Tag: teacher gift ideas

Host a Craft-ernoon Party

Valentines Glitter Jars from katienormalgirl.com | #valentinesday #crafts

Today I’m a guest blogger over on Oak & Oats where I’m sharing tips for hosting a craft-ernoon party. I love to host a good party filled with food, crafts and glitter. If you’d like to make these glitter jars and host a party of your own, hop on over and check out this Valentine’s Day craft!

katie: normal girl

DIY Monogrammed Vases

Gold Monogrammed Flower Vases from katienormalgirl.com | #DIY #crafts #homemadeI found these fun glasses at a thrift store recently and decided that with a little bit of shine, they would make perfect little flower vases. I just can’t resist fresh cut flowers at the farmer’s market so I’m always in need of a vase or two.

The glasses already had a great etched pattern on them so I just added bits of gold trim and a gold-leafed “G”. The whole process was a lot easier than you might think.

Easy Cinnamon Peanut Brittle

Cinnamon Peanut Brittle recipe from katienormalgirl.com #giftideas #homemade

This time of year always puts me in the mood for peanut brittle but not just any peanut brittle…I want cinnamon peanut brittle.

There are so many peanut brittle recipes out there, so if you already have a favorite, you can try this take on it by just adding cinnamon to your existing recipe. If you don’t have a favorite then I’d love for you to give this version a try.  It makes a yummy treat that can be wrapped up and given as gifts to your co-workers, family, and friends.

You’ll need:

– 1 1/3 c. sugar
– 6 1/2 oz. shelled, salted peanuts
– 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
– butter to grease cookie sheet and spoon backs
– two metal spoons

Thoroughly grease a cookie sheet with butter, being sure to cover the entire bottom and sides. Next you’ll need to prepare for cooking the sugar. Once the sugar is ready you’ll need to add the peanuts and cinnamon, stir and pour into the cookie sheet pretty quickly so have everything you need (peanuts, cinnamon, metal spoons) setup and ready to go.

Homemade Holiday Gifts: Cinnamon Peanut Brittle

I have studied herbalism for many years and enjoy using the knowledge that I have gained to create both simple and complex herbal remedies, delicious teas, tisanes and brews, and to make natural skin and hair care products.  I get to share a lot of this knowledge in my weekly column on hellogiggles.com as The 21st Century Herbalist.  Once a week I like to repost the column here, just in case you missed it!

Original publish date: October 11, 2012

s we continue to celebrate the multi-generational traditions of women, I can’t help but think of all of the wonderful recipes that have been passed down through the women in my family.  This time of year always puts me in the mood for peanut brittle but not just any peanut brittle, I look forward to my great-grandmother’s cinnamon peanut brittle.  It’s that little bit of cinnamon that makes this treat feel unique to my family and always makes me nostalgic.

The cinnamon tree is native to India and can now be found in many parts of the world.  The bark has long been used as a delicious flavoring in many types of food but it also has many medicinal benefits too.  This spicy bark is warming and works as a mild, yet effective, digestive aid.  It also has antiviral properties that make it great for fighting infection.

There are so many peanut brittle recipes out there, so feel free to just add a bit of cinnamon to one of your favorites.  If you don’t have a favorite, then I’d love for you to share in my family’s tradition and make the version below.  It makes a yummy treat that can be wrapped up and given as treats to your co-workers, family and friends.

…read more (you’ll be redirected to my column on hellogiggles.com)