Nov. 29, 2007 - Bountiful Harvest

We used to have tons of deer peacefully grazing in our backyard each fall.   But then some doggies moved in next door, and our deer stay hidden most of the time now.

Sometimes they will venture out, very late at night or early in the morning, to see what our yard has to offer.  But the times they visit are now few and far between.  If they only knew what they were missing this year; nuts and acorns as far as the eye can see!

Here, Bambi.....   :)

Nov. 14, 2007 - A Thanksgiving Journal - Memories of a Family's Blessings

Traditions are really important to me!  I am always looking for new, meaningful traditions to add to our family's holiday memories.  I want my son to grow up and be able to look back to his childhood with fondness at specific traditions that bonded him to us, made him feel loved, and made him feel he was an important and very special part of our family. 

Yesterday, I was reading online and ran across an idea that I thought was so tender and heartwarming - a Thanksgiving journal.

Here's how it works:   You buy a journal.  Try to look for one that has a good, strong binding.  You can even decorate it with some kind of Thanksgiving-y or fall seasonal fabric.  Then, when the Thanksgiving holidays get here, and you have guests in your home, have them each make an entry in the journal.  Ask them to write a blessing from that year that they are thankful to God for, and have them sign and date it.   Do the same thing with your own family - have each member record a special blessing that they are thankful to God for, sign it, then date it.   

Each Thanksgiving thereafter, take the journal out.  Sit down as a family (and with your guests) and read the previous years' entries.   You will be able to see a progression in what your children write.  When they are small, their entries might be seemingly simple, yet profound.  Over the years, their blessings will be deeper and more mature.  As a family, you will be able to reminisce on past blessings that you may have forgotten.  You will no doubt share lots of laughter, joy and maybe even a few tears. When you are finished looking over the years that have passed, don't forget to have everyone enter their blessings for the current year as well.

To me, these are the kind of traditions that knit families' hearts together.  They are truly memorable and so sweet.  What a record to have of your family!  What a gift to be able to look at your childrens' handwriting, seeing the world through their eyes, long after they have grown and matured.    You can even pass the book on to your own children, and let your grandchildren read it and begin their own account of God's blessings on their lives.  What a great legacy this would be for the next generation in your family.

We plan to start this wonderful holiday tradition this year. I am really excited about it, even though my son is 13.  It's never too late to start weaving the fabric of loving traditions into the lives of your children.

Does your family have any special Thanksgiving traditions you'd like to share?

Nov. 10, 2007 - Donate Rice and Have Fun at the Same Time

I stumbled upon this website today...

Play their vocabulary quiz and the people at Free Rice will donate 10 grains of rice for each question you answer correctly.

The rice is paid for by advertisers that put their ads on the Free Rice website.  Each time you play, an ad appears on the page.  Each time the ad appears, money is generated, and Free Rice uses it to buy rice and give it to hungry people.  What a cool idea.

Put your thinking cap on and  play away! :)

Nov. 9, 2007 - Simple Pleasures

We didn't sketch much this week during our green hours.  But we did get outside! 

We ventured into the backyard some every day.  We ate our lunch there, had our devotions there, and watched birds and our kitty there.

I thought I would share where we spend our time when we are just outdoors relaxing:

We wanted to bring the outdoors in, so we gathered leaves for a tabletop bouqet.  We situated it amongst our little pumpkins and squash plants on the kitchen table. 

I took a picture of it early this morning, because the early morning light shining through the window made it look so beautiful.   I am still working on my photography skills...hopefully they'll get better. :)

Have a great weekend!