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April 2007

Pride & Prejudice & Laundry

Yesterday afternoon I spent hours (upon hours) folding laundry. This is not usually how I Blossomtree_2like to spend my Sunday afternoons, but really, the task was not such a burden. First, as always, I try to focus on serving my family; filling their drawers with soft, clean sweet-smelling clothes just plain makes me feel good (and I know it does them).

But this time it was something more that kept my fingers flying. You see, as I worked, I watched - in its entirety - the two-disc special edition of Pride & Prejudice (BBC version). That certainly made the time fly and the workload light! And if you are familiar with this movie (and therefore its length), you know just how much laundry I'm talking about here!

I don't usually have quite so much laundry to fold, but between the holiday week and being sick just before, that aspect of my housekeeping (already in a rather delicate balance) got pushed to the backburner. Finally the situation could be ignored no longer.

But what started as a post about laundry (I'm in housekeeping mode these days), morphed into a sort of Jane Austen free-association. I'm sure many readers here are drawn to these beloved stories, as I am. I think this particular version is my favorite. Full disclosure - I've only read three, perhaps four Austen novels to date. I think I read Mansfield Park in high school, but I'm not sure. And I can't seem to move on - I keep re-reading the ones I love!

Besides the excellent plot and the delicious scenery, I realized the whole Austen experience is just a feast for my senses - it deeply inspires me. I found myself jotting down notes left and right as I folded (my journal goes everywhere I go, even to the laundry pile, lol). As I watched scene after captivating scene, my mind wandered to the following Austen-inspired places ...

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~ Crabtree & Evelyn ~ Is this lovely purveyor of fine English soaps and toiletries familiar to you? I have been a fan for years. It was a small local shop that first brought these delights to my attention. To my mind it looked just like a Victorian apothecary would - with its deep, wooden shelves, drawers and nooks and crannies filled with every kind of possibe treat for the vanity and bath. And all their goods were wrapped in the most elegant, old-fashioned packaging. My grandmother and I used to stock up on our favorite products once or twice a year. She liked Nantucket Briar, if I'm remembering correctly; I eschewed heavier scents for light fragrances such as avocado, apple and cucumber. I remember I kept several bars of soap lined up on my bedroom windowsill, the one with a view of the backyard. I had forgotten all about C&E until just recently when my mum and I "rediscovered' it. The shop looks completely different (white and modern now), and there are hardly any themes I recognize, but I did find that Nantucket Briar (I tucked a bar in my bureau drawer). I also quite happily found my old favorite avocado online. This will be my fresh summer scent - like an English garden, I'm sure.

Face1~ Complexions ~ Oh my, do those ladies have the most beautiful skin! It makes me long for a fortnight's stay in the countryside, dining on farm fresh food and breathing in clean country air. Skin played a part in the story as well - Elizabeth Bennet's complexion was quite tanned from all her time spent walking in nature, a "coarse" trait remarked upon (with trademark nastiness) by the Bingley sisters. Well, to my mind (and Mr. Darcy's) her golden skin just radiated English beauty. It completely inspired me to take better care of my complexion this spring. I used to love tending to my skin - back in the day when I had a vanity to sit at and time to look in the mirror, lol! I use very simple products but I tend to be spotty with the upkeep. Some nights it's just a warm washcloth and a smidgen of lotion. At 38 (eek, did I just say that?) I need to pay better attention to my skin. It might never look like Elizabeth Bennet's, but a girl can try, can't she? ;)

~ Letter writing ~ I simply love how the Austen characters were always writing letters to one another -  upon every ordinary or dramatic occasion. And oh, those crisp ivory papers, the ink and the sealing wax. (Of course they had to write letters - there was no other form of communication!) I think there is something very lovely, though, on the slowness of life atWomanwritingletter that time (I know, I know -the disease, the social injustice, the life expectancy - but for now I'm concentrating on the niceties of the time.) I was thinking about letter writing, and how it's something very few of us do anymore. But what can compare to the excitement of receiving a hand-lettered missive in the mail? A card or a note, whatever the occasion, is a cherished gift, perhaps in this day more than ever. In fact, I just gussied up my "correspondence basket" a bit, adding some new items, most fond among them a pretty new address book. Keeping everything I need in that basket, from postage to pens to seasonal stickers makes it much more likely I'll sit down and pen a few lines. I also love the idea of a desk, just for writing. I don't have one per se, but I've been aiming to keep my corner of the learning room clean and inviting. I will post more on that endeavor quite soon!

~ Nature walks - I think one of the reasons I love this movie the most (and I do love the acting, believe me) is the setting. The countryside is so amazing - all the lanes and the hedgerows and gardens. Does England really still look like that? I cannot imagine a more beautiful place. I love how the characters are always going for "a turn about the garden," and of course most of the country folk walked wherever they went. Who could blame them with such beautiful surroundings? I wonder if they saw it that way - no, they probably would have preferred the carriage, lol! Except for Elizabeth, and that's one of the reasons her character is so appealing. I especially love the autumn scene near the end, when Darcy and Elizabeth are walking through the farmland and ... ooh, I dont want to give it away in case any of you have yet to see it! But if and when you do, drink in those golden autumn shades, the fields and the road, the hanging bowers of russet leaves, and of course, Elizabeth's bonnet and dress. I wonder where she shops? :)

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Well, I'm running long on text, and low on steam, so I will just briefly mention the other Victorian ideas that leapt to mind as I watched:

  • Formal Meals ~ Sit-down, all-together, good hot food, beautiful settings!
  • Kate Greenaway ~ A bit after Jane Austen's time, but the images are similar to me.
  • Nice Manners ~ Impeccable, a lost art!
  • Victoria magazine ~ The whole movie is one big Victoria spread! I'm off to dig mine out!
  • Beatrix Potter ~ Children's stories, to be sure, but we Austen fans can feed on the beautiful imagery and lovely language - even the dramatic entanglements!
  • Linens and lace, cotton bedding, fine washables ~ their laundry was probably (no definitely) far more tedious than mine, but I tell you, it looked so much prettier! I just may have to hang a spring clothesline!

ChrysanthemumbasketThen of course there's the handwork, fine art and beautiful music. Add that to the nature walks and letter writing (or might I say, copywork?) and I think I have found a nice connection with a Charlotte Mason education! :)

Well, thanks for sharing this brainstorming session with me. Tell me, do you enjoy Jane Austen, too? And if so, which of her tales is your favorite? Which heroine do you admire most? I myself find it hard to choose!

Have a pleasant evening, everyone! I'm off to fold just a tad more laundry. Now where's my Emma DVD? ;)


Thank You

I hardly know what to say, and as you all know, I am hardly ever speechless. ;)

Thank you very much to everyone who voted for my blog at the Homeschool Blog Awards and thank you, again, to my nominators. I am honored (not to mention shocked) to be chosen Super Homeschooler. Thanks again to Heather, Laura and Spritibee for all their hard work at the Awards site. And please, let us all continue to keep Heather in our prayers.*

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!

I would also like to congratulate each and every one of you who homeschool, whether or not you "blog." Whatever your style, your philosophy, however many children you have - what you are doing takes a huge amount of work, faith and love - and I am proud to be counted among you. :)

*Very generously, Heather Gaffney of Bramasole Crafts is offering 10% of her sales through April 22, to help with Heather's medical expenses. Please stop by her lovely site, and please keep praying for Heather!


A Beautiful Day ~ Divine Mercy Sunday

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The Second Sunday of Easter (or the Sunday following Easter Sunday) is honored as Divine Mercy Sunday. You can read more about this beautiful feast here, here and here.

We began our day (which, by the way, is cold, very cold for mid-April) at early Mass. Mum and Dad came home with us for coffee, which was served alongside thick slices of apple strudel (in honor of the Holy Father's birthday tomorrow!). I set a card with the Divine Mercy image at the breakfast table and lit our prayer candle, too. A bright bouquet of red and white carnations completed the setting. The flowers were an idea I gleaned from this book, which suggested the unique combination of red and white shades in honor of today's feast ~ red representing our sins, and white His forgiveness.

The funny thing is, I had originally planned to buy roses, but the price was rather extravagent! So late yesterday afternoon I asked Bill, who was making a "Home Depot" run, to swing into the market and pick up some red and white carnations. I love carnations anyway, so sweet and spicy, and, well ... affordable. :)

Later in the day, I happened to read in Mary's Flowers: Gardens, Legends and Meditations this quote:

"The plant's name Dianthus comes from the Greek words dios for "divine" and anthos meaning flower. It came to mean "flower of God" and became associated with Mary."

Divine Flower, Mary's Love of God ~ lovely names for an already beloved little blossom.

Later today, or perhaps one day this week, I thought it would be nice to discuss the works of mercy with the children. Another nice idea from the aforementioned (and very useful!) book, is to make a "Mobile of Mercy." This would involve creating small images to represent each of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy and dangling them from a coat hanger (I'm thinking a forsythia branch instead, but we'll see). (For more information on the works of mercy, please see Catholic Culture.)

Well, it is now mid-morning, and the rain (is that snow I see mixing in?) is coming down rather hard. "Lashing" would not be too strong a word, I believe. (And did I mention the high wind warning and flood watch?) But the fire is crackling away and we're all tucked in for the day. (Needless to say, soccer was cancelled this week!)  I have a comforting supper planned for this evening: beef pot pie, roasted potatoes and asparagus, homemade biscuits and rhubarb pie - with a dab of vanilla ice cream - for dessert. That should warm up our spirits a bit!

Rain, sun or snow, I wish you a glorious day, my friends! Here are a few more links for you to check out:

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A Field Day Footnote!

As is far too likely to happen, when putting together so many links for Field Day, I am apt to make a mistake here and there. (Well, I make many, but most of them I work out before I hit "publish," lol.) Broken links are one thing, but my worst fear is I will somehow forget someone's submission. It happened once before, and, it was bound to happen again.

Well, unfortunately, it did, and I am so sorry to say, it was one of my dearest friends, Cay I forgot! Dear Cay, who, I must mention, was the FIRST one to get me her post and how did I reward her? By forgetting to plug in her link!

Oh, fiddlesticks!

So, one day late, but every bit as lovely and deeply appreciated, here it is. And it's a beauty, a balm for the winter-weary heart so many of us are carrying beneath those woolen and waterproof layers. Please stop by Cay's Cajun Cottage and enjoy the breathtaking loveliness of Spring in Louisiana. Cay, you give me a glimmer of hope, as we here in New England brace for one more Nor'easter this weekend ...

And speaking of nature, and blogs, I have added a new blogroll to my righthand sidebar. Linda, from Higher Up and Further In and Earth is Crammed with Heaven, very kindly invited me to submit my Nature Corner to her new nature blogroll - and I did! If you have an online nature journal, please see Linda's post here for details on joining the blogroll!

Now, my friends, I am heading to bed, and hoping I wake up a smidgen more organized tomorrow than I was today - or yesterday, or last week!

Good night, and God bless. :)


Field Day: The Early Spring Edition!

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"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." (Anne Bradstreet)

It's been an awfully long winter, has it not? And - I fear for many of us (me included) - winter has not quite let loose its grip. But it can't be much longer, my friends. It simply can't.

So let's bundle up (just a bit - leave the parka - grab the fleece instead!) and head out for an Early Spring Field Day! I have many friends joining me on this nature carnival, and we all have spring in our hearts ... if not yet in our yards. :)

We have photos a-plenty to share this time out! Marcie, Robyn and Heather (whose flowers grace the top of my post) have all contributed the most beautiful pictures today! For lovelier artwork, I could not have hoped. Thank you, ladies!

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Beautiful Lake Martin, by Marcie

Let's begin up north, where Margaret captures the whims of the season with eloquence and lovely contentment. Snow in the morning, sunshine at dusk? Minnesota sounds a lot like Massachusetts these days!

Our next stop is down south, where Dana is reveling in the beauty of Texas wildflowers. Such warm and vibrant colors! Matilda has similarly beautiful scenes to share, as she waltzes through a spring daze of flora and fauna.

One of my favorite young ladies had a grand time recently looking for invertebrates! In Post One (the checklist) and Two (the results), Marianna shares some terrific scientific discoveries! Excellent lesson, Jennifer!

Spring, of course, means new life ...

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Aren't these pictures precious? Please read on for Robyn's story ...

"We rescued a baby bunny from our dog, who found a nest of bunnies in our yard. We aren’t sure how many babies were in the nest but this baby was the last one left, so we found a nice cozy box filled with tissue paper and went to the feed store to get a bottle and food for him. The bunny was so young, his eyes and ears had not yet opened. We were torn between putting him back into his nest in the hopes that his mom would relocate him, and keeping him safe from the dog inside the house. He didn’t know yet he was supposed to be afraid of humans, and he let us gently hold him in our hands--- he was so small (about the size of a mouse). He nuzzled in our hands, drank a little milk and seemed happy enough in the box. The next morning, we searched online to find out more about baby bunnies. This site has a lot of information about wild bunnies: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html.

We discovered he was actually a hare, not a rabbit. We found out that babies this tiny do not usually survive in captivity and that the mama would come back to the nest up to a week checking for her young if a nest is disturbed.  We decided to put him back in his hole for his mama to find him, knowing that it was his best shot at survival. So we said our goodbyes to our tiny houseguest and put him back on Saturday afternoon. We kept the dog on a leash, knowing that the first thing he would do is to go back to the nest so we protected the baby hare by making sure the dogs could not have access to him. On Easter morning, we checked the nest, and sure enough—the baby was gone, and we are assuming, reunited with his mama and in a new place."

As Robyn's family discovered, we often need look no further than our own backyards to experience the supreme joy of nature. Happily, Meredith's family has rediscovered the breathtaking wilderness in their midst. Oh, to be on that swing - viewing those views!

All about her lovely home, Cay shows us how beautifully spring has sprung in Louisiana. Oh my, I can almost smell those sweet blooms and taste that fresh lemonade!

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A turtle sunning himself, by Marcie ...

Angela's family always has lots of interesting things going on in their backyard - and how neat that they tapped their own maple trees this year! What a wonderful learning experience for her gang (whom we had the pleasure of meeting recently)! They also kept a close eye on their feeders (love the chipmunk!) while inside, they worked together on a seed starting project. Wonderful!

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Seedlings growing, by Heather ...

Spring's a great season for ducks, don't you think? These fine feathered creatures have certainly caught the attention of a few of my friends. After reading a perennial spring favorite, Michaela and her children made their way outdoors for some sketching by the lake.

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Sunny daffodils, by Robyn ...

Lorri's crew also found time to stop and enjoy the ducks - in their own backyard! (Actually the ducks found them  - what a treat!) And, in pursuit of a scouting badge, Lorri's family has been keeping a close eye on the songbirds in their surroundings. Now's the time of year to see lots of new faces, as well as old favorites.

Speaking of birds, Dani shares some gorgeous photos of an egret and heron - white and blue, respectively - from her pier. What a blessing to live by the water - I can only imagine how varied and interesting the nature must be!

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A Great Egret, by Marcie ...

Divina and her family have been out to the beach already this year. They've seen a wide range of sea birds - from mallards to a loon, and plenty of other examples of seashore life. But perhaps there's no better nature study than one so hands-on as sand play

Playing in the sand is an excellent form of earth science for youngsters, and I'm taking notes for my own little boys. We'll also be studying volcanoes, and we'll need to look no further than Susan's great list of books on that very subject. I always know to turn to Susan for wonderful children's book suggestions.

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Flowering tree, by Heather ...

More spring science ideas can be found at Theresa's. Stop by to learn how to make three different kinds of nets for a stream study - the first two posts are here and here, and the third will be coming later today!

Now, on to one of my most favorite nature blogs - Marjorie's Letters de Moulin. She shares three lovely posts with us today. The first takes us on a tour of birds' nests - which are a welcome sight anytime of year, but especially so in spring. Next, it's up the mountain to explore the joys of the butterfly, another sweet harbinger of spring. And finally we look down from the heavens, and specifically under some rocks, to take delight in spring salamanders! Ooh, how I'd love to find one of those shiny little fellas.

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A mockingbird - just after a bath! by Marcie ...

Brooke and her boys have a fun and educational spring ritual - birdwatching! They spent an amazing day at a national wildlife refuge - looking for eagles! She shares great tips for spring birding in her post.

And on with the hunt for spring! Joann and her kids spent some time looking for signs of life ... and what did they find? Tune in here to see. Sherry, too, took her gang out in search of spring - and a little patch of nature did the trick. Crisanne takes us on a tour of flowering trees - spring beauties that bring thoughts of God's love.

And speaking of love, what more joyous feeling can there be than a walk in the spring rain with our dear ones? Beth shares beautiful images and feelings from her day.

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A Nutria at Lake Martin, by Marcie ...

Spring brings its own mysteries. What will this seedling be? Where did we plant the tulips? What was that flash of orange in the trees? Helen's daughter has made a mysterious treetop discovery - please stop by and check it out!

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Yellow Iris, by Marcie ...

Spring sneaks up on us, in fond and familiar ways we must not overlook. From petals to pollen to screen doors wide open, MaryBeth has noticed all those subtle signs, the ones that tug at our heartstrings, and assure us that really, spring has returned home after all.

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Robyn's front yard is the pinnacle of early spring beauty.

Thank you for joining us on this Early Spring Field Day! I would like to thank each and every person who contributed in some way - whether by post, by photo or plug. :) I appreciate your participation and I hope you will consider joining me again in another month or so for the Mid-Spring Edition!

For now, let me leave you with these timely words by Robert Frost:

The sun was warm but the wind was chill. Early_spring_07
You know how it is with an April Day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off the frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.

How true!


Thursday Tea: Peace be with You!

This afternoon, as the gales blew outside and the rain lashed the windows, we sat down for our Thursday tea. This is the day we read and discuss the coming Sunday's Gospel and, very often we have a little hands-on activity to go with it. And we never forget the refreshments! It's not always tea (though when it is, it's usually Irish decaf.); sometimes it's cocoa or hot cider ... or as in the case today, warmed vanilla milk. Our snack is usually something baked, a yummy treat for the boys (and me!).

Today's snack - almond sugar cookies. We cut them out in dove shapes to go along with Sunday's message of peace. Because I had no cutter, I made a template from cardboard. You know, the kind like Martha makes, only she makes it looks easy, but it's not? So we stopped after a few dove shapes and made the rest into crosses. :)

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Notice the chicken? That was going to be pressed into service as a dove, before I made the cardboard template. Crackerjack, looking over my shoulder at the cutters, asked if Jesus ever told any stories about chickens. I told him I didn't think so, but we could check.

Below you see the learning table all laid out with our peace banners, books and crayons. I also keep a notebook open to record any thoughtful or memorable things the kids say as we work - like the chicken comment above. :)

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I think I've mentioned them before, but I use a few regular resources to help me prepare the talk and activities each week:

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The recipe we used was delicious, and new to us: almond sugar cookies. That's not the actual title of the recipe (it's Sugar Cookie Recipe #2), but because it had almond extract in the ingredients, it appealed to me as something a bit different.

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We each got a mug filled with "vanilla cocoa," as I sold called it. It was just warmed milk with a little vanilla and a spoonful of vanilla sugar, but it tasted like pure comfort. The boys gave it big thumbs up.

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Crackerjack, hard at work again ... (he drank two mugs full!).

As we read the Gospel story, we brainstormed ways to show the peace of Jesus to others: pray, love, share, go to Mass, teach, show kindness.

We added these words to our display board:

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Along with our banners, they make a nice focal point for Sunday.

Peace to you all, and see you in the morning ~ Field Day will be up by mid-day!


What we found when we looked ...

... under those leaves, like I talked about yesterday. I have to admit, I got a bit ahead of myself on that one. Because it wasn't what we found that made news, it was what we didn't.

Zip, zip, zippo, as Crackerjack said.

Nope, not a whole lot of anything going on under there. Just a lot of dry dirt, old leaves, cracked and scaly seed hulls and, pardon my French, cat droppings.

(Darn neighbor cat.)

So we didn't so much "muck around" out there as scuffle. Things are still pretty dry and cold. So, we note the conditions in our nature notebooks, and we wait a bit longer.

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The boys did very much enjoy the investigation, as well as the cool air and bright sunshine. It's wonderful to "do" science out in our backyard while a robin hops by but a few feet away and the woods are whispering their spring song.

But you know, I was hoping for more. We are on the brink of yet another little snowstorm here (we won't mention the nor'easter due Monday), and we really could have stood to find something under there. More than that one tiny wiggly thing. Some little bits of life to encourage us that, truly, spring is here. Somewhere around here. I was sure of it.

So that's the lesson for today, my friends. We must have faith. And we must find the beauty in the here and now. It's the gift we've been given today.

Looking back over our photos we realized there's not a whole lot of color here. Mostly browns, and pale shades of green. But that's exactly the palette of early spring in New England. We won't see bursts of bright color till May when the lilacs and azaleas and cherry trees begin to bloom. And when it happens, it will be a feast for hungry eyes.

For now, we will content ourselves with the subtle signs of earliest springtime.

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Tiny ferns growing under the leaves! So pale and lovely.

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New chrysanthemum shoots finding their way to the sun.

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Tiny but mighty crocus shoots! Theyr'e lifting the mulch as they grow!

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The one wiggling thing we found - some kind of beetle larva, we guess.

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No idea - but we love the color - like purple cabbage!

That's the thing about nature. You can't package it up all neat and tidy. Sure the calendar says April 12, but nature ... well, it's just going to do it's own thing, isn't it?

On the positive side, we are home today, and we have our Thursday tea planned. On Thursdays we read the Sunday gospel and eat some cookies and drink some tea or cocoa. I was hoping by now we'd have moved onto lemonade, but no such luck. No, a hot cup of cocoa sounds just about right. I think I will whip up a cup of spring cocoa - it's white and creamy and hot and just right for a blustery April afternoon.

In the meantime, please remember that Field Day is tomorrow! I am busily working on my post and having a grand time reading all of yours! Thanks to all who have sent me an entry - you make Field Day what it is! If you'd like to participate, you still have plenty of time - I'll be working late (ish) into the night. ;)

Also, tomorrow is the last day for voting at The 2006 Homeschool Blog Awards. When you stop over there, please read this post first, and keep Heather in your prayers. She needs them dearly.

Blessings to you, my friends. Breathe in, have faith and go give your loved ones a hug.


Little Crafts for a Big Day

Yesterday was Crackerjack's last official CCD class before his First Holy Communion next month. All that's left is banner-making day and rehearsal. During this class, the kids were shown another movie, an animated video called "Maria's First Communion." It was simple and sweet. One thing that caught my attention in the short story was how Maria's family prayed for her every night for the month leading up to her special day. They lit her baptismal candle at dinner, and asked Christ to help her prepare to receive.

On the way home from class, I asked CJ if he'd like to do something like that in our family and the answer was a resounding, "Sure!" So before heading home, we swung into the craft store. We chose several sheets of felt for his banner (brought me right back to my 70s childhood, I tell you) and the materials to make a simple candleholder. He chose the colors and decorative details, and not surprisingly we ended up with a lot of red. :)

So today after we ate lunch (and after we mucked around outside looking under leaves - more on that later) we set down to craft.

Here are the few materials we gathered:

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From left to right: unfinished wooden candleholders (we only needed one, but I couldn't get a smaller package; no worries - I'm sure we'll come up with some more projects), a package of stickers (CJ wanted doves to represent the Holy Spirit), a holy card (which we didn't end up using because I made something else), the baptismal candle, red paint and red glitter. (The red felt just served here as backdrop, but it will be put to use in the banner before too long.)

Here's my CJ at work. Please indulge me more than one shot. He worked so hard at this!

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Peace be with you, CJ!

And here's how it all turned out:

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On the right is the finished candle. We had to wrap a bit of paper towel around the base of the taper because it was loose inside. It's hard to see in the picture, but the candleholder is embellished fairly generously with glitter. That's m'boy!

This was a very easy, child-friendly craft. Perhaps you have your family baptismal candles handy and might invite your children to do the same? If not, you could purchase a taper, just special for your child - in his or her favorite color, of course. This candle would be lovely to use during quiet times of prayer or meditation.

I made the prayer card on the left. I used a prayer for a child's First Communion found in Let's Say Grace by Robert Hamma. I printed it out on white cardstock, cut it down to size, and added a picture of CJ (that's him just before class yesterday). I added a wheat sticker I happened to have on hand (symbolic, of course, of the Eucharist) and a few other stickers as well.

This simple craft will grace our family table and will remind us to pray for our dear Crackerjack's special intention - a blessed and holy First Communion - every night.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing our joy in our day! Have a great night!


Everyday Nature: Looking under Leaves

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Today we're going to muck about a little in the yard. The ground is softening, the earth smells fresh ... what better time than early spring to dig a bit and look for new life?

For it's certainly stirring now, and in all kinds of places. Sometimes it's plain to see - a nest in a tree, buds on a bush, a bee flying by. But there's a whole lot going on in places we hardly ever think to look.

Or at least, I hardly ever think to look - anymore (I did as a youngster I'm sure). No, usually my first instinct upon discovering a pile of withered, slimy leaves is not to poke around under there - Heaven only knows what might come crawling out! But of course, that's the point. And when we do get down and close up, and carefully lift and look, what we see is almost always amazing.

My young boys seem to know, instinctively, where to go to find the neatest bugs, worms and other cool creatures at this time of year. They gravitate towards the muddy and messy areas of the yard and they are richly rewarded in their exploration.

Today it would be fun to meander around the backyard and lift up things like rocks, logs, piles of leaf litter or even toys that have perhaps spent the winter months parked in one spot. What might you find?

A possible checklist:

  • ants
  • earwigs
  • grubs
  • beetles
  • earthworms
  • sowbugs
  • centipedes
  • millipedes
  • spiders
  • slugs
  • salamanders
  • various kinds of fungi

Ask the children to ponder: why is there nothing green growing under there?

Take a small field guide with you if you'd like (an insect guide would be helpful). Equip the children with magnifying glasses and a small clean jar. Let them dig around and explore for a while. Guide them to move slowly and quietly so as not to harm any living thing (they'll also get to see more if they're careful). If they find a small creature they'd like to observe, carefully deposit it into the jar, making sure to add a bit of soil first.

(Note - we are not experienced bug-keepers so we always return our specimens to their habitats after a short while. There are undoubtedly many books and online resources for information on keeping bugs permanently with care and respect.)

Books for exploring this type of habitat:

Before I sign off, just a quick word about my Everyday Nature posts. I don't want you all to think I'm some kind of nature expert. Oh, so far from it. I am decidely not a very outdoorsy person, in fact. I don't camp (yet), don't hike (much), don't canoe All_things(ever) or do any of those other rugged wilderness things.

But I do love nature. I love my small habitat and getting to know it better. I love showing my boys the wonders of nature, and specifically that which is right under our feet, outside our door, in view from our windows - every single glorious day.

There's so much to learn and even more to love. I think of Everyday Nature as baby steps towards nature study. It really can be as simple as taking five minutes a day to just be aware. Some days we might spend an hour walking through the woods, identifying trees and listening for birds. Some days we might just open a window and feel the wind change as a front moves through. It all adds up, in my book.

And it is all a gift, every little bit.

With every bit of nature we observe - the beautiful and the not so beautiful - it is good to remember Cecil Alexander's timeless words:

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.


Back to Business!

After a long and happy Easter break, we are back at lessons today. I'm so ready! I think the boys are too. Our learning room no longer resembles a small restaurant - this morning it's back to all business! (Well, except for the part where we watch the Red Sox home opener this afternoon!)

The table and chairs have been wiped down, the book display has been refreshed, the tote bags hauled back out to their stations - even the bulletin board is renewed!

Here's how the learning room looks early this morning:

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Sorry for all the glare - this room is full of windows and gets a lot of light!

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Above you see what we did with the Alleluia letters - we made a golden banner! It will hang over our learning/dining table the whole Easter season. (I used a hot glue gun to adhere the letters to the ribbon, but notice the dangly last letter? The hot glue ran out at that point, lol!)

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Our prayer corner has some leftover Easter roses, our crucifix, a candle and a holy card. This coming Sunday's gospel theme is peace, and we will be discussing the dove, as a symbol of both peace and the Holy Spirit. 

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Our weekly bulletin board has just one item so far, a representation of April's devotion, The Blessed Sacrament. This will tie in nicely with our final preparations for CJ's First Holy Communion. (The craft is a small construction paper circle with a red cross drawn on it, set against a golden doiley.) I will fill in the rest of the board later today.

And here's a look at our next week (or two). There's a lot here, so surely some of it will spread into next week:

Math:

  • Saxon Math 7/6 (BW) - daily lesson
  • Seton Math 2 (CJ) - daily assigned pages
  • Little Folks Number Practice (EB)
    • Math-related board books

Language:

  • BW
  • CJ
    • Language of God A
    • My Catholic Speller A
    • Devotional Stories for Little Folks
    • Basket of early readers
  • EB
    • Speech at home and therapy
    • Book basket this week (new selections)
      • Work on attention
    • Little Folks Letter Practice
    • Alphabet flash cards

History:

  • Story of the World 2: Chapter 26 "France and England at War"
    • Read, narrate and answer review questions.
    • Mapwork
    • Joan of Arc: The Lily Maid (read aloud; on order)
    • Find out when Saint Joan's Feast Day is ...
    • Make a holy card from an online image, preferably something medieval.
    • I might preview this movie from the library.
  • Check out Monticello website on Friday, Thomas Jefferson's birthday.
    • Contemplate: "No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden." ~ Thomas Jefferson

Science/Nature Study:

  • Watch PBS documentary on plight of ocean animals.
  • Discuss environmental messages in Happy Feet.
  • Begin new element for April: dirt (earth/soil)
    • What is the earth crust made up of?
    • What happens under the earth - by nature and man?
      • Dig and look!
      • Watch road construction on our street (how timely!).
    • Check on our compost pile; read about composting.
  • Look for deer tracks in mud behind fence.

Religion:

  • Thursday Tea: Peace be with You!
    • Read Sunday's gospel (Jn 20:19-31)
    • Bake peace cookies (almond sugar cookies, cut into dove shapes)
    • Make a "peace be with you" banner
    • Do a dove coloring page
    • Review sign of peace protocol - practice at dinner as a family.
    • Discuss the dove as symbol for peace and the holy spirit
  • Prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday (special red & white dinner)
  • April devotion: The Blessed Sacrament

Other Stuff:

  • CJ's first soccer game (ever!)
  • BW's Tweens Activity Night
  • Red Sox home opener!
  • My long-awaited haircut :)

Off to get started, now ... enjoy this beautiful spring day, everyone!


Button, Button ...

Two quick things before bed:

A reminder that Field Day: The Early Spring Edition will run this Friday, April 13th. (I told you I'd be nagging reminding you!) There's still ample time to get me a post or a picture about nature. Anytime up till Thursday evening (say 8-ish), is fine, though you know I'll surely make room for any latecomers! Check out my original post with all the details here, or you can click on the button on the right and that will take you there, too. By the way, help yourself to that button, to use as part of your post or to help spread the word. :)

In more button news, just below Field Day is the 2006 Homeschool Blog Awards button. It, too, is a link - one that will take you over to the voting page. I am humbled and honored that my blog has been nominated for a few awards: blog design, crafts/projects/plans, encourager and (goodness) super homeschooler. (I feel a little funny mentioning which awards, but there are many categories ... and I figure, if you were so inclined to vote for my blog, you'd probably want to know where to look!) Again, I say a BIG thank you to my nominators! Happily, many of my friends have also been nominated and ... I now have many new blogs to explore! And I must say the Awards site itself it just amazing - it's like a shiny, well-oiled machine over there. Voting ends Friday!

Allrighty, so that's it for the buttons for now! Take care, all!


Notes on Easter & Entertaining

Wow! Can it be over already? Has Easter Sunday really come and gone? What greater Feast is there in the year, than the Sunday of all Sundays? I hope yours was lovely.

Our family dinner was a party of 18 all together. When we are hosting so many I generally use the dining (learning) room with its two tables and the living room as well (with a long folding table for six). It worked out nicely today just as it did at Thanksgiving last year.

Now, unfortunately I did not get even one picture of the boys before church. Five minutes into my morning shower I suddenly panicked, remembering how Father said we should all be sure to get to Mass early because he was anticipating a large turn-out. I had not taken that into consideration as we set the morning maneuvers in motion, and once I remembered it became a bit of a scramble to get out! (Of course, we ended up there waaaay early, only one of four cars, lol! That's all right, we had a nice quiet time before Mass began, admiring the altar and inhaling the fragrance of lilies. And oh, how I love that incense!)

So here are the boys' baskets, found very early in the morning:

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Along with their baskets, the boys found the missing alleluia. :)

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Bookworm and Crackerjack, sharing a fun book and the sunlight.

Now for a tour of the tables ...

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You might recognize these as our learning room tables - yesterday they were all dressed up for the great feast.

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This was the smallest table, and as you can see by the smaller plates, it was also the children's table. The pansy tablecloth is one I treasure. It was hand-painted by a friend of my grandmother's many years ago. I can't believe I've never used it at Easter before!

Easter15

This is the larger table in the dining/learning room. It seats eight. My mum bought us this sage green tablecloth and the set of ivory napkins.

Easter14

And this is the folding table set up in the living room. The keyboard bench and the hope chest stood in for seating duty!

Easter13

A close-up of the lovely daffodil arrangment my mum made.

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The china cupboard was turned into a bar for the day. I thought it was cute to use these ceramic goblets as lemon and lime servers. We bought these many years ago on a trip to Disneyworld. I've finally found a great use for them!

Easter4

I have to show you the vegetable tray that Bookworm arranged all by himself. :)

Easter12

Here's the baked artichoke dip and a mountain of French bread to go with it.

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During the hors d'oeuvres hour, the boys took most of the party outside with them to look for their hidden eggs. It was a very chilly 40 degrees, but everyone was a good sport about it! Here's Earlybird finding one on the lawn.

Unfortunately, in all the clamor of putting out the dinner buffet, I didn't take even one picture! We followed the menu I outlined in this post for the most part, though instead of the honey-glazed carrots, I made a pan of onion-roasted carrots and red potatoes.

By dessert time I had my camera back in hand.

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I have to say, I absolutely adored the paper goods we found for the day. Here's the freshly brewed coffee all ready to go.

Easter6

My aunt brought these sweet pastel-hued cupcakes, the bunny napkins and the plate of Easter sugar cubes in the background.

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Here are some more of the desserts: oatmeal raisin cookies, pineapple angel food cake, lemon meringue pie, toasted coconut marshmallows (Bookworm's request) and cherry jubilee pie. Not shown is the magnificent fruit salad made by our lovely friend, Lois, or the delicious apple-filled spice cake made by my mum.

Easter1

Naturally, there had to be some chocolates served with coffee!

Hosting Easter got me to thinking, in general, about hospitality and household organization. Getting sick Palm Sunday weekend really put a crimp in our timetable - or lack thereof! Losing those four or five days, I realized how much I wing it, and how much I had left to the last minute.

You'd think I'd have it down pat by now ... but every party that comes up I find myself overlooking the same little things. For instance, trash and recycling should be better thought out, tupperware (with lids!) needs to be plentiful and accessible, hand soap must be refilled, an ice bucket would be handy ... things like that.

Also, I am slowly coming to realize that you really never can start planning and preparing too early. As I realized mid-week, I could have (should have) started preparing much sooner than I did.

And lists! Lists are so important! I think it is high-time I made up a basic party plan with all the nitty-gritty details and a basic time frame to work around. I'm sure I can find one online to work off of - most likely Martha has one - I'll have to take a look. I'm sure I can have something put together in time for Thanksgiving. ;)

Well today is Easter Monday, and it will be a quiet day-off for us here. Lots more cleaning up to do. Then there's a fun week to unfold ~ Field Day, Mercy Sunday, CJ's first soccer game ... and a whole Easter season to follow! I'm already thinking a cookout on Pentecost (Memorial Day weekend) would be great fun!

You know, I was thinking of you all yesterday. I was thinking how wonderful it is to be part of this online community; how we're able to share our thoughts and ideas and give and receive all kinds of greetings through the year. What a blessing the Internet is. I have "met" so many lovely people in this way, and I remember you all in my prayers.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in our Easter fun! I'm off to have a wee bit of cherry jubilee for my breakfast. Have a wonderful day!   


A Tiny Flower ...

... A gift from Bookworm who found the very first Johnny Jump Up today, growing near our lower door. Such a tiny sprig, it fit right into a medicine cup (though it would have looked much more charming in a silver thimble). Johnny Jump Ups are wild pansies, also known by their more old-fashioned name, Heart's Ease.

Jumpup3

Like the richest velvet
(I've heard the fairies tell)
Grow the handsome pansies
within the garden wall
When you praise their beauty,
Remember me as well
Think of little Heart's-ease,
the brother of them all!

(From Flower Fairies of the Spring, by Cicely Mary Barker)

On this most blessed of nights, I wish you peace and sweet sleep ...


On Easter Eve: Resurrection Cookies

(This activity was kindly suggested to me by Sheila. Thank you!)

~Also known as Easter Story Cookies~

This is a great recipe to teach your Children the REAL story of Easter. Teach them that the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior is not dead but He has Risen. You could even sing this chorus while you make the cookies. "We serve a Risen Savior. He's in the World today."

This activity can be done as a family.

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F. *** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon
to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.
Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest
into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins
have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.
Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read: Matthew 28:1-9

"We serve a Risen Savior"


Everyday Nature: A Praise Walk

I must say up front, this idea is not entirely mine. It is one I found here, and then embellishedVioletbluebutterfly  upon slightly. I do think it is a lovely and quiet Holy Saturday activity, one that might keep itchy children out from underfoot! ;)

If the weather is accomodating, head out for a leisurely nature walk. You need to bring nothing more than your keen senses with you (though you could of course bring a camera or sketch pad). Smell the new grass, hear the birds in the trees, look around and see the beauty of our world. Look, in particular, for little signs of life returning from the depths of winter. And for everything you see, every little thing you marvel over, give thanks to God for the world He created for us.

When the children return home, have the crayons and paper set out. Let them make a Praise Poster - filled with all the things they saw on their walk. Write Praise God in bold letters at the top (glittered, perhaps) and hang it near your dinner table. Include these beautiful images in your Easter grace tomorrow.

Now, if the weather is not accomodating, your children can still participate in a Praise Walk ~ just have them sit by a window and gaze out upon the world. From where they sit they can surely see many lovely things to be thankful for. They might start with the rain itself, and remember how precious it is to our earth and its creatures.

Simply put, a Praise Walk is a nature walk, but today we bring fresh eyes to the landscape, and we seek out more than just a new flower or the toad underfoot. Today we leave our field guides behind and let our hearts lead the way.

The year's at the spring,
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his Heaven --
All's right with the world!

(Pippa's Song, Robert Browning)


One a Penny, Two a Penny ...

Hot Cross Buns!

Goodfriday1

"The Hot Cross Bun is the most famous, and probably the oldest, of the many English buns. Unlike today, when it is to be found throughout Lent, the Hot Cross Bun was originally eaten only on Good Friday. According to tradition, Father Rocliff, a monk and the cook of St. Alban's Abbey, in Hertfordshire, on Good Friday in 1361 gave to each poor person who came to the abbey one of these spiced buns marked with the sign of the cross, along with the usual bowl of soup. The custom was continued and soon spread throughout the country - though no other buns could compare, it was said, with Father Rocliff's.

Hot Cross Buns became enormously popular in England in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Street cries were commonly heard on Good Friday:

Hot Cross buns, Hot Cross buns,
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot Cross buns!
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons,
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot Cross Buns!"

(From A Continual Feast Cookbook by Evelyn Birge Vitz)

In fact these buns have been stocked at the supermarket since well before Ash Wednesday, but we held off and waited for today to partake. I'm thinking homemade are probably much better (I'm not too keen on that candied fruit), so I plan to make these next year. (Have I been saying "next year" a lot lately? I'm afraid so.) The recipe I just linked comes from today's Martha show on which they thoroughly discussed the hot cross bun tradition. The buns they made had no frosting or candied fruit, but plenty of citrus zest, currants and apricot jam. They sound so good and I'll bet they make a kitchen smell just like Eastertime!

While popping open the package released no delicious scents, there was something lovely and fragrant about eating these buns with our Good Friday tea. A memory is in the making when we eat a certain food on a certain day, all because it means a certain something to us all ~ to our family and faith. It's a little thing, to be sure, but you know, I have fond memories of my grandfather eating hot cross buns with his (Irish) tea at Lent. These little traditions are part of who we are, and it feels good to honor them.

Blessings to you all this Good Friday.


Good Friday

Jesus_on_cross

"At noon darkness fell on the land, a darkness which lasted until the third hour of the afternoon. Then Jesus cried aloud, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Hearing him cry out, one of the men, standing at the foot of the cross ran to fetch a sponge soaked in vinegar, which he put on the end of a pole and held up to Jesus' lips. Jesus cried out, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Then his head fell lifeless on his breast. At that same moment, the curtain in the temple was ripped from top to bottom, and a tremor was felt in the very depths of the Earth." (The Illustrated Children's Bible)

*Artwork by Henry Martin


What's for Dinner?

Or, if the case may be, brunch? :) Pansyegg

Since I won't be posting tomorrow (Good Friday), I thought I'd post our Easter dinner menu tonight. Most of this is set in stone, but there are a few items still up in the air.

It is, almost without exception, a ham for us every year. How about you - do you do ham or lamb or something else entirely? And what do you love to eat on Easter most of all? (I'm just full of questions lately, lol!) I have to say I really look forward to the dessert table, and it's so hard to choose once I'm there. I'm not really a big candy person, but I do love a white chocolate bunny. Growing up I always found one in my basket (while my brother always got milk chocolate). White chocolate tastes just like Easter to me. Jelly beans I can do without, but I do like to sneak a Peep or two. ;)

After early Mass we'll have a small breakfast with my folks while the boys hunt for their eggs. I'll serve freshly brewed coffee, a light Easter punch and an assortment of pastries. Every year I wish I had made it in to the North End to order authentic Italian Easter pastries. Maybe next year! I also wish I had found (made?) the time to do some more traditional Easter baking. Again, maybe next year ... luckily we have a few excellent bakeries nearby.

Later in the day we are expecting a large crowd of family for dinner at one. With every holiday that passes I am so grateful for our family, and that we're so close (in more than mileage). At the same time, I dearly miss those that live far away and hope against hope that next year we'll be together.

Here's the Easter menu so far:

Starters:

  • vegetable tray with spring dill dip
  • baked artichoke dip with French bread
  • crabbies

Dinner:

Dessert:

  • fruit salad
  • cookies
  • Easter cupcakes
  • pies (TBA)
    • ETA - lemon meringue and cheescake
  • Angel Lush Cake
  • assorted Easter candy
  • coffee & tea

Remember, Easter is a celebration - not a time to skimp on calories, lol!

I'll be back one more time before Sunday, or at least that's the plan. We're just a few days away ~ may they be blessed and beautiful!