Writing Your Name On Your Scriptures

I teach the 5 year old class at church & LOVE those kiddos to pieces.  I am trying to teach them how important it is to bring your scriptures to church….which is really hard when 2 out of my 6 kids have scriptures!  So, I went to the LDS website and ordered 6 hardback Book of Mormons for the kiddos in my class!  I thought about giving them a bag to pack them around in, but finally decided on putting their names on their scriptures for them!  This way, they wouldn’t get lost in the shuffle & mixed in with everyone else’s scriptures at church!  Plus, of course I had to offer an incentive of candy if they bring their scriptures to church {{and this way I know if they are bringing their scriptures}}!  Watching their little smiles when I handed them out & during sing time when they could hold their NEW scriptures high & proud during the song “Scripture Power” made it all worth it!

I just used my Cricut & my Sure Cuts A lot 2 software.  I measured how big I wanted their names to be and typed them out in the software.  I picked a glossy gold vinyl and placed it on my mat.  All I had to do then was hit “CUT”!  It took a long time to cut, since it was so small.  I then weeded out all the letters {{the most time consuming part}} and then used transfer tape to move them to the scriptures!  I think they turned out adorable!

How To Eat An Artichoke

Growing up, my sister and I always had artichokes!  So, when I see them, they don’t look strange to me at all.  I recently picked up my Bountiful Basket and to my delight……artichokes were in my basket!  While I was doing a happy dance, other people were wondering what the heck they were supposed to do with those green things!  So hopefully this post will help all those out there that are not sure what an artichoke is, not sure what to do with one, or not sure how to eat an artichoke!  You HAVE to try an artichoke at least once, I promise you will want one again & again!  I FORCED my picky 2 year old to take at least one bite….and after that she kept asking for “more ortichoke please”!  Artichokes are by far…my favorite food of all time….I hope you enjoy them as well!

Let’s get started:

First, cut 1/4 of the top off of the artichoke with a sharp knife

Cut the base off of the artichoke, so it will sit flat in your pan
Cut all the points off of all the leaves with your kitchen shears
Place your artichokes in a pan with about an inch of water in the bottom & bring to a boil.

Cover the pan with a lid & turn to stove to low.  Simmer for 35-45 minutes, or until meat on leaves are tender.  Pull a leaf off occasionally to test tenderness.
Drain water out of artichoke & place on plate.  Serve with garlic butter sauce & ENJOY!!

How To Eat:

Starting on the outside, pull leaves off & scrape your teeth along the base of the leaf.

Continue doing this until you get to the very center of the artichoke (it will look like this)

You are now down to the heart of the artichoke.  Using a fork or spoon, slowly scoop out all the hair until you are left with the heart (it will look like this)

The heart is the best part of the artichoke.  Cut it up into bite size pieces, dip it in butter & enjoy!

Garlic Butter Sauce

• 1 stick butter
• garlic powder

Melt butter in microwave.  Stir in garlic powder until desired taste.

You have now learned how to make & eat an artichoke!  Now…..go to the store, get one & try it out!  You will not be disappointed!!!

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Bierocks

Welcome to Servin’ It Up Saturday…..we are glad you stopped by!!
I first remember trying these yummy bierocks in a restaurant called Runza!  If you haven’t been to a Runza and have the chance…GO…you won’t be disappointed!  Although. they are only in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas & Colorado.  Not close to any of those states????  Then this recipe is a MUST try!!!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 large onion , finely chopped
• 1 Medium Cabbage, thinly sliced
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Celery Salt to taste
• 2 batches of bread dough (or Rhoades Dough rolls)

1. Brown ground beef and onion in large pan.  Drain fat.
2. Add cabbage and cook until cabbage is tender.
3. Season with salt, pepper & celery salt to desired taste.
4. Roll out dough into small, round circles. {{about 6 inches across}}
5. Place large amount of cabbage filling onto dough
6. Pull sides of dough up around filling and pinch to seal
7. Place seam side down on greased cookie sheet
8. Cover with saran wrap & allow to rise for 20 minutes
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes
10. Serve with Ranch, Ketchup or my favorite….Mustard!!

I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!  This recipe makes 24 Bierocks….and we only have 4 in our family {{3 who eat solid food}} so I decided to freeze 1/2 and eat 1/2.  I baked them and let them cool, then put them in a freezer bag and placed them in the freezer.  When you are ready to eat them, put them on a plate in the microwave on 50% power for 5 minutes (for 3 of them) and then serve!  I am always surprised that even though they are defrosted, they taste almost just as good as fresh out of the oven!

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Backyard Obstacle Course

I am beyond thrilled to be able to stay at home with my kiddos in the summer! (Definitely an added perk of being a teacher!)  My goal this summer:  keep my kids busy with fun learning opportunities {{and wear them out so they sleep well at night, which this activity definitely accomplished! (: }}

The best part of this activity is that you can use anything around your yard/garage/house, so there is NO COST…which I LOVE!  Here is the obstacle course I set out for my kids.  How ever you set it up, your kids will LOVE it and it will definitely keep them busy!  My own children were not so concerned about the amount of time it took them but older children would love seeing if they could beat their previous time!

Here is our obstacle course, which will definitely be changing throughout the summer to help them use a variety of gross motor skills {{my teacher side is always thinking :) }}

Climb up to the top of the slide and go down.

Crawl across the lawn chair.

Go through the tunnel.

Weave in and out of the bricks.  (I knew those extra bricks would come in handy!!!)

Jump up and touch each of the sponges.

Jump over each of the lawn chair bags.

And finally, throw the ball into the bucket.

My kiddos were exhausted but kept wanting to run through the “obsull course” again!  What fun activities have you planned for your own kiddos?

 

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Check out The Funky Polka Dot Giraffe….

The Funky Polka Dot Giraffe was one of the blogs out there that made me want to create my own crafty blog!  She has some AMAZING ideas that she posts on her blog!  She just hit 1000 followers and is having a 1000 FOLLOWERS CELEBRATION next week!  I am pretty excited to see what it is all about!

I know I will be checking out her blog daily!  Wanna join me???

Princess Wand

Princess Wand

We recently went to a story time at our local library and after reading a book about princesses, it was craft time.  My daughter made a princess wand out of paper stars, a plastic stick for the handle, and tinsel.  It was adorable, but lasted all of 10 minutes before it was destroyed!  I don’t know who was more sad, me or my daughter!  Since that moment, I was on a quest to make another Princess Wand….but this time more sturdy and able to withstand a 2 year old!

Here is way I came up with…..

Supplies Needed:

• Wood Star (I found mine at Hobby Lobby)
• Wooden Dowel 5/16” x 12”
• Ribbon
• Scrapbook Paper
• Mod Podge
• Foam brush or paint brush
• Embellishments (if desired)
• Hot Glue

Start by tracing your star on the back of your desired scrapbook paper. Cut out the star, cutting slightly inside your line you traced. Using a foam brush or paint brush, brush a layer of Mod Podge on the wooden star.  Place your scrapbook paper on the wooden star.  Brush a layer of Mod Podge on top of the scrapbook paper. Allow to dry between layers of Mod Podge, finishing after 3 coats.  Allow to dry. While your star is drying, you can start on your dowel & ribbons.  You could leave your dowel plain….but I am an overachiever….and can’t leave anything plain & simple!  So, I covered my dowel with ribbon, adding dots of hot glue frequently to make sure the ribbon does not slip when your little one is playing with the wand. Cut your ribbon strands that your want to dangle behind the star.  I purchased sparkly ribbon, but any ribbon scraps would work as well.  Cut at varying lengths. Heat seal all the ribbon ends. Hot glue one end of the ribbon to the back of the star.  Glue the end of your dowel to the back of the star as well. In my opinion, everything is BETTER with glitter, so I sprayed a coat of Krylon Glitter Spray on my star.  This is totally optional, but made it sparkly and shiny!  I also added little jewels to the front of my wand, but you could really add anything you wanted or leave it plain.

That’s it….I hope your little girl loves her Princess Wand as much as mine!  My daughter won’t put it down!!  Now I just need to figure out how to stop her from bopping her little brother on the head with it! (;

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What I Made Wednesday #11

Well it is here again….the best day of the week {{Wednesday}}!!  We just LOVE seeing all your creative ideas & tasty creations!  Our party keeps getting better and better….thanks to YOU!!!!  Thanks for making our party a success every week!

On to our favorites….

Ok, I have to admit, I just wiped drool off my chin!  These popcorn cupcakes by Homespun With Love look DELICIOUS!!!  Now the decision….do I make then & share with my friends or eat them all myself?? (:

 

I know right now that my daughter would LOVE this desk!!  Come Together Kids did such an AMAZING job up cycling this old desk!  I will never look at an old piece of furniture the same!

 

This is possibly the most creative dessert I have seen yet….and they look so delicious I can’t wait to try them!  Unique Sweets came up with this awesome recipe…..waffles….frosting…..what is not to love???

Now on to the

{{What I Made Wednesday}} party…..

{{The Details}}:

• Must be made by you.
• Link up to your specific post - not your main blog.   (Please no Etsy shops or giveaways)
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