November 2008

A Note From The Editors:

Welcome to all our subscribers!

You may have noticed a new look to our ezine. We hope you like it. From here, you should be able to easily access the rest of our website with more great projects and activities. And, don't forget to visit our Article Archive, which is full of our favorite projects.
click here

Here, you will find quick and easy projects for every holiday. We publish new activities every month.

If this is your first time to our site, have fun! Get to know us.
www.TogetherParenting.com

Check out our calendar or try our child friendly recipes and activities in the weeks to come. We'll show you how to turn an afternoon of play into meaningful and lasting traditions--enriching the time you spend with your children.

And remember, it only takes a minute to create memories that last a lifetime.

Enjoy!
Rondi and Janell

Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes
Editors of the Together newsletter
Co-authors of the award winning book,
Together: Creating Family Traditions
www.TogetherParenting.com

In This Issue You Will Find:

1. Feature: Family Time
2. Project: Cookies in a Jar
3. Recipe: Snow Drops
4. Calendar of Events

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
Dr. Seuss

Update!
It's been a while since you heard from me. I apologize. I had a double knee replacement and it has taken a while to get back on my feet-literally. To make up for a couple of lost issues of this newsletter, I thought you might enjoy this Holiday Planner as my gift.

Feature: Family Time

What's important now? … The focus has shifted.

The economic events of the past few weeks really crystallized what's important in life for many people. We've all re-ordered our priorities.

Many parents are frantic because there doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day to manage their work, home life, and kid's activities. They're frustrated when they see others who seem to do it all. The number one question parents ask us is, "How can I find more quality time to spend with my kids?"

It's simple. Stay focused on what's really important. Do you waste valuable time? Clear the clutter in your life. Do you buy lots of toys and gifts to compensate for your lack of family time? We are living in a consumption based society. We buy things to make us feel good. What your kids really want is you, not the latest, greatest toy.

Take a minute to put your busy schedule into perspective. Set aside some time to appreciate the things that really matter. It's easy to loose sight of how much we really have. Instead of creating a wish list for the holidays, this year start a list of everything you are thankful for. Thanksgiving is a good time to begin.

Encourage an attitude of gratitude. Often we forget to tell people how much they are appreciated. Pick up the phone or send a hand written thank you note. Let special people know they are important in our lives.

The dinner table is a terrific place for family members to express thankfulness. Last year we suggested making a Gratitude Wreath. This is a great way for children to visualize the concept. Click here for directions.

Family traditions should be familiar, not monumental. Grab a few minutes of time whenever you can. This doesn't require more time, just shifting the focus of the time we already have.

We all can slow down and see the world through a child's eye. Stop and remember for a second what was important from your own childhood. Was it a special outing or vacation? Baking cookies with your grandmother? How did your family show love? Find something that you really enjoy doing. If you enjoy it, you are more likely to share the time with your children. They will learn so much about you. And you will learn so much about them that you wouldn't otherwise.

Center celebrations on your values. There is importance in rituals. Celebrating holidays allows you to "connect" with your children and gives them a sense of belonging and the security that comes from family interaction.

Fulfillment is in the journey, more so than the destination. We've forgotten how simple things can affect us. This holiday season, share the gift of time spent together. It's not about spending money. It's not about the latest gadget or video game. It's about creating celebrations and lasting traditions that come from simple gestures of the heart.

Project: Cookies in a Jar

Cookies are for sharing. And what better way to share them than by turning your favorite recipe into a gift in a jar?

1. Write or print out your favorite cookie recipe on a decorative card. List all of the dry ingredients together first, with a note that they are already supplied in the jar.

2. Make sure the total of dry ingredients is 1 quart (4 cups) or less. You may have to cut your current recipe by half to get the correct amount.

3. In a 1-quart Mason jar, layer the dry ingredients alternating light and dark-colored items. For chocolate chip cookies, you would layer the flour, chocolate chips, salt, baking soda, white sugar, and brown sugar. If there is a little extra space at the top, add a few more chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts. Then seal.

4. Your recipient will supply the moist ingredients. In this case, the eggs, butter, and vanilla.

5. Cover the jar with a circle of fabric and tie in place with ribbon or raffia. Tie your recipe card to the jar.

The ingredients have a shelf life of about 3 months.

Your thoughtful, handmade gift is sure to delight everyone on your list. And, with any luck, you'll be invited to eat lots of cookies.

Recipe: Snow Drops

Yummy and so simple to make.

Ingredients
3 large egg whites
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup sugar

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 300°.

2. In an electric mixer, beat the egg whites, salt and cream of tarter on high speed until soft peaks form.

3. Add the sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, and beat until shiny and stiff peaks form.

4. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. Drop batter by the tablespoon onto the baking sheet and swirl each into a peak.

5. Bake for 40 minutes or until crisp. Baking times may vary slightly depending on humidity.

6. Cool on a wire rack. Then store in an airtight container.

Yields 4 dozen cookies.