Well, I'm not proud of it, but I'll admit to it: I haven't finished my Christmas shopping. Whew. Now that I've owned up to that, I feel better. But maybe this is because I've been using all my shopping-days-before-[insert desired holiday here] looking for homemade gift ideas. After much thought and since nothing screams "Holiday!" like massive amounts of sugar consumed quickly and often, candy will be my gift of choice for family and friends.

These Chocolate Dipped Pretzels look delicious and sound easy to make--no candy thermometer necessary. This recipe could make a good project for kids home on winter break.

Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food has recipes for basic candies, like caramels, fudge, peanut brittle, and chocolate truffles.

If you need candies for your vegan friends, Vegan Peanut Brittle may just fit the bill.

Full from feasting this holiday season? Work it off with Betsy Beckerman, Sara Melton Keller and all the Dancing Babies at the Traverwood Branch on Sunday, December 28th at 4:00 pm for 30 minutes of circle dances, baby bouncing and lots of fun!

The Ann Arbor CIL encourages high school seniors with disabilities to apply for the John Weir Scholarship, named in honor of one of the Ann Arbor CIL founders. Applications are due Friday, January 30, 2009. One-time scholarships range from $50-$450. One candidate will receive a $500 scholarship with an opportunity to receive three additional $500 scholarships as she or he progresses through college and meets certain eligibility criteria.

To be eligible you must be a high school senior graduating with the class of 2009; have a significant physical, visual, developmental, cognitive, hearing or learning disability; live in Washtenaw, Livingston, or Monroe Counties, Michigan; and plan to attend a two– or four-year college or university. For more information, or to get an application, please contact Anna Dusbiber at adusbiber@aacil.org or (734) 971-0277 x17.

I am thrilled and honored that composer and percussionist Curtis Glatter will be joining me for the fun folktale Too Much Noise at this silly storytime for all ages on Tuesday, December 30th at 10:00 am Downtown. You can join in with sound effects and singing and find out why monkeys live in trees from Princess Gorilla and a New Kind of Water.

Join The MSU Extension at The Hope Center for a weekly parenting session for single parents. Sessions are EVERY Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and are free. Come to six sessions and receive a certificate of completion. Registration is requested. AADL has a large collection of parenting books and there's plenty to peruse on the Parenting Shelf in the youth Department, too.

On Monday, December 29, between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. at the Malletts Creek Branch you can create a Shaker "Warm Welcome" charm for your door or window out of dough. Carry it home and let it air-dry until hard. Traditionally these charms were created in Shaker and Pennsylvania Dutch culture as a common kitchen craft during holidays. The charms are typically made of salt dough, and decorated to hang. For more ideas, check out the book Dough Folk Art. The craft is appropriate for all ages. Young children will need adult help during the craft.