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!

We have found these Astrological Aromatherapy candles that are perfect.  They are a perfect birthday gift for anyone, man or woman!  These candles use essential aromatherapy oils to bring out the best of everyone due to their astological sign.  …How cool is that!

Check out these candles and many more at All Scented Candles today!

Why not give her a beautiful bath and body gift basket.

Here is a delightful Ginger and White Tea Gift Basket

Here are also some nice bath and body gift sets with a trendy carrying bag.

Here is one that I personally would enjoy. Think of all of the hours that Mom spends on her feet, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry. Let her pamper herself with this relaxing foot spa gift set.

Make sure that you don’t forget the gift wrap! Gift Wrap Mall has a great selection of gift wrap for any occasion, including Mother’s Day!

If you plan on treating her to breakfast, why not try some blueberry pancakes, bacon or sausage, and some scrambled eggs. This breakfast is sure to please her.

Recipe for Blueberry Pancakes:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 1 stick butter or margarine, melted and cooled
  
• Approximately 1 cup whole milk
  
• 1 cup fresh or thawed and drained frozen blueberries cut in half (about 8 per pancake)
  
• Vegetable oil or butter, for cooking

Directions: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs then whisk them into the flour mixture. Combine the butter and 1 cup of milk in the medium bowl then gradually whisk this mixture into the batter. The batter should be slightly thicker than heavy cream. It the batter is too thick, add a little more milk.Heat a seasoned griddle or a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add a little oil to prevent the pancakes from sticking. Spoon or pour about 3 tablespoons of batter onto the griddle to form a pancake. Drop 7 or 8 blueberries halves on each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the pancake surfaces then flip and continue cooking until the second sides are golden, about 3 minutes longer. The pancakes are best served immediately topped with maple or kayo syrup and additional butter.

If you plan on treating her to a special lunch. Why not try a nice chicken tomato wrap, twice baked potatoes, and a fruit salad.

Recipe for Chicken Tomato Wrap:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1/4 cup honey dijon salad dressing
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 4 slices Muenster cheese
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 4 flour tortillas

Directions: In medium bowl combine chicken, salad dressing, mayonnaise, green pepper, and tomatoes and toss to coat well. Place tortillas on work surface and line with lettuce leaves and cheese. Divide chicken mixture among tortillas and roll up tightly, enclosing filling.

Recipe for Twice Baked Potatoes:

Ingredients:

• medium sized potatoes
• sour cream
• butter
• shredded cheese.
• Optional: bacon bits

Bake the potatoes in the microwave until done. Slice the potatoes in half; with a tablespoon scoop out the meat of the potatoe only leaving a thin layer. Take and combine the meat of the potatoe with sour cream and butter until smooth, then stuff the potatoe. Top with a layer of cheese and place in the oven and bake at 425 for about 15 minutes until cheese is melted and potatoe skin is crunchy. If desired before baking sprinkle with bacon bits.

Recipe for Fruit Salad:

Ingredients:

• 6 apples,sliced
• 2 small bananas, sliced
• 2 cups canned pineapples
• 1 cup of grapes, sliced
• 1 small package of pecan bits
• 1 tub of cool whip

Instructions: Wash grapes, bananas, and apples. Peel and slice bananas; core and slice the apples; slice the grapes. Open and drain the pineapple chunks. Mix fruits, nuts, and cool whip; cover and chill until ready to serve. If you plan on treating her to a delicious dinner that she will not soon forget, then I would suggest that you try garlic butter steak, Parmesan vegetable kabobs, baked potatoes, and tunnel fudge bundt cake.

Recipe for Garlic Butter Steak:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 pounds beef top sirloin steaks

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: Combine the butter, garlic powder, minced garlic in a small bowl and microwave until the butter is melted. While the butter is melting sprinkle both sides of each steak with salt and pepper. Grill steaks until desired doneness. When done brush the steaks liberally with garlic butter, and allow to set for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Recipe for Parmesan Vegetable Kabobs:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 3 small zucchini
• 3 small yellow summer squash or additional zucchini
• 1 lb. partially cooked, small, whole new potatoes
• 12 oz. large, whole mushrooms grated Parmesan cheese

Directions: Whisk the oil and vinegar together; set aside. Cut the red pepper into twelve – 1″ pieces. Cut the zucchini and yellow squash, crosswise, into twelve – 1/2″ to 3/4″ slices. Thread the vegetables, alternately, onto 4 large skewers. Place the assembled kabobs in a shallow dish and marinate in the oil and vinegar mixture for 15 minutes. Grill the kabobs over medium coals, for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and gently browned, turning over one time. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese just before serving.

Recipe for Tunnel Of Fudge Bundt Cake:

• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2 cups chopped walnuts (nuts must be used in this recipe)

GLAZE:

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 4 teaspoons milk, more if needed

Instructions: In large bowl combine sugar and butter; beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add powdered sugar, blend well. By hand gradually stir in flour and remaining ingredients until well blended. Spoon batter into greased and floured 10-inch bundt pan or 12-cup bundt pan; spread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees F for 58-62 minutes. (Because of the fudge you will not be able to do the traditional test to see if the cake is done.). Cool the cake upright in pan for 60 minutes, then turn out onto serving plate and let it cool completely. Then in small bowl combine glaze ingredients. Spoon over top of cake.

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!

When I was younger my Grandmother had this beautiful Victorian Porcelain Doll collection that she stored in a glass cabinet. I can remember going in and staring at her dolls as a child. They where the most beautiful dolls. I wanted to just pick them up and hold them, of course, this was not allowed. When I turned eight I started collecting Porcelain Dolls. I gather a few over the years and proudly displayed these dolls on stands in my bedroom. A few years ago, I decided to give my dolls to my daughter to place in her room. This year she has just turned 10 years old, her double digit! She now has decided that she wants to start her own collection of Porcelain Dolls. It looks like this may just turn into a family tradition, that was started with my Grandma. Porcelain dolls will make a great gift idea for collectors or young girls just starting their collection.

• 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. 

Let your loved ones enjoy the traditional symbols for hugs and kisses.  Take and cut out your sugar cookies in X and  O shapes.  Ice them with butter cream icing and decorate with sprinkles.

Turn your cupcakes into a heart shaped delight.  All you have to do to achieve this is to place your cupcake liners in your pan and take a little bit of tin foil and fold it into a triangle shape and place it between the liner and your pan.  This will form the V shape in the cupcakes to make an easy heart shaped decoration.  After you have cooled your cup cakes, ice them with your favorite icing and sprinkle with a few candy sprinkles for decoration. 

Tips to make your favorite cake in a heart shape.  Prepare your favorite cake as instructed.  You will need to make to batches of your cake mix and bake one 9X9 square pan and one circle cake pan.  After your cake has cooled take and turn your square cake to where one corner is pointing up.  Next cut your circle cake in half, place on each side of the point of your square cake.  You should now have a heart shaped cake.  Ice and decorate as desired.