Wrapping Paper Cone Christmas Tree

Hello,

A few weeks ago a friend and I decided to make this wrapping paper cone Christmas tree craft that I had found on Pinterest. Here is the website I used:  http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/paper-cone-tree.html They looked so cute and sounded pretty simple. It ended up being a pretty time consuming project and not following the directions exactly proved to be our downfall. Here's what we ended up with:

They're pretty cute little trees. If I decide to do this craft again I will definitely devote more time and follow the directions more precisely. For a paper towel sized roll you will need the following items:

• cardboard tube from the center of a paper towel roll
• wrapping paper
• scissors
• tape
• ruler
• bow or ribbon for the top of the tree

DISCLAIMER:  The website at the top of the page has great pictures and instructions in case mine are confusing.

For our trees you will need to make 4 layers of 'leaves'. For the bottom row you will need to measure and cut 10-11 6x6 squares of wrapping paper. Form the squares into a cone shape and tape. Then, tape all the cones in a row around the cardboard tube a few inches from the bottom so your cones just barely touch your work surface. You will be making three more rows of cones. The next two rows you will need 10-11 5x5 squares and for the top row you will need 10-11 4x4 squares. I can't express how important it is that your measurements are precise. It makes making the cones so much simpler. Keep building the rows until you reach the top. You will need to put a bow or ribbon on the top of the tube to cover it up.

For more instructions and pictures make sure to visit the website above.

Happy cooking, crockpotting, and couponing!

Canned Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread with Cream Cheese

Hello,

For our holiday party at work this year I did not want to buy anything. So, I went to my fridge and looked at what I had to work with. I had a ton of canned cinnamon rolls from a couponing trip so I searched the internet to see how I could use them and that's where I found this recipe:  http://cookiesandcups.com/cream-cheese-filled-cinnamon-roll-monkey-bread/ This stuff was sooooo tasty! I would make it again in a heartbeat.

Ingredients:

• 3 8-count cans of cinnamon rolls - any kind will do
• 1 8oz block cream cheese
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter

Spray a bundt pan with non-stick spray and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Cut up your block of cream cheese into 24 cubes. One for each cinnamon roll. Open your cinnamon rolls and flatten in your hand. Make sure to save the tub of icing in each can. Put a cube of cream cheese in the cinnamon roll and pinch it closed. Do this for all the cinnamon rolls and after each one just put it in the pan. It doesn't have to be pretty looking. My pan looked about half full when all the cinnamon rolls were done. Next, combine your butter and brown sugar in a bowl and microwave until your butter is melted. Stir the mixture and pour over your cinnamon rolls. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. When the rolls have cooled for a few minutes, flip onto a plate. Now you can pour your icing over the top.

I highly recommend this recipe. So delicious! Happy couponing, cooking, and crockpotting!

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

Hello,

A while back I found this simple recipe on Pinterest for a pineapple, brown sugar, and soy sauce crockpot chicken. Simple and delicious. I paired it with fried rice. The recipe I followed is here:  http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=900626

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup pineapple juice - I had these small cans so I just used 1 can
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce

Mix pineapple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce in your crockpot. Add your chicken and stir. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Easy as that. I really liked the sweet flavor of the chicken that the brown sugar and pineapple juice gave.

Happy couponing, cooking, and crockpotting!