What do you really need?

What do you really want?

What will you actually give this year?

At a stage in life when you really don't need anything but want something cool while deciding what to give those hard-to-buy-for on your list, where do you start? I spent a bit of time thinking and researching some ideas to share. Some of these might appeal to you or perhaps spark an idea for something else. I'll present my Top Ten Gifts for 2013 and let you decide. What about a little something for...

1) The Foodie... Robert came home with one of the most divine jars of jam from a coworker, and once we opened it, we were hooked! In need of replenishment and curious to try some more, I discovered The Jam Stand, a two-woman operation, creates these most delicious, clever flavors using local ingredients, made with love in New York. They believe "packaged food doesn’t have to mean processed food" and I can tell you we tried them all. The Sweet WINO-nion is divine on a burger with melted cheddar. You will not be disappointed with your selection and the shipping is quick and hassle-free.

5) The Keeper of Memories... In just an hour, you can take those digital photos on your tablet or laptop and make them into a beautiful book for a grandparent or best friend. One way is through Blurb who provides the down-loadable software free and all you do is pick a layout and fill in the digital memories.

Or if you are an Apple customer, holiday gifts are made in a snap with Print Products for iOS by simply "tap, tap, publish" for something truly original and memorable from your iPhone or iPad. 


6) The Beverage Bud... A nice cold beer or a cool glass of wine - no ice! But it would be nice if it stayed cold... Well Rox figured this out and voila, the Eternal Ice Cubes were created. These are great for coffee, beer, wine, or spirits, or any drink kept cold without the dilution dilemma. 

7) The Party Pal... Could we just get away from the video game controller and work on our people skills for awhile PLUS have a great laugh? Reverse Charades will have the gang in stitches from beginning to end. Great for the office party, kids' get-together or just a great night in with some fun friends. This game is good for your health, you'll be laughing so much! And wouldn't you want to share the love with a good laugh this holiday season?

8) The Device Diva / Dude... Baby, it's cold outside, but I have to send that text. I must admit it is frustrating to use your touch-screen device in the cold with frosty unprotected fingers. But we've got an "app" for that! North Face has the solution - E-tip Gloves will keep your hands warm while you scroll through Tumbler. Now this is definitely something to Tweet about!

9) The Movers and Shakers... Well, isn't just about everyone on your list on the go? Whether it's a cell, tablet or IPhone, it is very inconvenient when the battery dies out, especially when you are in the middle of something. No need to worry if you have one of these portable chargers, though. Choose a preferred color or pattern (let's stay stylish while we're at it!) to throw in a purse or pocket, ready for the moment you need a boost.

10) The Challenge... Okay, sometimes the best gift of all comes in one color, one size, accepted by all - cash. But with a little bit of creativity, the presentation becomes part of the gift. From Tip Junkie, they show many interesting ways to gift bills other than just passing the money envelope. Yes, you need a bit of patience with some of the projects, but it might be worth the effort. Or just take a look at the examples to spark some other creative presents of your own.

Oh, no.

Oh, yes...

From the corner of my eye, Brenna begins to slide down lower in the passenger seat. I spotted it from halfway down the street and began to slow the Explorer to get a closer look as we approached. By now, Brenna is practically all the way down in the seat and begins to pull the hood of her sweatshirt up over her head. I pull up to the curb right in front and shift the truck into park.
You would think we were about to do a drug deal.

But even after all the times I have done this, you would think she would be used to her mother by now. Why so embarrassed? While some may call this stealth score garbage picking, I prefer to use the term rescued trash for treasure. So many people toss their discarded pieces at the curb, and I see this as a creative opportunity, a fun challenge, to make something new, re-purpose and refresh. Besides, it's time for a new project.

It was in sad shape. The table was missing a few pieces of molding and trim. But I knew I could do something with it and besides, we could use a small table for the hallway to uphold the ever-disappearing candy dish. Yeah, like magic that candy disappears as soon as the bowl is filled. Does anyone else have this problem? Hmmm...

My motherly instincts knew just what this little table needed - a little TLC and maybe some mosaic magic. But the first thing to be done is fix the wobbling legs. It needed better anchoring. After picking up some corner braces to secure the table from underneath, screwdriver in hand, I tightened up the wayward piece. It needs to be solid enough to hold the weight of the mosaic tiles and grout on top.Okay, now for the fun part! Let's hit the craft closet...


I went through my bits and bobs and found this raised rose from a broken trivet. That was the starting point. Since this is a table and it needs a smooth surface top, all the tile pieces need to be even of the same thickness. Many of the wayward bits I normally use on a hanging piece were not suitable for this project so I went to Home Depot and picked up a few accent tiles to break up for the rest of the pattern surrounding the rose center.


Fitting all the broken pieces together is just like a puzzle, only you are creating it as you go along. I find it very relaxing to cut, find and fit. And if I need a particular shape, just cut and fit some more until the entire surface is covered.


With the top all done, the next step is to glue them in place. I usually let the glue set for a day or two afterwards before proceeding with the grouting. 


Then it's time for the grout. I used a white color sanded grout I picked up in A.C. Moore this time since my supply ran out and this is a small project. For larger surfaces or multiple projects, I'll purchase a big package from Home Depot and mix as needed. You have to mix it, two parts water to seven parts grout, then let it slake, or sit for about ten minutes, until the grout is ready to be used. With gloved hands, I like to work the grout into the grooves, making sure it gets in all the nooks and crannies. After, I take a plastic putty spatula and smooth over the surface one last time. Let it sit for about twenty minutes, and then using a damp sponge, smooth over the top to clean off any grout covering the surface tiles.


Buffing the tiles once the grout is dry, maybe an hour or two later, the powder residue is removed to reveal the beauty of the pieces and center focal relief rose.


I painted the table a cafe cream over the original walnut color. It took two coats of the Behr 2-in-1 paint with primer so I could save myself time not having to do three or more coats. Since I wanted to give the table a weathered antique look, using an eggshell finish paint or milk paint is necessary to work with the waxing.


Next step - waxing. Stippling the dark wax in some of the joins and decorative impression areas to accentuate the markings, it looks very dark and ugly in the beginning. But once you take the natural clear wax on a clean rag and buff over all the parts just stippled, the beauty emerges, creating the softly weathered look of a treasured piece with many years of love and care.


All done! And so pretty. I didn't wax it too much, just enough to give it a little "age". Now it's ready for the refilled candy dish.


From trash to treasure... xoxo-Sonya

Yes, I am already planning what to do with turkey leftovers. In our house, we love loading plates up throughout Thanksgiving weekend, but there's usually lots of turkey remaining while everything else disappears much quicker. So, let's say it's Friday after Thanksgiving, do you...

a) sleep all day to recover?

b) go shopping with the hoards of people racing to get Black Friday deals?

c) start to decorate for Christmas?

d) throw dinner in the crock pot and then decide? 

Let's assume you had enough of standing in the kitchen on Thursday (or if you are like me, Wednesday too cooking all the side dishes), so why not give yourself a well deserved break. It's the perfect time to toss some simple fresh ingredients into a crock pot, turn it on for six hours, walk away, and enjoy the day whatever you decide to do. And if you are eager for a different flavor, this hearty dish will hit the spot, hot out of the pot, even if you spend the day on the couch watching the last season of Breaking Bad.  Feast on wholesomeness that gives the gobble-gobble a spicy second call...

Que Pasa Taco Soup

9 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups black beans, rinsed
2 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups corn
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 cups sliced mushrooms
3 tablespoons McCormick taco seasoning (more or less to taste)
3 cups cut-up or shredded leftover turkey*
fresh cilantro

(*I have made this recipe originally with three full chicken breasts, but for our purposes here, turkey is the perfect replacement. You can make it either way.)

1) Pour all ingredients into a ceramic crock pot. Cut in the fresh cilantro. Mix. Cover, and set on low for 6 hours. Walk away. That's it!
Once it's finished, when you lift the lid, the aroma will be divine... Grab a bowl and enjoy with some warm tortillas, top with a sprig of cilantro and even a dollop of sour cream if you like. This soup is very satisfying, hearty, yet light, and will certainly leave room for you to enjoy another slice of leftover apple pie... maybe even with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.