Happy 9th Birthday...

... to Rascal!

Rascal requested a "Lego" theme this year, starting with "Eggos" for breakfast.  We had so much fun making some decorations for his birthday over the weekend, including turning ourselves into Lego Mini-Figures!   We are leaving soon to attend a friend's birthday party and then we will head back home to celebrate our big guy's birthday.   It looks like it is going to be a super fun-filled day.  I'll be back later with some more pictures...   :)

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. (Yes, I know it's Sunday but the last two days were too busy for blogging.)  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

To see more visit Soule Mama. 

On the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr

Celebrating Candlemas

Yesterday afternoon I sent the kids outside to enjoy our beautiful weather while I prepared a special lunch for Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  I had hoped that we would be able to go to town to attend Mass and have our candles blessed, but it just wasn't possible this year.   Anyhow, here is what was included in this year's Candlemas Tea Luncheon, inspired once again by Alice at Cottage Blessings, which we enjoyed after reading the story of the Presentation from New Catholic Picture Bible.

~ Feast of the Purification White Vanilla Steamers ~
(with Whipped Cream and Pure Hearts)

This year I didn't have any White Hot Chocolate, so I opted to make Vanilla Steamers using our Cocoa-Latte Hot-Drink Maker, topped with Whipped Cream.

I also made a quick batch of White Chocolate Hearts using a new heart moldI recently picked up and my nativity mold.    The White represents the purity of both Mary and St. Joseph.

"Out of obedience and humility, Our Lady went to the Temple for the ritual of Purification, but she was at all times sinless and spotless from the moment of her conception."

~ Water ~ 

"Water is so associated with purity and purification that a pitcher of spring water for the table makes sense for this celebration."

~ A Pair of Turtledoves ~

...perched on top of one of my platter stands, with a picture of the Presentation.

Like last year, I made Peanut Butter & Jelly Dove Shaped Sandwiches using my Tasha Tudor Dove Cookie Cutter.

~ Holy Simeon's Arms ~

Like always, mini pretzels are perfect for symbolizing arms folded in prayer. 

~ Piercing Swords ~

 I did have some cocktail swords, but the boys asked if we could use Playmobil ones again.  :) 

"Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted, and you yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2: 34-35

~ Anna the Prophetess ~ 

I did end up purchasing a package of Fudge Mallows (generic Mallowmars) this year and they were great!  I love the symbolism that Alice attached to these cookies:  

"The black outer shell shows that she is a widow, but inside you will see the purity and goodness of her devout heart represented in the white center. Note that the marshmallow stands on top of a graham cracker, and remind the children that this good woman never left the floor of the Temple day or night."

My children love black olives so I included a bowl of them, like last year, as well as some Snap Peas... With all the cookies, I wanted to make sure my children were eating something healthy.

~ Edible Candles ~

I made a little change to our Edible Candles this year.  Instead of using Ginger Thins and Shortbread Cookies, I used just one Nabisco Pinwheel.  These worked great as candleholders and I didn't have to worry about securing the "candle" with icing so it wouldn't fall over.  :)

~ A Lunchtime Visitor ~

"Hello!"

~ Smiling Faces ~ 

They sure love the special "teas" we have from every so often! 

~ Candlemas Crepes ~ 

Hubby didn't completely miss out of the feasting this year...   I did make Candlemas Crepes with Sausage and Orange Juice for dinner!  Yum!! 

O Blessed Mother of God, who went up to the Temple according to the law with your offering of little white doves, pray for me that I too may keep the law and be pure in heart like you.

Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.

St. Brigid's Day Arts & Crafts

St. Brigid, The Shepherdess

by Captain (age 10)

Saint Brigid, Abbess of Kildare 

by Rascal (age 8)

inspired by the cover of this picture book

Saint Brigid Holding Baby Jesus and speaking with Our Lady

by Twinkle Toes (age 7)

inspired by Saint Brigid and the cows 

St. Brigid's Cross

St. Brigid from Fenestrae Fidei

by Chiquita (age 5) and Snuggles (age 3)

A Wanna-Be Yarn Along

I have always wanted to learn how to knit and crochet.   My mother-in-law tried to teach me to knit many, many years ago, but I just didn't seem to have the patience and gave up trying.   However, lately, after seeing so many darling things you can make, I have been wanting to try once more . 

Last Thursday afternoon my friend Amy came over and attempted to teach me how to crochet  (we will move on to knitting next someday) while our children played outside. (It has been surprisingly beautiful here lately!)

Thankfully Amy is quite patient and, by the time she left, I was sort of able to make a Single Chain.  When I showed my dear sweet husband  the tiny little not quite square I had made he said, "You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!"  He was teasing, I think?! ;) 

Can you tell where I started?  :)

My girls like it and think that it is a "perfect" blanket for their fairies!

Amy left me with some yarn and one of her books (Kid's Crochet - Good idea, let's start with something very easy!) with a "project" for me to try and make.  As you can see, it isn't going very well... and here I thought painting required patience! {sigh} 

Why do I keep decreasing? What am I doing wrong?

I think it is time for another lesson. . . 

Here is a close up... Just look at all those mistakes! 

Anyhow, as for the other books in the picture, Amy my Godson has has been spoiling me.  Crochet Designs for Kids: 20 Projects to Make for Girls & Boys was a Birthday gift, and Grace Before Meals: Recipes and Inspiration for Family Meals and Family Life (which has been on my "wish list" forever!! Yay!) was a Christmas gift!   I have really been enjoying looking through them this past week. 

Perhaps someday I will be improve enough to make all sorts of really neat things for my family and Yarn Along with Ginny at Small Things.   In the meantime I'll just keep practicing!