Handcrafters' Holidays: a blog meme

One of my new favorite blogs is http://sewmamasew.com/blog2, and she is running a blog meme all month, and here is my two cents worth- even though most of my ideas came from her website this month in the first place. :)

Gifts
Do you have a favorite gift that you love to give?

Not in particular, but this year two of my favorite gifts are handmade. I am making a football run through sign with a big Georgia "G" on it for Jonah to practice running out of the "locker room," and I made crayon caddy aprons for several young artists on my list...

If you’re making gifts this year, what are you making? (Post photos if you have some!) See above. I have also made some coffee cozies.

This one was fought over during a cut throat game of dirty Santa (more info to come in a later post).

And this one won awards

And some matching bags...

Do you have any good stories about handcrafted gifts you’ve given or received? Not really.
Do you have any great gift compilation ideas (a grouping of gifts just perfect for certain recipients?) Coffee Cozies with matching bags and/ or book/Bible covers. A starbucks giftcard is another great addition with the coffee cozy.
Name one thing on your personal wish list. Since I already got my embroidery machine- and am obviously putting it to good use- the only thing on my wish list is the Magic Box Plus Embroidery card software. And, it looks like that one might stay on my list for a while. :)
Do you make and sell things that would make fantastic gifts? I don't really sell anything although if someone would like to pay me for anything, I will be happy to sell to the highest bidder. :)
Traditions
What is your favorite family holiday tradition? The boys and I have a birthday party for Jesus each Christmas. Keep your eyes peeled for a posting with photos from that next week. And, Santa brings three gifts to each child in our household to remind us of the three gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus.
Have you started any new traditions with your family that you didn’t practice growing up? Too many to list here.
What do you love most about the holiday season? Time spent with family and friends. Food!!!
What do you like least about the holiday season? Harried schedules and negative attitudes.
Anyone close to your heart that you’ll be missing this year? Thankfully, no.
What is your favorite holiday food? Hmmmm. That one is difficult. Anything with cranberries, pumpkin, apples. Seriously, how am I suppossed to narrow that one down. I give up.
Do you have a great recipe to share?

Great easy recipe for those cooler evenings when you don't have time to cook because of the approaching holidays.

Sundried Tomato Pasta

Place three to four frozen chicken breasts in a crock pot in the morning. Pour a can of rotel (you choose the heat) on top, and then dump half of a jar of Classico brand Sundried Tomato Alfredo Sauce on top. Cook on low all day. When ready to serve, shred chicken between two forks. This will seriously only take a couple of minutes because the meat is so tender. Stir in the other half jar of alfredo, and serve over hearty pasta.