Moments Publishing

2009-11-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the BLOG for Moments Publishing! I hope that this blog can be a place for all of us to share ideas for making memories, building traditions and for caring. I am hopeful that we will eventually have hundreds of ideas offered for the various stages, ages and moments of life. Please share YOUR ideas for special gifts, thoughtful gestures, opportunities to make someone feel special when a baby is coming, during a child's growing up years, when a child leaves home or begins to plan a wedding, during the grandparenting years, on special holidays or on special non-holiday days, etc. ... or anytime you just want to connect or to care. It will be fun to read of other's ideas and to just learn from each other! Please choose a category at the left (or suggest another!) and leave YOUR idea under "comments" ... please feel free to visit the blog often and see what new ideas might be listed ...

I am excited to tell you that LOVE LIFTS ... through the generations will be available at
www.MomentsPublishing.com by December 1, 2009. This book is a culmination of a lifetime of thoughts ... I am eager to share this book with you (excerpts can be found at www.MomentsPublishing.com). The book will have over 1300 ideas for making memories, building traditions and ways to connect or care ... to add to the ones you would like to share with us here!

Thank you for visiting our new blog ... and thank you for sharing YOUR ideas. I hope that you enjoy reading through the various categories ... and I do hope that you find something that has meaning for you or yours ...
because love lifts! Karen (Moments Publishing)

bedtime ideas ...

2009-10-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

how do you end the day with your child? a bedtime story or devotional? a special kiss? a song? how do you lovingly end the day with your child? we would love to hear and learn from you ... Blessings, Karen (Moments Publishing)

retirement ...

2009-10-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

do you have plans to honor someone retiring? can you share your ideas with us? we would love to honor someone who is retiring and could learn from you! what have you done or what will you do? make a scrapbook of memories from co-workers? write that person a personal letter letting them know that they have made a difference? how have you passed on a bit a love to someone in the last part of a particular journey who is now headed to a new one? thanks for sharing .... Karen
(Moments Publishing)

children with special needs ...

2009-10-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

parents (and families) of children with special needs yearn to just be considered a "loving family" vs. a family "who has a child with special needs" ... though their daily schedule may be very different from yours, that family dealing with special needs most probably would still like to build their own memories, create their own traditions and be included in community event (if it fits for their child) ... have you thought of ways to just "be there" for parents who have a 25 hour a day task of caring for a child's special needs? do you offer to babysit the child with special needs or take the siblings out for some individual attention? or perhaps, YOU are the parent of a child with special needs ... please, tell us ... how can we support you or give you a "lift" from time-to-time or affirm you? how can we do that for your child? we stand in awe of what you accomplish every single day ... perhaps you have all the usual parenting issues with other children PLUS the special challenges with a differently-abled child.. we'd like to learn ways we can pass a little love your way ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

end of day craziness ...

2009-10-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

what do YOU do at the end of the day when your kids (and YOU!) start to have a melt-down? do you put on soft music? tell us how you "try" to beat this "oh-can-be-so-crazy time"! Karen (Moments Publishing)

rainy day fun ...

2009-10-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

what great ideas do you come up with for those rainy days when the kids (or grandkids) are er ... ummm ..."climbing the walls"? do you have breakfast for lunch? play a special game? pull out something from your "emergency craft shelf"? oh, do tell us! (quick!) ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

gifts for special days ...

2009-10-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

do you have an idea for a "special "gift? one you received, or one you gave, or one you would like to give? when a friend adopts, when a child become a "teenager" or is about to leave for college? when your child receives their Master's Degree? when someone is ill, when someone has retired, when a child has made a terrific effort at something new? etc., etc., etc.! please write! we love to hear gift ideas ... little gifts are another way to share a little lift with someone else ... p.s. the best gifts are not always the ones that cost money! Karen (Moments Publishing)

p.p.s. ... "special gifts" might be also found under other blog categories like a baby is coming, birthdays, grandparenting, celebrating each honor, engagements and weddings, holidays, retirement, etc. )

blended families ...

2009-10-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

what positive memories/traditions/ways of caring can you share with us when two families become one family? we would love to learn from you the little ways that love can grow as two families blend into one ... perhaps we can learn new ways to celebrate ... share ... love ... if we are part of a blended family or we would like to honor a blended family ...
Karen (Moments Publishing)

loss of a friend or family member ...

2009-10-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

loosing a friend or family member can be paralyzing ... sometimes our heart just feels like it has broken in half ... healing seems very far away ... how has someone helped you walk this difficult time? or what have "you" done to celebrate the precious life that was lost and now missed? do you organize photos of their life for the memorial? do you gather as a family and just "remember" special stories involving that person? we would love to learn from you ... Blessings, Karen (Moments Publishing)

comments to Karen ...

2009-10-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

do you have a general comment you would like to make? or a thought for another blog category? please leave your comments here ... or if you prefer to leave a "private comment" (or have a "private response"), please email Karen Anderson at info@MomentsPublishing.com ... I would LOVE to hear from you ... for comments, questions, inquiries, how we can make this little LOVE LIFT blog a bit better, etc., etc., etc.! ... thanks! Karen (Moments Publishing)

loss of a beloved pet ...

2009-10-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

loosing a beloved pet is often like loosing a human family member ... it hurts and the sadness lingers ... what have you done as an individual or family to grieve the loss and celebrate the pet? did you have a family memorial service? make a scrapbook? please share with us ...
Karen (Moments Publishing)

new jobs ...

2009-10-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

the first day at a new job is usually the hardest ... how did someone make it easier for you? or how did you make it easier for someone else? tell us so we can be wiser for ourselves ... and more compassionate to others ... tell us your memories/thoughts/ of new jobs ... or ways you celebrated!
Karen (Moments Publishing)

gardening ...

2009-10-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite childhood memories is of Daddy gardening ... then harvesting (and eating!), together, what was grown ... what gardening memories do you have? what do YOU do with your children (or grandchildren) in the garden? or what would you like to begin? help us have a fun and green thumb! Karen (Anderson)

patriotism ...

2009-10-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

share with us the memorable ways you celebrate being a citizen of this grand USA ... do you thank a veteran when you see him/her in uniform? tell us how you make memories or begin traditions when you think about being a proud American ... God Bless America! Karen (Moments Publishing)

moving day ...

2009-10-12T12:29:00.001-07:00

do you have a memory about MOVING? did your family intentionally leave/hide something special behind (family photo , etc.) in the loved home you were leaving? did new neighbors have a special way of making you feel welcome? did you think of a special way to thank the people who helped you move? moving is a huge milestone event ... please share your ways to make the event memorable and meaningful ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

a LOVE LIFT ... what is it?

2009-10-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

A LOVE LIFT IS ...
a thought ... a word ... an action ...
offered to another ... or on behalf of another ...
during one of life's moments ...
a LOVE LIFT can be planned or spontaneious ...
generously given or gratefully received ...
during moments of joy
or in moments of sadness ...
a LOVE LIFT does not have to be costly
or continuous ...
a LOVE LIFTS can cost you nothing but time ...
but be measured priceless by another ...
a LOVE LIFTS can happen once
or it can begin a tradition ...
a LOVE LIFT is given for no other purpose
than to experience or to share joy ...
to make someone feel special ...
to connect or to care ...
a LOVE LIFTS is a simple moment shared today
that begins or continues
a legacy of love tomorrow ...

blog is like a cookbook ...

2009-10-11T19:38:00.001-07:00

THIS blog (and the book "LOVE LIFTS ... through the generations") is similar to a "cookbook"... this blog, hopefully, is divided into easy to find "categories" ... similar to the categories which divide a cookbook ...

browsing through the chapters of a cookbook, a cook would typically reflect on recipes within and then decide, "this recipe is appropriate for our needs, this recipe is NOT appropriate for our needs but it could be modified, this recipe give me an idea of another recipe which "would' be perfect for our needs" ... focus for the cook is on the recipe that fills the current need ... cooks know that a cookbook, filled with all those recipes, is certainly not a "to do" list that "should" be undertaken ... so may it be with this blog (and with the book) ... only YOU know which ideas might fit your particular needs or desires ... only YOU know which particular idea might trigger an idea for you or yours ... this blog (and the book) hopefully, will affirm the acts of love you are now sharing and will also serve as a resource for the future ... because love LIFTS ... enjoy! Karen (Moments Publishing)

small groups ... for all family members ...

2009-10-11T19:30:00.001-07:00

please tell us about the small groups that have meaning (and memories!) for your family ... Mothers of PreSchoolers (M.O.P.S.)? ... do you meet a group of teenagers for breakfasat and Bible Study? husbands that meet at 5:30 am for prayers? get-togethers with other moms to pray for your schools? tell us about these groups ... groups that have meaning for you ... groups that are building bonds ... groups that one day will become fond memories ... we would love to hear ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

books for parenting and families and faith ...

2009-10-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

no one has time to read all the wonderful books that might enrich and enhance our family and our faith ... do you have a special book memory from your childhood or a book that your child finds very special? or perhaps, a child's book about being kind and compassionate ... or ones with a "lesson" or "moral"? do you have a special place that you read with your child (the hammock, in a nook in your home ...)? have you found a particular terrific parenting book that has encouraged you? a great devotional for young children or teenagers? a meaningful book for couples seeking to build a stronger marriage and a Christian home? an inspirational book for yourself or a resource? books can create special memories ... books can also encourage us to love, to be positive, to be kind and to be all that God has created us to be ... we look foward to hearing your great "reads" ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

service projects for others ...

2009-10-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

serving others through acts of kindness are truly love lifts ... how have you or others shared of yourselves in an act of service? have you helped rebuild homes and lives affected by hurricane or other disasters? has your child had a lemonade stand to raise money for a cause? have you participated in a mission trip a few miles away or across the world? are you teaching an adult to read? please share the ways that you or someone you know has served another or others ... we learn so much from each other ... we would love to learn from you ... Blessings, Karen (Moments Publishing)

faith building and sharing ...

2009-10-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

can you share with us the ways you are seeking to build a household of faith? do you have family devotionals? do you tell your children or grandchildren the scriptures that you are praying over them? please share the ways you are seeking to nurture and share your faith ... for Him! Blessings, Karen (Moments Publishing)

girl only time ...

2009-10-10T15:09:00.001-07:00

do you have memories of (or plans for!) a special "girls only" time? mom/daughter or a 3 generation girl family trip or slumber party? a get-together with friends from college? tell us what you do or plan to do ... share your girl times with us! Karen (Moments Publishing)

outside adventures ...

2009-10-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

what memories/traditions do you have (or would like to start) when you and your family are enjoying the great outdoors? (one of our fondest memories was sliding down a snow covered mountain base (on plastic trash bags!) during a summer trip in Colorado!) what memories can YOU share with us? we might just need to try them! for outdoor memory making, Karen (Moments Publishing)

traveling ...

2009-10-08T17:35:00.000-07:00

do you have an idea for memory making when you family travels together? like someone starting a story, then another family member adds a line or two, then the next family member adds a piece to the story, etc. and the crazy story continues ... we would LOVE to hear what you do as you travel! joy in the journeys! Karen (Moments Publishing)

need an idea?

2009-10-08T17:25:00.001-07:00

do you need an idea for a special day or for a special event? or an idea to make someone feel special? or an idea of something to do for someone who could just use a "lift"? or an idea for a party or reunion or for a special "milestone" birthday? a holiday? a new baby? an engagement? I don't guarantee that I will have a brilliant, helpful idea but I am sure willing to try! just email me (info@MomentsPublishing.com) and I will see what thoughts we might exchange ... it would just be my joy to think upon it! together, surely, we can think of something that will make a memory for just that moment! because love does, indeed, lift! Karen (Moments Publishing)

reaching out to others ...

2009-10-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

sharing love with others during times of need (illness, grief, etc.) can be a wonderful way to share of yourself ... please tell us ways that you have shown you cared ... do you help organize food/drive carpool/babysit a pet? take a "gift" basket to a family member staying at the hospital day after day? or tell us about the organizations you or your family supports ... or the special acts of caring in the community that you or your family or church have created ... do you take your old magazines to the emergency room waiting room? do you simply say a quiet pray when you hear or see an ambulance? do you send Girl Scout cookies to our military troops? how have you (or your children or your neighborhood, etc. ) given of yourselves to spread a little love in this very big world? we would love to learn from your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your acts of caring ... so that each and every one of us can ponder ways that WE CAN make a difference ... because love really does lift! Karen (Moments Publishing)

Christmas

2009-10-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

what memories and traditions can YOU share with us about preparing for Christmas and/or celebrating on Christmas Day? do have family devotionals? do you bake cookies as a family? have you ever thought about having the 12 days of Christmas be 12 random acts of kindness? do you have a cousin slumber party under the Christmas tree lights? do you take a small artificial trees to the local nursing home? do you leave a note for Santa (and snacks for his reindeers)? do you adopt a family? are you thinking of ways to make Christmas more meaningful and less commercial this year? how does your family try to remember the real meaning of Christmas? how you trying to make this holy season more simple and more caring? what was the most thoughtful gift you ever received? or gave? wishing you special memories! hoping you will share some with us! blessings, Karen (Moments Publishing)

fall festivities and Thanksgiving ...

2009-10-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

when fall comes ... what do you do? have a pumpkin carving party with other families (with a bale of hay/scarecrow photo opportunity)? do you have a traditional Thanksgiving dish YOU HAVE to fix every year? do you do something special AFTER Thanksgiving dinner as a family? or something your family used to do when you were growing up? we want to hear your ideas ... or ones you have read about ... or ones you would like to try! new parents or grandparents - everyone!! please ... tell us what you are remembering right now .... Karen (Moments Publishing)

school related special times ...

2009-10-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

how do you celebrate the first day of school? the last day of school? do you do anything special for middle school or high school or college graduation? how about activities at school, gifts for teachers, field day t-shirts, etc., etc., etc. .... do you keep a scrapbook for kindergarten or for the athletic team? volunteer at school in special ways? can't wait to hear! Karen (Moments Publishing)

Fourth of July

2009-10-07T12:05:00.001-07:00

America's birthday is a great day to celebrate and make memories and re-live old traditions! what do you do on this special holiday? community parade (with you in it!)? give us your ideas and read other's ideas right here ... happy birthday, America! Karen (Moments Publishing)

Mother's Day and Father's Day

2009-10-07T12:03:00.001-07:00

how do YOU celebrate Mother's Day or Father's Day? do you pamper your mom or dad in a special way? or how has your family celebrated YOU? special gestures? special gifts? please tell us! thanks! Karen (Moments Publishing)

Memorial Day and Veteran's Day

2009-10-07T12:01:00.001-07:00

how do you honor our veteran's on these holidays? how does your family show their thankfulness for being a free citizen in this fine country? we would love to hear your red/white/blue ideas! Karen (Moments Publishing)

Easter

2009-10-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

how do you celebrate this very special day? do you tell the Easter Story a special way? do you have a special "Easter" meal or tradition? we would love to hear your thoughts, memories or traditions! Karen (Moments Publishing)

April Fool's Day ...

2009-10-07T11:55:00.001-07:00

our kids used to ALWAYS get cardboard (that said "Happy April Fool's Day) inside their sandwiches on this day ... so I was sure to add some extra food! what do YOU do to add a little fun craziness to this one-day-a-year-you-get-to-play-a-joke day??? or what would you like to try!!! Karen (Moments Publishing)

St. Patrick's Day ...

2009-10-07T11:53:00.001-07:00

do you wear green today? how do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? make us green with envy! let us hear YOUR ideas! Karen (Moments Publishing)

Valentine's Day ...

2009-10-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

how do you celebrate Valentine's Day? lipstick notes on the mirror? heart pancakes? just waiting to hear your LOVE-ing ideas for Cupid's Day! because love lifts! Karen (Moments Publishing)

New Year's Eve and Day ...

2009-10-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

how do you end the year? do you gather your family on New Year's Eve and write down the events of the past year? do you get together with the same couples every year or do you celebrate with other families or with just your kids? how do you start the year? with an annual football party (and covered dish dinner) with the same friends each year ? do you get together as a family and tell your hopes/dreams/goals for the New Year? how do you ring out the old and bring in the new? looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Karen (Moments Publishing)

party ideas ...

2009-10-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

what great party ideas can you share with us? your annual party or "one-time only" party? Jingle Bells and Taco Shells, Fajitas and Fireworks, High School Spa Day (for the graduating granddaughter), 50's party, Pumpkin Carving Party, Neighborhood Christmas Caroling Party, Summer Kickoff, Crawfish Boil ??? ... maybe a grandmother's party where guests bring baby gifts for the local family shelter (and grandmothers bring their grandchild pictures for a bit of purposeful bragging)? what ideas have you read about that you would like to try? tell us so we can all plan a party! Karen (Moments Publishing)

anniversaries ...

2009-10-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

anniversaries ... a great time for remembering! what do you do to celebrate? watch your wedding video? pull out those wedding pictures? send a card to your married kids with a memory from their wedding day? happy anniversary ... happy memories! please share with us ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

birthdays

2009-10-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

most everyone loves to be remembered on his/her birthday ... what do you do to celebrate? sing to the honoree in bed on birthday morning? leave pictures of the birthday honoree on the kitchen table? make the "birthday person" turn around 10 times if they are ten years old? have friends send cards to grandmother on her 80th? can wait to hear how YOU honor on birthdays! (p.s. Happy Birthday to YOU ... when it is time!) Celebrate! Karen (Moments Publishing)

non-holiday special days ...

2009-10-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

any day can be a special day to make memories! what do YOU do on the first day of school, when a tooth falls out, when someone gets an award (or works hard trying), when your child learns to drive a car, has that first date? what about prom or graduation day? how do you celebrate your child getting a college degree/graduate degree/new job? or when your child has just found out he/she is expecting a baby? or grandfather has retired? what do you do to make memories (or traditions ... or just show you care) on these non-holiday very special days? we want to learn from YOU! for life's moments! Karen (Moments Publishing)

grandparenting ...

2009-10-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

grandparenting ... an absolutely fabulous time of life! what have you done AS a grandparent or FOR a grandparent when that new baby is announced? or when that precious grandchild has finally arrived? what special things do the grandchildren do "only" at the grandparents' house? what special gifts have been given TO the grandparents or received FROM the grandparents? how do the grandparents you know share life (make memories!) with the grandchildren? yes ... a wonderful time ... the grandparenting years! signed Queenie (my special grandparent name!)
Karen (Moments Publishing)

engagement and weddings

2009-10-07T11:13:00.001-07:00

you or your child has fallen in love ... now you are announcing the happy news! what clever, fun, memorable ideas have you experienced as you "announce"? what fun parties do you hope to have or did have (or have read about)? have any great new gift ideas for the newly engaged or married couple? special memories or traditions connected to the wedding weekend or wedding ceremony? ideas you have read about or wish you had done? do you have ways to welcome the new couple home from the honeymoon? love is in bloom!
Karen (Moments Publishing)

"letting go" of your older child ...

2009-10-07T11:06:00.001-07:00

as parents, we spend all of the early childhood years and older teen years preparing to "let our child go." we hope we have built a strong foundation for their next chapter of life ... outside of our doors. what things can you tell us about this tender time that YOU have experienced? have you cheered your child on by giving them a special scrapbook of their life on graduation day? a special family or friend celebration or party? have you found a special way for your child to experience a possible future career? what special memories have you made "preparing for college" (or leaving them there that first day!) or "finding that first apartment"? how have you loved as you "let go" ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

sharing values ...

2009-10-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

how do you share values with (or model values for) your small childen or with your adolescents? or with your married kids or grandkids? how do you try to "live out" what you believe? do you have family devotionals? do you sign-up for service projects together? adopt a child overseas? visit a nursing home on holidays? serve dinner together in a homeless shelter each Thanksgiving? get together for late night talks? have dad/son campouts? we would love to learn from you ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

remembering the past ...

2009-10-07T10:54:00.001-07:00

are there things you do (or have read about) to remember the past? remembering special family get-togethers of years past, special events in your child's life, remembering ancestors? special scrapbooks, reunion traditions? how do you teach your family about their heritage or remind them about something terrific you did as a child, or something they did as a child? do you journal? do you give your children a letter each birthday recalling the events of the year? can't wait to hear how you remember days past ... Karen (Moments Publishing)

celebrating each other ...

2009-10-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

how do you celebrate each other on special occasions? do you pull out your "You are SPECIAL Today!" red plate? or put up banners on your fireplace? what do YOU do to honor your family members on special days? thanks for passing on your thoughts ... we can learn from you! because love lifts! Karen (Moments Publishing)

spontaneous family fun ...

2009-10-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

please tell us about your family's memories of "spontaneous fun times" ... maybe when someone in the family suddenly yells "sandwich" and everyone has to stop what they are doing and pile up on each other in the family room? or maybe stopping in the middle of yard work to jump in the leaves? type on! we can't wait to hear ... so we, too, can cherish new, "spontaneous " and fun memories ...Karen (Moments Publishing)

food and art and music memories ...

2009-10-07T10:37:00.000-07:00

What great ideas would you like to share with us about fun with food (cooking together, crazy meal ideas) or sharing or making music together? Can't wait to hear! Karen (Moments Publishing)

family notes and gestures ...

2009-10-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

do you have special places and ways you leave notes for your children? do you have a family hug or handshake? do you have a special thing you say when you say "good night" or "hello" or "good bye"? do you have your own special family sayings for your young children ... or sayings you have continued with your grown children? please ... share with US! thanks! Karen (Moments Publishing)

a new baby is coming

2009-10-07T09:52:00.001-07:00

do you have some great ideas for making memories, developing traditions (or just showing you care) when a new baby is coming? a special way of telling the world about the happy arrival-to-be or a gift for the expectant parents? something you do when a couple is adopting, a gift for mom on delivery day or a gift for the siblings? a gift for the new grandparents or clever ways to announce the name of the baby? please ... share YOUR ideas and then receive new ideas from others! we can't wait to hear from you! for life's moments! Karen (Moments Publishing)