"Sunday's Palms Are Wednesday's Ashes"

These are the lyrics to a hymn that we sang at the Ash Wednesday service tonight.

(The first line remembers that traditionally the palm Sunday are kept until this time and burned to make the ashes.)

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Sunday's palms are Wednesdays ashes as another Lent begins; 

thus we kneel before the Maker in contrition for our sins.

We have marred baptismal pledges, in rebellion gone astray; 

now returning, seek forgiveness; grant us pardon, God, this day!

We have failed to love our neighbors, their offences to forgive,

have not listened to their troubles, nor have cared just how they live.

we are jealous, proud, impatient, loving over-much our things;

may the yielding of our failings be our our Lenten offerings.

We are hasty to judge others, blind to proof of human need; 

and our lack of understanding demonstrates our inner greed;

we have wasted earths resources; want and suffering we've ignored;

come and cleanse us, then restore us; make new hearts within us Lord.

-Rae B. Whitney (1991)

Beaches?

And you thought we were in SC enjoying the beach...

Happy New Year!

from our family to yours

Delegation....

Yesterday, I needed to get out the door to attack my errands.

I needed to complete several desk tasks before I could do that including something that resembled a menu to build a grocery list from.

The twenty minutes that I had was not adequate to get all the at-home stuff done.

The kids began hovering over me with the million questions and requests that vacation days bring.

In a moment of inspiration (don't even dare to call it desperation), I grabbed a piece of paper, listed the days out, and handed it to them. "You guys come up with the menu for the next week, AS a team."

Collaboration commenced. They actually had fun as they remembered favorite meals and took turns (without my prodding!) making suggestions.

Here is what they came up with:

Wednesday (last night): Pasta and veggies
Thursday: Potato Soup, but also cheese and hummus and crackers for our New Years Celebration
Friday: pizza (we almost always have pizza on Friday)
Saturday: crockpot macoroni and cheese
Sunday: spaghetti and meatballs
Monday: Veggie Soup that mom made up (This one cracks me up. I asked them to explain it, that I didn't remember the recipe. They said that's okay, you can just make up a new recipe. They have so much faith in me.)

Yes, the menu is starch laden, but perfect for a snowy weekend. And since they have buy-in for the menu, there will be minimal meal struggles, and maybe even some extra help in the kitchen.

Creative Mathematics with Christmas Gifts

Take these:













Add this:












And you will likely get this:














My first completed pair of American Girl pants, modeled by Miss Molly McIntire. The girls and I have three patterns and have great hopes for these girls 'custom' wardrobes. What a fun new hobby for these winter months!

(The nightgown on Josefina in the first picture is also homemade, though not by me. I picked that up at a craft show a couple weeks ago.)

Marc's What...

My sister, who is the coolest in the world, made Marc a 'what' for Christmas. On his website is a variety of his guesses.

Here is the answer.




















I love having such a creative sister. She inspires me. I especially love that she loves teasing Marc as much as I do. : )

Christmas Already?

Today is the last day of school for 2009. The kids will have a full two weeks off. I am amused with myself that I find these two weeks a bit intimidating - me, that homeschooled for six years and had them at home ALL the time.

In a fit of inspiration, I decided to pull out our games, and put them under the tree. They will be easy to see, no hidden behind a cupboard door. They will be easy to grab. They are located next to a warm pellet stove and large open place of carpet... a perfect place to play a game. A perfect setting for some good family holiday fun.

Snow Day

'nuff said?

More Socks

Why yes. They are homemade socks. What? Oh yes, I made them. That's right, my third pair this Fall.

I am SO excited. This pair I made both socks at the same time, and I think I may be just downright addicted.

The book that I used for this pair is Knitting Circles around Socks. It was a great help to me and I highly recommend it. I spent too much money on it because it was a spontaneous purchase, but especially now that I've finished my first pair, I feel certain I will use it as a guide for many sock pairs to come.

A new family member

Our new family member, Captain