Top 5 Reasons You Should Visit Arizona Before You Die. #Bucket List!

Moving from Washington State (Shout Out Washingtonians) when I was 19 to Arizona was a huge adjustment. The heat, the barren desert, no real trees....not like home anyway. I so miss the big giant forest and the peace and quiet that comes with. 

After living here for 14 years, I'm 34 now..today actually, I can say that I am so happy. Other than the summers which seem to creep up on me every year and without time to properly prepare myself. Every winter, I'm crying for summer. Until about this time and you can feel it...it's coming. Today is suppose to be 95 and it's the end of March!! AAH!! So if you can't stand the heat, WAIT!! Till at least October. Then it's fab! 

During the summer and even this time, the nights are what have people hooked. It's still upper 90's in the summer and higher 60's this time of year in March. The nights are the best thing about Arizona, I just absolutely love them. There's something great about wearing shorts, all day long..up into the early night and never needing a jacket or pants. Love these Arizona nights! 

So if you've ever wanted to come and visit, let me give you a push! 
Here below, are my Top Five reasons I think you should come to Arizona. 

1. Grand Canyon
Of course, you can't talk about Arizona and not mention The Grand Canyon. So I've gotten that out of the way! :) 
One of the natural wonders of the world, The Grand Canyon and it's majestic cliffs of red rock carved with years of water, sand and rocks. 

2. Lee's Ferry
If you are already up that way and are in for more of an adventure, you can head up to Lee's Ferry. Fabulous fishing, camping and getting away from it all. Total peace and quiet with amazing views of the cliffs all around you. 

3. Slide Rock State Park
Literally, rocks you can slide down! How fun is that? Right!! Oh! my and the kiddos will love it. Located near Sedona, AZ, you pay a park entrance fee, walk down and have a blast!

4. Sedona, AZ
Sedona is one of those towns that breathes relaxation and rest. Nothing but beautiful, almost breathtaking views and a quaint little town for shopping, eating and making memories. 

5. The Petrified Forest National Park
I love rocks, more than words can say. I great grandfather had a marvelous collection that only my mother remembers, with the wonderful joy. So for people, this is the ultimate in coolness! Wood that basically has become rock. With the most amazing colors and it's just all sitting out there. Pretty awesome! 

If you haven't been convinced yet, I'm not sure what else to tell you. 

Oh yeah.....if you're an Elvis fan? and really who isn't? You can also visit the original Elvis Chapel from his old movie set. They moved it out here a few years back and it's really something special. Thinking about marriage? They do that there too and you can have an Elvis lookalike marry you! :) 

I say that would...that would ..be nice! :) Best Elvis I got! More like Foghorn Leghorn, LOL!!

If you do come out, have a very safe and happy time but be careful....this kind of life can be addicting! 

He Has Risen Garden, Easter Decoration.

He Has Risen Garden

I was wanting an Easter decoration that represented Jesus and not just another bunny craft. What better than an indoor garden! It's super cheap and easy to make. 

Here's what you'll need:

• Potting Soil
• Flower Pot or your choice of decorative pots, vases, etc. 
• Smaller pebbles or rocks
• One medium sized rock
• One plastic cup
• Grass seed
• Sticks or ice cream sticks and twine for crosses

1. Take flower pot and fill half way with potting soil. 
2. Place plastic cup into the soil and bury the top, while leaving the cup opening empty. You may want to slightly wet the soil for better moldability. 
3. Sprinkle grass seeds around the top of the cup and just down the sides. 
4. Arrange rocks/pebbles around the bottom of cup and base.
5. Set up the medium rock to slightly cover the cup opening, as if it had been rolled away. 


6. Make crosses (three), with glue or twine and stick in soil above the back of the tomb (cup). 

Pearl Before Swine

 The tomb and crosses represent the Bible’s Easter story. Jesus, dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead to conquer death. He was placed in a tomb and three days later he rose again. 

Using real grass seed gives you a real garden. Just remember to keep the garden in a warm location with lots of sunlight and give it plenty of water every day.

Tulips in Vases and How to Choose the Right Ones.

Forcing bulbs to bloom, when used in vases, can be trickier than one might think. After doing some research on the internet, this is what I've found. 

There are two types of bulbs for indoor growing: those you need to chill and those you don't need to chill . Below, I'll explain how to tell the difference. 

Bulbs That Don't Need Chilling

These bulbs are native to warm climates, so they don't require a cooling period to trigger blooms. Amaryllis and Paperwhite Narcissus both belong in this category. 

Bulbs that Do Need Chilling

All other spring bulbs require a chilling period before they'll bloom. This includes Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Crocus, Dutch Iris and Scilla. Cool temperatures stimulate a biochemical response inside the bulb that "turns on" the embryonic flower so it starts developing. Most bulbs require 16 to 18 weeks of cold before the flower is fully formed. At that point, they're ready for light and warmth. If you cut the cooking time short, the flowers may emerge but they will probably be stunted and deformed.

For indoor blooms, the easiest bulbs are Crocus, Hyacinths, Muscari, and Mini-Daffodils. Tulips and standard Daffodils can also be forced, but they require more careful attention.

There are a few things you need to do first in order to ensure your tulips will bloom.

1. Bigger IS Always Better:

 Choose large tulip bulbs from your garden center, grocery store, local nursery or online. The larger the bulb, the bigger the bloom. Pass on discount, smaller bulbs. You will not be happy with the results.

2. Bulbs need a specific amount of cold-sleepy time. 

Most tulips need between 12-15 weeks. The cold-sleepy time will be listed on the bulb package. Each variety can vary. You can buy your bulbs and then place them in your refrigerator for this amount of time. Keep them away from apples, though. The gas emitted from fruit like apples will prevent them from blooming. So a garage fridge is a great option.  Always chill for the recommended time and never less. Chilling for less time will result in zero blooms.

Once you have bought your bulbs and stored them in a cool place for the recommended time, here's what you do next. 

1. Grab a tall vase, the taller vase will help support your Tulips when growing. 

2. Go to your local craft, hobby store or I've even found these at the dollar store. The round glass floral marbles, you can purchase them here. You can choose between clear, blue, green or multi-colored. 

3. Place marbles in a vase and set bulbs on marbles. Fill with water until just above the marbles and place in well light but the cool area of your home. 

Soon you will see the bulbs growing, once green leaves are almost to the top of your vase or just above. Depending on your vase size, you can place them in a warmer, sunnier not hot location of your home or kitchen. 

Want a way to cheat and not have to wait weeks?

1.  Buy potted bulbs from the grocery store, garden center, or local nursery. Choose ones that have not bloomed yet.

2. Empty the pot, and gently shake off all the loose soil from the bulbs, all the while, protecting the tender roots.

3.  Rinse each bulb under cool water to wash away the soil.

4.  Trim roots to 2 inches long with scissors and place in a glass vase with glass beads. Follow the rest of the directions as listed above. 

BOOM! :)

Now you have a beautiful and easy Easter decoration!

Help kids to understand the true meaning of Easter with this great craft!

Helping kids to understand the true meaning of Easter can be tricky, especially if they are not yet at the age in which they can fully grasp the concept, of Christ being born, dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead and defeating death. 

(This would also be great for Christmas or any day really.)

I started looking online and came across a lot of really great ideas but this one from Play Eat Grow, I just fell in love with. She took so much time and care in. Putting together the correct, (biblical, I might add!!) scriptures. As well as wonderful things to use to represent the different days, one to twelve. 

The craft is Resurrection Eggs, and you can use an old egg carton and 12 pretty and colorful Easter eggs. This list below is from Play Eat Grow and she has it in pdf form as well, if you are a printer! Some people do, some don't! I personally save everything, until my computer is so full in memory, for the next week I'll be deleting files. :)

Stop by her page, Play Eat Grow , to see the great pictures she has as well, I just love everything about this idea. 

1.  Palm Tree Leave-To recognize how Jesus was celebrated when he entered Jerusalem
2.  Bread-To signifies the last supper
3.  Silver Coins-To show the bribe that Judas took to betray Jesus
4. Purple cloth and thorn-To acknowledge Jesus' mocking at the hands of the soldiers
5. Rope-To signifies the beating Jesus endured
6. Cross-To shows the physical burden Jesus had to carry
7. Nail-To shows the pain Jesus went through when he was crucified
8. Sign-To recognizes Pilate's admission that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited King
9. Sponge and Thorn-To signify the last moments of Jesus' life and proof of his death
10. Spices-To signifies that burial procedures were carried forth on Jesus
11. Stone-To shows that the tomb had been opened
12. Nothing-To signifies that Jesus has risen

These scriptures can be printed off, or copied to a smaller piece of paper that goes inside the eggs. 

Resurrection

Eggs

One 

Palm Branch Matthew 21:8-9

8. Many people spread clothes on the road while others put down branches which they had cut from trees. 9. Some 

people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shouting, "Hooray for the Son of David!

God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hooray for God in heaven above!"

Two 

Bread Matthew 26:26

During the meal, Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his 

disciples and said, "Take this and eat it. This is my body."

Three 

Silver Coins Mathew 27:3

Judas had betrayed Jesus, but when he learned that Jesus had been sentenced to death, he was sorry for what he 

had done. He returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and leaders

Four 

Pilate wanted to please the crowd. So he set Barabbas free. Then he ordered his soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip 

Rope (Whip) Mark 15:15

and nail him to a cross.

Five 

Purple Cloth and Thorns Matthew 27:28-29

28. They stripped off Jesus' clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. 29. They made a crown out of thorny branches and 

placed it on his head, and they put a stick in his right, hand. The soldiers knelt down and pretended to worship him. 

They made fun of him and shouted, "Hey, you king of the Jews!"

Six 

Cross John 19:17

And he carried his cross to a place known as "The Skull." [b] In Aramaic this place is called "Golgotha."

Seven 

Nails Mark 15:24

They nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes.

Eight 

Sign Mark 15:26

On it was a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, "This is the King of the Jews."

Nine 

29. A jar of cheap wine was there. Someone then soaked a sponge with the wine and held it up to Jesus' mouth on the 

stem of a hyssop plant.

Sponge and Spear John 19:29, 33-34

33. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, and they did not break 

his legs. 34. One of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and blood and water came out.

Ten 

The two men wrapped the body in a linen cloth, together with the spices, which was how the Jewish people buried 

Spices John 19:40

they're dead.

Eleven 

Stone John 20:1

On Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been 

rolled away from the entrance.

Twelve 

Nothing Luke 24:6-7

6. Jesus isn't here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, 7 'The Son

of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.' "

Christ carried the burden of our sins. He was 

nailed to the cross, so that

we would stop sinning

and start living right.

By his cuts and bruises, you are healed.

1 Peter 2:24

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Chocolate Easter Bunny Bark

Everyone loves chocolate and if you don't....well...you're just missing out! :)

With that being said, today I've got a super easy and yummy recipe for chocolate Bunny Bark for Easter or any occasion really! 

Now there are many ways to make this..well okay maybe a couple! It really all depends on taste or look preferences. 

You can use a dark, milk or white chocolate on it's own or to really jazz things up, you can add both together for a awesome marble look. The possibilities are endless! 

 If you want a marble look, use this recipe below. Super Easy and tastes great! 

 Bunny Bark

20 oz. dark chocolate morsels
4-6 oz. white chocolate morsels
½ cup M&M’s
½ cup pastel candy corn
½ cup salted peanuts
¼ cup pastel-coated sunflower seeds
¼ cup marshmallow bits or mini marshmallows

1. Line a 9- x 13-inch baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. (Note: If you want thinner bark, use a 12- x 15-inch baking sheet.)

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat dark chocolate morsels in the microwave on a low setting for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Continue heating in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted and smooth. Repeat with white chocolate morsels.

3. Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Pour white chocolate top, then drag a knife through the chocolate to create swirls.

4. Sprinkle add-ons on top and gently press into chocolate. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting bark into pieces.

Here is another alternative if you wanted to add peanut butter cups! 

1. Prepare your pan.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Choose your chocolate.Chop 1 pound of your desired chocolate bar and place in a large glass bowl. On baking sheet, spread chocolate to about 1/4-inch thickness.

3. Melt some more (optional).

In large glass bowl, microwave 1/2 pound of another kind of chocolate chopped chocolate or peanut butter baking chips until melted. To make Layered Chocolate Bark, chill bottom layer until hardened; spread additional melted chocolate on top. To make Swirled Chocolate Bark, spoon dollops of additional chocolate onto first chocolate layer. With tip of knife, swirl chocolates together for marbled look.

4. Add your toppings .
Enter the Peeps, M&M's, Jelly Bellies, Cadbury Eggs, or whatever your favorite Easter candy is. Throw in some sprinkles for good measure, if you like. Scatter and lightly press your toppings over the chocolate (chop up any large candies). Stick with a two-to-one ratio (no more than two cups of toppings per pound of chocolate).

7. Break it up.Refrigerate bark 1 hour or until firm.
 Break bark into pieces; store in tightly sealed container in 
refrigerator up to one month. Enjoy!

Natural ways to dye your Easter eggs this holiday.

NATURAL DIY EASTER EGG DYES

I never knew you could do this until I did some research. I've always used the standard box dying kits or food coloring. This year I thought, why not set out on the box and do something fun! 

Photo from Good House Keeping

For yellow: Add 3 tablespoons turmeric to the boiling water. 

Be careful! Turmeric is notorious for staining your skin so you

 might want to wear rubber gloves when handling this dye.

For pink: Add 4 cups of chopped beets. Don't worry if your eggs look more brown than pink at first. They will dry in the pretty pastel shade you see in the picture.

For blue: Add 3 cups chopped red or purple cabbage. 30 minutes in this dye will yield a robin's egg blue, but if you want a deeper

 hue (like ours) leave the eggs to soak overnight in the fridge.

For orange:Add 4 cups of yellow onion skins to the pot. 

For a brighter orange, leave the eggs to sit in the dye 

overnight in the fridge.

For silver: Combine 4 cups each of water and frozen

 blueberries in a bowl. Let the mixture come to room temperature

 and strain. Keep the eggs in the dye overnight in the fridge.

Once again, this is another great find on Good House Keeping. 

I'm really starting to love their stuff. 

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/easter-ideas/how-to/a31730/marbled-easter-eggs/

Creative Easter Decoration Ideas!!

Easter is right around the corner. So why not do some great posts for that! :)

To start things off is from Good Housekeeping and they have 12 great #Easter decoration ideas that I know you'll love.

Impress friends and family with some creative flair for the holidays. Make them all say, "how'd you do that?

Check out the link below!
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/easter-ideas/g710/easter-egg-decorations/