Chocolate “Ginger” Bread House

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Sunny

My kids like the Gingerbread House tradition at Christmas time, but, along with my husband, most of them don’t really like the taste of gingerbread.  This puts a damper on the project, since we traditionally destroy and eat the house on New Year’s Eve.  So my most enthusiastic and capable building child suggested that we try leaving out the ginger and putting in chocolate.

I had to adapt the recipe a bit to account for the cocoa powder, but it worked out quite well, and my husband loves the chocolate smell when he comes in the kitchen where the house is.

Chocolate “Ginger” Bread
1 1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
3 3/4 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small pan, warm corn syrup, brown sugar, shortening, and cocoa powder over medium heat, stirring until smooth.

In a large bowl, combine flour and mixture from pan. I added a tablespoon or two of water to my later batches which made it much easier to mix and roll out on the pan, but required a minute more cooking and a longer time to harden (which was fine, but scared me at first!) Mix well until a still dough forms. Spray a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan generously with cooking spray and sprinkle with flour. Roll dough out evenly to cover the entire pan.

Bake about 11 minutes. I found much more time made it harden too quickly, and I didn’t have time to cut the house pattern out.  After removing from oven, turn bread out on a cutting surface.  I just put a roll cloth on the counter, and after allowing the bread to cool briefly, I placed the pattern on the bread and cut out the pieces.  Then I let them cool and harden over night (though they didn’t need that long.)

We got our free pattern from ultimategingerbread.com, but I would recommend a smaller, simpler pattern than the town houses we did unless you’re experienced or have a lot of time.  I made several batches to make all the pieces.  In case you need a recipe for the frosting, which hardens into cement (so make sure you keep your frosting tips under a wet rag when you set them down), here is the one I use:

Royal Frosting
3 eggs whites
1 pound powdered sugar
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Whip all ingredients together for about 10 minutes (you need stiff peaks).

This is a fun project to do with kids that are eager to create it, but it is not quick.  We enjoyed decorating the house throughout the week.  I put the frosting bag with the frosting still in it with the tip tucked in a wet rag all in a sealed container in the fridge and got it out when we had a moment and another inspiration.  The little ones can hardly believe we have to wait until New Year’s Eve to eat anything off of it, but I’m sure the wait will only make it sweeter!  And dipping that crunchy chocolate “bread” in milk will be an extra treat this year.

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Bringing Sweetness to the Rush of the Season

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Heidi

Ah, the Christmas joys of this time of year!  The sugarplum fairies that dance in our heads, the caring and the sharing, the giving and the getting of gifts and Christmas cards, and holiday home-baked cookies for Santa, because, as we teach our children, “he has worked all night, and this can show him our gratitude”.

And perhaps there are those around us who, like Santa, are working double-time to help us spread the joy of the season to our friends and family.  There are people, often strangers, who are intertwined and often essential in this “giving and getting” that can easily be overlooked and quite likely don’t even make it on our own list of recipients.

The first time I noticed these “Santa Claus” workers was 2 years ago in a post offce.  I watched the over-worked postal workers work at double speed to care for the packages and letters of hurried customers, each rushing to get their packages sent out before it’s too late to arrive on Christmas.

The customers, relieved their package got sent, would often leave with little expression of gratitude and the postal worker would hollar, “Next!”

The next time I came in I brought a plate of cookies and a “thank you” for working in high gear to help spread someone else’s holiday cheer.

And how about the employees at shops in the midst of the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, especially at grocery stores, gas stations, and large stores like Walmart or Target where some work on Christmas Eve, or even Christmas day.  Sure they’re getting paid overtime, but often you can tell in their eyes they’d rather be somewhere else.

Or how about the Salvation Army bell ringers and others who try to bring joy to those less fortunate?

Just like Santa, they’d all probably enjoy a plate of cookies, (or truffles, like the posts below), or at least a great “thank you”.   Having your kids join in the baking and giving can teach them lessons of gratitude, as well.

Post a comment with anyone else you can think of who sometimes gets lost in the rush of the season, or a comment about your own experience sharing gratitude with the often overlooked.

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Kid-Made Christmas Goodies

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Janae

School is almost out and that means, it’s time for the kids and I to start our yearly tradition of making Christmas goodies together. Now, if you’re a chocolate or candy connoisseur and you love the fancy stuff, then this may not be for you. But, if you love making yummy treats with your kids. Ones where they can really delve in and do the majority of the baking, then these recipes are perfect!

They are my three favorite and make for great gifts. Put them in a tin and give as gifts to neighbors, friends, your kids’ teachers and bus drivers. Everyone would be happy to receive a homemade gift like this one. Oh, and don’t forget to make extra. You’ll want plenty for you and the kids too!

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients:
2 cups (12 oz. package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

For stove top: Combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a medium, heavy duty saucepan. Warm over lowest possible heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in nuts and vanilla extract.

For microwave: Somehow I always do better with the microwave. The chocolate seems to melt smoother. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir. Continue microwaving for 1 minute intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted and smooth. Stir in nuts and vanilla extract.

Spread evenly into lightly greased baking pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Life from pan; remove foil. Cut into pieces and serve.

How to involve kids: Let them do the stirring, pouring and cutting. Every step is easy as fudge 🙂

Truffles

Ingredients:
3 cups chocolate (any kind is great…mix and match for great flavors)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
toppings (sprinkles, chopped pecans, crushed candy canes, powdered sugar, powdered sugar mixed with hot cocoa…the ideas are endless)

Melt chocolate chips over medium low heat. Just before they are totally melted, add sweetened condensed milk and continue melting. The mixture will begin to get thick. When completely melted, remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Place in a bowl and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Roll into 1 inch balls (a melon baller can be helpful here if you have one…if not, use a spoon and your hands to roll the balls).

Roll balls in prepared toppings. You can serve right away or store them in the refrigerator. Don’t need them for awhile? They freeze great and can be pulled out for a special treat anytime during the holidays.

How to involve the kids: Just like the fudge, they can do all the stirring, etc. But, their favorite task is to hammer the candy canes. Just place candy canes a ziploc bag. Put that bag in another ziploc as they are bound to put holes in the bag). Squeeze out all the air and then arm your child with a hammer and a cutting board. Let them smash up those candy canes until they are small pieces. Have fun coming up with toppings. A favorite one year was raspberry flavored hot chocolate. YUM! This year, I think I’ll use Nestle’s dark chocolate and Mint chocolate chips for some especially tasty truffles.

And, for my personal favorite kid-made treat:

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

White chocolate chips
Candy Canes or Peppermint Candies

Put chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high until melted. Crush peppermints into tiny bits (see description above). Add to white chocolate. Stir. Spread over large cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. When set, break into pieces and serve. For more variety, you can add red or green food coloring to the white chocolate for festive color.

How to involve the kids: My kids make this by themselves, start to finish. Let them do the melting, the smashing of candy canes and the stirring. Then, let them spread it out on the sheet. Their favorite part (besides the smashing) is breaking it up into pieces. The pieces can be mismatched and of all sizes and shapes, making it the perfect kid-made Christmas treat.

Happy Chocolate Making and Eating! Have fun with the kids!

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Oreo Truffles

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Cheri

This recipe may seem very familiar to many of you.  Or it may be a breakthru for you in the department of deliciousness.  I remember the first time I had one of these bad boys and I just about fell off my seat.  True to form, I’ve changed the recipe and I have to admit I really like this way of making these better than the other recipes I’ve seen and used.  So even if you’ve had them before, try it this way and see how it compares.  If this is your first endeavor, get ready to be amazed!

OREO TRUFFLES

  •  36 Oreos (one pkg, minus 9 cookies)
  • 1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • Toppings (chopped nuts, sprinkles, drizzled chocolate, etc.)

Using a food processor, blend the cookies to create fine crumbs.  Combine crumbs and cream cheese in mixing bowl and beat using an electric mixer or stand mixer for 4 minutes, until smooth and creamy.  Roll into 1-inch balls and place on cookie sheets and freeze for 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, melt chocolate by microwaving in glass bowl for 30 seconds.  Stir and microwave again for 15 seconds.  Stir and microwave for 7 seconds at a time until completely melted, stirring between.  You can add one drop of oil to chocolate for smoothness.  Remove Oreo balls from freezer and dip into the chocolate, coating completely.  Place on cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.  Sprinkle with toppings  or drizzle with leftover chocolate.  Freeze until serving.  Allow to sit at room temperature 5 minutes before eating.

VARIATIONS:  Use 28 different flavor Oreos (mint, peanut butter, chocolate, etc.) plus 8 regular Oreos for different flavored truffles.  Use different flavored baking chips (butterscotch, peanut butter, mint, etc). 

Drizzle these with orange for Halloween, use white chocolate and drizzle with red (white chocolate dyed red) for Valentines day, use white chocolate dyed green for St. Patty’s…these are great for any occasion!  Send them to work with your husband to become the office favorite wife.  Put them in a little tin and give them as a perfect Christmas gift or Mother’s Day gift, or ANY DAY gift!

Enjoy!

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My Winter Organization Tip

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Kerri

Go from This:

To This:

With a Shoe Organizer.  It holds all our hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves.

Everything is easy to reach.  Easy to put back.  It’s plastic so wipes clean from melted snow.  And when winter’s gone, just roll it up as is and pack away, already organized for next year.

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“The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” Picture Book Recommendation

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Sunny

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, written by Susan Wojciechowski and illustrated by P.J. Lynch, is one of our favorite Christmas books.  The story is meaningful and embodies the true spirit of Christmas.  It touches both young (not too young, though, maybe 5 and up) and old.  As I read it, I want to be more understanding of others, more kind, giving, and considerate.  The illustrations are beautiful works of art that also contribute to a desire to be more Christlike at this time of year when we celebrate His birth.

There is a movie adaption of this story, but I haven’t seen it yet.  I would like to, particularly after seeing the trailer.

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Simple, Homemade, and Inexpensive Gifts for Kids

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Janae

The Holiday Season is full of so many wonderful memories for me. The fudge, the hot chocolate, the Christmas movies, the music, and on and on. But, some of my fondest memories were made in our laundry room at the sewing table. Each year, my mom would encourage us to make presents for each other. We’d lock ourselves in the laundry room and go to work. We made pajamas, soap, pillowcases and much, much more. Ironically, I’ve never repeated any of those projects with my own kids. My mom has much more sewing expertise and creativity. But, I have continued the tradition of having my kids make gifts for each other. Each year, I search the internet for great ideas. From there, I simplify the ideas and my kids get started. So as not to pretend like any of my ideas are originals, I’ve posted their original locations here so you can get all the directions you need. Remember, these are all easily made by kids with a bit of parental guidance.  They are also very inexpensive since my kids pay for their supplies.  Happy Gift Making!

1. An I Spy Bag Give to: Age 3-5   Made by: Age 6+    Instructions:  http://rosie-baby-crafty.blogspot.com/2007/08/i-spy-bags.html My total Cost: $2 per bag

How I simplified:  First, I used fleece.  No need to worry about seams and fraying that way.  Second, I used scraps of fabric I already had.  I didn’t worry about the 8X8 size, but instead made rectangles due to the size of fabric I had on hand.  Third, I just searched the house for trinkets.  You’d be surprised how many you already have.  To save even more money, you can use rice.  The $2 I spent was for the poly beads from the store.  Rice would have cost less and is nearly as great.  Fourth, USE TISSUE PAPER!  The plastic is a pain to sew with since it will stick to your machine.  So, pin tissue paper over the plastic and sew directly on to the tissue paper.  When you’re done sewing just tear the tissue paper away.  It will save you a lot of stress.  Easy project.  Lots of fun.

2.  Leaf Bookmarks    Give to:  Anyone   Made by: 2+

This project is so easy and so perfect for toddlers.  My 3 year old son and I went on a walk together just as the autumn leaves were starting to fall.  He had so much fun gathering leaves for his Christmas presents.  Once we got home, he helped me place them in books to flatten them.  We left them for a week and then set them all out on the table.  While you can press the leaves directly into the contact paper, I chose to glue them onto paper first.  Cut the paper to the size you want.  Then, let your little one pick out leaves and hand them to you.  Glue them to the paper with gluesticks.  Just put the glue on the paper and lay the leaf on top.  Once the glue is dry, cover entire bookmark with contact paper, leaving a 1/8-1/4 inch edge.

3.  Road/Village Car Mat

Have you ever seen these?  They’re lots of fun.  We had one years ago that Cheri had given my kids for Christmas.  But, in time it wore out and after a few moves, we gave it away, much to my dismay.  But, a couple of years ago, when my 7 year old, at the time, was looking for a gift to make for his younger brother, we decided to make this classic toy into a fun, simple, and absolutely free project.  


All you need is a big white box and markers.  Cut the box so it can lay flat.  You’ll want one large rectangle.  If you can’t find one, you can always pay a few bucks and get a display board in the craft section at Walmart.  That’s what we chose to do.  Then, have your child use a pencil to draw his village.  When he’s all done, fill it all in with markers and crayons.  Sure, it’s not professional.  But, believe me, this mat has been a favorite toy for 2 years now.  

4.  Fleece Scarves, Mittens, and Hats!  Made by:  5+  Make for:  Anyone  Instructions:  http://familycrafts.about.com/od/fleececlothesaccess/Fleece_Projects_Clothes_and_Accessories.htm


This gift is super easy and very fun for the kids to make.  Let them help with cutting out the patterns, pushing the pedal while you sew, and cutting the tassles for the scarves and hat.  It’s also very cheap.  Your only cost is the fleece, which you can find cheapest at Walmart.

5.  Homemade Thank You Cards  Made By:  Any Age   Make For:  Anyone.  Especially great for teachers!

This is the perfect and easiest gift.   All you’ll need is Cardstock and 4-3/8 X 5-3/4 envelopes (available at your local paper store, like Xpedx).  Cut each piece of cardstock in half across the middle, leaving two rectangles, each measuring 5.5 X 8.5.  Then, fold each rectangle in half so that you have a small card, measuring 4.25 X 5.5.  Have your child, draw, paint, or color on the outside flap of the card.  Make as many as you want.  If you are a bit more computer savvy, you can also scan artwork of any size into your computer and size it down in a word document.  Just print 2 pictures per page on the upper half of a landscape layout.  Cut and fold.

6.  Homemade Jewelry    Made By: 4+  Made for:  Any age


My son loves to do beads.  He always has.  So, each year, he makes jewelry for his older sister.  Last year, I discovered a bead kit from the craft section of Walmart which was inexpensive (about $2) and perfect for him.  It had all the beads, string, etc. that he would need to make a few necklaces and bracelets.  I just attached a quilting needle (large and basically blunt) to the clear beading elastic and left him to make his own designs.  When he was done, I tied a knot and put a dab of clear nail polish on the knot to seal it.

7.  A purse   Made by: 5+   Made for:  Any age  Instructions:  http://familycrafts.about.com/od/craftyaccessories/ss/simplepurse.htm

To be honest, this is the next project my son and I will be doing.  I haven’t done it yet, so I can’t testify of how simple it is.  But, it looks easy, so we’re going for it.  I’ll have him cut out the pattern, help push the pedal while I sew and voila!  We’ll have a purse.  I’m using scraps of fabrics from other projects so his final price:  $0.

I hope these ideas get your creativity rolling.  Each year as Christmas comes, I ask the kids what they are most excited about.  Without fail, they tell me about the homemade gifts they made and how they can’t wait to see their brothers and sisters open them.  I’m always surprised by how much that joy far outweighs their excitement for what they may receive.  It’s a treasure to cherish.  I hope these and other homemade gifts bring you that joy this season.  Merry Christmas!

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Really Big Snowflake

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Heidi

My mom suggested these while I was heading up an art class last year.  They are so easy 4 year olds can do them.  The children LOVED this, and were so proud of how beautiful they turned out.  To be honest, it is difficult to not have it look beautiful!

Let it snow, let it snow!

I could give you a list of instructions, but I found this video on youtube, and even better, it has a soundtrack!  Cool!  Merry Christmas!

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Keeping the Spirit of the Season

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Cheri

Do you feel like Christmas gets more and more about Santa and less and less about Christ each year?  To be honest, I know I contribute to this feeling because one of my favorite things about Christmas is GIVING gifts.  I think about gifts all year round, starting my shopping in May and June, scouring garage sales and thrift stores for great steals, and starting projects in the summer when I have more time.  Then, as Christmas nears, I can’t wait to wrap presents and I get so giddy about giving them on Christmas day.  I can hardly wait.  So I can understand when my kids get excited about GETTING the presents I’ve been so excited about GIVING.

But that’s not what I want Christmas to be about.  Christmas is about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  It’s about service.  It’s about giving.  It’s about serving others.  It’s about love and light.  It is not about getting gifts, or Santa coming, or whether we can bribe our children to be “nice” for one month out of the year.  Yes, those things add to the magic of Christmas, but I don’t want them to be the focus in our home. 

Don’t get me wrong.  We build up Santa BIG in our family.  My two year old is in love with the big man.  She talks about him year round.  While she refuses to sit on his lap, he comes close to being her favorite person.  So our Christmas isn’t DEVOID of Santa, it’s just heavier on Christ.  At least we try to make it that way.

I’ve loved reading online other blogger’s ideas of having a Christ centered CHRISTmas.  I love their ideas.  I love Heidi’s post about the service count-down chain.  Here are some things we’ve done in our home this year to keep us focused on Christ:

First, our decorations.  I’ve tried to keep Santa out of our decorations as much as possible.  Our main decorations are our nativities which sit in our most used room: the dining room. 

We talk about them often and use them as props to explain the Christmas story…over and over and over.  We even have this excellent wood and felt set that is great for kids that they can play with in the playroom.  It is really simple to make and fun to have. 

I also just finished making this wonderful advent calendar.  I love counting down the days to Christmas, but I want the countdown to have meaning.  This advent calendar is simple, but the pieces you put on the tree each day are elements of the nativity scene.  I love that!  These pieces are made from shrinky-dinks…can’t beat that!  It was so fun to remember using shrinky-dinks as a kid.

Finally, I made our stockings to reflect the Christmas story.  It flows in order, so the first is my husbands: the scriptures being opened to Luke 2.  Mine is the angel appearing to Joseph in a dream and also to Mary, telling them they would be the parents of the Savior of the world.  Next comes Joseph and Mary’s travels to Bethlehem.  Then they are told there is no room in the inn, so Mary delivers Jesus in the stable.  Next, there are shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  We’ve made 4 more for the children we hope to have that will show the angels coming to the shepherds, the wise men coming, and then finally the manger scene with angels, shepherds, and wise men adoring the holy family (yeah, I know it’s not historically correct).  I love looking at them and having the story predominantly on our wall.

We have been reading the parts in the New Testament that recount the different elements of the Christmas story, like in Matthew chapter 1 and 2, and Luke 2.  The girls don’t listen too well, but at least we’re trying, right?

Each Christmas Eve growing up was the most spiritual feast about Christ and Christmas in the season.  The entire thing was focused on our Savior, be it thru song, scripture reading, service, nativity reenactments, etc.  I love doing that and really drawing on the power of the spirit at such an important time.

And finally, this year we’ve started a list of Gifts of Service to our Savior Jesus Christ.  I want my girls and my family to be looking for ways to serve others.  My oldest is loving this and looks at the list daily (though she can’t read all the words) because she knows that she has done some of the things on the list.  She’s looking for more and more ways to serve.  I love that.

There are hundreds of other ways to bring Christ into CHRISTmas.  These are just a few that we’ve done this year.  I hope to add more and more each year.

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Keepin ‘Em Busy

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Kerri

Lines…car rides…more lines…errands…grocery stores…doctors visits…waiting rooms…

It’s the season of Giving and also can be the season of running around being busy.  This can be fun, but also really taxing on the little ones.

Too often I’m standing in the helpless situation wishing I had SOME idea of rescuing myself from a potentially embarrassing moment of “Gain Control Of Your Kids Now”.  If you stumble upon this moment yourself in the upcoming weeks, perhaps these quick thoughts can come to mind:

Some tips on keeping them happy and busy while you get things done while out and about?

*at the store or mall*

Tally Ho: Let your child keep track of how many teddy bears (or people wearing purple shirts or men with moustaches) he can see while strolling through the mall. Give him a piece of paper and a crayon to keep count, and tally his finds at the end of your outing.

Talk to the Hand: Put a small plastic shopping bag on your hand, and, as you push your child in her stroller or a cart, let the plastic bag be a puppet, narrating what you see and “talking” to your child.

Get The Wiggles Out:  Take a break.  Shopping will be more fun for everyone if the kids can recycle some energy.  Most malls have play areas, and if not, rides on the escalators can be just as fun.  Or stopping in a toy store to play for a few minutes.  Turn your focus on them for 10 minutes, and they are more apt to stay with you for the long haul.

*in the waiting room*

Magazine “I Spy”:  Open a magazine to a page with lots of photos.  Tell your child that you spy something green, or something he likes to eat.  He guesses what you’re looking at (you can give him “warm” and “cold” hints), then it’s your turn.

Mini-hide-and-seek: Close your eyes, and ask your child to hide a small toy in the waiting room for you to find.  Now hide it yourself.  Or, to keep still, draw a small doodle in a notebook.  Close the notebook, then have your child find it again.

Insta-Puzzle:  Tear a magazine subscription card into four or five pieces, and have your child put them back together.

Float Or Sink:  I was desperate, but this worked!  If you have a half-filled water bottle or sippy cup and lots of junk and crumbs in your diaper bag, this is for you.  Let your child see what floats or sinks.  How about a little piece of paper or a piece of cereal?  A raisin?  A coin?

*in the car*

Magnet Magic:  Give your child a baking sheet with plenty of big fun-shaped magnets on it to move around and play with (easy to stash under the seat when he’s not using it!)

Laughing All the Way:  You say “ha”.  They say “ha-ha”.  Now you add one more “ha”.  The object: to keep the ha’s going without actually laughing (but it gets your kids giggling!)

Stickers:  Just keep them in your purse, and a sturdy piece of cardboard.  In the car, in line, at the store, this easy and absorbing craft goes everywhere with you and you can pull it out in a pinch.

*waiting in line*

Cereal Drop:  Set an empty cup on the floor next to you and challenge your kids to drop a piece of cereal, coin, small toy, or anything else in your pockets into the cup.

Strike a Pose:  Both of you make a funny face and hold it until the line moves.  The first person to move before the line progresses “loses” and the other person gets to invent the next pose.

Yes, I’ve done each of these activities for the sake of my sanity and my kids happiness.  And surprisingly, it works.  The errand goes better, and I feel like I’ve done something to connect with them through the business we call errands. 

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