A New Springtime

PREPARE, Advent 2011

There is a spiritual battle going on and its time to PREPARE! Once again we are called to remain awake and alert, to be ready for the coming of the Lord! ADVENT, a coming, what a powerful thought that should always be at the forefront of our minds.

As we prepare, we wait... we usually plant an amaryllis this time of year.

The bulb will grow taller and taller each day as we nuture it by watering and turning it towards the sun. It will finally open around Christmas blooming into a beautiful flower, trumpet- shaped, announcing the arrival of Jesus!

During the four weeks of Advent our wreath help tio remind us of the time we have, four weeks,to be concentrating and readying ourselves for charity and love to take over our hearts.

There are so many evil things to protect ourselves and our loved ones from these days especially when the bad things are now presented as good, and good is considered bad. PREPARE,PREPARE, make ready a people well disposed for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ!

Pretzels Making

A couple of months ago while at the mall we couldn't resist delicious smell of the pretzels that were baking.This is something we don't usually indulge in but they sure were scrumpscious!  When I saw a pretzel making kit(Aunt Anne's) at A.C. Moore I couldn't resist getting it and gaving it a try.

All of the kids wanted to get in on it and so we began our baking extraviganza.

The dough was very elastic and sort of difficult to work with, the same kind that is used for making pizza, i think. The kids did quite well at rolling, twisting, and pinching their pretzels inot shape.

Here is our lil'girl rolling hers. She is so pleased with her efforts!

 

Each one came out unique.

The pretzels had to be dipped into a water and baking soda mixture, after that we salted them. Warning! If anyone makes these go extemely light on the salt, it is very strong.

The final product turned out nice looking and tasty, none of us could finish a whole one due to the amount of salt we put on. It was a fun and memorable experience but I think we will leave the pretzel making to the professionals at the mall.

 

Getting Things in Order

I just love the things we learn by doing everyday ordinary work. All of us have been working hard to get our yard back into shape after the past snow storm. Since there were still leaves on the trees, the snow that fell upon them became too heavy for the branches. Many limbs broke off and even whole trees toppled over.

This unfortunate event has turned into a wonderful opportunity for some good healthy yard work and some new things to learn about. We are thinking of getting a wood stove eventually so we are getting a head start on a wood pile. Max was having a great time trying his hand at the axe. Both he and my older son, who is thirteen, were really giving it their all.

We started to put the wood in piles according to its purpose in getting a fire started, this was an good way for the kids to learn about kindle, tinder and fuel wood. I truly enjoy the smell of the wood being cut, it is such a refreshing and relaxing scent. I think I could saw all day. I used our bow saw, it is small enough for me to handle but can cut through small to quite large pieces of wood.

Even the littlest members of the family can get in on the action.

 
There's nothing like an honest day's work.

Be Blest, Copywork

 
 I haven't done many posts on home schooling lately so I'll sneek one in now. Since soccer has ended  I will be able to slow down just a bit. The kids are playing basketball but since DH coaches he takes the kids to practices in the evening. I opt to stay home with darling toddler and baby and this usually gives me a break and chance for revival.
 We have been using the book, "Be Blest"  , by Mary Beth Owens. I first saw this book @         "By Sun and Candlelight" which has been such an inspiration to me for many years now. This is a beautiful book based on the "Canticle of Brother Sun" by St Francis of Assisi.

drawn by Abbey,8

 We are using this for: copywork which is great for learning spelling, punctuation, handwriting practice,drawing etc.

drawn by Raphael, age 13

Each month there is a new prayer of thanksgiving for God's creation. We all look forward to see how the illustrator depicts and captures the granduer of the upcoming months.

drawn by Hannah, age 10

 I have been so impressed at the effort and enthusiasm the kids have shown while working on their papers. At the end year, I will have the each of the kids make these into a keepsake book of their own.

 

 

 

Oct. 2011 Snow Storm

This is the maple tree our backyard Sunday morning after the storm.

 

Our neighbors across the street had a tree in their front yard that was leaning on the wires.

Our power went out Saturday night and we just got it back today,Thursday, at around 4:00p. m. We were still able to cook due to our gas stove and our hot water is also heated by propane. The first couple of days weren't so bad,  Here is my babe all bundled up.

The kiddos kept busy playin' some games!

We  had a no power Halloween party in our karosene lit living room, we played our own version of  trick or treat trivia pursuit. DH even got in on the action got himself some candy!

The girls kept warm in their costumes. They were Sacajawea, Amelia Erhart,and  Strawberry Shortcake.

The "boyz" came down dressed like this,  they had me laughin' acting like gangstas!

We had some fun but as one day tuned into two and two turned into three and three turned into four we began to pray for electricity and heat to warm our lil' feet.  It  was starting to get a bit frustrating. This morning we got into the car p.j. 's and all and headed over to grammy's. Later around 4 p.m. DH called me and told me the power had come back on, thank you Jesus!