:: New Day Giveaway ::

This morning we awoke to a beautiful sight.  There was horror frost on all the trees,  branches and brush...creating a world right out of a story book.  During our walk with the 'littles', it was hard  not to walk with our necks cranked back, gazing at the wonderful, icy, crystal branches.

It is such a relief to feel the weather warm up a little...sunny, prairie winters can be glorious when the temperature is as it was today....A couple of days ago, it was -23 with a crazy wind chill - just running to and fro from the family vehicle, I wind-burnt my ear....it wasn't too bad.

Twenty-Ten....It feels weird to say!

Hip Hip Hooray FOR a Brand New Day....

 I have high hopes for this year and many new year's resolutions.  Like every year I hope to be MORE organized, a little more simplified.....presently there are about 6 garbage bags full, and several boxes to giveaway - hooray - for each decluttering accomplishment....and as I type this I am QUITE glad that you do not see the desk top beside me :) 

One of this year's NEW things for me, is being introduced to network marketing.  I'll admit besides the fact that most network marketing companies truly have superior products (Norwex, Miessence, Usana and a million others), I did not have the most optimistic view of them....my feelings have changed.  We are still 100-mile-diet-folks, as I've mentioned in the past.  While the concept of paying households instead of the big-bad-box-stores is a really significant thought to me.  I'm thinking the bad rap that network marketing companies may have, comes from the "hard sales" pitches and the 'you'll make a million dollars' takes.  Like many other stay at home mamas helping the household along, with a little other income here and a little other income there, helps us all accomplish our family dreams a little sooner.  If you haven't already, come and join my ethical chocolate giveaway, it closes midnight January 15th. 

~

 Blessings to all and to all a GoodNight!

Live Nativity; bringing perspective

To say that the last couple of weeks have been busy would be an understatement.  Dear husband has been working around the clock towards a good cause.  Bethlehem Live is in it's third year running, with 400 some volunteers and 100's and 100's of hours!

Herod's palace is often my children's favorite stop - the scariest for some young ones.  My innovative husband found some left over rundown set from the movie, "Shall we dance" - in the free classifieds....sorry I did not get a photo of it.

It may be a little difficult to make out - BUT - here is a limited edition;  The last tour of the weekend is often the goofy tour, and so this scene was graced by a pillow fight between King Herod (played by Chiropractor friend, Herod history expert) AND the Magi!

The market place was a little dim, thus my phone photos!  The smell of spices fills the air.

The live animals are always a great hit; sheep, llamas (were there  Llamas in Bethlehem?), chickens, a pony, a calf, a bunny, and faithful Molly the donkey....

....this may be a little hard to make out - this chicken layed an egg in this basket while being carried around during the last tour.

Just over 5000 people of all ages and walks of life visited our little "Bethlehem"...It was amazing how many folks teared up when they arrived at the manger scene to see a new baby child.  The amazing story is that the family who played the characters of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus,  were regular tourists in the previous Bethlehem Live - and as a result of their experience last year, made dramatic spiritual changes in their lives!This is probably my favorite photo of all, taken with my modest phone!  Retired angels - after hours of standing, singing, singing, brief sitting, standing, singing, singing, standing, they gather their possesions for retirment from angel choir work until next year!

Last week, was also the week of my first car accident - a little bit of whiplash and car/mental/emotional wreckage; it wasn't bad AT ALL - just shocking, and a little frustrating.  I'm just glad we are all ok! 

In light of that, things that warm me lately  (Not in any particular order) :

1. My 7m baby's 3 1/2 teeth smile and laugh

2. My 2 1/2 yr. son's heart felt gratitude and the little prayers he prays

3. 5yr. Daughter's songs, dramatic play and the quiet moments beside her crocheting

4. My husbands kisses on my forehead

5. The breath of my infant sleeping beside me at night

6. Melted healthy chocolate in some cream or milk for a thick, rich hot dark drink

7. Curling my daughters (already curly) hair in rags, and seeing her bouncy ringlettes

8. The new, thoughtful, heartwarming magazine, The Rhythm of the Home...Speaking of which they are haveing a giveaway!  Which I would LOVE to win!

Have a lovely warm weekend - and I don't mean temperature wise!

Juggling for Mothers 101 AND Upcoming posts

The title of my post is a little deceptive, as it may construe that I have some answers on multi-tasking for mothers....I can not offer too much advice in this area, as it is an area of constant  growth, maturity and immaturity,  in my life. 

As a little girl I never could decide what I wanted to be when I grew up.  When asked, I usually answered with about 5 different titles and career options.  In university I started out in classical music (who was a kidding - imagine me an Opera singer, or an elementary school conductor - oh - the irony is that I never spent a day in my life playing in a school/class band!)....and then after a year or so of that, I moved back to my first love which was dance - not ballet - one could never do that; skipping back and forth (no pun intended) - but modern dance is more forgivable and abounding in more creativity than classical ballet....I'm getting to my point, one day a well meaning friend said, "Patty-Jean, you've got to pick one thing and stick with it - if you really want to become an expert!"  This idea horrified me, with the possibility of being bored.  Boredom was my worst enemy and my biggest fear, in those days.  I wrote a song about it called, 'I hate being bored'.  And yet how I would just LOVE to be bored at times today!!!!!  Sigh, imagine all the creativity that could happen in the time of boredom!

One person says "don't put your eggs all in one basket" and another says, diversify! diversify!  Confusing.  But, I do have to say that I LOVE Variety! 

I LOVE LOVE crafting for my family and for gifts!!! I hope to be that Prov. 31 Woman who creates loveliness for her household and home. And yet I'm not sure if making and selling is for me?! (Etsy ;()....It's like the first time I was invited to a Stampin Up party.....my heart stopped beating for a minute when I found out that we were all going to make the SAME card.  Don't get me wrong we need these kinda folks...

So today I feel like I am juggling...and dancing and trying to fit it all in.  It is only 3 classes a week that I teach -  I love to keep my foot in the door, while Mothering is #1 for me.  Schooling at home is important too!  Eating healthy and traditional -making yogurt and other concoctions is wise too.  And as much as I was NOT looking for a business, I think one came and found us - who cannot part with chocolate - I sure can't!  And what is better than chocolate?  Why the healthiest chocolate in the world!  Anyways, it is not my desire to turn this into a sales pitch!

Some of my thoughts for upcoming posts:

-My lovely stash from Vintage Swap (once I get some better photos)

-Laundry Detergent Recipes (suggested by Nan)

-Kombucha tutorial (suggested by Garden Mama - with the change in weather my brew has changed, so I'm in the process of herding my scoobie)

-Chocolate of course, and the health of it

-Marketing for dummies like me :)

-Remembering Nikki

-Lilian's Gravy Tutorial

-Chocolate Wrapper Initiative

P.S. I do love suggestions for future posts!

Have a lovely week!