Thursday is Thanksgiving

First order of business: Everyone who are driving to be with family---be safe. I want to hear all about your trip.

I am looking out the windows at a grey day. Not gloomy, but definately grey. The rain is falling, but I am grateful that it's not snow. (I really need to practice my spelling. Believe it or not, it has improved over the years.)(Even more unbelievable, Scrabble is my favorite game to play)

We have added some new series like: Just Grace and the Candy Apples stories. Plus we have added some new cd and stories from Discovery Toys. They were donated by Sue Garten and are housed in the house shelving. We have also been adding books and CDs through out the Juvenile room including: Cam Jansen and the Green School Mystery by David Adler, President Pennybaker by Kate Feiffer and Horrible Harry and the Dead Letters by Suzy Kline. We have also added Speaking Spanish with Dora and Diego - Vaminos! Let's Go and Family Adventures.

Starting December 1st, we will be having out decorations to make for the christmas tree. This year we will be making cloth garlands, string crandberries and make ornaments.

Middle of november

Next week is Thanksgiving. The library raffle has started. The library closes after dark and it is only 5 pm. The Holiday programming has started with sign-ups already in full swing for the chocolate making.

As things start speeding up, I want to encourage you to remember to take some quiet time for yourselves. As we start gearing up for families and our respective holidays, it is not unusual to be going so fast to get everything done, you don't have time to enjoy all the stuff going on. Nothing is more important and disasters are all par for the course. In fact, one of my favorite family memories is when the pipes burst and we had to do our Christmas dishes in the downstairs deep sink. Remember that perfect is not nearly as important as enjoying the moment you are in even the bad ones.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Sign ups and new classes

Tomorrow it Veterens Day. I love that day. The weather isn't too bad. The library is closed (a rare play day) and its the beginning of the holiday season (for me).

I have started getting the sign-ups ready for the candy making class. There are some older recipes we won't be using and I found some new ones that sound really good. Very, Very exciting.

I am starting to look at the winter schedule and to decide on what classes to offer. I have already received two wonderful suggestions from the patrons: A Wimpy Kid party and Winter snow fest. I was thinking about either a laua or an aussie get-together. I am also looking for a fun winter mystery and making instruments from scratch. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear all bout them. I am also looking for simple crafts for the Friday Craft classes. I have learned that some of crafts I consider are only simple for an adult. ;-)

I want to share a wonderful idea someone gave me today. This year instead of wrapping paper for all my gifts, for friends and family that like to sew, I am going to wrap their gifts in a beautiful piece of fabric and raffia. I'm not sure why this didn't occur to me years ago. It is so planet friendly and still beautiful. I think maybe I was too greedy and unwilling to share my beautiful fabrics with others. How silly of me!

I wish everyone the happiest of holidays. Keep your eyes out for the upcoming events. We are going to have jolly, holly time this year!

November 09

What a wild fall it has been. Cold, then hot and then back to cold - I never know what to wear! I have enjoyed watching the leaves change colors through the windows of the children's room.

There has been a real concern about the H1N1 flu virus. We are very concerned also. To help stop the spread of the virus, we are providing Purell wipes for hands as well as hand sanitizer in the children's room. Also, we are spraying down all the surfaces in the mornings with Lysol surface sanitizer. The toys are getting an additional cleaning on a weekly basis. We ask that if your child is ill that you do not bring them to childrens' room until they are at least 24 hours fever free.

Now on to the fun stuff.

The Boo Bazaar was a hoot. Everyone seemed to have a good time and the Friends of the Bellingham Library raised a little money. I have to give a special call out to Shirley Fadden for the wonderful job she did, not only as a face painter, put putting the program on.

The library and the Friends of the Bellingham Library are getting ready for their annual basket raffle. We will be putting the basket and book groups out the beginning of next week. There are some really cool things being raffled off with the best prize being "The Soloist" basket. We have several raffle items geared for all ages. Do come out and check it out!

We are drawing closer to the holidays and I can't hardly wait. Sign ups for candy making begins on November 16. The program will be held on November 30 and I have new recipes to debut! We will also be having gingerbread stories and decorating, a holiday party and several other fun and exciting programs through the month. I hope to see you there!