Homemade gifts are just the best! They come from both your heart and your hands. I think the gift receiver appreciates that we put some time and effort into deciding what to make as well the actual making of the gift. Now, dear friends, before you go any further I have to tell you that this is NOT the actual soup recipe, but rather how I crafted the bean soup gift. The recipe is coming soon, I promise you! Crafting this gift required some thought on my part and because the nearest craft store is 120 miles away, I had to do a bit of planning and ordering online to make sure I had everything that I needed. It’s winter here and boy howdy, is it ever cold! A good hearty soup is very welcome up here in The Back of the Beyond in Ferry County, Washington. So, here’s what I did.
It all started with four quart canning jars, lids, rings and a yard of plain muslin.
I chose 5 different types of beans mostly based on color and how they would look stacked in the jars.
Next I wrote up how to cook the soup. I included a step on how to add ham, or sausage to the soup to make it non vegetarian. Then, I had to decide where to place the instructions. 
A small lightbulb went off and this is where I placed the instructions. On top of the lid and under the muslin. Nice and safe!
I placed the herb seasoning mixture in little cellophane bags and set them on top of the beans. They’re out of sight and don’t distract from the colorful bean stacks.
I needed Vegetarian Bouillon granules, but our grocery store doesn’t carry them, so I made my own! It was actually pretty easy and it tastes wonderful.
I ordered these tiny zippered bags online to pack the bouillon. 
Each bag holds 2 teaspoons of bouillon granules.
I nestled the bouillon bags next to the herb seasoning on top of the beans.
The gift tags and the jute string came as a package that I also ordered online. I wrote the name of the gift on the tags. Nothing fancy. Using your own handwriting really brings home the fact that you made this gift. I’ve had lots of surgery on my hands so my writing is no longer “pretty,” but that’s not the point.
There you have it! Four lovely jars of Vegetarian 5 Bean Soup.
By now, you all know that I like to cook and I like to write, but I am not particularly a “crafty” person. I envy those people who have that talent. But, we all have unique talents and this holiday season, I encourage all of us, myself included to share some of our talents with our loved ones. It’s been a rough year and I hope that by taking a bit of time to make a homemade gift it will give both the giver and the recipient a much needed moral boost.
Thanks for stopping by today. I truly appreciate all of you who take the time to read my ramblings and mutterings! Until next time as we journey on through life, be well and be happy. Journey on!
Hugs and much love from me,
Karen, TJG
Please visit my website at: www.thejourneygirl.com
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