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

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

etsy shopping list

it's the time of year where gifts and gift lists are on our minds...
here are some fantastic finds...all handmade...and all wonderful!

how cute is this little blue bird dish for your nana...or someone else? head on over to mud hutt for some awesome handmade little ditty's for everyone on your list...

wooden toys make my heart sing. i love these family dolls. they are custom made to look like your family {of 4 anyway} at naked peggies for $65.

mother's necklaces are a great gift idea, but what about an heirloom necklace? you can get names or dates, all sorts of things on this handmade prize. a great gift for your momma from amy cornwell.

shut up! i know, right? adorable beyond words!!! i mean, seriously preciousness in a hat!! i just bought this exact hat for my little nephew who is due in less than 2 weeks. i can't wait to see rowan in his puppy dog hat...$20 at handmade by jules!

look at how stinking cute your little chefs could be for making christmas dinner!!! love 2 things about this apron...first, it's way retro adorable and second, 50% of it's proceeds goes to cora's playground! $22...shop aprons by punky fae on etsy.

sewn natural has this super cute, handmade elephant for that precious little one on your gift list. why not make a little gift a special one too? $16

just a few ideas...check back for more real soon! do you have any favorite things we should feature??? let us know!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

{You Say VAAAAASE, I say Vase}

I want to start a collection of white dishes and vases. When I saw this on Hotstess {With The Mostess} I gasped with delight! I love how simple and elegant it is with a little bit of a vintage funky twist. I WANT it. I NEED it. At $29.95 it isn't out of reach. It is also a great contender for a Hostess gift or a gift for my Mother-In-Law who seems to have everything. LOL

If you're in love with this vase the way I am, you can pick it up at Wrapables. I'm warning you though, if you go over to Wrapables to get the vase, its probably not the only item that will be in your cart. They have a lot of great items!

Happy Shopping!

.:Kacey:.

father's day treats

father's day is just around the corner...and it's time to start thinking about fun and useful gifts for dad.

a handmade, leather key chain...for the "first man i loved". tell me that won't break daddy's heart!! {leather made nice on etsy}

rock star cufflinks just about say it all...and they are super fun and handmade.
from eternally linked on etsy {$36}

does dad have golf on the mind and you just can't find it in you to get him one more set of golf balls? how about some super fun flip flops...$39 {amazon}

dad have a sense of humor...well, this cowboy-esque drink holster is fun for parties, tailgates or for when dad's grilling...and i bet he doesn't have this one already! {red envelope}

a kindle is the hot, new item! read just about anything on the fly...newspapers, journals, books...and it's hip. ($359 at amazon)

sizzle it up in style with this grilling branding iron for dad...it will bring out the inner cowboy in him, and you can just sit back and enjoy the fruits of his grilling labor.

danyele @ a thorn among roses

{One For One}

Wouldn't it be great if every time you bought something you were giving to someone in need in some way? Or supporting a cause you believe in? Or both? I think so. As a consumer I try to be responsible and shop wisely and with companies who support causes I am fond of.

TOMS really is the epitome of what giving is all about. They offer simple, classic, canvas/vegan shoes for wee little ones all the way to adults. For EVERY pair of shoes SOLD, a pair of shoes are GIVEN to a child in need. ONE FOR ONE.

It all started with Blake Mycoskie. He travelled to Argentina and befriended the children there. During his stay he realized they did not have any shoes to protect their feet. Blake wanted to help and that was the start of TOMS. Later that year, Blake, with friends, family & staff returned with 10,000 shoes to give. To date, TOMS has given 140,000 pairs of shoes to children in need.

While we think of shoes as a necessity, for most of the world they are actually a luxury. Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. During all daily activities they are at risk because they are barefoot. They risk cutting and injuring their feet which can lead to disease and even amputation. "The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores." Did you know that many children cannot even attend school without shoes? Denied education because of the lack of shoes. What a difference a pair of shoes could make.

Not only could you make a difference, but boy would you have cute feet in the process...

Check out these Tiny Toms for the little ones in your life....

Precious! And for $34 affordable too. Wouldn't they make a great & thoughtful gift? Buying shoes for one child gives a pair of shoes to another in need.

I have my eye on these...

Oh how my feet would be happy in these. Don't they just look so cozy? $44 is the cost to make my feet happy...not too shabby.

So go ahead, don't be shy. Head on over to TOMS and make your feet and a child's feet happy! 

Kacey R.