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)

Happy Father's Day!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TANI!!!

You truly are a wonderful father, (yes it's mushy, sorry blog readers, but hey, you know it just had to be said.)

Here is a poem Emmy wrote in her homemade card for her Dad:

To the most brilliant Dad,

When you're around I'm never sad,

Happy memories of being with you,

Lie in my head, ( I hope they stay too)

Thankyou very much,

Your love really does touch.

FROM EMMY

Et... Voila!!!

Marie over @ http://memarielane.com/ and Lisa @ Are We There Yet? got me all inspired with their self portrait idea.
So away went the dishes today and out with the paints and pens and crayons and pencils and tissue paper, bits n pieces and other random stuff me 'n' my girls found to stick over this rather bad picture of, well, it's supposed to me! Mmmm.
Emmy cut out and glued the flowers with Genesis 1 quotes all over it, Bujana made the orange finger paint flowers and Matilda just helped make a mess really heehee!
It was fun though.
Thanks for the idea Marie and Lisa!

Simple Devotion

I came across some words today that I really needed to hear over @ . The Simple Woman

They were so to speak a "salve for my soul."

I have been so busy recently in so many different parts of my life and I have felt a little out of focus!

There are times to pray and times to act. Yet action can only be purposeful when it is inspired by prayer.

First things first:)

This quote from the psalms keeps finding it's way into my mind like a little light peeping through the cracks of a drawn curtain.

King James Bible

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

There is no accomplishment in even the greatest achievement without God's blessing.

Yet there is priceless value in the smallest offering given in His name.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

So here it is! I am no longer out of focus. The motion blur has settled.

A Simple view yes.

Yet an abundant one.

To take part simply link to this post by either clicking here . Or on this post's title.

the simple woman's daybook

This looked like fun from The Simple Woman @ http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

It's called the simple woman's daybook. If you would like to join in simply link your blog by clicking on The Simple Woman site!

Outside My Window... I see long shadows gaze across my front lawn. It's been a beautiful sunny day. Down the end of the street some children are playing with a bat and ball. A little girl with curly hair walks by the side of our garden wrapped in a towel down to her ankles. Most people have had their paddling pools out today. The faint scent of somebody's barbecue singes the mellow air.

I am thinking... Of how still and peaceful everything is. The birds are singing so loudly, even they are happy when there's not a cloud in the sky! I'm thinking how I hope this weather lasts through till September!

I am thankful for... Aftersun!!! heehee! oh and of course sunscreen! Good friends, cool drinks, the way my husband has fun with our children, makes me love him more than ever. Ice cream, happy girls.
From the kitchen... Today it's simple! Hotdogs, salad, fruit, icecream, prawn crackers, pitta bread and hommous, fresh orange juice, (not all in the same bowl together of course!)

I am wearing... Blue jeans and a yellow cotten smock top

I am creating... Hopefully as much as I'm able a happy atmosphere in my home for my family.
I am going... To take my daughter to the neighbour's house so she can go with her to walk her little dog.

I am reading... Mainly just the bible at the moment.

I am hoping... To have a lovely day tommorrow with my husband who has a day off work!

I am hearing... Birdsong and chattering girls.

Around the house... Not much because we've been outside all day! Which is nice, as it means no toys to pick up heehhee!

One of my favorite things... Seeing all my kids having fun together, helping eachother.

Being woken by sunlight and blue skys and cheerful birdsong.

Strawberries and cream tea,

a sense of contentment.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Spending as much time as I can outside with the kids, making the most of the good weather. Posting some letters and outfits to our sponsor children. Learning to bake a bannana cake. I absolutly love bannana cake yet I've never baked one myself before. Now is the time!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...(

Boo in a dress Emmy made her!

MY WEEK

my week… borrowed from Christ's Rose
24 01 2008

Work = fullfilling
Home = overflowing (in everyway lol!)
Head = still functioning ;0)... just
Mood = grateful
Friends = uplifting
Family = joyfulmessybeautiful.
Prayer = essential
Reading = enlightening
Bible study = comforting
Awareness = growing
Sleep = hehe!
Fun = lot's of it
Love = always

wHY DON'T YOU hAVE A gO AT THIS TOO :0)

Meme

meme.
I was tagged by Therese from Aussie Coffee Shop.

Here are my answers.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? No, My Mum just like the name Susan and couldn't get it out of her head. She is the only person who still calls me Susan though!


2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday. I was watching a film called "The Tale of the Weeping Camel" with my kids. It was really emotional. To be honest it doesn't take much for me to cry. I cry when I'm sad, I cry when I'm happy and sometimes I simply cry for no reason in particular :0)
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? When I really make an effort to write neatly I do. Unfortunatly most of the time I'm too busy and just scribble nonsensical lists for my poor long suffering husband:0)

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Prociutto.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes. Four gorgeous little girlies.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Probably. I hope so anyway lol!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No. It grates on me.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?Yes.


WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No. No no no no no no no no nooooooooooooo!


10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Granola.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? For the life I've been given yes. I'm strong when it comes to my faith. I know very well that without God I would be nothing. Before my faith grew I was definatly very weak.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Cookies and Cream and Green and Blacks dark choclate and french vanilla.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their warmth, their kindness, their sadness, their joy, their pain, their shyness, their confidence, their level of peace.

15. RED OR PINK? Pink! I'm a girly girl! Rose pink though not barbie pink.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? My shyness.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Husband's family who live abroad.

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue denim jeans but I'm barefoot in the house.
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Pitta bread, Hommous, salami, olives, with vinigarette. Mmmmmm. Delicious.

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My 8 month old mumbling away in her cot. She " talks" in her sleep already.

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Yellow. It's bright and sunny.

22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Flowers, herbs, cinnamon. Woodlands, sea breezes, rain. My babies hair.
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Kath. My surrogate Mum.
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I'm not really a sports fan.

25. HAIR COLOR? Blond

26. EYE COLOR? Blue

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No

.28. FAVORITE FOOD? Italian and French..


29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings! And a big box of tissues.

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Weeping Camel

31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Beige

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer.

33. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs, lot's of them.

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Fruit crumble, or apple pie with custard.

35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Flowering Tree. Caryll Houslander.

36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad next to our computer. Poor mouse!

37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Nothing.


38. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My daughter tinkling on the piano. My girls giggling together. Birds singing in the tree outside my bedroom window. Rain on the windows, when I'm warm and snug inside my house.

39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles

40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? California

41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I like to paint and draw alot, I also like to write POEMS

42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Shoreham by Sea. United Kingdom.



This meme is pretty long. I tag the following. A Truckers Wife, Unexpected Journey,
What I Choose Today, Happy Hearts At Home

Okay this is an important question....

WHAT KIND OF SANDWICH ARE YOU?

You Are a Ham Sandwich

You are quiet, understated, and a great comfort to all of your friends.Over time, you have proven yourself as loyal and steadfast.And you are by no means boring. You do well in any situation - from fancy to laid back. Your best friend: The Turkey Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofsandwichareyouquiz/outcome.php

Borrowed from Happy hearts at home: http://happyheartsathome.blogspot.com/

Introducing...

I thought it was about time I introduced my long suffering husband.

Here he is... taken on Christmas day, my dearest, darling, husband Tani!!!

And here is the beautiful present he gave me. A rosary made in the holyland. The beads are made of crushed rose petals and carry the most beautiful aroma.

And if you happen to be visiting

Thanks again hon

I am borrowing an idea from the excellent http://mulledvine.blogspot.com/

This is an interesting personality test based upon the Myers Briggs original.

The results seem to be pretty spot on for most people. Although I think that it is fair to say in critisism of tests like these they tend to be somewhat generalised.

I turned out to be an INFJ ( click on the link here:-http://typelogic.com/infj.html for more info on this type)

To find out your own personality type according to this test click on the link below :0)

http://www.kisa.ca/personality/

I think this just proves that despite the many differences bettween people we must look above and beyond the defence mechanisms, the habits, the conditioned responses and opinions of others and try to see the child in everyone. The part inside each one of us, that is closest to God.