Winter Solstice

For the Solstice this year, we celebrated simply.

• the making of star ornaments out of popsicle sticks and glitter (five different colors to represent the four elements and spirit)
• bell chains with five bells each (representing the four elements and spirit)
• drilled holes in wooden shapes (sun, moon, and stars) and tied with twine
• used all of our handmade ornaments to decorate a Solstice tree.
• dream pillows for the boys and relaxing bath for the mama
• use of less technology and more family togetherness
• lots of quiet time for reflecting.

No Eclipse for Me

We got up early this morning and headed outside to view a wonderfully beautiful sky of gray.  I was so disappointed that we could not view the eclipse.

As soon as the boys got up, they were crying because they thought I had went outside without them.  I had really worked it... hot chocolate, snuggling, the MOON.

What a let down.

But we did make star ornaments today.  I'll take pictures once they are one the tree and let you see them.

Happy Solstice!

Out of Darkness We Have Light

I have been trying to come up with some ideas for the Winter Solstice this year.  I want to begin some family traditions that can be continued for many years to come.

I have found that looking to other mom's for inspiration is usually a good place to start.  I have found several articles that speak right to the heart.  When you are reading, you dream of recreating something similar for your family. 

I think what I enjoy most is the solitude reflection and family that goes into these celebrations.  The days are simply and full of peace.

I hope you enjoy the articles below as much as I have.  The first articles are more books and items to create that can then be incorporated into tradition.  the final articles will describe several traditions that I found endearing.

Winter Snack Mat ... Simple mat to eat all your wintry goodies on.

Critter Comfort ... Making the animals happy one at a time.

Winter Reading with Young Children ... Wonderful books to celebrate the season.

Star Children ... Create a simple giving area in your home.

Winter Crafts for Little Ones ... Scroll all the way to the bottom and check out the advent calendar.  I want to create one that only counts for 21/22 days... a count down to the Solstice.

Finding Stillness: Simple Solstice Ritual

The Longest Night ... Traditions remembered.

Winter Solstice Traditions ... Traditions to aspire to.

What is your favorite family tradition? 

What tradition do you hope your children continue in their own families?

Rarer Than Rare Winter Solstice



My husband knows my pagan beliefs and is very supportive.  (On a side note he is still figuring out his own beliefs.)  He came to me today and said he wanted me to see something amazing that would happen on the Solstice.  Curiosity got the best of me and I had to know.

Check out the site from Nasa called Space Weather.  Click on the link for animated eclipse.

At 1:41am on December 21st, there will be a total eclipse of the moon.  It will last until 2:53 am.  (This is central standard time.) 

I am going to get up around 1:15 to make hot chocolate and gather blankets.  I want to set up a cozy place in our yard to view this wonderful event.  At about 1:30, I'll get the boys up so we can tip toe outside for our show.

I want to gather a bit of factual information about a total eclipse of the moon, so I am prepared to answer most of the questions the boys have.  I'll share once I get it all together.

I am so excited.  This should be a really fun time full of family bonding and a celebration of all our wonderful planet has to offer.

Joyous Yule and Blessed Be!

Holiday Blues

I am normally not a Grinch.  This year for the first time in my 35 years I am not interested in the holiday season in the least.  We haven't even put up a tree.  This is usually done in November on my youngest son's birthday.

I have tried to get in the spirit, but nothing is working.  We made a gingerbread house, homemade gifts for the teachers, baked cookies...  nothing...

I am not sad or overwhelmed.  I just do not care to be honest.

The only thing I can think of is that I really do not want to celebrate Christmas.  The desire is gone.  I have celebrated Christmas my entire life, but it has no meaning to me anymore.  I would prefer to just celebrate Yule.  Living in the Bible Belt and having a very Catholic family just doesn't lend itself to my beliefs.  I can't take risk with what the outcome may be when my kids are involved.

When my kids are grown, I won't care as much.  They will not have to suffer the consequences of my actions.  At the present time though, unfortunately we live in an area of intolerance.  (Not sure if you remember the nasty letter I received about my son wearing skull clothing and being inappropriate and unworthy of friendship with some of the other children in school.  I was further chastised because as a teacher "I should know better.")

Thinking about it as I write maybe I am a bit sad.  Sad that other people can influence and dictate my life.  I know they truly can't, but it sure does that way at times.

Thus, the holiday blues.

How do you stay focused on the season? 

What do you do to curb negative feelings and overcome the pressures of others? 

How do you handle all this "junk" when their are preciously little kidlets involved?

Yule Activities for Children

There are so many activities that can be doe at this time of the year with or without children.  It was hard to narrow it down, but here are some of my favorites:

• winter crafts for kids: tons activities listed
• Yule time activities for the kiddos: select from a variety of activities for the holidays
• create a yule themed bunting following these simple directions: I am going to choose patterned fabric in Yule colors and then hand stitch felt letters onto some of the bunting triangles.  Not sure what I want the bunting to say quite yet though.
• celebrate the solstice by making simple paper bag luminaries
• create a new tradition and make a German luminary using a recycled milk jug
• feed the birds with wonderful popcorn garland
• make Yule holiday cards
• create a delightful simmering potpourri.

If you have some favorite Yule time activities that include the kiddos, please let me know.  I would love to add your ideas as well.  The more the merrier.

Bright Blessings during these new colder days.  Stay safe and healthy my friends.

MEAGAN AND THE YULE SOLSTICE

by Kathryn Dyer ©1991

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Meagan. She lived in a house that had lots of woods behind it. She lived with her mommy and daddy, her big brother Corwin and her beautiful cat named Starweaver.

Meagan loved to watch Starweaver play with the snow in the winter. He would try to catch the flakes as they came down from the sky. Sometimes he would get mad when the flakes would melt and then his tail would start swishing from side to side. Meagan's parents told her not to mess with Starweaver when his tail was swishing like that.

"When Star swishes his tail back and forth it means that he is mad or frustrated," said her father Michael, "and playing with him would be like someone teasing you when you're mad or don't feel good." Meagan could sure understand that! "What does frustrated mean Daddy?" she asked. "Frustrated is how you feel when you are trying very hard to do something and it won't work right. Like when you were learning how to dress yourself and you couldn't get your head through the neck of a shirt." explained Michael. Meagan knew just how that felt and she promised never to bother the cat when his tail swished.

But today Starweaver wasn't swishing his tail. He was following Meagan and Corwin into the woods and chasing shadows. Meagan and Corwin had gone down the path into the woods to gather green fir branches, mistletoe and holly. It was Christmas time and they were helping to decorate the house. Later they would go with their parents to pick out a live tree to decorate and then plant in the Circle behind the house. Meagan's family were Pagans, but they also celebrated Christmas when Santa Claus came.

Meagan's mother Elizabeth told her that many people would celebrate a God's birthday at the middle of the winter or the Yule Solstice. Meagan knew that the Yule Solstice was the longest night of the year. Of course, many Christians celebrated the birthday of Jesus at Christmas. But before there were Christians some people would celebrate the birthday of Mithras, one of the old Gods, or some of the other Solar Gods. Solar means that the God is in charge of the Sun and Light. Meagan could see how the sun would be very important in the cold of Winter.

Meagan's family celebrated two holidays in the winter. They would celebrate Christmas, which her mother said was Santa Claus's birthday and they would celebrate the beginning of winter which they called the Yule Solstice. Meagan thought that Santa Claus must be a very nice person to give other people presents on his birthday so she and Corwin always left him a piece of cake and some eggnog to drink.

Meagan and Corwin picked lots of branches to decorate the house with. They tried to get fallen branches when they could but when they had to take them off a live plant they would ask the plant first and then thank it when they were done. Meagan had some crystals in her pocket to leave for the plants as a thank-you present. Corwin used the scissors when they had to cut something because he was older and Meagan's safety scissors might hurt the plant more. Corwin was always very careful not to cut more than they needed. They put all their branches into baskets that Elizabeth's mother Nana had made.

"Don't let Starweaver eat anything!" said Corwin, "Many plants can make cats and people sick." Meagan held her basket up higher. She didn't want Star to get sick! Corwin told her that soon she would get to go on walks with their father into the woods to learn about which plants were safe to eat and which were not.

"Yes," said Meagan, "and then maybe Cindy's mom will show me how to make medicines!" Cindy was Meagan's best friend and her mother was an herbalist. Cindy's mother Anna made medicine, incense, make-up and lots of other things wit all kinds of plants and flowers. Sometimes Meagan would go with her mother when Elizabeth went to trade herbs with Anna. Then she and Cindy would have fun smelling all the herbs in Anna's workshop.

Soon Meagan's house was full of decorations. They made popcorn and cranberry strings to decorate the tree. Each year Meagan and Corwin would make a special ornament to put on the tree. This year Nana helped them make ornaments out of clay. Nana put the ornaments in her kiln, which is a kind of oven, so that they would get hard. Meagan loved her Nana very much. She always brought Meagan a surprise when she cam to visit. One time she had brought a little black kitten who grew up to be Starweaver!

One time Meagan asked Nana if she was a Pagan too. Nana said, "Oh, I'm half of one and a dozen of the other". Meagan couldn't talk about it to her other grandparents. Her daddy's parents Gramma Lee and Granpa Scott were very Christian and always asked where the children were going to Sunday school.

Meagan had been to Sunday school a few times with Cindy because her parents wanted her to know about all religions. But she didn't tell Gramma Lee and Granpa Scott about the time she went to the Jewish temple or talked to her parents' Buddhist friend. She knew that they wouldn't understand and she didn't want to make them feel bad.

It seemed like no time at all before it was the night before Yule Solstice. Meagan's family had found a dead tree in the woods to use for a Yule log. They decorated it with greenery after Michael carved little suns onto it. When it was ready they put it in the fireplace and put the piece of Yule log they had saved from last year on top of it. This year Jeremy, the Coven's High Priest, had to work on the Solstice so the Coven had decided to hold their ritual on the next Saturday. Meagan was excited, they would celebrate three days this year!

That night, Meagan's family had a big dinner and Nana came to stay the night. Elizabeth had talked to Cindy's mother Anna and she let Cindy come to spend the night too! Sonn Elizabeth lit the Yule log and many candles around the room. Cindy and Meagan lay on the rug in front of the fire while Michael played his harp. They sang some songs that people in their Coven had written about the Yule. Cindy didn't know very many of the songs they sang but she tried to sing them anyway. This made Meagan giggle and so Cindy started to tickle her. They had a great tickle fight until Nana said that they were too close to the fire even if it had a screen.

Cindy and Meagan got to stay up past their bedtime and even got to have a cookie before they went to bed. They promised each other to meet after Santa came to play with their new toys. Meagan could hardly wait for Santa to get there! On Christmas Eve she and Corwin left out some coconut cake and eggnog for Santa. They left him a note wishing him a happy birthday and thanking him in advance for anything he might leave for them if he thought that they had been good. Meagan had tried to be good all year but it was very hard for her to go to sleep that night. She kept thinking that she heard raindeer on the roof.

The next morning Meagan got up and brushed her teeth. She could hardly wait to go downstairs but she had to wait until her parents and Nana were ready. Because Corwin was old enough he had gone down to the kitchen to heat water for tea and coffee. Meagan's mother and Nana would only drink herb tea but Michael said he had to jumpstart his mornings which always made Elizabeth laugh and tease him.

Once they got downstairs Corwin and Meagan rushed to see what Santa had left them while their parent's took pictures. After they were done, the whole family exhanged presents. Then it was time to visit Gramma Lee and Granpa Scott. It wasn't until the next day that Meagan had time to play with Cindy.

Since the Coven had chosen to meet on Saturday they decided to have a party all day. People began arriving early in the morning. Some of them had brought gifts for Meagan and her family who also had gifts for them. Meagan had made Jeremy a plate with a pentagram and runes around it spelling out his name with the clay her Nana had brought to make the Christmas decorations with.

"Thank you so much Meagan!" said Jeremy, "I will put this on my altar at home and everytime I see it I will think of you." Meagan felt very happy that Jeremy liked her present. Everyone had a good time. They all played games and sang songs. Michael played his harp. Corwin had gotten a new recorder for Christmas and played it for eveyone. Sometimes people would stop for a little bit and go for a walk in the woods. Not everyone had woods behind their house like Meagan's family did.

It was getting to be time for the Circle to gather. Everyone took turns taking quick showers and baths to purify themselves. Meagan and Corwin helped decorate the Circle with greens and candles before it was their turn. They took their baths and put on their robes. The Coven was starting to gather in the Circle. There was a bonfire ready to light and two unlit candles waiting on the Altar. They would light the bonfire and the candles to help light the Horned Lord's way through the dark months of winter.

Robert blew a Horn and the ceremony started. When it came time for Cakes and Ale they passed out some special cookies that Nana had made for them. "I may not come worship with you," Nana said, "but I respect what you do and I would like to share a little part of it with you."

All too soon the ritual was over. Meagan was going to help clean up the Circle but her mother saw her yawning and sent her to bed. "Don't worry Meagan," said Elizabeth, "the grown-ups are going to stay up until the bonfire goes out and we'll clean up then. Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed and one of us will come tuck you in in a minute, o.k.?" "O.k. momma," yawned Meagan, "it's all been so much fun this week, I just can't stay awake any longer."

When Michael came up to tuck Meagan in she was already sound asleep and dreaming about the wonderful week she had had.

My Lantern

I go outside with my lantern,
my lantern goes outside with me.
Above the stars shine so brightly,
down here on the earth shine we.
So shine my light,
in the still dark night,
a bim a la ba ma la boom!

Glitter Lantern, Glitter

Glimmer lantern glimmer,
Little stars a shimmer.
Over meadow moor and dale,
flitter, flutter elf in veil.
Pee-witt, pee-witt, tick a tick a tick,
rou-cou, rou-cou.

Glimmer lantern glimmer,
Little stars a shimmer.
Over rock and stock and stone,
Wander, tripping little gnome.
Pee-witt, pee-witt, tick a tick a tick,
rou-cou, rou-cou.

- Traditional Waldorf Song

Yule, Christmas, and the Holidays

So, I was wondering what everyone does for the holidays.  We have traditionally celebrated Christmas, but I would like to incorporate Yule as well. 

Since I began my pagan journey on Samhain 2009, I was so new to the path that I did not do much for Yule last year.  I quietly observe the holiday on my own... a 5 minute mediation and commune with the goddess.  It was nice actually, but it did not involve my children.

I do not want a big ta-do.  Something simple and symbolic of the season.

Any suggestions?  Ideas?

*Upon looking at a post from last year, I realize I did have a brief discussion with the boys.*

My husband doesn't want to confuse them by changing to a Yule celebration, but Christmas never had anything to do with Jesus and his birthday and all of that at our house anyways.

Any ideas on how to transition without a big change?  I also am concerned that if we do not celebrate on the 25th that others will begin to realize our beliefs and ostracize my children.

Isn't it sad to live in the United States and still have to deal with such ridiculous ideas as mainstream Christianity?

The First Yule

“Grandfather can you tell us a story?” the children asked in unison as they ran up to the old man reclining peacefully by the fire.

The old man sat up straighter in the chair, took a puff from his pipe and asked with a grin, “What story should I tell? What story do you want to know? You there,” he said pointing to one of the children, the smallest, “you haven't had a turn to ask for a story in quite a while. So you pick, tell me what you want to hear.”

In a small voice, the child said “Grandfather can you tell me of the story of the first Yule? I always liked that one the best.”

With a clearing of his throat and another puff on his pipe, the Grandfather started to spin the tale of the first Yule.

“We all know that Yule is at the end of December. When the night and the day are equal to each other. But the story really starts much earlier. In fact over a month earlier. For you remember that in August the Harvest Lord laid down his sword of power and went away to Summerland to rest. Well the Goddess missed her husband so much that she began to grow old just with the grief alone and that is why we have Winter. The time when the Earth grows barren and cold.

“Well the Goddess because of her sadness after a time, left us also and went on a journey to Summerland to try and find him. Now she doesn't die now, she only goes on a vision quest. But she is gone so long that at Samhain her body passes on and when she is found frozen in the forest two weeks later a wake is held for her in the Holly King's drinking hall.

“It took over a week for all the faeries and other mourners to come.For they came from all corners of Creation. But there was one unexpected guest, an old woman. She was so old that she almost looked like a walking skeleton. So of course everyone there was mean to her out of fright and disgust.

“Yet when she greeted the Holly King, calling him her Son, everyone realized with much fright that this was the Goddess returned to them. The very Goddess whose death, they were there to mourn.

“So angry was she, that she was treated so poorly, the Goddess passed a prophecy to the Holly King. That she had within her the Oak King, soon to be reborn. And for rebuking her the Holly King would pass to Summerland upon the birth of that child.

“Now this scared the Holly King that he decided to lock the old Crone away in the top room of the tallest tower in all the world. Then he walled up the doors and all but one of the windows so that she is trapped within the room at the top of this tower. The window he left open so that he could have the birds fly food to her.

“Now he did this hoping that he could escape the doom that was foretold to him. But the Crone knew that the birth of her child was her only hope of escape. The Crone then wove magick and took the light and warmth from the Sun, and passed it to her son. So that in just four weeks, she gave birth to the Oak King. Who ever after was also given the name of the Sun King. For he was born fully grown and glowing with a golden light so bright that it caused the dying of the Sun to be reversed.

“Those four weeks of magick are why we light the candles for the four weeks before Yule. One candle for the first week and two for the second and so on until we have four candles lit on the night of Yule. This represents the growing light inside her as outside the Sun grew weaker.

“But the birth was hard on the old Crone, so hard that she slipped into a sleep very near to Death. So the Sun King in his anger thinking that his mother was dead, flew out the lone window as a large golden eagle. All across the Earth he hunted the Holly King, Lord of the Wintertime. Finally cornering him at the shores of a great ocean.

“And when he found him he threw his magickal spear at him and destroyed him. The spear hit the Holly King so hard that his body just vanished. But don't worry, for the Holly King simply reappeared in Summerland. When he got there he found the Crone in one of her other aspects, the Young Maiden.

“She spoke to him of prophecy and the Wheel of the Year. She spoke of the new cycle that had been made in the last year. That the events of the last year would repeat themselves forever and ever.

“And although the Holly King had passed away now, he now knew that he would return just past the height of Summer to take the Sun King's place again.

This is why the Holly King, as Santa Claus, brings us gifts every year to make up for the Winter that he brings with him. But he only brings presents to good little boys and girls because he wants us to learn to not be mean like he was to the Crone on that first night that he met her so long ago.

“Now back to the Sun King, when he returned to the Crone he saw that she wasn't really dead but only asleep. So he went out and found a large log, the first Yule Log, cut from the largest Oak he could find. In hopes that this would revive the Goddess. And for their lifegiving properties he decorated her room with evergreens. Even bringing in a tree and decorating it with his light.

“But all this magick did was to make her youthful again, so that now she was a beautiful youthful Maiden. Yet she still slept a deep sleep almost near death.

“So you see my grandchildren there are good reasons why we do the things that we do at Yule. They served a purpose long ago and it is good to recognize and honor that. “

“But Grandfather,” spoke up the eldest, “What happened next? I know the Goddess didn't stay asleep forever. Please tell us more.”

Shaking his head, the old man said, “Lunch is overdue and I'm hungry so let us go to eat and then I will tell you all another tale. I will tell you of what happened next to the Goddess and to the Sun King. I will tell you the story of the first Imbolc.”

~Posted by Patrick McCleary on Pagan Dad December 3, 2008

The Latern

There was once a boy called George who had been outside in the garden all through the Summer running after the butterflies, jumping like a grasshopper, singing like a bird, and trying to catch the sunlight. One day when he was lying on his back in the meadow gazing up into the sun-filled sky, he said, “Dear Brother Sun, soon the Autumn winds will blow and wail, and Jack Frost will come and make us all freeze, and the nights will be long and cold.”

Brother Sun pushed the clouds aside and said, “Yes, it will be dark and cold. In the deep midwinter, warmth and light live deep within, hidden from sight. In the time of dark and cold, you will tend the Light Within.”

“But,” said George, “How will I tend this Light when it’s dark everywhere around me?”

“I will give you a spark of my last Autumn rays once you have made a little house for it, for this spark must be guarded well. It will light the way for you to tend the Light Within throughout the time of dark and cold.”

And then Brother Sun once hid again behind a cloud.

George went home and wondered how best he could make a little house for the spark of the sun. He took a thick piece of paper and painted a beautiful blue and yellow watercolor upon it. When it was dry, he cut windows into his painting. Then he placed colored tissue paper on the back of his watercolor - and - he formed it into a lantern. He took a candle and put it into the middle of his lantern. And, as it was growing dark, he went outside with it.

George held the lantern up above him and said, “Brother Sun, I have made a little home for one of your golden sparks. Please may I have one? I will guard it well.”

Then Brother Sun looked out from behind a cloud and said, “You have made a beautiful home. I shall give you one of my golden sparks.”

And suddenly, George saw how the windows of his lantern were lit up, and as he looked into the lantern, he saw a spark happily dancing on top of the candle. Oh, how happy the light was in his lovely lantern! It shone and shone so brightly.

“Thank you, Brother Sun,” George called out, “Thank you.” And he took his lantern and carried it carefully home singing:

The sunlight fast is dwindling,
My little lamp needs kindling.
Its beam shines far in darkest night,
Dear Lantern, guard me with your light.

~ from Autumn, Wynstones Press, originally by M Meyerkort and revised by L Sutter.

Solistice Punch

Ingredients...

• raspberry ice Crystal Lite (individual water packets)
• 2 cups of water
• 2 cups orange juice
• 4-6 cups ginger-ale

Directions...

1. Mix together all ingredients.
2. Sample a small sip.
3. Add more of this and that until you get the taste you desire.
4. Enjoy with crushed ice.

NOTE: I am thinking of placing about 1 cup of punch in a bullet and making a smoothie types drink.  Not sure it will work, but worth a try.

Blessed Yule

Happy Solstice everyone!!

This is the first official Yule celebration for my family.  It was simple and perfect.

Here is how we celebrated this year:

1. I discussed the importance of the Solstice with my boys.  I hit on several important points:
• longest night of the year
• days will gradually get longer
• this is the time of year leading up to spring
• it is a time of preparing for the return of the Sun (for example: deciding what to plant and when)
• a time to reflect on things in our life and decide if we need to come up with a life plan (for example: always rushing around in the mornings before school... go to bed 15 minutes earlier, set out clothes the night before and already have lunch made)
2. We had a sit down family dinner of roast, potatoes, carrot, and homemade mac and cheese.   
3. 
   

Tomorrow we will be making bird feeders and placing them in the trees around our yard.  The boys are besides themselves with anticipation.  I'll post pictures and let you know how it goes.

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons.

Chocolate Yule Log

I found this recipe on About.com.  I do not remember the author.

Ingredients/Materials...

• several candles
• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box) cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. cocoa mix
• 1 stick butter
• 16 oz. semi-sweet baker's chocolate
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• spearmint leaf jelly candies
• cinnamon red hots
• mini marshmallows & chocolate kisses (optional)

Directions...

1. Prepare the cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, pour the batter out onto the paper, and spread until it reaches the edges. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.  DO NOT OVERBAKE.
2. Allow cake to cool in pan for ten minutes.
3. Invert it onto a cloth towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off the parchment paper. Roll the cake up inside the cloth towel, starting with one of the short sides. Let the rolled-up cake cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Blend the whipping cream, powdered sugar and cocoa mix together to form the filling. Chill until thick and firm.
5. After the cake has completely cooled, gently unroll the cake from the towel. Remove the towel, and spread the filling over one side of the cake, stopping about a half inch from the edge. Roll the cake back up -- this should be easy, since it cooled in a rolled-up form.
6. Place the cake on a serving platter and allow to chill for a couple of hours.
7. To make the frosting, melt the butter in a double boiler and then add the chocolate. Once the chocolate has all melted, stir in the heavy cream. Let the icing sit at room temperature until it's a little thick. Spread on the cake, covering the entire roll, and then drag a fork through the icing to create a bark-like appearance on your log.
8. Add a couple of spearmint leaves and red hots to form clusters of holly on the log.

NOTE: If you'd like to add "mushrooms" to your log, stick a toothpick through a miniature marshmallow, and then poke it into the flat side of a chocolate kiss. Snip off the pointy part of the kiss, and you'll have a small mushroom. Use the toothpick to stick these on top of your log.

If you're not going to serve immediately, wrap the cake in loose plastic and refrigerate overnight. Allow the cake to sit out for about an hour before slicing.

Winter Crafts for Kids

During the colder months of the year, many families are trapped inside and the kids begin to get cabin fever... probably the adults too!  Here are some great ideas I found around the web for just one of those days.

Craft Ideas...
3D Snowflake Paper Craft
Polished Gwiazdy Craft: beautiful folk artsy snowflakes
String Art Snowflake
Collage Snowmen
Close Up Snowman Painting
Hanging Mittens
Holiday Button Wreath
Indoor Fairy House
Craft Stick Star Ornament
Paper Bag Owl 
Paper Plate Reindeer Card Holder
Paper Towel Poinsettia
Pipe Cleaner Holiday Tree: super cute

Getting Back to Nature & Recycled Craft Ideas...
Backyard Nature Lab
Eco-Friendly Holiday & Winter Activities
CD Tree Ornament
Acrylic Tree Ornament
Wire Wrapped Ornament or Pendant
Holiday Card Refrigerator Magnets
Decoupage Wrapping Paper Ideas
Wine Cork Fairy (AKA witch)

*If the project is not the project at the top of the page, simply scroll down until you see it.

Yummy Holiday Cookies

Ingredients...

• 1 box devil's food cake mix (or any other flavor of  your choice... Betty Crocker cake mix is suggested)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil 
• 2 large eggs
• powdered sugar

Directions...

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Stir dry cake mix, oil and eggs in a large bowl until dough forms. It is best to do this by hand.
3. Dust hands with powdered sugar and shape dough into 1" balls.
4. Allow the rolled dough to sit for a minute or so before following the next step.
5. Roll balls in confectioners' sugar and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until center is just set... err on the side of underdone rather than overdone.
7. Cool on wire racks. 
8. If needed, sprinkle with a bit more powdered sugar.

Crock Pot Roast

Simply easy cooking.

Ingredients...

• 1 beef roast, any kind about 3 pounds 
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package brown gravy mix, dry
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package dried Italian salad dressing mix
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package ranch dressing mix, dry (use half the packet)
• 1/2 cup water  

Directions...

1. Poke several holes in the roast & pat the roast with moist paper towels.
2. Mix the dried mixes together in a bowl and rub onto the roast.
3. Place beef roast in crock pot.
4. Pour the water around the roast.
5. Cook on low for 7-9 hours.

If you would like to add vegetables to the crock pot, consider potatoes, carrots, and onions.  You can heat up green beans and corn and dump them into the crock pot about 15 minutes before done.

**NOTE** After actually cooking this roast, I must admit it was a bit bland.  I would add garlic salt and pepper to the dry mix and rub onto roast before cooking.  I might even considering browning the roast slightly in a pan before palcing in crock pot.  The veggies turned out fantastic though!

Chicken Pot Pie

I believe I got this recipe from recipezaar.  Recipezaar has to be my favorite place to find yummy ideas for the kitchen.

INGREDIENTS...

• 1 cup potato, diced
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced 
• 1 cup carrot, diced
• 1/3 cup melted margarine
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups chicken, cooked and chopped
• 2 pie crusts (either store bought or your own recipe)

DIRECTIONS...

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Saute onion, celery, carrots and potatoes in butter for 10 minutes.
3. Add flour to sauteed mixture, stirring well. Cook one minute stirring constantly.
4. Combine broth and half and half. Gradually stir into vegetable mixture. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly.
5. Stir in salt and pepper; add chicken and stir well.
6. Pour into shallow 2 quart casserole dish and top with pie shells.
7. Cut slits to allow steam to escape.
8. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly and cooked through.

A Simple Introduction on the Winter Solstice

PBS Kids has a super simple animated story explaining the Winter Solstice.  Get ready to read along to join Sue Ellen on her holiday adventure.

Another important aspect of the season is volunteering.  Any child who has watched Arthur knows that Binky Barnes is notorious  for his unkindly behaviors.  This scrapbook will show just how much the season does to influence the lives of others.

I hope you enjoy these online stories as much as I did.  I know this will be a perfect way to introduce this new holiday into our family.