Pretty Little Thingamagigs

My grandfather once bought me the teeniest tiniest little cast iron stove I had ever seen---and that is what started my obsession for extra-small prettiness. Little itty bitty thingamagigs always catch my fancy. Aren't these pretty?

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Key Lime Coconut Cake

Guess what I made?---Key Lime Coconut Cake. Doesn't that sound yummy? I had a bottle of Nellie and Joe's Famous Key Lime Juice , a bag of shredded sweetened coconut and a craving for something tropical.

So here is what I did.

I followed the directions on the back of a Duncan Hines yellow cake mix box. BUT, I substituted 1/2 of the water amount w/ Key Lime Juice. I used two cake mixes and made two round cakes. Between the two cake layers, I used Smuckers Pineapple Preserves as a nice spread. Smuckers also has a Mango Jam which I think I would like to try next time I make this cake.

After the cake cooled, I tinted frosting with a drop of green food coloring to add a pastel green look to the cake. I have discovered that my local grocery store, Publix, sells their  butter cream frosting from their bakery in various ounce tubs. I love this frosting b/c it has won awards, it is made fresh daily, and it isn't as sweet as other butter creams so it is very nice, mild, and smooth. They also have a super yummo chocolate frosting which they make daily and it has also won awards. But, they do not sell that one in individual tubs----they keep it under lock and key. haha.

I frosted the cake and then added the coconut around the cake and on top. It was VERY good. However, it was a lot of cake for just the 3 of us to eat which meant others were able to enjoy it too. If I had just made one layer, I might have been more stingy with it. haha.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Backpack-Backpack

from Pottery Barn and Justice for Girls

My daughter rolls her eyes now and plugs her ears when ever I sing the Backpack Song from Dora the Explorer. Yup, this 3rd grader of mine officially considers herself "too old" for the toddler-oriented cartoon. Sigh. While shopping for a new backpack to start the school year she also told me that she does not want the same type of backpacks we have bought in the past and then she glanced at me as if she knew she had just broken my heart. Another sigh. For the past 3 years I have always bought her a backpack from the designer, Agatha Ruiz del la Prada . I love her childrens line of clothes and gear. However, Saylor really wanted to change her style this year and chose a Roxy backpack . I must admit, it is really very pretty. But, I can't help but wonder if we have now entered the phase which will last an eternity where she wants to have more of a say in her style and where I will have to sometimes put my foot down and say no or bite my tongue and let her express herself. 

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

3rd Grade Dollies

A little bit of grocery shopping after school. She wanted to push the cart and have her "baby"

and her purse in the buggy just like a real Mommy.

No, you are not seeing double. There really are two dolls dressed in school uniforms. My American Girl and Saylor's American Girl. Is this too cute or what? I saw this matching uniform doll dress at the school uniform supply store and knew my little doll would love having it for her little doll. My 3rd grader loves her American Girl dolls and especially loves when they can dress the same. And, of course, no dolly is ready for school without a backpack or lunch kit of her own. I found this doll backpack/lunch kit set at Pottery Barn Kids. Saylor filled the lunch kit up with coffee beans for Daddy while on a grocery shopping trip. So now the lunch kit smells like Starbucks. haha. She has been having a grand time playing school with her dolls in the afternoons. She is the teacher, of course!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

1st day of 3rd Grade

The year of the pink tennis shoes

This is her, "Mom, I am tired of taking pictures" smile

entering the chapel with her classmates

Is it really the end of summer and time for another school year? I feel like the same collective broken record with other parents who are scratching their heads and asking, "Gosh, where did the time go? I can't believe my child is starting a new school year." Sigh. Saylor is in third grade this year. I still feel like I am licking the wounds from where the apron strings were torn when she started Kindergarten 4 yrs ago.

My comfort is knowing that she goes to a fabulous school where she gets to learn about God and His abundant love on a daily basis amongst her peers. The teachers are phenomenal and she has the most energetic wonderful 3rd grade teacher this Mom could ask for.

So with a bit of reluctance, I fall back into the swing of things like packing school lunches, signing papers, spelling word lists, and checking homework while secretly hoping I could keep her at this age and grade forever. Then again, I said that last year, and the year before, and the year before that, and the year.....

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Remains of Summer

photo found here

I am a summer girl. I love summer far too much for it to end. If I was any of the girls in the above photo, I'd be the one on top with her arms outstretched totally blissed out.

 I love the laziness of summer days with the sound of locusts filling the air as if they are children humming into a fan vibrating their voices. I enjoy endless afternoons with my daughter far too much to have to wait a whole year before summer eases it's way back into our days.

photo from here

The last remains of summer leave me feeling melancholy. I feel like a child who has been told it is time to go home after spending only moments in a candy shop. Or I feel like it is similar to when you know you will soon have to say goodbye to someone who you aren't ready to see leave. If only summer and I could visit a little longer.

photo found here

In 3 short days, it will be back to the routine of packing school lunches and sending my daughter off to school--sticking to a weekly bedtime routine, checking homework, and signing papers. If only I could capture summer in a jar to keep on my nightstand.

Beach and pool days have been the best with my husband and daughter. I like how my husband gently rinses my ankles and feet with a bucket of ocean water before we get seated in the car. I feel like Cleopatra or a Greek Goddess.

photo found here

I love how simplified a day at the beach can be where the sound of my daughter's laughter carries out over the water like a message in a bottle. Can you hear her joy on the coast of Africa sailing over the waves as she dances on the sand here in Florida? Come back to me, Summer. I'll be waiting.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Mochi Madness

I have discovered Mochi and now I'm addicted!!!!! So is my daughter. How did I not know about Mochi? Am I the only person on the planet who has not heard of these awesome little yummies??? Mochi it turns out is Japanese rice cakes made of rice pounded into paste and molded into the tiny little shapes of marshmallows. I discovered Mochi at Yogaberry when I treated my daughter to a frozen yogurt treat after a doctor appointment. I asked the young cashier what were those colorful little thingies in the section of toppings for the frozen yogurt and she said, "It's Mochi--kinda like a Japanese marshmallow." Sounded like yummy goodness to me. We have also become super addicted to Yogaberry--Organic, Fat-Free, Frozen yogurt. What's not to love? and because we have already made a few trips back to Yogaberry so we can get our Mochi fix, I now have an official Yogaberry card where once I earn 25 points, I get a freebie!!! 15 points and counting!!! My favorite is the Taro yogurt with mochi. I also wanna try honeydew and green tea frozen yogurt.......with Mochi, of course. My husband, who cannot stand yogurt, joined us on a Yogaberry trip and tried it for the first time. He LOVED LOVED LOVED it. Okay-okay, so it was frozen CHOCOLATE yogurt. But, it was yogurt nontheless and a step towards the real deal as far as I see it.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Roadside Beauties

My husband, daughter and I have these summertime habits which is part of our summer memories every year---like taking advantage of all the summer fruits. I love to stop off at the roadside fruit stands offering fresh Georgia peaches and Georgia Vidalia Onions(we are only an hour south of Georgia). Being in the citrus state, there are many stands with Florida oranges. I like the oranges still attached to some of their branches. These oranges were the prettiest of the bunch and I just had to take a photo.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

American Girl Fans

  If your daughter loves American Girl Dolls as much as mine does, then you will be happy to learn that AmericanGirl.Com now has an interactive play website. Girls can create their own virtual American Girl doll and explore Innerstar University   This is a fun online "campus" where girls can use their dolls to explore, play, interact with other dolls, and have fun. After checking it out for myself, I feel confident that Innerstar University is a safe website with excellent controls where my daughter can have fun online. Girls can even choose the personality of their interactive American Girl Doll by choosing options such as Creative-Sporty-Spirited. There are various activities for them to play online from Piano to Horseback Riding. Mentor-type American Girl characters encourage the player with various challenges which helps them earn online "medals" for a job well done. I love that American Girl has broadened their online play with this new feature and it offers everything my daughter loves about American Girl and everything I love about them too. P.S. American Girl is also adding a new line of books based on Innerstar University. My daughter, who is my very own American Girl, can't wait to start reading them!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Kirsten: Lil' Miss

Kirsten: Lil' Miss

Lil' Miss

I am CuhhhRazy about Lilly Pulitzer stuff! In fact, I have fallen in Luv! I bought a few of her dresses and bathing suits for my daughter at Dillards where they carry Lilly Pulitzer. I especially loved this panda print dress with the added pink accents against the black and white panda bear pattern. I had to get a few pics of my little fashionista wearing it after Mass as we waited for our food at our favorite Sunday hang-out, Metro Diner. Lilly Pulitzer also has a GO GREEN line which is awesome!

---Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Something Eggtra

It was the weekend and I was feeling creatively playful-----so, I did this to the eggs and surprised my daughter and husband while making breakfast. Saylor is very much into cracking eggs alllll by herself right now. It is her latest way of feeling like she is bigger than her britches. "I wanna crack it! Let me crack it. I can do it by myself! Please????" is usually the chorus that accompanies every egg. So on this particular Saturday morning, I asked her to take the eggs out of the fridge and crack a few. She was sooo surprised and tickled pink when she opened the cartoon and saw these faces looking up at her.

---Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K

Hamm and Potatoes on a Stick!

I love popping on over to Bakerella.com  for sweet inspiration on all things cute and edible! This is one of my favorite sights to visit. I love these Toy Story movie-inspired Ham and Mr. Potato Head pops!!!!! They are soooooo adorable! For the How-To guide, visit Bakerella.com

---Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Brownie Oink Moo

Wanna have some fun in the kitchen and cool down on a hot summer day? Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches to the rescue!!!!  I love these brownie cutters because they are perfect for making ice cream sandwiches with an imprinted image such as the cow and pig faces. Just use any brownie mix and bake according to directions. When brownies are done, let them cool slightly before using brownie cutters. Set the cut brownie shapes out to cool completely before adding ice cream. I like to wrap them with freezer paper and place them in the freezer so that they can firm up a bit. These little brownie ice cream sandwiches are a fantabulous treat for any summer day.

---Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K

Window Sill Sprouts

I love these early years in which my daughter brings home seeds, soil, little cups, and lots of hope as she places her seedlings on the window sill. The waiting game begins as she waits-waits-and waits for a bit of greenery to peak through the soil.---and each day, I secretly beg the little seeds to open for my daughter's sake as well as curse them when they do not open. Luckily, these little seedlings are cooperating. Each time she waters them, she over does it and each time I have to remind her that too much water can be a bad thing. It is the same lesson each and every time. I know one day she will understand it and grow beautiful things in her own yard. But, that day can come slowly.

To the Sea!

“"maggie and millie and molly and may"

maggie and millie and molly and may

went down to the beach (to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang

so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and

millie befriended a stranded star

who's rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing

which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone

as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)

it's always ourselves we find in the sea.”

E.E. Cummings

All American Robot!

Isn't this just the cutest lil' patriotic robot ever?!?! I especially love the soda bottle cap eyes! This robot would be such a fun centerpiece at your 4th of July celebration. Wouldn't it look like a proud little American on Independence Day! I love Family Fun Magazine for a variety of reasons. This magazine always inspires me to get crafting with my daughter and as a family. Most of their crafts require items you already have lying around your home like the coffee cans and paper towel rolls on this patriotic robot. I know I said my favorite part was his cute little bottle cap eyes---but, now I am thinking it is the fact that he is full of sugary goodness on the inside! I am giving this crafty project a score of EASY PEEZY LEMON SQUEEZY!

For instructions and guide on how to make this Patriotic Robot for your 4th of July celebration, click here.

---Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

Edible Ladybugs!!!

The next time you have a craving for strawberries or chocolate, why not combine both and eat Ladybugs?!?! This little strawberry treat is a fun way to get kids in the kitchen. I especially like this fun and simple treat because it requires very little assistance and kids get a true feeling of accomplishment since they did almost all the preparation themselves. This little dessert is a great way to use strawberries while they are at their peak in the summer and also a great way to provide a less sugary dessert!

What You'll Need:

*Strawberries for body(keep the leaves on the strawberries)

*red or purple grapes for head

*mini chocolate morsels for ladybug spots

*toothpicks

**** Rinse strawberries and grapes. ---Slice each grape in half. ---Insert toothpick into grape and use to attach the "head" to the strawberry body by inserting at top.---Gently press a few mini chocolate morsels onto top of strawberry to create the black spots of a ladybug.

That's it! Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezy!

Note: We also created a bed of greens using celery leaves so that our Strawberry Ladybugs would have something to "munch" on. Any greens will work such as lettuce or even spinach leaves which will go great with the strawberries!---and if you can get your kids to eat the greens as well, then more power to you!

---Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.