Motherly Loving

A Princess & the Pea Party for Our 4 Year Old Princess

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0000

One of her favorite bedtime stories this past year has been the original Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen. We have this great anthology of all his stories on her night stand and she loves this one the best. So when I asked her what she wanted for her four year old birthday party and we made up some ideas, she was thrilled with this one. We added a pajamas and pancakes twist.

Cake

This was one of the easier cakes I have made. I just made two standard rectangle cakes and cut each in half. She requested my mama's chocolate buttermilk cake (see recipe below). I layered the four layers cake with chocolate frosting. then I decorated the outisde with traditional buttercream frosting that I dyed a bunch of different colors in seperate bowls. Using a combination of traditional piping bags and tips and ziploc bags cut at the corner, I decorated layers of mattresses with different colors and designs free hand. The pillows are smushed marshmallows. The blanket is Wilton's fondant I rolled out.

Pajamas

One of her birthday gifts was this handmade nightgown I found on etsy. The sparkly headband from Target's dollar section was a birthday gift too. She is such a girly girl who loves all things pink and sparkles.

Food

decorate your own pancakes

pea green cake pops

green candied popcorn

green sherbert punch

and more snacks and nibbles and coffee for the adults

Decorations

stack of mattresses

cozy quilts, blankets and pillows

layered sheets as a tablecloth

party hats by request, of course

green and pink streamers and balloons

Princess & the Pea books

pink carnations given to her by her daddy on her birthday

Storytime

While they were snuggled on their pillows and blankets, I read the Princess & the Pea story to all the little girls (and brother). One lucky little princess looked under her pillow and found a pea. One sweet little sister found a cozy spot in my lap for the story.

Snuggling on the princess bed

Favors

Pink sparkly lavendar scented home made play clay (recipe below) in a pretty jar, all made with love for each of her friends by my own little princess.

Playing House

Her other birthday gift was this dollhouse. My mom found it at a yard sale. I refurbished it with rugs, curtains, special additions like a portrait of her drawn by her brother and a room decorated just like her own. It's in a little of a disarray here as all the little girls had just explored all its rooms.

Happy Birthday my little angel princess. I will never forget today and your sweet smile and precious dimples.

I was so lucky to have my sweet friend take most of these pictures as a project for her photography class. I think she's a natural.

My Mama's Chocolate Buttermilk Cake & Chocolate Frosting

Cake:
2 stick butter
5 tbsp cocoa - I often add more and only use Hershey's not Nestle
1 cup water
mix above and melt on stove on low to low-medium heat

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
mix above dry ingredients in mixing bowl

add cocoa melted with flour mixture
add 1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
pour into sheet pan.
bake 400 degrees 25 min

Frosting

I always double or triple this
1 stick butter
5 tbsp cocoa - I often add more and only use Hershey's not Nestle
melt above on stove on low to low-medium heat

pour melted cocoa mixture into mixing bowl and add
1 box powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6 tbsp milk (sometimes I don't add all the milk, just depends on my mood and consistency and I usually just use skim and it turns out great)
whip until creamy

Lavendar Scented Pink Sparkle Play Clay

Materials:

2 cups water

1 cup salt

food colouring

4 tsp. cream of tartar

4 tbsp. oil

5-10 drops of lavendar essential oil

2 cups flour

silver glitter

Method:

Combine water, salt, cream of tartar and food colouring (.5 tsp for pastel colour and 1.5 tbsp for vivid colour) in a large saucepan.

Cook on low heat and stir. As the mixture heats up, stir in the oil, lavendar essential oil and glitter and then the flour slowly.

Keep Stirring the mixture until it starts looking dry and pulling away from the pan. Remove from heat and pinch a piece between two fingers. If it is not sticky, it is done. Otherwise, continue stirring over low heat.

Place the dough on counter and knead until smooth. Children will enjoy kneading the warm dough when it cools enough for them.

When finished playing, store playclay in an airtight container or plastic bag to re-use again and again. Do not refrigerate.

In most need of Thy mercy...

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:53:00 +0000

A friend of mine sent this to me asking me to make a gracious comment. I am not sure I can, but I will try. I post this to ask you to please include these women in your prayers as well as all unborn children and women considering an abortion.

They so desperately need our prayers.

Please brace your heart before you read this link.

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

We marched for babies...

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:45:00 +0000

this year at the national March for Life in DC.

It was a rainy cold day but a wonderful experience for our family. We had a fun family weekend swimming in the hotel pool, visiting some museums and monuments.

Paddy Cakes first time swimming. I love swimming with little babies. They love to float.

the kids loved staying in the hotel and warming up at this neat warm fire in the lobby. Did I mention it was freezing rain during our stay.

We went to mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and spent some time exploring the church's beautiful treasures.

We visited the Museum of natural History to check out the dinosaur bones and the Air and Space museum to see jets and spaceships. What more could a little boy ask for.

This was the way we traveled, in two double strollers. One is a bike trailer/double jogger we have had for years. We recently invested in another double jogger so we could take whole family walks and runs. It is awesome. We got a Baby Jogger Summit double. We have a glider board that attaches on the back for a child to stand on and the front foot board is solid v cloth so a child can cruise on the front if necessary for a while too. So really this stroller can at any given moment carry all 4 of our children. Side note - one of the two big kids can actually stand on teh glider board when I run, so it's sort of a triple jogging stroller too.

Happy Birthday Monkey!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Sweet Pea turned two. She has been so cute lately playing with this little monkey stuffed animal, so me and all the kids knew it would be a monkey theme would be so fun for her. She loved it.

She pretty much lives in this pink tutu.

We had a little breakfast party with just family, godparents and a couple little girl friends she plays with. For adults there was banana bread with whipped cream cheese, butter and cream cheese frosting. Snacks included banana chips and "monkey bars" (some cute granola bars that my mom found).

Dessert was a monkey cake and a banana pudding trifle.

We did a cute craft of making little necklaces with monkey beads and putting monkey stickers on a little monkey paper pad. These are two of her favorite little activities, so she loved it.

She woke up the morning of her birthday pointing to her birthday hat from the year before asking me to get it for her to wear and running around saying "Happy Birthday MEEEEE!!"

Her big brother and sister made her a fleece tie blanket with Curious George all over it. She sleeps with it every night.

It was a cute little party and she was so happy and felt so special. I love this little girl. She is all sunshine and joy. What a blessing she is in our family.

God Bless the Child

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:34:00 +0000

This is a few months late, but our sweet Paddy Cakes (note new blog name) was baptised back in October. I love baptisms, they just make me so happy. I am happy to finally share pictures of the special occasion.

Paddy cakes with our parish priest who baptised him and Paddy cakes godparents.

Our whole family (just missing one of my brother-in-laws)

A delicious almond cake with chocolate truffle filling

Sweet little cross lollipop favors

A delicious brunch following the baptism mass

I will never forget how angelic you looked in your baptismal gown. I can still remember holding you, how tiny you were. What a precious day.

ARRFF! ARRFF! AMEN.

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:03:00 +0000

I love animal humor and God humor, so the two together is just priceless. Thanks to my father-in-law for sending this to me. I am cracking up still. My children aren't even this patient and devoted at meal times (and to be completely honest neither am I sometimes). Enjoy...

Wish I could post the actual video, but I couldn't embed it so just click on the link...

http://www.dogwork.com/prybrme8/

A Random Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:21:00 +0000

and I am so privileged to call this my life's work...

O Holy Night

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:31:00 +0000

Peace to you on this Holy Night

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God;

everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.

In this way the love of God was revealed to us:

God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.

In this is love: not that we have loved God,

but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.

No one has ever seen God.

Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,

and his love is brought to perfection in us."

1 John 4:7-12

Christmas Meditations

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:54:00 +0000

Thought I would share these wonderful and insightful meditations on the birth of Christ...

I could listen to Fr. Barron speak all day long.

I have been reading this Christmas mediation by Saint Padre Pio every Christmas for the past few years.

I also love this...

Our Saint Lucy Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:29:00 +0000

One big girl was very excited for her first morning being a big girl enough to deliver sweet breads to wake her family. She loved her crown of lights, her white gown and red sash.

I cheated and made easy Lussekatter and braided sweet bread out of crescent rolls and cinnamon rolls.

Sweet husband was already awake and had been working already for a couple hours. He loved his morning surprise though.

One big brother was "asleep" waiting

A delicious and sweet way to start the day. We did some of these activitie s too. It didn't work out this year, but next year we plan to drive around and see the Christmas LIGHTS in honor of St. Lucy's day. Hope you had a wonderful Feast of Saint Lucy.

Saint Lucy, Pray for Us.

I am loving...

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:21:00 +0000

how the contour of his face fits just so perfectly against my arm as I rock him to sleep.

I took this picture with my phone which was sitting next to me. I didn't want to wake him by turning on the light so it's a little grainy.

I am loving also how my oldest daughter loves just "to be next to you mommy." She is my little companion whenever I am feeding little Bean Sprout. She leans up against me, resting her head on my arm and loves to rub his feet and toes. We can usually steal a few quiet moments like that a couple times a day.

I am loving how my big boy still just wants his mommy to snuggle with him every night and lay with him until he falls asleep. The things he says and tells me during those snuggles echo in my head like little wind chimes making me smile during the day.

I am loving how my little baby girl is not such a little baby anymore. She's talking in sentences and sometimes it's the bigger kids that translate for me. I needed some help with "Ariel band-aid fell off in the shower" today.

I am loving how I have been catching my children, even Sweet Pea, singing and humming "Time to say goodbye." We have been watching the Andrea Bocelli concert in Central Park on PBS and they have asked me to rewind that song over and over. I love opera and classical music, and my soul smiles to see them so mesmerized when they hear such beautiful music.

We of course listened to his version of "Ave Maria" today for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It went perfectly with our little snack after mass of blueberry muffins (recipe below) in honor of Mary cloaked in a blue mantle. And coffee for me.

And since this is a random mish-mash, post, look who's loving his tummy time.

Mary, thank you for being the model of a pure and selfless mother. When I follow your model and stay home, slow down and just enjoy my little ones, life is so sweet and so good. I am stepping away from the hustle this Advent. I have listened and I think that is what God wants for our family right now.

O Mary conceived without sin,

pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Blueberry Muffins

1/2 cup butter at room temp

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (I used more like 3-3.5 cups of whatever berries)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup milk

Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup

butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over

muffins before baking.

Heat oven to 375°.

Grease 18 regular-size muffin cups (or 12 large size or 24 regular

size muffins).

In bowl, mix butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until pale and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating after each.

Beat in vanilla, baking powder and salt.

With spoon, fold in half of flour then half of milk into batter; repeat.

Fold in blueberries.

Spoon into muffin cups and sprinkle topping onto each muffin.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes for large muffins, 12-20 minutes for regular

sized, until golden brown and springy to touch.

2011 Fun Advent Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

To celebrate Advent and Christmas, we are lighting our doing our Advent Wreath and Jesse Tree tradition each evening. And we'll get our tree this weekend probably and decorate it and the house. And on Christmas Eve and Day we'll have lots of fun and feasting. But here is a list of some fun things we have always done each Advent season and some new ones to try. I am writing this list down so I can remember it and also to help me out on the many sluggish, new baby and no sleep days I'm having lately. Thought I would share...

2011 Advent Fun List

Read Christmas books, at least one every day
Make spiced apple cider
Make Christmas cookies and treats (including peppermint pretzel dots, oreo truffles and chocolate dipped candy canes)
Decorate gingerbread houses
Go to a Victorian Christmas tea hosted by local women’s group
Go see The Nutcracker ballet
Listen to Handel’s Messiah
Make real hot chocolate or this salted caramel hot chocolate
Play and sing favorite Christmas songs on the piano
Drive around to see decorated houses (with a dinner in the car of hot chocolate and yummy treats)
Make our own Christmas wrapping paper with butcher paper, crayons and festive stickers
Eat candy canes and read The Legend of the Candy Cane and talk about the real meaning of the tradition of candy canes
Go see the McAdenville lights
Have a candlelit dinner picnic by the Christmas tree
Shop for gifts for a needy child from an Angel Tree
Host a Christmas cookie decorating party or cookie exchange
Move the candle along our Way of the Light Wreath
Visit Santa
Watch classic kid’s Christmas movies (Frosty, Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Little Drummer Boy and more)
Make paper snowflakes & eat “snowflakes” (yogurt covered pretzels)
Make salt dough ornaments for the tree
Eat snowman “poop” (or powdered sugar donuts)
Visit the live nativity at Christmas at the Billy Graham Library
Act out the Christmas story at home
Write a letter to Santa
Make jingle bell bracelets with jingle bells and pipe cleaners
Make homemade Christmas cards for family members with cutouts of old cards and religious images
See the Gingerbread houses at Ballantyne Resort
Watch It’s a Wonderful Life
Let each kid watch their Christmas message from Santa
Spend some quiet time in Adoration each week of Advent and let the children light a candle and pray for children everywhere less fortunate than themselves
Turn out the lights and by candlelight read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and ‘Twas The Night before Christmas (the first one)

Our Advent Evenings

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:21:00 +0000

I get so excited about Advent for many reasons, but one of my favorites things is the sweet and peaceful moments with my children around the Advent Wreath. There is something about candlelight in the darkness that quiets the soul. This is what we do each evening to celebrate Advent...

Sign of the Cross

Light the Advent candle(s) as we sing "Light One Candle" (lyrics below)

Say this Advent prayer (below)

Introduce Jesse Tree ornament and read coordinating Bible story

Sing a Christmas song

Sign of the Cross

Hang up the Jesse Tree ornament

Open Advent chocolate calendar window and eat piece of chocolate

Light One Candle

(each week of Advent add one more verse)

1. Light one candle for hope One bright candle for hope

He brings hope to every heart He comes! He comes!

2. Light one candle for love One bright candle for love

He brings love to every heart He comes! He comes!

3. Light one candle for joy One bright candle for joy

He brings joy to every heart He comes! He comes!

4. Light one candle for peace One bright candle for peace

He brings peace to every heart He comes!
He comes!

Advent Wreath Prayer

How dark outside!
but see -- a star's in the sky;
Mary and Joseph are passing by.
So let's light a candle to welcome them
as they go on their way to Bethlehem.

We'll light a candle in church each day,
We'll light one candle each week and pray.

We'll light a candle at home each day,
We'll light a candle each week and pray.

O God,
as light comes from this candle,
may the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us,
warming our hearts and
brightening our way.
May Christ our Savior bring life
into the darkness of this world,
and to us, as we wait for his coming.

Remember these two special novenas this Advent

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Starting on November 30th, add these special novenas to your daily prayers

Immaculate Conception Novena
and
St. Andrew Christmas Novena

The Immaculate Conception - Satan's Mighty Foe - by Piola
Domenico from Church of Santissima Annunziata del Vastato, Genoa

The Immaculate Conception Novena

Start on November 30th and end on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. You can light a novena candle to say with this prayer, pulling aside the veil on the last day of the novena to reveal the baby Jesus inside. There He can stay until Christmas when he is placed in the manger.

The Immaculate Conception Novena

Opening Prayer
God, Our Father, you have given us Mary whom we honor as the Immaculate Conception. You have favored her with holiness and purity, freeing her from the stain of sin, to be chosen as the Mother of Jesus. Through her intercession and protection, may we live our lives in holiness and in complete trust of your loving plan for us. Amen.

Day 1
O Blessed Virgin Mary, from the beginning of time God chose you, sinless and full of grace, to be the Mother of Jesus. Because of your unselfish “fiat,” you are for us the example of perfect faith and obedience to what God is calling us to do. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,

help us to be open to the Word of God in our daily lives.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Day 2
O Mary, Mother of God, we honor you for your submission to the unfolding mystery of salvation history. From Bethlehem to Calvary, you were present to Jesus as faithful mother and courageous disciple, sharing in the mysteries of his life. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may we be for others

a living presence of God’s joy and compassion.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Day 3
O Mary of Nazareth, you were filled with the light of the Holy Spirit as you prepared for the birth of Jesus. You became the Mother of God and the Mother of the Redeemer, our mother and intercessor for the People of God, his Church. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may we wait in hopeful expectation this Advent for the coming of the Lord Jesus in our hearts.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Day 4
O Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, you were in a sense the first tabernacle for Jesus. In your womb his Sacred Heart beat under your Immaculate Heart. You are the Vessel of Honor, the Ark of the Covenant, and Gate of Heaven. Filled with grace, you give Jesus to us that we may bring him to others. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may we have a deep and reverent love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Hail Mary, full of grace…

Day 5
O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, your heart was pierced with a sword as you stood on Calvary beneath the cross of your Son. Only a mother could experience such deep pain and anguish to see her only son die such a death. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may we acknowledge that suffering can become for us redemptive and truly identifies us as one with Jesus.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Day 6
O Mary, our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope, from age to age you are called blessed among all women. You, above all others, have a deep communion with God. You are the model of virtue, prayer and discipleship. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, lead us into a prayerful and deeply authentic relationship with Jesus so that we may be holy and reflect his goodness to others.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Day 7
O Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, your holiness and obedience changed the course of history through the redemptive power of your Son. You give us the example of discipleship and what it means to witness to the Way, the Truth and the Life—Jesus. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, we pray for holiness, especially as lived through the priesthood and consecrated life.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Day 8
O Mary, Mother of Divine Grace, you intercede for us and lead us to your Son. Jesus said to John, “Behold, your Mother.” You are our spiritual mother, who draws us ever closer to your Son. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may our devotion to you increase our love for Jesus.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Day 9
O Mary, Seat of Wisdom, you gave Jesus, the Eternal Word made flesh, to the world. What a privilege was yours—to bring him forth into the world so that all peoples and nations may be drawn to him, Incarnate Wisdom. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may the Gospel of Jesus Christ, reach the farthest ends of the earth. Help us to grow in knowledge and love of the Blessed Trinity.

Hail Mary, full of grace...

Concluding Prayer
Mary, we honor you as the Mother of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, we delight in your singular privilege of being born with the fullness of grace, completely preserved from the stain of original sin. Blessed among all women, you are especially favored by God. Confident in that honor we place before you our needs and intentions (name the intention). Through your intercession, may it be brought to fulfillment. In gratitude for your motherly concern, O Mary Immaculate, patroness of the United States of America, we pray: You are all beautiful, O Mary. The original stain is not in thee. You are the glory of Jerusalem, The joy of Israel, The great honor of our race, The advocate of sinners. Virgin most prudent, pray for us. Intercede for us with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Say it fifteen times a day from November 30th until Christmas. It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment

in which the son of God was born

of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight,

in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.

In that hour vouchsafe, O my God,

To hear my prayer and grant my desires,

through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,

and of His blessed Mother.

Amen.

Jesse Tree 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:27:00 +0000

The Jesse tree is a symbol of Jesus' family tree.
It is based on this verse from the book of Isaiah, and is a way of teaching the Old Testament background for the coming of the Messiah, which is the first long "Advent."

"A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots" - Isaiah 11:1

Our Jesse Tree which we have used for a couple years is from this kit (pictured above as I keep forgetting at the end of the past couple Advent seasons to take a picture of our completed Jesse Tree).
We have also at times colored coordinating coloring pages.

Since every year the number of days in Advent is different, I tweaked previous years reading lists for this year. I have also changed it to better match this particular ornament kit, which meant deleting some significant Old Testament stories. There are various symbols for each story that will coordinate with multiple different ornaments. Here is a link to a calendar with additional daily activities for the Jesse Tree. Below each reading and symbols is a link to a coloring page that corresponds to the story.

November 27
Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4
Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth
Creation coloring page

November 28
Adam & Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24
Symbol: Man & Woman, tree
Adam & Eve coloring page

November 29
Fall of Man/Original sin: Gen. 3:1-24
Symbol: Serpent, tree, apple
Adam & Eve Expelled from the Garden coloring page

November 30
Noah: Gen. 6:5-22; 7, 8, 9:1-17
Symbol: Ark, animals, dove, rainbow
Noah's Ark coloring page

December 1

Abraham: Gen. 12:1-9, 15:1-6
Symbol: Stars, torch, sword, mountain
Abraham coloring page

December 2

Jacob: Gen. 28:10-22

Symbols: Ladder, kettle
Jacob wrestling with Angel coloring page

December 3

Joseph & his brothers: Gen. 37
Symbol: Multi-Colored Coat, bucket, well, silver coins
Joseph coloring page

December 4

Joseph's Greatness: Gen. 41
Symbol: shock of wheat
Joseph storing food coloring page

December 5

Moses as Prince: Ex. 1 & 2
Symbol: basket, baby in basket, river and rushes
Baby Moses coloring page

December 6
Moses and the Burning Bush: Ex. 3

Symbol: burning bush
Moses burning bush coloring page

December 7

Moses - Plagues: Ex. 5-12:1-36

Symbol: frog, parted sea

Moses Parting Sea coloring page

December 8
Moses - Parting Sea: Ex 5-12:1-36

Symbol: parted sea

December 9

Moses receiving Ten Commandments: Exodus 19, 20, 24:12-18

Symbol: stone tablets

Ten Commandments coloring page

December 10

Moses water from the rock: Exodus 17:1-7

Symbol: staff

Water from rock coloring page

December 11

Samuel: 1 Sam. 3

Symbols: Oil lamp, candle lamp, temple

Samuel hears God’s call coloring page

December 12

David Chosen King: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Symbol: sheep

David chosen king or Star of David coloring pages

December 13

David & Goliath: 1 Samuel: 17

Symbol: slingshot

David & Goliath coloring page

December 14

Solomon's Wisdom: 1 Kings 2:1-6, 3:4-28

Symbol: Scales of justice, temple, two babies and sword, crown

King Solomon coloring page

December 15

Elijah's Contest: 1 Kings 18:3,21-39

Symbol: burning rock

Elijah burning rock coloring page

December 16

Jonah: Jonah 2:1-2, 11 or entire book of Jonah

Symbol: Whale

Jonah & the Whale coloring page

December 17

Tobiah's Journey: Tobit 5, 6:1-9, 10:1-6, 11:1-15

Symbol: fish

December 18

Daniel and the Lion's Den: Daniel 6:1-29

Symbol: Lions

Daniel coloring page

December 19

John the Baptist: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80

Symbol: sandal, Shell with water, river

St. John Baptizing coloring page

December 20

Annunciation: Luke 1:26-38

Symbol: Angel

Annunciation coloring page

December 21

Visitation: Luke 1:39-56

Symbol: Mary

The Visitation coloring page

December 22

Joseph: Matt. 1:18-25

Symbols: Joseph, Carpenter's Saw, hammer, chisel, angle

St. Joseph coloring page

December 23

Journey to Bethlehem: Luke 2:1-6

Symbols: manger

Journey to Bethlehem coloring page

December 24

Jesus is Born: Luke 2:6-20

Symbols: baby Jesus

Jesus in manger coloring page

Epiphany - January 6

Visit of the Magi: Matthew 2:1-12

Symbol: shining star

Three Wise Men coloring page

Somebody's smiling

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Just to get away from it all...

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:56:00 +0000

We just had a little family getaway to a friend's lovely home in the NC mountains.

A chance to slow down and savor each other.

Too many photos,
a product of being too busy to narrow them down and too fond of each moment to not share each one.

Some moments you know as they happen they are going to be memories that last a lifetime.

Never Grow Up

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:56:00 +0000

My baby sister got married this past weekend and I was in tears watching the slideshow at her rehearsal dinner with pictures of her as a little girl to this song. What a sweet song. It made me think of my childhood with her years ago and also the childhood of my kids right now. I bought the song today from itunes, and my kids and I have been listening to it all day. I just uploaded some of my favorite photos of the kids from the last few months and put it to this song. This makes me smile and want to go squeeze my sweeties.

note to self: think of this song at the bewitching hours of the evening from 5:30-7:30pm and whenever trying to get out the door in a hurry and then think twice about losing your temper when things are moving along just right.

Silly & Saintly

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:26:00 +0000

Two days of costume fun...

Halloween 2011

Meet Superman, Snow White, a pink fairy princess

and a sweet pumpkin

All Saints Day 2011

Meet St. Francis of Assisi, St. Gianna and Blessed Mother Teresa

and St. Maximilian Kolbe

"Pumpkin" Pizzas

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:00:00 +0000

These pizzas look like pumpkins but aren't made of pumpkin. This was a spur of the moment use of some leftover marinara sauce, a package of crescent rolls and shredded orange cheddar cheese. It would have looked cuter with olives for the eyes, nose and mouth but the only thing we had that worked was white goat cheese which we rolled for the facial features. We still have some fresh basil growing in our garden to serve as the leaf on the pumpkin. We just rolled and flattened the dough (two triangles for each pizza) into the shape of a pumpkin, added sauce, cheese, face and leaf and baked at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

"Oooohhhhh went the wind and out went the light"

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:43:00 +0000

**This post was made possible with the help of a baby swing**

Inspired by this post at Make & Takes, I decided to dip my hand back into crafting projects. I'm glad I did as this was so easy (took a total of 7 minutes to collect supplies and cut tissue paper squares) and the kids really enjoyed it. Plus I already had all the supplies and they worked on this for a half hour allowing me to take care of our little baby without the usual feelings of guilt that I was not spending quality time with them.We did a similar design for the Jack O' Lantern votive but our ghost is saying "oooooohhhhhh" like in the "Five little Pumpkins" song. It could also just as easily be saying "BOO."

Halloween Votives

(supplies and directions tweaked some from original post. Original post has more pictures and creativity)

Supplies

glass jar (we used mason jar, but jam or baby food would work too)
cut-out squares of color tissue paper
black construction paper cut into eyes, mouth etc.
white school glue mixed with a little water (enough to make it soupy)
scissors
paintbrush or sponge brush
tea light
newspaper for table cover

Instructions

1. Coat a portion of your jar with the glue and water mixture.
2. Add squares of the tissue paper where there is glue and then continue until the entire jar is covered.
3. Coat the surface with the glue and water mixture.
4. Coat the black construction paper features with the glue & water mixture and then attach to jar and coat again with glue mixture.
5. Let dry. Drop in a tea light.

Homemade Applesauce

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:39:00 +0000

My son recently made homemade applesauce in preschool and thankfully I didn't throw away the recipe the teacher sent home with how to make it. This was the perfect use for the apples from our apple picking in September in the refrigerator that were not going to stay good much longer.

Crockpot Applesauce

8-10 peeled, cored and sliced apples

1/2-1 cup of water

1/4-3/4 cup of sugar

2-4 teaspoons of cinnamon

Mix all to taste in crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

Not necessary but you may stir occasionally to dissolve apple chunks.

One Week Old (a week and some ago)

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:48:00 +0000

I can't believe I have a friend this talented to capture Bean Sprout's precious newborn-ness. This is such a special moment for our family, I am privileged to share...

(I couldn't resist posting this one of Sweet Pea)

On the Feast of Saint Francis

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:15:00 +0000

October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This beloved saint from Italy is known for for his devoted life of prayer and poverty, founding the Franciscan Order, his love for all God's creatures and receiving the stigmata.

Prayer

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Pray the Stations of the Cross, as St. Francis was devoted to this meditation and he also had the stigmata.

Reading

Saint Francis (this book has such beautiful uillustrations)

The Good Man of Assisi

Food

Animal Crackers or cookies for snack

Make an Italian meal for dinner

Cannolis for dessert. Buy them at a local bakery (beware, some American bakeries, make an imitation cannoli using whipped cream or other ingredients and not ricotta cheese) or make the yourselves. The shells are a challenge to make but can be bought premade. The filling is very easy and delicious. Just spoon or pipe filling into shells and roll ends of cannolis in mini semisweet chocolate chips.

Cannoli Filling

2 3/4 cups (22 ounces) fresh ricotta cheese 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar 3 tablespoons mini semisweet chocolate chips 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For more food ideas to celebrate St. Francis, visit Catholic Cuisine.

Crafts & Activities

Watch Francis: Knight of Assisi DVD

Color Charlotte's coloring page of St. Francis of Assisi

Watch Clare and Francis DVD

Bring your pet's to a local church's blessing of the animals

Point out Italy on a world map, as St. Francis is a patron saint of Italy

Read the story of St. Francis and the Wolf and make Wolf Paw Cookies

Wolf Paw Cookies
1 package Voortman's Iced Almonette Cookies
Chocolate Almond Bark or Chocolate Chips, melted for dipping
White Chocolate Chips (or white frosting) to use for claws

Dip one side of each cookie into melted chocolate.

Add 4 or 5 white chocolate chips for the claws.

(Wolfs have 4 claws on the back paws and 5 on the front.)

Let cool. (You may want to place the cookies onto

wax or parchment paper to cool, so they don't stick to your serving platter.)

Listen to The Prayer of Saint Francis sung by Sarah McLachlan

Saint Francis of Assisi, Pray for Us.

A Tribute to Mary, Mother of the Unborn

noreply@blogger.com (Robina) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:08:00 +0000

and the power of prayer. Read this article here.