We have such a hard time thinking of the perfect gift for the grandmothers in our lives.  It’s a challenge to really show them how much we love and appreciate them.  Add in the fact that they pretty much buy for themselves whatever they want, and we’ve got quite a quandary.

Our friend just gave us the best idea ever for holiday gifts for our teachers. If you're still undecided (as we were moments ago) about what to give, consider this: gift certificates at a Whole Foods- or Trader Joe's-like store. The cards themselves are clever, printed with little sayings like "peas on earth," and they often come in cute and environmentally friendly paper sleeves. Wrap in cellophane if you want, or just tie on a ribbon, and include a tag that says, "Lunch is on me! Love, Lucy". The teacher can either actually have lunch during the break, or she can use the card toward the purchase of groceries, flowers, bath products - maybe even a bottle of wine.

The big presents are easy - puppies, dollhouses, Lucy & Michael playtents (!). What's challenging for us is finding all those little gifts to stuff thier stockings or to open each night of Hanukkah. In the spirit of keeping things simple and old-school, here are a few ideas that we're actually using ourselves this year. We think they'll be fun to open and provide some great opportunities for family fun over the holidays.

It's definitely fall. The season always puts us in an in-the-kitchen kind of mood. Wanting to cook a little more, to warm everything up (just a little - remember, we're in Houston) to fill the house with yummy smells. All of which has just this year brought us to a realization. An obvious but, to us, pretty profound realization. The realization that, really, it all happens here, in the kitchen.