Top 5 last-minute Valentine's Day gift ideas

The best gifts are gifts from the heart

In yesterday's sourdough bread post I confessed (probably not for the first time) that I often fly by the seat of my pants. Unfortunately, this habit often finds me scrambling for gifts when holidays and birthdays roll around. If you find yourself thinking, "It's Valentine's Day already!", here are a few last-minute ideas that your family and friends will love.

1 - Gifts of Food. You can't go wrong with My Favorite Sugar Cookies! No time to bake? Try popcorn and 2 liters of soda, "I just popped in to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!" A jar of last summer's fruity preserves and a note that reads, "You're my Jam, Valentine!" will please your friends, as well.

2 - Gifts of Service. Shovel someone's walk and leave an anonymous note that reads, "I would move mountains of snow for you." Do a family member's household chores without being asked or pick up groceries for a neighbor who might not want to venture out. (It's still bitter cold where I live!)

3 - Gifts of Future Service. Make a coupon for a future task such as babysitting, homemade dinner for two, or yardwork. It's okay to put parameters on it such as a "renew by" or "4 hours of babysitting" or "on a Saturday." Just be certain if you give a gift that will be redeemed in the future, you are willing to fulfill it.

4 - Gifts of Words. Write a personal note that includes a favorite memory of your Valentine. It could be a shared experience or something you've observed about them. Tell them why you value their friendship. Be silly, be clever, or be honestly blunt, "You make me laugh." There are many ways to make this happen through a written card, text, email, or a blast on social media. Be thoughtful and use the format that will best speak to your Valentine.

5- Gifts of Time. Plan a date. It can be as simple as a walk or as committed as a weekend getaway. Even an impromptu visit with a friend. "Can I stop by with a snack and visit for a bit?" Time together can reinforce a relationship, especially if it has been a while since you've taken time to connect.

So, don't panic! You have a few days left to make your Valentine(s) feel special. 

If you have an idea to add to this list, please feel free to share it in the comments.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

- Carol aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram!

Black Friday Book Bash!

I don’t know about you, but I’m not much for fighting crowds on Black Friday. I would rather stay home with family enjoying the company and leftovers. Perhaps I’m not really a shopper!

That’s why I’m offering 25% OFF all my book titles ALL WEEK LONG! Browse. Go eat another piece of pumpkin pie. Email me if you have questions. Shop some more. Purchase when it’s convenient for you. You can even use the coupon more than once. And there are no crowds to fight!

This offer is good now thru Cyber Monday in my Etsy shop or by contacting me personally. It is not valid on Amazon!

Use coupon code: BOOKBASH25

People on your Christmas List who might enjoy my books:

Kids

Country Folks

Fishermen

Quilters

Runners

Non-runners who wish to be runners

Readers with short attention spans

Readers who love life lessons

Writers

And the list goes on …

So, give the shop a visit when you have time between baking, eating, and recovering from that hectic Black Friday shopping trip! Remember the code: BOOKBASH25

Happy Thanksgiving and ...

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

This Jalapeno Pepper Jelly recipe has been around for years! It's an old standby family recipe and I often have requests.  It's one of this Granny's favorite Recipes. It's not a secret guarded recipe, so I'm sharing it here for those that can't find their own copy. This picture shows a variation using orange bell peppers.

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

3 Medium Bell Peppers (You can use green, yellow, orange, or red)

2 Jalapeno Peppers (2 inches long. I've substituted habanero peppers for a HOT variation)

1 1/2 Cup White Vinegar

5 1/2 Cups White Sugar

1 tsp Ground Cayenne Pepper

6 ounces liquid pectin

Chop peppers and puree in a blender. Add 1 cup of vinegar and blend well. Combine pureed mixture with sugar, cayenne, and the rest of the vinegar in a large saucepan. Blend well.

Bring to a full rolling boil.

Stir in pectin and boil 1 more minute.

Remove from heat and skim off foam.

Seal in jars. Recipe fills 8 jelly jars.

*Note: This jelly can take up to two weeks to set up.

Serve with crackers and cream cheese to mellow the hot flavor of this recipe.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Pumpkins and Pans - September Giveaway!

Pumpkins and Pans Giveaway! There is a touch of Autumn in the air. Celebrate with items from two Etsy shops! One lucky winner will receive all three hand painted wooden pumpkins and a copy of Gold Pans and Iron Skillets.  We are running it on Instagram, so hop over there to follow all the shops.

Rules -

•1 - Follow these accounts on Instagram: @craftcoop and @runninggrannygreen

•2 - Tag a friend to receive an additional entry.

•3 - Comment below for another chance to win!

You have one week to enter. Winner will be announced by Noon MST on October 22. (Giveaway not affiliated with Blogger, Instagram, or Etsy.)

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Lazy Days of Summer - 3 Shop Giveaway!

This is going to be a fun giveaway. I'm calling it Lazy Days of Summer and I have items from two of my favorite Etsy shops and one of my own! One lucky winner will receive all three of these handmade pretties, a purple roses pillow cover, a flamingo drawstring bag, and a beaded pink and rose gold wrap bracelet. We are running it on Instagram, so hop over there to follow all three shops.

No Instagram? No problem! Comment below for a chance to win.

Rules -

• 1 - Follow these accounts on Instagram: @bedheaddesigns @notverydomestic @runninggrannygreen
• 2 - Tag a friend to receive an additional entry.
• 3 - Comment below for another chance to win!

Winner will be announced by Noon MST on Aug 8. (Giveaway not affiliated with Blogger, Instagram, or Etsy.)
Visit these Etsy shops to see more great handmade items from Bedhead Designs, Not Very Domestic, and Running Granny Green!

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

My three favorite food gifts

It’s Food Friday and one week until Christmas Day! I’m sharing my three favorite foods to give as gifts today. Follow the instructions for My Favorite Sugar Cookies and you can’t miss! Jalapeno Pepper Jelly is fun because it can be shared at a holiday party or saved for New Year’s Day bowl games. Who doesn’t love a pan full of cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning or any other day? If you want to feel like a rock star, shower your loved ones with these gifts of food.

 Carol's Sugar Cookies

• 1 C Butter Flavored Crisco
• 1 C Granulated Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 3 C Flour

Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Blend in one cup of the flour. Add baking powder and salt and blend well. Add remaining flour - reserving about 1/4 cup for rolling dough. Mix well.

Dough will be soft. Do not refrigerate. Use remaining flour to keep dough from sticking while rolling out. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies and bake in 400 degree oven for seven minutes. Do not allow edges to brown. Baking times may need to be adjusted.
Allow cookies to cool and decorate with your favorite frosting recipe. (Mine is in my head!  I just add ingredients until it looks and tastes right, but here are some things to help you...)

My Favorite Frosting Recipe

1/4 - 1/2 C butter, softened
1 tsp Vanilla
Powdered Sugar
Milk (about 1/4 cup)
Dash of salt

Cream butter and add vanilla.  I then begin adding powdered sugar and milk alternately until I have a fluffy white frosting. When I am happy with the consistency, I add a dash of salt. A seasoned southern belle once told me, "The salt makes the sweet sweeter."

Add food coloring and sprinkles - or not. It's really about what makes you happy!

Let them melt in your mouth!

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

• 3 Med. Green Peppers seeded & chopped
• 2 2-inch Jalapeno Peppers seeded & chopped
• 1 1/2 Cups White Vinegar
• 5 1/2 Cups Sugar
• 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 6 oz. liquid pectin (Certo)

Puree peppers.  Add vinegar and blend.  In a large deep saucepan, combine pureed mixture, sugar, and cayenne.  Bring to full rolling boil stirring frequently.  Stir in pectin and boil for one minute more.  Remove from heat.  Skim off foam and seal in jars.  Makes 8 jelly jars.

Carol’s Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe is a little more complicated.  View it HERE to find step by step instructions!

Pair these with a cup of hot chocolate. Yum! They are great as a gift or perfect for your own no-fuss breakfast on Christmas morning or New Year's Day!

Find more of my favorite recipes HERE.

Question: Do you have a recipe to share?  Comment below.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Merry Christmas and Happy Running!
- Carol aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

5 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

This recipe HERE.

 

You've got five days left before Valentine's Day.  What are you going to do?  Here are five sweet ideas for your Valentines!

 

For Your Sweetheart - This idea comes from Hub Pages.  Fill a jar with mixed nuts and add a note that says, "After all these years, I'm still nuts about you!"  Or make up a quote of your own.

 

For the Kids' lunchboxes - This idea comes from The Cards We Drew.  Include a mandarin orange or nectarine in their lunch with a note that says, "You're a real Cutie!" 

 

For Your Running Friends - (You know they love a gift!) A pair of new running socks, headband, cheap knitted gloves for the cold days, or even one of these cute new shirts.  They are made of technical fabric - just in time for warmer temps!

 

For the College Kids - A gift card for a favorite meal.  College kids are always hungry!  You can order online. Try Five Guys, Café Rio, or Chili's.

 

For Everyone Else - You can't missed with My Favorite Sugar Cookies!  I'm going to give it a permanent place on my Home Page.  It's that good!

 

So get busy! You have five more days!

Happy Valentine's Day and ...

 

Happy Running!