Last yr. I made my g'kids calendars with pics of them & our activities tog from the year...but instead of just doing a pic, I printed off "coloring sheets" ... you can do this in some software programs ...and then I took it to a copyshop where I had the plastic circular spinal binding put on...think it was like $3 each or something like that. Anyway, the "coloring-book pics" are kind of funny cause they turn cartoonish...& the kids enjoyed looking at them...as well as the adults. Just an idea...you have a good one, too...altho I don't know if the 4 yr or 7 yr can appreciate how good your idea is! Time flies for us it seems but 2-l/2 wks. until Christmas is an ungodly amt. of time for my 9 yr. old GS! Of if my 12 yr old GD had a $25 shopping spree coming in May, I don't think she could stand the wait! Good luck with your project! Jeanne S. (if you do Photoshop, you can get an idea of what your pic would look like color book like). Jeanne S.

lots of cute angels here http://craftycollege.com/webofangels/ or http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_occasions_december/article/0,,HGTV_3270_3049043,00.html

I feel really bad, because last year I was given a link to a whole Web site on making liqueur, (maybe even by Readinglady, or someone from the Harvest forum), and I either filed it somewhere I can't find, or didn't bookmark it. Anyway, maybe you can find it by Googling. Meanwhile, here's the recipes I am using. They come out of one of my FAVORITE books, sadly no longer in print. It is called "The Herbal Pantry" by Emelie Tolley and Chris Mead, Clarkson Potter Publisher, New York 1992. It is a visual as well as culinary treat. It is LOADED with ideas for using herbs to make thing that would be great gifts, like herbal vinegars and mixes, and special cordials, jams, chutnies, etc. Apricot Thyme Liqueur 1 lb. dried apricots (I spent extra for unsulphered, organic for obvious reasons) 4 cups vodka (I used a 750 ml. bottle) 1/2 cup brandy (I used another 750 ml. bottle because that's what was needed to cover the apricots) 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup fresh lemon thyme (I used double that, but it may be a mistake. It was so late in the season and had been so cold when I harvested the thyme, it doesn't seem to have all that much taste left. Time will tell.) Combine fruit and booze and herbs in a large jar (I used a quart canning jar) with a tight fitting cover. Place in a cool dark place to steep for one month. I have it in the back of the fridge and it's going to be there for two months. Occasionally moosh the fruit around in the liquid using a wooden spoon or potato masher. When adequately steeped, strain the liquid from the fruit as much as possible. Boil the sugar and water together and add to the fruit mixture. Add sugar syrup slowly to taste, stop when it is sweet enough for you. Bottle and age for an additional 3 weeks. This weekend I hope to put up a jar of pear ginger and raspberry mint. The raspberry mint calls for 4 half pints of raspberries, which I have about half frozen right now so I'll add some more store bought frozen ones, and 3/4 cup tightly packed mint leaves, which I am no way going to use because I don't like mint all that much. I'll probably use 1/4 cup. Can also add 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa. Pear ginger calls for 8 very ripe pears (4 cups) and a 2 inch piec of ginger. Also calls for increasing the sugar to 2 cups water and 1 cup sugar. Which seems like a lot to me, but she says OK to add to taste. Using the pear recipe above, apple cinnamon brandy would be easy enough to figure out.

I assume that since it's couples there's no kids involved unless you're from the south somewhere! ;) And if you know the Springer 800 number I *don't* want to know about it! For a generic gift often something like a bottle of wine, a jug of booze, gift cards or the like are good. Basket of good chocolates with some cheese, crackers, sausage type things are usually good. For gift cards I really encourage using the prepaid credit cards rather than a specific place card. That way if they need gas, would like to go out, need groceries, would like to rent movies or even if they want to put it toward a new TV, it'll usually work rather than having to make a point of going to a particular place and spend that amount. The other thing could be a gift certificate for Amazon, Netflix or something. Gifts are so unique to the person the only real generic ones are going to be cash, food or booze. Hopefully they're not too picky. Unless you're doing a key exchange! ;)