Helpful Hands

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor ~Ecclesiastes 4:9a




Two years ago this coming January, I met my new best friend.  I was a wife and mother of three, and most of my highschool friends were still single.  Shawn was in the process of starting on the building our new home and had asked a friend of his to come and give a quote on heating and cooling. 

As promised, the friend came to do an estimate--and--he brought along his wife and four children.  What a blessing I found in this wife and mother!  Kristen and I hit it off that very day and started a friendship that continues to blossom.

Fast forward to last month.  If you know me, you certainly know that I have extremely rough pregnancies.  Kristen knew company was coming and she so kindly offered to drive an hour to come and help ready the house.  (Whenever I thank her for doing this, she jokingly says there will be a time when I will have to return the favor so "it was no problem!")

I decided I wanted to give her something to let her know I thought is was wonderful (helpful, nice, fantastic, to name a few) of her to come and make the beds and bunk beds, dust and vacuum, etc.  Well, let me back up.  Maybe it was because the day before she came I had made caramel dip and just had to give away some of the yummi-ness I made...!  Well either way, it was a fun gift to give.

Can't take credit for the delicious recipe that I came across, but I'll let you take a look in case you want to give it a try.

Aunt Kay's Buttery Caramel Sauce

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1/3 cup butter

2/3 cup whipping cream

Makes 2 1/2 cups

In a medium saucepan combine sugars, syrup and butter.

Cook over mudium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture comes to a full boil, about 5-6 minutes.

Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes.

Stir in whipping cream.

Pour into a jar and store in refrigerator.  It will thicken when cold.

Take a peek at the ready-to-go thank you gift...

In a calendar I made for Kristen at Christmas last year, I added this quote.  I believe it is so fitting for our friendship.  I trust you have a friend/friends you are thankful for, as well!

 In everyone's life,

at some time,

our inner fire goes out.

It is then burst into flame

by an encounter with

another human being.

We should all be thankful

for those people who

rekindle the inner spirit

Christmas gift ideas:

Jar of Caramel Dip and attach note with red and green ribbon (any size) and jingle bells.

Need a bigger gift?  Add a bag of apples.

Ideas of your own?  Share them with us!

We would  love to copy, er, compliment your creativity!

This post was linked to Not So Homemade