Last Minute Teacher Gifts

I'm back after a short hiatus to get through the end of the school year.  My daughter finished kindergarten last week.  It was a whirlwind!  

I had to share the gifts I put together for Elizabeth's kindergarten teachers even though I know most people are done with school.  This translates for your admins, new moms, or other people in your life who need a little pick-me-up. I sent them on the Monday of the last week of school with a little note that they might need a little pick-me-up to get through the last week.  I know I could not be a kindergarten teacher so I really like to reward those that do this very difficult job with grace and smiles on their faces!

In the cup I included a Starbucks gift card, biscotti, and a box of sugar-free mints.

Of course I got everything at Starbucks including the cup. I had some raffia from a gift basket that I stuffed into the bottom, and then wrapped it with gift basket cellophane and topped it with a ribbon.  I opted to wrap them in cellophane so that it would be easy for Elizabeth to carry in her backpack to school.

After talking to a few teacher friends, gift cards and cash are really the way to go.  Teachers don't really want or need any more homemade baked goods - especially during swimsuit season - or mugs/candles/trinkets!  Plus, this is easier!  I also plan to have Elizabeth write a nice note to each of her teachers over the summer so they truly know how much kindergarten has changed Elizabeth for the better - she's more mature and has a hunger for learning which is inspiring for our whole family!  

I got the inspiration from one of my favorite blogs Hi Sugarplum! - Cassie has such awesome ideas for home decorating, DIY, fashion, and gifts!

Happy Anniversary!

Today, Jim and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary.  I am looking forward to another 50 years of house projects with you!  We're just hoping to get a nice, quiet dinner out over the weekend.

As an anniversary present, we got ourselves our first DSLR camera, the Canon T1i.   LOVE! 

We got to do some sightseeing with my in-laws a couple of weekends ago and visited several of the monuments in DC at night which we haven't done in a while.  Such a great thing to do on a warm summer night.  Here is one of my favorite pictures from that adventure!

Washington Monument from the steps of the Jefferson Memorial

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

We are so happy to welcome several new families to our neighborhood.  One family just moved in next door by way of Washington state - they are slowly adjusting to the temperature differential!  Another family just bought a house across the street.  We are really looking forward to getting to know them.

Although I usually bake something for new neighbors, I have finally realized that baking is not a skill I was blessed with (fortunately, Jim is an excellent baker).   I switched to something more my speed - cooking.  

To welcome our new neighbors, I used some of the basil from my crazy huge plants in my herb gardens to make some great super fresh pesto.

I love the Cook's Illustrated recipe for pesto and it takes about 20 minutes to make.  It's a great way to use some excess basil and parsley, and you can easily double or triple the recipe depending on how large your basil grew in the July heat.  The basil will keep in the fridge for at least 5 days (maybe even a week).  Be sure to cover it with plastic and then put a lid on the container to keep it from turning brown. 

I wrapped up some gourmet dried pasta and a bottle of red wine for a quick and easy dinner.  I'm sure I could have found a better container for the basil but these disposable varieties are a good option and can be reused again and again, and the gift bag was really cute.

For our newly transplanted west coast neighbors, I also put together a list of local doctors, dentists, parks, favorite restaurants, shopping areas, etc. so they have a starting point as they prepare for back-to-school appointments and finding a good pizza delivery spot while they get their kitchen unpacked.

If you want me to make you some fresh pesto, buy this house in our neighborhood.

What's your favorite new neighbor gift either to give or receive?

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Thoughtful and Useful Housewarming Gift Idea

Many of our friends have moved over the last few years so I feel I am always looking for thoughtful and easy housewarming gifts.  This weekend we went to a friend's new house for dinner.  They are "have everything" type people so I picked up a set of adorable summer themed hand towels (I'm really into orange this year) and fancy kitchen hand soap.  It's a thoughtful but not over-the-top gift, and it looks really cute in a sweet bag with a little bow.  No matter how much great stuff you can have, anyone can appreciate these little gifts.

For a weekend hostess gift or birthday gift, you could amp it up with some fun kitchen spoons, fancy dish soap or counter cleaner, and put it all in a nice basket or small colander.

For some other former neighbors and very good friends (who had the nerve to move a mile away!), I struggled for a while with what to get them.  Fortunately the struggle ended quickly when I saw this Ron Krajewski print on Etsy.  I've seen his work at Eastern Market in DC and always admired it, but I had never seen this Cairn Terrier print.  Our friends have an adorable Cairn Terrier, Albus,who looks very much like the dog in the portrait.  Of course, I snagged one and framed it in a great wood frame.  The finished product was great.  They loved it!

Photo via Ron Krajewski

I love putting together gifts like these because they are thoughtful and useful.  What are your favorite housewarming gifts to give and receive?