Free Advent Resource

As we've been studying Ancient Times this year, we've been reading Bible stories that follow along with the chronology of World History. Interestingly enough, as we approach the Advent season we have reached the time of the Roman Empire in our history studies.

This morning I found a free resource that I plan to use along with our history and Bible studies this month. It is the Jesse Tree Advent Devotional Book. You may download it for free by subscribing to A Holy Experience blog. It includes daily devotionals for the Advent season telling the story of the Old Testament leading up to the birth of Christ.

It also includes artsy "ornament" print-outs to go with each devotional. The idea is to put one on the tree each day, or use them however you would like. I think they will be great additions to our Book of Time, as we'll be doing this devotional at the beginning of our school time each day.

Often families take the month of December off from doing their regular school work to focus on holiday activities. I think this could also be the foundation of a very special Christmas unit study, if you wanted to add in some supplemental reading and crafts. Just an idea! Enjoy!

Irish Chain Quilt

It's pushing two years since I first posted about my Bedroom-Makeover-in-the-Works. I wish I could announce that it is finally finished... but, no, it's still in the works. I have, however, finished the quilt. My mother pieced it for me and I hand-quilted it. She also made matching pillow shams. It was time-consuming, but we are both so pleased with how it turned out.

Next up, I need to decide on what to put on the window. I did start a crocheted curtain like I mentioned in my earlier post, but I'm not sure if that's really what I want or not. It's been awhile since I worked on it, so I should probably get it out and think about it some more.

I have also considered white-washing the walls, so that the wood grain still shows through the white. Lyle's not crazy about that idea. I think I would like it... but what if I get tired of it? I'm not sure it would be possible to take it back off, and then I'd have to just paint over it. So I think I'll just leave the walls the way they are.

How would you decorate if your bedroom had knotty pine walls?

Crochet Fun

 I recently snagged this "loverly" collection of close to 200 afghan patterns at a thrift store. It's one of those build-a-binder collections, where you subscribe and get so many patterns a month to put in your binder. There are sections for antique styles (my favorites!), mile-a-minute, granny squares, quilt-inspired, geometric, afghans for babies and kids, and more! I have enjoyed poring over the pictures, trying to decide on my favorites. I like the "antique" patterns best. Ahhh... if I just had all the time in the world to crochet... and an unlimited supply of yarn...

 One pattern in particular caught my eye... well, two actually... Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam. They made me think of my Aunt 'Lene. Earlier this year she finished a Sunbonnet Sue quilt that my grandma had started. Since then she's made several other quilts, which she posts about on her blog, Meditations and Memories. I happen to know that Aunt 'Lene crochets, too, so I think I'm going to mail these two patterns to her and see what she can make of them. I think it would be cute to make one afghan with blocks from both patterns. Whaddya think, Aunt 'Lene? Up for a little blog challenge from your "favorite" niece? I bet some of your little great-grand-young'n's would like this throw!

Ready or Not...

 I've always thought of Thanksgiving as a fall holiday. Not this year. After a beautiful, mild fall, winter arrived abruptly a few days ago. The calendar says it's still almost a month until winter starts... so what's up with all the snow and cold already?

 We're not talking about a soft, fluffy early snow flurry. It's cold-cold and we experienced a real Little-House-on-the-Prairie-style blizzard earlier this week. The snow piled up and the wind blew it all over the place.

 A couple weeks ago we had a non-snowy wind storm that blew our aging fence over. Lyle was able to brace it back up as a temporary fix. During the blizzard we wondered if it would hold. It did. I thought it was interesting how the wind carved the drifts along the fence as it blew from north to south. It's weird that that there is almost-bare ground in places, and high drifts in other places.

 Finally, the wind stopped... but the snow has continued to fall.

I guess it's time to just hunker down for a Long Winter. We are grateful for health and safety... a happy family... a warm home... and all the food we need.

Hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving, whatever the weather is doing where you are.

November Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: Gray and damp, and dark very early. Typical November weather.
Things that make me happy: Hanging out with my husband.
Book I'm reading: Too Much Stuff by Kathryn Porter, and When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy.
What's on my TV today: No idea. Whatever Lyle is in the mood for if we have time to watch TV this evening. He enjoys winding down with a show or two before bedtime, and I just mostly keep him company by crocheting and listening to whatever he's watching.
On the menu for dinner: Beef stew.
On my To Do List: Homeschooling, work, packing for a trip this weekend.
New Recipe: My daughter made a wonderful pumpkin cheesecake in honor of our anniversary.
In the craft basket: 4 exquisite balls of mohair and silk yarn that I am crocheting into a formal wrap for my daughter.
Looking forward to this week: Heading to Helena, Montana this weekend to represent Sonlight at the Education Options Symposium.
Tips and Tricks: A small pumpkin makes a pretty nifty "vase."

On my mind: Lyle and I have been reading our pre-marriage letters together, reminding us of decisions we made and experiences we had long ago. It's been a good time to reminisce about the past and plan for the future.
Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. Luke 6:47-48.

Visit Diary of a Stay-at-Home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday posts.