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GIFTS IN A JAR RECIPES

Poem for Homemade Canned Gifts:

Although the summer's come and gone,

Here the essence of it lingers on...

My greatest joy in winter, by far,

Is summer's magic caught in a jar.

a whole bunch of mixes in jars:

Christmas Cookies Gifts-in-a-Jar,

(sand brownies are found here!)

(Mega site with links)

Lighted Potpourri

These potpourri filled glass serve a double purpose. They are a room freshener and also a night light. The bulbs that are intermingled with the potpourri send a lovely scent throughout the house or office. Also available filled with clear scented marbles.

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CANDIED TEA STIRRERS

Vegetable cooking spray 34 pieces fruit flavored hard candy--

crushed--lemon, cinnamon etc

2 TBSP light corn syrup

heavy Plastic spoons

Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper.

Spray with cooking spray.

In a small heavy saucepan combine crushed candies and corn syrup

and melt over low eat stirring frequently.

Spoon candy into bowl of each spoon.

Place spoons on prepared cookie sheet with handles on rims

Store in air tight container.

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Mix: "Love Soup"

Fill a Mug with several packets of Homemade Cocoa mix, Create A tag with the following poem:

Cupid made a little batch

Of love soup just for you.

He blew a kiss and threw it in,

In fact, he blew you two.

He added white and fluffy hugs,

And a little stirring stick,

Add some hot water and sip it slow,

It's sure to do the trick.

Add swizzle sticks if desired and wrap in Red Cellophane

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hot chocolate recipe

1 - 11 oz jar Cremora

1- oz box powdered instant milk

1/2 lb powdered sugar

Mix ingredients in large container. Store in tightly covered jars. To

serve, use 1/2 cup mix. Fill cup with boiling water (I use milk).

Marshmallows may be added if desired.

Friendship Brownies

Take an empty canning jar. Layer in order the dry ingredients listed. Place

on flat part of lid and put a small of batting on top of that. Cover with a

small piece of material and screw on ring. Print recipe and instructions

(below) and punch a hole, thread ribbon through and tie onto the jar. Makes

1 cup plus 2 tbsp flour

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup baking cocoa

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Additional Ingredients

Prepare Brownies: In a bowl, beat eggs, oil, vanilla. Add brownie mix; Stir

well. Spread in 9x9 greased pan. Bake at 350° - 34-38 min.

If you are grouchy, mean, or just plain irritating, there will be a $10

charge for putting up with you.

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1/2 Cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon essential oil

2/3 Cup boiling water

Food coloring, if desired

In bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Add essential oil, and boiling water to dry ingredients. For colored rocks, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time. Blend ingredients, and form balls. Allow to dry.

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Fruit of the Spirit Soup

Black Beans for Peace

Red Beans for Patience

Pinto Beans for Kindness

Navy Beans for Goodness

Lentils for Gentleness

Black-eyed peas for Meekness

Kidney Beans for Long-suffering

On the tag attached to the jar is the following: On a dark rainy day do you ever become depressed? Well, most folks do. You don't want to do anything but get in bed and cover your head. Well, I have a suggestion for you. Let's make "Fruit of the Spirit Soup!" "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance." Galatians 5:22,23

DIRECTIONS: Soak beans overnight. Cook as usual. Add an onion, a little garlic and your favorite seasonings.

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Make Your Own Bath Salts

For Yourself or as a Gift

1 box epsom salts (available at any drug store)

1 tablespoon glycerin (again, available at most drug stores)

2 drops of essential oils for scent (optional)

food coloring (optional)

Mix all these ingredients together in a large glass bowl until thoroughly blended. Store your bath salts in a tightly-sealed glass jar. To use, simply add one or two tablespoons to a bathtub full of warm water and enjoy.

Essential oils can usually be purchased at health food stores or from retailers like The Body Shop. Some of the most common fragrances, and their uses are:

rosemary, mints, citrus: energizing, rejuvenating

lavender, jasmine: relaxing, soothing away stress (great for fussy children

patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang: romance

You can also use a couple of drops of your favorite perfume or cologne for that extra-personal touch.

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For each bag, combine equal parts dried chamomile, mint,

and lavender. If you don't have access to muslin tea bags,

cut squares of muslin and tie with jute or kite rope.

Toss 1 or 2 bags into warm bath.

3 or 4 chamomile tea bags

3 or 4 fresh oranges (sliced)

Equal parts lavender and lemon rind or dried lemon

"We all have the ability, The difference is how we use it." Stevie Wonder sing/songwriter