Easter Cakes from Gourmet Gift Baskets – Review

It’s just about spring time and what better way to bring in spring than a Lemon Cake Pop! These Lemon Cake Pops are so simple and absolutely delicious!
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
3 eggs at room temp.
1 c. sugar
2 T. butter softened
1 t. vanilla
2 t. lemon extract
1/2 c. fresh lemon juice
1/2 c. oil
zest of one lemon
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
Preheat oven to 350
Spray a 9 x 5 loaf pan
In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt
In a medium bowl combine eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla and lemon extracts, and lemon juice with a mixer.
Scrape bottom to make sure all is combined
Pour Flour mixture into wet mixture and blend until smooth, scraping sides and bottom of bowl
Add oil and lemon zest to the mix and mix it well
Pour into prepared loaf pan(s) and bake for 45 min. (9 x 5)
Insert toothpick to test…it must come out clean
Remove from oven and let cool
Combine icing ingredients..the butter, lemon juice, vanilla, and confectioner’s sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add more confectioner’s sugar, or lemon juice to adjust the consistency as needed.
Once frosting is made, take a spoon full and add into the crumbled cake. Using a spoon to combine. Add more frosting until you can form a small round ball. To form a ball take a small ice cream scoop amount and roll in your hands to form a ball.
Melt White Chocolate in a double broiler or you can use a microwave.
Once White chocolate is melted dip a cake pop stick into the chocolate and then push it into the rounded cake.
Once that chocolate has hardened, dip it cake ball into the chocolate until fully coated.I then use a green foam found in crafts stores or a cake op holder to place my cake pops in while it dries.
Have fun decorate your cake pops with royal icing in a icing bag and tip. Another idea is to roll the cake pop in sprinkles while wet
My Sparkling Life https://mysparklinglife.com/

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Welcome America turns 25 this year, and Philadelphia is planning a six-day Independence Day festival to celebrate. As always, a birthday party of this magnitude can take place only in the United States’ birthplace—Philly. From June 29 through July 4, 2017, Wawa Welcome America! includes four spectacular fireworks shows, a bigger Historic District Block Party, a delicious Wawa Hoagie Day and a huge July 4th concert—this time, starring Mary J. Blige. Also on the docket: Free Museum Days, outdoor movies—including Rocky on the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps—and new alfresco happy hours.
To take in all the patriotic fun, locals and visitors are encouraged to spend a night or two in the city. The best way to do that is to book the perks-packed Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package, which always comes with the freedom to park free of charge. It’s available at www.visitphilly.com/phillyovernight.
Fireworks & Concert Combos:
Philadelphia Orchestra Concert and Fireworks – Those more-fabulous-than-ever Philadelphians return to Penn’s Landing for their 10th annual free Wawa Welcome America concert punctuated by fireworks over the Delaware River. Concert at 8 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Friday, June 30. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard.
Pershing’s Own Concert and Fireworks – The United States Army Band returns to the Delaware River Waterfront for a rousing free concert of patriotic tunes, followed by patriotic pyrotechnics. Concert at 8 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 1. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard.
Party on the Parkway – The finale to the six-day festival is a daylong outdoor celebration featuring city blocks of family fun—including a 1 p.m. concert by KIDZ BOP Kids—a 7 p.m. concert by the Philly POPS!, Hamilton’s Mandy Gonzalez, jazz vocalist Tony DeSare, Philly’s own R&B hit-makers Boyz II Men and the one and only Mary J. Blige. The finale’s finale: 9:30 p.m. fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Noon-10 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. 26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Fireworks Only:
Freedom Festival Fireworks – Just across the Delaware River, Camden, New Jersey sets off its own set of lights in the sky, simultaneous to the ones going off over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 9:30-10 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. Wiggins Park, 1 Riverside Drive.
Concerts Only:
Philly POPS! on Independence – Philly’s beloved popular players invite fans to BYOB (bring-your-own-blanket) for a swinging concert of patriotic tunes with Independence Hall as the backdrop. 7 p.m., Monday, July 3. 5th & 6th Streets and between Market & Chestnut Streets.
Philly Classics:
Wawa Hoagie Day – There is such a thing as a free lunch—a free piece of a six-ton hoagie, that is—when the festival sponsor and beloved Pennsylvania-based convenience store offers slices of one epic sandwich on Independence Mall. Noon-2 p.m., Thursday, June 29. Between 5th & 6th Streets and Chestnut & Arch Streets.
Rocky screening at the Philadelphia Museum of Art – The 1976 Academy Award-winner screens by the steps where the magic first happened. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sunday, July 2. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party – This free, seven-hour-long, main street-style celebration returns for its second year. Two stages feature American music—fife and drum, Dixieland jazz, barbershop quartet and Broadway—with plenty of modern sounds and historic reenactments. There will be pop-up parades, make-and-take crafts, old-fashioned sack and wheelbarrow races, blocks of famous Philly food trucks, crafts for sale, police and fire vehicles and more. Noon-7 p.m., Monday, July 3. Between 5th& 6th Streets and Chestnut & Arch Streets.
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony – The day’s kickoff begins at Independence Hall during a patriotic presentation. Honorees this year include Philly’s own Boyz II Men. As always, the morning includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by music and remarks. 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, July 4. 6th & Chestnut Streets.
United States of America’s Independence Day Parade – This big-city event with a small-town feel features dozens of colorful floats, marching bands, military groups and more than 6,000 participants from across the nation form a musical, colorful cavalcade winding through the streets of Historic District. 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, July 4. Start at 5th & Chestnut Streets, west on Chestnut Street to 9th Street, north on 9th Street, east on Market Street to Front Street, south on Front Street, ending at Front & Chestnut Streets.
Happy Hours:
Culture on Tap at City Hall Courtyard ­– A pop-up beer garden that’s family friendly transforms Center City’s centermost historic site. 4-9 p.m., Thursday, June 29. Broad & Market Streets.
Red, White & Blue Happy Hour – The week winds down and weekend winds up with patriotic happy hour celebrations that stretch from the Delaware River (Moshulu) to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Capriccio at Cafe Cret). 4-7 p.m., Friday, June 30. Various locations.
Free Museum Days:
Five days of the festival, major Philly attractions offer free entry. Here are the where and the when:
National Constitution Center – 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday, June 29. 525 Arch Street, (215) 409-6600, constitutioncenter.org
Penn Museum – 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, June 30. 3260 South Street, (215) 898-4000, penn.museum
Eastern State Penitentiary – 5-8 p.m., Friday, June 30. 2027 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 236-3300, easternstate.org
African American Museum in Philadelphia – 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, July 1. 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380, aampmuseum.org
One Liberty Observation Deck – 8-11 a.m., Saturday, July 1. 1650 Market Street, 57th floor, (215) 561-3325, phillyfromthetop.com
The Barnes Foundation – 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, July 2. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 278-7200, barnesfoundation.org
Philadelphia Museum of Art – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, July 2. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org
National Liberty Museum – 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday, July 3. 321 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-2800, libertymuseum.org
National Museum of American Jewish History – 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. 101 S. Independence Mall E., (215) 923-3811, nmajh.org
Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent – 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. 15 S. 7th Street, (215) 685-4830, philadelphiahistory.org
Wawa Welcome America! Calendar of Events:
Thursday, June 29:
Wawa Hoagie Day, Independence Mall
Culture on Tap at City Hall Courtyard, City Hall
Friday, June 30:
Red, White & Blue Happy Hour, various locations
Philadelphia Orchestra Concert and Fireworks, Penn’s Landing
Saturday, July 1:
Pershing’s Own Concert and Fireworks, Penn’s Landing
Sunday, July 2:
Rocky, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Monday, July 3:
Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party, Independence Mall
POPS! on Independence, Independence Hall
Tuesday, July 4:
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony, Independence Hall
Independence Day Parade, Historic District
Party on the Parkway, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Freedom Festival Fireworks, Camden, NJ

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
With much of the land of Costa Rica having protected status, it’s no surprise that this country is the flag-bearer for conservation of nature and wildlife. An astonishing twenty-six percent of this gorgeous country is designated as a national park, wildlife refuge, biological refuge, or some other category of protected status. Both public and private organizations work tirelessly to protect this country of fascinating ecological and biological diversity from the potential ravages and exploitations of other human beings. This makes Costa Rica an excellent destination for nature lovers and conservationists as there are a range of stunning National Parks open to visitors.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
On the self-guided Las Pailas trail which skirts sulfurous hot rocks and boiling mud fumaroles, you can experience awesome volcanic action up close and personal. This National Park boasts dense rainforests and meadows which are fantastic for hiking and exploring, leading to the La Cangreja Waterfall where you’ll find hot thermal springs and a cool swimming hole.
Isla Del Coco
Designated a protected National Park in 1978, this is one of the largest uninhabited islands in the world, located over three hundred miles from the mainland. Nature lovers will find many endemic species inhabiting this island, many of which are endangered and can only be found in this area.
Corcovado National Park
To the south of Costa Rica, the Corcovado National Park is a haven for many endangered animal species. Visitors to this wild area will be able to see jaguars, Barid’s tapir, white-lipped peccaries and a whole host of endemic bird species.
Tortuguero National Park
This National Park is a large labyrinth of natural jungle canals, which cover over forty thousand acres of the Caribbean coast and hinterland. Along with a sharp-eyed guide who’s familiar with the local area, you’ll be able to see myriad endangered birds, reptiles and mammals.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park hosts rugged rainforest, coral reefs, and crisp, clean beaches with pure white sand. The National Park is famous for its huge diversity of wildlife and tropical plants, from endangered capuchin monkeys to three-toed sloths and a whole host of bird species. The park is crossed with extensive hiking trails which reach from the coast up into the mountains. Those looking to stay near this stunning area can stay in a Manuel Antonio Villa from villapuntodevista.com.
Palo Verde National Park
The Palo Verde National Park is a part of the Tempisque Conservation Area. This park concentrates on conserving vital floodplain, limestone ridges, marshes, and seasonal pools from risks caused by the encroachment of civilization. During the dry season, a variety of birds flock to the park and its river basin for water. Protecting one of the most endangered ecosystems, Palo Verde is the largest nesting site for the black-crowned night-herons in the country.
Have you ever visited a national park in Costa Rica? We’d love to hear all about your visit! Let us know in the comments.

With two boys in school, I try often to show my appreciation to the ladies and gents that take care of them 80% of the time…yes, I’m talking their teachers. They didn’t have to choose to teach the next generation and they certainly put up with a lot of crap…trust me I remember my days in school and I know it hasn’t gotten any better. So what better way to show your appreciation for all that they do..the late nights, the yelling over an overly excited class of 32, the endless pile of paperwork, the “days off” organizing the class room..than to gift them something special.
Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated every year, and this year will be celebrated from May 4th through May 8th. Lakeshore Learning recognizes that there are many great teachers out there who go above and beyond. To celebrate, they are sponsoring this Lakeshore Learning Prize Package giveaway worth $180 that you can gift to a special teacher in your life!
I had many teachers who helped me throughout the years..but there is one teacher that I still keep in touch with that helped me in both the written word and the spoken word…Cindy Timms was both my English teacher and my Drama teacher. English was never my forte or passion, and I was terrified to get up in front of others, let alone speak in front of them. Two years with her in each, and while I’m still not the best a writing, I do enjoy doing it, or hey I wouldn’t be here right?
Now with my boys in school, there have been many teachers that have loved my boys like their own. My oldest has a bit (ok a lot) of ADHD and his first year in school was awful, the teacher treated him like the plague and he still talks about how crappy she made him feel to this day..thank goodness we changed schools after that and the next teacher worked diligently with him and enjoyed having him in his class despite the inevitable disruptions…imagine if every teacher were like the first, I’m sure I would be homeschooling at this point, but it’s been teachers like his 1st grade teacher (forgive me I can’t remember names) that make learning fun and renewed my sons love of learning and my faith in teachers.
#LakeshoreCelebratesTeachers
Do you have a teacher that has made a difference in your’s or your child’s life? I would love to hear all about it!
One lucky My Sparkling Life Reader is going to win the Lakeshore Learning Prize Pack listed above ! This giveaway is open to residents of the US who are 18+ until 11:59 PM EST April 23, 2015.
The Fine Print: Entering this giveaway means that you accept both my rules & disclosure. I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Each household is only eligible to win this prize via blog reviews and giveaways once. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Many will enter, few will win! Please allow 8-12 weeks for delivery of prizing. My Sparkling Life is not responsible for any lost or misdirected packages. Prizing provided and shipped by Lakeshore Learning. In the rare occasion that a prize does not arrive (which has happened), please notify me and I will try to contact the sponsor.

I love getting the boy’s book to go along with seasons & holidays. There’s nothing like looking at their little faces while we snuggle up and read a new book…This spring I was lucky enough to check out the new book Bunny’s First Spring.
Winter can seem dark, gray and bleak, but Spring is a symbol of God’s promises of life renewed. Bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones, with help from illustrator David McPhail, celebrates Spring as a season of rebirth in the delightful picture book Bunny’s First Spring.
When a bunny is born in spring, he sees the world as green and new and full of hope. But as the seasons change, the bunny worries that the earth may be dying. But, nature speaks to the bunny, assuring him of something more.
Award-winning artist David McPhail’s whimsical illustrations reflect the beauty of the world around us as Lloyd-Jones’ inspirational text prompts readers to celebrate the changing seasons and the miracle of nature’s rebirth.
Lloyd-Jones concludes Bunny’s First Spring with words of inspiration: “God has written the promise of new life not just in books alone—but in every leaf in Springtime” (from Martin Luther).
A charming baby bunny experiences seasonal changes in his environment throughout his first year of life in this emotion-filled story. In lyrical, soothing prose, the text follows the brown bunny through the four seasons, noting his observations of the changes in nature. The bunny is concerned by the changes he sees in the fall and by the seemingly dead appearance of trees, grass and flowers in winter. His parents and other animals reassure the bunny about the cycle of rebirth, and the bunny celebrates his springtime birthday with joy.
Buy It
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”