DIY GIFT TAGS

 This year, as last I made my own gift tags- the above are made out of a christmas card from my dentist... simple- just cut and punch a hole

This are made from some mini ornaments I found at Big Lots and some cut up coffee sleeve protectors from a local espresso shop. I like the "cardboardy" look.

Member of Paperback Swap? Donate those Credits!

Harney Elementary, Vancouver, WA

If you are a member of the Paperback Swap kudos to you! You are helping the environment by recycling your used books, CD's and DVD's. But now there is a way to help out Schools in your area. Paperback Swap has a Books for Schools program, And if you have been gaining credits at Paperback Swap, you can now donate them to the school or schools of your choice to put books in their Libraries and classrooms. They also have a Military Book donation program to donate books to members of our military. But the donation is quick easy and only cost you credits made while actively participating in the book swap,

Pig Kisses... A cookie Elvis would love

I was sitting around, without much to do, and started thinking about cookies and how I could kick my peanut butter kisses up a notch... so of course I thought "BACON". So in true Elvis fashion I came up with a   cookie I simply call Pig Kisses

PIG KISSES
1 c. peanut butter, smooth or crunchy (I use a 16 oz. Jar of Adams "no stir" Crunchy and double the recipe)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. sugar
12 strips of bacon cooked and crumbled
 Combine above ingredients. Roll into small balls, about 1 inch. Place on a cookie pan lined with parchment paper, Bake at 350 degrees until done (about 7-10 minutes). Top with a Hershey's Kiss while cookies are still warm. Let Cool on pan or place in a refrigerator for 10-15 minutes
(Note there is no flour in this recipe. Not an omission on my part- just doesn't call for it! So happy Gluten free cookie break!)

Frozen Pea Salad

Easiest salad to put together ever! I use Ranch dressing to kick it up a notch. Great with or without bacon!

FROZEN PEA SALAD
2 c. frozen peas (uncooked)
1/2 c. green onions chopped
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Bacon bits or crisp bacon broken into pieces if desired (TVP "morningstar farms" soy bacon works good- I think the salad is fine without bacon)
1/2 c. ranch dressing or mayonnaise

Mix together with salad dressing or mayonnaise. Garnish with a rosemary sprig if desired. Serve

Great Re-Uses for Common Kitchen Items

The ladies over at Two Frugal Chicks put up their top three re-uses for common kitchen items from Real Simple.com... well, here are my favorites!

Cocktail Shaker Egg Scrambler

Binder clip as a chip clip

Gravy Boat as a unique soap dish

Aluminum Foil as a fixture protector

Bundt pan as a Vertical Roaster

Dish towel as a Wine Gift Bag!

Coffee filter as a snack server

MY CHRISTMAS LIST!

Dear Santa-

I, as last year, have been very good this year. Yet last year I didn't see a new Tesla Roadster under my tree. I ask for so little. So see if you could do a little better this year, Okay? Now on to my list...

• A new Rockler Versacut Saw- this would be so good to do those jobs around the house. Lightweight and easy to handle (I bet that Lisa at Condo Blues could use one too. But send mine first please. She has enough tools already.)

• Buckyballs- because you can never have enough mind numbing toys. Besides I think it would be fun to play with my balls at work!

•  Enterprize Starship Pizza Cutter... Because Pizza is truly the final frontier!

• And one more thing... My dog, Romeo, would like a Zack and Zooey Jacket as we take long walks and it can get cold! He, like me, has been especially good this year!

So that is my 2011 list for Christmas. So see if you could better than last year and get me one of each. You don't want me to come up to the north pole, you darn old sonofabitch!

 Rob

Christmas Tree Alternatives

Every year the debate starts about this time- Which is better? Real or Fake? Which is more ecological, greener or cheaper. And every year I get into the fray. Well this year i have a new answer... NEITHER!
let me 'splain... I have nothing against real trees. Just that every year the news media has a story about some poor bastard whose house has burnt down. I just don't like the fire factor. So I thought I would post a few alternatives to look into:

BOTTLE TREES- what better than a tree made out of your wine bottles? Actually these have gained some popularity over the years, and can look quite festive! The Bottle Tree store has many to choose from, including a DIY kit. And I think these are good looking enough to keep around all year!

CARDBOARD TREES- These are cool as well. You can decorate them with markers, photos or what ever comes to your imagination! You can decorate one and send it to someone special, a grandparent, a son or daughter away at college, a service man, a loved one far away.

METAL TREES Yes I said metal. I have seen a few ornament trees around and they can be pricey. But I found mine (at the top of this post) at Big Lots for $10!

Of course there are natural alternatives like Living Christmas trees, the advantage being you can plant the tree after the holiday. Or how about decorating an existing house plant? Or a smelly Rosemary plant (they can look like pine trees) I have done both of these and loved the look.