A HAPPY WEEKEND.

We had a great weekend. One that included trunk-or-treating, a bit of trick-or-treating, spider web cupcakes (half of which were dropped on the floor), dinner on the lawn at the hospital (to visit the Dad), stake conference and family pictures. Glad those are over!

On to some more good things.

A few weeks ago, my Relief Society president asked me to demo "Pancake Art" at a Relief Society activity. She had seen a segment on Rachael Ray about it and thought the sisters in our ward might enjoy it. I studied the art, practiced a bit and the demo was a success. Halloween turned out to be a great time to put it into good use. Nothing like Jack-o-lantern pumpkins to kick off a Happy Halloween. I think we'll be using pancake art for birthdays and other holidays. I'm sure your kids will love it.

Directions for Pancake Art

You will need:
Regular Pancake Batter
Food coloring or natural preserves to color the batter
Empty condiment bottles

- Mix regular pancake mix thinner than normal. Make sure that all the lumps are out. I ran mine through the blender.

- Use empty condiment bottles for the batter.  Make sure the tip is wide enough that the batter can pass through.

- Use preserves or chocolate syrup to color the mix. I went with a little food coloring to make the colors bright.

- Heat griddle well so that the batter will cook quickly. Make outer edges of figures first and fill in with batter after. Cook different pieces of your figure separately (ie; pumpkin, mouth, stem will be cooked separately).

- Put the design together when you plate the pancakes.

- Use chocolate chips or sprinkles to decorate. Enjoy!

We also did a butterfly to celebrate our Halloween costumes!

Hope your Halloween was successful and you've figured out how to get rid of all that extra candy!

DINNER-TO-DELIVER.

Good Morning.

We are rounding up a busy, busy two weeks. We've had family in town both weekends since returning home and it's felt a little crazy. This week presents normalcy and getting caught up on life. Menu planning, grocery shopping, cleaning and finishing a tu-tu for a butterfly costume top my list of things-to-do. Nothing fancy, just the regular routine of a regular mom.

One item on the list is to take dinner to a neighbor in our ward this week. I don't often do this and have been racking my brain for the best dinner-to-deliver. Then it hit me, I've got a great resource in my fellow mamas. Do you have a go-to recipe or dinner idea that you always use when asked to take dinner to a family or friend? What travels well and is sure to be a hit with the kids?

Please help.

Image via.

BREAKFAST WITH THE ENSIGN: BOM CHALLENGE.

Editors note: I have recently discovered a quiet moment in my home. I feed my girls their breakfast, and then they seem anxious to get playing for the day. That gives me a moment to eat breakfast myself, and on occasion read for a minute. I've started leaving the Ensign on my counter so that it's available if a free moment arises. Thus originated Breakfast with the Ensign. Do you have a favorite breakfast recipe you'd like to share? If so, contact me at mamaswhoknow (at) gmail.com, I'd love to feature it here. 

The other morning I was thumbing through the September issue of the Ensign magazine and noticed a little blurb for youth (page 6). In it, the writer described her experience of accepting President Hinckley's challenge of reading The Book of Mormon issued back in 2005.

That got me to thinking and remembering. It has been five whole years since that challenge was given to church members by our beloved prophet. Five years! It feels like just yesterday.

I'm grateful for President Hinckley's inspiration, as it was a critical time in my life. Five years ago, I was recently returned from my mission and dating my future husband.  By October we were officially engaged, and by mid-December we were married. (I knew him before my mission, I'll have you know.) It was a busy and hectic and emotional time. A prime time for the effects of scripture reading.

After Christmas we traveled to Puerto Rico for our honeymoon. I still had a hefty portion of The Book of Mormon left, and wasn't sure I'd make it. With the encouragement of my newly acquired husband, I finished on New Year's Eve while the rest of our hotel rang in the new year. How romantic right?

I am grateful though, for the experience. I learned again, that following the prophet is the best thing to do. I learned that I can set goals and finish them, and I learned that I found a pretty great guy if he would share his honeymoon with scripture study.

How about you? Where were you five years ago when our prophet issued the challenge to finish The Book of Mormon in just five short months. Did you do it? What did you learn? I'd love to know.

And now for the recipe. I couldn't let this one pass without sharing. Heidi, sent this to me as one of her family favorites and it is quickly joining the ranks of ours as we have had it twice in two weeks. Delicious! It might be a good addition to your conference Sunday menu.

Peach French Toast

3 eggs
3 T peach jam
3/4 C half and half milk (you could also use whole cream)
1/2 C melted butter
6 slices of bread (sourdough tastes best)

Beat eggs, jam, milk, and butter together. Dip bread in mix and cook like you would normal french toast.

Serve with fresh sliced peaches and whipped cream and more peach jam.

If you need to subscribe to the Ensign or other Church magazines, that can be done here.

BREAKFAST WITH THE ENSIGN: TEACHING OUR CHILDREN.

Editors note: I have recently discovered a quiet moment in my home. I feed my girls their breakfast, and then they seem anxious to get playing for the day. That gives me a moment to eat breakfast myself, and on occasion read for a minute. I've started leaving the Ensign on my counter so that it's available if a free moment arises. Thus originated Breakfast with the Ensign. Do you have a favorite breakfast recipe you'd like to share? If so, contact me at mamaswhoknow (at) gmail.com, I'd love to feature it here. 

Did you get a chance to read "Teaching Our Children from the Scriptures" from the August issue of the Ensign? Immediately, I thought it was right up my (our) alley. And, the more I am searching the more I am realizing that the Church has so many wonderful resources for us as we raise our children.

Our children are young so it has only been in about the past six months or so that we have really introduced our oldest to scripture reading. It's safe to say though that some days are more successful than others. She did tell her grandpa last week that Abinadi had been sunburned so I  know we are making strides.

We have done the majority of our reading from Book of Mormon Stories that the Church has produced for kids. I think it is good, but I think we will soon start to read a few versus from the actual books of scripture.

I really liked the points made in the August article by Sister Cheryl Lant about teaching the doctrine to our children. Often I find that we are quick to get the reading done without so much as teaching something. I think even my two year-old could learn some of the doctrine of the Book of Mormon if we took the time to teach her. Principles such as honesty, service and love are easy to teach.

If you haven't had a chance to read Sister Lant's article, I highly recommend it, especially if you've got small children in your home.

If you need to subscribe to the Ensign or other Church magazines, that can be done here.

Now on to breakfast.

Protein Pancakes (adapted from this recipe)
My daughter will eat anything with syrup. This recipe is a great way for her (and me too) to get a little protein in the morning, instead of regular pancakes or cereal. They are a little different than regular pancakes, but we love them.

1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup oats
2 eggs
1 egg white
2 T sugar (I have used 1/2 banana to sweeten it)
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. cinnamon
pinch of salt
Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Cook on a hot griddle, sprayed with non-stick spray.

Enjoy!