Sushi Cupcakes

Yeah, these were a pain! Gayle helped me form the candy (tootsie rolls) to look like veggies and fish - our theme for our RS board meeting was sort of an ocean theme . . . so we had clam chowder, crab cakes and sushi cupcakes:

Like the Pocky's Japanese candies that look like chop sticks? They were perfect!

Indoor Garden

Who likes my new Woolly Wally Pocket? hehe Besides being cuteness, it can be highly functional:

It's a pocket to hang on your wall . . . umm, I heart it! And I'm thinking this is how you can grow an indoor garden . . . now just to find wall space for a few herbs and such =) Eventually 3 of the plants I chose will trail as they grow - you can plant full size plants in them, I just liked the $5 tag for the little guys ;)

One day these little plants will fill up the wall better . . . the idea is to use the space where you're hanging it, like buy 4 and arrange them together to make a very cool focal point as well as increase air quality in your home.

But I didn't like the price tag for 4 Woolly Pockets at a time, so 1 will work for now =)

Seriously - check out their web site - you'll be inspired . . . and maybe sucked into buying one like me!

http://www.woollypocket.com/

More Jewelry

Neutral Designs to wear with everything ;)  For sale at http://www.jackshandsjillsheart.com/: No bracelet for this set - maybe I'll work on that ;)  For sale at http://www.jackshandsjillsheart.com/:

And an adjustable length necklace. For sale at http://www.jackshandsjillsheart.com/:

I like the idea of shortening or lengthening a necklace depending on your outfit.

Cupcakes

Vanilla & Chocolate Swirl:

Pop out the middle:

Fill with chocolate mousse:Frost:

Sprinkle:

YUM!

Colten's Baptism Slideshow

I put together a little slideshow for Colten's baptism, if you watch it full screen, you might be able to make out the words. The photos are blurry too, I'll try uploading to youtube latah:

Hours and hours I spent on this and it's still not perfect ;)

Ships Ahoy

I made an invite for the RS board meeting:

I'm going to attach 2 Chips Ahoy cookies with a message 'Ships Ahoy' with the invite. . . hehe
Blank invite found at http://www.jackshandsjillsheart.com/.

Living the Gospel Daily Handout

Lesson 3, Manual 3 lesson found here.

Want the handout, it's found here www.jackshandsjillsheart.com.

Snowshoeing

Jonathan, Bryan & Adam's trip to Skyline Lake

Brady's NYE

Braden (nice expression), Danee & Brady:

Brady & Danee posing:
Cody & Brady:
Uhhhh, let's make a silly face pose?
Who knows pose:
They went to the Stake NYE's dance with Nellie & Whitney.

Baptism Invite

I made my nephew's baptismal invite:

(the white squares are just personal info, not part of the invite)

Uncle Jonathan is baptizing Colten in 2 weeks!

Know the Savior Handout

Coming to know the Savior, YW lesson 2, Manual 3 found here.

handout found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com (only have to buy the image once, then print out as many copies as you need - but please don't share or redistribute the file - thanks!)

God the Father handout

YW Lesson 1, Manual 3 - God the Father

handout found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com (only have to buy the image once, then print out as many copies as you need - but please don't share or redistribute the file - thanks!)

heart to heart

January VT message found here. Want the handout - it's found here www.jackshandsjillsheart.com.

Focus: Understanding our Relief Society history is not only important but essential. The organization of the church was not complete until the sisters were organized.

Quote: The history of Relief Society is recorded in words and numbers, but the heritage is passes heart to heart.

New Camera

I got a new camera for Christmas, now it's all about figuring out the functions - like for fast moving objects ;) Look close - it's a hummingbird trying to eat the silk flowers on my Christmas wreath (time to put away the decorations) today!

Then I shot a picture of Cannella:

and then the cat because it was sleeping with both its arms outstretched (so cute) . . . on the once folded laundry:

and then tried to get a picture of the big eagle that nests on Tolt Hill Road, but it wasn't around. We did spot a juvenile eagle - it was so massive in size:

So my sister Stacy won't be surprised that I took a photo of 'wildlife' for my first day playing with my new camera - hehe

Lemon Poppyseed muffins

Here's a recipe I made up for lemon poppyseed muffins:

Ummm, really - try these - they are YUM!

2 eggs - separated

Beat egg whites to stiff peak, set aside. Save yolks.

Cream together:

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup powdered sugar

2/3 cups brown sugar

2 lemons zested

1 tsp vanilla

Add yolks to butter mixture.

In a separate bowl, combine:

1 cup flour

1/3 cup cake flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp poppy seeds

1/4 tsp salt

Set aside.

In (yet another bowl - maybe #4), combine:

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup cream cheese

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Add half the flour mixture to butter mixture and mix, then half the sour cream mixture to the butter mixture and mix, then the other half of flour mixture and mix and the remaining sour cream mixture and mix.

Fold in egg whites. Scoop into greased or lined muffin tins. Makes 12 regular or 6 large.

Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes - maybe up to 5 minutes more depending on your oven.

Dangling Earrings

I made 2 pairs of earrings for myself after helping Brady make a matching bracelet & earrings for Danee for Christmas - which we didn't take any photos of =(

I heart the color orange - so I made some earrings and a necklace to wear with my orange skirt:

I love dangling earrings . . . and all shiny things ;)

The RIESEN for the season

Here's what we made up this year for a few friends instead of goodie plates:

to hang in their tree as an ornament or something:And a little poem that I stole from a Christmas card - I just altered it a bit:

Brady Basketball

Starting player:

Tough defense:

Good form:

Looking good:

All smiles after a win:

Happy times:

Someone earned the 'STUD' award - yeah, a piece of 2x4 to write your name on . . . a very big deal ;)

Good job Brady!

Brown Sugar Scrub

Here's a little shower scrub recipe - I gave these to the sisters I visit teach at the brunch we held in December - used them as name settings, that's why I had one too. I cut these out and glued them to the lids:

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp ground cloves

Combine everything and stir in some oil just until moistened - I used Olive Oil - I will probably try grape seed oil next time =) This make enough for 4 gifts or so - depending on the size of the container you're using.

Mini Stocking

I designed a little white stocking (baby socks) hanging from a swirly wire hook (dollar store) for our RS gift to the sisters this year. We added beads on the hook, strip of white boa and one petal from a silk hydrangea with a jingle bell.

The iron on says 'The joy in Christmas is not found in presents but in His presence'. I shaped the saying into a Christmas tree and used a picture of Christ for the stump.

We went with the idea of giving a gift to the Savior:

One of these are in each stocking along with a message from the RS presidency. The idea is to make a commitment and write it on this paper and then pack it away with their Christmas stuff and open it again next December.

Snowflake Ornament

I make ornaments for my tree every year - I try to make 12 of them that match. Snowflakes it is for 2010:

2 different snowflake shaped chipboard, shimmer paint, glitter paint, twine, jingle bell, paper punched snowflake, wire. They may not look like they took much time, but I worked for hours to produce a dozen of these!