Merry Christmas 2013!

Today,

"May God grant you:

The LIGHT in Christmas, which is faith.

The WARMTH of Christmas, which is love.

The RADIANCE of Christmas, which is purity.

The BELIEF in Christmas, which is truth.

The ALL of Christmas, which is Christ."

-Wilda English

A Very Merry Christmas

To You!

Sincerely,

Julianne

Baking with Grandma

Saturday was a special day.
 For the last 11 years, we have celebrated Christmas without Brian's parents,
since they lived so far away.
 But, this year they moved right here ,2 miles from us, so,
with joy
we loaded up the little ones 

and went to Grandma's house to bake cookies for Christmas. 

 Grandma was very organized,
which really helped the day to go well with the little helpers.

 We had a wonderful time.  

So glad to have grandparents close!

Now, we don't generally eat much in the way of cookies and sugary stuff anymore, 

but, this is Christmas, and part of the festivities 

includes baking with Grandma 

and eating all kinds of goodies mama doesn't usually allow!

It sure was a great time.  

One I hope we can follow up year after year, 

fashioning memories for our children to last a lifetime.

 Memories of multi -generations living and loving together.

Beauty in Daily Living

Today may seem like an ordinary day.

  We get up, we eat breakfast, we do chores, then schooling, lunch, followed by free time,

 then naps and more schooling, dinner, stories and bedtime.

 Seems normal and plain enough.

  However, one of the things I like to do the most in my homemaking 

is create something beautiful and lovely out of the mundane.

Ordinary days like today can be as meaningful and beautiful as the special occasions in our lives,

 it just takes some ingenuity (or copy-catting, *which is absolutely fine*) 

and deliberate planning. 

 The results are well worth it.

In her highly influential book, Living a Beautiful Life, Alexandra Stoddard says, 

" Making daily tasks into times of enrichment 

through planning 

and special personal details

 is a way to live a richer, more satisfying life."

I do believe that is a very Biblical principle to live by 

if it does not require self absorption or materialism to be achieved. 

 God is the designer of beauty. 

 He created this incredible world for us to enjoy, 

and though for believers, it may not be our ultimate "home"

 there is no reason we should not mimic God in his creating beauty and order,

 using great creativity cultivating a wondrous abode for our family. 

 He did, so should we.

There is great power in the little things-
joyful acts of love that enrich and ennoble our lives.  

The question is, what little things?

What little thing(s) could be done as we get up?

  As we eat breakfast?

How about chores?

  and so on. 

 Think it through. 

 I would love, love, love to hear your ideas!

Here are a few of mine:

-Snuggles and hot drinks when we get up

- Singing and sharing what we are thankful for at meals

- Playing classical music during housecleaning

- Adding an essential oil, such as lavender to the dish water

- Praying for the one whose clothes you are ironing

- Setting a beautiful table for dinner

- Light candles

- Sing to the children before naps

- Read aloud to the family before bed

Rituals such as these enable you to

 enjoy the ordinary more deeply
as you flow through the day. 

 Think then, not just of everyday, but also of the weekends. 

 Weekends too, are made extra special by adding thoughtful rituals.

  At our house, the children sleep in on Saturday.  

They get up leisurely and listen to Moody radio while mama fixes a large brunch. 

 After extended housecleaning chores are done ( O glory!)

 they are free to play/watch a movie.

 Sunday then, we take for rest. 

 Rest from our regular daily life. 

 Sunday naps for all, a day off from laundry and housework, 

 and time to fellowship with others, make it a day set apart from all others. 

The usual Sunday pot roast awaiting us when we arrive home from church is an awesome weekend marvel.  One can smell it the moment they step out of the van...

mouths are watering fiercely by the time we are in the door.

Monthly rituals are harder to plan for in our busy lives,

 but, like daily rituals, greatly enriching and worth it.

A once a month trip to the big town with my husband for groceries and such is a necessity,

 but we have made it a habit to stop by a favored coffee shop each trip

 to just sit and relax and visit over a hot drink. 

 On this trip, too, we often listen to an audio broadcast sermon of some sort, 

usually chosen by content to some personal current interest. 

 Another wonderful  ritual for me, is the once a month overnighter at nanny's,

 where all the children have a day and a half to spend with their grandma at her house...

leaving mama home...alone.  

  Mama's day off.

  Boy, this is a life saver of a day and a half for me! 

 Sunday afternoon the children leave, and I typically have a long nap, a walk, 

and read something just for fun, then close the day with dinner and a movie with my handsome husband. 

 The next day, I sleep in as late as I can, 

then go visiting or sew or some other such crafty thing. 

 By the end of the day I am refreshed and longing for my children to arrive safely home.

"In a culture that richly rewards achievements 
and accomplishment, 

it is left to us to create a balanced life, to master the art of creating a life worth living." 

 -Wally Arnold, Illiminations

Managing a home and mothering is much more than surviving life in the trenches.

When we apply those nourishing touches that come
from deep within a woman's soul,
we warm not only our family's souls,
but our own as well.

Here's to drinking deeply of God's great love,

until our cup is running over,

 and living beautifully this holiday season. 

Blessings to you this day,

Julianne

What We Are Reading This Advent Season

Advent is upon us.

A season of Hope, 

Peace, 

Love, 

and Joy.

Christ has come!
And though we have longed for heaven,
we can not reach it, and so,
Heaven came down.

Gratitude pours forth,  Oh  how thankful I am!!  

Our family, cat included,

is relishing the time of drawing near to the Savior.

  One way our family does just that is by devoting our evening reading to that of Christ's coming.

In years past, we have loved reading and re-reading
These wonderful Books,  by Arnold Ytreeide.

but  though we love them, this year we are trying out something new, 

along with our beloved Advent book.

. 

I found  25 readings for Advent from The Jesus Storybook Bible on Pinterest.  

This is just right for our little ones. 

click here:  advent reading plan

And inspiration for the rest of us comes from a well loved author and blogger, Ann Voskamp, 

with her new book, The Greatest Gift. 

 Ordered on Amazon, it was delivered to our door in two days.  

 In the bittersweet cold, sub-zero weather,

 we draw near the fire, 

gathering to read about the one True Light. 

 The One who warms our hearts with his love.  

Who gives us hope.  

In whose presence is peace found,

 and joy immeasurable.

Advent is a gift to unwrap and cherish.
Come and draw near.

Come and adore him.

The gift
is His presence.

Log Cabin Christmas Decor

 The weather is very cold, 

the fire is blazing, 

Advent has begun, 

which means...

it is time to decorate the Lodge for Christmas!

We celebrate Advent, we do not have a tree, or gifts, 

and we decorate for the whole winter, 

which we think is very fun and festive.

 Keeping with a non-materialistic idea of the holidays, 

our decor is mostly the natural greens and flowers, 

candles, plaids and woolens,

and the opportunity to rearrange furniture ....

again.

(chuckle)

Ya' all asked for a peek, so here we go....

From the dining room working to the right through the living room, 

and ending in the sitting area next to the kitchen:

 Notice the little bundle napping in the window seat. 

These days of no little wee ones to rock to sleep, I count every day of littles napping a joy to behold.  Children at sleep are just so adorable.

I adore big bountiful mantle arrangements, 

but such would burn the house down over a real warming fire such as ours, so minimal it is.

A favorite reading and napping spot equipped with a pile of quilts at the foot of the cot.

Our Advent wreath this year on the piano.

The children's nativity in the window sill.

and then the kitchen-

Christmas is a great time to relish in the joy of homemaking; 

whether it be feathering our nest with seasonal beauty, 

creating delicious yummies in the kitchen, 

or inviting others in for fellowship and hospitality.

There are oh so many ways to glory in the wondrous season!

Going To Town

This is Gabe.

Gabe lives in a log cabin in the woods 

with his big brother Ben, His big sister Bethany, and His baby sister Olivia, 

as well as Jim, Joe, Rose, Mama and Daddy,

 and their good old Pyrenees- Caspian. 

 Daddy said they could go to Town with he and mama.  

They are excited, because they rarely go to town.

Mama washes their hair and puts together warm, (it was 17 degrees out that morning)
 nice looking outfits for them to wear on their long journey.  
After a big breakfast,

 everyone loaded up in the big white van,
blankets piled all around them to keep them toasty warm,

and they headed off down the road.

By the time they are in Town, it is time for lunch.  

They are happy to go out to eat, it is a special treat.

 In preparation for going to Town, 

the children had made packets full of goodies to give away to homeless people. 

 They were delighted to find a homeless man to give their gift.  

He smiled and said,"God Bless You!" 

Gabe was filled with wonder in every store, and was sure to point out anything with a Dino on it.

Finally, mama's grocery list was filled, 

and the children piled back in to their nests of blankets in the van for a comfy trip home listening to Adventures In Odyssey, and eventually, falling asleep.

At the end of the day, 

 Mama and Gabe agree:

Town was fun- 

for a day, 

but home is calling..... 

drawing our hearts, 

and before the day is done, we are longing, longing, longing-

 for home.

"Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,

 be it ever so humble, 

there's no place like home."

On These cold Mornings

When awaking to weather in the 

single digits, 

one has to work up the courage to get out of 

a wonderful warm bed piled high with down and wool and quilts. 

 But, coffee and hot chocolate reward the reluctant, as we gather around the wood stove.

As the morning unfolds, it is warming up both inside and outside.

Clear, crisp nights means early sunshine coming up through the trees.

This week has been both productive and lovely.  

The charm of a chilly house 

is in layering up and snuggling under blankets, reading stories and sipping tea. 

Cooking soup on the wood cook stove for lunch and a roast in the Dutch Oven, 

these are some of the *loveliness* of winter. 

We have all been busy; some hunting (warning-graphic pictures coming up), 

some schooling, some crafting and puttering.

  Mama is getting ready for a big Thanksgiving dinner at the Lodge. 

 I made this centerpiece for the two long tables we will join together for the feasting.

Bethany has been loving her new kitty, (with ample "help" from little siblings) 

whose name is still unknown as she is trying a new name out every other day or so. 

(smile)

 We mostly refer to her as "Poofy".  

Poofy- e.i  Katy, Snowflake, Sugar- adores being dressed up in doll clothes 

and being lugged around by toddlers. 

 She has become fast friends with our other cats, and, most importantly, 

Bethany is tickled pink.

Sometimes ya just gotta do the unthinkable for the love of a child.

(chuckle)

Rose was the first to get a deer this year.  

Next Brian got his, leaving

Joe and Jim and I still hunting each day, persevering in the cold each morning.

Hunting is a way of life for us. 

 Deer are plentiful here.  Their tasty, organic meat is what we fairly live off all year around.

We also see many, many benefits of hunting and living close to the land.

This week, we have been very blessed with two deer for our freezer!

Just a few more things to add to our ever growing list of reasons to give thanks:

warm stove

hot tea

wool socks

venison

cuddly kittens

snuggles with the children

morning sunlight

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures Forever."

Psalm 107:1

-A good thought to begin a cold morning.

Our First Snow

It has been a quiet, peaceful week. 

 Praise the Lord!  I was in need of one. 

 Then, at the end of the week, it began snowing. 

To me, the big fluffy flakes added to that cozy, peaceful feeling a Sunday afternoon so often takes on.

 The first snow, to all of us here at Providence Lodge, means paper snowflakes and sugar cookies.

I love traditions,

 and everyone adores this one,

 however, I am not sure what is more fun:

 making a gigantic mess, or hanging up the snowflakes that have been carefully created.

Most likely, it is both.

Oh my!

After many failed attempts at good looking snowflakes, 

my techno-geeky husband looked up a "How To" video on Youtube, and... 

Brian hung the snowflakes from the floor joists to create an indoor winter wonderland.

Meanwhile, Joe made the sugar cookies.

Blessings to each of you this day.  

May Jesus keep you and yours close, and may you delight in His goodness and love.

Most Sincerely,

Julianne