Easter Wreath

This is a great project to do with kids.

Supplies needed:

• Approx. 48 regular sized plastic eggs
• Easter grass
• Pipe cleaner
• Coordinating Ribbon
  
• Cardboard ring
• Pencil
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

First you will need to get your ring cut from a card board box. I made the outside circle approx. 12in. in diameter, and the middle ring 8 in.
Next I alternated colors put a smudge of glue on the cardboard and placed an egg with the big end on the inside. And continued this around the outside edge.For the inside edge I put glue on the card board, and on the egg that the new egg would be touching with the big ends facing each other, and continued all the way around.Now glue the remaining eggs on top of the other eggs and kind of fill in the gaps. Don't worry if there are holes this is where you'll place the grass.
Place some glue in where a hole is and using the butt of the pencil (eraser end) push the grass into the gaps. Continue on until there are no gaps remaining. When finished trim around the outside edge of the grass using the scissors.
Make a hanger with the piper cleaner and glue on the back.
(I am also going to make a bow to put on the top middle, but we had forgot to purchase them.)

Family Home Evening - General Conference

Opening Song: Follow the Prophet
Opening Prayer:
Lesson: Mommy

As this next weekend in General Conference I have decided that this week for FHE we will put together out General Conference Activity books ready for Conference. I like doing this as a fmaily because the children see the books and always really want to start working on them. Of course I then make them put them away until conference. If you have never used a General Conference Activity book they are fantastic. You can find them here on Sugardoodle.net This is a great time to talk about the prophets and apostles with the children and discuss how important it is and how lovely it is to hear the voice of the prophets.

Spiritually Speaking - Go Often and Carefully to the Scriptures

“We can and must go often and carefully to the word of God. If we become casual in our study of the scriptures, we will become casual in our prayers.”

-Elder Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, Nov. 2001

Friday Night Treat - Blush Meringues

I found the recipe whilst looking for things to cook using berries, and when I saw this, I thought it would be great summer / Spring dessert! You have to be fan of meringues, which I am....ENJOY!

20 meringue nests, depending on the size. I used ready made ones

For the filling :-

250g tub of marscapone

284ml carton double cream

1 tbsp icing sugar

Couple of handfuls of fresh or frozen (thawed) mixed berries, lightly crushed

Beat marscapone until smooth, add the double cream and the sugar and whisk again till soft peaks. Very lightly stir in the fruit, so it is rippled through the cream. Sandwich the meringues together with the fruit cream. Eat the day they are made....which won't be a problem, I'm pretty sure!!

Pretty Flower Hairclips

This afternoon I was in the store about to buy some really cute hair clips for both my baby and my 7 year old when I decided to stop and look at how they were made. Oh. My. Word. I couldnt believe just how easy these things looked to make. I had to hang them back up on the rack because there was no way I was going to spend any amount of money on something I could make here at home. So I came home and while my husband was out at a meeting I decided to Have a go. They were so easy. I thought I would share them with you.

Right so to start with I just got some scraps of fabric. You can get any colors you want and it doesnt have to be a lot.

I then folded the scraps so that I had 8 layers.





Next I traced around the bottom of a small cup a circle and cut the circle out which left me with 8 small circles.



I then folded the circles in half one at a time.....



And then in half again. I did put a little hot glue on this fold to keep it together like this.

Next I hot glued each triangle to a little piece of felt all in a circle. This took 4 of the little triangles.

I then glued the other four on top of the first four over the seams, so as to cover them up.

I then glued a button to the center of the flower.




Next I flipped the flower over....



And hot glued a long rectangle to the back, ONLY THE EDGES. This way I only need one hair clip and can interchange the flowers on that one clip.

That is it! So easy! So Cute! And so CHEAP!! What do you think? Im going to try it with all different types of fabric. Cant wait!

April Fools - 2011

Well April Fools is just upon us. I thought I would search around trying to find some great pranks, safe pranks, and list them and their links here so that you can prepare now for what you want to do. So get your thinking caps on and if one of these ideas don't "tickle" your fancy and you come up with your own, please do share so we can all enjoy!



Anyone for Meatloaf Cupcakes? This was posted by one of our Honeys last year. An oldie but still a goodie!


Family Fun have this really cute Alien Birth Certificate. I'm not sure about you but I honestly think from time to time that my children are Aliens!

You cant go wrong with a child and a Whoopee Cushion can you? Pretty sure I spent hours with one of these when I was a child. My poor parents! ;)



I know what you are thinking.... Ewwwww. But I'm pretty sure my children would enjoy making this cow pie out of Salt dough. Thanks to the Crayola website for sharing this pooey idea ;)



I'm considering serving these Faked Potatoes for dinner on the 1st. Thank you Family Fun for sharing a great Tutorial and some great ideas!



I love the idea of a backwards party. Plus these little invitations which have to be read in the mirror are such a clever idea! Thank you TLC Family.



What about this Funky Headwear? Crayola is just full of fun ideas. And I'm not sure of many little ones who wouldn't want to make something like this!



How about this Magic Banana from Enchanted Learning. Definitely a winner. I think I will be trying this one for sure. So simple!



I seriously cant wait to make this Magic Milk. So simple and you dont have to turn your whole container of milk a funny color. Thank you Family Fun for the great idea!



This April Fools Can again from TLC looks easy to make and like hours of fun.




She Knows suggest turning the bath tub into a ball pit. Just imagine how excited your little angels will be when they arrive in the bath room with it all full of balls instead of water.



Another classic is to super glue coins to the sidewalk or somewhere the kids will see it. You can do this with the kids even and then hide and watch people try to pick it up. :)



I do LOVE this Gelled Juice from Family Fun. I think I might just make Jello in cups and serve it with their dinner. Loads of Fun!

Family Home Evening - I can be Forgiven

Opening Song: Help Me Dear Father (CSB Pg 99)
Opening Prayer:
Lesson: Mommy


Object Lesson: Poor some salt on a colored plate, explain to your children that when we leave our Heavenly Father's presence we are pure and clean. Throughout our life sometimes we do things that are not right and can leave specks of dirt on our pure spirit. (start to sprinkle pepper on the salt)

If we say we are truly sorry and ask for forgiveness, those speckles can disappear. (as you are talking to your children about forgiveness, take a plastic spoon and rub it back and forth over the carpet, slowly put it on top of the salt and the pepper speckles will start to stick to the spoon from the static.)


What are some ways we can ask for forgiveness? Is it easy to ask for forgiveness we we know we have done something wrong?

What is the way that each of us can return to live with our Heavenly Father? By repentance.

Bear your testimony to your children, give them examples of how repentance has blessed your life.

Spiritually Speaking - Patience

“We will have genuine joy and happiness only as we learn patience.”

-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1987

Friday Night Treat Night

I LOVE Blueberries, so naturally I would LOVE Blueberry Pie. I thought I would share this AmAzInG Recipe for Blueberry pie. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!

Ingredients
2 x 12’/30cm discs of sweet dessert pastry
700g fresh blueberries
4-6 tbsp caster sugar
2½ tbsp cornflour
Zest and juice of 1 large lime
1 medium egg, beaten
Granulated sugar for sprinkling on top of the pie

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4.

2. Line the tart case with one disc of pastry.

3. Place the blueberries and cornflour into a bowl and mix really well.

4. Add the sugar and lime juice and mix well again.

5. Pour into the lined tart and moisten the edges of the pastry with a little beaten egg.

6. Top the tart with the second disc and seal the edges well.

7. Cut off any excess pastry and crimp decoratively.

8. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar then make three small incisions in the top of the pie.

9. Finally place in the oven and cook for 30-40 minutes until the top of the pie is golden.

10. Remove from the oven and cool before eating.

11. Cut into wedges and serve with lots of ice cream and double cream sweetened with vanilla.

Holiday Journal

I thought today would be a great day to give you a good idea about a type of journal since it is St. Patrick's Day.  How many of you will make your kids yummy green meals, dress them up in green clothes, or have a treasure hunt?  Most of our holidays are filled with traditions.  Some of these traditions only work for little kids but some you carry on with throughout your life – and even pass along to your children's children.

One great way to remember these special holidays is to just snap a picture.  That’s it!  It may seem like not a lot of work, but through the years they’ll add up and you’ll be glad you took a few minutes to take that picture.

A few tips:

Make sure you label the pictures – you may think you’ll never forget what year it was, but the more years pass, the more likely you’ll forget.  RENAME the file for the computer or if you print out your pictures and don’t want to scrapbook them – write the year on the back with an ACID FREE pen.

It doesn’t have to be a posed picture – it can just be of the kids eating breakfast or the treasure at the end of the hunt… don’t worry about perfection – just capture the moment.

You can save these on your computer forever and ever or you could always print them up – get a cheap sketch pad and put them in that, or scrapbook if you are feeling adventurous (or have the time).

Remember journaling isn't all about writing essays and pages of your thoughts (although that is part) it is about keeping memories, remembering happiness, and celebrating life – especially holidays! 

St. Patricks Day Crafts - Week 3

Hello and welcome to this weeks edition of St. Patricks Day Crafts. Again there is so much great crafty stuff out there. So lets get this party started!! I hope you enjoy these crafts as much as I do!



Mom Vantage has this AdOrAbLe St. Particks Day wreath with pictures of her adorable family. Well done. This is a definite winner!



Tiny Prints have a whole post of adorable St. Patricks Day Hair items. These are so flippin cute. I love these. I might actually run out to the craft store and get a few bits to make these for my little girl.



Catch My Party have created these great printables. I love printables. I love creating them and I love using them. These are really great!



Poca Cosa have these really cute Shamrock Marshmallow Pops. What a great little treat for neighbors, friends, teachers... Well Anyone really!



Domestic Fashionista has these fantastic Felt Shamrocks. I just love these. Plus I was thinking as my 7 year old has been learn how to sew these would be perfect for her to practice on.




Random Thoughts of a Supermom Shows how to make the perfect St Patricks Day Breakfast. I will definitley be making these.



Inspiring Creations has a fantastic tutorial on how to make her Shamrock flower pot. These are so cute. What a fantastic idea!



Lets Go Fly A Kite made these really adorable Leprechauns. Plus these are a great craft to do with the children. I love how she has made a little family of them. So Cute!



No Biggie has made these Brilliant St Patricks Day pins. I love it. Something a little different. Perfect to get that little bit of Green on So you can aviod those little pinches :)



Just drink a Coke. Has a FANTASTIC tutorial on how to make these adorable hair clips. I love these. They are so cute!

Family Home Evening - My Eternal Family

Opening Song: I have a family here on earth

Opening Prayer:

Lesson: Mommy

Gather Lego's or building blocks, label them with some ways your child can help build an eternal family

service
show love
kind words
learning
help
family prayer
scripture study
church attendance

Adam and Eve established the first family on this earth. Heavenly Father commanded them to have children and to worship Him. As children were born to Adam and Eve, they taught them the gospel. This is Heavenly Father’s plan for families—He has sent us to earth so that we can learn from our parents and, someday, teach our own children.

Elder Richard G. Scott said, “Through the restored gospel we learn there is an ideal family. It is a family composed of a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a righteous wife sealed to him and children born in the covenant or sealed to them” (Ensign, May 2001, 7). When families are sealed in the temple and live worthily, they can be eternal families in the celestial kingdom.

Not all of us have been sealed to our families yet, but we can work toward having an eternal family by doing our best. Elder Scott said, “Do the best you can. We cannot say whether that blessing [temple sealing] will be obtained on this side of the veil [in this life] or beyond it, but the Lord will keep His promises. In His infinite wisdom, He will make possible all you qualify in worthiness to receive” (Ensign, May 2001, 7).

We can do our best to have an eternal family by living worthy of temple blessings and loving, serving, and praying for our families.

Activity:
Using the building blocks help your children to create a strong foundation and build a building upon it. As you build this, ask your children what would happen if one of these blocks were missing or taken away. (It would fall over.) The same can be said if we don't do everything we can to build our strong eternal family. If we are not constantly trying, we can't reach our full potential as a family.

Coloring Page

Spiritually Speaking - Small Miracles

“We do not know the future, but our Father in Heaven does, and He will lead and guide us if we let Him. When we are in tune with the Spirit, we will see many small miracles happen in our lives. I have found that having the ability to see and recognize these small... miracles is based upon my spiritual worthiness, my willingness to be obedient, and my desire to not allow myself to become complacent and caught up in worldly and personal pursuits.”

(Ronald T. Halverson, “Obeying the Whisperings of the Holy Ghost”)

Friday Night Treat Night

So I thought I would share with you today a recipe I found a couple weeks ago on Family Fun. I love the Family Fun site. It is definitely one of my favorite sites.

Anyway I found this Orange Biscuit recipe which is pretty much like orange rolls. I actually saw this recipe at like 8:30 pm and decided straight away I have to make these. So I did. And then my hubby and I both had 3 each... Ahhh! Naughty, I know but once you make this recipe I challenge you to just eat one! NOT. POSSIBLE!

Anyway here it goes. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Ingredients

• GLAZE:
• 1/2 cup cold butter (1/4 cup for the orange glaze and 1/4 cup for the biscuits)
• 1/2 cup orange juice (preferably fresh)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp. grated orange zest

• BISCUITS:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 to 2 tbsp. soft margarine or butter for brushing on the uncooked biscuit dough
• 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (mix 1/4 cup sugar with about 2 tsp. cinnamon)

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 12-muffin tin. (Note: this recipe does not work with muffin liners.)

2. To make the glaze, combine 1/4 cup of the butter with the orange juice, sugar, and orange zest in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and then cook for 2 minutes.

3. Divide among the muffin cups (the hot syrup should not be handled by a child).

4. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-size bowl. Cut in the remaining 1/4 cup of butter until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.

5. Add the milk, stirring with a fork until the dough forms a ball. Turn it onto a counter, knead it briefly (4 turns or so), and roll it out into a 1/4-inch-thick rectangle, roughly 12 by 8 inches.

6. Brush with the softened margarine or butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

7. Flour your hands and roll up the dough, jelly-roll style, then cut it into twelve 1-inch slices. Place a slice in each glaze-filled muffin tin.

8. Bake for approximately 18 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown. Run a knife around each biscuit, then turn them out, glazed side up, onto a cooling rack with a baking sheet or waxed paper below. Makes 12 biscuits.

Visiting Teaching Message - March 2011

I have decided to post the little hand out that I make for my Visiting Teaching Sisters each month in an attempt to make Visiting Teaching a little bit easier for each of you. Maybe this will inspire some of you to visit your sisters a little more often and those whom you cant visit maybe this will at least give you something to send to them.

Let me know if you find this useful. I love feed back. I always like to know that what I am doing is actually helping someone else. :)

St Patricks Day Craft Ideas - Week 2

I have found so many adorable things again this week. I wish I could post them all!! In the meantime here are some of the ADORABLE St. Patricks Day crafts (edible and non edible) I have found. If you have anything you would like to share email me at alisha@homemakinghoneys.com

How cute are these St Patty's Pops I found over at Dollhouse Bake Shoppe. Not only adorable but so simple to make! I love these!!



I love rag things, blankets, bags and pillows. This pillow is fantastic! I found this Lucky Gem over at Sew Practical Patterns and More. I love it and it is so simple to make too!



Momtastic has a great Tutorial on how to do a clover potato stamp. What a great craft to do with the children. My two will love doing these.



Naptime Crafter did a tutorial this past week on a St Patricks Day Tee. It is so adorable. I might have to try this idea out!



The Honorable Mention has these really cute paper Clovers to make with children. I think after making them they would look really cute in the window. Plus the kids will really enjoy having a go at these.



Goodbye City, Hello Suburbs has this really cute, really easy and really cheap idea for a cute door hang. So crafty and cute. Love it!



This cutie comes from Simply Crafty. What a cute way to great your guests in the run up to St Patty's Day!



Sassy Sanctuary has this adorable Shammrock Garden. I love this and think you could do this idea for any holiday! I might seriously have to steal this one!

I hope that you enjoy my finds as much as I have enjoyed finding them. Let me know if you find anything you love so I can post it! Until Next Week!! Stay Lucky!