Pinewood Castle

Merry Christmas from Pinewood Castle

Before Naptime:

After Naptime:

Just Before Christmas Daybook

Outside my window:: Chances are, we will have a brown Christmas in Minnesota, and actually, that's ok with me.

I am hearing:: The little ones playing inside and the big kids outside.

I am wearing:: My old glasses. Guess who got his little hands on my current pair and twisted them beyond repair?

I am thankful for:: My husband, my family, and for all the wonderful Christmas cards from family and friends. I am so thankful for people who include a little notes that say things like, "Enjoyed your Christmas card - you have darling children who are all so happy and accomplished."  Because - you know how it is with family newsletters - you want to share the joys of raising a family without bragging and it's nice to know that some people really do appreciate what you are doing and how hard it can be to raise a good family.

I Miss:: The share feature on google reader that instantly listed links to great posts on my left side bar. I am not sure if any readers miss this, but I sure miss the fun of sharing good posts I read.

I am Thinking:: How are we ever going to get back to a full school routine when it takes all day just to practice music, do some math, read aloud, and keep up with housework?

I am Pondering:: Unschooling the rest of the year. Just kidding.

I am Praying for:: Our family and what the future holds. Will we ever be able to move back to the metro? Will we still want to by the time we can? Is it better in some ways to be away from city life even if we miss out on so many educational opportunities?

Books on my Nightstand:: My Name is Mary Sutter - historical fiction about a midwife/nurse on the Northern front of the Civil War.

Taking Care of Myself:: So very disappointed that the Wheat Belly diet has not turned me into the incredible shrinking woman that I had rightfully hoped after reading the book, but I am feeling worlds  better on a wheat-free, sugar-free, low-carb diet along with some extra vitamin D. If I do cheat and have something with wheat, milk, and sugar (like, perhaps, Coldstone's mint chocolate chip ice cream with brownie bits) I pay for it with a massively painful headache the next day. If you are losing weight on this diet, please don't tell me about it or I will be insanely jealous.

From the Kitchen:: Meat and veggies, grapefruit, clementines and pomegranates. Three kinds of Christmas cookies: traditional, egg-free, and almond flour/truvia versions for Joe and me. Good thing the hunger pangs and carb cravings go away on a grain-free diet.

Around the House:: Busy!

Repairs & Replacements - replaced the bottom oven fan that finally quit working after months of rattling. While we had Kenmore on the brain we also ordered replacements for the broken veggie drawer in the fridge, broken ice bin in the freezer, and crusted-over drip tray under the water dispenser.

Updating - Joe decided it was time to replace our old tube tellies with re-certified HD Vizios that he found at a great price. Now I have to learn how to use them, but at least the baby no longer has access to the power button.

Deep Cleaning - cleaned the inside of the fridge with the help of two kids. Wow, was that yucky! We also spent a morning cleaning underneath, between and behind the washer and dryer. Even yuckier!

I am Creating:: The kids and I are sewing these super-cute ornament kits for Christmas presents. Don't look if you are on our gift list!

Good Flicks:: Nothing lately, other than reviewing Masterpiece Theater's Downton Abbey before Season 2 airs in January.

The Children:: They are so excited that Christmas is almost here they have butterflies in their stomachs. We have enjoyed several local events the last week - the ballet academy's Nutcracker, the figure skating club's Christmas show and skate with Santa, and a Hanukkah party for homeschoolers. They learned how to play the dreidel game and love it.

The Little Prince:: Still not talking, still into everything, and constantly removing his favorite felt gingerbread boy ornaments from the Christmas tree. We really have to be careful where we lay down our sewing projects. Good thing he's so incredibly cute and well-loved.

The Little Princess:: She and Choir Boy assembled the annual gingerbread house with Grandma this year while the girls and I were at violin. Precious times!

She says all sorts of funny things like:

"Aren't you going to say Goodness Golly'?" when I am exasperated.

Onion = yun-yon

Step Stool = step-o-stool

Choking Hazards = choking haz-rits

If we are actually on time for Mass, "What? Why aren't we late?"

A Few of My Favorite Things:: A new pillow, afternoon tea, staying up until midnight wrapping presents, sewing by the Christmas tree in the quiet evenings after the kids go to bed, birth announcements, peppermint mochas, the strong winter sun through the south facing windows at lunchtime, everytime we eat lunch and Sunshine notices that the time is 12:34, my baby's hugs and kisses.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:: Bake, sew, decorate, read, pray, prepare, and celebrate the birth of our savior.

A Little Christmas Concert

We recorded most of these today at the kid's last piano lesson of 2011. You may have to click over from Google Reader to see them!

 

Here's Choir Boy and our teacher playing O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas:

 

 

Dancer performs Silent Night and Have a Holly Jolly Christmas:

 

She also worked hard on the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy:

 

 

Sunshine opted to sing and play for you! Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, and Rudolph:

Giggles for Kitty Lovers

Thankful Thursday

For my husband who, for the first time in . . . a long time, brought me flowers after a trying day.

 

For the short periods in time when I can see my son look, sing, and behave like an angel. Thank you, boy's choir.

 

Black belts two for $10 at Target. For choir, not karate.

 

For allergy meds that allow me to once again enjoy a real Frasier Fir.

And for close proximity to a real tree farm.

 

For strong daddies who lift up their littlest girl so she can be the one to place the angel on top.

 

For eyes (and hands) full of wonder and delight.

 

For the photo ornaments my sister sends every Christmas to each of the children.

 

For candle light and colored light, Jesse Tree and Star Path, advent wreaths and advent calendars that help us mark the days and prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Amazon Prime.

For the chance to get out of the house and resume book club after a very long baby break.

For the chance to see the December Full Cold Moon rise over Lake of the Isles.

 For kitties who curl up in the darndest places.

 

For the ability to drink coffee and own a smart phone without having to constantly hold one or the other like a fashion accessory.

For the completion of at least some of our hand made Christmas gifts ~ phone cases for teachers made by the children and the knitted gingerbread boy I made for the Little Princess (from Kid's Knitting).

 

For this beautiful dresser scarf one of my oldest and dearest friends sent me years ago. I try not to think of how long it took her to embroider this:

When it takes me four hours just to do this:

 

 For the upcoming reprieve from running to choir and ballet and karate and violin and piano.

For the decision to switch Sunshine from ballet to theater beginning in January. This better fits her passion and personality - and I won't have to make that extra trip back to ballet to pick her up at 7:30 pm.

For friends who call or write to catch up. Some relationships are best nurtured off-line.

And best of all - thankful that we are not yet knee deep in snow! Winter in Minnesota lasts long enough!

 

 

Santa Lucia Morning - 2011

It seems every December 12th I am up until midnight making Lucia Buns. This year I was not particularly motivated to make them now that we know we have an egg allergy in the family and Joe & I are in the 8th week of a wheat-free diet (Wheat Belly).

I was hoping these almond flour star cookies would suffice, but when one precious daughter realized at bedtime that no Lucia buns had been prepared her tears jerked my heartstrings. "They are my favorite Christmas treat!" she cried. So to the kitchen I ventured to pull out the wheat flour, yeast, milk, and eggs. I sent my husband to the store for to get milk for hot chocolate and lingonberry jelly. I had not made the annual splurge for saffron, so cardamom had to do.

I was already short of sleep and wanted nothing more to sew a bit and retire before 10 pm. Again and again we moms and dads put ourselves aside for the sake of the children. But for mornings such as this, the effort was totally worth it:

 

These are the kind of memories our kids will carry with them into adulthood. As the Christmas cards arrive at our house with news of families whose children are grown and gone, I am reminded that our children are all together now, under one roof, for a very limited time (God willing). I really should appreciate this time with them now and cherish every day. Hopefully the nest we give them will prepare them to spread their wings and follow the vocation to which God calls them and they will carry with them the memories and traditions that are precious to them.

 

Sometimes the days are so difficult, the kids don't listen, the preschooler won't stop talking constantly and demanding attention and the baby makes one mess after another. Fun and meaningful seasonal traditions shine light onto these dark and dreary (and foggy) winter days.

So here are this year's highlights:

Another St. Lucy ornament was added to our growing collection ~

 

A weekend visit to the American Swedish Institute (and gift shop) was timely ~

We even happened upon a reading of Lissa's book: Hanna's Christmas (now out of print apparently, judging from the price!) (I wish I could remember how I happened to get it, surely I didn't splurge that much.)

And I just have to include a photo of the sunny story-time room. (I actually like the 3rd floor of this mansion the best - it would be perfect for homeschooling!)

It even has a stage and a turret!

 

But I digress.

We snuggled up and read our favorite Lucia book: Lucia Saint of Light, along with plenty of Astrid Lindgren, Jan Brett, and other books found on my sidebar.

 

Another book purchased at the ASI gift shop was happily added to our seasonal  bookshelf ~

D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet

 

And we always enjoy this CD ~ En Riktig Svensk Jul ~

Swedish meatballs are on the menu tonight. This recipe is gluten-free, now I have to decide on an acceptable egg substitution.

My husband took two dozen extra Lucia buns to work with him to share with co-workers and we took in the celebration of this revered Italian saint to whom the Swedes are grateful. Even though we are not Swedish, we are grateful too!

More Thoughts on St. Nicholas

Jamie at Lord Make Me a Saint has a great post up about St. Nicholas/Santa. Definitely worth a read and the comments are fascinating as well. I just added a comment that went something like:

There are only a few precious years of life when we are capable of such wonder and awe. It seems cruel to deny the children the experiences that bring this out, and frankly, I think we adults benefit from seeing the sparkle in their eyes and the fullness of their trusting hearts.

We do read "The Real Santa Claus" book and make sure they know about the very real saint and the miracles attributed to him. We don't use the term "Santa" even though he takes on some Santa-like attributes when he "visits" our home.  The kids realized somewhere along the way that this is a pretend game we play, but it doesn't make it any less fun! Couple these beloved family traditions with the opportunity to teach the little siblings about St. Nicholas and the older ones have more fun than ever.

Last night while I was resting on the sofa I overheard my eldest girl helping her 4yo sister write her letter to St. Nicholas. It was about the most precious thing I have ever heard in my mothering life. No one asked her to do this, the older ones took the initiative to "be in on the secret" and get their letters and shoes ready. Everyone had fun this morning finding the goodies in their shoes, but the sparkle in the 4yo's eyes was the best gift of all - to everyone!

If you don't already know about the St. Nicholas Center, click over to find a treasure trove of ideas for celebrating! This is where I gathered ideas for the letter from St. Nicholas (posted previously), printed it out onto parchment paper, rolled it up and tied it with a ribbon. Now I am off to put my cookie cutters to use!

Letter from St. Nicholas

Dear Children,

I am coming around to check in with all the good children on my list to see what amusing toys and things they might want for Christmas this year. The toy orders must be placed very soon so the elves in my workshop have time to finish everything before I return on Christmas Eve.

I see from your letters that you have tried to be good this year, but I know that is easier for some of you than for others. Try very hard now, these last weeks of advent or Black Peter will have to come in my place and leave a lump of coal in your stocking.

Now, a word about your gifts today:

The clementines and chocolate coins in your shoe are to remind you of the gold I threw through the window to the maidens to provide the dowry money that kept them from being sold into slavery.

The candy cane is one of my symbols. All bishops carry staffs, hooked at the top like a shepherd's crook, showing they are the shepherds who care for, or tend, their people.

Do you know why I come while you are sleeping? I do my gift giving secretly, under cover of darkness. I don't want to be seen and recognized because I want you to give thanks to God for all of your many blessings, and believe me, you are blessed. So be good now and I will be back in time to celebrate Christ's birth.

St. Nicholas

For Your Wintry Weekend

“One kind word can warm three winter months.”

― Japanese proverb