Christmas Eve 2011

My little sous-chef greasing the pans.

DH brought home a tree.

The sous-chef mixing the batter.

the tourtières

freshly iced yule log

Curls!

DD getting very sleepy waiting to go to Midnight Mass.

Cider mulling.

Handsome Miller Men

Unfortunately, no pictures of DS1 since he and I were the last to get ready.

DD very sleepy at Mass.

Eve of Christmas Eve!

 Advent chain.

 DS2 has learned how to climb on the dining table (and grab candles).

 Mixing bowls needed tomorrow for the "Buche". Eggs room temping, and sifted flour/baking powder/salt.

 Prepped lemon rind, juice, and vanilla extract.

Mocha Icing Ready!

The ABC Boy, At It Again!

DS1, the ABC boy, wrote letters on the counter top with cheddar cheese.

Recycled Men's Shirt Dresses

This is a fun and easy dress to make using an old mens shirt. I'm very much a beginner and am intimidated by patterns with buttons and button holes and zippers. With a mens shirt the buttons and everything are already there! I took off the breast pocket and re-sewed it onto the "front" of the dress, since DD likes pockets on her clothes. This is the tutorial I used. All you need is some elastic for the sleeves (I don't think I even used the "correct" width). A sewing machine is a plus. If you're a beginner who is impatient for an end-product, this is a nice satisfying craft.

Advent Cleaning

 Two more bags to give away.

Clothes for 3 children after purging.

 "If you tend to accumulate items on a regular basis, then make it a point to discard or give items away regularly. My recommendation is to declutter at least twice a year, preferably during Advent and Lent." Excerpt from Simplifying Your Domestic Church by Abby Sasscer

"As your house, so your soul." Saint Teresa of Avila

"The very deficiency of material things enhances, increases and enriches the faith: the less for the eyes, the more for the soul." -Rev. Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade

"... there was no room for them in the inn." - Gospel of Luke 2:7

Leavenworth 2011

 All three sleeping!

Letting my kid eat tons of food coloring at the hotel's complimentary breakfast...

 Not that my DH is camera shy or anything...

Another fun trip to the Bavarian style town of Leavenworth, WA. Possibly our last. Not as much snow as last year but enough for sledding downtown. I wish I could have taken more action pictures but the only time I could really get the camera out was when the little ones were eating or sleeping (as you can see).

Wrap-around Braids

Sailor Girl

Ember Days of Advent

 Toasty Tuna Melt and Garlic Sauteed Green Beans