Specializing with gifts, food, etc.

**Early Bird** · 12-25-2005, 09:11 AM

I tend to want to do EVERYTHING -- knit, weave, scrapbook, bake, sew, write, embroider, etc.

But, I'm finding that SPECIALIZING pays off.

For example, this next year, I'm going to try to learn to knit socks.

Not doll clothes. Not crochet. Not weaving. Just knitting socks.

If I do, then:

I can make wool socks for DH and for me. (We like warm feet).

I can make a Christmas STOCKING for each of DD's gift exchanges. Take a look at this one (not mine) at the bottom of this page:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...LD:en%26sa%3DN

I can give handmade socks for Christmas gifts -- to uncles, etc. Maybe DD's teachers would appreciate a pair of hand-knit socks?

I could even make baby booties!

I will save money. Although it cost $6 AND UP for the materials to knit a pair of socks, I'll watch for sales. I can limit my shopping: No afghan kits. No bulky wool. No embroidery floss. Just sock yarn.

And some Christmas stockings could be made with leftover yarn! Or -- HALF the yarn needed for a pair of socks.

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I have a highly-organized friend. She has a standard dish that she brings to potlucks -- marinated broccoli salad. So, whenever there's a potluck, she doesn't have to search recipes or angonize over ingredients. She just throws together her salad.

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Now, while I'm developing this new skill. (Just the ONE skill.), I'll still keep my options open on the old skills. For example, I helped DD knit a fuzzy fur scarf for a friend's Christmas gift. I can still knit scarves.

That way, if the new skill doesn't pan out, I still have a fallback position.

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So, what do you standardize to make your life simpler?

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And now I need a no-fail standard potluck dish!

**pita1213** · 12-25-2005, 10:03 AM

i hadn't thought about doing that. it would certainly simplify things. i'm going to have to give this some thought and see what i can come up with to standardize and simplify.

**tervsforme** · 12-27-2005, 11:15 AM

I've just started quilting and I'm going to be making quilted christmas tree skirts and stockings for gifts for next year. I got some great deals on christmas fabric the last few days!!

I have 2 pot luck staples, one is a green salad with a home made salad dressing that I use for a fancier pot luck and then a jello salad with a pretzle crust for the family pot lucks! Both of them are requested often!

**suesue** · 12-28-2005, 04:20 PM

Kim, could you let us know that Jello recipe? Sounds interesting.

**tbs727** · 12-28-2005, 04:29 PM

I love the idea of a standard potluck meal. I'm going to think about that.

You have a great plan for being really good at one thing. I'm going to think about this as well.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-28-2005, 04:29 PM

I use to be like you, try to do a thousand things. I found out it doesn't work for me. I now quilt ONLY!!! I had tried crocheting however it just isn't something I really enjoy doing. So I gave away all my wool, not feeling the least bit guilty in doing so.

When I'm invited to a potluck, I make lasagna. I don't bake anything else. When I'm called to make dainties, I always say no. It's just not my thing to bake dainties - I'd rather go out and purchase a tray from the bakery. I also do the same thing if I'm having family over - it's lasagna along with homemade fresh bread. If they want dainties or dessert, they bring their own.

**hollyhill** · 12-28-2005, 04:38 PM

I make layered bean dip or if I have the money layered shrimp dip. Or if I can't afford either of the above it is either potato or macaroni salad.
So sort of specialized.
I don't do any handicrafts.
But is there anyway to specialize in other areas?
Maybe I can specialize in my gardening? Because I always want to grow everything. I will have to think about this one.

**tervsforme** · 12-28-2005, 10:41 PM

Ok, here is my Pretzel Jello Salad recipe. This is a staple around the holidays! The pretzel crust is the best!

2 cups crushed pretzels
3/4 cup melted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
8 ounce carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry gelatin
2 cups boiling water
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries, partially thawed

Heat oven to 400. In medium bowl, combine pretzels, butter and 1 tablespoon sugar. Press on bottom of 9x13x2 inch pan. Bake 8 minutes. Cool. In small mixer bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread on cooled crust. In medium bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in strawberries. Refrigerate until slightly thickened. Pour over cream cheese mixture in pan. Refrigerate until firm.

That's it, really simple. I usually start with the crust, then the jello and then while the jello and crust are cooling, I do the whipped topping part.

I usually make this with raspberry jello and frozen raspberries. That is my favorite!

Enjoy!

**kaykwilts** · 12-29-2005, 07:50 AM

Knitting must be becoming more popular. I'm seeing a lot of posts on knitting. Knitting socks would seem complicatedd to me.

**Telephus44** · 12-29-2005, 06:24 PM

I also like the idea of a standard potluck dish - I have two standard Christmas dishes (for company parties, Christmas parties) but nothing for the rest of the year.

The one thing I want to concentrate on this year is baking bread. I have two different bread recipes I've worked with so that I have them down, but I really want to have a few more. I've also found that they come out better if I make the dough in the bread machine, but I'd like to get enough experience where I can make them totally from scratch and have them come out just as yummy!