Ice Cube Lemon Pops

I think most everyone has had frozen ice cube popsicles....but, have you had them with a lollipop in the center? Didn't think so! This is a new twist on an old favorite and it's sure to make the little ones in your life very happy! All you need is an ice cube tray, lemonade and lollipops. That's it!

Start with your favorite lollipops (I used Dum Dums).

Then add your favorite lemonade.

Put them in the freezer and wait at least 4 hours.

Pop them out and enjoy!

**Do not let your husband attempt to "pop" them out. If he is anything like mine, he will destroy the ice cube tray while attempting to "pop" the popsicle out. :)

Earth Day Giveaway

Every Earth Day, I find myself making new Earth Day Resolutions...ways in which I can personally help take better care of our earth. Just like New Year's Resolutions, some years are better than others. One particular resolution that I have been failing at, but really want to succeed at, is ridding my life of those awful plastic bags...you know, the white ones that most stores give you when you make a purchase. I loath those! They are tacky, noisy, and just plain wasteful! Here in Germany, you rarely see those plastic bags. They just don't use them like we do in America. I'm sure it is because they are so wasteful. People just bring their own reusable bag and use it for most every purchase.

Awhile back, I purchased some really cute reusable bags to start using instead of always relying on the stores to give me a plastic bag. However, I have yet to use them. So.....today is the day that I am going to start using these bags. I pulled them out, cut off the tags and put them in my purse and car. I am determined to stop using the plastic bags once and for all!

Being that today is Earth Day, I am going to give one of these super cute reusable bags to one lucky reader. So, you also can start ridding your life of plastic bags, if you haven't already done so. You have two chances in which you can win. First, leave me a nice comment between now and April 24th. Second, become a public follower of my blog (It's okay to be a follower...it makes bloggers happy). The winner will be picked at random and will be announced on Monday, April 25th. :)

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~Native American Proverb

Giveaway Winner: Congratulations Domestic Diva...you are the winner of the Earth Day Giveaway! Please e-mail me your shipping info, so I can get this cute bag off to you (niksblogs@yahoo.com). Thanks to everyone who participated! :)

Easter Basket Cupcakes

This particular cupcake seems to be very popular this time of year. I just saw that Tori Spelling made these exact cupcakes for her kids the other day. I actually owe this cupcake idea to my sister-in-law, not Tori Spelling. Although, next year I am adding little bows to the handles like she did...it completes the look. These are easy, fun, and very cute cupcakes!! Your family will love you for making them!

Easter Basket Cupcakes
18-24 cupcakes
Buttercream Frosting
Food coloring (I used McCormick)
Pipe Cleaners
Jellybeans

Using a spatula, spread each cupcake with a layer of frosting. Your frosting does not need to be colored. For the Easter grass, combine coconut with a few drops of green food coloring (in a ziploc bag) and gently mix/shake until all of the coconut is coated. Then sprinkle coconut on top of frosted cupcake. Cut your pipe cleaner to desired length and gently press each end into cupcake, forming an arch for the handle of your basket. Last, place jellybeans in the center of the cupcake.

In my house, we are divided when it comes to coconut. My husband and I love it, my kids do not. Therefore, with this cupcake we had to compromise. Half of the cupcakes were topped with coconut and the other half were topped with buttercream only. To create the look of grass for the buttercream only cupcakes, I used Wilton tip 233 (This is the same tip I used for the Soldier Cupcakes). Everyone was happy. :)