Giving Back and One-Stroke Painting Preview

I like baskets...they organize, hold pretty things, and are nice to give something special to someone in. During this Thanksgiving time, #2 on our Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique Countdown, we want to give some special things to YOU, our guests! The above basket holds handpainted, One-Stroke (R) ornaments FREE (one per guest) at our boutique on Friday, December 4th (10am-7pm), Saturday December 5th (10am-4pm)

while supplies last.......

This lovely envelope pillow would make a unique gift to give someone special. More ways Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique is giving back includes a portion of the proceeds being donated to the National Breast Cancer Organization. We all likely know someone who has been affected by this, and we want to help in finding a cure. YOU can help, too!
These handmade One-Stroke (R), all-occasion cards are a sample of the variety you will see @ the Boutique.... Our guests also will be greeted in Mrs. Claus' kitchen with complimentary warm, homemade wassail and a variety of tasty cookies.
As you wander through the various rooms of Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique, you'll see unique gifts like this delicate, One-Stroke (R) ornament...Find gifts for everyone on your list available at budget-friendly prices. Check out our "Bargain Basement" for even more savings to YOU.
Good things come in threes like these lovely hand-painted bookmarks which can be added as a gift topper or paired with someone's favorite book. You'll also find FREE tip sheets with helpful ideas for entertaining, decorating, and making the holiday season more relaxing and enjoyable for YOU.
Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique is all about YOU! So, join us NEXT WEEK, Friday, December 4th, and Saturday, December 5th for a magical Christmas experience! Take a break with your friends, neighbors, or co-workers from the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells reminiscent of a simpler time.

We also will be having a Big Giveaway at the Boutique....You know I love Giveaways...We will be drawing 6 names during the 2 days we are open for wonderful gifts as a Thank You for joining with us in the celebration...

Our Boutique is YOUR one-stop shopping destination saving you time and money where the "Difference is in the Details"... and where we still believe in Santa Claus!

P.S..... HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

Halloween Crafts/Recipes @ Santa's Gift Shoppe Year Round

Here are some craft ideas/recipes to get us
Crafters inspired for this fun holiday.
My Mom's "HOOT OWL COOKIE RECIPE"
below is something you/your kids will have
to try...My kids loved them when they were
little & now that they are adults..they make
them.

The photo (above) is of Halloween decorations
for a party @ my wonderful friends Christine's
house. She had graciously invited some women
from Relief Society (from our church) over
for a Special Halloween Party...She is
so creative & really out does herself. (To bad
for me she lives far away...in another state)

Here is the table with decorations & some of
the Goodies. There are my mom's "Hoot-Owl"
Cookies (from when I was a kid) , Witch Finger
Bread sticks, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip
Cookies, Also (not shown are Bony Bread-
sticks) RECIPES ARE SHOWN BELOW:

Close-up of my mom's "Hoot-Owl Cookies"

RECIPE
1 pkg. chocolate chips (6oz.)
1 sm. can of whole cashews (or buy in bulk
just what you need about 24+extra since they
can be pricey)
2 1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:
Preheat oven @ 350F. Mix butter, br. sugar,
egg & vanilla in bowl. Mix flour, baking soda/
powder & salt in another bowl. Add dry
ingredients to wet ingredients. Remove 2/3
of dough. Melt 1/2 c. chocolate chips (& few
drops of oil..canola) in microwave in 30 sec.
increments. Add melted chocolate to remaining
dough & mix well. Divide white dough in half.
Roll into rectangle (abt. 9"x4") Roll 1/2 of
chocolate dough into a long rope abt. 9" long &
place on top of rectangle. Roll white dough a-
round chocolate dough. Pinch ends so choco-
late dough is hidden. Repeat with remaining
white/chocolate dough. Wrap in foil. Refri-
gerate overnight. Slice rolled dough in 1/4"
pieces. For each "Owl" place two slices to-
gether, pinch outer edges for ears. Add one
chocolate chip for each eye & cashew for beak.
Bake 9-11 min. (depending on oven)

"Witch Finger Breadsticks" (picture above)
RECIPE
1 pkg. thawed Bridgford "dinner rolls"
1/4 c. melted butter
parmesan cheese
garlic salt
egg yolks
food coloring
sm. paintbrush

Directions:
Roll each roll into a finger-sized rope. Using
knife, cut one end of rope in "V" shape for
finger nail & cut lines for "knuckles." Lay
flat on cookie sheet & pinch on either side
of knuckle. Brush with melted butter (not
fingernail) Sprinkle with parmesan cheese
& garlic salt..avoiding nail. Create "nail polish"
by combining egg yolk with food coloring.
Paint "nail." Bake @ 350F. for 10-15 min.


This is a picture of "Bony Bread Sticks." found
at BHG website. Make sure you make these
different size bones.

RECIPE
1 pkg. refrigerated (Pillbury type) bread
sticks
For Sweet: cinnamon/sugar
For Savory: garlic salt/parmesan cheese
Directions:
Unroll bread sticks. Knot each end of
breadstick & bake. Serve warm. You could
also include a "dip" tinted with red for a
dramatic effect. Or, sprinkle with a savory or
sweet seasoning.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (Above)
RECIPE
1 box of spice cake mix
1 reg. size can of pumpkin (or 1/2 lg. size)
1 bag chocolate chips (6oz.)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine all
ingredients together. Using cookie scoop
or spoon drop dough on to greased cookie
sheet. Bake 10 min. (depending on oven)
Cool & enjoy!

These are "blood-shot eyesballs" from "Martha".
She does Halloween like no other!! I've heard
her say it's one of her favorite Holidays. I have

Materials needed:
2 plastic softball size balls (for 1 pair)
1 old pair of beige nylons (or knee-hi nylons)
blue tissue paper (or whatever color you want
for the iris)
black construction paper (for pupil)
1 piece white paper (for highlights)
scissors, hole punch, glue, red marker

Directions:
Cut out large iris circle from colored tissue
paper. Glue one on each of the balls. (You
may want to add two layers of tissue so it's
not transparent) Cut smaller circle from
black paper. Glue on top of iris. Punch 2
holes from white paper (for highlights)
Glue in place. Draw wiggly "blood-shot" lines
on white all stemming from iris. Place each
ball in the foot of each nylon. Cut if needed &
tie @ top of nylons together to prevent eyes
from falling out. Drape on porch or wherever.

BOO!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
BE SAFE!!!

156 jams & counting

Sorry I haven't been putting up recipes or
something lately, but this is what I've been busy
doing.....Making jam, jam, & more jam for about
the last 3 days.....Plus in between trying to save
a "2 yr. old" freezer from quitting on me. The
saying "They sure don't make things the way they
used to" comes to mind....So does a saying my
daughter uses (which I like a lot)......"Life's tough...
get a helmet".....I think I'll make that the "Quote
of the day"............At least it's not the air
conditioner in this 106 degree heat!!!!!

Anyway......besides my feet hurting and a little tired
1/2 of my jam for the year is done....Yeah...
it's only 1/2 (of what I make) for Santa's Gift Shoppe
Christmas Boutique...(coming in only...133 days)
but..it's better than not having started yet.....

These are the kinds I have right now: Strawberry,
Strawberry-Plum, Plum, Straw/Blueberry/Plum,
Straw/Blueberry, Apricot, Straw/Boysenberry, &
Straw/Rasp./Blueberry......Wow..That's a lot even
for me to say...

I love experimenting with different mixtures
or blends of jam to come up with unique flavors...
(& I have come up with quite a few).....Some friends like
to try these new blends & end up getting 10 or more
jars at a time....("It's a good thing"......they make great
gifts anytime).......

I've probably made thousands of jars of jams in
32 yrs. & hope to be doing it for another 32...

I am having the price remain at $3.95 (for an 8oz. jar)
because I like giving my customers a good deal.....
Other boutiques have charged $5 (but I haven't
increased the price in 6 yrs. or so) I have customers
who love it so much they've gotten 10-15 jars at a
time. Some have even hidden it from their kids...

I'm always humbled by what my customers
say concerning their finds at the Boutique...
I appreciate them soooo much....Well on to the next
project!!!!

REMEMBER: "QUOTE OF THE DAY"
"LIFE'S TOUGH......GET A HELMET...."