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PPPPAGEAGEAGEAGE 2222 MMMMEMORYEMORYEMORYEMORY M M M MAKINGAKINGAKINGAKING M M M MADEADEADEADE E E E EASYASYASYASY

Http://www.Phyllis-Sather.com



©Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Sather

All Rights Reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, or otherwise – except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without prior

written permission of the publisher. Please notify me at [email protected] if you

plan to use quotes from this book.

Published by Sather Home School

16915 Schuman Lake Rd.

Avon, Minnesota 56310

320-356-1114

Find me online at:


Contact me – [email protected]

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the King James Version Bible

End User License Agreement

By purchasing Memory Making Made Easy as an e-book you are allowed to download and

print out the book for your own personal use. You may not redistribute, give away, or send

this book electronically to anyone. You have purchased one copy of this file and it is

limited to your own personal use.

Cover photo by Dan Sather

©Copyright 2000

All other photos by Eric Sather

Edited by Emily Sather of

Kind Corrections Editing Service




About the Author

Phyllis has been the joyful wife of her best friend Daniel for 23 years, and became

a stay-at-home mom 21 years ago after retiring from a management position. She

has homeschooled their three children, Emily (20), Rebekah

(18), and Eric (16), for the past 15 years and is now working on “Home College”.

She is passionate about family life, parenting, home education, and her Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ. Most days you can find her being contented at home and

proclaiming God’s faithfulness at: http://www.Phyllis-Sather.com.

She has been writing for as long as she can remember and has had articles published

in several international magazines. She also enjoys writing for her homeschool

support group and several local publications.

She is the author of a previously published book, titled “Purposeful Planning,” based

on the verse: “Where there is no vision the people perish.” and on her family’s

twelve years of planning weekends.

Her desire is that this book will glorify God and be a blessing to other families.


http://www.Phyllis-Sather.com


Dedication

This book is dedicated to my sister, Luverne, or Aunt Vernie as she is affectionately

known at our house.

When our children were young she always wanted them to make her gifts – not buy

them. She enjoyed the personal touch and thought that went into a homemade gift.

This was the impetus for our never-ending search for easy-to-make items that our

children could have a part in making for Aunt Vernie and other family members and

friends.

Vernie, thank you for your part in making us press on to provide the personal touch

to our Christmas and birthday gifts.

Finding Joy in the Journey,

Phyllis

Contents

Small Beginnings – page 7

Our First Project - Candy Cane Ornament– page 8

Clay Heart Ornament – page 10

Candy Cane Heart Ornament – page 11-12

Basket with Yarn and Knitting Needles Ornament – page 13

Reindeer Ornament – page 14

Beaded Candy Cane Ornament – page 15

Popsicle Stick Sled Ornament – page 16

Gingerbread Boy Ornament – page 17

Fabric Ornaments – page 18

Cross Stitch Ornaments – page 19

Wooden Candle Holder – page 20

Favorite Child-Friendly Recipes – page 21-23

Christmas Candy

Christmas Mints

Puppy Chow

Cherry Dessert

In Closing – page 23



Small Beginnings

“For who hath despised the day of small things?” Zechariah 4:10

As I recall, our first attempt to make our own Christmas gifts was quite a failure.

I’m not by nature what I consider to be a “crafty” person – meaning a person who

can take a bit of this and a bit of that and make something so cute and winsome

that everyone oohs and aahs over it.

For years I’ve avoided craft parties or get-togethers where everyone makes

something and shares their final product, because mine usually aren’t worth sharing.

I crochet and used to know how to knit – somewhere along the line I totally forgot

how to do that. I can sew enough to mend clothing, but I’ve never really sewn

clothes that anyone would actually wear in public. I’ve made a couple of very simple

quilts – straight lines, you know...

So when faced with helping and/or teaching our young children to make something

for Aunt Vernie I was pretty much at a loss – low on skills and even lower on

patience.

Our First Project – Candy Cane Ornament

For our first project I chose to make a simple candy cane ornament from colored

pipe cleaners. We took red, green, and white pipe cleaners (available at most craft

stores), and twisted them together. We wanted smaller ornaments, so we cut them

in half and formed them into candy cane shapes. You can hang them over the branch

of your tree or attach a string or ornament hanger.

We still have this one and use it every year on our tree.

These were so well-received that I was greatly encouraged to find more things we

could do as a family.

The following are examples of some of the things we have done over the years. Of

course, as our children got older and they, as well as their mother, grew in their

skills, our projects became a little more difficult.

I hope you will enjoy the following items and find some that you will make with your

children as gifts for your family and friends.



Clay Heart

This heart happens to have the paw print of our dog Strider on it. Of course, it was

made when he was a puppy – not the 75 -pound dog he is now.

It is made from clay – Model Magic® FUSION™ by Crayola. We used small cookie

cutters for shapes. Don’t forget to punch a hole in it to insert a piece of raffia so

you can hang it on the tree.

Speaking of clay: This website has recipes for dozens of types of clay – fun for a

rainy afternoon.

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/childclay/childclay.html

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/childclay/childclay.html

Candy Cane Heart Ornament

This one was really simple. You glue two miniature candy canes to a heart-shaped

piece of paper. The Paper has fallen off ours, but you get the idea. Punch a hole at

the top of the paper for raffia to hang it with. We wrote a simpler version of the

legend of the candy cane on the back, but printed the entire version to give with

the ornament.

The Legend of the Candy Cane

According to legend, there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that

was a witness to Christ.

First of all, he used a hard candy because Christ is the rock of ages. This hard

candy was shaped so that it would resemble a “J” for Jesus or, turned upside down,

a shepherd’s staff. He made it white to represent the purity of Christ.



Finally, a red stripe was added to represent the blood Christ shed for the sins of

the world, and three thinner red stripes for the stripes He received on our behalf

when the Roman soldiers whipped Him. Sometimes a green stripe is added as a

reminder that Jesus is a gift from God.

The flavor of the cane is peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is in the

mint family and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus

is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

So, every time you see a candy cane, remember the message of the candy maker:

Jesus is the Christ!

This is one of the many sources for this legend:

http://www.victorious.com/reports/ccane.htm

http://www.victorious.com/reports/ccane.htm

Basket with Yarn and Knitting Needles Ornament

This one was super simple too. You can use any small decorative basket. Roll small

balls of red, green, and white yarn. Glue them into your basket. Insert two quilting

pins at different lengths so they appear to be knitting needles. Attach a ribbon, and

you can hang it from your tree by the basket handle or add a tree hanger or small

piece of raffia.



Reindeer Ornament

This one is a little more work, but still manageable with somewhat older children.

You will need three small clothespins, a small set of “eyes”, (available at most craft

stores) a small red bead, one white pompom, green and red felt, and raffia or wire

to hang it.

Glue two of the clothes pins together to form the body. Glue the other one upside

down at one end to form the head and antlers. Put your wire or raffia between

these last two pieces as you are gluing them. Then put the pompom on for a tail,

the bead becomes the nose, eyes in place, and the most difficult part is cutting the

green and red felt to form small holly leaves with a red circle as a berry in the

center.

All of these items are readily and inexpensively available at your local craft store.

Beaded Candy Cane Ornament

These red, green, and white plastic tri-beads are available everywhere near

Christmas. We strung them on a piece of florist wire, alternating colors. Mom can

help put a drop of glue from a glue gun at each end to hold the beads in place. Bend

it into a candy cane shape, add a piece of string or raffia and a pretty bow, and

you have another quick and easy ornament.



Popsicle Stick Sled Ornament

What would a craft idea booklet be without at least one item made out of Popsicle

sticks? Well, here it is – a quick and easy way to give a little gift and a cute photo

of those grandchildren. Glue four Popsicle sticks side-by-side on red or green

construction paper. When they dry, turn it over and glue two more Popsicle sticks on

the back for runners, then one across the top as in the photo. Now is the messy

(fun) part – paint it. Attach a ribbon to hang it with and glue your favorite photo to

the front. Add the date and you will have a keepsake like the one in the photo.

I guess this would be as good a place to mention this as any – as you can see, these

don’t have to turn out perfect! They are supposed to be made by children. Give them

some creative license – allow them to be children. I’ve had this ornament since 1998

and will probably have it for many more years, not because it’s perfect, but because

it’s special.

Now for one of my favorites...

Gingerbread Boy Ornament

This ornament is actually quite small. The body measures two and a half inches from

the tip of the head to the bottom of the feet. You will need to work with children

who have a bit more dexterity due to the small items involved.

Use whatever sized gingerbread boy (or girl) cookie cutter you wish – I think this

smaller size is cute, but you may wish to use something larger. Lay down brown

paper lunch bags, trace around two outlines for each ornament and cut them out.

Lay one piece down and put a small amount of fiber-fill on it. Put a small bead of

glue along the edges of the cut-out. Cover with the second cut-out, being careful to

tuck in the fiber-fill before gluing firmly. Decorate with two red seed beads for

eyes and three for buttons. A bow tie collar and hanger made from red ribbon and

you’re all set.



Fabric Ornaments

Purchase decorative fabric with a Christmas motif. Cut out appropriate-sized pieces.

Stuff with a small amount of fiber-fill and do a long running stitch around the

edges. Add florist wire hangers, a bow, and you’re all set. These are perfect for

children to sew while Dad reads your favorite Christmas or Advent story.

Cross Stitch Mitten Ornament

We made these the year our children learned how to do cross stitch. It was a

perfect way to practice their skills on a smaller project. Even our son got involved

with these. All you need is cross stitch fabric, some simple patterns, felt for the

backing, and ribbon for hangers. Once again, these are good projects to work on

while Mom or Dad reads and can be started early in the year.



Wooden Candle Holder

Another of my favorites – probably because it’s tiny and cute. We purchased tiny

wooden hearts and pots at the craft store, glued them together, painted them, and

added a bow. Our girls had just gotten into miniature shelves and they wanted to

share their love of little things.

Lastly, I’ll include a few of our child-friendly recipes. We’ve made these as gifts,

dressing them up in cute candy boxes, jars, tins, or packages.

I’m not sure why this is called Christmas Candy, but you will be amazed at what a

great taste treat it is.

Christmas Candy

Preheat oven 350 degrees

Line a buttered cookie sheet with a layer of heavy duty foil; butter again. (I have

used the cooking spray instead of the butter with success.) Line the greased foil

with saltine crackers. Cut crackers as needed to fit pan completely.

1 stick butter and 1 stick margarine

1 c. packed brown sugar

Bring these 3 ingredients to a boil, cook for 3 minutes on a low boil.

Pour onto crackers and bake in preheated oven 8-10 minutes.

Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with a 12 oz. bag of semi-sweet

chocolate chips.

Return to oven for 1 minute.

Spread melted chips with a butter or pastry knife, sprinkle on chopped pecans or

walnuts if desired.

Place sheet into fridge or freezer until chocolate is set and all is cool.



Break into pieces, store in air-tight containers.

I usually freeze several batches in large zip-loc bags until I am ready to give them.

This is something we can make ahead and store, and our kids love preparing them as

well. Even smaller children can line the pan with the crackers and help break it into

pieces when it’s finished.

Christmas Mints

Mix 3 ounces softened cream cheese and 1/2 teaspoon peppermint flavoring.

Gradually add 2-2 1/2 cups powdered sugar. Kneed until no longer sticky. Divide into

2 portions. Use food coloring to color one portion red and the other green. Shape

into small balls, roll in sugar, and flatten with the tines of a fork. Store in a well

sealed container in the refrigerator. These are a perfect addition to a cookie or

candy tray.

We originally got this recipe from our good friend Jean McParlan. Thanks, Jean!

It can be a little messy, but it’s oh so much fun to make and even more fun to eat.

It can be made ahead and stored in a tightly sealed container. Divide into

decorative candy boxes or tins to give as gifts.

PUPPY CHOW

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

Melt together

Add 1 tsp. vanilla

Pour over 7 cups Crispex or any Chex cereal.

Put one cup powdered sugar in a bag, add cereal mixture and shake until covered.

I had forgotten that the original title for this was Layered Dessert because around

here we call it Cherry Dessert. We usually put this in the oven as we sit down for

dinner. It’s ready by the time we are ready for dessert and since its best served

hot – perfect!

We also gave the ingredients and recipe as gifts one year. We used decorated lunch

bags to hold all ingredients except the butter and hung the recipe on the outside

with a ribbon.

LAYERED DESSERT

1 can cherry pie filling

1 can crushed pineapple

1 white cake mix - dry

1/2 cup margarine or butter

Layer first three ingredients in 9 X 13 pan. Melt margarine and drizzle over cake

mix. Bake for 45 - 60 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm with

ice cream.

Try with chocolate cake mix for a Black Forest, taste or with blueberry pie filling.

In Closing





I’m certainly feeling sentimental after this walk down memory lane. I hope you will

be able to use some of our ideas and make your own special memories.

This year we are giving small bottles of “real” maple syrup, made from maple trees

on our property.

• It wasn’t inexpensive

• It wasn’t easy

• It wasn’t quick

But... It did keep our guys busy and out of trouble!

Continuing to Find Joy in the Journey,

Phyllis



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