Here is what the inside of my book box looks like: These are my instructions: The poem says: Write down your worries, fears and doubts. Close the book don't let them out. Release them to God by saying a prayer and let our dear Lord take them from there. I used a google image search of "head of Christ" graphic. You could use "praying hands" instead or graphic of your choice. For the box part, use a 6 1/2 X 11 sheet of white cardstock. Score all sides at 1 inch. Score the short ends again another inch. From short ends, cut all 4 corners in to the main score line. Fold, score edges, glue to form a box. Cover: Cut off the 1/2 inch of the 8 1/2 to make a rectangle 8 X 11. Score at 5 and 6 inches, forming the "spine" of the book. I used 3 layers....printed outter cardstock, white cardstock, then another printed cardstock. Sandwich a ribbon for tieing the book shut between the two inner layers. Glue bottom of box on the right hand side of the book cover. Insert a pad of paper and a pen in the box. Decorate the book cover any way you like. I made a layered and embossed cross. My notepads I got at Staples and they are 6 X 9 inches in size.

Booberry, that recipe came from Rick Rodgers, via Readinglady. MThey make a "thumbprint" kind of savory cookie with centers filled with Habanero Gold, they're amazing! Jenn, canning is easy, as long as you use recipes that can be canned safely and things that only need a hot water bath. This year I've done hot pepper jellies, smoky chipotle catsup (thanks Katiec!), pickled jalapenos, salsa, habanero/peach hot sauce, chipotle lime marinade for lamb or chicken, all with a hot water bath. Just yell if you need help! Annie

The Christmas "china" I own is from Williams Sonoma...it is more like pottery and fairly casual. I keep it stacked in my kitchen cabinet, but on a higher shelf than my other everyday china. Neither is displayed. But you've got me thinking...maybe I should swap the stacks for this month & use it everyday during the holidays instead of just for the "special" dinners! My dd's godmother started a collection of a Bernadaud Christmas pattern for her when she was born (she's 15 now) and I store that safely away. It is exquisite, though (Grenadiers pattern) and I am so tempted to use it every Christmas, or at least display it! Dd will appreciate having it so much when she is an adult. I think your storage plan sounds fine!

I used to bake when we were super poor and had no money. I found baking really inexpensive. I baked all the time for my children so the supplies were almost always on hand. I would bake cookies and bread, and one year I made chocolate covered cherries (I don't recommend it: they take FOREEEVVVER!) I even made Turtles, but over cooked the caramel so they were a little rock hard. hahahaha I even made little sled ornaments out of popcicle sticks. I keep meaning to make them again, they're so cute everyone loved them. But now? I don't have the time, nor the energy to make home made gifts. Besides, todays generation does not appreciate the home made things as much as we used to. I grew up with almost everything home made: my mom cooked from scratch (hardly 0 processed foods growing up), she baked everything (we never ate cookies from Christie), and mom is a seamstress so the vast majority of my clothes were made by mom. She also knitted so I had a lot of home made knit sweaters. I honestly don't know anyone who would appreciate them anymore.