Festival of Trees Event

Just want to show you pictures of the Festival of Trees today.  This is an annual event held in a large convention center.  Hundreds of trees are decorated by individuals, families, and some organizations.  They, along with many wreaths and gingerbread houses are auctioned off with the proceeds going to a local hospital, Primary Children's Hospital.  The event is open for public viewing before any of the items are removed.  Our little service group went together to see the trees and especially to view the wreaths that we made together for this wonderful event.  Kathy,one of our members, went to the Tuesday evening auction of all the trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses that make up this event and ushered us around to several trees and to each of our wreaths. As we looked at each one she told us stories behind the bidding of them and then revealed to us how much each wreath sold for.  We made 9 or 10 wreaths and the combined amount that we were able to contribute  to the Primary Children's Hospital through donating these wreaths was $8558.00!  (This did not include Kathy's 30 wreaths that she made by herself, 2 trees or her 2 quilts!). We were all so pleased and surprised that our 4-5 hour efforts one day in September would go so far.  Every item is donated and every penny made from the sales goes directly to the hospital which is a marvelous thing.  Here are pictures of some of the trees.  You can see the wreaths we made by clicking here from a previous post.

I was intrigued with the tree toppers that kind of looked like Christmas fireworks like these

Every imaginable item was used for themes of the trees

 Like this Penguin tree

 

These were vintage post cards.  There were lots of nature, and birds too.

Many of them had surrounding items connected to their theme which were part of the auctioned tree also. Many were made in memory of a loved one who had past away.  Very sweet but bitterly sad too.

More tree topper obsession.

Rival school themes

This year they added quilts to the show and this one of felt was spectacular!

This event took about 3 hours to view and I took many more pictures but I am sure you get the idea with the ones I have show today.  In all, a very worth-while and community supported event!  This really gets one in the Christmas spirit.  What gets you in the mood to decorate for Christmas?

Chinese Birthday Party

Because I not only couldn't find the right coat Sunday, I also left my camera at my daughter's so I couldn't post any pictures yesterday.  So, I am showing pictures of Ella's Chinese 5th Birthday party today. For those of you with December birthday you know that they sometimes take a backseat to all the other festivities this month.  For this reason I want to give equal time to all December birthdays today by posting these pictures of Ella's birthday.  (I don't know why she is obsessed with the whole Chinese theme but she is.)  When asked what she wanted for her party food she said Belgian waffles so that is what we had--Chinese Belgian Waffles (probably a first!)

The birthday girl

 We began with stacks of these.

And added lots of toppings

 Ella's version of Chinese Waffles

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 There was lots of singing and dancing.

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There were many smiles and laughter.

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I gave Ella a pink and purple tutu which she put on immediately right over her party dress

 

 Following all the present-opening the big reveal of her new Chinese Bedroom was shown.  You can see it here. @ Tatertots and Jello.

For those of you that share December with Christmas and other holidays and yet squeeze your birthday in it too I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday!

 Thanks for coming by today and tomorrow I will share pictures of the Festival of Trees, a wonderful fundraiser for the Children's Hospital here.

Friend Makin' Monday

I am linking up with Amber @aefilkins for her Friend Making Monday today.  Her challenge is to share an embarrassing moment.  Since I just had one last night this topic rang close to home for me.  So here goes.  I was at my granddaughter's family birthday party and afterwards went to leave so I found my black coat on the stairs by the front door. When I put it on I realized, even though it looked like mine, it was too big.  So, I took it off and went looking for mine.  Assuming the coat was my son-in-law's, I said to him, "I just put on my coat and decided that I had lost a lot of weight!".  He looked at me for a moment then said, "Oh, you got the wrong coat?"  Just then his mother said, "Oh, did you  put on mine?  It was on the stairs".  What could I say?  I was so embarrassed.  I said nothing and walked out the door. (with my foot in my mouth!)

Have a great day and think before you speak!!

If you want to know that other people are just like you and make mistakes and are embarrassed too, click here to read more.

Christmas Comes in a Book

I am sure you have been doing the same things that I have the last week--helping all the pumpkin decorations and their friends pass the Christmas tree lights in the hallway as they are making their way back to their storage place for the next year.  My house looked like it had been raided with everything out all at once and the glitter from ornaments, fake snow and Fruit Loops from the grandchildren having a grand time on the floor.  The bed linens are still being laundered but Christmas is taking over the decorations now and I love it. I have finally gotten out my old faithful--my Christmas book.  It is where I keep all my ideas, notes, card list, menus, cookie recipes, that help make the worldly Christmas what it is to me.  Of course, the real meaning of Christmas cannot be put in a book because it is in my heart but this is one of my favorite Christmas items.

I made it about 20 years ago and have used it every year since.  It has paper sack pages which are nice because each page is a pocket to keep items.  I began with very nicely printed labels on each sack but have since just printed with a pen other categories as they have been needed.  Some of the categories are:

Holiday Tips-Organizing Christmas

Menus Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

Christmas Prayers

True Stories

Gift Ideas for Those Who Have Everything

Christmas Eve Program

Favorite Cookies and Candy recipes

Decorating Ideas

12 Days of Christmas

Games and Quizzes

Summary of Happenings Year by year

Craft Ideas

Tips for Photography Christmas

As I find ideas in magazines, or see something I like I put the ideas in this book. If I was a perfectionist, everything would be in a pocket, but over the years I have just stuck things in and not "filed" them so it is a bit messy.  The best part is I remember what I have put in it!  So it works for me. If you haven't yet started a place where you can put your favorite ideas to use at Christmas, I would suggest that this year would be a good one to start a book.  It could be a big binder that you buy with see-through sleeves that you can add as you need  or a commercial book that is made for this purpose.  Mine has been a wonderful book that I cherish and use each and every year.  May we each enjoy this special time as we prepare our homes and hearts for Christmas.

Quick Thanksgiving Banner

I know many of you are already decorating for Christmas, but if you are looking for a last minute simple, easy way to add to your Thanksgiving decorations here is a cute "Give Thanks" banner to make. Here's how to make it:
Punch out 16 circles from fall colored printed scrapbook paper (these are 1 1/2" in diameter) and 16 circles from coordinating plain paper (these are 2" in diameter and are a tan color). Cut out letters from tan  plain paper.  Glue the patterned circles to the plain circles.  Then glue the letters on top of the two attached circles.  Glue the circled words (mine says "GIVE THANKS") to a ribbon the length you want, leaving two circles at the beginning, two at the end and two between the words.  Then this banner is placed on top of the burlap one which reads ENJOY and held in place with tiny clothespins.  The banner could very easily be used by itself too.  It is a fast project and one children could do.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... November 23. 2000

Outside my window...Freshly fallen snow from last night.  The forecast had been for rain so I was surprised when I saw snow when I went to bed.  It is beautiful, of course.
 
I am thinking... what a miracle my friend is, having survived breast cancer radiation, two bouts with pneumonia and a brain infection that put her in the hospital for 4 months--all in this last year.  I visited her yesterday and was glad to see her almost back to her normal wonderful self.  It took a lot of faith and patience to get where she is today and a major miracle!  No one can tell me that God doesn't hear our prayers.

I am thankful for...the blessing of living on this beautiful earth and all the people who influence my life for good.
I am wearing...black corduroy pants, charcoal T and gray wool vest with my friend's pewter creche necklace.  I want to make one like it so she lent me her's to help me do that.

I am going... to have lab work done this morning for a physical that is scheduled soon and then it's off to the dentist.  I hope I have a good bill of health for both of them.

I am reading... The Pioneer Woman Cooks  and Blissful Blogging that I received from my daughter last week. Lots of great photography and good hearty food in the cookbook and her fun humor comes through too.
I am hoping...  to pick up And there was Light by Jacque Lissarian from the library today and get it read in this next week before our book club meets the week after Thanksgiving.  Wish me luck!

On my mind... thinking of my grandchildren who will come this week and fill the house with laughter and love. 
From the art studio....  Lots of Christmas sewing by my granddaughters and me-sh-shush Christmas presents so I can't say exactly what they are.  Also some crafts going on there also.  I am making the glass jars filled with Hot Tamales for lunch favors later in December.  Also making ribbons from leftover fabrics.


Noticing that...I will need to get a few more things in the house ready for my Thanksgiving company.

Pondering these words..."It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

From the kitchen... darling little maple acorn muffins from my new muffin tin I got in the mail last week.

Around the house...I was pleasantly surprised by 5 little notes on my pillow from my grandchildren.  It was such a heart-warming time when I read them.

Picture image to share

To read more day books click here.

Foodie Friday-Chicken or Turkey Crepes

Today's recipe is Chicken Crepes and is a good one for that leftover Turkey that we will be having next week. I just substituted turkey for the chicken called it for. The recipe is from a local restruant , The Lion House,  that is known for it's wonderful food.  Crepes are easy to make, they just take patience and time.  You can make them ahead and refrigerate them well covered.  Just let them return to room temperature before using for best results.

Crepes

3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
3 T. melted butter
3/4 cup flour
1/2 t. salt
Combine all ingredients in blender container; blend about 1 minute.  Scrape down sides with rubber spatula and blend about 30 seconds more.  Refrigerate for 1 hour.  To cook:  Heat frying pan on medium-high heat just hot enough to sizzle a drop of water.  Brush lightly with melted butter.
 For each crepe:

To begin start with a small nonstick frying pan if you don't have a special crepe pan (which I don't).

Pour in just enough batter to cover bottom of pan, tipping and tilting pan to mover batter quickly over bottom.  If crepe has holes, add a drop or two of batter to patch.

Cook until light brown on bottom and dry on top.  Remove from pan using a fork to lift edge and then pick it up with fingers, but be careful it will be hot.

I like to use these pre-cut wax paper squares for ease, or you can cut your own.  Stack on plate as each one is cooked.  Makes 12-16 crepes.

Filling:

2 cups turkey, cooked and cut into pieces

1/2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

1 (15 oz.) can pineapple tidbits (reserve juice)

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/3 c. pineapple juice

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. lemon pepper

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Mix chicken, cheese, pineapple and almonds with chicken soup and pineapple juice.  Add thyme and lemon pepper; mix ingredients together thoroughly.  Place 1/4 cup mixture in center of each crepe and roll.

Place crepes with seam-side down in oiled baking pan.  Cover with aluminum foil and heat in oven for 30 minutes.  When ready to serve arrange 2 crepes for each serving.  Spoon glaze over crepes

Glaze:

4 T. butter

4 T. flour

3 c. chicken stock

1/4 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. rosemary

1/2 tsp. rubbed sage

Melt butter in heavy saucepan.  Add flour and stir into paste.  Add chicken stock and seasonings; cook until thickened.  Enjoy! (Because I made these ahead and froze them, I don't have the after photo to show-sorry)

To check out other great recipes visit Michael at Designs by Gollum who is our host for Foodie Friday.

Have a great Thanksgiving!