HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Thanksgiving week is upon us, and that means packed schedules and bustling homes! From prepping the turkey to juggling luggage and managing kids out of school, there's a whirlwind of activity. I'm wearing multiple hats—as the chef, hostess, mom, and chief flower farmer—and I know you are too. But don't worry, I'm here to sprinkle some magic into your week and share my top tips for keeping your little ones entertained so you can tackle "all the things.”
I've curated a special selection of activities and toys to “Keep Your Kids Busy”. These are lifesavers in our home, especially during the holidays. Think activity books, fun puzzles, portable toys, and craft kits—perfect for travel or just refreshing the toy bins and art supplies. They're affordable and, most importantly, approved by my kids! Here are a few new items I picked up to keep my kids entertained this week: a holiday bracelet bead kit, Mad Libs, a Santa letter writing, and a new indoor basketball hoop (we've had so much rain and they're cooped up inside!).
Though we're staying home at the farm this Thanksgiving, our recent trip to Southern California reminded me of the essentials that always go into my kids' travel bags. So if you're traveling this week I've got you covered. Here's what kept them happy and independent:
- Mini magna tiles: Endless creativity in tiny hands!
- Tegu magnetic blocks: Perfect for building fun.
- Silly putty: A classic that never gets old. It perfect for creating while playing the waiting game at restaurants.
- Pocket Genius books: Little nuggets of knowledge.
- Travel Bingo: A twist on a favorite game.
On cozy nights, nothing beats curling up with a heartwarming holiday story. Refresh your book collection with my kids' favorites from our Holiday Kids Books list. You can also use it as a wishlist for your library visits to find these delightful titles! Every Wednesday, I visit our local library with my kids, and last week, they picked up a stack of books to enjoy during the school break.
Tulip bulbs begin shipping from the farm tomorrow! If you missed it, take a look at last week's newsletter, Tulip Bulb Planting 101 It's a perfect activity to keep your kids busy while you're basting the turkey. Just grab some children's work gloves, a spade, a pot, and some soil, and they'll be all set to plant. We even put our visiting relatives to work planting too!
This week's action step is to take some time to refresh your kids' book bins, craft bins, or desks with some new, fun activities before the holiday chaos begins. Imagine the joy on their faces as they discover new stories to dive into or fresh crafts to create, sparking their imaginations while you enjoy a few moments of peace to work your holiday magic. These little additions can go a long way in keeping them entertained and allowing you to focus on everything on your task list that make this holiday season truly special. Here's to a vibrant and joyful Thanksgiving week, filled with laughter and love!
WITH GRATITUDE,
THE LIST: THINGS I'M LOVING THIS WEEK
- I've been sitting by the fire this week ENJOYING tea from my new english rose mug. (it's on sale this weekend too!)
- This Tuesday, I'm making Ina Garten's Make AHEAD Mashed Potatoes from one of my favorite cookbooks, Make It Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. I prepare this dish every year 2-3 days before Thanksgiving, and it's a lifesaver, allowing me to focus on turkey and desserts later in the week. I've even prepared it 2-3 weeks in advance, stored it in the freezer, and then cooked it as directed after defrosting. The original recipe can be a bit salty, so I use half the recommended salt. Additionally, I add only 2 oz of goat cheese instead of 8 oz when I entertain guests who aren't fans of its flavor. It really is the subtle addition of goat cheese that elevates these mashed potatoes to perfection.
- I'm all in for cheesy holiday movies—yes, I'm one of those people. I watched a NEW Netflix film, Meet Me Next Christmas, and savored every delightful, corny moment!
- Since we're not traveling for Thanksgiving, I'm keeping my kids busy around the house while they're off from school. They like to help keep the house TIDY, and this vacuum has become my youngest's favorite cleaning tool. It's lightweight and easy for young kids to handle. He's one part Linus with his blanket dragging it around the house and one part Monica Geller with fierce cleaning intensity. It's a deadly cleaning combo!
- Helen Dealtry is not only a talented painter and designer but also a wonderful customer who buys rose plants for her garden from me. I'm truly a fan of her amazing work! Her original botanical art is so ethereal. I've picked up some of her floral puzzles as holiday GIFTS for my flower-loving friends. You can also enjoy her magic on her TV show Art In Bloom available on MAX!
Q & A: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: Best way to tuck outdoor rose in for winter in zone 4/5. What about in an unheated hoop house?
Lily from Charlotte, Vermont - Zone 5b
A: Hi, Lily! In USDA Zone 4/5, winters can pose challenges for roses, particularly for hybrid teas, floribundas, and other less-hardy varieties. Proper winter care is essential to ensure the plants survive the harsh temperatures and emerge healthy in the spring. Whether your roses are outdoors or in an unheated hoop house, thoughtful preparation and insulation are key.
Cold-hardy rose varieties, such as shrub roses or rugosas, are naturally better suited to Zones 4 and 5 and may require less intervention. If you're growing tender varieties or grafted varieties, extra care is especially important to prevent dieback. Additionally, snow cover can act as natural insulation, so if your hoop house or outdoor roses accumulate snow, it provides an extra buffer against extreme temperatures.
If a heated greenhouse or unheated hoop house are an option for you I would recommend those as my first choice. If budget or time are tight then leaving outdoors will work if you are prepared.
Outdoor Roses
For roses left outside, begin by cleaning up the plants in late fall (early October-now). Remove any dead or diseased leaves to reduce the risk of overwintering pests and diseases. While it's important to protect the plants from wind damage, avoid heavy pruning at this stage, as it can encourage new growth that may not survive the cold. Instead, trim back any particularly long canes to prevent them from whipping around in winter storms.
The most effective way to protect the crown and lower canes of your roses is by mounding soil or compost around the base of the plant. Build up a mound about 8–12 inches high, ensuring the crown is well-covered. Once the mound is in place, add a thick layer of mulch, such as shredded leaves, straw, or evergreen boughs, for additional insulation. This helps to keep the roots protected from fluctuating temperatures.
For extra cold-sensitive varieties, consider using rose cones or wrapping the plants with burlap. If you opt for this method, create a loose framework around the plant with stakes and wrap the burlap around the frame rather than directly against the canes. This ensures good airflow and reduces the risk of rot caused by trapped moisture. Avoid using plastic covers, as they tend to trap condensation and can lead to fungal problems. In the end you'll have a cylinder shape wrapped around the rose that looks like a stuffed rose burrito.
Lastly, make sure the roses are well-hydrated before the ground freezes. Deep watering in late fall helps the roots retain moisture through the winter months when they cannot take up water from frozen soil.
Roses in an Unheated Hoop House
An unheated hoop house can offer roses additional protection by reducing exposure to harsh winds and heavy snowfall. However, since it doesn't provide warmth beyond natural solar gain, extra measures are often necessary to keep the plants safe during prolonged freezing temperatures. I like options that are pre-made kits from Farmers Friend.
Begin by insulating the roots and crowns with a thick layer of mulch, similar to outdoor care. Inside the hoop house, additional insulation can be provided by covering the plants with frost blankets or agricultural fleece, particularly during extreme cold spells. If temperatures drop significantly, you might also consider using row covers or layering additional materials over the plants to create a microclimate with slightly more warmth.
It's important to monitor conditions inside the hoop house carefully. On sunny winter days, the interior temperature can rise quickly, so venting the structure during warm afternoons is crucial to prevent overheating or excess humidity. High humidity can encourage fungal issues, which are detrimental to semi-dormant roses.
Watering should also be monitored inside the hoop house. While roses won't require much water during their semi-dormant phase, you should ensure the soil doesn't completely dry out. Water sparingly as needed, taking care to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
By preparing your roses thoughtfully and providing adequate protection, you can minimize winter damage and set your plants up for a strong start in spring.
JOIN THE FUN!
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Photos by: Jill Carmel Photography
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