A few resolutions, ideas, links and random thoughts :0)

I love this picture. It seems to bring the overwhelming reality and truth of the time of Jesus's birth into such a simple scene of sheperds amoungst their flock at dusk.
I've been thinking about the manger and the simple stable that welcomed our saviour into the world all those years ago and how Christmas time reflects this most amzing, yet humble of births.

This Christmas ( and maybe even from now on Every Christmas)

We, as a family have decided to celebrate "Jesus's Birthday" as Bujana says ) a little differently. A way that will help us to better find the child in the manger in Bethlehem. Even though it may take us to a place far away from what may seem to be the Christmas we recognise. Far from the crowds on the high street and the TV movies and the turkey and trimmings of today. Too a simple stable in a small little unknown town amoungst sloping hillsides flanked with a the sheep belonging to the first visitors of the baby.

It all starts humbly enough with the idea that we'll pretty much make all our of our presents and cards.

It's actually been a really fun and creative experience this last few weeks, for the children and I think it will help them ( and us) really enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

We hope to buy supplies for an orphange with the money we save so that the children can understand that children far away from us somewhere in the world will know that someone cares about them and is thinking of them on Christmas Day.

The only presents and cards we have agreed to buy will either be from the World Vision
Gift Catalog
Fair Trade Apparel stores or Charity Shops in our home town. There are some wonderful ideas in the World Vision Gift Catalog and the Fair Trade sites have some really one of a kind things here are a few more links :
Fair Trade Scarves
Fair Trade Bags & Purses
Fair Trade Gifts
Fair Trade Jewelry
Fair Trade Home
From Africa
From Burma
From Tibet
Save Darfur Products .

And of course I totally love Charity Shops too and have found some amazing bargains from them. Including some great clothes toys yarn for knitting and fabric for sewing!

I thought I might share with you some of the things we have already made and/ are thinking of making as Christmas presents this year.

Pink DAisy Knitted hair slides

Knitted shoe bunnyShoe BearShoe baby!Saint Therese of the Little Flower's "Good Deed Beads" How to Make Sacrifice Beads

Mini Art works made from recycled aliminium cans!!!Hand stiched scrap book for journalling, doodling sketching or writing epic romantic poetry in :0) Lil' Shortbread hearts ( a firm favourite in this house)Lavender and Rose soap cup cakes.

Sceanted Lavender bags made with lavender from our own garden.Handmade cards using recycled aliminium.Prints and photographs for framing, making into cards, and gift tags :0)green tomato chutney made with our own home grown tomatoes chillis and red onionsMy own favoutie Plum and Pear Jam yummy spread thickly with butter on warm Irish soad bread!And of course, homemade chocolate truffles mmmmmmm! Heres a link to a great recipe for these :http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/chocolatetruffles_1807.shtml

And for a really quick and super easy knitting pattern to make your own little knitted rabbits as presents click no further than this link http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/bunny-pattern.shtm ( the correct link this time sorry ) I have already knitted a Mama rabbit for my eldest and have finished the squares for three little baby rabbits for the ounger girls. The Mama Rabbit and her litter of babies only took me two evenings to complete! It's the easiest and cutest pattern!

Making things for eachother and thsoe we love is really a special experience. I want the girls to really experience the beauty of Christmas tide with simple but lovingly prepared food, candle light, singing and music, family friends, a sense of giving and wonderment, long walks in the woods, our church masses and a feeling of thankfulness pervading all.

This is a start! :0)