Charming the Birds from the Trees

Tuesday, November 10

Commitment to Loveliness: No. 51...

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week:

1. Plant bulbs so we have lots of flowers in the spring.
2. Store bath toys in a way that is functional for the children, but but also beautiful.
3. Take a family walk at the State Park
4. Celebrate St. Martin's Feastday on November 11th
5. Take the time to pluck eyebrows!

Once you have chosen five simple things, post them on your blog and let us know in the comments section. If you do not have a blog, but have a commitment to share, please post them in the comments section.

Sunday, November 8

Thanksgiving Dinner, Part One...

BLT Dip

Chili Cheese Dip

The Grown-up's Table

The Children's Table

Sugar Plum Digging In

Little Man's Plate

Birthday/Namesday Pumpkin Pie for Uncle Nectarios

Flan

Chocolate Cheesecake

Wednesday, November 4

Peter and the Wolf...

For many months now, Peter and the Wolf can be heard from our car's cd player each time we venture out. Recently, we were out browsing in a bookstore near the ocean and came across the book, translated by Maria Carlson. PBS also put out an animated version of the story awhile ago. I watched it tonight on YouTube and found it to be quite good! Please preview it before allowing your little ones to watch it though. They might be scared during some parts!

Tuesday, November 3

Living and Learning for November...

Faith

Archangel Michael

St Nectarios

Saint Martin

Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos

Kursk Root Icon

Homemaking

Purchase last bits of warm clothing for the cold weather

Plan for our Thanksgiving Feast with my in-laws on the 8^th

Set up Reading Room

Plan Cleaning List for Nativity Fast

Plant Bulbs

Buy Pansies

Feather the nest with down blankets for the beds, warm throws for the living room, pajamas and slippers, candles, slippers and a stock of teas and cocoa

Read Alouds

Henry and Mudge Books

Themes

Stars

Winter Beds

Turkeys

Thanksgiving

Laura Ingalls Wilder Books (My First Little House)

Rituals

Establish a Firm Evening Routine for After Dinner: A Craft, Games or Puzzles, Bathtime, Prayers, Books, and Bed

Special Days

2^nd Full Frosty/Beaver Moon

9^th Uncle Nick’s Namesday and Birthday

11^th Veterans Day

17^th National Bread Baking Day

20^th Uncle Gregory’s Namesday

26^th Thanksgiving

Goals

Plan for The Tree of Jesse Lesson Block

Little Man’s Namesday, St Nicholas Day, Little Man’s Birthday, and Nativity Gift Planning and Buying

Learning

Practice Being Still and Quiet during Prayers and Services

Singing – “Our Father”

The Sign of the Cross for Little Man

Tidying up Toys after Play

Tidying the floor after meals using the dust buster

Nature table scene and book basket

Visit the State Park

Watercoloring

Go to Story Hour Weekly

Messy Art at the Local Bookstore

Lacing Cards

Caring for Our Fish

The Tree of Jesse – Christmas Preparation

Thanksgiving Vacation Fun (?)

Sunday, November 1

Saint Michael's Day Party...

Today, the Sunday between Halloween and the Feast of Archangel Michael and the Bodiless Powers, a St. Michael's Party was held for the children of our parish.

Each child dressed up as an angel or saint, and the adults of the parish had to guess who they were dressed as. The children dressed as angels, St. George, St. Peter the Aleut, and St. Alexandra the Royal-Martyr.

Then Fr. John carved a "Christian Pumpkin" with a special lesson on how God carves out the bad stuff in us called sin and replaces it with His light. The pumpkin has eyes shaped like the Cross, a triangular nose to represent the Holy Trinity, and a smile because we we are filled with God's grace we become truly happy.

I apologize for the awful pictures! I was distracted today and didn't do a great job... the ones I took of Sugar Plum were terrible, so she posed for me at her table when we got home from church... note the bedraggled hair minus a halo!