Lent reminders in our Home

These are some of the Lenten reminders we have to help our hearts and minds focus on the season of Lent.

Above is our Lenten Log once again this is an old tradition in our home. Braedon made this about 10 years ago.
it is just two short pieces of log screwed together and has 6 drilled for candles. AS we light the Advent Wreath or the Lenten log during Advent we light one candle for each of the 6 Sunday's in Lent. I have tied a purple ribbon around it to keep in tune with the solemnity of the Lenten season.

I thought I found the idea at Domestic Church but can't see it on their site or in the Lent and Easter in the Domestic Church book.Our family Altar 'dressed' for Lent. Above are the Rosary Sorrowful Mysteries which we say through out Lent.Our Liturgical Bookcase display with our Crown of thorns, gold box that we put the 'thorns' in, our /alms bottle with a ribbon around it to give at the end of Lent to a charity of our choice.
Our Calvary crosses with another set of 6 candles to be lit each Sunday. all ready is the small crown of thorns and cloak to be put on the cross on Good Friday.
Father Pine wears his Lent Chasuble and the purple box holds our "Alleluia".The crown of thorns.Hiding the AlleluiaRogan and Corbyn placing the Alleluia in the Lenten Box.all ready to be 'buried' for the 40 days of Lent.Another small ' Alleluia"Our Display board with the start of our ideas for Lent. We will add items during this 40 Day Journey.

Blessings,

Tea Talk

I am delighted to be able to share with the other wonderful ladies Tea Talk that Ruth Hosts each week.
This is my small edition for the week...

I'm having.... a glass of water in a plastic picnic cup that I bought last week on special. Yea a totally boring beverage and cup.

I'm feeling.... excited about the weekend and Stephen coming home and the plans we have planned together.

On my mind.... craft projects. I am obsessed with these little guys and gals. And the need to work on my other projects.

Thoughts for this week....
This bible verse ~
How great are God's riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge!
Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways?
For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory for ever! Amen
Romans 11- 33, 36

When I think about that verse I automatically think of this Hymn. I have loved this since I was a small girl.

1. To God be the glory, great things he hath done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the lifegate that all may go in.

Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory, great things he hath done!

2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
to every believer the promise of God;
the vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
(Refrain)

3. Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,
and great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son;
but purer, and higher, and greater will be
our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
(Refrain)


Thank you for allowing me to have tea with you all.
I pray you each enjoy your own "Tea Talks."

Blessings,

Paschal Mystery Eggs

About two years ago I finally put together our family version of the Resurrection Eggs that are so popular.

Years ago in fact back in 2006 when I was regular 4real forum lurker I found this idea. I printed out the idea as I am a paper girl and I like to have a hard copy to work from.
I then had to find tonight the original link.

Of course I should have known that Jen Miller was the one in the know. She is a very talented and knowledgeable lady in Liturgical matters.

The idea was to have 20 different eggs that you could pick and choice from to then make 12 eggs. We actually decided to make ours the 20 though which allow for a longer countdown and reflective phase.
Or if we choice to just use 12 eggs for the year if we are stressed or need to do less that year.
First, I painted two regular egg cartons purple. We then labeled some plastic eggs 1-20 and wrote printed out the scripture verse to go into each egg.
We then filled up the eggs with the little tokens which we either made or found lying around the house.
I remember some were harder to find than others and required some slight adaptations on our part.

I also love the explanation of why we call them Pascal Mystery Eggs ~
"Instead of calling them "Resurrection Eggs" I think they should be called Paschal Mystery Eggs, because they are teaching about the passion, death and resurrection of Christ...and also the Eucharist."
These are the contents ~

1) Small cracker pieces - Mark 14:22

2) Three dimes - Matt. 26:14-15 or Matt 27:3-4 or Luke 22:3-6

3) Small Chalice (made from foil) - Matt 26:26-29 or Luke 22:17-19 or Mark 14:17-21

4) Rooster (drawing, picture or a feather) - Matt. 26:33-34 or Mark 14:26-31 or Luke 22:34-34 or John 13:36-38

5) Twine with knots in it or a small piece of rope - Matt. 27:1-2 or Mark 15:1 or Luke 23:1 or John 18:28

6) Soap piece - Matt. 27:24-26

7) Small piece of leather (scourging) – Matthew 27:26 or Mark 15:15

8) Red fabric or purple fabric -Matt. 27:28-30 or Mark 15:17

9) Thorn - Mark 15:17 or Matt. 27:29

10) Cross made from toothpicks - Matt. 27:31-32 or John 19:17-18

11) Nail - Matt. 27:31 or John 20:25

12) Dice - Matt. 27:35-36 or John 19:23-24

13) Sponge - John 19:29-30 or Matt 27:48

14) Crushed rock or dirt - Matt. 27:50, 51 & 54

15) Sword or spear (plastic hors d’oeuvres sword, Lego sword or spear) - John 19:34

16) White fabric - Matt. 27:58-60

17) Stone - Matt. 27:65-66 or Mark 15:46

18) Bayleaf or cinnamon sticks or cardomon or cloves (spice mixture) - Matt. 28: 2 & 5 or Luke 23:55; 24: 1-3 or Mark 16:1-4):

19) Empty egg - Matt. 28:6 or Mark 16:5-6 or Luke 24:3-6 or John 3:16

20) Cotton ball (A cloud) – Mark 16:19

ENJOY!!!

Blessings,

Craft Basket Wednesday

This week in between sick people and nursing duties and while trying to get back on track (with the well children) with lessons I have been painting, finally our Alphabet of Saints.

I have put this off for over a year for a couple of reasons. The first was I wasn't happy with the style of wooden people I had and I kept wanting to get the other rounder type I have used in the past, like in our birthday ring. However with our financial situation I couldn't justify spending money on these when I already had another type on hand.
Secondly I really am not a painter. This is something I have never been confident in doing. In the past I have usually gotten our girls or even the older boys to do this.
However I really wanted to this myself so I finally tucked my ego in hand and started.

I did have a good example in Jessica's saints to follow as well as Blair who have both been following the Alphabet Path and have made some beautiful Saint's for their children.
I also used An Alphabet of Catholic Saints to guide me as well.
So for the moment I have completed these Saints. I started with St Francis because that is where we had just finished our Alphabet Path with ( I really need to post on D,E and F week yet.)
Needless to say all my plans have been built up from the original ones from Serendipity. I use these as a starting point and then add our own ideas and adapt them to suit our family.

So from left to right we have:
St Francis of Assisi, St George, St Helen, St Ignatius and St Joseph.
Here we have St Kateri Tekawitha, St Lucia, St Martin de Porres, St Nicholas, St Odilia and St Patrick.
These are the same but with a side on view of some of the saints.

I am actually surprised by how much I am enjoying doing them and am pleased with the way they are turning out. In fact I am using every spare moment to do a little bit more...it is a bit addictive.
I do want to finish though as if I leave it I may not get back before I am up to the next letter.

Therefore I plan on finishing the Alphabet and then going back to do the saints form A-E (as we have already completed these weeks.)

Don't forget to visit Amy Caroline for more Craft Basket Wednesday crafts.

So what is in your Craft Basket this week?

Blessings,

Hearts For Home ♥ ♥ 23rd February

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box)and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

I also have decided I need to print out my list so I can constantly refer to it and therefore keep it in my mind. I also need to have it put up where I can see it constantly.

My list for the 23rd February is ♥ ♥

1. To finish the Alphabet Saints I am painting (finally) for part of Our Alphabet Path Journey.

2. To listen to Rogan read aloud each day. We had such an enjoyable time this evening while I painted he read to me. Wonderful

3. To play board games with the older children who want to learn new games and want me to be involved.

4. To continue to care for sick little ones. I thought we were all finished but now the little ones seem to be coming down with it.

5. To allow myself to be drawn away from tasks I think are important to the pleasures that really are... namely the time with our children.

6. To prepare for the coming home of Stephen on Friday. Prepare some extra cooking and cleaning- if our sickies are well enough.

Blessings,

A Puppet Show

Our Children go through phases of what sort of creative pursuits they do.

It has been some time now since we have had the pleasure of attending a puppet show. This is the first one Moran has done completely on her own.
She set up the chairs and stage of course and then treated us to a puppet show with some of the hand and finger puppets we have.

Stephen and I made this puppet theater about 10 years ago. We also made some others that same Christmas (we gave this one to our children as a 12 day of Christmas gift) for Nieces and Nephews and some friends.

We have seen the children perform some wonderful little plays with this and they get quite a sense of achievement in given others pleasure.
We really enjoyed this. Thank you Moran. You did a great Job.

Blessings,

A Home made Benjamin's Box

One of our favourite books for reading during Lent is Benjamin's box. We actually have the copy below which we bought in 2006.The children have loved it from the start when we got it. However when we first bought it, it wasn't associated with the Resurrection Eggs. I do not know if the story is different or the associated images are different but in the version we have Benjamin has a box that he puts small tokens in to remember Jesus and his own association with the life of Jesus.
Therefore we had put together a box of similar objects to read with the story.
We found a treasure box that we already had to be the Benjamin's Box.
Into the box we placed:
1. Straw that Benjamin's Grandfather gave to him from the manger when he visited the baby Jesus when he was a shepherd.
2. A piece of fur (leftover form making stuffed animals) as the piece of Donkey Fur that Benjamin's places first in his box.
3. A coin to represent Benjamin's denarius ( I keep having to replace this as the little ones love to collect the coins, therefor not in the picture).
4. We made a little sculpy cup to represent the broken cup found by Benjamin.
5. A twig to represent the broken olive twig that Benjamin picked up from where Jesus was praying.
6. A strip of leather to represent the piece of leather from the whip used to beat Jesus.
7. A piece of Blackberry Bramble to represent the thorn from the crown of thorns worn by Jesus.
8. A nail. Self Explanatory
9. A Dice to represent the gambling stone used by the soldiers when they cast lots for Jesus cloak.
10. A piece of cloth that Benjamin picked up from a bush- a part of Jesus Burial cloth.
11. A stone to represent the small part of the rock crumbled off the large stone that Benjamin picked up when he went to the tomb,
I hope this has been an encouragement for those of you who would like to enjoy this wonderful book to create your own Benjamin's Box.

Blessings,

Educational and Board Games we Enjoy

One of our the sacrifices we are making this Lent is to not watch any DVD's during the week. To only allow Friday and Saturday night viewing and some viewing for the younger children on Saturday and Sunday.

As we watch no TV at all this part is not an issue.

However I have found that gradually we have been watching more DVD's, together as a family, but non the less it has led to us not doing other things together such as board games and parlour games that we have played in the past.

During the day when we are busy or doing older kid lesson work it is easy to put on a DVD to keep the little ones entertained. This is not what I want to do with the children so we are making a concerted effort to change this.

As this was on my mind I thought I would share our favourite educational/mind games and board games. Some we have had since the older boys were little and some we received as gifts for Christmas 2009.

I will be putting the list over at my other blog Cherished Hearts Favourite Blogs and Book Lists as a reference all year round.

I pray that this is helpful for you and perhaps you will find some new games for your own enjoyment.

If you have any questions about them, please just ask.






























Blessings,

Books We have Enjoyed this Week 4

Here is this week's round up of some of our favourite reads for the week.

Princess Smartypants is an old favourite that we have read since Braedon was small.

Caps for Sale is loved by the children, I find it a bit boring to read.

Corbyn loves Miffy's Dream as I have to make up the story each time.

A Song for Lena always makes me cry.

Thunder cake is such a great story. I adore all of Patricia Polacco's books.
I hope you enjoy some of our favourite books for the week too.
Blessings,

Our First Saint - Mary MacKillop

Today February 19 2010 The Vatican has announced that an ordinary consistory will be held to approve plans for the canonization of six new saints, including Blessed Mary MacKillop (1842-1909) who founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Mary Mackillop's Feast Day is August 8th.

For those who do not know much about Mary Mackillop, this is I think the link for the most information about her and the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart - Mary MacKillop Place.
Catholic Australia also has some very detailed accounts of her life. A very easy and enjoyable read.
For a brief overview this is a good one too.

As this is our very first Australian Saint we will be dedicating today in celebration of her canonisation.
We are planning to go to Friday Mass and Adoration afterwards, providing we are all recovered form the dreaded disease that has been running through the family.

As we are still thinking through how we will celebrate. We are thinking as it is Friday in Lent and Stew is off the Menu, we will have to focus on sweet things. What a shame!!
Therefore the menu will consist of ~
Pavola with cream and chocolate and strawberries
Make cookies with the Sisters of St Joseph symbol on top

I also think we could embroider this without too much trouble into a small banner.
Colouring pages ~ I haven't found any online so we will have to draw some ourselves unless Charlotte happens to do one.
Print out holy cards for feast day box to keep.
Perhaps we can try a sculpy or clay statue as depicted below.

At the moment I am brain fuddled and can't come up with anything else - also my creative children are all in bed so.....this is my attempt for now.
I love this statue of Mary with the children. I think it captures the love she had for children so well.

Mary Mackillop Prayer ~

Most loving God,

We thank you for the example

of Blessed Mary MacKillop,

who in her living of the Gospel

witnessed to the human dignity

of each person.

She faced life's challenges with

faith and courage.

We pray through her intercession

for our needs........

May her holiness soon be

acknowledged by the

universal Church.

We make this prayer through

Jesus the Lord.

Amen.

This is Mary Mackillop's tomb is Sydney at Mary MacKillop Place. For more beautiful images just click the link.

Mary MacKillop Pray for Us!

Blessings,

Early Education ♥ Love it!

As we were doing activities earlier in the week Arwen needed to be up at the table and out from underfoot.
Arwen certainly enjoyed colouring in and playing with the pencils. We kept turning them around for her as she kept using them as drum sticks and putting the pencil tips upwards
As I had made some new play doh I decided she could experience this for her first time. She wasn't quite sure about it as it is cold from being kept in the fridge. She thought is looked good to eat and had a few little bites. She enjoyed it for a little while and then the other little ones took over.
What a blessing to be able to enjoy these first learning adventures with our sweet little girl.

Blessings,