Somehow I messed up NaBloPoMo. Blogger wouldn't post my scheduled items, I couldn't log in as me to fix it for two days, my chickens were pulled limb from limb by stupid dogs, I broke my hip, the whole comma splice thing is annoying me already. Moving on.
It's really okay with me that I failed NaBloPoMo. Because I must tell you about my new favorite thing.
It's a Thankful Tree, shamelessly stolen from Margaret at our church. I am so in love with it that it might not be fair to my family. All that love aimed at an object. But trust me, you'll love it like that too.
All you have to do to create your own Thankful Tree is choose a branch from your backyard and embed it in sand or pebbles or a little Quickcrete. I am using a beautiful Manzanita branch that I once had on the wall as sculpture. I also chose one of my most gorgeously mossy terra cotta pots. But any old bucket will do.
Then have your children (or do this yourself if you are OCD like me) trace Oak and Maple and Ginko leaves onto construction paper in appropriate fall colors. Russet sounds good, doesn't it? The church has used real leaves before, but then they are no good for saving for.ev.er. As I might be wont to do. You too?
Then punch a little hole in the hundreds of leaves your children (or OCD you; remember, you're never too old to control the crafts) cut out. Thread some raffia or pretty ribbon through each hole.
Display them prettily on your sideboard in a pottery bowl next to the tree with a Sharpie marker or two.
As your Thanksgiving guests arrive, let them know they are welcome to fill out a Thankful Leaf. Or force them, if they are stodgy about it.
After the leaves are filled out (we encourage pre-writers to draw a picture), have them tie their leaves to the tree.
It is my favorite thing about Thanksgiving. Thanks, Margaret.
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And, in case you're keeping score at home, I can't take any pictures at this time as I am currently unable to walk. Standing up, sitting down, transitioning between the two: none of them any good. This should be fun.
7 comments:
I am so impressed with your will power to rise from yonder couch and blog! You are so cool like that.
WOW!! Sorry to hear ... praying for you my friend of many talents; your family is blessed to have you and the many things you have to place upon your special Thankful tree!!
Wish I was your neighbor ... I would make you a latte every day and deliver to you at 6am... uhhh make that 7am =)
we do this every year at thanskgiving!!!! It is one of my favorite things! :)
You BROKE YOUR HIP???
Are you going to tell us how or do we just sit here and imagine someone with Kryptonite finding you?
Gee whiz, honey... I would say "what else could go wrong for you" but alas- I won't jinx you.
Sounds like you need the power of positive well-wishing from readers like me. (And prayers, too!)
Sorry about the chickies- I hate to hear about needless massacres like that.
This is a FANTASTIC idea!! For year 'round even... but especially during dark thankless weather!
(And... I GOTTA tell you - the word verification today? OUTSLOB I kid you NOT)
Oh man. I'm so sorry things have been so ROUGH for you. OUCH.
I'm so ripping off this idea. :)
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