A couple more ideas...

My friend Michelle Griffith sent me this idea for Teacher Appreciation gifts. She used a beach towel, sunblock and an O Magazine for her teacher gifts last year, and packaged them up in a pail for presentation. Cute idea, huh?This year, she's going to try her hand at the bags that were made on Martha. You can check it out here. Totally adorable, huh? Not a difficult project for beginning sewers, either...
Thanks for the tips, Michelle!

And since Memorial Day is here, I wanted to share a recipe I throw together in a pinch all the time...

Strawberry Truffle

8 oz. cool whip

1 pound cake or angel food cake, cubed

1 prepared vanilla or lemon instant pudding

Strawberries

1/2 C. sugar

Mix strawberries with sugar, making a syrup.

Layer cubed cake, pudding, strawberries and cool whip. Repeat, and garnish with strawberries on top. Chill, and serve cold.

This one is another GREAT one from my Colombian friend, Sandra. It is best if it is made the night before and marinates overnight. MAN, totally worth the effort...It's a unique salsa filled with beans--and it is one of my favorites...

Sandra’s Bean Salsa

1 medium red bell pepper, chopped fine

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped fine

1./2½ cup fresh chopped cilantro

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1 can white hominy, drained and rinsed

1 8 oz. bottle Kraft Zesty Italian salad dressing

Combine all ingredients into a large bowl. Stir well to coat all ingredients. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 2 hours (overnight is best). Serve with tortilla chips or as a side dish/salad.

Have a wonderful day!