18 ways to be Thankful and Giving this Thanksgiving Season

Our family loves celebrating Halloween and Christmas, we have a lot of traditions and a lot of fun, but I've noticed my kids don't look forward to Thanksgiving, or really understand it's purpose. I've spent the past few months thinking of ways we can celebrate Thanksgiving and came up with many ideas for the kids and for me too. 
Here is one of my ideas


This is a list of different things to do to be Thankful and Giving this Thanksgiving Season.
I wrote one for every weekday of the month 


or a list version if you prefer to pick one here and there.


I will be posting each weekday of November on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/sclifeasawife
Feel free to follow us there and share your experience :)

if you are feeling extra blessed and in the giving mood you can purchase both of these designs here on etsy

you can also download them for free here for the calendar and here for the list

Poetry and Soup - a Poetry Reading Party

A friend and I were talking when she confessed to writing Poetry.
I shared my thoughts on Poetry with her.
I told her I think Poetry is such a romantic art form,
and the writing and sharing of Poetry should be a more regular 
occurrence in our social groups.

and this is how this started...


We were afraid we were the only old fashion, romantic minded people
but we found quite a few neighbors who thought Poetry and Soup
was a lovely idea. SCROLL DOWN FOR THE PRINTABLE INVITE

We had a variety of soups; a hearty bean and ham soup, a warm minestrone soup, 
a classic broccoli and cheese soup, and a creamy chicken noodle
We also had an apple crisp and oreo pudding dessert. Nothing sweeter 
than topping off the event with these treats.

The gathering was delightful if I could have changed anything
I would have had everyone bring their recipe cards
to set aside their dishes, since I want to replicate all of them.


I didn't try to pen my own verse for this party,
Partly because I need to grow my confidence in writing Poetry
and Mostly because I had in my possession a Poem my 
Grandpa used to recite to us at family gatherings.
We believe his Grandma was the original writer
and he had such fond memories of her sharing it
that he continued the tradition 
and that is a tradition I want to be apart of as well.

Here is my family poem, it really is to good to keep to oneself

Once I had a handsome Beau,I loved him dear as life
I often thought the time would come when I would be his wife

His pockets how they would jingle, you bet he had the cash
the diamond ring, a watch and chain, and a darling Black mustache
Oh that Black, oh that cute black mustache,
Now you know I've got a Beau with a darling black mustache

He come to see me last Saturday night, stayed to almost three
said he’d never loved a girl as well as me
said we’d live in the greatest style, you bet we’d cut a dash
then he pressed upon my lips that darling black mustache
Oh that Black oh that cute black mustache
Now you know I've got a Beau with a darling black mustache

But o alas things changed for me, a blondie came to town,
my handsome Beau he fell for her and flatly turned me down
I tried so hard to get him back but away from me he’d dash
so now you know I lost my Beau with the darling black mustache

Three of the poems shared were penned by their owners and I think they should publish their poetry for all to enjoy. Other poems shared were these
If by Rudyard Kipling
this poem would make an excellent discussion piece
Rindercella
this poem is quite entertaining and quite a mouthful

I enjoyed myself so much at the party and I do so
look forward to dabbling in Poetry and penning something of my own.
I am quite excited to make this another tradition
that will add simply joy to my life.

I hope it brings joy to you to,  HERE is a blank invite with the images.


A Night with the Patriarch

For this Relief Society Activity we decided to do an activity centered on Patriarchal Blessings.

We started by asking the Patriarch in our ward if they would come talk to us

Then we gave the sisters an invite encouraging them to read their Patriarchal Blessings or if they haven't received their blessing yet to study about Patriarchal Blessings. We invited all sisters to come with questions. 


Also here are some questions that you can give to your patriarch to prepare

-What is a patriarchal blessing
-Why is linage important
-Who may give a patriarchal blessing
-Who may receive a patriarchal blessing
-How old do I have to be for a blessing
-How is the blessing given
-How do I get a patriarchal blessing
-How do I know if I’m ready
-How can I prepare
-When will all the promises in my blessing be fulfilled
-Will all the promises in my blessing be fulfilled
-Should I let others read my blessing

Print off the invite in Black &White  or color, HERE