Bear tales...My Gift

My Gift
Christina Rossetti

What can I give him,
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would give Him a lamb.
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part.
But what can I give him?
I will give him my heart.

Joke of the week

Q: What does Tarzan sing at Christmas?

A: Jungle Bells!

Christmas Photos

Pictures bring back the greatest memories.

Here are some ideas to help you remember to take photos of those everyday joys of the holidays. 

Dad string the lights, Kids rolling out the cookie dough, Mom wrapping gifts, the family sitting by the fire, playing family games, decorating the tree. 

Keep your camera ready during the holidays to snap pictures of everyone

Family photos in front of the Christmas Tree every year,can record how everyone has grown. Far away family members love to see the updated pictures of your family. 

Include the pets,dress in festive sweaters, or holiday pajamas.....just have fun!

ASL word of the day....Santa Claus

Santa Claus n. The chubby, white bearded man in a red suit.

• (hand follows the shape of Santa Claus's beard) Beginning with the index finger side of the right curved hand held on the chin, palm facing down. bring the hand forward and downward in an arc, ending with the little finger side against the chest, palm facing up

adorn the tree

Take time to adorn your tree with happy memories. 
Each year, pass around plain or glass ornaments and have everyone decorate the outside with paint, glitter, stickers, buttons, paper or any other embellishment you can think of.
Date and sign your creation and you have a handcrafted gem the will bring memories for generations to come.

Bear Tales...Ever very near

Ever Very Near
author unknown

Father, we thank thee for the night
Keep us safe till morning light
As the shepherd in his fold
Keeps his sheep from harm and cold
Bless all friends to us so dear
Father, Mother, and all here'
And may they little children be
Ever very near to Thee.

Joke of the week

Q: What did the gingerbread man put on his bed?

A: a cookie sheet

Home for Christmas Cider

2 Qts. Apple Juice or Cider
1 Qt Cranberry Juice
2 c. Orange Juice
1 t. whole cloves
1 t. whole allspice
1/4 c sugar
Orange slices, 1/2 inch thick
Cinnamon sticks broken

combine all ingredients in a large pan or slow cooker on low heat.
simmer till blended. Garnish with clove studded orange slices

Not only does it taste great it makes the house smell great!

Christmas

Hearts come home for Christmas

Bear Tales...About Christmas

About Christmas
adelaide love

There's so much to love about Christmas!
The story that Mother tells
Of the Star and the Babe in the manger,
The songs and the Christmas bells;

The toys and the wreaths and the candles
The snow and the company,
And oh, when you wake up on Chrismas
The smell of the Christmas tree!

Joke of the week

Q: How can you get four suits for a dollar?

A: Buy a deck of cards!

Sugar Cookies

Time to Bake!!

Sugar Cookies:
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 cup butter(soften to room temp)

preheat oven 375 degrees  bake 8-10 minutes

In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Cut in butter as for pie crust. Beat eggs; add sugar and beat well. Blend egg mixture into flour mixture. Roll out on floured surface to 1/4 inch thick . Cut with cookie cutters. Lift with spatula and place on un-greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake. Remove at once to cooling racks.
Yield approximately 6 doz depending on cookie size

Treasure

When someone you love becomes a memory

the memory then becomes a treasure

Treasure each moment with the ones you love!

Trim a Tree

There's just something magical 
about a Christmas Tree.

Let the kids set up a small Christmas tree in each of their rooms. Let them each pick how they would like to decorate their own trees such as; homemade ornaments, a princess theme, car theme or whatever they love. Then before bedtime, read a story to them by the cozy light of their tree. What a fun night light for the season!!

asl word of the day...turkey

Turkey n. A large pheasant like North American Bird.

• (represents the action of a turkey's wattle ) With the thumb side of the G hand under the chin, palm and fingers pointing down, wiggle the fingers from side to side with a repeated movement.

Bear Tales...Sammy the Snowman

Sammy Snowman
Ruth Dixon

Funny Sammy Snowman,
     Big and cold and fat,
Here's a pope and here's a cane
     And here's a queer old hat.

Here's a big umbrella
    And some mittens, too
And to keep you nice and warm
    Here's a coat for you.

Boys and girls all like you,
     Birds see you and sing;
Funny Sammy Snowman,
    I hope you last till Spring!