Time to think about hand made gifts, isn't it? Any idea? Here are mine!

Oh my, have you seen the price of nuts lately?! I wouldn't be baking this year if I hadn't put unused nuts in the freezer last year! Have you heard of Hobo bread? My dad gave me the recipe and I plan to try it on Saturday, the day before I go to visit. He loves it but hasn't made it for years and it's very cheap!

Bmulcher - How do you make candy coated popcorn? I'd love to know how you make it! Dragon - My hubby loves his families version of Chex mix they call Scrabble but he likes the nuts so I try to add alot of nuts. But I don't make it often anymore cause it involves like 4 types of cereal and w/ my hubby I spend over $25 on just the nuts... it's good but expensive at the same time KWIM?

I do most of the grocery shopping at Aldi or Save A Lot. They have a decent selection of nuts. The prices aren't too bad. Plus I do a little shopping earlier instead of getting the ingredients all at once.

I did that a few years ago! I didn't want to pay for batting so I used old blankets and they came out fine. For my in-laws, I used a blanket that his mother had given him--it was ready for the trash when we were visiting and I grabbed it. So their present had a double dose of love.

Thank you for reminding me!! My sister visited me last September and brought some jewelry making items that she no longer had time to use. We made some things together as she showed me how, kind of what you're doing now. It was relaxing and fun and something I could do in the evenings when I'm not "working" at my writing job. That's a great idea you have!

Aren't blankies great? My son was still holding onto his when he was 10. He didn't take it anywhere, he just liked to have it in bed with him. My now-ex husband threw it away and I retrieved it. Two weeks later, my son voluntarily gave it up and my husband learned a thing or two about child psychology--as in, force will only foster rebellion. You know, you've given me an idea. I'm going to start writing down memories of my boys and putting them their own tins. I never had time to finish baby books, with two sons 364 days apart. This will kind of make up for it! You should start writing those things down now while they're still fresh. One before bedtime? Keep a special notebook for each child by the bed or wherever you usually have a free moment. Long after you're gone, they'll treasure those!

I had meant to learn to knit last year and bought everything I would need (very cheaply) but never got around to it. Besides, all of my family except my dad lives in the Southwest or Florida, both states where they can't really use warm things because it never gets that cold! My stepmother is going to teach me to crochet, though, and afghans are beautiful so maybe I'll do some of that this year or next. Thanks for the idea!