Happy Holidays! Recipes and More

I know I said I'd be getting back in the swing of blogging, then have been silent here for a few days. I am trying to get it together, really.

I have been searching for and planning some projects for gift making with the kids. We are on a fixed budget, which is small this year and I think it is a great lesson for the kids to create handmade gifts for the family. Here are a few ideas I have come across that I thought would be fun and worth while.
Love these cookie recipes from Good Housekeeping...the basic dough is a great base for making several kinds to share with friends. Incidentally, if you have the Joy of Cooking, their basic recipe for 13 cookies (variations on a basic dough) is one I have used in the past with much success.
I also like these ideas for decorating with pine cones. We have a stash to paint along with acorns and walnuts. We'll be painting them silver, adding a little glitter and filling a lined basket for an easy centerpiece (it's on my list anyway.) Find more simple decorating ideas here (more cookie recipes as well...one can never have too many cookies, I say.)

For Christmas crafts and printables for kids, try Kaboose. And the Countdown to Christmas Advent calendar from about.com is an easy fix for filling a lull in your day. Find lots of fun ideas at your fingertips each day. For more easy fun, check out holidaycrafts4kids where you'll find crafts, word puzzles, hidden pictures, color by numbers and more for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Wishing you all many blessings and happy moments.
~Melissa