Teacher Gifts!

It's almost the end of the school year and here are some ideas that will get your creative juices flowing when trying to decide what to do for your teacher... some of them may be repeats. For the full list and original website click here: Teacher Gifts Remember, these ideas don't have to be used just for school teachers. They can be used for Sunday school teachers, Father's Day gifts, doctors or a friends birthday!

Bookmark: We'd like to "Thank You" with speed. So here's something for when you read!
Can or bottle...: We can't keep it "bottled up"...We just have to say thanks!
Cookie: Thanks! You're such a smart "cookie"
Flowers: THANKS For Keeping Our Friendship "Growing" !!
Grapes: When it comes to a Teacher... You're the BEST of The Bunch!
Gummi Bears: THANKS! Our job would be "Unbearable"
Hot pads: When it comes To giving of Yourself... You're "Hot Stuff"!!
Lotion: Here's a bottle of lotion for all the kindness you set in motion!
Peanuts: Please Don't Forget... How much you mean to us!
Soda: "Soda" you know how much we appreciate you? You are a LIFESAVER! (lifesaver candies-perfect for a substitute)
Mints - Thanks! You're worth a MINT to us!
Popcorn is a kernel that magnified its calling! (popcorn)
You are BERRY Special! (berry candy, small jar of berry jelly, pint of fresh berries, gummy bears, or bear stickers)
"Thanks a mint (place a small York Peppermint Pattie) for all you do in Primary..."
"Don't snicker (place a small Snickers bar), but we think you're great."
"Donut forget that the circle of your influence in Primary will go on forever" (Tied to a donut) "Thank you for your faithfulness in serving in Primary. You're worth more than $100,000 (place a small 100 Grand bar)."
Do 'uno" how much we love you? (Uno candy bar)
Thanks for being so "jolly"... (jolly rancher)
We just can't do without your "smarties"
Even just a "bitahoney" goes a long way... thanks!
Thanks a "mint" for all you do
We "treasure" the memories you are helping create (Treasure chocolates)
We think you "rock"... (pop rocks)
We're no "dum-dum" we know who to thank
We think you are "Mighty and Marvelous"! Thanks! (M&M's)
You're worth a "100,000 Grand" to us
You're "mounds" of fun
We'd be "nerds" if we didn't thank you
We can't "bear" the thought of not giving you our thanks... gummy bears
You light up our life... mini flashlight or birthday candle
We're lucky to have such "Sweethearts" as leaders... sweet tarts
By "gum" you're special... (gum of any kind)
Thanks for putting "snap, crackle and pop" into Primary! (mini box of rice crispies)
We "skored" big when we got you as a teacher... (skor candy bar)
It may seem like a circus sometimes... but we want you to know we love you. (animal cookies) We're "nuts" about the job you're doing... thanks! (peanuts)
We're "bubbly" all over with love and gratitude. (bottle of bubbles)
We can't "lick" any of our problems without you.... (lollipop)
We've gone "bananas" over the job you are doing... (bananas or banana bread)
An orange (orange you glad you were called to serve in our Primary!)
An apple (You're the apple of my eye and such a "polished" leader.)
A sucker (Thanks for never getting licked down. We really appreciate your efforts)
Lucky Charms (We're lucky to have such a charmin' good teacher!)
Jar/box of spice ("You really add SPICE to our Primary!)
Cupcake (When it comes to being a teacher, you're the icing on the cake!)
Chewing Gum (Stick with us--let's all serve together")
Cracker Jacks (You're a Cracker Jack teacher!)
Banana (We've gone "bananas" over Primary)
Packet of sugar (Isn't Primary "SWEET")
Krackle Bar (Thanks for putting snap, KRACKLE, & pop into our Primary)
Pack of Nuts (We're nuts about you as a teacher)
Pear (It 'pears to me, that you are a great Primary teacher)
Olives ("Olive" the nice things you do for our Primary are very appreciated!)

A candy gram using the small candy bars that come in 10 packs. We wrote, "Don't snicker but be twix you and me we think you are a delightful teacher. Thanks a bunch. Have a grand day." Depending on how many you need this is very inexpensive. It costs about $4.00 to make 10 of them.

Whopper candies- "Thanks for helping us have a whopper of a good time in Primary."
M&M's - You are a marvelous and magnificent teacher!
Soup or soup mix - You are a "Souper" teacher!
Apples and Hershey's Hugs - A teacher can't live by apples alone...She needs "Hugs" too!
Loaf of Bread - For being there when you were "Kneaded", for "Rising" to the occasion, large or small. For never "Loafing" on the job, for helping others to "Heel" with TLC. No matter how you "Slice it", you do a terrific job being our primary teacher.
Nuts - We're nuts about you!
Candle - You make our primary so much brighter.
Any Sweet Treat - You sure are sweet!
Oranges - "Orange" you glad you're in Primary!?
Pasta - (Or any Pasta and a bottle of sauce) You are 'Pasta'-tively wonderful!
Rice Krispie Treats - "Snap, Crackle, Pop"
We think You're really Tops! Banana Bread - Banana Bread just for you, because you have so much to do...We also love you a whole "Bunch" too!
Chocolates - You're so Sweet...having you in Primary is really a treat!
Donuts - "Donut" you know we love you???

My Ideas:
Make a gift basket using your favorite tips from the above list!
Have your kids decorate a basket or jar to fill with one of these special treats!

Perfect Mother's Day Lunch

click on picture for original recipe and picture

Ingredients
1 head romaine lettuce - rinsed, dried, and chopped
2 bunches fresh spinach - chopped, washed and dried
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
1 Bermuda onion, sliced
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Directions
In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine, spinach, strawberries and sliced onion.
In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, milk and poppy seeds. Shake well and pour the dressing over salad. Toss until evenly coated.

My Ideas

The only thing I would change would be to take out the onions and add candied walnuts.... YUMMO!

Cinco De Mayo!

One of my favorite coffee places is having a special:

THE HUMAN BEAN: CINCO DE MAYO... $1.00 drinks (12oz and smaller) all day Wednesday, 5/5/10! Come try a Mexican Mocha or any of your favorite Bean drinks, and help us celebrate!!!!!

Make sure to check out your favorite local hot spots for Cinco De Mayo specials too!

You are what you eat...

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

FROSTING/DECORATING:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
6 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 to 4 drops red food coloring
Pink sugar wafer cookies
36 large marshmallows, halved
Butterscotch chips and miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and food coloring. Frost cookies.
Cut sugar wafers into triangles; place two on each cookie for ears. With a toothpick, poke two holes in each marshmallow half for nostrils; press butterscotch chips into holes. Place noses on cookies; add chocolate chip eyes. Yield: 6 dozen.

My Ideas:

For the frosting, I would just add a bit of red food coloring to your favorite premade frosting.

To make things easier, you could use premade cookie dough as well!

On a budget this May Day or Mother's Day?

Try this fun craft from www.kaboose.com.

Kids will have fun making it and

any grandmother, mother, aunt, sister or friend would love it!

click on picture to see original picture and craft

Let the children decide how to decorate the outside of the paper plates. The children can make their own flowers from construction paper to put inside. Any mother would love this, and so would a grandmother!

What you'll need:
2 Flimsy paper plates
Construction paper
Markers or paint, optional
Scissors
Decorative scissors, optional
Glue
Stapler
Hole punch
Ribbon or yarn

How to make it:
Cut one plate in half. Set aside one half for another project or for another child to use.
Decorate the outside (bottom) of the plates using markers, paint, construction paper, or whatever you wish. Let dry.
Staple the circular paper plate and the half plate together, outsides facing out.
Hole punch two holes in the top of the circular paper plate. (see photo)
Attach a piece of ribbon or yarn so you can hang the basket on the door handle.
Create flowers and leaves from construction paper. Glue pieces together.
Assemble in your basket. Glue in place.
Early on the morning of May 1st place it on your mother's bedroom door.
You can also make more baskets to hang on your neighbor's door, a friend's, or anyone special to you.
Remember, it's supposed to be a surprise!

My Ideas:

Fill with real flowers... even if that means using the dandelions from your yard.

Use cupcake holders and paper or pipe cleaners to make flowers.

Fill with candy!

Fruit Pie Biscuits

All I can say is I will make these for myself for Mother's Day if I have too... Yum. click on picture to see original picture and recipe

What You Need:

1 can Jumbo-sized biscuits

1 can of your favorite pie filling

Cinnamon

1 cup sugar
1-1 1/2 tbsp milk

1 sandwich bag

scissors

bowl

What You Do:

Bake the biscuits as directed on the can. Let cool. Wash your hands and dry them. Create a "basket" in the center of each biscuit by pressing your finger down into the center. Gently press the inside dough into the bottom of the biscuit, reinforcing it so that the filling does not leak through the bottom. Fill each biscuit with pie filling and lightly dust with cinnamon .

** At this point, the biscuits can be stored in a sealed container for up to 8 hours with no problems. To serve, place on a plate and drizzle with glaze. (see below) Warm Biscuits: You can reheat before serving (if desired) by placing one biscuit on a microwave safe plate and heating on high power for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and drizzle with glaze as directed below.

For the Glaze:

In a bowl, mix confectioner's sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk. Stir until smooth. Add more milk, a few drops at a time, until desired consistency. You can drizzle the icing with a spoon or use the following method:Fill a sandwich bag with confectioner's sugar icing, seal the bag and push the icing into one corner of the bag. Using scissors, slightly snip off this corner of the bag. Drizzle the icing liberally across the top of each biscuit. Serve immediately.

Celebrate Earth Day!

Click on the picture for an easy Earth Day project for you and your kiddos and it should be sprouting just in time for Mother's Day!

Want something yummy to eat on Earth Day?

Try this new recipe... looks deeee-lish!

Organic Old Fashion Strawberry Cobbler