{This and That}

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, our patronal feast here in the United States!  I created a prayer card of the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Litany of Loreto.  Feel free to print and use in your homes!

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Some favorite e-reading from the past couple weeks --

Is comparison the thief of your joy?  There are many people who do many things much better than I do or could--and I'm fine with that.  Because I know I'm doing the best that I can with what I have.  I can't say it any better than bearing does--do go and read.

And another good one: Let's Give Our Kids a Sense of the Sacred.  THIS is why we go to the Traditional Latin Mass.

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We also celebrated St. Nicholas' feast day over the weekend.  We always do the traditional oranges, candy canes, and chocolate coins...and a book for each child, of course!  (I'll share a peek of the gifted books soon--I need to pry them from my kids' hands first!)

And St. Lucy's Day is coming up this Saturday!  We celebrate with tea and a treat, and a few books, including Hannah's Christmas.  We don't own our own copy, so we listen to this free audio-reading by the author, Melissa Wiley (a fellow Catholic homeschooler and long-time children's writer).

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We started Crossbows and Crucifixes a few weeks ago, and my kids are riveted.  If you are looking for a supplement written from the perspective of the Catholics in Elizabethan England for Year 3, this book would fit in very nicely.  (Thanks again for the recommendation, Amber.)

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Are you looking for some giftable crafts for your kids to make these next couple weeks?  We're working on two this year.  (Family and IRL friends, avert your eyes if you want to keep it a surprise!)

Fold a Fir Tree would be perfect for those of your doing paper sloyd this term for handwork--or those that aren't!  They were just easy enough that my two 8yos could make them with very little help from me.  I walked them through the process once, and then they went through it a few more times on their own, only needing me to make the snips for the branches (it requires cutting through many layers of construction paper).

And on the docket for this week: these pine cone owls for their friends.  Definitely more craft than handicraft (if you know what I mean), but they are cute, aren't they?

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So now it's your turn: do tell me about your Christmas crafting plans!  I can't share any more of ours here just yet (wouldn't want to give away all our surprises!) but I can't wait to show you after gifts have been given.  What are you sewing/folding/felting/drawing/painting/whittling/hand-making?  I'd love to know.