Buckets of Ideas

Reasons Why We Love You!

2011-11-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

Every birthday we do a list of reasons why we love the person who's birthday we are celebrating. It started when our children were little and started out as however many years they were old - that number of reasons. The reasons have been put on posters, put on papers that led a trail into the house or their bedroom etc. It has become a highlight on everyone's b-day.

A couple of years ago after we had 3 weddings in one year I thought maybe it was time to stop the reasons - let their spouses take care of B-day's. It was a big mistake - EVERYONE rebeled. They siad they would rather have the reasons than have gifts, so it continues.

It is a wonderful thing for everyone to hear why their siblings love each other. This year I made them into posters with a family pix so everyone can put them in their office, den or craft room area to see all year long.

"Grandma" Sign for Mother's Day

2010-05-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

Hookiing to Favorite Things Friday at http://thehillsarelivin.blogspot.com/
and Show and Tell Friday ww.romantichome.blogspot.com/ lots of fun and creative projects

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We made this adorable sign for my husband's mother for Mother's Day. It is a picture of all of our grandchildren - her great grandchildren. My mom died in 1993 - so sadly I couldn't make one for her - she would have loved it!

I saw one done on Aleesha's blog that said "MOM" and was so excited to have such a fun gift idea for Mother's Day - http://ready-set-create.blogspot.com/2010/04/mothers-day-is-right-around-corner.html
Thanks Aleesha!

My Grandchildren's Garden

2010-05-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

Over on my gardening blog are pictures and information about my grandchildren's garden. When you hve a minute I would love for you to drop by.
http://bucketideasforgardening.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-grandchildrens-garden-and-stepping.html

Fun Idea for St Pat's Day

2010-02-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from my book.......(see http://www.bucketsofideas.com/)

The Luck of the Irish to ya!

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!

Whether you are Irish or not, St. Patrick’s Day is a great reason to have a little fun together. It is a day of leprechauns, legends and green! You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate! It is a great day to spice up the long winter months in the north.

If you have you’re “Little Darlin’s” at your house for the day you can do some fun “celebratin’!”The night before after they are asleep, put little green footprints on the walls and floor. A cookie cutter makes a perfect template. Tell them those foot prints lead to a treasure! You can also have a scavenger hunt to a treasure; the clues could be on the feet. You can also include this in your decorating by putting feet prints all over your walls for them to see each time they visit.

For more treat and other fun ideas see: http://bucketideasforholidays.blogspot.com/

Stepping Stones - Grandchildren's Garden

2009-05-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

I have a grandchildren's garden and in it are all kinds of (edible) flowers, little toys, fairy garden etc. More details in my book - see info on the side bar.) I have made stepping stones with each grandchild that go in that garden.

This is a picture of one of them:

For more stepping stone ideas see my garden blog at: http://bucketideasforgardening.blogspot.com/2009/05/stepping-stones-yard-art-blooming.htm

Here are a few links for more ideas:

All kinds of stepping stones –
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/steppingstones/ig/Garden-Stepping-Stone-Photos/

How To Make Stepping Stones
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/steppingstones/a/040201c.htm

Blogs with Stepping Stone Ideas
http://craftygardener.blogspot.com/2008/04/stepping-stones.html

Michael’s Stepping Stones Ideashttp://www.michaels.com/art/online/search?pageNumber=1&channel=0&search=yes&type=0&searchWords=stepping+stones&as_fid=1&x=15&y=11

I am In The Garden!

2009-04-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

We live in Idaho and we have very short summers. The weather is finally nice so I am in the garden. I will post a few activity ideas over the summer. I just planted a fairy garden with one of my darling grandson's.

The details are at http://bucketideasforgardening.blogspot.com/2009/04/finally-spring-is-in-idaho.html
Come on over and join me!

Happy Easter Time

2009-03-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

What a bright, fun time of year. So many wonderful things to do and see.

This section is dedicated to Easter Activities you can do with your family and the children in your life. Items will be added through out the coming weeks.

EASTER EGG COLORING DAY

Like most of you we have an Easter Egg coloring party. Here are a few websites with some fun and unique ideas to spice it up if you want to add some new things:

Natural Dyes - We have tried this and it is great!http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/000410h.cfm

All kinds of ideas:http://nanaellen.com/village/easter/egg.htm

Misc Decor ideas

http://freestuff4kids.net/2008/03/06/13-creative-ways-to-dye-and-decorate-easter-eggs/

Natural Decor Ideas

http://freestuff4kids.net/2008/03/06/13-creative-ways-to-dye-and-decorate-easter-eggs/

For More Easter Ideas visit:

Buckets of Spring and Easter Ideas

You will find things like this:

EASTER SMORES

EASTER BASKETS TO MAKE

St Patricks Day Carnival

2009-03-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

What a fun carnival for St. PAtty's Day! Visit this link to see everyone that is playing!http://welcometomyworldjanmary.blogspot.com/

This blog is to gather ideas to do with your family and the children in your life. Thanks for visiting! Come back again each holiday.

Saint Patricks Day Fun Ideas

2009-02-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a wee present for you

Full of luck and wishes
Celebrate this St. Patrick's Day
With these Leprechaun Kisses!

For lots more St Patrick Day Ideas - Buckets of Ideas for St. Patricks Day

Fun Food for St.Patrick's Day

2009-02-22T11:51:00.002-08:00

For lots more fun food ideas for Saint Patty's Day - visit Buckets of Sait Patricks Day Ideas
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Minty Ice Cream Shamrocks
Taste of Home
With a soft, chewy chocolate cookie and festive mint green ice cream, these fun desserts are a sweet delight. "You can cut out the cookie wafers in any shape you choose and use any flavor ice cream," says field editor Beverly coyde of Gasport, New York. "Try heart shapes for Valentine's Day filled with strawberry ice crream."
SERVINGS: 6CATEGORY: Dessert METHOD: FreezerTIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min. + freezing
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons butter, softened3/4 cup sugar1 egg1-1/2 teaspoons milk3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour1/4 cup baking cocoa1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt1-1/2 to 2 cups mint chocolate chip ice cream, softened
Directions: In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture just until blended. Divide dough into two portions; flatten. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8- to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. shamrock cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Prick with a fork if desired. Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Spread 1/4 to 1/3 cup ice cream over the bottom of six cookies; top with remaining cookies. Wrap individually in plastic wrap; freeze. May be frozen for up to 2 months. Yield: 6 servings.

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St Patrick's Day Fun

2009-02-21T13:18:00.001-08:00

For fun projects to do with kids and gift ideas - visit Buckets of Saint Patricks Day Ideas

Friday February 20, 2009

2009-02-20T11:38:00.000-08:00

We just returned from sunny St George, Utah. It was beautiful. I was barefoot at 8 a.m. yesterday morning. It will take a few months until I can do that here.

I am ready to think green for St. Pat's Day and Spring! I am getting my blogs changed to St Patty's Day and then I will post some St. Pat's Day Ideas. I have Irish heritage on both sides and we always have fun on this holiday.

I realized one of the reasons why I like holidays so much is that it brings a spark to season that can seem really long. It is only about 27 days and a fun holiday to brighten up this time of year.

Think Green!

(See http://bucketideasforholidays.blogspot.com/ for holiday decorating ideas.)

Valentines Party and Heading for St. George, Utah

2009-02-12T09:13:00.001-08:00

This weekend our #2 daughter is blessing our #3 grandson. We are leaving snowy Idaho to find the sun! It is 14* right now here and 43* there. I post again on February 23. Usually we have a family Valentines Party - but this year we are going to enjoy the warmth of St. George as a family so I won't be posting Valentine Party ideas right now.

See you next week!

We Are Having a Beach Party in Idaho!

2009-01-13T15:33:00.000-08:00

Next Monday night we are having our annual Family Beach Party.

When the kids were little they got really restless about the end of January. It is Idaho and very cold so we started our family Beach Party.

"Have a beach picnic with all the trimmings. We cook hotdogs in the fireplace, play games and end with a summer movie. A few suggestions are Boatniks, Glass Bottom Boat, Sing Along Beach Party with Mickey Mouse, or Disney's Back to the Beach.

Turn up the heat and ask everyone to wear shorts, flip flops, and sunglasses, eat on a blanket on the floor and have a great time!"

Excerpt from my book - see side bar for details.

Valentine Cooking Project Ideas To Do With My Wyatt.

2009-01-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

I am on the hunt for some yummy Valentine Cooking Projects to do with my darling boy Wyatt.

For more ideas of cooking projects such as the Valentine Pizza belos, visit - hBuckets of Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine Pizza

1 large Pizza Crust Recepe baked

1/3 cups of Pizza sauce

1/3 cups of grated Mozzarella cheese

Pepperoni or canadian bacon sliced and trimmed to heart shape

Whatever veggies you like - 1 cup

1.Trim the pizza base into a heart shape, place on pizza pan or baking sheet.

2. Spread pizza sauce on the base to near the edge.

3. Sprinkle the grated cheese over sauce.

4. Place the meat around pizza, add shredded cheese.

5. Bake at 375F until the cheese is melted and pizza is piping hot.

Some Crafty Valentine Projects

2009-01-13T14:05:00.000-08:00

I love Valentines Day. Such a fun day to tell everyone you love that you love them! I am looking for some new project ideas, here are some I have found, I will add more as I find them that I can do with my darling boy Wyatt. To see the things I found in addition to the cupids arrow below, visit
buckets of Valentine's Day Ideas

Cupid's Arrow
Supplies Needed:

One roll of Wild Cherry Livesavers Candy 6 inch bamboo skewer 1 - 1 1/2 inch wooden heart Drill with a small drill bit Piece of red foil paper approximately 1 1/2 inches long and 5 inches wide. Transparent tape Scissors Craft glue Red paint and paintbrush
Directions:Drill a small hole in the heart's indentation. Paint the heart red and set it aside to dry. Fringe the foil paper by cutting narrow strips along the width, about 1 inch deep. Apply a small amount of the transparent tape to one end of the uncut portion of foil paper. Attach tape to blunt end of skewer. Twist foil paper around skewer and fasten with another piece of tape to form the arrow feather.
Finishing: Poke pointed end of bamboo skewer through center of candy roll, apply dot of glue to tip of skewer and secure into hole in painted heart.

http://www.familycorner.com/homegarden/crafts/cupidsarrow.shtml

Happy Ground Hog Day!

2009-01-12T21:54:00.001-08:00

Happy Groundhog Day!

Groundhog Day CupcakeBaked cupcakeAlmond Joy candyWhite frostingWhite jelly beansBlack decorators' gelWatermelon slice candyBrown M&M's MinisChocolate cookieStep 1 Remove a piece of cake the width of an Almond Joy candy from the center of a baked cupcake. Set the candy upright in the hole, then spread a layer of white frosting on the cupcake. Step 2 For the groundhog's eyes, trim the ends from a white jelly bean, stick them in place with frosting, then dot them with black decorators' gel. Add a tiny triangle cut from a watermelon slice candy for a nose, brown M&M's Minis for ears and cheeks, and a tiny rectangular piece of white jelly bean for teeth. Sprinkle chocolate cookie crumbs around the partially emerged groundhog, and he's ready to greet his fans.
2009 © FamilyFun

GROUND HOG ACTIVITIES
Just a couple of ideas for you:
We always eat "ground food" and eat on the "ground."We watch for "Phil" the ground hog to see what he is doing to do.Play ground hog bingo, and adapt other games to be "Ground Hoggy" it is always a fun, kind of pick me up day in the winter.

New Years Day Pajama Party & TIme Capsule

2009-01-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Come on over to our house for our New Years Day Pajama Party.

We play games and eat after sleeping in from our slumber party the night before!

Bruch is served about 11:00!

We make our annual time capsule with our children and grandchildren.

Each person puts a small item in it that they want to save and a list of what they think cars, houses, clothes etc will be like. We put a pix in of the group that we take with a digital camera and print off right there from the computer. Each person also writes on this list a little about what they are doing right now. Label the can with the year, decorate it and seal it up!

Come and join us!

How To Celebrate New Years With your Children

2008-12-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

We have been married 34 years. Our oldest is 31 years old, (Not sure how that happened! I still feel 31!!!) When she was about three and her sister one, we started having New Years Eve parties with our children. I have to be honest when they were really little I went around the house and set ahead the clocks so they wouldn't be up so late. As time went by they became teenagers. (5 kids oldest 10 years older than youngest) Our party was tradition and they invited friends to it. We had waffles at midnight with ice cream and all kinds of toppings.
We started doing this when they were young for the sole purpose of them being home on New Years when they were teen agers and it worked. Sometimes they did go to dances but they were home before midnight so we could all have our waffle breakfast, play games and watch a movie. (We do sleep in!) Now that we have grandchildren, they still spend New Years Eve at our house. It was worth it and has because a wonderful party looked forward to all through the holidays.

Happy New Year!

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I found this article and wanted to share it because it really explains things well.

How to Celebrate New Year's Eve With Your Children
by eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor
Introduction
Throw a party and celebrate with your kids, letting them stay up until the new year dawns.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Steps
1 Help your kids decorate a room in your house. Hang streamers, scatter confetti and set out party hats and noisemakers.
2 Bake a cake.
3 Dress up in party clothes.
4 Prepare the kids' favorite dinner and eat the cake for desert. Put candles on the cake and blow them out in recognition of the birthday of a new year.
5 Teach the kids the words to "Auld Lang Syne," and sing other songs with them as well.
6 Explain the concept of New Year's resolutions to your children. Ask them if there is anything they would like to accomplish in the next year.
7 Lay out sleeping bags in the living room. Read stories out loud and play board games late into the evening.
8 Toast the New Year at midnight (if your kids are still awake) with sparkling fruit cider.
Tips & Warnings
If your kid doesn't have a favorite meal, make spaghetti with tomato sauce and serve salad on the side. This is generally a kid-pleasing meal.
Overall Things You'll Need
Confettis
Streamers
Party Hats
Pillows
Cake Mix
Spaghetti Noodles
Spaghetti Sauces
Cake Pans
Noisemakers
Sleeping Bags
Streamers

New Year Party Games

2008-12-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

See http://bucketsofnewyearsideas.blogspot.com/ for all kinds of New Years Eve Games for home with children or adults.

Christmas Morning Service Project

2008-12-27T11:33:00.000-08:00

Every Christmas Morning we do a service project for someone before we open our gifts. This year we went through our neighborhood and shoveled walks for those out of town or not able to do it themselves. It is a wonderful way to start our Christmas morning. When we come home we eat and open our gifts. When the kids were little we did this to help them focus more on Jesus and all He has done for us, As the years have gone by it has become a treasured tradition. As our family is growing we can really accomplish alot of great things!

White Stocking

2008-12-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve we have a White Stocking that we put a note of the gift we wish to give Jesus in the coming year. It is always so interesting to pull out the one we wrote the year before and see what our gift was and how we were able to do it. It is a wonderful thing to do as a family.

Sweedish Rosettes

2008-12-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

We love to make sweedish rosettes to share with our neighbors. It is an old family favorite. We actually served them at our wedding. We make lots of plates and then deliver them with caroling.

Here is the recipe:

Swedish Rosettes

Ingredients - 1 cup flour, sifted 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1 cup milk 2 eggs, slightly beaten, 1 tsp lemon flavoring, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, oil for frying, powdered sugar
Preparation - Combine sifted flour, salt and sugar; add milk, beaten egg and vegetable oil. Beat until smooth; allow to stand for 1 hour to allow air to escape. Deep-fry in hot oil, using rosette iron or timbale case iron; drain on paper toweling. Dust warm rosettes with powdered sugar Yield: 2 dozen
Notes -
To Fry Rosettes: Heat rosette iron in a large kettle with enough oil to cover iron well. Iron is ready when oil temperature registers 365°. Drain oil from iron, blot iron slightly with paper toweling and dip into batter to within 1/4 inch of top. (Do not cover top of iron.) Carefully lift out iron, drain quickly and lower into oil. Fry until rosette is crisp and brown. Carefully lift iron from oil; turn upside down to drain. Quickly remove rosette from iron; cool. Return iron to batter without dipping into oil unless it needs reheating. Iron is too cold if mixture does not cling to iron when dipped into batter. An iron which is too hot will cause rosette to spread and drop from iron when cooked; if Rosettes are soft and thick rather than thin and crisp, batter is too thick and should be thinned slightly with milk.

Cookie and Candy Bash

2008-12-18T06:39:00.000-08:00

Several days before Christmas, we have a baking/candy making day.

When the kids were little I would cook and everyone wanted to help so we started out at 9:00 a.m. and cooked all day. The kids would sometimes fight and so I started scheduling them for 1-2 hour blocks. They were responsible to choose a cookie and a candy recipe to make one on one with me. Always a fun and productive day.

Now they are grown, we schedule a day to bake and a day to make candy. Each family chooses 2-3 cooies. It is at our home and I provide all the flour, sugar, etc. They bring any ingredients that are unique to their cookies. We bake all day.

This year we are making cookies today and candy on Monday. I will post pictures as soon as I have them.

2008-12-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

I just shared this on a list I am on and thought I would post it here. It is such a fun thing to do.
We have a little elf named "Nutmeg Jim"He comes every Thanksgiving night and stays until Christmas Eve when he hops back in Santa"s sleigh. He is a little stuffed elf I made.

Everyone loves Nutmeg Jim at our house, he leaves sugar cereal occasionally, which I NEVER buy. He leaves a new Christmas movie every year. He leaves little notes that tells that recipient they are wonderful. He usually leaves a package of Oreo's which I never buy either--so it is a fun treat. Everything is random, his job is to report back to Santa and tell him how things are going here. One year when we were having children fighting issues, he brought a new friend with him. His name is "tattle tale mouse." He is a little mouse ornament that hangs on the tree and tells Nutmeg Jim if there are problems.

Treat Table

2008-12-17T06:03:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite things to do during the holidays is make the "Treat Table." I am sorry to say I can't find a picture of it! I had no idea I didn't have one!

Our treat table was created when our cupboards weren't big enough to hold all the goodies we made plus what other people shared with us. So we started out with a small table and it has grown into 2 card tables. We have special Christmas dishes that are reserved just for this table. Some are dishes the kids have made, others are dishes that are Christmas dishes that were grandmother's. We put books under the table cloth to give a varied height so it is easier to find things.

All through the years the kids friends were in and out and now they stop by at Christmas time to sample the treat table. It is great!

Gingerbread Day

2008-12-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

We had our annual gingerbread day this week at our house. Everyone loves this activity!

Thes actually started when our children were small. We tried real gingerbread, but their little hands had a hard time being really careful and the gingerbread broke. We decided to use graham crackers and have nmade villages for years. Sugar cones make great tree's covered with green frosting and red hots. Life savers are great wreaths. Glass sucker recipe makes a great pond, so many fun things to do with this! We also have made trains to go with our village.

I went to the dollar store and bought graham crackers, powdered sugar and lots of finger candy.

We opened the table up as far as it would go, put all the different candy in their own bowls, gave everyone a bowl of royal icing and a kitchen knife and the decorating began!

Everyone made a house of some kind. Some were cottages and others were huge! Then we put them all together in a village and they are displaying proudly on the shelf in our family area. I love our gingerbread village.

There are instructions in a post below.

Great instructions for a train are here:
http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/special/feature/ff1106-gingerbread-train/ff1106-gingerbread-train2.html

Service Opportunities During The Holidays

2008-12-01T21:00:00.002-08:00

This is an excerpt from my book "Buckets of Ideas for Grandparents." These ideas can be used for any of the children in your life.

Service Opportunities During the Holidays
It is Christmas! That magical time of year that brings thoughts of gifts and the visit from Santa. The tradition of giving gifts originates with the Three Wiseman who came from the East to visit the baby Jesus and bring him presents. Christmas can be a wonderful time to teach your grandchildren about serving and loving others. Here are a few ideas to help you brainstorm how you and your family can do this.
Community

Meals on Wheels - Make little favors to go on the trays that are delivered to the people in your community.
Angel Tree’s – These are set up at various locations and have angle ornaments on them that list the needs of others in the community with instructions of where to return them.
Salvation Army – This organization helps whole families. You can contact them about sponsoring a family for Christmas.
Salvation Army Bell Ringer – You can contribute to their ringing pots.
Food Bank – Your local food bank is always looking of donations whether they are small or large.
Community - Your community has various events that help to gather money or needed supplies for those in need. There will be advertisements on your local paper as well. Be on the watch to know how you and your grandchildren can help this together.
Nursing Home - Call a local nursing or retirement home to find a need, to read or spend other time with the residents.
Service Men – Write letters to service men and women.
Soup Kitchen – Serve at a soup kitchen for an afternoon or evening.
Go Caroling - Deliver goodies to neighbors as you go caroling. Nursing homes also welcome carolers to their halls. If you have performable talents you couls present a program for the residents.

Neighborhood
12 Days of Christmas – Choose a family in your neighborhood and deliver a gift everyday, 12 days before Christmas anonymously. Gifts can be goodies, a story, poem, Christmas Ornament, etc.
Shovel Walks – After a snowstorm shovel a neighbors walk who needs it
Deliver Good Plates – Take your grandchildren with you to deliver things to your friends and neighbors.
Talk to your local clergy – They always know someone in need for the holidays.
Do a Christmas morning service before opening gifts.
Family
Do any of the above for your family members. Let your grandchildren help you as you do these things
Have a family party hosted by you and your grandchildren. The other adults are the guests!

Have a wonderful Holiday Season this year by sharing with others and teaching your children and grandchildren the wonderful art of giving!

Grandparent 12 Days of Christmas Ideas

2008-12-01T21:00:00.001-08:00

1 - Get a manger scene with 12 pieces. If you live near sneak one piece a day to your grandchildren with a bible verse attached. If you live far away, mail all twelve pieces, wrapped with the instructions to open one each day.

2 - Fill a sack with Christmas stories and an object that matches each story. Seal in individual sacks to be opened one at a time each day during the 12 days before Christmas.

3 - Send an e-mail with a fun story or recipe or activity to all your grandchildren.

4 - If you have enough free time, do an act of service each day for someone 12 days before Christmas. Can be one person or 12 diffferent ones. A few ideas: Make cookies and share with someone. Share a story with someone. Shovel the walk for someone if health permits.

5 - Make or purchase 12 ornaments, to be hung on their tree each day starting 12 days before Christmas.

Link of Ideas for 12 Days of Christmas to do with Grandchildren
http://pie.midco.net/grammalowe/12days.html

Here are some silly Christmas Jokes and Songs to use in your 12 Days of Christmas Projects:

Carols and Jokes
Name That Carol!The following words are alternate titles for several well-known Christmas Carols. If you get 100% correct, you will be assured a full Christmas stocking!Have fun!!Quadruped with crimson proboscis___ _________ ___
5 p.m. to 6 a.m. without noise_______ _________ ___
Miniscule hamlet in the far east ____________ ______
Ancient benevolent despot ____________ _________ _
Adorn the vestibule ____________ _________ ______
Exuberance directed to the planet ____________ ____
Listen, aerial spirits harmonizin _________________
Monarchial trio ____________ ___________________
Yonder in the haystack ____________ _________ ____
Assemble, everyone who believes ____________ _____
Hallowed post meridian ____________ _________ ____
Fantasies of a colorless December 25th ____________ _
Tin tintinnabulums ____________ _________ _______
A dozen 24-hour yule periods ____________ ________
Befell during the transparent bewitching hour ______
Homo sapien of crystallized vapor ____________ ____
I merely desire a pair of incisors ____________ ______
I spied my maternal parent osculating a fat man in red__
Perambulating through a December solstice fantasy ____
Aloft on the acme of the abode ____________ _________
Quadruped with crimson proboscis —Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
5 p.m. to 6 a.m. without noise — Silent Night
Miniscule hamlet in the far east — O Little Town of Bethlehem
Ancient benevolent despot — Good King Wenceslas (or some believe in Jolly Old St. Nicholas)Adorn the vestibule —Deck the Halls
Exuberance directed to the planet — Joy to the World
Listen, aerial spirits harmonizing — Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Monarchial trio — We Three Kings
Yonder in the haystack — Away in a Manger
Assemble, everyone who believes — Come All Ye Faithful
Hallowed post meridian — O Holy Night
Fantasies of a colorless December 25th — I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas
Tin tintinnabulums — Silver Bells
A dozen 24-hour Yule periods — The Twelve Days of Christmas
Befell during the transparent bewitching hour — It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Homo sapien of crystallized vapor — Frosty the Snowman
I merely desire a pair of incisors — All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
I spied my maternal parent osculating a fat man in red — I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus
Perambulating through a December solstice fantasy — Walking Through a Winter Wonderland
Aloft on the acme of the abode — Up on the Rooftop
Results:
15 – 20 Correct — You don’t need any Yuletide spirit!
10 – 14 Correct — You could use something in your stocking!
5 – 9 Correct — Are you sure you have the right holiday?
1 – 4 Correct — Surely you jest!?!

Silly Chirstmas Jokes for your Family Parites or Anytime~
What’s white and goes up?A confused snowflake!
What do you call an old snowman?Water!
What do you sing at a snowman’s birthday party?
Freeze a jolly good fellow
What goes: now you see me, now you don’t, now you see me, now you don’t?
A snowman on a zebra crossing!
What goes ho-ho whoosh, ho-ho whoosh?Santa caught in a revolving door!
What goes “oh, oh, oh”?Santa walking backwards!
Knock knock!Who’s there?Snow.Snow who?Snow use – I’ve forgotten my name again!
Why does Santa have three gardens? So he can ho ho ho!
When does Christmas come before Thanksgiving? In the dictionary!
What’s the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet? The Christmas one has no L (noel)!
What do you have in December that’s not in any other month?The letter D!
Why is it always cold at Christmas?Because it’s inDecemberrrr!
What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents?Silent Night!
What’s impossible to overtake at Christmas?The three wide men!
Who hides in the bakery at Christmas? A mince spy!
How does a snowman lose weight? He waits for the weather to get warmer!
What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Frosted flakes!
What did one snowman say to the other snowman? Can you smell carrot?
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?Frostbite!
Where do snowmen go to dance? A snow ball!
How many presents can Santa fit in an empty sack? Only one, after that it’s not empty any more!
What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations? Tinselitus!
How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizzas?D eep and crisp and even!
What carol is heard in the dessert? Camel ye fathful!
What do monkeys sing at Christmas? Jungle bells, jungle bells!
What does a cat on the beach have in common with Christmas? Sandy claws!
What is Santa’s dog called? Santa Paws!
Who delivers presents to baby sharks at Christmas? Santa Jaws!
What do you get if you cross Santa Claus with a detective?Santa Clues!
What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney when the fire is lit? Crisp Cringle!
What do you call Santa Claus when he doesn’t move? Santa Pause!
How do sheep greet each other at Christmas? A merry Christmas to ewe!
What do you get if you cross an apple with a Christmas tree? A pineapple!
What kind of candle burns longer, a red candle or a green candle? Neither, candles always burn shorter!
Why are turkeys wiser than chickens? Ever heard of Kentucky Fried Turkey?
What happened to the man who shoplifted a calendar at Christmas? He got 12 months!
What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?Claustrophobic!
Why are Christmas trees like bad knitters? They both drop needles!
What often falls at the North Pole but never gets hurt? Snow!
What is the best Christmas present in the world? A broken drum – you can’t beat it!

Christmas Food Fun

2008-11-28T23:17:00.001-08:00

This is an Ongoing Post

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Grahm Cracker Houses

We have made a Grahm Cracker House Vilage every year since our children were small. Now we have grandchildren, we still have our "Gingerbread Day."
All you have to do is to gather your supplies listed below and let everyone construct their houses! We always eat them on New years Ever with a cup of Hot Chocolate.
Have so much fun and take pictures!

Here are some instructions I found on a website listed at the end.
You Need:
Graham crackers (10 per house - allow for mistakes though!)
White chocolate chips or white candy melts (approx. 6 oz. per house)
Assorted candies for decorating
Piping bags and tips or gallon size freezer bags (make sure your bags have a nice square corner, not a pleated one.)
First prepare graham crackers. Two whole grahams need to be trimmed for front and back panels (see diagram A). Make sure to start knife at point "A" and bring back of knife down to point "B" to keep tip of cracker from crumbling. Check to see if the angle you cut is right by putting two whole "roof shingle" grahams up against the front panel to see if they will fit as in the final assembly. Create a door with a small piece of graham (approx. 1 "x 2").
Now is the time to make the mortar for your house. Heat the white chips or candy melts either in the microwave or on a double boiler just until melted. Stir smooth. Chocolate at this point should be warm, not hot! If it's too hot to handle, let it cool. If you're using a piping bag, prepare the tip. Spoon chocolate into piping bag or freezer bag and squeeze down to the tip of bag (or corner if it's a freezer bag). Seal bag behind chocolate by twisting. If using a freezer bag, cut the slightest bit off the corner to create a tip (if too much chocolate comes out or if bag springs a leak at some point, use a new bag).
To create base, place three grahams side by side with approximately 1/16" space between (see diagram B). Pipe white chocolate mortar down between crackers to fill the gap. When done, Push grahams together (just slightly). Let set a few minutes.Start on construction of the house. First run a bead of mortar along bottom edge of front panel. Set in place on base and hold or prop till sets. (Chocolate mortar tends to set up pretty fast, though). Then run a bead of mortar along back edge of front panel (where it will meet side panel) and along side edge and bottom edge of side panel. Set in place. See diagram C to show how cracker "walls" will align. Pipe additional mortar along seams for support. Do the same thing for other side panel. Next, pipe mortar along back edges and bottom of back panel. Set in place. Strengthen seams, if needed with additional mortar. Let set a few minutes until sturdy. Next pipe mortar along top edges of half of house where one roof panel will go. Put panel in place. Hold or prop to set. When set, pipe mortar along top edges of other half of house and peak edge of already-installed roof panel. Set in place. Hold or prop to set. If roof panels don't match perfectly, try to fill with mortar or for a really big gap use candies or licorice to conceal. Using mortar as glue, adhere door to front panel.Decorate house as desired. (suggestions: gumdrops, peppermint candies, m&m's, candied fruit slices, candy canes. licorice, nonpareils, cookies, assorted decors and colorful candies)If white chocolate mortar stiffens up, reheat slightly and stir or knead until smooth again. http://www.funroom.com/holiday/gramhse.html

SANTA CUPCAKES

These cupcakes are so cute and Christmasy, Santa Clause faces. Fun to make, yummy too.

16 oz pkg poundcake mix 3/4 cup water 2 large eggs 16 oz tub white frosting Pink food color 18 red fruit slice candies (Hat) 2 cans white decorating icing with star and writing tips 9 mini marshmallows (Hat Tassels) 36 brown mini M&M's (Eyes)9 pink jelly beans, halved (Noses)1 roll Fruit Streamers strawberry fruit snacks (Mouth)Heat oven to 350 degrees. 18 lined muffin cups. Prepare cake mix as package directs, using water and eggs. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake 20 min. or until done. Tint frosting pink, spread on cupcakes. Add fruit slice candies for hats. With writing tip, pipe a squiggly hatband and attach marshmallow halves, cut sides down, for tassels.Add M&M's for eyes, then pipe on eye highlights. With star tip, pipe on hair, beards and mustaches. Add jelly bean noses. Peel red strands from Fruit Streamers, cut 36 (1") strands. For each mouth, pinch together 2 strands into a smile. Trim excess, place on cupcakes. MAKES 18 CUPCAKES.*

Marshmellow Snowmen - These look pretty easy. They don't have instructions. This is the link with the picture. http://www.ronnissw%20eettooth.%20com/images/%20lotsosnomen.%20jpg

POPCORN SNOWMEN
3 c. mini marshmallows 3 tbsp. butter 6 c. freshly popped, plain popcorn. Decorations such as raisins, gumdrops, pieces of dried fruit
In a large pot, over low heat, melt marshmallows and 3 tablespoons of butter, stirring constantly until marshmallows are gooey. Remove from heat. Stir in the popped popcorn a little bit at a time. Let the pot cool for at least a minute. Rub some butter on your hands. Then, scoop out a handful of the mixture and make one ball for the body and one for the head. Use decorations to make eyes, nose, mouth. Is you make his body about the size of a tennis ball, this recipe makes about 7 snowmen. http://www.popcorn.org/nutrition/Recipes/rprsnowman.cfm

Thanksgiving Thankful Activities

2008-11-07T07:10:00.001-08:00

Over the years we have done many thankful activities.

A few of them include:

1 - Thankful Turkey - we have painted a turkey body in the window and made big paper feathers. We add the things we are thankful for on the feathers and attach to the turkey body.

2 - Thankful Banner - We have strung a string across our family room and cut out either strips of paper, leaves or traced our hands. Then write everynight at dinner what we are thankful for and clip to string.

3 - Thankful Hands - Trace hands in all colors of cardstock and add eyes. They look like turkeys. Add what thankful for and fill our famly room window with all our turkeys.

Cut out handprints and make a wreath out of handprints filled with all the things we are thankful for.

4 - Thankful Tree -

Make leaves in fall colors and write what we are thankful for on each leaf. Then hang on branch that is in our Thanksgiving Village.

Or cut out a tree trunk and branches. Let everyone cut out their handprint and add that to the branches with the things they are thanful for on them. (Picture of this above.)

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Thankiving Links to do fun things with children:

Thanksgiving Activity Links
Thanksgiving Coloring Pageshttp://www.kate.net/holidays/thanksgiving/coloring.htmlThis site changes with each holiday of crafty things to do.Fun link for all kinds of holiday crafts to do with the children in your life. http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-crafts.html

Fun Thanksgiving Treats

2008-11-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

I have a bunch of fun Thanksigivng treats complete with instructions on my holiday blog that would be fun for a family to make and use for Thanksgiving.

The picture above is one of them.

Please visit over there at http://bucketideasforholidays.blogspot.com/

Halloween Fun Food and Menu Ideas

2008-10-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

Halloween is such a great time to make fun food and goodies. I am planning our family Hallowen party next week and this is what I have so far. I will update this post as more plans materialize.

This is our menu for our Monster Mash next week that I have planned so far.
Jacks Specialty (Baked Pumpkin)
Witches Brooms and Skeleton Bones (Veggies and dip)
Wormy Apples (Caramel apples and gummy worms)
Witches Brew
We are going to have supper, carve pumpkins, decorate cookies, play games, paint faces, and finish with a Halloween Movie.
Games:
The classic apple bob.
Eat doughnuts hanging from the ceiline without hands.
Relay where you trade an ornage with your partner without using your hands.
Eat marshmellows strung on licorice with your partner.
Wouldn't be Halloween without these games.

Recipes for our menu
BAKED STUFFED PUMPKIN
Ingredients: 1 sm. pumpkin, 1 lb. lean hamburger, 1 lg. onion, 1 c. cooked rice. Salt & pepper to taste.Prepare pumpkin. Carve out cap (as you would for a Jack `o Lantern. Remove seeds, leave pulp intact. Prepare stuffing: Saute onion in frying pan, add hamburger; brown and drain. Add rice or mashed potatoes. Stuff pumpkin and replace cap. Bake in 375 degree oven until pumpkin is tender. (Takes 20-30 mins.)

HALLOWEEN WITCHES BREW
Orange sherbet and Ginger ale. Place a scoop of orange sherbet in a tall glass. Pour gingerale slowly over the sherbet. Serve with a curly straw and spoon.

Other Fun Halloween Recipes

CANDY APPLE RECIPES

Old-Fashioned Red Candy Apples
8 medium sized apples, 8 wooden sticks, 3 cups white sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup water, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional), 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (optional).
Wash and dry the apples. Remove any stems or leaves and insert a wooden stick into the end of each apple. Set apples aside. Heat and stir sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan until sugar has dissolved. Boil until the syrup reaches 300 degrees on a candy thermometer, or until a little syrup dropped into cold water separates into breakable threads. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and food coloring, if using. Dip one apple completely in the syrup and swirl it around a little with the stick to coat. Hold the apple above the saucepan to drain off excess. Place apple, with the stick facing up, on a well greased pan. Repeat with remaining apples. If syrup thickens or cools too much, simply reheat briefly before proceeding. Let cool completely before serving.

Variations:
After coating each apple, quickly dip the end or press and swirl apples in shredded coconut, colored M&M's, chopped nuts, granola, gummy worms or colored sprinkles.Caramel Apples1 cup butter, 2 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 8-10 wooden sticks, 8-10 medium tart apples. Wash and dry the apples, removing any stems. Insert a wooden stick into the end of each apple. Combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and milk in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 30 to 40 minutes, or until syrup reaches 248 degrees (firm ball stage) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Dip each apple into the caramel mixture, swirling to coat. Set apples on wax paper to cool completely before serving

.Quick Microwave Caramel Apples
6 apples, 6 wooden sticks, 1 (14 oz) package of wrapped caramels, 2 tablespoons milk. Wash and dry apples and remove stems. Insert a wooden stick into the end of each apple and set aside. Place unwrapped caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring once. Swirl each apple in caramel mixture, then place on a well greased cookie sheet to cool and set.http://www.allfreecrafts.com/phprint.php

Invisible Suckers

Makes 1 dozen.2 cups sugar, 2/3 cup light corn syrup. Assorted candies and seeds, such as red and black licorice whips, candy corn, and pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)DirectionsLine three baking sheets with Silpat nonstick baking mats or parchment paper. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside.Bring sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Don't stir, but occasionally wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water to prevent crystals from forming; boil until mixture turns golden and registers 300 degrees to 310 degrees (hard-crack stage) on a candy thermometer, 5 to 7 minutes. Immediately set pan into ice-water bath to stop the cooking (syrup will steam vigorously); let sit about 20 seconds. Swirl pan 2 minutes more to cool.Working quickly, pour syrup onto baking sheets, forming circles (3 to 31/2 inches in diameter) and spacing pours about 4 inches apart .http://e.marthastewart.com/a/hBI8KNdB7SaHaB7WcB7$UzRuI4Z/recipe.

Creepy Cupcakes

With chocolate bodies and licorice legs, these cute spiders on cobwebs will "catch" attention fast! They're easy to scare up, too—our home economists simply put a Halloween spin on cupcakes they baked from a purchased mix.SERVINGS: 9CATEGORY: Dessert METHOD: BakedTIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 25 min. + coolingIngredients:1 package (18-1/4 ounces) devil's food cake mix1/4 cup butter, softened1 (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened3 cups confectioners' sugar2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon milk, divided1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractRed and yellow liquid food coloring or orange paste food coloring1 tablespoon baking cocoaRound pastry tip #39 chocolate kisses9 semisweet chocolate chipsBlack shoestring licorice, cut into 3/4-inch pieces18 white nonpareilsDirections: Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Fill greased jumbo muffin cups with 1/2 cup batter. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Cut a thin slice off the top of each cupcake. In a mixing bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla; mix well. Remove 1 cup; tint orange and frost cupcakes. To the remaining frosting, add baking cocoa and remaining milk. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert round tip. Fill with chocolate frosting. Pipe a web on each cupcake; set remaining frosting aside. For spider, insert chocolate kiss, point side down, next to edge of cupcake. Insert chocolate chip, point side down, next to kiss. Place four licorice pieces on each side of kiss. For eyes, pipe two small circles of chocolate frosting on chocolate chip; insert nonpareils. Yield: 9 cupcakes.http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Creepy-Cupcakes?pmcode=IIJDJ07T&_mid=808&_rid=808.1000.43662

Nasty Spider Cake.

I got the recipe from a list I am on called Seasons and Holidays.1 Cake mix, 1 pk Green jello prepared, Black frosting, 8 Licorice sticks, 8 Gumdrops.Mix up cake mix and bake it in 2 metal bowls--1 bigger than the other. Once unmolded, cut the bigger one (the "body") in half, horizontally.CAREFULLY scoop out an adequate cavity in each half. FILL with well-whipped set green Jello, and reattach the halves. Frost black, arrange on serving platter. Use licorice stix as legs. Use 2 BIG green gumdrops and 6 little ones as eyes. When the cake is cut into, it spurts green goop, just like a real spider when stepped on. Why not add a red hourglass to the back and make it toxic?

Halloween Gingerbread House

This darling gingerbread house has it's instructions at: Halloween Gingerbread House - Allrecipes http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Halloween-Gingerbread-House/Detail.aspx

Terror-ific Halloween Costume Ideas

2008-10-19T03:51:00.000-07:00

Terror-iffic Costumes!

Spook some delight into your Halloween celebration with delightful Halloween costumes. You and your children can be a boo-tiful" Queen or a "gourd-eous" King. You can be a spook-tacular ghost or goblin. Whatever you choose, use your imagination to spread the magic as you make the perfect costume for your Halloween fun.

Here are some ideas from some local people to help you "scare-up" the tricks and treats you need for your costume ideas:

Andrea P - Use blue scrubs and pin cotton balls to the scrubs. Put a spray bottle in the pocket. When people ask you who you are you say, "I am a weather forecast," then spray them with the water bottle. When they are confused, then you say, "I am partly cloudy with a chance of rain!" Ronda R – Bag Lady. Wear either flannel nightgown or sweats, and add lots of different plastic and paper bags hanging all over. Add a bag to your head with your hair all crazy.

The Hill Billy - wear old clothes that don't match, suspenders, googie hair and buckteeth.

The Pink Panther - wear pink-footed PJ's, white gloves; attach tail, paint face (if you don't have a pink panther face.)

Gayle D – Hunchback of Notre Dame. Use a trench coat and lots of padding up on the back for the hump. Paint your face hideous.

Krista B – Lady Bug. Use black sweats and black shoes. Add a ladybug cape and a "bug" black headband. To make the cape use about 3 yards of red netting, 1/2 to 1 yard of black fabric, and red ribbon for tie around the neck of the cape. Cut the red netting into rectangle layers (3-6 layers) to cover the back of the wearer. Layer in approximately the same size but a> little difference will not hurt the look. Stitch together at the top by hand and pull into a gather at the neck. Hand or machine sew or glue red ribbon over the gathers at the neck to tie. Cut 8-10 large round (6-8 inch) circles out of black and glue to the cape for ladybug spots. The cape looks> like a red half a "poof skirt" with large black dots when finished. To make the headband use 2 black pipe cleaners and 2 small black pompoms. Wrap pipe cleaners around headband and twist into a spiral out. Attach pompoms with glue. You can also part hair down the middle and twist into two buns. Wind the twisted pipe cleaner into the hair buns with pompoms. You can also add fake black eyelashes and small black dots on the nose and upper cheeks

Hillary W – Warm costumes. We try to make costumes that can be worn over winter clothes. All you really need is a great hat, some fun face paint, and maybe a cape or shawl that can go over a coat. Another great item to> use is boxes.

One family dressed as a box of crayons – each one of them a different color. They just had a pointed felt hat and a fabric tube for their whole body with holes for their arms and a black oval with the word Crayola written vertical on the front.

Laura P - Clown: You will need plastic colored pot scrubbers, jog pants or one piece pajama's and child's beanie, hot glue gun or needle and thread, twist ties, string or elastic. Attach two pot scrubbers and a colored ball to the top of a cotton cap. Thread plastic pot scrubbers loosely with elastic as the clowns collar. Hot glue or stitch three plastic pot scrubbers to the front of sweats. Cinch pot scrubbers in half with twist ties and stitch or glue to shoes.

Dragon: You will need: green (or any color) sponges, hot glue gun or needle and thread, sweats and child's beanie. Cut green sponges into triangles and stitch or hot glue down the back of a child's hat and sweats. Extend past the bottom, so that they have a tail.

Staying Frightfully Warm!

Staying warm can be a challenge. Here are a few costume ideas using sweats and boxes.

Puppy - Use brown, tan, gray or black sweats. Paint or pin paper spots on. Make floppy ears from furry fabric and bobby pin to hair over your ears. Use furry fabric for tail and add make up.

Cat – Same sweats as above. Make ear form from pipe cleaner. Hot glue cardstock into middle to make the ear solid. Attach to headband. Add tail made from black nylons or other black sock that has been stuffed. Add make up.

Spider - Use black jogging suit. Stuff black nylons for legs. Pin or sew> them to jogging suit. Add make up.

Pumpkin – Use orange sweats. Cut holes for legs and arms in an orange pillowcase, stuff with newspapers. Pin the top shut. Paint the face green> and add a green beanie.

Butterfly – Use black sweats and black shoes. Make wings from poster paper. Or a hanger that has tulle or net glued to it. Punch two holes toward the edges of the wings and put black ribbon through them and tie around waist. Attach pipe cleaners and pompoms to a plastic headband. Bunny - Use pink, brown, or white sweats. Add a large pom-pom to the backside, and a set of ears make from construction paper and a plastic> headband

Rag Doll – Use a sleeper and sew or pin patches in various place. Use a> stocking cap and add patches. Add red cheeks and freckles.

Turtle - Use green sweats. Attach a piece of poster board cut into an oval to the back. Make random marks like a turtle shell, and paint.

One year our family dressed up as Indians using gunnysacks. They went over the coats easily. I also liked to use pajamas or jog suits as the main part of the costume. They work great for warmth and you can use them again.

Using Balloons:

A bunch of grapes: Attach purple balloons over a purple sweats. Paint face purple.

A bubble bath: Attach pink balloons over a pink sweats, paint face pink.

A bag of jellybeans: Use any color sweats. Get a large clear plastic bag that is used to put recycled cans in. Cut two leg holes in the bottom and two in the arms. Fill the bag with multi colored blown up balloons. Add a jellybean sign to the front and back.

Using Boxes -

Use a box big enough to cover part of the body. Cut holes for head and arms. Paint it or cover it in red and white-stripped material or paper. Then glue some popped corn to the top, string some and let it hand down and go as a box of popcorn.

Paint a box silver and you have a robot or a space ship.

A racecar can be made from a box painted red with some paper plate wheels painted black.

A box painted white with a handle and the> costume is a fridge. If you paint a box a bright color with a crank on the side you become a Jack in the Box.

Another idea is to wrap a box with Christmas paper, add a bow and a tag and you can be a Christmas Present. The tag can say how many days until Christmas!

Or wrap in birthday paper for a birthday present. Cut holes for arms and legs. Cover a box with> tablecloth, glue a paper plate or plastic platter in the middle painted silver, with a hole cut for the head. Add some place settings of paper dishes; you become a head on a silver platter. You can also use 2 cardboard cutouts of any item you want – one for the> back and one for the front – with 2 strips of ribbon for shoulder straps and> probably a couple more straps to go around the sides. That also goes over coats easily. Make Up -Make your own make up by using equal parts lotion and tempera> paints. You can also use 2 tbls. soft shortening and 4 tbls. cornstarch. Mix well, separate into paper plates and add food coloring. For both recipes wash face and dry well. Add moisturizer or cold cream to the entire> face. Apply make-up with fingers tips

Websites There is a plethora of websites to help you find bewitching costume ideas.

A couple of my favorites are: http://www.1halloween.net/html/costumes.html http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/halloween_ms_costumes/ Magic of Halloween

"What is so magical about dressing up on Halloween? When we choose a Halloween costume, we get to use our imagination and be anyone or anything we want to be! It is offering us the opportunity to express a creative part> of our inner selves that normally may not get much attention. So whether you> choose to be a pirate, a wench or a unicorn, choose something that makes you happy, and lets your inner self come out to play." http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5713.asp

Our Witches Kitchen

2008-10-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

Halloween! What a fun time of year for all of us. It is the time we can all be whoever we dream to be, even if that is ourselves!

This year I added a Witches Kitchen. My boy helped me glitter spiders and fix lables and arrange everything. My big boy helped me think of the things to fill the jar with. They both loved getting the stuff to put in them and then eat it! The full instructions for this are on my holiday blog at http://bucketideasforholidays.blogspot.com/.

Funstuff To Do For Fall

2008-09-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt from my book "Bucket Ideas for Grandparents " See my website at
www.bucketsofideas.com

Wonderful Months of Fall!
In the fall our ancestors were preparing for the long winter months ahead during harvest time. They were preserving food, making quilts, patching roofs and houses, gathering herbs for medicine and making sure all was in order for the winter.

Most of us don't have to make those same preparations. We have more time to spend some enjoyable time with our families. Here are some ideas for harvest activities you can do with your children or grandchildren:
Harvest Dinner – Make a harvest dinner with the produce from your garden. Let your children and grandchildren help you pick the food and prepare it. It would be a fun night to have a family party and eat your dinner by a fire and enjoy a beautiful fall evening.
Quilts – Tie some quilts for each grandchild. They could all be the same so everyone has a matching blanket or do it in favorite colors. You could also do it for a service to give to someone in need.

Wonder-Fall Fun:
Fall Drive - Fo for a drive to your favorite nature spot. Everyone will love being out in the changing leaves. All you need for your afternoon adventure are some jackets, snacks, water and bags to store treasures found. A picnic always makes it more to enjoy the tastes of fall. Hot chocolate or cider and some chili or stew in a thermos make a great fall picnic meal. Be sure and take your camera!
When you get home you can turn those gathered fun fall treasures into lasting colorful memories.
Preserve a leaf – Mix 2 parts water and 1 part glycerin in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour solution into a heatproof container and submerge a few leaves, using a wooden spoon. Keep container in a dark place until the leaves tints change a bit. Remove and blot dry. They will stay bright and not go crumbly.
Leaf Notebook - If you don't know use the internet or a guidebook to help you identify the leaves you have gathered. You can put them in a notebook to start a leaf collection. Be sure to add whom you were with, where you were at and a picture of two of you collecting leaves.
Leaf Rubbing – Place a leaf under plain paper. Gently use crayons and rub over the leaf. You can use different sizes, shapes and grouping of leaves to create different pictures. Add to your notebook if desired.
Fall Placemat – You will need 2 pieces of clear contact paper 18 inches long each. Arrange what you want to put into your mat. A picture(s) of the day would be fun with leaves all around it. Take the backing off the fist piece and transfer your design to it. Then take the backing off the second piece and cover to seal. Trim the edges with straight or fancy scissors.
Sun catcher. Iron leaves between 2 pieces of wax paper on a low setting. Trim around the leaves about 1 inch. Make several leaves, punch a hole in the end and tie a string. Join several to make a mobile or hang them one at a time. Front Porch – Let your grandchildren decorate your front porch to welcome fall.

Make a scarecrow. Stuff an old shirt until it is firm. Add overalls or jeans and tie with a twine belt and stuff until firm. Complete it with a pumpkin with a face painted on it and an old hat. Set him up on a bench or chair. Add some orange colored lights and you have a welcoming fall porch for all of your family and visitors.

Witches Kitchen for Halloween

2008-09-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

The witches kitchen is being constructed! Please see my blog about holidays for the full instructions. Look in the Archive List under September 2008 and you will see the heading for it. http://bucketideasforholidays.blogspot.com/