This had to be the largest snowman in my life. I helped a bit with the first ball, but after that was relegated to documenting his growth. He looked a bit like Charles DeGaulle when he was done!

What a great way to spend an afternoon! His eyes were margarine containers and his mouth was two bricks. We never did find a hat big enough! Rumor was that this snowman didn’t fully melt away until May.

I have to admit that my favorite snowman of all time is one that will never break my heart by melting away! Dapper Dan the Snowman offers a wonderful way to spend time with a snowman who always will keep you and at least one of your favorite children, or grandchildren, warm and entertained.

Dapper Dan Storybook Quilt Package

In the story that matches the quilt, Matt creates Dapper Dan with his Dad, but has a difficult time deciding on his face. The story, which is woven around the fabric in the quilt, tells the tale of Matt’s search for a face for Dapper Dan, including what he remembers as an exciting trip into a magical forest — or was that just a dream?!

In the storybook, we have included images that you and your child can use to decide what face Dan should have.

Learn more about Dan and our other heart-warming Storybook Quilts on our website.

©2010 Storybook Quilts Rocks!. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Monday is serious, folks. Some companies actually hire counselors to help and there’s even a Blue Monday website! Most of these efforts are based in the UK where, I can attest from my years there, the much shorter days and the general winter gloom are pretty bad.

So, what can we do to fight this scourge, which certain affects many of us in northern latitudes?

Here are a few ideas. We’d love to hear yours!

1. Make a special effort to bring cheer to someone who seems down – maybe a loaf of banana bread or a phone call or an e-mail greeting card. Cheer is infectious, so you should benefit, too!

2. Hide. Get inside an engrossing book and stay there until today passes.

3. Listen to Fats Domino singing, Blue Monday – all but guaranteed to get your toes tapping!

4. Connect with your favorite child and plan the Storybook Quilt you’ll create together or make up a new story around one of our existing themes

5. And, for those of you who already have one, cuddle up under your Storybook Quilt with the child(ren) you love, read the story together, and enjoy the special closeness that creates. The only thing “blue” will be the colors in some of the fabrics in the quilt.

©2010 Storybook Quilts Rocks!. All Rights Reserved.

When did the Rose Parade begin?
In 1890, 121 years ago, the Valley Hunt Club of Pasadena staged the first — the Tournament of Roses Parade. It was meant to showcase and celebrate the mild weather in California by people who had moved there from the East and Midwest.

By 1895, the parade had become a huge event, with reviewing stands and all kinds of activities — even a race one year between a camel and an elephant (the elephant won).

When did football become part of the celebration?
In 1902, the first post season college football game ever was held as part of the festivities. Stanford was crushed by the University of Michigan and gave up in the third quarter with the score at 49-0. Considering the game a major flop, the Tournament Association replaced it with — Roman-style chariot races! Football came back in 1916 and the new stadium, nicknamed “the Rose Bowl” was opened in 1923. The game has been a sell-out every year since 1947.

This year the No. 8 BCS-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will battle the the No. 7 BCS-ranked Oregon Ducks.

Who decides what the floats will be?
Since 1918, the parade has had a theme that the floats must depict. The first was “Patriotism” and this year’s is “A Cut Above the Rest.” If you would like to know what the theme was in your birth year, the list is here.

How long does it take to make the floats that appear in the parade?
The process begins just a soon as the year’s festivities are over; the floats take a year to create. The application form for a 2005 float, click here, shows what’s involved in applying.

How many flowers are used on each float?
That depends on the float, but at least as many as the average florist would use in five years. The 2005 float in the answer above had over 11,500 individual flowers! THAT is a lot of flowers!

Why are horses in the parade?
Well, remember, the parade began before cars existed. Horses were a major part of the first parades and the tradition has continued. Each parade features over 300 horses and riders.

How many marching bands participate?
Only 16 bands are selected each year, out of approximately 50 entries.

What and who is the Grand Marshall?
The Grand Marshall is the official host. Those for the Rose Parade have been very prominent, including singers, astronauts, generals, former presidents, industry leaders, actors and actresses. This year’s GM is Captain Chesley Sullenberger III, who landed the damaged US Airlines plane in the Hudson on January 15th, 2009.

What time does the Parade take place?
It begins at 11:00 AM EST (8:00 AM PST) on New Year’s Day. It will be broadcast on ABC, the Hallmark Channel, HGTV, KTLA (Tribune), NBC, RFD-TV, Travel Channel and Univision. The Parade also is broadcast in more than 200 international territories and countries.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

©2010 Storybook Quilts Rocks!. All Rights Reserved.

I have put Dapper Dan the Snowman up in the workshop as my companion this week. He’s a wonderfully cool guy!

Oh, you noticed he doesn’t have a face? Ah, well, that’s part of his adventure. Visit Dapper Dan’s page on the website to learn more about him.

Remember, you can win any of our Storybook Quilts, including Dapper Dan, in the the [Turtle] contest.

Dapper Dan the Snowman

©2010 Storybook Quilts Rocks!. All Rights Reserved.