Homemade Gift, A Collaged Vinegar Bottle

Okay, Guys, this is what I made a couple of days ago from a vinegar bottle.  First I painted it purple which is my very favorite color in the whole world, then I glued purple patterned paper to the lid (which doesn't show in this picture, but it is very pretty and feminine looking).  Next I sorted through all my paper till I found another pretty purple print, tore a piece and attached it, cut out the lovely lady and a butterfly, added a dollop or two of glitter.  Then I sprayed it with a couple of coats of sealer to protect it.  I had to remove a flower near the left bottom of the bottle before the final spray as I usually get carried away with embellishments and want to add everything within reach.  The bottle did look much better without the little flower as it was a bit much ... more than it needed, or so I thought after putting it on. 
I told a friend I am like a kid with his first coloring book and pack of crayons whenever I make something!!  It just makes me happy and keeps me out of trouble to stay busy. 
Oh, I almost forgot, but I looped a strand of fiber around the neck of the bottle and tied it loosely.  I thought it need that little extra oomph especially since I had removed the flower ... can't have a purple bottle looking too naked, now can we? 
Be extra sweet and keep on the lookout for pretty bottles to collage for yourself or as gifts!!

Reese's Peanut Butter Twins

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

2 cups milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
30 mini (1 3/4 by 1 1/4 inch) paper cups

In 1-quart saucepan combine chocolate chips and shortening. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth (3 to 5 minutes).
Loosen top paper cup from stack, but leave in stack for greater stability while being coated. With small paint brush, coat inside top cup evenly with about 1 teaspoon melted chocolate to about 1/8-inch thickness, bringing coating almost to top of cup but not over edge. Repeat until 30 cups are coated; refrigerate cups.
In 2-quart saucepan combine butter or margarine and peanut butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring ocassionally, until melted (4 to 6 minutes). Stir in confectioners' sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Press about 1/2 tablespoon filling into each chocolate cup.
Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon melted chocolate on top of filling; spread to cover. Freeze until firm (about 2 hours) carefully peel off paper cups. Store refrigerated.

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Every little boy and girl I know loves Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  In face, every big girl and boy I know does as well.  It is a favorite of almost everyone.  There is something about the taste of peanut butter and chocolate that is unmatched.  Thes are not difficult at all to make and will be well worth the effort to watch small faces light up and little hands reaching for this delicious homemade treat.  These are great for gift giving a homemade treat in a pretty container tied with ribbon, holding a tag with the recipe and instructions.  I hope you enjoy this just half as much as I do and remember, whatever you do, always be sweet!!!

Homemade Happiness 2

It's getting closer every day to the biggie - to Christmas!!! I know it is not quite October, but good grief, now that I have retired and have all this time on my hands I just don't see any sense of driving myself any crazier by waiting till the last minute, to say nothing of all the cashiers and employees in and near every store close to the mall!!

If they have been there a few years, they know me by name and I can hear them sometimes (though they think just because I am old I can't hear good and usually speak to me in unusually loud voices). They will warn newer employees when they see me. I understand clearly every word that is said. "Oh, my God!! There she is again, the one I told you about. I had hoped she would not make it through another Christmas, but she is one tough old bird and it is beginning to look like she will be here long after I'm gone. Don't let her get you so rattled you just throw up your hands and walk out the door. I promise, they are not all like this one! Fact of the matter, I don't believe there are any like this one. Get through this without going to jail and you have it made! If you make her happy, you can do whatever it takes to survive in this business and you will have a great career, possibly in management."

Well, I do have to do my rushing around at the last minute, digging through stacks of stuff, opening boxes, laying dresses removed from hangers across a rack, that sort . It is so much easier and quicker and I am in such a hurry for I have waited till the last few days. It's so Christmasy (is that a word?).

I have been known to leave a perfectly neat store in shambles in way less than an hour!! It is the only way to look is all I can say. I do feel a bit guilty that store personnel must stay late after closing to have the business presentable for the next day's customers. Not too guilty though, 'cause it sure doesn't keep me from a good night's sleep after I have separated my purchases into piles to keep as presents and piles to return because it didn't seem somehow to be what I had wanted after all. Oh well, a trip back the next day will keep me young and give the employees job security.
This will be repeated till the last store closes on Christmas Eve and you would think they'd be glad to see me as I buy and return till the very last minute, begging them to stay open just a little longer while I try to decide on the necklace I tried on and cannot get unclasped now or the cute sweater I have hung somewhere and am unable to talk one , not even one of them to help me find it!! They will only unclasp the necklace, scoot me out the door, lock it quickly behind me, yelling Merry Christmas the whole time.

How in the heck can I have a merry Christmas now? I haven't even decided who to give what for I am not really completely sure what presents I have even bought!!!

Just now the last part of September and I have time to begin to think about and plan Christmas.

Everyone knows when you retire, you are broke, so I will get to give presents of the very best kind ... gifts from the heart, handmade and homemade with love in every speck! Not a cute sweater lost on some rack in a store or a necklace I have to practically strangle myself to remove, but a gift made with my own hands, mind and heart, a treasure for them to keep and that is the best kind of gift after all. 

Ain't retirement grand!!??!
Most importantly, never forget to be sweet and always be good!