Card models/P&P games

Top and bottom view of paper model skateboards.

It is only one week to Christmas. If the gift shopping list is longer than the available finances we have some suggestions that may help. Free print and play games and free paper models can be found on the Internet. Both of these activities are great for children and adults. All that is required is a computer with Internet access, a printer, paper, scissors and glue.
One interesting site we visited recently is called Phil’s Creations at http://sitekreator.com/thewoodengraver61/freepapertoys.html. The skateboards in our photo today come from this website. Other models at this site include a locomotive, “blowrockets” and a “spybot.”
In the print and play game category a good resource for game reviews is the “Print & Play” podcast. It can be found on iTunes, or on the web at http://printandplay.blogspot.com/. It reviews a wide variety of mostly free games. They even include seasonal games to help with the Christmas spirit.
Another source for information is the Board Game Geek. They have a list of free print and play games at http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/7351/item/117550#item117550.
We tried several of these games and have a few favorites. One is called “Cthul-B-Q.” It is a tongue-in-cheek card game about fighting monsters, taking them to your kitchen and serving them up on a platter. Each player is a cook, and they have certain cooking skill points and sanity points. The one that can cook up the most monsters without going insane wins.
Also we liked a game called “It’s All Chinese to Me.” This is a card game that has the players, who probably don’t speak Chinese, order food in Chinese, like they were in a Chinese restaurant. The one that actually get the most of what they order wins.
Another clever game is called “Pirates and Plunder.” This is a tile laying game where each player on their turn places a tile that becomes part of the game board. The tiles include ocean and island areas and can be played in a number of ways. Depending on the play, the tiles are worth various points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Some of the games are based on historical events and some are just for fun. Any family is sure to find something they like. And don’t forget the assembling. Sometimes that is as much fun as the game itself.
Our past columns on this subject can be found at the blog site listed below. They were “Card models” on July 18 and “Making Dune game” June 13.
Just a thought: “And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? [Christmas] came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” Dr. Seuss

Angel Ornament

Angel Christmas ornament made from cellophane twisted paper ribbon.

Custom made Christmas ornaments give a personal touch as apposed to those purchased at the store. Over the years we have made many ornaments. Some ornaments we made for a special occasion and some just because we wanted to try a new craft.
One quick and easy ornament is an angel made from twisted paper ribbon. It is simple and inexpensive to make. Most of the materials used can be scraps leftover from previous crafts.
Materials needed are:
19 inches of twisted paper
8 inches 1/4-inch satin ribbon
Small ribbon flower
Small piece of floral wire
1 Christmas ball about 1-inch diameter
3 inch piece gold cord
Hot glue
The twisted paper ribbon is cut into an 11-inch piece for the wings and an 8-inch piece for the body. Untwist the paper ribbon folding the piece for the wings into two loops with the ends in the middle. Use floral wire to hold the shape. Next fold the body piece in half and twist the floral wire around the ends attaching it to the wings.
Hot glue the gold cord into a circle and then glue onto the top back of the Christmas ball to make the halo. Next glue the Christmas ball head onto the top of the body where the wings are attached.
Make a bow out of the 1/4-inch satin ribbon and glue below head. Also glue the small ribbon flower in center of bow.
The twisted paper is also available in metallic and cellophane types. These can be fancier than the plain twisted paper. If going for a country look the plain paper is good. But for a glitzy look the other types might be the ones to use.
The Christmas balls we used are the ones covered with silky type thread. Glass balls or other types can also be used depending on the look you want to achieve. A piece of gold pipe cleaner can also be used in place of the gold cord for the halo.
Depending on the desired look, other ribbon and flowers can be used to put the finishing touches on the angel.
These ornaments can be used as gifts in an ornament exchange. Also a set of six would make a nice gift for a newlywed couple celebrating their first Christmas.
For children looking to make their teachers or club leaders a gift, this is an easy enough project for them. Grandmas and grandpas would appreciate receiving them also. Just one note of caution, make sure an adult supervises the use of the hot glue gun.
Handmade gifts are always more special because of the extra thought that goes into them. Be creative and make something special for the ones you hold dear. They will be reminded that you care about them.

The Happy Tree

“The Happy Tree.”

Helping others is a way to spread good cheer. This should be our focus all year long and not just during the holidays. Several years ago we came across a craft that helps remind us of this fact.

Going through an old Nov. 1981 “Tole World” magazine we came across a little tree created to teach a simple lesson to children and adults of all ages. It is called “The Happy Tree.” It also gave the story behind the tree.

We got the idea for our “Happy Tree” from this article and created many trees to give as gifts to others hoping to spread the idea that happiness can come from helping others. The tole painting magazine tree pattern is only about 10 inches tall, cut from a one-inch thick board and sanded.

We used walnut wood cut from trees that had died in our orchard. Our trees are about 24 inches tall including the star by about 16 inches wide and 2.5 inches thick. We cut them with a chain saw and left them with a rough finish. Our trees each turned out slightly different shapes as would real trees that grow naturally. Also none of them had a “perfect” shape to them just like the tree in the story.

As the story goes this tree grew up a bit crooked and windblown. But he is not focused on looking for perfection but instead to offer his warm, loving arms as shelter to all of his forest friends. It was said that his protective boughs and smiling heart give joy to the creatures through wind, rain, heat and cold all year long.

The story continues to say that each Christmas the creatures would return his love with gifts from nature: berries and nuts for garlands, glittering snow for shine and a star from the heavens to top him off in glory.

We illustrated the story by painting the tree with garland, snow and a happy face similar to the one in the magazine. To be able to display our tree outdoors we used paint that would stand up to the weather. Then we cut a star from tin and used a nail to punch holes along the edge to give it a decorative boarder. We used a nail to attach the star to the back of the tree so it is sticking up above the top.

To hold the tree upright we cut a six-inch base from another tree branch. It is secured with nails to the bottom of the tree.

We encourage everyone to help spread good cheer all year long. Share your happiness with others. Christians can even share the lasting happiness they have with others. Show love to others as Christ loves us.

Ideas for leftovers

Leaf biscuits shown with leaf cookie cutter.

This is the day after Thanksgiving. Many have lots of leftovers including turkey. Now for those searching for ideas on what to do with the turkey leftovers here is an idea.

Sandwiches are always nice but they can get tiresome after a few days. We suggest making biscuits with the recipe below to make a more interesting sandwich with that turkey.

These biscuits are cut in the shapes of leaves to go with the season. This is also a fun recipe to have the children help with.

Ingredients include:

3 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup oat bran or whole wheat flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

11/3 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup canola oil

Mix all dry ingredients together and then add wet ingredients and stir until flour mixture is just moist.

On a lightly floured surface knead dough gently for 10 to 12 strokes. Roll out to one inch thick.

Cut with a 3-inch leaf-shape cookie cutter, dipped in flour between cuts.

Put biscuits onto ungreased baking sheet.

In a bowl combine 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Brush biscuit tops with butter mixture.

Bake biscuits for 10 to 12 minutes or until bottoms are browned in a 450 degree oven. Cool on a wire rack.

With a serrated knife or sharp knife, cut biscuits in half horizontally.

Spread bottom half with two tablespoons apple butter. Top with slices of turkey and cover with top of biscuit.

The recipe makes about 10 to 12 sandwiches.

We like these best served warm but they are good cold also. Also we only have one leaf cookie cutter. If you have several different leaf shapes it is even more fun.

To go with the sandwiches we suggest making berry-ginger cider. Again the children can help put this recipe together.

This is a good recipe to use the blackberries that were picked this last summer and stored in the freezer. For those who did not get a chance to get local blackberries store bought frozen berries will work also.

Ingredients include:

12 ounces unsweetened frozen blackberries

3 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

8 cups apple juice

In a blender combine berries, honey and ginger. Cover and blend until pureed.

Press berries through a fine-mesh sieve; discard seeds. Add berry mix to apple juice.

Serve over ice for a cold drink or heat to serve like warm cider.

Recipe makes eight servings. It will keep up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

For other variations red raspberries, blackberries or pomegranates can be used instead of blackberries.

Our Nov. 23, 2007 blog has more ideas for leftovers.

Please share your favorite fall recipes with us.

Party snacks

Four ingredients to make crispy rice bars include: brown rice crisps cereal, brown rice syrup, natural peanut butter and salt.

The season has come to jump into the kitchen and cook up some holiday goodies. When going to a holiday gathering it is nice to take a snack along to share.

We came across a new recipe for crispy rice bars and they do not even have marshmallows in them. With a few changes to the ingredient amounts, we found it simple and fast to make. And it makes a great snack to share.

To make measuring ingredients easier we increased the amount of the brown rice syrup to use the whole jar. Also we use the whole box of brown rice cereal. This not only saves time measuring ingredients, but there is less items to clean up with less measuring cups used.

The ingredients are not hard to find either. We found the syrup and cereal in the health food section at Raley’s.

Ingredients include:

One 1 pound 5 ounce jar of brown rice syrup

One 10 ounce box brown rice crisps cereal

3/4 cup natural peanut, soy nut or almond butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a small sauce pan heat brown rice syrup and salt on low to medium heat until liquefied. Add peanut butter and cook, stirring until heated through but not boiling. About five minutes.

Pour cereal into a large bowl. With a spatula stir peanut butter mixture into the cereal.

Spray a 9 by 13 pan with cooking oil. Press crispy rice mix into pan and let cool one hour.

Cut into 24 bars.

This recipe uses no sugar and is gluten free. Also soy nut butter or almond butter can be used in place of peanut butter for those who cannot eat peanuts.

Optional ingredients can be added such as chopped walnuts or other nuts, carob or chocolate chips, dried fruit bits or small candy pieces. Use 2/3 cup of one option and add when mixing cereal with peanut butter mix.

Last year in our Nov. 9, 2007 blog on party pleasers we listed two recipes we take to many functions. They are no-bake balls and peanut butter balls. These are also no sugar and gluten free recipes. They are both easy to make and no baking is required for either recipe.

Things we look for when trying a recipe are healthy, fast and easy. Healthy because we care about what we put into our bodies. Fast and easy is important because we do not have time for complicated recipes.

When planning a holiday get-together try to include someone who has no family of their own to share the holidays with. It will make the day brighter for them as well as for you.

Fall arrangements

Fall flower arrangements.

Elegant decorations can be quick, easy and simple. That is what we like best. And that is just what we came up with.

While searching the Internet for fresh fall decorating ideas we came across a cute idea at http://www.save-on-crafts.com/cubeproject.html. It was close to what we were looking for but with a contemporary look. It was three Gerbera daisies set individually in three square blocks covered with black and white patterned paper. The above link has directions to make the design they show.

Then we found a similar project at http://craft.dow.com/proj/11118.htm. This one was not fall colors but used moss to cover the tops of the cubes. Their flowers and cubes were also smaller in size.

We wanted something with more of a country style. After thinking about what possible changes we could make an idea formed that resulted in our final design shown.

Our final design used three Gerbera daisies and three large sunflowers, each held up in a chunk of limb wood.

The chunks of limb wood we had from trimmings off of several Sycamore trees in our yard. We cut each piece to have a flat bottom and a slanted top. Then we drilled a single hole in the center of each slanted cut. One larger piece had two slanted cuts on at either end. This one we drilled one hole in the center of each diagonal cut.

Then we placed a single flower stem in each hole and arranged the limb pieces to make our final design.

This grouping is about 30 inches tall and about 16 inches wide at the base. The pieces can also be placed in different arrangements depending on the space to be decorated.

The limb pieces could be arranged in a single line to decorate a mantle or placed down the center of a buffet table. A length of ivy garland could wind in between the limb pieces to dress up the look.

A single limb piece with a flower could be used alone to decorate the corner of a desk or possibly an end table. Raffia could be used to tie a bow around the stem to give it a little more balance.

For more decorating ideas try multiple vases with flowers like our spring arrangement in our Feb. 29 blog. Use fall flowers and fall leaves in place of the spring flowers and ivy. Colored sand can be used in the vases with silk flowers. Our fall vase arrangement is shown above.

Never be afraid to try a new idea. Also try adding a few personal touches. If the results are not something you like try a few more changes until it fits your own personal style.

Next take a picture of your results and share it with us. We love it when readers share their ideas.

Christmas beliefs

“The Judge Who Stole Christmas” by Randy Singer.

Christmas is just around the corner. Some people are dreading it and some can not wait. Some think it is too early to think about Christmas. Others have been thinking about it for months.

Controversies arise each year as to whether or not religious decorations should be allowed or banned. Which songs and greetings are offensive and to whom. Retailers go with what sells the most merchandise. Activists pro and con make headlines.

We recently read a book that is a fictional story but it brings in some of these issues. It is titled “The Judge Who Stole Christmas” by Randy Singer.

The story begins in the sleepy town of Possum, Virginia where a husband and wife play the parts of Joseph and Mary in a live nativity scene. The husband, Thomas Hammond, ends up in jail for refusing to abide by a court order to shut down the nativity scene. The battle escalates into a national media spectacle. In the middle of it all is a law student, Jasmine Woodfaulk, who is assigned to represent Thomas as a part of her school’s legal-aid clinic.

The story is full of characters out to use the situation for their own agendas. Other characters are forced to think about their own personal beliefs and how they want to express them. They also face what it will cost them personally to share their beliefs as well as live them.

The ending is surprising and not predictable. The author’s intent is to provoke the reader to explore what the real reason for the season is. He also wants the reader to think about appropriate ways for individuals to express and celebrate their beliefs.

An in-your-face, I’m right and you’re wrong approach usually is not effective. Not speaking out or expressing personal belief is not right either.

Now is the time to think about how to share personal beliefs about Christmas in a manner that is thought provoking. Not confrontational but welcoming and inviting. Those who want to listen will. Those who do not will at least know where you stand and hopefully respect you for it.

Our personal belief is Jesus is the reason for the season. Celebrating Jesus’ birth at this time is the focus for us. Helping others in need is our way of honoring Jesus at this time of year. We also spend time with family and friends during the season.

What do you focus on at Christmas? How do you express your beliefs? How will you celebrate Christmas? We will share in and welcome any discussion on this topic with those interested. We will not argue but respect the beliefs of others who differ from us.

We challenge everyone to read the book and let us know your thoughts.