The Cabbage Patch

Lenten Decorations

I was inspired by the ladies at my favorite place to "decorate" for Lent.  I've been meaning to do this for each liturgical season, but am learning to take it slowly.  One of the things I really liked was saying good-bye to Alleluia. 

So, here's white felt and gold glitter glue.

Sister did not like the script so I wrote it in manuscript also.

Then I rolled it up and placed in on our mantle behind the crown of thorns.

My mantle is a nice reminder this Lenten season.  Seeing it everyday helps to keep me focused.

Pure Determination

Sister is a very determined girl.  She's focused and somewhat driven (my mother says she's a lot like me, but I don't really see it).  Anyway, I had purchased a hula hoop for a Blue Knights class and she fell in love with it.  So, I bought her a smaller one.  Well, wouldn't you know it, she worked and worked with it until she mastered it.

Yes, she's hula hooping with 2.

Lenten Cleaning: The Schoolroom

As part of my Lenten journey, I am cleaning and organizing my entire house with the intention that the whole house will be completed by Easter.  I started in the schoolroom.

And, here are the after shots.

This table holds our monthly read aloud books from various lists. 

There's quite a bit of wall space there that I need to fill up.  I think I'll hang the dry erase board I've had sitting around.

Finally, tomorrow, we will have school in the schoolroom.  We're all very excited.  I still need one more big bookshelf to put books and some Montessori materials, but that will have to wait.  I will also be placing our little table/bench set by the window for my two younger ones to do "school".

Join the Fun

Cheryl has the wonderful Loveliness of Baking fair up at her blog, My Thoughtful Spot.  All you need is a good drink, there are many baked goodies for you to look at and great stories to read.

Loveliness of Baking

My father is a very stoic man who does not show affection.  He shows us his love through his actions.  He used to work 18 hour days as a clerk in two different liquor stores to support his family during our family's hardest times.  That to me spoke volumes of his love for his family.  So, it comes as no surprise that he would through his actions show his love for me and my baking.

I was sixteen at the time and it was Thanksgiving.  I was usually given the task of making the meal.  I set out to make the pumpkin pie and I was so proud of it.  After Thanksgiving, I proudly put a piece of pie in front of my dad.  He gobbled it up and declared it delicious.  Then everyone else dug in.  Everyone took a bite and said, "Oh, it's awful!  What's wrong with it?" Well, it turns out I forgot the sugar.  My dad ate the entire piece without wincing or grimacing.  I'll always remember what he did for me. 

Now, many years later, I still do the baking and most of the cooking, with help from my mother, on special occasions.  However, that was the best pumpkin pie I ever made.  My dad loved me through it.

Too Cool!!

Found this through Dawn:

My word cloud:

What Color Red?

You Are Red Orange

You are a very genuine person, although it takes a while for you to show the true you. A bit introverted, you desire respect and affection from those close to you. You are quite empathetic, and you have a true concern for the well being of others. Many people have warm, heartfelt memories of you - even if you don't remember them well.

What Color Red Are You?

Throwing in the Towel

Lent is really just around the corner.  Well, tomorrow IS Ash Wednesday.  During my unpacking days, I've come across my yearly Lenten reading, In Conversation with God, several times.  I knew I should've just put it on my bookshelf, but each time I would think, "Oh, Lent's far off."  Well, I'm wrong!!!  I've been searching and searching for it and can't find it.  I think God has other plans for me.  I think he wants me to read other things so, here's my Lenten reading for 2007.

• The Good News of God's Mercy--This is a book the bishop has asked all parishes to use. 
• The Faith Explained--Got this book recommendation from my favorite place, the 4Real Messageboards.
• Sister Wendy's Meditations on the Mysteries of Our Faith
• Magnificat Lenten Companion--My parish provided free copies.
• The Word Among Us--The Lenten issue provided by my parish.

Along with the above, our parish provided another little devotional which I love.  I don't know the title and am a bit too lazy to go and get it.  The last two on the list are small short devotionals.  I am going to try to read them in the morning or by midmorning (at least one or two).  Sister Wendy's book is to be read on Sundays while I'll space out all the rest.  The 4Real ladies are in the midst of a study of True Devotion to Mary so I've been following along albeit slowly.  I'm behind the ladies on the messageboards, but I think I will benefit greatly by following in their midst. 

I don't feel prepared for Lent, but as Ben said, "Isn't Lent a preparation?"

Late Winter Field Day

Dawn has the latest edition of her field days--The Late Winter Edition.  Check it out.  There are some beautiful pictures.  I love nature especially from afar.  I tried to get a post in, but with Pumpkin's visit to the ER, I was not able to.  One of these days!!

Wonderful Day

There are some days that just go almost perfectly.  Our day started as all Fridays do with daily mass.  After mass, the homeschool group congregated in the parish hall for snacks and fellowship.  We outlasted the older crowd and were booted out so the hall could be cleaned up for an event tomorrow. 

Our group headed to the local post (base for you non Army folks) bowling alley for our monthly activity.  We all had a ball.  The younger kids used the bumpers in their lanes while Ben, two of the older kids and I used a bumperless lane.  I won both games handily with some well placed strikes.  I loved it!!  You could say I'm a bit competitive. ;-)

We headed to lunch then home for some down time before heading out to Brother's therapy clinic for a party.  During December, Brother and another young boy sold Christmas cards with the intent that they would use it for charity, but for various reasons they ended up not being able to do that.  So, the idea was to have a Valentine's Day party.  There were about 8-10 autistic children at this party--all kids around the same age and around the same level as Brother. 

While he was at the party, Ben and Honey went to get a snack at our favorite place--Starbucks while Sister, Pumpkin and I went to Hobby Lobby to purchase some craft items for Little Flowers (I'm teaching Monday).  When we arrived back at the clinic, the party was swinging!!  They were dancing to YMCA, they did the hand jive, and then the chicken dance.  I was so proud of my boy.  He tried very hard to keep up and really did dance along with them.  It brought tears to my eyes seeing him participate.  I wanted to weep with joy.  It really is a triumph to see him participate in a group.  I could see his reluctance, but he forged ahead.  He was also off beat, but hey, who cares.

Since we were all hyped up on sugar, we delayed dinner and went to an awesome used book sale held by the local library.  It was so much fun.  We spent almost 2 hours going through the stacks of books.  For 50 cents, I picked up Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola.  It was just sitting there staring at me so I snatched it right up.  I purchased a ton of National Geographic magazines at 25 cents a piece plus the kids picked up a couple of books each.  Ben had fun searching through the books and found 3 books that would have cost around $60 for $3. 

So, now we are home after having eaten dinner.  The kids are in bed and I am doing all the laundry I couldn't get to yesterday or today.  We're headed to my parents' house this weekend.  My brother from California is coming home to visit along with my other brother from Houston.  Our family will be together again for my dad's birthday.  So, everyone, have a great weekend.  We plan on it.