Cruisin'...

Isn't this bicycle a beauty?  I've been playing around with designing one on the Papillionaire website and it's kind of additive to choose the style , gear , color for the frame and tires, seat, grips, and basket.  We don't live in an area of town that is really conducive to bicycle riding for errand running or even cruising around safely, so I fear that a bike would really be a waste of money for me at this point.  It is nice to dream though, isn't it?  Do you have any dream purchases that don't really fit your lifestyle right now?

Reading...

Our life depends on the kind of thoughts we nurture. If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, and kind, then that is what our life is like."

 

Father Thaddeus of Vitovnica

In the Midst...

It's a busy weekend here.  Metropolitan Tikhon is visiting our little parish (and even staying in the rectory overnight!).  The children have been troopers.  With the exception of taking time off on the Fourth, we have spent the week readying the house, church and grounds for this visit.  It is so wonderful to have him here!  It is good to hear all that he is planning for the diocese and the Orthodox Church in America.

In other news, Sugar Plum had her first Confession tonight!  It is exciting to watch our little girl grow up!

Upside Down Cake...

Not too long ago, Kyrie posted a few shots on Instagram of some Upside Down Cake that she had baked for her girls.  I have wanted to whip up this cake ever since!  Finally, I had some ripe nectarines that I had squirreled away and a handful of blueberries from the farm.  It was so good!  The recipe is on David Lebovitz's site and seems to be very adaptable!

Independence Day!

Suddenly the day seemed really Fourth of July.  Ma made sandwiches, Pa blacked his boots, Laura and Carrie hurriedly dressed up."

Little Town on the Prairie

Laura Ingalls Wilder

:::::

I really want to celebrate Independence Day this year!  We'll have a BBQ with chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob, and a flag cake.  I'm hoping to rustle up some sparklers and we'd like to go to see fireworks tonight.  I'm sure that we'll spend a bit of time in the pool and it would be great to go to a Fourth of July parade that they have nearby.  What are you up to today?

Living and Learning: July...

Faith
Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco
Saint Elisabeth the New Martyr
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
Joy of All Who Sorrow
Saint Jacob of Alaska

Homemaking
Blueberries!
Black Raspberries!
Peaches!
Make s’mores over an open fire
Sparklers
Fireworks
Make a flag cake 
Visit farm stands and Farmer's Markets
Eat breakfast outside  
Begin a list of books to order for school (2nd Grade and Kindergarten) 
Prepare for Auntie Juliana's Wedding
Plan for Auntie Kate's Visit
Finish my Cowl
Knit a Baby Sweater
Read Royal Monastic

Themes
Independence Day
Blueberries
Sunflowers
Peaches

Books List
Tomie DePaola 26 Fairmont Avenue Books 

Rituals
Morning Outside Play in the Shade
Afternoon Water Play
Evening Walk

Special Days
Father John's Ordination Anniversary - 1st
Button's Hospital Homecoming - 1st
Grandmama – 2nd
Sugar Plum’s Baptism Anniversary Day – 2nd
Independence Day – 4th
Sugar Plum’s Namesday – 5th
Uncle Nic – 8th
Grandpapa – 11th
Uncle Peter - 13th
Grandpapa's Ordination Anniversary - 13th
Full Thunder Moon – 22nd
Uncle Peter – 26th
Nathan - 29th

Learning
Practice patience and love towards one another  
Learn a new Blessing for Meals without a Priest Present  
Learn The Sign of the Cross for Button
 Tidy bedrooms each morning    
Sidewalk Chalk  
Visit the Beach  
Snap!  (Card Game)  
Use Nature Guides (Butterflies, Bugs, Shells, and Birds)  
Enjoy the Summer Reading Program at the Library
Setting and Clearing the Table
Nature table scene and book basket
Visit the pool as much as possible
Catch fireflies
Have picnics
Attend concerts and performances weekly
Watch Thunder and Lightning storms
Boardwalk rides!
Fireworks!
Take advantage of free movies at the theater

Yarn Along: Leaving Cold Sassy

I am still working on my Seashore Cowl, but am dreaming of all of the cold weather knits that I want to make my little ones:  sweaters for the boys (I made Sugar Plum one already), hats, mittens, scarves, etc.  It's very exciting!

I picked up Leaving Cold Sassy from the Library on Monday.  It's bittersweet to read something that wasn't finished before the author died, but I want to see how the story ends...

Ducklings...

The other day, we were visiting friends while Sugar Plum was taking her spinning class and were able to see (and hold!) fluffy little ducklings!  Aren't they sweet?

Saints Peter and Paul...

O Leaders of the Apostles and teachers of the universe,
Entreat the Master of All,
Grant peace to the world and to our souls, great mercy.

:::::

The Learning Basket for Saints Peter and Paul can be found HERE.

 

Evening Firefly Hunting...

Each evening the little ones ask me to allow them to hunt for fireflies.  Sometimes, I am nice and let them.  Though it was hot and muggy, it was good to be outside to watch their excitement and to see the sun set so spectacularly.  Bedtime is not my best time of day...  it is often a struggle for me to keep my temper in check, so it was nice to surprise my children with a few minutes of play when I am usually rushing them into their pajamas, through evening prayers, etc.  These happy moments are are worth a later bedtime!

Spinning...

One of the things that Sugar Plum has been itching to try is spinning yarn.  Our local yarn shop recently offered a class for adults on spinning with a drop spindle and using a spinning wheel which our little girl really wanted to take.  Our friend Monika, who owns the shop, suggested a class for children instead, so we've been happily going to the Fiber Studio for Sugar Plum's lessons the past two days.  Monika taught Sugar Plum how to use the drop spindle and how to work a spinning wheel (which was one of Sugar Plum's greatest wishes!).  Now she'll be practicing her new craft little by little and maybe someday she and Auntie Kate can spin together side by side!

Blueberry Sauce...

The yummiest thing that we made with our blueberry bounty this week was Blueberry Sauce.  I modified Martha Stewart's recipe slightly and it was a big hit.  We'll be making a huge batch of this for my sister's bridal shower on Sunday!

:::::

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of butter
2 cups of blueberries
1/3 cup of sugar

Method

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add blueberries and sugar gently stirring to coat the berries in butter and sugar.  Allow the blueberries to cook for 2 - 3 minutes.  Drizzle warm sauce over ice cream or yoghurt.  Enjoy!

Yarn Along: Birdsong...

I'm happily back to knitting away on my Seashore Cowl this week.  I still can't believe that I finished the Tea Leaves Cardigan yesterday.  It feels like a huge accomplishment!

I'm still reading (and still enjoying!) Cold Sassy Tree, but I spotted Birdsong at a little children's book and toy shop last week while visiting family and couldn't resist.  It is a small volume of British songbirds and is filled with detailed descriptions and lovely little watercolors of various birds in the United Kingdom (some of which live here too!).  My godmother is English and really likes her feathered friends, so I bought a copy for her birthday through AmazonUK.  I hope that she enjoys it as much as I do!

Public Service Announcement...

My Tea Leaves Cardigan is finished.  That is all.

Blueberry Picking...

Pentecost...

 

Blessed art Thou O Christ Our God
Thou hast revealed the fishermen as most wise
By sending down upon them the Holy Spirit
Through them Thou dist draw the world into Thy net
O Lover of Man, Glory to Thee!

:::::

The Learning Basket for Pentecost can be found HERE.

Fireflies!

Early Summer Nature Table...

Wedding Clothes...

As any woman knows, dress shipping can be a little stressful even under the best circumstances.  My sister's wedding is rapidly approaching and so my sisters and I headed out to try on some pretty bridesmaid's dresses.  Juliana wanted the dresses to be cream colored and have some texture.  Happily, there was a lot to choose from and two of us got our dresses one night and the last sister's dress was procured about an hour ago!  

I found this Lauren by Ralph Lauren jacquard dress in Bloomingdales.  It was on the clearance rack to begin with and the saleswoman mentioned that it would be further reduced two days later, so I bought an expensive and well-made dress for a song!  I am so happy with the cut (my favorite part are the pleats that hide my tummy a bit).   I plan on wearing these (rather uncomfortable) tan peep-toe flats for the wedding and then changing my shoes for the reception (which is going to be held in a barn!).

It is exciting to be adding a fancy dress to my wardrobe...  this is one bridesmaid dress that will be able to be worn after the wedding!

Yarn Along: 47 Weeks...

I was looking back through photographs that I have taken over the past year and found a few of that drizzly Saturday last July when we all piled in the car to go to our local yarn shop (for the first time!) to learn how to knit.  Auntie Kate was with us and is an experienced knitter and I was so glad that she was there to help me in new surroundings (she is so friendly and I am so shy!).

It has been 47 weeks since then and I cannot believe that I am a knitter!

I finally got the buttons bands right and I am now working on the first sleeve of my Tea Leaves Cardigan.  I found some buttons that I really liked for it in a fancy little yarn shop near my parent's house and Kate helped me by sewing them on while we were visiting for a few days this week.   Once I finish these sleeves I'm home free...  well, except for blocking!  I cannot believe it!

I just began reading Cold Sassy Tree and am hooked!  It is humorous and well-written and right up my alley!