Teacher Gift - "Welcome Summer -- Soak it Up!"

Last year for the kids' teachers and teacher aids I made super cute 

Boxes of Sunshine

I knew they would be hard to beat!

But I had this cute idea while I was out shopping one day.

When I think summertime I think of sitting by the water and sipping lemonade to keep cool.

thus, this idea was born!

Here they are, all lined up!

I bought each teacher a different beach towel, these large bottles of lemon and lime aids to match, 

and found these colorful flexible straws.

I made this up from a google image, and tweeked it in Microsoft Publisher.

I rolled the towels, looped some tulle through holes punched on either side of the car, and tied it all together.

Ta-Da!! Who couldn't use this??

Hope they enjoy them!!

Last year for the kids' teachers and teacher aids I made super cute 

Boxes of Sunshine

I knew they would be hard to beat!

But I had this cute idea while I was out shopping one day.

When I think summertime I think of sitting by the water and sipping lemonade to keep cool.

thus, this idea was born!

Here they are, all lined up!

I bought each teacher a different beach towel, these large bottles of lemon and lime aids to match, 

and found these colorful flexible straws.

I made this up from a google image, and tweeked it in Microsoft Publisher.

I rolled the towels, looped some tulle through holes punched on either side of the car, and tied it all together.

Ta-Da!! Who couldn't use this??

Hope they enjoy them!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Brighten Someone's Day with a Box Full of Sunshine!!

Box Full of Sunshine

I made these last year for the twin's teacher's gifts at the end of the school year.  By the time I got around to posting them, it was summer....so I figured I would save it for this year.

Of course, I forgot about it until I was cleaning out my camera roll on my iphone! ;)

Good thing it's only January, so you have time to make these!!

labels made with scrapbook paper

I knew I wanted to make these, so for about a month I started collecting

things that were yellow!

packaged in a cake box I got at Hobby Lobby

my inspiration came from a Pinterest post, the picture was from happymoneysaver.com

I filled the bottom of the box with yellow tissue paper, added things like lemonade, Juicy Fruit gum, a sunshine cookie cutter, a yellow gingham dish towel and dish cloth,  yellow tube of bubbles and flower seeds...in what? yes, yellow.

I packaged it up in a cake box and tied it with yellow tulle.

Added the tag I made on the printer and mounted on scrapbook paper, added a few glittery foam flowers....

and Volia!

Teacher gift for SUM...SUM... SUMMERTIME!!

Box Full of Sunshine

I made these last year for the twin's teacher's gifts at the end of the school year.  By the time I got around to posting them, it was summer....so I figured I would save it for this year.

Of course, I forgot about it until I was cleaning out my camera roll on my iphone! ;)

Good thing it's only January, so you have time to make these!!

labels made with scrapbook paper

I knew I wanted to make these, so for about a month I started collecting

things that were yellow!

packaged in a cake box I got at Hobby Lobby

my inspiration came from a Pinterest post, the picture was from happymoneysaver.com

I filled the bottom of the box with yellow tissue paper, added things like lemonade, Juicy Fruit gum, a sunshine cookie cutter, a yellow gingham dish towel and dish cloth,  yellow tube of bubbles and flower seeds...in what? yes, yellow.

I packaged it up in a cake box and tied it with yellow tulle.

Added the tag I made on the printer and mounted on scrapbook paper, added a few glittery foam flowers....

and Volia!

Teacher gift for SUM...SUM... SUMMERTIME!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes in a Mason Jar Mug

Can  you say teacher gifts?!?

Pretty much all of my kids' teachers know I love to cook.  A lot of them even follow my blog.

So I feel like I should treat them to something made in my kitchen whenever I get the chance.

For our specials teachers this year, I used my friend, Candi's recipe from her blog for hot chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow butter cream.

I found these mason jars with handles, and bought the canning lids to go with them.

I baked up her recipe for the cupcakes, and it made exactly 24 cupcakes.  

(I made 11 jars...lucky me!!)

I cut the tops of the cupcakes off, and put one in the bottom of the jar, 

the squeezed some frosting, topped it with these pretty pink peppermint marshmallows that I found, added another cupcake, more frosting, more marshmallows and some chocolate chips.

I made some little tags, and attached them to a packet of peppermint hot cocoa, strung a ribbon through and tied them on the jars.

Tie a spoon on with the ribbon, and make it look pretty!

Gift away!!

The kids said their teachers really liked them, 

I hope so!! 

Because our family appreciates each and every one of them!!

Get the recipe!!

Click the link right here to be taken to my friend Candi's blog, The Devilish Dish

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes from The Devilish Dish

Merry Christmas!!

Can  you say teacher gifts?!?

Pretty much all of my kids' teachers know I love to cook.  A lot of them even follow my blog.

So I feel like I should treat them to something made in my kitchen whenever I get the chance.

For our specials teachers this year, I used my friend, Candi's recipe from her blog for hot chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow butter cream.

I found these mason jars with handles, and bought the canning lids to go with them.

I baked up her recipe for the cupcakes, and it made exactly 24 cupcakes.  

(I made 11 jars...lucky me!!)

I cut the tops of the cupcakes off, and put one in the bottom of the jar, 

the squeezed some frosting, topped it with these pretty pink peppermint marshmallows that I found, added another cupcake, more frosting, more marshmallows and some chocolate chips.

I made some little tags, and attached them to a packet of peppermint hot cocoa, strung a ribbon through and tied them on the jars.

Tie a spoon on with the ribbon, and make it look pretty!

Gift away!!

The kids said their teachers really liked them, 

I hope so!! 

Because our family appreciates each and every one of them!!

Get the recipe!!

Click the link right here to be taken to my friend Candi's blog, The Devilish Dish

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes from The Devilish Dish

Merry Christmas!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

"It would be SWEET if you would go to HOMECOMING with me" Cookie.

Remember when we were kids and you just simply got up the nerve to ask a girl to a dance?

(or a boy to a Sadie Hawkins Dance...)

Yes, it was stressful and nerve wracking, but these days?  

You have to make some grand gesture!

It used to be that they did this for Prom, but now homecoming, too?

homecoming invitation giant cookie

Funnier thing? 

Even if you have been dating for 6 months, and you already know you're going, 

I mean you have the dress, the shoes, the tie.  You even know where you're having dinner....

You still have to come up with some clever way to ask.

My daughter, Kenzie, has been dating her boyfriend, Austin since early last Spring.  

She has been so stressed out about what to do to ask him.

She had her idea all ready to go, and someone at school used it.

She didn't want to "copy!"

So, I suggested the idea you see here.

pizza-boxed up

She got a small pizza box and she (yea...we will go with SHE...not ME...decorated the cookie)

She was so excited to surprise him with it last night.  

She closed the lid on the box, and sat it on the stove.

This is my daughter, Kenzie and her boyfriend, Austin.

Really couldn't ask for a sweeter guy for her to be dating!!  

(Austin, if you are reading this... take care of her and BE GOOD!!!)

So, they go to different schools and if you think it's hard for a girl to come up with an idea like this, how about a teenage boy?!?

So, yesterday, when he came over, he texted her from the driveway and said he was here.

She ran out to the drive, and he was standing there with roses and a poster board.

   

I stole these photos from her twitter account! ;)

Can you believe that she didn't whip her cell phone out right there and take his picture?!?!?!

NOOOOOOOOOO!!

I wasn't even here!!

Of course, I totally had it pictured like this:

but I am a child of the 80's....

When I think of homecoming dances I think of dancing to "Crazy for You" by Madonna.

So, to make a short story even longer....

he walks in the kitchen  (Austin ALWAYS the SHY one.... )

Sees the box and says "Oooooo! PIZZA!!"

Walks over and opens the box, and sees his homecoming cookie!!

All in all it turned out well, I just wish I could have witnessed in person!!

So, if your teen is looking for a good idea...go ahead and steal it!

Happy Homecoming, everyone!!

Remember when we were kids and you just simply got up the nerve to ask a girl to a dance?

(or a boy to a Sadie Hawkins Dance...)

Yes, it was stressful and nerve wracking, but these days?  

You have to make some grand gesture!

It used to be that they did this for Prom, but now homecoming, too?

homecoming invitation giant cookie

Funnier thing? 

Even if you have been dating for 6 months, and you already know you're going, 

I mean you have the dress, the shoes, the tie.  You even know where you're having dinner....

You still have to come up with some clever way to ask.

My daughter, Kenzie, has been dating her boyfriend, Austin since early last Spring.  

She has been so stressed out about what to do to ask him.

She had her idea all ready to go, and someone at school used it.

She didn't want to "copy!"

So, I suggested the idea you see here.

pizza-boxed up

She got a small pizza box and she (yea...we will go with SHE...not ME...decorated the cookie)

She was so excited to surprise him with it last night.  

She closed the lid on the box, and sat it on the stove.

This is my daughter, Kenzie and her boyfriend, Austin.

Really couldn't ask for a sweeter guy for her to be dating!!  

(Austin, if you are reading this... take care of her and BE GOOD!!!)

So, they go to different schools and if you think it's hard for a girl to come up with an idea like this, how about a teenage boy?!?

So, yesterday, when he came over, he texted her from the driveway and said he was here.

She ran out to the drive, and he was standing there with roses and a poster board.

   

I stole these photos from her twitter account! ;)

Can you believe that she didn't whip her cell phone out right there and take his picture?!?!?!

NOOOOOOOOOO!!

I wasn't even here!!

Of course, I totally had it pictured like this:

but I am a child of the 80's....

When I think of homecoming dances I think of dancing to "Crazy for You" by Madonna.

So, to make a short story even longer....

he walks in the kitchen  (Austin ALWAYS the SHY one.... )

Sees the box and says "Oooooo! PIZZA!!"

Walks over and opens the box, and sees his homecoming cookie!!

All in all it turned out well, I just wish I could have witnessed in person!!

So, if your teen is looking for a good idea...go ahead and steal it!

Happy Homecoming, everyone!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Dry Erase Board made from a Photo and Frame

Happy Valentine's Day to my Hubby!!

For Christmas we gave our kids a trip to see their Grandparents in San Diego.

Our flight left on Valentine's Day.

My husband knows how much I love Valentine's Day, and he always makes it special.  

But we agreed that a plane trip to sunshine was gift enough!

(but I am a little bit of a rule breaker, ya know?)

I saw this idea on Pinterest a while back and figured I would give it a try.

We always leave notes to one another on  the bathroom counter.

I just re-did our room and bath in the last year, in browns and kind of a Caribbean blue.

We love our trips to the beach to escape the winter weather!!

I have so many photos from our trips over the years, and shells an"beachy" trinkets, I decided to decorate with all of them.

When I saw this idea to turn a picture into a dry erase board, I knew I wanted to try it.

I found the photo on Google Images.  I just thought it was so darn cute!!

I printed it in a 12x12 size and found a frame at Hobby Lobby.

Before I framed it, I used some scrapbook stickers and stuck 

"I Love You" in the upper left corner.

When honey woke up on Valentine's Day, it was hanging on the wall right behind him and his mirror.

I wrote "Happy Valentine's Day" on it to greet him.

I even found a brown dry erase marker that was cute enough to leave on top of the frame.

Now when he is getting ready in the morning, those two starfish are in the reflection behind him, and even if there isn't a note on it, it always says

 "I love you."

Doesn't everyone need a reminder every now and then??

xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day to my Hubby!!

For Christmas we gave our kids a trip to see their Grandparents in San Diego.

Our flight left on Valentine's Day.

My husband knows how much I love Valentine's Day, and he always makes it special.  

But we agreed that a plane trip to sunshine was gift enough!

(but I am a little bit of a rule breaker, ya know?)

I saw this idea on Pinterest a while back and figured I would give it a try.

We always leave notes to one another on  the bathroom counter.

I just re-did our room and bath in the last year, in browns and kind of a Caribbean blue.

We love our trips to the beach to escape the winter weather!!

I have so many photos from our trips over the years, and shells an"beachy" trinkets, I decided to decorate with all of them.

When I saw this idea to turn a picture into a dry erase board, I knew I wanted to try it.

I found the photo on Google Images.  I just thought it was so darn cute!!

I printed it in a 12x12 size and found a frame at Hobby Lobby.

Before I framed it, I used some scrapbook stickers and stuck 

"I Love You" in the upper left corner.

When honey woke up on Valentine's Day, it was hanging on the wall right behind him and his mirror.

I wrote "Happy Valentine's Day" on it to greet him.

I even found a brown dry erase marker that was cute enough to leave on top of the frame.

Now when he is getting ready in the morning, those two starfish are in the reflection behind him, and even if there isn't a note on it, it always says

 "I love you."

Doesn't everyone need a reminder every now and then??

xoxo

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Karen's Ginger Bread Cookie Recipe

Karen's Ginger Bread

If you follow my blog you have heard me mention my Sister-in-Law, Karen.  Karen passed away in 2005 from a very aggressive form of mouth cancer.  She is sorely missed all of the time, but around the holidays, I think about her more often than normal.

Karen LOVED to bake, and she was GREAT at it.

Her oldest son, Alex, is just three weeks younger than my oldest son. They are like brothers. 

Alex's favorite Christmas cookie was always Karen's Gingerbread men.

She would always make these at Christmas, and often times for my annual cookie exchange.  

I make them every year now, because they are my son, Spencer's favorite, too.

The recipe I have is a printed email that she sent me with her recipe. 

 It contains the back and forth conversation that she and I had about just your normal everyday life. 

She was my "go-to" person when I was baking.

I was a Creative Memories consultant for 6 years, and found my love of scrapbooking when Karen and I attended our first home class after we had our boys.

My friend Candi, over at The Devilish Dish, and I started an online scrapbooking art store called Simply Scrapbooking, and I left CM. We made handmade scrapbook art.

After Karen passed away in October if 2005, a BUNCH (and I mean a whole giant room full) of my scrapbooking family got together and brought all of her kids' scrapbooks up to date. We did this around the holidays, and everyone that helped received one of these tiny little angel ornaments when they left, attached was this little saying: 

You're in my thoughts at Christmas,

so I say this little prayer. . .

"May angels always bless you,

and keep you in their care.

And may the heaven's angels

light a Christmas star,

to shine on you all year through. . .

no matter where you are."

karen angel

I call it my "Karen Angel" and she hangs year 'round in my kitchen on the cabinet knob, right over my oven.  

When I am baking, I know she is here with me.

After Karen passed, Hallmark aired a movie, based on a book, called "The Christmas Shoes." I am not sure if you have ever heard of it? But that was a tough one to watch for me.  It is an honest to goodness tear jerker of a movie with a very nice message about a little boy that loses his Mom at Christmas.  

Every year when I am baking, I listen to Christmas music, and they play the song from the movie.

It brings me to tears every time.

This is the song from the movie, by a band called Newsong. I found this clip on youtube, and if you watch/listen it even has the ending scene from the movie.

I know that Karen is in a better place, but she is sure missed here.

I am sharing with you now, her recipe for Gingerbread cookies.  I don't know where she got it, so I can't give credit to whoever wrote it, and I am sorry for that.  But to us, this is Karen's Gingerbread.

Karen's Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients you will need

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup butter, softened

3 T molasses

1 egg

2 T water or milk

3 1/4 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cloves

Sugar or icing

Directions:

Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, butter and

molasses; beat until light and fluffy.  Add egg and water; blend well.  Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.  Add flour and all remaining ingredients, except additional sugar or icing; mix well to form a smooth dough.  Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate one hour for easier handling.

Heat oven to 350*.  Roll portions of dough into medium sized balls, roll in sugar (if you want them sugar coated) or leave plain if you plan to ice them.  (Keep remaining dough refrigerated.)  Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until set.  Immediately

remove from cookie sheets.  Ice when cool.  

These cookies can also be rolled into gingerbread shapes if desired on a floured surface.  Bake 9-11 on 350. 

These freeze very well.

the alco dress




This is one of my favorite pictures of Karen.  We had gone to a wedding in Manhattan, Kansas, and Karen had hand sewn a dress to wear to the event. 
 When we got there, she realized the dress was laying on her bed back at home. 
The only place to shop in a pinch was Alco.  That is where she found this sweet little number.  
I think she looks great!! 
We sure laughed about this.

Mommas and Daddys, squeeze your babies tight.

Karen's Ginger Bread

If you follow my blog you have heard me mention my Sister-in-Law, Karen.  Karen passed away in 2005 from a very aggressive form of mouth cancer.  She is sorely missed all of the time, but around the holidays, I think about her more often than normal.

Karen LOVED to bake, and she was GREAT at it.

Her oldest son, Alex, is just three weeks younger than my oldest son. They are like brothers. 

Alex's favorite Christmas cookie was always Karen's Gingerbread men.

She would always make these at Christmas, and often times for my annual cookie exchange.  

I make them every year now, because they are my son, Spencer's favorite, too.

The recipe I have is a printed email that she sent me with her recipe. 

 It contains the back and forth conversation that she and I had about just your normal everyday life. 

She was my "go-to" person when I was baking.

I was a Creative Memories consultant for 6 years, and found my love of scrapbooking when Karen and I attended our first home class after we had our boys.

My friend Candi, over at The Devilish Dish, and I started an online scrapbooking art store called Simply Scrapbooking, and I left CM. We made handmade scrapbook art.

After Karen passed away in October if 2005, a BUNCH (and I mean a whole giant room full) of my scrapbooking family got together and brought all of her kids' scrapbooks up to date. We did this around the holidays, and everyone that helped received one of these tiny little angel ornaments when they left, attached was this little saying: 

You're in my thoughts at Christmas,

so I say this little prayer. . .

"May angels always bless you,

and keep you in their care.

And may the heaven's angels

light a Christmas star,

to shine on you all year through. . .

no matter where you are."

karen angel

I call it my "Karen Angel" and she hangs year 'round in my kitchen on the cabinet knob, right over my oven.  

When I am baking, I know she is here with me.

After Karen passed, Hallmark aired a movie, based on a book, called "The Christmas Shoes." I am not sure if you have ever heard of it? But that was a tough one to watch for me.  It is an honest to goodness tear jerker of a movie with a very nice message about a little boy that loses his Mom at Christmas.  

Every year when I am baking, I listen to Christmas music, and they play the song from the movie.

It brings me to tears every time.

This is the song from the movie, by a band called Newsong. I found this clip on youtube, and if you watch/listen it even has the ending scene from the movie.

I know that Karen is in a better place, but she is sure missed here.

I am sharing with you now, her recipe for Gingerbread cookies.  I don't know where she got it, so I can't give credit to whoever wrote it, and I am sorry for that.  But to us, this is Karen's Gingerbread.

Karen's Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients you will need

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup butter, softened

3 T molasses

1 egg

2 T water or milk

3 1/4 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cloves

Sugar or icing

Directions:

Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, butter and

molasses; beat until light and fluffy.  Add egg and water; blend well.  Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.  Add flour and all remaining ingredients, except additional sugar or icing; mix well to form a smooth dough.  Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate one hour for easier handling.

Heat oven to 350*.  Roll portions of dough into medium sized balls, roll in sugar (if you want them sugar coated) or leave plain if you plan to ice them.  (Keep remaining dough refrigerated.)  Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until set.  Immediately

remove from cookie sheets.  Ice when cool.  

These cookies can also be rolled into gingerbread shapes if desired on a floured surface.  Bake 9-11 on 350. 

These freeze very well.

the alco dress




This is one of my favorite pictures of Karen.  We had gone to a wedding in Manhattan, Kansas, and Karen had hand sewn a dress to wear to the event. 
 When we got there, she realized the dress was laying on her bed back at home. 
The only place to shop in a pinch was Alco.  That is where she found this sweet little number.  
I think she looks great!! 
We sure laughed about this.

Mommas and Daddys, squeeze your babies tight.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

It's National Cupcake Day!!

So....Did you hear?!?

 I heard on the radio that TODAY is National Cupcake Day!! 

Don't cha just love cuppie cakes?!?!

Ironically, I made cupcakes this morning!

Haven't taken any pictures of them yet... but they will be coming.

I figured I would put all of my little yummy cupcakes in one spot for you to check out on this

 very SPECIAL day!!

The first one is where I got my pink cupcake profile picture, that has just sort of stuck!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Next we have one of my favorites!! I made these in honor of my most favorite Starbucks treat they they no longer make. It was a Chocolate Orange Latte.

Double Chocolate Orange Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream

I also made these lil cuties in jars for some of my besties! 

double chocolate orange cupcakes in a jar

Then look at these little cuties!!

So good... you'll want S'More!

S'More Cupcakes

Then...drum roll please....

Out of all of the cupcakes I have made these little darlings have been the biggest hit!

Bubble Gum Cupcake with Bubble Gum Buttercream Frosting

So, to tease you a little, I have what every girl needs, just sitting on my counter. 

Dark chocolate cupcakes with Tiffany Blue buttercream, adorned with silver jimmies and pearls. 

Ah.... bliss!

So....Did you hear?!?

 I heard on the radio that TODAY is National Cupcake Day!! 

Don't cha just love cuppie cakes?!?!

Ironically, I made cupcakes this morning!

Haven't taken any pictures of them yet... but they will be coming.

I figured I would put all of my little yummy cupcakes in one spot for you to check out on this

 very SPECIAL day!!

The first one is where I got my pink cupcake profile picture, that has just sort of stuck!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Next we have one of my favorites!! I made these in honor of my most favorite Starbucks treat they they no longer make. It was a Chocolate Orange Latte.

Double Chocolate Orange Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream

I also made these lil cuties in jars for some of my besties! 

double chocolate orange cupcakes in a jar

Then look at these little cuties!!

So good... you'll want S'More!

S'More Cupcakes

Then...drum roll please....

Out of all of the cupcakes I have made these little darlings have been the biggest hit!

Bubble Gum Cupcake with Bubble Gum Buttercream Frosting

So, to tease you a little, I have what every girl needs, just sitting on my counter. 

Dark chocolate cupcakes with Tiffany Blue buttercream, adorned with silver jimmies and pearls. 

Ah.... bliss!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Homemade Sugar Scrubs - Great Holiday Gift

Sugar scrubs seem to be all the rage this year!

I have seen lots of posts, and hopefully you don't find this one "redundant," but I made some, too!

peppermint sugar scrub

My kids' school actually really does us and the teachers a favor by doing gift certificates for all of the staff.  

In early December we send in a donation, and they divvy it out.

It's a lifesaver.  

I usually try to make something homemade for them, and we buy them a book or two for their classrooms.

This year it sugar scrub!

these are the ones I did for their teachers

A month or so ago, my daughter Josie and I decided to make some.  

I made one for my friend, Lori, for her birthday.  

She had given me some sweet orange essential oil a while back for in my bubble bathes.

I knew she liked it, so I decided to make her a sweet orange sugar scrub.

(Wish I would have taken a picture of it!)

She loved it, and asked me for the recipe.

This one is for you, Lori!! 

(and all of you others who want something for dry skin this winter!!)




*** You can find Vitamin E Oil and Essential oils at Whole Foods, vitamin or nutrition stores! ***

Basic Sugar Scrub Recipe

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E Oil

1 1/2 teaspoon essential oil / or scented extract

Blend together in a bowl until oil is absorbed into sugar.

This is a basic recipe, I have just played with it for the different scents. 

brown sugar vanilla sugar scrub

This one smells so good!!  

Brown Sugar Vanilla Sugar Scrub

1/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E Oil

1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla

Blend together in a bowl until oil is absorbed into sugar.

top view of teacher gifts

You can use leftover jars, jelly jars or find something cute like the ones above at your local craft store for around a $1.00

Word to the wise...DO NOT use garlic jars.  They may smell clean...but trust me, they will smell like garlic, so unless you're into Garlic Sugar Scrub, or you need to keep vampires away or something, I wouldn't recommend it!

I used ribbon, and scrapbook paper, Modge Podge, some fun "snowball looking" sprigs, and made tags on my computer.  Just use your imagination! 

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

1 cup white sugar

2 regular sized candy canes (crushed finely)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E Oil

1 1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil

Blend together in a bowl until oil in absorbed into sugar.

peppermint scrub --- I modge podged a reindeer scrapbook sticker on the front

bubblegum sugar scrub

Bubblegum sugar scrub was inspired by my beloved Bubble Gum Cupcakes!

This scrub smells SO DARN GOOD!!  

Bubble Gum Sugar Scrub

1cup white sugar

pink sugar crystals

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E Oil

1 teaspoon bubblegum extract

Blend together in a bowl until oil is absorbed into sugar. Add pink sugar crystals to "pink up" the scrub.

There ya go!! Easy, fun, economical and useful gifts.

I have made all kinds of them.... 

I can't wait to give them to the teachers,  some friends, my mail lady ... and a few others!

Cheers to smooth scrubbed tootsies this winter!

Sugar scrubs seem to be all the rage this year!

I have seen lots of posts, and hopefully you don't find this one "redundant," but I made some, too!

peppermint sugar scrub

My kids' school actually really does us and the teachers a favor by doing gift certificates for all of the staff.  

In early December we send in a donation, and they divvy it out.

It's a lifesaver.  

I usually try to make something homemade for them, and we buy them a book or two for their classrooms.

This year it sugar scrub!

these are the ones I did for their teachers

A month or so ago, my daughter Josie and I decided to make some.  

I made one for my friend, Lori, for her birthday.  

She had given me some sweet orange essential oil a while back for in my bubble bathes.

I knew she liked it, so I decided to make her a sweet orange sugar scrub.

(Wish I would have taken a picture of it!)

She loved it, and asked me for the recipe.

This one is for you, Lori!! 

(and all of you others who want something for dry skin this winter!!)




*** You can find Vitamin E Oil and Essential oils at Whole Foods, vitamin or nutrition stores! ***

Basic Sugar Scrub Recipe

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E Oil

1 1/2 teaspoon essential oil / or scented extract

Blend together in a bowl until oil is absorbed into sugar.

This is a basic recipe, I have just played with it for the different scents. 

brown sugar vanilla sugar scrub

This one smells so good!!  

Brown Sugar Vanilla Sugar Scrub

1/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E Oil

1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla

Blend together in a bowl until oil is absorbed into sugar.

top view of teacher gifts

You can use leftover jars, jelly jars or find something cute like the ones above at your local craft store for around a $1.00

Word to the wise...DO NOT use garlic jars.  They may smell clean...but trust me, they will smell like garlic, so unless you're into Garlic Sugar Scrub, or you need to keep vampires away or something, I wouldn't recommend it!

I used ribbon, and scrapbook paper, Modge Podge, some fun "snowball looking" sprigs, and made tags on my computer.  Just use your imagination! 

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

1 cup white sugar

2 regular sized candy canes (crushed finely)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E Oil

1 1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil

Blend together in a bowl until oil in absorbed into sugar.

peppermint scrub --- I modge podged a reindeer scrapbook sticker on the front

bubblegum sugar scrub

Bubblegum sugar scrub was inspired by my beloved Bubble Gum Cupcakes!

This scrub smells SO DARN GOOD!!  

Bubble Gum Sugar Scrub

1cup white sugar

pink sugar crystals

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E Oil

1 teaspoon bubblegum extract

Blend together in a bowl until oil is absorbed into sugar. Add pink sugar crystals to "pink up" the scrub.

There ya go!! Easy, fun, economical and useful gifts.

I have made all kinds of them.... 

I can't wait to give them to the teachers,  some friends, my mail lady ... and a few others!

Cheers to smooth scrubbed tootsies this winter!

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Happy 9th Birthday to Our Twins... Tie Dye Cupcakes and Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

tie dye birthday party cupcakes

ice cream sandwich cake

This past weekend we celebrated the birth of our twins.  They turned nine on Sunday!

When they were born, I said I would never call them "the twins." For a very long time we called them "the babies."  I know that they will always be MY babies, but once they began elementary school I started getting some strange looks when I said it.

Sure I can call them by name, and we do, but when you're "lumping them together" in conversation, it's hard not to call them the twins. 

When they were born, our son, "Baby A" was born exactly one minute early.  He brags about being older to her all of the time. I really think she likes being the baby though...so it worked out okay!

We were so blessed that our twins were healthy and weighed a good amount when they were born.  I was in the hospital with toxemia for 3 days prior to their birth.  The doctors were waiting until they were 34 weeks gestation. The day that they were, they weighed me at 8 AM, then again at noon. I had gained 4 pounds in 4 hours!  I was so full of water, my feet looked like Fred Flintstone's. 

My doctor decided we couldn't wait any longer.

We had already anticipated a C Section, because Baby A was breach. I had never had a C Section before and I was scared. The known C Section became an emergency C Section, because they were coming early!

Ready or not... here they come!

Hayden and Josie were born, and weighed 6.4 and 6.5!

They were able to go to the regular nursery, and bypass the NICU. 

Praise, God!

here they are...my BABIES!!  I wish I could just pick them up and kiss those chubby baby cheeks!!

For the first two years of their life they weighed within a couple of ounces of  each other. Then Josie had a growth spurt that has continued! I know that someday she won't outweigh her brother by 10+ pounds, but it does bother him! (especially when he weighs in for sports!!)

Anymore, people question whether or not they are twins, or just close in age. 

So, I guess calling them "the twins" just clarifies that!

For their birthday, they invited a few friends to a local business here called CREATE. It is an awesome place where people can do all kinds of art and projects.  They have camps during the summer and on school breaks that my kiddos LOVE to attend!  So this was what they decided would be a fun time for them and their friends!

They painted canvases for their rooms, using paints and stamps and stencils.  Kiersten, did such an awesome job with the kids!

Kiersten helping Hayden and Josie

some of the drying art work

the kids and their masterpieces

After they painted they opened gifts and enjoyed the tie dye cupcakes that the three of us had made!

how cool are these?!?

I arranged the cupcakes on a painting palette, aren't they cute!?

tie dye cupcakes

ready to blow out the candles

cupcake anticipation

the girls with Josie

The party was held on Saturday.

Yesterday, Sunday, was their real birthday. Keeping with tradition, they got to choose what they wanted Mom to make for dinner. Sometimes with twins, that can get very interesting.

This year, since their day was on a weekend, they conspired to get two meals out of the deal!

For breakfast, Hayden chose Dad's omelets. Daddy makes the best omelets!

omelet on the "birthday plate"

For dinner, Josie chose Shrimp and Crab pasta.  This is a family favorite!! I have already posted this recipe and you can find it HERE.

shrimp and crab pasta on the "birthday plate"

Time for Birthday cake! (or pie...)

Josie is a pie eater like her mom!! She asked for a Village Inn French Silk pie.  Hayden requested an ice cream sandwich cake. This is a cake I have made A LOT, and I always manage to make it different.

Hayden's ice cream sandwich cake

here are my BIG 9 year olds with their desserts

I have never made tie dye cupcakes before.  I have seen people post them online, and always wanted to try!  I was trying to decide what would be cool for treats for an art themed birthday and figured I had my chance!

There really isn't a "recipe" so I will tell you what I did.

Tie Dye Cupcakes

Make a white cake mix according to the box instructions. Divide batter into four bowls (or however many colors you want) I used red, blue, yellow and green. Color the batter with food coloring.

Spoon colors randomly into cupcake liners.  After that, take a toothpick and give the batter a quick swirl!

Bake them and you will get this out of the oven!

psychedelic!

I made my buttercream recipe and I flavored it with almond, because my kids love that!  I colored the frosting to match the cupcakes and frosted them with a knife so they would be smooth, and look like paints on my palette.

Ta-Da!

ice cream sandwich cake

The ice cream sandwich cake recipe is from Kraft.  I made this for Easter a couple of years ago and the kids polished it off!!   Whenever I make it, it always turns out different.  This time, I made it with Neapolitan ice cream sandwiches! For this size I used the basic recipe. I topped it with more hot fudge and Hayden added some jimmies. I sprinkled more cookie crumbs around the bottom.

Last year for my oldest son's birthday I tripled it and made this huge one for him and his friends.

triple batch ice cream sandwich cake

I will share the recipe as Kraft has it on their website, by sharing the link to it. 

But use your imagination! The options are endless!

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Kraft OREO & Fudge Ice Cream Cake

I hope they had a great birthday, they sure seemed to!! 

Happy Birthday, BABIES!!

Love, 

Mom

tie dye birthday party cupcakes

ice cream sandwich cake

This past weekend we celebrated the birth of our twins.  They turned nine on Sunday!

When they were born, I said I would never call them "the twins." For a very long time we called them "the babies."  I know that they will always be MY babies, but once they began elementary school I started getting some strange looks when I said it.

Sure I can call them by name, and we do, but when you're "lumping them together" in conversation, it's hard not to call them the twins. 

When they were born, our son, "Baby A" was born exactly one minute early.  He brags about being older to her all of the time. I really think she likes being the baby though...so it worked out okay!

We were so blessed that our twins were healthy and weighed a good amount when they were born.  I was in the hospital with toxemia for 3 days prior to their birth.  The doctors were waiting until they were 34 weeks gestation. The day that they were, they weighed me at 8 AM, then again at noon. I had gained 4 pounds in 4 hours!  I was so full of water, my feet looked like Fred Flintstone's. 

My doctor decided we couldn't wait any longer.

We had already anticipated a C Section, because Baby A was breach. I had never had a C Section before and I was scared. The known C Section became an emergency C Section, because they were coming early!

Ready or not... here they come!

Hayden and Josie were born, and weighed 6.4 and 6.5!

They were able to go to the regular nursery, and bypass the NICU. 

Praise, God!

here they are...my BABIES!!  I wish I could just pick them up and kiss those chubby baby cheeks!!

For the first two years of their life they weighed within a couple of ounces of  each other. Then Josie had a growth spurt that has continued! I know that someday she won't outweigh her brother by 10+ pounds, but it does bother him! (especially when he weighs in for sports!!)

Anymore, people question whether or not they are twins, or just close in age. 

So, I guess calling them "the twins" just clarifies that!

For their birthday, they invited a few friends to a local business here called CREATE. It is an awesome place where people can do all kinds of art and projects.  They have camps during the summer and on school breaks that my kiddos LOVE to attend!  So this was what they decided would be a fun time for them and their friends!

They painted canvases for their rooms, using paints and stamps and stencils.  Kiersten, did such an awesome job with the kids!

Kiersten helping Hayden and Josie

some of the drying art work

the kids and their masterpieces

After they painted they opened gifts and enjoyed the tie dye cupcakes that the three of us had made!

how cool are these?!?

I arranged the cupcakes on a painting palette, aren't they cute!?

tie dye cupcakes

ready to blow out the candles

cupcake anticipation

the girls with Josie

The party was held on Saturday.

Yesterday, Sunday, was their real birthday. Keeping with tradition, they got to choose what they wanted Mom to make for dinner. Sometimes with twins, that can get very interesting.

This year, since their day was on a weekend, they conspired to get two meals out of the deal!

For breakfast, Hayden chose Dad's omelets. Daddy makes the best omelets!

omelet on the "birthday plate"

For dinner, Josie chose Shrimp and Crab pasta.  This is a family favorite!! I have already posted this recipe and you can find it HERE.

shrimp and crab pasta on the "birthday plate"

Time for Birthday cake! (or pie...)

Josie is a pie eater like her mom!! She asked for a Village Inn French Silk pie.  Hayden requested an ice cream sandwich cake. This is a cake I have made A LOT, and I always manage to make it different.

Hayden's ice cream sandwich cake

here are my BIG 9 year olds with their desserts

I have never made tie dye cupcakes before.  I have seen people post them online, and always wanted to try!  I was trying to decide what would be cool for treats for an art themed birthday and figured I had my chance!

There really isn't a "recipe" so I will tell you what I did.

Tie Dye Cupcakes

Make a white cake mix according to the box instructions. Divide batter into four bowls (or however many colors you want) I used red, blue, yellow and green. Color the batter with food coloring.

Spoon colors randomly into cupcake liners.  After that, take a toothpick and give the batter a quick swirl!

Bake them and you will get this out of the oven!

psychedelic!

I made my buttercream recipe and I flavored it with almond, because my kids love that!  I colored the frosting to match the cupcakes and frosted them with a knife so they would be smooth, and look like paints on my palette.

Ta-Da!

ice cream sandwich cake

The ice cream sandwich cake recipe is from Kraft.  I made this for Easter a couple of years ago and the kids polished it off!!   Whenever I make it, it always turns out different.  This time, I made it with Neapolitan ice cream sandwiches! For this size I used the basic recipe. I topped it with more hot fudge and Hayden added some jimmies. I sprinkled more cookie crumbs around the bottom.

Last year for my oldest son's birthday I tripled it and made this huge one for him and his friends.

triple batch ice cream sandwich cake

I will share the recipe as Kraft has it on their website, by sharing the link to it. 

But use your imagination! The options are endless!

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Kraft OREO & Fudge Ice Cream Cake

I hope they had a great birthday, they sure seemed to!! 

Happy Birthday, BABIES!!

Love, 

Mom

reade more... Résuméabuiyad