Thankful

Being that my family celebrates on the day after Thanksgiving...I figured it was okay to include my "thankful" post on Friday.

When I was little, we often visited my grandmother in Marietta.  I remember as a young child dreaming about living there one day.  I loved the gorgeous tall trees, the community atmosphere, and the proximity to my church and the Square.  About 10 years ago, my sister and her husband purchased a house in Marietta, and I settled into Mableton.  Over the years, I slowly forgot my dream.

One afternoon while visiting my sister, we passed a house that I thought was cute.  Pregnant and in flip flops, she jumped out of the car and grabbed the flyer.  I wasn't in the market for a house and was living rent free 10 minutes from my job.  However, my dream reemerged quickly...and the rest I consider history.  I've now been in Marietta for almost six years, and I definitely consider it my home.  I LOVE Marietta, and all it has to offer.

Photo by Joseph T. Richardson

I LOVE going to the Taste of Marietta on a hot, sweaty, summer afternoon (when you can hardly push your way through the crowd).

Photo by Robin Wofford

I LOVE lunch and dinner on the historic Marietta Square and hearing trains pass by on one of the busiest railroads in Georgia.

                                                 Photo by Bill Rusham                             Photo by Joseph T. Richardson

I LOVE the boutiques and shops on the Square (and their VIP shopping events).

Photo by Shawn Latta

I LOVE participating in the Gobble Jog every Thanksgiving morning.

I LOVE the opportunity to take my nieces and nephew through the thousands of Christmas lights at the Lights of Life.

Photos by Nathalie (foto8girl)

I LOVE that my church is around the corner.

I LOVE the history and tradition of my little town.

                                                 Photo by Kevin Trotman                    Photo by Shawn Latta

I LOVE living in my dream community...with my entire family (even when they're a little too close for comfort).

What a day to be thankful and truly cherish the place you live and the people you call neighbors!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Helping Hands

Being a former teacher, I believe life is filled with "teachable moments."  Incidental teaching is using unplanned opportunities to teach/improve a skill.  I love incidental teaching moments.  A child's best learning often occurs when you're least expecting it.

Last week, I was visiting my sister and her three adorable girls when I discovered one of the above mentioned treasured moments.  Lilly, a kindergartner, is quite the artist.  She carries her "writing book" everywhere she goes (and has since her third birthday).  She even keeps one in the car for the drive from school to home (keep in mind...it's less than a mile).  Anyway, while I was visiting she showed me a picture of a cornucopia with veggies and fruits falling out of it.  It is amazing to me the detail she adds to her work.  I asked Lilly if I could keep her drawing (as long as I promised to return it).  So, today I took it to Fed Ex/Kinkos and left with this.

I decided the cornucopia would make a great place card for Thanksgiving.  I enjoy seeing kids be a part of the action, and this allows Lilly the opportunity to know she helped make this holiday special for everyone else.

While cutting the cards, I  figured it was best if we kept the kid theme going and asked the other kindergartner in the family (Will-my brother's son) to write the names on the cards.  This afternoon, I spent some time with Will as he wrote out everyone's name for Thanksgiving.

Here are the finished cards.  The plan is for them to lay across the plates instead of standing like traditional place cards.

However, my sister requested a set to take to her in-laws.  They are traditional ones.

Being a special education teacher, I feel the need to point out that this activity can work for kids of all ages.  Here are some suggestions to make the activity more appropriate for younger kids or children with fine motor difficulties.

1. Use stickers instead of drawing a holiday picture.

2. Draw the pictures yourself, and let the children color them.

3. Print the names on labels, and have kids put them on the place cards.

4. Write the names with a highlighter, and let the kiddos trace the names.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving (full of teachable moments)!  

Gobble, Gobble

Considering Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I put together some cute shirts for my sister's girls.  I've seen similar shirts while shopping, and I figured I could make some myself.  I included a tutorial below in case you're interested in making one too.  Here is a picture of how they looked once finished.

Step 1: Prewash all fabric.

Step 2: Create a pattern.  Using a file folder trace the shapes needed (a U shape and a bowling pin)

Step 3: Trace them onto fabric.

Step 4: Cut out 5 "U" shaped pieces and 1 bowling pin.

Step 5: Spray pieces with Fray Stop Spray.

Step 6: Using the directions below, apply Heat n' Bond (or some other iron on adhesive).

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  Step 1: Preheat dry iron to the silk setting. Place Heat N' Bond on the wrong side of the material. Lightly glide iron across paper side for 1-2 seconds.
  
  
  
  
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  Step 2: When creating your own design, draw design on paper side in reverse. Carefully cut out design. Skip to next step if you are working on a pre-cut or pre-designed item.
  
  
  
  
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  Step 3: Allow the material to cool, then peel off the paper backing. The adhesive should appear milky in color. Shiny, clear adhesive is a sign of overheating.
  
  
  
  
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  Step 4: Place the material right side up in desired position and iron for 4-6 seconds. The ironing time may need to be increased for heavier materials or when using several layers of material.
  
  
  
  

Step 7: Iron pieces onto a pre-washed shirt.

Step 8: Using embroidery thread, straight stitch (by hand) around all pieces.  If you don't know how to straight stitch, refer to this tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06T0C3RWfxY

Step 9: Using embroidery thread, create a french knot in the center of the eyes.  If you don't know how to create a french knot, refer to this tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytiI5nhV2HM

Here is a close up of the french knot turkey eyes.

Step 10: Wear to your Thanksgiving feast.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!