Turkey Cupcakes - From Grampy And Betty Crocker!

Grampy emailed this recipe this morning, from his computer downstairs to Grammy's computer upstairs. Maya and I think he might be hoping to see these on his Thanksgiving table. We think that can be arranged!

If you'd like to make these cupcakes for your family, you'll find the recipe on the Betty Crocker website at this link: Turkey Cupcakes

And now I will be joining Grampy on his Thanksgiving Vacation.
I wish all Ye Thankful People a Very Happy Holiday!
God Bless You.

Blogging will resume on Monday, November 26, 2007

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

"Mommeee...Grammy's talking weird again! She's callin me 'ye thankful'!"

The Kinder Arts newsletter just arrived and I was immediately drawn to the number of projects designed to help our family count its blessings.

Susan Futch has directions for Blessing Boxes made from milk cartons to show what you are thankful for on Thanksgiving Day. (I don't see why any small box wouldn't work just as well)

Karen Rowley shares a fun and educational Thankful Turkey.

Amanda Formaro walks us through the steps of making a Handprint Thanksgiving Tree.

And, if you're feeling really thankful - and ambitious! there are two Thanksgiving Quilts to choose from -
one from Yamilka J. Sena
and another designed by Mindy Shupak.

So Come, Ye thankfuls -
Let's get busy!

Thanksgiving With Daddy And Lisa

Statistics are saying that more than 40% of our children have experienced the divorce of their parents.
A statement. A statistic. But not the end of the family story. Life goes on just the same - except it's not the same. Everything is different. Different than everyone planned. Different than everyone hoped. Different than everyone expected.
Adjustments, compromises and accommodations must be made for those differences.
Must be made because regardless of what else may have changed, our common goal remains the health and happiness of our children.

The holidays are a time that require many compromises and adjustments. Every family has their own way of making the holidays special for their children. Today we celebrated our way.
Maya helped me prepare an early Thanksgiving dinner to share with her father and their friend Lisa. I hope that this day will provide a happy memory for a precious little girl.

My Grandmother's Name Is Karen

Names are an interesting topic for children - both their own names and the idea that the adults they know by titles - Mommy, Daddy, Grammy, Grandpa, even Great Grampy!- all have their own names.
Try using these questions as a conversation starter at your Holiday meal:

What does my name mean?

What is the story of how my name was chosen?

Does anyone else in our whole family (from the past or present) have my name?

What other interesting names are there in our family?

Ask the children what they might name their own children someday. Why do they think that might be a good name?

Does anyone in the family wish that they had a different name? What is it? Why is it a better name?

It's fun to learn the meaning of everyone's first name.
Here's a link to a database of over 30,000 names. Just enter your name in the search box to find out what it means!

Older children will want to take the idea a bit further (we hope. Or they're rolling their eyes in boredom by now and wishing they could be excused from the table to do anything else other than this...)

Older children will also be interested in the meaning and possible origin of their last name.

About.com maintains a Last Name Meanings and Origins Glossary for your last name. The glossary includes last name meanings and origins, plus research links, common last name spelling variations, and surname search tips for last names of English, Irish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Jewish origin, including the 100 most popular U.S. surnames.

Can't find your last name in the Last Name Meanings Glossary? Submit your surname to Ask a Genealogist and the editor will try to research its meaning and add it to the Last Name Meanings Glossary. Last name site submissions are also welcome for sites primarily devoted to one of the included surnames.

And finally, dress up your Thanksgiving table. Print, clip, fold and add a name to these Thanksgiving placecards from Kid's Turn Central.