For those of you interested in joining the Jesse Tree link-up, please make sure to link to a post about your Jesse Tree. I will leave the link-up open until the feast of the Epiphany (January 6th).
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Jesse Tree Link-Up
Last year I hosted a Jesse Tree Link-Up. It was neat to see how others use the Jesse Tree tradition in their homes. The picture below is what our Jesse Tree looks like so far. We started putting up our ornaments on the first day of Advent and then realized that we only have twenty-four ornaments. We decided to continue putting them up since there are always a few days in December that we forget or are not home.
For those of you interested in joining the Jesse Tree link-up, please make sure to link to a post about your Jesse Tree. I will leave the link-up open until the feast of the Epiphany (January 6th).
For those of you interested in joining the Jesse Tree link-up, please make sure to link to a post about your Jesse Tree. I will leave the link-up open until the feast of the Epiphany (January 6th).
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Advent in our Home
Advent is here. So is more snow. On Sunday we set up our Jesse Tree. This time we placed it in our dining area along with the Advent wreath (or candles... the wreath is yet to come). Before bed we light the Advent candle(s) say a simple prayer and then talk about the symbol for our Jesse tree. We keep the discussion short. For example, the first symbol (the earth) we mentioned that we live on the earth and God made the earth. That's it. As Monkey gets older we'll include Bible readings and more discussion. Meaningful traditions don't need to be complicated.
I took out our Christmas books and borrowed a few more from the library. If you are looking for Advent and Christmas book inspirations check out Jessica's link up over at Shower of Roses. There are so many beautiful books out there. I'll share of few of my favorites soon.
This post is linked-up to A Ten O'Clock Scholar: Nativity Carnival.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Just Around the Corner
This Sunday marks the first day of Advent which means Christmas is just around the corner. Things may appear quiet, but I've been hard at work. I still have a few Advent preparations to finish and many Christmas presents to make for the Handmade Christmas Challenge. In the last couple weeks there has been a lot of knitting and sewing around here. But the more I accomplish, the most it seems there is to do... perhaps because I keep on adding things to my to-do list.
Once Advent begins I will start sharing with you some of the Christmas gifts that I've made. Please, don't get the impression that all my gifts will be handmade. I don't think I have the time or talent to write books or make movies, but dishcloths I can definitely make. So keep posted.
If you are thinking of celebrating the feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th) here are a few more ideas, but be sure to check out the St. Nicholas Center. Also, I will be hosting a Jesse Tree link-up starting next week for those of you that would like to share your Jesse Tree set-ups and ideas.
Once Advent begins I will start sharing with you some of the Christmas gifts that I've made. Please, don't get the impression that all my gifts will be handmade. I don't think I have the time or talent to write books or make movies, but dishcloths I can definitely make. So keep posted.
If you are thinking of celebrating the feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th) here are a few more ideas, but be sure to check out the St. Nicholas Center. Also, I will be hosting a Jesse Tree link-up starting next week for those of you that would like to share your Jesse Tree set-ups and ideas.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Weekly Menu
Another weekly menu. Soon we will be receiving our yearly beef order from the butcher so we need to finish up our beef from last fall. Unfortunately, the last pieces of beef are buried at the bottom of our deep freezer and require some technical maneuvering to get out. I managed to yank out some elk that a friend just gave to us and a prime rib roast.
Tuesday: Italian baked chicken.
Wednesday: Elk stroganoff with egg noodles and broccoli.
Thursday: Lentil soup and homemade bread.
Friday: Prime-rib roast (cooked low and slow), mashed potatoes and baked acorn squash.
Saturday: Leftovers.
For more weekly menu inspirations go check out Elisa's Weekly Menu Plan.
Tuesday: Italian baked chicken.
Wednesday: Elk stroganoff with egg noodles and broccoli.
Thursday: Lentil soup and homemade bread.
Friday: Prime-rib roast (cooked low and slow), mashed potatoes and baked acorn squash.
Saturday: Leftovers.
For more weekly menu inspirations go check out Elisa's Weekly Menu Plan.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
An Eco-Friendly Advent
When planning and preparing for seasons and celebrations, there is a war within me. I want to create beautiful traditions for our family while still keeping things simple and environmentally friendly. Sometimes accomplishing this can be difficult.
Advent is a time of joyful anticipation but it is also a time of preparation and repentance. Despite all the noise of Christmas around us, Advent should be a time of quiet reflection. When we focus on quietness and simplicity during Advent, there seems to be a natural tendency to become more aware of the environmental impact of holiday consumerism. There are plenty of suggestions for reducing our impact this Christmas, but Advent itself is often overlooked. So, I'd like to offer a few simple ways to make Advent traditions a little more environmentally friendly.
Advent Calendars
For Advent, it's all to tempting to purchase those cute inexpensive chocolate calendars from the supermarket. But those calendars are made of paper and plastic and filled with poor quality chocolate. If an Advent calendar is important to you family, a better option would be to get a Advent calendar filled with fair trade chocolate Ten Thousand Villages Advent Calendar or to make or buy a reusable Advent calendar like this Nativity Advent Calendar or a Waldorf Advent Spiral.
Advent Wreaths
Advent wreaths are a beautiful tradition. Making an Advent wreath out of real evergreens will fill the room with a lovely scent and can be composted at the end of the season. Plastic evergreens are reusable but eventually, after a few years, they need replacing and are sent to the landfill. Another option is to go wreath-less by using a Trinity Knot Advent Candle Holder or something similar.
When choosing Advent candles purchase some that are made of pure beeswax or are vegetable based. Petroleum based candles (paraffin) cause pollution when made and burned in the home.
The Jesse Tree
Again try to find or make something that you can reuse every year. You can buy ready made Jesse Tree Ornaments or make you own out of felt, fabric, modeling wax, or another material.
The Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th)
There are many different traditions for this feast day. Some children put out a shoe or hang a stocking the night before in the hopes that it will be filled with goodies the next morning. If this is part of your tradition (it's part of ours), try to fill the shoes or stocking with meaningful, healthy and package free objects.
Jessica over at Shower of Roses give each of her children a new picture book. Try reviving the past tradition of giving fruit. Try special fruit like mandarin oranges, kiwis or pomegranates if apples are already a daily staple. Fair trade chocolates or naturally sweetened treats are also a nice touch.
The St. Nicholas Center suggests a variety of ways to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas. It's a good place to start if you are considering starting this tradition in your own home.
If you have any suggestions for an eco-friendly Advent, feel free to post your suggestions in the comment section below.
Advent is a time of joyful anticipation but it is also a time of preparation and repentance. Despite all the noise of Christmas around us, Advent should be a time of quiet reflection. When we focus on quietness and simplicity during Advent, there seems to be a natural tendency to become more aware of the environmental impact of holiday consumerism. There are plenty of suggestions for reducing our impact this Christmas, but Advent itself is often overlooked. So, I'd like to offer a few simple ways to make Advent traditions a little more environmentally friendly.
 |
| Ten Thousand Villages Advent Calendar |
For Advent, it's all to tempting to purchase those cute inexpensive chocolate calendars from the supermarket. But those calendars are made of paper and plastic and filled with poor quality chocolate. If an Advent calendar is important to you family, a better option would be to get a Advent calendar filled with fair trade chocolate Ten Thousand Villages Advent Calendar or to make or buy a reusable Advent calendar like this Nativity Advent Calendar or a Waldorf Advent Spiral.
Advent Wreaths
Advent wreaths are a beautiful tradition. Making an Advent wreath out of real evergreens will fill the room with a lovely scent and can be composted at the end of the season. Plastic evergreens are reusable but eventually, after a few years, they need replacing and are sent to the landfill. Another option is to go wreath-less by using a Trinity Knot Advent Candle Holder or something similar.
When choosing Advent candles purchase some that are made of pure beeswax or are vegetable based. Petroleum based candles (paraffin) cause pollution when made and burned in the home.
The Jesse Tree
Again try to find or make something that you can reuse every year. You can buy ready made Jesse Tree Ornaments or make you own out of felt, fabric, modeling wax, or another material.
The Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th)
There are many different traditions for this feast day. Some children put out a shoe or hang a stocking the night before in the hopes that it will be filled with goodies the next morning. If this is part of your tradition (it's part of ours), try to fill the shoes or stocking with meaningful, healthy and package free objects.
Jessica over at Shower of Roses give each of her children a new picture book. Try reviving the past tradition of giving fruit. Try special fruit like mandarin oranges, kiwis or pomegranates if apples are already a daily staple. Fair trade chocolates or naturally sweetened treats are also a nice touch.
The St. Nicholas Center suggests a variety of ways to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas. It's a good place to start if you are considering starting this tradition in your own home.
If you have any suggestions for an eco-friendly Advent, feel free to post your suggestions in the comment section below.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Dyeing Play Silks with Kool Aid
A year ago, I purchased six 35" x 35" Habotai silk scarves from Dharma Trading Co. to dye into play silks. The silks got stowed away only to be discovered by my son last week. Today I got around to dying the silks. I was surprised by how easy the process was and want to share a few of my discoveries.
What are play silks?
Play silks are pieces of dyed silk that little ones can use for imaginative play. A piece of blue silk can become a river when laid on the ground or a piece of red silk can become a cape. Purchasing play silks can be quite expensive. They can cost around $15-$20 for one 35" x 35" silk. Dharma Trading Co. sells their 35" x 35" Habotai silk scarves for $5.19 USD each. Even with the cost shipping and dye (Kool Aid) it is much more affordable.
How to dye play silks?
There are many blog posts on the topic of dyeing play silks with Kool Aid. I used this post as a guide. Here is an abbreviated walk through of how to dye silks with Kool Aid.
Gather:
silks
Kool Aid pouches (2-3 pouches per silk depending on size of silk)
white vinegar
a medium saucepan (3-4L)
wooden spoons
large plastic Ziploc bag
clothes rack
1. Wash silks to remove residue and oils. You can wash them in the washing machine or toss them in a sink full of warm water with a little dish soap, swish and rinse.
2. For one 35" x 35" silk, fill a sauce pan with 4 cups of water 1/2 cup of vinegar and two pouches of Kool Aid powder (same flavour). You can double or triple this to accommodate the size or number of silk you'll be dyeing.
3. Mix and heat until boiling or quite hot. Add wet play silk to pot and stir around to disperse dye into the fabric. Boil for 10 minutes. The silk will absorb the dye. Continue to stir and shift the silk around to ensure an even dye.
4. Place the dyed silk into a large plastic baggie or microwave safe container with lid and place in microwave for 2 minutes. This helps set the dye.
5. Remove silk when cool enough to handle and hang to dry.
That's it!
A couple notes.
Some colours absorb better than others. Red, orange and pink transferred well, while green did not. I didn't try purple, blue or yellow but I've also read that yellow can be finicky.
Don't trust the package colour. As you can see above I bought blue Kool Aid but it ended up being red! Both Monkey and I were disappointed.
I have also read that the certain colours will fade over time.
What are play silks?
Play silks are pieces of dyed silk that little ones can use for imaginative play. A piece of blue silk can become a river when laid on the ground or a piece of red silk can become a cape. Purchasing play silks can be quite expensive. They can cost around $15-$20 for one 35" x 35" silk. Dharma Trading Co. sells their 35" x 35" Habotai silk scarves for $5.19 USD each. Even with the cost shipping and dye (Kool Aid) it is much more affordable.
How to dye play silks?
There are many blog posts on the topic of dyeing play silks with Kool Aid. I used this post as a guide. Here is an abbreviated walk through of how to dye silks with Kool Aid.
Gather:
silks
Kool Aid pouches (2-3 pouches per silk depending on size of silk)
white vinegar
a medium saucepan (3-4L)
wooden spoons
large plastic Ziploc bag
clothes rack
1. Wash silks to remove residue and oils. You can wash them in the washing machine or toss them in a sink full of warm water with a little dish soap, swish and rinse.
2. For one 35" x 35" silk, fill a sauce pan with 4 cups of water 1/2 cup of vinegar and two pouches of Kool Aid powder (same flavour). You can double or triple this to accommodate the size or number of silk you'll be dyeing.
3. Mix and heat until boiling or quite hot. Add wet play silk to pot and stir around to disperse dye into the fabric. Boil for 10 minutes. The silk will absorb the dye. Continue to stir and shift the silk around to ensure an even dye.
4. Place the dyed silk into a large plastic baggie or microwave safe container with lid and place in microwave for 2 minutes. This helps set the dye.
5. Remove silk when cool enough to handle and hang to dry.
That's it!
A couple notes.
Some colours absorb better than others. Red, orange and pink transferred well, while green did not. I didn't try purple, blue or yellow but I've also read that yellow can be finicky.
Don't trust the package colour. As you can see above I bought blue Kool Aid but it ended up being red! Both Monkey and I were disappointed.
I have also read that the certain colours will fade over time.
Monday, November 14, 2011
What Happened to the Weekly Menu?
I have been asked by a few people why I stopped posting my weekly menus. I still write up a weekly menu on our kitchen whiteboard. But for some reason the menu stopped making the jump to the blog, I can't figure out why. I was reading the weekly menu over on Elisa Loves and really found it inspiring. It's nice to read what others make during the week, especially when you find yourself getting tired of butternut squash soup. So, for this week I thought I'd share my weekly menu:
Monday: Duck (cooked by a friend), roasted butternut squash and quinoa.
Tuesday: Roasted cauliflower soup and homemade bread.
Wednesday: Pizza. Three-cheese pizza with pancetta and mushroom.
Thursday: Slow cooked pork roast, scalloped potatoes and broccoli.
Friday: Braised rabbit, rice and stuffed accorn squash.
Saturday: Leftovers or a simple homemade tomato pasta.
Sunday: Feast of Christ the King!
Monday: Duck (cooked by a friend), roasted butternut squash and quinoa.
Tuesday: Roasted cauliflower soup and homemade bread.
Wednesday: Pizza. Three-cheese pizza with pancetta and mushroom.
Thursday: Slow cooked pork roast, scalloped potatoes and broccoli.
Friday: Braised rabbit, rice and stuffed accorn squash.
Saturday: Leftovers or a simple homemade tomato pasta.
Sunday: Feast of Christ the King!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
More Advent Goodies
As I've been checking out other blogs I've come across some fun Advent things. This post is hardly original. Jessica over at Shower of Roses has recently posted about many of these items. I've added a few of my own finds too.
Jesse Tree Wood Ornaments from Jesse Tree Treasures on Etsy.
There also a beautiful set of O Antiphons ornaments.
The feast of St. Nicholas takes place during Advent, on December 6th. There are so many ideas for celebrating this feast day. Last year we did this. Jessica has some neat traditions too (Feast of St. Nicholas - 2010). Here are a few fun St. Nicholas figurines for little ones.
St. Nicholas wood peg doll made by StAnnePixies and St.LukesBrush
Saint Nicholas and Angel by Playmobil
How about Advent music? Advent music albums are not easy to come by, but here are a couple that I came across:
You can get A Season of Hope: Rediscovering Our Advent Heritage by Brotherhood of Hope on iTunes, amazon.com or you can listen to samples here.
The Feast of Seasons by Steve Bell also has some Advent songs (numbers 1 to 5) .
Each Advent we set up our nativity scene and slowly fill it up as the Advent progresses. This year I wanted to find a nativity scene that my little ones could play with.
Nativity set made by Playmobil.
There also some nativity sets made by HABA, Kathe Kruse, and Holztiger. These sets are quite pricey but beautiful and well made.
These nativity magnets are neat. You can get them from Wee Believers or make them yourself by following these simple instructions.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A few Thoughts on a Handmade Christmas
Last night I fell into a restless sleep. I was thinking about a handmade Christmas. In the last couple weeks I've come to a few realizations.
First, I won't be able to make all my gifts or get them second hand. Inevitably, there will be a few things that I will buy brand new. Gasp! Yes, but I think the point here is not get drawn into the consumerism of Christmas. Purchasing a new gift here or there, especially when it is well thought out is fine.
The next thing I've noticed is that time is going by all too quickly and I've barely put a dent in the few projects I have picked out. This has put me into a bit of panic mode. The other problem is that there are some people that I have no idea what to make for them or I worry that they won't appreciate a handmade gift. This is a tricky thing.
I did come across a helpful free e-book for planning a simpler Christmas. It has helped put a few things into perspective for planning my handmade Christmas. If you have a moment it's worth taking a quick look. Also, I picked up a stack of books on the library on a handmade gifts. My plan tonight is to flip through them and get inspired.
First, I won't be able to make all my gifts or get them second hand. Inevitably, there will be a few things that I will buy brand new. Gasp! Yes, but I think the point here is not get drawn into the consumerism of Christmas. Purchasing a new gift here or there, especially when it is well thought out is fine.
The next thing I've noticed is that time is going by all too quickly and I've barely put a dent in the few projects I have picked out. This has put me into a bit of panic mode. The other problem is that there are some people that I have no idea what to make for them or I worry that they won't appreciate a handmade gift. This is a tricky thing.
I did come across a helpful free e-book for planning a simpler Christmas. It has helped put a few things into perspective for planning my handmade Christmas. If you have a moment it's worth taking a quick look. Also, I picked up a stack of books on the library on a handmade gifts. My plan tonight is to flip through them and get inspired.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Preparing for Advent: Advent Wreaths, Jesse Trees and Other Ideas
People are already counting down the days until Christmas. As of today, there are 46 days left. It's coming quickly, which means Advent is just around the corner. November 27th marks the first day of Advent, that's only 19 days away!
Advent takes place during the four weeks preceding Christmas. During these weeks, we are called to prepare and anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. There are many different ways to observe Advent. For inspiration I've linked to various Advent traditions, recipes, and crafts in this post. If I've missed a particular Advent tradition that you observe feel free to post about it below.
One of the most common ways to observe Advent is to use an Advent wreath, a circular wreath made of evergreens with four candles (three purple, one pink). The Advent wreath has pre-Christian origins. It was used to celebrate the return of the sun after winter solstice. For Christians, the Advent wreath represented the coming of Jesus, the light of the world.
Learn How to Make Your Own Advent Wreath.
Try teaching your kids about the Advent wreath by making Edible Advent Wreath for Kids.
If you are looking for a toddler friendly Advent wreath consider purchasing or making a felt or fabric Advent wreath (one option) (another option).
Here are some simple Advent wreath prayers (scroll to pages 2-3).
The Jesse Tree is a fun way for children (and adults) to prepare for Christmas. A couple years ago I was crazy enough to make a Jesse tree and all the ornaments by hand. It took me a long time but I love them. There are many different ways for making a Jesse tree.
You can buy a Jesse Tree kit or make your own out of felt.
Or you can host a Jesse Tree craft swap.
A simpler option would be to download and print some free Jesse Tree paper ornaments and hang them on some branches. Paper Dali has printable ornaments here.
For more ideas on how you can observe Advent check out some blogs. Jessica over at Shower of Roses has compiled a list of Advent Activities which is worth checking out. She also has great list of Advent and Christmas books. Catholic Icing also has some suggestions to kick-off Advent. And for Advent inspired recipes check out Catholic Cuisine.
Phew! So hopefully that gets you inspired and thinking about Advent.
Advent takes place during the four weeks preceding Christmas. During these weeks, we are called to prepare and anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. There are many different ways to observe Advent. For inspiration I've linked to various Advent traditions, recipes, and crafts in this post. If I've missed a particular Advent tradition that you observe feel free to post about it below.
One of the most common ways to observe Advent is to use an Advent wreath, a circular wreath made of evergreens with four candles (three purple, one pink). The Advent wreath has pre-Christian origins. It was used to celebrate the return of the sun after winter solstice. For Christians, the Advent wreath represented the coming of Jesus, the light of the world.
Learn How to Make Your Own Advent Wreath.
Try teaching your kids about the Advent wreath by making Edible Advent Wreath for Kids.
If you are looking for a toddler friendly Advent wreath consider purchasing or making a felt or fabric Advent wreath (one option) (another option).
Here are some simple Advent wreath prayers (scroll to pages 2-3).
The Jesse Tree is a fun way for children (and adults) to prepare for Christmas. A couple years ago I was crazy enough to make a Jesse tree and all the ornaments by hand. It took me a long time but I love them. There are many different ways for making a Jesse tree.
You can buy a Jesse Tree kit or make your own out of felt.
Or you can host a Jesse Tree craft swap.
A simpler option would be to download and print some free Jesse Tree paper ornaments and hang them on some branches. Paper Dali has printable ornaments here.
For more ideas on how you can observe Advent check out some blogs. Jessica over at Shower of Roses has compiled a list of Advent Activities which is worth checking out. She also has great list of Advent and Christmas books. Catholic Icing also has some suggestions to kick-off Advent. And for Advent inspired recipes check out Catholic Cuisine.
Phew! So hopefully that gets you inspired and thinking about Advent.
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