The Most Wonderful Time of the Year December 6, 2007

Thanksgiving is over, Christmas music is blasting everywhere,  and the lighted balls are up all over Sunset Hills. It’s definitely the most wonderful time of the year! This year I am really trying to focus more on the spiritual aspect of this holiday, instead of being stressed about finding the perfect gift for everyone. I have a bad habit of trying to find THE BEST present for everyone on my list which I know is impossible. I should be celebrating the gift of having all of these people in my life, especially at this time of year.

I also want Alex, Margaux, and Wake to see Christmas as so much more than a time to amass huge quantities of toys and candy. We have a nativity set and an Advent wreath and I am setting aside some time each day just to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. They listen to the Veggie Tales Christmas CD, talk about Christmas in their faith formation classes, and read Christmas books, but unless I take the time to celebrate the holiday with them every day, all the rest doesn’t mean much. They are starting to understand. Alex opens a flap on his Advent calendar every day. Margaux asks if we celebrate Jesus’ birthday at Christmas, then when is God’s birthday? And Wake loves to play with the baby Jesus from the nativity set (although he did call it baby Jones for a while!).

Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving! November 22, 2007

I am thankful for . . .

• my wonderful husband,
• my three beautiful children,
• my house which is not just a place made of bricks but a home full of love,
• all of the animals in my life–our two dogs, Rose and Marigold; our cat, Iris; my horse, Flash; the kids’ pony, Trigger; and the five fish I have managed to keep alive for about six months now,
• being able to homeschool my children,
• my church,
• my friends,
• being able to share another Thanksgiving with the ones I love.

Happy Holiday!

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving November 21, 2007

I love getting ready for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. I love planning a big menu and spending half the day in the kitchen cooking, and then finally sitting down to a wonderful meal with family. So today I am making one last dash to the grocery store to pick up a few more items and then the holiday cooking, eating, and making merry will commence!

Here is one of my favorite appetizer recipes–everybody in my family loves these little sandwiches!

Ham Delights

1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 packages Pepperidge Farm party rolls
1 8-ounce package sliced ham
1 8-ounce package sliced Swiss cheese

Melt butter with onions over medium heat. Stir in poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard and cook until onions are soft. Slice each package of rolls in half lengthwise. Spread cut sides with butter mixture. Layer bottom halves with ham and cheese. Replace top halves and wrap in foil. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.

Happy Eating! 

En Garde! November 19, 2007

Alex just completed an eight-week introductory course in fencing. On Saturday, the kids got to do a “real” tournament with competitive epeés and scoring machines. He had a great time and even won one of his matches! I wish that we could work fencing permanently into our schedule, but it’s just not going to happen right now. Hopefully, Alex will be able to take this course over again at some point and then continue with lessons. Here is a picture of him doing a great lunge:

My New Toy November 18, 2007

I’m so excited about my new toy–it’s a Crop-a-Dile! I have been eyeing this little baby for a while, but I am really hesitant about buying new tools. I have to convince myself that it’s worth the money before I buy. But today I had a 40% coupon so I took the plunge. The Crop-a-Dile looks like a hole puncher on steriods. It can punch holes in just about anything and can set eyelets in a jiffy. I am hoping to use it to make mini-albums, which is one of my favorite things to do. Here’s a picture:

I’m going to go play now!

Welcome November 16, 2007

Welcome to my blog! This time I really, really, really intend to keep up with it. I have started a personal blog several times only to let it slip by the wayside. So here it goes (again)!

Since our house is now finished, I have slowly begun to scrapbook again. I have moved most of my supplies into the new office and I am finally getting organized. Here is my latest creation:

Alex and Margaux had a blast playing with those long, skinny ballons that can be twisted in to all kinds of creations. Alex made everything he could think of, while Margaux made a matching ensemble.