Sheep Rice Crispy Treats

This week I am teaching the lesson of the Good Shepard (John 10:11-18) so I made the kids some little sheep treats.  These were so easy to make! I actually had everything at my house that I needed for this project.


Supply List:

Rice crispy treats

white chocolate

 Jet puffed mallow bits

large round piece of chocolate

candy eyes

pink flower sprinkle

Directions:

Melt the white chocolate.  I used store-bought Rice Crispy treats (shh! Don't tell anyone). I cut each Rice Crispy treat in half and laid them out on parchment paper.

Dip each Rice Crispy treat into the melted white chocolate and immediately sprinkle them with the Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits.

The Mallow Bits can be found in the baking aisle or near the hot chocolate in the grocery store.

Using some melted white chocolate glue the candy eyes and pink nose onto the round piece of chocolate. In a pinch you could use a Hershey's Kiss with the point cut off. Then "glue" the little face onto the sheep body with some additional melted chocolate.

The kids loved these treats. And they were a great reminder of our Good Shepard lesson.

Earth Day Rings

Today I  made some Earth Day rings. I am substitute teaching Religion class this Wednesday - which also happens to be Earth Day. And when I was emailed the lesson - the last part of the lesson was taking care of the Earth that God gave us. So I made the kids little Earth Day rings.

I simply hot glued some "Earth" beads onto some little silver rings.

I found the little silver rings in the wedding section at Michael's. And I have a ton left over - so perhaps I will plan a Meals on Wheels ring project.

Every day should be Earth Day. Reuse, recycle and repurpose. Less is more.

Tennis Team Party Favors

I made some party favors for a teens team party this Tuesday. I happened to have everything at my house for this project except the yellow candy. I had the little jars left over from some little project, the yellow paint leftover from the tennis ball Christmas ornament and the yellow balls from a very long time ago!

The first thing that I did was paint the silver jar lids with several coasts of yellow paint.

I save pieces of cardboard to use for my paint projects.

I bought these tennis ball cupcake toppers along time ago! And I had a ton left over form the cupcake project.

So I broke the bottom portion off! So that I could hot glue the tennis ball on top of the lid.

While the paint was drying and the hot glue setting up - I went to Party City to buy some yellow candy to fill all the little jars.

I filled the little jars with the yellow Sixlets.

Then I found the perfect basket and put all of the little jars in the basket to bring on Tuesday. I feel so organized. 

I had the little jars left over from another project - but I am pretty sure they came from the wedding favor section at Michael's. If you did not want to paint the lids you could cover the top of the lid with a round piece of scrapbook paper and hot glue a piece of ribbon around the lid.

Tennis Anyone?

Peace Sign Hershey Bars

Today I am substitute teaching my favorite 5th grade Religion class. I mentioned in the peace Sign necklace post that I am using the Peace Sign to reinforce the message that Jesus says to his disciples after the Resurrection. Jesus says to them, "Peace be with you." So I wrapped some Hershey bars in bright colored scrapbook paper. I added Peace sign stickers and glued on some Peace sign beads. I think they came out super cute.

I used the standard size Hershey bar. But the Hershey bars come in a snack size and jumbo size. Another flat candy bar that is fun to wrap is the Kit Kat bar. These bars could be made for team, classroom treats or a birthday party favor. Scrapbook paper comes in every color and you can find stickers or beads in almost any theme.

Once you get your candy bars - cut out a pattern out of plain white paper. Then cut out the scrapbook paper and tape the scrapbook paper around the candy bar.

The stickers and beads really make the candy bars look fun. But you could add flower or baseball stickers - whatever you or your child would enjoy.

I think my 5th graders will really like this treat! Peace be with you!

Peace Sign Necklaces

I have been asked to substitute teach my favorite 5th grade class this week. The lesson is the third Sunday of Easter - the Gospel of Luke 24:35-48.  The Gospel is basically after the resurrection when Jesus comes into the locked room where his disciples were gathered and said, "Peace be with you."

So to reiterate the "Peace be with you" message I made the classroom some peace Sign Necklaces.

To make these necklaces you just need a few things - beads, wire, scissors, twine and a long nose pliers. I was actually thinking these would be cute to make in bright colors and tied onto wrapped gifts.

I already had the twine, scissors and pliers - so I just needed to buy some wire and beads.

I bought the wire and beads at Michael's. 

I used these pliers to wrap the wire around the beads.

Using sharp scissors cut a five inch piece of wire and thread the beads and use the plier to form a circle. 

Cut a three inch piece of wire and make a straight line down the middle of the circle. Use pliers to wrap the wire around the top and bottom of the circle.

After all the circles have a straight line cut another piece of wire about three inches long.

Twist the wire around the lower section of the straight line and add beads. Twisting each side down to make the Peace Sign.

If these were made a little larger they would make terrific Christmas ornaments. Especially if they were made in red.

The last step is to add the twine to form a necklace. A thin ribbon could also be used - but since I have boys and girls in the class I went with the twine. 

Peace be with you!

Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

This sandwich is my new pre-tennis breakfast. It is so delicious and filling.

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread

peanut butter

banana slices

butter

powdered sugar

Directions:

Spread both slices of bread with peanut butter. Lay banana slices on the peanut butter layer of one slice of bread. But the other slice on top and lightly spread some butter on the outside of each slid of bread and lightly grill the sandwich. Cut in half and sprinkle with a little powdered sugar.

This is also a great after school snack. 

Key Lime Pie

Nothing screams Springtime like a homemade Key Lime Pie. I make Key Lime Pie all the time because it is one of my husband's favorite desserts.

This year I made a Key Lime Pie for dessert on Easter Sunday. Then I made another pie again tonight.

I found this awesome recipe on home based mom. I knew I had to try it because she added sour cream and I have never made a Key Lime Pie with sour cream!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

5 tablespoons of butter, melted

2-14 ounce cans of sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup sour cream

3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

lime slices, lime zest and whipped cream for garnish

Directions:

In a pie plate combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Gently stir together until combined and press the crumbs down.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the condensed milk, lime juice and sour cream in a medium sized bowl. Throw in a few tablespoons of lime zest!

Pour the lime juice mixture into the prepared crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Turn off  the oven and let the pie sit in the oven for 30 minutes. Chill for 3 or 4 hours.

After the pie has chilled it can be decorated with lime slices. And whipped cream.

This pie would be perfect to serve at your next dinner party or to bring to a BBQ.