FREE Freezer Guide~Gives Best Freezer Time Limits for Various Foods

Here is a wonderful freezer guide from Ball® that gives the best freezer time limits for many foods and baked goods. It opens in PDF format. You can print it out now or save it to your computer.

Click on the purple link for the freezer guide: http://www.freshpreserving.com/filebin/Freezer-Life%20Storage%20Guide_final.pdf

Ball®website is located at http://freshpreserving.com

Delicious Cinnamon-Honey Butter!~1 Pound of Butter Makes 4 Gifts!

Here is a wonderful recipe for Cinnamon-Honey Butter, shared by Ina Garten. One pound of butter will make 4 gifts for Christmas or any other holiday! I would suggest using the 1/2 cup GLAD containers with lids to store the Cinnamon-Honey Butter in. Right now, the stores have quite a few containers with red lids because of Christmas and Valentine's day, so it may be a good time to stock up if you plan on using this idea for Christmas. Once you fill the containers with the Cinnamon-Honey Butter, place the container in a cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon.
The butter should be refrigerated until ready to serve, at which time it can be served softened. Serve with toast, pancakes, or biscuits.

1/4 Pound (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, Softened at Room Temperature
3 Tablespoons Honey
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/8 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

Whip all ingredients together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Fill containers with Cinnamon-Honey Butter.

Yummy Carrot-Raisin Walnut Quick Bread~Copycat Mimi's Restaurant~Excellent!

I searched the internet to find a copycat recipe for the moist Mimi's Cafe bread that is brought to the table when you order dinner. I think I found a pretty close second. The recipe is excellent, so I thought I'd share the recipe here! No, the bread is not burned. It is naturally a dark color when it comes out of the oven. I think it's because you use brown sugar in the bread instead of white suger. Enjoy!

1. In a large bowl, beat together 3 large eggs, 1 cup of vegetable oil, 1-1/2 cups brown sugar.

2. In another bowl, whisk together 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tea. baking powder, 1 tea. baking soda, 1/2 tea. salt, and 2 slightly rounded teaspoons cinnamon.

3. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Add 1/2 cup crushed & drained pineapple, 1/2 cup raisins, 1 cup finely shredded carrots, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.

4. Prepare a 9 inch square pan (I sprayed Baker's Joy on the pan) and bake in a PREHEATED 350° oven for approx. 30-40 minutes or until a golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

FREE Printable Valentine Matchbooks to Fit Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares!

Click on the link below to download your copy in Adobe PDF format:

http://www.4shared.com/file/200343658/ec93f3d3/HunnyBunnyValentineSheetMB_in_.html

Click on the link below to download your copy in regular jpg. format:

http://www.4shared.com/file/200344418/16acda00/HunnyBunnyValentineSheetMB.html

More FREE Printable Valentine Matchbooks to Fit Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares!

Click on the link below to download your copy in Adobe PDF format:
http://www.4shared.com/file/200346038/899ad8d5/BoyGirlBeeMineValentineSheet_i.html

Click on the link below to download your copy in regular jpg. format:
http://www.4shared.com/file/201892084/d89ae5a4/BoyGirlBeeMineValentineSheetMB.html

And Yet more FREE Printable Valentine Matchbooks to Fit Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares!

Click on the link to download your copy in Adobe PDF format:

http://www.4shared.com/file/200347557/f108c74c/PinkValentineBearSheet_in_PDF_.html

Click on the link below to download a copy in regular jpg. format:

http://www.4shared.com/file/200349473/254e7cd3/PinkValentineBearSheetMB.html

Wonderful Recipe For Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa In a Jar~Great For Diabetics!

This is a wonderful recipe for the person who is diabetic or on a restricted diet. Makes a great gift-in-a-jar!

1/2 cup Hershey's Dark Cocoa Powder (Unsweetenend)
1 Cup Splenda Granular Sugar Substitute
2-2/3 Cups Low-fat Powdered Milk

*Directions*
Mix 3 Heaping TABLESPOONS Per 8 oz. Boiled Water. For an added treat, stir in 1/4 Teaspoon of vanilla extract per 8 oz. cup.

Simple Exfoliating Green Tea Sugar Scrub~Makes A Wonderful Gift!

EXFOLIATING GREEN TEA SUGAR SCRUB

This refreshing sugar scrub recipe is wonderful and makes your skin glow after using! Makes a wonderful gift as well!

1-2/3 Cups Sugar

1/2 Cup Grapeseed OR Light Olive Oil

1 Green Tea Bag (Open the tea bag and mix the tea leaves with other ingredients.)

6 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil

Stir everything together until all ingredients are well incorporated. Mixture will be a very light green color. Place in air-tight containers. I like the small Rubbermaid containers with the screw-on lids. Walmart carries them where the plastic containers are in the housewares seciton.

Delicious No Fuss Lemon-Coconut Bars

I made these bars during Christmas and they were such a hit, I thought I'd post the recipe here. By the way, these tasted great chilled and kept in the refrigerator very nicely for a full week afterwards.

Lemon-Coconut Bars

1-1/2 Cups Flour

1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar

1-1/2 Sticks Cold Butter, Cut Into Slices

Mix the flour, powdered sugar and butter with your hands, until dough is crumbly. Press the dough onto the bottom of a lightly greased 13x9 pan. (I used a glass pan.) Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, blend the following ingredients below in a mixing bowl and pour over the warm crust. Then, sprinkle 3/4 cup of coconut on the top of the egg mixture.

1-1/2 Cups Sugar

4 Beaten Eggs

1/2 Cup Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

Bake at 350° for an additional 20-25 minutes. (I baked mine for 25 minutes.)

Take out of the oven and allow to thoroughly cool and set before cutting bars. I let mine sit and cool for a good 4 hours. After cutting bars, place on a platter and cover with foil. They taste really good chilled!

An Encouraging Bookmark To Give To Those Who Have Cancer~Free Printable!

Hi Ladies, I made this little bookmark for you to give to someone you know who has cancer. All you do is print on white cardstock, laminate and punch a small hole at the top. Slip a tassel or an organza ribbon through the hole. If you click on the bookmark above, it will open up for you to read.

Click on the purple link below to download a sheet of bookmarkers in Adobe PDF format:
http://www.4shared.com/file/184903179/e6d13187/What_Cancer_Cannot_Do_BM_in_PD.html


Click on the purple link below to download a sheet of bookmarks in regular Jpg. format:
http://www.4shared.com/file/184904296/777c8778/What_Cancer_Cannot_Do_BM_2.html

Beautiful Glitter Ball Ornament Tutorial

To play video, click on the large arrow in the middle of the screen. Many thanks to StamperSue for allowing me to post her wonderful tutorial!

Party Favor Tree~A Fun Alternative!

Has your family get-together at Christmas become so large, that it's financially difficult to buy for all the kids? Try a party favor tree as a fun alternative! Pick up party favor packs all year round at the Dollar Tree and other discount stores, as well as wrapped candy. They don't necessarily have to be Christmas themed, just make sure you keep the ages of the children in mind when buying. Use ornament string and tape a loop to the back of each toy. Or, if the favor is something like a toy ring, just slip the loop through the ring and tie. Hang the wrapped candy on your tree by tying a loop on one end of the wrapper. At a certain point in the evening, allow the kids to choose a certain number of favors from the tree and place them in his/her personalized bag to take home. The kids will love it!

*Tip: You may want to talk to the other moms in the family to see if they are willing to participate.

CUTE and EASY Retro Cupcake Ornament Tutorial

Amanda from BakeItPretty.com very kindly gave me permission to post her cute and EASY retro cupcake ornament tutorial on my blog. These little cupcakes are truly "sweet" and would make wonderful little Christmas party favors!

For easy, step-by-step instructions and pictures, go to http://www.bakeitpretty.com/blog/ and scroll a little over half way down the page. Enjoy!

Cute Doily Gift Sack Idea!

This gift was given to me by a co-worker the other day. Although the bow is a little off-center, I think you get the basic idea. It's just a printed lunch sack with a paper doily folded across the top. There are two punched holes through the doily and sack, with a ribbon tied through. Of course my mind was spinning and I was thinking how pretty the plain white lunch sacks with silver or gold doilies across the top would be. I've seen the white lunch sacks at Walmart where the regular brown lunch sacks are and they have doilies at the Dollar Tree. You could make your own tags out of last year's Christmas cards for an extra special touch. This project could be adapted to any holiday!

Cute, Easy And Inexpensive Apron Decorating Tutorial

Click on the big arrow in the middle of the screen to play. To enlarge screen, click on the button next to the volume. To reduce screen back to normal, click the ESC button on your keyboard.

For more craft ideas like this one,go to http://www.wherecreativityhappens.com

Frugal & Useful Gift Ideas For Senior Men Or Women

Seniors are another tough group to buy for. The most important thing to keep in mind when buying for a Senior is not to buy knick-knacks or something they have to keep up to enjoy. Seniors have spent a lifetime collecting "stuff" and generally don't want more clutter. Stick to "useful and practical." Seniors also appreciate "comfort." Anything to make them more comfortable is a winner! Below are some frugal and thoughtful ideas for Senior men OR women!

* Large Print Playing Cards (Walmart) or Easy-Read Dice
* Christmas Classics CD (Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, etc.)
* Hot Cocoa
* Fleece Throw Blanket
* Gloves
* DVD (It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Holiday Inn or another Classic.)
* Cookies
* Lip Balm
*Lotion
* Comfy Socks
* Large Print Crossword or Word Search Puzzles (Dollar Tree has them!)
* Puzzle (Larger Pieces.)
*Pocket Tissues
* Peppermint Tea
* Nail Files
*Pre-Threaded Sewing Needles~ Stick in Cork or tomato pin cushion for Safety
*Magnifying Glass (Dollar Tree has them!)
* Book Light
* Armchair remote holder
*Relaxing music CD (Mendelssohn is one of my favorites!)
*Reflector tape (To mark the telephone, steps, etc.)
*Microwavable Rice Bag for Aches and Pains.
*Easy Grip Pens
*Night Light
*Extra Large Calculator (Dollar Tree has HUGE ones!)
*Craft Kit (Depending on interest.)
*Walker Bag
*Easy Grip Flashlight
*Candle Lighter (saves burnt finger tips from matches!) (Walmart)
*Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth (Dollar Tree has these!)
*Seeds for indoor plants, such as herbs.
*Hand and Foot Warmer Packets (Dollar Bin at Target.)
*Book of Postage Stamps

*Jar of Really Good Preserves
*Homemade Baked Goods
*Homemade Meals in Individual Small Portion Freezer Containers

*Gift Card to Favorite Ice Cream Shop, Such as Cold Stone or Dairy Queen

*Nice Letter Opener

*Frame an old, forgotten family photo as a surprise

*Book on Tape/DVD

*A Pound of Good Coffee

Frugal & Useful Gift Ideas for the "Hard-To-Buy-For" Men In Your Family!

Need Some Thrifty, Useful and Appreciated Ideas For Those "Hard-To-Buy-For" Men In Your Family? All of these Ideas Are Between $3-$10.

*Men's Scented Shower Gel with Black Nylon Scrubby (Found at Walmart.)
*Flashlight (All sizes!)
*Weather Radio
*Go To His Favorite Team Website and Download a Copy of His Team's Schedule. Laminate and Add Magnets to Place on Refrigerator.
*Pocket Knife Tool
*DVD Movie from Walmart (They have them for as low as $5.00 to $7.50 each.)
*Large Can of Fancy Nuts
*Cheese Ball and Crackers
*4 Good Chocolate Bars, Such as Ghirardelli. (Walmart or Target)
*Homemade Dips For His Chips OR You Can Buy The Archer Farms Salsas and Dips at Target for Approx. $2.50 per Jar.
*Picture Hanging Kit with New Hammer
*Small F.M. Radio with Earphones
*Chamois or a Bundle of Shop Rags
*$5 Blockbuster Gift Card with His Favorite 6-Pack of Soda.
*$5 Fast Food Gift Card
*$10 Starbucks Gift Card
*$10 Gift Card to a Bait Store (Fishing)
*Fishing Lures/Line
*Gourmet Hot Sauce, Salsa or Barbeque Sauces
*Bottle of Real Maple Syrup, Tied with Raffia Bow Around Neck of Bottle. (Less than $7 at Walmart.)
*Universal Remote
*TV Caddy to Hold His Remote Control and TV Guide
*Junk Food Bucket, Filled With His Favorites!
*Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer
*Slippers
*A Pound of Good Coffee
*12 Pack of His Favorite Soda Pop
*A Really Good Pen
*Homemade Cap Organizer (See directions on my blog.)
*Favorite Magazine Subscription~Most are half-off around the Christmas season.
*Table Top Game, Such as Yahtzee.
*Make a CD Mix of His Favorite Songs
*Over-stuffed pillow, made with a king size pillow case. (For TV Watching.)
*Car Window cleaner that makes water "bead" and roll off the windshield. (Found at Walmart for approx. $5)
*Golf Balls and Tees
*Have the Kids/Grandkids Put Their Handprints/Names (With Fabric Pain) On a New Barbeque Apron. You Can Buy Nice, Plain Ones at Walmart for Less Than $6.
*Sock Organizers Made From Shoe Boxes and Manly-Looking Scrapbook Paper.
*Adjustable Cap with his favorite Hobbie or Team
*Eyeglass Repair Kit with Eyeglass Chamois
*Bungee Cord Set
*2 Pairs of Really Good, Comfy Winter Socks
*Print "Return To:" Labels for his Books, DVD's or CD's.
*A Bucket of His Favorite Chips and Dips
* Gift Card To His Favorite Ice Cream Shop, Such as Cold Stone.
*Prepaid Long Distance Calling Card
*A Homemade Fleece Blanket in His Favorite Team Colors
*Blank CD's or DVD's
*Set of New Jewel Cases for CD's
*Deluxe Set of Cards and Poker Chips
*New Blades For His Razor
*New Stereo Headphones For His CD Player
*Giant Bath Towel, Decorated in His Favorite Team Colors (Sew Large, Colorful Buttons On Both Ends of Towel In Team Colors.)
*Bag of Sample MEN After-Shaves, lotions, Body Washes. (.97 each at Walmart)
*Leather Work Gloves
*Isotoner Gloves
*Sew a Big Over-Stuffed Fleece Pillow In His Favorite Team Colors
*Car Washing Kit
*Set of Stone Coasters~They Soak Up the Moisture. I've Seen them at Walmart.
*Pocket Promise Book for Men (Scripture.)
*Folding Magnifying Glass
*Super Soft Men's Socks For Lounging
*Flat Book Light and Bookmarkers
*Tire Gauge
*Bird Feeder
*Pillow Neck Vibrator (At Walmart for Approx. $10.00)
*Small Alarm Clock for Travel
*Small Binoculars
*Coupon for a "Big Game Day with the Guys." You Provide Lunch/Snacks and Comfy Seats on a Game Day of His Choice for He and His Friends.
*Fill an Inexpensive Zippered Pouch With Sample Size Shampoo, Soaps, Toothpaste, Etc. for Travel
*Pedometer to Measure Walking
*Heated Ice Scraper
*Key Finder (Beeper.)
*A Pound of Good Coffee
*Calculator
*Bulbs and Seeds For His Garden
*Word Search/Suduko Puzzles
*New Computer Keyboard
*Give 12 Coupons to the "Cookie of the Month" or "Pie of the Month" Club....Home Baked By You!
*Knife Sharpener
*Engraved Money Clip
*Fishing License (You can buy them for the day, depending on where you live.)
*Day Planner Book

How To Make A Beautiful and Inexpensive Christmas Jar

To play, click on the big arrow in the middle of the screen. To enlarge screen, click the button next to the volume. To return to normal size screen, click the ESC button on your keyboard.
*TIP* If you don't have a circle punch for the top of the lid, you can trace around a can or small lid on the back of your scrapbook paper. Cut it out and you have a nice topper for your lid.

Going Matchbook Crazy!~Jesus is the Reason for the Season~Fits Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares

I think I'm going matchbook crazy! Here are some more matchbooks that will fit the Ghirardelli chocolate squares. It says, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Enjoy!

Click on the purple link below to download your copy in Adobe PDF format"

http://www.4shared.com/file/160782789/36c72a0f/Reason_for_the_Season_Snowman_.html

Click on the purple link below to download your copy in regular jpg. format:

http://www.4shared.com/file/160783494/eb97becf/Reason_for_the_Season_Snowman_.html

FREE, Printable Snowman Ghirardelli Chocolate Square Matchbooks

These little guys will fit the square Ghirardelli chocolates! You can find them at Walmart or Target in the candy section. They say, "Christmas is for believing."

Click on the purple link below to download your copy in Adobe PDF format:

http://www.4shared.com/file/160777640/57e2d073/Christmas_is_Believing_Snowman.html


Click on the purple link below to download your copy in regular jpg. format:

http://www.4shared.com/file/160777953/dcacf7b5/Christmas_is_Believing_Snowman.html

FREE, Printable Snowman Candy Bar Wrapper~Fits Giant 6.8 oz.Bar

Enjoy this giant candy bar wrapper! This will fit a 6.8 oz. Hershey, Symphony or Mr. Goodbar giant candy bar. The wrapper says, "May all things bright and beautiful be yours this Christmas season!"

To download this wrapper in Adobe PDF format, please click on the purple link below:

http://www.4shared.com/file/160779910/c1161438/68_Oz_Aqua_Snowman_Bar_Wrapper.html


To download this wrapper in regular jpg. format, click on the purple link below:

http://www.4shared.com/file/160780796/156ace54/68_Oz_Aqua_Snowman_Bar_Wrapper.html

Christmas Movie Schedule!

Here is a wonderful list of Christmas movies and when they will air! Enjoy! Please note: All times listed are Eastern times. Click on the purple link below:

http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/christmas/whats-on-tv.htm

Frozen Cookie Dough Gift For Christmas

Try this cheap, but thoughtful Christmas gift for the busy mom! This is an appreciated gift any time of the year. Simply mix your favorite cookie dough recipe (whether it be sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies or chocolate chip) then fill a Zip Lock OR Glad Freezer container with the dough, along with baking instructions on the outside. Tie with a big red bow and give as a gift. When ready to use, the receiver can simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator, scoop and bake! What could be easier? Dough can be frozen up to 6 months.

FREE, Printable Carnation Milk Holiday Guide/Recipes!

Click on the purple link below to download a copy of recipes made with Carnation Evaporated Milk. Enjoy!
http://www.verybestbaking.com/products/carnation/virtual-kitchen/holiday-guide.aspx

FREE Printable Holdiday Treat Recipe Booklet From Land 'O' Lakes

Click on the link below to download a FREE Holiday treat booklet from Land 'O' Lakes:
http://www.landolakes.com/pdf/HFTHholidayBROCHURE2009.pdf

Sparkly, Retro-Christmas Tree Centerpieces~So Easy!

Many THANKS to April for generously allowing me to post a picture of her cute Christmas tree centerpieces! These centerpieces are simply layers of felt wrapped around styrofoam cones and decorated with sequins and pastel colored pearl-head pins. I think the colors look very retro, don't you? Something about these trees reminds me of the trees you'd see in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Please visit April's blog at http://feltorama.blogspot.com She has complete instructions, along with some other adorable projects!

Christmas Morning Perfect Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2 Teaspons Bakind Soda
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
5 Packed Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 Cup Canned Pumpkin
2-1/4 Teaspoons Vanilla
1/2 Cup Canola or Vegetable Oil
2 Cups Milk or Buttermilk
4 Large Eggs

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice.
2. In another bowl, Combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla and oil. The pancake batter will be on the thick side.
3. Spray a hot griddle with cooking release spray. (I like the Pam spray for high-heat grills.)
Pour approx. 1/3 cup portions on the griddle. When lots of bubbles form on one side, turn and cook on the other side until done. Serve with warm maple syrup. Makes approx. 32 pancakes.

Mom's Best Bite-Size Meatballs

Ingredients:

2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 Pkg. Stove Top Chicken Stuffing Mix (16 oz.)
1 Cup Water
2 Large Eggs
1 Bottle Kraft Barbeque Sauce (16 oz.)
1 Can (16 oz.) Whole Cranbery Sauce

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line pan with foil and spray with cooking release spray.

2. Mix meat, stuffing mix, water and eggs until blended. Shape into 50 (1-1/2 inch) meatballs and place in the prepared pan. Bake 16 minutes or until done.

3. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring barbecue sauce and whole cranberry sauce to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally.

4. Add meatballs to sauce and stir to evenly coat.

*TIPS* You can serve meatballs in a slow cooker, as long as the setting is on low.
You can also freeze the meatballs up to 3 months by loosely packing cooled meatballs in freezer zip lock bags. Lay the bags flat in the freezer to the meatballs will freeze individually. Thaw bags in the refrigerator overnight, before serving as desired.
For more recipes like this, go to http://KraftFoods.com