I remember a game passed along in the Carlisle family, now still finding interest down to the fourth generation---passing from my father to me, to my children, and to my grandchildren. My son says he has done research trying to find an earlier origin of the game, or to see if there is another family … Continue reading Carlisle Family Christmas Eve Gift Game
TURKEY TROT is an outdoor game my family has played while celebrating the Thanksgiving season. You could easily adapt it to other times of the year as SANTA SLEIGH RIDE, BUNNY HOP, etc. Use your imagination to come up with other variations and have fun! Let's enjoy the crisp outdoors. Time for the TURKEY TROT … Continue reading Holiday Outdoor Fun: Turkey Trot or Whatever Suits the Season!
COVID-19 has probably changed the way you are going to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. However, may I suggest you make my Sweet Potato Pie for your intimate group even if the big family gathering is not in your plans? Think about trying out one of the recipes included in my children's book Sweet Potato Pie, … Continue reading Get a Boost from Sweet Potato Pie (Recipes)
A few years ago my younger daughter and I were fortunate enough to be able to travel to Spain and Portugal and have in our itinerary an added excursion by ferry to Morocco. To this day I can still envision the café in Tangier where we sat at a low table sipping hot sweet mint … Continue reading Need a Boost? Try Moroccan-Style Mint Tea! (Recipe)
When I was a young child and a pre-reader, I was introduced to the nursery rhyme, “Mary, Mary, quite contrary. How does your garden grow?” Back then I never wondered why she was contrary. But as I grew older and planted gardens of my own, I found out why she was in such an unhappy … Continue reading Nonny . . . How Does Your Garden Grow? (photo gallery)
Last week I was excited to share with you the news of the publication of my latest children's beginning reader/activity book. It's called Sweet Pickles Among the Marigolds: A Rhyme of Garden Fun. Today I'll give you a sneak peep between the pages with a recording of my sing-along song Pick Some Pickles! You'll find … Continue reading New song, new website, new book… Celebrate with me!
If you happened to catch my blog a couple weeks ago, you may recall that there was a seven inch papier-mâché Wise Man from the family manger scene who was noticed to have a red polka dot tie under his chin when it came time to pack away Christmas decorations one year. As you and I bring … Continue reading The Wise Guy With a Bow Tie Strikes Again!
Whew! After all the "run here/run there" and "do this/do that" of the holiday season, do you feel like a wet sponge that has been completely wrung out? Expecting too much of ourselves and others can leave us exhausted and maybe even let down. Here is a basic relaxation technique I've run across at various … Continue reading Whew! Nine Steps to Regaining Calm After the Hectic Holidays
Just thought I'd share a couple of new activities that we added to our recent Family Thanksgiving Celebration: a snowball fight and a time of testimony! Those two might not sound complimentary but enrichment of our lives involves physical activity to keep our bodies strong. And quiet, reflective times to give us inner peace. As … Continue reading New Thanksgiving Activities Added This Year!
Reading the Christmas Story from The Holy Bible, God's Word Reenacting the Christmas Story with Manger Figurines (Be mentally prepared that a piece may get broken. One year we had a Wise Man lose his head on his journey from the Far East to Bethlehem as a grandchild was treating him like an action figure.) … Continue reading Family Christmas Eve Traditions (Photo Gallery)
Announcing the release of the Kindle version of my children's book for only $1.99... I'm excited to share with you, my treasured blog readers, the release of the Kindle ebook version of my children's beginning reader Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My! It contains the same beautiful illustrations, fun narrative, and informative tips and activities as … Continue reading My Ebook is out! $1.99
We all seem to have certain dishes which are "must haves" as we plan holiday menus for get-togethers with family and friends. If sweet potato pie is not already on your list, how about trying out one of the recipes included in my recent children's book Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My!? One is a traditional … Continue reading Maybe a Sweet Potato Pie for your Holiday Get-together? (Recipes)
SPOT THE TURKEYS is an outdoor game my family has played while celebrating the Thanksgiving season. You could easily adapt it to other times of the year as SPOT THE SANTAS, SPOT THE EASTER BUNNIES, etc. Use your imagination to come up with other variations and have fun! Let's enjoy the crisp outdoors. Time for … Continue reading Game Instructions for “Spot the Turkeys” (or Santas, Easter Bunnies, etc.)
During Thanksgiving week out-of-town family members travel to my house. While they are in town we have a special family day when those who live nearby and those who live at a distance have a chance to be together. We talk, laugh, share good food, get my out-of-the-box Christmas tree set up, and have creative … Continue reading Reflecting on My Family’s Thanksgiving
My Christmas Cactus always starts blooming around Thanksgiving. To me it is the symbol of life and beauty in the midst of winter. Find life and beauty wherever you are and share it with others.
Many of you have told me you wanted to know when and where you might purchase the first book in my children’s NONNY DAY SERIES, VOL. 1, Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My! for pre- and beginning readers. The “when” is now! And the “where” is Amazon.com! Click on the link below to go directly to … Continue reading Available Now–Nonny’s First Children’s Book: Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My!
I recently was talking with a lady who found out I go by the name “Nonny” with my grandchildren and that I share some of my reflections on life on “Nonny’s Blog.” “That’s so interesting that you use the name “Nonny,” she said. How did you come to be called “Nonny”? I told her I … Continue reading Another Nonny!
Publishing day is almost here! I am looking forward to having my children's book, Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My!, ready for your purchase online soon. It is the first book in my NONNY DAY SERIES. I think you and your beginning reader will love it! UPDATE 9/27/2019: The book is out 😀! CLICK HERE for … Continue reading Nonny’s Book Launch–Coming Soon!
No matter your spiritual, philosophical, or political persuasion, I think we can agree that our erratically beating hearts yearn to be filled with an inner calmness--one that might spill over into a mindful peace in our hectic daily lives, and a workable peace for our very divided world. So I welcome you with the English … Continue reading A Greeting of Peace
I would like to invite you to come to the premiere of my newest musical composition SING HALLELUJAH, GIVE HIM YOUR HEART! I am excited that it is coming about, but I also want to give God the glory for helping me write the musical score. My prayer is that all who hear it may … Continue reading An Invitation for You
Resting on my writer's shelf are twelve manuscripts which I expect to turn into a children's picture book series. These books will be for little ones in the early stages of reading. As they decipher the mystery of the printed pages of my books, young readers will be introduced to wonderful visions of playing, learning, … Continue reading Changing Direction
If you happened to catch my blog in early December, you may recall that there was a seven inch papier-mâché Wise Man from the family manger scene who was noticed to have a red polka dot tie under his chin when it came time to pack away Christmas decorations one year. As you and I … Continue reading That Wise Guy With a Bow Tie!
May God bless you and your family during this holiday season. My family and I celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus. However you choose to celebrate, I hope you find happiness and a sense of comfort, peace and strength. Here are some quotations from the Holy Bible that depict the life of Jesus Christ. … Continue reading Holiday Greetings
Here are four lines of poetic verse which I have written to send as an extra greeting of the season to you. The first two lines embody the birth of the Baby Jesus foreshadowed by his death. The last two lines present the message of the Gospel or Good News. This Good News is that … Continue reading Love Lies In A Manger
Our family worships on Christmas Eve as we give thanks for and share food, as we hear the Christmas story read and reenacted, as we give gifts to one another, and especially as we play instruments and sing together. Family Christmas Eve Greetings in Photos By Connie Carlisle Polley, 2018 conniecarlislepolley.com
SPOT THE TURKEYS is an outdoor game my family has played while celebrating the Thanksgiving season. You could easily adapt it to other times of the year as SPOT THE SANTAS, SPOT THE EASTER BUNNIES, etc. Use your imagination to come up with other variations and have fun! Game Coordinator: Use twenty 8" by 11" … Continue reading Spot the Turkeys (Santas, Easter Bunnies, etc.) Game Instructions
During Thanksgiving week out-of-town family members travel to my house. While they are in town we have a special family day when those who live nearby and those who live at a distance have a chance to be together. We talk, laugh, share good food, get my out-of-the-box Christmas tree set up, and have creative … Continue reading My Family’s Thanksgiving
