Gag Gifts

Every Christmas I have to come up with a gag gift for two men on my list.......my brother in Smiths Falls and a long-time friend of the family. Whatever I come up with for the one, I can give to the other. I start looking for ideas right after New Year's and the pressure is on for most of the year to come up with something.  I was afraid that this past year was going to be a failure because I still hadn't come up with an idea that I liked until November of this year. But then, inspiration finally arrived. I bought each of them a package of 12 rolls of toilet paper, printed out labels for each one, then wrapped each roll in clear cellophane before repackaging them in a box to gift wrap. Here is what they got.

I substituted the s--- word for a poop emoji. I had to print out 4 sets of labels because once my friend learned what I was doing, she asked me if she could have some labels to make two gifts of her own. It was a total success, and now the pressure is on again to outdo myself for next year.

For a couple of people, I put a can of beans and a can of Root Bear in a box with a note that said, "Have a Rootin' Tootin' Christmas"

Others got a boxed tool kit with an engineering flowchart to explain in which situations you might require one of the two "tools" in the kit.

 In some of the stockings, people found a small flashlight with a tag that read "May your days be merry and bright".

Some unwrapped a box that contained the original i pad........

Still others found these decorated containers of hand sanitizer. It is always fun for me to include a few punny jokes or gag gifts in stockings. I am always on the lookout for something different. 

So there you have the gag gifts I included in stockings for 2018. I hope that all of your days were merry and bright.

My Christmas Project

Each year I consider for a long time what I can make as a well received gift to my family and friends. I usually struggle hard with this. Well, I noticed  a lot of gift shops over the summer and fall were selling tea towels with screen-printed quotations on them. I don't do screen printing, but I thought perhaps I could embroider on flour sack tea towels that I ordered from Amazon. So I went on-line to find the best of  "funny kitchen quotes", printed it out on printer paper using different fonts that I thought might be easy to trace onto the cotton fabric. This was the result....13 projects

 Today's Menu has two choices  Take it or Leave it  (terrible, terrible photo)

Life is SHORT Lick the BOWL

When I said "I DO" I didn't mean dishes

No longer CACTI Now it's CACTUS 

 My favourite thing to make for dinner, is reservations.

 If you don't like my cooking, lower your standards.

 homemade with love. In other words I licked the spoon and kept using it.

 Make yourself at home. Do the dishes.

 If I have to stir it, it's homemade.

 Kitchen closed due to illness. I'm sick of cooking.

How do I like my eggs? Umm...in a cake.

I made this one for my SIL in Smiths Falls, who is a great seamstress and quilter. I made it so she could hang it up on her craft room wall. Keep your sewing machine close, and your seam ripper closer. 

I missed taking a photo of this one, so I am showing you how I did the process. I printed out the quote the size and font that I wanted, then hunted down a simple embroidery picture or border to attach to the quotation. I put carbon paper down between the fabric and my "patterns" and traced over it. The lettering was done with two strands of black embroidery thread. The pictures and/or borders were done in mostly bright colours using two or three strands depending on the stitch I used. I did these flowers in bright blue lazy daisy stitch, deep yellow french knot centres, and green stem stitch for the  stems and the same green lazy daisy stitch for the leaves. Elsewhere I used chain stitch, running stitch, back stitch, cross stitch, herringbone and woven herringbone; but mostly I used stem stitch, so the work progressed very quickly.

With most of the towels I included a knit dishcloth I also made and some of the boxes contained a little poem that read,
"This Christmas you deserve the best....
....a present unlike all the rest.
I considered a new car or exotic cruise,
but decided on something you could really use.
Finally I found a gift to admire,
I hope you like your new washer and dryer.
Happy Holidays!"

Tomorrow I shall show you some pictures of some of the gag gifts I made. Maybe some of them will inspire you to use some of the ideas in your future gift making and giving.

Christmas Week

I am stopping to catch my breath by writing a blog post today. Christmas Eve was busy as I prepared for my annual Christmas Eve dinner by referring to a rather long to-do list. I made a roast beef dinner with gravy, boiled turnip, roasted broccoli and cauliflower with grated cheese on top, brussel sprouts with bacon, mashed sweet potato and a cheese and cracker tray.  My son and DIL took care of the mashed potatoes for me. I had a red wine, white wine, soft drinks and V-8 vegetable cocktail during the meal and tea or coffee afterwards.  I had baked an apple pie for dessert earlier in the day and had a few Christmas treats on offer.  After dinner we had a gift exchange in the living-room  with all the lighted decorations on, soft Christmas music and lighted scented candles. I love my candles in the Fall and Winter season. It was a very lovely evening. We sent the mashed potatoes home with my friends, along with some Jewel cookies and "Nuts and Bolts". Then my son and DIL stayed longer while we did our gift exchange together. They were unable to stay the night, so we decided to do our Christmas this year on Christmas Eve. I also sent them home with the leftover apple pie and bottle of white wine.

Christmas morning found me opening up the rest of my presents sent by other family members and friends. In between times I was face messaging family members to share Christmas messages and thanks for the wonderful gifts. By the time I loaded up the van with parcels and my overnight bag, it was just after 12 o'clock noon. It was a beautiful sunny day and the roads were clear and dry. It was perfect for traveling to Smiths Falls where I got to spend the day and evening with my brother and his family. I had another wonderful day.

Yesterday I left Smith Falls late morning and drove to Charleston Lake for another great meal mid day. I got to meet the new baby (my friend's first grand child). When I realized I could leave and drive home before it got dark, I decided that I would drive home instead of staying overnight, since the weather was still good.  So last night I ate leftovers from the Christmas Eve meal and relaxed for a bit in front of the TV.  I was feeling very tired. I have photos I want to show you this week of gifts I made for Christmas, but not today. Today I left the house to hit some Boxing Day sales. Boxing Day was actually yesterday, but I was on the highway traveling, so I went today. I took some gift cards with me and went to Michael's, No-Frills, and Shopper's Drug Mart. Even though most of the deals had already been snatched up, I did manage to do well with my shopping.

I spent $54.05 on groceries (frozen berries, frozen veggies, cabbage, yoghurt, cottage cheese, and 5 chicken breasts)  I used a $25 gift card and spent $29.05 oop.

There were $3 off Manager coupons on both containers of milk and both cartons of large eggs, so that I only paid 83 cents on each container of milk and only 19 cents for each dozen eggs. My favourite Monterrey Jack cheese with jalapenos was only $4.99, so I picked up a package.

Besides those few groceries, I got some really good bargains on things I can use next year. The Christmas stocking is one where the sequins can be brushed to change colour from red to green.
I spent $42, but saved $48 on my total SDM bill. I paid with 2 gift cards and only $2.35 oop.

At Michael's, I could have spent my gift cards with abandon, but I am so pleased with myself. I took advantage of only  two sale items. The iris cases  (plastic 12"x12"  storage cases for scrapbook papers) were only $5 each, but if you bought 2, the 3rd one was free. So I got the three storage cases for only $10, and they have been "on my list" for a year now. Whoopie!  I also have been wanting to buy dark navy cardstock. If I bought one package at regular price of $6, then the second package was free. So I got the package of 25 sheets of gold cardstock (for next years cards) for FREE. I love free.   I used my Boxing Day 55% off coupon to buy the regular priced owl for my mom's birthday in February (so only $8.55) . It also has the sequins on it that change colour from silver to purple by brushing against the grain. I think she will love brushing it,  as it is very sensory.  The total spent was $27.74 and I used gift cards to pay for them. I think I had a very successful shopping day. Tomorrow I will post some photos of my Christmas projects.

'Twas the Night Before the Night Before...

It is Sunday night to be exact. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. When I make up my To-Do list, I will stretch it over two days because I will be leaving here on Christmas Day (weather allowing) to drive to Smiths Falls to stay over at my brother's house. I announced today that I will be bringing my overnight bag to stay over so that I can partake in a glass of red wine at Christmas dinner. Also, I have not  liked driving at night recently. If I stay over, we will be able to play a game of cards or a board game which I have not been able to do in the past because I have had to get home for the dog. My plan is then to drive on Boxing Day from there to my friend's place in Charleston Lake. Her son and DIL and the NEW BABY will have arrived on Christmas Day. I will present their gifts to them at that time, have dinner and I will get to hold the new little one. After all of that excitement I will come home to decide the rest of Christmas Week.

Today I vacuumed the whole of the downstairs. I also made a loaf of keto bread for the first time ever AND I made another batch of those keto Amaretti cookies because they are just so darn good. I have been eating them directly from the freezer over the past few days, so I needed to make more for Christmas. I will take my bread and cookies with me on my travels. I have also been requested to bring a dish of sweet potatoes to share with my SIL (because my brother will not make them) *laugh*

 I was very pleased with my first attempt at bread. I love that this loaf bakes up nice and high. That's because this recipe asks for 6 eggs, separated. The whites are beaten until soft peaks form and then gently folded in at the last to produce that height. I can even toast this bread. Yum. 

I have all my food gifts wrapped and tagged and ready to be delivered. But I will still be busy tomorrow getting the Christmas Eve dinner prepared. I don't think I will be back on the computer until after Boxing Day, so I trust that everyone will have a good time with family and friends and I will talk to you again later in the week. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Day Twenty

Only four more days to get everything done that you are hoping to accomplish. It seems to me that the busier I am, the more likely I am to write posts on my blog. I virtually had nothing to do this month, but I am not staying accountable to my readers. I can only hope that YOU are all too busy to notice.

I drove over to Amerstview to pick up a prescription on Tuesday and decided to get my free flu shot while I was there. I had to stay in the drug store for 10 minutes afterwards, so I walked up and down the aisles just "looking". I found some Christmas wrapping at "Boxing Day" prices, so I grabbed them up. I paid for them by cashing in a winning scratch ticket for $6 that was sent to me in one of my Christmas cards this year. So no OOP  at this store. I next went over to the LCBO again and bought another 2 bottles of wine.

I bought 4 (11x8 1/2) gift boxes,  a wine gift bag, 25 cellophane bags, a 3 coloured pack of tissue paper, and 6 DVD boxes which I can use for small wrappings....ALL for under dollar store prices.  I filled my gas tank with gas on the way home.

Yesterday morning I called ahead and went over to see my friend to check on her. She has been busy filling out the paper work and visiting the government offices that she needs to go to after the death of her husband. She seems to be managing things well enough, but reportedly not sleeping very well. I took over a box of hot chocolate packets because I knew that both of her girls love these. When I came home I made up another roasting pan full of the "Nuts and Bolts" mixture and packaged it all up in the cellophane bags I bought on Tuesday.

After his shift, my son and my DIL came over for a visit. They are not able to stay over on Christmas Eve after all. I was very disappointed until I learned that he has picked up  an extra shift for double the wage; and with her in school, they could not turn this extra money down. So we will open our presents together on Christmas Eve, and I am fine with that. While my son did laundry and my DIL wrapped her presents at the dining table, I cleared all the cans and packages of food in my food storage that I can no longer eat, and packed it up into 2 large reusable grocery bags for them to take home and use up. I was thinking of giving them to my friend after the New Year, but I think my son can use them more right now. His hours have dropped down significantly.

Today I got some news of my Dad. The doctor's office called to ask them to come right down to the hospital to receive 2 units of blood. The results of the blood test he had done yesterday  were available this morning. His hemoglobin, which was so high only 3 months ago that his doctor had decided to take him off of his iron supplements, was now so low it was alarming. It doesn't sound good, but on the other hand,  his sister (my aunt) had a similar medical history where she needed to go in every few months to receive a transfusion. On the bright side, when it is finished, he will feel so much better. It takes several hours, so he won't be ready to come home until about 9 tonight.

So I haven't been doing much these days, but it seems busy nonetheless. I made my moussaka this afternoon and can't wait to dig in. It is a very time consuming meal to prepare but well worth it. I felt such an urgency in October and November to get ready for Christmas early, and I am so glad I listened to my inner voice. Hope you are all on track for the holiday season.

Daybook: Monday, Dec. 17/18

Outside my window.....it is dusk. The outdoor Christmas lights have turned themselves on and a light snow is falling. It looks very "Christmas"-y.

I am thinking.....that one week from today is Christmas Eve. I will  be busy making a meal and waiting for my guests to arrive.

I am thankful for.....all the preparations I did in October and November. This month was mainly for enjoying the season with little stress.

From the kitchen.....I finished all the  baking  I am going to do,  except for an apple pie and a keto bread loaf that I will make on the weekend, closer to Christmas Eve.

I am wearing.....a pair of blue jeans, a 3/4 length sleeve blue print blouse, an ivory coloured cardigan  and navy blue socks.

I am creating.....2 winter themed note cards. I sent one off today as a "Thinking of You" card, along with a sympathy card for my friend. The second one I will mail to my mom in a few days time., to arrive after Christmas Day.  I printed out some dog gift tags to attach to the little bags of treats I packaged a few days ago.

I am going.....nowhere else today. I went into Kingston mid day to No-Frills to pick up a few more groceries for this week and for the holiday dinners coming up. I stopped at the Post Office and picked up 3 more Christmas cards. I called my friend who just lost her husband to see if I could pick up any groceries for her while I was out, but she assured me she was fine.

I am hoping.....for world peace, but won't hold my breath.

I am hearing.....only traffic on wet roadways.

Around the house.....I need to vacuum once more and clean the powder room again.

One of my favourite things.....is my tablet where I can see photos and movies of my grand kids enjoying all of their Christmas activities the day they happen. I have watched them watching the Santa Claus parade, the antics of the "Elf on the Shelf", stage presentations and even a ballet performance by my youngest. Sometimes technology is the greatest.

A few plans for the rest of the week.....include picking up  a prescription tomorrow and perhaps going  over to visit my friend if she is up for it.

Here's the picture I am sharing.....

My "new to me" 7 foot long red leather couch. Each half is a recliner. You may recognize my cushion covers that I bought this past summer at Value Village (thrift store). Aren't they just the perfect match? 

Thursday

Shortly after writing Tuesday's post, my friend in Palliative Care passed away. I didn't find out until much later in the day, so while I was "waiting" to hear any news at all, I busied myself by working in the kitchen. I made a second batch of rice krispie squares, cut and wrapped individually in saran. I also made TWO keto recipes for cookies...one was a nutmeg cookie made with ground walnuts, and the other was an amaretto thumbprint cookie made with almond flour. Of course I had to test one of each to see if they tasted anything like a cookie, AND THEY DO.

You can taste the erythritol sweetener in the walnut nutmeg cookies (it has a cooling sensation in the mouth), but I think anyone would find the thumbprint cookie to be really good.  The no sugar strawberry jam adds a lovely flavour.  They may not be the most delicious cookies in the world, but I found them to be mouth watering. I will be able to partake in the "sweets" during the holidays. 

Yesterday morning I drove over to my friend's house with the lunch items I bought them on Saturday. I only intended to drop them off but stayed for two cups of tea.  We talked, and cried, and laughed a lot. She didn't want me to leave, so I stayed as long as I could. I had a doctor's appointment in Kingston that I had to get to, and some errands to run.  As a result, I was out most of the day yesterday and didn't get anything done at home.  I will try to stay in close contact with the family and help out any way I can, but I have told her to call at any time she wants.

Today I started the day by washing a load of laundry and hanging it upstairs to dry. My SIL phoned to announce they are arriving this weekend with their leather couch which they are gifting me to replace my green sofa that is looking quite worn. They just received a new living room suite delivered yesterday that is their Christmas gift to each other. I am excited to receive this couch but it is winter. I won't be able to get rid of the green sofa until Springtime, so I needed to move some furniture pieces around to accommodate everything.  I also packaged up all the doggie biscuits into cellophane bags so they are ready to deliver to my doggie friends. I have 11 ready to go.

I can't believe the weekend will be upon us again tomorrow. The days are flying by.