Thank You Letters

  
       I always write thank yous for gift received; I even write them for professors who help me with a recommendation or research. A little thank you can get you a long way. I also try to always give end of the year gifts to professors, even if it's just a box of chocolates, they will be so thankful for the thought. Recently, a research librarian helped me with my thesis, so in return I wrote her a thank you and gave her a mason jar filled with Hershey kisses, it did not cost me much, way under 5 dollars, and she was so happy. She wrote back how nice it was to feel appreciated and I know I can count on her for any help with future research. Thank yous don't have to always be long, sometimes even one sentence will do if its for something little and the payback for one will amaze you. This semester I sent thank yous with macaroon cookies (recipe to be posted soon!).


Here are some of my favorite thank you letter tips:

*Dear ______ is always appropriate

*Write about how you tend to use the gift (even money!)

*Thank them for coming to your party/helping with research, etc

* "Thank you so much for the ____. I will always think of you when I use it."

* Cursive if you can!

* Sincerely is always appropriate as a closing


 
Do you have any thank you tips or tricks? Or do you just find them too old fashioned, it's okay I won't be too offended!

Father’s Day Gift: BBQ Sauce

      My father is one of the hardest people to shop for not only that but he just buys himself whatever he wants. So it is always an issue come holidays to find him gifts, June is the worst because it's Father's Day and his birthday. It's always a mad scramble to try to find him something. He's from the south at heart, thus his sweet tea must be hand brewed and BBQ is a staple of his diet. Not having a ton of money to drop on a father's day gift, I came across this great recipe for bbq sauce. The ratings were all great on Allrecipes.com and I will just leave it at: I was licking the spatula after pouring it. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ketchup
  
• 1 cup tomato sauce
  
• 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  
• 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  
• 1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
  
• 2 teaspoons hickory-flavored liquid smoke
  
• 1 tablespoon butter
  
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  
• 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
  
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  

Directions:

1. Pour, pinch and scoop all ingredients into a pot on simmer at medium heat for 30 minutes.
   
2. Pour into mason jar and decorate!
   

*Adopted from Big Al's KC BBQ Recipe, makes enough for a 12 oz Mason jar plus another half cup for you to use for dinner!

What are your plans for a father's day gift?