Ressurection rolls

It is Easter, a very special time for us.  A time to remember that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead.  That He died on the cross for you and for me, that we might live eternity in heaven.Sam and Molly know the story of Christ's sacrifice, they know it well, yet  it is still a concept too complex for them  to understand at this age. I wanted to try to find other ways to teach them.  I knew about the Resurrection rolls for a few years, and thought that this was a great tool to let them have  hands on learning.

We had to prepare the ingredients...  mix the sugar and cinnamon 

 

The marshmallow represents Jesus.

Then Jesus is placed in his grave clothes (the crescent roll) and wrapped up tight.

After Jesus dies on the cross, his friends prepare him to be buried by anointing him with oil (dipping the marshmallow in butter)

and spices (rolling it in cinnamon and sugar).

At this point, you put the rolls on the baking sheet and place them in the tomb (oven) and seal the tomb with a big rock (the oven door).

In the oven the marshmallow melts and blends with the cinnamon sugar, making it appear like the marshmallow has disappeared. (ok-- so ours might shave leaked out instead of melting, but hey, it still disappeared right?!)

and we wait

anxiously wait

When you remove the rolls and allow them to cool, you can let your kids open them up to reveal that Jesus is gone! He is risen! Jesus is alive!

not only was it a good object lesson, it was yummy too!

pinterest test-- cabbage soup

This recipe was on pinterest somewhere---  would love to give it credit, but it was before I actually pinned things--  you know, when they allowed you to just lurk without joining.  I was looking for soup that would be good for you since Kirk and I are both trying to lose weight before our upcoming big trip.  I saw it, thought hmmmm, I could give it a try.  It was listed under weight watchers foods.  It was 1 point (though I have not ever done weight watchers and therefore do not understand the point system) so I thought 1 point was a good start.  I read a little further and saw that if you added ground turkey into it it was worth 3 points.  Since I am not such  a huge fan of cooked cabbage, I did not hesitate to add the turkey---  good choice!!

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3 cups nonfat beef broth (beef is the best) or 3 cups nonfat vegetable broth (beef is the best) or 3 cups nonfat chicken broth (beef is the best)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups chopped cabbage
1/2 yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup green beans
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt & pepper

Directions:

1
Spray pot with non stick cooking spray saute onions carrots and garlic for 5 minutes.
2
Add broth, Tomato paste, cabbage, green beans, basil, oregano and Salt & Pepper to taste.
3
Simmer for a about 5-10 minutes until all vegetables are tender then add the zuccini and simmer for another 5 or so minutes.

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result: This soup was actually pretty tasty.  I was really surprised that it had flavor.  I made it in my awesome new electric pressure cooker that my mom bought us for Christmas...  it made it super fast, and tasted as though I had simmered it all day.

would I make it again: yes, I would.  I could see this as a familiar healthy soup dish.

SUCCESS

UPDATE----------
I made this a second time, it was not nearly as good or flavorful.  I did not care for it, not sure what the difference was.  Might try it one more time before the verdict is totally out.

Arboretum 2013 spring break 2

We found lady-bugs...

lots of them

They were fun

to hold

and allow to crawl on our arms.

We search

and hold

and share

these cool little bugs.

tickly

wiggly

bugs.

And 2

 

is always

 

better than one!

Arboretum 2013-- Spring break

Photo heavy post---  sorry, but I thought they turned out pretty cute---  and you know whenever I get a good picture I gotta show it since it is so few and far between :)