Thursday, April 14, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Cookies for a Cause
"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves." - Lao Tzu
This kind of leading is also the most difficult. Speaking for myself, I am often tempted to simply do things FOR my clients instead of letting go a little, moving at a slower pace, and empowering them to do things themselves. This is one of my weaknesses, and I must daily pray against the tendency to do things for my clients instead of with them. It is so important to allow people to work toward their goals. This helps them claim the goals as their own, and when they do this, they are more motivated to truly work to reach the goal, and they feel better about themselves when they finally do reach the goal. So, lots of times, my most important role is to sit back, relax, and let go.
In a way, this is what Casey's parents did. They could have coddled her, sheltered her, and never made her work a day in her life. This would have been the easy way to deal with their situation. They did not do that. Instead, they created Casey's Cookies.
Through the creation of Casey's Cookies, Casey's parents have empowered Casey and others to work and to have the satisfaction that they are doing something themselves; that they are capable of doing SO MANY things by themselves. They had a vision that extended beyond just Casey, and beyond just their family. Through their business, they are touching the lives of so many others. Casey's parents have created training and jobs for people who have disabilities but desire to work. They have created a profound thing. They have created futures for those whom the world may have rejected.
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. - Lao Tzu
Their website makes it easy (and tempting!) to order cookies... and to make a difference.
This kind of leading is also the most difficult. Speaking for myself, I am often tempted to simply do things FOR my clients instead of letting go a little, moving at a slower pace, and empowering them to do things themselves. This is one of my weaknesses, and I must daily pray against the tendency to do things for my clients instead of with them. It is so important to allow people to work toward their goals. This helps them claim the goals as their own, and when they do this, they are more motivated to truly work to reach the goal, and they feel better about themselves when they finally do reach the goal. So, lots of times, my most important role is to sit back, relax, and let go.
In a way, this is what Casey's parents did. They could have coddled her, sheltered her, and never made her work a day in her life. This would have been the easy way to deal with their situation. They did not do that. Instead, they created Casey's Cookies.
Through the creation of Casey's Cookies, Casey's parents have empowered Casey and others to work and to have the satisfaction that they are doing something themselves; that they are capable of doing SO MANY things by themselves. They had a vision that extended beyond just Casey, and beyond just their family. Through their business, they are touching the lives of so many others. Casey's parents have created training and jobs for people who have disabilities but desire to work. They have created a profound thing. They have created futures for those whom the world may have rejected.
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. - Lao Tzu
Their website makes it easy (and tempting!) to order cookies... and to make a difference.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Birthday Baking
One of my dad's hygienists had a birthday last week. In other words, I had an excuse to bake a cake last week! Well, I had a little help from Betty Crocker with the actual cake, but I did make the icing. :)
Megan and I seem to share the same philosophy in life: eat dessert first. So it was a pleasure baking a cake for someone I knew would enjoy it just as much as I would have! And it was even MORE of a pleasure eating the extra frosting.
I used Joy the Baker's peanut butter frosting recipe, which you can find here. I have tried several, and hers is my favorite so far. I made the recipe exactly as it was written, and it made A LOT of extra frosting. I probably could have halved it and had the perfect amount for the two layer, nine inch round cake.
For the chocolate frosting, I used this recipe from allrecipes.com. I doubled it, and just had a little bit leftover. There is chocolate frosting in between the two layers of cake, as well as around the top and bottom of the cake... obviously. :)
Thanks to my Cricut machine, I also made this cake topper for Megan's cake.
Megan and I seem to share the same philosophy in life: eat dessert first. So it was a pleasure baking a cake for someone I knew would enjoy it just as much as I would have! And it was even MORE of a pleasure eating the extra frosting.
I used Joy the Baker's peanut butter frosting recipe, which you can find here. I have tried several, and hers is my favorite so far. I made the recipe exactly as it was written, and it made A LOT of extra frosting. I probably could have halved it and had the perfect amount for the two layer, nine inch round cake.
For the chocolate frosting, I used this recipe from allrecipes.com. I doubled it, and just had a little bit leftover. There is chocolate frosting in between the two layers of cake, as well as around the top and bottom of the cake... obviously. :)
Thanks to my Cricut machine, I also made this cake topper for Megan's cake.
This is the front of the cake topper.
And this is the back!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Saturday Salutes
Here are some favorite posts I stumbled upon throughout the week!
To ring in the new month, head on over to Leelou blogs and download one of her precious desktop themes. It is what I am using right now, and it makes me feel nice and springy each time I look at it!
I love this homemade key holder, and the designer lays out such detailed instructions on how to make it. He use items that most people have around their house, so there is no need to buy anything to make the flower. It makes a great last minute gift too! You can view Mark Montano's blog for even more fun and easy crafting ideas.
And if these pictures do not make you smile, you must have had a REALLY bad week. The smiling pig is just irresistible! If only one picture is not enough to cheer you up, head over here to see 69 more.
And, I hope you use your Saturday to do exactly this:
Add the strawberry mixture to the flour mixture, blending until dry ingredients are moistened.
(If you used pecans, add them now.)
Pour the batter into a loaf pan, and bake for 45-50 minutes.
The bread can be served warm or cold. It also tastes good with Cool Whip on top! :)
To ring in the new month, head on over to Leelou blogs and download one of her precious desktop themes. It is what I am using right now, and it makes me feel nice and springy each time I look at it!
I love this homemade key holder, and the designer lays out such detailed instructions on how to make it. He use items that most people have around their house, so there is no need to buy anything to make the flower. It makes a great last minute gift too! You can view Mark Montano's blog for even more fun and easy crafting ideas.
And if these pictures do not make you smile, you must have had a REALLY bad week. The smiling pig is just irresistible! If only one picture is not enough to cheer you up, head over here to see 69 more.
And, I hope you use your Saturday to do exactly this:
I always knew Boston Terriers were smart.
If you enjoy writing (creative writing, journaling, etc.), this may be a fun site to kill some time on. At oneword.com, each time you click "go," a new word will appear at the top of the screen, and the site gives you exactly 60 seconds to write about the word, or thoughts it evokes. It is a fun challenge, and keeps you thinking on your toes! And outside the box.
This kitchen is ADORABLE!!!! I want it! Simple click here for more inspiration galleries.
And, in your new kitchen, you can try making this strawberry bread. I made it last night, with a recipe adapted from allrecipes.com. Strawberry bread is not something I would normally think to make, but I had a lot of strawberries that were almost overripe. I hated to let them go to waste!
Strawberry bread, recipe adapted from here
1 1/2 C fresh strawberries
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 C white sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 C vegetable oil
2 eggs
***I did not use pecans, simply because I did not have any on hand***
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, slice strawberries, and sprinkle with white sugar. Set aside.
Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
Add vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and eggs to the strawberry slices.
Add the strawberry mixture to the flour mixture, blending until dry ingredients are moistened.
(If you used pecans, add them now.)
Pour the batter into a loaf pan, and bake for 45-50 minutes.
The bread can be served warm or cold. It also tastes good with Cool Whip on top! :)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Only in Nashville...
My sister went to work with me today. And somehow, she managed to make work seem a lot less like work and a lot more like... fun! I wish every Friday could be like today! :)
While we were driving, we stopped at a red light and saw this:
While we were driving, we stopped at a red light and saw this:
Random. Thanks, Ave, for the pic!
There is absolutely no telling where this sign was pointing to. There are a million places the arrow could have been pointing, and at the same time, there is absolutely nowhere that it would have made sense for the arrow to be pointing.
We burst out laughing when we saw this, so I thought I would spread the Friday cheer!
Happy weekend!
Oh... and... Happy April Fools' Day! ?
No Kidding!
NEWS FLASH:
Kroger is giving away ONE free bag of any kind of Frito Lay chips today between 3 and 8pm...
No coupon necessary...
No kidding
:)
Kroger is giving away ONE free bag of any kind of Frito Lay chips today between 3 and 8pm...
No coupon necessary...
No kidding
:)
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