Freestyle Friday: Cookie Jar Mixes

*Sometimes there's a little more to my life than food. Friday's the day I'll share, I mean, most Fridays I hope to share those bits with you. We'll cover crafts, music, travel, who knows.

The Christmas countdown is officially on. Only two sleeps until Santa Paws arrives, and I am happy to say we're ready. I know the husband has my presents wrapped and hidden away in the guest closet. (Every night I want a sweatshirt I have to ask him to pick one out for me, since I'm not allowed in there!) And I have the husband's gifts tagged (To: the man of my dreams From: his beautiful wife) and ready to stick under the tree. I'm also happy to report we wrapped and shipped all of the gifts we needed to send to family miles and miles away - some have even received their packages already. (Sorry to those of you who won't be seeing your gifts until after the big day. We tried.)

For those of you who have had your shopping done since Black Friday, I know my accomplishments sound like small potatoes. But I'm feeling quite efficient right about now. So efficient, in fact, that the husband keeps asking what we're going to do tomorrow on our day off. 

We don't have any shopping left to do - thank God. I think tomorrow afternoon sounds like prime time for a good Christmas flick. 

How about you? Are your stockings hung by the chimney with care, or are you still baking Santa's cookies and worrying you've forgotten to get a gift for someone on your list?

If you find yourself in the latter boat, here's a quick and easy way to redeem some of your sanity: cookie mix jars. You most likely have all of the ingredients in your pantry, they take minutes to put together and recipients will love 'em. Seriously, who doesn't love cookies? People you shouldn't be friends with, that's who.

Chocolate chip cookies make just about everyone's holiday happy:

Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar From Christmas-Cookies.com

I know chocolate and peanut butter always make me happy:

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies in a Jar From Cravings of a Lunatic

Cinnamon and sugar is a nice alternative for those (crazy people) not in love with chocolate:

Snickerdoodle Mix in a Jar From AllRecipes.com

And for those who want to pretend cookies are healthy, throw in some oatmeal:

Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar From the Comfort of Cooking

Freestyle Friday: How to Make a Fleece Knot Blanket

*Sometimes there's a little more to my life than food. Friday's the day I'll share, I mean, most Fridays I hope to share those bits with you. We'll cover crafts, music, travel, who knows.

Many of my Christmases growing up included a "Mom present." Since you, unless you're Big Little Brother, didn't grow up in my house, you have no idea what a "Mom present" is. I'll explain. A one-of-a-kind present from Momma is a gift bag filled with material and pins. 

Whenever I got one of these presents Christmas morning I'd ooh and aaaah over the fabric and then Momma would have to explain what she was making. 

I got used to receiving these presents and often came to expect them. There's something about a little something homemade that makes Christmas that much more special, if you ask me. It doesn't matter if it's pajama pants, a scarf or a new nightgown. If it's homemade, I'm a fan.

So with hopes of spreading this homemade cheer a bit further this Christmas, I decided to make one little girl in our life a fleece blanket. It was super simple, and I like to think this present will mean a little more to her knowing it came to her with love - and at least one solid hour of me not thinking of anything but her.