Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Homespun Thanksgiving for Children: Cozy Reading Area

The second space I am planning to create for my children is a cozy spot to snuggle up and read books. Again, if you are not doing this outside - you could just cozy up your couch or a little corner of the living room.

My Mom gave me this old cot when we were at her house this summer and I'm planning to make it into some kind of couch for our screened in porch. However, all I've finished so far is sewing a little skirt to cover it and hang off all sides. This was made from a thrifted bed skirt!

This area should not cost a penny. Using pillows and quilts you have - you can soften up any area! Library books, a galvanized pail and homemade sunflowers are inexpensive touches! Another idea would be to pile fall leaves in that pail and just let that be the decoration or set a paper turkey on top of the leaves!

Remember my pancake picnic that almost wasn't? I saved the paper chain and thought I might use it again. When pulling things out for this project - I thought this would look so cute and it did! I also used my garland letters that you can spell out into anything you want. Make your own by using this idea.

All we're really going for here is special, cozy and something out of the ordinary that will bless our children! I think they will love this!

Bring out any child-sized furniture. A little rocking chair, bench or any small chairs will really fit the area to their size!


What are your favorite Thanksgiving books? I'd love to discover some new ones!

14 comments:

~katie~ said...

Deliciously cozy! Love it!

As for books, we have "On the Mayflower" by Kate Waters, and it has some wonderful pictures for the children to help them relate what it would have been like to live during that time as passengers on the voyage. (Your children will also appreciate having boarded the Nina/Pinta ships when they look at some sketches of the Mayflower in this book.) Fun!

Anonymous said...

Hi Monica! I love the reading area. Unfortunately, we will most likely be a bit colder here in WI and won't be hanging out reading outside!

One of our favorite Thanksgiving books is "An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving" by Louisa May Alcott.

Another book that I would love to begin a tradition with is "Thanksgiving: A Time To Remember" by Barbara Rainey.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!

Terri S.
Madison WI

ponyxpress9 at yahoo dot com

Cheryl said...

Love this idea. really hoping your weather will be lovely your way so you are able to use your ideas on Thanksgiving Day.

I have seen the outdoor cot idea used in a magazine somewhere and thought it was a totally cool idea. I love your idea of using an old bedskirt.

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

Love this idea, Monica!

I've reviewed some of our favorite Thanksgiving reads on my blog. Here are the links--->

http://www.hopeisthewordblog.com/2009/11/05/read-aloud-thursday-thanksgiving-books/

http://www.hopeisthewordblog.com/2009/11/19/read-aloud-thursday-more-thanksgiving-books/

Kelly said...

We love A Plump and Perky Turkey.It is just silly. I love your ideas. I am always saddened by the lack of honor and thought thanksgiving is given. Thanks for your kid friendly, easy (read "free") suggestions. You seriously need to write a book!

Heather said...

Thanks, Monica, especially for the list of books. We're crazy about kids' books, so I'll be requesting them from our library!

I love how you make things special for your little ones!

Blissful & Domestic said...

We have been reading those books as well this month. My littles are loving them. What a fun cozy way to read together. Thank you for the idea:>

Anonymous said...

Very sweet and cozy. My kids would love you. I need to make more effort to do things like this.

*carrie* said...

Give Thanks by Karma Wilson

Love you!

angie said...

Some quiet time in the midst of a busy holiday is wise. Perhaps, my kids' bookshelf would draw them in more if there were cozy pillows and throws around...
I took notice of the quilt that is lying on top of the cot. Is that made from well-loved clothing squares?
Can't wait to see what you have in store for the cot's second life. It appears that your screened porch is witnessing lots of family life. Wonderful!

Carrie said...

Ahhh, good memories! My mom used to set up cozy reading areas for us as well.

If you haven't read An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott, I think you would like it. I've reviewed two different versions of it.

Here's one:

http://www.readingtoknow.com/2009/11/old-fashioned-thanksgiving.html

And here is a newly released version (that is probably a tad more easy to find these days):

http://www.readingtoknow.com/2010/10/thanksgiving-books-for-kids-with.html

Pamela said...

These aren't Thanksgiving books, but they are two that I have fallen in love with:

http://ourshelteringtree.blogspot.com/2010/11/sheltering-through-kindness.html

http://ourshelteringtree.blogspot.com/2010/11/sugar-cookiessweet-little-lessons-on.html

I love that you make reading an important part of your children's lives. It's one of the greatest gifts you can give them. And your cozy reading area is precious. Although you must live somewhere with better weather than we are having. Ha!

Mrs. K said...

I'm a picture book junkie, here is my full list (make sure you click on the link for last year's list). http://coveredandprayingtowngirl.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-time-to-order-thanksgiving-books.html

GranthamLynn said...

Oh my gosh how adorable and how creative. I love it! Thanks for sharing this fabulour idea. I love visiting and picking your brain! I wish I had been so creative when my children were children!
Have a great Wed.
Sherry