Cool To Be Kind

Two more days till the end of Random Acts of Kindness Week.
But it doesn't have to stop there!


'I Have Always Relied On the Kindness of Strangers':

- Opening the door for me when I have my huge stroller

- Picking something up I may have dropped

- Returning change when I have walked away too fast

- Forgotten a bag in the shopping cart

- Pushing my car to the gas station when I broke down (test driving a new car)

- Policeman letting me out of a ticket after a BAD day

- Postal worker keeping his window open for me at the last minute to pick up a package

- Extra carton of mashed potatoes from KFC when wisdom teeth were pulled

- Free 'Chocolate Lover's Fantasy' drink from my favorite shoppe

- Letting me cut in line at the movie theater bathroom when I was pregnant

- Leaving cookies on my doorstep

- Bringing a tiny shoe back to me...that my daughter threw out of her stroller

- Staying with me to fill out a police report in Port Authority when my luggage was stolen at 2AM.
(one of the WORST days ever)


"The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up" - Mark Twain

Bullets and Bracelets

Word has been out for a little while now that Hollywood is going to make a Wonder Woman movie. No one could be more thrilled than me.

Growing up, I had EVERYTHING Wonder Woman. I loved Lynda Carter. My mother went through A LOT of foil and styrofoam cups because I would make her bullet reflectors out of them.

Then there was the dreaded Sunday mornings. I would INSIST on wearing my Wonder Woman bathing suit to church. I fought and fought thinking in my 3 year old way, how cool it would be to wear my suit.

I would bring my Wonder Woman doll and wear my bracelets made out of foil. I really don't know how my mom didn't kill me, and actually got me to put on my Sunday dress. I DO know there were times that she missed church because of me, and the days we DID make it, she would get me up at 6:30 AM to get me dressed...more like give her time to negotiate with me out of wearing my coveted bathing suit.
We had church at 10.

She finally bought me a newer Wonder Woman shirt that she would be able to cover with a plaid jumper for Church...it would be like my secret identity. That is, until I stood on her chair in her Sunday School class and yelled to everyone that I WAS Wonder Woman. Our 1st Counselor (in that branch) TO THIS DAY still refers to me as Wonder Woman.

(Brooklyn in my first WW shirt...wasn't happy to take that picture)

Anyway, I'm really not trying to get my hopes up on the movie, or try to figure out what plot Hollywood is going to give it. I am, however, interested to see who they will pick as Wonder Woman herself.

I must say I will be very disappointed if they choose someone that doesn't live up to the Lynda Carter Standard. I wonder "Will they know the full Diana Prince/Wonder Woman turn?, How to swing her lasso just right?"

....What I wouldn't give to fly in her invisible airplane.

Get Inspi(red)

My business tagline is Love...Inspired. I chose that when I first started my lovely job because I feel like love is an inspiring thing, and I want it to bring out the best of people and their relationships.

Music has always inspired me in many aspects of my life, and especially in relationships. Anyone who knows me will tell you that U2 is my favorite band.

When Bono and Bobby Shriver of DATA started (PRODUCT) RED, and joined GAP in selling these shirts, I immersed myself with information about the reasoning behind this campaign.

The color of these shirts are red representing the blood running through us, keeping our bodies alive, the substance that is passed down to our children and bonding us to our families.

I am a good example of having an "extended family". Not just steps, and halves; but friends as well. I have met some extaordinary people in my life, lucky enough to have them as friends, and blessed to feel like they're family.

There are many people that have touched my life, have inspired me to do and be more than I thought I could do.

I also got to thinking of what other things inspires me in my life. What can I do to help inspire others to be the best they can be?

Do you ever ask yourself "Would I have the strength to do that if it weren't for this person, or that?"

This is not to say that I haven't accomplished things and ideas on my own; I definitely have. But I think there's a part in all of us that holds us back a little from whatever because of a fear.

I feel like this is the year to change that.

As human beings we are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. From the everyday parental duties, to hobbies flourishing into possibly something bigger. Realizing your talents and taking them to the next level.

We all can't fly to Africa and help the men, women and children that are dying. But we can help the cause. Help your community, volunteer, have a friend teach you something, develop your true being.

Become Inspi(red).

Food For Thought

Although I would like to swim in Willy Wonka's Chocolate River of Goodness everyday...actually, I wish I had one running through my house; I know there are other things that need to get done.

Since the Endres family has just moved, I'm stuck thinking about how I want to decorate different rooms. Most of them are done, but my office, and family room are still coming together. I LOVE HGTV and reading decorating magazines. Even when I don't need to decorate, I'm always looking for the new design.

In comes Chocolat. It's a Canadian magazine with glamourous and modern ideas. The name was catchy enough to make my hand leap forward without even thinking about it. I grabbed it in NY, and some of the creations and colors popped out at me.

I must admit it's not my favorite design/idea magazine, but definately one worth buying for a change of scenery at the usual GQ/Cosmo stop.

Haute Chocolate

I just signed with this designer and have nothing to say but WOW. I love each of her creations! They're whimsical, nostalgic, innovative, modern, smart and just...pretty! It maks me want to have a tea party or brunch every day.

I dare you not to like any of her pieces. The design that sold me was her line of Dark Chocolate Mugs, and really the whole set!

Since I'm talking about chocolate (and all things related) till Valentine's Day, I will let you in on this fantastic website.
(Check under Holiday for her mugs.)

I'm so happy that I have pretty mugs for my Hot Love (chocolate), and my other Hot Love (husband) is happy that I can buy all her stuff at wholesale!

FINALLY!

I was watching the {beloved} Food Network channel when the most informing and enlightening commercial came on the screen.

...I die for a quick snack about an hour before bedtime. Most of the nights I'll make a cup of Hot Chocolate. It gives me my fix and I'm okay. There are other nights that I'll go for a small bowl of cereal but I grab my healthy kind because I don't want the extra sugar and calories before bed. Yet I still find myself looking for a smidgen of chocolate before I go to sleep.

Then there it was. MY answer! The new Special K Chocolatey Delight Cereal!!! I am going tomorrow to buy my first box in hopes of nothing but satisfaction...and less calories.

Grammy Night

I was so excited last night to watch the Grammys. This is like the Super Bowl for me. Even when I was a little girl, I LOVED watching this award show.

I think I was the only one in elementary school that taped The Grammys every year, and would watch all the performances over and over again.

I originally got my love of music from my family. My mom and dad were very influenced by music and my sisters and I acquired our own ear and style of what we liked.

My dad has been out of the picture for quite some time, but I thank him...and especially my mom for that love.

When I first heard that The Police were the opening number, I set my DVR a few minutes before 8:00 just to make sure I didn't miss a thing!

The first album of theirs I remember listening to was Synchronicity. My mom put it on the record player the very night she bought it. She had been divorced for three years, and had full control of the stereo. She turned the volume up and had my sisters come into the living room to dance. She was fun!

By the time she flipped the new, shiny black vinyl to the second side, I was on the floor with my ear up to the speaker. I did that with so many records she played....just laid on the floor and took in every note, drum beat, range, back-beat and of all, the feeling within the song.

I was six years old, and deathly intrigued with "Every Breath You Take".

After hearing that album, I looked for the other Police records she had. For a mom, she had some really cool music...for that day in time! Madonna, Prince, Billy Joel, Culture Club, Michael Jackson, Blondie...I'm leaving out a TON and getting off track.

When The Police took the stage last night, I had chills all over! They were amazing! I was sad that they only played one song and the fact that the crowd was singing along in the chorus showed they wanted more. They totally deserved their standing ovation.

I thought the 49th Grammy Awards were overall one of the best to date. I loved all the performances! I was even piqued by The Dixie Chicks' performance "Not Ready to Make Nice".

Shakira, Mayer/Legend/Bailey, Beyonce, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS!!, and M.J. Blige did great. ALL the performances were awesome! Oh, Smokey singing "Tracks of my Tears" tugged at me a little. I was happy he sang that, he's legendary.

Yes, Justin Timberlake has come a long way since 'N Sync, and he's HOT! And I love his music!! And his performances rocked!!

Okay! There, I said it! (I'm going to catch a lot of flack for this, but it had to be done!)

Love Crazy

I read this poem when I was a little girl and thought it was so neat.

At the time, I thought it was interesting how

the poet changed the words around...like a

funny game or something.


When I got older

I realized that

this is what love feels like

on a really good day.

I ran up the door and shut the stairs
Said my pajamas and put on my prayers
Turned off my bed and jumped into the light
And all because you kissed me goodnight

Truffle...Sicles

I love truffles. I love seeing new recipes on how to make them, etc.

One of my favorite kinds would be with ganache in the center of the truffle. This chocolate is so creamy and just melts in your mouth.

A childhood favorite of mine were those Jell-O Pudding Pops. I used to beg my mom to buy those. I never really liked Popsicles...they would melt too fast and then fall of the stick and you're stuck with this sticky red, blue, green...mess running down your arm. If I were to eat any kind of popsicles, it would be the one in the plastic tube. Much easier to enjoy.

Back to the fudge pops. Yes, they were my favorite. Throughout the years, I had a hard time finding these Bill Cosby-endorsed treats, and eventually gave up looking for them.

That is, until I got the ultimate recipe. One that mixed my love of delectable chocolate with a good old wooden stick (or a plastic popsicle mold). It's made of a ganache-type mixture...and frozen for a cold treat!

I figured I would make them for my daughter, whose love for Chocolate is growing by the minute. I have to blame myself for that and will have to save her from my friends calling her "Mini-Me" (Hi Amy).

When I was single, a bunch of girlfriends and I would make lunch and hang out after church on Sundays. Very few friends would help me clean up in my kitchen because they knew how picky I was on how things were done. One friend attempted to help and while she was filling up the ice-cube trays paused and asked "Can I fill these or do you have a certain way of doing this too?" I told her to go ahead, but she knew I had a method to even that.

I am happy to say that two kids have calmed me down a little and when making these fudge-pops, I have let go and poured right out of the bowl! She'd be so proud of me.

Anyway, I've decided to share this recipe, which I hope will inspire others to turn on "Nick-At Night" and watch the Cosby show for old time's sake.


BEST FUDGE POPS EVER
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) heavy cream
8 ounces (1 cup) whole milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Special Equipment: Icepop molds

Place chopped chocolate into a medium glass mixing bowl. Set aside.

Combine heavy cream, milk, and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until cocoa is dissolved and mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes and then whisk gently until all chocolate is melted. Whisk in the vanilla extract.

Divide the mixture evenly among the molds and place in the freezer. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until solid. Fudgepops can be held in the freezer for up to 1 week in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Message In A

With Valentine's Day soon approaching, I can't help but have ONE thing on my mind!...CHOCOLATE!

For as long as I can remember, I have loved this "Food of the Gods."
And as there may be connoisseurs of wine, I have taken the liberty to do the same for chocolate.

I have tasted a lot of chocolate from many different places, as I'm sure many people have. I can spot a wrapper, box, design from a mile away and (most of the time) know what kind of candy it is.
I love candy bars and gourmet confections to truffles and hot chocolate. It's all delicious.

Valentine's day was always fun. My mother would make these beautiful baskets with a little Victorian Doll, and all these different kinds of chocolate. One of my all time favorites would be these little two-bite chocolates called "Baci". It means 'kisses' in Italian, and we had these at every occasion. It's made of creamy dark chocolate with a rich hazelnut center and it's to die for.

I love LOVE. I love people being in love, I love the whole romantic scene. Maybe that's why I favor these chocolates, maybe they wouldn't taste the same if they didn't have a little secret hidden inside every wrapper.
Throughout the years, I have kept certain favorite sayings in a little box hand-carved with hearts. I can look at one and remember when and why I kept it.

A memorable one is from a box that my husband gave me while we were dating. We got into a 'disagreement' and couldn't see eye to eye.

"KISSING IS GETTING TWO PEOPLE SO CLOSE TOGETHER THAT THEY CAN'T FIND FAULT WITH ONE ANOTHER."