Sometimes gifts that you purchase are not as personalized as you would like. They do not quite seem to fit the idea you had in mind. For these times, the only thing to do is "do it yourself". You will have the gift exactly fitting the theme and the person that you want.
So now, you know you want it personalized but what can you create. Some of these items take just a few moments and others may take several days. But that's part of the giving too.
-For our gardener friend, plant seeds in your garden or in container and nurture them until they are big enough to be planted in your friend's garden.
-Go to the local ceramic store and find mugs, bowls, plates, and vases in fired green ware. Buy paint and paint your friend's favorite flower or name on these items. Or leave them plain and paint clear glaze and have the shop fire them for you
-Rubbing rose petals to release their scent can create rose oil for her bath. Place them in a bottle with mineral oil, cloves, and zest of lemon. The rose make it pretty and the oil will soothe her skin in her bath.
-There are so many different bread baking mixes available now. Bake a few different flavored loaves and put them together in a basket.
-Nothing has the flavor of fresh herbs. Put together an Herb Basket with little pots of growing herbs. All it takes is a pinch of a leave to add flavor to every dish.
-Buy pretty tiles and glue corkboard on the bottom for pretty coasters.
-Buy pretty, unusually shaped bottle and fill them with white wine, apple cider or red wine vinegars. Add a few herbs from your garden. All choices are good, just pick and choose as would as if you were cooking. Pop in a cork, add a label and tie a pretty ribbon on the throat of the bottle.
-If you sew, you probably have a lot of scraps left over. Use these to make pretty potholders and mitts. Bind the edge with bias tape in a matching or contrasting color.
-When strawberries are in season, dip them in melted white chocolate and brown chocolate pieces to give a tuxedo effect. Chill and put in a napkin lined basket.
-If you knit or crochet, make a pretty scarf for the cold months. Or use ribbon and knit or crochet a placemat for your friend's table.
Labels: Yourself
There are a few days each year that many fathers dread: tax day, the annual colonoscopy, the trip to the in-laws and yes, Valentine's Day. The argument against Cupid and St Valentine usually unravels thusly: A man can work 50 hours a week, put dinner on the table, pay the taxes, visit the in-laws and raise a family, but if he forgets a card and some chocolate on a certain day - he's a bum.
February 14th, which begins like any other day, can cause great pain for the forgetful father. Ever since the day was cursed by a wicked witch out to punish the males of the species (as some origin-stories suggest). But much like many of your pickup lines, complaining about Valentine's Day just isn't going to work. Here are a few tips to get you through it:
1. When it comes to gifts, think generic. A locket inscribed with "To My One True Love," can be used way more often and with many more women than one scrawled with your lady's name.
2. Taking her out to a nice dinner precludes fast food, movie theater candy, pizza delivery and pop tarts. It's the thought that counts, but we're pretty sure gastrointestinal tolerance counts for something as well.
3. A further note on dining: a burger and a six-pack is not a seven course meal. (But it should be)
4. Excuses get you nowhere. It's far better to admit you forgot to buy Valentine's chocolates than to imply sensitive information about your wife or daughter's weight. Correspondingly, a handful of dandelions are no substitute for a dozen roses.
5. For the single father's out there - Happy Independence Day! Get some red, white and blue firecrackers and let the neighborhood know just how single you are.
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Labels: Stupid
It's New Years Eve... Do You Know Where Your Martinis Are?
0 comments Posted by Althauser at 12:47 AMThe party of the year is right around the corner and if we have learned anything over our past holiday experiences, avoiding the exuberant cost and chaos of restaurants and night clubs is an absolute. This only means however the party has shifted to the home and why not? With the right planning you can easily pull off the biggest party of the year without a sweat!
1. Invitations
A successful party begins with a proper invitation. The invitation process may take more time and possibly inflict a little more cost but it is a sure way to know the exact number of attending guests. Invitations also eliminate the party crashing folk that would otherwise be sure to arrive! You will also be much better prepared for food, drink, and transportation this way.
An invitation can be your best friend during these stressful occasions and they are not limited to paper. Who needs stamps when you can use your computer! Create your invitation on-line. There are several websites that will do all of the work for you. Simply create your invitation and e-mail it to all of your guests. It is wise to personally call your invitees to be sure they received the e-mail invite.
2. The Menu
When planning a cocktail party you absolutely have to have great food. This does not mean however that it all has to be prepared by you! Search for recipes in your favorite magazines or on-line and find the perfect hors d'oeuvres and petit fours for your party. Then all you have to do is attach these recipes to your invitations!! It's a brilliant idea to help take all of the pressure off of you the host.
When your guests prepare the food at home you have so much more time to focus on everything else. This idea works better than potluck because you are still in control of the party. You know what food will be attending so you can better prepare for it with appropriate serving utensils, toothpicks, napkins, and trays.
It is wise to take your plan even further by estimating the service time for your cold and hot dishes. Remember you may only have one refrigerator for you party so beware of the dishes that you choose to serve!
3. The Bar
Again another great way to take this party to another level is to specify in your invitations which alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages to bring. Martinis are the drink of choice these days so why not ask your guests to bring a bottle that will contribute to your cocktail recipes?!
Champagne or sparkling wine is an absolute must for New Years Eve party's so be sure to provide plenty of bubbles for the evening. Although bubble is fantastic on its own, spice it up with a splash of flavored liquor for a new experience. Such cocktails as Champagne cocktail, and Kir Royals make a perfectly festive treat for your guests.
Don't forget to have plenty of glassware and of course lots of prepared garnish for your New Years Eve cocktails!
Here are a few martini recipes to help get you started!
Cosmopolitan Martini
1½oz Vodka
½oz Triple sec
2 oz Cranberry juice
1 oz Lime juice or 2 fresh squeezed lime wedges
Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously. Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass, Shake to add ice chips No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)
Garnish with lime or cranberries or both.
Lemon Drop Martini
2oz Lemon Vodka
½oz Triple sec
4 - 8 squeezed lemons (Add used Lemons to tumbler)
Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously Rim Martini Glass with Sugar
Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)
Garnish with lemon twist.
Chocolate Martini
1 oz Vodka
1 oz Crème de cacao
Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously. Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass - No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)
Garnish with cherries, cranberries or chocolate sprinkles.
Espresso Martini
1 oz Vodka
1 oz Kahlua or Coffee Liquor
1 Shot of Espresso
Pour into a martini Shaker over ice, Shake vigorously. Strain, Pour into a chilled martini glass - No Ice (Up) Preferred* or over Ice (Rocks)
Garnish with 3 Espresso beans.
Champagne Cocktail
3/4 oz Brandy
1 sugar cube
Fill remainder of glass with Champagne or Sparkling Wine
Garnish with lemon twist
Kir Royal
3/4 oz Cassis Liquor
Fill remainder of glass with Champagne or Sparkling Wine
Garnish with lemon twist
When you include your guests in the party planning process you can be sure to have all the time and the energy to pull off all the stops. For more helpful tips and recipes visit our site!