perfect combination of rustic and creepy. I found some odd mason jars and fixed them over to make them look lke they used to hold some creepy ingredients for potions and spells. All it took was some fake cobwebs and labels that I got really creative with.

09 Oct 2011
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Preparing For the Future

This year Mr. M2C and I both turned 30. It was a major milestone for both of us. Of course, as we get older so do our parents. They are all working their way towards retirement and the days of overtime, big bonus’ and extra income will become a thing of the past. Being on a fixed income will present new challenges for them.

Mr. M2C and I often worry about our parents and hope they have budgeted wisely for their long lives in retirement. How to cover medical expenses is also something we worry about. Medical costs can take a big chunk of change out of a fixed income. Often Medicare does not cover the full amount of treatment. This is why we have started looking into Medicare Supplement plans. These plans help cover the gap that is left to pay. It’s never too early to start planning for the future. We may spend out time now looking through open enrollment plans but it’s a small price to pay for the comfort of knowing our parents will be taken care of.

Brought to you by our friends at Medicare Supplemental Insurance
08 Oct 2011
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Message from Above Arrives in Pee Soaked Package

This morning…WAY too early I rolled over in the bed. I was expecting cool sheets and more fluffy pillow but what I got was pee soaked sheets, no pillow and toddler feet in my face. Note to my children here: If you are going to wet the bed…wet YOUR bed, NOT mine!

We are in the nighttime portion of potty training and as you can tell, we’ve hit a rough patch. After cleaning everything and everyone up, I couldn’t go back to sleep so I came out to the couch. It’s so quiet, I can hear my own heart beating…I LOVE it! There are storms rolling through south Florida this weekend. Sitting on the couch watching the wind blow the palm trees and listening to the rain pour down is almost better than a massage…almost.

It reminds me to take time for myself every once in a while. Of course this isn’t the ideal time of day but it has been infinitely relaxing. As moms, wives, bloggers, employees, business owners, whatever our obligations; we are always carving out time to take care of those things but we often neglect ourselves.

Even though I’m up early and a little tired, I’m glad I’m up. I think I’ll just file this morning under the “When life gives you lemons…” category. Maybe the pee in my bed was a sign from up above that I needed some quiet time to myself. Though I think there may have been a less gross way of sending that message. Things get hectic and time slips away, remember to take time for yourself…whenever the opportunity arises.

How do you take time for yourself?

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