The Costumes of Downton Abbey...

  
This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of taking a day trip with some friends to see an exhibit of some of the costumes that are used in the drama, Downton Abbey.  They were simply lovely and I had such a good time visiting with friends and looking at all the beautiful details of these special garments.  It was a wonderful and memorable day!

Papa's Day...

 

...to all fathers, step-fathers, godfathers, grandfathers, fathers-in-law, and priests!

Reading...

Doll cookery is not a very exacting art.  The time it takes to cook a casserole depends on how long your dolls are able to sit at table without falling over.  And if a recipe calls for a cupful of something, you can use a measuring cup, or a teacup, or a buttercup.  It doesn't much matter.  What does matter is that you select the best ingredients available, set a fine table, and serve with style."

Mud Pies and Other Recipes

 Marjorie Winslow

The Metropolitan Museum of Art...

We were able to tag along with Father John on a work trip this past week and this afternoon we got to go to The Met!  It was wonderful, and though we were a bit worried that the children wouldn't be too interested, they enjoyed it.  The highlight for them was the armor (followed closely by the the Egyptian collection) and Father John's favorite was the Byzantine exhibit.  I was thrilled to find that they had a special exhibition:  The Pre-Raphaelite Legacy:  British Art and Design. 

Nine...

Happy ninth anniversary to my beloved better half!

Yarn Along: Jenny and the Cat Club...

Though we've read it a million times before, we have begun Jenny and the Cat Club again.  We're trying a new New York Review Children's Book every week during the summer, and last week's pick was Jenny's Birthday Book.  It was such a nice little story and it reminded us how much we love that shy little black cat!

I finished up my Seashore Cowl on Monday and immediately cast onto a Baby Fern Washcloth.  I began learning how to knit by making washcloths and we still use the ones that I made two years ago.  They are starting to show their wear, so I bought a huge cone of Peaches and Creme and cast on.  I hope that I have the stamina to knit a huge pile of these...  they are so beautiful!

The Beginning of the Week...

I finished up my Seashore Cowl and just have to block it and tuck in a few ends.  I really like it, but it is so muggy here that I can't really wear it yet.  I may have to wait until autumn.  I've started a new project and will share it with you tomorrow!

It began pouring buckets this afternoon and I encouraged the little ones to play in the rain.  I sat on the porch swing and took a couple of pictures while they wandered around.  The boys worked on a waterfall creation and Sugar Plum walked through puddles.  They got chilly about an hour in and so we went in for a warm bubble bath and dinner.  

We are gearing up for a lot of fun the rest of this week...  Father John has a special work project going on and it is our ninth wedding anniversary on Thursday!  I can't wait!

Festal Learning Basket: Pentecost...

Books
The Feast of Pentecost
Pentecost (The Children's Bible Reader, Pages 268 - 269)

Activities
Wear outfits in shades of green to liturgy
Bring flowers and greenery to church to hold during Kneeling Vespers.
Decorate family icon corners with greenery.
Sing the Troparion of the Feast for the prayer before meals.
Display the Pentecost Icon on your feastday shelf. If you don't have one, print a coloring page!
Serve green foods (my husband says with fiery hot sauce!) for lunch and dinner. 

Make a cake or cupcakes for dessert with strawberries and candles

Favorite Things: Flowers by My Bed...

Several months ago, I bought this little vase on a whim (I think that it was two or three dollars at Target).  I really liked the shape and thought that it would be nice to have on hand for the times when my little ones pick flowers with short stems.  So far though, I have been mainly using it for few flowers that are still perky when the rest of the bouquet is past it's prime.  This little vase has been the perfect size to put onto my bedside table and it is so nice to wake up to something that is green and fragrant!  It's a bit luxurious, but at this time of year with gardens fairly bursting with blooms, completely do-able and very worth it!

A Very Happy Day!

Four!

Happy, happy birthday to our littlest love!  We love you so much!

Living and Learning: June...

Faith
Pentecost
All Saints of America
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Saints Peter and Paul

Homemaking
Brainstorm summery meal ideas
Straighten up the attic
Sort through baby boy clothing for our new little nephew (due in September)
Take a class in Essential Oils
Purchase bathing suits and organize towels, water toys, and sunblock
Visit a Farmer’s Market Weekly
Begin Planning for Next Year's Homeschooling (3rd Grade and First Grade)
Organize the Master Closet
Make Up the Beds with Spring Bedding
Take Stock of the Dishes and Replenish as Needed
Strawberries!
Hydrangeas!
Prepare for summer camp
Finish Seashore Cowl
Begin Nimbus
Read Jane Eyre

Themes Seashells American Flag Summer Boats

Special Days
Uncle Gregory and Auntie Danyella - 2nd
Courtney and Vincent - 4th
Auntie Danyella - 4th
Button - 6th
9 Years of Marriage - 12th
Full Strawberry Moon - 13th
Uncle Jay - 14th
Nissa  -14th
Flag Day - 14th
Father's Day - 15th
Aunt Sarah - 19th
Auntie Kate - 20th
Gabby - 24th
Michael - 29th

Learning
Practice Patience and Love toward one another
Singing – O Heavenly King
Practice cleaning the bathrooms together
Practice sweeping
Festal Learning Basket for Pentecost
Tidy bedrooms each morning 
Put Out a Flag on Flag Day
Go Through Picture Books and Pull Out Old Favorites to Read
Read Paddington books
Nature Table Scene
Book Basket
Sidewalk Chalk
Gardening
Visit the Beach several times a week (before the crowds!)
Snap!  (Card Game)
Catch Fireflies
Begin replenishing nature guides (Butterflies, Bugs, Shells, and Birds)
Sign up for the Summer Reading Program at the Library
Begin going to Outdoor Concerts and Shows

Yarn Along: Into the Wild...

I'm nearing the end of the Seashore Cowl and can't wait to try it on!  I really like the color of this yarn and hope that we get one or two cooler evenings when I can wear it.  What will I knit next?

A friend lent me Into the Wild.  It is a little darker than my usual fare, but I am enjoying it.  The author really has a way of drawing the reader in.  There is also an Into the Wild film that I may try to watch...  it's been recommended a few times. 

 I really like when the cover of my book looks good with my yarn, and today my children's breakfast matched both!  It's Summer Blueberry Cake.  I just substituted blueberries for the strawberries and it is even better (if that's possible!).

Get Rid of Your Junk Before You Move...

We have been in "get-it-done" mode around here lately.  I am still slowly chipping away at the attic tidying project.  I think that it will take me the whole week to take care of the area that we are responsible for.  The attic runs the length of the house and part of the church, so it is huge.  Picture it filled with a family of five's storage and then add a church's storage and then, just for kicks, imagine a totally different family of five filling it up with their junk and garbage for a decade or so and then moving without emptying it out.  That is what we are dealing with.  Fortunately, Miguel (the church's handyman) has been paid to take care of the majority of the clean out.  I don't envy him, though I have to say that it is really fun to throw things out and give things away.  I love to do that! 

Moving on.  The children and I took care of a bunch of errands today after their schoolwork was done.  The most fun errand was to buy the plants for the window boxes and hanging baskets at church.  I think that window boxes are the greatest.  They dress up a house on the outside and the bonus is that you can enjoy their beauty on the inside too!  It is really the best way to keep a flower garden, in my opinion. 

Tomorrow's project (in addition to my little stint in the attic) will be to remove the beautiful coffee filter snowflakes from the playroom window.  Father John says that I can no longer pretend that they are just a lacy window coverings and not snowflakes.  Boo.  I really loved them this year, but he is right.  Tomorrow they will be a thing of the past (until December 1st!).

June Sponsor News...

 

Liturgical Time provides handmade infinity veils, chapel veils, mantillas, and Christian headcoverings for their patrons to wear in church, at prayer, or in everyday life. They are the creators of the Eternity Veil - the original infinity scarf style head covering. They are able to take special orders, and to provide some customization, so don't hesitate to make special requests. Their veils are made with prayer and packaged with care. Please stop by their shop to buy a beautiful headcovering!

If you are interested in sponsorship for your small business, please contact me:  emily at orthodoxws dot com