Let's DIP Into Fall

 Oh heck, who am I kidding?  I love dips of all kinds all year.  I don't need a special holiday, a season, or a reason to make and eat dip!

I like savory dips and I like sweet dips - I have never been too picky!

I would like to share a few easy dips for you to try - no matter the season!

CARAMEL APPLE DIP

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese - softened

3/4 C brown sugar - packed

1/2 C butter, melted

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients together, stir well.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.  Makes about 2 cups.

So stinking good with apple or pear wedges.  Takes those apple to the caramel  apple level!

Use with any fruit you desire. 

PUMPKIN DIP

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened

2 C powdered sugar

15 oz. can pumpkin

1tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. allspice

2 tsp. cinnamon

Blend cream cheese and sugar together - stir in other ingredients.  Makes about 3 cups.

Serve with ginger snap cookies or graham crackers.

I have friends that rave about this - I can not attest.  I am not a pumpkin person!

MARSHMALLOW FRUIT DIP

8 oz. cream cheese - softened

7 oz. jar marshmallow cream

1/4 C sugar

Mix together until smooth, cover and refrigerate.  Makes about 2 cups.

I LOVE this stuff - good with any fruit.  I like it with bananas and apples - grapes or pears.  I used to make this when we went camping - it was always a hit.

SIMPLE SALSA/CHEESE DIP

1 jar cheese dip

1/2 - 1 pint of salsa

This is my go to.  I love the taste combo of cheese and tomato.    Adjust salsa to your desired taste.  

I mix this up and (if it lasts) I can refrigerate and eat on it over a couple days.  Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos.

Fun to add to tacos, burritos or tostadas as well.

EASY CHEESY DIP

8 oz. cream cheese - softened

1 C sour cream

1/2 C mayonnaise

1 oz. pkg. ranch dressing mix

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

2 C shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 C bacon bits (about 6 slices fried and crumbled)

Mix first 5 ingredients together.  Add most of the cheese and bacon and stir in.  Use the balance as a topping.  Maybe add some diced green onions or chives as a garnish.

Serve with any type of cracker or tortilla chip.  

Very addictive - make plenty if serving to company!!!!

I love all kinds of dips.

Velveeta and salsa or chili mixed together and melted.

Cooked ground sausage - cheese and salsa mix

Baked cream cheese, sour cream cheese, jalapenos, garlic powder & cheddar - Oh my!

Cream cheese, seasoning, chipped beef (diced) and sour cream - yum

Hummus - homemade - can be made simply and flavored as desired

There is just no limits to what can be a dip.  It isn't just ranch or onion any more!

I have to admit that there have been times that I have made one of the savory dips and with crackers or chips have made it DINNER!

Great for after school or work snacks.

Dip doesn't have to complicated to be tasty.  Always makes a great appetizer (or dinner in my case!).

Just mix and eat.  Experiment a little - you may find the next new thing!

Easy Jar Meals - For the Pantry or Gifting

As promised, I am going to start to post some jar recipes that are just wonderful to have on hand in the pantry and they are also fantastic for a great gift.
I like soups in the winter, and my brother and sister always rave about getting soup "jars" in their Christmas baskets.  That is one of their favorite things.
It makes for a different meal or two - and they don't have to think about what to mix together.

Today we will do soups.  All 3 of these are going in my baskets this year.  I have everything here to make them.

WILD RICE AND MUSHROOM SOUP
2 3/4 oz. pkg. of country gravy mix (or equivalent of bulk gravy mix)
1 1/2 Tbs. chicken bouillon
2 tsp. dried minced onion
2 tsp. dried celery flakes
1 tsp. parsley
1/4 C instant wild rice (uncooked)
2 Tbsp. dried mushrooms, chopped
Pour gravy mix in a one pint jar.  Combine bouillon, onion, celery and parsley - pour over gravy mix.  Layer rice and mushrooms - seal with lid.
INSTRUCTIONS
Empty into a large saucepan.   Add 7 cups of water, bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes - until rice is tender.
Serves 6

PATCHWORK SOUP
1/3 C dried yellow split peas
1/3 C dried green split peas
1/3 C dry lima beans
1/3 C dry pinto beans
1/3 C dry kidney beans
1/3 C dry great northern beans
1/4 C dried minced onion
3 tsp. chicken bouillon
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. dried oregano
Combine all the ingredients together in an airtight container.
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine 8 cups of water and soup in a large pot.  Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let it set for an hour.  Return pot to heat and stir in 2 chopped carrots and 2 chopped celery stalks.
****ADD ham hocks or ham (if desired).  Cover and simmer for 2 hours until beans are tender.
Remove hocks and tear meat from bone, chop and return to soup.  Serves 10.
****I plan on gifting this jar recipe with a can of diced ham.

Graphics from Gooseberry Patch cookbooks!  I love those books.  Make your own drawings and/or labels for instructions of soup mixes.  Use a recipe card, an index card, a stick-on label or draw up something cute and copy for multiple jars.

CREAMY POTATO SOUP
1 3/4 C instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 C powdered milk
2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon
2 tsp. minced dried onion
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. turmeric
2 tsp. seasoned salt
Combine all ingredients together.  Place in a quart size jar or baggie.
INSTRUCTIONS
Place 1/2 C soup mix in a bowl and add 1 C boiling water.  Stir until smooth.
Great to serve for a quick meal or with a sandwich!

Easy peasy!  I plan of gifting  all three of these along with some other things.
You can always gift with a couple soup bowls or mugs to jazz up the gift.  Maybe add a box of crackers or a bag/box of oyster crackers.
I would love to receive 2 or 3 of these as a gift.  Food is always appreciated.  WE ALL HAVE TO EAT!  I like getting different things like this.

Hope this gives you some ideas.
More later!

Tid-Bits of a Ho-hum Holiday

Well, Labor day has come and gone here in the U.S.  The last 3 day holiday weekend for quite a while for the working citizens.  The summers last hoorah. 
We used to always spend Labor Day weekend camping with friends.  Lots of cooking over a fire, smores, good cheer, craziness and shopping!!!  Yes, the town that was closest to our campground had an entire town flea market and yard sales for 3 days!!!!.
We always spent Sunday - going to town and walking the entire town looking for that special bargain.  Always had to get a bag (or 2 or 3)of fresh fried pork rinds and lemonade shake-ups.  I always went to the grain mill and got a bag or fresh corn meal.
We would go back to the campground and have dinner all together.  Someone (who didn't like to shop) always stayed back and made a huge pot of soup beans or stew over the fire - cooking it all day.
Lots of fun.

Now it is another day - just one with no mail delivery!!!!  No big deal.  After we both retired, Glen used to joke "hey, we get a three day weekend".  LOL - like they all weren't!!!!!
Now it is just another day.

I did get to visit with an old neighbor, who used to live next door.  He and his family were in town, and came by for a short visit.  That was nice.  Got to see his new baby in person, instead of pictures.  Why are baby feet so grab-able?????

Saw an ad that made me laugh out loud.  My goodness, I have a small fortune in my refrigerator.

I sure never knew they commercially sold bacon grease!  I guess it makes since - they sell everything else.  I currently have 2 pint jars in the frig that are full!  This ad was from Rural King.

I picked tomatoes early.  I went out and filled up a bowl of cherry tomatoes in about 10 minutes - came in and emptied it to a bigger bowl and went out and picked that many more.  I also picked larger toms.  I managed to get myself bit about 7 times from mosquitos!!!  I figured morning in the cool would be better than evening - not so much.

Momma kitty hasn't felt good for a few days.  She has a kitty cold/flue and is congested.  I have been giving her natural remedies in her food.  She gets echinacea, Vit. E and CBD added to her food at different times.  She is improving.  It usually lasts about 7-10 days.  She ate a lot yesterday, and today she is back to napping in her usual spot instead of secluding herself.  I feel much better about it today - she is getting up there in age - so I worry about her.

Birds - I have been watching them.  The birds all come at once to the porch feeder.  None will be there - then they all show up.  They are so well mannered!

                            Looking through the glass door - the feeder is the middle of the pic (hanging)

They line up and wait their turn.  Once one flies off the feeder, another one jumps on.  Too bad people can't be so patient and well mannered!
I have pigeons that visit out back.  UGH - not a fan, but they are here.  They DO clean up a lot of the corn hulls that the squirrels drop - so I guess they can be helpful.
I have NEVER seen a pigeon at the birdbath.  I know that sounds crazy - but it is always the little birds and the cardinals and blue jays.  I guess because it has been so dry - we have no puddles any where around - so a pigeon has to do what a pigeon has to do.
There was one in the birdbath and 6 lined up on the handrail waiting their turn!!!  It was hilarious.  I watched and watched (as did Coogy) and when the last one was there - it just sat down in the water and seemed to doze off.  I wish I had gotten a picture.

I also found a new You Tube series to watch.  I first saw it on the TV menu board - and I tried to record - but I guess that isn't possible.  Not a regular channel.  SO I looked it up and there it is on You Tube.

This guy is good.  He is a young, energetic  and kind of funny guy.  Supposedly he is an award winning cook.  I believe he has like 150 short episodes covering all kinds of food.  It is all about cooking with little or no money and planning ahead.
Struggle Meals with Frankie Celenza - there are many others now trying to use the name - but his were the best!  You might want to check it out.
I enjoyed watching several episodes - learned a few tips as well.  I subscribed to his channel for new videos.

I did some more sorting and cleaning.  Did laundry.  WOW - can you stand all the excitement???
So there you have a ho-hum holiday weekend!  LOL
At least it was peaceful and frugal!

How was your weekend?

Weekly Wrap-Up 9/6

Hello everyone. I hope this finds you all well and safe.
It is a cool and lovely morning here.  In the upper 50's when I went out this A.M. and now in 60's.  It will be warming and a couple chances of rain coming in the next day or two.  We can sure use it.
This week the temps will be going back to 'summer' and then cooling again next weekend.
We have had a couple really nice days - seasonal temperatures and no humidity.  Love it!!!

It is Labor Day weekend here in the states.  I hope you all have a SAFE weekend if you get together.  Once retired and then alone - it is just another weekend - with no mail or trash pick-up on Monday!!!!!  LOL  For many, this is the last hoorah of the summer.

My week:

• Got to open windows a lot and have fresh air.  No AC a good part of the week - especially mornings.
• Mowed and trimmed entire yard on Monday - then neighbor did the front and way out back again on Friday for me.
• Been picking lots and lots of tomatoes.  I FINALLY have my first bell pepper on the plants out back!!!!!  I guess better late than never!
• Colored my hair with supplies on hand
• Used my crockpot for the first time in ages!  I did a small portion of pork roast and it made 3 different meals for me
• Refilled all the outdoor bins of critter feed with supplies I have on hand.  Not going through nearly as much last couple weeks.  They are all finding new sources of natural food!  (Walnuts, thistle seed, other seeds, etc.)
• Paid all the bills and balanced the checkbook
• Dropped off 4 banana boxes of goods and some pictures to the church thrift store.  They were thrilled
• No grocery store again this week!!!  The only time I left the house was to take mail to P.O. and go to thrift store for drop-off
• Put out my fall door decorations

                                    It is so bright and cheery.  Picture doesn't do it justice

• Dug my potatoes - my experiment!  I didn't get a lot, but for the first time and using a potato that would have been thrown out - not bad.  I just did them in a barrel planter.  It was a fun experiment and the first time in my life to try.   

                                  Amazing to get actual food from something considered trash

• Totally cleaned out the bathroom closet - it is like a 7' tall pie safe.  My goodness it is so much better now - looks so neat
• Did a lot of porch sitting this week - enjoying the weather & nature

Meals this past week:

Cheesy sloppy Joes & chips

Chicken & dumplings (small can Sweet Sue) and salad

Thickened wild rice & chicken soup (from freezer) - added some instant mashed - was tasty

Philly cheesesteak Italian bread pizza (homemade)  used ground beef/peppers/onions/mushrooms & swiss

Pork roast with potato and carrots

BBQ pulled pork and pickles and chips 

Taco pork/bean/cheese tostadas

OF course EVERY meal had tomatoes!

It was a little more laid back this week.  I enjoyed relaxing on the porch a bit more and did less physical work.  I will probably be back at it this week.  First plan is to clean out the glass/cup cabinet in the kitchen!  I also have a set of dishes that I may see if a family wants (it came from their family).  I won't use them.

How has your week been?  Are you getting any decent weather to enjoy?  Did you have a frugal week?  

May the Lord guide you and direct you in all of endeavors this coming week.  Enjoy the goodness & beauty of the world and pray for all evil/nastiness to end.  Amen

Blessings from my humble home to yours.

The Peace of a New Day

My morning routine is exactly the same every single day.  Get awakened by a kitty in my face, Getting up and getting myself together, feed Coogy, feed outdoor kitties then the squirrels and birds.  I come in an make my morning smoothie, as Coogy sits and watches - waiting for another spoonful of wet food.  Go out front and put feed in the porch feeder, then finally sit and drink my smoothie, listen to the weather and read the paper.  EVERY DAY!
That is it - but there is so much more to it.

Coogy wakes me every morning.  He rubs my face and pats me with his paw, ever so gently.  I give kisses and pets and I talk to him for a minute or two.
I get up - bathroom and dressing.
Coogy gets  a spoonful of wet food several times a day - if you give him too much, he will eat it all and proceed to yack.  So it gets put out in dribs and drabs!

My outdoor kitties are always at the back door waiting for breakfast! (I bring in all food overnight to prevent critters).  Fluffy is often on the handrail and peeking in the door's window.  Momma is right there as well.  I go out and we have a morning routine.  They surround my feet and they are talking!  I figure they are either saying - good morning, glad to see you OR about time, we are so hungry!  Either way I have to stop and pet and pet each one and talk to them before we ever head to the backyard.
We make it out back and there is my "newly acquired" cat Blackie.  He comes running and squeaking out his baby sounding cry - and right under foot!!!!  We go in the greenhouse and they each get a bowl of dry food and I split a can of wet food for them.  Happy babies!!!!!!
Next I check the corn for squirrels and make sure there is some out for them and put feed in the bird feeders.
All the while it is still kind of dark out - this is close to sunrise - so there is just enough light.

I then walk to the porch and pick up the paper before going in.
This morning I sat down for a moment on the porch and just was AWARE.

I could hear the cardinals chirping away to each other.  I was hearing a few other birds chirping and waking up.  There was a rooster crowing off in the distance.  I hear crickets galore.  Only  a glow of lights coming from a couple houses that I could see.  I am thinking how cozy they must all be still in their beds.  No traffic at all.  The moon was bright in the western sky and there was a haze in the distance.  The temperature is cool with a gentle breeze.  The grass was still covered with dew. 
The peace and quiet was deafening!!!  AND BEAUTUFUL! 

After the sun came up - this is our sky this morning.  Blue and wispy clouds all over.  So pretty.  By this point the squirrels are up, and I see them running around and playing and eating on their corn.  All the birdies are chirping.  I look out the front door and there is a squirrel on the ramp eating on a plant that is growing between the ramp and porch.  He is having a feast all to himself. 
Coogy is curled up in his bed with a full belly and the outdoor kitties have all secured their usual spots to take their morning naps.

This is what the squirrel was feasting on this morning.  Not sure if it is mullet or corn.  It can up on its own (from birdseed),  I am thinking mullet - as they squirrel was munching on the clusters - there are no ears forming.  I let it grow for them and it is kind of pretty.

Not sure if you can really see the finch (click on picture to enlarge).  I circled it - it is out on the echinacea happily eating the seeds.  Right outside the dining room window.  I see several out there each day.

I am standing at the sink/counter this morning getting meat and veggies ready for the crockpot - and I see motion out the corner of my eye.  I look right to the window and there is a hummingbird drinking at the feeder which is just couple feet from the window.  They are just so beautiful.

I wish I could have captured this morning on tape and sound for you all.  It was so lovely.  No matter what is going on out in the world - there was peace in my little world this morning.
That is what we all need to remember!
Your world can be blissful - no matter what is going on.

So take time in the morning to just be AWARE and enjoy all the tiny little blessings that are put in front you.  Each little thing IS a blessing!
I like to sit and watch the sunset as well - last night the sky looked to be on fire again - so beautiful.  The only problem with sunsets is the mosquitos!!!!!  They love me!  LOL

You woke up today.  Take a few minutes to just observe the sights and sounds around you.  We all need to do that more often.  There is beauty to be found.  Look for it and quit looking at the ugliness.
Be thankful YOU ARE BLESSED.
Have a fantastic day my friends.

Semi-Homemade is A-OK

Does anyone remember watching Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee?  Glen and I used to love watching that show - we got a lot of fun ideas.  We also used to like watching Rachel Ray - 30 Minute Meals back in the day!  I liked seeing anything that made cooking seem a little less complicated and fun!

It really doesn't have to be complicated at all.  Going semi-homemade is totally fine.  Not everything has to be 100% from scratch.  We all need a break now and then.  I think people are cooking more at home right now and maybe getting burned out a bit.  Have fun.  Use some mixes, canned goods, and packaged goods to jazz things up and speed up your cooking time.

I have given many ideas of meals using packages of Stove Top stuffing over time.  I had a few boxes I got on clearance and use them in different ways.  Add meat and/or veggies - maybe some eggs and/or cheese and make a casserole.  Add leftover meat/vegs and make patties to fry.  Use in a waffle iron and make stuffing waffles (crunchy outside & soft inside).  So may uses.

• You can use corn muffin mix to make casseroles and fun fall dishes for kids and family.  Corn dog muffins and corn dog casserole are both yummy (see post of Sept. 17, 2019).   I like making corn casserole around special occasions using corn bread mix and canned corn.  Add chopped jalapenos to mix and make tangy corn bread.
• Gravy in jars (always have on hand) great for coating meat in a crockpot to add flavor.  It works great for thickening soup or stews and adds flavor.  So many uses other than gravy.
• Bean and rice mixes or dirty rice mixes - good as they are  - BUT, add ground meat and make it a meal.  Use these as soup starters - I do this a lot.  Add extra water/broth  and lots of veggies and meat and you get a nice tangy soup.
• Cake mixes can make quick cookies.  Can be used to make a fun quick bread.  Sometimes you just need a cake in a pinch.  You can always add other ingredients and jazz it up.  Dump cakes are fun - fruit on bottom, cake mix, and butter & nuts on top - bake!  Ooey gooey yummy cake!
• Never dismiss those flavor packets for making cheeseballs.  I receive a few of these each year as gifts.  Add to cream cheese or sour cream and make great spreads for cracker or bread.  Add to cream cheese and make fancy grilled cheese sammies!
• Ramen soups (I know - not good for you) are always fun.  Not the healthiest thing in the pantry, but it is cheap.  The packs can be fancied up in so many ways, that you would never know that it is Ramen.  (see post of June 18,2019 for Cheap Eats) & (post of Mar.3, 2019 for Ramen salad).  Noodles can be made (w/o season pack) and used in any Chinese dish.  Sure makes for cheap pasta!
• Keep canned meats on hand.  It is always wise to have all sorts of canned meats in the pantry.  Great in case power goes out - you have protein you can eat.  But nice to add to a pasta, rice, beans or a quick casserole.  No defrosting, easy to use, tastes good and plain old handy to have. 

• REAL bacon bits are always, always, always in my pantry/frig.  So useful.  I don't always feel like making a mess frying or baking bacon - these sure are handy.  Great on top of a salad.  Great in cheeseballs or cheese spreads.  Super on pizza.  Top any cheesy topped casserole with bacon bits!  There is just something about the taste of cheese and bacon together for me!
• Cinnamon rolls can be used in many ways.  You can use in making money bread.  Spread fruit or pie filling in a greased pan and top with  chunks of cinnamon rolls and bake.  Make them in a waffle iron - what a fun and yummy waffle that makes!!!!!  Place one roll per section of a muffin tin - press up sides (to look like a pie crust) and fill with pie filling - bake.  YUM.  There is no limit to fun ideas
• Crescent rolls - quick and flakey pigs in a blanket!  Unroll each and add anything you want before rolling up - wedge of cheese, chocolate chips, fruit, etc.  Roll and bake.  Leave the rolls together (a solid sheet) and place over a homemade thickened stew for a yummy pot pie.

RASPBERRY FILLED JELLY DOUGHNUTS

1 can Grands refrigerated biscuits (10)

6 Tbsp. butter - melted

3/4 C sugar

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon (mix with sugar)

1/3 C raspberry jelly (or favorite flavor)

Bake biscuits as package directs.  Remove from oven and immediately dip in butter and cover all sides and then roll in cinnamon sugar.  With a turkey baster - add jelly to the middle of the biscuit (insert in the side).  Oh my goodness!!!!!!!

CHEESEBURGER POT PIE

1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 small onion chopped

3/4 C ketchup

2 Tbsp. chopped dill pickle

salt - pepper

1 C shredded cheddar cheese

1 Refrigerated pie crust (softened at room temp)

Heat oven to 450*.

Cook beef and onion till done.  Drain well.  Reduce heat and add in ketchup and pickle and seasoning.  Heat 2-3 minutes.

Place mixture in an ungreased pie pan.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Top with pie crust.  Cut slits for steam.

Bake 13 - 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.  During the last 10 minutes of baking cover the crust edges with foil strips to prevent it getting too dark. 

Don't use the notion, that you are burned out - for not cooking.  Look in the pantry and frig - and use what you have in a new way!

I am a huge semi-homemade cook.  

Have fun and get creative.  Look at ingredients with new eyes.  You will be glad you did.

**Sorry I had to just list dates for previous posts that contain recipes.  I am not sure how to do links - still working on that.  Hope the dates help you!!!!!

ENJOY

Storage Containers and Gift Packaging for FREE

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!
Geesh, can you believe it?  It is time to get our homes and pantries in order and our goods stored for longevity.  It is also time to get together some ideas for those Christmas gifts that we may be putting together.

I think this year, more than others, homemade gifts will be popular.  Money may be an issue for many.  No need to run out and buy fancy boxes and packaging - look around your house!!!  I bet you are like me and have all kinds of fun things you could use.  Now I admit, you have to get a bit creative and literally think outside the BOX!!!!

So whether you are sorting and organizing your own pantry - or thinking ahead to the holidays - let me give you a few ideas that won't cost you anything or very little (thrift and dollar stores).

This was just looking around my house for about 15 minutes!

 Jars, jars, jars!  Left to right - I get instant coffee at Kroger (cheap kind) simply for flavoring my morning drink to taste like mocha.  Left is an empty jar (like full one next to it).  That jar holds approximately 1 quart.  Great for homemade soup mixes or brownie, cookie mixes.  Next is a clamp jar that can be purchased at many craft and home goods stores for little money - they work great for mixes or candy.  There is a glass jar from nacho cheese spread and one from ??.  The on with beans in it is an instant coffee jar from Aldi (I like the shape).  I have given those filled with colored M & M's and some filled with Skittles!  Always a hit!!!!!   I keep glass jars, as there are so many uses!!!!!
In front - discount little storage containers (I paid $1 on clearance at Kroger) or you can get multiple containers for $1 at Dollar Tree.  Those are great for spice mixes!

 Here is a variety of containers you can use when empty.  Spice containers, peanut jars, pickle jar or olive jars, gravy jars. and even the plastic bottles that drinks and mixes come in (remove labels).  There is just no limit to what you can use nor what you can put in them!

 Tins - I love them.  They are so fun to keep dry goods in for the pantry and they pretty things up.  Put a little label on the outside so you know what you have have!  Great for candy and cookie at the holidays as well.  The little loaf pan was purchased many years ago on sale at Christmas Tree Shoppe for .69 each.  Make mini loaves of sweet breads and then wrap in the pan and gift both!  Mugs are great for candies, tea or coffee or hot chocolate mixes, indiv. soups packets, etc.  The blue container is from produce department - keep and clean and you have a great container for homemade candies.  The container under the blue one is a container from sliced luncheon meat purchased in the meat department.

 Fancy glasses, big mugs and insulated drinking containers are great.  Wine glasses new or what you have - fill with chocolate candies, add a bottle of sparkling fruit juice and nice scented candle.  Big soup cup - add soup mixes.  Could also fill with homemade granola mix!  Insulated glass - gift with instant Gatorade packets or packets of individual drink flavorings.  Great for the outdoorsy person or hiker.

Cups and mugs of all sorts.  Coffee mixes, tea bags or mixes, candy, individual cake mixes.  Maybe add a packet of hot chocolate and a nice candle or warm pair of socks.

Just looking around here - I found hot chocolate mixes, flavored tea bags, flavored coffee, Gatorade mix, hot cider mix.........  The flavored coffee was on clearance - it will be divided into smaller containers or baggies and added to mugs with directions for brewing.  Tea bags can be given a few with a mug, same with cider mixes.

Plates of any kind can be used for gifting cookies, candy, muffins, breads.  Odd ball plates - ones you don't use or need.  Something you don't want back.  You can also purchase plates at thrift stores for next to nothing or get at dollar tree.  They are sturdy, pretty and the receiver can fill and re-gift themselves!  The gift that keeps giving.

Just a few ideas to get you thinking as you clear out cabinets and get organized.  Use some of these ideas for your own pantry and kitchen shelves or use them when gifting. 
It just makes the homemade gift a little nicer and special - not a paper plate or generic container.
Nice ideas to use to help fill baskets of goodies or something small for the teacher, baby sitter, neighbor or office mate.

I will be posting homemade 'jar' recipes as days go on.  I know many do not garden or can and do not have those types of items to gift.  Doesn't mean you can't still give homemade.

HOMEMADE is fun and saves the wallet and uses what you have.
Now that is frugal!