Pinewood Castle

4th Sunday of Advent

The wait is nearly over! Today we will light all four candles before packing away advent and bringing out the Christmas treasures.

We were blessed with a quiet week - no ballet, one music lesson, completion of one more week of school, a first cello recital, and plenty of time to enjoy our endlessly entertaining kittens.

The shutter speed of our little Canon Power Shot cannot keep up with these two. Low light, quick kittens, and a suddenly gummy zoom lever are all leaving me feeling like I am milking this little camera for all it's worth!

After days of antsy anticipation, we decorated the tree Saturday morning. First, the kids enjoyed a scavenger hunt for ornaments I bought on sale last year. The ornament tubs came up and every branch sported a decoration by 9 am.

The Solstice was observed with picture books (to understand the event, not to celebrate in a pagan way, of course), sun cupcakes, music, and our first fire. I scavenged the last three logs from the garage and set it to light after sunset.

Saturday I spent the morning cleaning our closet in order to asses Joe's wardrobe. I found my old high school letter jacket, it's vinyl sleeves oozing under the plastic cover. I took a few pics, rescued the pins, and said goodbye to the tangible evidence of my high school career. {sigh} One must release the things of youth.

Gifts arrived via UPS and were wrapped during the 10:00 - 12:00 pm hours. We don't usually put them under the tree until after the kids go to bed Christmas Eve, and are having a great time watching the kids examine, shake, and venture guesses. It's almost as fun as watching the Too Cute Kittens.

We sent a contribution of snowflakes to Sandy Hook, for the school building they are making ready. Joe and I have fielded many inquiries about homeschooling this week - have you? Most involve some serious joking about sending their kids to our house. People feel a niggling, and question their educational options, but few are prepared to take it on themselves.

A team from the school district made a visit to our home to asses the Little Prince for speech therapy, given that he has less than ten words at age 2.9 years. The very nice lady, sensing threads of love, peace, and order (as much as we could muster at 8am), complimented the feel of our home and learning environment. "You make it look so easy," she observed, "but it must be more difficult than it looks."  Very perceptive!

The world did not end this week, though plenty of souls are eager for Christ's return and restoration of this fallen world. I pray that more souls would welcome Christ into their hearts this Christmas. As a Catholic, I believe that salvation is a grace-filled process, not a once-saved-always-saved offer. Maybe that's a little less intimidating for some?

Come, Lord Jesus, come and be born in our hearts!

 

Guadete Sunday

The third week of advent: Our Lady of Guadalupe (12-12-12), feast of St. Lucy, the Nutcracker, and visit to the Christmas tree farm. A serendipitous stop at a "free kittens" sign. (We've named them Marie and Fritz.)

As full and joyful as this week was, one event will mar the joy of this third week of advent, and that of course is the news of the school shooting.

The story broke while I was at the Friday dress rehearsal, so I was oblivious as I shuttled mice, angels, and cookies on and offstage from 3:00 - 10:00pm. The news was on when we returned, and Nightline filled me on all I had missed. I went to bed with the key words swimming in my head. Massacre. Kindergartners (since corrected to be 1st graders). Divorce. Suicide. Autism spectrum (?). Others emerged over the weekend: Bright child. Home-schooled. Catholic. Reclusive. Gun control. School security.

So many details of this story remain unknown. Did the mom work at the school, or not? What was his motive for slaughtering the innocent?

Aside from all of the unanswered questions, I think we all wonder - how can we keep our children from being victimized, or worse - from being victimizers? What is the best way to meet our children's individual needs, their education style, their emotional needs? Homeschooling may reduce their risk of being killed in a school shooting, but what about everywhere else we go? 

And what does the future hold for the families who have lost young children? How does a community get through so many funerals before Christmas? How painful must it be to see the wrapped gifts intended for these children under the Christmas tree? Will the class of 2024 leave 20 chairs empty at commencement to memorialize the victims?

It's all just so awful.

May the souls of those who have died rest in peace, and may their loved ones find comfort and solace, even if this tragedy is never fully understood.

Tonight I pray for them, for our hurting country, and for our own children who have so much evil to face in the coming decades.

Prayer for Your Children

Glorious St. Anthony, your devoted clients have accorded you wonderful titles, such as, "the Saint of Miracles," and "Wonder-worker of Padua."

The age-old and world-wide veneration are a sure sign of your tenderness and generosity of heart. I am confident, then, in recommending to your special care, my most precious treasures, the children with whom God has blessed me.

You know the dangers of body and soul to which children are exposed in our time. You, who are so powerful, watch over them to protect them from every evil. Please preserve them by your intercession in innocence, protect them from sin and harm, and confirm then in fidelity to God almighty. Amen.

2nd Sunday of Advent

The snowstorm was a gift today, a haven of rest between weeks with extra commitments.

Being away from home is not the hard part - being out & about is fun - it's the coming home. It's deciding what to do with our precious time at home: clean, do laundry, cook, organize, rest, read, or do lesson plans. There's no time for all of it, so we choose to let the house go, or have a week of relaxed school, or eat bread and cheese so we won't have a mountain of dishes or grocery shopping to do.

Saying "yes" to one thing often means committing to five things and saying "no" to almost everything else. Extra activities stretch me, force me to be more flexible, help make understand the difference between relaxed and lazy. I learn that when I am struggling, I have to be careful who I complain to, even other homeschoolers.

Our extra commitments are a gift, especially in the performing arts. It's not about competition and winning, it's about creating something beautiful for God, something that edifies the soul of each participant and the members of the audience. It's the Miss Rumphius principle.

Next weekend I will be helping backstage as a runner for The Nutcracker. This means that I will be responsible for getting the dancers from their room, to stage right, and back again. I'll get to usher the littlest angels on and off stage, help lift the frame of the hoop skirt over Mother Ginger's head, and watch the lead dew drop fairy catch her breath when she flies off stage during Waltz of the Flowers.This has got to be the best volunteer job on the sign-up sheet.

1st Sunday of Advent - Joyful Preparations!

Today our home is being decked in violet hues while the Benedictines of Mary provide an atmosphere of quiet expectation. The Star Path meanders around the Jesse Tree and glockenspiel. This year, slips of paper announcing special activities will be under each star.

I took stock of advent candles, decided we do not have nearly enough to last the season, and placed an order. (There's a great coupon code for Yankee Candles: CATH312 good for $20 off orders $45 or more)

A basket heavy with Advent books, one (or two) for each day waits near the hearth. Chocolate advent calendars purchased on sale last year are retrieved from the freezer. Butter for Thursday's St. Nicholas Speculatius is softening in the mixing bowl. 

Joe is outside, risking life and limb, climbing his tallest ladder to outline the roof-lines with white icicle lights, thus making our children very happy. They want our home to contribute light to the dark nights of December and are doing their part by anchoring the base of the ladder.

Sunday afternoons this month will be set aside for baking and preparing for the family Christmas concert. There are so many holiday events we would like to attend, but since we said "yes" to some opportunities, we must give a "no" to others. We really just need to rest at home after Sunday Mass and be together as a family.

It will soon be time to start dinner: chicken thighs with white wine cream sauce, potatoes, peas, and gingerbread cake with lemon sauce. Our meal tonight will have to be early, though, for we have tickets to hear M.'s violin teacher perform two string sextets tonight. Travel conditions today involve "freezing fog", so hopefully this will not translate into "slippery streets".

At this moment, while the little one naps at least, all is quiet. I am grateful for the rich traditions that speak to the true meaning of this season. Last week we attended a performance of Madeline's Christmas and while it was festive and entertaining, it left me feeling rather empty.

A considerable amount of our time, talents, and funds this month will be contributed towards our local Nutcracker production and our daughter's participation in it. This, too, will be festive and entertaining, a great gift of the art of ballet to the community, and a worthwhile endeavor of which we are thrilled to be a part - but beyond the fanciful fairy tale struggle of good v. evil coupled with the Christmas party setting, this is not the focal point of our holiday season either.

Rather, Advent is the longer process of preparing our hearts and souls to welcome Christ to the past, present, and future. Saving the twelve days of true celebration for the days after the 25th is counter cultural. In this day and age, a balancing act is required in order to mesh the secular opportunities with the sacred. While we are not purists, it seems like an uphill battle against the grain.

 

I am planning special things for day of advent, as well as the twelve days after.

We will listen to Christmas music on the car radio (because the music will cease on the 25th), but sing and listen to advent music at home.

We will visit the tree farm on Gaudete Sunday (the last day they are open), and add lights that day, but decorate with ornaments later.

We do not wait until Epiphany to open presents, but do wait until the after the kids go to bed Christmas Eve to set them under the tree.

We will go see the Holidazzle parade, but will wait until after The Nutcracker.

We will give to those less fortunate, but in the form of a backpack filled with necessities for children entering foster care.

I will spend less time on the computer and reading and writing blog posts, but hope to check in on Sundays, just to be in touch as we all wait in joyful anticipation.

In the meantime, I just crave quiet.

People, look east. The time is near 
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.

Advent - O Antiphon Houses

While I am having a little Advent carnival over here I may as well add the O Antiphon House to this series of posts.

This is a great explanation of O Antiphons. This thread on the 4Real Board contains an entire parade of O Antiphon houses with photos and links showcasing the many varieties moms have created. I'm pretty sure I gleaned ideas for our house here.

The year we made them, we (ok, Joe) searched craft stores high and low to find the house shape I wanted, so when he finally found it he was so excited he bought three. Making two extra to give as gifts was easy enough. Enjoy!

Advent - Wreaths

What kind of Advent wreath does your family use? We have tried several:

The traditional round style with taper candles -

Round with real beeswax pillar candles. They were spendy, but actually last through the season. Whatever is leftover can be reused for Lent.

And a birch log with holes drilled for taper candles -

I have also seen in catalogs a style using tea light candles (available from Leaflet Missal) -

 

I am not sure which one we will use this year! Sometimes we place the birch log on the mantle and keep a round one on the table. What is your favorite style?

Advent - Ornaments

This link will take you to a post I did last year with photos of homemade Christmas tree ornaments. All were easy and fun to make, hope you see some ideas you can use!

Advent - Candles and Wax

This post explains a little about candle decorating, a project the whole family can enjoy. We have decorated candles for just about every season.

Here are a few photos of projects we have done during Advent. These are fun, easy, and satisfying. The scent of pure beeswax will make your home smell wonderful!

 

Advent - Star Path

If you click on this link you will find a post on how to make a Star Path, a beloved Advent tradition in our home. Enjoy!

Advent - Jesse Tree

It's that time of year - the 1st Sunday of Advent is December 2nd. Thankfully we have three weeks to prepare! I will need to venture down to the basement to find our Jesse Tree ornaments, O Antiphon house, and see if I thought to buy a stash of Advent candles for this year. I can never remember!

If you click on this link it will take you to a post I did three years ago with photos of our Jesse Tree ornaments. If this is your first time making ornaments, I highly suggest making two or three sets - one for you, and the extra sets to give as gifts. Better yet, organize an exchange so that you make several of only one or two ornaments, meet up with friends, and come home with an entire set!

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.

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!

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Updates and Quotes for a Monday

We survived a weekend including two Nutcracker performances and one rescheduled boy's choir concert. Finally the Christmas concerts and reception cookie baking is over! Time to be at home, finish Christmas cards, gifts and crafts and do a little baking for ourselves and our neighbors. There are a half dozen craft projects I would like to do myself but will most likely spend the week helping the children make things for one another.

The Nutcracker, bty, was the premier production given by our new ballet academy (in their second year) way out in this corner of the outer metro. I was amazed at how well all the little details were thought out and planned for, on and off stage. Really amazing for an academy's first production. Chaperoning a roomful of three and four years old angels was an equally memorable experience.

(backstage)

I only signed up one of my girls for the show - the one requiring the least amount of rehearsal time. Our Little Princess was an adorable angel for the 2:00 show - by 7:00 she was sleeping in heavenly peace on the floor of the backstage dressing room, not to be roused. I had chaperoning duties so I called Joe to come and pick her up. Oh well.

My little prep choir boy sang with a group of eleven choristers. Their performance was noted to be the quietest in history and their group the best behaved, translated = the least entertaining! Kind of an odd compliment. The packed house enjoyed each of the five choirs and recorder consort. Hearing the top internationally acclaimed choir was a real treat. This has to be what the angels in heaven sound like.

(older photo - not from yesterday)

 

One more fun photo - the saxophonist's wife roped random shoppers into singing at the grocery store -

I promised two quotes in my post title so here they are:

"Charity begins at home, but should not end there." ~ Thomas Fuller

It is all too easy to wrap ourselves up in our own little families. Christmastime provides wonderful opportunities to reach out.

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." ~ Jane Austen

No explanation needed here. I would be perfectly content ot stay in by the hearth for days and days in the winter. I must have a bit of Mr. Woodhouse in me!

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

A Work in Progress

Four years ago we bought a pre-lit tree due to my allergies. The trouble is each year it loses more and more of it's pre-lit magic. This year so many light strands had failed we decided to pack it back up and return to the real thing. My husband ventured out in sub-zero weather to pick out a frasier fir and a box of Claritin.

He picked a lovely one. The smell is so fragrant, the shape pleasing, the needles so soft.

 

The kids want to decorate it right away of course, without realizing how long it takes my dh to pack it with lights.

 

The baby doesn't care much about the lights yet, he just wants to sample the needles.Good thing my husband is experienced in pine needle extraction.

 

Swedish for a Day

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Even though it's now Thursday ~

Wordless Wednesday