Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls ready to bake.....

I continue to love my Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day book and have learned to use the authors knowledge and tweak things to my families liking.

I used 1 1/2 pounds Challah dough, rolled out into a large rectangle, 1 stick of butter softened and spread out, with 1/2 cup sugar and 4 T. Cinnamon spinkled around, roll up the dough long side to long side, cut in half then each half in half again and then in thirds, place into greased 9x13 inch pan, allow to raise overnight with greased plastic wrap placed loosely on top. In the morning place in oven at 350 degrees for approximately 50 minutes. In the meantime prepare your frosting. Any king you like.

Heating Pads

Heating Pads filled with rice, lavender and lavender essence oil.

Heat in microwave for 3 minutes and you have aromatherapy and comfort.

For our friends and neighbors we created 4 breads that were highlighted in the Family Fun Magazine, December issue.

Date Bread, Apple Bread, Pumpkin Chocolate, and Lemon Coconut. Oh my were these yummy. I also took some to a work meeting and everyone ate well that day.

I made some minor adjustments to the recipes to suit our likes....

We wrapped each slice up and put and individual label on them, much like the magazine showed and then put 1 slice of each kind in a clear decorated plastic bag with two ornaments the kids made earlier in the month.

Toad Stools

I ran across a site awhile ago that had things very similiar to these. Since my kids are nuts about the couch pillows I decided to make them Toad Stools so that they can throw these around, sit on, hop on and do what ever else they can think of.

Jingle Blocks

For Soren I thought I would create sensory blocks that are filled with jingle bells. I am very excited for him to open this gift.

Counting Bean Bags

For my 2 year old. I have tried to make presents this Christmas for each child and this one is what I made for Shafer. I cut squares out of a flannel blanket, again from a 2nd hand store. Sewed buttons from my collection, representing 1 thru 10, on each bag, sewed them up and turned right side out and filled with pinto beans.

Almond, Banana, Chocolate Chip Biscotti

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 mashed, ripe banana
1 t. almond flavoring
2 eggs
3 t. baking powder
3 cups flour, (1 cup ww flour, 2 cups white)
1/4 t. salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (white chocolate would be good also)
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Mix sugar, butter, egg, almond flavoring until smooth and creamy. Add Banana, mix. Add baking powder, flour, salt. Mix in chips and almonds.

Grease your hands and cookie sheet, and grab approximately 1/2 of mixture and shape into a long, flat log, about has wide as you hand is long. Do the same to the second piece.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes, until cooked through.

Cool for 20 minutes, then slice like a loaf of bread, laying each piece side ways on the cookie sheet.




Bake in 350 degree for 12 minutes on each side, remove from oven and let cool.

For extra yummy, melt white chocolate chips and place into plastic bag, snip small hole in the corner and squeeze...........

Baby Tag Blanket Tutorial

How to:
Use any fleece or flannel. I bought some flannel blankets from the local Salvation Army (already nice and cuddly), trimmed to just the right size.

Cut numerous different colored ribbons to approximately 6 inches, fold over and pin to right side of fabric, facing in, all the way around. (make sure you plan the pin point facing out, for easier sewing)

Sandwich the ribbons between both pieces of fabric and then sew around 3 sides of the blanket. Removed the pins that held the ribbon on these three pieces. The slowly sew the 4th side and removing the pins as you go. The closer you get to the hole for turning the tougher it becomes. The last 3-4 pins you can removed through the turner hole. Turn the blanket right side out and stitch the turner hole shut.

Birthday Gifts for the Friends

Every year I try to come up with a different gift idea for my kids friends. I try not to buy toys, everyone should know why. I try to make something useful, so this is what I have created this year.

The stripped bag is the gift bag, the denim heart bag is the lunch bag, blue item is a sandwich wrap and the gingham is the napkins. I am thinking I will put together a tutorial if anyone is interested in any of them.