November: Happy Thanksgiving

Turkey Planter

A more charismatic flowerpot we never did see -- and he doubles as a handsome Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Materials

• Self-drying modeling clay (brown)
• Butter knife
• 7 1/2-inch-tall terra-cotta pot
• 2 white pebbles (painted, if necessary)
• Black permanent marker
• 1 walnut in the shell

• 1 red pipe cleaner, 9 inches long
• 6 corn kernels
• Hot glue
• Corn husks (available at grocery stores)
• Potted mums (in a pot at least 1 inch smaller than the terra-cotta pot)

Instructions

1. THE HEAD: From some of the modeling clay, shape two balls, each 3 inches in diameter, and a third ball that is half the size of the other two. Sandwich the balls so that the smallest ball is in the middle, and press together. Smooth the balls together to form a head, neck, and chest.
2. Tip: To smooth cracks or rough edges, wet your finger and smooth the clay. With a butter knife, cut a vertical slit halfway up the center of the bottom ball. Slide it over the rim of the terra-cotta pot. Press the two sides of the clay ball together to secure the turkey's head to the pot. Lightly flatten the clay on the inside of the pot.
3. THE FACE: For eyes, use the marker to draw black circles in the centers of the white pebbles. To make the turkey's face, firmly press the eyes and walnut (for a beak) into the clay head. For the wattle, fold the pipe cleaner in half and twist the ends together. Press 1 inch of the pipe cleaner into the clay just above the beak, and bend down the protruding end.
4. THE FEET: From the clay, make two 3-toed turkey feet. Press a kernel of corn onto each toe. Next, press the feet onto the front of the pot.
5. THE WINGS AND FEATHERS: Once the clay is dry, secure any loose pieces with hot glue. Next, hot-glue dried corn husks onto the sides and back of the pot (on the inside) to make the wings and feathers. Once everything has dried, insert the potted mums into the turkey planter.

Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream
Harder cookies--like Nabisco's--keep the most crunch (softer ones will dissolve).
Yield: Serves 8 (makes 1 qt.)
Total: 50 Minutes 

Ingredients

• 1 pt. whipping cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup Homemade Pumpkin Purée
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup coarsely crushed gingersnaps
• 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)

Preparation

• 1. Whisk all ingredients except gingersnaps and bourbon in a bowl to blend. Strain into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
• 2. Scrape ice cream into a bowl and stir in gingersnaps and bourbon. Freeze, covered, until scoopable, 2 1/2 hours and up to 1 week (gingersnaps soften somewhat after 1 day).

Tree of Thanks
First, create a tree with any of the following:

POSTER BOARD - with a black or brown marker, draw a large tree on a poster board (forming the outline of a tree trunk and branches), then use small pieces of scotch tape to attach the poster to a closet or pantry door.

CONSTRUCTION PAPER - tape together several sheets of brown construction paper to form a tree and branches (use sheets of paper cut in half lengthwise for the branches), then use small pieces of scotch tape to attach the tree to a closet or pantry door.

REAL TREE BRANCH - use a real tree branch that's somewhat flat and attach it to the door somehow, or place it in a bucket of sand and pine cones.

Be creative and make your tree bases however you want!

Next, make some leaves to write on...

Using construction paper or other similar material, cut out a stack of leaves (preferably the fall colors of red, orange, and yellow).  Make enough so that each member of the family will have plenty of leaves to write out individual things they are thankful for, and even a few extra for holiday visitors!

Holiday Stress Busters

By Carrie Carter, M.D. Have you ever had a Christmas when you worked yourself into such frenzy that no one enjoyed it? “Holiday magic” does not mean that come late November you “magically” have more hours in the day and less responsibilities so you can absorb all the extra work that comes with the holidays. You still are a full-time parent, and have all the usual duties of your life. And you were already overloaded! But the holidays drive us to extraordinary lengths, and often leave us suffering from extraordinary stress. Stress is not only uncomfortable, it can be damaging to your health. Every mom I know already lives with more stress than ever; the last thing your physical and mental health needs is a stressful holiday season! Emotional stress causes the release of hormones in your body called epinephrine or adrenaline, and cortisol. When released chronically these chemicals can be destructive to your body. Therefore, you need to do what you can do to prevent holiday stress, and know what to do with the stress that you cannot prevent. When the relatives arrive and all is a frenzy, the things that could go wrong do go wrong. Your two-year-old gets an ear infection on Christmas Eve, and your dog eats the box of candy from Aunt Edna and gets sick from the chocolate… now what? First, consider what matters most this holiday season. Second, make the best of the situation and adjust your expectations accordingly. Third, try one or more of these emergency rapid stress reducers:

Exercise for five minutes. This helps your body clear these damaging stress hormones from your system. Any type of exercise that you like or can do will help. Take a brisk walk around the block, do jumping jacks in your bedroom, or have everyone dance in the living room to Christmas music. It will help the whole crowd! Walk outside for a few minutes. It is harder to do when it’s twenty below, but a few minutes away can break the tension. Take a hot shower or hot bath. Plan ahead. It is more relaxing and effective if your preschooler is occupied elsewhere and not banging on the door, yelling, “Mo-MMMY!” Find a moment of quiet for meditation, Bible study, or prayer. Grab five minutes every day, even if it’s while you’re in the bathroom. Do some relaxation deep breaths. The 10-20 minute nap. Sleep can deeply refresh you when your energy is running low. Find the laughter. Try to find something funny in your surroundings. Tell jokes, or watch a funny movie or show as a family. Play a fun game together. Find joy in the midst of the stress and you cancel some of the bad effects. Live in the moment as much as possible. No matter how “wrong” things go, there is something to cherish about each moment with your loved ones.

Too many of us come to our “holiday stress crossroads” too late to make that season more bearable. At the end of this year’s holiday festivities, evaluate and write down what you would like to be different next year. Be as specific as possible. Remember that decreasing your holiday stress is not only important for your health, but also the health of everyone in your family. Plus, you want to teach a healthy approach to the holidays to your children, and you will if you set a good example. The time to start is now! I wish you blessed, low-stress holidays, full of all that really matters to you!

Dr. Carrie Carter is a mother and national speaker on health issues. She served as a pediatrician for more than 10 years in San Diego, California, has been a regular contributer to MOMSense magazine and wrote Mom's Health Matters.  The information in this article is only a guide. Please talk with your physician about any health concerns and before you start taking any medications.

Pumpkin Pie Leftovers?  (Is there such a thing?)  Toss a slice in the blender with some milk and a couple of scoops of ice cream for a delicious milkshake!

Operation Christmas Child - a great activity to do as a Mops table or as a family!  See here for more information!