Fall Leaf Banner & Cheese Cloth Pumpkins

We are in Florida and my sister and her family are still in the Midwest as well as my husband’s side of the family There isn’t enough time to travel for the short holiday time so we don’t usually have a lot of family around during Thanksgiving. (sniff sniff)  That is not what we are used to–we love gathering with all of our family but at this time in our lives, it is not to be.  It is still important to teach the children that we need to be grateful–even when it isn’t the way we want things to be.

Add to it–here in Florida it just doesn’t feel like the Autumn season that we are used to. Yes, it is a little cooler than other times of the year but we don’t have that crisp air that makes you want to snuggle in front of a fireplace. Many times we would rather be swimming. I know that sounds so strange but being able to go for a swim and get some exercise in and spend some time with our kids, so they aren’t missing all of their cousins, helps get us through the holiday. Don’t get me wrong–we still miss them all very much but it helps to keep our minds busy and occupied. We always call and talk to both sides of the family.

*******

Getting everything all ready to eat –all at the same time– is a task in and of itself but a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do.  I know all of you are right there with me on that one.  While I am busy in the kitchen we have the parade on. It seems like every year the kids get bored with the parade after a while and they are all off in their room playing a game or something until they get called out by their Papa, to see a balloon or their Dad’s high school band and then they head back to play for awhile. Sometimes they head outside to play catch for awhile.

We just love this book and I highly recommend it.

During the Thanksgiving season I like to read the book, Thanksgiving a time to Remember by Barbara Rainey, to the kids. It talks about the struggles of the Pilgrims-to make a new life here in the New World.  Did you know that many days they had just 5 kernels of corn to eat for the day.   A great way to make your kids think about the Pilgrims and to be thankful for the food they get each day is to place 5 kernels of corn on each place setting — it is a reminder of God’s grace on us. We have so much more to eat than just 5 little kernels of corn.

I wrote lightly in pencil–on the fabric ribbon– GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.

It is barely noticeable, just like the portions that many of the Pilgrims had to eat.

I can’t imagine watching your children starve with only 5 rations of corn each day.  5–when you see it on the plate–it becomes so REAL.

Yesterday, I shared my post How To Lose Weight over Thanksgiving.  What a contrast. The Pilgrims were starving and we now stuff ourselves beyond what our bodies need.

A little more thought provoking.

*******

Since it really doesn’t feel like FALL I try to decorate to create the feeling of Fall. This year I made a FALL LEAF BANNER and some cute cheese cloth pumpkins.

Faux Leaf Thanksgiving Banner

• I picked up 4 packages of tissue paper leaves at the Dollar Store
• I painted them
• Stenciled each with a letter to spell FALL
• I hot glued them to a burlap tag
• I added a piece of polka dot washi tape to the top and bottom
• I hot glued a piece of plaid paper to the bottom
• I hot glued twine to the top of the banners

Cheese Cloth Pumpkins

• Cheese Cloth
• Thread and needle
• Scissors
• Fiber Fill
• Paint

How do you celebrate.  What are your favorite recipes?  Do you travel to be with family every year?

We have been traveling from North to South and East to West, having fun seeing all of the posts and finding out how everyone celebrates.

It is fun seeing all of the recipes and projects.

Now it is time for you to link up your projects.

*******

Yesterday On Tuesday

504 Main

Design Dining and Diapers

Setting For Four