Whether you're looking to create a homemade gift for Christmas, birthday, Hanukkah or other special occasion, these tutorials and DIY gift ideas are sure to have something you'll love. You'll find gift ideas for the Hostess, moms, kids, guys, teens, and of course - a thing or two for yourself as well. This is a great collection of Hostess gifts that you make yourself. Some very cute and special gifts for youngsters. [nggallery id=14] Which is your favorite? I see two or three (dozen) that I'm dying to try! Did we leave something out? If you have a favorite Gift DIY leave it in the comments below. … [Read more...]
3 Favorite Recipes Using Coffee (Celebrate National Coffee Day)
It's National Coffee Day! Coffee isn't just for drinking. It also brings great flavor to some unexpected dishes - seriously - coffee in soup? YES! Give these three we love a try: Gingerbread Spiced Muffins with Spiced Nut Streusel from Southern Living. I make a batch of these and keep in freezer for a quick on-the-go breakfast for my high-schooler. Pop in the microwave for 20 seconds and you are on your way. 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1/3 cup chopped crystallized ginger 3/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp ground cloves 1/4 cup butter, softened 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 large eggs 1 cup hot brewed coffee 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses 12 paper baking cups (I … [Read more...]
20 Free Knitted Hat Patterns
What could be cozier for cool weather than a hand knitted hat? Everyone loves a handcrafted piece of apparel and with the number of designs and free patterns available, any level of knitter can use their favorite yarn to make a great pull-on hat, slouchy or beanie. So this fall and winter, pick up your knitting needles and use one of these twenty free knitting patterns to create the perfect hat! Are you a beginning knitter wanting to make your very first hat? Scroll down to numbers 13 and 20 for our favorite starter patterns! And even if you haven't ever held knitting needles, we've got you covered. Check out our learn-to-knit guide here! /1/ Combining cables and moss stitch (sometimes called seed stitch) this oversized beanie is sure to be a cold season favorite. {Wavy Moss Hat at … [Read more...]
Savor Summer with Outdoor Sports (and a contest)
Hard to believe we are starting to hear the words ‘back-to-school” spoken on a regular basis these days and football schedules are available for fall planning. Say it isn’t so! Let’s really take advantage of these last days of a favorite season! As you know, Dixie Ultra has been sponsoring a Summer Sweepstakes, giving entrants a chance to win great prizes all summer long. Opportunities to #savorsummer –winning a new grill, an inflatable raft, and Dixie products for those wonderful BBQs. It’s been a lot of fun to highlight all the great activities of summer – eating outdoors, water play and now we turn the focus to outdoor sports. Even a little heat doesn’t keep us from playing. Whether it’s tennis, soccer, baseball, golf, Frisbee, or practicing for our favorite … [Read more...]
7 Back-to-School Teacher’s Gifts
We received a postcard in the mail yesterday informing us that middle school orientation is only weeks away. Like, three weeks. How did the summer go by so quickly? The countdown is on and back-to-school shopping and preparation is eminent. As with each school year, I enjoy sending my kids with gifts for the new teachers. I think it's a way to tell the teacher on day one that you appreciate all that they will be doing for your children five days a week for the next nine months. Today I've gathered 7 Back-to-School Teacher's Gift ideas that go beyond the traditional 'apple for teacher'. /1/ Apples Teacher's Gift Basket - I know I said these gifts would go beyond 'apples for teacher' but, this one is different. This basket is filled with all things apple scented or flavored. A fun … [Read more...]
Easy Summer Entertaining – A Yellow Tail Sangria Party
In the midst of this past awful polar votex winter, I had a yearning for summer. I wanted to be outdoors, spending time with friends and yes even a little sweat would be more than perfectly acceptable. So way back in February I got to work planning to host a girl’s weekend in June. 2 days with just the girls. Busy schedules do mean you have to plan in advance…. Getting together with friends you have known for years is so much fun. Gals who understand where you have been and support where you are going. I knew that along with stories, catching up, and relaxation, there would be laughter and activities. I also had an idea to invite old friends who knew each other and some new friends who had not met, and wanted to plan a mixer to kick off the weekend. This is where Yellow Tail’s … [Read more...]
