The Bluebird Patch

This wonderful recipe is courtesy of Martha Stewart. Just remember when preparing the chocolate buttercream frosting, reserve 1 1/2 cups buttercream and 1 teaspoon melted chocolate. Makes 1 dozen * 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut (about 5 ounces) * Vanilla Cupcakes * Chocolate Buttercream * Yellow and light-blue food coloring Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread coconut on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until light brown, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating pan once. Set aside to cool. 2. Lightly frost cupcakes with 1 cup chocolate buttercream; set aside. Tint 2 tablespoons reserved buttercream pale yellow; place in a pastry bag fitted with a #349 Ateco leaf tip; set aside. Tint remaining buttercream light blue; place in a pastry bag fitted with a #11 Ateco plain round tip, and pipe three bluebird heads, 3/4 inch in diameter, onto each cupcake. Using leaf tip, pipe yellow beaks. With a toothpick, add melted-chocolate eyes. Form each nest with 2 tablespoons toasted coconut. &...

Did you know that people who flash big smiles tend to have more wrinkles around their eyes but the trade-off is they may also live longer. Researchers from Wayne State University in Detroit evaluated the photographs of 230 Major League Baseball players who started playing before 1950, rating their smiles as nonexistent to full. "People who had the most intense smiles lived the longest, compared to the other two," said Ernest L. Abel, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and of psychology at Wayne State. "The more intense smile, we infer, indicates an underlying happiness, if you will, a more positive attitude," he said. "It's hard to fake an intense smile." The big smilers had what is known as a Duchenne smile, named after the French neurologist who discovered it. Cheeks and the corners of the mouth are raised, and crows-feet wrinkles appear around the eyes. Can you identify which of these images depicts a man expression a Duchenn...

An original animated film by Edward Monkton. Watching it is likely to make you a happier person. Sharing it with your friends is likely to make them happier too. So spread the love & press play.

"Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don't find happiness, you make happiness.You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are who you want to be and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run." David Leonhadt Author: Catherine Samuels If you want to know the key to discovering happiness it's essential to look no further than your own children. Listed below are 5 secrets and techniques to being pleased that you can learn from your children: never take things for granted, be curious, spontaneous laughter, forgive and forget and imagine that anything is possible. Read on to learn how these simple issues can lighten your mood and make you a happier person. 1. Never take things for granted As we grow older we start to take life for granted and stop appreciating the straightforward things. Take your children on an outing and spend the time se...

I was lucky enough to win tickets from Georgia Aquarium to attend Nicholas Sparks movie premiere "The Last Song" starting Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, Kelly Preston and Liam Hemsworth. I took my hard core Miley fan daughter with me and decided to have a girl's night out. The premiere was yesterday at AMC Parkway Pointe at 7:00 pm. We got there early since we wanted to make sure we get the best seats.  The Last Song is based on the novel by bestseller Nicholas Sparks, who has seen several of his novels turned into film ( Message in a Bottle , A Walk to Remember , The Notebook , and Nights in Rodanthe .) The Last Song is set in a small Southern beach town where an estranged father (GREG KINNEAR) gets a chance to spend the summer with his reluctant teenaged daughter (MILEY CYRUS), who’d rather be home in New York . He tries to reconnect with her through the only thing they have in common-music-in a story of family, friendship, secrets and salvation, along with ...

 Meet the Edgewater Hill Blue Birds thirty-five sculptures in a small section of Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood that have been  installed on utility poles, street corners, warehouse buildings, and homes. The Edgewater Hill Blue Birds make visible the connection between the neighborhood and Lake Erie. During the summer months, some of the Blue Birds are hidden in the trees. In the fall and winter, the Blue Birds will reveal themselves and appear as bright blue ornaments set off against the seasonal backdrops. Amazing project don't you think? Someone needs to contact Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue so he can bring these breathtaking sculptures to Atlanta. Well, maybe I'm a little itty bitty bias but I think they would make a great statement in our city ;) I can help hanging them ha!

  "I'll be famous one day, but for now I'm stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons." Greg Heffley Last Sunday we took our kids to AMC at Discover Mills to watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I have to admit that I have been very curious about the content of this film. Diary of a Wimpy kid chronicles the adventures of wisecracking junior high student Greg Heffley over the academic year through his diary and hand-drawn cartoons. Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been the only book my 8 y/o have voluntarily read from start to finish (twice). Actually, this has been the only book he has "literally" beg on his knees for me to buy. Just like my son, kids all over the world just seemed to can’t get enough of the of the book series, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. With more than 28 millions copies sold I wasn't surprised when the movie came out. According to Dr. Lawrence Rosen, “The power of the book is about the wimpy kid, a regular kid with regular prob...

The Bluebird of Happiness has landed  on the U.S. Congress I want to congratulate President Obama for achieving this important milestone in his political career. Health-care should be a basic right, just like proper housing and food.The House vote approving health care reform is without doubt the most significant congressional vote in the last four decades.  Maybe all that talk about the bluebird of happiness during the ' Rules ' hearing had something to do  with it ;)

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity,  prosperity would not be so welcome.” Anne Bradstreet   The winter season begins with the winter solstice (around December 21 in the Northern hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern hemisphere), and ends with the spring equinox (around March 21 in the Northern hemisphere and September 23 in the Southern hemisphere). So far, Georgia had one of the most "interesting"   winter season in years. We had one of the biggest snow storm ever recorded. It's very hard to believe that we accumulated a total of 5.3 inches of snow since s now is a rare treat in the south. However, as much as I love snow I'm more excited to welcome spring. Today I'm posting my favorite winter pictures as a tribute of the good memories we had during the season. Enjoy them, and I can't wait to see what happy memories will spring bring us. Are you excited or what?? ;)

Etsy "Happiness" Find of the Week Suzi Frees Her Bluebirds - Print What I loved the most about this print is what it represents. Like the artist of this print states " We all need to free our bluebirds of happiness! " and I couldn't agree more. This whimsical print retails for $20.00 and is available on AliceinParis.etsy.com  

Well-Being Is Related to Having Less Small Talk and More Substantive Conversations Did you know that one study suggest that a higher sense well-being is associated with spending less time alone, and more time talking to others? Furthermore, the study indicates that a higher well-being is associated with having less small talk, and having more substantive conversations. However, the most fascinating aspect of this study is realizing that such deep conversations influence men more than women. So go ahead, sit down and talk to your hubby and please make sure you turn off the weather channel during dinner time ;)

I have iphone envy! Why do these apps never come for blackberry users. Let’s hope the developers get the message :) Anyway, meet Live Happy a comprehensive, first of its kind mobile happiness boosting program that is based on Dr. Lyubomirsky’s happiness research and key elements. The app is available at itunes for only 0.99 cents.  <A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Ftheblueofhapp-20%2F8001%2Fc7f3b3b9-d18c-4339-a6f0-75100b0e8857&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A>

Easy Styrofoam Bluebird Today's craft is courtesy of Kids Craft Weekly This pensive little bluebird is even simpler to make than it looks. Once kids get the hang of using a skewer to make holes in the polystyrene they will happily come up with their own exotic bird species! You will need • two small polystyrene balls • wooden skewer • kid's pvc glue • acrylic paint and brush • match sticks • scissors • googly eyes • four feathers 1. Paint the polystyrene balls. I have found that this is easiest if you skewer the balls first. 2. Attach head and body using half a matchstick and a spot of glue. Then stick matchstick legs into the body. 3. Use a skewer to make holes for two wings, a tail and a feather on the top of the head. Then stick in the feathers. 4. Glue on googly eyes and use half a match stick as a beak. For more amazing crafts please visit Kids Craft Weekly and ma...

Happiness is Finding Vintage Bluebirds  at Your Favorite Antique Shop Today I went and visit Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors store ( 4125 Buford Dr Buford , GA 30518). This is a great antique shop with multiple vendors.  The store is very well organized and has a huge inventory. While I was walking through the store I keep seeing bluebirds popping out everywhere. I got so excited that I began taking pictures. Who say happiness can't be found in unusual places? Enjoy, and may the bluebird of happiness follow you everywhere!!