Crafts, Game and more with Seniors

 Growing up with Depression Era parents you learn to be inventive, creative and use lots of things that you already have.  I have been doing crafts with Seniors for a few years now and have a fun time bringing in things  that entertain them, engage them and something they want to display in their home.  Here are a few ideas for you.  

Make it colorful:  

We made Spring Wreaths using cardboard that was cut and egg cartons cut up.  We painted the egg cartons once they were cut individually and glued them onto the cardboard frame.

We made Spring Flower arrangements.  We used 15 oz. cans, covered them in green tissue paper.  Insert a small amount of floral foam, enough to reach from side to side of the can.  Cut up artificial flowers.  You can find nicely priced ones at Walmart or Dollar Tree.  We used an assortment of flowers to decorate our lunch tables for the month.

I made Easter Baskets for the Seniors using an empty Milk or Water gallon jug.  Make sure it is rinsed out well if it is a Milk jug.  Cut into a bunny shape using a sharp part of scissors.  Use a permanent marker to draw on the Bunny face.  Fill with items the Seniors will like: Candies, eggs, soaps, a roll of TP.  They appreciated it during COVID.

Easter Bunny Racers.  They are made with Twinkies, mini oreos, frosting, yogurt covered pretzels and Bunny Peeps.  Cut out  a spot for the yogurt covered yogurt steering wheel and Bunny Peep to fit in using some of the frosting.  Attach mini oreo wheels with frosting.

Don't forget to have games and prizes.  Just make it a party day and have a special lunch too.  Everyone loves to bring in a covered dish.  

Who doesn't like BINGO?  Our Seniors love it!

The Prizes are household items, snacks, candies, seasonal items, etc.

Just make the day fun and enjoyable for the Seniors.  Then you will have a group of Seniors that want to keep coming back to your events.  

Headed to Heaven One Day

I have been thinking a lot lately about death. It is something that no one wants to think about but it is one of the only things guaranteed in life. Everyone has lost someone they love. Now, I know from the first sentence it seems like this is going to be sad,  just keep reading, I hope you will see the joy in it. 

Recently, I have experienced death through the passing of my sweet and wonderful husband over six months ago.  Throughout the years, I have lost grandparents, aunts, uncles, my father and friends. The pain you feel (and continue to feel) after the loss of a loved one is something really unexplainable unless you have experienced it yourself. 

I continue to struggle with their passing every day. There is one thing that  comforts me daily, it is Jesus. Because of Jesus Christ I have hope. I am assured that I will see my family and friends again because we all shared the common bond of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then I would love to encourage you to talk with someone that can tell you how you can find God's grace through his son, Jesus Christ. I know it is the most important and best decision you could ever make on this earth. You are never guaranteed another minute. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivM1ytYswNA

Have a Blessed Easter

Have a Blessed Easter

"Empty Tombs Rolls"

I try make these every year.  

Make a 2 lb. White bread loaf in your Bread maker

or 1 loaf thawed Bridgeford Bread
1/3 cup melted butter
1 T. Cinnamon
1 Cup Sugar
1/4 - 1/3 bag of Mini Marshmallows

Slice thawed bread into 30-36 pieces, or pull apart apart about a golf ball size of dough.  Working with one piece of dough at a time, flatten the dough, then dip both sides into melted butter, coat in cinnamon sugar mixture.  Make a small indention in the dough and place  3-4 mini marshmallows depending on the size of the dough.  Pinch edges together to cover the marshmallows.  Dip the top again into the cinnamon sugar mixture.  Place pinched side down onto a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with Pam spray.  Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

* You can make you own bread recipe, if you like.)
* Before working with dough, spray your hands with Pam to keep dough from sticking to your hands.
* Remove from pan within 10 minutes, rolls will stick to the pan otherwise.  They are sticky because of the melted marshmallows.  Since they do melt, that is what makes the tomb empty inside.  

Have a Blessed Easter!

Celebrating Mother's Day

Proverbs 31:28  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her

Yesterday was a beautiful day with the family.  Our five children now came together and made a fantastic lunch for us.  I feel so Blessed.  Real Texas BBQ, Brisket, Turkey and Pork, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and delicious Angel Food Cake with Strawberries.

Lots of Flowers and candy.  Don't forget to tell your children you love them and appreciate everyday you have together.  Thank you Rachel, Jonathan, Timothy, Sarah and Steven.  You are a joy to my life and bring you so much happiness.

    

Thank you to my special Mom, Imogene Beltz Turner.  I love you!

  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Resurrection Eggs

Resurrection Eggs
You can let your kids make their own Resurrection Eggs.  
All three of my kids had their own.  
Here's how you do it.

Items needed:
One clean empty egg carton
12 plastic eggs

Egg #1 Cracker or bread piece  Matthew 26:26 
Egg #2 Silver coins  Matthew  26:14-16 
Egg #3 Purple cloth  Matthew 27:28 
Egg #4 Thorns  Matthew 27:29 
Egg #5 Piece of Rope  Mark 15:15 
Egg #6 Cross  John 19:16-17 
Egg #7 Nail  John 19:18 
Egg #8 Dice   John 19:23 
Egg #9 Sponge   Matthew 27:48 
Egg #10 Cloves or spices   Luke 23:5-6 
Egg #11 Rock   Matthew 27:59-60 
Egg #12 EMPTY!   Matthew 28:55-56 

Have a Blessed Easter

Have a Blessed Easter

Empty Tombs

I make these every year.  

1 loaf thawed Bridgeford Bread
1/3 cup melted butter
1 T. Cinnamon
1 Cup Sugar
1/4 - 1/3 bag of Mini Marshmallows

Slice thawed bread into 30-36 pieces.  Working with one piece of dough at a time, flatten the dough, then dip both sides into melted butter, coat in cinnamon sugar mixture.  Make a small indention in the dough and place  3-4 mini marshmallows depending on the size of the dough.  Pinch edges together to cover the marshmallows.  Dip the top again into the cinnamon sugar mixture.  Place pinched side down onto a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with Pam spray.  Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

* You can make you own bread recipe, if you like.
* Before working with dough, spray your hands with Pam to keep dough from sticking to your hands.
* Remove from pan within 10 minutes, rolls will stick to the pan otherwise.  They are sticky because of the melted marshmallows.  Since they do melt, that is what makes the tomb empty inside.  

Have a Blessed Easter!

Empty Tombs

Empty Tombs

I make these every year.  

1 loaf thawed Bridgford Bread
1/3 cup melted butter
1 T. Cinnamon
1 Cup Sugar
1/4 - 1/3 bag of Mini Marshmallows

Slice thawed bread into 30-36 pieces.  Working with one piece of dough at a time, flatten the dough, then dip both sides into melted butter, coat in cinnamon sugar mixture.  Make a small indention in the dough and place  3-4 mini marshmallows depending on the size of the dough.  Pinch edges together to cover the marshmallows.  Dip the top again into the cinnamon sugar mixture.  Place pinched side down onto a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with Pam spray.  Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

* You can make you own bread recipe, if you like.
* Before working with dough, spray your hands with Pam to keep dough from sticking to your hands.
* Remove from pan within 10 minutes, rolls will stick to the pan otherwise.  They are sticky because of the melted marshmallows.  Since they do melt, that is what makes the tomb empty inside.  
Have a Blessed Easter!