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| (Hello Charlie's prime rib! SO good!) |
of memories...
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| (this is the reaction to the "sister gifts") |
Friday, December 31, 2010
Have yourself a merry little Christmas...
I treasure these years...
it seems like over and over I kept thinking how innocent they are...
how full of joy...
how simple and grateful...
Our Christmas was full of blessings...
of faith...
of love...
of memories...
and of fun.
We have had a very happy Christmas season, and I hope you all did as well!
of memories...
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Card - Merry Christmas!
Classic Starlight Scroll Christmas 5x7 folded card
Personalize your Christmas photo cards at Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
More Christmas Treats
At Catholic Cuisine today people are sharing their favorite Christmas cookie recipes.
Here is one I'm reviving from 2008:
Aunt C's Cherry Mash Candy
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
5 oz. evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
dash of salt
12 big marshmallows
1 6 oz. bag of cherry chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 oz. bag of chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter
12 oz. crushed peanuts
1/2 cup butter
5 oz. evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
dash of salt
12 big marshmallows
1 6 oz. bag of cherry chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 oz. bag of chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter
12 oz. crushed peanuts
Cook the sugar, butter, salt, evaporated milk, and marshmallows over medium heat and bring it to a rolling boil. Cook for 5 more minutes, keep it boiling, and stir constantly. Remove mixture from the heat and add cherry chips and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Pour the cherry mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish that is lined with wax paper. Place in the freezer. Melt chocolate chips, add peanut butter, and peanuts. Spread 1/2 of the chocolate mixture over the cherry mixture and freeze until firm. Flip over the whole dish onto a new piece of wax paper and repeat by adding the other 1/2 of the chocolate mixture on top of the cherry mixture and freeze until firm.
Cut the candy into little bite sized pieces and enjoy! This is very rich, you don't want to cut it into bars or large squares.
I love this recipe and it is one I used to look forward to with great anticipation as a child! (I had a lovely picture, but couldn't get it uploaded. You can go to this link to see it from Facebook. It's very pretty candy!)
As a bonus, you have got to check out the caramel corn recipe at All Things Thrifty. I made it the other night...oh. my. goodness.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Do you Twitter?
Well, this evening I signed up for a Twitter account. I've tried to avoid it, but everywhere I look my favorite people and products are showing up there. It seems simple, and of course, would appeal to a blogger. I enjoy the connection of Facebook and blogging, so why not add Twitter as well? Right?
I'm not so sure about the whole thing. I hate to be a social networking junkie, but it really takes up a minuscule portion of my life and I enjoy it!
Are you on Twitter? I have only found a handful of people to follow thus far, but I'd love to hear from you! Over on the sidebar there -----> I have added a Twitter gadget so you can see my "tweets" but please, if you're on there please follow me!
Any tips or suggestions? The lingo is still so very foreign. I guess we'll see how it goes.
I'm not so sure about the whole thing. I hate to be a social networking junkie, but it really takes up a minuscule portion of my life and I enjoy it!
Are you on Twitter? I have only found a handful of people to follow thus far, but I'd love to hear from you! Over on the sidebar there -----> I have added a Twitter gadget so you can see my "tweets" but please, if you're on there please follow me!
Any tips or suggestions? The lingo is still so very foreign. I guess we'll see how it goes.
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| Now...to bed. My flannel sheets are calling my name. And I'm freezing. |
Handmade with Sisterly Love
A few years ago Charlie had a friend who shared with him about a Christmas tradition in his own family that I found so touching. As children, this man and his siblings were encouraged to make each other gifts, a tradition that lasted into adulthood. As they got older, the gifts became more and more perfectly crafted, things such as quilts, woodwork, scarves/hats/etc, lovely framed paintings, and so forth, depending on each person's talents.
While I can aim to give each of my children a handmade gift, it's not always possible with all the additional work I have to prepare for the holiday. I did have them each make each other a gift though. We have found this to be such a joy and the girls are doing such a good job not spoiling each other's surprises.
Gabrielle made Felicity a rice heat bag (similar to this one, but not as complicated - we just sewed up a lovely piece of flannel). She decorated it with some fabric markers and we filled with with rice scented with lavender essential oil. I wish I had taken a picture, as it is now already wrapped up (and making my bedroom smell lovely!). We had some of these made with deer corn that got used so much that there are now holes in them. Felicity loved to warm them up and put them at the foot of her bed at night to keep her feet warm - I think she'll love this.
Together, F&G made C a tied fleece blanket. About 3 years ago, I made each of them one; they get carted around everywhere. We decided it was time for Colette to have one as well, and snuck in our opportunity to make it while she was napping the other day. She'll be so excited to be like the "big girls!"
The year these two learned to tie their own shoes was the perfect time to introduce this craft!
For a gift to Serafina, all three girls worked together to make laminated magnets with pictures of the family. Fina really likes refrigerator magnets, so I'm sure she'll love this. I had to really let go of my inner perfectionist with these though, the cutting...the gluing...oh my.
Lastly, for Gab, Felicity made a pet t-shirt inspired by this one on thelongthread.com using a picture of Bree the Narnian Goldendoodle. Oh my goodness. This was SO fun and turned out adorable! I don't have Photoshop, so I used www.fotoflexer.com with great success.
Tonight after Charlie comes home, we're going to sneak away to glam it up a bit, either with some embroidery, sew on a ribbon, or some buttons.
My animal-loving 5 year old is going to adore this. I love that Felicity is so excited about giving it to her too. The excitement is just so touching!
This morning we also worked on some homemade gifts for Charlie from the girls. I wish I could post pictures and tell about it, but he is an occasional reader and the girls would be devastated if I ruined the surprises!
Are you/have you made any Christmas gifts this year? I'd love to hear about it, I'm not the most creative person in the world and I'm always so inspired by others!
(We're also going to make some of this peppermint play doh for some special friends if there is time tomorrow...only I don't have the essential oil so we're going to use tea. I had no idea we could do that!)
While I can aim to give each of my children a handmade gift, it's not always possible with all the additional work I have to prepare for the holiday. I did have them each make each other a gift though. We have found this to be such a joy and the girls are doing such a good job not spoiling each other's surprises.
Gabrielle made Felicity a rice heat bag (similar to this one, but not as complicated - we just sewed up a lovely piece of flannel). She decorated it with some fabric markers and we filled with with rice scented with lavender essential oil. I wish I had taken a picture, as it is now already wrapped up (and making my bedroom smell lovely!). We had some of these made with deer corn that got used so much that there are now holes in them. Felicity loved to warm them up and put them at the foot of her bed at night to keep her feet warm - I think she'll love this.
Together, F&G made C a tied fleece blanket. About 3 years ago, I made each of them one; they get carted around everywhere. We decided it was time for Colette to have one as well, and snuck in our opportunity to make it while she was napping the other day. She'll be so excited to be like the "big girls!"
My animal-loving 5 year old is going to adore this. I love that Felicity is so excited about giving it to her too. The excitement is just so touching!
This morning we also worked on some homemade gifts for Charlie from the girls. I wish I could post pictures and tell about it, but he is an occasional reader and the girls would be devastated if I ruined the surprises!
Are you/have you made any Christmas gifts this year? I'd love to hear about it, I'm not the most creative person in the world and I'm always so inspired by others!
(We're also going to make some of this peppermint play doh for some special friends if there is time tomorrow...only I don't have the essential oil so we're going to use tea. I had no idea we could do that!)
Friday, December 17, 2010
Special Christmas Greetings
One of the assignments included in our 1st grade curriculum was to color, discuss, and send these Christmas cards based on the O Antiphons from Illuminated Ink (also where we got our Advent candles, and a grotto kit that we loved, I am very happy with their products!).
I allowed Felicity to create her own list of recipients. She only had 8 cards to send (she generously shared 4 with her sister), but ended up with a list of 25 that she made on her own. Her list included the baby of some friends, some of the students we served with FOCUS, local friends, her godparents, her dear friend Max, and her Nana's dog, Ruby. Also included on the list were some celebrities including Cardinal Arinze, our local Bishop, and Martha Stewart (hehe).
The biggest celebrity on her list would be the Pope. She was quite excited about this, so I allowed her to go ahead and make a card for our Holy Father, Benedict XVI.
She colored her very prettiest, and then included this note on the inside:
We addressed it, took a picture, and only a few hours later she lost one of her top teeth! We captured this lovely photo just in time!
She knows that the liklihood of our Pope seeing her letter is slim, but she loves him and wanted to send Christmas greetings anyway. I really hope that she gets some sort of reply from the Vatican, it would thrill her to pieces (but I didn't tell her that she might).
This afternoon she and I took a quick trip to the Post Office alone while Charlie was home for lunch to deliver her precious mail. The clerk was so sweet (as usual, we see her all the time thanks to living in a small town!) and showed Felicity all the stamps and stickers that needed to go on the envelope to get it to Europe. Much to Felicity's delight, it included a Blessed Mother Teresa stamp!
Come to find out it costs only $0.98 to send mail from middle-of-nowhere Wyoming to our Papa in Vatican City! Maybe this will become a tradition!
I allowed Felicity to create her own list of recipients. She only had 8 cards to send (she generously shared 4 with her sister), but ended up with a list of 25 that she made on her own. Her list included the baby of some friends, some of the students we served with FOCUS, local friends, her godparents, her dear friend Max, and her Nana's dog, Ruby. Also included on the list were some celebrities including Cardinal Arinze, our local Bishop, and Martha Stewart (hehe).
The biggest celebrity on her list would be the Pope. She was quite excited about this, so I allowed her to go ahead and make a card for our Holy Father, Benedict XVI.
She colored her very prettiest, and then included this note on the inside:
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| This is a picture of a copy of her card. Lame I know, but it's the best I could do here, we had already sealed the envelope! |
This afternoon she and I took a quick trip to the Post Office alone while Charlie was home for lunch to deliver her precious mail. The clerk was so sweet (as usual, we see her all the time thanks to living in a small town!) and showed Felicity all the stamps and stickers that needed to go on the envelope to get it to Europe. Much to Felicity's delight, it included a Blessed Mother Teresa stamp!
Come to find out it costs only $0.98 to send mail from middle-of-nowhere Wyoming to our Papa in Vatican City! Maybe this will become a tradition!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Two Recipes to Share
After my daybook the other day, I had a few people mention my dinner recipe in the comments and on Facebook.
I contemplated waiting to post the recipe until I made it again, so that I could include the picture, but decided against that. The thing is that while you are cooking it, it is awfully pretty to look at!
I can't remember where this recipe originated, I'm pretty sure it was a magazine. I did change it up a little bit, but only ever so slightly. The original recipe called for a whole, cut up chicken. The first time I made this, the white meat seemed too dry, especially to my sweet husband who has a severe aversion to baked, dry chicken. Since then, I make it with drumsticks, but I'm sure you can use any combination of bone-in chicken for this dish.
I contemplated waiting to post the recipe until I made it again, so that I could include the picture, but decided against that. The thing is that while you are cooking it, it is awfully pretty to look at!
I can't remember where this recipe originated, I'm pretty sure it was a magazine. I did change it up a little bit, but only ever so slightly. The original recipe called for a whole, cut up chicken. The first time I made this, the white meat seemed too dry, especially to my sweet husband who has a severe aversion to baked, dry chicken. Since then, I make it with drumsticks, but I'm sure you can use any combination of bone-in chicken for this dish.
Roasted Chicken and Carrots with Olives and Lemon
2-3 packages chicken drumsticks
2 pounds carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces (halved lengthwise if thick)
½ cup pitted kalamata olives
4 bay leaves
1 lemon, cut into slices
2 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
2 pounds carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces (halved lengthwise if thick)
½ cup pitted kalamata olives
4 bay leaves
1 lemon, cut into slices
2 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
Heat oven to 425° F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the chicken, carrots, olives, bay leaves, lemon, oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Arrange in a single layer and sprinkle the chicken with the paprika.
Roast, tossing the vegetables once, until the chicken is cooked through and the carrots are tender, 45 to 50 minutes.
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| (This lady likes it. You might too.) |
Here is a second holiday recipe as well. This recipe came from a family friend; I have such fond memories as a child visiting her warm and inviting home at Christmas time. We would all get together and wrap gifts for an adopted family and share a meal. I plan on making this lovely cider next week while crafting and baking with my little ones. They are going to love it!
Hot Mulled Cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Quarts apple cider
1 teaspoon whole allspice (I have used ground all spice as well)
1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves (same as above, but use a little less)
2 cinnamon sticks
orange slices
Warm in the crockpot on low or on the stove and serve!
I'm linking up this lovely recipe here, check it out for more great holiday recipes!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Daybook December 13
Outside my window … The mountains are capped with snow, the sky is blue, and there are a nice handful of cows lingering on the other side of the fence. It's muddy, and semi-warm, even though I would prefer a nice, strong snow storm. It is December you know. I would never wish for this in the Spring!
I am listening to... Silence, other than the hum of the space heater in my bathroom, and the rumbling of my washer and dryer. Sweet nap time.
I am wearing... my favorite thrifted Ralph Lauren cream colored skirt, with a button up navy top and cardigan sweater.
I am thinking … that I need to get to confession this Saturday.
I am thankful for … a full refrigerator, freezer (a new acquisition, thanks to my very generous Aunt and Uncle in CO), and pantry. What a blessing.
I am reading … Dawn of the Messiah (again), Ignatius Study Bible, and Conversations with God. Keeping it simple right now. I'm also about to crack into a borrowed copy of The Most of P.G. Wodehouse.
On my iPod... Christmas music all the way. I just discovered the group Straight No Chaser and am enjoying their sense of humor, along with Josh Groban's Noel, Reliant K's Christmas albums, and others.
I am hoping … that I won't end up with 3 children in my bed again tonight. I enjoy snuggling with them, but it foiled my plans for getting up early when the 3-year-old thought that 4 AM would be a great time to sing and play in my bed. (My children don't usually get up until 8 or 8:30ish - so that was way early!)
On my mind … homesick. I miss my family. I miss Charlie's family. I miss Texas. And I want to go home! It's been weighing heavily on my mind since Thanksgiving time.
We’re learning … I haven't written much about our adventures with 1st grade yet this year. So far it's been going great, so much better than last year! Felicity is on her 3rd memorized poem, is starting to really pick up on reading, she's doing great with math now too. She's learning how to tell time, measure by inches, count change, etc. I'm really proud of her. Next semester we're going to cram in K for Gab too. I think it'll be easy for her though.
Noticing that … I need a new system for cleaning floors in my house. My wood floors are completely unforgiving and as soon as I clean them, they're dirty again. And my vacuum is on the fritz. Ugh.
From the kitchen … Tonight will be a baked chicken dish with carrots, kalamata olives, and lemon. It's so tasty. I might make some bread too. I think there's still time!
Around the house … It is only 3:00 and all the laundry is done! (Until tonight...) That is thrilling. Another thing around the house is that my 5 & 6 year olds are becoming increasingly helpful. It is just too fun to work together with them. I'm hoping that if we head to Salt Lake City or Denver any time soon I can find one of these Learning Towers on Craig's List. Does anyone have one? It looks like it would be a great help in the kitchen. I have people falling off of chairs all the time.
One of my favorite things … Charlie. Sometimes it's quite overwhelming how blessed I am with such an amazing, loving, self-sacrificing, and generous husband. I hope that someday I can love him as well as he loves me. He's such a great man.
A picture I am sharing …
I am listening to... Silence, other than the hum of the space heater in my bathroom, and the rumbling of my washer and dryer. Sweet nap time.
I am wearing... my favorite thrifted Ralph Lauren cream colored skirt, with a button up navy top and cardigan sweater.
I am thinking … that I need to get to confession this Saturday.
I am thankful for … a full refrigerator, freezer (a new acquisition, thanks to my very generous Aunt and Uncle in CO), and pantry. What a blessing.
I am reading … Dawn of the Messiah (again), Ignatius Study Bible, and Conversations with God. Keeping it simple right now. I'm also about to crack into a borrowed copy of The Most of P.G. Wodehouse.
On my iPod... Christmas music all the way. I just discovered the group Straight No Chaser and am enjoying their sense of humor, along with Josh Groban's Noel, Reliant K's Christmas albums, and others.
I am hoping … that I won't end up with 3 children in my bed again tonight. I enjoy snuggling with them, but it foiled my plans for getting up early when the 3-year-old thought that 4 AM would be a great time to sing and play in my bed. (My children don't usually get up until 8 or 8:30ish - so that was way early!)
On my mind … homesick. I miss my family. I miss Charlie's family. I miss Texas. And I want to go home! It's been weighing heavily on my mind since Thanksgiving time.
We’re learning … I haven't written much about our adventures with 1st grade yet this year. So far it's been going great, so much better than last year! Felicity is on her 3rd memorized poem, is starting to really pick up on reading, she's doing great with math now too. She's learning how to tell time, measure by inches, count change, etc. I'm really proud of her. Next semester we're going to cram in K for Gab too. I think it'll be easy for her though.
Noticing that … I need a new system for cleaning floors in my house. My wood floors are completely unforgiving and as soon as I clean them, they're dirty again. And my vacuum is on the fritz. Ugh.
From the kitchen … Tonight will be a baked chicken dish with carrots, kalamata olives, and lemon. It's so tasty. I might make some bread too. I think there's still time!
Around the house … It is only 3:00 and all the laundry is done! (Until tonight...) That is thrilling. Another thing around the house is that my 5 & 6 year olds are becoming increasingly helpful. It is just too fun to work together with them. I'm hoping that if we head to Salt Lake City or Denver any time soon I can find one of these Learning Towers on Craig's List. Does anyone have one? It looks like it would be a great help in the kitchen. I have people falling off of chairs all the time.
One of my favorite things … Charlie. Sometimes it's quite overwhelming how blessed I am with such an amazing, loving, self-sacrificing, and generous husband. I hope that someday I can love him as well as he loves me. He's such a great man.
A picture I am sharing …
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| The older girls and me before we had a girls night out! We went to dinner together and to see the Nutcracker. (I'm not sure what's going on with my tree there...but we have since rectified the situation!) |
Sunday, December 12, 2010
All I want for Christmas is...
Now, we all know that Christmas is not about getting gifts. In fact, the greatest thrill I get concerning gift-giving at Christmas time is the actual giving. I start my shopping August, and try to really think about what my recipients would like. It's a total thrill.
However, in the spirit of lighthearted blogging today, I am wondering, what do you, my dear readers, wish for for Christmas? I'll tell you what I'd love too. Please share! I am sincerely curious, and it helps me come up with ideas for others as well!
Each year, my children get 3 gifts a piece, in remembrance of the gifts that the three wise men presented Jesus. So here, keeping with that theme, are three things I'd love to receive as a gift:
The Joy of Cooking Cookbook
Ok, I can sit and read a cookbook like it's fiction. (My favorite is King Artuhur's Whole Grain Baking.) Also, now that I'm out of the phase of life with babies and toddlers only, I'm finding cooking to be actual fun. Not to mention, I'm finding myself sharing kitchen duties with my older girls - a true blessing and beautiful quality time. This book is a staple of any cook's shelf, and I'd love to add it to my own.
Cowboy (cowgirl?) Boots
I live in Wyoming. I'm from Texas. Why have I never owned boots? Well, I suppose it's never really been my style, but these days I feel confident that I could pull them off without getting too Western-ized. Look how cute they are with this dress!!! (This dress would make my wish list too, if I weren't limiting myself to 3! hehe)
bare Minerals Makeup
It would be a complete lie if I told you I don't thoroughly enjoy makeup. It's been something I've always had fun with and I have been just dying to dry bare Minerals makeup. The idea that it can make your skin look so natural and flawless is appealing, and I really need blush (otherwise I look scary), and would really like to experiment with different eye makeup. The whole set up just looks so lovely. And simple - which is much more important to me now as a mother of 4 than it was when I was 17 with all the time in the world!
As a bonus, I would be beyond thrilled if my loved ones ever were to instead of giving me gifts, donate to Food for the Poor, my charity of choice. What joy to share our blessings with those whose desires are so much simpler and essential than our own.
So, that's my list. If you are still shopping (I am fortunately finished, thank goodness!) there are so many ideas floating around out there! Betty Beguiles has a great post on gifts for husbands, and here is a neat site for stocking ideas.
Happy Gaudate Sunday and feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
However, in the spirit of lighthearted blogging today, I am wondering, what do you, my dear readers, wish for for Christmas? I'll tell you what I'd love too. Please share! I am sincerely curious, and it helps me come up with ideas for others as well!
Each year, my children get 3 gifts a piece, in remembrance of the gifts that the three wise men presented Jesus. So here, keeping with that theme, are three things I'd love to receive as a gift:
The Joy of Cooking Cookbook
Ok, I can sit and read a cookbook like it's fiction. (My favorite is King Artuhur's Whole Grain Baking.) Also, now that I'm out of the phase of life with babies and toddlers only, I'm finding cooking to be actual fun. Not to mention, I'm finding myself sharing kitchen duties with my older girls - a true blessing and beautiful quality time. This book is a staple of any cook's shelf, and I'd love to add it to my own.
Cowboy (cowgirl?) Boots
I live in Wyoming. I'm from Texas. Why have I never owned boots? Well, I suppose it's never really been my style, but these days I feel confident that I could pull them off without getting too Western-ized. Look how cute they are with this dress!!! (This dress would make my wish list too, if I weren't limiting myself to 3! hehe)
bare Minerals Makeup
It would be a complete lie if I told you I don't thoroughly enjoy makeup. It's been something I've always had fun with and I have been just dying to dry bare Minerals makeup. The idea that it can make your skin look so natural and flawless is appealing, and I really need blush (otherwise I look scary), and would really like to experiment with different eye makeup. The whole set up just looks so lovely. And simple - which is much more important to me now as a mother of 4 than it was when I was 17 with all the time in the world!
As a bonus, I would be beyond thrilled if my loved ones ever were to instead of giving me gifts, donate to Food for the Poor, my charity of choice. What joy to share our blessings with those whose desires are so much simpler and essential than our own.
So, that's my list. If you are still shopping (I am fortunately finished, thank goodness!) there are so many ideas floating around out there! Betty Beguiles has a great post on gifts for husbands, and here is a neat site for stocking ideas.
Happy Gaudate Sunday and feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Cookies!
My cookies didn't make the trey (sadly) because they have a tendency to taint the flavors of all the other cookies. I brought pizzelle cookies, which are traditional Christmas fare in my family.
What are you baking for Christmas?
Everything, and the Kitchen Sink
If you haven't been over to see Leila at Like Mother, Like Daughter, please give yourself the gift of a few moments perusing her blog. I have been a blog reader/writer (albeit I admit not a great one!) for over 7 years now and hands down, hers is one of my very favorites that I have ever encountered. I never skip a post she puts up, they are just lovely.
Anyway, she is today discussing the importance of the little things, more specifically concerning the kitchen sink.
She encourages us all to, "commit yourself to the little tasks that make up this life." ("This life" being an at-home mama or keeper of the home.)
I wish that her message about the kitchen sink had come earlier in my career as a wife and mother. In fact, I wish that much of her advice had come earlier in my life!
If you could have seen my home those first years...it was pitiful. A combination of a lack of knowledge about how to properly keep a home, the lack of maturity to embrace my vocation properly, and the spiritual battle that I was in during that time in my life resulted in disaster. Literally.
The beginning of my journey out, in a practical sense, was (who else!) the Fly Lady. Well, Fly Lady sends way too many emails, and I'm not disposed to keeping a bunch of junk, so her message was largely unnecessary for me. The two things I came away from her with, however, were keep the bed made and keep the sink clean!
These two little things go a long way for keeping the home feeling tidy. As I grew older and more comfortable in my role in the home, I also discovered that these things offer peace to the family. They offer peace to me.
My kitchen sink is often full of dishes, but I try to process them as quickly as possible. (In addition, I find myself in a happy state of life where my babies are growing up to be quite helpful, and the 5 year old loves washing dishes. I never thought such a day would come! I never thought I'd have children out of diapers, or capable of dressing themselves, either. But I digress...) I don't really like storing anything in or around the sink, but I find myself currently at odds with a destructive 16 month old, so I'm not quite sure what to do with my soaps these days.
What I keep on the windowsill depends on the season. Sometimes I have F's little crafts up there to admire. Over the summer, I had a lovely houseplant that now makes it's home in the laundry room since it's not looking so pretty anymore. My favorite thing to have over the sink, however, is a crucifix. It's a perfect focal point for prayer and meditation while doing something quite un-glamorous and monotonous. Right now, though, I have a nativity scene, where Jesus is absent until Christmas. I also enjoy candles, though I often don't burn them until after the kitchen is clean at night.
Lastly, I have a little sticky note. It's an eyesore. I'd love to find some other way to display this prayer, but it is my favorite one for washing dishes.
Anyway, she is today discussing the importance of the little things, more specifically concerning the kitchen sink.
She encourages us all to, "commit yourself to the little tasks that make up this life." ("This life" being an at-home mama or keeper of the home.)
I wish that her message about the kitchen sink had come earlier in my career as a wife and mother. In fact, I wish that much of her advice had come earlier in my life!
If you could have seen my home those first years...it was pitiful. A combination of a lack of knowledge about how to properly keep a home, the lack of maturity to embrace my vocation properly, and the spiritual battle that I was in during that time in my life resulted in disaster. Literally.
The beginning of my journey out, in a practical sense, was (who else!) the Fly Lady. Well, Fly Lady sends way too many emails, and I'm not disposed to keeping a bunch of junk, so her message was largely unnecessary for me. The two things I came away from her with, however, were keep the bed made and keep the sink clean!
These two little things go a long way for keeping the home feeling tidy. As I grew older and more comfortable in my role in the home, I also discovered that these things offer peace to the family. They offer peace to me.
My kitchen sink is often full of dishes, but I try to process them as quickly as possible. (In addition, I find myself in a happy state of life where my babies are growing up to be quite helpful, and the 5 year old loves washing dishes. I never thought such a day would come! I never thought I'd have children out of diapers, or capable of dressing themselves, either. But I digress...) I don't really like storing anything in or around the sink, but I find myself currently at odds with a destructive 16 month old, so I'm not quite sure what to do with my soaps these days.
What I keep on the windowsill depends on the season. Sometimes I have F's little crafts up there to admire. Over the summer, I had a lovely houseplant that now makes it's home in the laundry room since it's not looking so pretty anymore. My favorite thing to have over the sink, however, is a crucifix. It's a perfect focal point for prayer and meditation while doing something quite un-glamorous and monotonous. Right now, though, I have a nativity scene, where Jesus is absent until Christmas. I also enjoy candles, though I often don't burn them until after the kitchen is clean at night.
Lastly, I have a little sticky note. It's an eyesore. I'd love to find some other way to display this prayer, but it is my favorite one for washing dishes.
Oh Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours.
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| (Not a great pic...it's from my phone. Also, I do have clean dishes there on the left. "Keeping it real," I suppose. It had been a LONG day of cooking and baking! Also, I severely dislike my valance. Maybe I'll have time to make a new one over the Christmas break...) |
I think that Auntie Leila is on to something over there. Not only do the little things make a difference, make things nice, and offer peace, but they can facilitate prayer. Maybe I can't get up early for prayer without an audience or people demanding breakfast, but I can spend my day doing what I need to do in an environment that blesses my family and that gives me opportunity to draw closer to the Lord.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas Memories with Shutterfly.com
This year when we were taking out the decorations for the house, the girls found the ornament that Charlie gave me for our first Christmas together. I told them the stories of our first Christmas, how we had little to no money but some how managed to scrape together enough for a little tree and a box of glass ornaments. Our tree fell over multiple times, breaking all the ornaments, prompting sympathy and laughter from the girls.
I was trying to remember what had happens over the last several years since they were babies, and luckily I have a Christmas journal in which I record our fun. We also pulled out my lovely photo books (from Shutterfly.com) that I make each year. I am terrible about printing photos, much less putting them in albums. However, each year I make a photo book where the year's highlights are kept both in pictures and words. It was a blast to go through and giggle and reminisce with the children. They are such a treasure. (My MIL made some photo books as gifts for the family this year for our reunion. They include family history, family trees, and lots of old and new photographs. Isn't that a great idea? She is so good about this. A couple of years ago we also got a calendar that was so much fun for the girls, with pictures of their aunts and uncles, and cousins.)
We don't have a lot of decorations for the tree, so most of them are sentimental. One of the greatest ideas I ever got was to purchase an ornament each year for each of the children so that one day when they grow up and move away, they will have their own set of ornaments to start out with. Some of my favorites on the tree are their ornaments, I'll be sad to see them go away some day, but I'm glad they'll have them when they grow up. (Here is a really sweet one that I've thought about. If only I didn't have 4 girls to buy for at a time!) They represent many happy times, first Christmases, our trip to Disney World last year at Christmas time, places we've lived, crafts we've done together.
I also keep our Christmas cards from year to year and my big girls had a blast looking through them while we were decorating. To be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas cards. I love getting them, and hate sending them. haha But, I do try to send them. These days photo cards seem to be the most popular, and I really enjoy getting to see all my beloved friends and family. (Shutterfly has many pretty Christmas cards, this is my favorite one. Maybe you'll get one from me! hehe) The only thing about photo cards that I have issue with is that nobody sends a personal note! I am totally guilty of this in the past, and it's something I'm planning to rectify this year. I remember watching my mom carefully write out personal notes to each of the people on her (VERY LONG) Christmas card list, with such love for each friend or family member. She addressed them with beautiful calligraphy, it was impressive. I'm going to strive to be more like her this year when I send out cards!
Today I was making pizzelle cookies, a family tradition, and as I was baking I prayed for my mom and my grandma and my aunt who all have made these lovely treats before me. I love this aspect of Christmas time, the memories involved. It is such a gift.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I Choose Both
An interesting blog post found its way into my Google Reader this morning.
It appears that yearly there is a debate about whether we should run full force into a cultural holiday with all the trimmings or whether it is better to hold off on any and all Christmas preparation or hinting at celebration until the end of Advent.
Typically, I do not enter into these debates that surface depending on the season. Pants or no pants? Trick-or-treat or no? Christmas tree before Christmas Eve or no?
I have an opinion on all these things of course. But, that's not why I blog. I have quite enough rousing debates and conversations within my own home concerning "controversial" topics such as these. But today, rather than enter into the season with a feeling of either smugness or inadequacy, I want to remember this precious time of preparation with my family, the memories, the shared faith.
Concerning how to handle two distinct liturgical seasons, on top of a cultural norm for Christmas, I choose both.
Surely I will be judged for this. But, that is ok. This works for us. It lifts our hearts up to Him. It prepares us not only for His birth, but for that blessed day when He comes again.
We put out all the decorations.
My husband was home and I had time. When will that happen again over the next month? As Red suggests, it makes my Advent and Christmas more prayerful. This is finished. So is the shopping. All of these things I do ahead, to give the family space to reflect rather than rush. (And, can we not offer our preparations, as a prayer?)
I catch my little ones lingering around the tree, the decor, the books. Since Santa doesn't stop at our home, and the tree stays bare underneath until Christmas Eve (which is also a matter of practicality with a toddler around), since they ask me perceptive questions, and I find them in their bedrooms playing "nativity scene," I don't think that all of our non-Advent decor is affecting their understanding of the holiday to come or the season of waiting at hand.
As you can see, our tree doesn't look like Martha came over to decorate. It's a tree we searched for, hiked in the snow to find, and chopped down in the forest (with a permit!). It started as a seedling, grew wild for years in the beautiful Wyoming mountains, and following Thanksgiving, became a focal point for our family as we anticipate the birth of our Savior. Gingerly, it holds in its branches twinkling lights that captivate the beloved daughters of God who live here, it holds ornaments steeped in memories. It points to something greater.
The feasting has not yet begun. Though the tree is up, or you may hear a tidbit of non-Advent-hymn Christmas music playing in our home, or the gifts have been purchased, we are still waiting. There are platters waiting for nuts and jars waiting for candies.
There are depictions of the first Christmas, but baby Jesus has not shown up just yet.
It appears that yearly there is a debate about whether we should run full force into a cultural holiday with all the trimmings or whether it is better to hold off on any and all Christmas preparation or hinting at celebration until the end of Advent.
Typically, I do not enter into these debates that surface depending on the season. Pants or no pants? Trick-or-treat or no? Christmas tree before Christmas Eve or no?
I have an opinion on all these things of course. But, that's not why I blog. I have quite enough rousing debates and conversations within my own home concerning "controversial" topics such as these. But today, rather than enter into the season with a feeling of either smugness or inadequacy, I want to remember this precious time of preparation with my family, the memories, the shared faith.
Concerning how to handle two distinct liturgical seasons, on top of a cultural norm for Christmas, I choose both.
We put out all the decorations.
As you can see, our tree doesn't look like Martha came over to decorate. It's a tree we searched for, hiked in the snow to find, and chopped down in the forest (with a permit!). It started as a seedling, grew wild for years in the beautiful Wyoming mountains, and following Thanksgiving, became a focal point for our family as we anticipate the birth of our Savior. Gingerly, it holds in its branches twinkling lights that captivate the beloved daughters of God who live here, it holds ornaments steeped in memories. It points to something greater.
There are depictions of the first Christmas, but baby Jesus has not shown up just yet.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. We pray.
We quiet ourselves and we pray. We read. We dance when "Jingle Bell Rock" comes on. We spend evenings with a glass of wine and a roll of wrapping paper. We write cards and send pictures to our loved ones. We bake and then freeze, while sneaking an occasional treat. We celebrate the wonderful feast days that fall inside this season of Advent. We take small penances upon ourselves. We watch "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" on Netflix. We look for ways to serve others. We take part in Advent observances such as the Jesse Tree. We are amazed by His love. We are amazed by the love He has blessed us with in our own family.
Must it be all or nothing? I submit that it does not.
(Thanks to this balance of preparation and celebration, I get to truly enter into these seasons as well, rather than facilitate them for the family. What a blessing!)
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