Giving Thanks Part IV: Practically free, priceless ways to tell family you love them

It's Turkey day. Yes, today I will stuff myself silly, because 1) I don't get turkey dinners cooked by my talented mother-in-law (insert brownie points here) everyday, and 2) calories don't count on Thanksgiving. Didn't you know?

And I really enjoy my family. I really, really do. Both my husband's side and mine have endeared themselves over the past several years by loving on my sweet kiddos and helping out when they can, and that just makes me all fuzzy wuzzy inside and on the prowl for the perfect way to thank them for all the loving attention. I mean, jeez, my kids are pretty darn cute, but I've seen how they act with a little refined sugar. That's means I'm very grateful for everyone's help.

So how do I communicate that? Well, with an advanced degree in communication, you'd think I'd just know how to express my thanks perfectly, right? No, I'm much better with delivering helpful information and sometimes even sarcastic humor. But gratitude? There's got a be a perfect way to let someone know it.

So, here are my four, un-scientific methods for telling someone in your family, "Thanks," with no purchase necessary.

Say it. In the next few days, I'll have the opportunity to see a number of my family members. And maybe I'm a better writer than a speaker, but there's nothing wrong with the personal touch of going straight up to a person and telling him or her exactly why you appreciate them. Sometimes, I think it's easy to get caught up on the ways we don't think family members are perfect. And just remembering why you value them, even one single detail, might help you remember that we all have "hard to love" moments.

Write it. Oh yes. All that handwriting practice in grade school can finally come in handy when it comes to delivering a note. Sure, you can send a thank you by email, on Facebook, or even one of those nifty little e-cards. But there is something about getting an envelope with your name on it, either through the mail or at the dinner table, with a note that someone took the time to scribble just for you. And as a bonus, unlike spoken words, written words can be read over and over, remembered time and again.

Show it. As a writer, I'm not so fond of the saying, "A picture's worth a thousand words." I don't actually believe that's true all the time, although, visuals can affect people in deep, emotional ways. That being said, a more unique way to say thanks beyond the common note card would be to dig up a picture from a trip or get-together containing a happy memory of you and a family member. On the back of the picture, write a brief note (that's right, you're not getting out of the writing part!) and tell them why the memory is so special to you.

Do it. Okay, so I said this wouldn't cost anything. Actually, I said these were practically free ideas. So here's where the practically comes in. Time is one of the most valuable things in our society. With the internet, activities, family commitments, work, television, (deep breath), sporting events, Christmas shopping etc. etc., having time to spend one-on-one with a family member comes at a high price. But there is nothing, NOTHING, like giving your time to go do something with a family member--going out to eat, watching a movie, shopping, whatever. Because, at the end of the day, you might discover that the more you give, the more you receive.

And that, my friends, is the spirit of the season.

Don't be Martha, just be awesome - Part II: Best (and easiest) of Halloween cupcakes

As mentioned in my last post, Martha Stewart I am not. Most days I have only a few goals, which include (and are pretty much limited to) keeping my house at a manageable level of mess, cooking a healthy if not altogether tasty meal, teaching my children simple life skills (such as, tackling is not generally acceptable in most social situations), and hanging on to a shred of sanity.

Enter the holiday season.

Okay you mothers with homemade costumes/three-layer cheesecakes/candles/sweaters/wreaths/etc. You exhaust me. You really do. Here's your round of applause (see my hands clapping in a circle). But I have decided, in the interest of finding success, to keep my holiday homemaking simple and fun. Last week I showed you some crazy easy fall crafts; this week, I'm taking on the world of cupcakes.

So, I figured I'd save you some time and find the easiest way to make your usual Halloween suspects--no cupcake wars necessary. I know--you're welcome.

For the hairiest, scariest spider...


celebrations.com

This simplicity winner from celebrations.com gets my vote. I reviewed several spiderific creations online before settling on this as my favorite. Although some of the others were creative and cute, this is doable, and I'm a sucker for anything with sprinkles (as are my kids).

Ms. Fox's Sweets

 For the easiest, breezy ghost...

You would be surprised (at least, I was) at the complex ghost cupcake designs out there. But then I saw this at Ms. Fox's Sweets, and I thought, "Hey, all I need is a dollop of whipped topping and two somethings for eyeballs, and BAM! Spooky cupcake."

Pinterest

For the hippest monster...

A few weeks ago, I let my two young kiddos put some frosting and eyeballs on some muffins. Voila! Monster cupcakes. But I thought, in the interest of scouting out true creativity, to give you something a little more interesting for your monster inspiration. You can thank Molly Davis on Pinterest for this one.






Edible Crafts

For the crackalackin jack-o-lantern...

It's not fall without a pumpkin, and it's not Halloween without a jack-o-lantern. But how to make one without being handy with the orange frosting? Well, this idea from Edible Crafts had me chuckling--a winner for sure. You can make it more complex or simple as desired.


For the mousiest mummy...


Spoonful

And last but, you guessed it, certainly not least, a fresh and preschooler-pleasing mummy idea from Spoonful that puts the mouse in mousarific. If I can get past the frosting part, then the rest is a piece of cake.

Hah. I crack myself up.

Happy cupcaking!

Summer treats without the heat

My fifteen-month-old is OBSESSED with our oven. I'm not sure if it's the whir of the fan, the light, or the smell of awesome goodness (when my husband cooks), but the little guy is like a moth to a flame on that one. In fact, if anyone knows an oven child-safety device that actually works, please let me know.

Anyway, because my kids and I do have a sweet tooth (or several), I found myself searching for no-cook desserts on Pinterest, treats that say "summer" without the heat of the oven or stove involved. Oh, and which are colorful or chocolately enough to get the little guy saying "Moe!"

Contestant Number One: For something that's colorful, somewhat healthy, and quick, try these no bake tarts from The Style Sisters. I think these work great for kiddos, but it racks up extra points for being pretty enough to serve to guests too.



Link to site



Contestant Number Two: This gem is from Southern Living. It gets bonus points for being easy AND made with ice cream--a match made in my own little version of heaven. And, a busy mom does not have to make her own ice cream for this to work (FYI -- Just bought some Talenti gelato at Wal-Mart that had me licking the bowl). Okay, so this treat doesn't have any health points attached. But then, it is a dessert;-)

 

 

Link to site





Contestant Number Three: This last one may take a little more time, but this beauty from Let's Dish was seriously love at first sight for me. Peanut butter cups? Oreos? Chocolate Pudding? WHIPPED TOPPING? I'm desperately lovestruck. It's not as easy to make as the other two, or particularly healthy, but I may just win mother-of-the-year from my little ones if I put this together right.

Link to site


And if all else fails, there are always the fool-proof popsicles. Old-school and yummy! Or if cookies and cupcakes are the only way to fill a kiddo's (or your) craving, never fear. Places like Uptown Grocery, Eileen's Colossal Cookies, or Cupcakes to Go Go are just a few of the many Edmond bakeries that have you covered. Bon Apetit!