Some Christmas knitting and my giveaway!

I was busy these past few months knitting some Christmas gifts. This past fall I made a market bag for my sister Sam. She showed her mother the bag and told me she liked it so I made this for my stepmother for Christmas. I've lost count on how many market bags I've made.

I made this neck warmer for my long time friend Cheryl. I still haven't given it to her. I guess I'd better go make a phone call :)

I made this one for my friend Cathy (who also works in my classroom with me). I know she loves this color just as much as I love her!!!


This is for my friend Kathleen that also knits (very well I might add!). I made this to thank her for helping out in my classroom. She's been helping me for the last four years!! Kathleen is a true friend!!!


This was made for Tim's teacher. Like me, she has recess duty and it can get COLD out there!


This set was for my dear friend Ingrid. On Christmas eve, eve I noticed a mistake and had to rip out almost one entire mitten and start over again. I finished by lunch time on Christmas Eve and brought it over to her.

This is my GIVE AWAY. This neck warmer and mittens can be yours just for posting a comment. I will pick the winner on Saturday and let you know by Sunday who the winner was. Every comment from today through Saturday at noon (eastern time) will be entered into the drawing.

Here's a close up of the neck warmer:

and the mittens.

Good luck!!!

take care,
Dawn

Did you miss me???

I decided to take a little blogging break. Right before Christmas I was so busy, then after I was just too tired!!! I'm sure most of you felt the same way :)

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays with your family. We had a lovely Christmas. The only mishap was when I was cooking my roast. It was so big that when I turned it over to sear it in the pan it fell off the big old fork I was using and plopped into the hot grease...which in turn splattered on my finger. Oh, it hurt so much. I ended up holding an ice pack on it for six hours before the pain went away.

We did enjoy a lovely dinner. My mother came over and had dinner with us. After dinner we went to Britt and Jay's to see them and the kids. Boy, did they have a house full of toys. I thought our house looked overrun! :)

I'm sharing a picture of our tree on Christmas morning :)



This is Tim opening his favorite gift. Santa brought him a Wii. The best part I discovered is that it will play all of his game cube games. Ahhhhh, life is good!

Here's all his loot. He is one spoiled boy!!!

In three more posts I will be celebrating my 400th post. In honor of that I will be having another give away. I'll post the picture of what the give away is tomorrow. I'll give a hint though. It is something that I knit and the color is teal!

take care,
Dawn

Christmas in an Elementary School

Well, the day is finally here. It's the last day of school before our vacation. It seems like we have had no time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The children are excited beyond words. Last Thursday the kindergarten went to a local theater to see the play Madeline's Christmas. It was wonderful and they all enjoyed it. Friday we had a half day because of the weather. This week we have only planned fun things to do. Yesterday we learned about Hanukkah and had potato latkes (I'm still full from those!) and played the dreidel game.

Today is Pajama Day. We are all wearing our pajamas to school. I'm showing them the Polar Express. I have hot cocoa and donut holes for them...as well as candy canes. Their stockings are all stuffed and ready to go home along with their gifts to their families. PHEW! I'm ready for vacation.

If you have ever worked in an elementary school you will find the lyrics to this song so true LOL!

Here's a little ditty to make you smile.

Christmas in an Elementary School
( Sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland)

Children scream, they're not listnen'
When they go, we don't miss em',
In all of this pain, we try to stay sane,
Workin' in an elementary school.

Christmas comes they're excited,
Though our nerves they've ignited,
They're off of the walls; they run in the halls,
Workin' in an elementary school.

In the lunchroom we can hear them yellin'
And we know that they are really wound.
Someone hits, the other says, "I'm tellin'!"
And that is when our heads begin to pound.

Pretty soon we'll be restin'
Cause our nerves, they've been testin'
We're happy it's clear,
It just comes once a year
Christmas in an Elementary School !

take care,
Dawn

Reindeer Food

Every year I make Reindeer Food to give the children in my class. I usually make it to put in their stockings. I also make extra to have for Tim.

If you are interested in helping Santa's reindeer find their way to your house with ease, here is the recipe.

In a mixing bowl empty a container of oatmeal (uncooked of course).

Mix in some red sugar crystals. (I've also used glitter before, but sugar crystals are the best!)

Then add some green sugar.
Mix well!
Put into individual bags and label.

Here's a close up of the bag.

I got this jar yesterday and filled it with the left overs for Tim to feed the reindeer.

Here's some he has sprinkled in the past. We always leave a carrot for Rudolph. Leading the sleigh is hard work you know!

If you would like to try this here is the tag I made. Feel free to copy and use it! It's guaranteed to help the reindeer find your home with ease!




take care,
Dawn

Countdown to Santa

My daughter Brittainy is twenty eight years old. When she was three it was hard for her to understand how long of a wait it would be before Christmas came. I was reading a magazine that year. I think it was Family Circle or Woman's day. In the magazine I saw the pattern for an advent calendar to help little one see just how long it would be until Christmas arrived. I found some scraps of material and made this.


Each night before bed Britt could hang a candy cane on the tree. I told her when all the candy canes were gone Santa would come. Some years I put little treats in the stockings. It was a great way for her to see how many days she needed to wait.

Tim has also used this since he was about three years old. This year I had plans to make another one so I could give this back to Britt to use with her children. I never got to it, but I will try to have a new one made for next year.

take care,
Dawn

Stockings and Snow!

I finished Jack's stocking Thursday night. I have a dear friend that owns an embroidery shop and she put Jack's name on the stocking for me.

When Mackenzie was born I made stockings for Britt, Jay and Mackenzie and my same dear friend embroidered the names on the stockings for me.




I have made all the stockings for all my family members. These are much older ones. We use these for Rich, Tim, myself and my mother!!


While on the topic of stockings. Every year I buy stockings for the children in my class and they decorate them to hang over the "fireplace" in hopes that Mrs. King Claus will fill them. Yes, I fill a stocking for every child in my class. Every year I put a book, snowman soup and reindeer food. This year they are also getting a 24 count box of crayons, a mini stapler, (thanks to the great sales this summer!) a fun book (coloring activities), chocolate Santa's (the mini ones), candy canes, chocolate bells, a beanie baby, coloring pages and if I get to the store in time a clementine!


We had snow last night and around 7:00 I opened my front door and took this picture. I love the snow!!! It just puts you in the spirit.


Since we were in the spirit last night we watched Rich's favorite Christmas movie, A Christmas Story and enjoyed a big bowl of popcorn!

UPDATE:
This is what I woke up to this morning. Isn't it pretty. Oh, how I hope it stays until Christmas.

The "unofficial" measurement on the table on my deck says 8 inches of snow fell last night. Tim and Rich just had breakfast and they are headed out to shovel the driveway!

take care,
Dawn

Family Favorite Foto Friday ~ Santa Tim

Deborah of Pictures Pots and Pens is hosting Friday's Favorite Family Fotos. Please stop by her blog to see who else is posting and be sure to visit them as well.

Today I am posting some pictures of Tim back in 2004 when he was 6 years old. He wanted to pretend to be Santa one night so he put on a Santa hat and his blue robe with a belt. Since he didn't have boots like Santa, his Spiderman snow boots filled the bill.

He used one of my gift bags to pretend to bring presents like Santa to put under the tree!
Even though he is 10 now and still believes in all the magic and wonders of the holiday, he doesn't want to pretend to be Santa any more. I miss those days when he was so little!

Please be sure to visit Deborah and all the others posting their favorite family photos today.

I got a phone call last night. Because of the impending snow storm for this afternoon and evening, they are closing school after just a half a day. I'm so excited!!! We won't have to make the day up in June either. I have so much to do, I am looking forward to a couple of extra hours of "wrapping" time!

take care,
Dawn

My blogging friend Darlene was tag with this earlier this week. It looked like fun so I thought I'd give it a try.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I don't know. I like them both!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just leave them under the tree? Santa wraps everything, even what is in the stockings.

3.Colored lights on house/tree or white? I'm a fan of colored lights.
4.Do you hang mistletoe? I haven't in a few years. When I see it in the store I do buy it. ;)

5. When do you put up your decorations up? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? I like it all, but I do look forward to the spoon roast we have every year!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? When I was young (around 5 ish) I looked out our front picture window and swear I saw Santa flying by. Nobody can tell me that didn't happen. It's been 40+ years and I still remember it.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What do you mean the truth about Santa? I believe...... I am quoting Darlene here!! My feelings exactly!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually Tim gets to open one. NOTHING goes under the tree until he goes to bed. So if there is something there from a friend he can open one.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Our tree is a little bit of everything and I wouldn't have it any other way!~

11. Snow. Love it or dread it? I love snow...as long as I don't have to drive in it until the roads are cleared.
12. Can you ice skate? Are you kidding me? Not in a million years. I'm the most accident prone person you will ever meet.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I have had so many over the years it is hard to pick. My favorite gifts are the sentimental kind.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? I enjoy spending it with my children and grandchildren.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Apple pie with real vanilla ice cream. I also like mincemeat pie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Watching It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve.

17. What tops your Christmas Tree? Right now nothing. My star broke!

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Without question GIVING!
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? I love them all!

20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck? I love to look at them. I just don't like to eat them.

21. What do you want for Christmas? I want to spend the day in my jammies, eat whatever I want and not gain an ounce!

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? Sometimes my school Christmas party...but I skipped it this year. I had too much to do!
23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's? Christmas Eve is spent home alone dressed oh so casual.

24. Do you own a Santa hat? Yes, I do...several!
25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? It is normally Rich, Tim, Britt, her family and my mother. This year Britt is staying home (in her new home) with her kids.

If you'd like to play along, please feel free to do so.

take care,
Dawn

And the answers are.....

Did you play the game yesterday? The answers to the song titles are right here. How many did you get right?

1. Noel (NO L)

2. (Walking in a) Winter Wonderland

3. Santa Clause is Coming to Town

4. Joy to the World

5. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

6. O Come All Ye Faithful

7. (I'm Dreaming of a )White Christmas

8. O Christmas Tree

9. What Child is This

10. We (wee) Three Kings

11. Deck the Halls

12. Little Drummer Boy

13. O Holy Night

14. Jingle Bells

15. Away in a Manger

16. The Twelve Days of Christmas

17. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

18. All I want for Christmas is my Two Front teeth

19. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

20. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

21. Let it Snow, (Let it Snow, Let it Snow)

22. Silent Night

23. O Little Town of Bethlehem

24. Silver Bells

take care,
Dawn

Christmas Carols...and a picture

I think if anyone were to ask me what my favorite music is I would have to answer Christmas Carols. I could sing them year round. Yes, I have been known to play Christmas music in the summer, just because!!!

I found this years and years ago and often share with people for a little fun. The image below is a list of Christmas Carols. The trick is trying to figure out what carol is what! You can click on the picture to get a larger (better) view.

Can you name all 24 carols?

I'll post the answers tomorrow :)

Brittainy shared this picture with me yesterday. Poor Jack was not the least bit impressed with Santa. I feel like I need to go over to Britt's and just give that boy a big old Grandma hug!!!

take care,
Dawn

Stuff A Bus

We're teaming up with the United States Marines' Toys For Tots program to help insure that NO CHILD ON CAPE COD will go without a present on Christmas morning!

Kevin from "Kevin & Co." will be broadcasting live non-stop for 60 hours from a First Student school bus collecting new, unwrapped toys that will go to children right here in our community! From WCOD 106.1

Our local radio station WCOD (clever name for a Cape Cod station) hosted a stuff a bus event this weekend. They asked their listener to bring a new unwrapped toy to the TOYS R US store where they were broadcasting live this weekend. Last night Rich and Tim went buy and bought a few toys to donate. Tim was so excited to get to meet Kevin, the DJ. We listen to that station in the car, at home and I have it on every morning at school. They are playing non stop Christmas music and I am in heaven listening to it. I look forward to it every year. Click on the link, LISTEN LIVE and you can listen too....no matter where you are!!

Last year the collected over 9,000 toys and about two hours before the collection ended I heard Kevin say that they have filled over 15 buses with toys and had over 10,500 donated toys that will be given out to the children of Cape Cod this Christmas. I heard this morning that the grand total was 11, 389!

I love the spirit of giving...knowing you are helping bring a smile to the face of a child is the greatest gift!!

take care,
Dawn

Christmas Bazaar and Salt Dough Ornaments part two!

Last year the PTA at our school started a Christmas Bazaar. They ask families to donate gently used items. All of these items are placed on a table in the activity room. The children are invited to go in and shop for their families. Tickets are sold at the door (25 cents each). The gifts cost anywhere from one ticket (25 cents) to four tickets ($1). Parents don't come in with the children. There are volunteers who are personal shoppers for the younger children. Other volunteers wrap the gifts for you. I have taken Tim and Mackenzie the last two years.

They also have a pancake breakfast and Santa is there for you to take pictures with him. You can bring your own camera to do this. I tried getting Mackenzie to sit with Santa. She wanted no part of it. I almost had her convinced to stand next to him. She did with Tim by her side.


There was also a craft fair. The same woman who made the ornaments I showed you the other day was there again. I bought a couple more ornaments from her. Tim picked out the baseball player to give to Rich. I love gingerbread men so I bought one of those :) and the Santa she made was just beautiful. I also picked up an ornament for Britt with Mackenzie and Jack's name on it. She also had the most incredible set of Wizard of Oz ornaments as well! I didn't buy them, but was in awe of how wonderful they looked. I put my name in the raffle again for her ornaments. Wish me luck!









In the bag of the ornaments I bought she enclosed the recipe.

Here it is if any of you would like to try it.

Salt Dough Ornaments
Yields approximately 10-12 3" ornaments

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup fine salt (not iodized if possible)
Mix well and add:
1/2 cup hot water. Mix again.
Form on small pieces of foil. Insert small wire or paper clip into top of ornament for a hanger. Bake at 285º for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until totally hard. Paint with acrylic craft paints.

Who knows, I may even try this myself.

take care,
Dawn

Thank you Jeanne!!!

My friend Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor had a give away last week. Lucky for me it was a six day give away. I had all but given up hope of winning when I woke up last week to visit her blog and saw that I was a winner. Today as I walked in the door from work I saw a package on the table and the phone was ringing. I answered the phone and heard Jeanne's voice for the first time. How nice it was to talk to her! I got to open the package with Jeanne on the phone with me!!

I'm sorry the pictures aren't the best. The lighting wasn't good but I was just too anxious to get the pictures to share with you. These are German glass ornaments. My son Tim is just beside himself with excitement! Ever since he learned our family was of German descent (among others) he has had a fascination with everything German! He honestly believes WE (notice he says we and not me!) won these because of our German heritage!




Jeanne also sent a package of post it notes. How cute are these?

And this little stacking Santa box is as lovely as can be!!! Even the tissue paper she sent them in was so pretty. I took this picture with the tissue paper behind it!

Thank you so much Jeanne. The ornaments will certainly be a treasure for years and years to come...as is your friendship.

If you haven't visited Jeanne before, please stop by her blog and say hello!

take care,
Dawn

Friday's Favorite Family Fotos ~ Santa Mom and Britt

Deborah of Pictures Pots and Pens is hosting Friday's Favorite Family Fotos. Please stop by her blog to see who else is posting and be sure to visit them as well.

Reindeer Games kit by Ziggle Designs

It's only fitting so close to Christmas to find a Christmas picture to share. This picture was taken around 1987 or 1988 I am guessing. Britt looks like about 7 or 8. I could be off a year though! I remember being asked to play Santa for a preschool I used to work for. I stopped at my mother's house that day and she snapped this picture.

Sadly my hair is getting that white (though the trips to the hairdresser are keeping the white under wraps!). I also do not need as much "additional" padding anymore. I've taken care of that all on my own LOL!

take care,
Dawn