Happy Feast of St Juan Diego

Today is the Feast of St Juan Diego. He is a special friend of my older children. It is very interesting how they developed a love and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe at a young age, even though I knew very little about her. So, one year, I purchased Holy Heroes vol 1 about St Juan Diego and Blessed Imelda as a surprise for Our Lady of Guadalupe Day. That developed their love for Juan Diego also. Holy Heroes is offering this CD for FREE this week. If you don't own it, I encourage you to get it! We will be listening to our copy today.

Since we have  big celebrations for St Nicholas, St Lucy, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation all in one week, for this feast we do something easy. Some years it is premade burritos, in the car, on the way to basketball practice. As Buddy would say, "True story!"

This year we are having tostadas topped with black beans, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.  I have a special craft planned for Our Lady of Guadalupe this Friday, so please be sure to check back.

St Juan Diego, faithful servant of Our Lady, pray for us!

The Empty Box

I think the wise men are trying to tell me something!

That's right, I openly admit it, it is the second week of Advent and we have not made our candles yet!  I feel like Advent is flying by and I still can't get it all together. It has been a rough start with sickness, unexpected delays, my husband working lots of overtime, and general chaos. I looked around today and thought, I am failing! This is not what Advent should look like. Where is the family Nativity that consumes the entire entertainment center with over 25 unique pieces?  We made a fresh, evergreen Advent wreath, but have yet to roll the candles, and have consequently only prayed the Advent prayer once. We are doing a Jesse Tree, but do not have an actual tree to use, so we are settling for an artificial pine garland that is precariously draped over the bookcase. We are only behind on two days of Holy Heroes videos, but there are only three of our handmade ornaments hung because we have been reshaping the few paper clips I could find into hangers, since I have not gotten back into the attic to find the boxes upon boxes of ornament hangers we own. I am following Father Barron's Advent reflections, the Magnificat Advent ebook devotional, and the Christmas Crib devotional but am behind by two days in at least two of them. Where is the beauty? Where are the Angel choirs resonating through an Advent ready home? Why is my mission not being accomplished, my to-do list not being done? What would those who read my blog think if I were to photograph right now, right here? Sigh, deep sigh!

In my heart cry, God reached down to me and quieted a spinning head. I was reminded of Fr Barron' s description of how we are all held in bondage. We are all seeking deliverance by a Savior. Deliverance from a messy home, and a toddler bent on making it messier. Deliverance from constrains of finances and a volatile economy where prices continue to go up faster than our budget can adjust. Deliverance from sick children, nasal drips, infected wisdom teeth, and teething in general. Deliverance from tight spaces, too much togetherness, housing options that you can see but not touch.  Deliverance from loneliness, self consciousness, battles of will, and defeats of spirit. Deliverance from mourning, from dying parents, from family interference, from family abandonment.  It goes on and on. O come, o come Emmanuel and set the captives free!!

We are saved, we have been redeemed, we are delivered from slavery; but we are still in process of being moulded and fired into the dainty treasure of a freshly, and completely emancipated victor. Our journey has not ended, but our happy ending has already been written. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. It is a chance to sweep out the cobwebs, trim our wicks, ready our wedding garments, and openly accept His invitation. We are called to do this each day, every moment, but we lose focus in the midst of bondage and burden. Advent sets us back upon the path, it is our job to make it straight, to flatten the mountains, and fill in the valleys, to wash our soul and the body that clothes it in the river of renewal. This is the ultimate spring cleaning, as we begin a new year, and anticipate the entrance of the King into each of our humble abodes.

However, it is impossible to clean deeply while keeping your house in a state of company ready. You cannot perform home improvements and not disrupt the flow of work, people, and general life. Purging of unwanted baggage, boxes, and clutter, always produces bags, trash, and piles that must be addressed before the room is returned to normal. It always gets worse before it gets better. And so it is with spiritual growth and preparation. In cleaning out our heart and soul, a lot of dust of darkness and cobwebs of sin get stirred up and flung into the air before being swept out the door.  It always gets worse before it gets better, if you are doing it right. (I'm not claiming to be an authority, nor have the answer to it all. I am a sinner, a sinner who fails, but one who is trying very hard this Advent to clear out the old sin weighing me down and build up my D-day preparedness so I am ready when my Master returns)

At the start of each Advent, we are each handed an empty box, what we do with it for four weeks (and a few days) determines how wonderful and fruitful a Christmas we will enjoy, and how ready we will be at the dawning of NOT just a new year, but a new world.  We can take the box, spent endless hours finding the perfect wrapping paper. Calculate out to the nearest millimeter the ideal size to cut the wrappings. We can spend days painstakingly folding, creasing, and taping to perfection, only to top it off with a ribbon of such exquisite quality, we can scarcely believe our eyes. We have reached the summit of present perfection to rest under our tree.

Or, we can dig out our bin of present trappings that got stuck way back in the attic, lift the lid on the Advent box and dust off the inside. We can gently smooth all the wrinkles out of our many layers of multicolor tissue paper and create a prudent cushion to rest the Gift upon. We can inspect the seems of the box and reinforce them with tape or glue, then take time to meet with the Maker to learn more about the Gift and the wrappings it needs. We could spend days listening and taking notes on all that the Maker wants us to know. And then when our box is sturdy, clean, and softened, we can request politely for the Gift to be placed inside, tieing it gingerly with a ribbon from our own gown.

When it comes time to meet the King for the presentation of our Advent boxes, which will please Him more? The humble, possibly mismatched colored, box cradling in protective care the Ultimate Gift or the award winning, elegance of overworked, perceived perfection opened to reveal an empty box?

In the trapping of holiday achievement is the distraction from our true goal. While we fret and fluff, Jesus is seeking a humble "Yes!" As we tuck and pinch, pull tight and secure strong, Jesus is seeking arms that fall open and rise up. During the time we spend coordinating paper to ribbon and decorative sprig, debating symmetry and color balance to conceal our empty box, Jesus is seeking a heart emptied at his feet, a gift of our whole being not just a tidy package of how we wish to appear. As we scurry about the room finding the perfect lighting, placement, and platform for our box to rest, Jesus is seeking that door we blocked to be flung open. Is there room at your inn?

Advent is messy and often difficult, but Advent is a journey not a sprint to the finish, nor a means to an end. We are given four weeks, plus a few days to get our box ready and as we learned from the tortoise and the hare, rapid beginning do not necessarily equal solid finishes. God's Mercy is new each day, even more so during Advent. We must accept the gift of each day and pledge to get closer and closer to making Him not just the King of Kings on our lips, in our dusty Bibles, and according to our head, but in all we have, do, are, and desire. In Him we dwell, in Him we move and have our being. Let us stop chasing the trappings and be. Be with Him, be for Him, be in Him, and invite Him to be in us.

How is your Advent going? A little messy? Do not lose heart, the Son is rising as the prophecy has foretold. He will sweep away the broken, illuminate the shadows, accomplish all that must be done and all we never even knew was required. Messy on the outside is alright if it is the result of clothing the inside in light, joy, and peace. Stand before the mirror and look deep within, that is your empty box---is it fit for a King?


God bless you all! Thank you for journeying with me.  Linking up with Catholic Bloggers Network.

Pretty-Happy-Funny-Real Thanksgiving and Advent Edition

This is a two week edition, since Thanksgiving was last week. I'm linking up with Auntie Leila, hop over there for more posts fills of contentment.

Pretty

It was a white Thanksgiving, and although I am not a snow lover, I must say, the scenery was breathtaking. These pictures don't do it justice. It truly was a winter wonderland. The lake had not frozen yet, and the gentle flow of the water under the snow laden trees was postcard perfect.

Happy

The children and I visited our wonderful aunt for a day of crafts. As I mentioned before, they are working a booth at a craft fair this Saturday.  Cowgirl is selling barrettes, ornament key chains, bracelets, fancy bobbie pins, and some little fairy figurines.  Buddy is selling lego mini fig head jars, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ornaments. At our aunt's, we finished the Lego jars and many, many clips. The children were happy to get their inventory stocked up and have a visit.  Look at all these clips! It was a happy, but tiring day.

Funny

Back to Thanksgiving, for a twist, our cousin decided to replace her kitchen table (which was moved to the dining room for a "kids' table") with the knock hockey table from the basement. All of the kids had fun with it, all day. One, especially amusing, game they developed was putting the babies on the hockey rink and having them knock the pucks around. I'm not sure if the big kids or the babies found it funnier.

Real

Buddy is super excitable and Christmas is the apex of excitement for him. As soon as Advent began, his energy level shot through the roof! I tested my brother in law on Monday to let him know that Buddy was up at 6:30 am to open up the first door of the Lego Advent calendar brother-in-law had given him.  I then tested"He is so wound up, if I let him go, he may reach the moon! I don't know if I can survive 24 more days of this type of excitement."

 To which my brother-in-law replied, "Jennifer, you say that every year." So, I am trying hard to offer it up, practice patience , and exercise gentleness as my boy continues to get more excited, which almost seems humanly impossible.  Below is a picture of him doing the "Charlie Brown Christmas Running Happy Happy Dance " Yup, he's REAL excited!

Preparing for St Nicholas Day

There are mere days between today and our family's favorite feast day of the year--St Nicholas Day! To say the children are excited is an extreme understatement.  I have been planning and picking up little bits and pieces here and there. So, I thought I would share my plans, and the handful of photos I took last year, and encourage you to embrace this beautiful tradition.

First, I need to put forth a disclaimer that this feast has grown and evolved in our family over a decade of time. We did not jump in with both feet the first year. Our celebration traditions began with simple gifts left in shoes. We still cling to the idea of truly simple gifts. One of the sweetest parts of this holiday is how excited the children are for tiny treats and how it helps us to turn our sights to Jesus, not to wants and desire for more.

Here is what the children are receiving this year:
Each child will receive a pomegranate lollipop (because I cannot bring pomegranates any where near this house with being found out!), a candy cane, a small bag of dried fruit (their request), and a Clementine. I also picked up a small ornament from the thrift shop for 12¢ each. The boys will each get a small car. For Buddy, I picked up a Hot Wheel that looks like a shark, and Little Man is getting a mini Viking race car.  Cowgirl will receive clip-on earrings from the thrift shop, because we have a $2 limit for gifts.   As a joint gift, because I always like to give a gift to share, I picked up a second hand copy of CCC video of "St Nicholas: The Boy who became Santa."  Not very impressive of a list, in fact as I write it out, it seems even less  impressive. But that is the beauty of it, in a culture that always wants more and encourages chasing big, better, best, these simple gifts ground us and make us thankful for all the rich blessings we have.  The last gift the children will receive is $50 in cash to donate as they choose.

Next on my planning list is food. Typically, I plan three special meals. Since the older children are working at a craft fair this Saturday, I am only planning dinner. However, here is a sample menu for a typical St Nicholas Day in our home.

Breakfast: Hot Chocolate and treats from the shoes, along with a candy cane Danish inspired by Jessica's. We use a roll of recipe crescent rolls, a package of softened cream cheese, and a can of cherry pie filling. Open and unroll the pastry sheet. Spread cream cheese on half of it, then top with cherry filling. Now, beginning on the edge with cream cheese and cherries begin to roll the pastry into a log.  Form the log into a crook shape and cut slits about every inch down the outside of the crook. Bake on 350° for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Lunch: This is the simplest idea. I discovered it at the St Nicholas Center years ago. Purchase a frozen pizza and some orange colored cheese slices ( we like to use large cheddar slices). Cut the cheese into the shape of a miter and place in the center of the pizza. Bake according to directions.

Dinner: We always fill a bowl with clementines and candy canes for the blessing. The clementines represent the bags of gold that St Nick tossed into the girls' stockings, and the canes his shepherd' s crook. This theme continues through our side dishes, glazed carrot "coins", baked sweet potato "sacks", and fruit salad to represent the sweetness of giving. Normally, we have fruited pork as our main dish. However, this year, we are trying chicken with spiced apples. Spices and sweets are the theme of the day. Of course, we drink more hot chocolate, as well.

Dessert: What? More Sugar? Well, yes and no. For dessert we build gingerbread houses and sometimes, happen to sample pieces of candy decorations or nibble  broken pieces. (And sometimes, Grammy who doesn't believe in too much sugar, shows up with an ice cream cake!) The past couple years we have made graham cracker houses because they are much easier to construct and who really needs that many gingerbread houses.

Last up on planning is activities. We will definitely watch our new movie. We typically watch Veggie Tales St Nicholas. We read books about St Nicholas. (Below are some of our favorites, available here.) We also craft gifts for friends and family. Many years I bought craft kits, but then we amassed so many left over kits, that we began using those and supplementing with a project or two that I found online. The older children have been making plans for projects of their own. We are doing extra crafting on St Lucy's Day this year. Pinterest is a great place to find easy, inexpensive projects, too. I am adding a St Nicholas board there, today.

St Nicholas Day is about spending time as a family, giving to others, and setting our eyes on Jesus as we quickly approach Christmas.  If you have any St Nick traditions, please share below. God bless!

I'm linking up with Catholic Bloggers Advent Link-up collection.

Happy Advent!! Prepare-Pray-Give

Advent is here!!! This truly is my favorite time of year, and this is my 100th post. Thank you to all my readers. This started on a whim as a creative outlet, it's incredible how far it has reached--I am especially thankful for those of you who read over seas.  I know this is still a small enterprise but it is growing by God's grace.  If you are on Facebook, please visit and like my page. There are many little tidbits that I only get to share on there. Thanks.

Last night, as we unpacked the nativities--we have eight--the kids were so excited. I always enjoy how much they enjoy the nativities. If you do not have a child safe nativity, I strongly encourage you to buy or make one.  It truly helps build the anticipation and keep their focus on Christ.

As many of us wrap up our shopping online (remember to check Ebates for some amazing cash back offers!), at local stores, Catholic shops and cloistered, or at the mall; we must remember what it is that we are truly seeking.  Like the Wise men following the star, we are on a journey to the spot where the star comes to rest Christmas Eve.  The glitz and glitter of commercial Christmas can easily obscure our vision or mislead us completely. However, if we continue to travel through the cold and wind, the weariness that often sets in, and even the lonely passages, we will be rewarded with the greatest gift of all time, a gift so special that it could not just be laid beneath a tree but was fastened to the cruelest of trees and raised above the whole world to be worshipped and adore.

Be sure to pick a special devotion to take up this Advent. Often, we think only of Lent as a time of growth and change, but Advent is that and more. We must prepare our hearts and souls to kneel in the humble cave of Bethlehem before we can climb the jagged cliff of Golgatha. Pray the St Andrew's Novena, add a family prayer time to your day, dust off your Bible and dive into Luke or Isaiah or wherever the Spirit leads you. Like the expectant months of pregnancy, May this be a time of stretching, growing, changing, and new life.

Lastly, remember to give, not just in present and packages to family and friends, but in ways that can never be repaid. Lay yourself down for another. Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, take up the challenge, pick one or more of your favorite charities, give a gift from your heart not just your excess, then share your experience and encourage others to give. If you are having trouble finding that blessed Christmas Spirit, the excited anticipation, the love, hope, and joy of the season, do not head to your nearest mall, give of yourself because it is emptying ourselves that we are truly filled.

If you are looking for an on going giving for the season, consider completing a 40 bags in 40 days challenge for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Looking the bonds of stuff, will truly set you free. Give it a try!

What's your favorite charity?

I'm linking up with Catholic Bloggers, be sure to hop over there for beautiful posts of Advent goodness! Have a blessed day, Our LORD is on His way!

Liturgical Color Craft in Seven Quick Takes

I mentioned in my Little Oratory Post that I hoped to add a liturgical color vestments display, soon. Well, it finally happened, so here is how we did it in Seven Quick takes.

1

Jessica at Shower of Roses details the history of this craft here. It has definitely made the rounds of the Catholic Blogosphere.  I debated on felt versus fabric and traditional fiddleback vs novo or do chausible.   I just couldn't decide.  The cost was the main factor. I liked the fabric but was only making one set, so what would I do with all the leftovers?  Then, I stumbled upon a real find at our church tag sale--cloth napkins!  Not only were they beautiful fabric, but since we were shopping the $4 a bag sale time and already had two bags mostly full, they were basically free. Hence, my upcycle version was born.

2

Then came the quandary of the cross to use. I was certain that I had an extra standing cross somewhere, but couldn't find it and every time I visited Hobby Lobby either I forgot or ran out of time to look.  While the kids were cleaning out their drawers, Cowgirl found a wooden cross that had been a Little Flower craft many years ago. She no longer had interest in it and it had the bonus feature of hanging on the wall to stay out of Little Man's hands and create less clutter on the table.

3

We first removed the pink heart that had been glued on. Then we used brown acrylic paint to cover the Little Flower blue paint. It took quite a few coats, but was eventually brown.  Buddy enjoyed painting it over and over again.

4

Next We folded the napkins so that they formed a triangle and ironed them flat. In the center of each crease, I cut a "head hole" to mount it on the cross.The only colors that I couldn't find in napkins were violet and black. For the black, I used a heavy broadcasts that we found in the scrap pile. Violet is presently made of felt, but I hope to upgrade it soon.

5

We then used scraps of gold trim, white trim, and golden hem tape to make crosses for the front of each vestment.  We attached these with hot glue.

6

The final step of crafting was to glue a white ribbon strip inside each of the cut out collars. This helped to finish it off and stabilized the cut fabric.  We used half inch satin ribbon and glued the fabric to the center of the ribbon so that only a quarter inch was showing.  This resembles the white collar of the lab that priests wear.

  

7

We then hung the finished vestments on the cross and the cross on the wall.  Vestment colors change often, sometimes daily, but at the moment, we are only changing ours according to the Sunday color.  

We have our red one all ready to go for the Feast of Christ the King. 

Pretty- Happy-Funny-Real: The It's Almost Thanksgiving Edition

There is much to be thankful for even when life doesn't go as planned. The LORD works all things for good, He truly does. Linking up with Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

Happy

I'm am so happy and very thankful that Cowgirl was able to join a Little Flower group at our "local" convent. (When I say local, I'm using local parameters. Local is anything within our county or the bordering counties that takes less than an hour and a half to reach.;)  I'm am thankful also, that I am not the leader after running a Little Flower club by myself for a number of years. It is hard work, but the sisters and other moms are doing a wonderful job! I will only be leading one craft and bringing one snack...that makes me very, very happy!!

Pretty

Is there anything more beautiful that a joyful nun in a habit?  How about a whole convent of them?  There is something about seeing consecrated religious in habits that warms my heart immensely.  Sister Jhoan Marie took a special liking to Little Man and amazingly he let her carry him around even though they had never met. A very beautiful baby and a very beautiful sister--pretty doesn't even begin to cover it.

Funny

I had a lot of work to get done and asked if someone could occupy Little Man while I did it. Buddy offered to set up a "daycare center".  He rocked the little guy, sang songs to him, held him close and you know what?  That stubborn little boy who had fought every attempt at getting him down for a nap, fell fast asleep.  Sorry the photo is blurry, Buddy turned off the light for him then came to tell me his accomplishment.  I had to get a photo but didn't want to turn on the light.

Real

Speaking of sleepless sleeping babies.  Sleep has been in short supply around here as Little Man continues to slowly get his molars and eye teeth. I'm am thankful that two have come through but he still has four teeth bulging under his red, tender gums.  With so little sleep and chewing on everything in sight, he developed a cold which led to even less sleep. Anyway, as we were finishing lunch and preparing to head out to the orthodontist on Tuesday, he passed out in his seat.  I was happy that he was sleeping but had a 35 minute drive to the orthodontist and they don't usually accept late patients. I would normally have transferred him to the car and then the stroller but around here, like the rest of the county, it was extremely cold. Before I could move him outside, he would need socks, shoes, and a coat. He may sleep week'll, but no one sleeps that well.

I made a frantic call to my mother in law who was surprisingly and thankfully free.  I then called the orthodontist to plead my case and let them know I was trying my hardest but would probably be late. Well, the ladies in the office are in love with Little Man so surprisingly and thankfully they said, "No problem."

Much, much to be thankful for. I'm thankful for each of my visitors, too. God bless you, all! For what are you most thankful?