Cupcakes are Awesome!
Serving them is guaranteed to bring a on smile,
whether you are 4 or 44 or 84!
Cupcakes are yummy.
They can be a pure indulgence of flour and sugar,
or something a bit healthier like a whole grain muffin.
Add nuts and or fruit and it might even be considered
“good for you”.
Cupcakes are easy.
Starting with a cake mix you can have cupcakes in the oven within moments.
In 18 – 22 minutes your little cake morsels are ready to come out of the oven.
Now, the real fun begins.
One can merely icing a cupcake,
or add a festive touch with sprinkles.
Or…one can take cupcakes to an entirely artistic level…
think – looks too good to eat!
Jump start your creativity with this fun and inspiring book
Hello Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make
One will simply want to create an occasion to fit the cupcake!
What better occasion to serve cupcakes
than a gathering of Daisy Girl Scouts!
And with Thanksgiving being a major part of our central theme…
Well, I could not resist making Turkey Leg Cupcakes!

I started with cupcakes ordered from WalMart.
I did say Cupcakes are easy…this just makes it easier yet!
For $5.00 one can special order 12 cupcakes with only icing,
served up in a protective plastic container.
Grab a box of corn flakes, a bunch of plain donut holes,
and an extra can of icing…
again, think easy!
The prep work:
using the following picture as a guide
cut out the “drumstick knuckles”from card stock.
Cut a pointed end to insert into donut hole.
I pre-cut 12 of them.
In a zip lock bag, crush several cups of corn flakes.
Empty well crushed flakes into a large bowl.
Carefully place the donut hole “off-center” for the most
authentic turkey leg look.
Now, cover the donut hole with icing, sealing it to the base.
Once covered, you will dip the cupcake into the flakes…
Viola! A done-to-perfection look.

Pierce the donut with a sharp knife.
Insert the knuckle.
and you got yourself a Turkey Drumstick Cupcake

Who wants a drumstick?
Add a bunch of fun-loving girls,
turkey leg party hats for everyone,
Turkey Leg Cupcakes all around…
And you have a recipe worth repeating!
The best thing about Cupcakes…
spreading so much happiness!
We have started a new tradition in our family
that marks the arrival of fall and the festivities that it brings.
For several years we have enjoyed a day of free activities at
Nash Farm in Grapevine.
There is cotton to pick, ponies to ride, music to enjoy…
and of course pumpkins to decorate.
The Nash Family farm house and surrounding grounds take you back in time!
Last year they started a pumpkin treat contest and
a scarecrow contest!
Oh yeah…count us in!
We worked with friends to create a traditional,
award-winning scarecrow.
This year we were ready to create another winner!

Neighbor Beans help Butter stuff fresh hay into our scarecrow body.
Plans are laid to create a black-clad law-enforcing Texan.

Mama gets to work on the face…
This Sheriff has made his mark through-out the state…
Austin goes in the middle of his face,
Dallas-Fort Worth to the north eyebrow
Houston to the southeast jaw line
San Antonio around the southwest cheek.
El Paso goes out west, way west….
Sheriff Ben Everywhere is born!!
Wow! This road-warrior scarecrow is really taking shape…
a few more details and we’ll have a winner!

Sheriff Ben Everywhere proudly wears his first place blue ribbon.
Heads turn as he creates a stir.
People stop to admire.
Families gather around and smiles are captured.

This Texas Sheriff Scarecrow stand tall
thanks to the custom-made scarecrow frame the Big Dog Daddy made us.

Sheriff Ben Everywhere.
If he could, he would ride off into the sunset on his horse.
Miles.
Of course…
well, maybe next year!
Our little Betta fish died Saturday morning. Alpha was our first. Rainbow was our second Betta, and Sapphire is our third.

I was always touched when Butter said good-night to her family…
Good-night Daddy!
Good-night Peanut and Pumpkin…
Good-night Rainbow.
(good-night to a fish! I would think…)
I don’t think she ever forgot to tell him good-night.
With our first fish, getting all the supplies was a given.
We have had cats. But, we had never had a fish.
We started with a Betta tank. Okay, that was easy.
Next we had to pick out the rock. Oh, so many colors to choose from.
Finally Butter decides on Aqua blue. Perfect.
Then, we decide the fish needs something else in his tank.
You know, some “home décor”. (really! It’s called décor!)
Who would have thought there were so many types of plants to choose from?
A spiky, bright green one catches her eye.
We head home with our $4.00 fish, food, water conditioner, tank, gravel, and décor (for the fish!).
Yep…about $35.00.
Life is good; for everyone…including the fish.
When Alpha passed away I figure we’d go to the store, get a new fish.
Our family will be complete again.
Oh, but no. The Big Dog and Butter come home with a new Betta and new gravel; this time it’s neon multi color.
It looked really good with the fish.
But, of course that’s not all… we need new décor (for the fish!)
Not one, but two plants. A green frilly one and a hot pink one.
Perfect with the assorted neon rock.

And that brings us to Sapphire.
He’s a beautiful fish. And full of spunk.
What fish wouldn’t be?
He has lovely ruby red gravel and of course some new décor.
The ruby red gravel is accented with large crystal-blue “jewels”.
And the new plant beats all…
It glows in the dark…really!
It’s good to be a fish at our house.
Our family is complete again.
Da Heat, Stir Frequently, Butter Bean, Pumpkin, Peanut and Sapphire, the Betta Fish.
Bonjour ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, we are about to embark on an artistic journey, one inspired by the streets of Pairs and as seen thorough the eyes of the Masters.
We’re here bright and early and ready to create!
Butter is immediately attracted to her instructor Ms. Sarah.
One can easily relate to Sarah’s joyful smile as they read about her passion for art and life as she has lived her artistic dreams with gusto!
The Art house is visually exciting. There is art everywhere you look. Freshly painted shirts hang from the ceiling, Paper mache’ dinosaurs greet you inside the front door, drawing, paintings, and sculptures line the walls, and bookcases are filled with books of the masters. All of this excitement while bubbling young artists divided into three separate classes create art in an environment that is stimulating, productive and well organized! It’s like visual music!
Butter has her “portfolio” ready to go! Her tiny blue passport fits neatly inside, along with teeny-tiny paintings; Van Gogh’s Night Cafe’, Claude Monet’s Water Lilies and a line drawing inspired by Picasso that would later assist the artist’s
as they work with wire to create a sculpture of the Eiffel Tower. A tiny clay sculpture of the Arc de Triomphe completes Butter’s collection of souvenirs
A favorite watercolor painting that inspired Art House students, “The Paris State” was painted by in-house instructor and owner of the McKinney Studio, Molly Goodall. This is Butter’s interpretation of the original cityscape.
What trip is complete without a t-shirt!?
Friday comes all to soon. The artists gather their work for a grand presentation. The pride in the room from young artists and parents…unmistakable!
A spicy, colorful salsa made with black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, corn, red onion and cilantro.
Hands On: 15 minutes Total: 45 minutes
Makes: 12 servings (1/4 cup each)
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz each): Ranch Style Black Beans, drained, rinsed
- 1 can (10 oz each): Ro-Tel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained
- 1/2 cup whole kernel corn, frozen or canned
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- Tortilla chips, tacos or burritos, optional
Directions: Stir together beans, drained tomatoes,corn, onion, cilantro, lime juice and cumin in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve with tortilla chips, tacos or burritos, if desired.
I love this low calorie, spicy side dish. Serve to good friends,add an icy-cold margarita and you have the fixin’s for a party!
Sunday afternoon we went back to the
Actors Conservatory for the final performance of
The King and I.
Butter Bean sat attentive and engaged throughout
the three hour performance.
We hardly noticed the time as the
performance was so entertaining.
The audience laughed out loud
and applauded the singing…
We marveled at the dancers
and wiped away tears…
The King gave an extraordinary performance!

Butter Bean loved meeting the actors after the show.
Anna and the King were pleased to pose for another picture.

A favorite of the audience was this young actor
that played Buddha.
She was golden from head to toe!

Butter Bean loved “
Tuptim“, the young woman that
ran from the King to be with her beloved.
“She sings so sweet, Mama!”
“This has been the best performance yet!”,
I overheard the director say.
A perfect way to concluded the
10th Annual Summer Musical Season!
You bet!Tropical Sno that is…the best on the planet!
(Remember, it’s not braggin‘ if it’s true!)

It never ceases to amazing me all of the wonderful treats and adventures we have right here in our own area. Since 1994 a brother-sister team has been manning the areas most
incredible snow cone stands.
The first location still stand in Lewisville at Main St. and Old Orchard, in the parking lot near the Mama’s Daughters Diner.

The second location in Flower Mound opened two years later. It is located on 2499 at Flower Mound Square.
Be sure to stop by and enjoy a treat, or use the drive-up if you’re in a rush…
You won’t be disappointed!

We got to meet the sister in this
sno-man team…
Presenting: Root beer Float
Yum! It’s a favorite!
We enjoyed the sno-cones SO much the first time…
We had to go back the next day!
This time we visited the brother at the Lewisville location.
Not only is the sno-cone flavor the best, but these folks spoil their customers with all the extras…
Gummy Bears for an added treat and tiny umbrellas to make us feel ah-so-special!

When she isn’t hunting for the perfect summer treat, Deb writes about all things family-adventurous at The Butter Bean Report.
Butter Bean loves going to Musical Theater Camp this summer at her dance studio, Footlights. Today was particularly exciting as they were treated to a behind the scenes tour of The Actors Conservatory in Lewisville.
I was surprised to learn that the theater has been offering quality children’s performances for a decade…right here in our own “backyard”.

Amy Parsons, owner of Footlights, introduces the kids to our tour guide, Lesa Bledsoe, the Director of House Productions.
The Box office is the first stop on the tour. The theater offers concessions as well as toys, and memorabilia and flowers for the actors. Each actor is also featured on the wall of “Stars”. The kids particularly liked the idea that the actors would autograph a star for them for just a $1.00 donation.

From there we were ushered into the seating area. We learned that in Theater this area is called the “house”. A large “GONG!!!!!” announced the arrival of the King.
After delivering a short passage from the performance The King and I, the young actors spoke with the kids about being a performer and answered their many questions.
Check out the beautiful Stage and Set!
These are all hand painted by parents of the children performers. Obviously, very talented volunteers!
Lesa, our guide, said at the end of the performance most sets are dismantled and repainted for the next show.
Costumes are a critical part of any performance. Costumes, wigs, hats, accessories, handbags, and props are all organized and stored for future performances. Many of the costumes are custom-made by volunteers.

Even the kids get test their hands at creating props.
The crowns above were all created by the “children of the King.” Each of the performers wears a black wig with their own Crown Creation.
Many thanks to Amy Parsons and Lesa Bledsoe for bringing Musical Theater into the hearts of so many children.
Butter Bean loved seeing the young people on stage. We hope to catch the performance this weekend before the lights go down on The King and I and all the hard work begins again for yet another entertaining performance.
When Deb was pregnant she started keeping her friends and family up to date with how she was doing with a regular email that she lovingly titled The Butter Bean Report.
That Butter Bean has grown into an amazing 5 year old girl.
The Butter Bean Report continues in a blog and now chronicles Butter’s adventures.
During her pregnancy, Deb walked everyday for exercise and started doing a little cheer for Butter…
The Butter Bean Cheer
Who’s the Butter Bean that we love the best?
Who’s the Butter Bean that we love the best?
Go Butter, Go Butter,
Let your Mama do the rest
Grow Butter, Grow Butter,
Let your Mama do the rest
Big and Tall and Strong, Baby, we can’t wait to play.
Big and Tall and Strong, Baby, we can’t wait to play.
Go Butter, Go Butter,
We’re all winners everyday.
Go Butter, Go Butter,
We’re all winners everyday!
God has given you wings, do what you’re meant to do.
God has given you wings, do what you’re meant to do.
Go Butter, Go Butter
We’ll all stand by you!
Go Butter, Go Butter
We’ll all stand by you!
Deb is a DFW mom who continues to cheer on Butter.
GLECPTA – Greater Lewisville Early Childhood PTA now has its own tree!

Leo the Live Oak was planted on Earth Day 4-22-09 at LL Woods Park in Lewisville.
The city shared with us information about trees and talked with us about their importance and many uses.
They also showed us how to plant our tree.
Everyone pitched in:


(Thankfully the hole was already dug when we got there!)
Keep Lewisville Beautiful was there as well. They brought tattoos, coloring books, bracelets and gliders for the kiddos.
Look for our picture in the Lewisville Leader in the upcoming week or so…
Leo the Live Oak will be loved by those frequenting the park and newly built pavilion in the future as he will be offering much appreciated shade from the western sun as he grows. He is easy to visit and enjoy as he is located right off the parking lot. Many happy kiddos and families will pass our tree on their way to the pavilion and playground.

Many thanks to all those that participated and shared in our celebration.
Happy Earth Day!