“My talented and crafty sister and niece have given me beautiful wreaths for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their gifts were so meaningful that they inspired me to do the same for my friends and other family members.

“I have always enjoyed decorating my house for each holiday, as well as my classroom when I taught. Around Christmas in 2018, I made wreaths for three of my close friends and my sons’ families. After Christmas, those friends came over for a wreath-making party, and they created spring and Easter wreaths.

“I certainly don’t consider myself an expert. But other friends have asked if I would share what I know, and I enjoy doing that. Throughout last year, I continued to create wreaths because it was fun, relaxing and even therapeutic.

“Under our current circumstances, it also provides peace for me in this chaos. I’m busy thinking of someone who might find joy and a distraction from the daily reports through my Facebook posts. It’s a catch-22 right now, but I wish I could host a wreath-making party. Hopefully, after the restrictions have been lifted, I can have that party.

“I made 20 to 30 wreaths last year. Except for one Astros wreath, I never kept any of them. I considered this wonderful hobby a form of ministry. I donated to nursing homes and various fundraisers.

“As more people saw my wreaths, they encouraged me to start selling them. That took courage to even consider because I never thought of myself as marketable. I never wanted the joy of making wreaths to be overshadowed by pressure or a deadline. But this January, I finally decided that I’d give it a go.

“There is a plethora of fabulous wreath makers. Just as a flower doesn’t compete with another flower in a garden, wreath makers don’t, either. We all have our own appeal. My style has certainly evolved and, hopefully, improving with each wreath I create.”

— Paula Groberg

See Paula’s wreaths on her Hang It Up page on Facebook. Find information there on how to order one of her creations.

The post Making wreaths provides ‘peace in this chaos’ appeared first on The Baytown Project.

To help get you in the Thanksgiving spirit, here’s something a little different from Shona Saunders, mom to Ethan (9) and Eli (4).

“I’ve always been a storyteller and I love to write. I was trying to make this one a positive story, but it turned out kind of scary. My kids like scary stuff, so I thought they would get a kick out of it.”
—–

TERRY THE TURKEY

Once upon a time, there was a turkey named Terry. He lived on a farm.
Terry was a quiet guy. He was a little bit shy, and he was sad a lot. Sometimes Terry was even mad.

“Why are you so mad, Terry?” his mom asked.
“Because I don’t have any feathers. I want feathers. All the cool kids have feathers,” Terry yelled as he flapped his wings.

His mom was sad for Terry. She wished that he could see the happiness around the farm.

One day Terry went to school, and his friends teased him. They called him chicken.

“You look like a chicken. You’ll never have pretty feathers, chicken boy,” they taunted.

Terry ran home to his mom and told her what happened.
“Don’t worry, Terry. The Choosing is coming. Looking like a chicken will be a very good thing for you,” she said.
“What’s The Choosing?” Terry asked.
“It’s where the farmer comes to the pen, and he chooses the prettiest turkey to take to the Blood House,” his mom whispered.
“What? No!” Terry cried.

The next day at school the turkeys teased Terry again. But this time he did something he hadn’t done in a long time. He smiled.
“I’m glad I look like a chicken and I’m glad that you have pretty feathers. I’ll never tell you why, but you’ll find out soon enough. Choosing Day is coming,” Terry said.

And then he laughed.

Related:

• Despite challenges, she doesn’t plan to give up
• She teaches her boys kindness and compassion

The post ‘Chicken boy’ has the last laugh on Thanksgiving appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I didn’t want to do it, but I was forced into it because he wouldn’t do it. It’s not that bad, I guess.”

What’s the best part about being a turkey?
“Dancing without people knowing who I am.”

What’s your best move?
“I can do a little bit of everything. I’m a pretty universal dancer.”

— Kara Seaton

The post This turkey has some pretty good dance moves appeared first on The Baytown Project.