From Rachel Green's Blog

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SMALL CHANGE, BIG DIFFERENCE

Frugal Gifts from the Kitchen

The holidays are right around the corner, but I'll be ready. Remember that lavender I dried? I made sachets with it and they turned out fabulous. Every woman I know is getting one for Christmas this year. In fact, almost everyone on my holiday list this year is getting a present homemade with love. I'm proud of what my friends and I have done and I'm excited to share.

All this gift-making has gotten me thinking. Why do we tend to believe the best gifts are things we buy? What propaganda! Sometimes the nicest gifts are the ones that involve time and effort and lots of heart. (I'm predicting our Small Change Club goody baskets are going to be the most popular presents under the tree! Oh, and by the way, we picked up the baskets at garage sales. face)

Now, in keeping with the spirit of this blog, here is an early present for all of you: our recipes. I hope you enjoy them!

arrow BLACKBERRY CORDIAL

Ingredients:

4 quarts crushed berries

4 cups granulated sugar

1 fifth Vodka

Directions:

Mix the above ingredients and place in a glass container. Stir daily. Strain after six weeks and bottle. Can fill six to eight bottles depending on what size bottles you use. (Hint: you can use old liquor bottles, but glass salad dressing bottles work great, too!)

arrow BLACKBERRY SYRUP

Ingredients:

4 cups pureed blackberries

2 cups granulated sugar

Directions:

Put pureed berries through sieve to remove seeds. Put in large pan and bring to a boil. Add sugar. Boil and stir two minutes. Remove from heat and skim off foam. Pour into pint jars, seal, and process in a water bath for ten minutes. Makes approximately three pints.

NOTE: If you want to, you can make a double or triple batch. Rasp-berries, blueberries, and huckleberries also make great syrup.

arrow FRIENDSHIP TEA

Ingredients:

1 cup instant tea

1 18 oz. jar orange juice mix such as Tang

½ teaspoon cloves

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup granulated sugar

Directions:

Mix together and store in a large plastic container. If giving as gifts, double the recipe and pour into quart-or pint-size canning jars, then top with a fancy fabric lid.

NOTE: When making tea, add 1 to 2 spoonfuls to each cup of boiling water.

arrow CAFÉ VIENESE

Ingredients:

½ cup instant chocolate drink like Nestle's Quik

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup powdered cream

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

Mix the above. Makes one eight-ounce can. (You can easily double or triple this recipe and give it as hostess gifts. Note: Use 2 to 3 spoonfuls of mix for a cup of coffee.)

Okay, that's about all I have time to post. The Small Change Club is about to start and we have a lot to do!