A 'tail' of two halves...creativity and destruction!

Being the last weekend before the Swedish Fayre, and being ever so slightly concerned that I wouldn't have enough goodies for my stall, I decided to spend Sunday afternoon cooking up some of the pinecone firelighters that feature in our book, A Green Guide to Country Crafts. 

They are ever so simple to make so, having gathered together all of the suitable vessels I could find to fill, I set about melting my soy wax flakes...

The job was made all the easier due to a recent find in our local Sue Ryder Charity shop - this rather fetching preserving pan - very sturdy and in great condition.  A steal at £5! 

I waxed some wick and put one in each mould before filling with melted wax.....

And then topping each one off with a hand-picked pine cone!  The trick is popping in the pine cone just at the right time - when the wax has partly set.

The metal patisserie moulds are the ones I used in the book, but I have to say, the silicone moulds worked a dream and were dead easy to slip out once the wax had set.

All ready to go the fayre!

And then.....ready and waiting to counter my burst of creativity head on...Rory the destroyer set to work!

Firstly it was hubby's (quite expensive) slippers.....whilst my back was turned for a moment.

Followed shortly afterwards by the very swift destruction of a new toy.  It lasted all of half an hour in Rory's very capable paws!

And as something of a finale, a pair of our lovely painted bamboo needles bit the dust care of yours truly!

Good job I love him to bits, little monkey!

Still, without him, I would not have been out walking this morning and I would have missed the pleasure of these.  I just love the ethereal quality of honesty and have an idea for using some to make a card for a friend.....

Jacquix

The Joy in Giving!!

Our children are a sourse of inspirtaion and joy to me every day.
I am so honoured to have these special little people in my life.

The contagious spirit of giving and wanting to bring joy to others is a natural part of children's lives and I am blessed in so many ways on a daily basis, as I am the recipient of little 'love gifts' from our children.

I was especially overcome with joy as Corbyn just had to show me his simple Christmas gifts already made (with the help of an adorable big sister) and wrapped up ready to be given to siblings and mummy and daddy.

The look on his face as he was looking for a place to hide them until Christmas was a reminder of the gifts we are given each day if only we look for them in the simple opportunities and with the mind and heart of a child.

Children are a wonder to behold and a gift  from God that is constantly renewed each day as I share my daily life with them.

Enjoy your day and the opportunities that come your way!

Blessings to you and your homes
,

St Andrew Novena Starts Today

Say 15 times a day from St. Andrew's Day (30 November) until Christmas

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Hearts For Home - 29th November

 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.
May God Bless you this week.

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

Enjoying our lives on the 29th November by doing ♥ ♥

Well, we are starting our Advent season and the focus I want to have for this week is on reading many of our Advent and Christmas picture books.

I will also be making up those Christmas bags as I now have the  fabric for them. While I am at it I will make Trahaearn's St Nicolas stocking.

As we have put up our decorations I want to keep the house fairly clean and tidy, even with all those, crafty activities involved with Advent Unit Studies.

I plan to help Moran and Myffwyn with a day to themselves each of making Christmas presents for each other and all our family. Autumn did this with Corbyn and Arwen and they had the best day ever with her.

I need to plan for St Nicholas day next week and try and find some gifts that do not cost too much.

Try to keep up the new routine even though we are now entering this very busy time of year.

May you all have a blessed week and thank you for being a part of Hearts for Home,

A Quick Advent Study

Although I had hoped to have my own prepared study to share this year I have not gotten it typed up sooooo I thought I would share this quick online version of one of the Studies we have done in the past. I actually can't find the one we own but this is a good starting point for a family study.

A Blessed Christmas

by Karen Caroe

INTRODUCTION

Every year from December 1 - January 6, we do a unit study about Christmas. This is one of the many we have done. This unit study is about the Symbols of Christmas. Every Christmas symbol ought to point to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our entire focus for this season is on Christ, His character, our service to Him, and our opportunity to spread His light to others.

RESOURCES

Celebrate With Joy by Sondra Burnett (1992)

THE UNIT
The following are the symbols we use, the scripture we study and the activities we do. You don't have to do them in this order. I change them around to accommodate our schedules and each Sunday of Advent, etc.

1) THE ADVENT WREATH--The circle of the wreath reminds us of God's eternal love for us. The 4 candles on the wreath are for each Sunday before Christmas. The center candle is for Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We do both. The lighting of the candles each week causes the light to grow brighter as the birth of Christ approaches.
Bible: Luke 2:19
Discuss the need for a quieter, slower season to think about the truths of God's word. Decide--as a family--how you can slow down, focus on Christ, and not get overwhelmed withe the "hustle and bustle"
Do: Make an Advent Wreath. We make ours out of greenery--real or artificial. The green reminds us that Christ lives forever and comes to give us that opportunity for eternal life.

2)BELLS--I love bells because they are so joyful sounding. In times past, churches were forbidden to ring bells to call people to worship. This is true in some countries even today.
Bible: Psalm 100
Discuss whether or not you ring the joyful news of Christ. or are you a noisy gong.
Do: There are many activities to do with bells. My children like to tie them onto ribbon and string them on the tree. We also like to make necklaces with them and sew them into the hem of our Christmas dresses. Collect all the bells in your house and see if you can '"play" a song with them.

3)CARDS--We enjoy getting Christmas Cards. Looking at the pictures and reading the sentiments. We also like to send cards that state clearly our belief about the preciousness of Christmas.
Bible: Luke 2:13-14
Discuss the possibility of these verses being the first "Christmas Card Greeting." Are our Christmas greetings patterned after this one. Should it be?
Do: Make Christmas cards for your friends and send them. Or make them for each member of your family. Also, each time you gather around the Advent Wreath--daily or weekly--read the cards you have received and pray for the sender and their family.

4) ST.NICHOLAS--look up in encyclopedia. This is NOT Santa Claus. Our children do not believe in Santa Claus and we have never pretended he was real. We do however teach them about the true Nicholas of Myra (Turkey) who loved God and gave to others without expecting anything in return. His example of giving should characterize our lives all year.
Bible: Philippians 2:1-11
Discuss: What should be our attitude toward others and how can we--as a family--show forth that attitude at Christmas? Be specific. Make a plan and do it.
Do: Choose a family, widow, shut-in, etc and secretly give them a small gift "from someone who loves you" each week of advent. ( Fruit, poinsettia, hand-made ornament, card--etc.) Then go and visit them on the 4th Sunday or Christmas Eve/Day.
Do: Exchange names in your family. Keep it a secret. Do nice things for that person throughout the season. (Make their bed. Take on a chore. Leave them a note, etc.)

5) GIFTS--God sent His son and that's the greatest gift of all. Gifts also represent the significant gifts of the Magi. If they don't show our love for our family or friend, then they shouldn't be given.
Bible: Matthew 2:10-11
Discuss: The wise men Worshipped Christ BEFORE giving gifts to him. We need to be sure worship comes before the shopping and giving of gifts. How can this be done?
Do: Wrap a box and put a slit in the top. Have family members decide how they can add $ to the box during the season. At the end of Epiphany (Jan. 6) or at Christmas--give the box to the church or a mission.
Do: Watch a video or listen to a radio drama or read "The Gift of the Magi."

6) ORNAMENTS--The very first tree ornaments were a display of God's provision to his people. Apples, cookies, etc. Also, candles to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.
Bible: Read James1:17
Discuss: What good gifts God has given you.
Do: Make ornaments that represent God's blessings. Or, make a small Christmas notebook that shows pictures of what God has given you, or make a Christmas banner that displays God's blessings to you.

7) CHRISTMAS TREE -- symbolizes that our God is eternal and we have eternal life through His Son when we put our trust in him.
Bible: Luke 2:52; IIPeter 3:17-18
Discuss: How do we "grow" as Jesus did?
Do: Put up your Christmas tree but enjoy it for a day or so before you put ornaments on it. Reflect upon its meaning. Then, plan what ornaments will show forth your faith and add to the tree throughout the season.

8) CANDLES -- Our home glows with light during this time of the year to remind us that Jesus came as the Light of the World.
Bible: Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12
Discuss: How we can let others know that Jesus is the Light of the World. How can we show that light?
Do: Gather up different light sources and show how they work. What is brightest, most convenient, etc. (This is a home-school project.) Go into bathroom or dark closet. Show how a single little light clears out the darkness. Refer back to John 1.
Do: Plan some kind of 'outreach' for the season. Either taking the light to others or inviting them into your home.
Do: For homeschool, make some molded candles or rolled beeswax candles as gifts.

9) WREATHS -- We keep at least one wreath up in our home all year. The circle of the wreath is eternal. No beginning or end. That is the same as God's love for us.
Bible: John 3:16
Discuss: What things in your home are made with a circle. Find what qualities of God can be symbolized by a circle.
Do: For home-schoolers, use the circle to teach shapes, the numeral zero, practicing writing the "o" letter and learn it's sounds.
Do: Make a wreath to hang in your home. Give a wreath to someone.

10) HOLLY -- My favorite symbol. The holly leaves represent the crown of thorns that Christ wore. The berries represent his blood and the evergreen color is for eternal life. This is the "completion" of the Christmas story.
Bible: II Corinthians 8:9; Hebrews 12:2
Discuss: Everything Jesus went through because of his love for us.
Do: Place some holly around your nativity scene to remind you of the "whole" story.
Do: Make this great recipe: 1 stick of butter, melted in a large pot with some marshmallows--kind of like making Krispie Treats. Add A LOT of green food coloring. When you have a nice green color, remove from heat and stir in about 6 cups of corn flakes. They need to be all covered with the green mixture. Put them out in "clumps" on wax paper and stick a red hot in the middle of each clump. Let them cool. Store in fridge in airtight container. Use to decorate your holiday plate or add to goodie boxes. You will not believe how many compliments you will get on this. If possible, place a little note with them telling about the holly symbol for Christmas.

11) POINSETTIA -- The poinsettia has a lovely history. It was first called "The Flower of the Holy Night" because a Mexican legend tells of a little boy who had nothing to give the baby Jesus. As he prayed, a flower grew at his feet. He quickly picked it and gave it to Jesus. We have the name today because of a man named Poinsett--the American ambassador to Mexico--who is given credit for introducing it to the US.
Bible: Matthew 6:28-30
Discuss: How God has shown his loving care through the beauty of creation.
Do: See how many scriptures you can find that refer to Jesus as a flower.
Do: Get a poinsettia for your home or give one to a shut in to enjoy.
Do: For homeschool, spend a couple of days finding out how Christmas is celebrated among Christians in Mexico. Learn to say, "Feliz Navidad."

12) SHEPHERD'S STAFF -- We call it a candy cane. But truly it is a shepherd's staff. The colors symbolize the blood and purity of Christ. If you can find the ones that also have green in them, that represents eternal life.
Bible: Psalm 23:1-5
Discuss: Jesus as our shepherd
Do: Hang candy canes on your tree. We do this every year and we never call them 'candy canes' anymore. When people come to visit, we ask them to take a shepherd's staff off of our tree. Then we tell them why we call it that and what the colors mean. It is a beautiful, non-offensive way, to share your faith with others.

13) X-MAS -- I grew up being told that this was the
way to take Christ out of Christmas but actually that is not correct. It is part of the Chi-Rho cross which is the ancient Christian symbol formed by the Greek letters X (Chi) and P (Rho). These are the first 2 letters of Christ's name in Greek. X-MAS really means "celebration of Christ."
Bible: Luke 1:30-33
Discuss: Why would people want to take Christ out of Christmas? How can our family be sure to keep Christ in all the celebrations?
Do: Make a Chi-Rho cross out of poster board. Cut it out, spread with glue, sprinkle with glitter.
Do: For home school. Learn to write the Greek Alphabet. Look in a Greek New Testament. See if you can copy a short verse. Learn to say the Greek Alphabet. Why was the New Testament written in Greek? Also, check out how Christians in Greece celebrate Christmas.

14) CAROLS -- Most carols are were poems that were later put to music. A carol is a song that tells of Jesus' birth. "O Holy Night" is a carol. "Jingle Bells" is not a carol--it is a song.
Bible: Psalm 33:1-3
Discuss: What does God think about the praises of his children? What other verses tell us to praise and how to praise?
Do: Learn all the verses to a new Christmas Carol or an old favorite. Break into teams and play "Charades" with the titles of Christmas Carols. Make up your own Christmas Carol.
Do: For Homeschool, write a poem that could be used as a Christmas Carol.

15) CAROLERS--Legend has it that the first American carolers were a group of Huron Indians who gathered around a manger scene to sing songs. Later, groups of carolers would sing at homes which had a candle in the window.
Bible: Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:16
Discuss: How do these verses apply to celebration of the Advent?
Do: Organize a caroling party.

16) STAR--God proclaimed his truth in creation by lighting up the heavens with a star that announced the birth of Christ the King.
Bible: Look up scriptures that show other ways God has revealed himself through creation.
Do: For homeschool, study stars. What are they? What are some of the constellations?
Do: Make star ornament(s) for your tree.
Do: Make cookies shaped like stars.

17) MANGER SCENE--Supposedly St. Francis of Assisi had such a desire to have been present at the birth of Christ, that he re-created the scene.
Bible: Luke 2:6-7
Discuss: Where were you born? What were the surroundings? How do they compare to those of Jesus? What would you think about Jesus if he had been born in a palace? Why was he born in a stable?
Do: Begin making your own nativity scene. Make it as a banner or as a set. There are many patterns, cutouts, etc. available.

18) ANGELS -- God's messengers were the first to announce the birth of the Christ child. Also, at this time of the year especially, be open to hospitality for you never know when you may "entertain angels unawares."
Bible: Hebrews 13:1-2
Discuss: How do we serve God by practicing hospitality? Who in the Bible "entertained" angels?
Do: Decide as a family how you will be God's messengers at Christmas. Make a plan to help others who aren't as fortunate as you are.

19) BABY IN THE MANGER--The Christ child. Our purpose for celebrating.
Bible: Luke 2:7; 11-12
Discuss: Why did God decide to put His son in a feed trough?
Do: Make a poster or banner with the different names of Jesus.
Do: For homeschool write and design a "birth announcement" for the baby Jesus.

20) MARY--The mother of Jesus.
Bible: Luke 1:26-38, 46-56
Discuss: List the qualities of Mary you believe she had that caused God to choose her to be the Mother of His Son.
Do: Put Mary in your nativity scene.

21) JOSEPH--The earthly father of Jesus.
Bible: Matthew 1:18-2:23
Discuss: Why God thought Joseph would be a good husband and father.
Do: Add Joseph to the nativity scene.

22) SHEPHERDS -- The first to "hear" of the birth.
Bible: Psalm 68:10; Psalm 74:21b; James 2:5
Discuss: The 2 "classes" of visitors that came to see Jesus. What can we learn from each group?
Do: Make shepherds to add to your nativity. Lean a shepherd's staff against the stable to remind you of this symbol.

23) LAMBS--Symbolic because we picture them as being with the Shepherds who came to see Jesus. Jesus is the Lamb of God and he came to redeem his lambs (us).
Bible: Luke 2:8, 15-16; John 1:29; John 10:14-15
Discuss: What are the qualities of sheep?
Do: Add sheep to your manger.
Do: Make some sheep ornaments for your tree.
Do: Bake some cut-out sheep cookies.
Do: For homeschool, find out more about sheep and shepherding. Where in the world is that still done today? What are some wool products?

24) WISE MEN -- These were men who studied the stars and prophecies looking for signs of God's promised Saviour. The gifts they brought were prophetic of Christ's life on earth.
Bible: Proverbs 9:10, 16:16; James 1:5
Discuss: What is the opposite of wisdom? How can we grow wise? as parents. as children. Decide what areas of life you can work on to help you grow wiser.
Do: Make replicas of the gifts brought to Jesus. Put them on your tree. Find out why each gift was significant.

A NOTE ON CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY

We, in our family, work very hard to maintain a "ritual" of traditions. Some are from the way my dh and I were raised, some we began with our own children. I believe in these volatile times that the focus of Satan's battles is the breakdown of the family. Traditions serve to strengthen and solidify the ties of children to their parents and to the past generations. They also prepare the ground for strong relationships when your children have children. We must not weaken our greatest defense in the spiritual battles around us--the family. We ALWAYS keep a few of the traditions every year. Sometimes, we try something new. We don't know if it will become a tradition until the next year. I encourage you to celebrate Christmas Eve and Day with traditions that have been or will continue to be in your family for years to come. God was the first to establish "traditions" for His people, Israel, because He knew the strength in teaching His ways to our children and our children's children.

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Traditionally, Christmas celebrations didn't begin until a couple of days before Christmas and they continued until the Epiphany (January 6). The 12 Days of Christmas begin on December 26. Many families do not even open gifts until the Epiphany.

Here are some suggestions from activities we have done. (For homeschoolers, we do not homeschool at all during this time. It is our big break)
1) Each night focus on a different Christmas Carol. Ending with We Three Kings. See if you can find a carol book that will give you information about the origin and history of the carols.

2) On the 1st night (Dec.26) give 1 small gift to someone. The next night give 2 gifts to the same person or 1 gift to 2 different people. Continue this through 12 nights. (Tree ornaments, homemade cookies, candies, tracts, gift booklets, bookmarks, etc.)

3) Have a 12th night party and give small gifts to your guests.

4) Each night, move the wisemen of your nativity set closer and closer to the manger. ( We all know they didn't come to the manger but it's the idea that they progressed toward the Christ Child)

CONCLUSION

It is my sincere prayer that this unit study will minister to your family in a special way this year. Perhaps giving you new ideas for traditions or allowing you to see the symbols of Christmas in a new light. I pray you all have a blessed and spirit-filled Christmas this year. God Bless You!

  

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Twas the Beginning of Advent

As I was looking at Advent ideas this year I  and found this beautiful poem about how Advent and Christmas has become very commercialized sadly even within our Churches!

Twas the Beginning of Advent by J. Todd Jenkins  
'Twas the beginning of Advent and all through the Church 
Our hope was all dying-- we'd given up on the search. 
It wasn't so much that Christ wasn't invited, 
But after 2,000 plus years we were no longer excited. 
 
Oh, we knew what was coming-- no doubt about that. 
And that was the trouble-- it was all "old hat." 
November brought the first of an unending series of pains 
With carefully orchestrated advertising campaigns. 
 
There were gadgets and dolls and all sorts of toys. 
Enough to seduce even the most devout girls and boys. 
Unfortunately, it seemed, no one was completely exempt 
From this seasonal virus that did all of us tempt. 
 
The priests and prophets and certainly the kings 
Were all so consumed with the desire for "things!" 
It was rare, if at all, that you'd hear of the reason 
For the origin of this whole holy-day season. 
 
A baby, it seems, once had been born 
In the mid-east somewhere on that first holy-day morn. 
But what does that mean for folks like us, 
Who've lost ourselves in the hoopla and fuss? 
 
Can we re-learn the art of wondering and waiting, 
Of hoping and praying, and anticipating? 
Can we let go of all the things and the stuff? 
Can we open our hands and our hearts long enough? 
 
Can we open our eyes and open our ears? 
Can we find him again after all of these years? 
Will this year be different from all the rest? 
Will we be able to offer him all of our best? 
 
So many questions, unanswered thus far, 
As wisemen seeking the home of the star. 
Where do we begin-- how do we start 
To make for the child a place in our heart? 
 
Perhaps we begin by letting go 
Of our limits on hope, and of the stuff that we know. 
Let go of the shopping, of the chaos and fuss, 
Let go of the searching, let Christmas find us. 
 
We open our hearts, our hands and our eyes, 
To see the king coming in our own neighbors' cries. 
We look without seeking what we think we've earned, 
But rather we're looking for relationships spurned. 
 
With him he brings wholeness and newness of life 
For brother and sister, for husband and wife. 
The Christ-child comes not by our skill, 
But rather he comes by his own Father's will. 
 
We can't make him come with parties and bright trees, 
But only by getting down on our knees. 
He'll come if we wait amidst our affliction, 
Coming in spite of, not by our restriction. 
 
His coming will happen-- of this there's no doubt. 
The question is whether we'll be in or out. 
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock." 
Do you have the courage to peer through the lock? 
 
A basket on your porch, a child in your reach. 
A baby to love, to feed and to teach. 
He'll grow in wisdom as God's only Son. 
How far will we follow this radical one? 
 
He'll lead us to challenge the way that things are. 
He'll lead us to follow a single bright star. 
But that will come later if we're still around. 
The question for now: Is the child to be found? 
 
Can we block out commercials, the hype and the malls?  
Can we find solitude in our holy halls? 
Can we keep alert, keep hope, stay awake? 
Can we receive the child for ours and God's sake? 
 
From on high with the caroling host as he sees us, 
He yearns to read on our lips the prayer: Come Lord Jesus! 
As Advent begins all these questions make plea. 
The only true answer: We will see, we will see. 

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

First Sunday in Advent- Lighting the Advent Wreath

This year as part of our Advent celebrations I am hoping to share a look at some of the more important traditions we have in our family for this Advent Season.


Today we lit the first candle on our Advent Wreath.
This is an important activity in our home as it signifies the start of all the special activities as we prepare for the day of Christmas- the Birth of Jesus


On the first day of Advent, Catholic families will set up Advent wreath -- a wreath of greenery adorned by a set of four candles -- typically, three violet-colored, and one rose-colored to match the priest's vestments on each of the days the candles are lit. The wreath is either set upon a table (especially the dining room table), on the family altar, on pedestals, an end table, etc., or it can by suspended by ribbons from the ceiling, such as from a light fixture. The candles can be long, slim tapers, small votives, or fat pillars. There can be pinecones and such adorning the greenery, but because Advent is a penitential season, it shouldn't be highly decorated with colorful ornaments.

The circular shape of the wreath is a symbol of eternity, and the greenery symbolizes hope and renewal. The colors of the typically-used violet and rose candles symbolize penance and joy, respectively.

Each candle also represents one of the four weeks of Advent, and one thousand years of the four thousand years that (at least metaphorically) passed between Adam and Eve to Christ's coming.

The first candle also recalls the Patriarchs; the second candle recalls the Prophets; the third candle recalls St. John the Baptist; and the final candle recalls Our Lady.

If colored candles are used, the violet candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent, and the rose candle is lit on the third Sunday ("Gaudete Sunday," when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass), a day of rejoicing because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent and anticipate Christmas. In any case, whether colored or white candles are used, one more candle is lit each week at dinnertime, the progressive lighting of the candles symbolizing the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead. The candles are kept burning throughout the Sunday supper, and then are immediately blown out afterward (candles can be replaced and greenery freshened as needed).

At midnight on Christmas Eve, the Advent wreath is replaced by a white "Christ candle" that is suitably adorned with holly, or by being carved with symbols of Christ, etc. This Christ Candle is used until the Ephiphany or Candlemas, depending on the family's particular Christmas customs. The greenery of the Advent wreath can now be decorated and turned into a Christmas wreath for use throughout the Christmas season. Fisheaters


To light your Advent Wreath here is a Blessing: 
There are many variations of this also

Directions
Sprinkle with Holy Water

Light the first purple candle

Prayer:
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come,
that by thy protection we may be rescued
from the dangers that beset us through our sins; 
and be a Redeemer to deliver us; 
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Alternate/Complementary Prayer:
O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ,
desire of every nation,
Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell among us.
(From Christmas Prayers, Victor Hoagland, C.P.)

Scriptures:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Luke: 1:26-38
Isaiah 7:10-14
Matthew 1:18-24

Prayer link

Blessings to you and your homes
,

Happy Birthday Saxon ♥

 Dearest Saxon,
Well once again you have had to wait a whole year for your birthday (family joke) but finally it is here and we celebrate your 15th birthday.

A young man who is developing his own style,but  such a mixture of older brothers as well as one of kind Saxon style in one dynamic mix.
Strong, dependable and reliable, so sure of who you are and your life's work.
A young man who will defend all that he believes in to the last breath.
A sense of humour that is sharp and dry, to keep us on our toes.
A son to be proud of!

As you go forth and at the start of the Church's new year our prayer is for you to grow even more in love of God, wisdom and love of others as we share this life with you

All our love always
♥ ♥ ♥

SHABBY CHIC ON FRIDAY FEATURE

I received the sweetest email earlier this week from Francy, an Italian blogger who features a different home each Friday on her blog

SO BEAUTIFUL THINGS

She asked if she could feature my home for this week's post.

uh yeah...

Thanks Francy for sharing my little slice of the shabby world with your readers in Italy and beyond.

Here are a few pics she used from my blog and a link below to the post.

http://sobeautifulthings.blogspot.com/2011/11/shabby-chic-on-friday-la-casa-di.html?showComment=1322260325639#c7928416264351401185

Thank you again sweet Francy!!!

Christmas and Advent Chapter Books

These books are ones we have enjoyed reading in our home. I must admit that some of them cause me to cry every time I read them (and frankly I could never read some out loud because of this) BUT they do inspire me to be a better person living the 'CHRIST'mas message in my daily life.
I am sure we have some others but just can't find them at the moment! For other book lists for Advent and Christmas visit my Book Blog.
I hope you enjoy~
The Christmas Shoes 

The Christmas Blessing

The Christmas Hope

The Christmas Promise

The Christmas Note

The Christmas Journey

The Christmas Secret

A Lakes Christmas

Christmas Story Book

The Happiest Time of the Year, Warm Thoughts About Christmas, with Illustrations By Norman Rockwell 

The Christmas Box Miracle 

A Christmas Acorn

Miracle on 34th Street

The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery 

'Twas the Fight before Christmas

Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories

Merry Fairy Holidays

Different Sort of Christmas

Christmas in Wales: A Homecoming

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Christmas Candle

Papa's Angels: A Christmas Story

The Light at Tern Rock

The Family under the Bridge

Christmas After All

Felicity's Surprise

Addy's Surprise A Christmas Story

Kirsten's Surprise

Josefina's Surprise

Kit's Surprise: A Christmas Story, 1934

Molly's Surprise: A Christmas Story

Samantha's Surprise: A Christmas Story

Story of the Other Wise Man

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Happy Birthday Vellvin ♥

Dear Sweet Vellvin,
Oh my how can it be that you are not quite so little now.
I know it seems in so many ways that you are older than you are but now you are actually 13 it seems you are growing up before my eyes.
I know that you will continue to grow into the beautiful and generous hearted young lady you are. The value of you as a girls just increases as you  grow and you truly re a blessing to all you come in contact with.

Many virtues are yours to share and you shower them liberally on others.
Smile and don't stress about the little things but enjoy your life as you bring joy to others

Have a most special day and know we love you dearly

All our love always ♥ ♥

Hearts For Home - 22nd November

 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  pray for any others involved.
May you be blessed by this initiative, and that through  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.
Please don't Link and run!!

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

Enjoying our lives on the 22nd November by doing ♥ ♥

Hello Dear Friends,

Even though I have completed my Bumper Edition of Advent an Christmas posts I still need to organise what we are doing as a family and what the children will study.

Stir Up Sunday is on this Sunday so we will be making our Christmas Pudding

Vellvin's Birthday celebration  was a non-event last week so we will have her birthday on Friday and Saxon's on Sunday

I just have not even looked at presents for our children either making or buying and also with some added guests to organise presents for too.

I will be looking to go to Spotlight (our major fabric and craft store) for some Christmas fabric for three Christmas bags for gifts and three heart shapes with names for the same people.

I am gradually adding to my book blog, the Christmas books  we have in our home.
I have added the board books and am working on the Activity/Craft books and Chapter books.

I am also considering making a Unit Study for our family and to share based on The Family and A Traditional Christmas.

May you all have a blessed week and thank you for being a part of Hearts for Home,

Christ The King Celebrations 2011

Sunday was a very exciting day for us. Not only was it the celebration of Christ The King but our Kynan arrived back home form University for the year in the morning in time to come to Mass with us.

Earlier in the week we had started to colour in some of the colouring pages that we had from the plans we had, trying to get a head start on the day itself.

On the day we made some gold cardboard crowns and glued on some sequins for a quick crown craft. I know we planned to make some felt ones but I will be making more of these for the last two birthdays of the year this week anyway, so I just wanted to do something different.

The participating crowns before while drying and before assembly.

Of course one of the most anticipated crafts is the decorating of the cake. These are the very happy 'crafters' who did the eating decorating with some lollies on the creamy icing in a bundt (crown shape) cake

Doesn't it look very beautiful and yummy.

Wearers of the golden crowns and some capes and cloaks to portray the royalty aspect of Jesus as King!!

Some of the colouring in pages I could find, um somewhere I lost, misplaced the others in my tidying up of my desk.

So as we enter this last week before the start of Advent I anticipate us preparing for a very busy and exciting time over the next few weeks.
This is one of the most joyous family/Liturgical times of the year and one we celebrate with great enthusiasm.

I hope you also enjoyed your own celebrations in remembrance of our Saviour and King!

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

TRANSFORMATION...

Several months ago, I posted here on my blog that I was having another of my home sales...

I received a request for the address from someone I will call "E". She said she had been following my blog for a while, and that she had recently moved from Las Vegas to Mt. Dora, FL. 

I gladly gave her the address and looked forward to meeting her.

And then, a little later that evening, I received another email from her. She wanted to know if I would consider letting her hire me to re~style her home. I had to think about this...

for all of five seconds...

And the rest is history.

I recently completed the project, which was done in stages...

First the kitchen and second bathroom, then the sunroom and so on until I had revamped the entire house.

The challenge was to use only what she had. 

Let me tell you she had a lot.

That's the other part of the story, you see. A transformation of not just the house "E" calls home, but of "E" as well.

To edit a home much too full of things. To give a sense of peace to chaos. To let her treasures take center stage so that she could breathe again.

Now I must preface the rest of the story with a few facts.

* The house is a rental, so only cosmetic changes could be made.

* I did each room on the fly. I arrived, I edited and then re~introduced pieces. There was no real planning process. Each room, and sometimes two, went from start to finish that day.

* Finally, this project was a real departure from my personal style and anything you have ever seen here on this blog. I am not a color person. I am not a clutter person. "E" embraces color and lots of it, and she loves stuff. My goal was to give her both but with a sense of knowing when there was "just enough".

With all that said, here are the before and after pics. I must warn you that a couple are a little less than perfect, in fact they are downright blurry. But they are integral to the transformation, so I hope you will overlook the less than stellar photography skills they portray.

First up, the kitchen. 

"E" hates the kitchen as it has been modernized to the point of looking completely disjointed from the rest of the house. We removed a couple of cabinet doors to take your eye away from the slick cabinets and dark counter tops and appliances.

and here is after...

The sunroom was the next room on the list. This room is a long bowling alley of a room, so I thought it best to divide it into a sitting area and a dining area with a transition in between.

Before.

and after.

Next we move on to the living room.

Before.

and after.

The hall, after. Sorry you would have needed a dramamine to see the one before pic. The pink and white cabinet was relocated here in place of a small table and large mirror.

The master bedroom before.

"E" did purchase the iron bed from me. The one exception to the rule...

and after...

On to the guest room we go. 

Before.

after.

and last but not least, the former office area off the guest room that "E" wanted as a garden sanctuary space.

Sorry, no before pics as this was an add on at the end of the project.

That's a wrap as they say. It was at the same time exhausting and one of the most satisfying things I have ever done. To give someone their peace back was fantastic. 

I'd like to thank my right hand man, Randy ("E's" handyman), for all his help hanging pictures and chandeliers. Her walls are concrete and without him this would never have had the finishing touches added.

I'd like to leave you with one last pic. Perhaps the most fitting of all. 

Thank you "E" for your confidence in me...