fun for the season :: popcorn & cranberry garland

As usual, there’s a need for me to prioritize the many ideas I had for crafts & projects this Christmas!  Naturally, the ratio of little ones to Mama definitely determines what those projects will be.  Ahem.  Additionally this year, our geography curriculum calls for many cultural celebrations of the Christmas season.

So…

We have lots of plans, but they are not too complicated (at least I hope not)!

Cranberry and popcorn garlands were simple enough.  I heard that day-old popcorn works better than freshly popped (which we used) as it’s a little stiffer.  We also chose dental floss as a stronger & easier to work with alternative to thread.  For younger children, a tapestry needle is bigger and more blunt…and hopefully lessens the chance of pricking fingers!

An easy project and treat for the birds!

fun for the season :: popcorn & cranberry garland

watch for the light today

“What we are in fact celebrating is the awe-inspiring humility of God,

and no amount of familiarity with the trappings of Christmas should ever blind us

to it’s quiet but explosive significance…”

excerpt from Watch for the Light :: Readings for Advent and Christmas

    

Today, choose beyond the glitter of the temporary

to view the eternal.

Emmanuel, God with us,

has COME.

  

photo credit

  

  

watch for the light today

remembering Thanksgiving

The day and weekend flew by so quickly and now the season of Advent & Christmas celebrations are upon us.

But, I want to pause this all for a moment and remember….

and be grateful once again for the gathering of family (both sides visited our home last week!), for the grace of our Lord and for the freedom to mark such a day.

A full heart sings with gratitude!

remembering Thanksgiving

thankful for Advent

A BLESSED THANKSGIVING to all who celebrate today...
this day of remembrance naturally lends to the upcoming celebration of Advent,
when we give THANKS for the coming of our Messiah, Jesus.


The season of Advent is a joyous occassion for the family! Advent is a time of anticipation, of longing and of waiting for the birth of the Messiah, Christ who came to earth for us. Celebrated the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, Advent this year officially begins on Sunday, November 28th.

An Advent calendar is a special way to mark this passing of time and can be a practical tool to teach little ones (and big ones!) about the Christmas story and the true 'reason for the season'. This calendar usually counts down the 24 days before December 25th, but can be adjusted by a day to begin December 1st if wanted.

Last year I chose a simple method to celebrate our family traditions, and to prioritize the many ideas of how to influence our children with the meaning of Christmas ~ a calendar of envelopes! Each morning from December 1st, at our devotional time we opened one envelope that first focused on giving or sharing, and then sometimes on an activity or craft to be completed that day. I opted for mostly quick & easy ideas and other days had more time or effort required. Practical and fun, this idea is easy to duplicate.....


For complete instructions & ideas, hop on over to Frugal Granola....Michele has graciously allowed me to share in her Simple Living series.  Join me? 

   
   
  

thankful for Advent

cultural celebrations :: a visitor from Germany

Our geography curriculum continues to be such an adventure as we make our way through Europe!  Famous people and places, interesting facts & information, excellent literature to read….I am pleased with this choice.  Winter Promise’s Children Around the World delivers big time.  While the curriculum provides for a weekly celebration of each country studied, we choose the ones of interest and which fit our schedule.

So when our study of Germany perfectly coincided with a long-awaited visit from my uncle, who has lived in this country over 20 years, the children and I were ecstatic!  We practiced Guten Tags, thought through a few question to ask, and thoroughly enjoyed our time.  I wasn’t about to attempt serving German food to a live person from the country, so simple conversation & American fare was the agenda for the evening!

Too busy wrapped up in conversation to tackle pictures of any food…. 

Several days later however, we did whip up a quick recipe for Blitzkuchen, a German spice cake.  SO simple, very light in comparison to American coffee cakes and now declared to be our favorite ‘tea cake’.  Yes, of course I’ll leave the recipe!

German Blitzkuchen 

1/2 stick butter

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

1-1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

pinch of salt

In a bowl, beat the butter, egg and milk together.  Sift all the other ingredients together into the bowl and beat until smooth.  Pour into an 8” square greased pan.  On the top, drop bits of butter and sprinkle with a little more sugar and cinnamon.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

And then, what’s a study on Germany without some sausage and pretzels, right!?

cultural celebrations :: a visitor from Germany

thanksgiving book bag for the family

For the little ones in your home or life ~

Give Thanks to the Lord :: told from the viewpoint of a young member of the family celebrating joys of all kinds

Thank You for Thanksgiving :: the fun rhyming text is great, also a wonderful way to tie together the holiday with the approach of Advent as the book emphasizes being grateful for the gift of Christ.

The Thanksgiving Bowl :: fun for preschoolers as well ~ travel throughout the year with this ‘lost’ bowl of grandma’s and see where it lands in the end!

Mary’s First Thanksgiving :: an inspirational story of gratefulness from a young Pilgrim girl’s talks with her father.



For the family or older children ~

An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving :: the March sisters live on!  Great family read-aloud or for older children.

The Legend of Squanto :: a Focus on the Family radio theatre CD that is excellent!  A story of triumph over tragedy that offers more of the Thanksgiving story.  We’re on our third year of listening to this audio!

Three Young Pilgrims :: just fine for younger children as well, this book details with lots of illustrations & beautiful map work the journey of Pilgrim children

Thanksgiving, A Time to Remember :: a family keepsake and wonderful gift idea!  Historical, detailing the quest of the Pilgrims and other facts.  Pages in the back to record your family’s gratefulness through the years and a CD of instrumental music make this book one to own, excellent!


   
    
    

thanksgiving book bag for the family

reality check and over-the-top birthday fun

First, the not-so-good news ::

Thanksgiving is in two weeks, I’m hosting extended family, and there is little to no planning done for this event (except that I have managed to earn two free turkeys at local grocery stores).  Serving them frozen would not be a good idea, you think?  The fact that my family plans to visit is causing the children’s excitement to rapidly rise to record levels.  whew.

But their Mama needs a serious reality check and will be breaking out some plans this weekend!  I think I can, I think I can…

On to better news!  Yesterday, we celebrated my birthday :: so refreshing with the request for “just a little quiet” honored in grand ways.  My family gifted me with an outing for the afternoon to be pampered, then to shop alone, and then dinner with simply my husband and I.  Truly over-the-top and leaving me feeling grateful and quite full; the children were so thrilled for me (or maybe they were just happy for a day off school? :) and participated fully in this surprise of a gift.  Saying thank you doesn’t seem enough…

And on my return, cards and gifts were opened and the day closed. 

I am blessed; not only yesterday…everyday.

:: an older couple in our church blesses me with these hand-delivered, homemade oatmeal lace cookies (dipped into chocolate) every year; I am slightly embarrassed to admit that because I’m a wee reluctant to share these treats, they have begun including different cookies for the rest of the family.  I do give out small bites here and there…

:: a large box filled with deliciousness from Stonewall Kitchen arrived at our doorstep!  These goodies the whole family will enjoy! :)

:: and I wasted no time in spending birthday money gifts on fresh crafting supplies I’ve been eyeing for a while.  My rather large collection of scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies is the result of about 13 yrs of birthdays (with a few Christmases thrown in as well).  The children and I spent our free time today trying out the various new ‘toys’!

*******

I record this all here so that my heart will remember….

so that I will always count myself filled to the brim with blessings!

reality check and over-the-top birthday fun

cultural celebrations :: A Spanish fiesta!

Okay yes, yes…I already know that all of the foods pictured above are not Spanish or having anything to do with Spain or even Mexico (though we’re not to the Americas for a while).  However, there is a long standing tradition in Spain, the focus of our studies recently along with Portugal, to enjoy food called tapas.

And oh, how we really like that idea!  Appetizers of any variety (from our understanding, nearly anything can be tapas), served on small plates and enjoyed with great conversation.  Sounds like a meal plan to me! 

Our menu ::

crackers & vegan ‘cream cheese’ topped with sweet pepper jelly

a layered bean dip w/tortilla chips

french bread pan-fried in olive oil and topped with bruschetta (our recipe is at the bottom of this post)

cocktail shrimp (a little bit found in the back of the freezer! :)

maple chicken drumsticks

Simple decor included a red tablecloth and leftover decorations from our twelve-year old’s birthday party three years ago (yes, we seem to keep stuff like this).  Though we had intended to add some Spanish or flamenco music in the background, I think we were more focused on the food than dinner music!  A fun evening indeed….

A few tidbits ::

did you hear about the bullfight weeks ago in Spain that ended up with a bull in the stands!? fortunately there were no fatalities & only minor injuries.

we took a look at the Spanish galleons, huge ships used by explorers and tradesmen in the past

and don’t forget the benefit of touring the world via the virtual globe Google Earth :: we’ve enjoyed visiting the landscape and famous places of each country

cultural celebrations :: A Spanish fiesta!

cultural celebrations :: an Irish festival

   

We should have been wearing a bit o’ green as well, right? 

The celebration of Ireland in our school studies included some good foods :: Irish soda bread (top picture, and we all decided the recipe is not a keeper :), good ole Irish stew with lots of potatoes (a staple in Ireland past and present) and apple cake!  Celtic music played in the background and after dinner we of course took in a bit of Riverdance via video.

My husband took the opportunity to tell the younger children of the Riverdance frenzy that took place in our home about nine years ago :: I can’t deny that it was all somewhat obsessive.  We even went to see the tour, which capped a long season of listening to the soundtrack, watching video clips and trying our own feet at fast-paced leg work (um, I am not good at Irish step dancing!).  Oh well!

A few sources used in our schooling ::

an interactive tour of the Irish Potato Famine of the 19th century

Ireland hosts the most unhygienic tourist attraction in the world, the Blarney Stone!  who wants to hang upside down to kiss a stone!?  The children found this hilarious.

this book found in our local library is short, full of pictures and helpful to understand the culture. 

 

Well, top of the morning to you! (a phrase thought to originate in Ireland, but actually it’s from New Zealand!)

cultural celebrations :: an Irish festival

oh, September…

Right about this time each year I am tempted to become overwhelmed by the transition from summer schedules to fall routines.  Each week brings a new ‘we start _______ today!’  Bible club, homeschool classes, field hockey, and music lessons are becoming a part of weekly life.  It’s not that our schedule is too full, far from it.  We find ourselves saying ‘NO’ to much more than the actual ‘yes’ activities.  And I am loving the fact that we are home most evenings.

But it all begins at the same time!  With the newness brings paperwork to fill out, backpacks to dig out of closets and prepare for class, etc.  ETC!

When I find my emotions tempted to spin wildly like a washing machine, I pause for a gratitude check and reflection.  Today I think of our end of summer, say good-bye to it, and give thanks ::

for a gathering of Moms, Dads, lots of kids & great food

weekly date nights with my husband (though this continues, yeah!)

for an outdoor worship service & fellowship time with our church family

 

    a fun & filling shrimp boil with other families :: laughing at the fact that we seriously overestimated the amount of food needed!  taking home great memories and munchies

our annual back-to-school campout (in our basement) with a near-by cousin

welcoming the end of the grass-growing season!

for backyard enjoyment, just sitting to read, lie in the shade or watch the stars at night

 

Ah, yes.  That’s much better.  Now I’m ready to welcome all that our new routines bring….

oh, September…

cultural celebrations :: an English tea

The study of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (did you know this is the official name?) ended with a grand tea party as we make our way through the countries of Europe!  My, my…I do need to brush up on my geography and world history a bit; though I didn’t admit this fact to the girls, I think they caught on?

Naturally the girls (big & little) were all quite excited about this celebration as part of our curriculum; and the little boys in the house don’t know to not be thrilled about such a prim & proper event.  Dad on the other hand?  Well, he was a good sport until one of his children asked if we should all try to speak in a British accent…the man does have limitations!  Overall, it was a grand time.

Our menu ::

lemon poppy seed muffins with lemon glaze

sweet scones (that turned out a bit flat!) with homemade peach jam

maple ham & cucumber sandwiches

spinach & cheese cups

and lots of English tea!

A few resources that we used through this study ~ famous people, events or places ::

design an English garden (which can be printed out) 

read a Beatrix Potter story at this site or check a book out of the library

a few of us will be listening to this audio version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

our current read-aloud is about George Mueller, a great man of faith and courage; this version is great for young children as well

cultural celebrations :: an English tea

this girl…

{she only wishes the phone belonged to her!}

….today is TWELVE.

And yes, I reluctantly release her into the next year of her life :: praising God for the wonderful & exciting years we’ve enjoyed so far. 

twelve.

I simply can’t believe it.  The pregnancy with her was my hardest, uncontrolled sickness that landed me in the hospital several occasions and caused an 18 pound weight loss in just under ten weeks.  Doctors knew little and I suffered much; my girl and I joke today about how maybe this crazy pregnancy was a ‘heads up’ for days to come?  Just a joke.

She is witty, intelligent, and motivated.  I appreciate her serious and yet tenderhearted nature.  She has a passion to learn, to DO, and to BE; being a wife & mother and ‘having my own house’ are part of her talk of the future—I’m sure it may all come together much as she is planning it! :) 

We love her dearly and celebrate once again with joy her arrival into our lives. 

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

 

this girl…

cultural celebrations :: the family

One of the aspects that completely sold me on our new geography curriculum this year is the fact that the schedule includes plans to celebrate on a regular basis the countries studied!  Should we choose (and we probably will not do them all), each week we’ll gather together to experience the food, customs, games, etc. of a particular region of the world.  Winter Promise calls this a ‘cultural celebration’ :: I love it!

The first one was to pause and celebrate our family.  Yes, the curriculum called for us to choose our favorite family meal, games, memories and such to be the focus; the children were quite excited.  But, deciding on our favorite food was not simple at all and I finally allowed one child to make the final decision.

I guess we are fairly globally-minded already because chicken curry over rice turned up as the choice :)  What a fun time of ‘remembering when’ as we recounted the years gone by and enjoyed some favorite games!

 

Pictures of the table setting or of the people might have been appropriate, right?  That didn’t happen.  Hmm…it’s all about the food.  Oh, well.  I will leave you with the recipe used :: maybe it will find it’s way to your family’s table!

Basic Meat Curry (with chop salad)

Saute in deep skillet:

2 T oil

sweet onion, chopped (as much as you’d like)

2 tsp minced garlic

Blend in a small bowl:

2 T lemon juice

2-4 tsp curry powder (depending on taste desired)

Stir curry mixture into sauteed onions and fry lightly 2-3 minutes.

Add:

1-1/2 lb cubed chicken breast (or beef, fish :: for a veggie version try white or black beans)

Stir briefly to coat meat with spices.

Add:

1 cup tomato juice

1 tsp salt

1 cup broth

Bring to boil, cover and simmer 1 hour.  Thicken slightly with flour before serving, if desired.  Serve over hot rice with chop salad (recipe below), coconut, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, peanuts or raisins.  Freezes well. Serves about 4-6.

Chop Salad

Chop into bite size pieces and combine in a bowl:

3 peppers: red, orange & yellow (if I have this, it gets put in.  if not, moving on…)

1 long cucumber

3 green onions

1 pkg. grape tomatoes

Mix dressing and pour over all:

3 TBsp vinegar

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

dash of pepper

Stir well and chill several hours.

cultural celebrations :: the family

happy birthday baby boy

with a bit of reluctance, this Mama pauses today to declare that her baby is ONE.  oh, my.

a year ago today….

  

….and yes, he has grown up!

happy birthday Jeremiah!

happy birthday baby boy

from the weekend

  an evening fire by moonlight, with the man of my dreams

sharing thoughts, dreams, realities

pausing together to enjoy the stillness of the night

and to create a ‘still’ moment in our full week

 

birthday celebrations for a 20-year old

flower deliveries, cards, gifts, visits & phone calls

all of us around the table enjoying the requested birthday dinner :: fajitas!

creating!

enjoying the wide-eyed wonder of a little one {Isaiah at 3 weeks}

participating in Multitude Mondays over at A Holy Experience

from the weekend