Hi Friends----
I haven't posted very much the last few months but I have a very good reason. My daughter is very ill and we have been going through some tough times.
My daughter has the disabling autoimmune disease Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It's really been hard to take it all in but even more difficult to see my daughter so ill and writhing in pain day after day.
I was always there for my daughter. Whenever she needed me I was always here....many times putting off my own things to do for her. Life is short so I just want to say enjoy these days with your kids as you never know when they will be replaced with sickness and pain.
I will not be able to post regularly as I just don't have the time with running to appointments but I will post as soon as possible.
Here's an easy craft and you can help to find the birds at the same time. Right now pine cones are all over the ground. I have seen them in the driveway every time we pass down the driveway.
Here is what you need:
Peanut butter
Pine cones string
Bird seed
Newspaper
A metal pie pan
Butter knife
Spread newspaper out on the table. Pour some bird seed into the metal pie pan. Tie string onto one end of the pine cone.
Now--- take the butter knife and spread some peanut butter all over your pine cone. Once it's completely covered then you can either roll your pine cone into the bird seed until it is completely covered or you can spoon it onto the cone and pat it down with your fingers. There is no right or wrong way whichever way you choose your feathered friends will enjoy it!!
When school's out & you're wondering how to keep your rug rats occupied, grab an armful of Renee Schwarz's books, rummage through your recycling bins, get out your paint boxes & glue stash, dig through your tool kits & get started on some fun things, then sit back & watch your fine feathered friends flock to your feeders.
I am in no way an expert birdwatcher, but this book and birdfeeder are so much fun to use. Like another reviewer, I was skeptical of birds actually coming to the feeder. In less than a week, they had not only found it, but were fighting to get inside it! The book is small, but well written and very informative for all ages, especially if you know very little about birdwatching. It makes the common birds you will see easy to identify. The feeder is great because it can be attached to a window pane, making up-close viewing possible from inside your house.
A great gift!
I have a daughter who is chronically ill and it's been a really rough few weeks. So are you ready for Christmas?? I can't believe it is just a few days ago. Where oh where has this year gone???
Here's a craft we did with our little ones. It is simple and part of nature.
Go outside and try to find some pine cones or if you don't want to do that you can go purchase some at your local craft or Walmart store.
Here's what you'll need:
Pine Cones
Glitter
Ribbon or string
Newspaper
Craft glue
Paint brush
It's very simple. Take the paint brush and put glue on your pine cone. Once it's glued then you can either roll the pine cone in glitter or take a plastic spoon and add the glitter to your pine cone. Once the cone is dry then you can pat it to get the access glitter off of it. Now add a string or ribbon to hang it and voila! You now have a beautiful natural ornament for your tree.
I have several on my tree that were made years ago including the one in the picture and they last forever with some TLC. After the Christmas holiday I wrap each ornament in 2 layers of paper towels to make a nice cushion and then store them in a big plastic container for safe keeping.
Some of my ornaments date back to 1935. I have my Mom's collection and I have bought my own daughter an ornament every year since she was born so someday she will have quite a collection for her own kids.
It's really a fun tradition and many times we sit and reminisce about each ornament. I try to buy the ornament to what coincides with what she is interested that year. So...we have quite a few topics to cover.
Christmas is memories and well it's fun to make our own.
Merry Christmas!!
Books related to our topic:
Snowmen at Christmas
Reviewed on Amazon--"The Buehner snowmen inhabit a twilight zone some where that humans stay in after sunset and do not even peek out the window until sunrise, leaving our frozen friends free to pull their action-packed, gleeful shenanagans the whole night through before sliding back to their approximate original positions somewhat worse for the wear. A sequel to "Snowmen at Night," this title celebrates the yuletide festivities with deorations, a flying snow Santa and reindeer and even snow gifts. Both, with rhyming text and colorful action paintings said to be oil over acrylic, will be enjoyed by the picture book crowd. Yes, you can search out the hidden pictures on each page, if you wish... A good choice for personal, school, and public libraries." For more information
The Sweet Smell of Christmas
As a child, I knew it was Christmas when my mother brought out this wonderful book. I scratched and I sniffed, year after year, until all the scent was gone. Or so I thought... Last year, while unpacking a box of childhood books and toys, I ran across my copy. The fragrance is faint, but the memories are strong. What a magical feeling this book evokes, combining a charming story with scents that have lingered in my mind all these years. I just bought a copy for my own 6-year-old, and I can't wait to give it to him for Christmas! For more information
