Recipe for My Life History

Once again I have taken an idea from someone else and I'm not sure to attribute it to. This is a wonderful idea for a women's meeting or a family get-together.

"RECIPE FOR MY LIFE HISTORY"
Combine a generous slice of your life history, a dash of nostalgia, several cups of facts and feelings and 104 deliciously interesting questions. Draw one slip of paper. Take a few minutes to enjoy the memories. Paste or write the question at the top of a blank page. Fill in your answer. Don't worry about your handwriting or spelling - just tell your story. This product was prepared to preserve your life as a message. Enjoy the scrumptious, home-made memories that celebrate something very important - YOU!"
Print the following questions on strips of paper and place in the jar:
Tell something about each of your children - the personalities, talents, and traits that make them different and special.
Describe a favorite vacation of your married years.
Tell about home cures or old wives tales: hiccups, toothaches, earaches, or arthritis.
Where were you and what were you doing the day the wall came down in Germany (or the coup occurred in USSR or when World War II started or ended)?
Describe your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, etc. (suit etc, if male.)
Write a description of your husband or wife.
Tell about your retirement - when, where, what will you do with your time?
Describe your mother's wedding dress - what do you know about her wedding?
Where did you live as a child - town, country, suburb, etc?
What is your greatest joy? Your greatest sorrow?
Do you have a favorite author? Who? Why? Tell about your favorite books as a child and as an adult.
What do you feel has been the most significant world events that has taken place in your lifetime and why?
Describe the most serious illness or accident that you have had.
Describe your yard as a child. Did you help with the yardwork?
What are your memories --- Draw a diagram if you can.
Tell about Family Reunions.
Tell about your teen-age social life - your friends, dances, dating, outings, church functions etc.
What would you like to be remembered for?
Describe your last home as a young couple.
How did your father spend his time supporting his family?
Tell about exciting experiences as a young woman.
Tell about your life as the children left home - new interests, etc. What did you do with the extra time -- new employment, moves, hobbies, etc.
Tell about handed-down talents, foods, clothespin dolls, willow whistles, pottery, quilting, whittling, meat drying etc.
What lessons did you take as a child? Did you carry any over into adulthood?
What were your favorite places to go with your family when you were young?
Tell about any ancestors that you know about - name dates, etc. for historical purposes and any stories about them.
Tell about anniversaries, celebrations, trips, gifts.
What were your fears, expectations, anticipations about getting married?
Tell about a special date you had with a boy/girl friend or your fiancée.
What is your mother's best trait? Worst? The traits you share?
What is your father's best trait? Worst? The traits you share?
Give one word on how to live successfully.
How do you feel about winning? Losing?
Tell a courtship story about your parents - how they met etc... Tell the same about your courtship.
Describe a favorite childhood friend and something you did with her or him.
Tell about your grandchildren - how many- how did you feel about being a grandparent?
Have you met or worked with famous people? Who? Where?
How did you become engaged?
What is the most wonderful thing that ever happened to you? The worst?
What is your child-rearing philosophy?
Describe your Sundays as a mother/father or as a child.
What can frighten you the most and why?
Do you wish you had more sisters or brothers? Why?
Tell about your favorite aunt.
What is the most exciting place that you have ever been to and why?
What was your worst, really embarrassing moment?
What games did you play as a child - inside and outside?
Where did your grandparents live? What was their home like? Did it have a certain smell or look?
Tell about your favorite uncle.
Did you have a close relationship with your grandparents? Tell about it.
Did you have a bicycle, and what was it like?
Tell how, when, where you learned to drive and any memorable experiences.
Tell about each of your children's names, birthdate, where, doctors, circumstances surrounding the birth - raising them in the home - problems, joys, etc.
How did you like being the oldest, youngest or middle child?
What were the advantages or disadvantages?
Tell about a frustrating experience that you have had with a car.
What is your advice to those younger than you?
Were you ever in a drama, speech, sports, pep or glee club? Tell about it. Did you and your father share any interests together - what and why?
What is your favorite scripture and why?
Describe a childhood Christmas.
Describe a typical day in elementary school.
What did you do when you were a child that got you in the most trouble, and how did your parents handle it?
Tell about your first crush.
Did you go camping? Tell about your experiences.
How did you feel about school?
Do you remember any of your four grandparents? Any greats? What were their names?
Tell about your mother: her personality, characteristics, stature, coloring, talents, temperament, family stories about her, her role in your home, etc.
What do you fantasize about doing or being?
What is your personal secret of happiness?
Describe a perfect spring day and activities on that day?
What is the most important lesson, message, or advice that you have learned that you might pass on to others?
Thinking back, was there a teacher who had a great influence on you?
Tell about your own family traditions: Christmas, birthdays, graduation, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Mothers or Fathers Day, weddings, funerals, hunting etc.
Describe a childhood birthday.
How did you become engaged?
What personality trait do you admire and why?
Did you have a favorite TV, radio, program as a child? Tell about it.
Did you go to college or have vocational training? Where or when?
Did you have a childhood hideout? Tell about it.
Tell about a favorite trip or vacation.
What is your secret for good health?
Describe a childhood Christmas.
Did it snow much when you were a child - tell something about it, what did you do?
Describe getting a Christmas tree as a child, when did you put it up and decorate it?
Tell about your civic or political activities.
Write about some places you went with your father.
Write about some places that you went with your mother.
What do you think about movies - what is your favorite movie and why?
If you could be an animal, which one would you choose and why?
Describe a typical day during your Junior High years..
What kind of extra-curricular activities did you participate in at school?
Tell about the houses you lived in childhood - addresses, phone numbers, etc...
What do you think brings good or bad luck?
Tell about all the places you have worked.
Describe your wedding day.
What are your food preferences and how did they come about?
How did your mother spend her time?
Were you responsible for household chores? What were they? Which did you enjoy most/ least?
What are your most deeply held values?

Christmas Treasures For Church Members

Here are some ideas, craft sayings, etc. to use when giving a treat during Christmas time.


Candy Canes

Purchase ornamets, make ornaments or buy the actual candy canes themselves. Orientaltrading.com used to have some adorable glass candy canes...I don't see any this year, but they do have plenty of other candy cane themed items to look at. You can also find more candy cane ideas in my "Candy Cane Craze" blog.

Attach the following poem to your candy cane with green, white and red ribbon.

Look at a CANDY CANE, what do you see?
Stripes that are RED like the BLOOD shed for me!
WHITE for my Savior, Who's sinless and pure!
"J" is for JESUS, My Lord that's for sure!
Turn it around And a staff you will see ---
Jesus, my SHEPHERD, Is coming for me!

Snowflakes

Again you can purchase snowflake ornaments or make them. Orientaltrading.com has a beautiful selection of snowflake ornaments (just type in snowflake ornament in the search box)or I have given you a couple of sites to look at on making them. I also have a youtube video on making paper snowflakes posted in my blog.

http://crafts.kaboose.com/beaded-snowflake-decoration.html

http://interiordec.about.com/od/cmasdiyorns/DIY_Christmas_Ornaments.htm

Attach this saying and a scripture with sparkly ribbon.

God made you unique, Just like a snowflake!

Hearts

Once again, look to orientaltrading.com...just type heart ornaments in your search box. Here are some heart quotes or you can add a scripture (or both!)

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man. - Anonymous

In the pure soul, whether it sing or pray, The Christ is born anew from day to day. The life that knoweth Him shall bide apart And keep eternal Christmas in the heart. - Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

Candles

Candles are always a hit. And if you have a crowd don't bother with the large candles, just give away little votives. You don't even have to give away a holder. Here are some ideas for candle giving.

http://www.helium.com/tm/463907/candle-making-event-beginners - this is a simple tutorial on making your own candles.

Attach either or all of the following:

Like the light of a bright candle and the warmth of a fire's glow, we brighten every corner when we let God's love show."-- Joyce C. Lock

"You Light Up Our Lives! Thanks for being a blessing."

Let your light so shine before men; that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Other Ideas:

The following is a link to the Hershey's website. It has all sorts of cute little crafts you can do with Hersey Kisses. There are several Christmas Ideas.

http://www.hersheys.com/kisses/crafts/

One year we gave bags of cocoa mix that I had made. I decorated the outside of brown paper lunch sacks. I put the cocoa mix and a handful of marshmallows in a plastic baggie. We tied up the bags with a candy cane and a little card. If you were so inclined you could sew up a bunch of little mitten shapped fabric bags. Here are a few sites that have a variety of mix recipes. We have even used a cookie in a jar recipe to make for our first time visitors.

http://www.cookingcache.com/cat/gifts_in_a_jar

http://www.hugs.org/makemixdex.shtml

http://members.tripod.com/~Tweezle/makemix.html

http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1879.html

Bagging It Up

No one should ever leave an activity you have empty handed..I think I have said that before. However, it is equally important that whatever they take with them be as well done and creative as possible. Here are a few ideas and links that will help you make take home goodies extra special.

The Goodie Bag
You can use plain or decorated brown paper or cellophane bags. Just be sure you've added a special touch. Make stickers with your information or a cute saying or poem on your computer to add to your brown (or white) paper bag. You can use stamps or hot glue bits of fabric or buttons. I made Christmas trees one year using leftover scrapbook paper on my bags. I hot glued buttons as ornaments. I then used my scrapbooking scissors to give the top a decorative edge. I folded down the ends and punch two holes at the top. I then ran decorative ribbon through as a tie. You can also use raffia. When using a cellophane bag use a bag topper. You can make your own using a template with all of your church info on it or print a premade one.


Favor Boxes or bags
Use the links to print your own or find expensive paper mache boxes at a craft store to decorate. (the primdoodle.com site above has several of these)


Drawstring Mesh Bags. You can get several inexpensively. Add some chocolate and a little bit of tinsel inside and attach a poem or scripture.

Bagging a Book
A book is always a nice gift to give away. To make it extra special use cellophane and wrap it up. I like to take a cellophane party favor bag and leave the top open. I gather up the top and use raffia or a ribbon to close it up. I then can add a tag and extra goodies (jingle bells, curly ribbon, dried flowers...depending on the book). How cute would it be to give away a Father's Day devotional that has a fishing theme and tie it up with raffia and a pretty fishing hook?

http://www.mardar.us/boxesandbags.htm- very extensive collection of printable boxes and bags...they have a very nice Christmas collection.


http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/artistcafe/ - hodgepodge of cute printables

http://alenkasprintables.com/free_printables.shtml - a nice site

http://www.primdoodles.com/printables.asp - one of my favorites...you will find much more than just bag toppers.

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/mpfavors1.html - one of the best sites around for church event planning. She has several printables...these particular page is scripture cards to add to favors.

orientaltrading.com - the ultimate purchasing site for event planning. They have a large variety of boxes, bags, totes, pails, etc...for your gift giving needs.

With any of these ideas you can include your church information and a poem or scripture. I have a few ideas you can use for any occasion in my "Christmas Treasures for Church Members" blog.

Christmas Stockings and Such

Every child attending your Christmas service should go home with something special. You might not be able to do any more than a bag of candy, but you need to make it special. We've done different kinds of things.

1. The Christmas Stocking. We ordered the stockings and all the goodies to go in them from orientaltrading.com. They even have "themes" like..."Jesus loves you Snow much" and more.

2. Bags of Candy. You can find all my hints and tips of presenting treat bags in my blog (Bagging It Up.) Just start asking for candy ahead of time and be sure your bags are special.

3. Books. You can find Christmas picture books at the Dollar store or try christianbook.com. They sell books at a discounted price and often will have a special price for larger orders. I bought Veggie Tales books and tapes to go with them one year for just a little over a dollar and used them for my son's Veggie Tale birthday party. Use my presenting a book idea in "Bagging It Up."

4. Fruit Baskets. Check your local produce market and see if they will give you a good price on small baskets just for kids. When we were youth pastor's in my dad's church he did this every year. They kids received 3 or 4 pieces of fruit and candy.

5. Ornaments. Again, try orientaltrading.com for large quanities. I have given ornaments as gifts from the church to about every group. I'll have more about that my Christmas teasures for church members blog.

6. Gift cards or coupons for a favorite fast food resturant. You can always find one of your local fast food resturants to donate free ice cream or free french fry cards. You can even purchase certificates by the dollar amount. We always liked to add one of these cards to the Christmas stockings, but you can use it as a stand alone treat if you are have limited funds.

A Christmas Craft & Goodie Exchange

You can get some great ideas at a Craft or Cookie exchange for the Holidays. Plan a ladies event that lets everyone bring their favorite idea to share for the Christmas Holidays. Here is what we've done. First, be sure to plan early enough to allow the attendees to get their ideas together. We made sure to stress that their contribution to the evening could be either a craft, goodie to make or a recipe to serve at a Christmas party or even Christmas dinner. We asked them to bring samples of their work, food, etc. We also made it clear that they did not have to bring anything at all...maybe just a friend! I also asked anyone with idea books to bring those too. I am a big Gooseberry Patch fan, so I brought the idea books I had. I set up a table to display all the crafts and books so that the ladies could exam everything close up. I also asked everyone to bring instructions or a recipe that could be photocopied. What a great time! I have done this several times and it's always a success. I have several favorites that are quit the hit at the exchange. Here are a few so you can have a better idea of what it's all about. Also I have included a few links for a cookie exchange. You are guaranteed to have a great ladies meeting.

Here are some of my favorite ideas to bring to a craft exchange.

Soapy Snowmen

These smell really good and look adorable!
MATERIALS:
2 cups Ivory Snow Ultra (you might need a little more)
1/2 cup water
Toothpicks
Twigs
Cloves
Buttons
Felt
Seed beads
Tempera paints
Egg carton
Pipe cleaners

1. Pour the Ivory Snow into a bowl, add the water and whip with an electric beater until doughy.
2. Shape the damp soap into three balls. Stack them by gently pushing a toothpick halfway into the center of the bottom ball. Then, push the middle ball down onto the toothpick until the two balls touch. Do the same for the snowman's head.

3. Add twig arms, clove eyes, shirt buttons and a felt scarf. To make a smiling mouth, press on a row of seed beads. For a mini carrot nose, color the tip of a short twig with orange paint. Top off the snowman with an eggcup hat or a set of pipe cleaner earmuffs.

Tips:
As the soap dries (this can take a few hours), it will lose its grayish tinge and turn bright white...be sure not to handle it too much!


I made these for all the teacher's at a Christian School...They not only are very cute...they smell wonderful!

Round Gum Ball Ornament
You will need:
Gum Balls
Wooden toothpicks cut in half
Styrofoam ball
1 12" piece of ribbon
Directions:
1. Poke one end of a toothpick into a gum ball and the other end into the Styrofoam ball.


2. Repeat until the Styrofoam ball is completely covered with gum balls.


3. Tie the 12" piece of ribbon around the ball for hanging on the tree!

Note: You can also attach the gum balls with hot glue.

Snowflake Popcorn Recipe

Ingredients:
1 bag (3-oz) microwave popcorn (try using non-butter)
1 jar (7-oz) marshmallow crème
Small red and green candy sprinkles

Directions:

Heat oven to 325F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Microwave bag of popcorn as directed on bag. Empty the jar of marshmallow crème into a medium microwaveable bowl. Microwave uncovered on High about 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted.

Shake popcorn into marshmallow crème, being careful not to add unpopped kernels. Stir gently until coated.

Spread popcorn on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with candies. Bake about 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes, until marshmallow coating is dry. Cool completely on cookie sheet on wire rack; break up large pieces. You can put popcorn into a decorative cellophane bag and give as a gift.

Links for Cookie Exchange Ideas
http://www.baking911.com/cookies/101_cookieswap.htm

http://entertaining.about.com/cs/christmas/a/cookieexchange.htm

http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Cookie-Exchange-Party/Detail.aspx

http://www.gooseberrypatch.com/ - this is the gooseberry patch website. You can purchase their books at other locations (usually Wal-mart has a few in their craft session, but take a look at their website..they are fabulous!)

Feed Your Faith Blessings Mix

I found this idea at christiancrafters.com. This is a nice alternative for the Thanksgiving Blessing Mix if you wish to incorporate it into a lesson. As far as I know there aren't any free printable cards available for this one. Just get creative with your computer or scrapbooking supplies!

Feed Your Faith Blessings Mix

Ingredients:
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins
1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds
1 cup M&Ms brand chocolate candy
16 Hershey's brand chocolate kisses

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except Hershey's Kisses.
Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup Blessing Mix in small cellophane treat bags.Add one Hershey's Kiss to each bag.Close bag with chenille stem or twist-tie or raffia and attach a card with the following:

Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer - I Kings 8:282, 2 Chronicles 6:19, Ephesians 6:18
Dried Fruits: Blessings & Gifts - John 3:16-17 , Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Nut or Seeds: Promise of a future harvest, one we will reap only if seedsare planted and tended to with diligence.Galatians 6:8-10,Matthew 9:37, 38
M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future - 2 Timothy 1:3-12 ,Isaiah 38:19
Hershey's Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.John 13:34, 35 Romans 12:10 I John 4:7, 8 I John 4:11

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

This sounds like a pretty cute idea. The web is filled with recipes for this blessing mix. Here is the common one I found. Seal it up in a cellophane bag or zippie and attach a card with a harvest poem. Bagged in favor-sized gift bags and decorated with a harvest poem.

Give as a favor to a Sunday School class, ladies group, etc. You can give bring in the items unbagged and have your students made their own Blessing Mix Bags to give out. If you don't want to bother making your own card there are several free ones you can print out.

http://organizedchristmas.com/printable-thanksgiving-blessing-mix

http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blthblessmixtag.htm

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks

2 cups small pretzels

1 cup candy corn

1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins

1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds

1 cup M&Ms-brand chocolate candy

16 Hershey's-brand chocolate kisses

Directions:
In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients except Hershey's Kisses.
Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup Thanksgiving Blessing Mix in small cellophane treat bags or small ziplock bags. Add one Hershey's Kiss to each bag. Close bag with chenille stem, raffia or twist tie and attach card.

Makes 16 Blessing Mix gift bags.

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix
Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Nuts or seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
Dried fruits: Harvest gifts of our bountiful land.
M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
Hershey's Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives

A Celebration of Thanks

Nothing like a church potluck. Of course, you can always choose to do things a bit differntly (like have your ladies (or men) prepare a big meal),but nothing beats the church potluck. You will never eat so well. So how to make things special?

Decor
I have to confess to having a bit of an obession with fall decor. I have pumpkins. Willow pumpkins, glass pumpkins, metal pumpkins, wood pumpkins...even paper mache pumpkins. Any church we have ever pastored soon found itself with a wide array of fall decorations also. It's not always possible to spend a lot of money on decorations for your tables so here are some things I have done in the past.

A really cheap and attractive start is with your table covering. Even if you have plain white plastic table clothes consider buying some of those long paper table coverings from a party store. They will hve everything from cute and country pumpkins to stylish leaves and cornucopias. Cut them in half and you have instant table runners. If they are the kind that have a white center, just use the printed sides. Save the white centers to cover your food tables. If you can afford to purchase matching napkins or napkins in similar colors. Party stores also have the paper place mates, but a table runner is just enough. Make a passionate plea for any spare fall pretties folks might not be using (or can loan just the evening). If you wish to start collecting some decor for every year try and do so during the last few weeks of the season when it is really marked down. Don't wait too late...I've spent many a madcap shopping trip scrounging through leftover fall foilage. A store like Hobby Lobby is wonderful about having half price sales. One year I got dozens of willow pumpkins for just a few dollars a piece. We were having a community Thanksgiving service and needed lots of decorations. Check out dollar stores. I purchased stand-up scarecrows for little or nothing one year. Don't be afraid of the great outdoors either. Use pretty leaves (be sure to cut the day of!) or pinecones and acorns. One of the prettiest Thanksgiving dinners we ever had though came from a big "oops" on my part. I had planned an event for another church and used some of my best stuff doing these gorgeous tablescapes with garland made of leaves, pumpkins, candles,fabric, etc...thinking I had plenty of stuff to do our own dinner at church. Imagine mydismay when I discovered upon inspection that I completely had blown it. Nothing left but a few scrawy leaves and a pumpkin or two. A friend and deacon's wife had a brilliant idea. A local florist was willing to loan us however many flower arrangements we needed, as long as we mentioned her shop. We added a few elegant candle holders and wow! We had gorgeous tables. Don't be afraid to mix and match any supplies you might have...the tables don't have to look the same!

Treats and Treasures
I love to make every occasion with the church family a special one. One way you can do this is to send them home with a favor or something special. I have a couple links below that will give you a few crafty ideas for treats and treasures.


http://pie.midco.net/grammalowe/thanksgiving.html

http://www.printables.thecraftcafe.com/thanksgivingtablesetting.html

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10500

http://www.paperandmore.com/articles/box_templates/


You can have your missionette (or girl's group) help prepare favors or placecards...Sounds like a badge in progress to me!

The Service
You can choose a guest speaker or have a short service, but I have found the most touching services to be those that were filled with testimony and song. You can ask for volunteers or select a group that can testify about God's goodness during the past year...We all should have something to say! Be sure to leave plenty of time to fellowship...encourage your folks to invite friends and family. This is a perfect time for those who wouldn't normally come to church to be introduced to your church family.