Christmas in the Country

This probably is my favorite Christmas book of all time. I rush to the library to get this year after year. The house on the front cover reminds me of pictures of my great grandmothers gingerbread trimmed house. There are so many parts of the book that remind me of my Christmas past, from Christmas Eve church service to Christmas baking to family Christmas ornaments tucked away in a box to be rediscovered year after year. I get a little choked up when the girl in the book looks at the ornaments and says they remind her of her whole life. I have had that same thought as a child and an adult. And that thought has evolved over the years through different eyes. I have looked at those ornaments through the eyes of a child, an adult, a mother and a teacher. 

One of my favorite ornaments to make in Kindergarten is a decorated pine cone. I love how simple this project is and just how much fun it is to make. No matter what time of year or where I am, if I see a pine cone, I think of the years and years I have made decorated pine cones in Kindergarten. I can even remember making these ornaments as a child. So you could say I have seen these ornaments through different eyes as well and they remind me of my whole Kindergarten life... Needless to say, these ornaments are special because in small groups, we sit down together and paint and talk and laugh.  We paint our pine cones with glue and sprinkle glitter all over them. And no matter our ability level, these are always beautiful. Once the glue and glitter has dried, you glue a ribbon and ornament hook on. 

Over the years some of the glitter has worn off. Trust me, these are beautiful when made by people you love. Raffia was used as the bow at the top and a paper clip was bent to make the hanger. These look great when put inside a brown lunch bag that has been decorated by Kinder kids using cookie cutters dipped in paint and stamped on and sprinkled with more glitter! 

Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday season!