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2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon lemon pepper Pour butter... More
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Time together is the greatest gift of all
Posted on Wed, December 23rd, 2009
Written by: Kitchen Table Time ,
email: kitchentabletime@gmail.com
By Carol Smith, Joyce Thomas and Felicia Bordick
It’s the time of year when our hearts should be filled with peace, joy, and love, but sometimes, it feels more like pressure than peace, more like a job than joy, and it seems we are always running late more often than feeling the love.
Everyday responsibilities are not suspended during the holidays, and parents may face a child’s school problem, the stress of economic worries, and then of course, there is the new fear of two kinds of flu! But do not despair, you and your family can rise above all of the madness, and find the good tidings of the season right in your own home.
Start with a family meeting hosted at the kitchen table complete with refreshments, paper and markers, and a homemade stop sign. Yummy treats help to encourage cooperation, paper and markers are for taking notes, and a stop sign is a visual reminder that as a family you will stop, take a time out, and plan a holiday season blessed with a peaceful household.
Once you have everyone gathered around the table – the heart of the home – talk about the things you can do to make your holiday season truly a happy time for everyone. These can be very simple activities, and every member of the family should have a chance to share thoughts and ideas. Set aside 20 minutes each evening to "unplug" the TV, phones and computer to do something together as a family like read a chapter book, have a cozy silent reading time curled up together in a blanket, or bundle up and take a brisk walk in the night air to observe the moon and the seasonal constellations.
Try a family movie night with popcorn for everyone in individual paper bags, or game night with those old board games. Or you may want to make a cup of hot cocoa for everyone and sit on the floor telling stories. Parents can talk about holiday customs and traditions, as well as some favorite memories.
Time invested in each other will help to ease the strain of the holidays. When you give each other the gift of time each day and focus your positive energy inward on those people most important to you, you will be better able to cope with the outside world the next morning. This season celebrate your love and devotion to one another, make it a holiday that reflects family first and the gifts not purchased at the mall. Wishing you all real peace, joy, and love.
The authors have a combined 75 years of teaching experience in kindergarten, first, second and third grade in area schools. Their book, “Kitchen Table Time: Recipes for Success" can be found at I Love Books in Delmar and The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland.
You can contact kitchentabletime@gmail.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.
Posted on Wed, December 23rd, 2009
Written by: Kitchen Table Time ,
email: kitchentabletime@gmail.com
By Carol Smith, Joyce Thomas and Felicia Bordick
It’s the time of year when our hearts should be filled with peace, joy, and love, but sometimes, it feels more like pressure than peace, more like a job than joy, and it seems we are always running late more often than feeling the love.
Everyday responsibilities are not suspended during the holidays, and parents may face a child’s school problem, the stress of economic worries, and then of course, there is the new fear of two kinds of flu! But do not despair, you and your family can rise above all of the madness, and find the good tidings of the season right in your own home.
Start with a family meeting hosted at the kitchen table complete with refreshments, paper and markers, and a homemade stop sign. Yummy treats help to encourage cooperation, paper and markers are for taking notes, and a stop sign is a visual reminder that as a family you will stop, take a time out, and plan a holiday season blessed with a peaceful household.
Once you have everyone gathered around the table – the heart of the home – talk about the things you can do to make your holiday season truly a happy time for everyone. These can be very simple activities, and every member of the family should have a chance to share thoughts and ideas. Set aside 20 minutes each evening to "unplug" the TV, phones and computer to do something together as a family like read a chapter book, have a cozy silent reading time curled up together in a blanket, or bundle up and take a brisk walk in the night air to observe the moon and the seasonal constellations.
Try a family movie night with popcorn for everyone in individual paper bags, or game night with those old board games. Or you may want to make a cup of hot cocoa for everyone and sit on the floor telling stories. Parents can talk about holiday customs and traditions, as well as some favorite memories.
Time invested in each other will help to ease the strain of the holidays. When you give each other the gift of time each day and focus your positive energy inward on those people most important to you, you will be better able to cope with the outside world the next morning. This season celebrate your love and devotion to one another, make it a holiday that reflects family first and the gifts not purchased at the mall. Wishing you all real peace, joy, and love.
The authors have a combined 75 years of teaching experience in kindergarten, first, second and third grade in area schools. Their book, “Kitchen Table Time: Recipes for Success" can be found at I Love Books in Delmar and The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland.
You can contact kitchentabletime@gmail.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.