Life really can be a picnic!

Everyone loves a picnic! This blog is about some of the things I love the most, and the term "picnic" just about covers them all. First of all, a picnic has to include food; simple food that is easy to fix. Next, you need someplace fun or different to visit; a nice, peaceful location. And of course, you always need to take along a good book to read and a well-used quilt to spread everything out on. So, there you have it! Easy recipes, good books, fun quilts along with some interesting, down-to-earth places to visit. You can even take your family or a friend or two if you want.



Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Crabbing and Kayaking on Christmas Eve

"In all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." ~Gordon B. Hinckley

     With all our family has been through in the last few weeks, we decided to take a trip to Washington State and spend Christmas with my sister and her family.  She has a beautiful home in Brinnon, with a beautiful view of Hood Canal.  My sister and her husband are wonderful hosts and always provide an amazing and adventurous time for us when we visit. 



     Two days before Christmas (we call it Christmas Adam) we all took off on the ferry boat and went into Seattle.  We made our usual stops at Pike's Place, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop and Ivars and walked all over the city. We then took the monorail over to the Space Needle and walked again.  We boarded the Ferry boat again and returned home.
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
    

     On Christmas Eve, we took a trip to DaBob Bay and had a hot dog roast, pulled up the crab cages and did some kayaking.  Before returning we took a little hike up to a waterfall called Rocky Brook Falls.  That night we had a wonderful feast including a shrimp and crab boil.
 


 

 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 


 


 
 

      I was able to finish my fireworks quilt during our time in Washington.  The pattern is by Thimble Blossoms.  I chose to do my quilt with a background that resembles a night sky instead of a plain white background.  It is one of my New Year's resolutions to use up some of the fabric in my stash.  This quilt helped in that endeavor.





     During our trip, I was also able to finish the book I was reading.  It's called Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.  Since many members of my family are introverts, I read it to find out more about us.  It was very informative and I would recommend it to everyone, especially to educators.


     I would like to wish everyone a happy and very prosperous New Year,  Here are a couple of recipes that I like to fix for my family on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve.


Breakfast Casserole

1 dozen eggs, beaten

1 pint sour cream, mix with eggs then add the following:

½ C. sliced mushrooms

1 pound cooked sausage

1 small can chopped green chilies

2 C. Monterey jack or cheddar cheese or a mixture of both



Pour into a 9 X 13” greased pan and bake at 350° for 30-45 minutes.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Serve with salsa.





Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99
 

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

By Heidi VanValkenberg, Rhodes Bake and Serve


Ingredients:

  • 12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls
  • cream cheese frosting, included with rolls
  • toffee bits
  • maraschino cherries

Method:

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries

Read more at http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=13668241#m9LDdQw6126LeeDy.99
                 Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

This recipe is a fast and fabulous way to share Cinnamon Rolls, an all time favorite, with loved ones.  This recipe comes from the Rhodes Rolls website.
 
 

Servings: 12
Skills: Beginning
Prep Time: 5 min (not including thaw time)
Bake Time: 15-20 min

Ingredients

12 Rhodes™ Traditional or Any Time!™ Cinnamon Rolls

cream cheese frosting, included with rolls

toffee bits

maraschino cherries

Instructions

Center one roll near the top of a large sprayed baking sheet. Arrange rolls in three more rows 1-inch apart, adding one additional roll to each row, forming a tree. Add two rolls to the bottom to form the trunk. If using Any Time! rolls, bake according to package instructions.

For traditional rolls, cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. When cool decorate tree with frosting, toffee bits and cherries as desired.