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?