A Happy All Saints Day 2014

Our All Saints celebration this year was truly special!

I love celebrating All Saints Day.  After a fun night of trick or treating, it is wonderful to wake up and have a big celebration to continue the fun.  The kids wake up to a decorated dining room, ready to welcome guests (MoMo and Papa) and eat a giant brunch of delicious food. We always have crafts, decorations and stories to help mark the day, and normally (but not this year, because the obligation was transferred to Sunday) we get to go to Mass.

This year, we added a mini prayer service to the morning activities.  Our kids are getting older and plus, we didn't have an All Saints Mass to attend.  Buddy Bear and E-Bear got to hold white votives, which we lit for our prayers.  G-Bear read our opening prayer:

Prayer for All Saints Day
Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints.
I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven.
Please help me follow their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ. 
Please help me to conform myself to Your image, 

seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did. 
Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, 

to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbors. 
Amen. 

Then, T led us in the Litany of Saints. What a beautiful devotion it was to pray together!

Next, it was time to eat. This year, we had tomatillo frittata (adults), scrambled eggs (kids), apple cider, bacon, fruit salad, chocolate chip bagels and cream cheese, yogurt and cupcakes. Whew, what a feast.  While I finished the food, the kids got to color their Armor of God for our craft. After our meal, we read Ephesians 6, and everyone followed along with their own armor. Then, we colored and assembled the paper dolls.  I also read James 1:12, which describes the "Crown of Life" that God bestows upon the Saints.  Next year, I'll make "crowns of life" for the kids to wear for the meal, which would make for a fun, festive, and symbolic addition.

The Saints are the real life heroes of our faith.  I am so thankful for the opportunity this feast day gives us to highlight these heroes, celebrate Christ's triumph in everyday lives, and pray for help in our everyday struggles big and small.  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Afternoon at the Arboretum

The Minnesota Arboretum is a truly gorgeous retreat.  Last weekend, we took GG with us to explore the Arboretum for a day.  We loved it so much, we left with a membership!

T took a picture of us all stopping by the fish pond to take in the gorgeous view:

What a relaxing place.

So serene.

The arboretum herb garden was filled with monarchs.

We were all so excited to have the chance to explore:

 At the Learning Center, J-Bear had a great time playing on the outdoor stage.  By the way, where is J-Bear?

Oh, THERE she is!

We also took time to explore the corn pit (a giant pit filled with corn kernels), the hedge maze and the three mile drive.  Afterwards, we stocked up on apples at the Apple House.  Yum!  We're set for fall.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Early Fall Moments, 2014

There have already been so many special moments for us this fall.

As of October 1st, T, my brother and I are owners of this lovely piece of property:

We were able to get up to the cabin one last time with MoMo and Papa before the boats came out of the water.  The weekend was a gem.  I love sharing moments like this with my growing Bears:

We've harvested most of our garden to beat the frosty nighttime temperatures.  Our potatoes plants were our favorite this year:

From one sprouting spring potato, we ended up with 6 plants and 2 baskets of potatoes!  

Cuttings from our window box vines have made a great centerpiece in the dining room,

as have the flowers from my overgrown oregano:

Our tomatoes didn't quite get enough sun this year to make red tomatoes, but after a week by the windowsill, several of our heirlooms turned lovely autumn shades:

We tried tomatillos for the first time this year and raised a HUGE plant!  Next year, I'll give it even more sun to ensure a bumper crop.  The tomatillos are fun for the kids.  The flowers and budding fruits are gorgeous on the vines.

Finally, we're getting ready for a family wedding next weekend.  All the Bears will be in the wedding.  These two look ready, don't they?

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Happy Birthday to Johnny Appleseed

From Grraphics by R.Ritchie

Today, so far as I know, is the birthday of Johnny Chapman, who is better known as Johnny Appleseed.  I can't vouch for the authenticity of the above quote, but I thought it appropriate to the American folklore surrounding Chapman and fitting for the spirit of the day that I would like my kids to remember.  Increasingly, I am asking God to help me see His great things in the small, whether in small acts of faithfulness, within little people, or within the seemingly small details of everyday life.

G-Bear was making applesauce in school today in honor of Johnny Appleseed's birthday.  So, the boys and I had a special apple lunch and then made Johnny Appleseed hats.

Johnny Appleseed was known for wearing a pot on his head, so we combined that theme with the above quote in the making of our headwear.

We could have easily substituted the "Appleseed Prayer" on our hats, or simply written "Oh, the Lord is good to me," or something of the like.

Our Johnny Appleseed hat

I can remember my dad singing the Appleseed Prayer to me as a child.  My kids already associate the prayer with Papa, so it has special sentimental value in my heart.  This was our prayer at lunch and dinner today:

"Oh, the Lord is good to me,

And so I thank the Lord

for giving me the things I need:

the sun and the rain and the apple seed.

The Lord is good to me.

Amen."

 This was such a beautiful way to spend an autumn day!  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Views from the County Fair

One of the highlights of September each year is our parish festival, the County Fair.  In only two years since we moved here, the Fair has become the much anticipated event following the start of school.  The rides and games, food, music, fun with friends and of course, our one outdoor Mass of the year, make the Fair a favorite event for many families in our parish and community.

Here are views from our County Fair days this year:

The Pirate Ship is always a favored pick.

The swings are much faster than they look.

I couldn't believe that this little guy was big enough to ride,

or that he would want to ride again.

It probably helped that he had his big brother to look up to.

I was blessed enough to get to ride my favorite ride,

twice.

 Only one of us cried when we had to get off, but both of us could have shed tears.

A first ride at the Fair is a special event.

What we admired but didn't bid:

 What we admired, bid on, and won!

We even got to bring the kids home with us too!

Hooray!  

I know we'll have trouble waiting another whole year for the Fair to return.   

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Two weeks in...

We're two weeks into the school year.

G-Bear loves spelling and writes stories with new words.

E-Bear is making friends and remembers some sight words.

Buddy and J-Bear enjoy playdates and Wednesday mornings with MoMo.

I've given three lectures and have planned two more.

We've been to two Fairs (for our State and our Church).

We've been on a bike tour around our neighborhood.

All this in two weeks?  How can it be?

That's the whirlwind of September, sweet as can be.