Celebrating Martinmas

by | Nov 11, 2018 | Martinmas, Ostheimer, St. Martin of Tours | 18 comments

Our Martinmas celebration is simple this year but we are reading a new picture book that was sent to us from Pauline Books & Media: The Sword and the Cape: A Tale about Saint Martin of Tours

We also pulled out Snow on Martinmas to read again as well and might try and have a little bonfire this evening after Mass.

Martin, so comfortable on his horse and cozy within his beautiful thick coat, took the coat from his shoulders, cut it with his sword and draped the largest part on the man. Something spoke inside his heart and said it was the right thing to do.
Snow on Martinmas
 

On Friday morning, when I went out for early morning Mass, I realized just how unprepared we are for a winter up north… As I stood shivering in my little sweater type “jacket” a friend was telling me what type of winter coats to look for and where the best thrift shops in the area are located… Not even an hour later another woman from our new parish, after hearing that we needed coats, showed up at our doorstep with a car full of coats (14 to be exact) just before the snow hit! What a blessing!! The girls especially love their new red coats and I now have plenty of coats for winter too. Everyone at our new parish has been so incredibly welcoming. May God reward her abundantly for her St. Martin like generosity!

Hope you all have a very blessed Martinmas! 

18 Comments

  1. Lisa C.

    Those girls have become beautiful young ladies! But then, your whole family is beautiful! 🙂 Blessings to you as you settle in to your new home. I had to giggle when you said "a winter up north" — I live in Kentucky, so Oregon is up north to me! You can't get much farther north! Thank you for all your inspiring posts.

    2018-11-12 00:12:41

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  2. Leila M. Lawler

    Beautiful post! What wonderful friends to bring you coats!!! That really is a Martinmas miracle! I am feeling really cold on your behalf 🙂 Please tell me you will get scarves to go under (not over) the coats… and layers like thick tights, camis, and sweaters… Auntie Leila needs to know that you get it or she can't rest! xoxo Your New England friend!

    2018-11-12 02:30:42

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  3. Leane

    Such a heartwarming post. Thank you for highlighting it all with your wonderful, creative photos!

    2018-11-12 02:55:06

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  4. Denise

    where did you get the figurines in the blog. they are too cute!

    2018-11-12 04:49:09

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  5. Jessica Gordon

    Thank you, Lisa! Seems like it happened over night! So hard to believe that half our children are teens now! I guess Oregon is north for you! Our home here is in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon (just over 40 miles from CA border) and the winters are usually mild, unlike the mountain passes to north, south and east… When we would get snow everything shuts down. The little bit of snow we got in Idaho on Friday was more than we got all last year! lol Our kids are super excited for winter, just need to make sure they have the proper clothing… 😬

    2018-11-12 05:32:49

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  6. Jessica Gordon

    Yes!! Truly a Martinmas miracle. I couldn’t believe it. She didn’t even know exactly where our new home was and drove around trying to find it! We have never needed much snow clothes in the past and what we have for the ten of us all fits into just one tote… I’m working on getting everyone leggings, tights, sweaters, and hopefully boots too! I found a few scarves, mittens, hats and gloves all on clearance for some of the younger children at the Hanna Anderson Outlet while driving through Portland last night. Also found some leggings and underclothes with coupon discounts at Costco too. It’s a start! I didn’t think about having the girls layer over camis (or wearing scarves inside coats instead of over), thank you for the suggestions!!

    2018-11-12 05:41:38

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  7. Jessica Gordon

    They are handmade in Germany by Ostheimer and were a Christmas gift a couple years ago for our youngest son. We got them from Bella Luna Toys. Expensive but heirloom quality. Watch for sales or coupon codes around Thanksgiving and Christmas. https://www.bellalunatoys.com/products/ostheimer-

    2018-11-12 06:09:45

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  8. Leila M. Lawler

    Just in case it's helpful, here is my post about cold-weather dressing: http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2010/10/how-to-… There is a follow-up one as well about the importance of tucking shirts in etc. 🙂 Those wooden figures are so appealing! I made little lanterns with my grandchildren yesterday and read them the story from "Sixty Saints for Boys" which is hilarious, all about St. Martin having tea with his mum and asking if he can become a Christian! But they sat glueing and listening through the whole thing! xoxo

    2018-11-12 13:54:58

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  9. Marilyn

    The girls look so pretty. What beauties. Marilyn

    2018-11-12 20:19:19

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  10. Joan

    I love the color of the jacket and coat. Twinkle Toes and Chiquita look lovely. Joan

    2018-11-12 20:20:47

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  11. Jessica Gordon

    Thank you so much for sharing the link to your post and all your other tips. It is so helpful!

    2018-11-14 19:02:06

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  12. Marion

    The Martinmas book looks so interesting. I love the figures. Your daughters are so pretty and they look lovely in red. Marion

    2018-11-12 20:22:34

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  13. Katie

    Get some fleece-lined tights for yourself and the girls. They are amazing!

    2018-11-12 20:34:02

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  14. Paula

    Beautiful girls, coats, and divine Providence through St. Martin's intercession! Funny, living in Kentucky is cold to me after years in Alabama. But I do remember four winters in northern Wisconsin!

    2018-11-13 20:46:39

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  15. Lisa Chappell

    Meanwhile, we're having freezing rain today. Sigh.

    2018-11-15 02:48:15

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  16. Paula

    We live outside Bardstown, on the way to Springfield. Danville isn't all that far and I have been there! (We shared in the freezing rain and now light snow…) How can we connect?

    2018-11-16 03:29:03

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  17. Arman C.

    It’s heartwarming to see how your Martinmas celebration is filled with kindness and generosity. The story about Saint Martin’s act of giving and the way your community came together to provide winter coats is truly inspiring. May your family have a blessed and cozy winter ahead, and may your new parish continue to be a source of warmth and support.

    Reply

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