12 Days till Christmas Activities

So here it is ...you may have read about the retreat where I made this adorable 12 day advent calendar. 

I decided that it would be fun to use it for my Grandson who has a December birthday.  I put together a small gift or activity for each day from today, and wrapped them, then, as you may have noticed in the first picture, I put the daily cards on the gifts, and he can choose a gift, then put the attached card on the calendar starting on 12 for 12 days until Christmas so that when he opens the last of the twelve gifts and puts the card on the calendar clip he will know that the next day isnChristmas!

Here are a couple of the packages.... Above the dreidel game, with rules and m and m's, which is what we use when we play.

The marble game includes rules and even a string to make the ring to play inside.

Other packages included puzzles, games, a s'more kit, a hot chocolate kit, and money to take to the dollar store to buy gifts for his family.

I hope he has half as much fun with it as I had putting it together, then it would be worth all the work...

Walden Ladies' Book Club Luncheon 2013

The table is set for one of my favorite events of the Holiday season, our book club luncheon.

We were a rather small group this year, given illness, and conflicting commitments, but the eight of us had a lovely time, and just having eight places to set meant that I got to use my pearl handled silverware, which I love, and rarely get to use.  

It was especially nice, since, as you know, I have been in a White Christmas kind of mood this year.  Thenpearl handles went perfectly with my favorite Rose Point dishes I was introduced to by my sister Julie, years ago.

Yep, I still have my 'Give Thanks'  banner up, but then we can and should give thanks all year, right?

... And here are most of the ladies .  After lunch we gathered in the parlor to exchange favorite books, using the white elephant gift exchange rules.  Each of us brings a favorite read from  the year, and when it is opened we do a quick book review... We often choose books for the next year based on this activity. 

As always it was lovely to spend a snowy afternoon together.  We have been together as a book club, amazingly, for 15 years! Thanks girls!

Hanukkah for Wanna Bes

Celebrating Hanukkah has been a long time tradition for us.  Of course we are not authentic in our celebration, being Christians, but we do honor our family heritage by trying to be respectful in our one day observance, on the final day of Hanukkah. 

The table is set for Latkes and Applesauce ...

The menorah is lit, sans the blessing.

During dinner we review the history of the Festival of Lights, complete with the bravery of the Maccabees, and the miracle of a day's worth of oil burning for eight days.   

After dinner we read our favorite Hanukkah book, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.  Its such a fun book.  When the kids were small we owned several picture books about Hanukkah, but it was always Hershel that the kids requested.

Then it's time to play with the dreidel  ... 3 year old Elle gloats over her win, but in the end it is ...

      

 her mother who is the winner and takes all! 

Thanks  for dropping  by and sharing a fun old family tradition.