Advent

Autumn

Christmas Links to share..

A lovely nativity lapbook

Christmas colouring Pages

Advent School Plans

Week 1

Bible our Jesse Tree

Circle Time

Advent Journal Working in our advent journals: drawings, paintings, narration & copywork

French Adding one of these stickers to our advent journals daily

Phonics Peter & Jane books

Read Aloud One wintry Night

Theme for the week:
Making Christmas Cards
Reading The Cobweb Curtain & making glittery spider web tree decorations & iced spider web cookies!

This is also E's birthday week & the week we go to buy a tree, so lots of busy fun :)

Week 2

Bible our Jesse Tree

Circle Time

Advent Journal Working in our advent journals: drawings, paintings, narration & copywork

French Adding one of these stickers to our advent journals daily

Phonics Peter & Jane books

Read Aloud One wintry Night

Theme for the week:
Making Gifts
Making our gingerbread house & gingerbread people
Collecting boughs, pinecones, holly etc from the local woodland to decorate our home.

Week 3

Bible our Jesse Tree

Circle Time

Advent Journal Working in our advent journals: drawings, paintings, narration & copywork

French Adding one of these stickers to our advent journals daily

Phonics Peter & Jane books

Read Aloud One wintry Night

Theme for the week:
Baking
Making Cinnamon dough ornaments
The Solstice is on Sunday, so we will be learning about the science & folklore of the solstice & having our spiral walk
Decorating the trees in our garden with goodies for the birds.
Drinking Snow Cocoa:

• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 cups half-and-half
• 1 pound white chocolate, chopped
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 8 to 10 vanilla beans
In a saucepan on medium heat, heat the milk and half-and-half to just below the simmering point. Remove the pan from the heat and add the white chocolate. When the chocolate is melted, add the vanilla and whisk vigorously. Reheat very gently and serve with a vanilla bean stirrer in each cup.
(Serves 8-10. From The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook)

Week 4

Bible our Jesse Tree

Circle Time

Advent Journal Working in our advent journals: drawings, paintings, narration & copywork

French Adding one of these stickers to our advent journals daily

Phonics Peter & Jane books

Read Aloud One wintry Night

Theme for the week:
Learning about the role of angels in the Christmas story
Reading some angel story books
Making angel ornaments
Baking Angel Kisses:
 
3 egg whites 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract (opt.)
1 tsp. vanilla 1 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar 3/4 bag semi sweet chocolate morsels

Pre-heat oven to GM 2

In small mixer bowl beat egg whites, vanilla, cream of tartar and peppermint (optional) extract until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beat until stiff peaks form. Then gradually fold in semi sweet chocolate morsels. Drop by teaspoon 1 1/2" apart onto lightly greased cookie sheet, you can sprinkle cookies with colored sugar if desired. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until done. Makes 3 dozen.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:2-6

& praying that the Lord Jesus Christ will give me the loving heart to serve & bless my family & love HIM more than ever.

Our Advent Family Worship

Our Advent Family Worship ~ Each Sunday in Advent

borrowed heavily from Kathy

Advent Week One

Scripture ~ Isaiah 9:2,6
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The Hope (prophecy) Candle (purple)

Themes to discuss
~God keeps His promises
~God promised to send a saviour
~Jesus promised to return


Prayer ~
Lord Jesus, We thank You for being our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father & Prince of Peace. As we enter the Christmas season, give us grace that we may turn away from works of darkness, turn towards Your light. As You sent your messengers the prophets to prepare the way of salvation, may we prepare our hearts to celebrate the dawning of Your everlasting light.
In your name we pray, Amen.


Hymn ~ Away in a Manger



Advent Week Two
Scripture ~ Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Luke 2:1~7
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Love Candle (purple)

Themes to discuss
~God sent Jesus because He loves us
~Jesus came because He loves us
~We show love to God by loving other people.


Prayer ~
Almighty God, You are the Author of history. You created the heavens & the earth, all that is seen & unseen. In the fullness of time, Your Word became flesh & dwelt among us, full of grace & truth.As we look forward to the coming of your Son, please give us hearts to serve, as Jesus would have us serve one another.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.


Hymn ~ O little town of Bethlehem


Advent Week Three

Scripture~ Luke 2:8-20:
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.


The Joy Candle (rose)

Themes to discuss
~Jesus saved us from our sins, which gives us joy
Tree Ornament ~ Bell

Prayer ~
Dear Lord Jesus, There is so much about your birth & life that we do not understand, but we understand enough to be amazed just as the shepherds were. Forgive us for not marvelling more at such a gift; for not pondering this great message in our hearts. Help us to remember You. And help us to notice somebody who needs to be told about Your love for them. give us the courage to spread Your good news.
For the sake of Christ’s Kingdom we pray, Amen

Hymn ~ Silent night


Advent Week Four

Scripture ~ Matthew 2:1-12
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

The Peace Candle (purple)

Themes to discuss
~Jesus brought peace to our hearts
~When He returns He will bring peace to the world

Prayer ~
Heavenly Father, Forgive us for seeking to remove Your presence & influence from our lives today. We confess our rebellion against Your absolute sovereign Lordship, & ask that You would create instead a deep desire for You to rule over us. Enable us to delight in this little child who is now the King of kings, & to show our love for Him through our obedience.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen


Hymn ~ The First Noel

Christmas Eve

Scripture ~ Luke 1:68-69
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David

The Christ Candle (white)

Themes to discuss
~We celebrate because Jesus was born
~We celebrate because Jesus is our King

Prayer ~
O Lord God, Thank you for visiting Your people with salvation. How you have cared for us, as a Shepherd over His sheep, as a Father with His children. Look upon our joy this day as we celebrate the Messiah’s birth, & cause us to honor & serve Jesus, the lover of our souls.
In His precious name we pray, Amen.

Hymn ~ Joy To The World

Week One:
Music
Handel’s Messiah, Part 1, 1-4
Picture Study
William Holman Hunt ~ The Light of The World

Week Two:
Music
Handel’s Messiah, Part 1,5-7
Picture Study The Nativity by Lisa Graa Jensen

Week Three:
Music
Handel’s Messiah, Part 1,8~11
Picture Study ~ Nativity by Stanley Cooke

Week Four:
Music
Handel’s Messiah, Part 1,12
Picture Study ~ Adoration of the shepherds, Rembrandt

Christmas Eve:
Music
Handel’s Messiah, Part 1,13 ~ 17
Picture Study ~The visit of the Wise Men, Zaki Baboun

Our Advent Plans

I have decided to take a break from blogging, & to reduce my internet time, for the Advent season. I hope to keep up the journal of our days by adding photographs regularly.
I am going to post our Advent plans here, more for my own organisation than anything else.
Wishing you all a wonderful Advent & Christmas.
God Bless.

Preparing For The Solstice

Posting this a bit early, but this one is for my lovely friend Jackie

Winter Solstice ~ 22nd December
22nd December marks the solstice—the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere
The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, therefore it crosses the sky in the quickest time which makes this the shortest day of the year. Its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice, hence the origin of the word solstice; which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, "sun" and -stitium, "a stoppage." Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.
Sunshine makes the seasons
You can see the reason for these changes using a globe for the earth & a flashlight for the sun.
Put a sticker on the place where you live on the globe. Turn the globe so that the north pole is tilted away from the flashlight. Turn the globe all the way around & you will see that the sticker is in the light only a short time.The northern half of the earth has short days & long nights. Sunlight does not fall on the north pole. The north pole has its long winter night. It is winter & it is cold.
Keep the globe tilted in the same direction & go partway around the flashlight. Now the light falls on both polls. It is springtime in the north. Days are getting longer. Without changing the direction of the globe, move until you are halfway around the flashlight from where you started. Soon the North Pole will be tilted toward the light. It is summer. As you spin the globe, the sticker is in the light longer than it is in the dark. The northern half of the earth has long days & short nights. The North Pole has its long summer day. It is summer & it is warm. Keep moving around the flashlight. Remember, keep the axis of the globe pointing in the same direction. You’ll see that once again light falls on both the North pole & the South Pole of the globe. It is autumn in the north. The days are getting shorter & cooler too. Keep moving until you come back to winter.

A spiral Walk
In the woodlands or garden, lay out a path, spiraling inwards. Moss & greenery can edge the path & a tall candle in the centre of the spiral. Beautiful stones & rocks can be set in the greenery & stars of gold card line the pathway.

The celebration can begin with a reading of John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Carol singing follows. During the singing, each child approaches the entrance of the spiral path to receive a white candle (or tealight) in a shiny red apple, which they carry toward the centre of the spiral. (Little ones shepherded by a parent or older child) From the centre candle, they take light for their own candle & then proceede outwards, very carefuly until they find a gold star on which to place their own apple & candle.

When all the children have walked the path, serve solstice fairy cakes, star sugar cookies & warm pear juice, or mulled cider. They may take home their apple candle to relight & re-kindle the memories of a special walk.
Solstice fairy cakes - golden representing the (returning) light and chocolate symbolizing the (retreating) dark.


Stir Up Sunday

I began to knit my i-cord last night, which will hopefully make it's way to our Christmas tree. This morning, E decided to french knit a chain for the tree, too. Hmmmm, I wonder whose will be finished first?!? - will have to update with pics tomorrow

I also changed the beds over to flannel today. This usually gets done on Martinmas, but was overlooked this year, but the sudden cold snap prompted the change today, all ready for snuggling up into tonight.

And finally! Stir up Sunday is here! so with our favourite Christmas music playing in the background, we began our baking :)









Well, this has been a very busy day. But, now the children are sleeping, the Christmas cake is baking slowly in the oven. The pudding is resting, ready to be steamed tomorrow & I am about to make myself a cup of chamomile & spiced apple tea, & continue with my i-cord.

To see more about Stir Up Sunday, & find our recipes, see this post

Advent Planning - Part Two - Circle Time

Sharing what will be our daily advent circle time:

Pray:

Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication

Scripture Memorisation:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Devotion:
I decided we will read this same portion of scripture daily, rather than reading from a devotional.

Luke 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Hymn:

Week 1: Away in a manger
Week 2: O little town of Bethlehem
Week 3: silent night
Week 4: The first noel

Poetry Memorisation:

WHAT CAN I GIVE HIM?

by Christina Rossetti
What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part.

Yet what can I give Him?

Give my heart.

Preparing for Advent-Part One-The first Sunday.

I am really enjoying making our Advent plans...the time of preparing our hearts for the birth of Christ, & the longing for his return...

Before I go on to detail our plans, I would like to share with you this podcast from Molly Evert at her blog; counter cultural school
This is a 'must-listen' as far as I am concerned! Very inspiring & full of wisdom.
Preparing Hearts for Christmas

Advent this year will begin on Sunday the 30th of November.
The night before, I will have set up our Jesse Tree on our nature table. The table will have everything removed, & replaced with my ceramic Nativity scene. (minus the Kings, who make their way gradually to the table from my bedroom upstairs...it gets a bit precarious when they are slowly making their way down the staircase! LOL!-they finally arrive on Jan 6th-Epiphany. & of course Jesus is placed in the manger on Christmas morning)
The Jesse Tree will be next to the nativity scene. I am going to use a tree brach cut from the woods near our home. This will be sunk into some pebbles in a glass vase, to keep it nice & steady.
Here are the devotional readings I will be using, plus patterns to print out to make the ornaments. (I will be making as many as i can in felt, the rest, I will simply have the girls colour the paper patterns & keep adding my felt decorations year upon year.

We use an Advent Wreath, which we light before dinner each night during advent. We have a small family advent service each Sunday in advent. I will post the devotions we use for this at a later date.

We will be making a lovely Advent Star Crafts

Discussing our 'Secret Christmas Angels' Each one of us will have a secret partner - another member of the family that throught Advent, we will make a special effort to serve (secretly of course!) & do good deeds for. Our Angels will be revealed on Christmas Eve!

This ties in nicely with our Crib for Jesus We have a small crib for baby Jesus which will be under our Christmas tree. Each time one of the girls does a good or kind act, they can add a piece of straw to the crib to make it comfy for our Lord.

We will all begin our Advent Journals The girls get a fresh one each year, they decorate the cover with old Christmas cards. The girls books come from Myriad. I record any narrations they make, & they draw all their advent themed pictures & ideas in them.
My journal is one I made several years back. I record all sorts of random ideas, lists, thoughts etc, plus prayers & notes from my Bible reading during the Advent season. I have used several different devotionals previously, this is the one I will be using this year.

We will begin reading our Advent chapter book One Wintry Night


The girls will get to play with their own Nativity Set. This is put out on a table for them to enjoy throughout advent. (I must confess to playing with this also!)

And last but not least...we will have our Nativity cake...a dark chocolate bundt cake

Preparing for Stir Up Sunday

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This sunday will be 'Stir Up Sunday' - the traditional day to make Christmas cakes & puddings. Here are the recipes we use - both from Delia Smith

Just remember, you need to prepare the fruit the night before!

Stir Up Sunday ~ the sunday before advent

This custom is thought to have originated, because, on the Sunday before advent, Victorian congregations were exhorted to ‘stir up’ & ‘bring forth good works’ a timely reminder to the women that it was time to prepare their Christmas puddings.
An essential part of this tradition is that all members of the household must take a turn stirring the pudding while making a wish. Finally, stir a lucky coin into the sticky mixture. We can look forward to finding it on Christmas day.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Traditional Christmas Pudding by Delia Smith
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
4 oz shredded suet 2 large eggs
2oz self raising flour 5 fl oz (75 ml) stout
4 oz (110 g) white breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons rum
1 level teaspoon ground mixed spice grated zest 1/2 large lemon
1/4 level teaspoon grated nutmeg grated zest 1/2 large orange
good pinch ground cinnamon 1 small apple, peeled cored & finely chopped
8oz soft dark brown sugar 1 oz almonds, chopped
4 oz sultanas 1 oz candied peel
40z raisins 10 oz currants

You will also need a 2 pint (1.2 litre) pudding basin, lightly greased.
This recipe makes one large pudding in a 2 pint (1.2 litre) basin. If you have any left over it will re-heat beautifully, wrapped in foil, in the oven next day. If you want two smaller puddings, use two 1 pint (570 ml) basins, but give them the same steaming time.
Begin the day before you want to steam the pudding. Take your largest, roomiest mixing bowl and start by putting in the suet, sifted flour and breadcrumbs, spices and sugar. Mix these ingredients very thoroughly together, then gradually mix in all the dried fruit, mixed peel and nuts followed by the apple and the grated orange and lemon zests. Don't forget to tick everything off so as not to leave anything out. Now in a smaller basin measure out the rum and stout, then add the eggs and beat these thoroughly together. Next pour this over all the other ingredients, and begin to mix very thoroughly. It's now traditional to gather all the family round, especially the children, and invite everyone to have a really good stir and make a wish! The mixture should have a fairly sloppy consistency – that is, it should fall instantly from the spoon when this is tapped on the side of the bowl. If you think it needs a bit more liquid add a spot more stout. Cover the bowl and leave overnight.
Next day pack the mixture into the lightly greased basin, cover it with a double sheet of silicone paper (baking parchment) and a sheet of foil and tie it securely with string (you really need to borrow someone's finger for this!). It's also a good idea to tie a piece of string across the top to make a handle. Place the pudding in a steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water and steam the pudding for 8 hours. Do make sure you keep a regular eye on the water underneath and top it up with boiling water from the kettle from time to time. When the pudding is steamed let it get quite cold, then remove the steam papers and foil and replace them with some fresh ones, again making a string handle for easier manoeuvring. Now your Christmas pudding is all ready for Christmas Day. Keep it in a cool place away from the light. Under the bed in an unheated bedroom is an ideal place.
To cook, fill a saucepan quite full with boiling water, put it on the heat and, when it comes back to the boil, place a steamer on top of the pan and turn it down to a gentle simmer. Put the Christmas pudding in the steamer, cover and leave to steam away for 2¼ hours. You'll need to check the water from time to time and maybe top it up a bit.
To serve, remove the pudding from the steamer and take off the wrapping. Slide a palette knife all round the pudding, then turn it out on to a warmed plate. Place a suitably sized sprig of holly on top. Now warm a ladleful of brandy over direct heat, and as soon as the brandy is hot ask someone to set light to it. Place the ladle, now gently flaming, on top of the pudding – but don't pour it over until you reach the table. When you do, pour it slowly over the pudding, sides and all, and watch it flame to the cheers of the assembled company! When both flames and cheers have died down, serve the pudding with rum sauce, or rum or brandy butter.

The Classic Christmas Cake by Delia Smith
Ingredients
1 lb currants
6 oz sultanas
6 oz raisins
2 oz (50 g) glacé cherries, rinsed, dried and finely chopped
2 oz mixed candied peel
3 tablespoons brandy, plus extra for 'feeding'
8 oz plain flour
1/2 level tsp salt
1/4 level tsp grated nutmeg
½ level teaspoon ground mixed spice
8 oz unsalted butter
8 oz soft brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 oz chopped almonds
1 level dessertspoon black treacle
grated zest 1 lemon
grated zest 1 orange

You will also need an 8 inch (20 cm) round cake tin or a 7 inch (18 cm) square tin, greased and lined with silicone paper (baking parchment). Tie a band of brown paper round the outside of the tin for extra protection.
You need to begin this cake the night before you want to bake it. All you do is weigh out the dried fruit and mixed peel, place it in a mixing bowl and mix in the brandy (or orange juice) as evenly and thoroughly as possible. Cover the bowl with a clean tea cloth and leave the fruit aside to absorb the brandy for 12 hours.
Next day pre-heat the ovento gas mark 1.Then measure out all the rest of the ingredients, ticking them off to make quite sure they're all there. The treacle will be easier to measure if you remove the lid and place the tin in a small pan of barely simmering water.
Now begin the cake by sifting the flour, salt and spices into a large mixing bowl, lifting the sieve up high to give the flour a good airing. Next, in a separate large mixing bowl, whisk the butter and sugar together until it's light, pale and fluffy. Now beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add them to the creamed mixture a tablespoonful at a time; keep the whisk running until all the egg is incorporated. If you add the eggs slowly by degrees like this the mixture won't curdle. If it does, don't worry, any cake full of such beautiful things can't fail to taste good! When all the egg has been added, fold in the flour and spices, using gentle, folding movements and not beating at all (this is to keep all that precious air in). Now fold in the fruit, peel, chopped nuts and treacle and finally the grated lemon and orange zests.
Next, using a large kitchen spoon, transfer the cake mixture into the prepared tin, spread it out evenly with the back of a spoon and, if you don't intend to ice the cake, lightly drop the whole blanched almonds in circles or squares all over the surface. Finally cover the top of the cake with a double square of silicone paper with a 50p-size hole in the centre (this gives extra protection during the long slow cooking). Bake the cake on the lowest shelf of the oven for 4½-4¾ hours. Sometimes it can take up to ½-¾ hour longer than this, but in any case don't look till at least 4 hours have passed.
Cool the cake for 30 minutes in the tin, then remove it to a wire rack to finish cooling. When it's cold 'feed' it – make small holes in the top and base of the cake with a cocktail stick or small skewer, then spoon over a few teaspoons of brandy, wrap it in double silicone paper secured with an elastic band and either wrap again in foil or store in an airtight container. You can now feed it at odd intervals until you need to ice or eat it.

Lest We Forget....

They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem
At the going down of the sun, & in the morning we will remember them.


John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.


Remebrance Sunday is always the Sunday nearest to November 11th. This is because the Armistice which sealed the end of the First World War was signed at 11 am on November 1th, 1918 ~ the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The First World War was a very terrible conflict which “put out the lights all over Europe”, saw the deaths of hundreds of thousands of young men, toppled monarchies, ushered in the modern era. People in our country & in the commonwealth who had lost sons & husbands & friends wanted a national commemoration & mourning ~ & so the idea came about of observing two minutes silence annually at the 11th hour on november 11th. The two minutes silence has become part of our national calender, although now it is not observed on the 11th, but on the Sunday nearest to that date.
Some of the bloodiest fighting of World War One took place in the Flanders and Picardy regions of Belgium and Northern France. The poppy was the only thing which grew in the aftermath of the complete devastation.John McCrae, a doctor serving there with the Canadian Armed Forces, deeply inspired and moved by what he saw, wrote these verses:


In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
‘Flanders Poppies’ are worn ~ replicas of those that bloomed on the terrible muddy battlefields in that war. When we wear a poppy it should be to remind us to pray for those who have died in the two World Wars & other conflicts. We need to remember their great sacrifice & thank God for the freedom we have in our country.

Happy Martinmas!

Our lovely Paper lanterns are made, but I have had a panic that they will 1. not be fully dry & 2. not be thick enough to support the weight of the tea light., so, this morning we made glass lanterns.


Simply paste tissue paper squares to old jam jars with watered down white glue, then paint over the whole thing with the glue mix to seal.

We went out for our lantern walk...it was wonderful, if not windy! Activities like this really make me feel like a child again :)
The girls loved walking along with their lanterns & we talked about how our lanterns light the way for us in the dark, just as Jesus lights our way in the world.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12

We came home to eat our stew & horseshoe biscuits, then the girls went up for their bath & 'discovered' a red, tissue wrapped gift for each girl - cosy new PJ's!


Sleepy Heads :)

Preparing for Martinmas

Martinmas ~ November 11th
Saint Martin, the soldier who became bishop
Martin was a native of Pannonia -- in modern-day Hungary -- and his father was very anxious that he should go into the Army. This was in the days of the Roman Empire, and to be an officer in the Imperial Army was a very fine opportunity for any young man.
As a junior officer, he was sent to Gaul -- that wild land of northwest Europe inhabited by the mostly pagan Frankish people. There were some Christian cities where bishops were established and a Christian civilization was beginning to emerge.
Martin was interested in Christianity and tried to find out about it. Its message attracted him, and he started to obey some of its precepts. He earned himself some notoriety by refusing to join in some of the bawdier songs and more outlandish activities of military life. He gave freely to the poor, was kind to his servants, and liked to pray. But he postponed the actual step of Christian baptism.
His first posting was to Rheims, and from there he was sent to Amiens. One bitterly cold night, as he was striding along in uniform, a shivering beggar cried out to him for alms. Martin was warmly dressed in the standard-issue thick purple-and-white cloak that was the hallmark of the Imperial officer. Looking at the beggar, Martin knew what he ought to do. He took off his warm cloak and, using his gleaming sword, sliced it in two. He gave half to the beggar and retained the other half so that he would still be in regulation uniform.
The night, the beggar appeared to Martin in a dream: but as a figure surrounded with shining glory -- Christ Himself, still wearing the half of Martin's cloak. Our Lord reminded Martin of His words in the Gospel: "I was naked and you clothed me ... in as much as you did it to the least of the little ones, you did it to Me".
Martin got himself baptized as a Christian, and when his term of duty was up, he left the army and decided to become a priest. He lived for many years the life of a hermit, and, attracting others to the rule of prayer and meditation that he followed, founded a small monastic community that grew steadily.
In due course, Martin's holiness led him to be chosen as Bishop of Tours, although he didn't want the job. As Bishop, his influence was immense -- he won many from the Druid religion to Christianity, and was a central figure in laying the foundations of Christian France.


Matthew 25:31-40:
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

In former times, especially in the North of England & in Scotland, Martinmas was an occasion for a great feast, because it was the date when beasts were slaughtered so that the meat could be stored for the long winter months ahead. Whole oxen would be roasted & enjoyed & there was much communal merriment.
"Martinmas is an obvious day for some act of charity which will benefit the cold and poor this coming winter."

"A quick spell of warm weather around his feast day is known as "St. Martin's Little Summer" in Europe." (Indian Summer)

Some nice things to do for Martinmas:
Start a family collection for charity.
Begin knitting something warm for someone who needs it.
Bag up clothing to give to the needy.
Change your beds from cotton to flannel.
Surprise your children with new winter pajamas.
Read aloud or re-tell the story of Saint Martin of Tours.
Make lanterns from watercolour paintings & oil, or glass jars & tissue paper...
Have a look at the beautiful lanterns here
Invite friends on a lantern walk at dusk.
Read an article here
Enjoy a special supper for Martinmas with a hot casserole of beef to commemorate the old feasting traditions, served with jacket potatoes & butter.
Winter Beef Stew
• 2 lbs. stewing beef, cubed
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 parsnips, cut in chunks
• 1 large onion sliced
• flour
• Beef stock
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
Combine all ingredients in a slowcooker. Cover. Cook on low for 8 hours. Serves 4-5.
Bake St.Martin's horseshoe cookies
Although St. Martin's life was austere and sober, his day was always celebrated in the Old World manner, with feasting, merriment, and thanksgiving for harvest foods. In Poland rich cookies shaped like horseshoes were baked for St. Martin's snow-white horse, on which he "comes riding through the snow" when one least expects him.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup confectioners' (powdered) sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats, uncooked
DIRECTIONS
Cream butter or margarine; add sugar gradually while continuing to cream; beat until fluffy. Stir in vanilla, flour, and salt. Blend in rolled oats. Roll out about 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut in strips 6 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. On ungreased cookie sheets shape strips to resemble horseshoes. Bake at 325° for 20 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove carefully, as cookies are very rich and break easily.

Ambleside Online : Week Two

Bible:
1)The Fig-Tree--Matt. 21:17-22
2)Authority Challenged--Mat 21:23-27
3)Parable of Two Sons--Matt 21:28-32
4)Wicked Hubandmen Matt 21:15-22
5) Caesar Matt 22:15-22
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Habit
First time obedience

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Circle Time:

Prayer.
We use the ACTS Acrostic for Prayer:

Adoration - Spend time praising the Lord and adoring Him for who he is (Matt. 6:9). Use Scripture to praise Him (see Pss. 103, 145, 150; Rev. 4:8; 5:12-14). Love and cherish His presence and allow Him to work in and through your life (see Matt. 22:32-34). Be still before Him and enjoy His presence (see Ps. 46:10). Use this time to allow God to speak to you through His Word and Spirit (see Pss. 40:1-3; 90:12-17). Praise the Lord by praying scripture or hymns back to Him (see Ps. 84; Rev. 4:8; 5:9-10, 12-13 and "Great is Thy Faithfulness").

Confession - Confession should be a part of your continual walk with Christ (see Matt. 6:9-13). Spend time asking Christ to search your heart for areas that displease Him (see Ps. 139:23-24). Allow God to cleanse your heart of any unconfessed sin (see Ps. 51:10-13). Be sure to spend time confessing and repenting of (turning away from) specific sins (see 1 John 1:9). Accept His forgiveness and cleansing (see Jer. 31:34).

Thanksgiving - Giving thanks for all things should be a part of our everyday lives as God's people (see Phil. 4:6-7). This includes thanking God for specific things such as blessings, people, open doors, guidance, etc. Also give thanks for His salvation and the privilege to serve such a wonderful Savior. Thank Him for his goodness, loving-kindness, and faithfulness (see Ps. 100:4-6).

Supplication - We are called as believers to intercessory prayer (see Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 18:1; Col. 4:2; 1 Tim. 2:1-4). Thus, we are to come before God on behalf of others (see Heb. 10:19-25; Rev. 1:4-6). Spend time praying for specific people, events, states, countries, missionaries, etc. (see Acts 12:5; Rom. 10:1). In addition, spend time praying for personal needs (see Matt. 6:11-13). Make prayer lists for your time of supplication. Be sure to include a place for answers to be recorded. Recorded answers can become items for praise and thanksgiving.

Scripture memorisation Eph 2:8-9 : For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Read a daily devotion from Everything a Child Should Know About God

Hymn: (our favourite) This Is My Father's World

R's learning poster this week, 'G' & '5'

Dolch Words: we recap our previously learned sight words & add 3 more.

Recite: 'Whole Duty of Children' R.L. Stevenson
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penmanship: 'Whole Duty of Children' R.L. Stevenson ~ 1 sentence per day. I use this Denelian worksheet maker
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phonics: Continue box 2 Bob Books
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math: 2 pages per day from Kumon Easy Telling Time
Read Clocks & more clocks
Using our Hundred Board, count 1-100, 10-1, skip count to 100 by 10's
Play number games
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french: 10 mins max per day:
Hello! My name is... ~ Bonjour! Je m'appelle...
What is your name? Comment t'appelles-tu?
How are you? Ça va ?/ Comment ça va ? (formal, plural)
I'm doing well, thank you Ça va bien, merci
Goodbye! Au revoir!
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weekly:

nature study: Continue to make daily observations in our journals. Friday is devoted to nature study, so we will do some more intensive Autumn Study
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art: Look at the dry brush watercolour technique
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music: This is my Father's world & Soldier Soldier Wont You Marry Me?
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handicrafts: A simple version of this felt bookmark
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Artist Study: Continuing our look at clouds in art.
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Composer Study Continuing with Bach
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AO Reading List
Fifty Famous Stories Retold: "Damon and Pythias"; and "A Laconic Answer" (Greek)
Trial and Triumph: chapter 1 "Polycarp Witness in the Arena" (69-155 AD)
Aesop's Fables: "Belling the Cat" (pg. 11 in the Milo Winter version) and "The Eagle and the Jackdaw" (pg. 12 in the Milo Winter version)
Burgess's Bird Book: I will be chosing a chapter relevant to us
Paddle to the Sea: chapter 2
A Child's Garden of Verses: a poem every day

Planning Our Learning With Ambleside Online

After a wonderful first week with AO Yr 1, I have found planning to be a doddle! Previously to changing to AO, I had a huge list to check through for my planning. Now, I Love to plan, so this wasn't a problem. However, I always had a feeling of needing to plan some more! Below is my new 'Planning Checklist' It is a quick checklist, to see what i need to do to prepare for the following week. Not everything on it needs to be done each week (artist & composer study, for example are done six-weekly) It is very quick to work through.

PLANNING FOR AO YR 1

HABIT:
Choose habit, read fro ‘Laying Down The Rails’ & Character Journal.com

BIBLE:
Write out daily verses
Mark in Bible & story Bible

CIRCLE TIME:
Review Scripture
Make new Scripture card if needed.
Choose new hymn if needed
Lift flash cards for Rosie’s poster
Make new dolch words flash cards
Choose new poem if needed

PHONICS
Lift out Bob Books

COPYWORK:
Print new sheets if needed

MATHS:
Lift worksheets
Plan games/stories

FRENCH:
Next phrases to be learned

HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY/NAT> HISTORY?LITERATURE:
Mark AO readings

HANDCRAFTS:
Choose project & lift supplies

ART:
as above


NATURE STUDY:
Review appropriate seasonal chapter in ‘Keeping a nature journal’
Pick out/order any books to supplement

ARTIST TEA
Look on list for next artist
Look up art activity in ‘discovering the great artists’
Choose prints to study (inc one suitable for above activity)
Order books
Choose 5-6 pertinent facts
Print off any needed artwork
Pick up any supplies needed
Plan ‘artist tea’

Composer Study
look on list for next composer
order CD
download to MAC
Make playlist
Check if included in ‘spiritual lives’
Order any needed books
Write up pieces chosen

Family Art Gallery

I recently began the idea of our own 'family gallery'. Nothing grand, as you see, but I had begun collecting stacks of clothes the girls wore when they were younger, that I could not bear to part with. Then I came across the idea of mounting a circle of the fabric in an embroidery hoop & displaying it on the wall. Perfect! (I still have too many items of childrens clothing in my attic, though. But Im working on it!) I have also begun to display special pictures the girls have draw or painted. Their faces light up to see their artwork framed & on the wall! It is such a boost to them, & I love to see their work...& I *know* that, as they get older, how precious it will be to see their first efforts. This is a wall that will grow...& spread. I love it!

Teaching nature study

Free Audio from Childlight

Guy Fawkes Night

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.

By God's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!

After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, English Catholics who had been persecuted under her rule had hoped that her successor, James I, would be more tolerant of their religion. James I had, after all, had a Catholic mother. Unfortunately, James did not turn out to be more tolerant than Elizabeth and a number of young men, 13 to be exact, decided that violent action was the answer.A small group took shape, under the leadership of Robert Catesby. Catesby felt that violent action was warranted. Indeed, the thing to do was to blow up the Houses of Parliament. In doing so, they would kill the King, maybe even the Prince of Wales, and the Members of Parliament who were making life difficult for the Catholics. To carry out their plan, the conspirators got hold of 36 barrels of gunpowder - and stored them in a cellar, just under the House of Lords. Guy Fawkes was given the job to keep watch over the barrels of gunpowder & to light the fuse. On the morning of November 5th 1605, soldiers discovered Guy hidden in the cellar & arrested him. The trail of gunpowder would never be lit.On the very night that the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King. Since then, November 5th has become known as Bonfire night. The event is commemorated every year with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.