cookies for christmas??

one of the things i have done in the past for gifts...circa last minute...is cookies in a jar!

fun and easy to make, plus who doesn't love the cute jar and fresh cookies as a gift, right??? here's a few of our fam fav's...right off of allrecipes.com {click the cookie title for the direct linky to the recipe}

{{raisin crunch cookie mix in a jar}}

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup raisins

1 1/4 cups flaked coconut

1 cup cornflakes cereal, crumbled

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

mixed with: 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

Layer the ingredients into a 1 quart canning jar in the order they are listed. Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredients. it will be a tight fit.

Attach a label with the following instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Empty the contents of the jar into a large bowl and use your hands to blend thoroughly.

Stir in 1/2 cup butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix until completely blended. You may need to use your hands. Roll dough into walnut sized balls and place them 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

_____________________________

{{christmas cookies in a jar}}

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1 cup orange flavored dried cranberries

1 cup vanilla or white chips

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a 1-qt. glass jar, layer the sugar and brown sugar, packing well between each layer. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; spoon into jar. Top with oats, cranberries and chips. Cover and store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

then add this note to each jar...

To prepare cookies: Pour cookie mix into a large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Beat in butter, egg and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Drop by the tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

_____________________________________

{{julia's best ever chocolate chip jar cookies}}

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup white sugar

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Directions:

Combine the flour, baking soda, white sugar, and the chocolate chips. Place 1/2 of the mixture in a clean quart sized glass jar, and pack firmly. Place the brown sugar on top, again packing firmly. Place the remaining flour mixture on top. Cover with a lid.

Attach an index card with the following directions:

Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separate bowl combine 3/4 cup of butter, 1 1/2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

have fun making those gifts!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

{Gifts For The Writer or Book Lover}

I was looking for a particular journal for a friend's birthday gift and I finally tracked it down at Chronicle Books. I've never visited their site before and I was really amazed at all of the cool book options that they have for really everyone on your list from Kids to New Parents to Cooks to Crafters & Gardeners. They really have a lot of cool, interesting books and I just had to share. Plus, I found a PROMO CODE {gotta love that!}. If you create a NEW account with them, enter the CODE: GETBOOKS at checkout and receive 30% off your purchase AND FREE SHIPPING!

I really love the idea of a Gratitude Journal - a special place to keep good thoughts and blessings. This one offers prompts as well which I think is a great outlet to explore other things we are grateful for. $14.95

One Line A Day is a great way to keep track of thoughts and memories, a mini-journal if you will. $16.95

I was introduced to this book when I saw the Authors on Oprah. They made me laugh out loud and I can't wait to get my hands on this book! $18.95

Kacey

{Season's Greeting}

This is the first year, ever, that I am not scrambling at the last minute to send out holiday greetings to those I love. Don't think it's because I'm UBER organized, because lately I have not been. It's because we had family pictures taken this year in October and the photographer was having a sale on holiday cards. So I happily hopped on that bandwagon and ordered set. My greeting cards are addressed, stamped and ready to ship as we speak!

But as I sit here, feeling all organized, I started thinking of my fellow seasonal procrastinators and I felt a need to help! I came across this wonderful paper company while reading {yes, I read...magazines} the December issue of Better Homes & Gardens. I love all kinds of stationary, especially letter pressed stationary, and Linda & Harriet offer a beautiful selection.
Here are a few samples of their Holiday Greetings.

I love their variety of traditional and a little more funky styles. Makes me want to order extra greeting cards just for the fun of it....For more greeting card selections click here.

Kacey R.

cute and easy gifts

i'm not sure how it happened, but the last week of school is upon me and i have no teacher gifts ready...and not a lot of money to spend either.

my friend, amy, at living locurto, designs all kinds of fun stuff, but here's a fab last minute printable pack for all your quick store bought or handmade goodies!

how cute are they????

in this pack you get a sandwich bag label, a small gift bag, circle tags, and small gift tags. and all for $6...and you can use your own standard sealing bags and dice them up!

want more information and to see the whole pack? head on over to living locurto and check it out!
danyele @ a thorn among roses

stretching 101

a few things to remember when you are stretching....first, the best time to stretch is AFTER you exercise, because your muscles are warmed up. i'm a fan of jillian from th biggest loser...and she had the following tips:

DRINK. DRINK. DRINK.

stay hydrated...always. not just when exercising, but always. the 8-by-8 rule is a handy guide...drink 8 oz of water, 8 times a day. 64 ounces every day...it keeps your muscles hydrated, cleanses your entire body of toxins, carries nutrients to your cells, keeps stuff moist that's supposed to be moist...like your ears and nose.

BREATHE

seems menial, but you need to breathe slowly and evenly. deliberate breathing delivers oxygen to your muscles.

EVEN

stretch evenly. hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Be sure to st

retch all your muscle groups — if you stretch the front of the thighs (quadriceps), make sure you stretch the back of the thighs (hamstrings). also, stretch your whole body not just your legs — stretch your arms, back, neck, stomach, chest, etc.

POSTURE

maintain good posture and do the stretches correctly so as to not hurt your back or strain other muscles.

and where there are do's there are some things you DON'T do as well...

DON'T BOUNCE

use slow, even movements when stretching. bouncing places too much stress on your muscles and joints and doesn't help you stretch better.

DON'T OVERSTRETCH

be patient, and never force your body to go where it doesn't want to. you will begin to see results if you keep at it.

DON'T OVEREXTEND

don't overextend your joints. hyperextending (bending joints farther th

an they were meant to go) can cause injury and doesn't help you in any way. plus, it hurts!

Finally — if it hurts, DON'T DO IT.

always listen to your body. if you're stretching correctly, you should feel tension on the muscles, and possibly some slight discomfort. If you have any sharp or serious pain during a stretch or exercise, STOP, because you may do harm to your body. remember, pain is your body's way of telling you that something isn't right. If you do have an injury, ask your doctor about exercise and stretching and follow his or her advice.

get more fitness tips from Jillian Michaels! she's pretty awesome!

danyele @ a thorn among roses