Recent Posts Tagged With 'holidays'

• Our Jesse Tree

  Posted on Thursday December 10th, 2009 at 02:39 in holidays

  We gather sticks from the fallen tree. One girl in pajamas and slippers and coat runs back inside. The boy breaks a branch. The littlest girl holds her prized stick high. The parade goes indoors to find a pottery vase. We rummage around in boxes, the...

• In Case You’re Looking for Thanksgiving Ideas…

  Posted on Tuesday November 24th, 2009 at 00:07 in holidays, noteworthy

  I’ve been in denial about winter holidays. I’m still reeling from skipping a whole season. It was fall when I left Texas. It’s winter here. Seriously. With cold and snow and everything. I even bought an ice scraper. I’d comple...

• One Birthday Tradition

  Posted on Sunday October 11th, 2009 at 13:46 in holidays, homemaking

  I chose one thing. One birthday tradition we all enjoy. Today it pulls me from bed before the sun. Usually I create at night after the children plod to their beds, but last night I fell asleep in the arms of my husband. He came home just in time. His...

• Love Overcame Death

  Posted on Monday April 13th, 2009 at 02:22 in holidays, renewal

  Love overcame death! My mind reels at the idea. I cannot recover. The invisible, internal churning grasps for the truth of the unseen. If angel wings brush the heavens, do they create light on this floating globe? Astonished women caught a glimpse at...

• Tasting the Bitter Herbs

  Posted on Friday April 10th, 2009 at 04:01 in holidays, good friday, renewal, passover

  She stands tall lifting her red plastic cup high overhead. Little eyes sparkle and she tries to follow the words, Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe… She sips the juice and plops down on her pillow. Table spread before her. C...

• Noteworthy Links: Lent Reflections Edition

  Posted on Sunday March 1st, 2009 at 01:13 in holidays, Lent, renewal, noteworthy

  Focused reflections began this week. Simple acts are bringing meaning to conversations. A few questions reveal my youngest doesn’t understand Easter. She knows of Jesus’ birth, but gathering colorful eggs overshadows the resurrection. I ...

• FREE Gift: Lent Activities for the Family

  Posted on Wednesday February 25th, 2009 at 00:01 in holidays, ebook, Announcements, Lent

  Normally, links will only be posted on the weekend, but this item is applicable now. Miiko Gibson compiled a list of family activities for Lent as a gift to you. The tradition of Lent is not practiced in my church, but I need to examine my heart and...

• Finally Sharing Links: Valentine’s Day Edition

  Posted on Thursday February 12th, 2009 at 00:01 in holidays, valentine's day

  I share links on Twitter and save links on Delicious, but rarely post them here. I found a new tool to help change that. Tumblr makes it easy to note interesting sites. Delicious is still my favorite site for organizing links, but my collection tends...

• When Circumstances Squeeze Wish Lists

  Posted on Tuesday December 23rd, 2008 at 17:19 in holidays, journal, renewal

  Sneaking down the hall, I was astonished to see my parents arranging bows on two bicycles. I convinced myself they were only helping Santa Claus and scurried back to bed. No wonder the ironing board behind my bedroom door tormented. The clothes hangi...

• Considering Christmas

  Posted on Thursday December 18th, 2008 at 02:35 in holidays, journal

  My son’s pencil scratched the page of his penmanship book. Cursive challenged. Pencil flew. I noticed the fury and said, Son, please slow down. Pencil continued to scrawl. Words joined the bustle, Mom, I want to hurry, so I can take time to col...

• Please Join Me at Heart of the Matter

  Posted on Monday December 15th, 2008 at 02:06 in holidays, journal

  An excerpt from my new post at Heart of the Matter, Searching for Snow Globes As a child I was enamored by snow globes. Whether cheap plastic toys with a blue background or glass orbs over intricate designs, I gazed wistfully into the magical miniatu...

• ‘Tis the Season- Ideas to Celebrate

  Posted on Sunday November 30th, 2008 at 23:31 in holidays, blogging, homeschool

  Presents hide in the closet and wish lists grow with advertisements. But wrapped boxes under a lighted tree aren’t where I want our focus to be. I want my family to reflect on the liturgy of the season, traditions reminding our forgetful souls...

• Simple Lessons for Thanksgiving

  Posted on Tuesday November 25th, 2008 at 23:58 in holidays, homeschool

  My parents meandered down from Idaho for the holidays. The time treasured, three years to make up. Lessons pause, yet squirm in my mind. Thanksgiving is tomorrow; the Pilgrims still haven’t spoken. That will change as we enjoy our own Thanksgiv...

• I’m Over Here Today

  Posted on Wednesday July 2nd, 2008 at 08:37 in holidays, carnivals

  My first article for Heart of the Matter Online has been published. Read The Hope of Liberty here. What are your plans for celebrating America’s 232nd birthday? (My son figured that out for me.) Beverly included some interesting links to ass...

• 7 Things I Learned in the Church Nursery

  Posted on Tuesday March 25th, 2008 at 23:07 in holidays, renewal

  Easter Sunday I narrated the story of Jesus’ resurrection to five little children. Leaning forward, I whispered, What did Mary find in the tomb? A fidgeting boy blurted, A dinosaur! Not quite the answer I expected. Church seems to last longer ...