[What do you leave out for Santa?]

Cookies and milk(DH) and a diet coke(me) for the road and also carrots for the reindeer..but this year I think we will do the reindeer food..I think it is cute and it would be a nice tradition to start

[What types of toys in 2007 BF ads? - merged]

I also think the U.B. Funkey will be a hot seller...and my DD keeps talking about Shining Stars

[Coupons on BF]

Has anyone ever tried to use a manufacturers coupon at walmart for a BF item?.

[Christmas Parties]

I usually have them the first or second week of Dec..I usually ask my family what weeks are best for them and send out invitations around the week before thanksgiving

[for those of you who don't have a GD shirt to wear on BF... update: contest over!]

I want a luxurious gotta deal shirt or ill have to get something hinky and pull some monkeyshines on you

[Teen and Pre-teen gift ideas (merged)]

my niece is 10 almost 11 and I am getting her a monogrammed silver bangle type bracelet she also has everything from a lap top to a mp3 she is also really really girly so Im hoping she will like it.

[Christmas at Kids School / Classroom Parties]

last year in PreK my DD class each bought one Golden book that they exchanged randomly..I liked the thought of it being a book worked out good..not sure what will be done this year since she is in kindergarten

[Perimeter Perusing at Target (Target Clearance Deals) - 2007]

mine was like that also when I went Sat..there was nothing but socks and stickers but I did pick up some nascar mugs for 2.98 (org. 9.99) and a 4 piece transformer set ( 087-06-1872 ) for 4.98

[What goes on top of your tree?]

nothing...I dont have a christmas tree topper

[Christmas Parties]

I've been wanting to do a cookie exchange with the neighbors around me.

Everyone here hates to bake Lots and lots of different cookies, so that is just a great

idea to get lots of different ones, w/o the hassle and mess. :)

oh its wonderful...I have everyone bake 2 dozen and then you get to take home 2 dozen...I love christmas cookies but I cant cook them like I used to with my little one running around

[Worst/Best gift you ever received?]

My best would be Christmas Eve 04 we found out we were going to have another baby

 

My worst would have to be Top 100 Country Cd and a candle that smelled like a retirement home....(Im so not a country music gal and I am picky on smells )

[Christmas Parties]

My family like to do $1 - $5 gift exchange which we usually have on Christmas Eve. It's a blast!...we spend hours laughing and "stealing" each other's gifts and enjoy the holidays with little expense. Often many of us buy extra gifts and everyone winds up with a few gifts by the end of the evening. I am waiting for the day when one of the many instant scratch-off or lotto tickets turn out to be thee ticket - what a Christmas that will be!

That sounds like alot of fun we may have to try that

[Christmas Parties]

What type of Christmas parties do you give or attend? I started a cookie/ornament exchange last year and I plan on doing it again this year.

 

 

 

 

Cant wait

[Homemade Holiday Gifts merged]

What a cute way to use lightbulbs..I think that I'm going to have my daycare kids make these for x mas gifts to parents. (With all my attention of course!)

I thought so also...I loved the Santa lightbulb

[How much do you spend on BF?]

Last year I spent around 400 I only use cash and I leave my credit cards and checkbook at home so I dont go over my budget

 

this year I plan on spending the same if not a little more

[How Long Have You Been a BF Veteran?]

this will be my 4th BF and my 1st year in this community

[Favorite Christmas Movie]

Christmas Vacation

Elf

Christmas with the Kranks

The Santa Clause

The Santa Clause 2

Home Alone

Home Alone 2

Rudolph

Frosty

A Christmas Carol

 

 

 

and I am sooo excited about Deck the Halls and The Santa Clause 3 coming out this year

 

 

 

And Polar Express...I forgot that one

[Homemade Holiday Gifts merged]

I would love to

 

here are some I will post the rest when I get back from picking my daughter up from school

 

 

Spice Cake In a Jar

makes 5 jars

 

1 tablespoon shortening melted

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground mace

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup golden raisins

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup butter. melted

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup sour cream

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Preheat oven to 325, brush 5 (12 ounce) sterilized canning jars with melted shortening. Place jars on a baking sheet; set aside

 

In a large bowl, combine flour,sugar,baking soda,cinnamon,baking powder,nutmeg,mace,and salt. Stir in pecans and raisins. In a separate bowl, combine milk,butter,honey,sour cream,egg and vanilla; whisk until smooth. Combine milk mixture with flour mixture stirring to combine well. Evenly divide batter between jars, filling each jar approximately half full. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Using kitchen towels remove one jar at a time from oven and carefully place lid and ring on each; screw lids on tightly. Cool jars on counter tops. Once jars have sealed store in a cool place for up to 1 year

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Gingerbread In a Jar

makes 4 jars

 

1 tablespoon shortening melted

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup butter melted

1/4 cup dark molasses

1 large egg beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

 

Preheat oven to 325, brush 4 (12 ounce) sterilized canning jars with melted shortening. Place jars on a baking sheet; set aside

 

 

In a large bowl, combine flour,sugar,ginger,cinnamon,baking powder,baking powder and salt.In a separate bowl, combine milk,butter,molasses,egg and vanilla; whisk until smooth. Combine milk mixture with flour mixture stirring to combine well. Evenly divide batter between jars, filling each jar approximately half full. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Using kitchen towels remove one jar at a time from oven and carefully place lid and ring on each; screw lids on tightly. Cool jars on counter tops. Once jars have sealed store in a cool place for up to 1 year

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Carrot Nut Bread

makes 6 mini loaves

 

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sour cream

3 cups finely grated carrot

1 (8 1/4 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Spiced Butter (see recipe below)

 

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease and flour 6 (6x2 1/2 inch) mini loaf pans.

 

In a large bowl bear butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until fluffy.

 

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture beating just until combined Stir in sour cream, grated carrots, crushed pineapple and pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pans and bake for 28 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely on wire racks..Package with Spiced Butter

 

Spiced butter

makes about 2 1/4 cups

 

2 cups unsalted butter softened

1/2 cups confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

 

In a medium bowl beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy Gradually beat in remaining ingredients. separate into 6 containers and refrigerate.

 

Bring to room temp before serving

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Homemade Vanilla Extract

makes 1 (1.75 liter) bottle

 

6 Madagascar vanilla beans

6 Mexican vanilla beans

1 (1.75 liter) bottle vodka

 

Split and scrape vanilla beans. Place scraped beans and seeds in vodka bottle. Screw cap on lightly and shake bottle vigorously. Place bottle in a cool Dark place. Shake bottle vigorously once a week for at least 3 months. Store for up to 1 year(it will darken as it ages). Using a funnel pour vanilla extract straining if desired into decorative glass jars to give as gifts

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Spice Tea Mix

makes 6 (1 cup) gift mixes

 

2 cups orange flavored drink mix

2 cups lemon flavored ice tea mix

2 cups sweetened lemonade mix

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground allspice

 

in a large bowl combine orange drink mix and remaining ingredients stirring to mix well spoon into 6 (1 cup) air tight canister or decorative jars

 

To serve spoon 2 tablespoons mix into 1 cup hot water stir well

 

______________________________________________________________________________

[How many gifts does Santa bring?]

Santa used to bring 3-4 when DD & DS were younger but this year he is going to bring one big gift since what we are getting them is going to be so expensive

[Homemade Holiday Gifts merged]

I bought Paula Deens new holiday baking magazine and they have wonderful recipes for homemake food gifts...Im going to use them to make baskets for my parents and my DH parents

[When did you stop....]

I still get presents from the big guy....

[Are you dreaming of a White Christmas? Do you ever get one?]

I would love a White Christmas..but living in East Texas it never happens...but never say never right

 

[How do you wrap?]

I use pretty wrapping paper for everyone but my kids and they each have there own my daughter is usually disney princess and my son spongebob that way the both know which is theres since they are 5 and 2...then Santa gifts aren't wrapped they are just put under the tree out of there packages

[Who do you shop with on BF?]

My SIL...my dh thinks we are crazy as do most in the family...we have the same shopping speed so we get in and fly out we split up in the store with each others list that we divide in half and call each other and meet in our meeting spot..hahaha..its like mission impossible

[When to open presents?]

ours always get to open one present each (christmas pj's) and then they get to open one together which is always a christmas movie we watch that night..then they open the rest on Christmas morning before breakfast