Ideas To Inspire

In my ongoing Roald Dahl obsession of late, I workshopped BFG Dream Jars with the kids in my daughter’s classroom.

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I used images of Mason jars that I found online and copied them onto cardstock. Download the  Mason Jar Image File

Mason Jar Image File

In the classroom, we talked about the BFG and how he collected dreams in jars. I asked the kids to think of the best dream they could imagine waking up to in the morning. They wrote those dreams down on the cutout paper jars and then decorated the paper jars with markers, stars, glitter and hearts.  Then for the final step, we put dots of glow in the dark paint, just like the glowing lights in the book/movie.

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It is November 1st and that means it’s time to get laser focused on Christmas! The holiday movies started to roll out this past weekend on Hallmark on Oct 29. Hallmark wins with first holiday movie of the season! This inspired me to pull together a list of 2016 holiday movies. Not everything is on this list. I am not interested in every movie that connects to Christmas. So this is curated for family friendly, things I love and things my kids love and some grown-up gal alone time watching chick flicks while sipping a hot tottie!

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Schedule for Holiday Movies 2016 (by Network)        

The following three movies are found on NetFlix, You Tube or DVD only but are worth the watch:

Santa Claus (1959)

In this trippy Mexican film, Santa wrestles with poofy-pants Pitch for the soul of an impoverished poor little waif who’s tempted to steal a new dolly for Christmas. Dig Santa’s sweatshop in the clouds, manned by child labor from around the world, and the surreal surveillance equipment he uses to determine who’s been naughty and who’s been nice!

Watch on You Tube

 

 

A Very Murray Christmas

Bill Murray worries no one will show up to his TV show due to a terrible snowstorm in New York City. Netflix | with Bill Murry

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The House Without a Christmas Tree 1972

A young girl named Addie, living in Nebraska in 1946, wants nothing more for the holidays than a Christmas tree, but her widowed father is bitter and refuses due to events from the family’s past. Stars: Jason Robards, Mildred Natwick, Lisa Lucas

Watch full movie on YouTube

 

Or you can buy the holiday combo pack: Holiday Family Classics: The Thanksgiving Treasure / The House Without A Christmas Tree – on Amazon

 

And now on to the DVR-able options. . . . .

It’s time to clean out those summer olympics episodes you know your not going to actually watch;  to make room for the holiday flicks! First up is Hallmark because they win in 2016 for first new holiday film of the season this past weekend.

Hallmark:  

NOTE: This list is a line up all new for 2016 Hallmark movies, they will also play Christmas movies from past season check their website or your TV guide for movies from previous year.

A Wish For Christmas Saturday, October 29, 8/7c
Starring Lacey Chabert & Paul Greene
The Mistletoe Promise Saturday, November 5, 8/7c
Starring Jaime King and Luke Macfarlane
A Perfect Christmas Sunday, November 6, 8/7c
Starring Susie Abromeit, Dillon Casey, & Erin Gray
Every Christmas Has a Story Saturday, November 12, 8/7c
Starring Lori Loughlin, Colin Ferguson, & Willie Aames
Christmas Cookies Sunday, November 13, 8/7c
Stars Jill Wagner and Wes Brown
Home & Family Holiday Special Thursday, November 17, 8/7c
Hosted by Mark Steines and Debbie Matenopoulos
My Christmas Dream Saturday, November 19, 8/7c
Starring Danica McKellar, Deidre Hall, & David Haydn-Jones
A December Bride Sunday, November 20, 8/7c
Stars Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lowndes
Broadcasting Christmas Wednesday, November 23, 8/7c
Starring Melissa Joan Hart, Dean Cain, Cynthia Gibb, Jackée Harry, & Richard Kline
Christmas in Homestead Thursday, November 24, 8/7c
Stars Taylor Cole and Michael Rady
Christmas List Friday, November 25, 8/7c
Stars Alicia Witt and Gabriel Hogan
A Heavenly Christmas From the Hallmark Hall of Fame Saturday, November 26, 8/7c
Starring Kristin Davis, Eric McCormack, & Shirley MacLaine
Journey Back to Christmas Sunday, November 27, 8/7c
Starring Candace Cameron Bure, Oliver Hudson, & Tom Skerritt

A Dream of Christmas Saturday, December 3, 8/7c
Starring Nikki DeLoach and Andrew Walker

Looks Like Christmas Sunday, December 4, 8/7c Starring Anne Heche and Dylan Neal

National Christmas Tree Lighting Monday, December 5, 8/7c

A Nutcracker Christmas Saturday, December 10, 8/7c
Starring Amy Acker, Sascha Radetsky, & Sophia Lucia
Love You Like Christmas Sunday, December 11, 8/7c
Starring Brennan Elliott
My Christmas Love  Saturday, December 17, 8/7c
Starring Meredith Hagner, Bobby Campo & Gregory Harrison
Sleigh Bells Ring Sunday, December 18, 8/7c
When Calls the Heart Christmas Sunday, December 25, 8/7c
Starring Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Lori Loughlin & Jack Wagner
A Rose for Christmas Sunday, January 1, 8/7c
Starring Rachel Boston

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One Repeat worth noting  on Hallmark Movie Channel

5:00am – Holiday Inn (1942, Bing Crosby)

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel:

NOTE: This list is a line up all new for 2016 Hallmark M & M, they will also play Christmas movies from past season check their website or your TV guide for movies from previous year.

Love Always, Santa Sunday, November 6, 9/8c
Starring Marguerite Moreau and Mike Faiola
Finding Father Christmas Sunday, November 13, 9/8c
Starring Erin Krakow, Wendie Malick, and Niall Matter
Operation Christmas Sunday, November 20, 9/8c
Starring Tricia Helfer and Marc Blucas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas Sunday, November 27, 9/8c
Stars James Brolin, Mena Suvari, & Giselle Eisenberg
Hearts of Christmas Sunday, December 4, 9/8c
Starring Emillie Ullerup
The Sound of Christmas Sunday, December 11, 9/8c
A Christmas to Remember Sunday, December 18, 9/8c
Starring Mira Sorvino and Cameron Mathison

 

UP Channel:

NOTE: This list is a mix of old and new 2016 Christmas movies on UP  

My One Christmas Wish 11/05/16 – 07:00pm Based on the true story of Jackie Turner

Christmas Angel 11/05/16 – 09:00pm Stars: Della Reese, Teri Polo, Tamera Mowry and Kevin Sorbo.

Stealing Christmas 11/06/16 – 09:00am Stars: Tony Danza, Lea Thompson and Betty White.

Beverly Hills Christmas 11/06/16 – 11:00am

Naughty & Nice 11/06/16 – 01:00pm.

All I Want for Christmas 11/06/16 – 03:00pm

A Christmas Wedding Date 11/06/16 – 05:00pm

Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas 11/06/16 – 11:00pm with Drew Lachey

 

ION Channel

NOTE: This list is a line up all new for 2016 ION holiday movies. ION will also play Christmas movies from past season check their website or your TV guide for movies from previous year.

 A Vermont Christmas Vacation – Sunday, Nov. 27, at 9/8c PM
Cast: Abigail Hawk, Chevy Chase, David O’Donnell, Howard Hesseman, Morgan Fairchild, Zack Ward

“A Firehouse Christmas” – Saturday, Dec. 3, at 9/8c PM
Cast: Anna Hutchison, Marcus Rosner, Anita Brown, Bruce Dawson

“A Cinderella Christmas” – Sunday, Dec. 4, at 9/8c PM
Cast: Emma Rigby, Peter Porte, Sarah Stouffer, Leland B. Martin, Lesley-Anne Down, Mindy Cohn, Lucy DeVito

“Christmas with the Andersons” – Saturday, Dec. 10, at 9/8c PM
Cast: George Stults, Christy Carlson Romano, Ion Overman, Dale Godboldo, Julie Brown, Caia Coley, Barry Livingston.

“A Husband for Christmas” – Sunday, Dec. 11, at 9/8c PM
Cast: Vivica A. Fox, Ricco Ross, Dominique Swain, Michael Bergin

 

And now for some classics:

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NOTE: This list is a line up of classic holiday movies. 

 Prime time only version:

Thursday, Dec. 1 – The Santa Clause, 9:15 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2 – The Polar Express, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3 – Arthur Christmas, 6:45 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4 – Elf, 6:40 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 5 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 – The Polar Express, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 – The Santa Clause, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 8 – Elf, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9 – Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups, 7:45 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Pixar Toy Story Marathon

Sunday, Dec. 11 – Pixar Toy Story Marathon

Monday, Dec. 12 – The Polar Express, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 13 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 14 – Arthur Christmas, u p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15 – The Santa Clause, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 16 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 7:35 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17 – Disney Frozen, 9 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 18 – The Santa Clause, 5:10 p.m. and Disney Frozen, 7:20 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 19 – Elf, 6:50 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 20 – Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 21 – The Santa Clause, 6:50 p.m. and Elf, 8:55 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 22 – Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, 5:10 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 23 – Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 6:45 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 24 – Elf, 7:40 p.m. & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 9:45 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 25 – Holiday favorites air all day long

Extended Version removing the repeats: I didn’t list everything and attempted to eliminate repeats to see their full schedule visit their website.

December 1

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory 3:30PM/2:30C

The Year Without a Santa Claus 6PM/5C

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 7:05PM/6:05C

The Santa Clause 9:15PM/8:15C

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 11:20PM/10:20C

 

December 2

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year 12:55AM/11:55C

Jack Frost (1979) 11AM/10C

The Polar Express (2004) 9:20PM/8:20C

December 3

Elf 8:50PM/7:50C

The Holiday 10:55PM/9:55C

December 4

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas 7AM/6C

Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey 7:30AM/6:30C

Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas in July 10:05AM/9:05C

I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998) 12:10PM/11:10C

Arthur Christmas (2011) 2:20PM/1:20C

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town 10:55PM/9:55C

 

December 5

Scrooged (1998) 9PM/8C

 

December 6

Snowglobe 12AM/11C

 

December 8

12 Dates of Christmas 12AM/11C

Holiday Joy 3PM/2C

Deck The Halls 5PM/4C

 

December 9

Holiday in Handcuffs 12AM/11C

 

Dec 10

Frosty’s Winter Wonderland 11AM/10C

Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws 3:35PM/2:35C

The Search for Santa Paws 5:40PM/4:40C

Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups 7:45PM/6:45C

Snow Buddies 9:50PM/8:50C

Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas in July 11:55PM/10:55C

 

December 11

The Little Drummer Boy (1968) 7AM/6C

 

December 13

Christmas Cupid 12AM/11C

 

December 14

Three Days (2001) 12AM/11C

 

December 15

Santa Baby 12AM/11C

 

December 16

Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe 12AM/11C

 

December 17

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year 7AM/6C

Disney Frozen 9PM/8C

 

December 20

Just Friends 12AM/11C

 

December 21

Holidaze 12AM/11C

 

December 22

The Mistle-Tones 12AM/11C

 

USA

The Family Stone Sun Nov 6 3:00am ET

 

HBO

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas Sat Nov 12 10:00am

The Muppet Christmas Carol Nov 2 10:15pm and Nov 7 4:00am

 

INSPIRE

Samantha an American Girl Holiday Monday, December 22nd 12 ET

Unlikely Angel Wednesday, December 24th 12 ET

 

BOUNCE

The Preacher’s Wife 11:30 pm C

 

COOK Channel

Holiday baking championships all day on Nov 5th

Don’t forget about all the Cooking and Food Channels – many are doing holiday bake offs!

 

FOX

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special  FOX | 8:30pm Nov 29

 

ABC

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town  ABC | 8:00pm Nov 27

It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown ABC | 8:00pm Nov 30

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas  ABC | 9:00pm Dec 1

The Christmas Shoes  ABC | 7:00am Dec 2

Jack Frost  ABC | 1:30pm Dec 2

Prancer ABC  | 12:00pm Dec 4

Love Actually  ABC | 1:00pm Dec 7

Mr. St. Nick  ABC | 7:00am Dec 14

Shrek the Halls  ABC | 8:30pm Dec 15

Yes, Virginia  ABC | 8:30pm Dec 18

I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown  ABC | 8:00pm Dec. 19

A Charlie Brown Christmas  ABC | 9:00pm Dec 24

 

CW

Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special  CW | 9:00pm Nov 27

Merry Madagascar  CW | 9:30pm Nov 27

Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol CW | 8:00pm Dec 24

 

CBS

Frosty the Snowman  CBS | 8:00pm Nov 28

Frosty Returns CBS | 8:30pm Nov 28

The Story of Santa Claus  CBS | 9:00pm Nov 28

A Home for the Holidays  CBS | 9:00pm Dec 18

 

NBC

Christmas in Rockefeller Center  NBC | 8:00pm Dec 2

How the Grinch Stole Christmas  NBC | 9:00pm Dec 2

It’s a Wonderful Life NBC 8:00pm Dec 10

Coat of Many Colors  NBC | 9:00pm ET Dec 10

 

TCM – Turner Classic Movies:

Meet Me in St. Louis Thursday November, 24 2016 at 08:00 AM

Holiday Affair Wednesday November, 30 2016 at 06:00 AM

Christmas in Connecticut Wednesday November, 30 2016 at 03:00 PM

The Shop Around The Corner       November, 30 2016 at 06:00 PM and
Thursday December, 15 2016 at 08:00 PM

Tenth Avenue Angel Saturday December, 24 2016 at 06:45 AM

Miracle on 34th Street  (Visit their website to see when date and air time are as they have yet to be announced)

 

And just for the grown up ladies:

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show  CBS | 10:00pm ET Monday Dec 5th – I will do a post soon on hosting a V.S. Fashion Show viewing party. I have done this every year since this has been on the air – it’s a lot of fun!

 

The time listings are mostly eastern and you’ll have to do the math in your area. Also, check your local TV, cable and dish providers schedules as different options will show at different times. So what I am saying is use this list for inspiration and if some days and times are wrong or different in your area – make note for yourself so you don’t miss anything you love! If it’s too much to print from this site I made a simple PDF for you to download: 2016-holiday-movies

 

See you in the New Year – I am on TV lock down!

xoxo Lovely Lula

 

 

 

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This week we celebrate all things local! Get in on the action and spend your money on your local economy this week. Laboratory5 Inc is a locally owned business so naturally it is important to us to promote and celebrate all of our localists in AZ and around the country.

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Join Local First Arizona in celebrating locally owned and independent businesses across the state for Independents Week

Saturday, June 25, through Monday, July 4.

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Check out some of your favorite local shops and business this week and get in on some great deals. Grab your golden ticket and get to shopping!

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Unsupervised play in nature – Leave them alone!

Why have kids play and explore in nature? Because they already know what to do there – not instructions required. Kids are hard wired to know how to play outside, it is only we adults who interrupt their potential while they are explore. We do this out of our own fears but what if we allow these young explores to take over and investigate all on their own? Just think of what they might come up with. Beyond playing out in a natural environment what if you are interested in building a playground in the back yard for the kids? consider building one out of natural materials. You can keep it simple and put up a few tree stumps to offer space for imaginative play.

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You could create structures that are more complex and offer a fort like set ups so kids feel like they are in their own land and are able to invent new games with new rules. They can build characters and use their imaginations to create whole new worlds.

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Mix nature with richer character development and storytelling by creating an outdoor structure that is a puppet theater combined with a beverage stand or Lucy from Peanut’s Advise stall. Let kids decide how they want to incorporate nature into the story they tell and how they see the world.

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Next time you think “should I let the kids play an hour more on their tech or should I take them to a nearby playground?” consider how healthy it is for kids to have unsupervised, creative outdoor play. Leave them alone because they know what to do out there, just like you did when you where a kid.

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SUMMER SOLSTICE

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Celebrating Summer Solstice is a great way to connect kids with nature as Solstice highlights the transitions in nature. Crops are starting to grow, daylight is at its peak and the weather in most locations is inviting.

Ideas to celebrate the MidSummer Solstice:

FEAST – Eat local and seasonal foods - Visit a farmers market

FLOWERS  – Pick some fresh outside, visit a florist, Research legends about flowers

FIRE – Have a Bonfire - According to old pagan traditions, the bonfires would to scare off witches and other evil creatures during the Solstice.

SCIENCE – Learn more about Phenology - the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.

ART and CRAFT – Make Solstice Slime, Fire Flies in a Jar, Hair flower wreath, A Sun Wheel

June Solstice: Longest and Shortest Day of the Year

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Solstice is Monday, June 20, 2016 

A solstice happens when the sun’s zenith is at its furthest point from the equator. On the June solstice, it reaches its northernmost point and the Earth’s North Pole tilts directly towards the sun, at about 23.4 degrees. It’s also known as the northern solstice because it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Meaning of Solstice

‘Solstice’ (Latin: ‘solstitium’) means ‘sun-stopping’. The point on the horizon where the sun appears to rise and set, stops and reverses direction after this day. On the solstice, the sun does not rise precisely in the east, but rises to the north of east and sets to the north of west, meaning it’s visible in the sky for a longer period of time.

Although the June solstice marks the first day of astronomical summer, it’s more common to use meteorological definitions of seasons, making the solstice midsummer.

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Stonehenge in England. ©bigstockphoto.com/dubassy

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