Mom's Gift

They Grow Up!

2009-11-02T22:00:00.001-06:00

Our granddaughter, Mika, did a photo shoot for a local bridal magazine this past summer. They chose this picture for the cover. The funky tennis shoes are very much what she would choose, I think, if she were getting married. Thank goodness she is not old enough for that yet, but I can see she has grown faster than I thought!

~~Debi

Chili Recipe

2009-10-07T00:55:00.000-05:00

This chili recipe is so simple it's embarrassing; however, over the 30 years I've been using it this recipe never fails to get compliments. Feel free to add to it if your children eat more things than mine did!

1 lb. ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green pepper (optional)

1 1-pound can whole, peeled tomatoes

2 1-pound cans dark red kidney beans, drained

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons chili powder

In a dutch oven, cook onions slightly; then add meat and peppers (if using) until meat is lightly browned and peppers are tender. Put tomatoes in blender (my children wouldn't eat 'chunks' of tomatoes). Drain any grease from meat then add all remaining ingredients. Sprinkle in black pepper if you like it. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.

That's it! Serve with crackers and shredded cheese. My kids always loved this because I didn't use chunks of tomatoes-- if your kids don't mind then buy diced tomatoes instead.

This is great for cold winter days.

~~Debi

Want a Smart Kid?

2009-10-01T04:33:00.000-05:00

Read to them! Studies have shown that children who read well do better in school. But, as a mom, the point is not to 'make them read well'. The best thing is to give them a love for reading.

When my children were very young we read "Bedtime Stories", most parents have. For the kids it was a way to put off going to sleep a little longer. But if you choose interesting books for their age, they will get interested.

However, since I was an avid reader, I never quit reading the "Bedtime Stories". When my children started first grade we 'graduated' in our reading choices. (Well, actually, I did-- I wasn't reading any more Berenstain Bears! They are great little books, but I'd had enough of Brother and Sister Bear.)

So I dug out all the wonderful books I had read as a child. Now they call them Children's Classics, and they are, but they are still wonderful books. We did start with Winnie The Pooh (the real book by A. A. Milne) just to sort of break them in. But we continued on with Little Women, Pilgrims Progress, Huckleberry Finn, and many more. Actually, I read to both of my daughters every classic book I could find.

At half a chapter a night, and sometimes the whole chapter, we had gone through the children's classics by the third or fourth grade. The amazing thing was... they were asking for more!

Yes, my throughly modern children who lived in a world of advanced technology, had learned to love those books. Kidnapped, Heidi, The Three Musketeers, even David Copperfield (the one by Charles Dickens) and Great Expectations .

We then turned to more recent authors until finally, the year they started junior high, Mom said, "No more bedtime reading". They whined a week or two but soon got over it.

I had done my job, they loved and enjoyed reading, and still do. And even though I'm the one saying it, they became very intelligent people.

~~Debi

Care for Your Face

2009-09-20T02:51:00.010-05:00

The most important you can do for your face is cleansing, then moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Cleaning is essential. If you wear make up or live in a city environment, its best to clean your face twice. First to remove make up and pollutants and then to clean out pores. The best thing to use on your face is either a cream cleanser or an all natural soap. Check the label on your facial soap-- if it doesn't have the word 'soap', then it isn't. Most commercial bars are really detergent bars and don't contain any actual soap. While this may be fine for your body, it's not the best for your face.
These cream cleansers from The Gingham Grasshopper are made with natural ingredients and are paraben-free. There are three types: Rose Water Cleanser for normal to dry skin, Lavender Water Cleanser for oily and combination skin, and Tea Tree and Lavender Cleanser for blemished skin. They also have an all natural soap for your face.

After cleaning, follow up with a gentle toner to remove any traces of soap and tap water. These Facial Toners from The Gingham Grasshopper are made from floral waters; choose either Rose Water toner or Lavender Water toner. They don't contain any alcohol and have the added bonus of aloe. Use the Rose Water for normal to dry skin and the Lavender Water can be used on all skin types.

After cleansing your face, always use a moisturizer! If you live where there is little humidity, moisturize your face several times during the day. They offer a cream moisturizer in either their original scent or unscented.

If you take good care of your skin, it will reward you!

To see these products and others, visit the online store:
The Gingham Grasshopper

~~Debi

Fall Decorating

2009-09-16T05:47:00.003-05:00

Well, it is "Still Summer"; and probably will be until November 1st (or sometimes December 15th). However, we southerners still pretend it is Fall and decorate accordingly.

Need a little glamor on the cheap? Here is a great idea for adding glamor to your Fall table setting. We purchased these ordinary items from a dollar store for fifty cents each. You can probably get them from Goodwill even cheaper.

Then, just use glue. We used hot glue so we could take it apart and use the items again. If you would like it to be permanent, use glass glue, which you can get in a department store.

Now it becomes an elegant footed candleholder for only $1.50! You can make a pair of these for $3.00 in less than ten minutes. Several different styles of votive holders were available besides the square one we used here.

We added the tapestry table runner, another dollar store find at $4.00.

If you live where the trees are turning colors, add some some of the leaves and any other natural elements you can get free. This is a simple project with a big return.

~~Debi

Kids Boat Craft

2009-09-10T05:50:00.000-05:00

One of my twin granddaughters, Audrey, participated in Lowes' Build and Grow Clinic this summer.

She built a power boat, and was really into it. I think she may take after her grandmother as she loves horses and crafting! This was a great clinic for kids, and she really enjoyed it-- and got to bring her handiwork home. If you missed it this time, be sure to plan on it next year!

Her sister, Addison, did not feel inclined to participate... she is more into 'rock' music!

(Yes, those are panties on her head with pigtails sticking out the leg holes.)

~~Debi

Is it Autumn Yet?

2009-09-06T04:12:00.000-05:00

While most of the country is beginning to have cooler weather, it is still summer here in the Deep South of Louisiana. We know it's suppose to be fall... but it hasn't fallen on us yet! Most of the trees and bushes are evergreens and even the oaks are still hanging in there.

But a few leaves have fallen and the wildlife is taking advantage of the (slightly) less humid days to have a little fun!

Cooler days will come sometime in late October; but for now it's still time for lemonade.

~~Debi

Mother's Bracelets

2009-08-01T17:29:00.016-05:00

Made with sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, pearls, and gemstones, these are the perfect jewelry for mom. Available in 1, 2, 3, or 4 strands. You can choose different clasps, birthstone crystals, and designs.

Visit the store: The Gingham Grasshopper

. . . . . . . . All Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Precious Child

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Button Pearl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All My Children

. . . . . . . . . . . . . Onyx and Pearls . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floating Rings

. . . . . . . . . . . . Memories of You . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Twice as Nice

. . . . . . . . . . . . . Mother and Son . . . . . . . . . . . . Mother Daughter

More styles are available in their online store including the Mother and child sets. See the special selection of:
Design Your Own Mother's Bracelet

Christening and Baptism Gifts

2009-08-01T13:49:00.000-05:00

These personalized little items make wonderful gifts for a granddaughter, godchild, or your own child. All of the jewelry is made with sterling silver, freshwater pearls, and other quality components. Dainty and sweet, they are perfect keepsakes for the important times in a baby's life.

Visit the store: The Gingham Grasshopper

. . . . . . Little Blessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sweet White

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . My Hope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silver Shimmer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Little Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tenderness

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angel Ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cross Ring

. . . . . . . . . . . . . My First Cross . . . . . . . . . . . Tender Love Necklace
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cherish Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Little Blessing Set

There are more choices available in The Gingham Grasshopper's online store. All bracelets and gifts come professionally boxed with free gift cards. Free standard shipping is also available.

~~Debi

Baby Bracelets

2009-07-25T03:45:00.004-05:00

These sweet little bracelets are made by The Gingham Grasshopper and come in a variety of sizes. There are bracelets for little boys, too. They are made with sterling silver, freshwater pearls, and even 14 kt. gold. They also come with 1/2-inch extension chains (included) so the bracelets can be let out as your child grows.

They come boxed and ready for gift-giving; with free gift cards and free standard shipping.

Visit the store: The Gingham Grasshopper

. . . . . . The Princess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pearls and Silver

. . . . . . . . . . . . . Dream in Pink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lily Kate ID

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dazzling Diva . . . . . . . . . . . Pearls and Stardust
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Endless - 14 kt. gold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daddy's Girl

. . . . . . . . . . . . The Little Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel ID

More styles are available plus other children's jewelry!

More Great Products

2009-07-20T22:15:00.000-05:00

Here are a few other products you might be interested in.

Visit the store

. . . . Dad's Shave Soap . . . . . . . . . . . Natural Lip Balms

. . . . . . . . . Jasmin Linen Spray

Skin Care for Kids

2009-07-08T04:30:00.017-05:00

The Gingham Grasshopper has some fun and funky products for kids! Their Hopper Kidz line has scents like, Crazy Coconut, Bazooka, and Monkey Farts. They also have a dainty Fairy line of products for the girly-girls with sparkly stardust in them.

Visit the store

. . . . . . . Bubble Bath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Whipped Lotion

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Bath Confetti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fun Lip Balm

. . . . . . . . . .. .Luscious Lip Soap . . . . . . . . . Bucket of Worms Soap

. . . . . . . . . . . . Fairy Lotion . . . . . . . . . . . . Fairy Dusting Powder

. . . . . . . . . . .. .Sparkling Heart Soap . . . . .. . Sparkling Butterfly Soap

These are wonderful and fun products for kids that they will have fun using-- they might even want to take a bath!

Facial Skin Care

2009-07-05T06:01:00.004-05:00

The most important you can do for your face is cleansing, then moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Cleaning is essential. If you wear make up or live in a city environment, its best to clean your face twice. First to remove make up and pollutants and then to clean out pores. The best thing to use on your face is either a cream cleanser or an all natural soap. Check the label on your facial soap-- if it doesn't have the word 'soap', then it isn't. Most commercial bars are really detergent bars and don't contain any actual soap. While this may be fine for your body, it's not the best for your face.

After cleaning, follow up with a gentle toner to remove any traces of soap and tap water. These Facial Toners from The Gingham Grasshopper are made from floral waters; choose either Rose Water toner or Lavender Water toner. They don't contain any alcohol and have the added bonus of aloe.

. Cream Cleansers, Soap . . . . . . . . . . . . Natural Toners

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Face Cream . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eye Make up Remover

Baby Skin Care

2009-07-05T02:10:00.031-05:00

Protecting and nourishing your baby's skin is important. Safe and gentle products can sometimes be difficult to find. These products use natural ingredients and are paraben-free.

Visit the store

. . . . Castile Baby Soap . . . . . . . . . . Aloe Lavender Soap

. . . . . . . . . . . ... Baby Butter . . . . . . . . . . Natural Healing Ointment

. . . . . . . . . . .. Baby After Bath Oil . . . . . . . .. . . .Herbal Baby Oil

. . . . . . . . . .. . . ... Foaming Wash . . . . . . . . .Foaming Goat Milk Wash

. . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . Whipped Lotion . . . . . . . . . . . . All Natural Lotion

. . . . . . . . . ... . Foaming Wipe Wash . . . . . . . . . .Head 2 Toe Wash

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baby Butter Stick . . . . . . . . . . . . Bottom Butter

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Powder Shaker . . . . . . . . . . . . Powder and Puff

See more baby care products online at The Gingham Grasshopper. Try these soothing and natural products for your baby. Products available for children, too.

Bath and Body

2009-05-01T21:33:00.032-05:00

After a long day reward yourself with a little pampering. Here are some great products from The Gingham Grasshopper to get you started. Some of these products are also all-natural.

Visit the store: The Gingham Grasshopper

. . . . . Goat Milk Soap . . . . . . . . . . . . Herbal Honey Soap

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Body Milk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . After Bath Oil

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foot Scrub . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Body Meringue

. . . . . . . . . Foaming Sugar Scrub . . . . . . . . . . Whipped Lotion

See more products for the whole family in The Gingham Grasshopper's online store. Enjoy yourself and relax!