Feast day plans for St Brigid of Ireland

Happy Feast of St Brigid of Ireland.

We love our Irish saints as we have a family history that links us back to the 'Isle of Erin.' So this is one day we enjoy celebrating!

Our plans today consist of these activities:
Food~
Irish Stew
Irish Soda Bread
Scones with Jam and cream - St Brigid is the patron saint of Dairy farmers hence the use of cream
We are also going to make a St Brigid cloak cake this was Vellvin's idea.

Reading~
This is an interesting read for the children and I love this poem from the site: it could be used for memorisation or copywork

The Giveaway -
Saint Brigid was
A problem child.
Although a lass
Demure and mild,
And one who strove
To please her dad,
Saint Brigid drove
The family mad.
For here's the fault in Brigid lay:
She WOULD give everything away.

To any soul
Whose luck was out
She'd give her bowl
Of stirabout;
She'd give her shawl,
Divide her purse
With one or all.
And what was worse,
When she ran out of things to give
She'd borrow from a relative.

Her father's gold,
Her grandsire's dinner,
She'd hand to cold
and hungry sinner;
Give wine, give meat,
No matter whose;
Take from her feet
The very shoes,
And when her shoes had gone to others,
Fetch forth her sister's and her mother's.

She could not quit.
She had to share;
Gave bit by bit
The silverware,
The barnyard geese,
The parlor rug,
Her little
niece's christening mug,
Even her bed to those in want,
And then the mattress of her aunt.

An easy touch
For poor and lowly,
She gave so much
And grew so holy
That when she died
Of years and fame,
The countryside
Put on her name,
And still the Isles of Erin fidget
With generous girls named Bride or Brigid.

Well, one must love her.
Nonetheless,
In thinking of her
Givingness,
There's no denial
She must have been
A sort of trial
Unto her kin.
The moral, too, seems rather quaint.
WHO had the patience of a saint,
From evidence presented here?
Saint Brigid? Or her near and dear?

Of course we will read  Brigid's Cloak

The older children will also read this beautiful story here and write a narration on it.

Activities~
Making St Brigid's cross using these instructions with whatever materials we have on hand, perhaps long grass or pipe cleaners

Write this blessing out to go with our Cross's
An on line quiz
Wordsearch I can't get the direct link to work so just choose wordsearch
St Brigid crossword
St Brigid's mantle- a fun activity
Of course a holy card to have at the end of the meal printed and written on
Draw a Celtic cross and colour
Practice form drawing with Celtic knots as the pattern, for the younger children they can just colour them in!

St Brigid Colouring page from Charlotte 
We will also be using various colouring pages from these books:


Life in Celtic Times:- what ever pages they like

Celtic Stained Glass pattern Book- choose a design and colour it


Link to book :Ours is slightly different being not only letters but is an older version and I can't find a link

Copywork quote~
I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us. I would like an abundance of peace. I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside over all. I would like Jesus to be present. I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us. I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts. I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord; that I should suffer distress, that he would bestow a good blessing upon me. I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings. I would like to be watching Heaven's family drinking it through all eternity."

~ St. Brigid of Ireland

Prayers~
I found this lovely St Brigid Chaplet  prayer on line we will try to pray

Prayer to St. Brigid
Brigid, you were a woman of peace,
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light into the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace
Cover those who are troubled and anxious,
And may peace be firmly rooted
In our hearts and in our world.
Inspire us to act justly and reverence all God has made.
Brigid, you were a voice for the wounded and the weary.
Strengthen what is weak within us.
Clam us into a quietness that heals and listens.
May we grow each day into greater wholeness -
In mind, body and spirit.
Amen!

Litany of St Brigid form here

An interesting little piece of information I found

 

St. Brigid of Ireland, Pray for us!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts for Home- Ist February ♥

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

My list for the 1st February is ♥ ♥

1. I still intend to keep up my other blog posts as mentioned in last weeks edition. I have just run out of time to ponder my thoughts and transfer them on paper. My first will be about Gratitude of which I am so thankful for those wonderful comments left on my Words post

2. A return to normal routines as we go into a full routine with visitors gone as we try to implement some 'regularness' back into our lives. Well an attempt anyway. i expect this will take some time.

3. Patience will be high on my priorities as I know from past experience it takes time and patience to have this work out.

4. Along this theme I wish to ensure my voice control is gentle and soft. I really want to be and example of this this for our children and try and help our loud and  boisterous 4 year old with his voice control. I have always loved my ideal of a gentle woman (in my minds view), perhaps one day I will actually achieve this!

5. In some way allow for the creativity to flow in our home. I really enjoyed sewing with Myffy last week and Moran wanted to join in as well. It was lovely to have that time with them and I know it really helps them keep some focus on quiet activities too. So I want to ensure I allow for this each day. Our St Valentines day activities will allow for some of this as we will be starting plans for this during the week. We celebrate as a family and I will be sharing some of our traditions soon.

6. This is our last week with Kynan and we need to just love and enjoy our son before he leaves for his big adventure. Try to create some precious memories for him to take and for us to hold on to as we miss him.

Blessings to you and your homes,

I Goofed Twice!

Last fall we began the redecorating process of our red living room. We lightened things up by painting the walls SW Aria Ivory, removing dated curtains and reducing the number of accessories.

After:

Before:

New pillows were made for the chairs and I found a funny little French marble top table to replace the too big skirted round table.

Things seemed to be progressing nicely.

Later, some bargain curtain hardware was unified with paint/glaze and after input from RDH followers the winner of the gray silk versus white linen curtain debate was selected – although I never announced my choice.

I sewed and hung my new curtains and after only a few days it hit me. Something was just not right. The curtain hardware finish seemed out of place and the windows looked empty with just one panel. Why I made only one panel per window, I do not know.

Needless to say, I goofed twice in the same room!

The curtain hardware issue was easily fixed in a few hours with some white paint to match the woodwork.

Amending the curtain situation, however, was a different story. My first thought was to make four more panels. I liked the gray silk and it was not the color which bothered me. See how empty this looks!

The problem with this idea was the fabric was purchased several months ago and dye lots vary from bolt to bolt. The chance of getting more fabric to match the existing curtains was pretty slim. I ordered a fabric sample from the bolt from which my new fabric would be cut anyway and kept my fingers crossed.

The sample arrived and much to my surprise and delight it matched perfectly. However, while I was waiting I had another thought. I decided to play “musical curtains” and move the gray silk panels to another room in my house. It was love at first sight!

Now I had a decision to make. Keep the curtains in their new room or make four more panels. Which did I choose? Stay tuned for the answer!

WHO DOESN'T LOVE A PORCH?

I'm joining JILL at GYPSY BROCANTE
for her first meeting of THE PORCH CLUB. If you haven't heard about it yet just click HERE or on her button on my sidebar. I had the pleasure of meeting JILL in the fall at the blogger party during Antiques Week in Texas. She is one cool junkin' chick and has fabulous style!

Love ya Jill!

So on to the porch meeting. Don't we all love a porch? Big, small and everywhere in between there's nothing better than whiling away the hours with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and a good friend to share a little chit chat.

Today I am sharing the petite porch on the front of my garden cottage.











Elements like old porch posts and architectural brackets give it sweet chippy charm.

Click HERE to see the inside of the cottage.

Please be sure and stop by JILL'S and visit all of the other beautiful porches!

GO STEELERS!

Rolled Beeswax Candles for Candlemas

Supplies for Candle making

On the evening of Arwen's birthday Rogan and I made some rolled beeswax candles for Arwen's birthday. We will be making more for the Feast of Candlemas on Wednesday but I really just wanted to give a quick tutorial on how we make them.

As I am having a hard time buying wicks as the place I used to get them no longer sells them I made my own from twine. The picture above is when we made some last year for Candlemas after running out of the bought ones.

 For these candles we didn't pre dip the twine because I didn't want to get out the bees wax to melt the twine that late at night. On Wednesday I will use cotton string as it works better.

*You lay the string/wick on the very end of the bees wax sheet.
*In the first picture you can see we have cut the wax sheet in half and then into thirds for the size candles we wanted.
*Press down firmly to embed the wick in the wax.

*Simply start to roll the candle up very carefully

*Trying to keep it even all the while until you reach the end of your piece of wax strip.

Wholla.... finished Candles !!

Seriously it is so easy and so much fun. Best of all your fingers smell like bees wax as well as the room you prepare them in.

These are the candles we made for the birthday ring all ready to be lit.

List of Supplies:
* Bees wax sheets in your desired size, mine are the smaller ones.
* wicking or cotton string
* scissors
* optional - enthusiastic children or self

Have a fun time with this!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Free Learn to Read Program

This is just a quick information tip for those of you who may be interested in a free reading programme.
Now I know it has been all over FB but sometimes  people miss out on information so I just wanted to let you know here as well. Also it ends at the end of January only a couple of days away so make sure you take advantage if you think it may be useful to your child's learning.

I have just finished down loading this programme worth $249 from Funnix.com for FREE!
Here is a quick rundown from the site:
The program consists of 220 daily lessons, so it takes kids farther than most beginning-reading programs-- from being non readers to reading on the third-grade level."

The free version of Funnix is electronic. You download the entire package of 220 lessons and other material onto your computer, and you have everything you need to teach the program. The steps of what you do and how you do it are spelled out in Teacher’s Guide, which you review before presenting the program. Workbook and textbook activities accompany the lessons. You print these.

When you teach Funnix, you and you child sit next to each other and watch the computer screen. A narrator presents a series fast-paced exercises in each 30-minute lesson. The narrator asks questions, and your child responds--out loud. Your job is to reinforce correct responses and correct any mistakes by following simple rules for "navigating" through the material.

I hope this was of interest to some of you!

 Blessings to you and your homes,

New - Blog of the Month Feature

One of the things I like best about blogging is discovering new sites. (Hopefully you do too!) It seems almost every week I find a new and incredible blog. To help spread the word about new blogs and recognize some long time favorites, I am excited to announce a new “Blog of the Month” feature on Red Door Home.

Calendars by Jessica Swift

My plan is to spotlight one favorite blog during the first week of each month. (This will be hard decision as there are so many wonderful sites and only twelve months in the year!)

As a bonus and thank you, the featured blog will also receive a button link to their blog on the side bar of Red Door Home until the next blog of the month is announced – a free month of advertising!

So, if you have a blog and would like to be featured or have a favorite blog you think everyone should know about please leave a comment below or email me. I can’t wait to see your suggestions!

Words can Hurt......Really!

I have struggled on whether to share this post or not but finally decided that perhaps it may help someone else who may be undergoing the same type of experiences I have, because I don't believe for an instant that this is just something  I have undergone but that it happens to others as well.

Recently I was hurt by someones words to me. These words were spoken to me not due to something I had done or said but because they were angry about a particular situation, and so used that opportunity to say something that obviously had been on her heart. Now perhaps I am being sensitive to this and perhaps I should not dwell on this but I guess over a period of years this particular person has continued to say these type of remarks to me and mostly within our home and while visiting.

The type of comments are rather personal and deal with her opinion of how I especially, (because it must be me, no one else in our family has an opinion that hasn't come from me or could possible be the source of the problem except me,) am the reason that we have these issues that relate to our home, how our children behave or the seemingly useless things I do with my time, like making crafts etc. Here are the 'treasures of my heart' that I have been hurt with.

I have in the last week finished Arwen's Cross stitch (as you would know) made Arwen a late birthday present, which was  a little dolly and was about to embark upon some knitted hearts to share with my family for Valentines day. When once again the comments about 'the useless things that I make and how they only find themselves on the floor'. That really I should be using the money spent on these items to make worthwhile items like clothes and knitting garments instead of these 'waste of time items'.

I have over the time of our marriage taught myself any of the homemaking skills I have developed as  well as making the majority of home decorating and crafting items for our home.
I well remember the reason I started making items for our home stemmed from the lack of money to decorate and then using the skills I was developing to bring beauty to our home. So I believe I have been thrifty in using these skills to beautify our living space and family life. I have not had comment from my husband or children to indicate they are displeased with what I do.

I admit I have never been a great 'sewer of garments' and only now am I starting to knit and crochet some things, with great difficulty I might add actually, as I tend to forget how to do some part of both these skills. So I have never attempted any large projects, probably as I have no real ability or confidence to do this. My sewing skills for dress making are very limited but I have made some lovely clothes over the years and am trying to teach our girls the basics, even with my limited time and skill level.

However I have been proud of the homemaking I have achieved and the fact that my husband and children all  enjoy the little extras I create, whether for birthdays or feast days or just because I want to make something for a child's enjoyment that brings me a sense of fulfillment and joy.

This then begs the question...Does it mean that because my creativity and/or skill does not make it into 'the big leagues' that I should not use the creative  aspects of my homemaking that I believe that God has given each to each of us to make our home and life more beautiful? I don't believe so!

We have children that are tremendously creative. Each and every one has many gifts that in different ways bless us with what they create.  We have some beautiful artists, storytellers, woodworkers, felters, musicians and sewing/knitting/crocheting people BUT never, not once have I asked them to not use these gifts for the purpose they would like to or to not be who they are.

I have encouraged them in their arts and crafts, I have helped them to the best of my ability and when that isn't enough we source out other resources. I am always open to the children wanting to expand their creative abilities and use new materials or just some other skill they are interested in learning.
I would be so devastated to learn that something I had said would make our children think that I did not appreciate their handy work or the time and effort they had put into the work they had produced.
This is important to me. This I believe can scar a persons creative ability or even their very self confidence. I would never want that on my conscience, believe me!!

I would also like to say that I wouldn't like anyone to look at my own efforts that I may share here in this space and feel that they could never achieve anything creatively. Creative ability is in everyone and I believe it just needs tapping to be found and used, not only for our own benefit but also to the glory of the God who created us and gave us that ability.

Why would I go to such elaborate lengths to tell you about my sadness and upset, that I have experienced yet again from another.

Because our words can and DO hurt. Our words are an overflow of what we think and especially in times of crises I have found that the true feelings of others are actually 'uttered into being.'

I have always been a firm believer of the bible quote~
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

I cannot believe that if we dwell on this verse that a lifetime of negative comments and words will be any ones fate. That if we follow these words as a guideline that the people we interact with will ever have reason to doubt we are true children of God.

So many times we have the opportunity to honour this verse but for what ever reason we CHOOSE to say something that will... 'just put that other person in their place, or we believe we say it for their own good.' But I would challenge you and myself that mostly if you NEED to say something like this it is not for the other persons good but for our own SELFISH reasons.


I would also like to add that mostly when this has happened to me in this particular circumstance, that the hurt is like a reopening of an old wound. it hurts no matter how many times it has been said or how long since it  was said last.I have found that even though  the words uttered are about things I have treasured in our home and in my heart that the best way to deal with this is to SAY NOTHING. 

My gosh it is hard and yes I have not always done this, and yes I struggle with the feeling of  unworthiness that comes from the uttered words and then the asking of myself 'why does she say that to me, why can't she compliment me on anything I do'.


However perhaps this experience can be used to for good.......yes I do try to think that. I try to remember  these experiences when I talk to my husband, to my children and to others. I have over the years tried to encourage others in their tasks,vocations and to look for the good in others. I try to build up and not tear down and most of all I try to remember that the WAY I SAY SOMETHING can make all the difference as well. 

The way I speak is just as important as what I say. I think this is self evident but I have to remind myself that speaking in a polite and soft way with a gentle heart  creates a much different response from the listener as well as to my own expectations and that it really is very important to speak in this manner.

Am I perfect, the Lord knows I am not but I also believe He knows my heart and He knows my intent and that I strive and long to become more like Jesus each and every day.


I have also been dwelling on some words of advice I received today "to not let your happiness come from other peoples opinions of you but from the Lord. To dwell only on the Lord and his love and opinion of you" and while I do believe this it still does not stop the hurt, and I still struggle with the ongoing hurt of the uttered words.  But to know I am doing and being who I can be through the strength of God is a comfort to me, and I am trying to dwell in His love and care.


I hope and pray that even though this was a 'non happy' post that it in some way speaks to your heart and that in doing so it will help you to reach out to those who you love and know and encourage them in your own way.

But remember~
Words can hurt or words can build up......which will you and I use!!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Tasmanian Native Cherry Tree

When we first moved to our property some years ago we were quite excited to find these Native Cherry trees on our property. We thought it an added bonus when we  discovered the tiny fruits on them.

We weren't sure if they were edible until some locals, ie Tasmanian born, told us the to look for the fruit in the summer and that you could eat it.

Each summer the littler children love to gather the fruit and eat it. Apparently it has a tarty flavour, according to some and bland to others. I have never tasted them as I am a chicken in regards to new foods.

It is one of the interesting parts of living on our property.....the opportunity to observe and be part of the nature that is here.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Thank You Dovecote Décor!

The week after the New Year I received some exciting news. I was the winner of a fabulous giveaway sponsored by Liz, Benji and Viive at Dovecote Décor in conjunction with Wind Rose Antiques.  

What did I win?

 

This fantastic English rosewood stationary box with inlay valued at $350. Needless to say I was thrilled!

 

The box arrived a few days ago and is even prettier in person than it was in the picture. According to the enclosed tag, the box is from Staffordshire, England and dates to the 1830’s - a true antique and treasure.

Although I have not settled on a permanent home, it is currently residing happily in my dining room.

Besides writing a wonderful blog called Dovecote Décor, this talented trio also has a shop by the same name.

I was delighted at the selection of antiques, lighting, accessories, and more that I found while visiting their online shop. Here is just a sample of some of my favorites.

Thanks again to Dovecote Décor for this incredible giveaway. To see more great pieces, click HERE.

Arwen's Finished Cross Stitch

I am soooo pleased to be able to show these pictures of the long awaited finished cross stitch.
I have done these hand print cross stitches for each of our children and some of them have been finished fairly early and some like Arwen's have taken a while.
Mind you I think the Hunca Munca was a lot bigger than some of the other pictures I have done too. I also needed to get some magnifying glasses to see the slight differences in the colours when working on  it at night....very embarrassing.

After finishing I then paint on the paint to put the print on the fabric. I use the same rose coloured fabric paint for this. Arwen was quite excited when we told her that we were going to paint.

However the reality of getting the sticky, messy paint on her little hand was not an idea she was keen on.

In fact she cried the whole time as I pressed her hand prints on and even when I washed her  hand off.

So she wasn't really keen to get the other hand done as well.

Even with the other children cheering her on and telling her how clever she was.

This was how it turned out after Arwen's hand prints were on, the day before her 2nd birthday.

After we had finished we set her up with some watercolour painting........this she loved.

She was most content to play in this for ages.

I framed up the cross stitch the day of her birthday and was so pleased with the result.

Finally here it is on the wall with the other children's cross stitches. It is a pleasure to walk up and down the stairs and seeing it there with all the others.

Blessings to you and your homes,