Because 2 days is never enough.

It’s been a whirlwind of cooking and crafting and my apartment is a mess. However, I am very pleased with the results so far. I decided to make a few different bulk items so I could divvy them up into homemade gourmet gift bags. The idea is that with enough items, I’ll be able to mix and match so every package is a tiny bit different. Here is the master list of what’s been created so far:

1. Limoncello
When life gives you lemons, make limoncello! A single batch produced four 17 oz glass containers. (See previous post for more details.)

2. Soap
I ordered a 5 pound block of Clearly Natural glycerin. Their product is superior to others I came across online since it does NOT contain sodium laureth sulfate, which I avoid in all skin products. I made three separate batches each with its own flavor based on suggestions from the Martha Stewart Holiday mag:

• French green clay
• Cinnamon
• Honey ginger oat

The clay soap was green in color and the cinnamon was red in color - completely unplanned, but great for Christmas. I am definitely going to remember that color combo in the future.

3. Tea Tins
Erik and I made our own herbal tea blend, which he named “relax-tastic”. (Yeah, he’s an architect not a marketer.) The blend consists of loose chomomile, spearmint, and orange peel. It is very soothing, smells great, and goes well with a dollop of honey. We’re also attaching reusable fabric tea bags to the tins.

4. Chutney
I made two different flavors of chutney: Spicy Mango (for those who love spice) and Pear, Pearl Onion and Cherry (for those who like sweet and savory). I’ve never made chutney before, but I am now a big fan. It is very similar to soup-making - a lot of prep work up front to chop all of the fruit and veggies, and then a whole lot of simmering. I am pleased with how both batches turned out and they look so fancy in the jars I picked up at the container store. Erik’s arty labels were the final touch.

5. Mulled Wine Sachets
I only made four of these since they have proven to be unpopular according to public opinion. (See previous post for the recipe.) I stole the packaging idea from Jess.

Tonight I am going to make granola with quinoa and dried fruit (using Deborah Madison’s healthy, non-oil recipe) as well as peppermint bark (using the Martha Stewart recipe). And then it’s time to figure out a way to bring the goodies to Florida in checked luggage. Yikes. Once I get to Florida, I will assemble the items into apple picking gift bags decorated with blue raffia ribbon and red gift tags.