Raising Heathens A Natural History Homeschool

Spiritual learning ~ little ones

2012-02-13T06:49:00.000-08:00

It is no secret I love teaching children Spiritual practices .

I am so blessed I have had the chance to teach our own , children of others via catechism etc. and now our own beautiful little grandson !

He loves to speak of magic and the creator so much ! He loves creating with his granny .

I am beginning to make a prayer book or BOL with him .

this is similar to Emily Dickison's Herbarium with a spiritual twist .

A book where he can paste in plants and write down his special prayers for his intentions .

So this past weekend he helped me make a special candle for his Mum

Something I'd meant to do two weeks ago but hey , everything happens when the time is just right .

So the photo above is grandson mixing the combo of items we chose .

we then took a candle and inscribed it with symbols

and

he liked this part . bathing the candle

we then placed the candle with the corn dollie and god's eye on the altar .

I think this is more the right timing because apparently Feb12th was Brede's day not Feb.2 nd .

anyway we had fun and this went really well with our conversation earlier in the day .That is how we learn all the time . He attends daycare and school and wondered how people learn if they don't go to school ;-)

His granny taught him well I think ♥

Rain Stick Activity

2012-02-13T05:23:00.000-08:00

I finally got to make the rain sticks with mr. silly ridiculous the other day when he came over !

there were several ways to make online but I chose the one at Enchanted Learning

Can You believe I am now using that site for my grandchild !!

So both the boys each painted an old paper towel tube . I really wanted to use the holiday wrap tubes but good luck from saving those from sword fights lol

Then big Uncle decided he needed the carders . No I said they are fun but we do not need wool for this activity lol

Now it did call for aluminum foil which I did not have . So I cut up aluminum pie plates to crinkle up . However they can be sharp so I did not let grandson do this . He traced the rainstick tops onto brown paper

They were already to fill .Top of one end of stick with paper or like we did cut fabric circles and attach with rubber bands . Much easier than waiting for glue to dry . Places strips of foil inside stick then add the bits of rain ☺ We used rice , red lentils & navy bean .

Then just top off the other end and they are ready !

He gave one of the sticks that Uncle made to his bigger brother ♥

Candlemas Candles

2012-01-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

I felt so blessed today as our dd 25 called to see if our grandson mr.silly ridiculous could come over .

My answer , YES !

We only had a few hrs. so what to do . he also had a cough developing so our thought of going out of town was not going to happen .

Well we are also having him next weekend so his Mum can go curling , so I decided just to fit in one of those activities in today .

Lol I always over plan activities with him so I know this would work out well .

I planned to make Candles with him for our Candlemas celebration and dd dedication to ST.Brigid & Danu

I actually was quite surprised at how lovely they turned out .

I of course forgot to take photos of our fun until we were all finished !

First off I had him go through granny's apothecary cupboards and chose the herbs, flowers and trees he felt his Mum would like .

I had gone to the bee store to purchase the beeswax sheets earlier in the week

Is this not so pretty the shadow of the plants on the wax sheeting

We crushed a mixture of the plants he chose and we dusted the sheet with this mix .Then we placed the wicking on the end closest to our side of the wax sheet .You just have to press it in and your hands warm the wax so the wick just stays in place . You then just continue to roll up the wax with the herbs inside .

Once the candle was all rolled up we sprinkled just flower petals on the table and rolled our candle in them .As your hands warm the candle the flowers stick to it .

Again they just turned out so pretty I think his Mum will be happy ☺

When we were all done he still wanted to play and he discovered his uncle's volcano project .

Bedside Reading Challenge

2012-01-23T15:24:00.000-08:00

Yes , I am going to try and partake in yet another reading challenge !

This one is a monthly challenge my homeschool chum Chari is hosting

Each Month Chari ( I think this is how it works ) shall choose a random letter from the alphabet . We are to chose a book off our bedside shelf or nearest shelf that begins with that letter .

This month of January 2012 the letter M has been chosen .

I honestly hope I can do this one because it is actually encouraging me to read those books I already have .

I know January is almost over but I'm still joining in because I've a half finished book Mythologies by William Yeats that I started 3 months ago and just left .

I have so many books by my bed so I am limiting this to the one small handmade bookshelf my grandfather made . they are my own books where the others which are strewn round the bed are often mags , poetry or library books .

I don't know if this will encourage me to use what I have and not purchase so many books or not but it is worth a shot lol .

Preparing ~ Candlemas/Imbolc Recipes & Crafts

2012-01-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

I'm beginning to prepare our Imbolc crafts & recipes .

This is a big day for us as it is also the birthday of our ds23 Dacotah . Who moved back to our city this past Autumn to attend school .

I am slowly preparing a lovely dedication to Brigid for our dd25 who is taking the steps towards becoming a Midwife !

Brigid Goddess & Saint Brigid are both connected to Midwives, pregnant women , birth & nursing ☺

I love this book by Cait Johnson and think I will do the rainstick craft with my grandson

check Your library as it is a popular book here is the same craft at Enchanted Learning

All Year Round has some neat candle crafts and although I have beeswax for melting I think I will purchase the sheets to do candle craft with my grandson

gather herbs and purchase wax sheets , & wick . just sprinkle wax sheet with herbs or flowers , use a hair dryer to warm the sheet a little if you like to make the sheet a little easier for little hands to roll

I'll try and post photos the day after we do the activity .

I also hope to do this Waldorf candle craft Thanks to Nissa and her Family

Yes I will usually always use this book in our festival posts ! As usual there are stories , a song and recipes .

This year I am making the Ginger Beer recipe !

My sil has been making Ginger Beer from the recipe from the book Wild Fermentation and for those who love fermented things and vinegar type flavour you will love that recipe as my dh did . However I do not like fermented things nor vinegars with the exception of very mild rice vinegar .

So this recipe is a yeast one and a sweet one . It takes about 2-3 days to be ready .

Although this book does not have actual activities specific to candlemas aside from candle making there are spring songs and poems , the story of Persephone

I am not using an activity this time from Earthways but it is such a wonderful book I do not want to leave it out

and it does have several gardening activities . We are a tad early for spring here as winter can be 4 more months .However I almost always do this activity with the ids which my Mum always did with us ☺

That is purchase bulbs and plant them with the kids

You can use either pots with potting soil or use stones placed in cake pan , pie plate etc. place bulbs on top and water the pan .

I also am planning that along with the Brigid's cross acitvity I will also make God's Eye Craft with the kids .
If You want an adult version check this out ! Just awesome

I am excited about this recipe book I found at the library .

I am going to make several of the recipes for ds23 birthday The Walnut Onion Bread , Crustade of Chicken . The book does not include but I am making an old fashioned Custard pudding too .

For the dedication for our dd I am making the Moon Cookies in a crescent shape .

I also love love this book !

I always make the Brede's Braid Bread recipe .

This is also the book I learned my true form of Divination biblomancy it is a really good read .

and of course we will watch Groundhog Day for Dacotah's celebration ☺

It is also of course the day Jesus was dedicated in Jewish tradition and when Dacotah decided to be baptized all those yrs ago he took the name Jesus as a confirmation name .

As I mentioned I am getting ideas from several sources to have a nice dedication for my dd

perhaps the fairy wine or a dairy source for the drink to go along with the theme of nursing Mother . I think I may also make a Brede's bed and a special prayer candle using specific herbs .

I'm still looking for an appropriate incantation .I may make my own ☺

Dream Pillow workshop

2012-01-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

Just popping in to say that perhaps people who follow my blog here might like to partake in a online worshop I'm doing

It is a workshop on making Dream Pillows.

If You would like to learn how to make & what dream pillows are

You may join me over on my blog which I'm posting on

The Cunning Crone

Happy Advent & Our Wreath !

2011-11-28T16:35:00.000-08:00

So did You All have a good start to Advent ?

We did !

I was shocked as I did not do much preparing and had only a week earlier felt overwhelmed .

We as shown in an earlier post had gone out to pick our greenery already .

As I said before I got the idea for a hanging wreath from watching Tasha Tudor's Christmas Video

She does not hang her wreath til Dec.6th the feast of St. Nicholas and unlike catholics who tend to use the 3 purple and one rose coloured she uses red candles . I decided to go with 4 white candles mainly because they fit my little candle holders on the wreath .

I also am going to try something new and make an Advent Yule log .

which will be 1/2 a log with 4 holes drilled in for the 4 purple & rose candles . decorate it with some greenery . I haven't gotten that far yet .

My creche isn't even up yet so I am slow but getting this wreath made was and is a big achievement as it takes me hrs so I feel okay .

Below are some of the photos of the assembly and at the end the links for where I obtained the candle holders and candles .

I had picked grapevine from my Mum's property earlier last week too

I brought the cedar in from out doors to place on the wreath

I purchased green crafting wire from the dollar store to attach the cedar on .You can use twine or raffia though both of which I have used .I find wire works best to get the vine to stay in shape though .

after attaching the cedar I then wrap the whole wreath with pretty ribbon.

some yrs. I have also attached cranberries but I like it best just simple with the ribbon

now it is ready for the ribbons which it will hang from and the candle holders

I had to adjust the ribbons as it was a bit lopsided ☺

It always turns out Oh so pretty !

So I have always purchased my Waldorf crafty supplies and books from Maplerose

I can no longer see the little star candle holders I purchased from them but they still sell the Christmas tree candle holder clips which would also work for a wreath

The candles I purchase are for the Christmas chimes they fit the holders nicely .

I will be back with some other crafty crafts hopefully

Winter Outing

2011-11-25T08:18:00.000-08:00

We had a spectacular day on Wed. our first nature group field trip out of the city ! We headed to one of our favorite beaches of all time Balsam Bay or rocky beach as the kids like to call it .

It was very warm and I did not bring snow pants along which I wish we had as there was a far bit of snow.

I really feel it is important for us to experience the same location over and over again to get the full value of nature within the 4seasons .

How lucky we are that we live in a part of the old where we truly o get 4 seasons ☺

the beginning of ice buildup on the lake is such a spectacular vision I really really try and visit a few times in late autumn & early winter .

Below are just a few of our photos of the ice sow and cedar picking and get this even a spider ! yes we discovered a spider walking a top the snow in the warm sunshine !

I made a video of this but haven't got it uploaded yet .

enjoy !

at the end we also offered a smudge

Animal Tracks

2011-11-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

While on our field trip to Balsam Bay the other day we came across several different animal tracks .

We got out our trusty track book another great nature outing gift from Gramma over the yrs. ☺

So I'm posting a few for you to see what fun it can be to walk along and come across such interesting tracks and can you identify some of these tracks.

Don't worry if you can't get them all.

lol I may be very good at finding plants in the woods but I am always stumped when it comes to tracks ,we all have our own talents ! Even with the book I hum and haw lol

I like the teeny tiny tracks myself ☺

below are some of the photos for you to enjoy !

A love of reading

2011-11-22T15:51:00.000-08:00

It is no surprise to those who know me friends , family & blogland that I love to read .

That this gift was passed on via my Grandmother & Mother .

The love of the written word is my number one way to discerning .

Now I being a mother & teacher also know there are people who are not comfortable with the written word .

Having children who read merely for factual learning who do not get enjoyment from reading .

Not everyone gets their imagination stirred on by reading .

I've even struggled with this issue , does everyone need to read . Well in western & European cultures yes. It is a sad fact we've made the world a world in which people must be able to rely on reading .I don't believe this is how the world is supposed to function , but non the less it does.

I knew how hard it would be for our Wise Owl , he did not literally learn to read full on chapter books til he was 11yo and even now he only reads his science or survival books .He read his life saving book ahead weeks before his classmates .Yet as he struggled in his younger yrs with friends who attended public school he felt less than . He felt the pressure of a society that tells us we should learn to read at 5-6yo and if we don't there is something wrong with us .

Anyway I see and know the why we need to be able to read I just do not believe it is something everyone is supposed to do . many cultures lived without the written word , do they need it now ? should they become like you or I ? is it so wrong if they don't ?

What made me think of the love of reading is .Someone a few times has bragged about their genius child who0 read at 4 yo .

over the yrs has bragged at the thick books their child can and has read .

A few times this person has mentioned in a negative light her child reading picture books or what she considers juvenile .

It really hit home to me how this person knows nothing of the love of the written word , writing nor reading .

Because the fact is someone who loves reading will have a copy of Little Bear at their beside along with Dostoevsky's Crime & Punishment

As an adult I don't just have the books by my bedside from my childhood to read to my grandson .No !

I read them !

I have almost all my fav books from when I was 2yo , through my childhood , teens , elementary & high school yrs. Those books which have gotten lost over the yrs. I've even replaced them with new copies.

I enjoy the stories now just as I did then and I get just as much out of them as I did then .

Below are a few of the books I loved in my childhood and reach for them now to read because I love them just as much .

Maybe You want to do a blog post of the books you cherish from your childhood and still carry along and read .

Just a few of my favs

Oh how I loved two pesos for Catalina !

I so wanted my own pair of leather shoes after reading her story ☺

Indian Two Feet was just like me I thought , running free in the fields !

Oh this book was so inspiring I spent months drawing different houses !

I dreamed of living in an Adobe home where you could climb ladders to different levels .Or how about sliding on a hill of Pine needles whoohoo !

This book stayed at my Grandmother's house so it was extra special

I would laugh and laugh when we read this story !

what can I say !

My cousins & I read this book over and over again .They were a set 3 boys just like the King's sons lol

Our grandson loves this story !

Okay this was my all time fav story of all time ! Probably why I wanted to go to MX so much

My Gramma gave me this book and it was very strange to me. I felt sad and scared when we'd read it , yet I loved it so !

Charlie the Tramp , our eldest boy Dacotah loved this book also ☺

I even had the record with the book !

What the Witch Left and the Velvet Room I thought were just two of the best books ever written ☺

My Mum wore this out reading it to me .I had to get another copy !

I still remember Gramma reading me these

when I was in gr.5 I discovered the Mary Ann books by Catherine Cookson.

This author has a very interesting history .I later discovered the books were written for adults but as a child I really identified with Mary Ann so I'm glad I found them in the children's section of our library back then .I think I really realized many children have been abused .

This story always reminds me of my Gramma and the Pennsylvania dutch culture she came from

Is it any surprise I wanted to be Pippi !

Gnomes ! My Gramma got me hooked on Fairies and Gnomes at a very young age . It was not cool where I came from at the time to be a young tween and be into Gnomes ! I loved them anyway ;-)

My Gramma gave me a copy of this .I'm planning to spend all day Thursday drinking Earl Grey tea and reading this lovely book

raising heathens

2011-11-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

Yes we are ! Raising Heathens !

No I'm not talking the new trend in neopaganism the norse type of pagan heathen .

I'm talking country bumpkin backwoodies common folk . Thats us !

We've got poor spelling , not always grammatically correct but well educated beyond our yrs in learning naturally what is given .

We also can be poor and read , write and love good art & opera .

I chose the word heathen to represent us in our lifestyle , culture & religion .

Awhile back I just could not take the Judgey McJudgers of the world any longer

We've experienced hatefelt hearts from both Christians and Pagans alike within the homeschooling community .

I will write more about the over achieving bully in another post , right now I want to focus on our schooling .

I really had felt stuck upon our return home this Sept. we just could not find our groove .

When Mum is in a funk so are the children !

I've decided once again to cut back on our Internet and just visit the library .

I love simplicity and natural rhythm learning & living .

This is how I raise our heathens

Our may or may not attend University . It does not matter if they pursue this or not .

We have beautiful children who as they enter adulthood wish to help and care for and share with others .

They are beautiful individuals and as parents that is our main goal in child raising to share our beautiful gifts with the world .

I just sometimes get caught up in images society shows us . Even the so called healthy versions end up making us feel we are not doing enough.

There are just as many supposed peace hippies who are mean spirited and bullies who make life a competition and actually are aggressive manipulative & controlling .

We are making some new friends and value even more the ones we have ever so much more .

I reflected also on the unschooling aspect of our homeschool . I'm not liking it .

I find our children need more direction for their focus .

They need some discipline in what we are going to study etc.

I'm finding this not so easy in the world of homeschool where unschooling is the in thing right now the cool cliquey crowd .

Well I'm returning to my love of Charlotte Mason and Waldorfy influences .

Only visiting blogs of a few beloved homeschoolers who don't leave me feeling overwhelmed .

I'm trying to follow the liturgical year more and also really focusing on our seasonal learning that we love so much .

I'm going to revisit Karen Andreola 's writings and use her Storey Starters again .

I'm reimplementing teatime & Poetry every Friday

I want to encourage Wise Owl to pursue his love of wilderness survival skills so he can begin to teach others .

Adventure boy and I are going to begin some handi craft classes together as well !

I've also tried to start a Nature homeschool group and so far it appears to have a few families interested . We are picking Cedar this Wed. for making Advent wreaths .

I also really want to focus on waldorf method of teaching Maths & such so

re-reading some essentials in that area .

I feel I'm finally getting our homeschool in order

and I continue to raise our beautiful heathens the best I know how .

Yuletide & Advent planning

2011-11-17T11:51:00.000-08:00

I honestly think I'm ready for this !

I really think I /we can do it this year !

When a fb friend posted Jesse tree time the other day I paniced !

Is it that time already ?

I mean I've got my pumpkins on the stoop still ☺

But yesterday we had a nature study outing , fresh air & a snowfall was just what we/I needed !

I'm in love with our seasonal learning again .

I'm ready !

So I'm planning to study a few websites and blogs to get reading lists for the kids

Cherished Hearts at Home

Frontier Dreams

Jesse Tree Catholic Culture

King of Peace Advent & Jesse Tree

Children Pray Advent prayers

Winter Solstice & Yule Crafts

Advent Calender Projects

Irish Culture & Customs

There are two mass celebrations we have enjoyed in the past which are celebrated in the Advent season

Misa de Gallo

and

Las Posadas

Next week we'll do a run out of the city and pick Cedar for our advent wreaths

I make an Advent wreath for on the table with the purple , pink & white candle .

However I also began making just a plain wreath inspired by Tasha Tudor in her video Take Peace

Every region will have their own trees that are best for wreath making I find of all the trees I like cedar the best

The wreath is absolutely stunning each year I am always happy I began this tradition of making it .

For winter Solstice and Yule we will make the frozen wreaths again , inspired by Theresa several years ago ☺

Last year I decided to add orange peel for more colour

I really miss our seasonal altar , with all our packing & half moving this past year I've felt lost upon our return home and isolated .I hadn't a clue where to begin .

I'm inspired by the gentle touch at Frontier Dreams and really going to work on making our learning space warm and homey again .

There are many waldorf suppliers for craft items in the states & Europe but in Canada not so much

one supplier I really love is Maple Rose they really are so helpful and very pleasant to deal with .

We are so going to make these pomander balls again this year

and a wonderful gingerbread house too !

and of course this granny is going to make many a winter fire for fun family times ☺

A tradition we learned for celebrating Yule is to save a piece of your tree from last year and this becomes your Yule log for this year on the solstice fire ☺

We are going to also make Yule log candle holders like the activity in Earthways I haven't made these in about 12 yrs !

I've also not had this book out for a bit and going to revisit some of the stories & recipes etc. within

All Year Round

Celebrating the Great Mother is another of my fav family activity books

Celebrating Irish Festivals

I have yet to read this book but looking forward to doing so ☺

Yule

A few Story Books

The Winter Solstice

The Shortest Day

This really is the most beautifully illustrated books I've seen I love Jane Ray's artwork

The Story of Christmas

Tomie de Paola has such wonderful books and several for the Advent & Christmas seasons

TheLegend of the Poinsettia

The Night of Las Posadas

Our Lady Guadalupe

Blog Blast for Peace ~ Peaceful Parenting & Education

2011-11-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

Yes ! That time again ! Blog Blast for Peace !

I am trying to write 4 posts on 4 different blogs today for Blog Blast for Peace ☺

This is all while our sewer backed up ( tree roots again ) and our dear little dog went missing !

So these posts are going to be short and not near as detailed as I'd like , but done none the less .

I really came to mediate on one theme well going over the topic of Peace within all aspects of our lives .

That theme being legacy & example .

The legacy which has been left to us by others who have led peace filled lives , the legacy we live today in the here and now as little ones observe & mimic , and the legacy yet to come which we will leave behind .

This being my blog on our homeschool and parenting I felt I'd share some of my influences .

I knew from the day I became pregnant at 17yo with my first child I wanted to raise her in the most peaceful & loving environment I could . I'm not saying I did not have my share of shouting matches , spanked etc. but when mistakes were made when faltering from being a loving parent they were acknowledged and dealt with and one hopes not to be repeated .

We tried our best to find literature that instilled a respect of others & environment when reading & teaching our children .

I found many parenting books via unschooling & waldorf type influences .

I have friends & community who have the values regarding this type of parenting & education .

I tried my best to purchase fair trade & cooperative toys many nieces & nephews know they may be getting a stick for Christmas from aunty Roxie ;-)

I've written before about my grandmother on several of my blogs . I write here again of her because she of course was one of my major influences on views of education .My gramma is the one who read me Aesop Grim & Anderson ☺ she was a school teacher but also like Charlotte Mason and others knew education did not just come from within a room with 4 walls and sitting at a desk. Perhaps it was her own upbringing of being educated farmers that she truly felt that children should not be in formal school from May- October . That their was so much outside of the classroom they should be doing .

My grandmother came from a Mennonite Pennsylvania Dutch family and it was very known they were of a pacifist philosophy .

I feel in regards to raising children it is very important to teach them the means to have a contented heart , the why's & how's of not harming others or ourselves and our surroundings .

I look to those who came before me whom I feel are the good example for myself in parenting & educating

I hope I too have become like them one who leaves behind a confidence not of arrogance but that of which we all count , we are all here to help & love one another and go out into the world and do so.

That's it .I think we tend to over complicate things in regards to parenting & education

and when I look back on the legacy & example those who I look up to , well reality is they were calm & simple people .From the a greatness shone but it wasn't from them doing a zillion humanitarian things or achieving many degrees and certificates . It was that they were being a truly beautiful individual .Just being .

Below are a few people who iinfluence my mothering & educational lifestyle

Mother Teresa knew that the worst disease in the world is that of being unloved

Charlotte Mason probably is the closest to the style of teaching methods I love and most like my Grandmother's style as well

Beatrix Potter was a fascinating woman !

Tasha Tudor ,what can I say , I see myself in the feisty yet gentle Tasha ;-)

Summer Reading

2011-08-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

I honestly have not had that much time for summer reading this year ! I did have our grandson for close to 5 weeks and did do much child led reading ☺ meaning we read Bread & Jam for Frances and The King's Wish like a zillion times which is okay with this granny because of course they are my favs too .

Adventure boy was also thrilled when I found him a copy of guide to raiing pugs .He read it through twice ☺

Wise Owl has been having the time of his life this summer he attended wildress /survival courses as well as courses on the boreal forest .His reading has been mostly on the related topics such as Tom Brown's Tracking books and survival skills . He is also working making his own money opened a bank account too .

so for Mum what have I read thus far

When Sparrow's Fall I really loved this book ! It is the kind of book I do love , that is books about relationship , human struggle & a bit of mystry ☺

It is a book about a homeschool mother who is also recently widowed , her struggle within a controling fundelmentalist church and to break free and deal with secrets etc. really a great read about struggle & growth emrgence from fear that traps us .

Yes it's here ! I like Dawn and others who wait for the latest from Alice Hoffman & Vampire books I don't follow those books but I await with the same passion for the release of the romantic & surreal books of Sarah Addison Allen etc. I once again loved the book and again it is a book filled with magical mystry & romance .

I must say I love her writing style , I love her characters etc. I do however wish that at times she'd write a book where the main characters are not in their mid to late 20's . I wish although she does have characters of older age always within the books she'd make them the main characters .of course this is because I am older and I've been there and done it for the 20's thing . so heres hoping ☺

Yes I read it ! did I like it , yes & no ! I loved the topic , did not love the writing .

I had no idea what this book was about .I ordered it because ladies on the homeschool list said they liked it . When I ordered it from the library I was # 70 something in line . so it must be good right ? I honestly thought the book was going to be a British theme about serving the wealthy lol . It is a book about the lives of Afro American women and the white women they serve set in the early 60's. About 1/4 through the book I thought " is this book being written by a white woman ?" Although the theme was good what was erking me a bit was the fact that although the characters in the book are fictional they did not seem real .They seemed fakey and although a foctional book is exactly that fiction , made up the characters should seem real , so you become apart of their life . This book did not .Okay I also have to say I'm Canadian not American but I truly kept thinking " would a black woman say that ? really ?" Yes when I looked the author up she is indeed white . there were both good and bad reviews from the fact that a black woman is sueing her tyo the fact that her book is promoted by Oprah . So I think with this book it is a hit and miss. I would not tell people to not read it , I think the theme makes us all think and the outcome is good purpose & intention . was it well written no .

I am once again going to read this book ! I love it ! It is believeable and real true fiction that draws you into the lives of the characters .

I'm late for the dentist so I have to go. But I've reviewed this book already in another post anyway .

Yes read it , the book is awesome stays with you and a great summer read

enjoy !

Hearts for Home ~ May 3rd

2011-05-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

Once again I am happy to join Gae & friends over on her beautiful homemaking blog

for Hearts for Home each tuesday where we focus on weekly goals to help each other keeping our hearts for home.

It is no secret that Gae's blog is one of my all time favs so I am always happy to partake when I can ☺

1. I have been on the verge of burnout again .This is due to my MCS & allergies this spring season . of course packing , then having our moving postponed and having to unpack etc. also has tried me out . so I am taking this week to only partake in that which is not straining me .

2. in tune with #1 ☺ I am taking time for two people in my life , ds10 and his health , he'd been sick for 3 weeks we were giving him one more day then going off to hospital .That one day worked ! I see how I need to put everything aside in order to keep him healthy .He is on the fringe of being sickly which of course I know all about living with that . so I must give him my time to make sure he is in balance . the other person is our grandson . he is having a very hard time dealing with an abusive adult in his life . I am trying to give him all the granny time he needs ☺ my heart broke when he said he didn't know how to phone me when he is in these bad situations , sorry but I am crying as I write this it breaks my heart . so we had the talk of how granny is always with him etc.

3. blogger clean up !! yes I am doing it !! God gave us an extra week here in the city , which means internet access . so I am going to clean up how many blogs I follow . I follow to many and learned I could not add more because I was over the 300 limit lol

4. finish writing a few more blog posts on miscarriage , allergies etc. I always feel I'll just write this article then I'm done .how silly of me , when on earth is a writer ever done writing ;-)

5. shopping for dog treats and pants for our grandson . I've promised the dogs treats since Easter lol they went all lent without their snackin doos ☺

grandson only has pants with holes in the knees ! his granny is going to fix that !

Divine Mercy (TRUE LOVE ) & JP II

2011-05-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Are you overwhelmed this weekend ? I am !!

With it being the end of the Divine Mercy novena & the Divine Mercy Sunday plus The Beautification of Pope John Paul II

I really wanted to share our little personal story and connection .

First off I've said before how we are all called to have our own personal devotions so I feel very strongly that we are to share our knowledge of such devotions but not to imply to others that it is their duty to have devotion to the devotions you or I may have . I being a member of the DJM have heard Fr.Pinto wishing for people to practice this devotion of the Divine Mercy .

I however have not yet been called to it . I pray the novena and the chaplet on this day but that is it . It is like the rosary, we are actually not required nor are we asked to all pray the rosary .

I have many devotions including chaplets & the rosary .

So my connection to Pope JP II and the Divine Mercy actually first came via the God Mother of our youngest ds .

I'd never heard of the Divine Mercy until the yr of his baptism in 2001 . She gave me an image and told me the story .My ds Godmother is from Poland ! I still did not feel any connection to the Divine Mercy . I set the photo aside . well that very same yr. my dh aunt who is in her 90's now who is a devote nun and mother superior of The Sisters of the Precious blood sent us a gift to celebrate the birth & baptism of our ds. It was a stand up wooden frame that was hinged and had 3 pictures in it. In the center is the picture of Jesus from the Divine Mercy ! on either side ST.Joseph and Mary .

I set it a top out piano ☺

skip ahead 6 yrs ds is 6 yrs preparing for first communion .We have had to say goodbye to his Godmother as she left the church and her family is in need of much healing .

This is a gift to me to teach catechism this yr. I have both our boys receiving these sacraments ☺

Our church also was going through big changes and many religious items were being tossed out . Many of which were framed prints . I was able to take one of Padre Pio holding the Host and one of Blessed Kateri. I then asked the boys if they each would like to pic one . the eldest chose a picture of ST.Michael and this suits his true devotions ! He is very much called to pray for souls and protect .Next our little ds looked and he is ever so quite , he pointed to , Yes , the Divine Mercy picture ! It suits Him ! The light that radiates from the picture is what we see come from our ds , this pure joy he gives people is such a gift . I have no doubt that this is his true & real devotion ☺

Since I have asked ds to always pray each evening for Jesus to let His Divine Mercy shine upon his Godmother so she may experience conversion once again .

Imagine the roles are reversed ! while I am so very sad she never stayed true to her role as godmother I am ever so proud of the role our ds has taken . So I personally am not called to this devotion yet have also personally been touched by those who are ☺

Yes that is Him ! I always have had such a loving fondness for this Pope .

As I mentioned my ex-friend and Godmother of our ds is also from Poland . She was very anti catholic church when I met her and when I was discovering that I indeed am catholic she was very negative about it. She hated the hierarchy and the power of Rome . Now those who know me also know I struggle with this issue too. However seeing hypocrisy and injustice , wrong choices and trying to help in conversion are very different than just hate felt feelings because the latter will actually keep us away from Our Lord and put up blocks between us and Him .

I spoke to her of how actually each church is responsible for itself now , how every single religion has a leader , different positions , this is true in pagan cultures etc. She began to connect to , you guessed it JPII !!

she BEGAN BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS ETC. SHE APPROACHED OUR PRIEST AND TALKED ETC. SHE ACTUALLY THEN ARRANGED FOR HER AND HER DH TO BE MARRIED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS THEY HAD BEEN married in another christian church .

She helped her dh then take RCIA and he discovered he too is catholic !

There has great sadness though .I of course found it hard not to lay self blame in her regression and her families struggle with dealing in addictions etc.

Yet no , my proof is I went on to teach catechism and focus on the Eucharist. I cannot control when others say no to Him . I only have control over my own choices .I feel very very strongly that children mimic adults and we are their strongest and truest example .

So it is imperative I stay with Him ☺

So Pope JP II I saw his role in her conversion which led to others but he also always had a spot in my heart because he reminded me of my grandmother Grace . I guess in a way they both being of European ancestry , but also they were both small and gentle people yet so strong as well. Also my grandmother suffered from and passed away from Parkinson's disease in 1988 . I know that pain . I know how hard it was to see my grandmother suffer and when later on in life JP II had this I saw my grandmother in him .

I also love love how he connected and experienced the grace of union with God in nature .

I love how he taught the young people the catechism in natural surroundings . My grandfather used to do the same thing !

I love how JP II was so uplifted and such a passion for family .

I love that he had such a true devotion to Momma Mary .

The yr. 2000 was an extra special yr. for me as this was the yr. we were married officially . I was received by a the church and Pope JP II introduced the Luminous mysteries of the rosary !

How Blessed are we !

It is of course the yr. we conceived our honeymoon baby Pascal Mateo ;-)

I know we all stray . I know we are all capable of forgetting .I in no way wish to belittle the godmother of ds . I know the why and have great empathy for her .

I pray she shall return and be able to help her godson instead of not being here .

However what I also know and have proof proof proof of is that that love that True Love

His ever great Divine Mercy is forever present !

amen

Spring Sprung !

2011-04-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, Spring is here !

We got out yesterday for a homeschoolers field trip. It is nice to reconnect with our friends and hang out .

The field trip was about water systems but the most fun were these garter snakes. Our province has the huge snake pits but also these snakes make their home throughout the province .

It was nice to get out into the sunshine .

Wiseowl & Adventure boy both have been in much need .

My good friend arrived with her ds who is also good buddies with Wise Owl ☺

the instructor had given each child group a piece of paper saying you have a piece of land near water drawn a sustainable place to live . She then informed us when we were done that it was a river system and we all were neighbours living along the river. The x's marked where we failed in being environmentally friendly , mostly due to having contaminants to close to the water like outhouses etc. She said the kids did really well as some groups have filled up row upon row of x's

We then went off on the trails

we saw nests

and

bones

then the marsh

this is a result of the Beaver

she had a Beaver skull and explained about the teeth to us. The Beaver have got to cut trees as their teeth never stop growing .The teeth wear down as they gnaw on the wood.

She also told us that if Beaver are to sick to gnaw on wood the teeth keep growing and actually grow curved into the skull and throat killing the Beaver

Adventure boy found this little froggy on the log

the marsh is so beautiful and yes the Beaver did all the cutting .

It is the best time of year because , no mosquitoes !

after the instruction we stuck around and were the last to leave ☺

Wise Owl of course is in his element and he loves just sitting holding the snakes

he is a big fellow but ever so gentle with the snakes

the family is living under this hay bale ☺

they do get quite big

Adventure boy does not like to touch but just observe ☺

okay the babies are so funny , they poke their heads out of all these little holes in the bale

first one

then

two lol look how one head is atop the other ☺

they really are beautiful

I am so happy we had the chance to get out and so ever Thankful our children have the experience to really learn and not be consumed with plastic toys etc.

I took a few videos as well of the frogs croaking in the marsh & of the snakes so I'll try and post them below

Enjoy !!

Revived !

2011-04-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

Yes , we had our first morning fire since spring began ! It was +18c yesterday !

I am enjoying the weather and not thinking about the snow to come . nope .

I had cleaned up the yard the other day so that in the morning we could have our fire . Outdoors is my favourite place to have prayer or mass for that matter ☺

Our swing really took a beating this winter so I'll have to sew a new top for it other wise everything is perfect .

Yep that is my treassured bible & yes it in bound with packing tape lol I will not get a new bible I just love this one so much

we had a wonderful fire

we save all our natural winter decorations and burn them up .usually I do this on the spring equinox but it was far to cold & miserable that day

I have my fav prayer books & Our Lady Guadalupe novena

along with my beautiful mug from Molly ,a beeswax candle & I love that little bell it reminds me of the bells my Gramma always had ☺

This is my all time fav prayer book it is one of Fr.Lovasik

again it like the bible is worn & well loved

I love how the pages are now smudged from my thumbs , it shows how well used and well loved this treassure is

Adventure boy enjoyed warming up

of course there had to be a few dog scuffles

Lizzie is very pushy ! you'd think she'd be kind to someone so little but no she came up and sat right atop poor jojo !

Oh I was so grateful and yes I feel revived after such a long hard winter

amen !

Feasting & Fasting

2011-04-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a joyful Easter day ☺

We did much feasting and I sure feel I need to fast once again .Lots of herbal teas & yogurt days ahead for us .

Only 5 more sleeps then we are out of here !

I am trying hard to wrap up all my internet photos and such as well as we cancel internet soon .

I quite like our internet fasting and hoping it leads to us not needing it again aside from use at the library .

I thought I'd share a few of our photos from Easter day , which totally turned out very different than planned ☺

I ditched my trifle idea as it was far to expensive but then we made cream puffs as we had all the ingredients on hand .

below are the pics , enjoy

I made this Pascha bread it is basically sweet egg bread with raisens , you can ice it or not .

yes we really are getting out of here ! this is just a pinch of the boxes we've packed

I also made hot cross buns ☺

we had a table full of food including these mozza cheese balls , so good with olive oil , salt & pepper

food & boxes what a life !

I also made tofu pockets again as they were so good the last time

dd25 & her ds4 came over along with thier big doggie Fritz

dh made the first chicken of the season , mmmmm just as good as Mexican chicken ☺

my fire pit area is really in need of a clean up after that long winter

my mixer broke half way through making cream puff batter ! dh came to the rescue and yes it worked like a charm

cream puff

sliced berries sprikled with a bit of sugar is one of the best cream puff toppings

lol dd was so impressed with her Daddy's invention

there was plenty of activity inbewteen ☺

Yes these look heavenly

and

they taste divine !

I am thinking to make these for tea parties

New Beginnings

2011-04-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

Alleluia He is Risen !

I hope you all had a great season of change ☺

We sure did . I do love new beginnings no matter how hard the work .

So on we go into that new light !

I am dreaming of May Day now ;-)

You know me I love perparing .

Do you think the boys would object to flowers in thier hair and dancing round a pole ☺

I'm off to bed now looking forward to Easter Sunday mass , lacy table clothes and chocolate bunnies .

nightie night

spring thaw dog fun !

2011-04-23T17:55:00.000-07:00

I took this video of Jack & Lizzie yesterday .They love the ice on the lake when it is just melting and all slushy. I could not let them run out far as this spot the water is deep unlike in the bay where my mother is you could run forever and it is shallow shallow .Lizzie did go through the ice in one spot and that was enough for me to keep them close ☺
it is funny but they like when I play this video for them .

Lizzie also has bad dreams if anyone knows anything about why dogs cry in thier sleep let me know !I think it is because she is so over confident and bossy while awake that all her insecurities come out in her dreams ;-) Jack is the opposite he is a nervous fellow and sleeps like a baby ☺

Palm Crosses

2011-04-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

I know this is a bit late however thought it may give inspiration for next yr. or perhaps like here we do not have fresh reeds until a few months from now so actually making cosses should be a summertime activity here . Our parish did not have cedar this yr. as they usually do . So when I brought the palms home I thought I'd like to try something different

I was so pleased I was able to make the ST.Brigid's cross !

I found this wonderful video of how to make the cross .I must say I did cheat I used staples to hold the palms together in place. I think my thumbs just are not big enough lol

I do love this plain little one we first learned how to make via our Philipino friends

however I am also really loving this version

I made a little mini one for on my altar ☺

300 blogs ! really ? no , really , yes 300 blogs !

2011-04-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

Yep , you heard me , 300 blogs . I now officially am following 300 blogs .

How do I know this ? well I went in search of food blogs today . I thought I'd like to get an idea for some creative recipes and love pics of food. I added a few to my follow list and then .... the bright pink highlighted note shows up .

You are only allowed to follow a max of 300 blogs .You have reached the limit !

Yes I have !

then it said to delte blogs in order to add blogs !

But how ?

I like to follow blogs of all my varying interests .

homesteading , unschooling , crafts , natural parenting & living , catholic , homemaking , blogs of different cultural & religious perspectives , herbal and gardening blogs .

I even just follow blogs to support people who only have a few followers because I know how it feels to only have 1 follower when someone has 596 ;-)

so what am I going to do ?

I tried to delete blogs before based on some have so many followers they'd not even notice if I left anyway , but reality is often I like that blog it may have several contributors and be a teaching blog .

or have I just cluttered up my blog world with to much !

so shall I do an inventory cleanse ?

perhaps only 5 blogs per topic .

So how many blogs do you follow ?

how have you come to thin them out ?

testing

2011-04-15T19:40:00.001-07:00

I am just trying to figure out why I cannot see all the items on my side bar on this blog when on the other blogs it is working fine .

Field trip days & Nature walks

2011-04-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

Yes it is snowing outside as I write this lol !

However we have had signs of spring and a wonderful wonderful Field trip yesterday !

We went to the museum at ST.Pierre Joly yesterday to see the maple syrup but most of all we were able to see inside the Goulet ( not poulet ) pioneer home and the girls catholic school !

what a thrill it was ! so below are a few of our pics . okay not a few ,rather many many !

I heard a thump on the window as I sat and prayed the other day.

are my windows actually that clean ?

I thought this sweetie pie was injured but no just resting

museum was really good for our boys to see & learn some of their French Canadian heritage

this was once a catholic girls school

every time I saw our nephew he was in a tree .

yes you ☺

what a grand building !

this apparently was the second school as the first burned down . It only took a yr. to build this one

Momma Mary was always around

last week sister told us that in Jewish culture the blue sash represented the pregnant woman ☺

horse wagon

these Belgian horses are very grand but the owner said they are very gentle horses

sugar house

this was a statue of Christ Crucified it is kind of run down

back of school

Manitoba maples

bucket

this fellow gave the children such a show. he spoke of the first french voyagers too

he told the story of discovering the maple sugar tree

he played madolin , spoons , tapped his feet etc.

the jaw harp too

okay he looks so much like Fr. Francois I wondered if they are cousins !

I loved this picture of a sugar shack

are these tin lamp covers not gorgeous !

Adventure boy waiting for maple taffy . yes it is to die for , it is that good !

I do believ this is a sharpener of some kind

okay you bet I was excited about this home !

this home is just like the one my great grand parents lived in made with squared logs

her broom is made of willow

the table .

squared logs and sacred heart painting

cream seperater

this picture is from the original goulet home

look at that carved door

yes I was drooling over that stove !

this sewing machine you turned the handle

this is called a beggers bed , yes when homeless travled through this is where they'd sleep if it was to cold for in the barn

wash tub

dreaming again ☺

I love wood boxes !

I love this little washing area

inside the school

what a beautiful organ

in the chapel

Mary & Joseph

more wooden beauty

I think this is some type of confessional ?

I beleive this was from a top a church or perhaps another school ?

what a lovely painting

there was antique everything

sacred heart painting

bell

inside classroom

classroom

I believe this was a water cooler

the nuns taught the girls & brothers taught the boys

this was a sort of storage room

Oh how I'd love to have this unit !

I believe the sisters must have been sisters of His Sacred Heart

this was our last station , the horse ride !

of course Mum had one last stop with Momma Mary ☺

Yes I felt right at home there .

Kindness without expectation ( how our children teach us )

2011-04-14T07:40:00.001-07:00

Mother Teresa Apr. 13th

Be the living expression of God's kindness;

kindness in your eyes,

kindness in your face,

kindness in your smile,

kindness in your warm greetings.

We are all but His instruments who do our little bit and pass by.

I believe that the way in which an act of kindness is done

is as important as the action itself.

Yesterday I was reminded of the gift of kindness and the beautiful gift our children are to us .

Yesterday was the 30th birthday of our most precious dd Natasha Rose .

Yes 30 yrs !

I had such a reminder yesterday of what a gift our children are to us and how we are supposed to share these gifts with the world not be possessive and keep these gifts all to ourselves .

I read my daily Mother Teresa reading and it was on kindness . for April 13th ! I thought to myself , that is our Natasha , FOREVER GIVING , FOREVER KIND ! she IS A WONDERFUL OUT GOING GAL AND SHE GIVES TO SO MANY .

Can I take credit for that , no ! I most certainly hope I have been of good example to her and helped in the process of guiding her to become the young woman God has created her to be however I cannot claim credit to the making of such a beautiful kind soul.

This brought forth another meditation yesterday . Not such a good or positive outlook as it was indeed an examination of conscious . Kindness , can we and more importantly I give & share without expectation ?

The answer I am sad to say was not always .

Yes I have been terribly greedy and through what I believed was being the act of sharing also led me to that terrible response of expectation . Expecting something in return ! In regards to me it is always credit. I share with someone I want recognition . !

I was stewing one day with anger within me . I shared with our ds21 . I was pissed , yet another woman I'd shared with went behind my back and was claiming something I said as her own ! More so I had shared with her trying to relieve her pain in a time of great sadness and she now turned it around and was blabbing it amongst others as her own . Then I was even more angry this woman is getting all this praise for a wonderful book she wrote . I became even more angry ! Was her book full of gifts she'd received from others and she was perhaps claiming the credit as her own ? How dare she !

Yes that is the mean spirited selfish me ! Me wanting attention & credit so I can be ego boosted and puffed up. No wonder I am truly meant to stick with the few and not the many . My goodness can you imagine my fall if I were to have a bigger ego than I do already !

Enter ds again !

He is just like his Daddy by the way , very quite , very non quick to respond . He said in ever a calm voice " but is it not good you taught them ?" You know what he is so right ! They did learn did they not ! were they not now sharing with many and passing on in fact what I had given and in fact the claim is not my own in fact I had been given the teaching ! What if God had said now don't go and share this . Did I give God credit , yes when I first shared with this person I did , it was the afterwards I forgot who did the first sharing . HIM !!!

Oh my what a cleansing of the soul I am having this Lenten season !

Oh what a true blessing we as teachers can remain the student and continue to learn .

Oh what a blessing it is to have such gifts as our dear children .

Thank You O Lord

amen

below are some fabulous photos of our dearest Natasha who we did not get to see this yr. for her b-day as she is a province away . Most of all I am happy to share her with you the most beautiful gift she is ☺

sharing the way Mother Teresa teaches , without expectation

Natasha 3 days old & Mum

she was a little puggy even for such a small gal

Natasha with her great gramma Grace

Natasha hanging wash with her gramma Tirzah under the poinsetta tree in Uruapan MX

beach dancing at the cam ground in Playa del Carmen MX

hair in cane rows and fingers in the honey pot Palenque MX

sleeping angel

ocean girl Punta Allen MX

Natasha loves being a big sister ☺

she is also a talented entertainer

always a dear friend

day after prom lol

her 1940's themed wedding was gorgeous

her pops was so happy to walk her down the aisle

she is very beautiful

Natasha is also a proud home owner !

her momma loves her lots & lots !

Hearts for Home vol II

2011-04-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

O Lord Thank You Thank You

for that loving reassurance through the lovely examples of Your beautiful people .

I had not yet done my prayers or readings for the day yet when I wrote my earlier post , but rather just had some light meditations and reflections of the weekend retreat etc.

Well I must share with you how He works with me in giving this assurance via the gospel & beautiful people such as Mother Teresa .

Today I felt so relieved not to have to be out of the home working , and not the need to attend each and every retreat offered out there . I know full well the feelings and pressures that come from the outside world and even others within our own community that we are some how not good enough , not smart enough , not a whole person if we are " just a homemaker " hehe I just thought of Tasha Tudor right now ;-)

Yesterday I also recieved my copy of Above Rubies in the mail. There is a story of a woman who's marriage was a tad stale . nothing like divorce going to happen or anything like that but her dh like mine worked non stop. she got advice from an older lady to just take the time in the morning to give him a kiss and hug . it just took about 2 min each morning but the changes that came from that were miracles. Then I read Mother Teresa's reading about her own family .

I know my meditation on giving my dh a way to have relaz time , inspiration time in between his work place and work at home is a must now ☺

so I'm going to leave you with the reading from Mother Teresa for April 12th and hope you too will feel reassured and contented to be the at home person you are called to be

amen

Mother Teresa Apr. 12th

I'll never forget my own Mother .

She used to be very busy the whole day, but as soon as evening came , she used to move very fast to get ready to meet my father.

At that time , we didn't understand , we used to lugh and we used to tease her. ( can you imagine mother Teresa teasing someone ! ) But now I remember what a tremendous, delicate love she had for him. It didn't matter what happened, she was ready there with a smile to meet him.

Today we have no time . The father and the mother are so busy.

The children come home and theres no one to love them, to smile at them.

That's why I'm very strict with my co-workers. I always say : Family first. If you are not there , how will your love grow for one another .

Hearts for Home ~ April 12th

2011-04-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

Today I am joining Gae and the gals over on her blog where we take part in Hearts for Home

this is where we are encouraged in our role as homemakers by each other and asked to focus on 4-6 goals which can keep our hearts for home this week .

1) Gratitude for home life ! Let me first say that ! I wish to sit back this week in this contentment I feel .

Let me say that the older I get the more I feel this gratitude . I spent the weekend away from our home at a church workshop . it was wonderful & yes fullfilling yet somehow my heart longed for home .

I am always stating when I write on discernment how many things may actually be good and of God even but that still does not mean they are for us to take part in . I mean there could be literally 10 great events each and every weekend throughout the city , am I to attend them all ? These are church events as well .

I only live a block away from church lol but when I'd phone home at noon and hear Adventure boys voice that is where my heart is ☺

so today I am ever so happy to be here

2) collect boxes and get the rest of the main floor packed up and moved out to storage . I'm having my gal pals over on Sunday again so I would like some form of order around here ☺

3) try and do something special for dh this week . dh was very frustrated all weekend feeling over whelmed at the amount of things we have etc. this is mostly because he has been working 7 day weeks and his weekends all taken up he feels helpless. I think helping him see one task at time helps and maybe having some relax time before moving from work into house reno work would be good for him . I'm thinking maybe a DQ outing just the 2 of us .

4) call Natasha Rose our dd on wed. and not forget it is her birthday lol being midweek yes it is possible I might forget she turns 30 yrs on the 13th ! we are thinking to make a family video for her which should be interesting

6) clean up the back yard space especially around the fire pit so we can have a fire on Sunday night and pray the rosary outdoors !!

That is it . I hope you all have a wonderful week filled with many blessings ☺

Easter pretties

2011-04-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

So what have you all been preparing for Easter time ? !

I know Gae has been sewing bunnies ☺

I made felted eggs but they are not sewn yet so hall post later .

However what I did get made was these beautiful beautiful tea light beeswax candles .

I love making these because I get to press dried flowers into them and use different essential oils .

I made quite a few of these and have sent them out to my girl friends for Easter gifts .

I mix the oils in with the melted wax , then pour & then as the wax cools place flowers on top. You have to wait because if not the flowers sink to the bottom of the candle . It is nice to then take a rush and brush on just a thin layer of beeswax so to make sure the flower shall stay in place .

this is sort of the smaller cheaper version to pressing the flowers into a pillar candle .

I just love beeswax candles they give of the most beautiful light .

Laetare Mothering Sunday Birthday Anniversary Weekend

2011-04-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, this was our big birthday / anniversary weekend . 27 yrs. !!!

March 31st is dh birthday and our wedding anniversary is Apr.1 st.

however Apr. 1st is also the date in which my ex the bio father of our eldest dd Natasha Rose passed away 2 yrs ago. so I chose to celebrate our anniversary on Laetare Sunday as the yr. we were married it was officially Laetare Mothering Sunday in the church .

Gae did a beautiful post explaining Laetare Sunday over on her blog Cherished Hearts at Home

I will not kid you I had a strange & draining week here . dh rented the storage locker so I began packing . I dropped my computer laptop and it is under warranty but still not back yet . ds21 had set up his computer so I am able to borrow his ( Thanks Chay ☺ )

ds21 had also been helping dd 25 with her new place so I 'd been driving back & worth all week. I decided to make dh a meat dish for his birthday , sweet & sour meatballs with rice to be exact . I also made him two cream pies .

I made the mistake of while going to put yogurt on my head having the bright idea to mix shampoo in with it in order to get two jobs done in one . Not a good idea when I usually like to eat my yogurt too. Yes I am a fool ! I did say we were married on April Fools day right . I took a spoonful I even swallowed it !

okay yes I'm blessed it was Dr.Bronners . maybe I was spared any fatal result because it is organic and the baby version ;-)

but what kind of an idiot am I ? a very forgetful one I guess.

is life not full of the good & bad . that night dh brought me a dozen roses he picked up on his way home from work and it was his birthday !

We all had a great dinner & the following morning ds10 our most precious Adventure Boy literally fell over with a fever of over 39c ! he slept for 2 days straight and is still very weak .

ds15 Wise Owl stayed home Friday night to watch ds10 so we could go out for dinner . dd25 , ds21 , grandson , dh & I all went out to our fav East Indian Restaurant we have gone to 27 yrs . as long as we've been together !

We had the buffet , sweet lasi & fresh naan .

dh had to attend work all weekend because he took our anniversary off.

So Sunday morning I went to church and I was so excited to see the rose colour in church . My heart sank . The church was all covered in purple and not a mention of Mothering Sunday .

However at the very end of mass Fr. said there was a speaker going to get up and tell her testimony about Blessed Kateri beautiful intercession in her life . !

We are celebrating Blessed Kateri Feast Day this up and coming weekend at the parish as her Feast Day falls upon Palm Sunday this yr. which takes precedence over a feast day. The Archbishop is going to be there for the opening ceremony and mass !

This ladies testimony was the most miraculous of stories and I'm going to write about it in my Kateri retreat workshop journal later on on our Natural Catholic blog ☺

So Sunday afternoon dh appeared at the door early from work . He is sick sick fever etc.

I made our anniversary cake & dinner but he was in bed while the boys & I had ice cream & cake .

So life goes on . I hope for a calm , easy , smooth week . The sun is shining and temps are at least above zero.

I am buying a flash drive for certain to store everything !

I also have Easter cards & packages to mail out .

Our eldest dd Natasha Rose turns 30 yrs old next week !

I shall post later about that ;-)

for now below are some pics I actually managed to snap .

meatballs & presents awaiting one wonderful Daddy ☺

Yes red roses really inspire me

banana & coconut

lol Adventure boy is a blurry

Dad opening gifts

so what is it Dad ?

a brand new German made safety razor with blades .

lol he did say it was sort of a strange gift to get a man who grows barely any facial hair ;-)

I want to get away from purchasing all things plastic . That includes razors .

okay I am not using the cream pie recipe from the Schmecker book ever again ! They are just to runny. Joy of cooking recipe works fine . however they still tasted great ☺

Dad really enjoyed the Draft Horse & Mule book along with Story's Guide to Raising Sheep ☺

Yes within one day the table looked like this again !

I'm not even showing you the trunks & boxes stacked up all over the place .

This was the orange cake I made from the recipe in The Pioneer Lady's Country Christmas . The orange filling was so good but the orange icing far to sweet and I will make an orange cream cheese icing next time The vanilla ice cream really helped it along . ☺

I decorated it with sugared violets & rose petals & I'd bought rose gummies at the store just for Laetare Sunday ☺

fb friends ☺

2011-03-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

I hope you all are having a wonderful spiritual growth in the season of change ( conversion )
Once again I just wanted to post letting my fb friends know ( as I heard some are posting on my page still ☺ ) that I took time off fb this Lenten season .I am not offline but took the time to focus on my writing projects , which , yes, are online ☺
the reason my writing appears on fb is because I belong to the app. network blogs. My writing is automatically sent to fb . so if you respond to me on fb or send me fb messages I am not being rude by not responding to you , it is because I am not aware you are writing to me ;-)
We are still hanging in there going no meat all lent and we are looking forward very much to celebrating our 27th yr wedding anniversary this coming Laetare Sunday . Officially it is Apr. 1 st but I always like to celebrate it on that Sunday as it was our wedding day as well.
I do really miss fb but I am getting caught up on my writing projects as was my goal ☺
Thanks so much for prayers .
Love You All
Rox

Your first album

2011-03-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

I thought this might be a fun idea .

On CBC radio show Vinyl Tap they had this question what was your first album you purchased for yourself ?

Right away I knew the answer

The Partridge Family album Up to Date !

I of course had many albums before this one . My mother loved music just as my grandmother did .

I think her family actually has the rebellious music gene lol

her grandparents were known to be rebellious in the mennonite community of the time because her grandfather wanted to play the fiddle and have his children learn piano.

My grandmother only listened to classical music .My mother's first job as a teen aside from babysitting her little cousins was at in the record dept. of Eaton's downtown store. Not only the record dept. but back then you were assigned certain sections to work in .She yes was placed in the classical section.

Well what a rebl my mother was ! I grew up with her love of folk music . I remember thinking she had a crush on Gordon Lightfoot lol .She loved Joan Biez and Ian & Sylvia . I still have her Stan Rogers album which she bought from his mother I beleive .

It was through my mother I saw Buffy Sainte Marie .

As very young children she would buy us albums and no not those disney records either . some records were all in french , some were cowboy & settler songs .My fav was a single I wanna be a lifegaurd with the flip side being popeye the sailorman which I beleive must've been from this 1936 popeye movie

So yes I had exposure to much good music .However what my mother did not like nor enjoy was rock music of any kind ;-)

So naturally what did I like !

My only exposure to rock music was via my best friend Lynn who was 2 yrs older then me .I remeber her calling me up one day so very excited her older brother had a new record by the beatles ! okay I had no idea who the beatles were lol but if my friend Lynn liked them they must be good.

So I rushed over to her house as fast as 5 yo legs can run that is !

I get there and she is holding this single in her hand . She says it is called "Hey Jude " she puts it on the family stero . we listen . okay to a 5 yo me Hey Jude was the most boring song I'd ever heard so far . Even if it was rock it was dumb to a 5yo me . Why on earth did that guy sing the same thing over and over and then the only thing different in the song is he screams it instead of singing !

Nope I much more preferred her mother's Lawrence Welk albums ☺

Okay really I did not hsave much exposure to rock at all except when the bestest show in the world came on ! The Partridge Family !! I loved this show and so much wanted to be a drummer just like Chris !

So when my mother told me she was going to the record store and I could pick out my very own album , my choice , not hers I was thrilled ! I knew I'd pick a Partridge family album but which one . lol the record bins were to high I had to have my Mum help lift each record up for me to see . There was the red album my freinds all had but hey my Mum slowly lifted up this other one .Bright fabulous colours ! I'd never seen anything like it . There they were all the pictures of each family member smiling at me ☺

It was titled Up to Date

I was so very excited ! Yes, the real Chris was still part of the family ;-)

I brought that album home and played it over and over on our little mini record player .

My fav song Dosne't somebody want to be wanted ( makes sence for me right ☺ )

I didn't stay in the PF stage very long but I always remember how special it was I was given that choice , to pick what I enjoyed at the time .

So what was your first album and the story behind it ?

Of Day Dreams & Pleasant Things

2011-03-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

lol now you know why I was debating changing the name on my Natural Catholic blog ! I always mix up posts and post my posts meant for here there and visaversa ☺

Oh what a glorious day ! I awoke to beautiful spring sunshine coming in our windows this morning . Yes we still have snow but the sun is most definately stronger and I can see it in my mind of things to come .

The day dream , Yes !

On days like this I am thinking of seeds to start and lovely laces to put on the tables .

I'm planning what to pack for at the cottage for the upcoming months .

I often like on a day like this to put on some real nice pleasant music .

I inherited many an album when my ex passed away two yrs ago. Albums everyone else said "what ? why ? " not quite knowing who would listen to Dean Martin , Vera Lynn & Yes South Sea Island Magic put out in 1968 by Reader's Digest .

I love the so called Tiki type music and I find it really nice for those pleasant morning type of days .

I have also been wanting to post a photo of my all time fav dish pattern. I never have had a set of good china .I collect plates & bowls from the thrift stores .Every now and then I find part of a set . I really like having a mish mash of china it lets us have variety and be able to enjoy all types of patterns . However if I ever had the funds I would invest them in searching out and finding the whole set of these dishes!

I was blessed enough to find 8 dinner plates , 4 bread & butter plates and 1 serving bowl.

Oh how I wish I could find a whole set , okay maybe I wish I could have the funds then find the whole set lol.

To me they are just what kind of a pattern a 1930's country homemaker would have !

with the cheery yellow and little wee flowers .

No wonder it is labeled sunshine ☺

This is my Our Lady Guadalupe Chaplet my dear friend Anne made for me . I scanned it as I am going to write about this devotion on my other blog .

I set this beautiful soft hanky behind the chaplet .I believe the kerchief is made of linen . It has the symbols of first holy comminion on it and I am thinking when it is time for my grandson to receive , would this hanky not make such a lovely gift to him ☺

This book is just what I need to bring along to the cottage with me don't you think ;-)

I am planning to spend the next 4 months sewing , picking berries , herbs

and

Trying the recipes out of Wren Bay the story of making a home

Gae did an awesome right up on this by the way on her blog

I went out for about an hr. at noon to pick up ds15 . The sun is lovely and so inspiring .

As we drove home I as always had on the nostelgia station .Uusally they play just music from the 20's-40's but every now and then in comes a more recent song . Yes!

what a lovely day for a daydream began playing .

I am still not tired of it being stuck in my head either ;-)

Egg Felting Day with granny ☺

2011-03-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Yes I decided to try the hot water felting today !

I had sent my sil the link to Twig & Toadstools tutorial

She said it worked out great . So I really wanted to try this with my grandson & today was the day !

It did work out wonderfully.

Just a warning , you need use very hot water , which my hardened granny hands can handle but little bitty hands cannot .There is still a ton they can do to partake and what fun it was .

I also urge you to peek at the twig & toadstool site as they have nicer pics then mine in regards to the how too .

I cared my wool first too just to make it easier & fluffy for covering the egg .

So first you cover your plastic or stone egg in fluffed up wool roving my grandson mr. silly ridiculous loved carding the wool and covering his eggs .

then add some dish soap into the wool

dunk your egg into the extremely hot water . another lady said she uses rubber gloves . I did not .

then lift it out and begin patting it , squishing gently to get water out then dunk again and repeat the patting , squishing .

it will begin to felt up and I then added other colours of wool and again added more soap and hot water

When I took the egg out of the hot water I'd give it to grandson .he'd roll it on the bamboo sushi mat as suggested in the tutorial. It worked great , so we'd just keep passing the eggs back and forth between us I found two eggs the best amount to work with at one time .

when you think it is ready rinse out the soap . I did this in the sink under hot water

once the soap was rinced out we then plunged them into cold water .

Then squished that water out

and

we gave them one more roll and placed them in the sunroom to dry out

Is that you granny ?

He is funny & serious all at the same time !

We also write his Mum a letter we shall mail tomorrow & read Where the Wild Things are & Bread & Jam for Frances his fav ☺

Spring Field Trip ~ What Hoot

2011-03-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

We are getting back into the swing of things & that means more feild trips once again with our hs chums ☺

This field trip was on local owls .

We love owls and we have been blessed not only to observe them outside the city but also within the city .

There has beena horned owl on our street visting over the 8 yrs . He blends in so well into the bark of the trees and dusky sky.

Early this winter ds10 and I were playing outside just after it became dark out . we like to crawl along the back fence as it is sheltered by a row of bush and provides an excellent tunnel & hiding place . We were sitting very still listening to the sounds of the city at night . All of a sudden we heard a hooo hooooo .We then looked up only to see very dimmly in the night sky an owl and are they ever big when close up and flying . We beleive he was a snowy because he was very white . We are blessed because even though we are downtown we are also near two major rivers . The falcons & other birds of prey migrate and live along these rivers .

We were expecting another snow storm yesterday however it just slipped in under us and hit the Dakotas .Were we ever blessed because that strong spring sun came in so wonderfully and just made the day .

The weather can be very iffy here this time of yr. and today is no exception to that rule .It is once again below 0c and everything froze it would not be a good day for an outdoor venture .

Yesterday was though and did we have fun !

Nice to connect with our hs group again

Adventure Boy still will have a few weeks wearing his fur hat ☺

Wise Owl & his friend were very happy they had each other because this group had a lot of younger kids .

so shall we learn about owls

pellets

and feathers

food chain

littel owls

saw whet owl

this owl looks like royalty to me in the family of owls

snowy owl

Now this is a wise owl !

great grey owl

talons & skull great grey owl

the instructor told us a story of an inexpereinced zoo worker who went to pick up what he thought was an injured owl and he was very surprised when the owl he reached for grabbed him with talons which went right through his hand ! It took 3 zoo keepers to pry the talons out and the fellow had to have surgery on the hand .

lol this fellow looks to me like he is questioning something

great horned owl

Yes we still have snow

with this weather it is perfect time for snow hill climbing & snow ball throwing

run for cover lol !

the littles all had a great time

no matter how old they are these boys all was partake and help in acivities with the little ones ☺

Adventure bot was thrilled to find these big snow chunks

and even more thrilled my gf Kat was happy to play along ☺

we all had such a great day and slept very well last night ;-)

once again I am so happy we have chosen to homeschool and love the community we are blessed to be a part of .

Hearts for Home ~ March 22nd

2011-03-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Is it the 22nd already ! It will be dh birthday & our wedding anniversary before I know it ! I honestly should begin planning ( perhaps a weekly goal ?)

Today I join the ladies over at Gae's place for our weekly inspiration to help each other Keeping Our Hearts for Home ☺

Please please feel free to join in !

My list for this weeks hearts for home goals are

1) I feel like a wimp or sucky but I am going to say rest again . I still feel slow & sluggish . and Our Lord seems to not be asking us to enter into spring time living just yet we are expecting a major snowfall tonight so I am still in slow winter mode I guess.

2) although rest is much needed I am also going to begin our packing . Nothing heavy duty yet , but I feel I should get all our items which will be needed for over the next several months ready to take out to the cottage . We will drive boxes etc. out and just leave them there so when the temps. do go above 0c we can just move on in and set up house .

3) I would like to have a nice meal planned out for when our ds21 returns home . We have not seen him personally for almost 2 yrs ! it is just not the same over email or telephone I want to hug our ds so very much and I'm going to do just that ☺

4) quiet time , this sort of falls into the rest topic but the quiet time is to be specifically with Our Lord listening to Him. no prayers of my own . Just sit and listen to His response to me .

I feel I have been doing much cleansing , looking at myself , working & wiggling all the uncomfortable stuff out which has been blocking me from Him . I find the relationship with Him just like a relationship here with me dh or children. I may be with God praying / talking all the time but stuff comes in and builds up, sits stagnant and we need to do a good overhaul of things to renew that relationship to keep it working in tip top shape !

5) I want to try and connect with an elderly person . To sit and listen to them speak and be of company to them if possible .I do not know if this will happen this week but it is a plan I feel inspired to seek out . I've often thought it would be wonderful to visit people who are shut in or in a home and have no family and perhaps have a tea , read to them & most of all listen .

Natural Catechism ~ Soul Card Activity

2011-03-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about when to actually sit down and write about the natural catechism and who knows when I'll actually have the time !

Yet this Soul card is an activity in the natural catechism & when I taught catechism & with our own children .

We usually make these soul cards nearing All Souls Day but with the topic of souls and the soul friends keep popping up I thought this might be a good time to post this activity .The cards can take several days if not weeks to make depending on how elaborate one wishes to make it.

At home we use the computer and arts & crafts materials . Depending on age . Older children probably would enjoy the imagery of using computer skills plus while doing so get to also read about the different saints etc.

So what is a soul card exactly ?

A soul card is like a personal prayer card we make for a special friend & loved one either still here on earth or who has passed away. It is basically a prayer card of remembrance and for who's soul we are to pray for . Once made these cards can be placed on the family altar for the day of All Souls .

So how are they made ?

we begin with an old photo or drawing of the loved one we are saying prayers for. the kids can either place this in paintshop program on computer or for little ones a nice big piece of paper is best . Over the months try collecting pictures and things which remind us of that person . Collect prayer cards & pictures of saints you feel are close to that person or who help people in certain situations .Such as ST.Luke for someone who may have cancer or Momma Mary for someone who is in pain or ST.Michael for someone in need of protection . They may have a patron saint you are aware of etc.

I collect pictures of flowers , trees , animals that person may have been close to . even pictures of food & places are good ideas .

Feathers and dried flower petals are nice items to add for children to paste on .

Basically we surround the person of images of holy saints , things that bring them happiness etc.

As you help the little children make these discuss the saints & their lives and how we pray to them for intercession etc.

You can plan ahead and take out specific books on these saints beforehand from the library so the children will be really able to identify with that saint when they paste him/her onto the prayer card .

This is a wonderful & beautiful activity not only to remember our loved ones but also encourage learning about & helping our children connect to the saints .

Below are the examples of 2 soul cards I made many yrs ago

You can see the idea , basically I copied and pasted and added in colours etc. I'm sure someone who works with paint program could do a super awesome job of these cards but no matter how new or advanced it is just a fun activity and the result are really nice prayer cards afterwards .

Another idea which I find helpful to the children is to also write a specific prayer on the back of the soul card they have made . 

These cards do not have to just be for your children .They can also make them as gifts for others . If they have a special Gramma , uncle or sister perhaps who has gone off to college etc. They could make a special soul card for them to keep close by for inspiration .

ST.Enda & Anam Cara

2011-03-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

After reading the story of ST.Patrick & his Anam Cara Victor who people believe was actually ST.Victor who visited him in his dreams .I felt very called to stay with and learn more from our Celtic saints & read more of Celtic Christianity .

It is said an Anam Cara or soul friend is just that someone who knows us very deeply , our soul .

This can be saints Our Father sends to work with us at specific times , our ancestors of old , & friends here or who may have passed on .

I certainly know a soul friend in my Gramma Grace as a child and also her husband my grandfather who had passed away . We know many saints & holy people who help guide us and I like to believe & know I can be a soul friend to those I love .

I hope to be a good guide & teacher helping to bring others closer to Him .

For mother's day I think I am going to treat myself to one of these

necklaces

As usual I read in my fav saint book. There is not a saint listed for every day in this book but it does list the saints monthly and by day . Today was the story of saint Enda . He apparently was a soul friend to many many people . I think a soul friend is in a way like what we call a spiritual director today ☺

I wish you could read the description of this beautiful saint . Saint Enda in the Celtic Christina tradition felt that we all have a place of resurrection here on earth . This is a place where we each one of us connect to God most of all .Where we experience union the greatest I guess. Our own little heaven on earth .

I think for some this could be in a group such as AA being a speaker helping others, look at mother Teresa in Calcutta . Maybe for all its misery because of who she was and her calling she was in most in union with Our Father there .maybe Calcutta was her place of resurrection ?

I know mine is in the forest be it in MX or Canada I feel most at home and with him when there in amongst the trees . For some it may be right upon the water or under it !

As I pray and mediate on the Anam Cara I am to be to others I am thanking God for sending the beautiful soul friends He sent me to help teach me and have brought me closer to Him through themselves ☺

Anam Cara is a beautiful concept I think

Most of all I hope to keep Jesus my most closest Anam Cara ever but when I may be down and wandering , a bit lost I am glad He has sent me those special others who are also my Anam Cara to lead me back .

amen

Spring ~ a Season of Celtic Christianity & Saints

2011-03-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

Who would've known where that ST.Patrick would lead us ! lol

We are supposedly in the season of spring but here in our province it is not spring 1 we are expecting yet another winter storm !

So what can I do to continue entertaining myself & children from entering into complete and utter boredom ?

I so wanted to have an Equinox fire , make bannock & watch that moon . However it has been cloudy & rainy for the last 3 days .

I know OLK feast day is in August but for whatever reason She always reminds me of her apparitions in Feb. & March. I think it all starts with ST.Brigid ☺

As I mentioned in my post about ST.Patrick's day I felt we should read up on him a bit more . I pulled out our book on Celebrating Irish Festivals and we read the story of ST.Patrick and the conversation story Oisin the last of the Fianna .

I think the study of the Celtic Irish is a great idea this lent because it of course was a land that underwent a great conversion / change . Lent is a time of cleansing , renewal , rebirth and I so love new beginnings !

So we are going to read & study and make some crafts about the old Celtic culture with this book

and this one too

plus a few more

and there are a few websites I found too

Of course there are just a ton of books on Celtic Christian saints !

I am reading about the saints who were of the Roman culture and those of Celtic and their differences etc.

There are stories & activities out there so we should have a great time and no problem getting through this shloppy spring weather !

Feast Day ~ ST.Patrick

2011-03-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

I began my day in my morning prayer time reading about ST.Patrick in my fav saint book

For me Celtic Christianity has been a fairly new discovery over the last few yrs . I love it and find it is also much like Aboriginal Christianity . One of my fav blogs that has given me so much information and helped me with this connection is Under The Oak

So today as we know is the day of Patrick , who I discovered was not actually Irish but Roman Celtic .I also did not know about his soul friend either his Anam Cara

It is evident I actually knew not much of this saint at all !

Well Thank You God for ST.Patrick because as the day progressed it became clear it should've been the day that should not have been ! Grey clouds , horrid slushy snow yet again . Stalled cars people speeding not slowing down etc. I went to the dollar store for cheap candles and ended up buying everything green . Yes I did ! I bought each of the boys a hat and dh & I each a ridiculous wig . I didn't buy a table cloth but I did by a nice white scarf with shamrocks on it to drape over the table .

I then stopped in to the library to pick up my order and also grabbed several ST.Patrick books .

When I arrived home the boys were thrilled and put on their hats right away .Although I was told " no pictures !" Adventure boy tried panhandling for money with his hat and both he and Wise Owl decided the dogs should wear the wigs for awhile .

It was going pretty good considering I'd not planned anything Irish for the day at all. Remembering that my father's mother was full Irish which for obvious reasons I do not have contact with his side of the family. I did however also remember her cloverleaf buns ! Why not make those !

What about a dinner ? I was having an Asian week of cooking for lent , that is not Irish . Corned beef & cabbage ? Well I just happened to have an organic beef kubasa for dh in the fridge and 1/2 an old cabbage ! Perfect .

Below are some pics ( non of the boys lol ) of the food and bit of fun we had .

I began by setting the table . We each get to pick a book to read and then give an oral narration of what we learned of ST.Patrick .

That is one of the many Shamrocks of Great Gramma Ateah .I thought it was an appropriate center piece .

This is the very first bloom of the season !

Irish Stew with an Ukrainian twist ;-)

waiting to rise

I sprinkled green sugar on 3 clover leaf buns for dh & the boys .

One is a 4 leaf clover

When they come out I shine them up with butter

I then placed the 3 buns in the basket & blind folded the boys . The one who picks the 4 leaf clover makes a wish for the 4 leaf clover brings the luck of the Irish does it not ?

Wise Owl won ;-)

Yes Mum likes to be goofy ☺

Dad needed to lighten up , and he did !

what would we do in those grey down days if we did not have the example of others like ST.Patrick to help us along . Today I am ever so grateful for good friends & good saints like Patrick who indeed are our Anam Cara .

amen

Thursday ~ Tea Talk

2011-03-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

Today we join Ruth over at Celebrating Freindship for our weekly Ladies Tea Talk

I am having a nice cup of warm orange Pekoe tea with homo milk & honey

My mug is this lovely pansy mug my dh gave me for Christmas one year .I love this mug it warms my spirit ☺

I am feeling not tired ! Would that be well rested ? could it be ? I have woken feeling tired for close to a week now . I overal feel oaky but had just not felt myself as far as energy level go .I of course do not have a high energy level to begin with but today I feel back to normal !

On my mind I am thinking of packing for the weekend to stay at Mum's place , I need to buy more candles today & I do hope I get to sit down and write , write , write today ! Oh and I can't forget the library I've got 3 dvds to pick up for the weekend ! Should I make stirfry or tofu pockets & hot pot today for supper ? maybe I won't find time to write lol

Quote or Verse

this one was from my ds yesterday evening " Mum , there was an old grampa guy on the news , you know he was like in his 30's or 40's "

I had to actaully respond seriously when he said it because he was reporting about something he saw on the news but I almost burst out laughing when he reffered to the old guy as being in his 30's or 40's . I'll be 50 yrs. in 2 yrs lol ! I must be ancient ☺

Wedensday ~ A Thankful Woman's Blessings

2011-03-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

On Wednesdays I am trying to join a wonderful bunch of ladies over at Judy's beautiful blog

Thankful Woman

I look at it as a day of reflection in midweek to help us remember what life is all about .

We list 5 things for which we are thankful this week .

1) I am thankful for this meme as it helps me to reflect on my weekly life and gives me a few minutes at least of calm in my heart ☺

2) warm tea . Yes I am it is just something I needed this morning .I needed something gentle this morning and coffee is just to bold & aggressive for me right now. I needed a flowery mug & regular red rose tea with milk & honey .

3) I am thankful our children & grandchildren are safe and that I am strong enough to have dealt with the issue of sexual abuse .I have to remind myself of this often because the reality is still that the majority are not strong enough to deal with it and choose to pretend it is not happening .

4) This weekend we are leaving for 3 glorious days to stay at my mother's place while she takes a short trip ! I love to walk on the ice this time of yr. when the sun is strong yet the lake still frozen .The dogs go crazy too as the ice is slushy in spots and they roll in it like mad crazy dogs lol I wonder how can they handle it .It'd be like rolling in a giant Slurpee ☺Oh how I can hardly wait until we are out there for good !

5)Dolarama ! yes dare I say this natural mum is thankful for dolarama ! well I do not by plastic stuff usually but yesterday I found cotton underwear that is not full of spandex ! okay this may not seem important to some but I have eczema and elastic and to much spandex etc. irritate my skin . The lst few yrs slowly the underwear fabric has been changing to include more . I'm going back tomorrow to buy several more pairs !

I also got glue gun sticks so I can fix my Padre Pio pic frame which fell down when I was trying to pput the altar back up on the wall . Milk bones for dogs , & flower seeds & peat pots ! Yes if you hurry in now they still have a ton of peat pots !

Hearts for Home ~ Tuesday March 15th

2011-03-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

Today I once again am joining my friend Gae over at Cherished Hearts at Home

for her weekly support for us Mums to help us keep our hearts for Home ☺

As you may know by now her blog is one of my favs and where I so often do get my inspiration .She is a big motivator ;-)

So for today my focus & weekly goals for keeping my heart at home are

1) Rest !!! I should say nap !!!Yes I feel drained and run down . I'd not realized I was trying to do to much .To much for Rox is often regular stuff for other Mums .I know I get caught up in I need to be trying to achieve what so and so is doing over in their homes. I do not !

Some days all I can do aside from prayers , dishes , laundry , feeding children & dh & animals is play cards with our kids for homeschool .

We did have the flu last week just for a day but I think we did not rest enough and now are paying the cost . So I am spending this week napping each afternoon

2) get the children registrations for classes out of the way ! this is hard because it is stressful and the courses they need are not in the system yet , but we are past registration date and the classes may not happen or may be all full by the time I get through .

I am so ready for the cottage !!

3) I am remembering to look upon others kindly & fondly as well and I now wish to also speak kindly & fondly about others to others .I read about a saint in my fav saint book on March 10th His name is ST.John Ogilvie he is to help us not gossip or speak unkindly of others

I can honestly say ds15 & I are now getting along much better !

4 ) make the Asian food this week ! I promised the children we'd do Asian week for lent . it is simple food but does take time to prep such as won ton .

5) prepare a really good confession for Sunday ☺ I know I am a much better wife , mum & homemaker when I've cleaned out all my junk !

thats about it no major biggies .

Our Lenten Journey

2011-03-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a calm & reflective lent so far ☺

I did manage to get some of our altars cleaned off and the stations up. Plus the library books came in on time ! I am gearing up and planning our 27th wedding anniversary ! lol I almost said 26th !

We will be celebrating this on Laetare Sunday as this was the day we were married and it is also the day I get to decorate and use the colour rose as a theme in everything ;-)

So above is the altar I made so many yrs ago now .I decided to leave it totally bare aside from the one candle , matches little bell and one prayer card . As You can see I did not get to burning the cedar branches from the palm Sunday of last yr. yet !

I could not decide where I would place these stations . They had been way up high in the sunroom which usually is our study room however it is completely filled with plants at the moment !

So I cleared off the piano .Yes I did ! I wish I could find some little wooden crosses to add to the stations which are missing them .

This I decided to dedicate over the Lenten season to His sacred heart & precious blood . Along with the share lent jars , stations book & ST.Benedict is our Lenten saint this yr. ☺

This is a top my arts & crafts drawer . That is the purple cloth I found at the thrift ! it was enough to cover the 2 altars !

This altar I decided to dedicate to The Holy Eucharist , along with the brown scapular & ST.Padre Pio a wonderful saint of the Eucharist .

I feel sad about this altar because it of course is my fav as it is my personal one . I decided to move it from the kitchen because I truly have no cupboards or counter tops to speak of. I needed the space for a table to use for storage plus making bread doughs.

So this is for the time being in the laundry room .

I did clean it off though ! I have the seashell my mother gave me with OLMC , ST.Simon & ST.Therese . My Kateri doll , chimayo church ornament , holy oil & a few saint pics such as Benedict , Black Elk & Our Lady Knock ☺

Wise Owl made the crown of thorns and at first I was going to place it on the altar but then I thought it makes a wonderful center piece for the dining table ☺

I've been posting menus and a few recipes on our other blog about our Lenten Table if you have not seen it you may get some ideas .I've been enjoying some of the other ladies blogs for inspirational ideas too .

Thanks for dropping in

Monday ~ Show off Your Cottage

2011-03-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for Monday & Friday Meme to take part in and yesterday I found this gorgeous one over at Cielo's House in the Roses I have to admit at first from looking at the other ladies blogs I felt my home was to run down , to old , to much a mish mash of stuff to post . Not good enough to qualify !

Then Rox came back lol !

Am I not the granddaughter of Grace Ateah who infact gave and left her family the legacy of "the cottage " yes we all refer to my grandmother's & mother's home as "the cottage "

we do know true & real cottage life and has it not been my goal to try and bring that cottage life to our city home ? Yes !!

so I tried my best to keep clips of dirty dishes & dogs out of the photos I clicked this morning ☺

I made this sign last yr. for our front step I first burnt the wood with ds wood burning tool then painted in the cottage etc.

So today I thought I'd start with some kitchen shots as this is usually where

my morning begins ☺

My kitchen is basically a hallway it is a small narrow rectangle .Now back in 1904 -06 when it was built the kitchen had far less in the pantry then people have now. People also had shops near by and milkmen delivered milk etc. Slowly I'm trying to return the kitchen to what it would've been .

I also have almost no cupboards at all since we had to tear them out and the ceiling too . Our bathroom above the kitchen has marvelous tile flooring really awesome . However in order to put new pipes in the only way to do so is via the kitchen ceiling ! so my kitchen is very much open ceiling and exposed wood . We also tore up the battleship linoleum last month so I have raw fir floors . Which I love of course and hope to paint white one day .

That being said we are also trying to get the home ready for sale so once the boys and I move out to the cottage my kitchen will probably be gone anyway

This is the door to the laundry room which when we had little ones had to be kept shut at all times . Yet I did not like that my kitchen then was very dark , the only window is north facing so very little sunlight comes in .So dh cut a frame out so little ones could peek at mum while she does laundry and also we get all the natural light in .

Remember the movie Fried Green Tomatoes and Jessica Tandy's room in the nursing home ? Well I actually had a wall of flowers too , made from pasted pics from seed catalogs and old calendars but we had to scrape it off for some reason so I then did the door instead ☺

We tore the plaster down and I have hung a straw hat & hung my baskets from the ceiling .

My cousin began sending me these lovely post cards and they seemed so very cottagey I decided to post them up there too ☺

My Gramma always had wash basins and ladles hanging on the wall in the kitchen which yes we actually used . I do remember when water was drunk from a pail on the counter ;-)

This hat was from my great aunt Pansy's hat collection .It really reminds me of a Sunday summer straw hat

I love this little deer pen holder one ds Chay gave me for Mother's Day one yr.

I could not find a flower calendar I liked this yr. so I chose this Farmers Almanac one and I rather like it although with my poor eyesight I do wish it was bigger ☺

dh made me a few little shelves like this one . There is Bonkle the Elf he is my grandson's little friend

My Gramma always had a little elf dressed in red at the cottage and his name is Joe

I found this print at the MCC thrift ! It is exactly the picture of how my dream cottage would look like !

One day ☺

So this month I took my altar away , out of my kitchen . This was a big thing for me as I love having it right there where I work .However I have not one counter in my kitchen . Nope you heard that right no counters !

I make bread about every second day and kneading it on the wooden dining table was beginning to show the wear and tear on the oak table . Then I remembered when we were in the old Victorian museum with our hs group in the kitchen they had an enamel table .We were told it was the surface in which cooks made dough on because nothing really sticks to it ! My solution to dough sticking to wooden surfaces solved !!!

I brought out the enamel table which was holding plants in the sunroom . I have my recipe books on it as well and canisters I found at the thrift . However when we move and I do have counters I will have this table solely for working on and only place a center piece on it when being unused .Yes I shall have counters one day ;-)

Can you see that recipe book ! ? It along with a few others were sent to me by my cousin last week !

It was had belonged to my great aunt Sophie his grandmother !

So I am going to make the biscuits recipe on the first page today for lunch .

Yes I hang my pots on the wall ! Remember no cupboards ;-) this is what women in the 1930's did , isn't it ? make use of what they had in hard times .

Every single kitchen I have had I hang this picture . I bought it when I was 18yo and my dd Natasha was a new born . She will turn 30 yrs old this April ! Natasha looked just like this when she was 3 yrs old ;-)

Of course I am thoroughly tired of winter and have begun to dream

Of fairy houses

and out door decor ☺

Tea Talk

2011-03-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

It is Thursday once again and I am joining the gals over at Ruth's place for Tea Talk

I am having coffee once again .Hot hot coffee ! It is going to snow yet again so I really seem to be on a coffee trend lately come warm weather I shall switch to tea again ☺

My mug is once again my beautiful polish pottery mug given by my dear friend Molly

I am feeling kind of sleepy & lazy ☺ this may be a very relaxing day

On my mind the rv show this weekend . I know it is so not like me to support an industry that pollutes the environment yet I love the idea of never ending travel. I just love it ☺ I want to pack up the kids & dh and just roam ! A gypsy life . well for February & March anyway ;-) I do love having a home and I love having our home here . I do think we are so very blessed to have 4 seasons and live in the prairie boreal forest .

Quote or Verse

Prayer is joy.

Prayer is the sunshine of God's love ,

prayer is hope of eternal happiness, prayer is the burning flame

of God's love for You & me .

Let us pray for each other , for this is the best way

to love one another .

Mother Teresa

Thankful Woman 's Blessings

2011-03-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

Remember a Thankful Heart is a Joyful Heart

On Wednesdays I am trying to join Judy in her weekly devotional of what we are thankful for .

As we move into the Lenten season I do hope I will be able to focus more on that which to be thankful

1) I have to say how extremely Thankful I am for the sacraments but with it being lent I'm talking specifically about the sacrament of reconciliation .I feel so fortunate to know that not only am I accountable for my sins but I am able to work on what changes I can personally make to not visit those sinful ways again and best part once doing so I am forgiven ! complete release ! I don't think people who criticize the sacrament of reconciliation get that . That is how it is for us catholics it is a complete release and return to freedom .No longer bound .So many people walk around with not having dealt with those sins not knowing how to acknowledge or deal with them and try and hide it with feel goods like drinking , drugs , overeating etc.

2) Thrift stores !!! today I zipped out to our local MCC and I found not only a purple cloth for our altars but also a rose coloured one for Laetare Sunday (our anniversary ) ! This thrift store is such a joy for us because it is still reasonably priced and it is run by volunteers . There are elderly people working it is great exposure for our children . Our society tends to hide the elderly and keep them isolated from other ages of society . In a way we segregate people by age don't we ? except in the homeschool & church of course ☺

3) okay for all my loving the era of the 1930's when my grandmother lived so simply .I love my vacuum lol ! I am grateful for it now this time of yr. because our dogs are shedding like crazy .I have to vacuum at least twice per week this time of yr. Can you imagine shaking things out , sweeping etc.

4) for family . yes even though I may be shunned by certain side or members of our family I am very connected to my maternal side ☺ I received a wonderful care pack from my cousin this week .It was filled with dates, nuts & all kinds of herbal teas ! Just in time for lent and I had to give up my treats I love like black licorice & chocolate .His gift made the transition easier ☺

5) Grandchildren ! well we only have one lol . He and our dd have spent a few weekends here and it has been so much fun ! I love his funny ways and sayings . like when asked why he is stroking his feet up & down your back he replies " I'm taking away your income tax " lol what a hoot !

The Lenten Season

2011-03-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to label this post Lenten Prep but here we are at the day before so it is truly our Lenten season now .

I'm not going to list book lists because there are so many lovely ladies doing that already especially over on 4real learning

For me personally I felt called end of Jan. into Feb. that I should try and add the sorrowful mysteries into my life . So for lent I am for sure going to pray this rosary and am hoping it will just continue on as a daily devotion .

For the boys I think we will just focus on one sorrowful mystery per day throughout lent repeating them over and over so they memorize each mystery .

We have been quite slack the last 2 yrs not really doing much in regards to celebrating feast days etc.

I found after some meditation that it is the fact our children are getting older . I am such a crafty mum and love little children activities that I sort of felt stuck on what to do with these older boys .

They are also boys so they do not wish to do pretty crafts with fluffy stuff .

So today being Shrove Tuesday we are making our German pancakes .These are not the thicker Pennsylvania dutch pancake .They are thinner like a crepe . They are then dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with lemon juice . I've also made an orange sauce some yrs a more British tradition .

I also very much would like to celebrate Mardi Gras by making a King cake but am not sure if that will get done as we've an afternoon field trip .

What I really wish to do today is honour the feast of His Holy Face

so I think we will try and do some drawings of His Holy Face ( we usually use clay to do this but I am out of clay ) and make the salt dough crown of thorns

We still have our painted cans from share lent in previous yrs so will continue with that . I find having the prayers for others really helps the boys remember how many really go with less than we .

I found the boys just to old now for the Stations of the Cross Box . So I am planning to set up our stations of the cross here in the living room . These are beautiful little framed paintings that my friend found in the garbage one yr. ! I am so happy she retrieved them but also that she felt I was the one to receive them ☺

I wanted something with more substance . A deeper meaning of each station . Then it dawned on me to read a bible reading that went with each station . Which brought me to This site . It is the site which also provides daily mass readings . So it is just perfect . I will try and read one bible reading per day focusing on that station.

I wish to have a time each day preferably at around 3pm to focus on the stations and recite special prayers

So I am also wishing to still provide a craft to go with each station but haven't figured that out yet . I don't know if I'll get that inspired ;-) I think offering our boys time to reflect , time to be calm and have deeper times alone with Our Lord is perhaps what they need this yr.

Keep it simple and not overwhelmed & over loaded .

We are really going to try and not eat meat at all this lent . Which is a real feat at this time of yr. because we still are in winter . Meat is a big part of the diet here . We have no fresh spring growth yet to eat as salads . Root veggies & local fruit such as apples , pears & berries are dwindling .

Many foods are imported and we do not wish to purchase them as little as possible .

So I feel this is a tremendous sacrifice for us but we can manage it ☺

As far as giving up. I have found over the yrs to have balance . I cannot give up computer for good. My community of ladies are here and keep me sane . However I can give up fb . It is fun and social but not needed . I do need my 4 real ladies and my bloggy friends .

TV yes I am a tv junkie . I love tv ! I am a visual learner so I eat stuff on tv up ☺

So I am going to limit our tv but not eliminate it either . I am giving up evening tv altogether and just watching educational shows with the boys during the day time . I don't find this to hard to do as we are moving more and more into just buying our fav shows on dvd . In fact once this cable network deal is over in 4 months we are cutting the tv altogether ☺

As far as food goes I am thinking to post recipes & dishes we make over on our Natural Catholic blog

So that is about it . Not much else for now .

Thanks so much for stopping in and all the loving support from my bloggy friends .

Lov Rox

Hearts for Home

2011-03-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

Today we follow my friend Gae in her gift towards supporting others in Christian homemaking & keeping our hearts for home .

Is it Monday already !!

I am feeling very inspired by my fellow homeschooling chums in regards to renewed faith and bringing that faith filled religion into our home via feast days etc.

So my goals this week for keeping my heart for home are

1) Finish up writing those hand written letters & mail them ! Yes I did get 3 done last week and I feel confident I will get the next 3 done and get them all mailed ☺

2) I am planning to clean off all my altars in the home today & have them basically bare except for a few items such as a crucifix , precious blood card etc. also wish to have a family devotional today for the Feast Day of His Holy Face

3) I wish to set up our stations of the cross & try and put together a craft each day for one station . to really meditate on one station for a day .

4) I know this is all a Lenten focus and perhaps I should do a post on lent specifically but I know the reality of getting that done ;-)

I plan to pray an extra rosary each day for lent and that being the sorrowful mysteries .

5) I wish to have a more loving relationship with my ds15 . I find this can be difficult at times and I know it is a struggle with parent giving up control and the child needing independence .

I've ordered a book on kindness by Fr.Lovasik one of my fav authors . I am hoping this will help me in my relationship with ds and I may practice kindness

6) I wish to begin sewing again this week . small projects like felt Easter eggs for an Easter tree and dream pillows for friends .