Wedding, Graduation, and Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Well it’s time to Spring into savings! This is the time of year that we are all bombarded with wedding, and graduation invitations.

I use to find it so difficult to decide on a gift but now I have some amazing gift ideas that can work for everyone!

What more could a new bride want than to begin her own Celebrating Home stoneware collection with an amazing Bean Pot, Bean Pot Basket and pair of Bean Pot cook books.

For the month of March anyone who orders a Bean Pot, and Bean Pot Basket at the same time will get the two Bean Pot Cookbooks absolutely FREE! 

This will make a wonderful wedding, graduation, or Mother’s Day gift!

All you have to do is click here , go to customer special under catagory and choose from our beautiful stoneware collection.

It will be shipped directly to your home or to the home of whomever you are shopping for.

And for the graduate in your life, why not consider our new Scents of Home Fragrance Warmers?

These warmers are wonderful for dorm rooms that don’t allow candles and they come in several different styles.  

Our Scents come in Gel form which makes them easy to handle.

They are spill resistant, water-based, environmentally friendly gels infused with premium quality fragrance.

The fragrance continues to release until the gel is completely dissipated, allowing virtually no waste, and easy cleaning!

Be sure to go online and shop my catalog to find the Warmer and Fragrance that is just right for your graduate!

I must say that these are just a couple ideas for the upcoming gift season but there are many more in my Spring catalog so be sure to go here and browse my virtual catalog for all your gift needs.

Remember if you have any questions you can contact me at the email address in the sidebar.

Making  Memories!  

Christmas Happies!

Every year I try to make a little Happy to keep by my front door so that when I have visitors over the holiday season I will have something to offer them.

This year Tim and I made Grandma Donovan's Christmas Candy.

My Grandmother made this candy every year when I was a child.
Here is the recipe
1 stick of butter, 1 can of condensed milk, l teaspoon of vanilla, 1bag of powdered sugar, pecans to taste, 1 bag of coconut, 1bag semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 bar of gulf wax
Mix butter and sugar, adding milk and vanilla, stir in as many pecans and coconut mixture will hold. Roll into small balls and refrigerate for several hours. Melt chocolate chips and gulf wax. Put a toothpick in ball and dip into melted chocolate. Place on wax paper to dry. Recipe makes about 100 candies.

The first batch that we made I packaged in plastic bags and tied them with a ribbon. By the way it’s always nice to have help when undertaking such a fun task. My daughter Mary and my friend Ashley helped me with the first batch.

 The next two batches I packaged in boxes my daughter Rebekah and I made from vintage Christmas paper.

I actually had my friend Joanie tell me how to make the boxes over the telephone.

. I stamped the tops of each box with a stamp that says “From our family to yours.”

It’s really neat to have something simple to offer those who come our way over the holidays!

My daughter Rachel and I also put together a quick craft for the little people who visit. Rachel cut out all the antlers for me.

These whimsical little reindeer can serve as place card holders
for a holiday table, party favors, or give a large reindeer as a gift,
filled with the recipients favorite candy!
They are an easy and inexpensive craft.

You'll Need:
Scissors
Craft glue, glue stick or glue dots
Terracotta clay pots; 2"-5"
Plastic eyes
Red pom-poms (glitter pom-poms are a fun addition!)
Three shades of brown craft foam, cardstock paper or construction paper;
we combined all three to make our reindeer family.

How to Make It:
First, with one shade of brown, cut the antlers to match the size of
your pot. If you are making the larger reindeer, use a child's handprint as pattern. Then, cut the ears with the other brown. We used a lighter shade of brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that's not necessary.
Attach they ears to the back of the pot. Then add the antlers.
Glue the eyes and nose the front. Fill the pot with candy, nuts or other goodies. It's that simple!
I can’t remember where I got this idea but if you google “ easy crafts for children” I’m sure you will find it.
    

So, how about  a cup of Christmas tea or cider?

If you don't have time to come by, I'm always looking for new recipes or craft ideas so why not leave me a comment and share your fun ideas?
Making Memories,

Creativity At It's Best Part One !

I just returned form visiting my friend Jackie! I always walk away from a visit with her feeling inspired. Jackie moved into her home a few years ago and is still working on it to get it to the place she wants it to be, but if you ask me it's absolutely perfect. My stay there was so refreshing! I felt like I was in an exquisite resort! Jackie's hospitality has no lack.
When you walk up to her front door you are greeted by her exterior entry way that greets you with a welcome that makes you want to stay and visit a while.

 

As you enter her foyer and living area her creativity is at it's best!

Jackie have "words" in common, we both like to use them in our decorating. The mirror in her foyer has the word "Sing" on it and her walls are enriched with some of the most important of words.

She also decorates with pieces of architecture...

I love Jackie's decorating style. She is attracted to over sized accessories and has a unique creativity with color. One of her favorite colors is purple and she also decorates with clocks both working and nonworking! We joked about how every room in her house is in a different time zone.

Jackie doesn't blog yet but I hope one day she will realize how many wonderful things she could teach us by blogging.Stay tuned for Part Two of Jackie's Creativity At It's Best!
Making Memories,

Apron Give Away!

There is a great give away going on over at French Garden House! Go on over and check it out.

The Highlights of Our Family Trip to Fredricksburg

The Rest!

The Laughter!

The Love!

The Stickers!

The Kitchen Help!

The Birthday gifts!

The Special guests! 

The Competitions!

The Games!

The Happies!

The Shopping!

The Cinnamon Rolls!

The Sweetest Italian Man!

The Amazing Men that are my son-in-laws!

The Front porch visits!

The Wonderful Ranch!

Last but not at all the least,

The most adorable grandchildren!

I love Making Memories

Taco Braid

I had a little get together recently and made a couple braids with this recipe! 

They were quick and easy so I thought I would share. 

OOPS...I forgot the cheese...

The recipe was for a pizza braid but I made the taco and dessert braids

PIZZA BRAID

2 Pkgs of Crescent Roll Dough or 1 Pkge of Pizza Dough

Mozzarella cheese

Pizza sauce

Pepperoni or other meats

Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, red pepper, etc

Lay dough out on tray with wide part of triangles on bottom of tray. Allow tips to hang over edges. If using pizza dough, spread evenly on tray.

Spread pizza sauce on dough

Sprinkle with cheese

Add meats and other toppings

Fold triangle tips of dough over dish/toppings

Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes or as directed for dough

VARIATION:

TACO BRAID- do the same with the crescent roll dough 

but put on a mixture of cooked hamburger meat and 1 can of refried beans.

Add onions, olives, etc.. Cook and then add cheese on top and melt,

Serve with salsa and sour cream...

Look at that cute Simply Summer Hospitality tray! You can get one free as a hostess booking gift when you book a party with me!

DESSERT DELIGHT- Do the same as above but spread on the pastry dough softened cream cheese. Then add fruit filling of choice, canned or fresh. Try cherries, peaches, apples, jams or jellies. Flip the triangle edges over the filling. Makes a DELICIOUS and beautiful Dessert.

Featuring the Veranda Hospitality Tray! 

Making Memories!