Mane Highlights for 5-10-2013

Reflection of the Week: Can I Live?

In light of mothers day,  I thought this video was apropo.

A real life encounter of a touchie subject - Nick Cannon tells his mothers story,  the story of a young woman who was pregnant, scared and alone. She faced a difficult decision and Nick goes back in time to plead with his own mother for his life. 

Read my full reflection here: http://lionofdesign.blogspot.com/p/about.html

Project of the Week: Car-Seat Strap Holder

Moms, give yourselves 15 min to make these straps and you will save yourselves so much time and effort getting your little one in and out of the car-seat.

To learn how: http://lionofdesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/car-seat-strap-holder.html

Gallery Piece of the Week: In Silent Awe

'In Silent Awe' is a piece that is meant to leave the viewer with a peaceful and contemplative moment, reflecting on this image of motherhood.  It was done with a palette knife, which gives it a much rougher look than that of a brush.  The soft glow of the blank canvas of the baby indicates the wide array of possibilities awaiting this child in life, perhaps a child that is not yet even born.

To see more works: http://lionofdesign.blogspot.com/p/gallery.html

Chic of the Week:Enduring Arts

I love the idea of putting something simple and heartfelt like this on the nursery wall, or on a board of wood or canvas.  The faded look is simple to achieve by using a sponge on an alphabet stencil or using sponge stamps directly and blotting them several times on a paper towel before applying.

There is a sense that bearing, nurturing, educating, and raising a human person destined for eternity just isn't enough (LOL-literally but more with disdain) and that because you don't work, well...you don't work! Read full post

For more on Motherhood: http://lionofdesign.blogspot.com/p/household-chic.html

New Find, New Friend, New Trend:Wellness Mama

In speaking of Mamas, I thought it was only fitting to link to a certain Mama who has taught be so much on her blog and helped me to embrace a more natural and holistic way of life for our family.  From delicious healthy recipes to homemade cleaning products and sun tan lotion - this woman truly does it all!

Check out: http://wellnessmama.com/

Dynamic Quote: Motherhood

♥ A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. - By Washington Irving

I leave you with this until next week:Chocolate Coffee Fudge

Nothing quite says Mom like coffee and chocolate, so why not put them in fudge! At least that is the palpable expression I hope to instill in my own children, and hoping that my interior and spiritual life is as rich and zesty as these two natural phenomenon. 

With three ingredients,  some homemade fudge should be in store for the moms in your life! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 14-oz can Organic Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 Tbsp instant coffee (or espresso powder)
• 1/2 Tbsp water
• 1 12-oz bag Trader Joe's semi-sweet chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1.) Heat the condensed milk in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
• 2.) Dissolve the instant coffee in the water (it will be thick) and stir into the condensed milk. (You can also just toss the instant coffee into the condensed milk but it won't dissolve completely. I tried this the first time and actually liked the effect of tiny bursts of coffee flavor throughout the fudge).
• 3.) Add the chocolate chips, lower the heat, and stir until melted and smooth (don't scorch it!).
• 4.) Pour into an oiled 8x8-inch pan. Chill in fridge until set (about 2 hours).