A Ten O'Clock Scholar

Seasons and an important blog update

2012-02-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

In the past few days, we have enjoyed temperatures in the 70s. In fact for the past few weeks we’vehad quite a few days in the upper 60s and lower 70s. One of those days was downright hot! It has been an odd winter. I suspect the oddness will carry overinto spring. Who knows maybe we’llenjoy a strangely cool summer. That would be lovely.

Our gas bill was a delight this month! Nearly half of last year’s Januarybill.

It is a strange season, and it isn't just theweather.

I remember thinking that having a lot of little kids aroundwas so “busy”, and it was; however, having a house full of older kids seems even busier! We’ve had bible studies, dramapractices, skateboarding meet-ups, band practices, talent shows, and a fewother events just in the past month. And that is just the older two boys! Throw in the playdates for the girls, potty-training(still), and birthday parties (thrown and attended); and the adults: biblestudy leadership, book club, missionary support events, a non-profit growingsignificantly, various church ministries.

Why did I think this season wouldn’t be as busy as it is?

And why do I add to it? But I did just that. I’ve agreed to tutor the next level of Athos’ Classical Conversations:Challenge 3. This will include AmHistory, Shakespeare, Philosophy, Logic, Chemistry…and Advanced Math. That last one I will not betutoring. I’ll be hiring that oneout. See, I do somewhat know mylimits.

I’ve already begun reading and preparing. I foresee quite an education for myselfin the next few months.

In the midst of this busy season, which probably won’t letup for a few years, there is a need for paring down and simplifying. And one of those areas isblogging. I have two main blogs(and a couple other ones I’ve experimented with over the years): this one andThe Potter’s Shed, which is more of a “family” blog. . I have another blog of commonplace bookquotes. Another with a photoproject (not very well-updated). Another with recipes (sadly neglected). And another that was our adoption blog. Perhaps it is time to consolidate?

So, to that end, I've begun merging and revamping my family blog to be my main blog. A Ten O'Clock Scholar will still exist, but I will no longer update it. If you’d like to continue following my blog, head onover right now and subscribe: The Potter’s Shed . I do hope you'll join me!

2012 Photo a Day: Jan 1-7

2012-01-07T13:58:00.002-05:00

2012 - Photo a Day Challenge

Jan 1-7

Jan 2 - Well missed Jan 1 (because I'd only discovered this challenge on Jan 2).

Took a load of stuff out of the garage to give-away and consign.

Jan 3 - First day of school, and Artemisia got a shard of glass in her foot.

Jan 4 - A good afternoon for painting.

Jan 5 - The twelfth day of Christmas, still burning bright!

Jan 6 - Epiphany light in the sanctuary.

Jan 7 - Taking down Christmas.

Nativity Carnival: Keeping Christmas -- Jan 3rd

2012-01-03T11:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Christmas

Each week, Advent through Epiphany, a new "Mr Linky" will be posted for you to share your Nativity Season-related ideas and thoughts from your blog. (Just copy the link to your post and paste it into the Mr Linky box below.)

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Today we are back to school. Oh, it is so hard to get started...and I really hate that we must instead of enjoying the rest of our Christmas. However, classes resume tomorrow and there is work that must be finished beforehand.

While I haven't removed any decorations, and I continue to keep the tree lit all day, it is time to start packing up some of the unneeded Christmas items....like the wrapping paper...and the Advent items (wreath, book, etc). Packing up is not my favorite thing to do. I'm not good at wrapping things up.

We started a big garage clean out project this weekend. I really wanted it done, but it was one of those things that I just couldn't quite bring myself to start. Erik looked at my Sunday afternoon and said, "Ok, let's get started." And of course, once we began the work was easy and we've made great progress. Took a load to a friend (Anglican priest) who accepts donations for garage sales (he keeps the proceeds to supplement their income). Another load went to a consignment shop. Hopefully, we'll get a little bit of money from that to help *our* income.

That is how our New Year started - and it seemed a good and fitting way to start a new year: cleaning out and giving away.

Friday is Epiphany! We are going to celebrate Twelfth Night with a King Cake and our church's Epiphany Pageant on Friday. Artemisia and Kalliope will be the cutest angels in the whole angel choir. Am I biased? Maybe. Either that night or the next morning we'll do a house blessing (search my blog for a short service you can do with your family) and probably finish off the king cake.

So, how did your new year start? And how are you continuing to celebrate Christmas despite school and work resuming?

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts!

For those submitting links:

So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

My Favorite Movies of 2011

2011-12-31T10:13:00.003-05:00

We do love movies at our house and watch plenty. Here are my favorites from 2011. . . .

Nacho Libre (2006 PG) - Typical Jack Black hilarity. A silly movie about "Nacho" who was orphaned as a boy and grew up in the monastery where he now serves as the monastery cook. He has always desired to be a famous wrestler, and begins secretly going out to wrestle in the local wrestling club where he hopes to win fame and fortune and the heart of his love (a very beautiful young nun who has recently arrived at the monastery). Our whole family enjoyed this movie!

The King's Speech (2010 R) - Has anyone not heard of this movie? Story of King George VI who came suddenly and unexpectedly to the throne when his elder brother abdicated in order to marry Wallis Simpson. This was particularly daunting for George as he had struggled with a severe stutter his entire life. This movie chronicles him overcoming that stutter. I love Helena Bonham Carter as his wife, Queen Elizabeth (that's the Queen Mom - current Queen Elizabeth II's mother). Rated R for language and LOTS of it, but within the context it is acceptable. If you trust your older children not to repeat the bad language that was part of King George's therapy, it would be a great movie for them to watch.

Cold Comfort Farm (1995 PG) - 1930's England is the setting for this drama-comedy about a young woman who goes to stay on a family-owned "farm" (more like a boarding house) where she is the lead caretaker. The Farm is inhabited by a cast of oddball characters which makes for a lot of craziness. Based on a 1932 book by Stella Gibbons of the same name. The cast is phenomenal: Kate Beckinsale, Ian McKellan, Joanna Lumley, Eileen Atkins, Stephen Fry, and loads more faces you'll recognize. Older teens might enjoy this, but for some reason I seem to remember one scene of drug use (marijuana), but can't find it mentioned in any of the reviews, so maybe I mis-remember!

Stone of Destiny (2008 - PG) - Set in early 1950s. True story of four young men who plot to steal the Scottish "Stone of Scone" from the British to return it to its rightful place in Scotland. Funny story and great history. Great family movie! Kids should enjoy the excitement of the boys plotting to steal the stone.

Opa! (2005 - PG-13, very brief nudity and some language) I'd let my kids watch this although I don't think they'd be all that interested. The nudity is not in a sexual context (we see a man's tush as he jumps in the water to go swimming). Stars Matthew Modine, whose acting is outshined by his co-star Agni Scott. Story is about an archeologist who comes to the Greek island of Patmos in search of a legendary artifact. In the course of his search he meets and falls in love with a Greek young woman who runs a local eatery. A sweet romance and comedy.

Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002 - PG) - In the 1930s aboriginal children were systematically removed from their homes and placed in training schools all across Australia. This is the story of two sisters and a cousin who escape from their school and head home on foot across the Outback. Kenneth Brannagh stars.

The Syrian Bride (2004 - NR, but I'd say PG) - A family drama and a political one. Thankfully the political didn't drown out the family. This is the story of a Druze family on the Israeli side of the Israeli-Syrian border whose daughter is marrying a young man on the Syrian side. Due to complicated politics, once she crosses the border to marry her new husband, she will never be able to return home to her family, so the marriage is very bittersweet. Funny, sad, educational.

Serenity (but only if you've watched the Firefly TV series) - :) If you watch Firefly, you get it...if not no amount of explanation can adequately describe. If you haven't watched Firefly - DO! It is still on Netflix streaming, I believe.

A Summer in Genoa (2008 - R) - Colin Firth stars in this movie about a newly widowed man and his two daughters who travel to Genoa for a summer. The father has been asked to come work in the university. While there they begin to heal after their mother's sudden death in a car crash. A slow movie, so if that isn't something you can tolerate, this might not be the movie for you.

The Way Back (2010 - PG-13) - a group of WWII Siberian labor camp escapees attempt to reach freedom. They travel through Siberia, Gobi Desert, and the Himalayas on foot. Fantastic scenery. Rated PG-13, but we would have no qualms about letting our 12 and 15 year old watch this. One bit of raunchiness (men in the labor camp drawing nude pictures of women) at the very beginning and a very little bit of language, but other than that a very clean movie.

The Lion in Winter (2003 - Not Rated, made for TV, but definitely PG-13 for some brief nudity and one scene with frank sexual language) - Glen Close, Patrick Stewart - remake of 1968 movie which was based on the 1966 Broadway play) - A fictional story based on King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Set during a fictional Christmas Court during which King Henry is trying to determine who will succeed him. Fantastic acting, as you'd expect from the stars.

Housewife, 49 (2006 - Not Rated, made for TV - PG just due to the subject matter) - a British movie set in WW2 England. Follows a housewife from the start of the war to the end. She begins working in a women's auxiliary (to support the war effort) which, over time, gives her confidence in herself. True story based on a diary kept by the main character.

That Thing You Do (1996- PG) - Tom Hanks wrote, directed, and starred in this sweet movie about a group of young musicians who make it to the "big time" in the 1960's. Great family movie! Barely rated PG, in my opinion. Erik and I had seen this before, but watched it again with our kids who loved it, too.

And the worst movies I've seen in 2011: Frozen (I wasn't surprised this was bad because it didn't have good Netflix ratings, but thought it might at least be exciting. Sadly, it wasn't even exciting... it was just stupidly BAD), followed closely by Greenberg (highly rated by the critics), which I thought had NO redeeming qualities.

Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent -- Dec 28th

2011-12-28T20:41:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

We have been thoroughly enjoying a very relaxing Christmas season. We've slept in, eaten plenty of leftovers, and enjoyed some games and movies. There were a few traditions we've done without this year: some due to time, some to expenses, but regardless, the first four days of Christmas have been all that we needed.

I will admit one pang of guilt... we did not attend Christmas worship. We'd so intended to! However, some family commitments kept us long out of the house on Christmas Eve and by the time dinner was fixed, eaten and cleared, I was fairly wiped out and still looking at gifts to wrap and stockings to fill. It makes me sad to say it, but I felt great relief when we made the family decision not to attend the midnight service. As it was we were up until 1am. (How thankful I am that my children are late sleepers, even on Christmas morning! We were able to sleep until after 8.)

A blogging friend (whose blog has recently had a bit of attention after a long season of quiet...much understood quiet, but I've missed her!) sent a message out on Christmas Eve that I found so encouraging....it didn't assuage my guilt when I realized we were not going to attend worship, but as the season has rolled on, I've felt the graciousness of the words. . .

Kathleen Norris writes these lines for Christmas Eve and I'd share it with my dear mother-friends who might be just as busy or more than me this Christmas Eve and tempted to disgruntled thoughts! She writes,
"How is it possible to bridge the gap between our sorry reality and the glad, grateful recognition of the Incarnation as the mainstay of our faith? We might begin by acknowledging that if we have neglected the spiritual call of Advent for yet another year, and have allowed ourselves to become thoroughly frazzled by December 24, all is not lost. We are, in fact, in very good shape for Christmas.

It is precisely because we are weary, and poor in spirit, that God can touch us with hope. This is not an easy truth. It means that we accept our common lot, and take up our share of the cross. It means that we do not gloss over the evils we confront every day, both within ourselves and without. Our sacrifices may be great. But as the martyred archbishop of El Salvador, Oscar Romero, once said, it is only the poor and hungry, those who know they need someone on their behalf, who can celebrate Christmas."

I was truly poor in spirit and failing in strength that evening. And while I didn't make it to a worship service that night (and due to the juggling required for sharing facilities we did not have worship on Christmas day) . . . I feel we have celebrated Christmas as a wonderful feast: a feast of much needed togetherness. But I do look forward to worship this weekend!

How have you been celebrating this Christmas season? And what are your plans for the rest of the 12 days...how about Epiphany?

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts!

For those submitting links:

So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Merry Christmas to you all!

2011-12-26T15:52:00.003-05:00

Christmas Eve Eve Silliness

2011-12-24T07:44:00.002-05:00

The tree is finally decorated! We love to wait until very late. In fact we always wait to decorate until our Christmas company has arrived - usually Christmas Eve or Christmas Eve Eve.

The Tree all decorated, and photographed with a fun trick. You like?

Farmor teaches Kalliope about the snow globe.

Artemesia is a meticulous ornament hanger.

Kalliope really was fascinated by the snow globe.

Erik helped Kalliope, who loved hanging ornaments this year. Of course they were all placed on the same limb, so we had to move them around just a wee bit.

For a bit I sat like a queen and handed out ornaments. Sadly, this didn't last for long.

I love this crazy photo of Artemisia!

I'm not sure why they were decorating Faramir, but he made a good tree. See me losing steam in the background?

See?

Our tree. Simple . . . and we love it.

Artemisia is very good at delaying bedtime with silliness. And her daddy falls for it!

Blessed Christmas Eve!

Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent -- Dec 18th

2011-12-19T17:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

My kitchen arrangement (hides the dishes in the sink) all decked out for
Advent (purple and silver additions). I have Christmas additions ready to be added.

Christmas is only a week away! I finally have all my gifts purchased, the house is modestly decorated, and I have purchased the ham for Christmas dinner, but that is about IT!

Faramir expressing his feelings about the frozen food section of Wal-Mart.
His face mirrors my feelings!

The tree is still sitting in three pieces waiting to be assembled, and I am PRAYING that all the lights work, because the entire metro area is completely OUT of lights. Unless you want pink. Or blue.

Our Saint Nicholas collection on the family room mantle.

Haven't done cards or even the photo to put on the cards...I'm afraid I'm going to have to do an "e-card" this year. Which would be a step up from last year, but sadly won't be able to go to the many friends for whom we only have mailing addresses. I keep tell myself that I do have until Jan 5th to get cards delivered, right?!?!

Found this cute little lantern for $5 at Lowe's. Added the bow and jingle bells, then
stuffed the Christmas lights inside the lantern, too. Sadly, no fresh pine garland here.

I still have friends' gifts to deliver (Fig Jam made from our fig tree), grocery shopping to do, and gifts to wrap. And that doesn't include the fun stuff I want to do (go see lights, etc) or the cleaning we need to do for company.

Fresh pine garland - smells so good! We hung sweet little white lights in the garland
to begin with. But 1/3 of the strand was out! These were the ONLY white lights I could find.
They aren't wonderful, but they work!

But more importantly, my heart doesn't feel very prepared for Christmas which will be here regardless of my readiness, won't it?

The kitchen mantle: My crochet garland with traditional Swedish straw ornaments.
I made one of these in white last year and love the way it looks on the tree.

What was it the narrator of the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" says?

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

And by all means it does. Lord, help me live into that meaning this year!

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts!

For those submitting links:

So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Nativity Carnival : Keeping Advent -- Dec 13th

2011-12-12T20:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent

Each Sunday, Advent through Epiphany, a new "Mr Linky" will be posted for you to share your Nativity Season-related ideas and thoughts from your blog. (Just copy the link to your post and paste it into the Mr Linky box below.)

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Feast of Saint Lucy Daybook

outside my window . . . robin's egg blue sky, with wisps of pink, but not from my window. I'm actually sitting in a small local coffee shop.

listening to . . . Christmas music, a quiet conversation from a couple sitting nearby, rustling of paper from behind the counter.

wearing . . . dark tan sweater with bright red top under, brown "swishy" skirt, bright red knee socks and ankle boots.

so grateful for . . . my husband's much needed vacation! He's not had one all year (he traveled with us to Arkansas, but worked each day while we played), and he's been working VERY LONG hours for quite a few months.

reading . . . Winter Pascha by Fr Thomas Hopko

thinking . . . about how behind I am on Christmas preparations this year. My house is still half decorated (we can't find the rest of our lights!), I had to be out this morning (taking Athos to driver's ed), so no St. Lucia delivery by the girls, a good bit of shopping left to do, and still haven't even taken a photo for our Christmas card.

creating . . . made Artemisia a hat (crochet) and now working on a matching one for Kalliope.

around the house . . . the upstairs sitting area has most of our Christmas decorations laying about waiting to find their home. I do have a lovely Saint Nicholas mantle and the Julbock has found his home on the half wall between the dining room and the family room. I've got the nativity on the mantle and made a pretty crochet garland to hang the Swedish straw ornaments on (at the mantle).

from the kitchen . . . Maybe Saint Lucy's Saffron Bread today, or at least this week sometime.

real education in our home . . . I'm counting driver's ed as school. The kid spends 6 hours in class for 5 days this week. He's learning...that's school, right?

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . regardless of how behind I am, the Christmas decorations I have out do make the house look so lovely. I just love it!

one of my favorite things . . . crochet garland - so easy, and they have a sweet old-fashionedness to them that I love.

recent milestones . . . Athos started DRIVER'S ED this week. I am very conflicted about this, of course. :)

the week ahead . . . bible study Christmas party last night (with awesome opera singers, decorating contests and good food), making Saint Lucy bread today, another Christmas party tomorrow, a special lunch celebration Thursday, and a trip to a historic plantation for their Christmas event on Saturday.

picture thoughts . . . (coming soon) - I needed to get this post up and haven't downloaded photos, yet. :)

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts!

For those submitting links: So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Souffle

2011-12-07T14:00:00.000-05:00

Last night we feasted for Saint Nicholas Day! I'd planned on making a Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Souffle, but couldn't find the recipe, so I dug out Joy of Cooking and tweaked a basic souffle recipe there. This isn't a traditional souffle...it is a little easier, but just as DELICIOUS!

Here's my recipe...

Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Souffle

2 lg onions (get the sweetest ones you can find - the flatter the sweater), very thinly sliced
1 T olive oil (or so)
2 T butter
salt

In a large saute pan, drizzle the olive oil and drop in the butter warm over med heat. When the butter has melted and just starts to bubble, drop in the onions all at once. Give them a good salting and lower the heat quickly to low. (The salt, which "sweats" the onions, is essential to this, so be sure to use it!) Let the onions cook very slowly, stirring regularly until very soft and almost "melty". This will take 15 minutes, or so...maybe a bit longer?

You can then prepare the souffle (or set the onions aside and use later - I did this to save a little time at dinner. Started the onions about an hour before and left them covered on the stove until I was ready to make the souffle.) You want your souffle to be the last thing ready for the table.

Basic "Blender Cheese Souffle" from Joy of Cooking
(Makes about 6 servings. Firmer than a fancier souffle - but every bit as delicious! I don't have a blender, so I used my food processor):

Prepare a souffle baking dish (something round and with fairly high sides...I use a 9in round baking dish with about 4" high sides) by buttering the bottom and sides well. Dust the sides only with grated parmesan cheese (keeps the souffle from rising too high, and adds flavor, but otherwise not essential).

Preheat oven to 325.

You'll need:
6 oz sharp cheddar cheese (JoC recommends cubed, but I used grated)
1 1/2 c milk
2 T butter
6-8 pieces of crustless bread, torn into large pieces (I used day old french bread with the "crust"...pieces about 1" big)
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper
4 egg yolks,
4 egg whites

Have the butter, bread, salt and pepper ready as you need to add them quickly and all at the same time.

Heat the milk just to boiling. (I accidentally boiled mine, just let it cool a moment before using in the recipe). Pour milk into blender (or processor) and quickly add the butter, bread, salt and pepper. Blend (or process) until thickened.

Add the cheese and blend a bit more.

In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks until lemon-colored. Add the cheese mixture very slowly, beating constantly.

In another large bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff, but not dry. Fold them into the cheese and egg yolk mixture, gently. Add the onions.

Pour mixture into your prepared souffle dish and bake 50 minutes or until set. (It should have a bit of golden amber color on the top and a nice "lift", but won't be way up over the top of the dish.)

Serve quickly for the most drama...but fallen is equally tasty!

Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent -- Dec 4th

2011-12-05T18:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

(My computer is dead and with it my pictures and plans for this post - just a power cord issue. So, I'm stuck begging time on my son's computer. I hope you don't mind a post of links!)

Artemisia said to me yesterday, "I wonder if the animals understood what was going on when Jesus was born in the stable." What a sweet thought to contemplate. What do you think?

While you think about that...how about some Advent music?

Did you read about our Saint Nicholas feast yesterday? Next week, the 13th, is Saint Lucia Day (and this one). We'll be celebrating that, too. Maybe both girls will get to deliver early morning goodies to their brothers and dad this year!

What are you doing to observe Advent this week?

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts!

For those submitting links: So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Virtual Advent Tour - Saint Nicholas

2011-12-03T13:58:00.000-05:00

Welcome, Virtual Advent Tourists!

What is your first memory of Santa Claus? Was it in the mall at a "Santa's Workshop"? Was it in a book or a movie? Was it setting out cookies or digging through your stocking on Christmas morning? I'm not sure what my earliest memory of Santa is, but my most clear one is the year Santa actually stopped in for a visit on Christmas Eve.

I must have been around 4 years old...maybe 5 or maybe 3. I just remember being at a neighbor's home enjoying Christmas Even festivities when the adults began to make a big commotion about something.

"Did you hear that?"
"What could that be?"
"Oh, there's someone on the roof!"
"Could that be Santa Claus?"

Just as it began to dawn on me what they were saying, in the front door walks this huge man in a red outfit...Santa Claus! I remember feeling a little apprehensive, but after some coaxing I approached him and shared with him what I hoped to get on Christmas. I have no idea what I asked for! (Mom, do you remember?) The magic of the moment melted over me slowly. It is one of the crystalline childhood memories...something you are certain you'll never forget.

After I had kids, we continued the Santa tradition, but adapted it a bit for our family. We hoped to take a little bit of the "Santa" hype off of Christmas morning by celebrating Saint Nicholas' Day on December 6th. This is not a custom that either my husband or I grew up with, but our kids have really come to enjoy it.

So what is our Saint Nicholas celebration like?

Following an old European custom we set out shoes on the night of December 5th to be filled with small gifts by the good Saint during the night. In the morning, we enjoy a special feast day breakfast (the menu varies, but we ALWAYS have hot cocoa with a candy cane in it). During the day, the kids and I often make gingerbread cookies. This is the day the first of our real Christmas decorations come out (before that we ONLY have the Advent wreath and a few other Advent items): a small collection of "Santas" displayed together on our mantle. Christmas "blooms" in our home with little bits of decorations coming out during the Advent season.

As we've grown into this "new" tradition, we've discovered that getting one or two smallish gifts early in the season really has helped relieve a bit of the "wait" for Christmas. We also enjoy that by celebrating Saint Nicholas rather than just Santa Claus, we get to celebrate a REAL person's life. And, most importantly, it provides a little separation between Santa and CHRISTmas. It isn't Santamas, after all!

Would you like to celebrate Saint Nicholas or just learn more?

Saint Nicholas Day is coming up this week on Tuesday, December 6th. It doesn't take much to start a new tradition...just do a little research and then gather up your family's shoes (and a few small items to tuck inside them)!

Here are some resources:
:-: The Saint Nicholas Center has a huge website with online stories, book recommendations, crafts, and a catalog.

:-: There are some lovely children's books about Saint Nicholas. My favorites are: Saint Nicholas by Ann Tompert and Santa's Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day to you!

If you enjoy what you read here, poke around my blog a little bit and you'll find lots of other posts about Advent from the past few years:

Church Year Page

(Advent is up currently, I plan to add more during

this upcoming year. You'll find links to several Advent

Carnivals from past years.)

Nativity Carnival 2011

(note this one began a couple of weeks ago

and will run through Epiphany, January 6th.)

Daybook: Monday, Nov 28th

2011-11-28T07:56:00.001-05:00

outside my window . . . another gray day has broken. But I think the gray will bring rain and a change in weather tomorrow - sunny and cool. I'm ready for the chilly weather! We had some in October, but November has been much warmer. Nearly 80 degrees recently!

listening to . . . the train whistle in the far distance, tick tocking....and now "Curious George". A little one just came to snuggle while I finish my morning preparations.

wearing . . . still in my pajamas! But I'm planning to wear jeans, a black 3/4 sleeve top with a bright raspberry long sleeve top underneath...and a grey and pale raspberry scarf.

so grateful for . . . my grandmother coming to spend Thanksgiving with us! I haven't had a REAL visit with her in years...just day trip visits. I'm so thankful all my children have gotten to know her.

pondering . . . how to encourage Faramir to push on through the last bit of school work before Christmas break. He's so ready to be DONE.

reading . . . Keeping House, On the Incarnation, still The Orthodox Church, and The Oresteia with my reading group.

thinking . . . about Christmas decorations...and Advent plans...and St. Nicholas Day, just around the corner!

on my iPod . . . loaded some new books: War and Peace, Wicked, and In the Company of Cheerful Ladies

around the house . . . getting ready for more guests this weekend. Missionary friends are staying with us while they visit our church. Oh, and new curtains for the kitchen! I'm hoping they'll help with the glare (it is a very sunny kitchen) and some noise reduction.

from the kitchen . . . maybe some batches of Spiced Pumpkin Bread for the freezer.

the church year in our home . . . the Advent wreath is up. Today I'm going to print out some images for our little icon cards. We plan on using Katherine's Jesse Tree devotions.

one of my favorite things . . . fresh cranberry relish! I just love the sweet tartness of it. Why do I only make it at Thanksgiving?

the week ahead . . . back to school for the kids, today Artemisia and I have to go check the lost and found for items she left at church yesterday, CC on Wednesday for the boys, missionary friends arrive Friday with a special dinner and dessert for them to share their work with our friends.

Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent -- Nov 27th

2011-11-27T20:35:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

The first Sunday of Advent, and a new liturgical year, is here! It came in gray and slightly cool at our home...with a batch of cinnamon rolls to coax the kids from their beds and get them out the door in a pleasant mood. It is always so hard to get up this first Sunday of Advent after the busy-ness of Thanksgiving. And we only did a little Black Friday shopping! (Hubby and I went to a few stores looking at rugs and curtains for our kitchen which desperately needs some noise absorbing textiles. Didn't buy anything, but probably will this week.)

We said good-bye to our Thanksgiving company: my mom, step-dad, and grandmother on Saturday morning. There were movies and playdates in the afternoon - and very tired kids last night.

This is the first Advent in a long time when we are not about to or have just recently gone through a major life change: in 2008 it was pending adoption travel, in 2009 it was a newly adopted baby, in 2010 a new home (and the flu)...and now...nothing. Baby has been home for nearly 3 years...and we've been in our new home for a little over a year. Wow - normalcy....will we know what to do with it?

If it is any indication, I actually have my Advent box emptied, the wreath assembled and some of my Advent books ready to be used as needed. So, that bodes well! You'd think someone who has lots of great ideas to share would be totally ready for Advent, right? ** sigh **

I have managed to put together a menu plan. Do you menu plan in advance? I find it REALLY helpful! Otherwise I wind up wandering around in my pantry, or worse the grocery store, trying to think of SOMETHING to have for dinner. The trick, I think, is not being married to the menu plan, just dating it. LOL! Seriously, though, I just use it as a helpful tool...not at all written in stone. You'll notice that I plan breakfast and lunches, too. Since we are home all week together, I plan these meals for the kids. Hubby and I tend to eat leftovers for our lunches rather than the "kid" food.

So, today, my contribution to the Nativity Carnival is my Menu plan for the Nativity Season. If there are any recipes that you'd like me to share, just leave a comment!

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts!

For those submitting links: So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent -- Nov 20th

2011-11-21T20:34:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Christ the King Sunday, November 20th, 2011

Yesterday was Christ the King Sunday, also known as "Stir Up Sunday".

While I don't have any plans to make a Christmas Pudding, I thought perhaps a recipe that requires some good stirring, but could be made well ahead of Christmas might be in order. So, I'd like to share with you a recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Bread. I found this on Food.com, so I can take NO credit for it. This also freezes up beautifully...and that is one thing I love to do this time of year, make easy sweet breads that can be frozen and then brought back out whenever we have company or I need to take a treat to share to a party, etc. This would also make a nice baked good gift.

Spiced Pumpkin Bread
Makes 2 loaves.

3 c sugar
1 c vegetable oil
3 lg eggs
1 can or pumpkin (16 oz)
3 c all purpose flour
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c coarsely chopped nuts (recipe recommended walnuts, I've used pecans. But I've also omitted these altogether.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 2 9x5x3 loaf pans. Beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. (I didn't pull out my mixer for this, just used a spoon to mix energetically.) Mix in eggs and pumpkin. Sift flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and baking powder into another large bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture in 2 additions. Mix in nuts, if desired. Divide batter equally between two prepared pans. Bake until knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Transfer pans to racks and cool 10 minutes. Using a knife, gently release bread from side of pan. Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.

Some feast days coming up in the next couple of weeks:

:-: Saint Clement's feast (November 23rd) - stock up and feast on clementine oranges! (I wonder if that is why they got this name? Anyone know?) He's also the patron saint of blacksmiths and metal workers. It is the day before Thanksgiving, so I'll be polishing silver.

:-: Saint Andrew's feast (November 30th) - Andrew is a patron of many localities and countries (Scotland, Greece, diocese of Constantinople, Germany), so you have your pick of foods to choose from. Since we have Scottish roots, we'll probably have something from this tradition. Might also make some felt "thistles" to pin to our lapels.

:-: And Saint Nicholas Day is only 2 weeks away (Dec 6th)! Will you be celebrating? This is a special feast day in our home!

***And finally, I want to point you to a lovely and simple Jesse Tree resource. I love that these readings are only enough for us to have to do a few nights a week to keep up. With four children, there was always someone going somewhere...or something coming up that kept us from staying caught up with other Jesse Tree readings.***

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts!

For those submitting links: So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent -- Nov 13th

2011-11-13T15:37:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Advent

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Oh, my have I been grouchy this week. Every day it seems I notice more and more Christmas decorations going up in grocery stores, department stores, and neighborhoods. All I can think is, "We've still got eleven days before Thanksgiving, people!" And in my book, even THAT is too early. But two weeks before Christmas? And some stores have been setting out holiday displays for nearly a month now! It is hard to take.

Our Advent wreath from last year. Very simple. Glass taper holders on a cake stand with clear
and purple flat marbles and greenery.

However, did you know that some Christians are just about to begin their preparations for Christmas? No? Neither did I until recently. But these Christians do it right...they actually FAST during Advent. Imagine that...while the rest of the world "parties on" (with excesses of food, decorations, and activities), these Christians quietly prepare to receive the Incarnation, the Christ Child. Who are these Christians? The Eastern Orthodox. Their Nativity Fast begins on Tuesday, November 15th. Depending on the church (Greek, Russian, Antiochian, etc) some will fast very strictly (no meat, animal products, or oil) and others allow some animal products to varying degrees. And even with these restrictions, practices vary based on personal abilities. (You Orthodox out there, please correct me if I get any of this wrong.)

Those of us in the west, particularly we Protestants, could learn a valuable lesson here. I am finding more and more the truth in the vacuum theory. Nature abhors a vacuum...and this is true in human nature as well. When we remove something (fasting before feasting, in this case), our natural tendency is to fill it with something else and of course that would be more feasting! Protestants (especially American Protestants), in their zeal to "de-Catholicize" their faith, have removed from their practices so many of the traditions of the Church that these vacuums are then filled with junk from the secular culture.

Kalliope in the very dim light of our Advent devotions.

God established His Church. He led the Church Fathers to build a carefully balanced annual cycle of fasting and feasting, and we, in our modern attempts to "correct" those who've gone before, now have a very out-of-balance faith. It makes you wonder how that has affected us spiritually.

Advent offers us a chance to regain some of that balance. I plan to take the time this year to prepare my heart and my home for the Christ Child. How about you?

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts!

For those submitting links: So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!

Keeping House: Preface

2011-11-10T08:08:00.001-05:00

Honestly, this is a discouraging time to begin reading a book on housekeeping.

My husband has been working 14-16 hours a day, or more, for the past month or two. He rises and gets to work around 8am and ends his day around 1am or 2am. Since he works from home, we do have him around to pitch in at breakfast and dinner...and other times during the day. It certainly eases the load I'd normally be carrying in the home if he were at an office during these hours.

Girls and Daddy carving our jack o'lantern

In addition to that, I've been taking two classes at night and serving as co-coordinator for my church's Women's Retreat. These commitments, in addition to a heavier homeschool load for all my children, has left me very little time to do housekeeping, much less housecleaning. (And there is a difference!) There have been moments of housekeeping, but they have been far and few between.

When I came home from the retreat this past weekend, I exhaled and looked around my home. I am not exaggerating when I say there was an easily visible layer of dust on most of my furniture. That served as a visible accusation: "You are slacking!" On the whole I feel our home is barely limping along at the moment. Home meals are cooked, clothes are managing to get laundered, basic cleaning is being done...but none of this is being accomplished by much more than grudging duty.

When Willa announced that she would be blogging through this book (Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Living by Margaret Kim Peterson), I made my first "impulse" Kindle purchase. (oh, my the ease of that transaction is tempting) I felt in a moment that perhaps joining this book blogging would help me find some inspiration to get my home in order.

Roasting and spicing the pumpkin seeds is our favorite All Hallows Eve tradition!

I'm thankful we are going slowly through the book, although it is an easy read...and I'm already well past the Preface. Going slowly will let me keep up with the blogging.

One of my questions going into this is, "Can someone discuss this in a Christian context without over spiritualizing it, making it too abstract to be any use, or, on the other end of the spectrum, without it becoming another example of legalism. We'll see...

The author began her book by doing informal interviews with her friends. She found a commonality in their desire to run their homes with "enough predictability and order for it to be easy and pleasurable to invite others in for a visit or a meal." How many times have you been embarrassed to have someone come to your front door? You know you *should* invite them in, but where would they sit? Do you even have a clean glass to offer then a drink? Surely, most of us have experienced this! So, it is a common enough desire. However, is this enough of a reason to keep house? Our family has to live in that chaos on the other side of the front door, is that appropriate? Surely, we shouldn't keep house with the main goal to be avoiding embarrassment.

Artemisia and Kalliope dressed as the Winter and Spring Fairy Princesses.
Good friend the Little Mermaid in the middle.

Our author, Mrs. Peterson, noticed that each of the women she spoke with felt that "the disciplines involved in feeding and clothing, and sheltering others, beginning with the members of their own households, were profoundly worthwhile...." Do you feel that way? Honestly, there are times I see the value and many times I just don't. I mean, yes, I want to have clean clothes and freshly made food for my family...but do I always feel that it is "profoundly worthwhile"? No. Sometimes I just feel it is my duty...and that it keeps me from feeling out of sorts. And sometimes I just do it because my family expects it to be done!

As a homeschool mother, I often find that I can relate more to working mothers than stay-at-home mothers who send their children to school outside the home. I find that I can entirely relate to keeping house in the "leftover bits of time". I believe this book is written from the perspective of a woman who has a few hours in her home each day to work undistracted. This is not something most homeschool mothers or working mothers have. In both these cases, our attention is focused elsewhere for significant portions of the day. It will be interesting to see if what Mrs. Peterson has to teach us is something that is adaptable to these two family lifestyles.

One quote that struck me, that is true no matter where one works, and no matter how much time one has to devote to housekeeping: "...a Christian home, properly understood, is never just for one's own family." If this is the main point and focus of this book, it will have a great deal to say to anyone keeping a home.

"...housekeeping is about practicing sacred disciplines and creating sacred space, for the sake of Christ as we encounter him in our fellow household members and in neighbors, strangers, and guests." M. K. Peterson, Preface to Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life

Be sure to read Willa's first post...and check the comments for other bloggers!

Artemisia and one of her best friends (Dressed as "I Dream of Jeanie") ready for the CANDY!

Willa's blog book club

2011-11-04T07:34:00.000-04:00

Willa is reading through Keeping House: A Litany of Everyday Life and plans to blog through it. She'd love some other bloggers to join her. I've got the book on my Kindle, so I'm going to at least read and comment on her blog. I might even manage a blog post here. The reading schedule she's set is very easy! Won't you join her?

Nativity Carnival?

2011-10-25T14:57:00.001-04:00

Any bloggers out there interested in a Nativity Season carnival? I'm thinking: Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. We've done the Advent Carnival in the past and it was a big success, but I'd love to expand it a bit. However, I know I won't have time to collect and post links during the holidays. Maybe a weekly "Mr Linkie" (where you add your links yourself) from Nov 20th (the week before Advent starts) until Jan 6th?

If you would be interested in contributing a link, would you leave a comment? You are welcome to spread the word on your blog, too, in fact I'd be thankful if you would! If there is enough interest, we're ON!

Fairy Tales for Today

2011-10-24T16:50:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, Erik and I took Faramir, Artemisia, and Kalliope to Kings Mountain State Park and National Military Park in South Carolina. This is the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain (a Patriot victory - Oct 7, 1780) in which one of our ancestors, Robert Young of Tennessee, is credited with the fatal shot that killed Major Ferguson (the Loyalist commander). We went to enjoy the fall colors and maybe get a little history. We definitely got BOTH.

On my way to run an errand recently, I popped on the radio to our local NPR station where a panel of very ardent women were discussing the evil that is the Disney princess empire. One panelist explained her concern that girls get stuck with a princess mentality: looking for a man or money or just really long hair to solve life’s difficulties. They were also quick to point out that the male figures in these stories didn’t fare much better. What surprised me was that their concern wasn’t just with Disney, it was with the fairy tales even in their original form.

Faramir looking decidedly like a teenager. Next year, my boy, next year. We sat in the leaves and enjoyed a picnic lunch. Oh, look! You can see a tiny corner of someone's sandwich down at the bottom of the picture!

Now, I don't like the disney-ization of fairy tales either, but these women were ready to strip all children's stories of anything that diverged from their political agenda. We'd be left with stories in which no children lose their mother. No children are in any danger. No ugly creatures are transformed by another's love. No princesses ever need rescue. No strangers ever offer a poisoned apple.

Artemisia and Faramir race off to explore the homestead at the Living History Farm. We decided it would be worthwhile to come back when they have the interpreters in the buildings. (It is "self-guided" most of the time with a few weekends of the year which feature the "farm family".)

It would be safe, I suppose. But how anemic. How boring.

These chickens were NOT boring. Kalliope was particularly interested in these guys. They clucked and fussed at us. I think one may have been trying to intimidate us into feeding her.

Fairy tales present opportunities for a child to confront some of their biggest fears, for example being small and helpless in the face of bad people. Once can see this most clearly in the persistent absence of mothers in fairy tales (only dead mothers and mean stepmothers). Is this not the epitome of vulnerability to a child? Fairy tales allow a child to enter into those deep fears, without them being too realistic for comfort, and imagine themselves triumphing by kindness, wit, bravery, and love.

I loved the grey roughness of the wood and the rusty chain contrasted against the clear beauty of the autumn day.

A view across the field toward the barns and pastures.

I know this is not revolutionary thinking. JRR Tolkein has written about fairy tales. Bruno Bettelheim published The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. William J Bennett has compiled volumes of stories that display virtue. GK Chesterton commented on fairy tales in Orthodoxy. More recently, Vigen Guroian, a theologian, author, and professor of Religious Studies at Univ of Virginia, examined the importance of fairy tales in developing a child's "moral imagination."(a great essay, by the way)

Me and my girls. That pacifier was becoming Kalliope's best friend by the end of the day when this picture was taken. She had woken up with a cold and was pretty worn out.

Fairy tales are also just good story-telling. A good story has a dynamic power which can fire a child's imagination. When we feed our children’s minds on good stories, those that present Goodness (not just niceness), Truth (not just honesty) and Beauty (not just prettiness), they grow up to be adults who seek those virtues. Fairy tales are all about Truth and Beauty and Goodness. Captain Underpants, not so much.

Faramir, Kalliope, Artemisia and Erik watching the cows come home, literally.

I understand those ladies were just trying to do their best to provide their daughters with "strong role models." But I would remind them that generations of daughters were able to love fairy tales as children and still manage to grow up to be wise and good mothers, hard workers, and faithful leaders in so many aspects of their lives. There are more to those fairy tales than just princesses with beautiful dresses and long, flowing hair.

Daybook: Wednesday, Oct 19th

2011-10-19T13:30:00.000-04:00

outside my window . . . it is very drippy.

listening to . . . a few of Artemisia's friends from Classical Conversations playing upstairs, downstairs, and on the stairs.

wearing . . . dark olive green jeans and a pale purple tank under a tan sweater.

grateful for . . . new, old chairs. New to me, old to me: they were in my grandmother's home for many years. We hope to recover them in the near future.

reading . . . Pride and Prejudice, The Orthodox Church, my most recent "First Things Journal", and the Paul's Epistle to the Romans.

on my iPod . . . just listened to an interesting show from KERA (Dallas) called "The Case for Boredom."

around the house . . . no more rearranging this week. Plowed through Artemisia's room sorting clothes and junk. She just needs a few items to complete some outfits for the fall.

from the kitchen . . . I mentioned last week that I needed to make banana bread, and I did! Actually made Coconut Banana Bread. It was delicious!

real education in our home . . . the girls and I read "Ferdinand" last night. It is one of my favorite books. I'd forgotten about the "corks" growing on the cork trees. Artemisia asked, "Is that how cork grows?" Had to set her straight.

recent milestones . . . Kalliope is now in a booster seat! Oh, my, a new bed, potty-training and a booster seat all in the last month and a half!

Daybook: Monday, October 10th

2011-10-10T18:08:00.001-04:00

outside my window . . . the woods are really starting to thin out from the thick greenness of summer. This might be about my favorite moment of autumn: still enough green to highlight the golds and oranges.

listening to . . . NPR, my corn chowder simmering, Kalliope trying to "cook" with me.

wearing . . . jeans, black top with bright blue tank under.

grateful for . . . a successful backpacking trip for the guys and a relaxing "girls' weekend" for Kalliope, Artemisia and me.

reading . . . Pride and Prejudice, The Orthodox Church, my most recent "First Things Journal", and the Paul's Epistle to the Romans.

creating . . . or rather I created, a pretty silk flower arrangement that somewhat camoflages the mess in my sink. With a houseful of people all day, our sink ALWAYS has dishes in or around it. I'm tired of that being the first thing anyone (read: ME) sees when they enter my kitchen. So, I made this big arrangement. It is really pretty (pictures?) and does the job. I love it!

on my iPod . . . the SAME OLD podcasts because someone has "borrowed" my iPod sync cord again and I cannot find it. We have three of these cords, and I still can't keep one in my desk without it being "borrowed"!

around the house . . . I rearranged my kitchen this weekend (I love to take on projects like that when hubby is away). The bookshelves always just looked messy to me, and they still do a little, but in a more elegant way, maybe. Messy or not - I live them much better. Also rehung almost every single piece of wall art in my kitchen...and created a new mantle arrangement. Oh, and turned my kitchen table on an angle, which I love! My mother started doing this when I was in my teens. Maybe it is a mother of a teenager thing?

from the kitchen . . . corn chowder with bacon tonight. Beef Stroganoff Meatballs tomorrow night. The bunch of very overripe bananas means there might be a batch of banana bread in my future.

real education in our home . . . The backpacking weekend has put us behind schedule. Everyone spent Friday getting the boys packed up...and I took the day off of school with Artemisia today, too. It was a good, quiet holiday.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . an idea I have for that big flower arrangement is to slightly change out some of the more seasonal pieces throughout the year. The main pieces are fairly neutral and should look nice with other seasonal colors.

the church year in our home . . . not much been going on in this area. I have made a few more icon for our little family altar, but we just haven't been using it as much. One of the problems is that it sits on our buffet in the kitchen and often becomes a dumping place for little bits of nonsense. I cleared all of that off and then refilled it with a basket of icons and a pretty houseplant. Maybe that will encourage the family not to use the buffet as a rest stop.

recent milestones . . . Kalliope started potty training this weekend!

the week ahead . . . "Romans" bible study tonight and boys arrive home, CC on Wednesday as usual, Friday we have friends coming over for chili and a marshmallow roast.

picture thoughts . . .

Autumn Fires

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

Autumn Fires

by Robert Louis Stevenson

In the other gardens

And all up the vale,

From the autumn bonfires

See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over

And all the summer flowers,

The red fire blazes,

The gray smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!

Something bright in all!

Flowers in the summer,

Fires in the fall!

The kids memorized this poem last fall. I stumbled across it today and they enjoyed hearing it again. I wish we'd memorized more poetry!

Friends and fires and smores - they all go well together.

The girls have really enjoyed our newly dug fire pit. We've had a few fires already and hope to have many more this autumn.

Our neighbors from across the cul-de-sac came over to enjoy some roasted marshmallows, too.

This is Kalliope with our next-door neighbor. They are both 3 and already becoming good friends. Hey, they both like cheese puffs - what more do you need in a friend?

Turning 3

2011-10-06T17:52:00.000-04:00

Our Little Kalliope has moved from Toddler to Preschooler! She has grown amazingly in the past year. Here's last year's birthday photo:

And this years:

Notice the blurring of movement...that might say it all. This girl is a girl IN MOTION! She's busy talking, and walking, riding and hiding!

Here are some of our favorite birthday moments . . .

The kids pulled out the "Welcome Home" banner they'd made to welcome us back from Ghana.

Kalliope received a sweet zebra pillow pet from a long-distance family member. He's very snuggly and is now named "Deeba" (that is Kalliope-speak for "zebra" if you hadn't guessed)

Farmor sent some new clothes and Kalliope was really so excited. "My clothes?" she kept asking.

Dad-Dad sent a funny blue dinosaur. Kalliope is very interested in dinosaurs. She thinks they are dragons and she loves dragons because her favorite movie is "How To Train Your Dragon."

Gram and Fred sent a fun book, "Pete the Cat". She had been introduced to this story through a YouTube video of the book (author telling the story and singing songs). We love to dance around with Pete and sing, "I love my white shoes!"

From her family, Kalliope got her first "American Girl"-style doll! She was really excited about this doll. I think it made her feel like a big girl. And she is.

Bring on the Cake!

Auntie B stopped by to bring a gift, too. A magnetic doll set!

The girls went right to work getting the dolls all dressed up.

And from our friends, and fellow Ghana-parents in Cali, a wonderful book to share!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

{pretty, happy, funny, real} -:- October 6

2011-10-06T16:23:00.000-04:00

{pretty}

Kalliope and I gathered bags full of these lovely dark brown nuts. They look like acorns, but littered the ground under what didn't look like an oak tree. (None of the typical oak leaves I'm familiar with at least.) Anyone know what these are? Regardless, they are very pretty and now fill a tall jar on my buffet.

{happy}

Artemisia doing what she loves best - painting! I'm such a bad mom. She had to BEG me to paint. "Mom," she pleaded, "I've been waiting for weeks to paint!" It was true, she'd been asking and I'd been putting her off. She's very happy, can't you tell?

I don't know why I hesitate to let her paint. She loves it and she is very careful to tidy up after.

{funny}

A very silly moment.

{real}

My perpetually messy desk. I've heard there is a "bread box principle", which I think means everything on your desk should fit into a bread box or it is too much. HA! On top of my white shelf is a radio/iPod/CD player that is almost always on, a photo of hubby in the island of Samothraki, an antique framed card my great-grandmother gave my grandmother, and a stack of slinkies to go in our CC tutor's goodie box. I wonder what website that is on my computer screen?

I really am a slow-learner

2011-09-29T09:15:00.002-04:00

and random photos from the last month. . .

So, I'm not at all sure about this new blogger format. (I know you may have no idea what I'm talking about...but a lot of my blog readers are bloggers themselves.) If you blog on Blogger, have you tried out the new format for your dashboard? Not liking it one bit.

Maybe it will grow on me . . .

Our fun-to-drive Datsun had a good summer. Soon it will be time to put her up for the winter.

My cats are tearing around the house this morning. I have no idea what has gotten them so wound up. It certainly isn't the catnip we bought for them. Faramir needed to do a report for Challenge A (Classical Conversations - homeschool group) on herbs. Of course, he chose catnip, and we bought some so he could videotape the cats and share with his class. Do you know our weird cats were Totally Uninterested? All three of them!

Well, one of them sniffed it a little bit, but that was it. Weird cats.

I spent a couple days making Fig Jam; 32 jars of it! I do hope my friends like Fig Jam.

How is your school year going this year? (Homeschool or otherwise) It has been challenging to juggle all 4 levels: high school, middle school, elementary, and preschool. Although, I don't really believe in preschool homeschooling, so I'm not sure that counts. Yet, somehow, despite my best efforts Not To Teach Her, Kalliope has managed to learn to count to 5 and name most of the colors of the rainbow. Except indigo. And violet...she just says, "Purple."

You know I jest when I say I tried not to teach her, right? I just mean I haven't done anything formal. I really am astounded by what she has picked up. Maybe this is not surprising. Maybe I've totally forgotten what most three year-olds should know?

Our first day of school is always celebrated with an ice cream
dinner. This year I made Lucky Charm Treat (like Rice Krispie
treats) ice cream sandwiches. Too sweet for me, but the kids
loved them!

Athos, Faramir, and Artemisia are thriving in their CC groups and their studies at home, although they each have their challenges. Athos is with a totally new group in Challenge 2, but has enjoyed getting to know some new people (being the "new kid" again was daunting). Faramir, while not totally being the "new kid", has blossomed despite being known as "Athos' younger brother". And Artemisia is back in class with the same kids she's known since she was 4!

Something I've learned in the past couple of years: the person teaching your child might be one of the Most Important aspects of her education (duh, right?). Being able to have complete control over that is another strength of homeschooling.

It has only taken me 8 years to learn that.

Nothing like a well-built firepit to welcome in the autumn chill!

That elderly dogwood tree outside my window

2011-09-19T17:57:00.000-04:00

After a long hard season, my elderly dogwood tree has lovely red berries popping out on the branches. This is wonderful! We were not sure this old, gnarled and knobbled tree would make it through the construction process. There were a few, a very few, blooms on it this spring. That was a good sign, but not a sure sign. However, those little red berries, not being an horticulturist I must qualify this with an "I think", are a very good sign...and maybe even a sure sign that our dogwood has indeed survived.

Not unlike this blog, perhaps?

This spring there were a few blooms here on this blog, but not enough to say for sure whether I'd keep on blogging. Not for a lack of desire! But for lack of energy. . . lack of time . . . and honestly, for lack of anything that felt worth saying. Or reading.

Those last two are still to be seen, but I feel a slight invigoration. Like an old tree that has had a long, rejuvenating summer and is now filled with just enough energy . . . just enough to pop out this first, tiny, lone berry.

2011-07-25T08:09:00.002-04:00

outside my window . . . everything is damp and refreshed looking after a long rain that lasted most of the night.

I am listening to . . . morning NPR. Discussing the debt limit debate.

I am wearing . . . still in my PJs!

I am so grateful for . . . a happy week with grandparents for the older kids.

I'm pondering . . . the Church, still. What is it? Where is it? Who is it?

I am reading . . . Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Orthodox Way, The Iliad, The Joy of Fearing God

I am creating . . . a nice clean and ready-for-the-start-of-school school room (before and after pictures coming!)

around the house . . . laundry piles up in the laundry room. Well, the kids are definitely home...and all their dirty clothes!

from the kitchen . . . some special treats for Tuesday, St James feast.

real education in our home . . . working on notebooks and book organization for our school year. This is the easy part.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . hubby collected a huge pile of rocks while doing yard work Saturday (while I drove to VA to retrieve the kids). We might have a fire pit by the end of the week! Maybe sooner! Why rhythm and beauty? Well, we hope that this will become a fun family and friend gathering place.

the church year in our home . . . St James feast on Tuesday... a fruit pancake for breakfast and a nice fish dinner.

one of my favorite things . . . a gallon of "New Black" paint. I have my eye on a few items around here that could use some rehab.

recent milestones . . . Artemisia finally learned to swim - mostly under water! I've still got her signed up for swim lessons over the next two weeks so that she can learn some actual strokes.

the week ahead. . . Swim lessons Monday-Thursday. Our former youth director arrives for a visit Tuesday and we expect to be the center of some of the visiting.

In the mid-morning kitchen

2011-07-18T10:45:00.000-04:00

Isn't it odd how a change in schedule can provide you with the opportunity to notice things you don't normally?

The big kids (Athos, Faramir, Artemisia) are off visiting their grandparents. Hubby is our tearing up the kitchen at a rental house. And I slept in a little bit (despite Kalliope's best efforts to rouse me by rolling around in bed beside me), which meant I was getting my breakfast a few hours later than usual. I'm often in the kitchen mid-morning, but I suppose by that time I'm so busy passing out instructions to children that I don't notice how lovely my kitchen looks in that light.

But this morning my attention matched the timing and I did notice. As I was heating my water for tea (Constant Comment today), I noticed how pretty the light was slanting in one of the windows and falling on the plants just below the window. The morning sun was just low enough to glance under the lower tree limbs in. Not only that, but the whole kitchen seemed to glow with the light.

But it only lasted for a few minutes and then the sun rose up just high enough to be blocked by the thicker tree limbs. Now the kitchen stays bit darker until late afternoon when it comes in the windows from the other side of the sky.

Daybook: Tuesday, July 5th

2011-07-05T11:25:00.000-04:00

outside my window . . . the leaves look positively iridescent green while the sky is a pale, slate blue. I think it can't decide if it wants to be sunny or cloudy today.

I am listening to . . . "Aristocats" playing in the next room.

I am wearing . . . still in my pjs! A late night last night.

I am so grateful for . . . an unexpected invitation for a 4th of July celebration

I'm pondering . . . the visibility or invisibility of the Church

I am reading . . . Ghost Train to the Eastern Star (Paul Theroux), but thinking about putting it aside in order to read the last Harry Potter before we go see the movie next week.

I am thinking . . . about meal plans for the next few days. We are expecting an assortment of company coming and going through the week and weekend.

I am creating . . . a fresh school room.

on my iPod . . . I really have been enjoying KERA's "Think" podcast. I'm about ready to purchase some of the mp3s from last year's CiRCE conference. It was an excellent one and I still haven't listened to any of the talks!

around the house . . . lots of cleaning up today as we get ready for company to arrive tomorrow.

from the kitchen . . . Soupe Au Pistou tonight, Chicken Cacciatore tomorrow...still deciding beyond that.

one of my favorite things . . . our new membership at the YMCA. The kids have really enjoyed hitting the pool the past couple of weeks.

recent milestones . . . Kalliope has begun working on her initial consonants. Athos got his first phone (he pays for the monthly texting fees).

the week ahead . . . my mom and step-dad arrive tomorrow for an overnight. One of Athos' friends (who is moving to Texas in a month) is coming to stay with us for a few days. They are going to a concert Thursday afternoon. VBS decorating and preparations begin this weekend.

picture thought . . .

Have a lovely Tuesday!

{this moment} -- July 1st

2011-07-01T16:34:00.000-04:00

{...this moment...}

a moment from our week that I want to savor
visit Soulemama for more

My drying line sags under the weight of delight that is well-used beach towels.

{pretty, happy, funny, real} -- June 30th and some blogging updates

2011-06-30T14:45:00.003-04:00

{pretty}

My tomato plants! Oh, the delight of homegrown tomatoes.
In fact, I'd call them BEAUTIFUL not just pretty!

{happy}

This is an old picture from late May. Hubby and I went out "on the town"- our small town, that is. It was a very happy night.

{funny}

This took place in my backyard about an hour ago!
Summer joys: this hammock is the source of many of them.

{real}

(get it...REEL)

Yes, a REEL mower. This is our new mower. There are many things I love about it and a few I don't. One thing I do love...it makes for a pretty decent work out. Most mornings I get up early and spend about 30 minutes pushing this thing around the yard. (The new yard is large enough I can only do about 1/4 per day...well, I could do more, but I like stretching it out.) Another thing I love about it: It is so quiet I can enjoy catching up on my podcasts.

Enjoy more at Like Mother, Like Daughter.

And the updates...

Sorry for the unplanned and unannounced blogging hiatus. Wish I could say I had some great reason, but it was really just summer. It always takes us a little bit of time to get our summer schedule going...and then we took an unexpected trip to visit dear friends in Little Rock. (Photos on our family blog and probably some posted here soon.)

I've been thinking a lot lately about blogging. I keep thinking I'm done with it, but I can't quite give it up. One blogging friend said she feels "bored" with the internet...and maybe that is part of it. Or maybe it is that I feel boring myself. Am I boring you? It's a thought anyway. Another blogging friend said she just isn't sure what her blog is going to become...she feels things have changes so much as her kids have moved out of their preschool/early elementary ages...and maybe that is part of it. Although I do still have a toddler.

Anyway, I not totally sure what blogging has in store for me. I plan to keep plugging along perhaps in a more personal and familial way. This blog gets many hits (and a few emails) about Classical Conversations. This was a nice way to gain some traffic, but it has left me feeling sort of trapped. I'm just not a CC evangelist. It works for us, but that is about the best I can say. So, if you are subscribed because you are hoping for lots more posts about CC, I can't promise them. They may indeed happen here and there, but it won't really be a main thrust of this blog.

So, I'll just keep blogging and see where I end up. Hopefully, I'll still have some readers when I get there - wherever that is.

Happy summer, and a day late: Blessed Feast of Saints Peter and Paul!

As spring comes to an end. . .

2011-06-02T13:48:00.000-04:00

Feast of the Ascension

The calendar says we have 20 more days until spring is officially over, but you'd be hard-pressed to tell it isn't summer around here.

School is out for all the kids, although all three of the school-aged kids have some work to do this summer. H and E both have math to finish up. Everyone has some reading to do.

We've hung our hammock and are working on digging a fire pit. My laundry line is hung (for airing out linens, line-drying beach towels, etc). The tomato plants are laden with green tomatoes.

The ice cream man has begun making rounds, although we have yet to catch him.

And we've had about a week with 90+ degree weather!

Summer is HERE!

Some events and updates from the Spring:

:-: Our sweet Louie passed away. We think he was bitten by a snake. It was very, very sad as he was SO loved.

We buried Louie in a special spot in our woods.

:-: We adopted a new kitty: Ezekial Clyde. He's a very sweet cat.

Zeke taking a nap.

:-: S finished his first year of high school. Next year he will be participating in the Classical Conversations Challenge 2 program. (If you are interested in learning more about their program, click on that link!)

:-: New neighbors moved in and our cul-de-sac is complete! Only one more lot to be built on and our neighborhood will be finished.

{pretty, happy, funny, real} - May 15

2011-05-15T17:16:00.002-04:00

A few days late due to Blogger's issues. . . .

{pretty}

Why can't things be made as beautifully as this anymore? This is my great-grandmother's sewing machine.

{happy}

This is our new kitty: Ezekial Clyde ("Zeke"). A "Free Kitten" sign led to us bringing home this little guy.

{funny}

And here he is taming the plant.

{real}

This huge snapping turtle wandered through our yard this week. His shell was easily 18" long!

Other bloggers, other photos at Like Mother, Like Daughter.

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

2011-05-05T13:20:00.005-04:00

Finally, I'm joining the lovely bloggers at Like Mother, Like Daughter in {pretty, happy, funny, real}

{pretty}

. . . this curtain filters the morning light in my bathroom.

I find new homes not as charming as older homes and sometimes I am discouraged that my home (being new) lacks charm. But perhaps charm is not found in just the old - that is easy, it is found in the lovely regardless of age.

{happy}

I wish you could hear the squeals of laughter as she ran back and forth on the sidewalk.

{funny}

This is what happens when I am so distracted by doing Kalliope's hair (and she is sitting happily and quietly entertaining herself) that I fail to notice what she's up to! Big sister's play make-up was such fun!

{real}

Burying our beloved kitten, Louie. We think he was bitten by a snake. He had been acting slightly off for a day and then disappeared, but we didn't find him for a few days and then it was too late.

Birds not blogging

2011-05-05T08:03:00.000-04:00

A Carolina Bluebird has made her home in our mailbox complete with a tiny, perfect, pale blue egg.

Struggling to figure out what happened this year and what to do next year

2011-04-07T12:00:00.001-04:00

Oh, it is that time of the homeschool year, isn't it. We look back and think, "What happened to my carefully crafted plans?", and "Well, ok, it wasn't quite what I'd planned, but did something good come out of it?" (And if we believe in God's power to work in our weaknesses, of which we homeschoolers have many, we can be sure something did.) Slowly, from those thoughts we begin to try determine, "What does all this mean for next year?"

And, sigh, that is where I am.

A very dear friend, and fellow homeschooler to three truly delightful daughters, gave me great encouragement when I was gently lamenting this year's disorganization and slack schooling, but trying mightily to see the positive (which I do see!). She said, "Well, it sounds like you've been unschooling!" (Really?! OK!) She went on to encourage me when I was talking about how this year was a bit of an exhale after 3 years of lots of change and high-level stress in our family (all good, but still stressful) with an international adoption and a new home by saying, "It seems that this year was exactly what you needed!" The Lord provides! Even when I didn't pray for a "year of relaxed learning", the Lord provided it. I need only accept as a blessing. (And I'm reminded of another friend's story about two monks growing trees: one prayed for every need, and had those prayers answered exactly as requested. Sadly this monk didn't know the trees real needs and it died. The other monk prayed, "Lord provide for my tree," and it flourished.)

Of course, we do have some catching up to do.

And so I'm focusing my thoughts with articles like these:

-- How to Teach an Idea

-- Martha, Martha

-- How to Destroy a Love of Literature

And the more nitty-gritty:

-- Organizing Mom's Homeschool Notebook (or re-organizing in my case. I've kept a couple notebooks like these for years and they are a bit outdated and messy now.)

And reminding myself why we homeschool:

-- Changing Education Paradigms (Sir Ken Robinson) (ok, this has to be taken with a grain of salt...and recognizing that this is a persuasive piece not a strictly factual one, but it is good.)

{this moment} -- April 1st, April Fool's Day

2011-04-01T12:15:00.000-04:00

{this moment}

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to savor and remember.

Visit Soule Mama for more.

Blog names?

2011-03-31T20:30:00.001-04:00

Since the beginning of the blog I've referred to my children by their first initial only, but a letter doesn't express anything about their personalities, does it? I think it is time for blog names.

So....

For my almost 15 year old son (Pleasant with a grouchy streak, neat and detail-oriented, loves wild music, playing bass guitar, may or may not want to be a pilot, has an interest in fencing and archery):

Athos

For my 11 year old son (Always on the go, creative with an almost compulsive need to create, sensitive but with a temper, loves the outdoors, often balks but in the end almost always choses to do the right thing):

Faramir

For my 9 year old daughter (Also extremely creative, draws or makes some bit of art every day, loves to snuggle, has a good bit of sass to her, still a real little girl at heart):

Artemesia

For my 2 1/2 year old daughter (strong-willed, mama's girl still, very affectionate but at times a "touch-me-not", loves to do whatever her mom or big sis are doing, learning to use her voice, finally!):

Kalliope

Perhaps I should add photos to the sidebar to keep them straight? I mean for you, not for me. I hope that I can keep them straight. But then, you never know.

{this moment} -- March 25th, Feast of the Annunciation

2011-03-25T07:05:00.000-04:00

Daybook - Monday, March 21st - First Spring Monday

2011-03-21T09:15:00.001-04:00

outside my window . . . the trees are beginning to get those tiny almost iridescent green leaves.

I am listening to . . . my son slosh around some "slime" he made last week.

I am so grateful for . . . a delightful and successful trip to Biltmore House for Erik, mother-in-law and the older kids. (Youngest and I stayed home)

I am reading . . . Purgatory, slowly; Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, slowly; Wives of Henry VIII, slowly. And trying to finish up last month's First Things because the new one arrived this week!

I am thinking . . . about loyalty and faithfulness.

around the house . . . finally had to ditch the homemade laundry detergent. I liked it at first, but after using it for about 6 months, I am seeing clothes that just look dingy. I switched to regular detergent and the very first load I did looked amazingly cleaner. I had a white robe that was getting pathetic and now it looks bright white again. Too bad, I loved the idea of cheaper and gentler detergent.

from the kitchen . . . Greek Cabbage soup, Rice Pilaf and broccoli, Pasta with tomato sauce, Greek Potatoes and brussels sprouts, and Poached Salmon and sugar snap peas are all on the menu this week.

real education in our home . . . we are continuing our study of the digestive system and moving into Ancient Egypt. I suspect a sugar cube pyramid is in our near future.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . time to add some flowers to the front porch area. There are lots of things we'd like to add to our new yard, but we'll have to keep it simple this year. We'll start with some annuals and a few perennials around the front porch. Hopefully a fig tree soon...and in the fall some azaleas and small flowering trees...bulbs, too.

the church year in our home . . . Friday is Feast of the Annunciation. We will have a feast dinner at the very least. My goal is to make an Annunciation icon before Friday so we can display it on our family altar (which I still have not moved downstairs). A reading of the Annunciation story and the Magnificat seems to be in order. Since it is a feast day, we'll get to enjoy a little dessert, perhaps an Angel Food Cake with fruit! I'll try to devote a post to the Annunciation Feast tomorrow or the next day.

one of my favorite things . . . a clean kitchen with: no dirty dishes, nor any clean dishes waiting to be put away, counters cleared and wiped to a sheen, and a welcoming candle burning.

the week ahead . . . bible study for me this afternoon, meeting at church on Wednesday, our teen book study Thursday, Annunciation Feast Friday, friends over on Saturday, and serving the youth group dinner on Sunday.

Spring is springing ... and other activities

2011-03-20T17:17:00.000-04:00

The weather has turned warm here, but I'm still suspicious. Surely we'll get another cold snap. Perhaps not, though. I can't believe I haven't added any photos since January!

This is one of the last days we had these lovely paperwhite blooms.

She loves to pretend to be "big brubbie" with his headphones and computer. Sorry, Burbbie, about the sticky fingerprints on your keyboard. :)

E turned 9 in late January!

We took her for a small celebration with two good friends to the "Jumpy Place".

See here they are!

This is why we call it the "Jumpy Place".

The girls caught and enjoyed "fostering" a box turtle for a day.

The creek was still icy on a few mornings.

This is why we call him "King Louis" - King Louis the "CAT-orze" (modified French there)

Valentine's Day treats

These were gone in a day, I think.

Erik brought home some lovely forced bulbs from Trader Joe's for my Valentine's day!

More photos to come...

Busy life means slow blogging

2011-03-19T08:45:00.002-04:00

These past two weeks have been strangely busy. Not going many places, but just lots of stuff going on. It is good to be busy, I guess.

So, no blogging, but I did take some pictures...

One of our church friends, Mrs. J, came to do an art lesson with us.

The kids painted watercolors and then cut out a piece to make cards.

Mrs. J taught us that art is never wasted, even the mess ups.

Baby L joined in the action, too.

It was a lovely morning and we look forward to our next lesson!

Daybook - March 14th

2011-03-14T12:14:00.001-04:00

outside my window . . . daylight savings means I'm back to waking up in the dark. It will take a few days to get used to that, but the good news is it won't last too long.

I am listening to . . . my girls playing "doggy"

I am wearing . . . grey sweater, bright blue top.

I am so grateful for . . . Saturday morning coffee with a dear friend!

I'm pondering . . . earthquakes, seismographs, etc.

I am reading . . . Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, The Wives of Henry VIII, Dante's Purgatory for Lent.

on my iPod . . . we are going to listen to some classic fairy tales this week.

around the house . . . just about time to put some cheerful, welcoming spring flowers out on our front porch.

from the kitchen . . . a delicious apple pie to break our fast on Sunday and to celebrate Hubby's birthday

real education in our home . . . birthday cards for family, multiplication facts,

the church year in our home . . . the first week of our family fast went well. Everyone enjoyed the respite from the fast on Sunday.

the week ahead . . .

:-: Monday - Hubby and eldest are out to see a friend and youth pastor speak tonight.

:-: Tuesday - My MOM's birthday!

:-: Thursday - Saint Patrick's Day! We'll have a festive (but fast-friendly) dinner and then head out to our weekly book study, "And Then I Had Teenagers", maybe a trip to the hairdresser for me.

:-: Friday - Mother-in-Law arrives to celebrate hubby's birthday (from last week).

:-: Saturday - Off to Biltmore House!

picture thought . . .

Beloved.

{this moment} -- March 11th

2011-03-11T08:14:00.001-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Visit SouleMama for more.

Not a technically beautiful photo, but captured a truly remarkable moment: Baby L trusting (and enjoying) a new friend!

(You'll notice I've changed the rules - I cannot help but put a caption on my photos!)

Gratitude Journal, March 8th

2011-03-08T16:00:00.001-05:00

Shrove Tuesday

:-: warm raspy purring

:-: discovering a new park with a good friend

:-: a much looked forward to coffee date with Dear Neighbor

:-: a very special art lesson in watercolor taught by a sweet lady and the promise of more in the future

:-: the joy of returning to an orderly and calm home after a busy day and an evening away

# 7 - 11

Shrove Tuesday 2011

2011-03-08T09:55:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras!

We have a big, festive church pot luck tonight so who knows what we'll be enjoying for dinner....but it will be good! We are getting ready for Lent in our home by spending some time the past few days discussing what we'll fast from for Lent. Hubby and I both have some other Lenten plans. For me just some focused reading and additional prayer time.

Here are some links to help you along this Lent:

:-: Starting off Lent with a Good Confession. A great guide to self-examination (with or without a priest or spiritual mentor). This makes for a good Ash Wednesday meditation or something to work on through out Lent.

:-: Reading through Lent with the Church Fathers - this is what I'll be reading through this Lent. (Updated to add: Jessica has asked for anyone interested in reading through Dante's "Purgatory" for Lent. I may ditch the Church Fathers, saving those for Easter or Pentecost - wouldn't that be appropriate, and join her in this. I've been trying to read it on my own for a while now and got derailed with our move. In addition there is a blog devoted entirely to this exact pursuit: Daily Dante. They are looking for some lady bloggers to join them. I'm a little intimidated to officially join them, but I will be reading and maybe commenting.)

:-: Family Fasting in Lent

:-: Focus, Spirit, Discipline: A Lenten Series

:-: Lots of great reading from the 2008 Anglican Lenten carnival: An Anglican Family Lent

:-: Jessica also has a link post up for Lent. You can always count on great links from her!

:-: and one of my new favorite blogs, Like Mother, Like Daughter has a truly wonderful and encouraging post up for those of us , especially those with many children, needing some simple and gentle Lent guidance. Lenten Preparations.

I pray you each have a blessed Shrove Tuesday and entry into Lent tomorrow on Ash Wednesday.

Daybook - March 7th

2011-03-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

outside my window . . . the grass is starting to poke out from under the landscaper's straw. I feel hopeful that we might actually have a yard of grass rather than mud one day.

I am listening to . . . my oven's creaks and whooshes as it heats up.

I am wearing . . . brown sweater, medium blue top, jeans, fluffed-but-unwashed hair.

I am reading . . . The Wives of Henry the VIII (A Fraser) and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I am thinking . . . about how tired I am and that it might be tired to start taking melatonin again! It really does help me sleep better.

on my iPod . . . catching up on a few podcasts today while I do my baking.

around the house . . . oh, the weekend has put our house is a bit of disarray. At some point today I sure hope to get it straightened up. Little E's room needs some SERIOUS attention this week.

from the kitchen . . . batches and batches of sweet treats today for an open house (eldest son's school).

real education in our home . . . tomorrow a friend is coming to give a lesson in water colors.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . I am trying to determine how to cozy up our kitchen eating area. The area is large and open and has lots of windows and light. I love that, but it lacks something cozy and anchoring.

the church year in our home . . . Ash Wednesday is this week, and of course that means the beginning of Lent. Trying to decide where to place our family altar. I moved during the holidays to make room for some special decorations and never put it back in its original location. I like where it is now, but it isn't a place we can gather as a family, so I'm considering a change to that.

one of my favorite things . . . fancily painted fingernails on cute little girls.

the week ahead. . .

:-: Today: open house for eldest son's school

:-: Tuesday : water color lesson, and Shrove Tuesday pot luck at church

:-: Wednesday: Ash Wednesday services

:-: Thursday: a special birthday!

a picture thought . . .

Down at the creek a few weeks ago. Still some icy bits to crunch through.

{this moment} -- March 3rd

2011-03-04T07:56:00.002-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Visit SouleMama for more.

My little E with the big pink back pack - the rest friends from other families.

Gratitude Journal, March 1st

2011-03-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

Feast of St. David

:-: hubby's care when I'm feeling under the weather.

:-: little girl sleepovers

:-: the promise of Hope

:-: learning to make do and learning to delight in making do

:-: a jovial and uplifted child excelling in math, finally

# 6-10

Daybook - February 28th

2011-02-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Eve of St. David's Feast

outside my window . . . 60degrees already and it is not quite 8am! What a strange warm way to end February.

I am listening to . . . NPR - Groupon is moving into China, the world's largest internet market.

I am wearing . . . something that I think is much too warm for the day's weather.

I am so grateful for . . . my mom making it through surgery safely.

I am thinking . . . about blog names for my kids. I get so tired of "Middle son", etc. Just lacks personality!

around the house . . . making laundry soap today. It helps to have laundry soap when you have the entire household's wardrobes to wash.

real education in our home . . . We finally finished Adam and His Kin and now begin a trilogy of Gilgamesh picture books.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . made a simple dining room centerpiece from pale green candles set in various sizes of glass jars. The whole thing cost me less than $30.

the church year in our home . . . have just about finalized our Lent meals

one of my favorite things . . . two old typesetter drawers that we hang on the wall and fill with little bits of nature we find.

recent milestones . . . Toddler L has really made some huge leaps in the vocabulary department. She is doing much better at imitating the words we ask her to say.

the week ahead. . .
:-: Monday bible study this afternoon
:-: Tuesday is St. David's day - forgot to get my daffodils planted in order to force them. Need to plan a small celebration.
:-: Wednesday - a possible trip to a local skate park.
:-: Thursday - couples' book study: And Then I Had Teenagers (great book!)
:-: Saturday - youth event and a birthday party for one of little E's best friends.

picture thoughts . . .

This is from my school table - truly this is exactly how it looked last week.

{this moment} -- February 25th

2011-02-25T12:39:00.000-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Visit SouleMama for more.

School so far this morning...

2011-02-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

After yesterday's post, I thought you might enjoy seeing just what school is like around here right now.

This morning I woke much too late after not sleeping well last night. Hubby and I flopped out of bed and down the stairs around 8am just in time to get the youngest one off to school (and I stayed home to check email and get my day going). Baby and a grouchy and tired middle son was up around 9. His mood, brought on by sleeping most of the night on the couch before moving up to his bed at 4am, was Not Sunny. His dad helped brighten the mood a bit and then I fixed breakfast while the coffee brewed. While warming sausage, I drilled middle son on a few math facts.

Little girl was down by 9:30 and, while happy, was also very tired seeming. Everyone ate and got chores done.

I'd had a thought that middle son could work on his math facts by using legos to "make" the math facts. We hauled down the lego box from the third floor only to realize very quickly that my idea wasn't going to work. So, we decided instead (or maybe middle son had the idea) to have him make a clay-mation video of his math facts. This is his current favorite past-time. (Yes, I'll post it later if we can get it uploaded to YouTube.)

The girls decided the legos looked interesting, so I let them play and middle son work while I read the last two chapters of Adam and His Kin. I'm not sure they caught every word of the story, but I think they got the "gist" of it.

I'm now finished reading, but the girls are still playing and middle son is still in the middle of making his video. It may take another hour until he's done. I need to do math with middle daughter, but I'm not entirely sure when that will happen. She is hard to corral today it seems.

The girls have gone upstairs to dress and I'm going to try to get middle daughter to sit and do her math with me when she comes down.

Middle son: math video, history reading, some grammar practice (adverbs) and maybe writing (IEW)
Middle daughter: lego building, history reading, math lesson, and I'll have her read me a Dr Seuss book (to practice her reading) - then Ballet and Tap this afternoon.

That's school around here today. Do I make you feel better? :)

Gratitude Journal, February 23rd

2011-02-23T08:20:00.001-05:00

Feast of Polycarp of Smyrna

:-: excitement of a promised trip downtown and a show at Children's Theatre

:-: quiet closeness of a warm afternoon drive, even if just a few minutes long

:-: freshly conditioned and brightly beaded braids

:-: wishy-washiness that may be the beginning of mutual blessings

:-: inventiveness of someone who has come up with a perfect solution to our cat-door problem: a micro-chip based cat door!

#1- 5

Where is the reset button?

2011-02-22T15:00:00.004-05:00

Through tears I asked my middle son, "Well, what have we done right? What is the most important thing for you in homeschooling? What is the main reason you want to continue?"

He tearfully replied, "Because I like being with my family. I don't want to go elsewhere because I like being with you all." On a day when I was feeling very defeated about continuing to educate him in particular, but the whole family in general, this was a very welcome reply. His response was like a reset button reminding me of the reason we set out on this home education journey in the first place.

Somewhere way back in my homeschool career, I remember someone saying that you should make sure you know why you are homeschooling - make sure it is a worthy reason, because it is what your children will remember and value. I am so thankful that developing strong family bonds was one of our main reasons for home educating our children. It has proven a very worthy cornerstone. And I am thankful that despite their normal bickering, our children have learned to enjoy each other's company and value being together as a family.

In a recent email discussion with a group of like-minded home educators we were discussing the late-winter blahs. Our bright summer-inspired plans are now gathering dust, literally, and we've all seen way too much of the inside of the house. This is the time of year that I often find myself feeling discouraged and enervated. I am so thankful to be reminded of the simple reason that we began homeschooling: being a family. Thank you, Lord, for that reset!

Are you feeling the need to hit the "reset" button? It is so tempting to ditch all those plans and start over. At least for me it is - if something isn't working, start over. But sometimes it isn't the plans that need resetting, it is the heart. I think Sandy really hit on something important in her post, "Unthinkable Luxury" (please read her whole post and the one she's linked to).

In that word "reset" is a word we are so quick to miss: REST. We need to stop being so busy planning and just REST in Him. Before you begin to re-organize, re-plan, re-work your homeschool, take a moment and rest. Spend some time contemplating why you began this journey.

My plans don't need to change, I just need to change. I needed to be reminded of the cornerstone of our homeschool. And I needed the true deep encouragement that can only come from Him (in this case it came through a little him).

How are you doing in this late-winter season?

Amusing Ourselves to Death, Chapter 2

2011-02-15T17:00:00.030-05:00

Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

Chapter 2: Media as Epistemology

"And so I raise no objection to television's junk. The best things on television are its junk, and no one and nothing is seriously threatened by it. Besides, we do not measure a culture by its output of undisguised trivialities but by what it claims as significant. There in is our problem, for television is at its most trivial and, therefore, most dangerous when its aspirations are high.... The irony here is that this is what intellectuals and critics are constantly urging television to do."

Oh, so guilty here. How often do I feel more enlightened by my viewing choices. We do better to chose to watch television to be entertained than we do to be educated. He'll go on to develop this idea much more later.

"...the concept of truth is intimately linked to the biases of forms of expression. Truth does not, and never has, come unadorned. It must appear in its proper clothing or it is not acknowledged, which is a way of saying that the "truth" is a kind of cultural prejudice. Each culture conceives of it as being most authentically expressed in certain symbolic forms that another culture may regard as trivial or irrelevant."

How truth is presented, the mode of presentation, must be considered and examined. Not only that, we must recognize the prejudice we bring from our own culture and era. It makes recognizing the "adornment" of truth in our culture by television more clear.

". . .the equation we moderns make of truth and quantification. In this prejudice, we come astonishingly close to the mystical beliefs of Pythagoras and his followers who attempted to submit all of life to the sovereignty of numbers."

Think about how often our society determines value or worth based on usefulness or productivity. It is why the arts are becoming rare in public schools - a beautiful picture or lovely song has no quantifiable benefit to education. Unless of course they can be used for fund-raising. Sadly, I've seen this happen even in private schools - those committed to excellent and broad education. Theatre productions, art shows, musical concerts are put on for the purpose of raising money. While raising money from a show or concert is not a bad thing, if it is the main purpose than that will affect the end product by dictating what is produced for the public...it will be based on what will "sell". And thus we have placed productivity over creativity.

Daybook - February 14th, Saint Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

Feast of Saint Valentine

outside my window . . . the trees are dimly lit by the most beautiful pale gold light. It is still very early here and the sun has not risen, but the sky beyond the trees is getting brighter. I think it is going to be on of those beautiful Carolina blue days...the ones that make the red clay all worth it.

I am listening to . . . NPR and the quiet whir of the baby monitor.

I am wearing . . . all black with a vermillion wrap.

I am so grateful for . . . my Valentine's Day present! After we moved in one lovely framed silk painting (of a pair) was damaged- just the frame. I thought the frame was beyond repair and to re-frame would be in the neighborhood of $150 or $200 - entirely outside what we could afford right now. But while I was gone most of the afternoon and evening on Saturday, Hubby managed to fix it and get it re-hung! I just about flipped when I saw it! I guess I need to post a photo, don't I?

I'm pondering . . . why some people say "Worship" when they are talking about the music during a worship service. Well, I know why they say it, but I'm just pondering how that definition leaves out a whole lot of other ways to worship. Words are important.

I am reading . . . Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old Fashioned Way (JI Packer), The Wives of Henry VIII (Antonia Fraser) - this is a book I started a Long Time Ago and have just picked back up.

I am creating . . . my dining room needs my attention. I am working on ironing the linens and creating a lovely centerpiece. Now if I could only replace the awful contractor-ugly lighting. Soon, very soon.

on my iPod . . . I'm adding the People's Pharmacy to my podcast list.

around the house . . . some heart garlands to celebrate the day.

from the kitchen . . . I believe some heart-shaped sugar cookies with chocolate royal icing.

real education in our home . . . we'll learn about Saint Valentine today, and enjoy making those cookies. The two at home school kids have both made some great progress with math memory!

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . Hubby brought home a lovely pot of spring flowers: tulips, grape hyacinths, miniature irises, and I think some daffodils. I need to find a lovely planter for them!

the church year in our home . . . Saint Valentine will be celebrated today for his commitment to Christ and serving those around him for Christ.

one of my favorite things . . . Hubby, the 14-year old, the 11-year old and I snuggling up on the couch (we have two, but we all cram onto one!) to watch Firefly. We finished up this weekend with the movie "Serenity". It was so much fun that we are on the look out for another TV series on Netflix (or TV) that we can watch together.

recent milestones . . . Little E attended her first ever slumber party!

the week ahead. . . dinner with some friends tonight,
church meeting Wednesday night (and Eucharist before),
And Then I Had Teenagers book study Thursday night,
Friday, dinner with my pastor, his wife and missionaries leaving for Zanzibar shortly,
Saturday an ice-skating party for my middle boy (his youth group).

picture thoughts . . .

My Valentine

From a wonderful get-away weekend a few years ago to the NC mountains. The Chimay was wonderful, by the way.

Epiphany Season Menu: Tuna Tetrazzini

2011-02-10T15:30:00.002-05:00

Feast of Saint Scholastica
Tuna Tetrazzini is an Old Standby in our home. I call it one of my pantry meals as I always keep the ingredients (almost all canned foods) in my pantry and I can whip it up in no time. It is a very handy thing to have a "pantry meal" or two in your repertoire for those days when everything falls apart. Or just when you need a really easy meal to cook.

2 7oz cans of tuna
1/2 lb of pasta (spaghetti is traditional, but rotini works well, too)
2 7oz cans of sliced mushrooms, drained
and/or 1/2 cup frozen peas
2 cans cream of celery soup (most any cream soup works well)
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c bread crumbs (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drain and flake the tuna. If using long spaghetti, break into 3 pieces. Cook pasta until tender. Combine mushrooms (and peas), cheese (reserve a little for topping), pasta and tuna in casserole dish.

Blend soup, milk, nutmeg and stir into pasta mix. Sprinkle top with reserved cheese. Bake for 35 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese lightly browned.

Epiphany Season Menu: Beef-Barley Soup (from leftovers of Pot Roast)

2011-02-10T15:22:00.000-05:00

Feast of Saint Scholastica

So, you know that yummy pot roast recipe I shared with you? If you eat beef, you really must try that recipe, it is just so good! If you are like me, you love to cook once and have two meals. So plan ahead for plenty of leftovers and you can make a very quick and easy soup the next day.

I ended up with about 3 cups of useable leftovers (minus the fat that thickens up in the fridge overnight, we scraped that off). That is from a 2 1/2 lb roast with 4 people eating it (We had two who weren't interested and had cereal instead). Here's how I made soup with that:

Scrape off the fat from the left overs and cut meat and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Set this aside. Don't discard the gravy or residual "juices"...they are a great addition to the soup.

In a large pot, I poured about 5 cups of beef broth/stock (I had a little broth leftover from making the roast and then added another box of broth) and then another 4 cups of chicken broth - it is just what I had on hand. Don't be too picky about those amounts. If you have more broth, use more barley (like 1 1/2 c or so), if you have less, use less barley (like 1/3 cup). So, the barley - I added about 1/2 a cup of pearled barley to the soup and cranked up the heat to bring it to a boil. This was all the barley I had, otherwise I would have added more, probably a cup. Boil the barley (a low, steady boil) until the barley is plumped and softened. I think this takes around 30 minutes, but check your package instructions.

When the barley is cooked, turn down the heat to medium (or lower, but you want a slow simmer) and add the leftover meat and vegetables (and any residual "gravy"). You just want to warm the meat/veggies and meld the flavors. I let mine simmer for about 30 more minutes.

Serve with crusty bread!

Daybook - February 7th

2011-02-07T20:03:00.000-05:00

outside my window . . . blue skies are peeking above the trees and I think we'll have a clear day!

I am listening to . . . the train whistle from a mile or two away.

I am wearing . . . black wool sweater, bright blue scarf, and jeans.

I am so grateful for . . . mom getting home from the hospital! (came to visit and had to stay longer due to a kidney stone)

I'm pondering . . . my leggy paperwhites - they seemed so cheerful a few weeks ago, but now they are just overgrown and faded.

I am reading . . . Finished The White Queen. I kept hoping for it to get better, but it never really did. Not one of her more compelling stories. I'm not even sure I want to try The Red Queen.

I am thinking . . . about limit-setting and coming alongside.

I am creating . . . my crochet wrap stalled last week, I hope to find some quiet time this week to work on it.

from the kitchen . . . I need to start thinking about Valentine's day goodies. I have in mind heart-shaped sugar cookies with chocolate royal icing. Sprinkles, too, maybe!

real education in our home . . . just trying to catch up here a bit.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . a doily heart garland on the fireplaces, I think, will be a festive decoration for this time of year.

the church year in our home . . . pulling out the St. Valentine book, making the icon, and planning a feast day celebration.

one of my favorite things . . . our kitten, the Great King Louie, playing with his tail or a stray lego or a left behind sock.

the week ahead. . .
:-: Mom and Step-Dad stay in town for a few more days.
:-: bible study this afternoon: NT Wright's study of 2 Corinthians (our first meeting is today)
:-: church meeting Wednesday; and book study (And Then I Had Teenagers) Thursday.
:-: friends over Friday night
:-: birthday party for one of Little E's friends Saturday

Peter Piper's Picks - February 5th

2011-02-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

Peter Piper's Picks - February 5th
Memorial of Saint Agatha

:-: Always something good from the Internet Monk blog. The original blogger passed away last year, but they have managed to continue his work. Here's another great post: The Evangelical Myth of Transformation.

:-: I love movies. Love Them. Learning to Speak the Language of Cinema

:-: Chrisitane Amanpour has great coverage of the crisis in Egypt. She interviewed both Vice President Suleiman and President Mubarak.

:-: When I read this post by Ann at Holy Experience I realized that she hit on some of the reasons we have missed having our whole family homeschooling this year. Go all the way to the end (past the photos) to read the 4 Cs. Simply Homeschooling

A Roy Lichtenstien sculpture survived the 2001 World Trade Center attack and is now installed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Aaron Douglas: African-American Modernist - a retrospective touring the country and currently on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Douglas was one of the most influential members of the Harlem Renaissance.

Daybook - January 31st

2011-01-31T14:57:00.001-05:00

outside my window . . . the day seems a bit colorless, especially after yesterday's brilliant afternoon. A thorough chilliness is settling back in.

I am listening to . . . my two-year old throw a "me do" frustration temper tantrum.

I am wearing . . .brown pants, brown sweater, tan knit shirt and a pale pink scarf.

I am so grateful for . . . morning fellowship with two dear friends. Laughter, prayer, and coffee.

I'm pondering . . . Romans 12.

I am reading . . . Romans 12.

I am creating . . . still working on the crochet shawl. It may be a while.

I am thankful for . . .
a generous welcome for our new youth director
a delightful, if small, birthday party for my Little E
hubby's help with getting my eldest off to school allowing me to start school here earlier
friends who "get" me - even when I don't "get" myself
loving family even through a tumultuous adjustment period

around the house . . . we have one more day to get the dining table cleared of the Christmas stuff. It is about half put away.

from the kitchen . . . Salmon tonight for Little E's birthday dinner. Last night, her actual birthday, was a youth night so the family wasn't all together. We'll toast her 9th birthday tonight over her favorite meal!

real education in our home . . . finishing up Adam and His Kin this week and moving on to the story of Gilgamesh next week. I have a trilogy of Gilgamesh picture books - beautiful illustrations.

the church year in our home . . . we'll read a little about Brigid of Kildare tomorrow and enjoy some Irish tea bread. The next day is Candlemas. I'm hoping to come up with a little celebration for that. I've yet to find a kit for beeswax candles.

recent milestones . . .
Baby L's new word: Shu-by (Shelby - one of our dogs)
My sweet middle daughter, Little E, turned 9!!!

the week ahead. . .
Funeral today;
Busy Thursday: Open House at our son's school, ballet-tap, and then family coming in to town

picture thought . . .

Birthday fun - Little E in the middle

Latin for Preschoolers

2011-01-30T07:00:00.018-05:00

How can I exlpain to my husband about why 4year olds need to learn latin? He wonders why they can't learn a more practical language like Spanish. AND he doesn't even see that Chinese IS the new spanish...HELP!

This question was posed to me recently in email by a reader. I gave her my answer, which I'll share below, but I would love to ask you all how you would answer her. Leave a comment and let's give this sweet mom some support!

Here's my answer to her . . .

Oh, my, I don't think you are going to like my answer.

I honestly don't know why your 4 year olds need to learn Latin either. They have plenty of time for that later. However, if your question is why Latin over Spanish, that is a different question. Spanish is a great language for anyone to learn, as is Chinese. Highly valuable and worthwhile. Latin is a worthy language to master, too. It gives you a better grasp of the English language, helps with anyone going into medicine or science or classics, and does help develop the mind in logic and thinking skills. But I don't think it needs to be started so young for it to be valuable.

My eldest started some basic Latin memory at 11 (in CC Foundations) and took Latin in Challenge A and B. Hated it, but did very well. He's taken Spanish this year and loves it. If he does return to CC next year, I'll require him to do well at Latin for one year and then I'll let him do Spanish in addition to Latin.

I don't see anything wrong with a young child learning a fun language like Spanish or Chinese. Nor do I see anything wrong with your young children learning Latin, but I don't think it is required. Of course all this is just one homeschool mom's opinion! (And I would add here that I think there are far more important things to be learning at 4, like Winnie-the-Pooh and what frogs do in the winter and how to make the color orange and how to make their bed.)

Here is a video you might share with your husband about the value of learning Latin. But I would keep in mind that he has a good point, knowing a practical language is valuable and worthwhile.

A YouTube Video - personally, the 5th reason is really the most important, but they are all good.

So, do you agree? Can Latin wait until later? Should Latin wait until later?

A Year Without Classical

2011-01-28T17:05:00.002-05:00

The subject of Classical Conversations has been quite absent from this blog in the past year...and even then it was a mere mention. I think a number of my subscribers were originally brought here by a CC post back early 2008 and I am amazed they've stuck around for so long when I have lately offered them so little of what they originally sought.

I haven't talked about it much on the blog, but we have had a "year without classical conversations". Well, not exactly a year, but a long season.

Our eldest has been attending a small, private Charlotte Mason-based school for his first year of high school. In order for us to afford the tuition, it made sense to have the other kids at home and save the CC tuition. They seemed to need a break from CC...or perhaps just a season at home after so many changes in their lives (adoption, best friends moving away, a pending move, divorce in the extended family). And they have enjoyed this "season at home". We all have. It was definitely necessary as we adjusted to a new schedule with one out of the house each day.

A couple of weeks ago those two at-home kids asked, "When could we go back to CC, Mama?" So, we are considering a return next year.

As I said earlier, our eldest has been attending a private school. We'd thought he would be there for his whole high school program. We were all very excited about that, but it isn't looking likely. He's had a good year and it has been a positive experience for him. However, for a number of reasons, he'll be returning home next year. Thus, he will most likely return to the Challenge program next year.

Around the time we began considering all these issues, I received a comment on that original post ("5 Questions about Classical Answered"). The commenter had some great questions and I hope my answer was helpful. As I finished writing my response I thought it pretty well summed up my thoughts on CC. Perhaps you are one of those readers who has wondered when I'd post about CC again. Maybe this will give some food for thought about CC.

She asked:
I currently homeschool through an online charter school. I really like the curriculum. Though it isn't Christian, I can interject my thoughts on the topics. We go to a co-op once a week with about 30 other families, most of which are Christian, and the kids do art science and history there. I am hesitant to completely change what we're doing because my daughters have made great friends and are doing well.

I am curious though, to understand a bit more. Is the "memory work" the "tools" used in later years (challenge?) in the dialectic stage? Is memory work the main focus in the elementary years and do they truly memorize the information? I'm trying to understand how the kids are "taught to learn" and "taught to think."

Finally, if I wanted to incorporate CC into my current homeschool and not completely change curriculum, what would you suggest? Any certain activities or CC products?

Thank you for your time and insight.

I answered:
It sounds like you have a positive learning experience your are involved in. I'm not sure I would change it if it is working well for your family. Unless there is something *you* aren't happy about...or if you are feeling the need to do something different for your children (ie just because they like something doesn't mean it is the best). So, I wouldn't be quick to change unless you really feel a need to do so.

The tools that are learned in the grammar stage, which for CC are probably most importantly fact memorization and presenting one's thoughts and ideas, are the very things that undergird the upper levels of learning.

It is often described as learning "pegs". You place the "pegs" in your child's mind through memory and then later when they learn something that relates to that "peg" they have a place to hang it.

For example, my son had been working on learning all the countries and capitals. One day he was listening to the news with me and he exclaimed, "Hey, I know where that is!" I wish I could remember what country it was, but I remember thinking it was a fairly obscure country. Certainly one that many people would have to look up to fully understand the story being reported. My son had a "peg" on which to hang that information and thus his learning was enhanced. Because he had that fact, he was then FREE to think about what he was hearing.

That is the basic idea.

And it is how we learn. We learn the basics, then we begin trying them out, then we become masters at it. I want to learn crochet. First I learn the basic stitches and their names. I memorize them. (Grammar) Then I begin putting them together, trying them out. I make a scarf. Mostly, I still need a pattern. (Dialectic) Eventually, I become a master and can create my own patterns. I share them with others. (Rhetoric) So, that is how we learn to learn and learn to think. Through the process of learning to crochet...I've learned a good pattern for learning ANYTHING else in life. But I've also learned to think up my own patters - to think. I am FREE from patterns of others, I can make anything!

But this idea is NOT exclusive to CC. It is part of the classical model of education and you could use that ancient wisdom to enrich any educational models you are currently using.

CC helps by doing a great deal of the leg work for you - gathering facts and showing you ways to present those facts in a way that is engaging to your students.

I'd suggest perusing the CiRCE Institute and Christine Miller's Classical Education websites for more information on the classical model. Both are excellent resources!

Oh, and you asked how Christ is incorporated? Well, Christ is The Word and The Truth. So, if you are studying Truth, you are studying Him. (In retrospect that was a bit of a flippant answer. But I do stand by it. I think I was just running out of steam.)

There is a specific scripture memory component to CC.

What are your thoughts on Classical Conversations?

Epiphany Season Menu: Emeril's Pot Roast

2011-01-26T17:55:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe on Food.com. The contributor says it is an Emeril Lagasse recipe. All I know is it is pretty easy and smells delicious as it is cooking in my oven right now.

Emeril's Pot Roast
Serves 5

1 chuck roast (2 1/2 lbs)
5 garlic cloves, peeled
olive oil to taste (1/2 T)
salt and pepper to taste
2 c beef stock
1/2 lb potatoes, quartered
1 med onion, peeled and quartered
1/2 lb carrots, peeled (I cut in 3rds)
1/2 lb turnips, peeled (I cut in quarters)
1/2 lb parsnips, peeled (I cut into 3rd)
1/8 c flour
1/4 c water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Make 5 slits throughout roast. Stuff a clove of garlic in each slit. Rub the entire roast with olive oil. Season wit salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When the pan is hot, sear the roast on all sides, about 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and place the roast in a dutch oven with a cover. Add the stock and cover. Place in the oven and cook for 4 hours. (I turned mine about half way through as recommended by another chef.)

Place the vegetables around the roast and cover. Cook for an additional hour. Remove the roast from the oven and arrange on a serving platter, reserving the liquid. Whisk the flour and water together. Pour the reserved liquid and grime into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whist the flour mixter into the reserved liquid. Bring the liquid back to a simmer and cook for 4-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

I'm hoping there will be some leftovers to make soup with tomorrow for lunch. We'll see. . .

Epiphany Season Menu: Bacon-Leek Tart

2011-01-24T21:00:00.000-05:00

My first recipe to share from the Epiphany Season Menu rotation. This recipe is from a Southern Living "One-Dish Meal" magazine. It was quite tasty and I'm glad we'll be getting to enjoy this! I will say that for my family of 6 I made the recipe as is and it served just enough. Next time I'll double this and make it in larger dish.

Bacon-Leek Tart

4 med leeks
3 thick hickory-smoked bacon slices
1 c shredded Gruyere (or swiss) cheese, divided
2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dry)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 package (17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 egg white

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove and discard root ends and dark green tops of leeks. Thinly slice the leeks, and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove grit and sand. (I like to let mine sit in a big bowl of water giving them a little swish here and there. If needed drain, rinse and soak again.)

Cook bacon slices in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 8-11 minues or until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 Tbsp of the hot drippings in the skillet. (I was not picky about how much was left.) Crumble bacon.

Saute leeks in hot drippings over medium heat 5-7 minutes or until tender. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese, thyme, salt and pepper. (I didn't want the cheese to melt all over my cast iron pan, so I didn't add the cheese at this point. I waited and added it to the puff pastry just before I put on the leeks.)

Unfold pastry sheet; fit into a 9-in square pan with a removable bottom (I used a 10' round tart pan and served it like a savory pie instead). Whisk egg white until light and frothy. Brush egg white onto pastry sheet.

Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes or until browned. Remove from the oven. Press pastry with back of a spoon to flatten. Top with leek mixture; sprinkle with crumbled bacon and remaining 1/2 c cheese. Bake 5 - 7 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

Recipe notes:

* So, my tart was layered: cheese, leeks, bacon, cheese.

* Do NOT use turkey bacon. It is just too tough. The flavor of the turkey bacon was fine, but it was hard to cut. Next time I will not make that mistake.

* I served this with a big green salad and canned peaches. A crusty loaf of bread would be nice, but it just seemed like too much bread with that flaky crust.

* This seems very fancy, but it was really quite easy to make. And quite tasty!

Daybook - January 24th

2011-01-24T12:15:00.000-05:00

outside my window . . . oh, another grey-hued day, but I think there is a hint of sun. What type of trees are they that keep those pale orange leaves all winter? Why do they do that? I think we need to learn about that today.

I am listening to . . . Diane Rehm and my girls enjoying a warm oatmeal breakfast.

I am wearing . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . JEANS, a dark purple alpaca sweater and brown top. Thinking about adding a warm scarf as it is chilly this morning. Oh - and a new hair cut! My dear friend and hairdresser, Julie, blew out my hair at my appointment last week. I really liked it, so I've continued blowing it out a bit. Still curly, but the curls are a bit more sleek and defined.

I am so grateful for . . . educational options.

I'm pondering . . . those very educational options. Also, the "worthless servant" who buried his talent in the ground rather than using it.

I am reading . . . almost finished with The White Queen, about half-way through my first reading of John Locke's "The Reasonableness of Christianity", Euthyphro, and my February "First Things".

I am creating . . . a new crochet project - a wrap for me.

around the house . . . working on new chore charts - finally.

from the kitchen . . . Bacon-Leek Tart tonight, and my first ever try at a Pot Roast later this week. Hubby and I were complete vegetarians for over 10 years, but have slowly been adding meat to our family menu over the past few years. Beef is our newest addition. In the past it has been mostly meatballs, meatloaf or in spaghetti sauce. This will be the first roast!

real education in our home . . . we are continuing to enjoy learning about bones. I've got a fun game of "Simon Says" planned for today's science lesson. "Simon says. . . touch your patella!" The goal being to learn the names of major bones in our bodies.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . watching the paperwhites bloom the past two weeks has been soothing and reassuring. I do love the quiet coldness of winter with its crackling crisp air, but it is bearable only when we know spring is on its way. And the scent, which my mother hates and I'll have to remove them from the house before she arrives this weekend, has a sharp note - almost acidic, but in a soft flowery way.

the church year in our home . . . working on Epiphany icons this week. I've been meaning to do this for some time, but it is on my "to do" list.

one of my favorite things . . . Twinings Irish Breakfast Tea.

the week ahead. . . Wednesday: Going to visit a Classical Conversations community as we consider educational options for next year. Friday: Mom and Step-Dad coming to visit. Sunday oldest daughter E's 9th birthday!

picture thoughts . . .

I love this little miniature painting.

Amusing Ourselves to Death - my notes

2011-01-22T14:00:00.002-05:00

Dorothy discovers "the Great and Powerful Oz"

Way back in high school (I'll confess my age by telling you that I graduated in 1988) I read Animal Farm and loved reading it and discussing it in and out of class.

A few years ago I picked up Brave New World by Huxley. While Animal Farm was a clarifying look at totalitarianism, Brave New World is a prophetic look at our own world of "Freedom from" rather than "freedom to": freedom from religion, freedom from responsibility, freedom from truth, for example. I was totally transfixed. Someone had pulled back the curtain to show the man behind the "Great and Powerful Oz".

In conversations with friends more recently I'd been introduced to Neil Postman's ideas, specifically, his comparison of Brave New World and Animal Farm. With those two worlds percolating in my mind, I decided I ought to read Postman's book Amusing Ourselves to Death. And so I finally picked up a copy last year. It sat on my shelf for some time waiting its turn to be put in my "reading" pile. It is a very slow moving pile, admittedly.

Well after a few months, I've finally finished it!

Here are my notes from Chapter 1. Others to follow.

Ch. 1 The Medium is the Metaphor

"...the clock has the effect of disassociating time from human events and thus nourishes the belief in an independent world of mathematically measurable sequences. ... in the fourteenth century, the clock mad us into time-keepers, and then time-savers, and now time-servers. In the process, we have learned irreverence toward the sun and the seasons, for in a world made up of seconds and minutes, the authority of natures is superseded. ... Eternity ceased to serve as the measure and focus of human events."

This and some comments from Andrew Kern (wish I could remember where he talked about this - maybe if he reads this he can help?) makes me want to read more about this time period. But more importantly doesn't this idea just floor you? That something as innocuous as the invention of the clock, something I am quite partial to, could change a culture so drastically.

Having experience with a culture that is not "pre-clock", but not at all a servant of the clock, it is a hard thing to not feel that we clock-lovers are superior. Surely, it is a virtue to be where you say you will be when you say you will be there, right? But then you begin to realize that the other culture is far more free. They are always on time, because "late" doesn't have a real meaning in their culture. It allows the freedom to stop and take care of the needs of a friend or stranger when you aren't under the pressure to "be on time".

What more might lay ahead for me in this book. I'm almost afraid to read on. I'm not sure I want to know.

Epiphany Season Menus

2011-01-22T09:34:00.000-05:00

In the past, the sweet blogger at Evlogia has shared seasonal menus. She creates a basic one week menu that is repeated for the whole season. The seasons being based on a Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar. Tried the one week and it wasn't enough variety for my family. This Advent and Christmas I tried an alternating week with a few changes here and there for feast days. It worked fairly well - although I find I don't stick to it perfectly. Very typical of me.

While I'm a little late (also typical), I have done my Epiphany Season/Ordinary Time menu and thought I'd share it with you! I love having it planned out...I don't have to think what is for dinner - or lunch - or breakfast. But I will say that we are terrible at keeping to my plan for breakfast, excellent with lunch, and fairly good with dinner. Things do come up, so sometimes we have to "punt". (I keep a supply of quick and easy dinners around: frozen asian dumplings, pasta and sauce, etc)

If you are not a menu planner, this may seem like a straightjacket. I promise you it isn't. It actually gives you quite a bit of freedom! Give it a try and see what you think. Plan out some basic meals. Try not to plan pasta meals back to back. Or soup for lunch and dinner. Give some thought to how you can piggy-back meals (roast chicken becomes soup later in the week). Often I keep one evening free and call it "Clean out the Fridge"....we eat leftovers or whatever we scrounge up. (We aren't doing it now because hubby and I are eating leftovers at lunch - the planned meals in the menu are for the kids.) Just remember the menu plan is there to help you...if you all have a hankering for tacos and the menu says pasta - ditch the plan! You own it, not the other way around.

Recipes for my menu plans will be posted here and there. If there is one you'd really like to have, please let me know.

Here is the link to the Google Doc: Epiphany Meals

Have a productive Saturday and a restful Sunday!

Today is . . .

2011-01-21T20:19:00.001-05:00

. . .a special day in our home. Two years ago this sweet girl became part of our family.

We celebrated with fresh Krispie Kreme doughnuts. YUM! As you can see, L is not shy about eating!

Oh, yes, they are that good.

Cheers, Baby L, here's to two years as a part of our family.

Adoption 2nd Anniversary!

2011-01-21T20:15:00.000-05:00

We celebrated with fresh Krispie Kreme doughnuts. YUM! As you can see, L is not shy about eating!

Oh, yes, these are that good.

Cheers, Baby L, here's to two years as a part of our family.

Worth

2011-01-19T17:44:00.001-05:00

Have you heard of choosing a "word of the year"? I think I'd had the idea floated past me sometime in the past year or two, but a few bloggers that I read regularly recently posted about choosing their word of the year and I thought it sounded like a wise idea.

The idea, or at least the way I'm using the idea, is to select a word that you will meditate and ponder and seek God's wisdom about. How can you live out that word? How do you need to learn to be that word? How can you believe that word?

I prayed about it and contemplated what word might be meaningful. What word I needed to learn by heart. And the word that came to me was "Worth". Mostly that I need to learn my own worth - my worthiness before God and man. But I also need to recognize the ways I'm not living in a way worthy of God.

For all its worth.

Worth its weight in gold.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Here's the first little nugget I got today from my bible reading:

Proverbs 6:12-14 A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers; who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, who spreads strife.

That's a lot to ponder right there.

Are you interested in choosing a word for 2011? Here are some posts by other bloggers to give you more ideas. . .

Ali Edwards seems to have been the originator of this idea, at least as far as the blogosphere goes. I do find it hard to believe that in all the history of mankind it hasn't been done by others before, so if you've heard of this from some a Church Father, I wouldn't be surprised.

Christine Kane takes a look at how a word of the year makes a much better resolution than a resolution.

I'm going to steal The Thinking Mother's idea and make my own Word of the Year mug.

If you have or decide to choose a word of the year, please leave a comment!

Daybook - January 17th: The Big Thaw

2011-01-17T12:16:00.002-05:00

outside my window . . . the Big Thaw is on and in a heavy-construction neighborhood (there are 8 houses currently being built, a few more lots being cleared and prepared) with a giant mud-pit in the middle of the road (stalled road repair) that means a lot of RED CLAY mud. Yuck.

I am listening to . . . Diane Rehm's story about Mark Twain's biography. He wouldn't allow it to be released until 100 years had passed since his death. Not a lot of money for books right now, but this is one I might have to splurge on. And the 3 at-home kids are busy at the kitchen table drawing and being silly.

I am wearing . . . jeans (I know, I really need to branch out), colorful striped wool sweater, my favorite Dansko Almandine Tiger's Eye clogs. I've heard people say that the new ones that are made in China are not as comfortable as the ones from Denmark. It's hard to say. My old ones are so comfortable, but I think that is because they are wonderfully worn in. The "fancy" leather probably has less give than the plain, too. But now that I've had them for a few months, I think they are just about as comfortable as my old ones.

I am so grateful for . . . my husband's prayer/accountability group. He gets up early each Monday morning and meets with two other guys he's been friends with for a long time. They've helped each other through a lot. I'm hoping to have the same thing someday soon!

I'm pondering . . . my mid-year educational re-adjustment. Seems like the cold winter days tend to make me feel the need to assess what is working and what isn't. The basics are getting done, but I'm feeling the need to get back to including those enriching areas: nature study, poetry, art, music.

I am reading . . . my new First Things arrived this week! It is still temptingly-wrapped in its plastic wrapper. Still plodding through The White Queen (frivolous historical fiction). Plato's Friendship. The Reasonableness of Christianity by John Locke. I'm enjoying the Plato. The Locke is a very, very slow reading. This may be on me "reading" pile for some time.

I am thinking . . . about friendship itself and my word for the year "Worth".

I am creating . . . my menu plan for Epiphany Season (Ordinary Time). I sat down last night and wrote out my plan for the next couple of months. Enough repetition to make my job easy, but enough variety to not be boring.

on my iPod . . . I've decided that in addition to my Orthodox podcasts, I'll balance out with some Reformed podcasts. So, I've found a couple...my favorites right now are: The White Horse Inn and Ordinary Means. I've noticed a decided difference in attitude between the speakers from each church background. Orthodox speakers, even when very intellectual, have this amazing undercurrent of humility. I've found the Reformed speakers less so...but I am enjoying getting a better understanding of the Reformed theological perspective.

around the house . . . laundry to be put away, Christmas decorations are taken down and waiting to be boxed up.

from the kitchen . . . we have some bananas that are well on their way to being ready for banana bread. I've also got some leftover rice I might make into rice pudding for dessert.

real education in our home . . . Well, as I said, I'm doing some thinking about our home school. With the move we pared down to just the basics while we got the house settled and haven't quite gotten back to full steam, if we ever were there. I am one to err on the side of letting my kids explore a new game or interest rather than pushing through with my own school plans. This can be taken too far...but how far is too far? Right now my kids are enjoying making a shadow puppet show in our coat closet.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . we are trying a new schedule to accommodate Toddler L's needs. Instead of trying to do one-on-one school while she is up with us, I am getting my older daughter (8) up early to do school before Toddler L awakes. We then do the "fun" school subjects: history and science reading, projects, etc while she is awake. Then after she goes down for her afternoon nap my younger son (11) and I get his school work done. We've only done it for a few days, but it seems to work pretty well.

the church year in our home . . . looking ahead into the Epiphany season. Considering what saints we might want to read about and what days to celebrate.

one of my favorite things . . . this will sound silly, but my mom and step-dad gave me the most delicious jam for Christmas. It is called "FROG" jam - fig, raspberry, orange, ginger. It is just heavenly! I enjoy it on my leftover St. Lucia bread each morning. And sometimes in the afternoon, too!

the week ahead. . .
:-: school meeting (eldest son's high school) tonight.
:-: a church meeting Wednesday night. Need to think and pray about that one.
:-: L's adoption day anniversary Thursday (2 years since we passed court in Ghana)
:-: friends over for dinner on Saturday

picture thought . . .

My boys posing in front of a statue in downtown Fredericksburg, VA on our Thanksgiving trip.
I just love this photo. H (on left) is 11, S (on right) is 14.

A week of winter pleasures

2011-01-14T21:26:00.000-05:00

We rarely get to enjoy the quiet whiteness of a snowy landscape.

Steaming bowls of homemade chicken and rice soup.

Little E teaches us how to make some playdoh creatures.

Toddler L enjoying a morning of playdoh

A first sleepover with our new neighbor (in the white, little E in pink)!

Not the best picture, but I had to show you what our crazy dog does. She even sits perched on this stool like some over-sized bird.

a promise of spring

A week of winter pleasures

2011-01-14T11:37:00.001-05:00

We rarely get to enjoy the quiet whiteness of a snowy landscape.

Steaming bowls of homemade chicken and rice soup.

Little E teaches us how to make some playdoh creatures.

Toddler L enjoying a morning of playdoh fun

A first sleepover!

Not the best picture, but I had to show you what our crazy dog does. She even sits perched on this stool like some over-sized bird.

a promise of spring

Don't miss this...

2011-01-11T21:08:00.000-05:00

Cindy is doing a new book study on Ten Ways to Destroy Your The Imagination of Your Child. I'm not a participant, but just reading the book club posts is phenomenal. It isn't too late to join in, and it is never too late to read the commentary!

The first week's post and links can be found at: Book Club: Chapter One - Why Truth Is Your Enemy.

Daybook - January 10th: SNOW!

2011-01-10T14:21:00.000-05:00

Outside my window ... the snow has been falling since 3 this morning. They say it will snow all day! We've got about 4 inches on the ground as of early afternoon.

I am listening to ... my daughter and her friend playing with the King Louis. They are warming up from a couple of hours in the snow.

I am wearing ... jeans (imagine that), tan knit top, bright robin egg blue top over that (layering, you know), a gray wool sweater, and a pretty blue, tan, purple scarf to keep my neck warm.

I am so grateful for ... snow days, homemade hot cocoa, warm fires, and snuggly socks.

around the house ... did not get Christmas taken down this weekend, I think this might be a perfect activity for a snow day. Guess I'd better get started. My kitchen is in serious need of the Kitchen Fairy. I think she has taken a snow day, too.

from the kitchen ... pot of broth simmering on the stove for soup tonight. Hopefully some homemade bread, too.

one of my favorite things ... our new fancy coffee press. (old one hit the floor and shattered a couple of weeks ago)

recent milestones ... Baby L's newest phrase is "Me, too?" which we hear anytime someone asks if they can do something. Pretty cute. We like to make up silly, but awful things to ask and see if she'll say, "Me, too?" "Can I go have my ingrown toe nail extracted?" "Me, too?"

a few plans for the rest of the week ...
a lot will depend on the snow - we may be home quite a bit this week but if not....
:-: meeting at the church office Wednesday evening
:-: ballet and tap for E on Thursday
:-: some friends over for dinner on Friday

picture thought ...

Little E and hubby (out of the frame) clear snow off the car. Didn't last long, within a few minutes it was covered again!

Daybook - January 6th, Epiphany

2011-01-06T11:04:00.000-05:00

Outside My Window ... a normal January day: 40s, sunny. Construction has begun on the house next door. The lot has been cleared and the well dug. Soon we'll be awakened to the sound of hammering and sawing. I'm starting to think our neighborhood should have been named "The Big Muddy".

I am Listening to ... my daughters singing songs from Little Mermaid. We are having a very light school day today.

I am Wearing ... my favorite black jeans, pink knit top, and gray wool sweater. Warm. Easy to move in. Nice looking, but not fussy.

I am so grateful for ... a friend's safe return home from the ER last night. Follow ups with the doctor today should set everyone's minds at ease that all is as it should be.

I'm Pondering ... generations. How should they be named? When? What will this most current generation reaching adulthood be called?

I am Reading ... Amusing Ourselves to Death N Postman, The White Queen P. Gregory, and still working on the December First Things journal. Still working on a lot of things, actually.

Towards a Real Education ... considering how to proceed with a toddler who needs lots of undivided attention. It is tricky trying to juggle their needs! We are still thoroughly enjoying Adam and His Kin.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty ... after illness and Christmas, we are getting back on track. I slept in many mornings recently, so I'm resetting my body's schedule to get up early again. It's groggy around here.

To Live the Liturgy ... It is Epiphany! We are extending ours a bit to keep the celebration going while my Dad visits. But we'll pack it up this weekend and have a small, family Epiphany celebration Saturday night.

Around the House ... always catching up on laundry. Next week, we resume the "new house" sorting. We've run out of shelf space for books, so it is time take a serious look at some of what we own.

From the Kitchen ... soup today for lunches the next couple of days, hopefully some bread, and baked chicken for dinner tonight. I have some bananas looking mopey, so maybe some banana bread.

One of My Favorite Things ... our new lighting in the kitchen! We had one sad light fixture in our kitchen prep area. Horrible lighting - could hardly see what I was doing. This weekend we installed under-the-counter lighting and a new track fixture in the ceiling. It is this cool flexible track so we could bend it where we wanted it to go. Now I have GREAT lighting over the sink, at the stove and the various prep areas!

Recent Milestones ... Little L is doing lots more talking. She's really started expressing things in more and more complex sentences (2 and 3 words rather than 1). We can't always make out the words...and sometimes they are just the word pattern rather than the word itself, but she's making progress!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week ...
:-: Dad coming to visit today
:-: Maybe catch a movie Friday afternoon with him and the older kids.
:-: Dinner out for hubby and me, maybe!
:-: Helping a friend move on Saturday

Welcome 2011!

2011-01-01T08:00:00.039-05:00

In it came whether rung in wildly with gaiety and glee or welcomed quietly with gentleness and joy. However you saw it come in, aren't you glad it is here? Of course we should welcome everyday with a sense of newness and excitement, but a new year feels so clean, so unused, and, well, so new!

At our house, we'll clean the house a bit (I'm sure the kids will be over-joyed) and then make a trip to IKEA Charlotte to look at lighting and enjoy a Swedish Meatball lunch. Then we'll come home to a dinner with black-eyed peas (cooked simply with Ro-Tel tomatoes and some bacon) and dessert of bread pudding - see the bottom of this post for the recipe. It is a simple celebration for our family - in keeping with yesterday's post.

My planner is just about all prepared for the new year. Fresh calendar pages (in Franklin Covey's pretty "Blooms"). New tabs (Avery has printable ones, if these aren't new, they are new to me!). And some page protectors for frequently used pages.

Today is also the Feast of the Holy Name. Being the 8th day after Jesus' birth, this is the day on which he'd have been circumcised and officially named - a great day of celebration for his mother and father. Now, if you are on top of things, you might consider making initial-shaped cookies for your family (IHS for Jesus and your kids' initials).

Old-fashioned Bread Pudding from Southern Living, Nov 2001

1 16 oz day old French bread loaf, cubed
2 12 oz cans of evaporated milk
1 c water
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
1 large apple (Red Delicious recommended), grated
1 c raisins
1 1/2 c sugar
5 T vanilla extract
1/4 c butter, cut up and softened
and a batch of Bourbon Sauce (see below)

Combine first 3 ingredients; stir in eggs, blending well. Stir in pineapple and next 4 ingredients. Stir in butter, blending well. Pour mixture into a greased 13X9 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees (F) for 35- 45 minutes or until set. Serve with Bourbon Sauce.

Bourbon Sauce
3 T butter
1 T all-purpose flour
1/2 c sugar
1 c whipping cream
2 T bourbon
1 T vanilla extract
1 tsp nutmeg

Melt butter in a small saucepan; whisk in flour, and cool 5 minutes. Stir in sugar and whipping cream; cook 3 minutes. Stir in bourbon, vanilla, nutmeg and simmer 5 minutes.

Happy New Year!

A limping celebration

2010-12-30T15:00:00.017-05:00

The Twelve days of Christmas are here - in fact today is the 6th day, if you are keeping track - and my hopes for a full celebration are lying sick in bed coughing and sputtering like the rest of the family, yours truly included. Yeah, this year, it's not happening.

A couple of weeks before Christmas I heard an announcer on a local Christian radio station proclaim about Christmas, "Well, in two weeks it is all over." What?!?! The driver in the car behind me must have worried as my van made a sudden veer toward and correction away from the roadside ditch. Can you you hear me muttering, "It isn't all over - it has JUST BEGUN!"

What's the big deal you ask? Am I just being a liturgical snob? Well, maybe, but I sure hope not. I really do think it matters.

When we celebrate the church year, we learn through story, image, and repetition not only the stories of our heritage, but the truths of our faith. Take Advent, for example. We keep Advent and we are reminded of preparing our hearts for the arrival of the King, Jesus. Not only the remembrance of his first arrival, but the reminder of his future arrival - the Second Coming. We are reminded to prepare our hearts like the wise virgins prepared their lamps.

But when He comes that second time, is that it? Is it "all over" like the radio announcer thinks? Of course not...it has just begun! Keeping a full Christmas reminds us of this truth. It won't end with the return of Christ, it will BEGIN.

Perhaps you've heard of the Advent Conspiracy campaign? An even more important and counter-cultural campaign would be a Christmas Conspiracy. Instead of celebrating for one day, we'd blow the world away by celebrating a full 12-Day Christmas season! Can you imagine it: Keeping a real preparatory Advent and then letting Christmas burst forth on the 25th...and burn bright for 12 whole days of delight and merriment! Sharing our tables and homes with all those we can. Give gifts from the heart to those we love and those we don't even know. Serving our families and communities. A celebration conspiracy!

Oh, I could get really carried away in the romance of that idea.

But this year our little Christmas is limping along. The tree is still up. And we are burning the Christmas lights all over the house each night. It is still Christmas in our hearts at least.

And maybe that the most important thing of all.

The First Day of Christmas - 2010

2010-12-26T14:52:00.001-05:00

On the first day of Christmas, we awoke to the soft, closeness of a snow-blanketed forest. A delightful little Christmas gift, no?

It is now nearly 3 in the afternoon and the snow has mostly stopped. The road is visible and some snow is melting, but it is still so lovely and bright outside. I'm tucked under a cozy comforter sipping chocolate-cherry hot cocoa (I'll share the recipe!) and nursing a flu. Yes, the same one the boys had earlier. Our dear little "E" (8 year old daughter) is also ill. So, we will enjoy just looking at the snow. The boys have been out, but only for a bit.

Not quite the way we expected the day after Christmas to be spent, but a quiet, lazy snowed-in day is nice.

How are my other east-coaster friends doing? I think there are some of you who have quite a bit of snow on the ground. White Christmas blessings to you all!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

Have a very merry Christmas today!

Before the paling of the stars,

Before the winter morn,

Before the earliest cockcrow

Jesus Christ was born:

Born in a stable,

Cradled in a manger,

In the world His Hands had made

Born a Stranger.

Priest and King lay fast asleep

In Jerusalem,

Young and old lay fast asleep

In crowded Bethlehem:

Saint and Angel, Ox and Ass,

Kept a watch together,

Before the Christmas daybreak

In the winter weather.

Jesus on His Mother's breast

In the stable cold,

Spotless Lamb of God was He,

Shepherd of the Fold:

Let us kneel with Mary Maid,

With Joseph bent and hoary,

With Saint and Angel, Ox and Ass,

To hail the King of Glory.

C. Rosetti

26 August 1859

Christmas Eve 2010

2010-12-24T07:00:00.001-05:00

May your Christmas Eve be filled with lovely delights and the warmth of family and friends.

CHRISTMAS hath darkness

Brighter than the blazing noon,

Christmas hath a chillness

Warmer than the heat of June,

Christmas hath a beauty

Lovelier than the world can show:

For Christmas bringeth Jesus,

Brought for us so low.

Earth, strike up your music,

Birds that sing and bells that ring;

Heaven hath answering music

For all Angels soon to sing:

Earth, put on your whitest

Bridal robe of spotless snow:

For Christmas bringeth Jesus,

Brought for us so low.

C. Rosetti

Advent pictures

2010-12-23T08:06:00.000-05:00

Our artist. Not a day goes by without a painting, a drawing, a sculpture or creation of some kind.

He got this silly hat (it sings and the bell shakes back and forth) from a friend at church. Check out the YouTube video! (you can see some of his other goofy videos - yes, we homeschool.)

E and I found this wasp next in the woods a couple of weeks ago.

Saint Nicholas Day (Dec 6th ) goodies! My goodness, don't those two look sleepy?

And L discovering her St Nick goodies. I think she is amazed we gave her candy before breakfast!

Yum - the goody jars! So tempting...and almost gone now.

A quiet late fall afternoon. H and E spent the afternoon drawing and listening to some old Christmas radio shows.

S - still has some Christmas humor in him despite being a high schooler.

Farmor arrived last night. The girls enjoyed a snuggly Christmas book.

Advent in our home - weeks 3 and 4

2010-12-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Busyness kept me from posting this last week. Not that I am not busy now, but I've got a little time in the early morning...

Gum drop and toothpick structures - a favorite crafty activity

Our eldest, 14, enjoying a little Christmas humor.

A Saint Nicholas waits quietly on the mantle.

Handmade replicas of family landmarks (Aland, Finland). Front: a typical Swedish cottage (Aland is owned by Finland, but is Swedish in heritage. Both languages are spoken. Middle: Christiansund the family home (c. 1932 ) where my M-i-L was born. Back: Eckero church the family church. (c. early 1200s ).

One of our favorite play nativity sets. (I know, I know, shoot me - the baby Jesus is already in the manger. )

Baking, baking, baking. I'm discovering that despite the larger kitchen, I seem to have less working space. Hmmm....

Farmor, E, and L enjoy a Christmas story.

We wait all year for this delight: Svenska Glogg (Swedish Glogg). It is sort of like mulled wine, but the only wine in it is port (the rest is more port, brandy and vodka). A warmed mug is the perfect nightcap on a cold winter's evening.