Chasing Fireflies

Colors of our Weekend

RED, GREEN,  and BROWN

 

 
 

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This weekend before Christmas:
Michael took Isaac and Joshua to their first "Lowe's Build and Grow Workshop" where they made train engines.
I made homemade pizza dough.
We thoroughly enjoyed our family friend's coming over to eat homemade pizza ,talk, make gingerbread houses, watch kids play, laugh, and drink cider.
We explored our backyard woods and spied all sorts of nature treasures.
Michael cut a tree up for a project.
We lit our 4th and final candle on our advent wreath.

Christmas Fun with Friends

Yesterday we shared a great afternoon with some of our homeschool friends - making gingerbread houses, eating gingerbread waffles, wearing our pajamas, exchanging ornaments, and enjoying each others company.

     

A Christmas Carol

Olivia was cast this holiday season in Charles Dicken's familiar classic "A Christmas Carol" and the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.  Olivia had the favor of playing the role of Martha Cratchit, the eldest daughter of Mr. Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's poor clerk. 

Olivia had a whopping total of eight performances, two of which took place during a perfectly timed winter snowfall. 

The theatre lobby was filled with goodness of the early 1800's - candles, smells of spiced cider, an antique tricycle and teddy bear, and Victorian Christmas trees adorned with strings of cranberries, gingerbread men, and lace fans.

During Act One, Olivia played the role of Mr. Fezziwig's daughter during his very festive party.  Here she is before going onto stage to square dance with Mr. Fezziwig.

Act Two brought the role of Olivia's beloved character of Martha.  Here is Olivia's cast family:  Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cratchit, Martha, Belinda, Peter, and crippled Tiny Tim.

Martha and Belinda with their parents and the Christmas goose

Olvia also shared the stage with her two close fellow homeschool friends.  Here she is with Scrooge's nephew's wife and Belle (Young Scrooge's fiance).  There's always fun going on when these three are together.  :)

Olivia's sweet director

Opening night brought Olivia her mom, dad, brothers, grandmother, and granddaddy to cheer her on.

It's obvious to me that we have a thespian in our midst.  Olivia never complained one time after the 90 hours put in on this production and she was saddened after the final performance saying goodbye to her fellow cast members and friends who became more like family the last 2 1/2 months.

She's already talking about her next play and dreaming of what role(s) she might be cast to portray.  :)

What's her father's and my response to that?

God bless us . . . everyone!

:)

Colors of our Weekend

RED, BLACK, WHITE, and PINK

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This weekend:
Olivia performed in "A Christmas Carol" production each day.
Olivia performed a song in our church's Singing Christmas Tree.
I decorated for Christmas.
Michael made hot chocolate three times and caramel popcorn once.
We gazed upon a beautiful full moon.
We lit our third candle of our advent wreath - the pink candle of "joy."

Colors of our Weekend

RED, GREEN, and BROWN

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Our weekend was packed full of Christmas goodness.
We bought our Christmas tree.
We each participated in our town's Christmas parade.
We spent an amazing evening dining on pizza and hot chocolate and visiting with some special friends.
We strung the lights on our tree, sang Christmas carols, and drank more hot chocolate.
Olivia sang in our church's children's choir musical.

Christmas in Arkansas Week

Other fun things we did during the week of my Arkansas Christmas:

1. Attended a very nice engagment party for my Cousin Sarah and her fiance, Jason at a cute English Tea Room.

 

 

 

Uncle Jon, Aunt Christy, Cousin Sarah, and Jason

 

2.  Went bowling.  

 

 

 

Cousin Anthony; Michael

 
 

Cousin Sarah; Uncle Dave and baby Dave (his namesake)

 

Cousin Lacey; Aunt Sandra
 
 

 

3.  Hiked a short trail on a beautiful day.
 

 

 

 

 

Olivia and Aunt Christy

 

 

 

Cousins Lacey and Sarah and Wonton

 

 

4.  Ate at Barnett's Dairyette.

 

 

5.  Reserved and seated 27 people at Shoguns.  Remember last year?

6.  Stayed up past midnight every night watching movies with my cousins Sarah and Lacey.

7.  Brought in the new year with a balloon drop.  Stay tuned...

Christmas Light Extravaganza Drive

 

 

 

 

Christmas in Arkansas

Christmas with my mom's side of the family takes place in Arkansas beginning the day after Christmas each year.  Begins I say, because it is a continuous party of family, food, fellowship, and fun for at least a week.  You see, Mom is one of seven children and Christmas is the one time of year we all gather together and keep busy making memories throughout one whole week.

The evening that we have our official Christmas celebration, we always have a large dinner, and then gather in the family room.  At this point we enjoy members of the family playing musical instruments, listen to children sing, sing Christmas carols together, share thoughts about the last year, and listen to words of wisdom from my granddad and grandma.  It has been like this for as long as I've been around.  This year was extra special though because my precious grandparents even sang a duet to us.

Our dinner menu this year consisted of green salad with cranberry champagne vinaigrette, beef tenderloin with shallot sauce and standing rib roast with whipped horseradish cream, roasted vegetables (carrots, parsnips, asparagus, and sweet potatoes), corn pudding, mashed potatoes, seasoned green beans, rolls, and of course apple butter (a Barnett STAPLE).  Then for dessert, as if we still had room, we had amaretto cake with ice cream.

Uncle James serving the meat

My dinner plate; Some family members gathered round the dining room table (1 of 3 tables)  
  
Uncle Robert and Margaret; Grandma and Granddad
 
Dad and Mom; Cousin Jordan and Liz
 
Olivia, Cousin Nick, Joshua, Corina, and Isaac; Hillary and Cousin Christopher
 
Michael and I; Aunt Marilyn and Uncle James
 
Uncle Mark, Hillary, and Cousin Christopher playing for us

 
Cousin Anthony and Uncle Dave; Aunt Marilyn and Olivia
 
Cousin Cameron; Aunt Jane
 
Grandma and Granddad singing the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

I am SO thankful and grateful to have a family that enjoys getting together to share experiences and make memories together.  It's truly special to have 4 generations under one roof celebrating Jesus' birth together!!!

Christmas with The Lee's

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with Michael's family on Christmas day.  After waking up to a WHITE CHRISTMAS, the kids colored, drank hot chocolate, and played with their cousins. 

 

 

 

Michael's mom made a delicious dinner and Coconut Cake (that I renamed "The Snowdrift Cake" since it was white as the snow we woke up to that morning) for dessert.

 

The Lee Family

   

The seven grandchildren

 

 

After reading the Christmas story from the Bible and having a prayer, the kids exchanged gifts.

 

 

 

Fun memories made with family.

White Christmas

Christmas 2010 has been a blessing in so many ways!  One blessing I received is my very first white Christmas.  I was elated to have Michael awaken me Christmas morning with the blinds pulled up high showing off the snow covered tree branches right outside our windows.  I sprung up, rushed outside (after getting dressed and a coat on), and began playing and snapping pictures.  I felt like a kid - making a miniature snowman, writing in the snow, and then coming inside to warm up while drinking hot chocolate.

 

 

 

 

What a special Christmas gift the Lord sent us Christmas morning 2010.  Thank you, God, for sending us the beautiful snow!  Isaiah 1:18 says, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow...." 

Did you have a white Christmas?

Christmas Morning

Christmas Breakfast

Reading the Christmas Story

Eager to open presents

Opening stockings later in the day

Gingerbread & Christmas

Gingerbread and Christmas just go together don't they? 

GINGERBREAD COOKIES 

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GINGERBREAD HOUSES

 
 

  

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas from Mississippi!

We pray blessings upon you during this Chrismas season!
Michael, Ashley, Olivia, Isaac, and Joshua, and Anna Belle too

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

Twas the Night Before Christmas

 

Twas the night before Christmas and all through our house of now

Cheer resided in our hearts while homemade ornaments hung on each evergreen bough.

On the mantle a garland of popcorn and cranberries hung

Awaiting the arrival the next morning of three young.

Gingerbread houses on the shelf abide

Ready for chocolates, candy canes, and other sweets to be applied.

The breakfast table was prepared

For a menu of steak, biscuits, and a Christmas omelet to be shared.

 

Gifts neatly wrapped in paper of blue, green, onyx, red, and gold

Would hours later be unwrapped and a sight to behold.

The greatest gift of all although

Was already given about two thousand years ago.

Under our tree within the nativity scene one can see

The baby who was sent for you and for me.

His story if allowed can change one's heart

And will allow anyone a new start.

 

We pray this CHRISTmas season

You may come to know the true meaning and reason

He gave of Himself for us

So that we may eternally live with Him JESUS! 

 

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins."  Matthew 1:21

Colors of our Weekend

RED, GREEN, and BROWN

 

 

 

God's Eye Ornaments

 

I recently was reminded of another fond memory from my childhood Girl Scouting days.  We would gather rather large sticks that we found out in the woods and set to work on our creations.  I thought small red, green, and white God's Eyes would look really neat on our tree this year.

 

To begin I sent Olivia and Isaac out to the yard to gather sticks.  Next I sat down and viewed this video several times.  After I retrieved our yarns I began assembling an ornament before helping Olivia and Isaac.  Olivia had the twists and turns figured out just from watching me and was able to make ornaments all on her own.  And Isaac helped me make his by me guiding his little hands.  I would recommend this craft for ages 6 and up.

 

 

 

 

Here are some examples of our red, green, and white God's Eyes ornaments. 

 
 
 

Snowflake Ornaments

A new craft that has entered our lives this year is a recyclable craft.  And we all LOVED it! 

To make your snowflake masterpieces you will need:

bathroom tissue and paper towel rolls

glue

spray paint (optional)

glitter spray (optional)

string, ribbon, or raffia

About 2 weeks prior to making our snowflake ornaments we began collecting as many bathroom tissue and paper towel rolls as we could. 

To start, have kids flatten the tubes.  This is an especially fun part!  :)  Next, an adult needs to cut the roll into 1/4 to 1/2-inch smashed circles (this will give you 6-8 rings per bathroom tissue roll). 

Next, place a small amount of glue on two sides of the end of a smashed circle. Now, place a small amount of glue on the end of another smashed circle and stick the ends together.  Continue doing this until you have made it all the way around - using 6 to 8 smashed circles in the center.  

After the glue drys somewhat, you can then start adding more smashed circles in different patterns, if desired.  Here are some of our designs. 

 

When the glue completely dries, you may spray paint them snowflake white. In addition, I added some silver glitter spray to ours to make our snowflakes glisten. 

Lastly, tie a piece of string, ribbon, or raffia onto the snowflake and adorn it on your tree.

 

In complete contrast to the glistening stark white snowflakes, I left one natural brown and hung it with raffia.  I really like the simplicity and rustic look of it, too.

Did you know that all snowflakes are hexagonal in shape?  Did you also know the atmosphere, environmental conditions, height of clouds, and temperature will determine the complexity of the hexangonal shape?  Check out this link for some fascinating snowflake chemistry.

Our Christmas Tree Star

Unfortunately, our gold-gilded star did not make it out of storage this year to claim it's rightful spot on top of our family Christmas tree.  Not to fret, I encouraged myself last week though, because this year's tree is to be homemade after all.  I set to thought on how I could create a star and what type of material I already had on hand. 

As I was helping Olivia and Isaac create their beautiful snowflake ornaments with bathroom tissue and paper towel rolls, I had a light bulb moment.  If I just keep on adding smashed circles to one of these snowflakes then I should be able to create a star.  So after they completed their snowflakes I set to work on adding more smashed circles.  And this is what I ended up with.

After impatiently waiting on the glue to dry, I took it outside, painted it silver, allowed the paint to dry, brought it back in, and attached it to the rightful place on top of our tree.

I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.  Each time I gaze at our tree now I am reminded of how something so simple as a paper towel roll can be transformed into something beautiful like a silvery star.  And through this whole process I am beginning to feel more and more at "home" through this homemade Christmas tree.  :)

Colors of our Weekend

BLUE, GREEN, RED, and WHITE

 

 

 

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We've had a weekend of:

Stuffing, sealing, stamping, and sending our annual Christmas cards

Shopping in Memphis and eating at Bonefish Grill

Going to church in the snow and watching it fall the remainder of the day

Stringing popcorn and cranberries for garlands

Drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace

 

What did you do this weekend?

A Homemade Christmas Tree

This year's Christmas tree is going to be different from any other we've ever had.  Being in a partially furnished rental home has prevented us from moving all of our possessions in with us.  Holiday decorations are one such belonging that unfortuately is hanging out in storage right now. 

I actually struggled on deciding if we should put up a Christmas tree this year ... because of lack of space, safety of Joshua, and the absence of ornaments.  But then I started to think about how sad it would be for my children to not have one of the traditional focal Christmas decorations and all those beautiful bright lights during this special time of year. 

So so very much of this Christmas season is different for all of us.  And then I felt the kids I needed some reference of "home," even though this rental really isn't or even feel like home. 

So last Friday night our family went out and bought a tree, brought it home, and placed it in a stand.  Saturday morning we strung clear, red, and bubble lights (Did I mention that Michael miraculously found our Christmas lights and one nutcracker on TOP of the stack in storage?) on our tree after a seasonal breakfast of gingerbread pancakes (They were supposed to be waffles, but my waffle iron must be in storage.), maple whipping cream, chicken sausage, and apple cider. 

Each day since, we have been MAKING our ornaments.  Olivia and Isaac have had so much fun crafting.  And I've had a great opportunity to fulfill my creativity once again, which I have greatly missed. 

Daily we watch the branches of our tree change as we add more and more of our homemade decorations.  We are having so much fun embellishing that we might not have any tree left showing in the end.  :) 

Now that we are in the midst of making this tree ours, I foresee the special ornaments we are creating becoming true treasures.  I picture us pulling them out of their storage boxes in future years and having very fond memories of this year.  Spending special time together:  gluing, folding, pinning, tying, bending, taping, painting, stringing, laughing, helping.  2010 will become the year we MADE our tree "OUR TREE."  And by homemaking these ornaments ... we are making this temporary home feel more and more like "home."