#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Teacher or Neighbor Gift Idea

December 22, 2010 · Narrative

Teacher GiftEven though I’m not one of those uber-organized bloggers that gives you weeks of recipe and craft ideas before the holiday hits, I do have a great gift idea if you’re still on the look-0ut for something for your child’s teacher or a neighbor.  I’ve been trying to think of something creative to give Madeline’s teacher and was really down to the wire.  Thank goodness Woman’s Day magazine came to the rescue!

In the December issue, they featured a number of food gift ideas, and when I spotted this one for Gingerbread Men, I knew it was perfect.  Her teacher likes to bake and cook, and we’ve been trading magazines and cooking tips back and forth for awhile now.  In no time flat, I had the ingredients mixed up for this food gift, and it was all assembled, without one slim dime being spent.  It also helps that I had bought extra cookie cutters a few weeks ago, and I was able to snag a few plain brown lunch bags from my mom.  You know, because I didn’t think Miss Janet would appreciate the Spiderman lunch bags that have taken me FOUR YEARS to get through.

The mix for the gingerbread men is inside the bag, along with the printed recipe, and outside, I made a tag with her name and tied a cookie cutter to it.  I also made a second one for a friend that was just yesterday bemoaning the fact that she can’t find Betty Crocker‘s gingerbread pouch mix on sale anymore.  This is perfect and oh so much better!

You can go here for the instructions on making your very own Gingerbread Men Mix gifts for your favorite teachers and neighbors, and if you scroll to the bottom of that link, you’ll find a cute printout for the recipe to stick inside the bag.  Happy gifting!

P.S.  In January, I, along with Sarah, am starting a new weekly challenge, Eat. Live. Be. for a Better 2011. I’ve reached out to a number of bloggers who will be joining in our challenge – yay!  If you’re a blogger that would like more information (and you didn’t already get an e-mail from me), please drop me a line and I’ll fill you in.  Thanks!

Project 365
December 22, 2010, Photo #316-317

Pre-Celebratory MealJamie came over tonight to celebrate an early Christmas with us, and we ended up having pizza in the living room, watching Home Alone and Beezus and Ramona, a few of the kids’ favorite movies.

Movie Time

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Beezus and Ramona, Betty Crocker, gift for neighbors, gingerbread men, Home Alone, teacher gift, Woman's Day

Comments

  1. Casey says

    December 22, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    Cute gift idea.

    Can’t wait to get started on the challenge for 2011!

    Reply
  2. patsyk says

    December 22, 2010 at 10:35 pm

    Great idea! I may have to snag some extra cookie cutters for next year’s gifts. :)

    Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!

    Reply
  3. claire says

    December 22, 2010 at 11:56 pm

    Looks like a fun night! I LOVED Beezus and Ramona. My mom and I saw it in the theaters…we were the ONLY ones in there. :-) It was perfect.

    Reply
  4. Allison says

    December 23, 2010 at 1:36 am

    I absolutely LOVE this gift. I am bookmarking it for next year. I made a big batch of oreo truffles for the teachers but, I love the added touch of the cookie cutter. Something to keep after the food is gone. Great idea. I would love more info on the 2011 challenge.

    Reply
  5. Joanne says

    December 23, 2010 at 7:20 am

    I am SO excited about this challenge! Can’t wait to whip my butt back into gear :P

    I love finding new foodie gift ideas. The gift of food is, after all, the gift that keeps on giving!

    Reply
  6. Jen says

    December 23, 2010 at 9:42 am

    What a cute gift idea! Merry Christmas to you and the kids!

    Reply
  7. beth says

    December 23, 2010 at 10:22 am

    awesome gift idea! let your friend with the missing betty crocker mix know that you can use the sugar cookie dough and add in the following:
    2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
    1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
    1/4 cup dark molasses
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    they come out amazingly good and nobody is the wiser that they are from a mix.

    merry christmas!

    Reply
  8. Jacqueline says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:31 am

    What a great idea and I am sure it will be appreciated :)

    Send me an email (tinnedtomatoes@googlemail.com) when you get your challenge set up and I will add it to The Food Blog Diary.

    Jac
    x

    Reply
  9. Ramona says

    December 23, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    A cute idea!

    That’s a sweet picture of Jamie and Madi.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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