What I am Thankful For-Day 1

Today I am thankful for some great Do-Your-Own holiday gift ideas that I found on Pinterest (from many other cool sites).  I don’t know about you, but things are tight for us this year.  So, being able to still give some adorable gifts to my friends & family without breaking the bank is awesome! 

Here are some great jar ideas that I am going to glean from:

http://texascottage.blogspot.com/2011/11/10-christmas-gifts-in-jar.html

I am going to make the peppermint Cocoa and the Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub.

 The Peppermint Cocoa was originally featured in “Sunset Magazine” and the Recipe is here: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peppermint-stick-cocoa-10000001011199/

The Sugar Lemon Scrub was originally featured on “Under the Table & Dreaming” here (you can also add your own variations like almond oil, lavender, or grapefruit)

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/05/lemon-sugar-hand-scrub-for-mom.html

I would also love to try making homemade Vanilla for my friends and family sometime.  The bottles and labels really make it a special gift.

Thank you “Texas Cottage Blog” for posting these adorable ideas.  I am excited to try them out and I will let you know how it all turns out.

You can see all of my Holiday gift ideas on my pinterest here http://pinterest.com/kendall_burley/holiday-gift-ideas/

Happy Holidays & Remember ALL You Are Thankful For This Season!

Love, Kendall

Locally Helping others this Christmas Season...

I have always wanted Christmas time to turn back into a real time of giving to someone less fortunate and in need.  This year, instead of thinking about it, I want to actually do it!  In my time of serving in the Air Force in Japan I was consistently helping in the local orphanages during this time of year.  Now that I have started my family I really want to emphasize how important this is; that it is not all about us but about what can we do for others less fortunate than us.  There is always someone less fortunate then we are.  My best friend and co-business partner, Kendall, has put together a LEGITIMATE list of people we can help, serve, or give to. Because I didn't want to just write a check and be done with it I asked Kendall for help in what resources and places are legitimate for donating.  She has worked with a lot of organizations and friends that are personally involved in these things, so I can trust her advice.  I really want to make relationships with those that I give to for some reason God has put that on my heart.  I'm hoping to find a family or single mom or child that needs some love and support through letters and packages that can continue forever or until they get on there feet.  So here is the LEGIT list that Kendall created for me that she knows of these people personally so that you can help to!!! 

 CLICK THE LINK YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT!Some local and abroad sites:)

Operation Christmas Child, many churches are accepting shoebox donations

Mercy Ministries In Lincoln, CA

The Salvation Army-adopt families for Christmas-contact your local Salvation Army

Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento has a Christmas adoption program

Gospel for Asia http://www.gfa.org/

Compassion International http://www.compassion.com/

Kendall's friends, Melissa and Rich are living in Africa and working with an orphanage http://www.drawnfromwater.org/.  They could really use donations, prayer, and encouragement

Bless you this holiday season, create a Thanksgiving Tree and remember what you are thankful for this month, and start preparing for what you can give during Christmas time!  -Nicole Johnson