The Wreath

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For the prayers to be said, starting this evening, and every Sunday during Advent, go here.


Or you can use this one, said every Sunday, from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers:

Father of the home:

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation:
in the darkness and in the light.

Blessed are You in this food and in our sharing.

Blessed are You as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

All respond:

For the kingdom. the power, and the glory are Yours, now and forever.

Father:
Come, Lord Jesus!

All:
Come quickly!

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Preparing the Way

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I'll be back when I can say something nice. If I speak my mind right now it wouldn't be pleasant. I'll give you a hint: long days in the kitchen.


In lieu of chitchat, I'm posting some resources for good Advent activities. But do not be tempted to line up a big list of projects to work on. In my opinion, Advent activities should prompt discussion, thought, and prayer about the anticipation of the coming of Our Lord. They should not make stress. Just pick a few meaningful activities for your family, and complete them. And talk about Advent. Read my favorite story about preparing the way -- written by the young seminarian at our church last year.

Catholic Mom has many printables.

Good family activities here -- just pick a few, don't be intimidated by the list. You probably already do some of them.

More things to do -- but remember, just pick a few. Besides setting up the Advent wreath today, we'll be making a paper chain with purple and pink paper, and cutting up yellow and brown "straw" for our manger.

Here is a good list of crafty projects at Catholic Culture -- if you're looking for just one.

And if you have not yet signed up for the Advent Adventure (they will email you an activity each day -- that you can either do, or just hit the delete button).

I created a playlist at iTunes of nine Advent songs. It wasn't as hard to find them as I thought it would be. Copy the lyrics onto pieces of paper and tape them around the school room and kitchen. Eventually the kids will be singing Advent songs (much better than Christmas songs four weeks before Christmas!).

On Jordan's Bank
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Come, Divine Messiah
Every Knee Shall Bend
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Creator of the Stars of Night
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came

And here is our list of Advent reading (some we'll save for closer to Christmas). You probably already have some, and maybe the library has a few.

Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey by Robert Byrd
The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola
The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan/ Judith Brown
Saint Nicholas by Ann Tompert/ Michael Garland
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer/ Chris Ellison The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi
The Real Santa Claus by Marianna Mayer
The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie dePaola
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier/ Francisco Ordaz
A Small Miracle by Peter Collington
The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado/ Liz Bonham

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry/ Lisbeth Zwerger
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Giving Thanks for Many Blessings

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Happy Thankgsiving




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Yech

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How gross is it that I feel the need to shower after sorting college boy's laundry?



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Pilgrim People

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While I cook and clean, Peach has been busy gluing our pilgrim guests. They get to sit on, instead of at, the table. Counting down -- just one more day.

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A World Upside Down

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My husband says he has heard the words "Black Friday" more in this past week than he heard the words "Good Friday" in all 40 Days of Lent.

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The Simple Woman's Dayboook

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Outside my window...the sun is up, but it's very gray. I think there's a good chance it will rain all day.

I am thinking...about my grocery list -- it's Thanksgiving week and I have shopping to do.

I am thankful for...so many things, but this week I'm thankful that my family can travel from far and wide to be together.

From the learning rooms...a Thanksgiving lap book and that's all.

From the kitchen...homemade yogurt this morning, pancake supper tonight -- we're on survival meals until Thursday.

I am wearing... brown trousers, a brown and white striped turtleneck, brown Mary Janes, and a brown scapular (I match!).

I am creating...food this week. Over the weekend I made three pairs of flannels pajamas -- very cute. Thanks you for the idea, Kristen -- soft, cute handmade pajamas, but half the work. Fabric from here, patterns here (I've had it so long it's no longer in print), long-sleeve tees here, and appliques here.




I am going... grocery and candle shopping today.

I am reading...still reading Betsy Tacy (Heaven to Betsy) but only at bedtime.

I am hoping... that my brother's family makes it safely today.

I am hearing...Sponge Bob on the television (ugh!) because Peach got up early today.

Around the house...cleaning silver, and linens, dusting and sweeping. And, of course, laundry.

One of my favorite things... Thanksgiving. It's the one holiday when the only expectations are that everyone be together.

A few plans for the rest of the week: you'll find my To Do list here. I fear I'll be a very dull girl this week with all work and no play.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
my silly girl found a potato as big as her head in the bag last week when I was preparing dinner.


And a scripture thought lingering in my mind from this morning's Magnificat:

Happy indeed is the man
who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners
nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord
and who ponders his law day and night.

He is like a tree that is planted
beside the flowing waters,
that yields its fruit in due season
and whose leaves shall never fade;
and all that he does shall prosper. Psalms 1: 1-3

For more Daybooks, stop by Peggy's.


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'Tis Almost the Season (but not the one you're thinking of)

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If you enjoy dwelling in the season of Advent, fully, and you firmly resist celebrating the season of Christmas before it actually begins (or as Leila says, eating the birthday cake before the birthday), go read Leila's first Advent post. I agree with every thought. She says it beautifully.

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Ever So Thankful

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I am thankful for a rainy day -- to rinse away the dusty dirt from the trees, and calm us with the pitter patter of persistent drops.


I am thankful for next week's break from school to prepare for family coming from long distances.


I am thankful for kitties -- the kind you stitch on soft white pillowcases (sh!). (Pillowcases from here.)

I almost got busted taking this picture.

I am thankful for hand gel, which we keep in the car, in our pockets, in my purse. Is everyone sick, because it sure seems like it?


I am thankful for feast days, and the opportunity they provide to learn our way to heaven.


I am thankful for online shopping and the time it saves -- I can't remember how we did this before.


Sarah and Meg joined me in giving thanks today.

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Top Secret

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I just discovered that I can password protect a Word document. How have I missed this detail?

Now my Christmas list is very safe.

I hope I don't forget my password.

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