Button Wreath

**A circle has no beginning and no end.**
The wreath is a symbol of the never ending eternal nature of love.
It is a never ending ring, a reminder of eternal love from our Lord and Savior. 
The reason for the Season.
 
 Bekah and Sariah in a never ending circle (so it seems)

THE BUTTON WREATH

 Take out the box of old buttons and let the kids have fun making a button wreath.

You will need a chenille stick and maybe some beads.

All you need to do is thread the chenille stick through the holes of the buttons and beads. Make it as big as you would like. You can put all buttons in different sizes and colors, or thread buttons and beads for a different look. There is no right or wrong way to make these

. These are super easy and fun to make. 

ASL word of the day...Cookie

 Cookie n. A small, flat cake: chocolate chip cookies.
Same sign for biscuit

• (mime using a cookie cutter) Touch the fingertips of the right C hand, palm facing down, on the upturned palm of the left open hand. Then twist the right hand and touch the left palm again
  

Holiday Cookie Exchange

You're invited to a Cookie Exchange!

The cookie exchange is a fun way for everyone to get together, socialize and share their favorite cookies.

Every person brings 1 dozen cookies for each guest atttending on a tray or platter.
If you had  5 friends and family like Renee', Katie, Malia, Heather and Leilani...

You would bring 5 dozen cookies.

Rules:

1. All cookies must be homemade
2. Bring extras for tasting
3. RSVP with the cookies you are baking to prevent duplicates
4. Arrange cookies for festive appeal on a platter or individually package them
5. Wear your holiday attire!
6. Bring copies of your recipe for each guest
7. In case of an emergency  you may bring decorated store-bought cookies
8. If you cannot attend but want to participate, please deliver you cookies the day of the party
9. Prizes can be given for the best packaged cookie display

Have your camara ready to take lots of pictures!!

Bear tales- Shine Star

Shine, Star

nancy byrd turner    
Shine, Star!
Shine on a stable of long ago,
Shine on a field in a land afar
That sheep and shepherds used to know,
Shine through the crystal, twilight air
While carols echo across the hill
And candles burn in each happy house
On table, mantel, and cedar boughs,
And every window sill

Pour your beauty on town and plain
On tower and spire, on open pine,
Drop your silver on street and lane,
On roof and gable and windowpane.
Shed your joy in this heart of mine
And other hearts wherever they are.
Shine, Christmas star!

Star Bearer: Prophets of the Old Testament predicted that God would send a star to shine and light the way to our salvation. The light of the star opened the eyes and hearts of lowly shepherds, villagers, and kings and continues to shine upon us today.  (from the Mama Says nativity collection)

Drop sugar cookies

RJ dropped the cookie mix... But they still tasted good!!

Christmas is... Cookies

Drop Sugar Cookies

Stir together

• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 2/3 cups salad oil

Add

• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2-3 tsp. grated lemon rind

Blend in 

• 3/4 cup sugar

Add

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt

Drop by teaspoonful 2 inches apart on a ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with the  bottom of a glass that has been dipped in sugar. (color the sugar for more fun!!)

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until a light brown around edges.

YUMMM a family favorite!

Five Little Christmas Cookies

Cut five cookies shapes from felt (and then put them on a flannel board) or cut them from card stock and use them as cards. Cut one each of white, green, yellow, brown, and red. Pick Christmas shapes for this time of the year. Other times cut different cookie shape and drop the Christmas word from the story so it just reads; five little cookies.  As you and the kids recite the poem below. let the children take turns removing the colored cookies.

Jayde is ready  to play!!

Five little Christmas cookies

With frosting galore,

Mother ate the white one

And then there were four

Four little Christmas cookies

Two and two, you see

Father ate the green one.,

And then there were three

Three little Christmas cookies, 

But before I knew.

Sister ate the yellow one,

And then there were two

Two little cookies,

Oh, what fun.

Brother ate the brown one,

And then there was one

One little Christmas cookie,

Watch me run.

I ate the red one,

And then there were none. 

adapted traditional

Turn of seasons

Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace,

the celebration of work and the simple life

a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry  of the turn of seasons

the beauty of seedtime and harvest,

the ripe product of the year- and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.

Ray Stannard Barker