Celebrate Life! ( for December 23 - 30)

To our family, this is one of the most celebrated weeks of the year, the week of Christmas. Had to have a little reminder chat with my youngest today as she went on about all of the presents she would get. I asked her what she thought Christmas was all about and she sighed, "Giving." I had to chuckle, because to a six year old at Christmas, it's not REALLY about giving to them. However, I asked her why she thought it was about giving and she came through. "Well, 'cause God gave us Jesus and he's the best gift of all!" (Feeling better about my parenting right now... LOL)

 

Merriest Christmas wishes from our family to yours this week.

Celebrating Life... one day at a time.

I aplogize for the lack of posts this last week. I was practically bedridden due to a supplicated rib in the back. MISERY with a capital M and sadly, everything hurt... including blogging. Thanks to my hero husband, I recieved excellent treatment and chircopractic care and am on the mend. I am just taking it one day at a time.

With the tragedy at Sandy Hood Elementary this last week, it brought to light for me the importance of celebrating every day with those we cherish. Kisses and cuddles and "Love You's" should be given in abundance and so should celebrating everyday. Even if it's a silly.... maybe especially because it is silly.

With that, here is the upcoming week of little reasons to laugh and spoil eachother followed by some suggestions from your Kaleidoscape Play Studio crew. God Bless. <3

December 17th - National Bake Cookies Day!
Could this day come at a better time of year? What a great little way to spend the evening with you Littles than baking (and eating) cookies! And... if you make too many... GREAT! Give them away as gifts! LOL ! Did you know that the English word "cookie" is derived from the Dutch word "koekje," which means little cake? Turns out that Dutch bakers used to test oven temperatures on small amounts of batter so that they would not waste the entire cake mix if the temperature wasn't right.

December 18th - National Oatmeal Muffin Day!
Whole lotta bakin' going on this week! Now I personally LOVE oatmeal raisin cookies the best of all; how far off can and oatmeal raisin muffin be? HMMMMM. With cream cheese? I'm just making suggestions here...

 

OR... you could make these: Winning Recipe Oatmeal-Raisin Cupcakes, Orange Cream Cheese Icing and share some with us! LOL

 

 

 

December 20th - Go Caroling Day!It doesn't matter if you remember all the words or not. Just bundle up, take a themos of hot cocoa for the kids (more for the adults if you choose) and go sing as much as you can to the neighbors and call it good. It's not done as much as it was in my childhood or even teenage hood... (is that a word?!) but I still think that carol singing has a place in our cultural and social psyche. Not sure what to sing? Click HERE!

 

 

December 21st - National Flashlight Day!How FUN is this?! We plan to turn out all the lights and play hide and seek with flashlights!

In case you didn't know, the flashlight was invented in 1898, and the biblical quote of "Let There Be Light" was on the cover of the 1899 Eveready catalog, advertising the new flashlight! A flashlight by definition is a small portable lamp usually powered by batteries. Hmmph. Who knew?

Celebrating Life from Nov 26 - Dec 2

All the ways you can just celebrate the fact that you are alive for the upcoming week and a few humble suggestions as to how you might do that. Enjoy the little things... they ARE the big things.

 

Monday the 26th - Mustache Monday AND Shopping Reminder Day

It is your last chance to don a mustache and recieve 10% off your dinner at any Don Jose's in Alaska for Mustache Monday! This applies all day and statewide. If you don't have a mustache, just ask your server and they'll hook you up!

In addition... just a friendly remider to shop... and shop local.

Tuesday the 27th - Pins and Needles Day

Interesting to find out that this day actually has two meanings, when so many of these random holidays have no history on their origin! So, you can tuck one meaning into your random bit of knowledge pocket and then celebrate with us by giving a holiday gift hint to someone so that they are on pins and needles! Or... create something using pins and needles.

 

Wednesday the 28th - Make Your Own Head Day

This is a perfect sculpture project for you and your kids. Try papier' mache, draw a picture or sculpt out of Play-dough and remember... there is no wrong in art.

Friday the 30th - Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day

Here you go... a bona fide reason to play hooky! We don't know if it will fly at work, but if you have the opportunity to take the day off for some much needed family fun, we highly recommend it!

Saturday the 1st - Eat a Red Apple Day
Apples are delicious. Apples are nutritious. That's a great combination. It is really easy to participate in this special day. Your mission today, is to pick an apple among the many varieties, and eat it.

A little apple trivia: The science of growing apples is called pomology.  

Sunday the 2nd - National Fritters Day

If you live in Anchorage, I fully believe that a lunch or dinner date at the Sourdough Mining Company is in order. That way you can celebrate by eating the BEST corn fritters in town with honey butter! YUM!

 

If not... give the recipe a whirl!

Ingredients:	3 eggs 3/4 c. creamed corn 1/2 c. canned corn, drained 1 3/4 c. flour 3/4 c. sugar 1/4 c. half-n-half 3 tsp baking powder
Directions:	Mix all ingredients, then drop by large spoonfuls into deep fat fryer. Fry until golden brown. Serve with honey butter. Mmmm!
	Personal Notes: We devised this recipe after a night at "The Sourdough Mining Company" restaurant in Anchorage. They serve what they call "world famous korn fritters". I think we came pretty close! If you're ever in Anchorage, this is an Alaska experience and food worth stopping for!



This week, I am...

 

I'm going to play a game of checkers, read a comic book, plant an apple tree, invite my neighbor over for some breakfast, and drink a caramel mocha! What a week this will be!