What I Wore Wednesday...

I am waiting (very impatiently!) for my summer skirts to arrive from Land's End... Simple skirts are my perfect summer uniform!

Rain...

The rain is raining all around,
It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

Bonnet Tip to Bethgem for the poetry.

Our Copy is on it's Way...

For all orders, please contact father Peter Shashkoff.
fr.petershashkoff@yahoo.com

Sewing the Cloths for Pentecost...

On Monday, three other ladies and I worked on the green cloths for Pentecost (which is this coming Sunday for Orthodox Christians). Two of the women cut and sewed and two of us ironed the seams. It was my first time to be part of such a large project, and I have a lot of interest in getting some further instruction in sewing!

The Great Debaters...

Fr John and I had the opportunity to watch The Great Debaters this afternoon and enjoyed it very much! The story was wonderful and the costumes and set were fantastic! It is not for young viewers, but it would be a great date night movie for you to rent this week.

A Good Sign?

Fr John got word yesterday that the owner of the home we put a bid in for has already sent all the paperwork to the bank. We have been through this process before with a house we opted out of and just getting the paperwork to the bank took over six weeks! I am hoping that this means that there is a good chance we will get this one!

Hopefully we aren't counting our chickens before they hatch, but we've pulled the decorating books off the the shelves to look at possible paint colors! With all neutral furniture, we can put some color on the walls without it getting too crazy or expensive. I am loving this green for the reading room and a shade or tow lighter for the dining room.

Easy Garland...

I love the idea of having a garland to use to decorate for birthdays and other celebrations but don't know how to sew (something to remedy, that's for sure!!). I found this great ribbon garland idea in the June 2009 issue of Parents magazine and loved it! It was a quick craft to make and can easily be done in different colors. Next time, I'd like to try using different widths of ribbon.

Prayers for Bethany and Baby James...

Bethany of The Apple Cider Mill gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday. James has some breathing problems and was admitted to the hospital the next day. Please pray for their family!

Fun Outside...

We've been getting back in the swing of things since our Memorial Day weekend trip and Sugar Plum's birthday. It has been so wonderful to sit outside with a yummy snack, books (Curious George Goes to the Hospital again and again), and the babies (actually, they are more like children now) and enjoy the warm sun. I have to remember to have our snacks outside more frequently... it's less mess in the kitchen and more fun!

Three!!

Birthday Cakes for the Three-Year-Old...

Our daughter was very fortunate to celebrate her birthday for several days before her actual birthday. We started the week out with a birthday coffee hour, had parties with both sides of the family, and finished up with a party for the four of us on the 26th. What a wonderful way to celebrate!

Sunday's Coffee Hour Cake

Ice Cream Cake from Grandfather

Nana's Homemade Strawberry Cake (the cake Sugar Plum specifically requested!)

Black Midnight Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Memorial Day at Saint Tikhon's...

Procession to the Pavilion Church

Entering the church

Our Beloved Bishop Tikhon

Venerating the the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God

The Bell Tower

On Monday, May 25th, members of the Mission traveled to St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery in South Canaan, PA, for the annual Memorial Day Pilgrimage.

Following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan Jonah, there was a memorial service in which we especially remembered those who gave their lives in service to America. After lunch, we venerated the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God and participated in an Akathist to St. Alexis of Wilkes-Barre, PA. Then we visited the museum dedicated to Orthodoxy in America and the St. Tikhon's Bookstore. Finally, before departure, there was a healing service with annointing of oil.

Birthday Coffee Hour...

This past Sunday, we signed up for coffee hour in honor of Sugar Plum who turned three on the 26th of May. She chose to serve a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting, cheese, pepperoni, crackers and watermelon. That watermelon smelled so good!

Stars and Stripes Memorial Day Carnival...

We are fortunate to live near a community that tries to encourage the arts and a sense of community in not only its residents, but also in the surrounding area. During the summer months, they have tons of performances and things for little ones to enjoy! We found out about it late last summer, but I plan to take full advantage this summer - especially because everything is FREE and less than a two minute drive from our house (it would be a wonderful walk, but it is off of a very busy street!).

A juggler on stilts

Carousel rides

Making bookmarks for the troops

Smiley face painting

Doggie painting

Skits, live music, and show tunes

Rocket Ship Slide

Circus Bounce House and Slide

Strawberries and Toads...

With gorgeous weather finally here, we've been outside as much as we can! Yesterday, we brought home more strawberries from a U-Pick farm than we can ever eat (fortunately, we have coffee hour this weekend!) and enjoyed hunting for toads in the grass.

Home Sweet Home?

Fr. John and I found a house we like! We saw this one a few months ago and liked it. Our second time through was today and we realized that we love it (especially after the 30K price reduction!)! Though it is in a development, it's on a large lot with lots of mature trees, a small patio, sandbox and tire swing. There is room for another swing or two (perfect for our swing-loving little ones) and it is located right off the main street of a small town... in walking distance of the library! We put in a bid, but probably won't hear for awhile because it is a short sale. Please pray for us!

Gray and black facade... my favorite!

Family room, eat-in kitchen, and island.

Kitchen... I love the window over the sink!

Dining Room

Living Room - we'd use this as our Reading Room.

Steps and foyer

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Bedroom

Bedroom or Office