Merry Christmas!

Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. (Lk 2:11)

Christmas Kitchen

Roses in Winter to celebrate Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadelupe-Yummy!

A fun, easy and favorite treat!

Come, Come Emmanuel!

Happy 4th Week of Advent! What an exciting week. This month of preparing has sure gone way too fast for me. Now, it's time to really prepare with our whole heart. The other day, I was in panic mode. I needed to run to several stores to get some last minute things, bake several dishes for upcoming potlucks, and to top it off, the house is a mess. A real mess. There is a fort in the middle of the school room, mounds of laundry and dog hair in every nook and cranny. I mean, WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING????

While in panic mode at this specific moment with my husband, I realized that this was not Christmas. This is what we want to avoid durin

g Advent. And it's hard. For me, really. Hard. I want everything perfect. Perfect tree. Perfect decorations. Perfect presents. Perfect delicacies. But then, at what cost? This would be no fun for my children, and clearly is not fun for me. Soooo, if you are losing it. Don't. Take a deep breath. Remember the Christ child. Hold your little ones tight. Help them see what Advent is. It is waiting and preparing-Joyfully. What does not get done. Doesn't. Laundry can wait, baking can be done together (albeit, maybe won't be how you would do it-but your kids will love the experience), and your tree is beautiful because you didn't fret about the small stuff and make your kids feel like they couldn't do anything right.

So Rejoice! Salvation is drawing near! Let your children see YOU Rejoice. Smile more. Let them have an extra cup of hot chocolate today and pile the whipped cream high. With sprinkles. You'll feel better, and so will your children. I promise.

Third Week of Advent-JOYful Giving

Hello Friends!

Busy weekend! Everyone had productions this weekend. My assistant had her dance production and it was FANTASTIC! Her group danced a jazz number to "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause". The rest was out of this world! Clever and Gymnast sang at our parish's Christmas concert. WOW. The songs were perfect and totally lifted you out of your seat!

Can you believe this is the last week before Christmas week? Lots of things to do, lots to bake and lots to make! So lets do this thang!!!

First, this week is all about giving. We're goin

g to kick off the week with learning the verse from John 3:16

Copy Work: For God so loved the world, that he GAVE his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life.

Books we'll be reading:

That's all I'm able to post right now. As we get into our baking and celebrations (Feast of St. Lucy) , I'll post more.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Second Week of Advent-Humility

German artist Albrecht Durer in the 16th century.

I'm so sorry for this late post! It has been a very hectic week and the littles seemed to need a bit more attention than usual. I guess with all the business and excitement, everyone is need of some extra nurturing. Here is what we worked on this week. I hope you find it useful!

Written Work: Paragraph about the Visitation-how does Mary show humility, in action and in words?

Copywork: The Magnificat

Meditation: What does Mary mean by "My soul magnifies the Lord.."

Discuss: Bethlehem-what does it mean? How does God show His humility?

Art Study: The Visitation by Geman artist Albrecht Durer in the 16th Century

Menu Planning For Next Week

One thing that helps me immensely is keeping order in the kitchen. By that I mean that meals are planned and the shopping list is prepared. Here's my menu for the next week.

Monday-Chili Cornbread Bake w/ corn

Tuesday-Pork Chops with apples/green beans and bread. Maybe some rice too.

Wednesday-Tuna Casserole with greens/bread

Thursday-Chicken Noodle Soup/Homemade Crusty Bread

Friday-Salmon/Mixed Veggies/Bread

Hope this gives you some ideas for the upcoming busy week!

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

~Robert Frost

Simplicity For the First Week of Advent

There are two ways of spreading Light~to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.~Edith Wharton

A Simple Breakfast Casserole

Need a quick, yummy bake for breakfast? This is simply fabulous!

Tater Tot Egg Bake

1 Layer of Tater Tots

1 layer of crumbled, cooked sausage

1 layer of chopped onions

Beat about 5-6 eggs-Pour over top of layers

Last layer, top with shredded cheese

Viola! Bake covered at 350 until egg is cooked.

Perfect for Christmas morning! This is also good made ahead and re-heated. Enjoy!