Spring Ideas from Sandra Lee at FOODNETWORK

As some of you may know, I'm a FoodNetwork junkie and one of my favorites is Sandra Lee. Here are some great Spring Ideas for Easter or even Mother's Day!

Cupcake Corsage
Create clever bows to finish off your gift boxes using paper cupcake liners. Pinch the liner in the middle from the underside, and pull forward to make a bloom in the shape of a cone. Twist the end to form a stem. Repeat three or four more times, and tape the blooms together to form a flower. Fold green liners flat to mimic leaves.

Nifty Name Tags
Pair Avery® shipping labels from any office supply store with coordinating scrapbook paper to create clever and quick place card markers. Download the template from the Avery® Web site, and type in your guests’ names. Print the labels, and attach to the scrapbook paper. Trim as desired.

Deggorating
Try your artistic skills with this elegant but easy egg-decorating tip. Choose a color palette, and paint hard-boiled eggs with acrylic craft paint. Immediately after brushing on the paint, roll the eggs in a bowl of glitter. Set aside to dry on wax paper. Arrange in a bowl or on a tabletop nestled in paper grass.

Glorified Goat Cheese 
For a quick and easy spring appetizer, simply cut a goat cheese log into 1- to 2-inch rounds. Roll the sides of goat cheese in chopped fresh dill, and top with cracked black pepper. Serve with a variety of crackers.

Eggstra-special Eggs
This presentation of leftover Easter eggs is sure to impress your family or guests. Cut the top off hard-boiled eggs horizontally one-third of the way down from the pointed top, and cut a small slice off the bottom to level the eggs. Carefully remove yolks. Cut a few more eggs horizontally into slices, and remove their yolks. Use the yolks to prepare your favorite deviled egg recipe. Spoon the mixture into a zip-top plastic bag, and snip a corner of the bag to pipe the yolk mixture into the eggcups. Top each with an egg slice, and finish with another dollop of the mixture on top. Garnish with oregano.

Seasonal Stamps
Package your party favors to make a lasting impression. Themed stamps and ink from craft stores work perfectly on paper bags, takeout boxes, and these white goody containers from Wilton®.

Reprinted with permission by Hoffman Media, LLC. www.semihomemademag.com

Cupcake Corsage and Nifty Name Tags

Deggorating

Glorified Goat Cheese

Egg-stra Special Eggs

Seasonal Stamps

Fun, Festive and Inexpensive from Embellished Bayou!

More great ideas at www.embellishedbayou.blogspot.com

DIY Curly Ribbon Wreath

I posted a little tease about this project a couple weeks ago.  It’s just another shameless rip-off of something I saw in one of my favorite local stores.  I knew it was something I could make myself for less money.  Here is the store’s version, retailing for $25.00:

Upon further inspection, I could see that this decoration was just a simple styrofoam wreath embellished with curly ribbon that had been stapled on.So I made a trip to Dollar Tree and Michael’s and came up with my own version for about $10.00:

While my version is not quite as large and full, I think it’s still pretty cute!  Perfect for Easter or a birthday celebration!

Here’s how I did it.  I started with an extruded wreath I bought at Michael’s with a coupon, so I think it was less than $2.00.  If you’re lucky, your dollar store might have these, but mine didn’t.

I spray painted the wreath pink in case any of the it showed through the ribbons and because I would be hanging it on a glass door and the back would be visible.  I bought seven 3-packs of curly ribbon bows at the dollar store.  You’ll also need a staple gun and/or hot glue gun.

Simply staple one bow on the wreath in the middle of the ribbon.

Layer on another bow, criss-crossing it on top of the first one:

Keep doing this all the way around the wreath, pressing in the staples where needed.  Now, I found that the staples wouldn’t stay in, so I secured the ribbon with hot glue.  Depending on what kind of styrofoam wreath you have and how long your staples are, you may or may not need to do this.

Fluff the ribbons and you’re done! I hung mine from a coordinating satin ribbon.  Do you think it’s still missing a little something?

Ah, yes, a little bunny and a handpainted Happy Easter sign!

Please forgive the shadows and bad lighting, I finished after dark and had to take these inside.  I’ll update with better pics soon.

Or maybe you have another special occasion coming up (like a certain someone who writes this blog):  

Of course you can use any color ribbons you want.  A more pastel version would be precious for a baby shower/new baby and a red, green and gold combo would be perfect for Christmas.  So easy, festive and unique!

FHE from LDS Living Magazine

FHE: Easter

by Shauna Gibby

"Jesus Christ took upon Himself the weight of our sins and the injustices that are committed in the world to the end that we can be free from the consequences." -Jorge F. Zeballos

Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read "Attempting the Impossible," by Jorge F. Zeballos, Ensign, Nov 2009, 33-34.

Thought:
Jesus Christ took upon Himself the weight of our sins and the injustices that are committed in the world to the end that we can be free from the consequences.

(Jorge F. Zeballos, "Attempting the Impossible," Ensign, Nov 2009, 33-34.)

Song:
"Did Jesus Really Live Again," Children's Songbook, p.64.

Scripture:
Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. (3 Nephi 11:10-14)

Note: The following story and lesson are excerpts from the book The Easter Walk by Deborah Pace Rowley and Dan Burr. You can find the entire story and scripture walk in the book.

Story:
Tyler couldn't wait for his Easter walk with Grandpa. This year would be even better because his little sister, six-year-old Amy, was coming with them for the first time. Tyler knew she wouldn't completely understand each scripture, but she would be excited about the treasure hunt.

Grandpa, Tyler, and Amy walked quietly through the park until Grandpa gave the first scripture clue: "And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head" (Mark 15:17).

Tyler took Amy's hand, and they ran ahead until they found a thorny branch. Amy carried it back to Grandpa.

"Excellent," Grandpa said. "What does this thorny branch remind you of?"

"It reminds me that Jesus knows what it feels like to be hurt and sad," Tyler answered. "When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he sweat drops of blood because of our sins. One of the apostles betrayed him, and the soldiers whipped and mocked him. Then they forced a crown of thorns onto his head."

Grandpa reached out for Tyler's hand and squeezed it tight. For the next clue, Grandpa explained that a friend of Jesus "wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre" (Mark 15:46).

Amy found a pretty rock that had sparkly crystals in it and handed it to Grandpa. "Good choice," said Grandpa.

"Tyler, can you tell us the meaning of this stone?"

"A stone was rolled in front of Jesus' tomb, and guards were put in front of it," Tyler answered. "But on the third day an angel came from heaven and rolled the stone away. When Jesus' disciples went to the garden, they saw that the stone had been moved and the tomb was empty."

Grandpa waited until they were almost back home before he gave the last clue. This scripture was Tyler's favorite. "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said" (Matthew 28:5-6).

The children saw many things that were alive. Amy brought Grandpa a ladybug, but Tyler wanted to find something special. He found it in front of their house. Tyler carefully picked a red tulip blossom and sat down beside Grandpa on the porch. Amy picked a red tulip, too. Their mom had planted these tulips, and they came up every spring.

"So," said Grandpa quietly, "tell me why we needed to find something alive."

Tyler loved it when Grandpa asked this question. He always had a warm and good feeling inside when he answered. Grandpa said that feeling was from the Holy Ghost. "We found something alive because Jesus is alive. He was resurrected on the third day."

Tyler put his arm around Amy and gave her a big hug.

Amy leaned up and whispered in Tyler's ear. "I know Jesus is alive, too."

(Deborah Pace Rowley, The Easter Walk, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010].)

Lesson and Activity:
You can go on your own Easter walk as a family. Walk around your neighborhood or go to a park or wooded area near your home.

If the weather is uncooperative, you can have a treasure hunt inside the house. You may want to carry a sack to hold your treasures. Read the following verses in the Bible and the Book of Mormon and have your children find items suggested by the scriptures. Discuss the significance of each item as you walk or after you arrive home. Bear testimony to your family of the truthfulness of the Atonement and the Resurrection.

Share your feelings about the Savior. As you do this, your children will feel the Spirit, and their testimonies will grow.

Scripture Clue: Mark 15:17
Something pointed and sharp to represent the crown of thorns.

Scripture Clue: John 19:17-18
Something made of wood to represent the cross.

Scripture Clue: Mark 15:46
Something hard and round to represent the stone placed in front of the tomb.

Scripture Clue: Matthew 28:5-6
Something alive to represent that Jesus Christ is alive again.

(Deborah Pace Rowley, The Easter Walk, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010].)

Refreshment
Butterscotch Bundt Rolls
Also known as sticky buns--fabulous!

• 18 frozen dinner rolls
• 1 (3-ounce) package butterscotch pudding (not instant)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Arrange frozen rolls in a greased Bundt pan. Sprinkle pudding, brown sugar, and pecans over rolls. Drizzle butter over all. Cover Bundt pan with a dishtowel, plastic wrap, or waxed paper and let rise at room temperature overnight, or about 12 hours. Remove dishtowel. Bake at 350° F. for about 25 minutes. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before inverting to a serving plate. Serve warm. Makes 18 rolls.

(Julie Badger Jensen, Essential Mormon Cookbook, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003] p. 5.)

Homemade Fabric Softener Sheets from PYP

Another great idea from www.pinchingyourpennies.com




Suggestions for making your own fabric softener dryer sheets:

• Mix 1 cup liquid fabric softener with 2 cups water in spray bottle. Spray a clean rag or washcloth 4-6 times with the mixture and then put the cloth in with the clothes to dry. Wash the rag occasionally to remove build-up.
• Dip a washcloth in liquid fabric softener, then hand to dry. Once dry, put the washcloth in with the clothes to dry. The washcloth can be used a dozen or so times before needing to be washed and re-dipped. You can make your fabric softener last even longer by dipping the washcloth in a mixture of equal parts water and liquid fabric softener. Or try a different ratio to see what works best for your laundry.
• Take a large jar or bucket, cut a sponge into 4-6 pieces, and place them in the container. Add a few capfuls (if using jar) or one full bottle (if using bucket) of liquid fabric softener, then fill the rest of the way with water. When you go to dry a load of laundry, take out a sponge, ring it out and throw it in the dryer. When done, just put the sponge back in the container for next time! (Tip from PYP member, WtrmlnLisa)
• To control static cling, try adding a wad of aluminum foil to your dryer load.
• If using dryer sheets, cut them in half and use only one half sheet per load. That way a box of 80 sheets automatically becomes a box of 160! (Tip from PYP member, tightwadteri)

Even if you don't want to make your own dryer sheets, you can get extra use out of the commercially packaged ones by using the used sheets to dust around the house or clean bathtubs (they are great for removing soap scum).

SAVE THE DATES - Stake Temple Week - April 13th-17th

Save the Dates - Stake Temple Week.  Please join us in attending at least one of the two special endowment sessions, one on that Tues. evening and the other that Thurs. evening.  Sessions will begin at 8:15p but please be in the chapel by 7:45p.

Each member is encouraged to do at least one endowment, one initiatory and one sealing session during the week.

A name box designated for the Highland Utah West Stake will be provided.

First Presidency General YW Meeting - Sat. 3/27th

The First Presidency invites all young women, their mothers, and YW leaders to attend the general YW Meeting on Sat. 3/27th at 6pm

YW Camp Fundraiser - Spaghetti Dinner

Don't miss the YW Camp Fundraiser - The Fabulous Spaghetti Dinner tonight, Friday 3/26 from 5:30p to 8:00 pm