Gift Giving Idea - Everyone Needs a little "Dough"

So...everyone DOES need a little 'dough' huh?

For a long time, we've been matching our kids and grandkids birthday number,

giving them that number in dollars. Money is always good, right? =) 

But how fun to dress things up a little when presenting it...

I was tickled to be able to give this special gift to our oldest grandson, Ethan,

who just turned 18 on August 19th...his first day of the school year!

He's a guy of few words, so I felt really good when he said
"That's pretty cool". 

This is a lot more fun than just putting cash or a check, in a card! 

You can use glue dots (I used Plasti-Tac - also called Mounting Putty) 

to hold the bills in place, and then to 'glue' the quarters on top of them. 

I just happened to meet a friend for lunch at Pizza Hut the same day we 

were going to take his gift to him, so I didn't have to make an extra

trip anywhere for a box.  They GAVE me one.  Nice!

I printed the sign and tacked it to the inside top of the box...added some 'confetti' on top of the bills and a bow...then put a stretchy ribbon around the outside of the box. 

When Kym, E's mom, read the note, she said 

"I do think HE COULD live on pizza alone"....*-* 

He got home from football practice while we were there and really

did eat some cold pizza then.  

I was mad at myself because I didn't get a fresh picture of him to add here! =(

He's a senior in high school and is 6' 5" and over 300#.  But truly he's such a gentle spirited guy...and is much loved. A big teddy bear! 

It's so great to be able to do a little something special when gift giving cash. 

I saw this idea some time ago at Making Memories with Your Kids who has

many simple gift giving ideas....go check them out!

Here's another fun idea I've done from the same site...

"Birthday Dough" - Easy Gift-Giving Craft

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

My dear mother was born on this date in 1923.  She entered the Gates of her Heavenly Home when she was only 64.  We miss her dearly, but are very grateful for the influence and godly example she so freely shared with us while she walked among us.  She loved to sew - and she let me spend time in the kitchen while she was busy at her machine.  Thus, I credit her with my love of being in the kitchen. Thank you Mom! *-* I want to honor Mom today by sharing a couple of favorite recipes from her files.



TISH-DE-LISH

(One that my siblings still request at family gatherings)

3/4 cup sugar
1 T. butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 Tb. baking cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking powder

Mix by hand and pour into greased 9" X 9" square baking dish.
Sprinkle over top: 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Mix 1/4 cup baking cocoa and 1/2 cup brown sugar together, then sprinkle over top.
Pour 1-1/4 cup boiling water over top and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutess or until center is set.
Serve upside down with whipped cream.

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The following cookie recipe is my favorite crunchy cookie. One of my fondest memories of mom is when she would spend a winter's day in the kitchen baking several varieties of cookies. When we'd get home from school - the kitchen windows would all be fogged up and the kitchen counters and table, would be covered with the 'fruits' of her labors. We'd get to choose one (maybe two) cookies for an after-school snack and the rest would go in the freezer to be used for our school lunches and unexpected company. She made mostly crunchy cookies because my dad always loved dunking cookies in his coffee.

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COWBOY COOKIES

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon, optional
1 cup shortening (margarine or Crisco)
2 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups rolled oats
1 - 12 ozs. pkg. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine dry ingredients; beat shortening, eggs, and sugars until smooth.  Blend in dry ingredients - add vanilla and oats - then chocolate chips.  Drop by teaspoonsful on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 12 - 14 minutes.

Sugar Free - Just for the Birthday Boy

Today is my dear hubby's 62nd birthday.  He is a proud veteran of the Vietnam War and served 20 years in the military.  He is 100% disabled - including being diabetic - from the effects of Agent Orange.

He is my man of 'steel and velvet', and I'm so thankful God lets me be his wife.

I want to honor him today by sharing our favorite sugar free dessert....and his birthday cake.  Do hope you'll try it.  I have often served it to company, and they have no clue it isn't sugarFULL.

I've made this so many times, I have the recipe memorized.

CREAM PUFF CAKE

1 stick margarine
1 cup water
1 cup all purpose flour
4 eggs
1 - 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 small pkgs. sugar free instant vanilla pudding (we prefer french vanilla)
3-1/2 cups milk
1 8oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed
sugar free chocolate syrup, optional

Preheat oven to 400. In medium saucepan, place margarine and water - bring to a boil.  Stir in 1 cup of flour - I use a wooden spoon - until it makes a ball. Cool 2 minutes, then stir in eggs - by hand - mixing well after each addition. Spread in ungreased 9" X 13" X 2" baking dish. Bake 25 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely. Blend cream cheese, then add milk and instant pudding mix; beat until smooth.  Pour over base, then top with whipped topping. Serve with a drizzle of chocolate syrup.