Songs From the Music Box

Starting August 2, 2009- October 2, 2009, Songs From the Music Box is hosting a fundraiser for Cure Search!

Through public education, advocacy and fundraising, CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation supports the work of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s largest cooperative cancer research organization that treats more than 90% of all children with cancer.

The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) unites the best of the academic and clinical research worlds to move the most promising treatments from the lab into clinical trials. This association of more than 5,000 dedicated experts in childhood cancer research and treatment are located at more than 200 leading Children’s Hospitals, the finest University Hospitals and Cancer Centers in the United States. By working together, cure rates are improved at a much faster pace than any one individual or single institution could accomplish alone and sets a standard of care that allows children with cancer to be treated close to home.

For the sixth year in a row, Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, and other organizations setting standards for charitable accountability, recognizes CureSearch with four out of four stars. This is the top rating for excellence in fiscal management year after year. CureSearch is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public benefit charity.

The Impact of Childhood Cancer

Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease in children, cutting short the lives of more children under the age of 20 than any other disease.

1 child out of 5 who is diagnosed with cancer dies.

3 out of 5 children suffer from long-term side effects.

Every school day, 46 young people, or two classrooms of students, are diagnosed with cancer in this country. More than 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and over 40,000 children and adolescents currently are being treated for childhood cancers.

The average age of a child diagnosed with cancer is six years old; saving lives of children with cancer gives them a future; approximately, 66 years of life’s milestones and dreams to celebrate.

Songs From the Music Box is asking all of you to please help support this WONDERFUL cause and kid's that are affected by cancer.

Just a reminder that the Saving Little Hearts fundraiser has just ONE  more day to go! We really enjoyed hosting this event and want to thank everyone who participated and passed the word along to other's!

Remember that this is an ONLINE event~ you can shop RIGHT from your home!! How cool is that??

Saving Little Hearts is dedicated to helping children with congenital heart defects and their families by providing emotional assistance and educational information primarily through the distribution of Care Packages.

More children are affected by congenital heart defects than any other birth defect. Saving Little Hearts provides surgery care packages to children undergoing open heart surgery.Care packages include many items such as long distance phone cards, disposable cameras, toys and coloring books, Ronnie the Raccoon, various heart defect literature for both children and parents, pens and journals, toiletries and other useful items.

http://www.savinglittlehearts.com

Easy Key Lime Pie

To make this tart and creamy blue ribbon pie, egg yolks, lime juice and condensed milk are stirred together, poured into a graham cracker crust, and baked. Decorate the top with thinly-sliced crescents of lime

Prep Time: 20m

Cook Time: 15m

Ready in: 35m

Yield: 1 - 9 inch pie

Ingredients

5 egg yolks, beaten

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup key lime juice

1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Combine the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk and lime juice. Mix well. Pour into unbaked graham cracker shell.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Allow to cool. Top with whipped topping and garnish with lime slices if desired.

Nutrition Information

Servings Per Recipe: 8

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 328 cal Total Fat: 14 g Cholesterol: 150 mg

Sodium: 217 mg Carbohydrates: 45.4 g Fiber: 0.5 g

Protein: 6.8 g

Watermelon-Yogurt Ice

Inspired by creamy watermelon sherbet, our light and refreshing dessert captures the essence of summer.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ready in: 1 hour (using an ice cream maker)

Yield: 8 servings, 1/2 cup each

Ease of Prep: Easy

Recipe Ingredients

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

4 cups diced seedless watermelon (about 3 pounds with the rind) (see Tip)

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

1 tablespoon lime juice

Recipe Directions

Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, over high heat until the sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a glass measuring cup and let cool slightly.

Puree watermelon in a food processor or blender, in 2 batches, pulsing until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in the cooled sugar syrup, yogurt and lime juice until combined. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another large bowl, whisking to release all juice. Discard pulp. Pour the extracted juices into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions. (Alternatively, pour into a shallow metal pan and freeze until solid, about 6 hours or overnight. Remove from freezer to defrost slightly, 5 minutes. Break into small chunks and process in a food processor, in batches, until smooth and creamy.) Serve immediately or transfer to a storage container and freeze for up to 2 hours.

If frozen longer than 2 hours, break into chunks and process again until smooth before serving.

Tip: Melon selection & storage: Look for symmetrical unblemished melons, without flat sides, that have a creamy yellow spot on the bottom indicating ripeness. At 92% water, this fruit should feel heavy when you heft it. Precut melon flesh should be dense, firm and appear moist. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or keep in a cool, dark spot. Cover the cut surface of melon with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Health Advantages: low calorie, low carb, low sat fat, low sodium, heart healthy, diabetes appropriate, healthy weight, gluten free diet.

Nutrition Information

Servings Per Recipe: 8

Amount Per serving

Calories: 74 cal Carbohydrate Servings: 1

Carbohydrates: 16 g Dietary Fiber: 0 g Cholesterol: 2 mg

Fat: 1 g Sodium: 21 mg Saturated Fat: 0 g

Protein: 2 g Potassium: 155 mg Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g

Exchanges: 1 fruit

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

These bars are a classic blend of peanut butter and chocolate. Easy to make, and quick to satisfy!

Yield: 1 -9x13 inch pan

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, peanut butter and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Melt chocolate chips over a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Spread melted chocolate over the crumb crust. Chill for about 5 minutes, then cut into bars before the chocolate is completely set, then chill until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information

Servings Per Recipe: 24

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 289 cal Total Fat: 18.3 g Cholesterol: 21 mg

Sodium: 183 mg Carbohydrates: 31.3 g Fiber: 1.7 g

Protein: 4 g

Starting August 2, 2009- October 2, 2009, Songs From the Music Box is hosting a fundraiser for Cure Search!

Through public education, advocacy and fundraising, CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation supports the work of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s largest cooperative cancer research organization that treats more than 90% of all children with cancer.

The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) unites the best of the academic and clinical research worlds to move the most promising treatments from the lab into clinical trials. This association of more than 5,000 dedicated experts in childhood cancer research and treatment are located at more than 200 leading Children’s Hospitals, the finest University Hospitals and Cancer Centers in the United States. By working together, cure rates are improved at a much faster pace than any one individual or single institution could accomplish alone and sets a standard of care that allows children with cancer to be treated close to home.

For the sixth year in a row, Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, and other organizations setting standards for charitable accountability, recognizes CureSearch with four out of four stars. This is the top rating for excellence in fiscal management year after year. CureSearch is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public benefit charity.

The Impact of Childhood Cancer

Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease in children, cutting short the lives of more children under the age of 20 than any other disease.

1 child out of 5 who is diagnosed with cancer dies.

3 out of 5 children suffer from long-term side effects.

Every school day, 46 young people, or two classrooms of students, are diagnosed with cancer in this country. More than 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and over 40,000 children and adolescents currently are being treated for childhood cancers.

The average age of a child diagnosed with cancer is six years old; saving lives of children with cancer gives them a future; approximately, 66 years of life’s milestones and dreams to celebrate.

This weekend I finally added our new stylish diaper bags to the webstore! These are a MUST to check out in our Bags & Purses section! I've also been SO busy just adding more and more products for babies!

Oversized Black with Pink Polka Dots Canvas Tote Bag

Get ready for Summer with this diaper tote, beach bag, or all-around large tote. Includes Matching Cell Phone Holder

Heavy duty canvas construction * inside zip pocket * zip top closure * double webbed handles with 12" drop * wipe clean inside * 13" Wide x 13.5" Tall x 5" Deep

I just added another adorable outfit to our apparel line! This one is geared more for the older girls and SO stylish!

Diva Young Girl 4-6X Soft Zippered Hoodie Jog Set with "Love" Rhinestone Transfer and Color Coordinated Piping on Jacket and Pants. Rhinestone Heart on Kangaroo Pocket.

Available in Brown and Pink in sizes 4, 5/6 and 6X

All this summer I'm excited to announce that ALL of our tutu's and our sound cd's are on sale!

I cannot believe that we've had our wonderful webstore for over TWO years now! We've come a LONG way since that January 2007 and we're only getting better!

We've added ALOT of new products and have been continuously adding more each week! We're also SO excited to have our new Gift Item line along with our jewelry.

Now thru August 1, 2009, we are  hosting a fundraiser for Saving Little Hearts.

Saving Little Hearts is dedicated to helping children with congenital heart defects and their families by providing emotional assistance and educational information primarily through the distribution of Care Packages.

More children are affected by congenital heart defects than any other birth defect. Saving Little Hearts provides surgery care packages to children undergoing open heart surgery.

Care packages include many items such as long distance phone cards, disposable cameras, toys and coloring books, Ronnie the Raccoon, various heart defect literature for both children and parents, pens and journals, toiletries and other useful items.

Proceeds from profits will go to Saving Little Hearts.

Another really exciting bit of news for everyone~

We are having a HUGE sale on ALL of our tutus this summer! There are so many choices of tutus to choose from and we also offer custom tutus!