Not Just Yet

Thanksgiving night we stood beside her bed, and told Steve's mother goodbye. The Hospice nurse had advised us to come. Mum was ready to go. She told us so. She was weak. She was tired. She was ready. But God had something else in mind. And look at her now...

Steve's sister Sally sent us this picture of Mum just the other day. : )

 

Mum didn't go that night. Or the next. She started to feel a bit better. And she started to eat a bit too. She has good days and not so good days.

But she is still with us, and we are happy.

And judging by her smile here, I think she is happy too.

 

We are treasuring the time we have left with her, however long it may be.

Although Mum prayed to go,

God whispered,  "Not just yet."

And as we always pray...

 

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and words of love.

They mean so very much to us all.

 

When You Believe

Oh, the joys of childhood! The magic of innocence. The wonder in believing. Nothing quite compares to watching a child's face when the magic of Christmas comes to life. It happened here in our country home just this past week. Want to hear about it?

One night last week, Daddy came in from work with a very special package addressed to my little Miss Flynn. The return address? None other than The North Pole! Daddy said it was sitting near the front door. We were so excited...and confused...and nervous...and excited! After the initial shock wore off, Flynn very carefully opened the package...Inside was a very beautiful letter...

Addressed just to her!

It was from no other than Wink Kringle, the Public Relations Director in charge of Elf Management at The North Pole! He explained that our elf Zip had told Santa how much Flynn loves and cares for him, and so he was sending something extra special for her.

Flynn was so very excited! She carefully unwrapped the packages, and found the cutest little wooden door with the tiniest little ladder. Wink explained that it is a special door the elves are testing out. It is supposed to help the elves get back and forth from The North Pole faster. It also came with a sweet little post box so that Flynn could set out letters for Zip to take back with him!

Flynn wasted no time in doing just that.

We hung the door, and set up the ladder, and Flynn ran to get her crayons.

It was absolutely magical watching her!

I took every smile and giggle and jump and dance of excitement and tucked it into my heart. I never want to forget that moment...the moment the innocence and magic of childhood at Christmas came to life in my little Flynn.

Oh. And funny thing.

The mail from the North Pole apparently passes through Denmark.

Imagine that.

Weekend Plans

These weeks keep flying by, don't they? Here we are at the beginning of another cozy, December weekend. We have a few small plans, but other than that, we plan on savoring every single moment of this wonderful season. Friday night is another movie night. I am thinking Santa Clause Is Coming To Town. That is a sentimental favorite here. I am thinking some popcorn with it as well.

Saturday we are supposed to see some much anticipated snow. And that is fine with me! We have Mass to attend and then we will pick up some takeout and head home for a cozy Christmassy night by the tree. Before I get cozy, though, I will tackle the pile of ironing I have been avoiding for awhile. I actually don't mind ironing. Once I get started!

Sunday I plan on doing one of my favorite things...writing out our Christmas Cards. It is something I really enjoy, as I find it cozy and comforting to sit at the table with a cup of tea and a pile of cards, slowly thinking of and praying for each recipient. I usually have some Christmas music on, and always have a few helpers too. : )

 I am also planning on putting some beef tips in the Crock Pot for dinner. Beef Tips over egg noodles is one of our favorite comfort foods ever. We will end our weekend with the Holiday Baking Championship then...The Mid Season Finale of The Walking Dead! Which, by the way, is muuuch better this year than last!

Here is a look at the past week here in our country Christmas home...

Last week was the first weekend of December...translation: Time to pull out the Christmas clothes!

We enjoyed some comfort food...

As well as some yummy Christmas cake. : )

We had one of the most wonderful moments in our little homeschool this past week!

You know that moment when your child suddenly "gets it"??

That happened!

Flynn and I were studying Place Value with Base Ten in Math Class...

Suddenly...she looked up at me and said, "I never knew it could be like this! I always thought they were just numbers!"

I was so happy.

And my girl was so proud. : )

Science was all about winter birds here in Pennsylvania.

So we made some festive birdseed decorations...

And hung them outside before the snowflakes flew!

Our Daily Practice this past week was all about Santa's little helpers...the elves.

We read some fun facts about them, and did some arts and crafts too.

Flynn even filled out an application to become an elf!

Flynn has enjoyed our Advent thus far,

                                        

Especially celebrating the feast days of the saints. : )

We enjoyed a movie night...

Frosty's Winter Wonderland.

We also resumed our afternoon tea.

I suppose it should be afternoon tea and cocoa though!

Lastly... so proud of my firstborn!

Madison completed her amazing experience at The Nicci Welsh Makeup Academy this past week!

She is now a licensed professional makeup artist!

So excited for her to begin to do the things she loves.

And...she and Nicolas will be home next week!

Could I bother you for a few prayers for their safe travel?

That's all for now.

Have a wonderful, cozy weekend, my friends.

Thanks for visiting.

A Christmas Manger Cake

Christmas. The time of year when it is perfectly acceptable to have baked goods in your home every single night. It is the perfect time to snuggle in at the end of the day and enjoy a piece of delicious cake and a cup of tea while watching the tree lights twinkle. This recipe is for a simple, yet blissfully yummy cake you can enjoy alone or share with some special friends who drop in for a visit. I posted this a few years ago, but I think it deserves an encore. : )

Manger Cake

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2. 1/4 cup butter
3. 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
4. 2 cups flour
5. 1 1/2 cups sugar
6. 1 1/4 tsp. salt
7. 1 tsp. soda
8. 1 tsp. vanilla extract
9. 1/2 cup shortening
10. 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
11. 2 eggs
12. 1/2 cup chopped very fine walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Generously grease 9x13 inch pan.
3. Melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips. Set aside.
4. Melt butter, then stir in graham cracker crumbs. Let cool.
5. In a larger bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, soda, vanilla, shortening, buttermilk, eggs, and melted chocolate.
6. Blend at low speed until moistened.
7. Beat 3 minutes on medium.
8. Pour into prepared pan.
9. Add walnuts and remaining chocolate chips to cooled crumb mixture.
10. Sprinkle over batter.
11. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
12. Cool, and serve with whipped cream.

                Oh. And we omit the nuts. Because. Kids. : )