CD Spinners

These Recycled CD Spinners appeal to both boys and girls. That’s unusual for most crafts. So, when there’s an idea for something that works for both, I am sure to use it when my grandchildren are around. Not only is it a craft, but it’s fun to have contests on whose spinner lasts the longest! It, also, fits in for any season as it can be decorated in any way! It’s a great way to reuse and recycle a CD and bottle-top into something fun! The only extra material needed is a marble.

 I CD Spinner   grandparentsplus.com

 

Materials:

1 CD

1 marble

1 recycled cap from a bottle

Hot glue gun

Permanent Markers – Watercolor markers do not work!

Stickers, etc. optional

Materials:

CD Spinnner   grandparentsplus.com

 

Directions:

First, decorate the CD with permanent markers or stickers, etc.

Next, glue marble into the CD hole on the bottom side. Use a glue gun.

Finally, glue cap on the center of the CD decorated side. (I used a milk bottle cap, but any cap will work.)

Let dry and SPIN!

CD Spinner   grandparentsplus.com

 

Notice how the 1/2 red and 1/2 blue circle turns purple while spinning. The black is invisible! This CD Spinner is a great color wheel project, too.

You probably already have these materials  on hand. Try it! Kids love this craft! 

Enjoy! 

Phyllis

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Quick Mexican Chicken Soup

In a hurry for dinner? This Quick Mexican Chicken Soup takes 10 minutes to put together, heat and serve! Nothing could be faster or more delicious. It’s healthy, too!  Five ingredients, that’s it! If you like “hot and spicy” you can make it that way. For those who like it milder, just adjust the cumin levels. While the addition of salsa verde gives it a greenish color, don’t let that deter you. The flavor is wonderful!  Quick Mexican Chicken Soup   grandparentsplus.com

 

Ingredients:

32 oz. chicken stock

1 rotisserie  chicken fully cooked (chop or shred meat)

1/2 – 1 or more tsp. cumin (this makes it hot)  My level is 1/2 tsp.!

1 jar salsa verde  ( 16 oz. or more)

1 can rinsed cannellini or great northern beans

 

Combine all ingredients.

Heat and serve!

Serve 6

Garnish with sour cream, tortilla chips, and cheese.  Optional: Cilantro

Quick Mexican Chicken Soup  grandparentsplus.com

 

 

You can’t make dinner any faster than this Mexican Chicken Soup!  It’s delicious and nutritious! If the temperature is dropping in your area( as it is around here), this soup will warm you up! It tastes great on a cold, winter evening! I’m sure you’ll find this recipe is a keeper! 

Also, this soup is great for a large gathering, too! Invite someone over. So easy!

Enjoy!

Phyllis

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Snowman With Kid’s Photo

This Snowman with a Kid’s Photo is a darling idea for displaying a child’s picture! They’ll get lots of laughs and giggles out of making their face appear on a snowman. Add a carrot nose for fun, too!  After all, winter is not over yet! At least in our area, it has just begun!

Snowman with Kid's Photo

For this project, you use inexpensive and basic materials which you already may have on hand.

Materials:

Photo of Child printed out on copy paper

White, Blue, Brown, and Black Construction Paper

White Felt (optional) I used felt because I liked the texture. Either paper or felt works fine! Kids can cut construction paper easier than felt.

White Paint

Sponge brush or small sponges for painting

Toothpick for painting the snowflakes

White Glitter (optional)

Fabric Glue or regular glue if using construction paper

 

Directions:

Take a photo and print a black and white or color copy on regular copy paper. Print size should be as big as you choose to make the snowman. Take a measurement of the photo and make a circle a 1/2 – 1 inch larger. You want a margin of white around the photo. I use this Best Art tool. It is so handy when you need to make circles a certain size. Check the link for more information about this tool!  Best Art and Craft Tool

I use this tool all the time!

Snowman with Kid's Photo  grandparentsplus.com

Make snowman out of white paper or felt. Start with the picture circle and make each one a bit larger.  Cut out the inside of the top circle and paste face behind the opening. (An adult needs to do this part for younger kids.)

Snowman with Kid's Photo grandparentsplus.com

 

Paint the background on blue construction paper.  Add snow at the bottom with a sponge brush or other paint brush. (sponges work, too)

White glitter is optional….

To make it more 3-D, glue cotton over the paint.

  OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Now, glue the snowman on the background paper. Add hat, arms, and other details to the snowman. Finally, add “snow” using a toothpick in white paint.  Cut a “carrot” for a nose!

 

Snowman with Kid Picture  grandparentsplus.com

To use as a school writing project, students write a story about their snowman or about things they like to do in the snow.

This is a fun project to do with any preschool through early elementary child. The end product becomes a keepsake! 

 

Snowman with Kid's Photo   grandparentsplus.com

 

Enjoy!

Phyllis 

 

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Reason for the Season – Nativity

Reason for the Season - Nativity   grandparentsplus.com

Reason for the Season – Nativity Set Tour

There has never been the birth of a child that has been internationally known and celebrated as is the birth of God’s Son, Jesus. He came to save a world that would kill Him. He loved us so much that He was willing to die to save us! What overwhelming love Jesus has for us!  Let the story of Christmas be celebrated and told around the world.

As we have traveled different places, instead of souvenirs, I decided to start a Nativity Set Collection from places that we’ve visited. Believe me, it is not always easy to find them, but I hunt them down. Some have been given to me as gifts from places I’ve never been. I always appreciate unique sets and like them especially when they reflect the culture. 

 

The first set I received was from my mom. She gave each daughter an Anri set from Italy. That started it….

Nativity Set Collection

 

 

It is still a favorite! I love the expressions on the faces.

The next one is from Mexico. On our first trip to Puerto Vallarta many years ago, I found this sweet set. They have lots of Nativity sets, but I’ve never again found one as detailed from Mexico.

Nativity Set Collection  grandparentsplus.com

 

 

The one on the left is carved from one piece of stone.  The one on the right is a slice of a nut. It is so unusual and measures only 1  1/2 inches wide and 1  3/4 inches tall.  This one was found at Tarpon Springs, Florida. These are the smallest in my collection!

Nativity Set Collection grandparentsplus.com

 

 

While this is not a set with Mary and Joseph, I loved just the manger. It is by Annalee.

Nativity Set Collection  grandparentsplus.com

 

A Nativity Set made of small gourds from Columbia, So. America was a gift from a friend. Love all the detail!

Nativity Set Collection  www.grandparentsplus.com

 

 

This pottery set is also from Columbia. The small gourd is from Mexico.

 

Nativity Set Collection  grandparentsplus.com

 

Many years ago, I was on an adult exchange with Friendship Force (started by Jimmy Carter to foster friendships with other countries through adult exchanges). I went to Belarus and lived with a family for a week. It was a wonderful experience and we still keep in contact with the Belarussian family. Of course, I did find a Nativity set!

Nativity Set Collection   grandparentsplus.com

 

 

These next few Nativity sets are from a trip through Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic visiting the Christmas markets.

Nativity Set Collection   grandparentsplus.com

 

Two more small ones from Germany……

Nativity Set Collection   grandparentsplus.com

 

The next two are from the Czech Republic Christmas markets.

Nativity Set Collection  grandparentsplus.com

 

This one is made of dough. It has weathered pretty well for as many years as I’ve had it.

 

Nativity Set Collection   grandparentsplus.com

 

The smaller nativity set is from Austria and the globe is from the U.S.A.

Nativity Set Collection  grandparentsplus.com

 

On a visit to the Ozarks, these had to be in my collection!  The wood slice one is a favorite!

Nativity Set Collection   grandparentsplus.com

 

 Ahhh! From Israel where Jesus was born!

 

Reason for the Season - Nativity   grandparentsplus.com

 

This is not all of my collection, but a look at some of the more unusual and favorites that I display every Christmas. My grandkids like to go around and find all the sets I have displayed.

This is the true meaning of Christmas and the “Reason for the Season”!

 Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth to pay our penalty for sin! We have the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ! That’s something to celebrate! 

Have a Blessed Christmas! 

Phyllis

 

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Winter Walks = Healthy Fun

Winter Walks Provide Healthy Fun for the Entire Family

Winter Walks = Healthy Fun   grandparentsplus.com

The temperature may be plummeting and the snow might be falling, but winter is a great time to get out into the bracing air and take a walk around local parks or even into the countryside.

Get your children bundled up into their warmest clothes and head outside on an adventure walk full of frost-covered forests and frozen lakes.

Warm clothing is vital

The winter weather is not a reason to sit huddled indoors watching the television and this is a beautiful time of the year for walks provided you take adequate protection. Warm clothing including those padded jackets with hoods, woolly hats and scarves are a must to keep out the chill. If you’re intending on rambling over some country terrain then invest in some durable, waterproofed footwear. The right footwear will make it a lot easier for children to scramble through snow and muddy paths without suffering the discomfort of getting their feet wet.

Get outside, get healthy

A good walk will help to beat that winter slump, can enhance your mood and is a great low-impact aerobics activity. Any type of exercise will bring health benefits and walking is an easy way to be healthy as well as allowing you to get that daily dose of vitamin D. Buy a pedometer for each person in the family and keep a record of how many footsteps you take on each walk – it only takes 2000 footsteps to complete one mile. With kids, you can make it a game and calculate the number of steps in one week! Not only are you getting exercise, but improving math skills, too!

Winter Walks=Healthy Fun

Turn walks into an adventure

If your children are slightly against the idea of heading outdoors then turn the walk into an adventure. Visit a special preserve, park, historical site, or countryside for your walk, Winter adds an extra dimension to walks due to the frost or snow-covered landscapes and it’s a great time for some family photographs. Adding some activities such as wildlife spotting or finding animal tracks can turn what would seem like a tedious chore for children into a fun activity. Kids love winter activities so get them away from video games and TV and have a winter adventure outside together!

Walking in groups is a fun social activity regardless of the season and it’s something that can be undertaken by people of all ages. Get the entire family involved, bring the dog and spend some time this weekend exploring new scenery and sights in and around your local area.

Winter walk = healthy fun

 

 

Now instead of sitting inside, get out and take a walk! It’s beautiful, healthy and fun!

Enjoy!

Phyllis

 

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Hot Spiced Cider Punch

Hot Spiced Cider   grandparentsplus.com

On a cold winter evening, serve your guests Hot Spiced Cider Punch as they arrive. The aroma in the room will be so inviting and the hot punch will be just what is needed for a quick warm-up! What I like about it that it is ready to go when your guests arrive. There’s no last-minute preparation and anything left over is still good to use the next day. I use a large coffee percolator to keep it warm and ready to serve. This is a great non-alcoholic cider punch for any winter get-together.

  

Hot Spiced Cider Punch

1 gallon cider

1/2 cup sugar

1 stick cinnamon

5 whole cloves

Simmer these ingredients for 30 minutes.  You can make this in a saucepan over the stove or in a coffee urn.

When I use a coffee urn, I place the first ingredients in the basket and pour the cider in the coffee urn. I let it perk through the cycle and get hot. Then, I remove the basket and add the O.J., Lemon Juice, tea and mix together.

 

Add:

1/2 cup orange juice concentrate – do not dilute the concentrate

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon instant tea or 2 tea bags

Let everything get hot and serve.

 

 This is so quick and easy to make. We served this at the last Christmas women’s event at church and they loved it!

Hot Spiced Cider   grandparentsplus.com

 

 

Enjoy! 

Phyllis

 

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Christmas Tablescapes – Part 2

Christmas Tablescapes – Part 2 is another tour of the wonderful tablescapes that many women from our church did for the Christmas Extravaganza.   It’s a beautiful way to begin the Christmas season. I’m sure you’ll find lots of inspiration to spur your own ideas for your Christmas table. I hope you didn’t miss the first post, but if you did, here it is….. Christmas Tablescapes 2014

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

I’ll first start with some traditional red, white, and green tablescapes!

Red and white  always make a striking tablesetting!

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

 

Traditional red,  green, and white can be changed and dressed up many ways. The red candle centerpiece, surrounded by greenery and red berries, is set off by the addition of the white cutwork table-topper. Red and green patterned napkins add another festive touch.

Christmas Tablescapes  Part 2   grandparentsplus.com

 

Use glittered branches lit with small lights and place in a vase. Accent the branches with red and silver balls and you have a quick centerpiece!

 

 

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

Red, brown, and gold are the colors of the next Christmas tablescape. The color brown is repeated in the napkin rings, tablecloth, pinecones,  and twigs in the centerpiece.

 

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

This year, I’ve seen lots of mixing of gold and silver. This table shows that trend.

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

Burgundy, white, green, and gold are the next Christmas tablescape combination. The colors in the plates are repeated in the centerpiece, placemats, chargers and glassware. This was the second table that I decorated (first was Duck Dynasty Tablescape). Would you believe I found this set at a thrift store? Yes, a placesetting of 12 for $22! I couldn’t do better at a dollar store! I must have hit the store at just the right time. (Not that I needed more dishes! Ha!)  The napkins are rolled with a burgundy bow attached with wire.! Simple and inexpensive!

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

 

This black, red, and white tablescape has a nature feel with all the birds placed around the centerpiece. The white snow on the bottom had lights underneath which illuminated the centerpiece.

 

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

 

Carolers with a church in the background, look lovely with the Christmas china used on this table.

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

 

A white tablecloth sets off the deep red, antique dishes. The centerpiece is a red mosaic glass candle holder. Around the candle holder is greenery with woodland animals and pine cone accents. Peeking out of the greenery are birds, fox, owls, squirrels and other creatures of the woods.


Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

Here come the blues!

 The “in color” of turquoise is lovely with this silver and white accented tablescape!  The woman who did this tablescape got her dishes at a thrift store, too! Nice bargain! Those silver and white dishes will go with anything!

 

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

More turquoise, silver and white! This centerpiece started out as a garland. The raised 5 candle holders are a glass dish glued on top of a dollar store glass candle holder. The garland wraps through and around the candle holders. The placemats are  from a paper napkin and coordinating paper napkins are placed in the water glasses. I hope you can imagine this table lit as my picture of it all lit up didn’t turn out. Sorry! 

Take notice of the ribbon on the plate! More color and texture are added to plain white plates.

 

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

A lighthouse is the focus of this tablescape! How does this fit into Christmas? Well, Jesus is the Light of the World! He came to save the world! A lighthouse saves those who may be lost and can’t find their way, too!  Blue toule surrounded the base and was lit with small Christmas white lights!

 

Christmas Tablescapes part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

If you have a beautiful set of blue dishes, a white tablecloth and silver accents really enhance the blues!

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

A glowing candle centerpiece surrounded by peacock feathers features the color tones for this table. Peacock ornaments, turquoise glasses and beautiful peacock feather, textured salad plates make this a very unusual, but gorgeous table for Christmas or New Year’s.

 

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparenstplus.com

 

 

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

Here’s “The Little Drummer Boy Table!”

How sweet is this Drummer Boy? Criss-crossed burlap runners have some of the lines from the song written on them. The candles are filled with tiny drum ornaments.

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2   grandparentsplus.com

 

Individual Drummer Boy ornaments with a tiny drum are wrapped around the napkin.

Christmas Tablescapes Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

The women of our church really came up with some gorgeous tablescapes, didn’t they?

Hope you enjoyed the Christmas Tablescape inspiration!

Phyllis

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13 Creative Holiday Party Favors

I love setting a beautiful table at Christmas time. One thing that adds so much detail is placing  holiday party favors at each placesetting. It’s especially fun to use a theme throughout your tablescape and add a favor that goes with it. Sometimes I use a favor as a napkin ring or a placecard holder. Here are some favorites that I’ve pick out. Check out all the details and directions on Hometalk or click on the picture below.

13 Creative Holiday Favors grandparentsplus.com

I’m sure all these holiday party favors will give you inspiration and ideas for your own tablesetting!  If you don’t have time this holiday season, save to use next year. 

Enjoy!

Phyllis

 

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Shrimp Christmas Tree

I needed a quick appetizer to bring to a party. There was no time to make something so I grabbed a bag of shrimp, went home, and shaped them into a Shrimp Christmas Tree! I lined the tray with spinach leaves. A cheese star is at the top, celery for the trunk, and sliced stuffed olives for tree balls. Along side the tree I placed a small bowl with cocktail sauce. 

Shrimp Christmas Tree grandparensplus.com

 

Now, that’s fast and easy!

 

 

Shrimp Christmas Tree grandparentpslus.com

 

The Shrimp Christmas Tree tastes good, too!

 

Enjoy! 

Phyllis

 

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Christmas Tablescapes 2014

The annual Christmas Extravaganza at our church with all the wonderful Christmas Tablescapes, is always a spectacular event. Women decorate a table with their own Christmas Tablescape ideas. Each year, they are unique and beautiful! It is a wonderful start to the Christmas season with great fellowship and a program focused on the real meaning of Christmas. Some tables are whimsical and fun while others are just plain elegant! This is Part 1 of two posts with Christmas Tablescape ideas.

 

Christmas Tablescapes 2014 Part 1   grandparentsplus.com

 

 This tablescape states what Christmas is all about “The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us”   Notice all the details they included…..

 

Christmas Tablescapes  grandparentsplus.com

 

 Old Bibles tied with twine, gold and black accents, along with burlap ribbon make a beautiful combination of textures on this table….

Christmas Tablescapes 2014  Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 Antique buttons also add interest…..

Did you notice the tablecloth covered with pages of words from an old dictionary?

 

Christmas Tablescapes 2014  grandparentsplus.com

 

 Antique button napkin rings look beautiful with this setting. 

 

Christmast Tablescapes 2014  Part 1   grandparentsplus.com

 

 

The next tablescape features three wire angels holding candles. 

 

Christmas Tablescapes 2014  Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

An ornament is used as a napkin ring.  Black, white and gold look stunning together.

Christmas Tablescapes 2014 Part 1   grandparentsplus.com

 Using a window box as a base, adding a unique metal piece in the middle, sure makes a stunning table centerpiece. Just add lights, candles, pinecones and ribbon! Sounds simple, doesn’t it! This took a bit of vision along with creativity!

Christmas Tablescapes 2014  Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 

Christmas Tablescapes 2014  Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 Red, white and silver are the colors of this table. Fill a glass cylinder with silver balls and another one with red balls. It is simple to do and looks so elegant. 

Christmas Tablescapes 2014 Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 Extra glass vases are glued on top of a dollar store wine glass. It elevates the candle light and becomes a unique piece as part of this tablescape. Alternating the color of the napkins is another great idea.

Christmas Tablescapes 2014   grandparentsplus.com

 Adding burlap to a Nativity scene makes a lovely centerpiece.  A simple sprig of pine sets off the napkin. 

Christmas Tablescapes 2014  Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

This is such a cute, whimsical snowman tablesetting. Notice the hat and hands! Snowman mugs awaited the guests.

Christmas Tablescapes Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 The centerpiece has a snowman collection to delight the guests. A cute snowman tablecloth is another added detail to this wonderful tablescape!

Christmas Tablescapes 2014  Part 1   grandparentsplus.com

 Black and white nutcrackers stand at attention around a sparkly, mirrored tree.

Christmas Tablescapes Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 

Beautiful black dishes topped with a silver salad dish add more glitz and detail to this elegant table! 

Christmas Tablescape part 1   grandparentsplus.com

 

 Here’s a beautiful Caroler setting. The mirror underneath reflects the candlelight.

Christmas Tablescapes Part 1  grandparentspluscom

 Antique china accented with green chargers compliments the entire setting.

Christmas Tablescapes Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 This tablescape also features Carolers, but these are handmade by her elderly mother. Individual Carolers are at each placesetting. This will be a keepsake for the family! Christmas is full of memories!

Christmas Tablescapes 2014  Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 Yes, this is a Duck Dynasty Christmas Tablescape!  I give more detail on this Duck Dynasty Tablescape post. This is one of the tables that I decorated.

Duck Dynasty Tablescape grandparentsplus.com

 

 

As I said, this is Part 1 of Christmas Tablescapes 2014.  Part 2 is to follow! 

Hope you enjoyed the variety! Perhaps it gives you some ideas for your own Christmas tablescapes or tablesettings! (I never know which one to call them)

Phyllis

 

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