Christmas Crafts: DIY Decor: Nut Ball for Mantle (and Potpourri Balls)

The Christmas Nut Ball
{Hazelnuts or Walnuts}

By Renee Neace

For rustic, Christmas charm, try making some Christmas Nut Balls. These are perfect projects for the crafts-disabled person. No artistic talent is needed, just time and patience. I have fond memories of staying up late one night during Christmastime, gluing walnuts to a foam ball. ;)

My husband fondly remembers me emerging from the kitchen, after hours of working on “Christmas crafts,” smiling proudly and displaying my Christmas Nut Balls. “Wow, Mommy made a nut ball!” he said with a sideways grin. Those words have stayed with us throughout the years and have become a Christmas tradition. Each year as we unpack the decorations, we fondly remember when Mommy made her first nut ball.

The supplies are simple and available at your local craft and grocery stores.

• 1–2 foam balls (3” and 4”)
• Glue gun with plenty of glue sticks
• Bag of green moss
• Large bag of nuts from the grocery store (walnuts or hazelnuts work well)
• Dried baby’s breath
• A bag of potpourri to make the second ball (containing red flowers, like dried roses)
• A decorative vine ball

Instructions

Step 1: Glue the moss onto the foam ball. Break the moss apart into small pieces before you begin gluing.

Squeeze the glue onto a small section of the ball and gently press the moss on. Be careful! The hot glue is HOT! Gently pull off the extra moss as you’re working and then reapply, making sure there are no bald spots. Keep working with it until you’ve covered the whole ball. This can be a little messy and sticky, but it’ll look good when you’re done.

Glue the moss onto the foam ball.

This can get a little sticky and messy, but it'll look good when you're done. :)

Step 2: Start gluing down the nuts. 

Again, this is easy. Imagine an equator around your moss-covered foam ball. Squeeze some glue where you want your first nut to go, then press it firmly in. Continue all the way around the imaginary equator, and begin a second row. Do this until the whole ball is covered with the nuts. Don’t worry about being perfect; some space between the irregular shapes is to be expected.

Imagine an equator around your moss-covered foam ball. Glue on the hazelnuts or walnuts. 

Step 3: You’re almost done! 

At this point, you can decide to keep it plain or to add in some baby’s breath. First, break or cut off some little pieces of the flowers. Squeeze a tiny amount of glue into the tiny nooks and crannies of the nut ball and stick some of the flowers in. You don’t need to fill in every crevice, just a few spots all over the ball.

You’re done!

Make another one, so that you can create a vignette of nut balls for your Christmas mantle. Or make the Potpourri Ball to display with them.

 The Potpourri Ball

Step 1: Glue the moss onto the foam ball like you did for the Christmas Nut Ball. 

(You can use a different size foam ball.)

Step 2: Start gluing down the potpourri. 

Pour the potpourri onto the table and pick out the prettiest pieces and start gluing them on. Cover the whole ball with the potpourri.

Step 3: Fill in gaps with green moss. 

Once you’ve finished gluing the potpourri, gently stick some little pieces of the moss into the spaces all over it. This gives it a more finished look.

You’re done!

Now, set it down on your mantle next to your Christmas Nut Balls.

Down Syndrome Kids: Times Tales - Times Tables Made Easy!

Click Here for Times Tales

"Joshua, my Special Needs learner and 8-year-old middle boy, is thoroughly enjoying it." 

Times Tales is a program that teaches the upper times facts through mnemonic stories. It is the brainchild of Jennie Von Eggers, a homeschooling mom teaching the multiplication facts to her boys. They had trouble remembering their facts from day to day. She developed a way to teach them through clever stories, which enabled them to recall the facts. Several years later, she (along with two partners) developed this system into Times Tales.

I‘m reviewing this product and have to say I am unsure if it works for my family. My older boy Jonathan, 11 years, still struggles slightly with recalling his multiplication facts. But learning the stories for each one seems cumbersome. He’s farther along in knowing his facts and this just slows him down. He’s not the target audience for this system.

Joshua, my Special Needs learner and middle boy, 8 years, is thoroughly enjoying it. He carries the flip chart around with him - through the house, in the car, to church,- and talks about the stories on each page. He recognizes the numbers in the characters and reads the equations to me. But, developmentally, he’s not learning his multiplication facts. I wonder if this will hinder his understanding of the concept of multiplying numbers. I may be putting the cart before the horse with this boy. On the other hand, this may be exactly what will help him see and understand his times tables. He’s a boy that likes to experience life, and learns through seeing things, hearing things, and touching things. Teaching him these clever stories is great for his imagination and story-telling abilities. He’s behind in his expressive language skills, but I see him articulating these stories.I’m willing to continue using this with him and evaluate the outcome. It may be much farther down the road.

Cast of Times Tales Characters:
Butterfly – The number “3” drawn to look like a butterfly.
Chair – The number “4” drawn to look like a chair (4 table legs)
First Grade Class – looks like the “6”
Mrs. Week – looks like the “7”
Mrs. Snowman – looks like the “8”
Treehouse – looks like the “9”

Story #1:

The First Grade Class played musical Chairs for 24 hours.

Setting:

A flip chart with a really cute picture of little kids with 6’s on their heads walking around a chair shaped like a 4, and musical notes flying around the room.

Plot:

We talk about the picture and what the kids are doing. Ask questions and get the kids to tell you the story back. Make sure to keep the numbers in order.

Last Act:

Show the kids Flash Cards and have them tell you the story represented by each one. Then reveal to them that their actually doing “math.”


Click Here for Times Tales

30 Days of Gratitude

4 Things I'm Thankful For:

1. Videos of my sweet Ella
2. Sons that hug and love on me everyday
3. Warm, fuzzy blankets and pillows
4. Cold, cloudy days (there haven't been any lately)

3 Ways I Can Express Gratitude

1. Smiling more

2. Showing my happy face

3. Saying "thank you" often and with enthusiasm

30 Days of Gratitude: Journey Through Exodus

Week 2: Exodus 5-8

MONDAY: 4 Things I'm Thankful For

1. Ella, Beautiful Ella!
2. April the good mama 
3. Brendan the funny da-da
4. Rain Storms, Booming Thunder, Crackle of Lightning

TUESDAY: 3 Ways I Can Express Gratitude

1. Love Notes
2. Thank you cards
3. Hand-written, encouraging letters

30 Days of Gratitude: Journey Through Exodus

Week 1: Exodus 1-4

MONDAY: 4 Things I'm Thankful for

1. My hardworking, trustworthy husband
2. Rain Storms--beautiful, wet, loud thunder and flashing lightning
3. My Boys! Jonathan, Joshua, Josiah!!
4. My House--safe, warm, filled with love.

TUESDAY: 3 Ways I Can Express Gratitude

1. Back rubs, feet rubs, neck rubs... :)
2. Tell others how much they mean to me.
3. Verbally tell the Lord how much I'm thankful daily.

WEDNESDAY: Record a Favorite Memory

The rain storm this morning at 6 am was incredible. Thunder and lightning dominated the dark sky, and the booming thunder was so loud it scared me and made me almost jump out of my bed. It was so lovely to lay there and snuggle and enjoy the storm.

THURSDAY: Something wonderful that happened today.

The Rain Storm!

Capturing the Wedding Dress in Photos

The other day I felt inspired to capture the grace, simplicity, and innocence of April's wedding dress. It's been hanging in my room for so long now (it only left for a few days during the wedding) that it seemed the right place to photograph it. After cleaning all the clutter that was next to my bed, (a pile of unfolded, clean clothes) I propped a mirror against my nightstand, moved my lamp slightly to the right, then draped her veil across both. I opened wide the blinds and with sunshine flooding the room I arranged her dress on a wooden hanger and placed in the doorway. Standing in my kitchen, I shot several views and angles of the dress--front, back, up close and far away.

I worked some magic in Photoshop and refined a few of the shots. I designed this sepia composite of the back and front of her dress, and added several borders and textures. I have a favorite. Which one do you like? The Latte, Coffee and Cream, Mocha, Raisin, Blueberry, Slate, or Rose?

a. Latte

b. Coffee and Cream

c. Mocha

d. Raisin

e. Blueberry

f.  Slate

g. Rose

April's Bridal Shower {Coral, Navy Blue & Coca-Cola Themed}

On a breezy Saturday afternoon in late January, one week before her wedding day, we had a small, family bridal shower for April. We sat outside in the warm, southern California sunshine at BJ's Pizzeria and enjoyed good food, yummy cupcakes, and family time.

 

Aunt Debbie made these gorgeous chocolate cupcakes with coral-colored frosting and delicate white pearl candies placed around the top. They were so pretty, I wanted to save them. They tasted so delicious, I wanted to eat more. Recipe coming soon.

Sippin' some lemon water, showing off her engagement ring . . . and long nails!

The BJ's waiter took this shot of the whole group. 

I can't remember which pose April and Michelle did first--the silly, sarcastic faces,
or the happy, smiling ones.

{If anyone would like the hi-res photos for their personal use, let me know. You can PM me in Facebook and I'll email them to ya'. --Renee}

Lookin' good, ladies!

Such a lovely picture with Aunt Darlene. We we're so glad
she made it to the bridal shower.

Camera shy . . . Jill and Brandi! Don't worry, my pics are
ALWAYS flattering. :)

Cousins, aunt and niece. :)

I really like how this picture turned out. I processed it in Photoshop,
and got this funky shot. Looks surreal, obviously,
almost fairy-tale-esque!

April and Kim, definitely NOT camera shy!

Mikaylah looking pretty!

{If anyone would like the hi-res photos for their personal use, let me know. You can PM me in Facebook and I'll email them to ya'. --Renee}

Time4Learning - Down Syndrome Kids: Homeschool, Afterschool, and Summer School

Joshua loves his "school time!" (Review was written a few years back, my kids have grown up!)

Joshua loves his “school time.”

My Joshua is a special child. God has gifted him with an extra chromosome (Trisomy 21, aka Down syndrome.) It takes him longer to learn some things. He’s a very visual learner and makes connections when he can see it, feel it, hear it, touch it. His learning comes alive through his life and world experiences. Enter Time4Learning – a new approach that takes advantage of today's technology. It's a convenient, online home education program that combines learning with fun, educational, teaching games. (From their website.)

I have 2 of my kids working in Time4Learning. My youngest, Joshua, works in the Kindergarten level. Here, he is learning phonics, special sounds, counting by 2’s and 5’s, ordinal numbers, comparing numbers, and odd/even numbers. Joshua is just beginning to learn these number concepts and Time4Learning provides the “fun” school time he needs to reinforce these concepts. He loves it. Since I am homeschooling, Joshua likes to think of this as his “school” time. I have been most pleased with the Language Arts section. It does a very good job of introducing new sounds or sight words, and then working with them. Creative-looking, colorful sock puppets, finger puppets, and little bugs are used to teach the lessons. He would be on this site all day if I let him! Joshua loves his “school time.” If I could afford it, (it is reasonably priced) I’d keep Joshua on Time4Learning indefinitely. He truly enjoys it and is making connections. It has been beneficial, indeed, for him. 

The only drawbacks are the size of the graphics in the math sections.

• At times, the items to be counted are too small for him to clearly differentiate.
• The number grids and graphs are also too small for him to see and therefore
• He has a hard time understanding the concept being taught.

The Science and Social Studies sections are fun and interactive also. But, it seems some reading is involved, which the parents will need to read to the student. This is fine in my case since Joshua likes to sit on my lap and learn that way. We read through each section and I help him to understand the lesson, then we take the quizzes together. The program leads Joshua through each section with flashing arrows. He can click on any icon and work in any section, but it keeps track of what he has or hasn’t finished. So, each time he works, it prompts him to what he needs to finish.

http://www.time4learning.com/

My other son, Jonathan, has been working in the 6th grade level. He’s been focusing on the math and language arts sections. This is quite different for him, since he’s been engrossed in Saxon math for the past 2 years. Time4Learning is big, and bouncy, and loud, and he was a little embarrassed when he began. I think he felt it was too juvenile for him. He’s gotten over that; he keeps the volume down… For Jonathan, I see Time4Learning acting as a great supplement to his math and grammar studies. The lessons are very entertaining and keep his attention.

Reviewing Time4Learning has been a privilege. You simply sign up each child in their appropriate level and then they are assigned a username and a password for each time they log in to learn. There are two levels for logins, an Upper Level Login, and a Lower Level Login. There is also a Parent Login that gives access to a parent forum, and lesson plans. It gives an account status and allows you to make changes to the student levels.

Time4Learning’s interaction is very similar to the kid’s computer programs JumpStart series and Winnie-the-Pooh learning software. There is also a child’s portfolio icon which shows what they’ve worked on, how successful they’ve been, how much time they’ve spent on each section, etc. These reports can be printed out for reference.

http://www.time4learning.com/

Their website says...
Time4Learning's curriculum can be the foundation of a homeschool program. Many homeschool families use Time4Learning as core curriculum in one or more subjects: others use Time4Learning to supplement other homeschool curriculum with a fun interactive reinforcement of the day's lessons. Families with children in school use Time4Learning after school as an alternative to tutoring, learning centers, or supplementary workbooks. Time4Learning is also popular as a summer skills sharpener or instead of summer school.

Click Here For Time4Learning

Throwback Thursday ... When was this taken?

Seasons in the AV -- Winter and Springtime

I took this picture in my backyard just a day or two after the Butterfly Bush blossomed. 

I loved the purple against the blue sky.

This shot was taken from my backyard, also, but during the dead of winter in the high desert. 

This is all we get for our winter weather--beautiful, dark, cloudy skies and whipping wind.

The 20-Year Love Story

November 18, 2009

I dreamed a strange dream last night.

I am lost and trying to find my way back home, back to my husband. Traveling on foot, I walk through familiar neighborhoods somewhere along the coast, where we used to live. It is nighttime. Gradually the streets became unfamiliar, and I try reading the street signs on the corners, hoping to recognize them and find my way back home. But none of the names are familiar.

Strangely, at one point I am driving in a tiny car, backwards, through a tiny alley, trying to get through a half-open, iron gate. Carefully I make it through. But then, I am back walking on foot again.

I come upon a street with a restaurant I know! I've been there before! A big, rustic, log building with snow covering its roof, The NorthWoods Inn! Ahh, at last, something familiar. But that means I'm farther away from my home than I originally thought. How far have I traveled from home? How will I get back to him?

Still lost and far from my husband, I decide to phone him, or someone, just anyone! I must have a cell phone on me, but I can't remember his number, or my daughter's, or anyone else's. I walk down a small corridor, almost like an alley. I stop and begin rummaging through my purse for anything that has phone numbers on it, a piece of paper or in a notebook. I flip through this small notebook, page by page, but nothing. I try to remember some, but there are so many numbers to memorize lately. Things are a jumble in my head. I hear someone whisper from around the corner, "Phone?" I don't know why they said that. They aren't talking to me, are they? And, I am so sad. And lost. How will he be able to find me? Where am I? I do not know. 

Feeling so sad and alone now. Lost and confused. There must be help somewhere . . . There must be a phone number I can remember. I am becoming desperate. Who will help me? Who will find me?

I slowly turn to my right and look down the long hallway, whitish walls on each side. And then, he steps out from a doorway, so gracefully, as if to surprise me, no, to comfort me. Like a fair knight, he smiles knowingly. He knows I am afraid. He has been looking for me all this time. No words are spoken, just complete understanding between us. He has found me. And I am helpless, and full of love.

I wake up full of emotions, looking at him beside me. He is like a little boy and my heart breaks with love. What have we become? Will he find me again? Can we find our way back home?

Unexpected

We cuddle up on the couch, watch a little tv, enjoy the summer evening, and reminisce on the events of a long day spent ministering God’s love to the campers. When out he pops, skitters, no–skips, no–it is more like he marches down the hallway, the king of his domain. He stops and looks at us, surprised that someone else would be here, in his kingdom. He stares for what seems like an awfully long time, considering. Then he darts into the kitchen.

A mouse! In my house! Now that is unexpected.

 

Late one evening, about 10:30, we walked home through the forest-y pine trees and down the hill to our log house, having just finished Friday night singing around the campfire. Hand in hand with my little boy we walked, stomping the leaves and rocks, twisting our way under the oak tree, carefully avoiding the little unseen hazards under our feet. Our house was right there, in sight, so close. I flashed the light farther down the path--there was our car and the truck parked in our driveway.

Wait! What was that? Two round, glowing yellow eyes, never moving, never swerving stared back at us. Two round ears popped out on top of its head. This was one huge dog--as tall as the truck bed it was standing next to. Was this the “Beast Dog” described in the Hound of the Baskervilles? Could it be real? Was it alive?

On we walked, straight towards it, staying true to the path we were on. It kept silent, but loomed large. Was this the Cujo dog? We walked closer, the light from my flashlight shining straight in its eyes. We were within 30 feet and still it didn't move, just stared. Then it dawned on me. THIS IS––A BEAR! 

Now that was unexpected!

 

Not sure what to do now, and panic set in. We quickly darted to the right towards our front door, keeping our eyes on the bear, ( he had remained still for some time.) Then, unexpectedly, he took a few steps toward us, may be as a warning. But in my panicked state of thinking, I feared the worse--that he wanted to ATTACK us! 

 

Running straightway, my boy and I clamored down the rocky wall,  jumped up the steps to our porch, tumbled into the living room, and slammed the door shut! 

The end.

Five Minute Fridays - EVERY DAY

 

Every day there are dishes in the sink, dirty clothes overflowing from the hamper, clean clothes piled high on my bedroom floor, Legos strewn on the carpet, dust and lint puffs floating around in my laundry room, candy wrappers and pieces of trash (from I don’t know where) littering my boys’ room, beds with blankets falling down, an office with a lot, (maybe a zillion) papers, receipts, pens and other stuff all thrown across the desk.

BUT… I’m thankful for all of this! There was one time, a time not so long ago, when I had no bedroom of my own, no kitchen, no living or dining room of my own. No laundry room, and no boys’ room. No office to call my own. And very little hope...

Now I do.

{FIVE MINUTE FRIDAYS BY GYPSYMAMA}

GypsyMama says: 

Wanna just write? Without wondering if it’s just right?

Indulge in five rich, delicious minutes of pure writing.
Tell your readers you’re linking up and invite them to dig in too.   
And most importantly, go visit, read, and compliment the five minute chef who served something up right before you.

Venturing Into Unknown Territory

My 2010 Goals {Revisited}

The year (2010) began as all the others, but ended quite differently. "Pulling up our stakes" as they call it, (howbeit they were not so firmly entrenched in the OC anymore), traversing the "Verdugo Trail," through perilous mountain peaks and across cattail strewn lakes, and venturing into this unknown territory known as Christian Camp Ministries, my family started a new kind of life. Filled with God's blessings and provisions, this new land has become our strong city. Exciting indeed!

Early in that year, before any knowledge of our future adventure, or of the changes that were about to take place, I sat at my desk and wrote down my goals (aka New Year's Resolutions) for the year of 2010. Here they are, in no particular order, with my comments.

My Goals for 2010

• Bible time with my kids every morning. 
First on my list... I'm sorry to say I did not accomplish this goal. Should I even go on with the list?

• Exercise by taking walks several times a week.
Moved up to camp, so... I walk a lot more now.

• Eat Better: more water and vegetables, less sugar.
 I'm drinking more water at camp.

• Lose 10 lbs through diet and exercise.   
Nope.

• Be a nicer wife through reading encouraging books and memorizing Bible verses.
Well, I've read many encouraging books, and memorized verses, but I don't know if I've become a nicer wife.  Ask my husband.

• Be a nicer mother by not getting upset with the kids.
Nope. {Don't ask the kids.}     

• Daily personal devotions.
I've definitely improved here. I have devotions many times a week.

• Plan and schedule Joshua's school.
Workin' on it.

• Acquire part-time job (20hrs/wk) $15-$20/hr.       

The Tough Guys

Got the hours, need the pay raise...

• Get newer car/insurance.                                       
Got the insurance, need the car...

• Renew driver's license.
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me.

• Pass CphT (Pharmacy Tech.) exam and get state license.
Nope. {big sigh}

• Continue to set aside money for A's college.
Done, and doing. Wow, we've come so far since this time last year. She's already finished 1st semester, now into 2nd semester.

• Work on Bible memory verses.
Memorized many and am adding more each week. I love hiding God's word in my heart!

• Continue writing articles/make money from writing projects.
Hmmm. Have not done this "officially."

• Make meal planning a priority.
Camp meals are planned, so... there's a breather for me. Still need to strike a balance.