Palm Sunday Crosses

Here are my crosses made from the Palm Sunday. This year I brought them home and soaked them in water for 24 hours before I made them. That way they were more pliable. After folding and tucking I left them overnight to dry and cut the small amount of extra off. Still trying to decide if I want to add silk flowers or not. What do you think? Below is the link for step by step instructions to make your own cross.

http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Gradeschool/Crafts/1craft08.php

Easter Bread

I always make Easter Bread on Good Friday but thought I would post this early so maybe some of you will join me. It is delicious to have toasted with butter for Easter Morning. I have seen it made with pastel colored eggs too( the dough wrapped around one egg...sort of like the egg is in a nest of bread) but I usually just leave them as is...white. Let me know what you think!

Good Friday always means Easter Bread...

enough to give out after dinner!

Easter Bread

2 pkg active yeast

1/2 cup warm water(105-115 degrees)

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

2 tsp. salt

6 eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

8-9 cups flour

Sprinkle yeast into water in large bowl. Scald milk: Add to milk the 1/2 cup butter and salt, cool to luke warm.Beat eggs & sugar until light and fluffy. Add milk mixture to eggs and stir into yeast with wooden spoon. Put milk/yeast mixture into mixing bowl and use dough hook to incorporate flour. Start with 3 cups and stir in enough additional flour to make soft dough that leaves sides of bowl. Either turn out onto floured surface and knead 8- 10 minutes or use kneading hook on mixer, adding extra flour as necessary or until smooth and elastic. Put in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm place free from drafts for 1 1/2- 2 hours or until doubled. Punch down and let rest 10 minutes. Shape into loaves. Brush with egg wash. cover with PAM sprayed wrap. Let rise 45-50 minutes. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Brush with butter after baking. I made 8 braids from this recipe.

Spring Flowers You Don't Have to Water

On my way to try out these beauties on the diningroom table... doesn't look too hard and I do have an assortment of napkins just crying out to be used.


Want the directions directly from Martha click here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=28b22e912b11f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=napkins&rsc=image_7

Candy Carrots

Needed a few last minute gifts for Easter and with very little time to shop came up with these "Candy Carrots" filled with Easter Candy Corn, Hershey Bars in Pastel Foils and Hershey Kisses. Would have used Jelly Beans or M & M's if I had them but still think they came out cute. Used the tag signed from the Easter Bunny and ribbon I had left from other crafts.

Making Your Own Peeps

In case there is a PEEP shortage any time in the future here's the link to make your own.

http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Making-Marshmallow-Chicks/Detail.aspx?lnkid=1932&ARBMID=1461&ARFMTID=1

Senior Gift Idea

Even though these are listed on EBay from $20-$25 I found them at Tuesday Morning and Marshalls for approximately $6.00. I was looking for something to send to two elderly relatives who are in the middle stages of Alzheimer's. At 80+ years old what can you possibly send to a loved one for their birthday. Finally I decided the sense of touch is so strong and soothing I wanted something "SOFT" and were these ever. I made a little card to go with it about sending a hug and both of them now take them to bed each night in addition to holding them in their lap during the day. They were so soft it was hard to send them on their way! Don't forget to take off the baby tag!