Category Archives: Holidays

“Celebrate” by Pippa Middleton – Book Review

January 9, 2013

Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends by Pippa Middleton was a delightful surprise. I had read so many mixed and negative reviews about it that I wasn’t sure what to expect. We must not have been reading the same book because I simply love this book.

From the aesthetic standpoint, the book is simply top notch. The book is beautiful to look at and hold. The book feels like a quality book. It is beautifully printed. The design is lovely. The photography is gorgeous. It is a book that is simply a pleasure to behold.

One of the criticisms by the “experts” is that the book doesn’t offer anything new and exciting. The experts complained that the ideas in the book are too safe and ordinary. I didn’t look at it that way at all. For me, the ideas are very accessible. I don’t want to read a Martha Stewart type book that is full of ingredients I don’t buy and lengthy recipes and crafts that require a great deal of time and money. I’m looking for ideas that are quality but doable. This book is full of such ideas.

It’s ironic that people criticized Middleton for writing a book that is too accessible. If she had written the book toward the other end of the spectrum, she would have been excoriated for being out of touch with the common folks. The poor girl really couldn’t win. She would have been criticized either way. I think she erred in the right direction and provided a lovely book for people like me.

I thoroughly enjoy reading about the different British traditions, recipes, etc. I have more than a passing familiarity with British culture (even though I haven’t had the opportunity to travel there) so things like Burns Night, Cullen Skink and haggis weren’t new to me. But I enjoyed reading her take on them as a British citizen. I told David we would should host a small Burns Night since it falls on our anniversary each year (January 25). (Minus the real haggis. I simply could not do that. We’d have to try the vegetarian version, I think!)

I’m very glad I ignored the experts and checked out the book for myself. It’s a book I’m going to enjoy for many years. I look forward to trying out the recipes and doing some of the fun things with Caroline. If you like to explore the lovely, I think you would enjoy this book very much.

A snowy Sunday in January

January 6, 2013

Caroline and David are outside enjoying the fresh snowfall. We’re expecting a warm-up this week so Caroline is making the most of it while we still have snow. We’ve had very little this winter (relatively speaking). But I’m so glad when we do get snow because then she is eager to get outside. We have a couple of small inclines on our property that are fun going down on a sled (for a six year old). She enjoys making snowmen and the snow is about right today to make a new one.

We packed up the Christmas decorations yesterday. It always creates mixed emotions. Sad to put away all the pretty lights and see it all end. Happy to have a house that’s less cluttered and easier to take care of. We left the lighted garland on the back upper deck so we can enjoy the lights for at least another month. And we keep a single candle in each window from fall through spring. We don’t light them every night, but often. And we keep our Christmas dishes out until our anniversary (January 25). Just a few little things to keep a bit of holiday cheer in the winter.

We did a number of special things during the Christmas season. Not as many as I had hoped, but quite a few. We took three drives to see the lights around Cute Little Town. There are some neighborhoods where the owners do a lovely job and we enjoyed taking them in. We visited a Lutheran church for the Christmas Eve service. Our church didn’t have a Christmas Eve service so we asked around and chose that one in Cute Little Town. It was the first time I had been to a Lutheran church for a service. (I’d been to one for a wedding years ago.) The sanctuary was beautifully but simply decorated. It was a nice service and we were thankful for the opportunity to worship there. We made dipped pretzels for the first time. Caroline really enjoyed the process and we all enjoyed eating them so I think we’ll make them from time to time during the year as a yummy treat.

I realized a couple of things. One, I prefer to watch Christmas movies in the summer. LOL! It’s too hard to find the time to watch Christmas movies during Christmas. There are too many other things to do. I never did get to watch a couple of favorites so I’ll do that over the winter.

I also realized that it really would be better to get my shopping, wrapping and Christmas cards done before Thanksgiving. There were things I wanted to do with Caroline that I simply didn’t get to because I had other things to take care of. I really don’t want to spend most of a Sunday doing Christmas cards in December. So I’m adding a sticky note to my calendar for this year to remind myself to do the more mundane things early. I don’t like rushing the season, but I think it would make the actual month of Christmas more enjoyable.

Has anyone else noticed that with the rise of the Shutterfly collage cards has come the near disappearance of the Christmas letter? I truly enjoy Christmas letters and hearing what people are up to. David and I both say it is one of our favorite parts of the season. We seem to be getting fewer and fewer of them. In fact, this year we received many less Christmas cards, even from people we always get them from. I know that I flirted with the idea of not sending out cards due to the cost and I’m guessing some people decided to either stop sending them or substantially reduced their lists.

I feel like the start of homeschooling tomorrow has snuck up on me! We’ve so enjoyed casual learning/quasi-unschooling the past month that I haven’t really thought about it. Now I need to get into the learning room this afternoon and plan for our week. I’m going to try work boxes again with Caroline. I tried them before, but she was too little. I’m going to see how they go over now.

In the category of “Isn’t it ironic?” I found out this week a piece I had submitted to a magazine about women in the church was accepted for publication. I haven’t signed the contract yet and don’t have a publication date. I’ll share a link when it happens.

We narrowly escaped joining the twentieth century last night. (Yes, twentieth, not twenty-first.) With the return of Downton Abbey tonight we decided to purchase some cheap rabbit ears ($10) to see if we could get PBS in. (We don’t have cable.) We have one of the HD converter boxes that the government “gave” everyone when the switch happened. Unfortunately it had sat out in the heat and cold extremes of the garage these past few years and it no longer worked. And the $20 rabbit ears didn’t work. Nor did the $30 rabbit ears. David ended up making four trips back and forth to Meijer last night, trying to get the right combination. After spending $80 on equipment, we still could not get PBS or CBS which are the only two channels we cared about for Masterpiece Theater and college basketball. So we said forget it. We packed it all up and took it back to Meijer. We’ll just have to watch Downton Abbey online on Mondays after PBS posts it. I’m less enthused about watching it because I already know a couple of major spoilers. (That’s the problem with regularly reading online papers in the UK.) But I didn’t tell David so I’ll still enjoy it with him.

Speaking of things to watch online… I watched Funny Farm online since we have Amazon Prime this year. I recommend it as a cute movie with one HUGE disclaimer. It has a fair amount of swearing in it. I normally don’t recommend movies with language. The only reason I mention it is because it is about a couple moving from New York to Vermont so he can write a book. I know there are probably more than a few people who read this blog who also fantasize about moving to the country or a small town somewhere. It has a fair amount of predictable humor in it (Chevy Chase), but I laughed out loud several times and related in many ways to what they were trying to do with their move. So I recommend it with a warning.

Don’t forget to check out my Pinterest pins on a regular basis. I add new pins almost daily. I really enjoy browsing through the pictures on there and pinning things. Social media I actually enjoy!

Enjoy your first Sunday of Epiphany!

Top photo is Christmas 2012. It’s a little blurry, but the best one we got!
Second photo is the snowman Caroline made for me on the deck today while I was writing this, complete with a starfish sand toy face and sand strainer arms from the sandbox. LOL!

Christ our Consolation from Streams in the Desert

December 25, 2012

“Christ our Consolation” from Streams in the Desert

“His name shall be called Emmanuel . . . God with us.” (Matt. 1:23) .

“The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

“There’s a song in the air!
There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer,
And a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire
While the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King.”

A few years ago a striking Christmas card was published, with the title, “If Christ had not come.” It was founded upon our Saviour’s words, “If I had not come.” The card represented a clergyman falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there were no little stockings in the chimney corner, no Christmas bells or wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort, gladden and save. He walked out on the public street, but there was no church with its spire pointing to Heaven. He came back and sat down in his library, but every book about the Saviour had disappeared.

A ring at the door-bell, and a messenger asked him to visit a poor dying mother. He hastened with, the weeping child and as he reached the home he sat down and said, “I have something here that will comfort you.” He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended at Malachi, and there was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.

Two days afterward he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service, but there was no message of consolation, no word of a glorious resurrection, no open Heaven, but only “dust to dust, ashes to ashes,” and one long eternal farewell. He realized at length that “He had not come,” and burst into tears and bitter weeping in his sorrowful dream.

Suddenly he woke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing in his church close by:

“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.”

Let us be glad and rejoice today, because “He has come.” And let us remember the annunciation of the angel, “Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10, 11).

All beautiful reading links today

December 21, 2012

Some really inspiring reading today, including posts and photos by some of my favorite bloggers…

I loved reading Brenda’s story about her son’s graduation from college. She writes:

As I sat there this morning, I could not help but think of how my son had been labeled by the end of first grade as one who was slow, stupid, dyslexic, a trouble maker as he had trouble sitting still for long, and generally one who would not amount to much.

So we took him out of the public schools.

You’ll have to click over to read about his accomplishments in the School of Science at a top university known for its science programs.

I literally laughed out loud when I saw O Christmas Tree by Christian. Who goes shopping for a Christmas tree with blue skies and short sleeved shirts? Oh, that’s right. They live down South. Funny the different perspectives we all have on what a “normal” Christmas is. Christian also has some lovely photos of camellias lately if you scroll through her recent pictures.

Lanier recently posted that she had fifteen more copies of her handmade book, Kilmeny of the Orchard. When she offered it last year, I waited to suggest it to David as a gift. By the time I returned to her website, they were gone. This time I bought one the moment I saw the post! It is a gorgeous book. The photos really don’t do it justice. To think that she sat there and made this by hand! What an incredible labor of love. I have a feeling it is going to be harder to snag one each time as other people discover her beautiful work.

Lanier also wrote recently in Early Advent about a very personal struggle that she chose to share with the world. She writes:

I also wanted to share a piece that I wrote for the Art House America blog, if anyone is interested. I have to say, this was seriously one of the most difficult things I have ever written–like I told one friend, I wrestled this essay to the ground and came up limping. It’s something I rarely talk about, and I confess to a certain degree of inner conflict over even posting this link. There is an illusion of safety, you know, in relative anonymity. But it’s not safety we’re made for–it’s goodness. The goodness of God and the honor of sharing that goodness with other souls. Forgive my fear and trembling, kind friends, and thank you for the many ways in which you have given me courage to keep putting words out there.

And a few new to me websites/blogs that might be of interest to others…

Beyond Little House

Not Quite Amish

Enjoy!

Butterscotch Spoondoodles

December 20, 2012

Butterscotch Spoondoodles are incredibly easy to make if you need a quick treat to take somewhere. They are more like candy than a cookie with the sweetness of the butterscotch morsels and honey. Enjoy!

1 3-ounce can of chow mein noodles
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
6 ounces butterscotch morsels

Combine noodles and nuts in mixing bowl.

Combine honey, sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt in saucepan. Bring to a full boil over moderate heat, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat; add butterscotch morsels. Stir until melted and smooth. Pour over noodles and nuts.

Working quickly, mix gently until coated. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper on baking sheet.

Let stand until set or chill until firm. Store in refrigerator.

Makes approximately 32.

Hudson’s in Detroit, holiday hospitality, The Long Winter blizzards, and Natural Law

December 17, 2012

Some good reading for your Monday!

If you’ve never read about the Hudson’s Department Store in Detroit during its heyday, you are missing out on some really interesting history. At the very least, skim the list of bulleted facts. Unbelievable. Most of us are too young to really grasp the fact that at one time Detroit was a world-class city. Not just a big city in the USA, but truly world-class.

Karen at thatmom.com has a great post full of suggestions if you will be hosting company over the next week. Don’t miss Christmas sanity check!

Lindsey sent me this link: The Meteorology of Little House on the Prairie. A meteorologist looked at data to understand the massive winter of The Long Winter. If you’ve never read The Long Winter, you really need to do so.

This is perhaps the best treatment of the recent tragic situation I’ve read. Wade Burleson looks at the really big picture of the gun control debate in Gun Control and the Tragedy at Sandy Hook. No matter which side of the debate you are on, I hope you will read it and consider his words. Maybe it is because I’m a big picture person, but I think he is right on. People are too caught up in the details and emotions to think clearly. Unfortunately I think unless our country learns to quickly reclaim what we were given at our founding, the continued steady demise of the United States as an exceptional country is most certainly inevitable. Too many people in this country have been reduced to the ability to passively hear and repeat sound bites, not think through big picture concepts.

Don’t forget to check out some of my Pinterest boards such as Christmas, chocolate and decorating dreams.

And enjoy this little sweetie!

Valentine’s Day Swirls and Hearts Scrapbook, Background Digital Papers

November 24, 2012

Lots of Valentine’s Day whimsy in this pack! Purple, pink, red and hot pink swirls and hearts abound.

The Valentine’s Day Swirls and Hearts Scrapbook, Background Digital Papers pack is available in my TPT store.

I will also be adding it to our Yellow Cottage Media website sometime soon!

Winter Polka Dots and Patterns Scrapbook, Background Digital Papers

November 24, 2012

Here is our winter-themed polka dots and patterns pack. It is now available in my TPT store, just in time for creating teaching products and resources for the winter season.

Winter Polka Dots and Patterns Scrapbook, Background Digital Papers is full of pretty blues, purples and turquoise.

I will also be adding it to my Yellow Cottage Media website soon!

Valentine’s Day Polka Dots and Patterns Scrapbook, Background Digital Papers

November 24, 2012

Here is another new set of digital papers now available in my TPT store. This is designed with Valentine’s Day in mind! Purple, pink, red and hot pink make for fun possibilities.

Valentine Dots Pattern Set is designed for both scrapbooking and producing teaching products.

I’ll also be adding it to our Yellow Cottage Media website soon!

Christmas Polka Dots and More Scrapbook, Background Digital Papers

November 23, 2012

David and I created our first digital scrapbook and background paper product. Christmas Polka Dots and More Scrapbook and Background Digital Papers is up for sale in my TPT store and I’ll be adding it to Yellow Cottage Media at some point.

TPT has a big Cyber Monday and Tuesday sale coming up. If you are looking for anything for your home education plans, you might want to check it out. I’ll also be adding additional products this weekend in preparation for the sale.

If you aren’t familiar with Teachers Pay Teachers and you create education materials, you should check it out. This is my referral link if you decide to sign up!