Apple Crisp Recipes & Some Apple Thinking

Women around the world are known for carrying purses. Not only do they tote around a plethora of things but they can also be interpreted as a status symbol. Depending upon the style and brand you buy, it could mean that you are among the wealthy with very little cash inside or you could be among the poor and perhaps have a few Ben Franklins hiding in a pocket. Most women have more than one. Some have enough to fill a closet. Others feel that they must have one to match every shoe they own. May I just let you know that I am not a big purse fan. I carry a very small purse and find that even it can be cumbersome at times.

The contents of the purse can amuse even the carrier. Recently I was reading a forum on the web entitled “What’s in your purse?” I was absolutely amazed at what women think they have to carry when they leave the house. Why don’t they just cart around a suitcase with wheels on it? It would be much easier. Everything from dog treats to flash drives to nail polish. What is the purpose of carrying all this junk, I asked myself. I cannot fathom carrying anymore stuff than I already do and I go thru my tiny little purse and weed it out. To prove my point, I’ll list off exactly all the items that I have in my little purse: drivers license, two identification cards, two bank cards, three insurance cards and three club membership cards, a library card, a gift card, two business cards, two address labels, two dollars, one chewable Pepto Bismol tablet, one Aleve, 2 safety pins, one toothpick, cell phone and my sheriff’s badge. What more would one need to carry? I’m thinking that maybe I have too much in my purse and can trim it down some more.

It amazes me when I look at other women and see them struggling with their purses. I can’t imagine why they think they would need to carry three different checkbooks, their shot records, a picture album or even a calculator. Then these women wonder why their backs, necks, and shoulders ache so much. Perhaps if they would loose the 25lbs of junk they are carrying around with them, they could find freedom from the aches and pains. I get the opinion that people think that since they are not at home, they need to cart their valuables with them for fear that they make be taken from the home while they are gone. I have just the opposite fear. How easy would it be for someone to snatch their and take all their personal identification with them? If they took my purse or if I happened to leave it behind, how much damage could they inflict on my identity and personal wealth? Not too much with two dollars, two empty bank cards and one gift card that has about 17 cents left on it. So ask yourself, is it really worth the chronic back pain to carry that USB drive, that Curious George book and that Swiss Army knife?

I think it’s always nice to give a gift of homemade yummies.  When someone is feeling down or they can’t get out for one reason or another, it’s always nice to have someone stop by with a little gift to perk up their sweet tooth.   Apple crisp, apple pie, anything dessertish is always a good pick-me-up.

With that yummy dish, it’s always nice to have a handmade card too.  Take this handmade cupcake card for example, you could easily make this card and change the saying from “Happy Valentines Day” to “Get Well Soon” or “From the Heart” and it would be a lovely way to cheer someone up.  Their eyes would have something pleasant to look at and their taste buds would jump for joy at the delicious treat!

Stampin’ Up! has many stamps and accessories that work great for making these handmade cards.  During the months of February and March they are actually offering a free stamp set during their Sale-A-Bration sale that is called Yummy.  This set is perfect for those little gifts of love.  The stamps say, “a little Yummy for your tummy”, “a little Something for you” and “with love”.  There are swirlies and hearts to accompany these sayings so it works wonderfully!

 If you were trying to cheer up a little guy that has the chicken pox or some other malady that’s keeping them in from the snow, a cute Valentine Bug might do just the trick.  Use some candy or cookies to fill up the bug and they’ll be very excited!  You can view one such bug that was made using the Big Shot and Stampin’ Up! Sizzix exclusive dies.

As you may have guessed, I am a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and hopefully you can tell from my blog that I love stamping!  I think making cards and gifts to give away to others make the receiver feel special and even more loved.  If they know you sat down and took the time to make something special for them, they’ll treasure it.  I’ve heard people say so often that they just have to keep handmade cards, they can’t throw them away because they’re so special.

It is easy to get custom flash drives that are produced in bulk or to buy customized business cards but it’s not nearly as common to get custom made cards for a friend.  Those kinds of cards come from the heart and have to be made from the heart.  Who could you make a special card for?  Who could you bake an extra dessert for?  Take some time out today to do something from the heart, it’ll bless your heart too!