Showing posts with label Great Blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Great Blogs. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Jocelyn's List of the Best Christmas Books for Young Children 2011



I have so enjoyed Jocelyn's List of books from past few years and have made it a tradition in our family to read books with the kids each night, even my older kids have enjoyed this. We have added to our collection each year, it has been so so fun. Thank you Jocelyn.


Jocelyn's List 
of the 
Best Christmas Books for Young Children
2011

Christmas is Here (Words from the King James Bible), Illustrated by Lauren Castillo

The Last Chimney of Christmas Eve by Linda Oatman High

A Shepherd's Whisper (A Christmas Classic)

The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans

Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard H. Schneider

A Small Miracle by Peter Collington

The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell


Who is Coming to Our House by Joseph Slate

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

The Christmas Orange (I like the version shared here best.)

This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. More

Mary's First Christmas by Walter Wangerin Jr.

The Animals' Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum



The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger

A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson


The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs 
(We love the wordless DVD with its amazingly peaceful soundtrack!)

Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon

Santa and the Christ Child by Nicholas Bakewell

Morris's Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells



Thursday, February 3, 2011

How to Write a Thank You Note

A part of this post is from We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice In Christ where she found some good advice in Martha Stewart Living.

This comes from Margaret Shepherd, author of the book "The Art of The Personal Letter." Here's what she says:



Rule #1 Avoid starting with "Thank You".

I am guilty of this, big time! But every time I start with "Thank You" it feels like I've gotten to the punchline prematurely! :) Ms. Shepherd also suggests that this shows a lack of imagination. (Booo....) So let's not let Ms. Shepherd (or your recipient) think for a moment that you lack imagination! Instead, before you sit down to write, get creative about how you'll begin.

Rule #2 Instead, begin with "You".

Shepherd suggests that it's best to start with "You". That way, you're making the letter about the recipient instead of about yourself.

Rule #3 Acknowledge the relationship that you have with the recipient.

I like to recall special memories that I have of that person or moments that we've shared.

Rule #4 Use conversational language.

Of course, this will depend on the degree of formality of your relationship. Remember you can be fairly formal and still show a lot of personality in your writing. A thank you note, by definition is personal, so be yourself.

Rule #5 Be specific about what you are thanking them for.

For instance, if you are thanking a teacher for helping you to develop a specific skill or character trait, give them examples of how you've used that in your professional or personal life. If you are thanking them for thinking of you or serving you in some way, let them know how their service made you feel. Be descriptive, specific, and focus your compliments on them.

Rule #6 Offer up compliments that you have received from others about the gift they've given you or share examples of the positive ways you've been affected by their kindness.

People like to hear great anecdotes. These will be the parts of your letter that people will most likely remember, cherish, and re-read long after the note is originally received.

Rule #7 Begin and end on a positive note.

This is a no-brainer. Be positive. Be delightful and delighted, and express the joy that their influence on you has brought to your life. I like to share a quick quip or repeat something that the recipient of my letter is known for saying, or that remind them of an "inside joke" that we share.


I wanted to share this great information because I love the idea of Thank You notes but I hate my hand writing, so right off the bat I find it difficult to start. Then knowing how to convey what I want to say is another issue. I love getting Thank you notes and have saved most of them I have ever gotten. Some people are so good about writing them, I want to be better at writing and sending them. There are so many amazing people in my life I want express my gratitude to.   
~

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Jocelyn's 2010 List of the Best Christmas Books for Young Children


Jocelyn's List 
of the 
Best Christmas Books for Young Children
2010

This year's book list theme is: Teaching children the joy of giving to others!  Enjoy!
Dec 1: Who is coming to our house? by Joseph Slate
Craft: Paper Star
Dec 2: Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard H. Schneider
Craft: Felt tree
Dec 3:  The Animal's Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum
Craft:  Paper Nativity 
Dec 4: Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer
Craft: Paper Globe
Dec 5:  Good King Wenceslas by Christopher Manson
Craft:  Stained Glass Ornaments
Dec 6: Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
Craft:  Snow Baby Ornament 
December 7: We Were There: A Nativity Story by Eve Bunting
Craft:  Sock Doll Baby Jesus
December 8:  Jingle The Christmas Clown by Tomie dePaola
Craft:  Felt Ornament 
Dec 9:  The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger
Craft: from artwork
Dec. 10:  Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Craft:  Paper Spring Snowmen
Dec 11:  My First Story of the First Christmas by Deanna Draper Buck
Craft:  Clay Pot Holy Family
Dec. 12:  The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
Craft:  Lamb Cutout Ornaments
Dec 13: Olivia Claus by Kama Einhorn
Craft:  Puzzle Piece Wreath
Dec 14:  This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten
Craft: Popsicle Stick Stable
Dec 15:  A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson
Craft:  Memory Mittens
Dec 16:  The Christmas (my own version)
Craft:  Christmas Oranges
Dec 17: The Snowman Movie by Raymond Briggs
Craft: Washcloth Snowman
Dec 18:  The Berenstain Bears and The Joy of Giving by Jan & Mike Berenstain
Craft:  Gift Card Holder Ornament
Dec 19:  A Small Miracle by Peter Collington
Craft: Wiseman Paper Craft
Dec 20:  On Christmas Eve by Peter Collington
Craft: Christmas Key
Dec 21:  Santa Mouse  by Michael Brown
Craft:  Christmas Tree Ornament
Dec 22:  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May
Craft:  Rudolph Handprints
Dec 23:  The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
Craft:  Glittery Sugarplums
Dec 24:  The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell
Craft: Angel Craft

Jocelyn's 2009 List of the Best Christmas Books for Young Children


Jocelyn's List

of the
Best Christmas Books for Young Children
2009
~
From the blog:

1 – The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
by Susan Wojciechowski - Ornament Craft: Heart Ornament

2 – A Christmas Dress For Ellen
by Thomas S. Monson - Ornament Craft: Scrap Ball Ornament

3 – One Wintry Night
by Ruth Graham - Ornament Craft: Paint Swirl Glass Ball Ornament

4 – Christmas Oranges
by Linda Bethers - Ornament Craft: Christmas Orange Pomander

5 - The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg - Ornament Craft: Santa's Jingle Bell

6 - The Gift Of The Magi
by Sauber/O. Henry - Ornament Craft: Wrapped Mini-Gift Ornaments

7 - Grandfather's Christmas Tree
written by Keith Strand, illustrated by Thomas Locker - Ornament Craft: Carve duck family out of soap

8 - Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect
by Richard H. Schneider - Ornament Craft: Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree

9 - This Is The Stable
by Cynthia Cotton - Ornament Craft: Manger

10 - Humphrey's First Christmas
by Carol Heyer - Ornament Craft: Folded Paper Camel Craft

11 -The Clown of God 
an old story told and illustrated by Tomie dePaola - Ornament Craft: Easy Felt Ornaments with "colored balls" buttons or one to represent each color juggled
12 - Who Is Coming To Our House 
written by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff - Ornament Craft: Toothpick/Christmas Card Ornament
13 - My First Story of the First Christmas
retold by Deanna Draper Buck, illustrated by Jerry Harston -
Ornament Craft: Glittery Christmas Star
14 - Snow Music
by Lynne Rae Perkins - Ornament Craft: Snowflakes Paper

15 - The Donkey's Dream
by Barbara Helen Berger - Ornament Craft: Tea Bag Donkey

16 - Snowmen at Night (or Snowmen Christmas Eve)
written by Caralyn Buehner, pictures by Mark Buehner -
Ornament Craft: Marshmallow Snowmen
17 - The Crippled Lamb
by Max Lucado - Ornament Craft: Woolly Sheep Ornament

18 - The Sweet Smell of Christmas
(with scratch & sniff scents inside) written by Patricia Scarry, illustrated by J.P. Miller - Ornament Craft: Gingerbread Ornaments

19 - We Were There: A Nativity Story
by Eve Bunting - Ornament Craft: Christmas Spider
20 - Santa Mouse
by Michael Brown - Ornament Craft: Merry Christmouse
21 -  Morris's Disappearing Bag
by Rosemary Wells - Ornament Craft: Small "Disappearing Bag"

22 - The Animal's Christmas Eve
(a little golden book) written by Gale Weirsum, illustrated by Alex Steele Morgan - Ornament Craft: Baby Jesus in Manger
23 - The Night Before Christmas
(a golden book, printing 1975) written by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Corinne Malvern - Ornament Craft: Sugarplum/gumdrop ornament

24 - The Littlest Angel
written by Charles Tazewell, illustrated by Sergio Leone -
Ornament Craft: Paper Angel Cutout

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OF THE CHRISTMAS CRAFT ACTIVITIES FROM THIS LIST

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

No-Go BlogHer Party 2010

Oh how dreamy it would be to be in New York with all the other Women/Mommy bloggers. But the reality is I'm not. Really my efforts in growing my blog has really just happened recently. I have found so many amazing blogs!! I love entering the giveaways and have started having my own.    
NoGoBlogHer

Here are the questions we want you to answer:

When did you start blogging?

Jan 2008

Why did you start blogging?

I really started to share events with my family. Then I soon found out it was a way to share my thoughts and feelings, share great ideas and meet other great women/mommy bloggers. We are all doing the best we can, I love learning and sharing with each other.

What is one thing you are going to do this week that is WAY cooler than going to BlogHer?

Party with the other No-Go BlogHer bloggers :-)

Share a post that you think says a lot about you or is your favorite. (share the link in YOUR post so we all can see)

Just for fun!

25 Random Things: about me 
http://christiwilliams.blogspot.com/2009/02/facebook-tag.html

http://christiwilliams.blogspot.com/2008/05/to-clean-or-not-to-clean.html

http://christiwilliams.blogspot.com/2008/05/i-cleaned.html

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Yes, They Are All Mine!

I found this great blog post from Holly @ A Mommy's Blessings.  It is so funny, I so get it all. I have heard these same questions, I love her comebacks.

---------------------------------------------------------------

SIX Children?!?!

Egads, people act like you have 2 heads when they find out how many children you have in a big family.
Walking around the store with all the littles in a row and baby in the sling, you can see the heads bobbing as they count and hear all the "tsk tsk's".
So tired of it.
You parents of large families know what I am talking about.
And when they hear we want more children?
Yes, we are from Mars, thank you very much.

So, from now on, I refuse to let those remarks get to me. Instead, I plan to have fun with the following comebacks!


1) "You have your hands full!"


2) "Are they all yours?"


3) "Don't you know what causes that?"


4) "Are you going to get fixed?"


5) "I can't believe how you do it, I cannot even handle my two!"


6) "Are you planning to have any more?" Or "You're done now, right?"


7) "I hope you aren't planning to have anymore?!?"


8) "Haven't you heard of birth control?"


9) "Don't you have a television?"


10) "How can you afford having so many?"


11) "I am glad it is you and not me!"


12) "Do you get any time for yourselves?"


13) "Did you give birth to all of them?"


14) "Are you going to have 19 children too?" (Like the Duggar's.)


15) When people just keep staring at your family....

Thursday, June 17, 2010

In a Patriotic Mood - by Pleasant Home

(I love this picture)

The picture above is from an amazing website - Pleasant Home. This is a project she did using fabrics from her store Pleasant Home on Etsy. Be inspired!!  

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Hulling Strawberries With A Straw - Great Idea!

Let me tell you, I have found so many smart and talented women out there in the blogosphere. Here is a great example!!

This post is from Amy @
 New Nostalgia 

"My quest to recapture the simplicity of yesterday and apply it to today."


My girls and I spent the afternoon at a strawberry patch, picking strawberries with good friends of ours (Hi Carm!)  It was so much fun! We came home with almost 40 lbs of strawberries. I plan on making freezer jam, strawberry pancake syrup, smoothies, popsicles, and strawberry bread.
`


We started the big job of washing and hulling the strawberries right when we got home.  I plan on mashing them up, then putting them in jars to freeze, thanks to this post I read. (she talks about why she likes to mash them instead of freezing them whole).


I am so happy that I learned this secret to easy hulling from my step mom.  All you have to do is poke em' with a straw!  You start at the bottom of the strawberry, push the straw up, and the stem and white bit just pop right up!  My girls think it is quite fun, & my middle girl wanted to just keep going, even after hulling 10 lbs with me.  I said "Wow, honey, you are quite the hard worker"  She said "yup, as long as I have gum in my mouth" ???  I guess blowing bubbles while hulling strawberries is her thing.


Have any other ideas of how I can use up these berries?  I would love more ideas and recipes if you've got 'em!
`
This post is linked to:
Tip Me Tuesdays @ The Tip Junkie