tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366011942024-03-13T12:18:45.640-07:00Cafe Traditions... the Blog.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-36040933025597310582011-02-15T13:22:00.000-08:002011-02-15T13:22:52.417-08:00Laugh, Paper, Scissors... a Valentine's Day TraditionWho says homemade Valentine’s are just for kids? I saw a cute article in this month’s issue of Better Home & Gardens magazine that showcases a group of crafty middle-age friends that get together for Valentine-making fun. The women not only make Valentine's Day cards, but also make and decorate heart-shaped sugar cookies too. Sounds like it would be right up my alley. Guess I’ll have to get on that for next year. I think it would be a fabulous Valentine's tradition to start with my girlfriends. <br />
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If you'd like to start your own craft get-together, BHG gives three simple tips that might be helpful if you decide to get crafty. <br />
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1. Start small and keep it simple. Invite up to five enthusiastic friends. You can always expand later.<br />
2. Have one person buy the craft supplies, keeping the tab at $10-$20 per person. Others reimburse her.<br />
3. The leader should mock up the project before the guests arrive. This allows her to iron out the how-to and gives less confident participants a sample to copy.<br />
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Besides making Valentine's Day cards for your husbands, kids or friends, your V-Day craft could include gift tags, heart garland or Valentine-themed window decorations. Let your heart be your guide and have fun!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-36687366127986472302010-12-28T07:51:00.000-08:002010-12-28T07:51:05.299-08:0025 Years of ChristmasI just had to share this cool video I found that documents 25 years of one family's descent down the stairs on Christmas morning. In under three minutes you see two children grow up before your eyes. It's heartwarming to watch how the kids change and grow as the years progress. I love the idea and I think it would be a fabulous tradition to start in any home with kids.<br />
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<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h82XN3zHW4s?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h82XN3zHW4s?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-12914665323220571222010-12-27T11:16:00.000-08:002010-12-27T11:16:36.962-08:00Traditional Holiday Drinks... Yummy!Every year when I was young we'd celebrate Christmas at my Grandma's house. Besides a whole spread of delicious food and cookies, we'd have special holiday drinks to top off the evening. After the dinner was over my two aunts would spend time in the kitchen blending delicious ice cream drinks for all the relatives. The two drinks that were made every year were Brandy Alexanders and Grasshoppers. Of course being a kid I didn't get to taste the alcoholic version, but I would always get some special ice cream drink made just for me. I clearly remember everyone ooohing and aaahing over the wonderful drinks and I always looked forward to the day when I could have the "real" stuff. <br />
The days of celebrating at my Grandma's house have long passed now and my family hasn't blended a delicious ice cream drink as part of our Christmas celebration in many, many years. This year John and I decided to resurrect the tradition at our house and make the drinks for John's family celebration. After dinner was over, we got out the blender and made the Brandy Alexanders and Grasshoppers. Of course, everybody loved them. Who wouldn't, they're like alcoholic candy. I truly enjoyed the drinks, but I even more I enjoyed the memories that sipping the drink brought back of Christmas celebrations from my youth.<br />
Do you have a special drink that you associate with the holidays? Warm hot chocolate with a peppermint stick and marshmallows, Tom and Jerry's? We'd love to hear about your holiday drink traditions.<br />
And if you want to make Brandy Alexander's at your next celebration, I've included the recipe below. I highly recommend the ice cream version as opposed to many of the recipes that simply include heavy cream. How could anyone go wrong with ice cream?<br />
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<u><b>Brandy Alexander</b></u><br />
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<ul class="clr"><li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 </span><span class="type">jigger Brandy</span></span><span class="name"> </span> </span> </li>
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">2 </span><span class="type">ounce</span></span> Creme de Cacao<span class="name"> </span> </span> </li>
<li class="ingredient"> <span class="ingredient"><span class="amount"><span class="value">1 pint Ice Cream</span><span class="type"></span></span><span class="name"></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span class="ingredient"><span class="name">1 cup of crushed ice </span></span></li>
</ul>Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a martini glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Enjoy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-75638944365636121652010-12-22T12:00:00.000-08:002010-12-22T12:00:23.100-08:00I Love Christmas Cards<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TRJYKpE6oCI/AAAAAAAAAFU/54_I2IPGVDA/s1600/DSC_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TRJYKpE6oCI/AAAAAAAAAFU/54_I2IPGVDA/s320/DSC_0784.JPG" width="212" /></a>One of my favorite things about the holidays is getting Christmas cards in the mail. I very excitedly look forward to getting the mail every day to see what cards we received. I love looking at the photo cards to see how everyone has changed since last year and I love, love, love reading Christmas letters, poems and notes. Some catch me up, some make me laugh, some absolutely crack me up, some make me cry and some just make me shake my head. No matter what the response though, I love reading them all. With that said, I've only done my part in entertaining others by writing a letter just once a few years ago. This year things just got too hectic (as always) and it seemed too late to craft a letter. I promise I'll do one next year though! (Please remind me in November!)<br />
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For the last several years I've taped all the cards we receive up on the dining room windows so I can look at them through the holiday season. I figure, I enjoy the cards so much, why would I just simply throw them in a basket so I can't see them. I want them to be part of my holiday decorating. I truly enjoy looking up at the cards as we sit a tthe dining room table. This year I discovered that there is someone else in our household that enjoys the Christmas cards even more than I do. Little Miss Stella LOVES looking at the cards. She especially likes the photo cards and particularly focuses on cards with babies and small children. She gazes up and studies the cards and always notices when I add more to the mix. It's so fun to watch her admiring all the beautiful cards and sharing in one of her Mom's favorite traditions.<br />
How do you display your Christmas cards?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-5678363210695152712010-12-22T11:27:00.000-08:002010-12-22T11:27:06.050-08:00I Have the Best Neighbors!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TRJQmaBgOhI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/IwSBJEV5itQ/s1600/DSC_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TRJQmaBgOhI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/IwSBJEV5itQ/s320/DSC_0722.JPG" width="320" /></a>I am so lucky to have wonderful neighbors. I am even more lucky to have wonderful neighbors that know how to bake AND like to share. This year we were lucky enough to be the happy recipients of delicious baked goods from three of our neighbors! We received an entire assortment of cookies, chocolate dipped goodies, granola, savory nut mix, chex mix and caramel corn that was absolutely to die for (and to diet for later). I'm savoring every delicious morsel of the home-baked goodies because with such amazing neighbors, it will certainly mean a New Year's Diet Resolution again this year.<br />
Do you have any special home-made goodies (baked or otherwise) that you share with your neighbors, friends or co-workers?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-21816228040649884082010-12-22T11:03:00.000-08:002010-12-22T11:03:22.574-08:00You've Been Elfed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TRJK83twhWI/AAAAAAAAAFM/n1R7AnW3BgY/s1600/DSC_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TRJK83twhWI/AAAAAAAAAFM/n1R7AnW3BgY/s320/DSC_0714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I've been in love with the "You've Been Elfed" tradition ever since I learned of it. I've been promising myself that I was going to start "elfing" in my neighborhood for years and this year, I finally did it! I bought some cute little goodies at the store and a inexpensive Christmas stocking to put them in. I jump-started the neighborhood "elfing" by doing 4 elf gifts for neighbors in different sections of our neighborhood. I planned on starting earlier in December, but only got the stockings delivered very very late on Sunday night. I hope the recipients enjoyed their surprise and I hope they pass on the joy that comes from "elfing" your neighbor. I think it's a fun neighborhood tradition that will be exciting for both kids and adults.<br />
Here's more information on CafeTraditions.com about the <a href="http://www.cafetraditions.com/Free-Printable-Elf-Poem-and-Elf-Signs-W11C20.aspx">You've Been Elfed </a>tradition.<br />
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Happy Elfing Everyone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-65265944670551341712010-12-19T20:30:00.000-08:002010-12-19T20:30:28.333-08:00The Smells of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TQ7bKnoMboI/AAAAAAAAAFI/CFFXpIMKQWw/s1600/DSC_5817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TQ7bKnoMboI/AAAAAAAAAFI/CFFXpIMKQWw/s200/DSC_5817.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>I love Christmas for so many reasons, there's the sounds, sights, and even the smells. The delicious smells of cookies baking, cranberry candles burning, and last, but not least, the beautiful smell of a fresh Christmas tree. I've had a fresh-cut tree my whole life and even with the nuisance of the dropping needles, the sap, and the constant need to water, I'm sure I'll continue that tradition for many years to come. For me nothing compares to the smell of a real tree. The smell always brings back many happy memories of holidays past. What's your favorite holiday smell?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-72010706535577774972010-12-19T10:55:00.000-08:002010-12-19T10:55:41.080-08:00Christmas TV Specials, Movies and MoreI love watching many of the same Christmas specials that I watched when I was a kid. For me no Christmas season is complete without watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and a Charlie Brown Christmas. I remember when I was young my Mom would have to check the TV listings so we didn't miss the one time each year the shows were on television. I remember anxiously looking forward to those special nights so I could watch the shows with my family. Of course, now things are a bit easier, we have DVDs, on Demand and DVRs so all the planning that went into the schedule to ensure we were home that one night a year doesn't exist. Now, we simply pull out the video, hit a few buttons and the show is there whenever we are ready to watch. It's a nice luxury to have the shows at our fingertips, but I have to admit the old way felt more special and added to the tradition of Christmas.<br />
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What are your favorite holidays movies? Do you have any special traditions that you celebrate when you watch them? I'm still waiting to watch a few more of my favorites before this Christmas season is over. I can't wait to see White Christmas, Miracle of 34th Street and Elf.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-74020891930788620552010-12-18T10:14:00.000-08:002010-12-19T11:01:54.889-08:00Christmas Breakfast Tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TQ5H-TT8AKI/AAAAAAAAAFA/XogkbP_lpaU/s1600/pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TQ5H-TT8AKI/AAAAAAAAAFA/XogkbP_lpaU/s320/pancakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A new tradition was just posted at <a href="http://www.cafetraditions.com/Gingerbread-Pancakes-for-Breakfast-Tradition-P334C10.aspx">CafeTraditions.com</a> involving a special Christmas morning breakfast tradition. Georgette posted that she has been making the same yummy gingerbread pancakes with warm maple applesauce since she first got married and it's the only day of the year when she serves the special pancakes. First, I have to say I'm a bit intrigued with gingerbread pancakes so I found a recipe at <a href="http://www.food2.com/recipes/rz-gingerbread-pancakes">Food2.com</a>.<br />
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Second, I love the idea of serving a special Christmas morning breakfast. While I don't know that mine will be gingerbread pancakes, I'd like to find a special recipe that we could make part of our Christmas morning.<br />
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Do you have special breakfast that you serve on Christmas morning? I'd love to hear your ideas.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-41198585964370054222010-12-16T23:10:00.000-08:002010-12-19T11:02:50.851-08:00Cookies for Santa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TQ5KHLXX85I/AAAAAAAAAFE/RNL57Fs4HZw/s1600/cookies-for-santa-plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TQ5KHLXX85I/AAAAAAAAAFE/RNL57Fs4HZw/s1600/cookies-for-santa-plate.jpg" /></a></div>Stella is still a little young to understand leaving treats out for Santa and his reindeer, so I haven't participated in such a tradition in quite a few years. In fact, it was probably at least 20 years or so ago when my younger sister and brother still believed that the Jolly Fat Man snuck into our house and not only left us presents, but also ate the snacks we left out for him. I don't remember very vividly, but I think we only left a few cookies and a glass of milk. I don't think we left anything for those hard-working reindeer of his! One of the traditions on CafeTraditions.com features one family's take on leaving out a treat for Santa. <a href="http://www.cafetraditions.com/Santas-Special-Treats-P44C4.aspx">Read about it here</a> and feel free to leave a comment below on what tradition you have for leaving a treat for Santa.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-43753678934416939642010-11-23T21:30:00.000-08:002010-11-23T21:30:44.304-08:00Thanksgiving Traditions, Crafts, Snacks and More!I never really paid attention to all the fun and cute Thanksgiving crafts that were out there until I had a child. I always just thought Thanksgiving was about stuffing my face full of too much food, hanging out with family and being thankful for all of my blessings. Don't get me wrong, all three of these traditions are wonderful, but now I've discovered there's even more fun to be had.<br />
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While I might not get a chance to try all (or even any) of these ideas this year, I wanted to share with you some of the Thanksgiving crafts, snacks, and generally cute things that I've found. I'll make my best effort to bring some of these ideas to life this year, but I'm making no promises. (It's already late on Tuesday and Thanksgiving is only a little over a day away.) I'll report back on my success after Thanksgiving. There are absolutely tons of great ideas for Thanksgiving crafts, desserts and more available, but these are some of my favorites:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TOyNazk8E4I/AAAAAAAAAE8/5PHEZwJnZVg/s1600/turkey-plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TOyNazk8E4I/AAAAAAAAAE8/5PHEZwJnZVg/s200/turkey-plate.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>1) <b>Handprint Turkeys</b> - Not a new idea, but a good one. I remember making handprint turkeys as a kid myself and I think the idea is just as good now. Send a simple Thanksgiving card featuring your child's handprint turkey, decorate a plate (paper or ceramic), make an apron or a table-runner to use year after year. This instructions for this cute turkey plate, can be found on <a href="http://crafts.kaboose.com/framed-handprint-turkey.html">Kaboose</a>.<br />
<a href="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/recipes/gobble-me-up-thanksgiving-recipe-photo-420-FF1109TOTM_A01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/recipes/gobble-me-up-thanksgiving-recipe-photo-420-FF1109TOTM_A01.jpg" width="200" /></a>2) <b>Cute Turkey Snack</b> - Stella loves fruit and I'm sure when she's old enough to appreciate it in the shape of a turkey, I'll be happy to make her this adorable healthy and delicious Thanksgiving-themed snack. This recipe is compliments of <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/gobble-me-up-783884/">Family Fun Magazine</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbs.org/parents/fungames/images/Thankful-Tree-Finished-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.pbs.org/parents/fungames/images/Thankful-Tree-Finished-sm.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>3) <b>Thankful Tree</b> - There are so many ways to celebrate your gratitude on Thanksgiving. You can write in a journal, craft a paper chain, simply go around the table and announce your gratitude, or you can make a Thankful Tree. With all the ideas out there, this is my favorite because it doubles as a beautiful and unique centerpiece for your Thanksgiving Day feast. I found this idea on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/parents/fungames/craft-thankful-tree.html">PBS Parents</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/08/p_wildturkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/08/p_wildturkey.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>4)<b> Wild Turkey</b> - This looks like a great craft to make when Stella is a little older. Not only does it involve a little nature hunt to gather sticks, bark, seeds and more, but it's just plain cool-looking. I'm sure it would keep a child busy for a long time as they glue on all the various pieces to design their own turkey masterpiece. I can't wait to make one! Idea courtesy of <a href="http://www.bhg.com/holidays/thanksgiving/crafts/wild-turkey/">Better Home and Gardens</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2010Q4//mld106115_1110_od02684_53_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2010Q4//mld106115_1110_od02684_53_xl.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>5) <b>Paper Pilgrim Hats</b> - These are just too cute and I think Stella and her cousins would make some adorable pilgrims. Not to mention, if I could pull off getting the cousins to all wear pilgrim hats, it would be a nice photo op. While I might be able to manage making the hats before our get-together on Saturday, it will take an act of God to get all six kids to sit still, smile and look at the camera. Wish me luck and thank Martha Stewart for providing the instructions and templates for the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/paper-pilgrim-bonnet">female bonnet</a> and the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/paper-pilgrim-hat">male hat</a>. Thanks Martha!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/parents/images/2005/12/ss_0643_P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.meredith.com/parents/images/2005/12/ss_0643_P.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>6) <b>Give Thanks Banner</b> - Banners seem to be all the crafting rage lately and this Thanksgiving Day banner is right up my alley. I don't have a lot of Thanksgiving Day decorations, and I think my dining room could use a little sprucing up for our dinner on Thursday. We'll see if I can pull it off before then, but if not, there's always next year. This banner idea comes to us from <a href="http://www.parents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/crafts/a-banner-thanksgiving/">Parents</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-24864473381044513292010-04-20T20:31:00.000-07:002010-07-20T20:33:20.012-07:00Sharing Easter Traditions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TEZl0qo1uKI/AAAAAAAAAEU/ol-xo2NITL4/s1600/DSC_7672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TEZl0qo1uKI/AAAAAAAAAEU/ol-xo2NITL4/s320/DSC_7672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I've been hosting the family Easter lunch at my house for the last several years. I love having the family and all the kids around to celebrate such a fun holiday. It's the perfect time for a celebration. The weather is finally getting warmer and there's a feeling of excitement as the days are getting longer and the grass is finally greening up after a long winter. Even more importantly, the kids are excited for the arrival of the Easter Bunny. I love to decorate the house and get it prepared for the family to visit and even more, I love all traditions that we've created over the last several years that make our celebration special. One of the traditions that we started is making, decorating and then finally eating bunny cakes. I bought a pan with six bunny-shaped molds perfect for making our individual bunny cakes. Whoever is around on the Saturday before Easter is usually in on making and decorating the bunny cakes that we then serve for Easter dessert. It's a big job, but a lot of fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TEZmTJuC7dI/AAAAAAAAAEc/UTFN3W4T9Ac/s1600/DSC_7728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TEZmTJuC7dI/AAAAAAAAAEc/UTFN3W4T9Ac/s320/DSC_7728.JPG" /></a></div>Another tradition that we have is the family Easter egg hunt. It's so much fun to watch all the kids run around the yard looking for eggs. We have eggs hidden in all sorts of places. For the wee little ones, we simply throw the eggs in the middle of the lawn and watch them crawl through the grass. For the bigger kids, we get more creative with our hiding places. (The kids usually participate in one of the local Easter egg hunts on Saturday too!) We always make a visit to one of the area malls to get the kids' pictures taken with the Easter Bunny and this year we also added an Easter bonnet to the mix. This year only the three littlest girls had Easter bonnets, but I think all the girls (of any age) need to wear a bonnet next year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-18991261104356770642010-03-16T20:49:00.000-07:002010-03-16T20:55:13.718-07:00St. Patrick's Day ShenanigansHave a little fun with this St. Patrick's Day with a visit from a naughty leprechaun. Your kids will get a real kick out of some of these creative and silly ideas for celebrating March 17th:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/S6BD1_E3RPI/AAAAAAAAAD0/WlOOa7H9Z_8/s1600-h/taste-a-rainbow-cupcakes-photo-420-FF0310TOTMA01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/S6BD1_E3RPI/AAAAAAAAAD0/WlOOa7H9Z_8/s200/taste-a-rainbow-cupcakes-photo-420-FF0310TOTMA01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ul><li>Dye the container of milk green with a few drops of food coloring. To prove that the leprechaun really visited, leave green footprints from the door to the refrigerator. Depending on how serious you are, the footprints can be made out of mud, glitter, construction paper or flour.</li>
<li>Dye the water in the toilet green with food coloring.</li>
<li>Dye the food of your choice green. Consider making green pancakes or green eggs for breakfast. Or even try to eat green food all day long.</li>
<li>Bake up a batch of rainbow cupcakes topped with whipped cream frosting (for clouds) and a gold coin. To make the rainbow cupcakes, divide white cake batter up evenly between six bowls and add a generous amount of food coloring for vibrant colors in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Layer the batter in order (remember ROY G. BIV) in the cupcake liners and then follow the regular baking instructions. Visit <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/taste-a-rainbow-cupcakes-842128/">Family Fun</a> for more detailed instructions.</li>
<li> Leave green post-it notes throughout the house with notes from your friendly leprechaun. </li>
<li>The leprechaun has a hole in his money bag and drops gold coins throughout the house for your little ones to find.</li>
<li>The leprechaun leaves clever clues throughout the house that eventually lead to a small pot of "gold" or other small gifts.</li>
<li>Leprechauns love to play tricks. Consider swapping your child's sock drawer with the underwear drawer. Rearrange the furniture. Turn the kitchen stools upside down. Move the cereal bowls to a different cupboard. Leave the kitchen cabinet doors open. Fill the tub up with green balloons. Write a message in green soap (Irish Spring) on the bathroom mirror. Put a pair of shoes in the refrigerator.</li>
<li>Leave a small gift of food or pennies out for the leprechaun before you go to bed. In the morning, a coloring book, crayons and gold coins appear in there place.</li>
<li><a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/leprechauns/a/030501a_2.htm">Build a leprechaun trap</a> together to try to catch the mischievous little bugger.</li>
<li> Put a few drops of food coloring in the bottom of the glass and cereal bowl your kids will use. When they pour in the milk or drink, it magically turns green.</li>
<li>Serve a traditional Irish meal. Listen to Irish music. </li>
<li>Let everyone in the family know why you're lucky to have them in your life. <a href="http://tipjunkie.ning.com/profiles/blogs/st-patricks-day-fun-for-kids?xg_source=activity">Read more here. </a></li>
<li>Of course, make sure everyone dresses in green.</li>
</ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-34326377061112825472009-12-16T21:05:00.000-08:002009-12-16T21:16:53.205-08:00Christmas Goodies<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sym3UBis2NI/AAAAAAAAADE/eMSM5MQVbfk/s1600-h/DSC_5685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sym3UBis2NI/AAAAAAAAADE/eMSM5MQVbfk/s320/DSC_5685.JPG" /></a>You might say I'm on a sort of cute holiday treat kick lately. For the last several years, my family and I always bake and decorate individual bunny cakes for Easter dessert. Then recently I discovered the cute turkey cupcakes that I made for Thanksgiving. And now, we're on to Christmas and there are so many ideas for cute holiday goodies. This past weekend I made about 80 pretzel snowmen for my neighborhood cookie/candy exchange. John and I stayed up late two nights in a row dipping pretzels and decorating them. We had fun doing it and I can only imagine the fun (and mess) once Stella is old enough to join us. <br />
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</div>Directions for pretzel snowman: Dip a large pretzel rod in melted white chocolate. You'll need a spoon or knife to spread the chocolate about two-thirds of the way down. Lay the coated pretzel on wax paper, then add mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons. Using a kitchen shears, cut a small carrot-shaped piece from a candy orange slice for the nose. When the chocolate is dry finish the snowman off with a couple pieces of Twizzlers Pull-and-Peel Strawberry Licorice for a scarf.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sym6dFKJkpI/AAAAAAAAADU/i3dW2r1aTt0/s1600-h/DSC_5837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sym6dFKJkpI/AAAAAAAAADU/i3dW2r1aTt0/s320/DSC_5837.JPG" /></a>Also, check out more cute treats that showed up at the cookie exchange. I think they're all adorable and I can't wait to try making them. The first is a little mouse. I don't have detailed directions for making it, but I can give you the ingredient list: the bottom is half of a Double-stuffed Oreo, the body is a chocolate covered cherry, the head is a Hershey's kiss and the ears are slivered almonds. Melted chocolate holds everything in place and red and green decorating gel add the finishing touches of eyes and a little holly leaf.<br />
The santas, snowmen and reindeer below are way too cute! I will post the ingredients/instructions for them as soon as I have them. These are all great projects for an assembly line so it's fun to involve more than one person. Kids will not only love to make them, but to eat them too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sym7bRTp0DI/AAAAAAAAADc/Am8_dFDh074/s1600-h/IMG_0028%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sym7bRTp0DI/AAAAAAAAADc/Am8_dFDh074/s320/IMG_0028%5B1%5D" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sym7e6ZMmzI/AAAAAAAAADk/YZAFL0rgHcc/s1600-h/IMG_0029%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sym7e6ZMmzI/AAAAAAAAADk/YZAFL0rgHcc/s320/IMG_0029%5B1%5D" /></a><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-18769307056266384152009-12-12T21:23:00.000-08:002010-07-20T19:41:29.345-07:00A New Way to Wrap Christmas Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TEZdioLhEdI/AAAAAAAAAEM/cKOadoik13Q/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/TEZdioLhEdI/AAAAAAAAAEM/cKOadoik13Q/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" /></a></div>Last month I mentioned in a post that I overheard a lady in the fabric store talking about sewing Christmas-themed pillowcases to wrap her grandchildren's gifts. I loved the idea, not only is a pillowcase perfect for wrapping odd-shaped gifts, but it's also practical. Since I don't have a sewing machine (yet), I can't sew pillowcases, but I can buy them and decorate them, right? Right! I found some cheap white pillowcases at Target (two for $5.99) and used some of my trusty fabric paint from my Thanksgiving handprint turkey project. I found a cool (and free!) <a href="http://www.dafont.com/christmas-lights.font">Christmas tree light font</a> online and printed out each child's name on regular printer paper in a giant-size font. I taped all the pieces together and inserted them into the pillowcase along with the words "Merry Christmas". The black ink on the paper was clearly visible through the pillowcase so I could use it as a guide for painting. I let the paint dry overnight, dropped in the gift, and used a ribbon to tie it closed. It's a fun and easy project and a cute way to add a little Christmas touch to any bedroom once the gift is unwrapped. It's likely this Christmas will not be the end of my pillowcase wrapping, I'd venture to guess it might just become a tradition!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-39669142068616605072009-12-01T16:12:00.000-08:002009-12-16T20:28:58.138-08:00New Thanksgiving TraditionsI mentioned earlier that I was going to start a new family tradition and make a Thanksgiving apron with turkey handprints. As it turns out, I decided to upgrade the gifts for each Grandma to a tabler runner. I thought their aprons might fill up with handprint turkeys rather fast (given the number of grandchildren) so we needed something larger to work with. I had to run to a lot of stores to find table runners that would work, but after lots of shopping, I found plain (on both sides) gold table runners at Target that were perfect. I bought one for each Grandma. <br />
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</div>On Thanksgiving morning we painted up Stella's hand and attempted to make a handprint turkey for Grandma C's table runner. Needless to say, keeping a 4 month old's hand open is kind of tricky. The colored feathers all blurred together and the turkey resembles a kind of brown blob (sorry no pictures). Oh well, that will bring back memories each year of her little clenched hand covered in paint. We're still waiting for Ruby to come to Madison for Christmas so she can add her handprint to the runner.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SymtvyGuFTI/AAAAAAAAACs/K5Bh4VaVx6Y/s1600-h/DSC_5595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SymtvyGuFTI/AAAAAAAAACs/K5Bh4VaVx6Y/s320/DSC_5595.JPG" /></a>A few days after Thanksgiving we celebrated the holiday at my parents house and with five grandchildren there, we were able to add five handprints to Grandma G's table runner. I have to say, the second time around went more smoothly for Stella's handprint. (One adult holding the fingers open, one applying the paint and a third to assist with any squirming.) All the other handprints turned out great too! I can't wait to see how it looks in a few years after we've added more turkeys. I think it will be a fun addition to our family Thanksgiving celebration.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Symy8fUqiwI/AAAAAAAAAC0/1OVBRS9Xh-g/s1600-h/DSC_5331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Symy8fUqiwI/AAAAAAAAAC0/1OVBRS9Xh-g/s320/DSC_5331.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>I also made a whole rafter (yes, that's the proper term for a group of turkeys) of turkey cupcakes. They turned out cute and yummy too! I took the short cut and used a mix and pre-made frosting. I made German chocolate cupcakes with coconut pecan frosting. I used toasted-coconut marshmallows from Jet-Puffed for the head, a gummy fish for the beak, two chocolate sprinkles for eyes and candy corns for tail feathers. The turkey cupcakes are a great alternative to pumpkin pie for those of us that think that the best dessert is a chocolate dessert!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-70560242487520421252009-11-22T07:49:00.000-08:002009-11-24T20:55:17.040-08:00The Cupcake CrazeI don't know if you've noticed, but cupcakes are all the rage lately. (Wikipedia claims the cupcake craze started in the 1990's, but here in the midwest we didn't find out until we hit the new millenium.) It used to be that cupcakes were just a kid's treat, but they've taken a giant step up to become a gourmet food. There are entire bakeries devoted to the sweet mini cake, and both professional and home bakers are now creating miniature works of culinary art.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SwldVxtZDCI/AAAAAAAAACc/cP04WddEc6o/s1600/DSC_5303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SwldVxtZDCI/AAAAAAAAACc/cP04WddEc6o/s320/DSC_5303.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>I think making and decorating cupcakes is a great activity for kids and adults. There are both simple and complicated decorating ideas for almost every holiday and season. I absolutely fell in love with the turkey cupcakes that my friend Anne made for a girlfriend get-together yesterday. She told me about two great cupcake books, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Cupcake-Irresistibly-Playful-Creations/dp/0618829253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258904667&sr=8-1">Hello Cupcake</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewarts-Cupcakes-Inspired-Everyones/dp/0307460444/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259124800&sr=8-1">Martha Stewart's Cupcakes</a> with all sorts of decorating ideas. Next time you're looking for a unique and tasty treat to make, try cupcakes, even better yet, make it a tradition.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-81944813845909609972009-11-11T14:53:00.000-08:002009-11-15T14:54:18.320-08:00Wrap Your Christmas Gifts in a PillowcaseYesterday when I was waiting in line at the craft store to get my fabric cut I eavesdropped on the conversation of the woman in front of me. She was buying several yards of cute Christmas fabric. She told the clerk that every year she sews her grandchildren pillowcases and then uses them to wrap their gifts. What a great Christmas tradition! Personally I hate wrapping gifts, I'm definitely more of a bag lady myself. But now I think I could occassionally find myself a pillowcase lady. I'll have to see if I find any cute pillowcases on sale. Or maybe I could even sew them. I'm taking a beginner sewing class next week and I'd have to guess that pillowcases are easy enough that even a beginner could do it. I'll keep you posted on my progress.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-76774791091526429932009-11-10T13:30:00.000-08:002009-11-11T14:38:13.375-08:00A New Thanksgiving TraditionI made a trip to Joann's today to pick up things for two projects (more info later). Boy, that the craft store is sure a dangerous place for me. There are a ton of things on which I could spend lots of time and money. Given that fact, I was amazed that I got out of the store with only a few more things than I actually had on my list.<br />
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The first project on my shopping list was fabric. I was so happy that I found the exact color of microfiber (raspberry) I was looking for AND it was on super sale. The fabric will be used to create curtains in Stella's room. She already has a cute valance and blinds, but I think too much light comes in during the day making it difficult for her to nap, plus the curtains will keep out any cold that might come in through the window this winter.<br />
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The second thing on my list was supplies for my Thanksgiving aprons. I bought fabric paint and simple black aprons. My plan is to use Stella's hand to make "turkeys" on the apron. Each year we'll add another handprint turkey with the year. In a few years I'll have an apron full of turkeys and will also be able to see how Stella's hand has grown. (Shhhhh..... don't tell the Grandma's, but I'm planning to make them Thanksgiving aprons too. I plan to get the handprints of the other grandkids too!) I'll post pictures when they're finished. I think it's a great new Thanksgiving tradition for our family and it doesn't cost much either, the aprons were about $5 and I spent about $7 on a few different colors of fabric paint.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-84626574761637724972009-11-07T17:36:00.000-08:002009-11-06T17:37:27.255-08:00Sheets for the Season<a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/pkimgs/ab/images/dp/products/200944/0004/img7m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/pkimgs/ab/images/dp/products/200944/0004/img7m.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Pottery Barn Kids catalog that arrived this week has some <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/snowman-sheeting/?pkey=k71-1080407&catalogId=71&sku=1080407">adorable snowman sheets</a> that are perfect for creating a winter-themed bedroom. Wouldn't it be fun tradition to change the sheets in your child's room, your own room, or maybe the guest room to match the season or the holiday? I'm not talking about going crazy with a dozen sheet sets or anything and I don't think it's necessary to cover all the holidays or seasons, but covering some of the big ones would certainly be easy and fun to do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-92014018124021098702009-11-06T15:12:00.000-08:002009-11-06T17:10:32.523-08:00Tis the Season for Traditions<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SvTEJEF5dzI/AAAAAAAAACU/MNcWLhui2K0/s1600-h/christmas-stockings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SvTEJEF5dzI/AAAAAAAAACU/MNcWLhui2K0/s320/christmas-stockings.jpg" /></a>I received the Pottery Barn Kids catalog this week and what do you know, they're talking about holiday traditions. One of the traditions that they highlight is having kids leave a note in their Christmas stocking for Santa. Sounds like a great idea to me and a good time to take thank Santa for all the gifts he's about to deliver. This tradition and the PBK catalog reminded me that I need to find a Christmas stocking for little Miss Stella. I would like to find something special that she'll have for many years to come. I'm also trying to figure out if John and I should both get new stockings too so all three of ours will match. It's so hard to decide what I want, there are so many cute options from which to choose. The <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/shop/kids/christmas/christmas-stockings/?cm_type=mainimage1&cm_src=hplink&cm_re=FallD409-_-Hero-_-FreeShipStockings">Pottery Barn catalog has some nice stockings</a> that can be embroidered with our names, and the stores are full of lots of options too. One other thing I'm considering is finding someone to make our stockings. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/category/holidays/christmas/stocking">Etsy is full of great handmade Christmas stockings</a>. Now I just need to make up my mind, it will be time to hang the stockings on the fireplace before I know it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-85565335351773724162009-11-05T08:56:00.000-08:002009-11-06T17:06:01.198-08:00The Birthday Ring Tradition<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yc22L04OvfA/SrLpqe_CobI/AAAAAAAABFc/LGYUMvg1fOc/s1600/IMG_2552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yc22L04OvfA/SrLpqe_CobI/AAAAAAAABFc/LGYUMvg1fOc/s320/IMG_2552.JPG" /></a>CafeTraditions.com reader Christina submitted a new <a href="http://www.cafetraditions.com/Light-the-Birthday-Ring-P319C5.aspx">birthday tradition</a> that I have never heard about before but that I hope to introduce into our family this summer when Stella celebrates her first birthday. The tradition is using a birthday ring. For those of you, like me, that have not heard of a birthday ring, it's typically a wooden circle with 12 or 16 holes. The holes are filled with a candle to represent each year (similar to candles on a birthday cake), the rest of the holes are filled with small wooden figures or cut-outs.<br />
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When the tradition was submitted, I quickly did a few searches to find out more about the tradition. It seems to be an old European tradition that originated in the Waldorf School. I also found a few blogs that told more details about their birthday ring traditions. Visit the following blogs for more information: <a href="http://uncommongrace.typepad.com/uncommongrace/2008/04/birthday-celebr.html">Uncommon Grace</a> and <a href="http://mommyme-thewonderyears.blogspot.com/2009/09/birthday-celebration.html">The Wonder Years</a>.<br />
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Buy a Birthday Ring and start a new tradition in your family. Birthday rings are available online at these stores:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://thewoodenwagon.com/woodentoys/birthday-ring.html">The Wooden Wagon</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.threesisterstoys.com/c-14-birthday-rings.aspx">Three Sisters Toys</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://willowtreetoys.com/category/30461589201/1/Birthday-Rings.htm">Willow Tree Toys</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.magiccabin.com/product.asp?pcode=158&cm_mmc=Tagged-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=NA">Magic Cabin</a></li>
</ul><ul></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-76769771857136114072009-10-28T07:36:00.000-07:002009-11-06T16:56:51.056-08:00Halloween Breakfast<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SuhZfCnwK_I/AAAAAAAAACE/hjDaxlGTpf4/s1600-h/halloween-breakfast-tradition.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SuhZfCnwK_I/AAAAAAAAACE/hjDaxlGTpf4/s320/halloween-breakfast-tradition.JPG" /></a>I found a great idea on "Homemakers with Hope" that I want to try when Stella is old enough. Not only would this be a great Halloween tradition, but it would work for other holidays as well. The idea is to have a fun holiday-themed breakfast on Halloween morning. Bring out your themed dishes, decorate the table with pumpkins and Halloween placemats, serve Boo-Berry, Franken-Berry or Count Chocula cereal, then put together an actvity pack filled with coloring sheets, word finds, mazes, etc. Give the kids a new box of crayons to work on all the activity sheets. Click over to the <a href="http://homemakerswithhope.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-traditions.html">"Homemakers with Hope"</a> blog to read more.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SuhfKWplroI/AAAAAAAAACM/lSd1Chwx30c/s1600-h/halloween-activity-packet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SuhfKWplroI/AAAAAAAAACM/lSd1Chwx30c/s320/halloween-activity-packet.jpg" /></a>See the links below for some fun Halloween-themed activity sheets:<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://www.abcteach.com/directory/seasonalholidays/halloween/">ABC Teach</a> - great projects including craft ideas, coloring sheets, mazes, word search, word scrambles and more.<br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://bogglesworldesl.com/halloween_worksheets.htm">Halloween scrambles, matching games and more.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://holidays.kaboose.com/halloween-printables.html">Kaboose</a> - a wide variety of activity sheets available.</li>
<li><a href="http://coloringpages.net/halloween.html">PapaJan</a> - many Halloween-themed coloring sheets.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/halloween/">Teachnology</a> - worksheets and lessons.</li>
<li><a href="http://edhelper.com/halloween.htm">edHelper</a> - puzzles, games, activity sheets and much more.<br />
</li>
</ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-31092150126768456662009-10-27T07:03:00.000-07:002009-11-06T16:57:20.944-08:00Passing Down Tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past weekend my Mom and Dad came to visit. When my Mom walked in the door I saw she was carrying my favorite Halloween decoration, a ceramic witch she hand-painted when I was very young. The witch has been displayed at my parents' house each Halloween for as long as I can remember, and she thought it was time to hand it over to me so I could display it in my own home.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sub9hWmSPDI/AAAAAAAAAB8/RIqvf-IiGDY/s1600-h/DSC_4924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/Sub9hWmSPDI/AAAAAAAAAB8/RIqvf-IiGDY/s320/DSC_4924.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>My Mom painted the witch in 1975 when I was five years old. She made me a witch costume for Halloween that same year and the ceramic witch was painted to match. That Halloween I had my photo published in the local paper wearing my witch costume and bobbing for apples. Every October since when the witch is taken out of storage, I remember back to that particular Halloween. I don't remember the details of any other Halloween from my childhood as vividly as that one, but that painted witch helps me remember some of my favorite memories from my childhood and will certainly lead me to tell the story to Stella each Halloween for years to come. If I'm lucky, my Mom will make Stella her own witch costume in a few years so she can make her own Halloween memories. It seems like the ceramic witch has helped to create a few family Halloween traditions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36601194.post-62041961728882704322009-10-24T21:27:00.000-07:002009-11-06T16:57:31.584-08:00Halloween Countdown Calendar<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SuPT4xkiCuI/AAAAAAAAAB0/N43oYSTbSUA/s1600-h/halloween-countdown-calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ajk__mxHLGI/SuPT4xkiCuI/AAAAAAAAAB0/N43oYSTbSUA/s320/halloween-countdown-calendar.jpg" /></a>I found a great Advent calendar in the last Pottery Barn catalog I received. The calendar inspired me to look for ideas to make an Advent calendar like my Mom had made when I was a child. While searching online for ideas, I came across an absolutely awesome Halloween Countdown Calendar. While there's not time enough to buy one or make one for Halloween this year, I love the concept. I had never heard of such a thing, but I think it makes for one great Halloween tradition. I'm sure kids will love counting down the days until they get to trick-or-treat. One of the calendars I liked best can be found at <a href="http://everydaycelebrate.blogspot.com/2009/09/more-halloween-goodness-halloween.html">Everyday Celebrations</a>. It's a great inspiration for making your own, or if you're not up to the task, she also makes and sells them on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6195419">Etsy</a>. I can't wait to try this next year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1