The Christmas Tree Farm
December 21, 2011
The Christmas Tree Farm by Ann Purnell follows a farming family through the seasons as they lovingly tend their trees. I love kids books that remind us of all the people who have a hand in making our world as it is. It is a little old for the Noodle this year, but I think next year he will ready for it.
Frozen CSA
December 19, 2011
The first delivery our frozen CSA arrived last week. We will receive five deliveries this winter. Our share included sweet corn, butternut squash puree, green beans, blueberries, tomatoes and fresh pea shoots grown at farms around the Hudson Valley then frozen and distributed by Winter Sun Farms.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The illustrations in Jane's Ray's, The Twelve Days of Christmas, are gorgeous. Out this year, it is one of the most lush children's books I have seen lately.
Cookie Party!
December 17, 2011
One of the highlights of the Christmas season is our annual cookie exchange. This year we had twenty-five guests. Our friends made spectacular cookies! The bounty included rosemary butter cookies, chocolate crinkles, peanut butter blossoms, lemon basil cookies, brown butter rice krispies treats, molasses cookies with orange sugar, and ex-mother-in-law cookies that were dead ringers for Nilla wafers.
For snacking we served berry topped pavlova, a chocolaty buche de noel, and gingerbread with fresh whipped cream on the side. There was also a hot chocolate bar. Yum.
Here are the basics, excerpted from the email invite we send out:
The Cookie Exchange:
Make 3 dozen cookies, come to our house for a party, and take home 3 dozen assorted cookies. If you want to come but aren't the baking type or don't have time to make something, you are still very welcome. You won't be walking away with cookies, but there will be plenty of drinks, treats, and holiday cheer to go around!
The Rules:
1. Bring 3 dozen of one type of cookie .
Here are the basics, excerpted from the email invite we send out:
The Cookie Exchange:
Make 3 dozen cookies, come to our house for a party, and take home 3 dozen assorted cookies. If you want to come but aren't the baking type or don't have time to make something, you are still very welcome. You won't be walking away with cookies, but there will be plenty of drinks, treats, and holiday cheer to go around!
The Rules:
1. Bring 3 dozen of one type of cookie .
2. All cookies must be homemade. They don't have to be "Christmas cookies", but they should be something special.
3. Bring your cookies ready for display.
4. Bring a separate container for the cookies you will take home. **
5. If you can avoid using almonds or walnuts in your cookies, please do. Some of the cookie exchangers are allergic.
6. Tell me what type of cookies you plan on bringing so there are no duplicates. ** You need one thing to hold the cookies you've made and something else to collect the new cookies you'll take. The displaying and the exchanging happen at the same time so you need two separate containers
3. Bring your cookies ready for display.
4. Bring a separate container for the cookies you will take home. **
5. If you can avoid using almonds or walnuts in your cookies, please do. Some of the cookie exchangers are allergic.
6. Tell me what type of cookies you plan on bringing so there are no duplicates. ** You need one thing to hold the cookies you've made and something else to collect the new cookies you'll take. The displaying and the exchanging happen at the same time so you need two separate containers
Paper Chain Countdown
December 13, 2011
I had planned on making a fabric advent calendar this year, but ran out of time. A friend of mine reminded me of the classic construction paper chain countdown. That I could manage!
Leaf Rubbings
November 14, 2011
Last week I made a bunch of paper leaves for the Noodle to toss around inside. So simple! All you need are leaves, crayons, card stock and scissors. Make a basic leaf rubbing and cut it out. You are done!
Turkey Day Cards
We try to get a mailing out to our family for each holiday. For the cousins this year, classic turkey cards. Inside each card reads, "We are thankful for you!"
Labels:
Autumn,
cards,
thanksgiving
Autumn Songs and Rhymes
November 9, 2011
Autumn Wind
Autumn winds begin to blow. (blow)
Colored leaves fall fast and slow. (move fast, move slow)
Twirling, whirling all around. (spin around)
‘Til at last they touch the ground. (fall to the ground)
Colored leaves fall fast and slow. (move fast, move slow)
Twirling, whirling all around. (spin around)
‘Til at last they touch the ground. (fall to the ground)
Little Leaves (sung to tune of Ten Little Indians)
One little, two little, three little leaves.
four little, five little, six little leaves.
Seven little, eight little, nine little leaves.
Ten little leaves fall down
Autumn Leaves (sung to the tune of "London Bridge is Falling Down)
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down,
Autumn leaves are falling down, welcome fall.
Sweep the leaves and put them here, put them put here, put them here,
Sweep the leaves and put them here, welcome fall.
Jump right in and have some fun, have some fun, have some fun,
Jump right in and have some fun, welcome fall.
Jingle Jangle Scarecrow
(begin crouched on floor)
When all the cows are sleeping
and the sun has gone to bed.
Up jumped the scarecrow and this is what he said. (jump up)
I'm a jingle jangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat.
I can shake my hands like this, and shake my feet like that. (shake hands and feet)
(return to crouched position)
When all the hens are roosting
and the moon's behind the clouds
Up jumped the scarecrow and shouted very loud. (jump up)
I'm a jingle jangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat
I can shake my hands like this, and shake my feet like that. (shake hands and feet)
Autumn Leaves (sung to the tune of "London Bridge is Falling Down)
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down,
Autumn leaves are falling down, welcome fall.
Sweep the leaves and put them here, put them put here, put them here,
Sweep the leaves and put them here, welcome fall.
Jump right in and have some fun, have some fun, have some fun,
Jump right in and have some fun, welcome fall.
Jingle Jangle Scarecrow
(begin crouched on floor)
When all the cows are sleeping
and the sun has gone to bed.
Up jumped the scarecrow and this is what he said. (jump up)
I'm a jingle jangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat.
I can shake my hands like this, and shake my feet like that. (shake hands and feet)
(return to crouched position)
When all the hens are roosting
and the moon's behind the clouds
Up jumped the scarecrow and shouted very loud. (jump up)
I'm a jingle jangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat
I can shake my hands like this, and shake my feet like that. (shake hands and feet)
November
November 4, 2011
The wind has a bite. The trees have a hint of color. My kids are in their new wool sweaters everyday. Must be November! How did that happen?!
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