“We can only be said to be alive in those moments

when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." ~Thornton Wilder

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Thanksgiving Wishes From The Toymaker.

Share the Squirrels!

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"No longer forward or behind
I look in hope or fear;
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here."
~ John Greenleaf Whittier

 

 

Squirrel Place Cards

Make these happy little helpers for your Thanksgiving table.

And make some to share messages with your friends.

Click here to go to the Squirrel Page

http://www.thetoymaker.com/Toypages/89SquirrelSigns/89SquirrelSigns.html

 

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Click here to enter.

They make lovely presents.

 

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“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." ~W.J. Cameron

 

Have you ever got so caught up in wishing for things that you forgot what is really important? I know I have. And I think that the internet is pretty much jet fuel for that fire of wanting. I admit that I love looking at pretty things. I can spend hours looking at lovely images on Pinterest and Tumblr. Those places are packed with photos and drawings of far off places, elegant clothes and romantic adventures.

But after I do I find myself left with an unsatisfied feeling like I've eaten too many sweets, as well as a nagging sense of jealousy and longing. Why am I not younger or thinner or in Paris right now, sipping coffee in bookstores or shopping at Printemps for high heels and handbags? Why don't I have long hair done up with diamond hair pins? Why are my closets not organized and my garden not filled with neatly clipped lawns and banks of flowers? (Never mind that it's November and leaves are falling off the trees.) Where's my fairy tree house overlooking the water?

Then I had a thought that if I spent more time actually making and doing the things that I wanted instead of just looking at pictures then I would be a lot happier in the here and now. How about we take a deep breath and make the things we want to have and do the things that actually make us happy, even if it is in a small way? And most important of all, be thankful and appreciate the good things that we do have in our lives, especially each other.

 

Best thoughts,

http://www.thetoymaker.com/

"O terque quaterque beatum”
We are three or four times blessed.

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"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue,

but the parent of all the other virtues." ~ Cicero

 

Thanksgiving Toys

Here are lots of activities to keep little fingers busy until dinner is ready.

Click here to go to the Thanksgiving Page...

(Computer Tip – If the new toys are not showing up on your screen, try hitting the refresh button on the browser bar. If that doesn’t work try emptying your cache.)

 

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Sunny Days and Salads, read it here...

http://thetoymakersjournal.blogspot.com/

 

 

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My new book with J. H. Everett, Haunted Histories: Creepy Castles, Dark Dungeons, and Powerful Palaces, is in bookstores now the world around! Meet Ghostorian Virgil Dante as he explores castles, dungeons and palaces all over the world.

Now on the Accelerated Reader List!

 

 

And check out this wonderful activity guide for Haunted Histories from Jump Into a Book. My amazing friend Valarie Budayr came up with a castleful of fun activities that will keep your Ghostorians learning and laughing.

http://www.jumpintoabook.com/2012/11/haunted-histories/

And if you like history read the Ghostorian's Gazette.

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I will be signing books at the Barnes & Noble in Huntington Beach, CA. on December 1st, 2012 and also at the Barnes & Noble in Oceanside, CA on December 7th, 2012. Please stop by to say hello. I would love to meet you.

For more information click here:
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/author-events/Marilyn-Scott-Waters/50067798