Saturday, May 23, 2009

Friday, May 22, 2009

A TRIBUTE TO OUR SOLDIERS

There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy.25 in rural Iowa .

For generations, kids have painted slogans, names, and obscenities on this rock, changing its character many times. A few months back, the rock received its latest paint job, and since then it has been left completely undisturbed.

It was thought that the flag was draped over the rock, but it's not. It's actually painted on the rock too.










Can't you believe this was done by a teenager!?!

Here's the artist Ray 'Bubba' Sorensen.



I've add a special TRIBUTE TUESDAY to this blog. Please scroll down to see it!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

TRIBUTE TUESDAY - MAKE A WISH

Here is something new that I am going to add to Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! As you see, I am going to call it Tribute Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will pay tribute to somebody or something that I feel needs special notice. If you like this, let me know and I may do a badge and Mr. Linky (if I can figure them out).



This week, I want to share with you a program that Betty Crocker does with Make A Wish. Each week, Betty Crocker shares a Wish story and chooses a cupcake to match the wish. It is called "Stirring Up Wishes". I don't know why I have not been posting them, but I may try to go back and find them and share them with you.
I am a proud supporter of Make A Wish and I am also proud that the my candle business sponsor is also a supporter (they sponsor many other programs, too).
If you have any extra dollars, and it does not take much, consider donating. I went to the Make A Wish site and bought products, as well. Very reasonably priced and, of course, you know where the money goes. (Shirts were $5 and I bought a bag of 100 bracelets for $25).

In the meantime, meet Chloe! Read her story and look at her YUMMY! cupcake!



CHLOE'S WISH

“I wish to go to my grandparents' farm in England.”

Chloe, Age 7

Seven-year-old Chloe lights up when her mom talks about growing up in England on her grandparent’s 500-year-old farm. But it was a place she could only imagine – a place it seemed she would never be able to visit. Chloe was born with a condition called congenital heart disease. This condition requires oxygen treatments, which make it difficult for her to go on long flights. However, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® found a way to grant Chloe’s wish to visit her family farm in England.

Wish granters made sure all necessary medical care was available to Chloe during her 10-hour flight to London. Once she landed, the magic started. Before heading to the farm, Chloe explored London and even toured Buckingham Palace. “I saw the queen’s jewels and the changing of the guard!” Chloe recalled. Chloe’s relatives gave her a warm greeting when she arrived. She visited with her grandparents and romped around the grounds where her mom played as a little girl. “My nannie would make me jam sandwiches,” she said, remembering tea time with her grandmother.

Chloe’s mom said she never stopped smiling. And Chloe continues to smile every time she recalls her memories of the big London sights and the little family farm.

Chloe’s Favorite Cupcake:

Strawberry-Cream Cheese Cupcakes

The Strawberry-Cream Cheese Cupcakes are a sweet way for Chloe to remember the jam sandwiches her grandmother would make!



1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
2 eggs
3 tablespoons strawberry preserves
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, cut into 24 pieces
1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting
Sliced fresh small strawberries, if desired



1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, mix cake mix, sour cream, oil, water and eggs with spoon until well blended (batter will be thick). Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
2. In small bowl, stir preserves until smooth. Place 1 piece of cream cheese on top of each cupcake; press into batter slightly. Spoon 1/4 measuring teaspoon preserves on top of cream cheese in each cupcake.
3. Bake 18 to 23 minutes or until tops are golden brown and spring back when touched lightly in center (some preserves may show in tops of cupcakes). Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
4. Spread frosting over cupcakes. Just before serving, garnish each cupcake with strawberry slices. Store covered in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Heat oven to 375°F. Bake 18 to 21 minutes.