Barefoot Books- LadyD: Christmas

Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Book Review: Joy to the World! Christmas Around the Globe

Barefoot Books: Joy To The World! Christmas Around the Globe

Dear Readers,

I was pleasantly surprised to find this beautiful hardcover children's book under the tree! My daughter is a Barefoot Books Ambassador and has her own book store. She's done lots of wonderful things for the company and has always been a strong supporter of children's books.

About The Book:

"Explore Christmas traditions from 13 different countries! Rhyming text and detailed illustrations make the book accessible to younger readers, while educational endnotes about the 13 celebrations add interest for older children. Gold ink and festive illustrations capture the joy of the season and make this book a beautiful gift in itself. Engaging and informative for anyone who wants to learn about the holiday. Features Christmas traditions from: *Ethiopia *Colombia *Australia *Italy *Serbia *Mexico *India *Iceland *Egypt *Argentina *Philippines *Lebanon *Canada."

Review

I really like this one! Such a beautiful classic read for your annual Christmas reading memories! It is beautifully illustrated with gorgeous, bright colored images regarding Christmas traditions around the world. The set of pages have four rhyming lines.

The combined stories explain what Christmas is and they have lots of information about Christmas in each country. I was aware of many cultural celebrations of Christmas around the world, but I didn’t know many of the specifics. Now I know!

My favorite part of the book is at the beginning!

"It's almost Christmas ! A bright time of year for coming together with those we hold dear. Like Mary and Joseph, we joyfully wait. For this special occasion that we celebrate."

Towards the back of the book, the author writes:

"Jesus is born! What a wonderful reason For coming together for this sacred season."

I especially love how the author shares, "What is Christmas?" Indeed, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in the Christian faith!

You must check out this particular book, Joy to the World! Christmas Around the Globe by Kate DePalma and Sophie Fatus.

-- LadyD

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases."

Barefoot Books-LadyD

Kid's Choir

Last Sunday we attended the children's Christmas Sunday School program. Their performance included 4 songs and I was able to make a video for you with Ryan singing his favorite song, Joy To The World. Which one is our grandson? Well, #17 of the San Diego Chargers! Hope you enjoy the music clip, especially watching the girls on the right hand side not singing and the boy in red jumping off the step, next to Ryan during his debut. It's so much fun to watch the children perform.

Do you remember participating in some type of musical event at school or church?

Kid's Choir Video: Joy To The World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdgmR-R0DK0

Photos for Blue Monday

On top of experiencing a wonderful musical morning, we were delighted to see the San Diego Chargers winning their next couple of games. We have Charger Fever! Have a favorite team?

It's so much fun to see the individual classrooms at church. Thanks for visiting my blues!

For Mandarin Orange Monday, I chose the same kid's choir photo and added just a few steps.

Photo Edit Process

1. Water texture effect
2. Subtract image overlay

Have a wonderful Christmas season!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis

Oh Christmas Wreath

Our granddaughter is coming here for a visit over the holiday. We've begun to decorate the house. Our tree is up with all of it's pretty decorations and lights. Now it's time to put up the outdoor lights and hang a Christmas wreath on our door. Because our Flora likes pink, I've colored Elizabeth's beautiful illustration in her favorite tones in Photoshop.

My editing steps are:

1. Nature texture
2. Light overlay
3. Blush Tones
4. Green Paint
5. Orton effect

For more wonderful entries, visit Coloring Page Tuesday.

Working on the project reminded me of the lyrics to the song, O Christmas Tree

"O Tannenbaum" ("O Christmas Tree") is a German song. Based on a traditional folk song, it became associated with the Christmas tree by the early 20th century and sung as a Christmas carol. For more information, visit O Tannenbaum.

Here are the chords for guitar and piano:

  C
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
    Dm            G7      C
Thy leaves are so un-chan-ging;
  C
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
    Dm            G7      C
Thy leaves are so un-chan-ging;


[ Tab from: http://www.guitaretab.com/m/misc-christmas/198016.html ]
C        A7         Dm
Not only green when summer's here,
G7                 C
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
  C
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
    Dm            G7      C
Thy leaves are so un-chan-ging;

http://www.guitaretab.com

Have a wonderful Christmas season!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis

A Christmas Kitchen

'Tis December and I've already started to plan our Christmas dinner for 21 people. No, this is not my dining room but I wondered what your kitchen and eating room looks like...

Photos for Blue Monday and Mandarin Orange Monday

Photo Credit: Free Digital Photos

Of course, Christmas tea sounds delightful in the cozy blue teapot and a crock pot filled with hot apple cider. I can just smell the cinnamon in the air! A cousin is bringing sparkling apple cider for the children. Whether permitting, we'll be enjoying the outdoors as well.

Photo Credit: Gracey

This charming blue doll house brings back memories. I remember having a miniature china dish set as a child. I would play "kitchen" each and every day! Did you have a doll house or kitchen set to play with?

One Christmas awhile back... well, we had purchased a wonderful kitchen set for our granddaughter. You pull it up and it expands and gets higher as they grow. It remains in her home but when she comes to visit us, I just had to make a cardboard kitchen for Flora to play with, along with these pretty blue plates. Isn't it amazing what things you'll find around the house for children to delight themselves in?!

With 5 grandchildren running about, we'll pause for a "reindeer sandwich."

Whatever you decide to cook for that day (I'm thinking barbecued turkey/honey baked ham), I wish abundant joy and everlasting peace for the coming holiday.

I just love the song, Christmas Time Is Here. If you're interested in the chords, I've posted them, here.

Have a wonderful Christmas season!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis

An Italian Family Christmas

In my kitchen, surrounded with a blue curtain and blue placemat, folks gathered around the tables with moustaches and Burger King crowns for a family Christmas. One of our daughters came down with our special granddaughter the day after Christmas. Our son and his family joined us this year and we were able to do FaceTime with our other daughter and family. Technology is so wonderful for reuniting families. Do you use Skype? Photos for Blue Monday

Fortunately, Costco has large quantities of party food and supplies for purchase. I made my special sauce with our own canned tomatoes, homemade pesto and herbs, with Italian sausage. There were no vegans this year. All the pans of lasagna were assembled Christmas Eve night, so our hot meal was ready to enjoy, along with garlic bread and salad within 30 minutes. I love lasagna. How about you?

Starting to set out the appetizers, I served several dipping sauces for garlic bread, along with Brie and apple slices, meatballs, shrimp ring and poppers. We all were grazing on munchies around noon.

I picked the "Italian Grapefruit" on Christmas morning...

"Il mio nome e Giorgio Pompelmo. Che piacere visitare la vostra fattoria. Grazie tanto y Buon Natale!"

Translation: "My name is Giorgio Grapefruit. What a pleasure to visit your farm! Thanks so much, and Merry Christmas!"

Funny thing is that the lasagna is overpriced. If 1 euro = $1.32, then no one is going to pay $30. for a portion of the main course. We all chuckled over this but fortunately, today the Christmas dinner was free! lol Photo for Mellow Yellow Monday

Bimba Landmann's richly colored iconographic illustrations both illuminate this stunning life of Leonardo and create an air of mystery around this far-reaching genius. At once instructive and entertaining, the story is told by ten-year-old Giacomo, who comes to respect, love, and learn from Leonardo, his wise and eccentric master. The many facets of this towering genius of Renaissance Italy are explored in a book that will inspire everyone to search for their own greatness within.

A great biography with beautiful illustrations for children 7 years old - adult; a wonderful book!
affiliate link

Visit Melanie for the one word blog buttons.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful new year of praise in 2013.

Warmly,

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Blue Biscotti Sky!

Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!
Here's looking at our mountain range to the east. Over to the right, you can see smoke signals.

Earlier in the month of December, we were just beginning to decorate the tree. It doesn't look anything like this now. But I thought it was so cute to find our cat, Jazz resting quietly under the tree by the piano ornament. So there's one lonely ornament for Blue Monday

We're having an Italian Christmas this year and I'll be serving homemade lasagna for 12. Perhaps I'll be able to take photos later on during all the holiday meal preparations. Biscotti and cranberries with pecans will be the take-home party treats, along with a basket of avocados and tangerines.

It's been a wonderful year of blogging, meeting online friends, teaching children and adults how to play the piano and reading books to my grandchildren. Hope you'll fill your home with music; it sure makes one feel good!

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Story of the Pointsettia

While attending a book fair in Southern California, I sat in on a wonderful storyteller. Hoping that your Christmas will be filled with warm memories and great stories to share!

Blue Monday with Sallie is a fun meme at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com

Mellow Yellow Monday is another fun meme at http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

One favorite holiday book of mine is from Barefoot Books Publishers:

Ages 4-9

The Miracle of the First Poinsettia

A Mexican Christmas Story

Celebrate the season with this touching tale of the story behind the first poinsettia in Mexico. Young Juanita may not have much money, but she does have a lot of faith and her trust leads her right into a miracle.

Written By: Joanne Oppenheim
Illustrated By: Fabian Negrin
http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com

I have visited the Paul Ecke Pointsettia ranch for many years. It is located nearby and more towards the ocean.

Poinsettias are synonymous with Christmas and the brightly colored plants are a sure sign that the Christmas season has begun. Poinsettias are also synonymous with the Paul Ecke Ranch, the world’s largest and most successful poinsettia breeder. The Paul Ecke Ranch has been growing and breeding poinsettias for almost 100 years! Today over half of all poinsettias sold worldwide have been bred by the Paul Ecke Ranch.

For more history information, visit http://pauleckepoinsettias.com/history/

A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.

"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.

Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.

As she approached the altar, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.

Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.

From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.

Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia!

http://pauleckepoinsettias.com/history/legend.aspx

InLinkz.com

Wishing you happiness around the table with family, friends and loved ones... and a very Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Reindeer and Moose

Reindeer Candy Cane

This coming Thursday is our Christmas Kindergarten Music Class Performance! Our five year olds will be singing their songs, along with playing their rhythm sticks. Also, the hand bell choir will be performing and later on we will be handing out scarfs that the children made themselves to the sweet folks who are in the nursing facility.

Reindeer and Chocolate Pretzels

The candy cane reindeer are so easy to make. Just wrap one brown pipe cleaner for its antlers. Hot glue those eyes and large pom poms. I used what I had, so this year Rudolph's nose is quite small!

The reindeer remind me of some Barefoot Books!

Ages 1-4

Elusive Moose

Search for the elusive moose in the snowy north, and meet lots of other north land animals on the journey. Hardcover and Paperback editions include end notes about all the creatures, a guessing game of animal footprints, and a page of informative facts about the moose.

Written By: Joan Gannij
Illustrated By: Clare Beaton

Ages 1-4

One Moose, Twenty Mice

Count the animals from one to twenty while searching for the cat in this lively hide-and-seek selection that introduces animals like frogs, whales, monkeys, ducks, hens and elephants.

Ages 1 to 4 years
Written By: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated By: Clare Beaton

From cute little counting books for $6.99 to a sweet colorful reindeer to eat or hang on your tree, enjoy this wonderful time of year as you and your family are preparing for the holidays.