How Patty Gave Thanks

How Patty Gave Thanks

Ah! how snug it was in the barn that cold November night! Farmer Gray shut all the doors as if it were winter weather, and then went away glad to think that the animals were warm and comfortable for the night. No sooner had the sound of his footsteps died away than a Cow raised her head and gave a faint bellow.

“News!” said she, “News! Something beautiful happened to me to-day. It was just before I was turned out into the field this morning. Little Patty came running up to me and began to stroke my forehead. ‘You good old cow!’ said she; ‘I had some milk to drink at breakfast and I know who gave it to me, and so I have come to say thank you. Mother told me this morning that this was “Thank-you” day;’ and then the dear child put a delicious apple into my mouth and laughed to hear me crunch it! I am so glad that my milk is good and rich. And she thanked me for butter and cream and for her papa’s cheese, too, — the grateful child!”

“You say well, Neighbor Cow; a grateful child she is,” said the farm Horse. “I was the stall just before they harnessed me to take the family to church, and little Patty came to see me, too; and she thanked me for all the rides she had had on my back and in the haycart, and for dragging the plough and for bringing the flour from the mill. Then, bless her heart! she reached up and gave me a big mouthful of sweet-smelling hay. I tell you, I’ll trot my prettiest the next time I have her in the carriage!” Bob gave a pleased whinny as he said this, and, as if in response, a noise came from the sheep barn. The sheep barn joined the larger barn, and at the doorway between stood a mild-faced Sheep, who began to speak in her own way.

“So little Patty went to you, too, did she? I can tell you I was surprised when she brought me and the rest of the flock an extra dish of salt this morning. ‘This is to say, thank you, good Sheep,’ said she. ‘We talked about you in the kindergarten and I know that our worsted balls are made of your wool, and my new mittens, and my flannel petticoat, and my winter coat and dress, and Jackie’s clothes, and the blankets – and oh, so many things! How funny you would look with them all on your back!’ Then she felt of my wool and patted me with her gentle little hand. I do hope that my fleece will be a good heavy one this year, and how I wish that the wool might be used for little Patty!”

“Well, well!” said the Cow, “the child did make it a real ‘Thank-you day,’ I am sure; for besides thanking me, and you, Bob, and you, Mrs. Fleecy, I heard the Hens saying to-day that she has been showering corn down for them by the double handful and saying ‘thank you’ for the eggs which they had given her. She told me that she liked eggs for breakfast, and that her mamma made cake with them, too. I wonder what put it into her head to come and thank us all.”

“It was her good little heart that put it into her head,” said Bob, wisely; “and I think I know the reason why she came to-day, for as I was trotting along the road to and from church I hear the family talking a good deal about to-day being Thanksgiving Day. And when Patty’s grandpapa asked her if she knew why Thanksgiving Day was kept, she said: ‘Oh, yes! It is the day to say “thank you” for everything, and that is why I hurried out to the barn this morning.’”

“And to whom did you say ‘thank you’ out there?” asked her grandpapa.

“Why, to all of them,” answered Patty; “to Bob and Moolly cow, and the sheep and the hens.”

“Very good,” said Grandpapa, “very good indeed, little Thankful-heart. I am glad you thought of the kind, useful creatures from whom we get so many things for our pleasure and comfort.”

As Bob repeated what Patty’s grandpapa had said, sober Mrs. Fleecy gave a little caper of delight, and Moolly cow heaved a sigh of deep satisfaction. Kind, grateful words are pleasant to any ears.

It was now bedtime and the animals began to settle themselves for their night’s rest. Mrs. Fleecy went back to her woolly companions in the sheep barn; Moolly cow sank down restfully in her stall; and Bob, after stamping and tramping a few times, bent his longs legs under him and lay down upon his fresh straw bedding. But before they went to sleep they spoke again of how happy dear little Patty had made them with her thanks and her gifts.

–Emilie Poulsson

November 18, 2008 | Filed Under Holidays, Thanksgiving | Leave a Comment 

A Boston Thanksgiving Story

A Boston Thanksgiving Story

Once upon a time Boston, and indeed the whole land, was covered with trees instead of houses; and there were no streets, no stores, no churches, no big buildings of any kind. Yet people lived here – Indians—who loved to live in the woods. There were no carpenters among the Indians, so they did not build real houses, but had tents or wigwams.

By and by some people like us came to this land; but as they came in winter the farmers could not plant anything, the ground being frozen; and so the miller had no wheat to grind into flour, and the baker had no flour to make bread of, and there was very little for the people to eat. They had fish, and clams, and such things, but often had to go hungry. A ship, which they had sent across the great ocean to bring them more provisions, had been gone so long that it seemed as if it must be lost; and the poor, hungry people did not know what they should do.

One day some of the little South Boston boys were at play on a hill near the water, and they saw a ship sailing toward the land. They knew that the ship would bring plenty of food for all the hungry people, so away they ran to tell their fathers and mothers and the neighbors about it. Can’t you imagine how glad they were to spread such joyful news? Very soon the ship came to shore and was unloaded. (let the children tell what the ship probably brought, and get them to imagine how busy the mothers were, cooking and baking for the hungry people; and how glad they all were to have enough to eat again.)

Yes! the people were so glad that they wanted to thank the Heavenly Father; and they said: “Let us have a day for giving thanks.” So they had a Thanksgiving Day. They went to church and thanked God for all his goodness and then had a joyful time at home.

Other people who had come to America had special days for giving thanks; they finally all agreed to keep the same day. And so for a long time we have had the one general Thanksgiving Day over the whole land.
–E.P.

November 17, 2008 | Filed Under Holidays, Thanksgiving | Leave a Comment 

Lapbooks $1

Passing along the savings…

Until November 19, 2008

“Getting Ready For The Holidays Sale

Thank you for downloading a GEARFORLEARNING product from Currclick. As a token of our appreciation we are offering you a special discount on two of our lapbook packs.

Aesop’s Fable “The Grasshopper And The Ants” & The Fruit of the Spirit are both retailed at $4.99 each. They are currently on sale for only $2.49 but for YOU until NOV 19th they are only $1.00 each! What a deal – 2 lapbooks for less then the price of one! It’s better then “Buy One Get One Free”! Buy one or both it’s up to you! We hope you enjoy!

The Grasshopper and the Ants Click on the link below to purchase Aesop’s Fable “The Grasshopper And The Ants” Lapbook for $1.00:
Fruit of the Spirit Click on the link below to purchase The Fruit of the Spirit Lapbook for only $1.00:


P.S. If you haven’t already done so, please feel free to download our special Veteran’s Day Lapbook – For a Limited Time it’s FREE! Can’t beat the price!

Click on the link for your FREE Veteran’s Day Lapbook

Have a great day!

Gearforlearning.com Staff

PSS Feel free to pass this email on to your friends and family!”

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November 17, 2008 | Filed Under Lapbooking | Leave a Comment 

RECALL on Coin Candy

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought this was important to post.

You can verify it at Snopes- http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp

Quote: ‘With Halloween fast approaching comes a warning to parents and kids regarding Sherwood brand Pirate’s Gold milk chocolate coins imported from China.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to eat, distribute or sell the candy.

It is sold across Canada by Costco and may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores.

The chocolate contains melamine which is the same chemical responsible for killing several babies in China, and sickening thousands more. ‘

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I almost bought some of these a few weeks ago. Luckily I was being stingy with my money!! :)

You all have a save Halloween whether you celebrate it or not.

Blessings,
Cynthia

October 29, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment 

Recipe: Cucumber Sandwiches

We made these for Tea on Tuesday this past week. I wanted to include the recipe.

Cucumber Sandwiches

8 oz. Cream Cheese – Softened
½ cup Mayonnaise
1 to 1 ½ cucumber, seeded, shredded (Peeling is optional)
salt – optional
pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Seed and shred cucumber and lay to dry on paper towels.
  • Mix cream cheese and mayonnaise with hand mixer until smooth.
  • Stir in cucumber.
  • Spread onto your favorite bread.

Refrigerate any leftovers.

Tip: Place a damp paper towel between the sandwiches to keep bread fresh.



October 23, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment 

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