hursday, November 12, 2009
November "All is calm all is bright" Open house part 2
Teacher/Neighbor gift ideas
Vicki showed us this cute Snowman kit
You will find directions Here
Vicki also showed us this adorable Hot Chocolate Cone.
Vicki also showed us this adorable Hot Chocolate Cone. You can find directions HERE
Robin shared her talents by showing us her Crochet scarves and hotpads!
Karin took a placemat and turn it into a cute bag by sewing up the sides and sew a few seams to make pockets that can hold make-up brushes or art supplies. Add a buckle or a button for decoration.
Vicki also showed us these adorable reindeers made from a brown washcloth, pipcleaners, ribbon and googly eyes. Find directions on how to fold the wash clothHERE
Robin shared her talents by showing us her Crochet scarves and hotpads!Karin took a placemat and turn it into a cute bag by sewing up the sides and sew a few seams to make pockets that can hold make-up brushes or art supplies. Add a buckle or a button for decoration.
Vicki also showed us these adorable reindeers made from a brown washcloth, pipcleaners, ribbon and googly eyes. Find directions on how to fold the wash clothHERE
Vicki also found tons of quick and eas neighbor/teacher gift ideas at these two websites.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
November "All Is Calm All Is Bright" Open House
Part 1
Christmas Decorating Ideas
Use many of your ornaments that you have collected over the years to create a beautiful display.
My cute new friend, Shelley.. (An interior designer) came to my house with all her knowledge and talent and came up with this beautiful display... Shelley used different heights, colors, textures, old ornaments and new ornaments to create this display for a table or mantle!
Michelle came up with this fun idea...using one of my lime green salad plates, a glass from the cupboard, a glass dome, sticky dots and a handful of ornaments she created this floating centerpiece.
Attaching the ornaments to the glass with sticky dots so they look like they are floating!
Using a glass vase fill it with large pincones for a simple table decoration!
Sandi showed us this cute centerpiece idea by placing a small treat in each box and wrapping them in paper and ribbon and placing them on a white cake platter. Sandi uses this as a special 12 days of Christmas advent calendar by numbering each box them and having her little boy open one box each day as a little count down to Christmas.
Framing Christmas words simply printed off the computer.
Add a little Christmas cheer to your frames by adding a little greenery tied with a red bow.
Make this beautiful wreath out of a paperback book and a styrofoam wreath! Directions are HERE
I added some gold balls to my wreath to make it festive. You can paint "NOEL" on your mirrors with window paint
(avail at Hobby Lobby or Walmart)
Michelle also came up with this fabulous idea of making your chandelier sparkle. Hang ornaments at different heights with your choice of string, fishing line or bracelet making string. It turned out spectacular!
View looking up from underneath.
Madeline (my daughter) made this banner from cereal boxes!! Yes she cut them up and covered them withscrapbook paper, glitter, and misc. items and hung it all on some red twine.
Shelley created this absolutely spectacular mantlescape using my glass jars and gold red and silver ornaments!
Shelley filled some of the jars with bead garland in red and gold that I had in my Christmas boxes. Oh and P.S. the large glass jar I found at Goodwill for only $8.00!! That is a score!
Put a large glass ornament on a candlestick for a beautiful look!
The entire mantle all decked out!
Michelle also came up with this quick and easy idea....hang oranaments off of branches from your yard! It looks so chic and fancy! I love it.
Sandi filled this large beautiful glass jar with red and silver ornaments and green moss. It just says Christmas to me!
Put a large glass ornament on a candlestick for a beautiful look!
The entire mantle all decked out!
Michelle also came up with this quick and easy idea....hang oranaments off of branches from your yard! It looks so chic and fancy! I love it.
Sandi filled this large beautiful glass jar with red and silver ornaments and green moss. It just says Christmas to me!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Halloween Recipes
HALLOWEEN RECIPES
Cheese Pumpkins (cheese spread)
Use canned Pumpkin from your food storage
Use canned Pumpkin from your food storage
Guacamole Ghoul EyesCherry Tomatoes hollowed out and filled with Wholly Guacamole (found in the refrigerated section of the fruit and vegetable dept. in grocery store) and topped with a sliced olive. Or make your own Guacamole.
Trix or Treat Cookieshttp://www.bakerella.com/trix-out-your-treats/
Mummy Marshmallows –
http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=37963
Mummy Cake Pops
http://www.bakerella.com/trick-or-treats/
Witches Broom cookies
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/witches-brooms
Monster -Using different candies let the kids decorate cupcakes into monster faces.
Brain Cupcakes
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/brain-cupcakes
Nutter Butter cookiesdipped in melted white chocolate. Eyes are melted chocolate drops
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/easy-ghost-cookies-54288.aspx
BLESSING MIX
Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or horn of plenty; a symbol of our nations abundance.
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer for freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy Corn: The sacrifice of the pilgrims’ first winter. Food was scarce. Settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Nuts or Seeds: Promise of a future harvest: one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
Dried fruits: Harvest gifts from our bountiful land.
Hershey’s Kisses: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.
M&M’s: Memories of those who came before us to lead us into a blessed future.
Blessing Mix –Use a small wicker cornucopia and fill it with a small ziplock bag that has all these goodies in it and attach the poem that explains what each thing means.
Little Debbie Swiss Cake spiders
Using the the cakes add pretzels for legs and mini M&M*s for eyes for a quick Halloween treat!
PUMPKIN BROWNIES
(Use Canned pumpkin from you food storage)
1 2/3 c. sugar
1 c. oil
4 eggs
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
2 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
FROSTING:
3 oz. cream cheese
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Cream together sugar and oil. Add remaining ingredients (except
frosting) and mix. Pour into greased and floured cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Beat together ingredients for frosting. Frost brownies when completely cool.
BYU Mint Brownies
MAKES ONE 9-BY-13 PAN OF BROWNIES.PREP AND COOK: 90 min. COOL: 1 hr.
1 c. margarine
1/2 c. cocoa
2 Tbsp. honey
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped walnuts
12 oz. chocolate icing
(Use your own icing recipe or purchase some chocolate frosting. You can also search the Internet for chocolate icing recipes.)
MINT ICING
5 Tbsp. margarine
dash of salt
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 1/3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. mint extract1-2 drops green food coloring
(or whatever color you desire depending on the holiday)
1. Melt margarine and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool.
Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.
2. Prepare mint icing: Soften margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.
3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate icing.
(I put this in a large jelly roll pan and baked about 15 mins.)
Pecan Tassies
3 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Butter
1 cup Flour
1 1/2 Brown sugar
2 Eggs
2 tablespoon Soft butter
2 teaspoon vanilla
Dash of Salt
1/2 cup Broken Pecans
Blend together cream cheese,
1/2 cup Butter,
till soft, stir in flourchill 1 hr in fridge shape in 2 dozen 1 inch balls place in ungreased
1 3/4 inch muffin pan, press against sides and bottom to form a hollow shell
In another bowl mix the brown sugar,eggs. 2 tablespoon butter, vanilla and salt.
Beat until smooth
Fill muffin tins 1/3 full top with pecans and bake for 25 mins at 325.
Pumpkin Cake
(Use Canned Pumpkin from your food storage)
(Amy Foulger)
(From: Tiffany Foulger)
Mix and then press into 9x13 pan:
1 box yellow cake mix (reserve 1 cup for later)
½ c butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
Mix together then spread over previous mixture:
1 small can pumpkin (little larger than soup can)
1 egg
2/3 c sugar
1 t vanilla
1 t cinnamon
¼ t salt
¼ t nutmeg
Mix the following together, then sprinkle over above:
1 c reserved cake mix
2/3 c sugar
1 T cinnamon
½ c butter (use pastry cutter)
¾ c oatmeal
Bake in 325 oven for 45 minutes. Serve with whipped cream. Very rich and delicious
Pumpkin-Coconut Bread
(Use canned pumpkin from your food storage)
Recipe:
Beat together:
1 1/3 cups oil
5 eggs
Add:
2 cups pumpkin puree (1 can)
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
2 3oz. packages instant coconut pudding (or cook-n-serve)
1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)
Blend together and pour into greased loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes (large loaf),
or 20-25 minutes (small loaves) when tests done.
Remove from pan. Slice and enjoy!
Pumpkin Bake
(Use canned pumpkin from your food storage)
Crust: 1 pkg. yellow cake mix (save 1 cup dry mix)
1 egg, beaten
½ cup butter or margarine, melted
Blend and press into a 9” x 13” pan for crust.
Filling: 1 (29 oz.) can pumpkin
2 eggs, beaten
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
¼ tsp. cloves
½ tsp. salt
1 2/3 cup evaporated milk (one can)
Stir together and spread on crust.
Topping: 1 cup remaining yellow cake mix
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. butter, softened
Mix with pastry blender until crumbly. Spread on top of filling.
Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Let cool slightly. May be served warm or cool.
Serve with whipped cream. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Dessert Squares
(Use canned pumpkin from your food storage)
1 box yellow cake mix (reserve 1 cup and set aside)
1/2 cup melted butter
3 large eggs
1/8 cup milk
1 tsp flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup soft butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 jar Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter (from Williams Sonoma)
Mix remainder of cake mix with 1/2 cup melted butter then add 1 egg.
Mix well.
Press lightly into bottom of 9" x 13" pan.
Mix Muihead Pecan Pumpkin Butter with 2 eggs and 1/8 cup of milk.
Pour over cake mixture.
Mix 1 cup reserved cake mix with 1 tsp. flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup soft butter and 1 tsp cinnamon.Mix and crumble and spread over top of pumpkin layer.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
Family Home Evening Lessons and Service Ideas
Halloween safety lesson and game
http://www.sugardoodle.net/Halloween%20Ideas/Halloween%20Safety.shtml
I Can be a good example
http://www.sugardoodle.net/Example/I%20can%20be%20a%20good%20example.shtml
Gratitude Lesson
http://www.lds.org/hf/library/0,16866,4460-1,00.html?LibraryURL=/Curriculum/home%20and%20family.htm/family%20home%20evening%20resource%20book.htm/lesson%20ideas.htm/gratitude.htm
Treat for the gratitude lesson: Make Caramel apples
Family Service Ideas-
1. Take an extra pumpkin that you carve as a family to someone in need…a friend, an old folks home or hospital.
2. Another fun Service Idea to involve your kids in. Print off this poem and take it around at night with your kids to surprise your neighbors.
http://www.sugardoodle.net/Halloween%20Ideas/Halloween%20Safety.shtml
I Can be a good example
http://www.sugardoodle.net/Example/I%20can%20be%20a%20good%20example.shtml
Gratitude Lesson
http://www.lds.org/hf/library/0,16866,4460-1,00.html?LibraryURL=/Curriculum/home%20and%20family.htm/family%20home%20evening%20resource%20book.htm/lesson%20ideas.htm/gratitude.htm
Treat for the gratitude lesson: Make Caramel apples
Family Service Ideas-
1. Take an extra pumpkin that you carve as a family to someone in need…a friend, an old folks home or hospital.
2. Another fun Service Idea to involve your kids in. Print off this poem and take it around at night with your kids to surprise your neighbors.
Another Service Idea: You have been “Booed”http://fhenight.com/traditions/halloween/halloween.php#boo
Costume Ideas
Here are a few places to find Make Your Own Costumes on the Web
Re-use Costumes from last year by adding things to it this year to make a new costume. Rainie showed us this by Using children’s Cinderella Gown one year and adding a sparkly snowflake to the dress and adding a white shawl and making a loillipop crown… turned it into candyland “ice princess”.
Many other web sites for make your own Costumes:
Dalmation Puppy How to:http://familycrafts.about.com/od/costumes/ig/Costume-Photo-Gallery/Dalmatian-Puppy-Costume.htm
Better Homes and Gardenshttp://www.bhg.com/bhg/search/results.jsp?searchType=content&searchString=costume&_requestid=267095
Family fun
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/halloween_ms_costumes/
Martha Stewart
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=eb70d0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&sl_costume_p1=
Better Homes and Gardenshttp://www.bhg.com/bhg/search/results.jsp?searchType=content&searchString=costume&_requestid=267095
Family fun
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/halloween_ms_costumes/
Martha Stewart
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=eb70d0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&sl_costume_p1=
Halloween Kids Craft Ideas
Kids Halloween Craft Ideas
Make bat out of tiny pumpkins-
Cut out wings from black foam sheet attach with toothpicks. Use a sharp instrument to poke hole into pumpkin as it is very hard. Add googly eyes
Cut out wings from black foam sheet attach with toothpicks. Use a sharp instrument to poke hole into pumpkin as it is very hard. Add googly eyes
Pasta Skeleton Manhttp://www.marthastewart.com/article/pasta-skeletons
POPCORN HANDS
http://www.jollytime.com/recipes/show?article_id=4949
Halloween Crackers for a Party Favor
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/halloween-candy-crackers?
POPCORN HANDS
http://www.jollytime.com/recipes/show?article_id=4949
Halloween Crackers for a Party Favorhttp://www.marthastewart.com/article/halloween-candy-crackers?
Halloween Decorations
Green Balls with Spiders
Collect these balls from trees at our local parks and add plastic spiders for a creepy look
Birdcage Appetizer displayUse an old birdcage painted black to serve your appetizers in.Add a few black birds for fun
Boo Banner
Cut triangles (any size) out of burlap. Stencil letters using black craft paint. Add glitter if desired and other odds and ends ie..buttons etc.. Hot glue a long piece of ribbon over the top of each triangle.
Lime Green Banner
Use Black scrapbook paper, Newspaper, Streamer paper, old jewelry, cardboard letters, glitter, glue. Cut black scrapbook paper into triangles 8* wide 6* long. Cut newspaper into smaller triangles then glue newspaper (aged with balsamic vinegar) onto black triangles. Next using crepe paper streamers fold accordion style 8 times for each half of center piece, glue onto newspaper. Cut a 2* x2* striped piece of scrapbook paper and glue over the top of centerpiece. Add glittered Letter. Add old pieces of jewelry and hand punched little black stars from black scrapbook paper.
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2009/09/green-and-black-halloween-banner-and.html
Stacked cake PlatesAdd different papers to the edge for a new look
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-stacked-cake-plates-inspired-by.html
Stacked Dinner Plates
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-centerpiece-cake-plate-idea-2.html
EEK Frame and Boo Signhttp://mylifeslittlepieces.blogspot.com/2008/09/so-im-working-on-new-look-for-my-blog.html
Pumpkin Topiary
Purchase three different sized pumpkins and cut off tops of bottom two. Stack pumpkins so that they are stable. Hot glue silk fall leaves and berries for the added touch.
Glitter Pumpkin
Buy either a real or plastic pumpkin. Paint the entire pumpkin Black*Let dry*Purchase Modge Podge glue and apply circles, lines, etc. Sprinkle with glitter. Let dry and shake off excess glitter* glue greenery, ribbon, anything around the stem
RIP
RIP
Purchase at dollar storeModge Podge any areas you want to glitter. Sprinkle with glitter. Shake off excess.
Brain in Water
Using a large glass jar with a lid place a head of cauliflower in the jar and add water tinted with green and yellow food coloring. Attach a label that says Brains.
BUG STEW
Using a plastic witches cauldron fill it with reindeer moss (found at craft stores) and spanish moss, white pipe cleaners bent to look like they are sticking out like worms. Find lots of plastic bugs and spiders and glitterize them with glue and glitter. Put some bugs in the *stew* and attach others to the outside of the cauldron with hot glue gun. Lay some out on the table for a creepy look! Sandi Arnold used cheese cloth for the table cloth.
