I am Happy to Say

that when I posted yesterday about teens not wanting to color Easter eggs....I was wrong!  They did join in and had a good time. Liz got creative, Chrissy took command and Carsen even tried to taste test the egg dye. (a family first). But, the eggs got done and the little guys had a good time. Carsen did feed one egg, shell and all to Trixie , who is now on the look out for the Easter Bunny to get more.


We broke out the FireKing cups to have enough space




Kathy is preparing the dyes



wow, we made pink in Grammas coffee cup

Chrissy adds a name to each egg, even the dogs have an egg

Here is what you look like if you taste the blue dye....he did not try any other color after blue

Carsen allowed limited help, at almost two he thinks he can do it all

I got a little on my hands, not too bad. 

Mike who is about to turn 13 joined in and made a couple "ugly" eggs

Liz and her boyfriend Dakota joined in the fun. she even used stickers. P.s. she is off to nursing school in the fall

busy, busy boys

Kathy read somewhere that you could use grape Koolade to color eggs purple ( her favorite color)   It is more like an ugly brown/grey...

Carsen is telling her "hands off" he wants no help he can do it all by himself

JJ shows off all the colorful eggs he made, he is very patient for being 3

Liz finishing up her eggs with stickers

One happy egg decorator, he will be showing these off. I can't wait to see his face when someone tries to eat one.

The eggs are all done and we had a good time. I am really glad the teens joined in. It was also nice to see them take over and do what I have done for them all these years. They will all make great parents when the time comes. family traditions are so very important and to keep these going is a big thing.   Thanks kids for making my day!

Carsens work is done so he is enjoying a sucker. We will get it all cleaned up, then off to watch The Velveteen Bunny.

Make your own Easter Egg dye

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/more-holidays/homemade-easter-egg-dye-00000000056344/index.html

How to Make Blue


Ingredients
1 pound frozen blueberries (about 3½ cups)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions
1. On the stovetop, bring frozen blueberries and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Pour colored liquid into a cup or bowl, straining out the blueberries with a strainer.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice.



How to Make Yellow

Ingredients
2 tablespoons turmeric
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar
Directions

1. On the stovetop, bring turmeric and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Pour colored liquid into a cup or bowl.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar.


How to Make Orange

Ingredients
2 tablespoons paprika
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar
Directions

1. On the stovetop, bring paprika and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Pour colored liquid into a cup or bowl.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar.


How to Make Pink


Ingredients
12 ounces frozen raspberries (about 3½ cups)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions
1. On the stovetop, bring frozen raspberries and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Pour colored liquid into a cup or bowl, straining out the raspberries with a strainer.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

How to Make Brown

Ingredients
¼ cup instant coffee granules
2 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon vinegar

Directions
1. In a cup or bowl, stir coffee granules and boiling water together.
2. Add 1 tablespoon vinegar.


How to Make Green

Directions In a bowl or cup, mix one part blue liquid with one part yellow liquid.

Trixie watching for the Easter Bunny!

I am off to get the final prep done for The Montello Easter Bunny Parade today at 1:00. What started out a few years back as a handful of kids has grown to be alot of fun for all ages. The sun is shining, the snow is gone and hubby, Matt and Liz are downtown right now hanging balloons on the light posts. I am charging the video camera and my digital to catch the fun and get some new photos with the "BUNNY"

Almost Easter

  As I sit looking out my window it is hard to believe that even though Easter falls later this year that my view is covered in snow!

Yes, my bluebirds are back and looked quite confused as the flakes kept falling yesterday. The school closed early, the snow piled high and it did not seem to want to stop.  This morning we had a two hour delay for the school opening because there was not a plow in sight.  Thankfully the plow did pass and the kids are off to school and I can get to my daily list of things to do.  With some cute outfits being finished I have buttons to sew on and then the task of listing them on Etsy.

 I have been trying to use the suggestions for increasing visitors to my shop by following http://www.handmadeology.com/social-media-blitz-free-5-day-ecourse/  So many wonderful ideas and helpful tips. I could spend the day just reading on that site.

But then like alot of you I have to prepare for Easter. We have dinner at home with guests and now the two little guys are very into the Easter Bunny and all its magic. So, I am looking into some fun table markers we can make together and looking for that perfect dessert to end the day. JJ already has his Easter cake mix box with matching frosting on the counter. Cupcakes are a must for him. The menu I would love to change up a bit. We always have ham but maybe a new sidedish without causing my hubby ( who is a creature of habit) to freak out as the kids say. I saw a nice spinach and strawbeery salad that looked good. More reading will have to be done and then the list making before I set off for my final tri to the store. Right now my list consists of jelly beans, peeps and robins eggs......I think we need real food.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carrot-Cake-2/Detail.aspx
Carrot Cake By: Marc Boyer

"Here's and old-fashioned carrot cake that's got more carrots than spice. Pecans can be substituted for walnuts."
Original Recipe Yield 15 to 18 servings

Ingredients

2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup flaked coconut
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. Set aside.
2.In a large bowl, mix together sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk. Stir in carrots, coconut, vanilla, and pineapple. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; gently stir into carrot mixture. Stir in chopped nuts. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3.Bake for 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool.
4.In a medium mixing bowl, combine butter or margarine, cream cheese, vanilla, and confectioners sugar. Blend until creamy. Frost cake while still in the pan.

 I found a darling place setting idea at http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/03/adorable-place-card-holders-for-your.html  I am going to crochet my daffodils  http://www.larkcrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/9781600598784_eproject.pdf

though and maybe not use real grass as I dont think I have enough time left. I am tired of the same old and determined to jazz things up a bit this year. I will have to let you know how that goes over with the rest of the family.

Carrots Anyone?

This morning started sunny and warm here in Wisconsin. With such a cheerful start I got right to the task of packaging orders and getting some new items ready for the shop.http://www.grammasgifts.etsy.com/ Easter is not far off and the latest crop of emails has asked about Bunny hats. Here is what is available right now. There is time for some custom orders as long as they come in quick.  Of course, there will always be that one person wh waits until the day before to ask if I can rush a hat off to Alaska or something.   NOT posible

Oh no, a grey hare!

baby bunny diaper cover and hat

Perky pretty girl bunny,  ps JJ does not want to model girl hats anymore!

camo bunny hat

chocolate bunny

this bunny looks like he fell in the Easter egg dye

With Easter coming up quick I have several new projects in the works....Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Nemo like fish and some fun purses for Moms and the girls. I do need to fina\d a few more boy things to work on though.

With my packages done I am off to fix a batch of the carrot cake cupcakes. I am listing them on todays menu as a veggie!

By the way I have made 2 batches of the almond croissants and they were wonderful. The second batch I made in small croissants I bought at save a Lot and they were perfect for a brunch or bake sale. I would have taken pictures but they don't seem to last long enough at my house.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Ingredients


2 cups plain flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn oil
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
4 eggs
2 cups grated carrots
1 can (440g) of crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup dessicated coconut
1/2 cup ground nuts
3 handfuls of raisins
Cream Cheese Frosting

1 tsp vanilla extarct
3 oz. Philly cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup icing sugar



1.Preheat oven at 350. Place 24 cupcake liners in pans. Set aside.

2.In a large bowl, mix everything but flour, eggs and oil, taking care to mix well. Add oil and stir vigorously to combine. Add eggs in one at a time, combining well after each . Add flour in 2 batches, mixing till just combined.

3.Pour mixture into liners. Bake for about an 25 to 30 minutes., or till a skewer inserted into the middle of the cupcake comes up clean.

4.To make frosting Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, vanilla and butter together till well combined. Add icing sugar and combine well. When cupcakes has cooled completely, spread evenly over top .


Hope you have a bright sunny day and enjoy the recipe!

Plans are being finalized

for this years Easter Bunny Parade and GROWN-Up Easter Egg Hunt.

After Monday nights City Safety Meeting approved some of our upcoming event details we met Wednesday morning at Rustic Bar and Grill to get the plans finalized.
Friday April 10th we will be holding a Easter Bunny Bake Sale at The Garden Center at 505 Main St. in Montello. Proceeds from this sale will help us fund the upcoming Montello Daze celebration in May.

I would love to get some new recipes for bake sale item so please comment and leave me yours!
Saturday April 11th from 10 to 5 there will be a Grown-up Easter Egg hunt in some of the participating shops downtown. Eggs have been filled with coupons, discounts and prizes from many of the Montello businesses. As for shop owners you NEED NOT be open to get your coupons etc. in the eggs and distributed to the particpating hunt locations. Refreshment swill be available in the shops and it should be alot of fun. At 1:oo the Easter Buuny will find his way to the City Clock on the corner of hwy 22 and hsy.23 and lead the kids and adults ina parade through the downtown. Please wear your favorite, funniest, prettiest of most colorful hat as prizes will be given at the end of the parade whe we stop at Daggett Park for photos and time to talk to the Bunny. Bring the family and enjoy the day in downtown Montello !