Quick Mother's Day Gift Idea {Dry Erase Menu Plate}

Since Mother's Day is fast approaching (hint, hint), I thought I would share a quick idea that is also very useful! This can be put together in less than 10 minutes and is a perfect gift for a mom or special mom friend that enjoys cooking! Here is my Dry Erase Menu Plate I created for my sister-in-law:

 

Dry Erase Menu Plate/Board

What you need:

White Plate
Vinyl
Cricut or other die-cutting machine (or scrapbooking stickers)
Plate Stand
Dry Erase Marker

How to make:

I wanted this to be a small menu board because she has limited counter space. I bought this plate at a discount store for $2. I also bought the plate stand there as well, for around $2. Next, I used a fancy font for the word MENU and used my Cricut to cut out on vinyl. I buy my vinyl here. This site is inexpensive and they ship quickly. They are always having sales, so be sure to sign up for their emails. (not getting paid, just enjoy buying from them) Now, carefully center the word at the top. This plate had a ledge/border, so I placed it there. You're done! The most difficult part was centering the word--and I hardly broke a sweat doing it!

You could do many different variations on this--like MEMO instead of MENU, for example! On Pinterest, I've seen picture frames that have: I LOVE YOU BECAUSE..., that would be cute on here as well! Leave it in a common area of the house! What fun! Use your inner-creative self--I'm sure you'll come up with something brillant!

Tasty Tuesday--SKINNY Chicken Salad

This has got to be the best tasting Chicken Salad recipe I've ever made and it just happens to be a lighter version! SCORE! I use rotisserie chicken every time which makes for easy prep and delicious flavors!

SKINNY Chicken Salad
serves 4

Ingredients
1/2 c plain non-fat greek yogurt
2 Tbls. Red-Fat Miracle Whip
1 Tbls. Raw Honey
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 c. chopped, cooked chicken
1 1/2 c. red grapes, halved
1/4 c. chopped walnut or almonds (optional)
1/4 c. chopped celery (optional)

Directions

Combine first 8 ingredients to prepare the dressing until smooth.

 

Add chicken, grapes and if you are adding the nuts or celery, add them now, too. Toss and evenly cover. Refrigerate at least one hour to allow the flavors to combine.

 

  

 

You can serve this on a bed of lettuce, a piece of toast, crossiant or on the flat rounds! Anyway you have it, it is sure to be a favorite!

 

 

 

 

 



{Simple} Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea

This week we celebrate our Teachers! They are amazing people who help mold our children into great individuals. We have been blessed with awesome teachers for both of our children. Each year I try to do a little something during Teacher's Appreciation Week as well as the end of the year. This year those two events are very close together! Today I'm sharing what I did for our teachers a few years ago, only I gave this to them at Christmastime, not during Teacher's Appreciation week, but it still work great!

sorry for the picture quality--I took this before I decided to become a blogger!

This is an idea I got from my friend Kim--she made me one for my desk and I love it! It's so personal and functional! This gift starts with a simple acrylic picture frame you can pick up at the store for around $1.For Hailey's teacher, my daughter selected the scrapbook paper (cut to size) to match the sticky note pad (I got this personalized through VistaPrint for practically pennies--I think it was a Black Friday sale!). I added the ribbon and the adhesive scrapbook letter.

So, what do you think? This would literally take 5 minutes to put together and is could be less than $5 to make! Pair it with a gift card to their favorite store and you're done! You've got a useful, meaningful gift to give to your favorite teacher!