A Family Tradition -Bunny Buns

I am sorry that I am late on this post. You really needed it by Saturday. But go ahead and make some today. Or come snag one from me because seriously they are tempting me.

The original recipe for Bunny Buns was posted in the Friend magazine in 1980. My mom made them that year and we have never gone an Easter without them.

Bunny Buns

1 package active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup milk, warmed not quite to boiling

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons grated orange peel

5 1/2 cups flour, sifted

Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup hot water, 1 teaspoon butter

1. 1. 
   Wash hands with soap and water.
2. 2. 
   Sprinkle yeast in the warm water and set aside.
3. 3. 
   In another bowl, blend milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cool until lukewarm, then add eggs, water with yeast, orange juice, and orange peel.
4. 4. 
   Stir in flour a few cups at a time to make a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes.
5. 5. 
   Knead dough 5–10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic. Place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover bowl with a clean towel and put it in a warm place. Let dough rise for 2 hours, or until double in size. Punch dough down and let stand for 10 minutes.
6. 6. 
   On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into strips 1/2 inch wide and 14 inches long. Roll between hands into rounded snake shapes. Cut one strip into pieces 1/2 inch long, and roll into balls.
7. 7. 
   Place one long piece of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Place one end of the strip over the other to make a loop; bring the end that is underneath up and cross it over the other end. Place a ball of dough on top of the bottom loop.
8. 8. 
   Cover bunnies and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes, until nearly double in size. Bake at 375ºF (190ºC) for 12–15 minutes.
9. 9. 
   For the glaze, stir powdered sugar, water, and butter together. Frost bunnies with the glaze while they are still warm.

 So sad that our family picture is not in our Easter attire. Not that we actually wore anything special but we definitely looked better.

Egan and Jane planned an awesome Easter Egg hunt full of games and challenges. It was very exciting.

PS - If you are ever a Bishop - don't ask a whole family to speak on Easter Sunday. Serious Stress. But truly it kept us focused on the meaning of Easter and the kids were super speakers!

Surviving Well

Survival - that is the word in my head lately. I wonder why? No actually, WE are surviving quite well. You can't believe how well Kenyon is getting around. Still slow and deliberate but hundreds times better than before surgery. I hope to post evidence soon. :)


But I have been listening and reading stories that seem to keep pointing me towards this survival topic.


Like the fireside I attended on Wednesday with the Jacksons, there are endless stories of other people who face unbelievable trials, sadness, pain, obstacles, you name it. Some how they make it.


Molly Jackson suggested in her talk that we read The Survivor's Club by Ben Sherwood. He shares stories from around the world about surviving impossible odds and asking the questions - what does it take to surive and what kind of survivor are you? I am looking forward to reading it.

Usually I don'g blog too much about the books I read because I do that more on Goodreads. But I can't resist today. The book I am listening to is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand Oh my word. Get this book today. This true survival story is incredible.

And what about this story? Between A Rock And A Hard Place. You know the story - this guy gets his arm stuck under a massive boulder for 5 days and finally cuts it off and hikes out to a rescue team. But read it and you will be amazed at what it takes to survive. I don't know if I have it. But what I was reminded of from Molly Jackson is that you don't know how strong you are until you are faced with the situation.


One of my favorite books about survival is Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl, a surivor of the Nazi concentration camps. One line has always stuck with me "...everything can be taken from a man but one thing:  the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." And this one from Frankl - “Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to control how you will respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can control what you will feel and do in response to what happens to you.” 


Lots to think about. And of course I was reminded of it again in this General Conference talk by Elder Oaks. It is about desire - but that is ultimately what made all these individuals survive - their desire. He said, "Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life."

Good Grief

This story is amazing. And you probably have already heard about it. But watch anyway and be reminded of amazing strength through terrible tragedy and grief.

Wednesday night, Molly and Vic Jackson came and spoke at a Relief Society meeting in Daybreak. I wasn't going to go. It is a hassle to leave at night around here. But SO WORTH IT! What an inspiring and spiritual night.

Molly is an amazingly talented singer (former BYU Ambassador) and clearly a great speaker. It was such a well done presentation where she shared through words and songs the lessons that she has learned - Lucy Lessons. I sat there wishing I had invited everyone to come to this meeting and feel the incredible Spirit there.

Ultimately the message she shared is that we all need each other, we are stronger than we know, and that there is hope smiling brightly before us.

And I should not leave out that Vic Jackson also did a great job. He just took a moment to share one of his Lucy Lessons. He reminded us all of the blessing it is to have a body and to look at with gratitude. He suggested that we be thoughtful about how we take care of it and most importantly how we fill our oil lamps so that we are prepared for these trials - that will certainly come.

The Jacksons have turned their grief into good for others who have lost their children at young ages and are in need of financial assistance for headstones. You can check it out here.

I just finished (finally- I am slow, I know) my mom's book - Love's Banner. I know I keep plugging this book but for good reason.  Elaine Cannon believed in surviving and doing it well. And most importantly, she believed in our Savior's love for each of us. And she was determined to love and serve all the days of her life. It is truly inspirational.

FHE is about Treats

At least that is what the kids at my house think. We were talking about healthy changes the other day and I suggested giving up dessert on week nights (what was I thinking?). This would actually be hard for me because I really love a treat after dinner. But really? That is a terrible habit. The kids were all down with that (except Gavin) but their first response was, "But not for family night, right?"

So last night I made the best FHE treat we have maybe ever had. Pizookies in little ramekin dishes. We ate them straight out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream instantly melting over the top. So so so yummy. I tried to take a picture but not so great. So here is one I stole. :) Side note - I bought the ramekins in sets of 4 in the dollar spot at Target a while back. Perfect little dessert dishes.

Pizookies (Pizza cookies) are traditionally served in small pie dishes and were made famous at a California restaurant BJs. Apparently they are amazing.

I used a recipe I found online. Look here. I made half a recipe and it filled 8 ramekins (don't ask what happened to the left overs). But you could make the full recipe and deliver the pizookies to neighbors for their FHE treat. And really I am sure you could use any cookie recipe that you prefer.

We actually did have a very productive and maybe successful FHE last night. That is rare. It is usually a serious struggle. I had each child study the recap of a conference talk in the Church News. They had perfect summaries and quotes from each of the talks. Then they had to tell us what we were being counseled to to and how we could work on that. Teague and Gavin were short and classic. Elise took on the role of teacher and had a LOT to say. We were all bored to tears but she was taking this very seriously. I wish I could have videoed it. She thinks she is our mother. I sure hope she doesn't do that in primary. "Now Teague...could you tell the family how that quote helps us to serve others?" Really. She asks us all questions like that and we have to remember words from the quote she read. Anyone want to come to our FHE? See why the treats are so important? And we played Cuponk which is a Minute to Win It type game. So fun.

And the Winner Is...

Well wait. First I want to say - I Love General Conference. I do. The Saturday morning session was particularly good. I had to listen while prepping my garden and driving 1 HOUR to a soccer game (lame). But I did listen. And my favorite quote and one quite relevant to this giveaway came from Elder Quentin Cook. He said,

"Our women are not incredible because they have managed to avoid the difficulties of life. Quite the opposite. They are incredible because of the way they face the trials of life. Despite challenges and tests...and other problems, they remain remarkably strong, immovable and true to the faith."

I think Elaine Cannon was definitely one of those incredible and remarkable woman. 

To all who entered - thank you. I thought doing a giveaway would be so fun but now I am sad because I want to giveaway a book to everyone who entered. But I can't. But I do get to give away THREE! Yippee! (thanks to the author - my mom).

It was a totally random drawing. I wrote down your names on equal size slips of paper and folded them in half. Then I asked my totally drugged out husband to draw three slips of paper. The results are...

Meagan said...

I never knew your grandma, but seriously, my Mom has talked about her so much ever since I met Jane and Kristine for the first time. I told my Mom that Holly is a Cannon, and she made the connection. My mom was always impressed by her addresses in conference and the words that she spoke. Every time I see a quote from her I just smile, because I think about the wonderful women that have followed her; like my best friends and her fabulous sisters :-)

Malea said...

I think a quote I heard from her once, "Coping is contagious", has helped me many a times. Life is always filled with wonderful, even if the wonderful is surrounded by the hard things. She had a way in her speaking and writing that felt so natural, blending her own experiences with the gospel. I'd love to get this book for free. If I don't 'tho, I'm sure I'll be buying it soon enough. I just love'a your grandma:)

Karyna said...

I didn't know her by name but am certain I've heard quotes from her and would be DELIGHTED to get to read her book. It sounds very inspirational and insightful. Hope I win :) Karyna

Well done ladies. Quick email me your address and I will put the book in the mail on Monday. anniemporter at gmail.com

PS - Erin you kind of won too. Your book is on its way because it is our May bookclub selection. Happy Reading! It is kind of forced reading. :)