Turtle Cheesecake

 Got this recipe from my good friend Betty, made a couple changes, and made it for my two-year anniversary dinner.

Ingredients:
1 store-bought graham cracker crust
2 pkgs (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
caramel topping
chopped pecans, optional

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Pour half of the mixture into pie plate.

2. Add cocoa powder to remaining cream cheese mixture in bowl; beat on low speed until smooth. Spoon over vanilla mixture in pie plate. Swirl mixtures slightly with tip of knife. (I actually forgot to swirl, but it doesn't really affect the taste, so it's okay.)

3. Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until center is set. (Do not insert knife into cheesecake because the hole may cause cheesecake to crack as it cools.) Cool at room temperature 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled. Serve with caramel topping (and pecans). Store covered in refrigerator. 

Primary Song Board

I made this as a way for the children to pick which songs to sing in primary. I took the side of cardboard box and covered it with white paper (I used 12x12 sheets and the edges are hidden under the tree, grass, and water). Then I cut out pieces for the tree, grass, pond, and clouds. I "laminated" the board using packing tape. I covered all the pocket pieces separately, then used packing tape around the edges to create pockets for the animals to rest in. I made the animals using my handy dandy Cricut (New Arrival and Wild Card cartridges). I wrote a song on the back of each animal, then "laminated" them. I think it came out super cute, and the kids love using it to pick songs.

Cardboard VHS Shelves

Well, we had lots of cardboard boxes and packing tape, and I really needed a way to store all our VHS tapes without spending any money (since we don't have any to spend). I was met with a lot of skepticism when I said I was going to make shelves out of cardboard. Well, who's laughing now?

Okay, but seriously, I don't know why I enjoy making things like this, but I do. I mean, making things out of cheap supplies, and making them work! Sure, it's ghetto, but I kind of like that.

McCoy-Ward Wedding

Made this for my "baby" brother's wedding. The wedding was in Idaho, but I couldn't get up there until the day before, so I had to make the cake in Utah, then transport it there. I covered the layers with fondant, then we transported them in separate containers. I also made all of the flowers (out of gumpaste) in advance. On the day of the wedding, we assembled the whole thing. It came together absolutely perfectly.

Dalton Wedding

Made this for my friend's wedding. Fondant base with white buttercream details and fondant flowers.

A Mother's Song

I used to hold your hand,
Now I hold on to hope
That I'll see you again some day.
Knowing that you're still mine
Has helped me to cope
Now that you're gone away.

Too lovely, too pure
To stand this world of sin.
So God called you home
To live safely with him.
While it's true, I miss you,
I know I'll see you again.
And if I live faithfully
I can raise you then.

Through sacred priesthood powers
We have all been sealed
As a family forever.
When I see you again
My heart will be healed
And we'll be together.

Too lovely, too pure
To stand this world of sin.
So God called you home
To live safely with him.
While it's true, I miss you,
I know I'll see you again.
And if I live faithfully,
I can raise you then.

I know while I'm still here
God will take care of you
As you're waiting for me.
I know I must work hard.
I know I must stay true,
So you'll be mine for eternity.

Too lovely, too pure
To stand this world of sin.
So God called you home
To live safely with him.
While it's true, I miss you,
I know I'll see you again.
And if I live faithfully
I can raise you then.

I know God has a plan.
I must do what I can
To return home to him.
I know you're in his care.
I know I'll find you there
When I come home to him.

Jungle Animals

 These are jungle animals I drew, colored, and hand laminated to decorate baby's room. But before you think I'm amazingly creative, I had to look online for clipart, then I just drew these animals based off what I found.