Happy Thanksgiving! Turkey Cookie

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Top Ten Thankful List:

1.  The most amazing children!

2.  Friends and family

3.  Home in a great neighborhood, in the United States (thank you military)!

4.  Great teachers for my children

5.  The opportunity to go back to school myself

6.  My van and the mechanic who keeps it running

7.  A kitty for my children that snuggles so well!

8.  Technology (computer, IPad, IPods, cell phones, the internet and blogs)

9.  Time to spend with those that I love

10.  Milky Way Bars (you have no clue…)

Bonus-The wonderful community that I have found on the internet through my blog!!  I love you guys!

 

I love making these thanksgiving turkey cookies.  I remember making them sooo long ago with my Mom and siblings.  My Grandma even had one in her curio cabinet that she left there for YEARS! 

I made a few modifications from how we used to make it.  We never had a full face, we used just the red hot for the waddle.  We also used gumdrops for the body!  But I had the pumpkins on hand.  Maybe I can talk my Mom into making some with me next year, using the original way we made them!

 

Either way, I think they are so cute and fun!

 

We boxed these cuties up in a cute tiny bag with fun metal thank you tags and fall colored ribbings and then gave them out to those we love and are thankful for (teachers, friends, and family).

 

Rebecca

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, drives safely, and enjoys family and friends.

Fun Finger Painting For Thanksgiving

I have always loved children’s fingerprints.  I am even in the midst of making up a whole alphabet book of animals that we turn our fingerprints into. 

So, today we had some fun using our fingerprints and handprints to make turkeys and trees.

I saw these adorable turkeys over at my new favorite site, Silly Eagle Books.  You must check her out!  My version is a little different than hers, and years ago I made these with rows of feathers.  A row of red feathers, then orange, then yellow, and then the body.  Fun!

How sweet are little hands!? 

We put our turkeys along the bottom of a page so they could draw and color the scene in themselves.  Sorry about the lighting, just imagine that you could see their cute eyes and beaks!  I couldn’t get the picture’s lighting right to make them show up!  I guess for blogging, a lighter color of brown would be better!

Then we went all out and painted up our hands and arms to make trees! 

This time our fingerprints were the autumn leaves.

I like how both of these activities turned out and the kids ALWAYS love when we paint!

Had to throw this in.  Do you see the orange face?  This is what my kids were doing as they ate their snack after school today.  I just love having them home and can’t wait for our 4 day weekend to begin!!

Rebecca

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Carving-Joint Post!

Pumpkin carving doesn’t have to just be for Halloween! 

Today’s post is so much fun because it is a joint post with my Fav-o-rite blogger ever!  Pam from Gingerbread Snowflakes!  I LOVE Pam!  I don’t remember how we “met”.  However, do you guys know the book or movie series, Anne of Green Gables?  Well, if you do you will understand when I say I feel like Pam and I are kindred spirits! 

Everything on her blog inspires me so!  I swear, everything on there inspires and intrigues me, it is as if she writes them just for me!  To the point that I immediately stop what I am doing and make the project from her post!  Remember my aluminum butterflies, yup it happened with that post (and by the way it totally saved my strawberries!).  I saw Pam’s soda can butterfly mobile and was hooked!  Recently her magnetic advent calendar had me printing it out as I read it!  Children in my life are already working on coloring up their own versions and they will give them to their families at the end of November!  But even more, we email back and forth and she is so wise and caring and inspires me even more!  Also, the bond between her and her Daughter reminds me of mine with my Mom!  Do you see why I love her so?! 

Pam and I both came up with our own versions of mini carved pumpkin candles.  Go check out her version and her post!!  Then, scroll through the rest of her site.  You will not be sorry!
These mini carved pumpkin candles will be so much fun for Thanksgiving!  They look so pretty in the day, but as your festivities take you into the night these fun pumpkin decorations will add the perfect ambiance to your gathering!

Super cute as place holders, right?


Or even down your table as center pieces!

See how that little light even adds ambiance during the day?


On the back side of my pumpkins I also carved out some words.  That way these are cute from every angle, and it adds just the right thoughts to the day.  I carved the words using my daughter’s polymer clay tools.

I also tried using an apple corer and that worked, though I could not make as straight of lines.  I used my drill a lot (notice the white pumpkins with holes?).  I’ve never used my drill with carving before and I have to say I loved it.  I also loved the look the polymer clay tools made in carving the words.


I have to tell you the story behind this fun venture with Pam of Gingerbread Snowflakes! 

I have tried for years, to grow my own pumpkins for carving at Halloween.  I’ve not been successful.  Two years ago I had major pumpkin vines!  Seriously so amazing.  But NO pumpkins.  Nada!  Finally one tiny pumpkin started growing.  I so wanted to carve that sucker up for Halloween but it was super tiny and still green at Halloween.  So, I let it grow until Thanksgiving.  I did pick that pumpkin for Thanksgiving. 
I was telling Pam about this and how I was determined to carve up a Thanksgiving Jack-O-Lantern.  That’s when Pam came up with the brilliant idea to use tiny pumpkins, and carve them up for Thanksgiving.  Although instead of  Jack-O-Lanterns make up pretty designs for the Thanksgiving table.  I LOVE the way Pam thinks!  I was more than excited to jump on this band wagon.  We decided to do this as a joint post.  See, I told you she was brilliant!

I am going to be baking up all the rest of my mini pumpkins thanks to this delightful post of Pam’s!  Did you know you can eat them?  I knew you could eat the pie ones, and the bigger ones (we bake meals in the larger ones).  But I just didn’t realize you could do this with the mini pumpkins.  How cute will an individual bowl that is a mini pumpkin to eat be?  My kids will LOVE it.  I’m thinking this will be a new tradition for me.  Nov 1st I will bake these beauties up for an after school snack to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday! 

Now go out and get some mini pumpkins and add these to your own Thanksgiving table!

Thanks, Pam, for doing this project with me!  So much fun and I love how it turned out!

Rebecca

PS I have to have full disclosure here.  Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  Obviously these were done now, a week before thanksgiving.  And pumpkin carving is usually a Halloween thing.  My kids were carving with me and while we did we were listening to Christmas music.  Yeah, that’s just the way I roll sometimes.  I love all of the holidays and loved smushing them all together a bit!

Even more full disclosure:  Yes, I do notice that I spelled thankful wrong on one of my mini pumpkins.  Do you notice I corrected it with changing the last l to a !  ?  Yeah, breaking that word up just made me feel it needed to be “full”.  I was just going to photoshop the second l out of the picture, but then ful was not centered!  Argh!
This bothered me.  I couldn’t remember if I ever spelled it correctly.  So I read back through a few of my thankful posts.  Thankfully (see, here I can use 2 l’s) I do know how to spell it and have spelled it correctly.  So, why, when I am carving the word up, do I choose then to misspell it?  Just for kicks and giggles I guess!

Turkey Trot Tradition

Most of the schools around here hold an event called The Turkey Trot.  I love this.  Of course I used to run Cross Country and Track in High School, so maybe I’m biased.  This is held on the day before Thanksgiving, thus the name.

However, I love the idea of fitness in the holidays.  Each grade runs a set course around the school yard. 

It brings tears to my eyes to see my children do their best!  Even typing this up has made me cry because I’m thinking about it. (I do that at my children’s sports events, too)  Seriously, I just eat stuff like this up! 
Kids fall down, get back up, and finish the race.  There is so much goodness in seeing that happen, who wouldn’t that put a smile on the face of!?

There are prizes given for the first 10 or so runners.  My kids don’t come in anywhere close to getting a prize (we have well over 100 students per grade).  But everyone gets a cookie afterwards!

We also have a Jingle Bell Jog in December on the day before Christmas break.  Can you spot all the Santa hats?  They are all also wearing a necklace with a large bell on it.  Thus the name.

One of my kids does not care for the race itself.  However, she loves knowing it is an event that her Mother will be at.  I’ve always been there, on the sidelines, cheering her on!  My other kids love the race as well as knowing I will be there.

This has become a tradition for us.  My kids get more excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas once the races are here.  It’s like a precursor for those two holidays.

If we ever moved we would have to hold our own races.  This is one reason that I am mentioning this on our blog.  It would be a fun thing to do, even as a family.  Or even better, start one at your school.  Ours is put on by our PE department.  I think combining fitness as a tradition is a win/win for sure!

What traditions do you have that are a bit different?  We at Roots And Wings Co LOVE traditions!  One reason I love this time of year so much is all the great traditions going on!  Have you thought about what traditions you have, or what ones you want to start?  It’s never too late and I believe it is one of the ties that hold families together!

Rebecca
PS  This year I am so lucky that I get to spend the whole day at school.  I start off first thing in the morning with one of the Turkey Trots, then a Thanksgiving Play, another Turkey Trot, a Thanksgiving Feast, and then my last child’s Turkey Trot.  What are the odds that all of these would be scheduled so that I could make it to all of them?  It’s never happened before, but it did this year!  I’m so excited!

A Bushel of Apples to Play With

 
I loved my Mom’s crocheted apples so much that I had to make up some polymer clay ones!

These were so quick and easy to make.  Then, I let my kids play with them!

After I made my tiny apples, I made up this paper to use them with. 
I keep adding to my list of manipulatives for my children to play with.  There are so many ways for the kids to play with these.  They can sort them by color, do pattern work, use the above sheet and sort by numbers, etc.  I love this kind of stuff!
Rebecca

I'm joining the following fun parties; Its A Blog Party, Blue Cricket Design, Sew Much Ado, Just A Girl, ABC and 123,

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Pumpkins!

I love Autumn (though anyone that knows me, knows that Winter is my favorite season)!  I get jonesing (yes, that is a real word…to me!) for Pumpkin Pie Spiced…anything!  So, I looked in my cupboard to see what I could come up with.  This is what I made up….Delicious! 

I took Puff Pastry, let it thaw, and then cut out Autumn shapes.  The only two Autumn Cookie Cutters I had were pumpkins (in 5 different sizes!) and a leaf (which is what I was really wanting, but that’s for another day’s post).
 
I made a few variations of these.  The first one I made like an apple pie pocket.  Easy peasy, I tell you!  This is a take off of one of my favorite desserts from Anjeanette.  Cut an apple into tiny pieces and put some in the middle of your cut out puff pastry pumpkin.  Then, sprinkle on some brown sugar.  If you are totally naughty (and I was) then, add a drizzle of caramel.  Top with some tiny pats of butter (I’m talking dime size or smaller and totally thin like a dime).
 
Add another Puff Pastry pumpkin on top and seal the edges.  Then, spread a thin egg wash (egg white and tiny bit of water) on the top and sprinkle some more brown sugar on top! 
Cook @400 for about 10 minutes.
Aren’t they nummy looking?
 
Inside shot of the Apple Pie Pockets…just because.

Other variations:
-Cut cute Jack-O-Lantern face into the Puff Pastry and Bake as is, to be layered later!
-Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of the egg wash.
-My Favorite:  Sprinkle Pumpkin Pie Spice on top of the Egg wash.

OK.
Here’s where it gets even better!  Slice one of these Pumpkin Pie Spice topped Pumpkins in half so you have 2 pumpkins (not 2 halves of pumpkins, if you know what I mean).
Now, let some Vanilla Ice Cream (don’t we all have this on hand?) soften.  Then, stir in more Pumpkin Pie Spice.  Put this mixture into a ziplock baggie and return it back to the freezer to firm it back up a little (as it melts quickly).
Snip the end off of the ziplock baggie and basically frost the bottom half of your Pumpkin Pie Spiced Puff Pastry Pumpkin with this delicious mixture.  Put the top back on the pumpkin.

Refreeze the whole thing.
Eat
Maybe save some for the kids.  Mine LOVED these!
The very top picture on this post was where I let the ice cream mixture harden a bit more and so I got a thicker layer of it, this was a gooood thing!

Don’t forget to use your scraps!
 
Use the leftover Puff Pastry scraps to fill in some mini muffin pans.  Then add some apple chunks, brown sugar, caramel (again, only if you are naughty), and pats of butter.  Bake same as directed above.  These are totally quick, easy, cute, and YUMMY bite-sized apple pies! 
Seriously, to die for!
Rebecca
ps 11 uses of parenthesis is NOT overkill.  It’s giving extra tidbits for everyone’s entertainment!

We're joining the fun in some parties:  This Blessed Nest, Under The Table and Dreaming,

Amazing Apples-Super Cute Decor For Fall

Want some fall decor inspiration?  My children will be getting these crocheted apples first thing in the morning, for a fall treat.

There is a red apple, a green apple, and a yellow apple. 
My Mom made these for all of the family!  Isn’t she amazing!?  They are similar to these pumpkins she made when we all grew up.

Now look how much cuter they are with gummy worms coming out of them!  Yup, all my Mom’s idea.  I love my Mom.  She’s so brilliant, talented, and thoughtful!

They can even hold an apple treat inside of them! 
Now quickly, go and make some of your own!  Thankfully, mine are already done!  ;)
Rebecca

We are joining the fun at the following parties; Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, Someday Crafts, Serenity Now, This Blessed Nest,

Pumpkin Pie Spice Play Dough

I run a daycare. I have crafts and foods every day that pertain to a theme for the month. Yesterday I tried a new one and I had to share it! I absolutely LOVE pumpkin pie. Yum. I also make a delish Pumpkin Cream Cheese Crescent Roll* that is to die for. Really, anything sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice entices me. So, when I remembered a recipe that I had for Pumpkin Spice Play Dough, I just had to make it. Wow, it is fantastic. It really does smell great, and totally looks like you are playing with pumpkin pie. Awesome! We will be playing with this right up until Thanksgiving!

Here’s the super easy recipe:

2 C Flour

1 C Salt

4 tsp. Cream of Tartar

3 tsp pumpkin-pie spice (I did 4…cuz I wanted to!)

2 C Water

2 TBL Vegetable Oil

Red and Yellow Food Coloring (the more the better!)

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Stir on low heat until mixture starts forming a ball and will pull away from the sides. Let cool. Enjoy.

Rebecca

Obviously you could eat this dough and not die, but with that much salt, I can’t imagine it would taste very good!

*

Easy Peasy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Crescent Roll Recipe:

Refrigerator Crescent Rolls

Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Orange sugar or sprinkles

Take Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and unroll them. Spread Cream Cheese on them. I used to love Cream Cheese and would add a thick layer. Now my thighs are begging for a thinner layer, and that tastes great too! Sprinkle with Pumpkin Pie Spice (again, to your liking...my liking is a LOT). Then, roll them up and cook them as directed. For extra bling, sprinkle the tops with orange sugar or sprinkles. I actually do this last step to differentiate between crescent rolls with the pumpkin pie cream cheese filling, and those without (sadly some members of my family do not like cream cheese...what are they thinking?!)!

Technorati Tags: pumpkin spice,play dough,homemade,pumpkin,cream cheese,refrigerator rolls,crescent,recipe

Heartfelt Thanksgiving Letters

I love November! What a great reminder to be grateful for all we have in our lives. This bucket is filled with scrolls of cute autumn stationary that I printed up on my computer. I love quick, easy, but with meaning. This project is all of that.

I was raised with parents who instilled thankfulness in us children, by their examples. My parents really are super, wonderful, giving people who I am so very thankful for. I would not be able to enjoy my life if it were not for them teaching me to be happy in the here and now. I really do love my life, even with all the chaos and downtimes. I have a list that is too long to list, of the many things in my life that I am so very thankful for. I am blessed to have the best family. This starts with my children, my parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews, and goes on and on! I have wonderful best friends who truly are amazing people. All of these people inspire me to be a better person. They celebrate with me in the good times and support me in the bad. What more can I ask for then this? Thank you to all of you!

I am loving Anjeanette’s project of activities to do with my kids. What a great twist on the thanksgiving tradition of being thankful. I also love Katrina’s tree, and do something similar with my kids. I like her twist of the leaves falling off the tree instead of being added to the tree as I have done in the past.

This project is about sharing with others the reasons that we are thankful for them. I first filled out one of these for each of my children. I was very specific about all the things about them that make me thankful to have them in my life. My oldest’s independence is something I totally admire, the next is so laid back and easy to love, while my youngest has such a fantastic energetic imagination. These are just 3 of the specific things I listed for them. I’ve done this activity before with my children. We left the scrolls as place holders on the thanksgiving table that year. This year after we finish filling these out we will hand deliver them and then mail the rest to the out of town people in our lives that are special to us. I want my kids to think through not just who they are thankful for. But this will help them see why we love those people so much.

I wish everyone Happy Holidays and hope you are taking the time to see all that you have to be thankful for as well!

Rebecca

Technorati Tags: Thankful,notes,idea,thanksgiving,childrens project,lesson

Edible Arrangement Thanksgiving Center Piece

This year I thought I would try a new twist on a Thanksgiving center piece. Usually the center piece sits in the middle of the table and looks lovely but it does not add anything to the feast. Inspired by a company called Edible Arrangements that does lovely bouquets of fruit, I decided on a Veggie arrangement.

Supplies:

-1 craft pumpkin ( you know the fake ones at the craft store)

-Bamboo skewers

-A couple of real mini ornamental pumpkins

-Some pomegranates generously given to you by your BFF

-A fall leaf garland

-Assorted vegetables in yellow, orange, red and green. I used mini bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, sugar snap peas, yellow cherry tomatoes and red grape tomatoes.

Use your imagination to put your vegetables on the skewers in creative ways. I suggest you use something metal like a nail or metal skewer to poke holes in your pumpkin where you want your vegetable sticks to go. I started with my sugar snap pea spirals because they were the biggest. When you start adding skewers to your pumpkin be sure to balance it out as you go. This will keep the pumpkin from tipping to one side. You can make some of the skewers a day in advance. I suggest waiting till the day of to put your tomatoes on the skewers. Put your skewers in the fridge till you are ready to set out your center piece.

I cut off the top of an ornamental pumpkin and cleaned out the inside. I have some small glass bowls that fit perfectly inside. For this picture (because Thanksgiving is still a month away) I only cut the top off of one of my mini pumpkins. Do this with several and put different dips inside as part of your center piece. It will also encourage your guests to actually eat from your arrangement.

Arrange the garland in a spiral under your pumpkin like a place mat. Arrange your ornamental pumpkins with dip around and place pomegranates between as filler.

The day before Thanksgiving I plan to fill the mini pumpkin with water and place my small glass bowl inside and freeze it. This way when I put the dip in the bowl the ice around the bowl inside the pumpkin will keep it nice and chilled.

What I love about this is that the garland and the pumpkin are the only things I need to find a home for till next fall. I will be able to make more edible arrangements or simply place silk stems in the skewer holes for another kind of decoration.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Katrina

Technorati Tags: Thanksgiving,arrangement,edible,vegetable,decoration