Best of all is to preserve everything in a pure,
still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving,
and for every breath a song.
- Konrad Von Gessner
The historical event we know as the "First
Thanksgiving" was a harvest festival held in 1621 by
the Pilgrims and their Native American neighbors. In
1623 a day of fasting and prayer during a period of
drought was changed to one of thanksgiving because
the rain came during the prayers.
In 1676, the original day
proclaimed for Thanksgiving was June 29. Gradually the
custom prevailed of annually celebrating Thanksgiving
after the harvest. It is now on the fourth Thursday in
November. For some it was a
National Day of Mourning. For most I hope it is a
day set aside to stop and give thanks for our many
blessings. Not just an American Holiday, many
cultures celebrate a
bountuful harvest festival. And this year it seems especially
important to set aside our differences and unite.
Crafts
*Paint some bright Autumn trees.
*Make a Thanksgiving Paper Chain
*Gourds - They can be painted or used as is. Try using a natural gourd as a container for dried flowers. Allow it to dry and then cut a large hole into the side to hang on the wall. A paste wax can be applied or the gourd can be dyed. Shoe polish applies a nice finish and comes in colors as well.
The beauty is the shape and twisting part of the vine that can be left attached, as well as the flowers inside.
*Wooden Leaves - If you have a scroll say these leaves are a great fall addition
that never need to be raked.
Supplies:
3/4 " Pine scraps
Scroll Saw
Paint
Americana Rockwood Red
Duncan Hunter Green
Ceramcoat Antique Gold
Brush
Spray Varnish
Real leaves for patterns
Drill with 1/4" bit
Jute or Wire in 18, 16, and 14 inch lengths
Procedure:
Trace a Maple and Oak leaf onto 3/4" Pine.
Cut the wood out and sand smooth.
I use a stencil brush to pounce on colors - blending as I go.
Paint the front allowing drying time and then repeat on the back.
Stain the sides.
Drill a 1/4" hole at the top of each leaf. Spray with a Matte or
Satin Varnish
Place a piece of either the jute or wire into each drilled hole -
pull through and knot to secure. (If using the wire spiral around
the end of a pair of needle nose pliers to secure) Gather the
ends of the jute (or wire) and make a loop and knot 3 together
so that they may be hung together by the loop. Trim any loose
ends.
*Corn Husk Dolls
Especially for Kids
*Fall Leaf Place Cards - Glue fallen leaves to folded
sheets of decorative paper for place cards and ask
each child or guest to write inside what they are most thankful
for this past year.
*Coloring Pages
*Let them write with a permanent marker on miniature
pumpkins as name cards.
*Help them make a scarecrow
Dinner Plans
*Napkin Rings - Small Grapevine wreaths make nice napkin rings and
you can decorate as you like. Small bittersweet would
be appropriate. Or just tie your napkins with a raffia
bow or a piece of corn husk to continue with a natural
theme.
*Use markers and let guests write on the tablecloth what they are thankful for.
Use fabric pens and add to them year after year.
*Or save your corn husks to tie as napkin rings
*Cornucopia Place Cards
Materials:
brown construction paper
bugle shaped corn snack one per card
small dried flowers
pen
glue
scissors
Directions - Cut paper into 3" X 4" rectangles. Fold in half
length wise. Glue dried flowers inside bugles.
Write name on place card. Glue bugle
horizontally across the card. Let dry.
*For place mats a large piece of construction
paper can be the base. Place dried leaves around
the perimeter and seal with clear contact paper.
*For a seasonal centerpiece dried flowers, fruits and nuts look wonderful spilling out of a cornicopia.
Recipes
This fall, when you harvest your pumpkins, pay tribute to the Native
American farmers who were the first to plant them. Put on a pot of hearty
squash soup.
Pumpkin Shell Soup
The Iroquois roasted pumpkins to use in soups, such as this.
Ingredients:
1 medium pumpkin
4 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Slice the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds. Place the halves
cut-side down on a buttered cookie sheet and bake for an hour in a 350 degree oven. After it has cooled scoop out the flesh and pass it through
a sieve. In a heavy saucepan, combine the pumpkin with the remaining
ingredients. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warm.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
This would be especially festive if served in a pumpkin
shell with roasted pumpkin seeds sprinkled on top.
Native American Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup
1/2 cup water
1 tsp ground ginger
4 Cups fresh Cranberries
Bring syrup, water, and ginger to a boil in heavy 2 1/2 qt saucepan over
medium heat. Stir in cranberries. Simmer until berries start to pop, about
5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn into pretty bowl and let cool.
Refrigerate. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead)
I made this for our Thanksgiving and it was wonderful!
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness"
- Colossians 2:6-7
Links
* 175 Easy-To-Do Thanksgiving Crafts
*Make this Harvest Blessing Sack with your children.
* Thanksgiving Art
* A Thanksgiving Prayer From the Iroquois People.
* Thanksgiving Central
* Thanksgiving Word Search
* Free Teacher Resources - Holiday Stuff for Children
