EaStEr GiVeAwAY

Every year at our house the Easter bunny along with hiding Easter baskets, leaves a stack of books. My husband and I came up with this idea for a few reasons.

No. 1 We really wanted to get away from the whole idea of "more toys".

No. 2 We hoped this would get our boys excited about books and reading.

No. 3 We wanted the boys to have memories of: "The Easter Bunny gave me this book" and in turn hoping the book would hold sentimental value. (Just like Christmas Presents from Santa!)

Happily I can say all three ideas worked. Even a few days ago, my oldest said, "I wonder what books the Easter Bunny will bring this year?"

So in HONOR of the EASTER BUNNY I am having a giveaway. A BOOK!

The Story of the Easter Bunny by Katherine Tegen

My boys have really loved reading this book this past month. I think it has a great way of explaining how the Easter Bunny got his start. The illustrations are beautiful and you can ask leading questions about story for smaller children with the photos.

This giveaway I am doing tickets: If you leave a comment about an Easter Tradition in your family you'll get one ticket. If you also become a follower or are all ready a follower you get one more ticket!!!

This giveaway ends Friday, April 3rd @ midnight. I'll announce the lucky winner Saturday, April 4th and mail the book in time for Easter.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

I love toast for breakfast! The best part of toast is all the toppings: butter, jam, sugar, peanut butter etc. My sister gave me this recipe for Cinnamon Swirl Bread and I love it. Toast this bread for a great snack anytime of the day.

The cinnamon sugar mixture can be applied to any favorite bread dough recipe. Here's mine:

Dissolve: 1/2 warm water and 2 tablespoons yeast - set aside to proof
In your mixer add: 3 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon salt, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 cup !hot! water. Stir til dissolved. Add 1 cup milk and yeast. Add 6 cups of flour, mix-in flour after each cup. Allow to rise twice, doubling in size.

Once the dough has risen twice, split your dough in half and roll into a nice size rectangle.

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: take about 2 cups of sugar and about 3 tablespoons cinnamon. Luckily this mixture can be made completely off of taste...add as little or as much cinnamon as you like. Spread about a cups worth all over dough.

With a large spoon fill with water and sprinkle over dough. My spoon is about the size off half a tablespoon so I sprinkle 6 to 8 spoonfuls of water. If you accidentally add more water than you wanted just add more sugar to soak it up. FYI: The more water the gooier the bread!!!

After you have added the water, spread the mixture around with your spoon to even it out. See below:

Roll dough like you would cinnamon rolls and place in a greased bread pan. Repeat process with remaining dough and sugar. Rise for one hour or until it has doubled in size.

Cook for 30-40 minutes at 375 degrees. The top of the bread will brown quickly so cover with tin foil after about 15 minutes of cooking. After cooking, allow to cool for 2-3 minutes and then invert onto a wire cooling rack. Slice and enjoy immediately or allow to cool and toast for a yummy breakfast treat.

Linking up:

Todays Creative Blog

C.S. Lewis

I am currently reading this book. and am thoroughly enjoying it. It is a short (150 page book) but is caulk full of insightful, thought provoking ideas about where do we go after this life. My book club had a really great conversation about the characters and their so-called "sins" or "shortcomings" last night. There was even a character named, Pam, who was all too familiar. With so many wonderful books out there, you might want to add this to your: TO READ LIST.

One of my favorites

After a week of beautiful weather, winter has reared its ugly head....SO, thank goodness for this wonderful blog that always lifts my spirits. It transports me to a far away place and I love to visit. Stop by Button Willow Chronicles, I don't think you will be disappointed..if you agree let me know!

Vintage Strawberry Shortcake

I loved Strawberry Shortcake growing up! She was my favorite, when I had had a bad dream I would always think of her and everything seemed better.

A few years ago I found this tin at a thrift store. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was just sitting there on the shelf calling my name. Lucky me!

Although this tin is in really good condition, it has been loved through the years and not just by me. Who can resist a little girl in a strawberry hat? Not me, and not its previous owner(s) either.

Circa 1982 - baby, this thing is vintage, I was 3 when this tin was made! Check out this other great strawberry shortcake blog post!

Oldie but a Goodie

Over the weekend I watched this movie, UNTAMED HEART, although this wasn't my first time watching it, I was a little fuzzy on the details. My husband remembered more of the story then I did because he yelled out: "Baboon Heart" and that helped trigger more of the story line.

This movie was really cute...I thought very comparable to Twilight. Sweet sensitive guy secretly loves lonely awkward girl and she realizes he is the one for her after he saves her from some very scary thugs. Since watching the movie I haven't stopped thinking about it and its sweet message: Just love the person your with, As they are.

I am going to work on this with the people I love in my life.

Sweet Treats in Small Sizes

Ice Cream is kinda a big deal in my family! Ice cream on Sunday night just isn't right without all the toppings: cherries, magic shell, sprinkles, bananas, whipping cream etc. When I saw these cute little cones at the grocery store, I couldn't resist. Making these little cones is so fun and just a little snack after church is very rewarding.

All you need is little cones, ice cream (obviously), maraschino cherries, sprinkles, and magic shell.

Fill your cones with ice cream. After all the cones are filled, I use a muffin tin and place the cones inside and then let them re-freeze in the freezer for 5 minutes. See Below.

Then I drizzle magic shell on top, add a few sprinkles and a cherry!

These little cones are so adorable. These just scream eat me! And who can resist that?

Bonnie

This week is the Second Anniversary of my husband's mother passing away. When we were going through her things we found so many photo's my husband never knew existed. It was really enjoyable to reminiscence and see pictures of her, my husband's dad, and himself growing up.
Bonnie was the oldest of five children and the only girl. I just love this photo of her. She was a beautiful child and a beautiful lady.

St. Patty's Day Poems

Translation: Once upon a time there was a leprechaun. In the classroom. I'll use magic this is going to be fun. Where is he oh, he's on my paper.

Translation: I wish that I had diamonds. A Dinosaur (with) super powers, a pet tortoise, a mini tornado, Utah would win 100 times and a gold egg (and) and hold a jelly fish.

Little Leprechauns...Big Beards

Are your kids dying to take St. Patrick's Day to the Next Level? Are you kids tired of just wearing green? Is dress-up a sacred art form in your house? We'll my boys are guilty on all three counts! So, I came up with this fun Leprechaun Craft that we did this morning to get a little more "pat" in our St. Patty's Day.

All you need is orange string, green pipe cleaners, and a fun St. Patrick's Day Hat. I got all three at the Dollar Store.

To make the Beard Form: with your pipe cleaners measure your child's face. Take one end and loop it around your child's ear - follow around their chin - secure around the other ear. My seven year old needed two pipe cleaners. My three year old 1 1/2. Trim pipe cleaner to fit child's face.

To make the Beard Fringe: take your string and cut between 30 -40 pieces 10 inches long. You can do more or less depending on how full you want your beard. Take your piece of string and bring the ends together and place under your pipe cleaner.

The string ends must now go through the hole in the loop of your string.

After pulling your strings end through, pull tight to finish the knot.

I wish I knew the name of this knot, but it was easy enough for my boys to do with a little repetition and assistance. If you know the name of this knot please let me know.

Once your beard is complete add a hat and you'll have a Leprechaun ready to tell you where their pot of gold is!!

{Since I first posted the Leprechaun Beards, I have gotten so much amazing
feedback I am linking up all over the web!}

Loch Lomond Block Exchange

Last Friday I went to my very first block exchange with the Loch Lomond Quilters. It was so fun, I met some amazing quilters the all the quilts were beautiful. These are the lovely blocks I was lucky enough to bring home! Note: a block is missing and that would be mine. I miss cut a few measurements and didn't have enough cream to finish my own block. Luckily, I did have enough for everyone else! Alas, I have to run out and get some more cream to finish my own block.

I am really excited about these blocks, I originally thought what I am going to do? How am I going to use these blocks? We'll Presidents Day has inspired me, I am going to make it a President's Quilt. Each block will represent 12 Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Obama etc. I am going to embroider their signatures on the quilt and add some red, red, red, red. I have really loved venturing out of my comfort zone with color, style, and design while making these blocks, but the then be able to twist these blocks into my own quilting style once again.

Novelty Candy

Last weekend, we were out shopping in Salt Lake trying to find a sectional for our basement. Finding a sectional is so frustrating, there are so many factors that come into play. We have to turn a corner and it has to comfortable, big enough blah, blah, blah! I won't bore you with the rest, knowing my husband and I we will still be searching for a sectional this time next year.

So, while shopping we decided to recharge ourselves and the kids with a little sugar. We stopped into a Novelty Candy Store and let the kids pick a treat. My seven year old went crazy over these Army Gummies:

We really did have a lot of fun playing with "Bazooka Bob" and "Rifleman Rich". These treats remind me of the 70's t.v. show M*A*S*H!

Every heard of this Candy? Not me, but my husband informed me I had not really lived until I had tried Razzles. Who knew "First it's Candy...then it's Gum". My three year old loved them.

Best Ever! Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

If you love oatmeal cookies here is a great new recipe to try and if oatmeal cookies aren't your thing -- you still need to try. You will be surprised, these are the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Ever!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 - 1 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup oats
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup pecans
**for rolling** 1/4 cup white sugar and 1/2 cup chopped (tiny) pecans

Cream sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. Add dry ingredients mic thoroughly. Add raisins and pecans. Chill 1 hour in the fridge.

Roll into medium size balls and toss with sugar and pecans. Cook at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Enjoy warm with a glass of cold milk.

Each batch will make about 3 dozen cookies, so take a plate to your friends and neighbors.

Reduce Reuse Recycle

Green Week has rubbed off on my a little longer than expected. I got my city bill this past week and was excited to find out that it is now mandatory to recycle in American Fork. Now, typically I am not a big government type of person, but recycling is near and dear to my heart from growing up in Portland, Oregon. I love the fact that it is now going to be required as of July 1st. All that cardboard, plastic milk containers and paper, paper, paper will not being going to the local landfill, but can be used again for a better purpose. Recycling is such a satisfying way to give back to Mother Earth.

Funny Thoughts of a Three Year Old

Wednesday: Playing in the Sunshine

Three Year Old: "Momma, there is poop all over the grass"

Me: "No, we don't have poop in the grass its aerating. Little pieces of dirt not poop."

Three Year Old: "Not poop?"

Saturday: Shopping Sale Section of Anthropologie:

Three Year Old: "What are these for?"

Me: "What is what for?" - I glance down and see him holding a pair of thong underwear!

Me: "That is underwear"

Three Year Old: "Underwear?" "This is not underwear."

Me: "Not Momma underwear, but big girl underwear like what Noelle wears."

Three Year Old: "Not Momma underwear!"

$100 Clover

Last summer we were at the park sitting in the grass and realized we were really sitting more in clover, and my husband says: "If you can find a four leaf clover I'll give you a hundred dollars". My then six year old jumped at the chance. The funny thing is he found the clover in about two minutes.

We brought the clover home and dried it. I want to think of something really great to do with it....something sentimental. Any Ideas? p.s. my little guy was so proud and thrilled to be so rich!

Minty Green Shed

I wonder what is stored in here?

Here Comes the Sun!

I woke up this morning to a beautiful blue sky, a warm yellow sun and powerful snowy white mountains. I love days like these. I can tell already I am going to be extremely productive, there is something about nature and our environments that can lift all of us to be our best!

Here is a small collection of some of the greens from my stash. Oh, how Green can make a quilt Glorious.

In honor of the great weather I decided to take picture my green picture(s) outside on my porch. My house faces East, which is where the mountains are, and this morning my house is bathed in sun. Enjoy your Day, I am going for a run!