My daughter, Lara DeHaven, is a writer for My Creativity Blog. She also writes for her own blog, Texas Homesteader and another blog called Welcome to the Ranch.

Lara is very creative and has been spending weeks creating gifts for Christmas. Lara created a poem for the ranch blog that I want to share with all my readers. The poem was inspired and based on the classic Christmas poem by Clement C. Moore. I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful and safe Christmas.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ranch
Not a thing was stirrin’ not even a tree branch.
The boots were sittin’ by the fire with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The calves were nestled all snug near their mas,
While they awaited the arrival o’ Santa Claus.
And the horses in their stalls with plenty of hay
Were resting peacefully from their very full day.

When over the treetops there arose such a loud noise,
the animals all shuddered in place even the boys.
Away o’er the pasture the sleigh skidded past,
It tore up the dirt road; it was going so fast.

The moon on the lake and the growing rye grass
Showed the dewdrops had fallen like shiny, clean glass.
When what to our great surprise fell from the sky,
But a light dusting of snowflakes from way up high.

A White Christmas in Texas was too good to hear
I let out a “Yahoo!” and began to cheer.
More rapid than lightning the reindeer did run
They had to deliver  the gifts ’til there was none.

On, Dasher! On, Dancer! On, Prancer and Vixen!
Now, Comet! Now, Cupid! Now, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the hill!  While it is still nightfall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

The mud flew covering the bottom of the sleigh
While the hooves slipped and slid and Santa yelled, “Hey!”
“What is this?  Precipitation has arrived?”
And I thought that this trip would be an easy drive.

Santa pulled back on the reins and shouted, “Whoa!”
Even if the reindeer wanted they couldn’t go.
It would be a short hike to the very next stop,
Just a mile walk, then a jump, skip, and a hop.

He was dressed all in red from his head to his boot
In a very large and fur-trimmed Cowboy-type suit.
A bundle of gifts he had flung on his back,
And it looked as though they would burst out of the sack.

His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like apples, his nose a dewberry!
His cherry red lips were stained with tobacco,
And his once pure white beard looked a might yellow.

He trudged up the hill and then over the road,
Struggling to carry the weight of his burdensome load.
When through the darkness, he saw a twinkling, bright light
A candle in the window was a wonderful sight.

He plodded up the walk to the Holliday’s cabin
He rang the doorbell with his hands still holdin’ and grabbin’
Onto his big bag of special presents and toys,
For all the good little cowgirls and cowboys.

He spoke not a word, when the door was flung wide,
But went straight to work while PawPaw moved to his side.
He whispered a secret into the old man’s ear,
And Santa smiled and said, “It was good to be here.”

PawPaw saw how our stockings had been filled with such care.
With his tractor, he pulled the sleigh from its muddy snare
The reindeer had enough time to lift up in flight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

My husband loves to watch Do-It-Yourself programs.  I think some of the most creative people in the world take one thing and use it to create something else entirely.  For example you can install beautiful counter tops made from recycled glass.  We watched a show where a man built his own company turning old composite shingles into driveways.

Last weekend my husband and I were on a mini-vacation, and my mom kept our children.  While she had her five grandchildren for days, she opted to do fun things with them.  They played Wii games, they began putting together a hard puzzle, they made masks, and they made popsicles.  But the most incredible activity that she did with my children was making beads.

Jake and Kyla love to make and design jewelry.  Both of them have an eye for design and have sold several pieces.  They wait for places like Hobby Lobby to hold sales so that they can stock up on supplies.  Now they know how to make their own beads from reusing #6 plastic and/or #6 styrofoam.  If you are wondering what #6 means, simply look at the bottom of plastic containers, bottles, etc.  There will be a triangular shape with a number inside.  For making beads, you need a “6″ to be in the triangle.

You need your #6 plastic/styrofoam, markers, a whole punch, scissors, parchment paper, and an oven preheated to 350 degrees.  Your first step is to cut the plastic into the desired shape.  Decide where you want the hole, and then punch it with a regular hole punch.  Using markers, color the entire area or make a design.  Use as many colors as you want.  Highlighters work, but permanent markers make a more opaque color.

Know that when you are cutting out your plastic you need to make a large version of it.  It is going to shrink in the heat of the oven.  For example the hole might seem too large, but when the bead is made, the hole is perfect for stringing on wire.

Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.  Space out your completed designs of plastic or styrofoam shapes onto the sheet.  Bake in the oven for exactly 5 minutes.  Then, they are ready to be used to make jewelry.

Not only is this a fun project for children, but it is reusing what would have been trash into something useful and beautiful.  Making beads is a great way to encourage recycling and creativity.  The possibilities are limited only to the extent of your imagination.

Andrew and his new handmade stick horse.

The Grimes County Fair begins Saturday, June 4th.  For one week, the county is extremely busy as kids show off the best of their animal projects, cooking abilities, and creative arts entries.  The community comes out to support the youth as spectators and as buyers of both animals, food, and art.

As the mother of five children, this up-coming week is going to be hectic.  The weeks leading up to the fair are just as busy at my house.  Why?  Because I have two children who like to enter all sorts of creative arts entries.  Kyla and Jake are busy knitting, crocheting, making jewelry sets, matting original art work, mounting photography, and trying out new recipes to enter in the county fair. 

I have felt like I live in a creative workshop for the past two weeks as they finalize their projects.  I have different colors of yarn sititing on top of our entertainment system.  I have a collection of crocheted coasters from which each child will pick out his or her best one to enter.  Crocheted dishcloths fill my kitchen drawer.  Beautiful jewelry sets are being mounted on black felt. 

Kyla made a wall hanging with silk flowers which now hangs on my dining room wall replacing the painting I once had there.  The only reason it is hanging on the wall right now is so that her little brothers do not destroy or harm it before Saturday.  It does not match the decor of the room so she said, “Mom, we need to repaint the walls.”  Oh, she has to be joking.

 As crazy as these past weeks have been, it has been so nice to see my children engrossed in what else they can make.  To explore other skills they have to showcase at the fair.  Their hands have been very busy.  They have not been idle at all.   

Every entry that they are entering is creative yet practical.  Every kitchen needs a dishcloth.  Why not a handmade one?  One that is soft and exactly the size and color you want.  Coasters can save the finish of your table.  Why not one made with love?  Do you have a bare spot on your wall that is calling for a decoration?  Fill it with a photograph, painting, or a flower arrangement. 

During this fair week, my two youngest boys are participating in a Kids Rodeo.  They will compete in three events.  Dummy Roping, a Boot Scramble, and last but not least a Stick Horse Race.  I realized yesterday afternoon that they had used their stick horses so much that they were both broken.  I had to find two more stick horses.

My step-dad heard our needs and delivered.  He made the coolest stick horses for my boys.  Using what he had on hand, he was able to create a one-of-a-kind stick horse for each child.  I was impressed! 

Sometimes we think of creativity as this lofty thing.  Something only the extremely talented can atttain.  We think of it in terms of masterpieces like Michelangelo or DaVinci.  In the musical world, Bach and Mozart come to mind.  These men were creative.  They were also geniuses in their area of expertise. 

As great as their creativity was, it is easy to feel inadequate.  Why even try?  If you are like me, you will not be invited to paint the Sistene Chapel.  However, do not knock practical creativity.  It is what makes a house a home.  It is way you express yourself.  It is rewarding and freeing. 

The county fair encourages practical creativity by having a huge creative arts section of the week long event.  The fair is not only about raising animals.  It is a way to showcase your creativity in many different areas.  From welding to baking, from quilting to watercolors, children, teens, and adults enter their best creative entries. 

Check out your local county fair.  Plan to enter it next year.  Spend the next year exploring areas in which you can be creative in practical ways.  Practical creativity makes great gifts.  Most importantly, it gives you an outlet to be more creative in your everyday life.

Most of you realize that Sunday is Mother’s Day.  Commercials, television shows, and store displays remind us of this up-coming day constantly.  Regardless of what you decide to do for your mother this weekend, it is going to involve some creativity.

We all want to show our mothers how much we love and appreciate them.  Many will make phone calls and send cards and/or flowers.  Some will cook for their mothers, while others will take them out to eat.  As a mom, I can honestly say that it does not really matter what you do for your mom as long as you thank her for all that she has done for you. 

We don’t need fancy gifts or expensive presents to have a good Mother’s Day.  Like the saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts.”  So put some thought into the gift.  What does she like?  What does she need?  What are your talents?  These are the questions I ask myself.

What does she like?  Is your mother a huge Houston Texans fan?  Does she prefer going to a ballet?  Does she enjoy coffee or gardening?  Has she been wanting to learn a new language or read a new book?  Is she interested in coins or collecting shells?  By considering what your mother really likes, you can focus your gift-giving ideas.  Just because advertisements say that all moms want jewelry and roses, it is not necessarily true.  Show your mom that you thought of her and plan something based on her unique tastes and interests.

What does she need?  If you are into practical gifts, this question will really suit you.  Does she stand for hours in the kitchen and end up with aching feet?  You could get her a chef’s mat.  Everytime she stands on it she will think of you.  Does her car need a tune-up or the oil changed? Or, does she have a broken door knob that she hasn’t gotten to yet?  Surprise her by taking care of it.  Taking even a small burden such as these off of her busy day will be greatly appreciated. 

What are your talents?  It might feel strange to think of yourself when trying to plan a gift for your mother, but this is where truly unique gifts begin.  Your mother spent her life trying to help you realize your gifts and talents.  She was and probably still is your biggest fan.  So what better way to thank your mother than to incorporate your talent into her gift.  If you are a potter, make her a beautiful vase.  Use your jewelry-making talent to create a special set for her.  Paint a picture, photograph her or your family for her, bake and decorate her favorite cake, build her a picnic table, write her a poem, etc.  The possibilities are literally endless. 

Hopefully I have gotten your creative juices flowing.  The best gifts will be ones that incorporate all three questions.  Giving your mother something that you create and that she needs or wants will be a winner.  Make this Mother’s Day memorable.

The crochet-edged fleece blanket for my nephew.

I love to give homemade gifts for Christmas.  I devote the last part of the year to being creative.  I don’t know if you can schedule creativity, but necessity breeds invention. 

The first thing I do is really think about the person.  What do they need?  What do they like?  The last thing I worry about is what I know how to do.  This might seem backwards to some people, but I do not want to limit myself.  I can always learn a new skill. 

Once I decide on a gift, then I purchase or find all the required elements.  Then I begin researching different methods for making the gift.  Knowing that my twenty-one month old nephew will most likely not be reading this article, I am going to use his gift as an example. 

I made him a fleece blanket.  I found the cutest cowboy print fleece at JoAnns.  I purchased a yard and a half of the material.  I have tied two pieces of fleece together many times to make baby blankets, but I wanted to do something different for my nephew. 

I began researching different kinds of fringe on fleece blankets.  For those who don’t know, fleece creates many no-sew projects because the edges do not unravel or fray.  You can simply cut fringe and your blanket is complete.

While I am researching creative ideas, I almost always end up on YouTube.  There are both professionally-made and amatuer videos to watch on seemingly every topic.  One video caught my eye.  It was a crochet-edged fleece blanket.  Do I know how to crochet?  No, but no worries.  I can learn.

I watched the video and I was convinced that this is how I wanted to make the blanket.  I began working on the blanket yesterday evening.  Before I went to bed, the crochet-edging was complete.  All I have to do now is embroider my nephew’s name on the blanket.

Not only do I have an awesome, hand-made gift to give my nephew, but I spent just under $10.00 on it.  I also have learned an invaluable skill- how to crochet.  So really it is also a gift I gave myself.

This is an economical time to be creative.  With Christmas twenty-three days away, you have time to channel your creativity into homemade gifts for your family and friends.  Armed with a YouTube education and a will, I have no doubt that you will surprise the recipients of your gifts, but yourself as well.  Get those creative juices flowing!

My Grandmother, Merle Louise Parkman Etter

Sometime in your life you will become interested in your family history. It happened to me when I was in my thirties. I did not know much about my father’s family, so I started doing research.

I found a lot of information through the Clayton Genealogical Library in Houston, talking to family members, going to county courthouses, local libraries, etc.  There is so much information now on the internet. You probably can find most of what you need right on your computer. So, if you are interested, there are many places to get genealogy information.

But what do you do with the information once you have it? That is a big issue for people that have boxes of files filled with information. Most people would not be able to understand the information you have collected if you are not there to explain. Arranging the information in a creative way for your family would leave a wonderful legacy for your descendents.

I have an incredible amount of genealogical information. This information fills several file cabinets. I know my children would not be able to understand what I have collected. I started brainstorming how I could put this information together in a better format my family could actually enjoy.  Here are a few ideas, some are creative, some not so much:

1. Make a scrapbook for each of your children with copies of labeled family photos, copies of documents, and a chart of family ancestry. There is nothing more annoying than having family photos that are not labeled. You know they are a family member, but who are they?
2. Input family data into genealogical computer software. Give family members a disc or printout of the information.
3. Write a book about your family or about the side of the family that you have the most information. Include photographs. Discuss what was going on in the world, what your family member did as their occupation. Be sure to include facts. In your writing you may want to get creative and think out loud about what you imagine the ancestors’ life was like, etc. If you are embellishing make sure the reader knows. You might want to put your own thoughts in italics or a different font or ink color. Most genealogists would prefer you give only the facts with documentation.
4. Copy all family information you have collected to the computer. You can scan documents as images, pdfs, tifs, etc. Use movie maker or other video software to create a movie of all the family information. Narrate the video with family stories or explaining where a picture was taken, the occasion, etc.
5. Write a short story or children’s story of one funny or interesting family happening. Have young children in the family illustrate. Make copies for family members.
6. Video tape yourself talking about the family history and what you have discovered. This might be easier if you write a script or have someone asking you questions.
7. Video tape all the older family members reminiscing about the family. Put the videos together using video software.
8. Write a story of your life. As you write act as if you are talking directly to your children. Include photos of yourself as a child. Talk about where you were born, your parents, where you lived, or anything tramatic or exciting that happened to you. You might want to explain how you felt when your children were born, or when you got married. If you were close to a grandparent, you might want to share a special story.
9. Create a genealogy journal. This could be an expansion of #8. You could write about what you remember but also include stories from other family members. With the internet and email you might ask family members to send you their favorite family story, adventure, vacation, etc. Include these in your journal. Meander in time from the present to the past and back again. Include favorite family quotes and a list of family surnames you know are in your family line.

These are just a few ideas you might find helpful. I have not decided the avenue I will follow in putting together my family information. I know it will be quite an undertaking. I am leaning towards putting everything in a movie format. I have video clips of my grandmother talking and I would love to include that.

I feel it is very important to share the family information with all family members. Even if someone does not seem interested now they may be later. Interest may skip a generation also. Getting creative with your family history can be beneficial for generations to come.

For those of you that are interested I thought I would make a list of some of my family surnames. The names are: Waldrop, Williams, Etter, Parkman, Alford, Beck, Stewart. Sinclair, Bates, and Halliburton. Any relatives out there?

There are too many demands on today’s kids. The amount of things that they need to learn at school and the competitiveness that pervades our society can make it quite tough for children these days to naturally exhibit their talents. They are constantly being told what to do instead of being left to think for themselves. They hardly have a moment to spare to sit and think things through. Of course, this is the age to acquire as much knowledge as possible, but children are not given time and opportunity to assimilate that knowledge. Knowledge being dumped into the mind will never get used effectively unless it is digested and becomes processed information. Only then can children use the knowledge that they possess and apply it to solve new problems.

Entertainment in today’s world makes us passive spectators instead of active participants. Be it programs on television or the various movies that we love to watch, all of them are passive modes of entertainment that hardly stimulate our creativity. There are hardly a handful of program on TV or movies in theaters that are thought provoking enough to kindle our creativity. Especially for children, passive entertainment can simply stunt their growth in terms of creativity. Kids that watch TV programs for hours on end or play video games till they go to bed would be seriously limiting their own creativity.

It is up to parents to discover the hidden potential in their children and nurture it to the best of their ability using innovative methods. Some children might be good at weaving interesting stories. Their imagination could run wild, enabling them to come up with surprising twists and turns in their stories. Other kids might be good at drawing or painting real life scenes or things from their own imagination. Some kids might be linguistically talented while others might be gifted musicians. It is the parents and elders in the family who need to spot the latent talent in their children and develop it to maturity.

Each child comes into this world gifted with one or more talents. When nurtured and developed, this talent can really help the child shine and become a gifted individual in their field of interest. Sadly, the gifts and talents of so many children are simply left to lie dormant, never to be used in their lifetime, because no one took the interest to identify their unique aptitudes and gifts. It is extremely important that parents, teachers and elders in the family help children develop their true potential, so that they can become productive individuals in life with a good sense of self esteem.

About the Author:

Amy C. is an indoor fountains expert.  She enjoys designing calming indoor fountains to express her creativity and refresh her mind.

Today you have a chance to view the results of an online art show. The show is sponsored through Art For Homeschool. You may have seen the links to the blog on a widget or in the information about me. On Art For Homeschool I started an online art show for homeschool students.  I did this to give homeschool students a place to showcase their work as well as a way to encourage and inspire budding artists. The first art show has been judged and the results are in. I am very proud of the artwork, the students and the parents too.  Today I want to share the results with you.

So here is the article that was posted last Thursday. I want all of you to see the work and maybe take a moment to make a comment to the students. I know how much that can mean to a child.

The Art Results Are In!

Mrs. Parker judged the first Art For Homeschool Art Show. She is an artist and art teacher from Brenham with many years of experience teaching art classes for children.  Mrs. Parker allowed me to take notes as she judged.  I will send each participant an email with her comments.

The theme of the show was “My Favorite Things.”  We got quite a range of entries and subject matter.

Overall, Mrs. Parker was impressed by the artwork.  She felt the students and parents that entered the show were very brave to put their work on the internet for the world to see. She could see the time and effort all had put in their work.  She asked me to tell all the artists that everyone has their own opinion. What one person likes will not appeal to someone else. Some people will like your art and others will not. Plus, she said not everyone will agree with the way she judged the show. So, don’t give up. Keep trying and keep entering shows.

To read the rest of the post and see the artwork, click here.

Mother's Day and Birthday Gifts

I had such a nice Mother’s Day/Birthday celebration on Sunday. I spent the afternoon with my children and grandchildren at my son and daughter-in-law’s home. The last few years I have been away so being in town with the family was an added treat.

My son and son-in-law planned and prepared a wonderful meal for all the mothers in the family. We feasted on grilled steak, mixed vegetables, corn on the cob, and rolls as well as chocolate cake and a freezer full of homemade ice cream.  The guys made sure all the mothers were able to relax and enjoy the day.  Thanks, guys!

We sat outside in the cool breeze which is unusual for the Houston area. I enjoyed watching all the grandchildren run around the yard playing, chasing bubbles, riding scooters, throwing the frisbee for Duke, the dog. The adults visited and reminisced.

Occasionally we had to referee the children or pick up a crying child. It felt so right. It was Mother’s Day and I was with my kids. I  had a delicious lunch on top of that. I needed nothing else.

But the day did not end there.

My grandson, Jake, surprised me with a bracelet he made me of various shades of turquoise colored beads. I did not know Jake even knew how to make jewelry. The combination of texture, color and shape make the bracelet one that I will enjoy wearing for a long time. Thank you Jake.

Bracelet from Jake

My son and his family gave me a beautiful pair of sterling and polished stone earrings in addition to that delicious meal.  The earrings are gorgeous! I will wear them proudly. Thank you Glenn, Marisa and Will.

Then I was given a handmade beaded necklace and matching earrings. My daughter’s whole family contributed to making the set. Some did the beading, others did the wire twisting, etc. I am baffled. How did they learn how to do all this?  How did they make the jewelry without me finding out? How did they keep the little ones from spilling the beans?  Thank you, Drew, Isaac, Jake, Kyla, Clayton, Lara and Lane for whatever part you played in the creation of my gift.

On top of that, I got a framed colored pencil that my daughter, Lara, created. She drew it from a photograph taken in Hawaii while visiting Molokai. You can see the drawing in the photo above. Lara has developed a desire to draw, paint and do colored pencil work in her early thirties. I think that is awesome! I am glad she is moving on her creative urges.  Thank you Lara. Your work is lovely.

Lara’s creativity is influencing her children to be creative. When the children see their mother draw or learn something new, it makes them want to be creative also. The creativity seems to be contagious. Her children are now drawing, painting, writing, and making jewelry. How fun is that?

I thought I would give all the mothers out there a chance to share. What kinds of gifts did you receive? It does not matter if your gifts are handmade or not. Maybe your children surprised you with a back massage or a home cooked meal. Post a comment and tell us about your Mother’s Day. Take some time to say, “Thank you!” to your kids, spouse, grandchildren, etc. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

By the way, I found out my granddaughter, Kyla, made the chocolate cake. It was delicious!  I will cherish the memories of this day forever.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…..It is the Lord you are serving.”

~Colossians 3:23-24

Thought:

I love this scripture.  It can be applied to anything, such as, creativity, life, marriage, education, physical fitness, etc.

This week my former mother in law, Joyce Adrienne Paschal Holliday, passed away after over 20 years of battling Parkinson’s Disease. We celebrated Joyce’s life today in a service with family and friends in Houston, Texas.

Joyce lived her life according to Colossians. She was devoted to serving the Lord in whatever way she could. Joyce was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, grandmother and friend.  She taught others by example about faith, hope, joy, strength, peace, dignity, and grace.

So many memories of Joyce’s life have flashed through my mind since learning of her death. Those memories make me smile. I think the thing I will miss the most about Joyce is her laughter. Her laugh was contagious and often came at very inopportune and inappropriate times which created some funny situations. I feel fortunate to have had Joyce in my life. I will miss her with all my heart but, I rejoice in the fact that Joyce is free. She has finally beaten Parkinson’s disease.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. I know you came here to read a devotional about creativity. I hope you don’t mind that I digressed a bit about family.

Post the scripture in Colossians up on your mirror, the refrigerator, or better yet, memorize it. Today as you work on creating artwork, planting your gardening, making cupcakes for your children, or playing a game of golf, remember to do it with all your heart. God bless.

Prayer:

Lord,

We want to serve you. We want to do your will. We want to make you proud. Please bless us with the ability to use our whole heart as we live our life for you. Fill us with thy spirit. At this time, we especially ask that you comfort those who are dealing with sickness or death. In Christ’s name. Amen.