Revolutionary War unit study Monday, Mar 31 2008

      Ever since I read Cay’s book "A Picture Perfect Childhood,"  I have fallen in love with many incredible picture books, which I never would have known about, had I not bought it this past year. Just take a look at my sidebar and you’ll see a few of our favorites from the past few months.

      Right now we’re reading about the Revolutionary War. We first got interested in this subject while reading about George Washington and by going to his boyhood home. The first book we read was George Washington’s Teeth. The kids really enjoyed this book and thought it was pretty funny. Unfortunately, poor Mr. Washington suffered a lot because of his teeth. The boys read George Washington’s Breakfast on their own, and Joseph wants to make hoe cakes for breakfast. The recipe actually sounds very good. I can’t wait to make them. I’ll have to read this to Angela sometime before I take it back to the library.

      Last week we read Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George? , Who’s That Stepping on Plymouth Rock?, and Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?, the latter being my favorite of the three. The illustrations are very cute. These were all written by Jean Fritz. This week we’re going to read The Hatmaker’s Sign, And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? and Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?. I’m sure we’re going to enjoy the last two as much as the other Jean Fritz books.

      I also got a chapter book for the boys called Mr Revere and I. Last year Joseph read Ben and Me, and he loved it. I think they’re going to enjoy this one as well. I’m looking forward to reading a few other picture books, like Samuel’s Choice, Sleds on Boston Common: A Story from the American Revolution, Katie’s Trunk, They Called Her Molly Pitcher and When Washington Crossed the Delaware.

I’m sure there are many great books out there on this topic and I would love to hear about them. Feel free to email me if you have any suggestions.

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What’s that hanging from my ceiling?! Monday, Mar 31 2008

It’s an upside down tomato planter. And it’s hanging in our kitchen above our table. I just wish I would have thought about putting the pancakes away and not leaving them on the table after my husband watered the plant ; ) I don’t really mind having it in the kitchen. But, he did promise that as soon as it gets warm, he’ll be hanging it outside.

My very creative husband made this after reading about it on line this weekend. He gathered together some things we had lying around, like chicken wire, mesh fabric and an empty container of milk and bought the chain and hook for hanging it up. He went to the garden center and bought a tomato plant and some moisture control potting soil and put this together in a matter of minutes. I think it turned out very well.

You can find instructions on how to make your own containers here, here and here . You can also purchase them here.

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What’s that hanging from my ceiling?! Monday, Mar 31 2008

It’s an upside down tomato planter. And it’s hanging in our kitchen above our table. I just wish I would have thought about putting the pancakes away and not leaving them on the table after my husband watered the plant ; ) I don’t really mind having it in the kitchen. But, he did promise that as soon as it gets warm, he’ll be hanging it outside.

My very creative husband made this after reading about it on line this weekend. He gathered together some things we had lying around, like chicken wire, mesh fabric and an empty container of milk and bought the chain and hook for hanging it up. He went to the garden center and bought a tomato plant and some moisture control potting soil and put this together in a matter of minutes. I think it turned out very well.

You can find instructions on how to make your own containers here, here and here . You can also purchase them here.

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What’s that hanging from my ceiling?! Monday, Mar 31 2008

It’s an upside down tomato planter. And it’s hanging in our kitchen above our table. I just wish I would have thought about putting the pancakes away and not leaving them on the table after my husband watered the plant ; ) I don’t really mind having it in the kitchen. But, he did promise that as soon as it gets warm, he’ll be hanging it outside.

My very creative husband made this after reading about it on line this weekend. He gathered together some things we had lying around, like chicken wire, mesh fabric and an empty container of milk and bought the chain and hook for hanging it up. He went to the garden center and bought a tomato plant and some moisture control potting soil and put this together in a matter of minutes. I think it turned out very well.

You can find instructions on how to make your own containers here, here and here . You can also purchase them here.

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What’s that hanging from my ceiling?! Monday, Mar 31 2008

It’s an upside down tomato planter. And it’s hanging in our kitchen above our table. I just wish I would have thought about putting the pancakes away and not leaving them on the table after my husband watered the plant ; ) I don’t really mind having it in the kitchen. But, he did promise that as soon as it gets warm, he’ll be hanging it outside.

My very creative husband made this after reading about it on line this weekend. He gathered together some things we had lying around, like chicken wire, mesh fabric and an empty container of milk and bought the chain and hook for hanging it up. He went to the garden center and bought a tomato plant and some moisture control potting soil and put this together in a matter of minutes. I think it turned out very well.

You can find instructions on how to make your own containers here, here and here . You can also purchase them here.

Comments Off on What’s that hanging from my ceiling?!

 

What’s that hanging from my ceiling?! Monday, Mar 31 2008

It’s an upside down tomato planter. And it’s hanging in our kitchen above our table. I just wish I would have thought about putting the pancakes away and not leaving them on the table after my husband watered the plant ; ) I don’t really mind having it in the kitchen. But, he did promise that as soon as it gets warm, he’ll be hanging it outside.

My very creative husband made this after reading about it on line this weekend. He gathered together some things we had lying around, like chicken wire, mesh fabric and an empty container of milk and bought the chain and hook for hanging it up. He went to the garden center and bought a tomato plant and some moisture control potting soil and put this together in a matter of minutes. I think it turned out very well.

You can find instructions on how to make your own containers here, here and here . You can also purchase them here.

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Woo Hoo!!! Monday, Mar 31 2008

Another little blessing for a dear friend, Margaret. Please keep Margaret and her baby in your prayers.

O Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Your tender Mother, Our Lady of La Leche, who bore You close to her heart during those long months before Your birth, I place my baby and myself entirely in Your Hands. Free me, I beseech You, from useless and consuming worry. Accept the sacrifice of my aches and pains, which I unite to Your sufferings on the Cross. Above all, most merciful and loving Jesus, protect this child You have given to me from all harm, bestowing the health and vigor every baby needs. Implant in my heart and on my lips the words and prayers of Your Mother and mine, our Lovely Lady of La Leche. All this I ask that my child and I may live to praise forever Your Holy Name. Amen.

This is a 3-D image of a 9 week old baby.

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Thursday, Mar 27 2008

Laughing Baby

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Happy 12th birthday Thursday, Mar 27 2008

to our beautiful little girl, Cecilia. We love you very much. You are such a sweet, loving girl. You bless our lives every day.

 

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Handmade Brown Scapulars Tuesday, Mar 25 2008

    Ever since I read a booklet called Garment of Grace about 15 years ago, I have been wearing a brown scapular. I do take it off for showers. I’ve had a scapular on during my last 6 deliveries. It makes me feel close to our Blessed Mother, knowing she’s right there with me. Once you read the booklet, you probably won’t take off your scapular either. Here is an excerpt from the booklet:

Garment of Grace recalls several outstanding miracles attributed to the Brown Scapular and quotes the saints and popes recommending the scapular. It explains what a scapular is, how it is to be worn, the benefits received and more. It also gives a brief history of the scapular and St. Simon Stock.

    I’ve purchased many scapulars through the years, because they just don’t seem to last very long. I think we replace them at least twice a year. The cord is not strong enough, or it’s not attached with enough thread to keep the Scapular from breaking off the cord. We have a box full of broken scapulars and rosaries, and someday I hope to dispose of them properly. You can also do this with them. So, when I found out some women from our parish had been making Brown Scapulars for a few years, I decided to learn how to make them and I purchased enough brown scapular supplies from one of them to make 12 scapulars. I made one for my husband and for myself almost two years ago and so far, they are still intact. It’s taken me this long, but I’m finally going to make the kids scapulars for Easter. I still have 47 days left, right? : )

I didn’t want to purchase so much braided cord, because of the cost and the amount of cord that comes in the bolt, so I went to the craft store and bought crocheting thread to use as the scapular cord and I’m making a single crochet stitch about 24 inches in length for my husband’s scapular and about 20 inches for the kids’ scapulars. That seems to be about the right length for them. The ones you purchase seem to be too long, and I usually end up tying a knot on one end. I’m not sure if I’ll make one for Angela, since she’s only five years old. I get nervous about the scapulars choking the kids in the middle of the night, so I’ll probably make her one for her and save it as a gift for her first Holy Communion.

The next step in making the scapulars is to lay the brown wool on a table and cut a strip of 1 3/4 inches wide. You get one yard of 100% brown wool for $14.95. The wool comes pre-cut in strips of 9 1/2 X 24 inches. You’re able to fit six scapular pictures across it, which is exactly how many scapulars I’m making. There is just enough room in between each scapular to cut around each picture.

Next, I cut pieces of Heat’n Bond Ultra Hold Iron-On Adhesive smaller than the scapular pictures and place them on the brown wool and iron them on, paper side up. You can also find this at the craft store.

    After peeling off the paper, I place the cord on the adhesive and put the scapular pictures on the cord and wool and iron all the pieces together.

    Finally, I cut around the wool and scapular pictures and hand sew overhand stitches around the scapulars, making sure the cord is firmly in place. That’s all there is to it. The hardest part is the overhand stitching. That also took the longest. I’ll be so thrilled to see the kids wearing their brown scapulars.

Here are some other scapular suppliers:

Lay Carmelite and Scapular Center

Mary Immaculate Queen Center

St. Michael’s World Apostolate

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!

Saint Simon Stock, pray for us!

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