Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - Candlemas

Tomorrow Feb. 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, also known as Candlemas.

So, we got a jump start today as we did not have school!

We made edible candles.

Ours are a bit sloppy,

as I had 2 children crying calling for me so we were rushing.

This book has some great ideas.

He really was exciting to eat this -

He was waiting patiently for me to snap a photo!

This kiddo enjoyed his edible candle too.

They were fun to eat!

Candy Popcorn - White Chocolate & Peppermint!

We made popcorn.

I must admit I was a bit apprehensive.

Peppermint popcorn?

But-

If you have any of these left over



This is a good recipe for Valentine's Day

 

White Chocolate and Peppermint Popcorn:

~ 2 packages white chocolate baking morsels (or 16 oz almond bark)

~ 1 cup finely crushed (like sand) peppermints (about 10-12 candy canes or 40 mints). I recommend using a blender or food processor. (Note: mints will scratch plastic if you do not have glass.)

~ 2-3 bags microwave popcorn or (4 quarts popped popcorn)

Slowly melt white chocolate or almond bark in the microwave. Stir often to keep chocolate from burning. Stir 1/2 cup crushed peppermints into the white chocolate. Place popped corn into a large bowl. Pour melted white chocolate and peppermint mixture over the popcorn. Gently stir to coat popcorn while sprinkling remaining crushed peppermints over the popcorn. 

Pour onto parchment paper and let coating harden!
 

I used

See my big chunks of candy cane.

This pic is BEFORE I got wise and used my blender!

At first I was easy on the candycanes -

(I did not know what it would taste like)

So I only put a few candy canes in a plastic bag and used a rolling pin -

Not fun - lots of holes in the plastic bag, candy pieces flying everywhere!

(So I do recommend a blender - just drag it out, it is worth it)

I did discover

the mintier the better too!

It was really yummy!

This is where I saw the post -

she has better pics!  Seems like her candy canes had more red - prettier that way!

And just for fun!

They have the Valentine Spirit already!

Who needs organization - I say it is simply overrated

This guy is quite a helper!

I am not going to complain that our utensil flatware drawer

looks

 like this!

He is a hard worker

and gets the job done!

Would you like him to unload your dishwasher?

He is available in the am as

naptime takes precedence in the afternoon!



Snow Fun - Snow on Your Tongue!

Making the perfect snowball

Takes much concentration.

I love how she is always willing to stop 

and smile for my camera!

And she of course

 enjoys a good snow snack too!

Every year

 snow is still so new to a child.

Have you let a snowflake

 fall on your tongue lately?

"Stop and condsider God's wonders"

The Book of Job

Do you want to look like a rooster?

After bathtime it is fun to give this guy a mohawk.

He does not care so much that

 it is one of the silliest do's you could do.

One line from a movie that I always remember laughing at

 in National Lampoon's European Vacation:

Rusty Griswold says -  "That's it! That's what I want my hair to look like dad!" (pointing to a punk mohawk)

Clark says every so casually-

"Ah Rusty you don't want to look like a rooster do you?"

Cy does not seem to mind so much!

The Catholicism Project

I enjoy listening to Fr. Robert Barron.  This looks like an amazing journey!

Gingerbread House

Our first Gingerbread House

Little hands get in the way of picture taking.

Doesn't he know I am photographing a masterpiece!

Eye Candy - literally!

They made them at preschool today.

I am just happy they did it "there" and not "here".

Although, our house looks as if we have been making Gingerbread houses...ugh...

We are looking forward to our Christmas break.

We are making cookies tomorrow, Lord grant me patience!

Saint Nicholas Feast Day a New Tradition in our Home

We are starting a new tradition in our home.  In an effort to teach our children the real Saint Nick we are celebrating his feast day!  This man of faith was very generous and loved children.  Indeed he is the real deal.

(verses the jolly old elf guy!)

Saint Nicholas has stopped by our home this evening,

filling our shoes with Christ's love!

(which of course includes candy & treats)

Note the pair of sandals Lydia chose to leave out...that girl cannot get it through her head summer is OVER!!!  And since Aliza is only 6 mos. we borrowed a pair of Lydia's shoes.

Some more Holy items have been included

Like prayer cards

They are so pretty

I gave them each a different one.

And ornaments

these are Wally World specials...ugh

I think next year I will find a bit more special ornaments.

I think it would be nice to find angels for the girls every year and crosses for the boys.

Hopefully as the years go by our kids will think of the real Saint Nick.  We will still have Santa stop in of course on Jesus Birthday, but I am excited for our kids to really learn about the true meaning of Christmas in which our secular society so easily forgets.

I saw this statement from SaintNicholasCenter.org

"When we honor saint Nicholas, following his example of selfless giving, we honor the Christ Child who selflessly gave the greatest gift of all—himself."