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Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Fourth Day of Catmas

 
Boo 
No cats were harmed in the making of this project.
A few were mildly annoyed.
One took it out on a lizard.
 
  Ready? We're going to make 108 gifts for $200 in 2 hours flat.
That's right. You can have a gift for everyone on your list from teachers to coworkers to the mail carrier to the Sunday School Director, all in two hours. 
And this little kit makes a seriously delicious, hearty pot of soup.
(Always taste test the finished product of any gift in a jar that you commit to. You don't want to give something that turns out lackluster, no matter how pretty!)
 
 For this melee in the kitchen, you will need (per case of 1 dozen. The 9 case, or 108 jar number is in {brackets}. No math for you today!):

12 {108}wide-mouth pint (2-cup) canning jars with lid and rings
14 {126}pounds of assorted dried peas, beans and lentils(at least 8 different varieties) such as: 
pink beans  
black beans  
lentils  
red lentils  
black-eyed peas  
red kidney beans  
pinto beans  
split peas  
navy beans
{14 pounds of each} 
12 beef or vegetable (in case of vegetarians!) bouillon cubes {5 twenty-four count jars}
12 bay leaves {108}
Twine
Recipe cards
Sprigs of fresh rosemary
As many Minions as you can wrangle. Even smaller people can do this.












Choose beans with cool textures and patterns for a really stunning presentation.








Fresh rosemary from the garden. Mine is about waist high and needed a serious trim!








Cut the herb into 2 inch sprigs.






 Take your clean jars...
...and remove the lids...
 
 ...setting them aside.
 
 Fill one jar as a prototype. Tweak the combinations a bit, then write the 
color of the beans down on a list in order of first in, or bottom layer, up.
 
Pour your beans in bowls, arm each family member with a 1/4 cup measuring cup, and start filling! Just follow each other in order around the table. Sam, Sammy, Thommy and I did this, while Savannah kept an eye on the bowls and refilled our beans as they got low.
 

 

 
 Top the full jars with a boullion cube and a bay leaf.
 
 Seal them back up!
 
 Now, print out the RECIPE TAGS, punch a hole in each one, 
and tie them onto the jars with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
 
 And you have a sweet little gift for under $2 each!
 
Set them back in the cases for transport and off you go!
Easy, inexpensive, colorful, and a perfect little meal for your friends on a cold winter night!
And I'll bet they already got dessert jar mixes to go with it.

18 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

I love how your family gets into your projects. Fresh rosemary adds a nice touch to the jar too. Great idea.

Mel said...

What a great gift!

The best part is the love and kindness that you and your family put in.

lisbonlioness said...

That is WELL wicked! I don't think I know 108 people, but can I come 'round for a bean dinner?

Sherri B. said...

Brilliant once again! I have several people who would really appreciate this gift. Thanks.

Michelle L. said...

Looks like so much fun for a group project, PLUS a billion great gifts for cheap! This is a winner. Oh, holy Catmas, I am loving this series.

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

WOW!! This is awesome... you have got the assembly line thing down pat too!

LOVING the kitties so much too! :)

Anonymous said...

That is such a great idea :) Kinda wish I knew 108 people lol So colorful too :)

Dharma said...

I did something similiar last year...Cookies in a Jar. Everyone loved them but I think I only did 20 or so and the chocolate chips made it pricier than I would have liked....love your stuff, Lady! Way to involve the clan.

Life in Rehab said...

Thanks, guys! We knocked these out Tuesday evening, and they were a huge hit at work today, and at Sam's school yesterday! We love giving everyone just a little something to let them know they're appreciated.

Vonda said...

WOW, what a fantastic idea when you need THAT many gifts! They look really great. And since it's snowing here, I'd love some of that soup right about now!

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

This is totally awesome. But I'm a bit shocked that you needed so many!! I mean, holy cow, that's a lot. But way to rock it in a fun, cute, and frugal way.
And oh yeah - I'm totally copying this.

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

PS: Do you think this could be made in a slow cooker to help avoid the soaking part, etc?

Heather said...

Wow! You guys really cranked those out. What a great idea, and the recipients must love them!

Olive said...

You and the Minions did a lot of good here. I really like that they will keep a long time also.

Jen (emsun.org) said...

I did something similar for Christmas last year. http://emeraldsunshine.org/2010/01/09/how-to-make-stunning-holiday-gifts-no-really/ We made a ton of gifts in a mug, too.

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

TOTALLY FABULOUS! That's a lot of gifts to give out. How fun!!!! I'm sure it's a welcome savory treat after all the sweets everybody gets. They are so pretty and creatively put together!

Ami Allison said...

OH!!!! I love this!!!! :)

Carol said...

You totally rocked that HUGE project! Sounds so very yummy. I'm not gonna lie... I kinda want a bean jar!

Carol
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