Thanksgiving Blessings

Tornado Tuesdays  are very busy but very fun.  I always try to have the kids make projects for the upcoming holidays when we are in a Holiday month.

I had some leftover Thanksgiving decor from last year and pulled those out.

 I went out and cut branches for each child.  Then they divided up the goodies and wrote things they were thankful for.

 The kids are all friends or relatives of each other.  We have meshed into this big family with love and support...and yes....some minor spats carried over from the playground or the neighborhood.  The latter are quickly squashed.  The kids helped make their own rules.  No gossiping, no tattling, and they have to remember their manners.  If not Oma steps in and gently reminds them.

 I am thankful for their presence in my life. They all bring their own smiles and hugs and so much joy......and yes......even frustration at times.  I have learned each child's strengths and weaknesses and how to teach them each in the way they are able to learn.  I love hearing about their day and their dreams and what makes them happy and even unhappy.  When someone is sad, others rally around in support and empathy.  When someone shares something exciting that is celebrated as well.

      It is sweet to see that we all have the same blessings in family and friends, food and shelter, and
making special memories to look back on years to come.

 Two days before Thanksgiving, we had our annual  pie baking afternoon.  I opted for premade crust, due to the time constraints and there is only one of me!!  Ten pies were made in all and this helper was too busy to take a lot of pictures.

 fluting the edges  is fun.............

Taking turns with my small mixer worked well.

Peeling apples is a chore....I helped peel and cut apples for 6 pies.  Five others made pumpkin cream pies.......yum.
i have been reflecting on just how many blessings I have in my life and am forever grateful.
Hope your blessings are very abundant.

Birdcage Lamp

Since I am not in school, I have made it a priority to work on stalled projects as well as new ones.

I bought this great wire birdcage a few years back, with every intention, of making it into a hanging lamp.  You know that story and how it goes.  But I did finish it.

I had to use what supplies on hand and that was not a problem at all.  I took strands of pearl beads and tied them on with thread.

Then I got in my stash of red plastic hearts ( found at a garage sale for cheap). I cut out words from magazines and decoupaged those on front and hanged them with colored ribbon.  I also added a row of bead trim.

I used lace and red bead garlands for the  middle brackets.  I then went through my stash of crystals and beads to make the hanging bead garlands.  I have to admit I did buy the red heart beads. This was initally intended for hanging over the bathtub, but it turned out it was an accident waiting to happen.  It was way too long!! 

Insert a light and hanging chain and VOILA  it graces a corner in our family room.  John and I love it and that is all that matters. Two of our granddaughters loved putting their dolls or animals in this birdhouse and carrying them around and were a little sad about its new use.

When Lauryn saw it she said,  "I want one JUST LIKE YOURS for my room."  She will be here next weekend so we will make one together.  I have a green birdcage that isn't as elaborate, but it will work fine.

Hope your days are full of finishing new and old projects.

We Have SNOW

On Tuesday of this past week, our weather was drizzly in the early morning and then turned into a balmy 62 degree  by early afternoon.

This rose bush, among others, has been loving this unusally mild weather.

I bought it at a local nursery and it's called 'California Dreaming.'

Granddaughter Lauryn picked this one out for the rose garden we just started.

Even the dandelions have been in full bloom in the yard!!!

Here the roses are more wilty....and this is our bird hotel.

It has sat under a big fir tree for the last two summers.  This year our friend Aaron

constructed the pole platform with John's help.  Another friend helped as well.  I can't wait until spring to see if the birds like it as much as we do!!!

 

It started snowing lightly on Thursday night and a little Friday.  So we only have about an inch in our area.  Other areas have a little more.  I am sad to see the flowers gone now.  It was an extra treat to have them blooming as long as they did.  As much as I like the warmer weather, I love the different seasons.  Snow always brings  on the Christmas sentiment.  So  off to do some projects.

Hope your seasons are changing as well.