Little Memo Books = Great Gifts!

So I was lucky enough to have a friend from my area go into the city and pick me up something at Staples.  What was it?  It was little mini memo books, that were on sale for only 10 cents a pack (2 in a pack).  They are regular $1.98 per package!

You might be thinking why would these be worth my time and money?  Well, kids love them!  Some of my students bought some similar ones (though much more expensive) through the book orders last year, and they were the hit of the classroom.  So while I'm going to use them for prizes and rewards, you could use them as a stocking stuffer, party favors, or even for grocery lists!

The sale runs to Tuesday, August 16.  To make sure you can get them in your area, head over to Staples' website, enter your postal code and then click on the in-store flyer!

Happy Shopping!

Sinfully Delicious Apple Pies for Gifts

So the other day I posted pictures of an individual apple pie that I had concocted for gifts from my students.  I promised you guys the recipe, and here it is!

Apple Pie

Crust:  
*Please note that this is Tenderflake Lard's crust recipe...
Makes 12 individual pies, both top and bottom

6 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1b. Tenderflake lard
1 tbsp vinegar
1 egg, lightly beaten
Cold Water

Place flour in large bowl.  Add tenderflake lard (I tend to cut this into squares first before adding), cutting in with pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse oatmeal.

In a one cup measuring cup, combine vinegar and beaten egg.  Add water to make one cup.  Gradually add liquid into Tenderflake mixture.  Mix.  Add only enough water to make dough stick together.

Divide dough into 6 portions.  Cut each portion in half, giving you 12 portions.  Cut in half again, now giving you 24 portions.

Roll out one portion on floured surface (flouring your rolling pin as well to prevent sticking), large enough to cover your pan.  Place in a greased 5 inch tart form pan (I use aluminum ones).  Push down so that shell is secure; trim edges.

Julie's Pie Filling (recipe for each individual pie):

1 apple, peeled, sliced into thin slices
2 tsp margarine (can be heaping if desired)
1 tbsp brown sugar
Pinch of cinnamon

Place apple slices into pie shell.  Top with margarine, sugar, and cinnamon.

Roll out a portion to completely cover pie.  Trim excess.  With fork, go along edges to secure pie top to pie base.  Cut slits in pie to allow steam to release.

Bake in preheated oven at 325 C for 35 minutes.  Let cool and enjoy!

So for just over a dollar a pie, you get an awesome gift for someone!

Individual Apple Pies

So I got the idea for my students to make apple pies as a way to say thank you for all the people in the school who did something special for us.  I really firmly believed that it needed to be something that we did as a class, rather than me buying something.  It needed to have meaning, needed to have effort, and needed to appeal to the  giftee.  The solution?  Pie!  I mean who doesn't like pie!

I came up with my own recipe, though I used the never failing Tenderflake Lard.  The actual pie recipe though turned out to be amazing!  I mean, don't get me wrong, I love pie, but I didn't love it as much until I tasted my new concoction!  OMG...so yummy!  Now just so you know, the pictures I'm posting are not the most professional looking as adults who have done this many times over, but these pictures are full of heart!  Stay tuned this weekend for the recipe!

P.S.  To make 12 gifts, the cost was around $12 or $1 a piece.  Can't beat that eh?

P.P.S.  For more pictures and a link to my classroom blog, check out:  www.wayway4.blogspot.com

'Tis the Season to Give

So finally in my  neck of the woods, snow is beginning to fall and stay on the ground.  People are putting their lights up on their houses and the inflatable Christmas blow-ups are all around.  Yup, the countdown for Christmas is on!

Christmas is about giving-we all know that, but I think sometimes we focus on things that are too materialistic and too "big" for what the season is really about.  I think we focus on ourselves and not a lot on people out there who are struggling.

So while the economy has definitely changed things for some of us, there are a lot of ways that you can give back to help others without even realizing it.  Consider some of these options, whether just for Christmas or year-round.

1.  Cartridges and Cell Phones

You might not know it, but if you're throwing these out, you're throwing out money.  For the amount of product needed to get some cash back is unrealistic for the average joe, there are great organizations out there collecting these.  In my hometown alone, I know of two locations:  the local library and the Special Ed program at P.C.I.  If you donate to the library, money that is raised gets put towards new materials for the library.  If you donate to the high school special ed program, money is raised for new equipment for challenged students.  Both are awesome programs.

Agencies involved in the recyclable program include:

 

• Canadian Diabetes Collation 
•  Phone:  1-204-949-9163
• Cerebral Palsy Recycling Team
• Phone:  1-204-982-4848
• The Canadian Hearing Society
• http://www.chs.ca/en/fundraising/help-chs-and-the-environment.html

But if you look around and ask around, you might be able to find more as well.

 2.  Thrift Stores

The Canadian Diabetes Foundation collects items to sell to Value Village, all of which they will pick up from your doorstep.  Simply phone them and make arrangements.  As well, MCCs of Canada collect donations in which their proceeds go directly towards projects around the world-clean water, clothing projects, housing, education, etc.  Getting involved and donating things you no longer use is an awesome way of teaching kids that it's good to give to others, especially as they're looking forward to new toys.

3.  Hampers and shoe boxes

Whether it's filling a shoe box for a needy child or donating items to a hamper, it's a great way to get involved.  Shoe boxes are done through schools and chuches-and are usually collected at this time of the year.  Hampers can be school or community filled.  North Memorial School in Portage does hampers each year for needy families.  Items can be used, but in great shape.  General items usually taken include candy, clothing, food, games, toys, jewellry, shoes, etc.  You can support them by donating these items or cash, and if you really want to get involved, take on a whole hamper to yourself for the family whereby you're assigned a hamper and told the ages of all the family members.  I've personally delivered one and it's amazing how much that hamper means to the children. 

4.  Give donations as gifts

With your family and friend's tastes in mind, make a donation on behalf of them.  You can specialize it anyway you want.  One of my favorites is World Vision's Gift Catalogue-gifts range from about $10 and up and they will send out cards to the recipient of your gift saying what was purchased for them. 

See this link to go this route:  https://catalogue.worldvision.ca/gifts/Forms/Home.aspx?mc=3221603&lang=en

I've done World Vision numerous times, and not only do I feel good, but it usually means a lot to the people I'm giving to.

So, now that you've got ideas, what's your plan on giving back???