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Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract

"I absolutely love vanilla extract! Talk about a fun, easy and delicious homemade gift idea! Organic vanilla extract can be quite spendy at the store, and with these cute jars you cannot go wrong in blessing family and friends and your own kitchen cupboard. I made 6 (4 oz bottles) this last weekend and they are steeping away nicely in my cupboard ready for Christmas baskets."

Be sure to go to Passionate Homemaking to get the recipe and how to!!

homemade peppermint extract

homemade peppermint extract

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"I tried making peppermint cookies a few years ago. They were very festive to look at- dark chocolate cookies with pieces of candy cane spread throughout; but they tasted TERRIBLE! The peppermint flavor was way off and I blame the peppermint extract I used. This year I am making my own and know the cookies will taste much better with homemade peppermint extract in them!

It is so EASY to make! All you need is a few sprigs of fresh peppermint and vodka."



Please check out 5 Orange Potatoes to learn how to make your own Peppermint Extract!

Our Jesse Tree: A Focused Advent Celebration

Our Jesse Tree: A Focused Advent Celebration

When I went to my favorite blog today I saw that Lindsey had posted this beautiful and meaningful post about the Jesse Tree. I hadn't heard of this before and so I was fascinated! I think you will too find it fascinating and perhaps consider starting this tradition in your home! Be sure to share it with family and friends! Here is part of what Lindsey had to say. Be sure to click on the title to go directly to her blog and get the full story and list of resources!!

"Last year, I was introduced to the idea of a Jesse Tree as a purposeful way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and our family loves it!

The name “Jesse Tree” comes from Isaiah 11:1-2: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”

The Jesse Tree idea centers around Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophesy being the “stump of Jesse”. I had a blast beginning to assemble my own homemade ornaments to add to our tree throughout the Advent season. Each ornament represents a different story, starting at the beginning of Creation and working all the way to the coming of Christ Jesus. Each reading shows how all the Old Testament points towards the coming of Christ as the Messiah. The Jesse Tree gives such a beautiful picture into seeing how each story of the Bible speaks about God. Each story is a little whisper of His name and a glimpse into character, plan and purpose. The Jesse Tree is a form of Advent, in which you read one story each day from November 30-December 25. It is a fun and purposeful opportunity to sit down as a family and read more about His coming, but also have a visual representation through each ornament."

It came in!! My Etsy Christmas gifts!!

I am so excited!! Check out Valentine Studios for yourself!! You won't regret it!!

Librarians, Please Avert Your Eyes

YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO VISIT THIS AMAZING AND FUN BLOG AND LEARN HOW TO CREATE THESE AMAZING WREATHS!!!
Living With Lindsey

Etsy for Christmas!

There are many unique and beautiful gifts to be found on Etsy! They can be bought on any budget as well! Like this adorable necklace (pictured above) I was able to purchase for only $5! What a beautiful, frugal and unique gift! I am so excited! You can purchase this necklace and others like it from ValentineStudios and you'll love what they have to offer! You can find a great number of handcrafted items for everyone on your list! Have some frugal Christmas fun!

Here He IS!!! BOLT~Our Super Hero Dog!!

We are so thrilled to have Bolt with us! We were able to complete the adoption Saturday, November 7th, 2009 and that will officially be his Birthday! They thought he was about 2 years old~so fully grown and yet so very tiny! They found him wandering around in the streets so the New Nodaway Humane Society took him in and cared for him until we were able to adopt him and give him a new home and be his family! We love him so much! He has taken to us already and is very protective! He is an excellent house dog~no accidents! What a blessing he has been already. We hope that we will be a blessing to him as well!

BIG NEWS!!

We are getting a Toy Rat Terrier!! We are so very excited! He is our Christmas Gift to ourselves and our gift to the New Nodaway Humane Society! We are so excited and so thankful to give this little guy a home! The kids want to name him BOLT! :) We will post pics of him after his adoption is complete. For now, you'll have to see pics of other adorable Toy Rat Terriers! If you decide to Adopt, please contact your local humane society or do some research online! These adorable Rat Terriers need a good, loving home and you can contact New Rattitude!

Out of the Box Christmas Gift Idea!!

How many of you are Animal Lovers? Know some one who is? How about adopting a pet or making a donation in their name? This is a great way to give a sweet animal love and a family or just better care at their shelter. Below is an excerpt from M'Shoogy's, Famous Animal Rescue!




" M'Shoogy's is a no-kill animal sanctuary that has been dedicated to saving the lives of abandoned, injured, and abused animals for many years. The 22 acre refuge is located about 60 miles north of Kansas City in Savannah, Missouri and is currently home to several hundred dogs, cats, and other animals. Unfortunately at this point in time M'Shoogy's is at full capacity, is running very low on funds and volunteers, and is unable to accept additional animals unless they are injured or abused (and with prior authorization from M'Shoogy's only). We will continue to support our current residents for as long as we can. Keep reading to see how you can help...

WE NEED YOU!!! Not only do we need caring individuals to adopt our animals, we also need volunteers! From feeding and watering to assisting with adoptions, we have volunteer positions open now! If you want a rewarding way to spend some of your free time, please contact us today at 816-561-1635 or at info@mshoogys.com.

HELP! We are in desperate need of people willing to adopt our animals. We are in a rural area which means that we don't have nearly the amount of "walk-in" traffic that places like Wayside Waifs and the Humane Society do. The dogs and cats of M'Shoogy's are relying on animal lovers like you to be willing to drive a few extra miles to adopt a pet. We have many special needs cases (seniors, medical situations, behavioral issues) that just don't do well in a shelter setting. Please consider adopting a M'Shoogy's resident today!"

TWITTER!!

I finally did it! I opened up a Twitter account! I am such a goon! :) Just thought it would be fun! You should totally check it out and follow me! :) Looking forward to seeing you on Twitter!!

Make sure to Click on the Title (I haven't figured out how to get the widget yet! :) )

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Do you want to give some unique Christmas gifts this year, but don’t want to spend a lot of money? You can find gifts that are both cheap and thoughtful. Here are ten easy ideas for inexpensive holiday gifts that are sure to please.

1. Fun, trendy watch. You can buy watches in all shapes and colors from around $8 to $20 at discount department stores and flea markets. Include a note in the box that says something like, “I always enjoy our time together”. If giving this to a teacher, you could thank them for all the “time” they’ve spent teaching your child.

2. Mini recipe book of your favorite recipes. Buy a small, inexpensive photo album that holds one 4 x 6 photo per page (usually just a dollar or two at craft stores). Print, type or write your recipes onto 4 x 6 recipe cards and insert in the sleeves meant for photos. After you’ve made the first set, make multiple photocopies of all the recipe cards. That way you can easily make more personal recipe books for other people this year or anytime.

3. Gourmet chocolate pretzels. These sell in specialty stores for $20 for around a dozen large pretzel rods. But you can make your own homemade version for a fraction of the cost. All you need is the pretzels, chocolate melts (most craft stores have these for under $2 a bag), and optional things like chopped nuts, mini chips or sprinkles. Simply melt the chocolate, dip the pretzels rods until about half of the pretzel is covered, then roll in the toppings and let them set upside down in a cup.

4. Handmade framed name print. Research the meaning of the person’s name from a baby naming website. Use your computer graphics or word processing program to type his or her name in large letters in a nice font. Put the meaning of their name in smaller letters under the name. Print it on pretty background paper, such as 8 1/2 x 11 scrapbook paper from a craft store. Trim to fit a small frame purchased from a discount department store or dollar store.

5. Night at the movies. You can make this inexpensive by just picking up a $5 gift card for a movie rental and a box of microwave popcorn. Or you can make it a bigger gift by adding a large bowl for the popcorn, a gift card for multiple rentals, and perhaps some DVDs.

6. Flashlight that doesn’t need batteries. This is a very practical gift that almost anyone can use. Depending on the model, you either shake the flashlight or wind it up. They really work and you never have to worry about dead batteries. The price range is between $10 and $20.

7. Photo ornament. You can find these in all kinds of stores, some are quite inexpensive and look like little holiday photo frames. Just insert a photo of your friend, their pet or children and you’ve got a very personalized gift.

8. Custom gift card from you. If you’re short on cash, but not on sentiment, you can print a gift card that promises babysitting, a car wash, running errands, lessons, etc. If you love to bake, but don’t have time around the holidays, give a gift card redeemable for your specialty in January.

9. Personalized giant candy bar. This one is so easy. Buy a big Hershey bar and replace the outer wrapper with your custom wrapper. You can print one of the many free Christmas chocolate bar wrappers found on the internet. Some of them even have places for you to put a photo and your own words. Or make it yourself by tracing the original wrapper and cutting it out from nice holiday paper. Then just tape or glue in place.

10. Personalized magnet, button, key ring or pocket mirror. For just a couple of dollars, this one of a kind little gift can’t be beat. There are companies on the internet that will put any funny or inspiration quote or your own message on one of their products. Whatever the person’s hobby, interest, or job, there is a saying or quotation out there that would be perfect for them.

A thoughtful Christmas gift doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or require hours of searching through crowded malls. All that is needed is your big heart and imagination.