I was going through some old pictures and came across these gems! Wow! So adorable! This was December 2014.

I've since done many cookie decorating parties for kids, and it always works great! A single batch of Donna's Sugar Cookies makes about 75 Christmas cookies (trees, stockings, snowmen, gingerbread men, candy canes, etc). I usually have about 1 or 2 cans of frosting from the store. Vanilla is always great (like in these pictures), but I think a can of red and green is fun too. I put the frosting in paper bowls, add plastic knives, and some sprinkles and you'll have a great cookie decorating party. Or cookie eating party. When the party is over, I throw away all the leftover frosting and plastic knives. Once you watch kids decorate with it, and lick their hands, and go back for seconds, you'll know why it's best to just throw it out at the end of the party. For an extra easy cleanup, just add a disposable tablecloth.

This is NOT Manwich from a can. I've never had it, and the thought of ground beef in a can is not appealing to me. This is the funny name we thought of for the manliest meat sandwich ever. We love it! We started making two of these giant things at a time and they still go fast. It's really just a fast and giant sloppy joe.

Jason's Manwich
1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c. chopped onion, or onion powder
1 can tomato soup, undiluted, 10 3/4 ounces
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 loaf french bread, 1 pound
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

1. In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add soup, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, slice the french bread in half, like a giant sandwich. Hollow out the bottom half to make room for the filling. Place both halves of the loaf on a half sheet pan and broil until lightly browned.
3. Spoon beef into the french bread bottom loaf; arrange cheese on top. Broil 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Replace bread top and slice into sandwich portions (about 8-10 sandwiches).
4. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the microwave.

Dannie's Rolls are amazing! They are fast and easy. It's a great bread maker recipe. I like to use 1 cup wheat flour and 3 cups all purpose flour, but you can play around with the ratio.

A long time ago, my version of the rolls were coming out especially fluffy and light. Dannie and I didn't know why they were so awesome, but I was certain it wasn't because of my fancy breadmaking skills (skills that I don't have). One day I came across an original version in Dannie's handwriting. Lo and behold, it said 1 package of active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp. yeast). When I had transcribed it, I had written down 1 tablespoon of yeast (3 teaspoons). There is was! Since then I have tried it both ways and both are delicious. If you are in a big rush, 1 tablespoon of yeast will make a dough that rises much faster. If you have more time, then 2 1/4 tsp. is perfectly sufficient.

I took these pictures many years ago, and then never posted them. What a blast from the past!

Dannie's Rolls
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp salt
4 cups flour (I like 1 cup wheat and 3 cups all purpose)
2-4 T butter, melted in the 9x13 inch dish

Add all ingredients to a bread maker except butter. Mix on the dough setting. Melt butter in a 9x13 inch glass dish. Shape dough and let rise for 20-40 minutes (until doubled). Cook at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Brush butter on top.

Tips for Roll Making
When the dough comes out of the bread maker, I push out the air gently, and toss it in a little flour so its not so sticky. I cut it into halves until there are 16 pieces. Since 15 fits nicely in a pan, I take the smallest one and divide it up to put into any dough balls that seems too small.

To make a smooth top on the roll, I fold it over a couple times.
 And push all the seams into the center.
 Boom! A cute little roll!


Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place. Also, admire the clean stove top!

 And get David to do it too!

The rolls on the right side were made by me, and the rolls on the left were made by my kids. And guess what! They all taste the same! So it doesn't really matter.