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Fun Activities For History Class In Your Homeschool

Did you know that history doesn’t have to be boring? That’s right; you can bring fun activities for history class into your homeschool with these chalk pastel lessons.

Did you know that history doesn't have to be boring? That's right; you can bring fun activities for history class into your homeschool with these chalk pastel lessons.


Bring History To Life With Engaging Activities


Adding hands-on activities to any history lesson creates an immersive and engaging learning environment. This means that kids comprehend and thus retain more of their learning. Art can bring any textbook to life or enhance living history books with a multi-sensory approach! You’ll need a simple set of chalk pastels, a pack of construction paper, and Nana’s video art lessons! Then watch the learning begin.

Fun Activities For History Class In Your Homeschool

Fun Activities For History Class In Your Homeschool

We’ve covered many different timelines over the years, and our You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse Membership ensures that there is almost always a corresponding art lesson. My kids have loved painting the pyramids of Giza, medieval castles, mapping the Louisiana Purchase, and so much more!

You, too, can expand your history studies with Nana’s chalk pastel homeschool art lessons because art is the perfect way to encourage hands-on learning and exploration through historical timelines. Engage your children with color, lines, and form as they recreate these periods of the past. Did you know Nana has courses for:

You can check out more of the individual lessons available below.

Ancient History

The Ancient History Video Art Lessons include:

  • Greek philosopher
  • Chinese Emperor
  • Ancient Buddha under Bodhi tree
  • Alexander the Great: helmet
  • Ancient Rome: Coliseum
  • Peloponnesian Wars: Spartan & Athenian soldiers
  • The Roman Empire: Caesar
  • The Life of Jesus: Sermon on the Mount

You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse Members also enjoy:

  • Pyramids
  • King Tut
  • Hieroglyphics
  • Ancient Egypt/Nile Map

You can also add in the corresponding Old Testament Bible Lessons:

  • Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors
  • Moses and the Parting of the Red Sea
Fun Activities For History Class In Your Homeschool

Middle Ages

  • Dragon
  • Stained glass
  • Cathedral
  • Viking ship
  • Viking helmet
  • Castle
  • Catapult
  • Lute
  • Jester
  • Crown
  • Court dress
  • Illuminated letter
  • Medieval garden
  • Crusade banner
  • Robin Hood
  • Knight
  • Banquet table
  • Shield
  • Falconer-Hawk
  • Excalibur in the stone
  • Festival tent
  • War of roses
  • Joan of Arc
Fun Activities For History Class In Your Homeschool

American History

Early American history art lessons? Nana’s got you covered!

  • Revolutionary War uniforms – Continental soldier and British soldier
  • Boston Tea Party
  • Early colonists
  • White House
  • The Constitution
  • Women in War
  • Paul Revere
  • Lewis and Clark
  • Native Americans – Midwestern Tribes Headdresses
  • Napoleon
  • French Flag
  • War of 1812
  • Columbus
  • Harriet Tubman
  • 13 Colonies

You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse Members also enjoy:

  • Three Branches of Government
  • Alexander Hamilton
  • King George, III
  • Presidents continuing series
  • American Landmarks
  • Maps continuing series
  • Famous Artists and Composers continuing series
  • Literature continuing series

7 American History Homeschool Lessons Your Kids will Love and Hamilton The Musical Homeschool Study has been among our favorite American History studies thus far.

Fun Activities For History Class In Your Homeschool

Modern History

My son is also obsessed with World War II and Modern History. I’m so grateful that Nana has video art lessons to help explore this time period as well:

  • Queen Victoria’s Empire
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • WWI & II War Helmets
  • Broadcasting
  • Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Space Exploration
  • Women’s Suffrage
  • Medical Advancements
  • Modern Literature
  • Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse Members also enjoy:

  • Queen Elizabeth II
  • Winston Churchill
  • Big Ben and other World  + American Landmarks
  • Presidents series
  • Famous Artists and Composers continuing series
  • Literature continuing series
  • Maps continuing series


Fun Activities For Science, Literature, and More In Your Homeschool


Nana has loads of homeschool science resources to keep the learning going beyond history. When you have a You ARE an Artist Clubhouse Membership; you’ll have access to over 800 video art lessons. Or you can find all the science and literature lessons in the I Drew It Then I Knew It series!

Homeschool Anatomy & Biology

Homeschool Chemistry & Physics

  • Inventors Clubhouse (includes the following)
  • Fulton steamboat
  • Henry Ford automobile
  • Nikola Tesla electricity
  • Wright brothers airplane
  • Light Prism – Sir Isaac Newton
  • Benjamin Franklin and electricity
  • Steam railroad engine
  • Samuel Morse telegraph
  • Thomas Edison’s light bulb
  • Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone

Homeschool Astronomy

Homeschool Botany

Literature Studies

Fun Activities For History Class In Your Homeschool

No matter what period of history your homeschool is immersed in, there are fun activities for history class to be enjoyed. Let Nana take you on a trek through the timelines of Ancient through to Modern times and everything in between!

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. Her blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

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Homeschool Lessons For Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Are you looking for Martin Luther King Jr. lessons and activities for your children? Here are some excellent resources to get you started! Plus, Nana has a wonderful chalk pastel lesson of Dr. King giving his “I have a dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial! All you’ll need is a set of chalk pastels, and white copy paper to get started!

Homeschool Lessons For Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Are you looking for Martin Luther King Jr. lessons and activities for your children? Here are some wonderful resources to get you started! #martinlutherkingjr #MLK #civilrightsmovement #unitstudies #martinlutherkingactivities

The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.


Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American national holiday, and it is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year. Also known as MLK, Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15th, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Michael King and Alberta King. Michael King Sr. was a Baptist Minister at Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Though they faced ugly prejudices, he and his wife endured MLK received a good education. 

At age fifteen, MLK attended Moorehouse College intending to become a doctor, but during the summers of World War II, he went off to Connecticut and picked tobacco. There he changed his mind about becoming a doctor and instead felt called to become a minister.

Did you know that MLK and Anne Frank were born the same year?

Martin Luther King Jr. went on to Crozer Seminary and became valedictorian of his class. At Crozer, MLK learned about Gandhi and that Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience had inspired Gandhi. MLK became fascinated by the ideas of nonviolent peaceful protesting.

After Crozer Seminary, King attended Boston University for his Ph.D. This made him Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Homeschool Lessons For Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Civil Rights Movement

MLK spent most of his life working to achieve justice and equality for all Americans, especially Americans of color. He helped lead marches, made speeches, and was one of the leading figures in the Civil Rights Movement.

Racial segregation was the worst in the South. Black people had to go to separate schools, drink from separate water fountains, live in separate neighborhoods, etc. King was one of many trying to bring about the change this country so desperately needed.

“..I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character…”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Homeschool Lessons For Martin Luther King Jr. Day


A Martin Luther King Jr. Homeschool Study


Unfortunately, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Children need to learn who the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was and what he stood for. He leaves a crucial legacy, and there is still much work to be done in racial equality and justice.

Books are one of my favorite ways to help my children learn about any subject. So, I gathered a collection of picture books and middle-grade books for my children and me to enjoy.

Homeschool Lessons For Martin Luther King Jr. Day


Additional Resources For Learning About Martin Luther King Jr.


Here is a list of books we used to start our unit study:

I like to start with just a few books, and then as my children’s interests expand, I’ll grab more resources on that subject.


For example, my daughter and I also watched this short clip: The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Kid President.

Homeschool Lessons For Martin Luther King Jr. Day

If you are looking for additional resources, you may be interested in the following:

Nana’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Homeschool Art Lesson

Enjoy this free, sample lesson from Nana’s Modern History Homeschool Lessons in the You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse. All you need is construction paper and a set of chalk pastels.

The Companion I Drew It Then I Knew It History workbooks are perfect jumping-off points for a quick history study! We learned 5 fast facts about MLK as well as a short biography. This workbook is available to all You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse members!

Homeschool Lessons For Martin Luther King Jr. Day


More Online Homeschool Art Lessons


With the You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse Membership, you’ll also have access to 700+ art lessons, including all of Nana’s history art courses:

I love adding the hands-on artistic aspect of chalk pastels to our history studies! It helps to solidify knowledge and add a bit of colorful fun to any subject.

Homeschool Lessons For Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a significant person in American history. His contributions resulted in the end of segregation at lunch counters, buses, and many other public places. He helped bring hope and change to a marginalized group of people. I look forward to discovering more about his life, his work, and the Civil Rights Movement as a whole with my children.

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. Her blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

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Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

These modern history art lessons are perfect for adding a bit of art to your homeschool history studies! These lessons are also excellent for history buffs, young and old.

Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff: These modern history art lessons are perfect for adding a bit of art to your homeschool history studies! These lessons are also excellent for history buffs, young and old. #modernhistory #modernhistoryresources #modernhistoryartlessons #pearlharbor #homeschoolartlessons #YouAREAnArtist #chalkpastels

My son has a passion for history. More specifically, he loves learning about World War II and onward. This love affair started a few years ago when he watched a documentary about D-Day. Suddenly, he couldn’t get enough. My son read all the World War II books he could find and watched all the documentaries available to him. We’ve gone to several reenactments, made our own World War II newspaper, and even made period-themed recipes! He has woven in and out of the European theater with an obsession with Great Britain. This year he is studying the Pacific theater more in-depth with various books, Wondrium lectures, and now Nana’s Pearl Harbor Remembrance art lesson.

Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

December 7th is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and in 2021 we will remember the 80th anniversary of this historic event. In 1941, a surprise attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor resulted in 188 U.S. aircraft destroyed, 2,403 Americans killed, and 1,178 others wounded.

Japan declared war on the United States and the British Empire later that day. The day after the attack, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous Day in Infamy speech. He also called for a formal declaration of war on Japan. On December 11, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. Congress then issued a declaration of war against Germany and Italy later that same day. Thus, the United States officially entered World War II.

Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

One of my son’s interests regarding Pearl Harbor is the USS Arizona. 1,177 officers and crew members were lost when the USS Arizona exploded and sank during the Pearl Harbor attack.

In November 2019, my son discovered that one of the survivors of the USS Arizona was still alive AND had written a memoir about his experience.

Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

My son immediately ordered the book, and when it came in, he proceeded to mail it to Mr. Donald Stratton, asking for his autograph and providing postage to send the book back. Mr. Donald Stratton obliged and signed my son’s copy of his book.

Shortly afterward, Mr. Stratton passed away. This book is now a most treasured possession of my son.

Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

Modern History with the You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Membership

Did you know your modern history buff will have access to 700+ chalk pastel lessons including Nana’s modern history course with the You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse Membership!

  • Queen Victoria’s Empire
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • War Helmets
  • Broadcasting
  • Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Space Exploration
  • Women’s Suffrage
  • Medical Advancements
  • Modern Literature

You’ll also have exclusive access to these art lessons:

  • Queen Elizabeth II
  • Winston Churchill
  • Big Ben and other World  + American Landmarks
  • Presidents series
  • Famous Artists and Composers continuing series
  • Literature continuing series
  • Maps continuing series
  • Plus so much more!
Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

Hands-on Modern History Lessons for Kids

Along with your favorite history books and documentaries you can now add in the hands-on resources of Nana’s art courses. While studying World War II we have enjoyed these corresponding history art lessons:

  • Winston Churchill (Modern History)
  • British Isles (Map)
  • WWII helmet (Modern History)
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (Presidents)
  • Japan (Map)
  • Pearl Harbor Remembrance (Modern History)

These lessons have made my history buff extremely happy. Isn’t it wonderful how we were able to pull from Nana’s different courses to create art lessons to fit my son’s interests? That’s just one of the reasons I adore our You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse membership. I can cater to my children’s interests in colorful and fun ways that won’t soon be forgotten.

Homeschool Art Lessons for Your Modern History Buff

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. Her blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

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The Best Art Lessons for Your Homeschool History Curriculum

Yes, you can use art to teach history! No matter what time period you are studying in your homeschool history curriculum, Nana’s I Drew It then I Knew It video lessons are the easy – and fun – way to learn important parts of history. Enjoy a library of history video art lessons to match all four history cycles no matter what homeschool history curriculum you are using. Nana does the teaching and all you need are very minimal supplies. It is super easy to get started in chalk pastel art.

Art Lessons for your homeschool history curriculum! Nana's I Drew It then I Knew It video lessons are the easy - and fun - way to learn history. Ancient, medieval, early American and modern history.
Boston Tea Party Cup photo by Julie Kieras

The Practical Benefits of Adding Art Lessons to Your Homeschool History Curriculum

Just why would you want to have art lessons to go with your homeschool history curriculum? Nana shares an example: “…let’s take our pastels and paint the Roman Coliseum. We can use all the reds, golds and orange to make a wonderful pastel painting. While we paint, we chat about where the Coliseum was built, when, and what it was used for. Then a while later, a question comes up about the Coliseum. The artist student remembers the painting, and, most importantly, the chat about facts on this classic Roman treasure!”

Here are four practical benefits of adding art lessons to your homeschool history curriculum:

  1. Learn history in an engaging way! In the You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse, Nana has a series of ancient, medieval, early American and modern art lessons to match your homeschool history curriculum.
  2. You can also enjoy art history, famous artists and art appreciation with her continuing Famous Artists series.
  3. It is simply beautiful to blend subjects and age levels together while learning! That makes things easier on you, the homeschool mom.
  4. Art increases comprehension, retention, attention span by adding a hands on element that brings a lesson to life!

“This is the quietest my kids have been all day! They concentrated on their American history chalk pastel pieces. I love this program! It allows me to intentionally include art with our studies yet frees me up from being the teacher!”

– Maureen Spell
Art Lessons for your homeschool history curriculum! Nana's I Drew It then I Knew It video lessons are the easy way to learn history.

Shawna, in her article, Why Adding Art to Homeschool History Makes All The Difference, shares:

“At first, I thought we needed more structure to our learning. I added quizzes and worksheets. I bought an expensive textbook. I tried all the things that a more formal school setting does to teach history. None of it worked. In fact, not only did my boys retain less than before, they began to dislike history and avoid it.

It was only when I decided to go with what I knew they would enjoy, that our homeschool history study came alive. I added art.”

-Shawna Wingert

It may seem simple, and I guess it is, but adding I Drew It And Then I Knew It to our homeschool history curriculum was the solution I was looking for.” Be sure to read Shawna’s post for three reasons why adding art to history works so well.

Our You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse members also have access to a valuable teaching tool designed specifically for Nana’s art lessons.

I Drew It Then I Knew It History Companion Workbooks For Your Homeschool

The I Drew It Then I Knew It Companion Workbooks are designed for you to use however they work best in your homeschool. They are flexible and easily complement your homeschool history curriculum.

The I Drew It Then I Knew It Companion Workbooks are designed for you to use however they work best in your homeschool. They are flexible and easily complement your homeschool history curriculum. Best Art Lessons for Your Homeschool History Curriculum

In each I Drew It Then I Knew It workbook, you will find:

  • a Book List with varying reading levels
  • 5 Fast Facts
  • an Overview of the lesson topic
  • Biography or Writing Prompts
  • Planners
  • Ideas for How To Use our Curriculum

Everything you need for a quick lesson can be found inside. Or use all of the planners included to map out a more extensive study. The Companion Workbooks will help you combine your oldest to youngest learners all in one place over a central topic. There is something special about family-style learning and all ages creating together. Read more from Courtney and take a video tour of the I Drew It Then I Knew It companion workbooks in her Art Lessons for the Eclectic Homeschool Family.

Art Lessons for Your Homeschool History Curriculum

Following is a sampling of Nana’s video art lessons for all four history cycles. Take a look and see how these can match up with your homeschool history curriculum.

From creation to Ancient Egypt and the fall of Rome – enjoy these art lessons with your ancient history homeschool curriculum: The Best Art Lessons for Your Homeschool History Curriculum

Art Lessons for Ancient History Studies

From creation to Ancient Egypt and the fall of Rome – enjoy these art lessons with your ancient homeschool history curriculum:

From Robin Hood, castles and knights to the crusades, dragons, vikings, court dress, inventors and more – Nana's medieval history art lessons are a fun match to your middle ages studies:

Medieval History Art Lessons for Your Homeschool

From Robin Hood, castles and knights to the crusades, dragons, vikings, court dress, inventors and more – Nana’s medieval history art lessons are a fun match to your middle ages homeschool history curriculum:

Early American History Homeschool Art Lessons

Whether it is the early colonists and Native Americans, maps of journeys or the American Revolution, or modern American presidents, Nana’s American History lessons will help reinforce all you are learning in American history with your homeschool history curriculum:

American History Art Lessons – Are you looking for fun ways to incorporate American homeschool history lessons? Maybe you already have a homeschool history curriculum, but you’re looking for ways to make it more hands-on and engaging. Chalk pastels may be just what you need to get your kids to fall in love with history!

  • Revolutionary War
  • Lewis and Clarke Art Lessons
  • Civil War and Underground Railroad Art Lessons
  • Johnny Appleseed
Little House On The Prairie Homeschool - Are there any homeschoolers out there that don’t hop on the Little House on the Prairie wagon? I mean, seriously, how can you not love Little House? There is something about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series that is easy to obsess over. 
  • Little House on the Prairie Homeschool Lessons – Are there any homeschoolers out there that don’t hop on the Little House on the Prairie wagon? I mean, seriously, how can you not love Little House? There is something about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series that is easy to obsess over. 
  • John James Audubon the explorer and artist – Come on! Grab a saddlebag and join us as we explore the forests of early America and see this great country through the eyes of famous artist John James Audubon!
  • The Best Presidents Art Lessons for Your Homeschool – Here at You ARE an ARTiST, we know precisely how fascinating it can be to dive into the U.S. Presidents. We think all of our presidents deserve a celebration anytime! For that reason, we created the ultimate homeschool history curriculum companion to our I Drew It And I Knew It Presidents Series.
Enjoy Nana's Amelia Earhart lesson as part of your Modern History homeschool studies. The Best Art Lessons for Your Homeschool History Curriculum
Enjoy Nana’s Amelia Earhart lesson as part of your Modern History homeschool studies.

Modern History Art Lessons

Studying inventors? Famous historians of the 20th century? Space exploration, Mars rovers, world wars, aviation and world landmarks? You can find these homeschool lessons and more to go with your modern homeschool history curriculum:

  • Winston Churchill – The world treasures Sir Winston Churchill as a soldier, statesman, orator, author and Prime Minister to the King of England and his daughter who now sits on the throne as the longest serving monarch the world has ever known.
  • Great Britain Unit Study – You can now travel to Great Britain with chalk pastels! Explore Big Ben, Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill, and much more in this unique and colorful way. Nana will be your guide on this historic trip filled with key icons and landmarks with chalk pastels Great Britain themed art.
  • Adventures in Narnia – Are your kids ready for an epic art journey? Then, take a trip with chalk pastels Narnia with Nana art adventure! Nana has a whole Literature and Tea Time section in the You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse! Explore more in The Power of Adding Art to Literature Lessons.
  • Famous Artist Norman Rockwell and many more in Nana’s Exploring Famous Artists series.
  • Artist Clubhouse Modern History – Such rich lessons to complement the learning already happening in your home.
Don't forget! Geography goes hand in hand with history! Nana has a full series of I Drew It Then I Knew It Maps to help Make Geography Fun with Chalk Pastels.

Don’t forget! Geography goes hand in hand with homeschool history curriculum! Nana has a full series of I Drew It Then I Knew It Maps to help Make Geography Fun with Chalk Pastels.

Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Hodgepodge and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of The Curriculum Choice.

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Famous Artist Norman Rockwell

How would you like to visit with famous artist Norman Rockwell, known as “America’s Artist” while he paints one of his most iconic scenes from the “Four Freedoms” series: Freedom from Want! Yep, you will sit at a festive Thanksgiving table, set with the best china, the best dinner guests and have a happy time? Come on, that turkey leg looks like it is all yours! 

Famous Artist Norman Rockwell Show Notes

You might also like:

Listen to Nana’s Normal Rockwell Podcast on YouTube

Nana is passionate about helping you realize you ARE an artist! Not only an artist with chalk pastels but with homeschooling, creative spaces, favorite family recipes and more. Nana also enjoys chatting – especially about art. If you have followed along with any of her You ARE an Artist video art lessons, you know that. She also enjoys sharing photos and thoughts on topics while she is being creative in her studio space on her back porch. That is where she will be chatting with you – from her back porch. It’s Nana’s You ARE an Artist Podcast!

How would you like to visit with Famous Artist Norman Rockwell, known as “America’s Artist” while he paints one of his most iconic scenes from the “Four Freedoms” series: Freedom from Want! Yep, you will sit at a festive Thanksgiving table, set with the best china, the best dinner guests and have a happy time? Come on, that turkey leg looks like it is all yours! From Nana's Back Porch Podcast.

-Special thanks to Erin Vincent and her artists for the beautiful photos. Visit her at Nourishing My Scholar.