Easy Serving Dishes

Okay, so every time I host a party or event, I am always wishing I had more serving dishes/cake stands.  I finally decided that I did not have to go and buy one.  I would just make my own.  These were so easy. I just can't believe it took me this long to think about making my own.  Now it's your turn. So, go to the Dollar Store, the Thrift Store, or just look around your home.  Your sure to find plates, chargers, candlesticks, and/or a small vase.  You could even use sundae cups or martini glasses.  The options are limitless and you can create an item to fit your personality.  You could even paint them fun spring colors!  (If you do this be sure to use a spray paint that states it can be used on glass).


My first creation is basic, but from things I just had around my home.  A candle stick and a plain glass plate.  All I did was glue it together with super glue.  Just make sure you get your candlestick completely centered, because once it's glued, it's glued.!  Besides you don't want a smear of glue showing.

Next, I found this cute little vase at Good Will for $1.99 and the plate is from the Dollar Store for $.99. 

Final, I had some old charges sitting in my cabinet (I don't know why I still had this one it had a stain from a candle)  Oh well, now no one will know.  I found this chunky candle stick at Good Will for $.99 and I already had black Krylon spray paint.  Super Easy.  I did rough up the base a little.  I always love the antique look.

Walla!! That's it.  Literally this only takes a couple of minutes once you have the items to put together.  Just remember to let the glue really set up before use.

Kimarie

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

Okay Seriously,  the recipe states that this is the cinnabon clone, but did I really believe it?  I knew they would taste scrumptious, because quite honestly, what dough filled with cinnamon, butter and sugar and topped with cream cheese frosting wouldn't?  However, I have to be honest with you!  This is hands down the closest recipe to cinnabons that I have ever tasted.  And as long as we're being honest.  I have eaten umm... at least six myself.  No, not in just a day, over the weekend.  But, packing over 400 calories a roll, that still can't be a good thing.  So, I'm just warning you all now...you will not be able to stop at just one (unless that is, you have much more self control than I do).  So, here is the recipe I found at Allrecipes.com (love that site)  Check it out:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Clone-of-a-Cinnabon/Detail.aspx  Okay, now this recipe is for a bread machine, but don't worry if you don't have one, I don't either.  This is how I did it.  Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl or mixer.  I used my kitchen aid.  Mix in the sugar, margarine, salt, and eggs. Add flour and mix well.  Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour. Put in a bowl or leave it in the bowl you mixed it in, cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Then pick up with rolling out the dough. Yum!!

Roll out the dough and spread with butter.  Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture all over.

I use a double strand of thread to cut the rolls, works much better than a knife and besides, this is how I was taught by my mom!
I dip the bottom of the roll in a little flour before I place it in the pan.  This helps prevent the buttery sugar from all flowing out of the rolls.

My mouth is watering again just typing this and adding the pictures, good thing they are all gone!  You've got to try these.  Believe me, your family will love them (you will too!)  Besides, there is nothing better than the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls dripping with cream cheese frosting!  My little Avery was the hit of the neighborhood as she took hot cinnamon rolls out to share with all the little neighbor kids.  Oh, and just FYI I doubled the recipe.  I knew that I wanted to have plenty to share (and eat myself)  Enjoy!!!!

Simple Sisters

Conference Listening Kits

This weekend is General Conference.  In our church, twice a year we get to hear from our prophet and apostles.  We love conference weekend.  We have so many fun traditions for our family.  We love to make it fun and entertaining for the kids so they will look forward to the weekend as much as we do.  First off we have Conference on Saturday and Sunday.  So, to kick it off, we always have Conference Crepes.  YUM!  We love to fill them with fresh fruit; blueberries, strawberries, mangoes, bananas, raspberries, etc. But, I think one of the kids favorite fillings is Nutella.  I cannot personally testify to this since I am not a chocolate lover (I know, everyone tells me I'm crazy, just simply don't like it) But, the kiddos and the hubby love it!  This is one of my kid's favorite Conference traditions.

  

 

You can find the crepe recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crepes-2/Detail.aspx

In addition to crepes we play conference bingo.  Check out this great conference bingo cards at   http://creativekidstuff.blogspot.com/2008/10/general-conference.html  We usually use skittles or m&m as our chips.  She's got some great conference word searches and cross word puzzles too.


I also like to have a notebook or packet for the kids to take notes in or color.  Check out the Conference packets at www.sugardoodle.net these are great because you can choose any age group that works for you.


This year besides all of our usual traditions, I saw such a cute conference listening kit from here http://angbrimwil.blogspot.com/search/label/church%20stuff .  (You'll just need to scroll down a bit to see the conference kits, you can get many other great ideas as you do).  I changed things up a bit, but this is such a fun little idea for VT, Young Womens, Activity Day Girls, or (like we just did) to give to your Sister Missionaries.  My kids loved them so much I have made one for each of them for Conference too.

SIMPLE SISTERS

SPRING BREAK

Okay, here we go...I'm not even sure exactly what I'm doing, but what better way to start than to just  "simply" jump in!  So, this past week was Spring Break!  I have to admit I absolutely love having the kids home!  We didn't make big plans this break (well at least I didn't) because my two younger daughters decided they wanted to "help the hungry and those in need"  Yes I know, quite amazing!  I have to be honest, it was all their idea and I even tried to discourage it a little. I know, I know... No, not because I didn't want them to help others, I'm all for that.  I just didn't want them to get their hopes up and be disappointed.  Boy, was I wrong!  I am so proud of them!  So, they worked with different little friends and let me tell you, we have a great community!  Way to support these kids and way to support those in need!  My youngest daughter, Avery worked with a little group of 6 kids (I don't yet have pictures of them) and they decided they wanted to help with the suffering in Japan and also kids with cancer.  They held their stand one day and earned $25 for the Red Cross and $50 for the Make a Wish Foundation.  These amounts were donated in their names.  Now, my middle daughter, she had a little larger vision and planned things quite extensively for a while before spring break.  I had found a a tutorial (check this out) http://youseriouslymadethat.blogspot.com/2011/02/knotted-headband.html.  So, she made a bunch of these crochet headbands  to sell and she also made pepsi can ear rings too.  

(check them out from the same site)   http://youseriouslymadethat.blogspot.com/2011/02/pepsi-can-earrings-tutorial.html.  They held a lemon aid stand 3 days along with selling the headbands and ear rings.  Then the 4th day they had a bake sale.  My daughter and her friend worked very hard baking cookies and cinnamon rolls.

 They made flyers and had big signs.

They earned $200.00 which they are donating 100% to a backpack for hunger program at their school.  (What the school does is send a back pack full of food home with a child  of a family in need)  I am just so proud of these kids and all their selfless efforts.  What a great way to spend a Spring Break!!  We were able to hit the beach one day and the $1 movie too.  I have to say this was one of our best Spring Breaks because of the selfless acts of these young kids ages six through eleven!