Thank you Lord, for

17. china that reminds me of my grandmother

18. having my kids home every day, not just on snow days

19. sisters

20.  snow that stays after the roads are clear for driving!

21. the view from my kitchen sink

Pretty in Pink

It's been a while since I helped coordinate a baby shower.  This one was decidedly pink.

 

Champange with a dash of pomegranate juice, and sweet pink fizzy drinks for those with child!

Dainty little cupcakes topped with my favorite, raspberry buttercream.

merengues and pretty pink candies were happily consumed by the littlest guests,

 chicken salad on croissants, green salad topped with raspberry vinagrette, creamy pink frozen fruit salad, and asparagus wrapped in proscuitto and phyllo dough,

topped off with a handful of rosy-cheeked little girls excited over the impending arrival of another cousin. 

Hard to believe these little pretties were once babies, too.

Multitude on Mondays

8. God setting aside my plans for His

9. Daddy taking the afternoon off to build the first snowman of the year

10. watching a 3 year old play in the snow

11. dimpled cheeks red from the cold

12. two woodburning stoves piled high with wood, keeping my kitchen and school room warm and cozy

13.  less activity, more being

14. Schoolhouse Chicken Soup

15. homemade buttermilk biscuits, more hands in the dough

16. taking time to read a good book

Theophany 2011

These are a little late, but wanted to share anyway!  This year was not as cold as last year, the temperature reached 42 degrees outside, but the current was much stronger this year.

Father says prayers of blessing over the waters of the river, recalling the moment at the Jordan River when Christ was revealed as the Son of God.

The brave souls (nine in all) stand at the water's edge, waiting for the moment the cross is thrown into the waters.

Hmm, muddy waters, rapid current, frigid waters, and a metal cross?  The result, frustrated but determined searchers standing in very, very cold water with dazed looks on their faces. 

After 15 minutes of chilly waters, our fearless SOYO youth leader finds the cross!

The crocodile hunter suffered a minor injury, as well as having to chase his crocs downstream.

Father gives a blessing to all the faithful who entered the water this year.

Our blessed cross retriever attempts to assure the curious fisherman we are not all crazy :)

Here, there and the road between

My last post set out some hefty goals and expectations for this year.  I have had several people say they look forward to seeing the "how".  Here I will share with you just a few of the thoughts and plans I have for truly making this the Year of Less.  First, I have to share some of my inspiration.  I suppose the ball got rolling with my decision last fall to read On Wealth and Poverty, followed up by St. Basil's On Social Justice.  Talk about convicting a person to simplify one's life!   Around that time, I also ran across one of the best organizational books I have ever read:  Organized Simplicity.  I can see God's hand in each area, as He guided me to the right book at the right time.  I have worked chore charts, I have made schedules and routines, I have planned ways to organize my household; but Organized Simplicity takes a great approach, first dealing with the issue of "stuff" and then giving very practical advice for how to evaluate your home and the things within.  With all of these ideas rolling around in my head, the Year of Less seemed like the right direction to head.

So, how am I really making this the Year of Less?

The big picture first:
I have taken out my calendar for the year and created a master list of all of the major commitments I already have for this year.  This includes church feasts I usually help coordinate, attending a cousin's wedding, making a wedding cake for a family friend, further training for Sunday School etc.  All of the big things that have a fixed date and will require my full attention.  I then evaluated those.  Was there anything I could eliminate?  I managed to cross a few off the list, which left me with the things I really had to do.  I have typed that list out and am handing it over to my husband.  He will hold me accountable in this area.  I have promised him I will not accept any new obligations beyond this list without having a conversation with him first.

I took a look at all of the possible travel dates we have for the year (travel for above mentioned cousin's wedding, our region's parish life conference, a hopeful trip for husband and I etc.).  We looked over dates and determined which ones we were committed to, and let the others go.

Finally, I have gone back and made a brief list of smaller goals for the year that fit within the overall goal.  Using A Mother's Rule of Life's five "P's", I have listed what I want to change or accomplish in the areas of prayer, person, partner, parent and provider.

Armed with these three lists, I can now look at my year more closely, and begin to consider the days.  I am currently experimenting with a daily planner page which promises to give me the guidance and structure I need along with the flexibility of real life.  As I work out the details, I hope to share more soon!

The Year of Less

 Last year I took on the goal of simplifying my life.  In some areas I was successful, in others a complete and utter failure.  It is a long, slow process, but well worth the effort.  The past few months have given me a better handle on the direction in which I should proceed, as well as a more clear plan of action to make it happen.  After reading Ann's challenge to name your year, I feel I want to give this year a goal as well; one that continues with the theme of simplifying, as well as listens to the huge blinking signs God has managed to put in front of me on a daily basis this past Advent.  I christen this the Year of LESS.   LESS commitments, LESS spending, LESS consuming, LESS acquiring, LESS chaos, LESS clutter, LESS distraction from what matters. 

LESS. 

It is a hard goal for me.  I am a MORE kind of person.  I like to go all out.  I really LIKE big projects, elaborate parties and garland hung from every banister at Christmas.  While I value the beauty and joy of those things, I think I need a year to experience less.  In doing so, I hope I am able to experience MORE.  

More time with God, MORE awe over His creation,

MORE fun with my children, MORE connecting with my husband, MORE quiet evenings on the porch, MORE books read aloud,

MORE hands in the dirt,

MORE hands in the dough,

MORE contentment with life. 

MORE JOY

What will you name your year?

Little Babushka

I did a lot of sewing in the past few weeks.

This little number was for my god-daughter for Christmas.

The Queen was gracious enough to try it on for me and give it a whirl.

Don't you just love that fabric!  Wish I could find more :(

Warm and cozy red top for winter,

breezy white tee will carry her into the spring.

I think the Queen likes it.  I might have to make her one too.