Thứ Tư, 27 tháng 11, 2013

Not All the Deals Are in the Malls!

Have you ever wondered who came up with the idea "Black Friday"?  It is amazing to me, how the retail world has convinced consumers that this ONE day will somehow magically transform their lives, if they'll only get out of bed in the middle of the night to rush to the malls and buy 'stuff' they just have to have.  Sure there are some amazing deals, but then I wonder......what was the real cost, and if it's on sale for this, but the store said before it really cost that, then what did it really cost them, and what is it really costing me? (Sorry my mind just kind of works like that)

Never the less, I thought it was worth posting some of the deals I've seen, and although I don't "do" Black Friday, I know there are lots of you who love this shopping day.....have you noticed though, that Black Friday is now becoming the "black week"....and of course there's "Cyber Monday"......I figure at this rate that in the next few years, every day will be "discount of the year" day......That got me to thinking.....what else is out there that won't make you leave the warmth of your bed in the middle of the night?  Thinking "outside the box" these are a few suggestions....


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Dress those little munchkins Picture Perfect for the holidays!


 If you're a traveler, and have an Allegiant Airline near you, they really have some awesome airfare deals.  the key here is, are they where you are, and do they go where you want to go!




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Etsy is a great place to find unique, quality items.  You can find just about anything that pops in you mind.  I've listed a few vendors I've personally purchased from and thought you might find interesting.  What I particularly admire, is their creative genius, attention to detail and quality, and amazing customer service......not to mention their prices are great too!
  • Petalbelles - I fell in love with this shop.  Little tiny fairies ornaments, that I can't for the life of me figure out how she does.  Just go look!  

  • Go Hey Judy - If you're looking for a truly unique, one of a kind rag doll, then you have to check this out!

  • Bug Under Glass - This is amazing....real mounted butterflies  on real vintage maps of the area they are indigenous to. 

Thinking of buying a new car?  I personally don't know anyone who's ever won a free car, but have to admit, the fantasy is a nice one!  I also like to support American owned and run companies like Ford.  Here's a contest for a free car, and at least you can take a look at what they have in their line up. 

This is just a very small sampling of what's out there!  Shop small business this year and you may be amazed at the quality, savings, and so much less stress!

Thứ Hai, 25 tháng 11, 2013

Seasons Change......and So Do We

When I was growing up, Thanksgiving revolved about the family being home together.  We didn't go out to eat........we didn't wake up at 3AM to be the 5,346th person in line at the mall......we just stayed home.  We ate too much of the things we knew we wouldn't get the rest of the year, and we just enjoyed the fact that no one had to be anywhere for any reason.  If we were kids, we played outside as long as we could, no matter the weather, until we were called in to eat.  

To me, that's Thanksgiving.

That being said, my Thanksgivings as an adult have changed over the years.  They've gone from --    
  • feeling guilty because I lived too far away to get home to see my Mom  to....
  • My nuclear family of four, that kind of "fell apart" after my divorce, to myself and my daughters trying to create our own new "normal" Thanksgiving traditions.  
They've grown to include --
  • People I met for the first time, because they couldn't get home to their own families, and my daughters brought them home.  My house has been so full of people I'm not sure I even got introduced to them all while they were here because I was so busy cooking;
  • Grandchildren experiencing a Thanksgiving meal for the first time in their precious lives;
  • To being a guest at some elses house for the day.

And, so......the holidays, like the rest of our lives continue to change.  That is what life is .....some good, some bad, some you can't remember, but always moving in one direction or another.   I think it's important to make your own traditions, but it's also important to recognize life doesn't stay the same for anyone for very long.  I love the phrase "everything has it's season".  Rather than looking at what has changed, and missing what was......

            
Seize it as an opportunity to begin anew, and create new traditions. 

Invite someone over who may not have a family......

Find an opportunity to give back to your community......

    
  Make a list of people you haven't talked to and call them on Thanksgiving......

Donate an entire Thanksgiving meal to a family who can't afford to buy their own......

Just know, that in the universe, your life matters.  Whether it's filled with a house full of people, or it's just you.......you  have a great purpose for being here.  Never doubt that, and focus on what you've been blessed with, not what
you wish you had.  

 
And if you're really brave......get up at 3AM and stand in the cold dark night air with the other gazillions of Black Friday shoppers, just to buy that special something you know you just can't live without! 


(I'll be home asleep!)


Thứ Tư, 13 tháng 11, 2013

Thanksgiving Crafts for the Kids

One of things I remember most about my childhood, was the really neat stuff we used to make in elementary school around any holiday.  Thanksgiving was always fun, because I remember my teacher telling us the story of the first Thanksgiving, and then giving us projects to make and take
home.  Back then (now the Dark Ages) we had those jars of paste.......have to admit, I tasted it more than once, and one of my biggest thrills in life was getting a new box of crayons. 

Today, kids have so many choices when it comes to crafts.  I am astounded when I'm in an arts and crafts store and cruise the isles......you could spend a small fortune just impulse buying supplies.  That's why I decided to write this post.  It doesn't have to be expensive........just fun.  The materials can be basic, and for some you can take a walk through your neighborhood to find.

What's most important is giving your child a variety of materials to work with, talking through some ideas with them, and then helping when they need it......the best part of this, is the time you've spent with them........that's what they'll remember!

Materials You Might Need (keep in mind you may use some or all depending on what project(s) you'll be working on):
Glue / Paste
Crayons
Construction Paper
Leaves from your yard
Gumdrops
Tempera Paint (it's water based so washes off easily)
Felt Tip Pin (maybe)
Paper Plates
Pine Cones (put these in a paper bag and microwave for 30-45 seconds to kill any bugs that might be hiding in them!)
Nuts in their shells
Tissue Paper
Glitter (oh this makes it fun!)
Scissors (be sure to choose what's appropriate for your child)
Stapler (maybe)
Fabric scraps
Feathers
Dried Beans or Pasta
Toilet Paper & Paper Towels Tubes 
Toothpicks
 
Construction paper turkey  
Depending on their age, they may be able to do this on their own.  It helps it you make one first, so they have a pattern to follow.  You could substitute the construction paper tail feathers with leaves from your yard, or even feathers if you have some on hand too!



Footprint Turkey
I loved this turkey!  All you need is a piece of construction paper bigger than your child's foot, tempera paint, and fabric scraps (although let your imagination run wild for the tail "feathers").  What an adorable little keepsake.  And wouldn't it be fun if everyone in the family did this!

 Hand print Turkey
Another adorable keepsake creation using your child's hand as the turkey.  They get to draw the legs, eye, beaks, and that flappy thing on top of the turkey's head, and then have them sign it.  Let them choose the color of the tempera paint!  This would make a great welcome sign if you're having guests over, or even a wonderful personalized gift for family members who may not be able to be with you.  Regardless, these are those priceless treasures you'll pull out 20-years from now and remember the time you spent making this with them......and trust me.......it will be one of their treasures when they're grown up too!

Toilet Paper Tube Family
This would make an adorable project and you could include all the members of your family! You cover the toilet paper tubes with construction paper, draw on the features of the face, and as you can see, cut out a few extra details to make your Thanksgiving family complete!  Your kids will love telling everyone who's who in the group!


Here's a variation of the Thanksgiving family idea.  Using construction paper cutouts, create the members of your family and glue them to construction paper.  Label each person's name, and this will no doubt bring lots of laughter as you admire the artwork.




Edible crafts!  Oh yum!  You know the kids of all ages will love making any of
these!  So pick your "poison" or "passion" and create away with wild abandon!  obviously some of these are a little more healthful than others, but the point is, stimulate your child's creativity, let them prove to themselves they can be creative, and then enjoy the results!

 



Who doesn't love gumdrops!  You'll need large and small ones, some toothpicks, and the creative spirit!




                                                                   

 





Apples, Grapes, Popcorn &  Pretzels!  
(Hint--the grapes and popcorn are secured with toothpicks.)



 
 The Turkey Cookies are always a hit, and actually pretty easy to make.  Everything is "glued" together with gel icing!  You'll need Oreo Cookies, Candy Corn, Whoppers, Miniature Reece's Cups & Gel Icing.




Hand Wreath
What I love about this is the personal touch.  If it were me making this, I'd be tracing everybody's hands, and cutting them out to make this wreath.  I mean, after all, Thanksgiving is all about celebrating with your family, so why not!  Besides, having different sizes of hands would make it really interesting.  And, as I was looking at this, I thought, it's great for a door, but also how about putting a candle in the center on your table!  Wouldn't that be awesome.  Throw in a little glitter....this would make a great centerpiece!


Here's an precious idea......create a little memory book.  The one thing I realized after my children were grown, is I had forgotten their tiny little voices, a lot of the cute things they said, and what they thought about things.  That is until I started converting my old movie tapes to DVD's, and going through their creations they made when they were little.  This is a great way to create a remembrance of this year, to be treasured and "oooed & awed" over when their all grown up.  To make the book, fold one sheet of construction paper in half, punch holes on the folded side, then cut pages to fit and punch those with holes.  Secure the pages with ribbon or twine, and let your children decorate the front in whatever way they want, and then fill the pages with things they are grateful for, or funny stories they like to talk about.  Whatever they decide to fill their book with, it will surely be a treasure!

                                                                                                       
Pine Cone Turkeys
If you live in an area with pine trees, then this is the time of year to gather them up.  And, you know they come in every size imaginable.  Just be sure to either bake them in your oven, or put them in a microwave to make sure you didn't bring any uninvited guests in with them!  You can see here  you can use your child's hand cut out of construction paper for the tail feathers, or simple strips of paper, and again.....let your imagination run wild.  There's no right or wrong way to create your turkey!  These would be cute scattered around the dining table, and would certainly start some interesting conversations!


Headbands
Do you honestly know any child that doesn't love to put on a headpiece?  This is a cute example of a headband with a turkey "motif", although the traditional headband is usually the Indian design with one feather.  It's so easy to do too!  Just measure around your child's head and cut your paper a couple inches longer.  I'd advise using a staple to secure the two ends.  Before you staple it though, make sure your child is finished decorating it however they want it to look.
Just have fun......
remember.......
it's the time you spend with 
your children that matters most!