13 Recent Gifts I've Loved

Ok, Halloween is officially over, and Thanksgiving is coming...which means I've got Christmas (especially Christmas shopping!) on the brain. This week's T-13 is a list of 13 gifts I've received in the past few years that I have absolutely loved. (This is by no means an all-inclusive list...I have received so many awesome, generous gifts, so please don't be sad if I didn't mention yours--I promise, I loved it!) Please feel free to share some of your favorite gifts...I'd love to have some ideas for shopping for my friends and family!

1. Standing Mixer from Jason (for our first married Christmas, Jason got me a cobalt blue Kitchenaid standing mixer. I love the color, and I can't tell you how useful it has been. I have made countless batches of icing, whipped mashed potatoes, cakes, bread, and who knows what all else...and I still think its the best appliance in my whole kitchen!)
2. Beautiful, homemade "Country Star" throw quilt from Paige. (My sister-in-law has a real knack for knowing my decorating taste. This quilt, that I KNOW was a lot of hard work, is perfect. I love the colors--red and cream--and she did an awesome job sewing it. What an honor to receive one of her first quilt projects!)
3. Beautiful Cedar Chest from Mom and Dad (My last December I lived at home before I got married, I had mentioned to mom that I wanted a cedar chest. She bought one at an antique store, and I wanted to cry when she showed it to me...it was aweful! Green, looked like something the cat drug in. I didn't know what to do, but I did not want that ugly thing to go with me to my new house. A few weeks later, on Christmas, I was given the surprise of my life. Jason, and another guy who worked for my dad had spent a few nights working together and had completly gutted and refinished the ugly cedar chest, restoring it to its natural, cedar glory. I never would have believed it was the same piece of furniture, but it will always be special to me)
4. Stainless Steel Pots and Pans from Jason (Ok, so I begged and begged for these for MONTHS...and Jason kept telling me he didn't want to buy them because they weren't a "fun gift". I was so bummed...until I found out he was totally tricking me! He really did think it was a boring gift, but he bought them for me anyway, and I still love them every, single night when I cook in them. They are beautiful, shiny, and very useful!)
5. Gorgeous homemade king-size "Rail Fence" quilt from Mom R (I couldn't have hand-picked colors or a pattern that I love as much as this quilt. It is absolutely an amazing, work of art, and knowing that she put every quilted stitch into this massive quilt by hand, makes it that much more special)
6. Clothes from Amanda (my little sis has an uncanny ability to find clothes that I would never choose for myself, but that look great on me, and I love! She's the best personal shopper a girl could ask for!)
7. Pair of handmade twin "Butterfly" quilts from Mom G (They're still my favorite for cuddling under in the living room during the winter months!)
8. Denim Apron from Paige (I have made tons of aprons to be given as gifts, but this is the only useable one that I own, and let me tell you, I have used the fire out of this apron! Great gift!)
   
9. Giant basket filled with Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, cooking utensils, marinades, and seasonings from Jenny & Daniel (I love to cook. I love cook books. I love baskets...it was a perfect gift!)
10. Sewing Machine from Jason (for our first anniversary, Jason bought me my first ever sewing machine. It has been a very useful gift, and I have really enjoyed using it)
11. Handmade Cedar post head and foot boards. (Jason's brother, Grant, literally chopped down a couple of cedar trees, stripped them by hand, and made a gorgeous bed for Jason and me. It is beautiful, and looks fantastic with our homemade quilts!)
    
12. "The Quiltmaker's Gift" by Jeff Brumbeau from my former office-mate, Christina. (Quilts are a very special to me and my family...this is one of the most wonderful children's books I've ever come across. The pictures are beautiful and the story is really special...I highly recommend it!)
    
13. Gift certificates and cash from various friends and relatives. (I know this is kinda of a cheater one, because it refers to a lot more than just one...but I have loved every gift certificate or cash gift I've been given, because its always fun to spend "play money". I've really gotten some great buys with my gift cards---everything from a GORGEOUS kitchen faucet (don't think I'm wierd...you'd fall in love with it too if you saw it), to clothes, to picture frames for our house...you'll never hear me complain that gift cards and cash are too "impersonal"!)