When we did the recycled gifts, that year you had to find at least one gift for everyone that either someone had given you or that you bought used.  I did a lot of shopping at consignment stores, thrift stores, and even eBay.  I found some great gifts!  I remember I got the kids X-Box games used at Game Stop.  I got my Mother a bread maker on eBay.  Then I bought my husband a TV at the pawn shop.  I know this all sounds kind of strange!  I thought my Mother was crazy when she came up with this idea!!!  I mean can you imagine what I was thinking, used gifts for Christmas?!?!  But you know I saved a ton of cash and got some really great gifts that my family loved!

Then another year she came up with the idea that we had to do homemade gifts.  You either had to bake something or make something!   I was really surprised with the gifts that were made that year.  One thing that my mother has made for years is a homemade room freshener.  I can tell you that this gift is great for Christmas Parties and Housewarming Parties!

The items that you need can be found at your local dollar store.  You will need a nice vase, doily, potpourri, small string of Christmas lights, and some ribbon.  This gift will cost you about $8.00.  Plus, it is really easy to make!  You take the vase and put in a little of the potpourri in the bottom of the jar.  Then you start by adding in some of the Christmas lights.  You then continue to add potpourri and placing the lights throughout the jar.  When you have the jar completely filled, you cover the top of the jar with the doily (make sure to leave the cord with the plug end hanging out over the edge of the jar) and secure the doily in place with the ribbon tied neatly in a bow.

The year that she did homemade gifts was a little bit more difficult for me!  I turned to my trusty computer and started searching for crafty gift ideas.  I found some really cute items that made everyone laugh!  One thing I made that year was a wire whisk filled with Hershey Kisses with a gift tag that read “We Whisk You A Merry Kiss-Mas!”

I would have to say that my favorite one has been the Snowman Poop.  I put this one in my Brother’s stocking.  You should have seen his face.  I had not seen him laugh that hard in years!  The Snowman Poop was nothing but marshmallows placed in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon.  What made it so cute was a poem that I had found.  The poem read ” I hear you’ve been naughty.  So listen, here’s the scoop.  I’m running short on coal this year, so you get Snowman Poop. Love, Santa ”

For our office Christmas Party I found a great homemade gift that everyone loved.  I went to dollar tree and picked up six Christmas decorated coffee mugs, a box of hot chocolate, package of candy canes, package of cellophane bags, package of Hershey Kisses, package of marshmallows and ribbon.  Then I attached the printable gift tag for Snowman Soup.  For six gifts I only paid around $15.00 and everyone at the office loved it!

What you need

• 1 clean milk jug with it’s lid
• 1 bag of cotton balls,
• construction paper (white, pink, and black) , white glue, and 2 googly eyeballs (optional)
• Easter basket grass.
  

What you do

1. Stand your milk jug upright and cut a hole just above the handle. This hole must be large enough for your hand to fit inside of it.
2. Cover your jug with glue and then cover with cotton balls. To avoid rough edges on the opening of the jug, take each cotton ball and glue half of one onto the inside and then wrap it over the cut edge.
3. Glue 2-3 cotton balls on the end of the milk jug lid for it’s tail.
4. Take and cut out two sets of bunny ears one large set out of white construction paper and one slightly smaller set out of pink. Glue the ears to the top of the Basket so they can stand up. Cut out whiskers, nose, & eyes (could use googly eyes or makers) out of construction paper.
5. Add Easter grass to the inside of the basket and have an Easter Egg Hunt

Here are some other great ways that people have found to decorate their Easter Baskets.

Now days the curriculum for grade school is getting much more advanced than when I was in school. If you have had a chance to take a look at the “new” math books, they aren’t even using the same words for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division anymore. I asked a teacher why the words have changed. She informed me that the are trying to convert over into a national system. I believe that as technology increases so will the curriculum for children. I am just amazed that children that are now in 4th and 6th grade have hours of school work to do each night.

I am pleased that the children are learning more these days, I am just worried that maybe children today are being pushing to hard. If I could give a word of advice for new parents, instead of investing in regular toys, start concentrating on educational toys. Make sure you give your children all of the advantages available so that when they start school they are well prepared. It will help keep them from struggling to make it through their classes. Check out all of the head start classes that are available in your area, and if possible enroll your children early!

• 3 eggs, separated
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• Strawberries
• Chocolate Chips
• Banana’s
• Orange slices (peeled)
• Canned Whipped Cream

Beat egg yolks until light.  Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.  Add alternately with the milk.  Beat egg whites stiff and fold into flour mixture.  Bake on hot griddle.

To form the smiley face, Pour one large round circle of pancake batter, placing two smaller ones in the 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock postitions for the ears. Carefully turn over as to not lose the ears.  Spray two small curved lines of whipped cream for the eye brows.  Place two orange slices underneath for the eyes.  Place strawberry in the center for the nose. Make the mouth with a banana (cut in half length ways) or a big curved line of whipped cream, carefully placing chocolate chips for the teeth.  Place one chocolate chip in the bottom lower part of the ear. 

You can decorate this pancake with just about any fruit, or just let the children use their imagination. 

I have noticed that as my kids are getting older it is harder and harder to find special gifts.  It seems like they have everything!  This year her favorite gifts where the following:

1.  Dance Maker, the Wave (this was purchased online Toys R Us)

2.  Collectors Edition Barbie (also purchased online at Toys R Us)

3.  A birthstone heart shaped necklace. (purchased at Walmart)

4.  A large Teddy Bear that said Princess (also purchased at Walmart)

5. A nail art kit (purchased at Target)

6. A jean purse.  (This was a gift from someone else, so I am not sure where it was purchased at.)

We decorated the table with a purple table cloth, purple plates, and plastic ware (her favorite colors) and found some napkins with purple and pink on them that said Happy Birthday with balloons on them.  Her cake was a marble cake with a Cinderella theme, it had a glass slipper on it along with a plastic figure of Cinderella.  We had the cake and we ordered County Line (which is her favorite bar-b-que place).

The items that I purchased at Toys R Us where delivered promptly!  I ordered these items and had them within 3 days!  The were packaged well!  The prices where cheaper online than what they were in the store. 

Walmart, I ordered her cake the day before, both times that I went to the store (the day that I ordered it and the day that I picked it up) I had to stand there and wait to be noticed.  Both times I was told, ” I am sorry I didn’t see you standing there.”   I found the items that I wanted to purchase fairly easy and the lady at the Jewlery counter was very helpful and she rang up all of my purchases.  Everything was at a reasonable price.

Target was an overall pleasant experience.  We were able to go in and find what we were looking for and able to check out quickly. Plus the price was very competitive with Walmart.   I have to admit that we were lured in by the aroma of Starbucks coffee house inside Target.   

I called the order in to County Line (bar-b-que) and went and picked up the food, it was ready shortly after I arrived.  This is kind of an expensive restaurant, but they have excellent food.  I had ordered their brisket, smoked chicken, and garlic mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and whole wheat bread. It was Yummy! 

On the way home I realized, that I had forgotten to pick up drinks and birthday candles.  OOPS!  So, I headed to the local Albertson’s and purchased the candles, some tropical fruit sherbert, strawberry soda, and sprite.  I added the entire container of sherbert to a 2 quart pitcher and added one complete 2 liter bottle of sprite and 1/2 of the 2 liter bottle of strawberry soda.  All of the kids at the party thought this was the best drink! 

• 1 chocolate cake mix
• 1 white cake mix
• 2 large pkg vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1 large pkg vanilla sandwich cookies
• green food coloring
• 12 small Tootsie Rolls®

• 1 new kitty litter pan
• 1 new plastic kitty litter pan liner
• 1 new pooper scooper

Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions.
Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble.
Crumble white sandwich cookies.  Remove 1/4 cup cookie crumbs, add a few drops green food coloring and mix until completely colored.
When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble into a large bowl. Toss with half the remaining white cookie crumbs and just enough of the chilled pudding to moisten mixture.
Place the plastic kitty litter liner in a new clean kitty litter box and fill with cake mixture.
Put two or three unwrapped Tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. Shape Tootsie Rolls to resemble cat poop. Repeat with all but four of the Tootsie rolls, and bury them in the mixture. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over top. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly on top of everything to give the look of kitty litter.
Heat 3 Tootsie Rolls in the microwave until almost melted and scrape them on top of the cake; sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Take one and heat until pliable, hang it over the side of the kitty litter box, sprinkling all four Tootsie Rolls with a few cookie crumbs.

For the surprise, invite everyone that would love to get back at the trickster to a party. Make sure that the trickster stays out of the room where the cake is till everyone has showed up for the party.  Set the cake in the middle of the table.  To make it look even more realistic, spread a few crumbles on the table around the kitty litter pan.  Have the trickster close their eyes and have everyone positioned so that they may see the surprise on the face of the trickster.  Hint: Have a camera handy, you will want to keep this moment forever.

Do you have someone interested in science, electronics, magic tricks, robots, model cars, or dolls?  Then this is the website for you.  

Shown are a few links to the items you will find at hobbytron.com.  Please check the website for a complete list.

Save 5% at HobbyTron.com on 3 or more items. Coupon code: SAVE5D (Except Lego Mindstorms, Savage 25, T-Maxx, Revo, Jato)

• Pre-cooked Single-crust pie shell
• 2 medium bananas
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 quart strawberry ice cream
• 1/2 of a 4 1/2 ounce container (1 cup) frozen whipped dessert topping, thawed
• 1/3 cup maraschino cherries
• 2 tbls chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup tiny marshmallows
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
• 2 tbls milk

Thinly slice bananas and sprinkle with lemon juice.  Arrange the banana on bottom of baked pastry shell.  In mixing bowl soften strawberry ice cream using a wooden spoon to stir and press against side of bowl.  Soften till just pliable.  Using a metal spatula, spread the softened strawberry ice cram over the sliced bananas in pastry shell.  Freeze till ice cream is firm. 

Spread the whipped dessert topping over the frozen ice cream layer in the baked pastry shell.  Top with the whole maraschino cherries; sprinkle with the copped walnuts.  Return the pie to freezer; freeze several hours or till firm.

Meanwhile, to prepare fudge sauce, in saucepan combine marshmallows, semisweet chocolate pieces, and milk.  cook over low heat, stirring constantly, till marshmallows and chocolate pieces are melted and thoroughly combine.

Let pie stand about 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.  Drizzle warm or cool fudge sauce over pie.  Slice pie and serve immediately.

Hot Cheese-Clam Dip

• 2 jar (5oz) very sharp cheese spread (such as “Old English”)
• 1 can (7 oz) minced clams, drained
• 1/4 large green pepper, chopped finely
• 1/2 bunch green onions, minced
• 2 dashes liquid hot pepper seasoning
• Garlic salt to taste

Combine all ingredients in a 1 1/2-quart glass casserole.  Heat in 350 degree oven, uncovered until cheese melts.  Stir mixtue occasionally.  Serve with crisp corn chips for dippers.

Note:  This dip may be prepared ahead of time and heated in microwave in the serving dish for 1 1/2 minutes.  Will make approximately 4 cups of dip.  Can freeze for later use.

Mandarin Lamb Chops

• 2 shoulder lamb chops
• 1/2 cup precooked rice, dry
• 1 can (6oz) mandarin oranges
• 1/2 cup beef bouillion
• 1/4 tsp. dried mint
• salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chops in a 10-inch baking dish;  Cover and sear in Oven.   Turn chops over halfway through cooking time.  Drain off excess fat.  Place uncooked rice in baking dish.  Put chops ontop of rice.  Arrange oranges and juice on top of chops.  Pour on bouillon.  Sprinkle with mint, salt and papper.  Cover and bake for approximately 30 minutes.  Turn chops over after 15 minutes.

Garden Vegetable Combination

• 3/4 tbsp. butter or margarine
• 1.2 cup thinly sliced onion
• 1 cup zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch slices
• 1 small egg plant, cut in 1 x 2 inch pieces
• 1/8 cup flour
• 1/2 green pepper, cut in strips
• 1 large tomato, cut in wedges
• 1/2 tsp salt 1/8 tsp oregano
• dash pepper

In large shallow microwave dish, melt butter for 1 minute; add onion slices and cook for 2 minutes in microwave.  In a paper bag, shake zucchini, eggplant and flour; combine with green pepper and add to dish.  Cover, cook 3 minutes.  Add tomato wedges and seasonings.  Cook additional 10 minutes stirring at 2 minute intervals.  Serve immediately.

Fluffy Orange Rice

• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/8 cup chopped onion
• 1/8 cup butter
• 1 tbsp orange-juice concentrate
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup rice

In small saucepan bring water, rice, orange concentrate and salt to a boil. Cover and reduce heat and let simmer approximately 15 minutes. In a separate saucepan, cook celery and onion in butter until tender.  Ad to rice mixture after it has simmered for approximately 10 minutes. ( Just as the rice starts absorbing the water)   Let stand 5 minutes

Chocolate-Almond Pie

• 1 9 inch graham cracker crust
• 1 (3 3/4 oz) milk chocolate bar with almonds, broken into pieces
• 15 large marshmallows
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped

In a 1 qt. casserole combine chocolate bars, marshmallows and milk.  Heat in microwave approximately 3 minutes; stirring often.  Remove from microwave and mix until smooth.  Cool completely.  Gently fold in whipped cream and pour into prepared crust.  Chill 3 hours.