Merry Christmas 2011

Christmas Blessings from us to you! 

We've returned from a family vacation with my family to AZ (pics to come) and now have the keys to our new home (pics to come).  Looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home (pics to come) and a moving week sans snow (pics to come).  In the meantime enjoy these recent pics of the girls in their Christmas dresses from Gramma.  I was pleased with the outcome! 

Merry Christmas from Kieler!

For Sale

The only thing somewhat good about having your house for sale is that (with much effort) it stays pretty clean.  And looks VERY nice.  

Unfortunately between trying to keep it looking nice and packing I haven't had much time to blog here. 

I've got some St. Nick's Day pictures I'll post soon.  And we may be able to go in the 'new' house this weekend and take a few pictures as well as make a few plans for an 'easier' move. 

St. Joseph, patron of homes for sale (an saint for J week), Pray for us!

Its Coming! Its Here! Advent!

Well our preparations for Christmas have begun with the season of Advent (the beginnging of the Church Liturgical Year).  And here at our home there is much preparing going on, too.

With the impending move Advent (and especially Christmas) may be a bit more on the simple side than previously thought as there are preparations to be done in the moving department as well.  We are also taking a bit of a break from the Alphabet Path.  In December we'll just do the letter J (for Jesus- and his coming birth!) and our 'Advent Stuff' and resume in full swing in the new house come January. 

As for what we're doing for Advent.  I've mentioned Advent Adventure before, we're doing that and the Jesse Tree that they mention each day there.  The girls made their first ornaments today.  I've decided to forego my regular Christmas ornaments for the time being and just do their homemade ones this year.  We Julia being at that climbing monkey age our tree isn't that safe in her vicinity and once again the move will just make it all the crazier.  So our Jesse Tree will essentially become our Christmas Tree. 

Along with that we've got our Advent Wreath out and lit week one.  And we've been attempting a decade of the Rosary (with Advent Adventure).  We also have an Advent Calendar that they handed out in our church bulletin that we'll mark off days on.

Kate is already anticipating St. Nick's Day.  The stockings are hung and I've got a few things up my sleeve.  I'll try to take pictures.

We were up north last week for Hunting Season and I totally didn't take a picture.  Sorry.  It wasn't a good year for me 'catching a deer' as Katie called it.  Though I overheard a conversation between Kate and my niece (4 yrs) that might explain why--
My niece was telling Kate that her mom got two deer this hunting season (6pter and 14 pter, in MN) and then said, "My mom is a good hunter."  Katie's reply, "Well, my mom is not!" 

Our New Space

Well as fore mentioned I made a few changes to the blog.  I wish I were a bit more savvy at such things as I would figure out how to add a few 'tabs' to the top too.  But, I haven't figured it out yet. However you'll notice you can now follow by email for my friends and family who aren't addicted to blog reading like me!  Also, you'll notice that I've decided to change the name (though not the address) of the blog.  That's because though we're not changing names we are changing addresses!  After much discernment I decided on just "Environs" (the second runner up was Life on the Mississippi- Kurt nixed that one).  By definition-

Environs (en-ver-uhnz)

1.

the surrounding parts or districts, as of a city; outskirts; suburbs.

2.

surrounding objects; surroundings; environment.

3.

an area or space close by; vicinity.

The initial idea for the name Life in Kieler and Environs came from a map that used to hang in my grandpa's house, it showed the lake he lived on and the surrounding area and there was a small plaque labeling it Kleutch Lake and environs.  Now, with a move from Kieler proper it will be shortened to Environs.  I like to think of this blog space as some place close by not just for me but for visitors too.  And when we're on the outskirts of something we continue to be people on the move and on the way to Something Greater.   So thank you for joining us on the journey in this space!

And now, the journey continues as we signed on this home today-

Our New Home!

View from the front yard to the backyard.  Yes, that's The River (Mississippi).

My cousin, Heidi, and Julia in front of the apple orchard.

A view from the orchard back at the house.

The rest of the back of the house. You can just barely see the cap garage on the far left.

As you can see, we have a view from the deck. 

The view heading down river.

The "Pine Grove"

Quick Takes 11-11-11

1- As H week wraps up we are anticipating a visit from one of our favorite H's, my cousin, Heidi!  She's always a fun house guest and the girls are tickled that she'll be spending the weekend with us.  Hopefully we can get her some needed R&R away from the college life.  And her and Kate are requesting more SNOW!

We had our first round of snow this week and Katie loved every minute of it.  She was out in it not long after the day began!

2-Well I think that we're through the HFM and the disease never really seemed to take over as I expected.  Though 8 days of keeping the girls home was certainly enough in this mom's book!  Neither girl has a blister and there are just dwindling signs of the rash that plagued them.  I am grateful that it wasn't worse. 

3-FREE Things!  Really excited to see this printable at Catholic Icing not only for my own kiddos but for Religious Ed classes locally.  Really helpful, really handy and FREE! And just received a reminder about Advent Adventure from Holy Heroes, another FREE faith opportunity.  We really enjoyed the things they did for Lent last year and are definitely looking forward to Advent with joyful anticipation now!

4- We attended Wool Day at a local farm with the Home Education Network (HEN).  It was a big hit for Kate.  I was quite impressed with it too.  The family hosting had sheep that they showed how to sheer (though just a bit because a wool coat comes in handy this time of year), then a local artisan brought wool samples and supplies and showed the kids how they could each felt their own ball.  For the older kids she did spinning lessons and more.  Kate and I were quite happy with our felted ball.  And I was particularly pleased to meet a few other moms for potential networking

Katie took the pictures of our ball to post on the blog.

She also picked out the colors herself- blue, black and glitter sparkle (which you can't really see from her shot).

5-We did this act of thanksgiving today (and H is for Hands!).  I case you're wondering, it is a tree with hand print leaves that note things we're thankful for on the hands.  I have to once again put a plug in for Small Steps for Catholic Moms, It was the act of the "Think, Pray, Act" today.  I highly recommend this book for moms particularly ones with small children who struggle to fit prayer and apply it to daily life.   It has been a continual blessing to my days. 

Katie is thankful for- Grampa, Gramma, Mom and Heidi.  She traced her hands and wrote all the names herself!

Julia is thankful for "Boos" aka her pacifier, Cock-a-doodle-do aka roosters, and babies.  Mom is thankful for Dad, Our Church and coffee especially at today's 5 AM wake up.  I think I live with roosters!

6-And speaking of gratitude...ladies do you dare to try this?  I'm giving A Heart of Gratitude a go (started yesterday with my own adjusted version) but wow, I think Betty's right on the money in these remarks.  However, what a great lead in to Thanksgiving or just practice in gratitude and love!  I know I've seen a few folks listing things they're particularly thankful for on Facebook, too.  I dare not try that, I'd be on there way too much!

7- You'll be seeing a new look on the blog in the near future!  Be patient as I try to have patience!  Here's to a great weekend!

Head over to Conversion Diary as she hosts "Quick Takes" every Friday!

November Family Literacy- The Gingerbread Boy

For G week one of the books by our author, Paul Galdone, was The Gingerbread Boy.  It was definitely one of Katie's favorites.  As she told the story back to me a few times.  She was particularly humored by the ending (spoiler!) where the foxy fox settles in for a nap after his snack. 

 As a activity to go with the story we decided to try to make our own Gingerbread boys.  It was tricky as I had to borrow the cookie cutter from the neighbor, guess I should put that on our list. After that, we suited up for the task. Everyone was game for helping in the baking!

Aren't their aprons the cutest?!?

Katie took over the camera for a few of the pictures. She had to get a shot of my apron.

 As I didn't have a recipe in mind I ended up using this one from Allrecipes.  I liked it because it didn't call for any eggs and I new that I'd have some dough eaters in the kitchen.  I did have to adjust it a bit as the initial recipe (as mentioned in the comments) was too dry to roll out.  It may have been because I ran out of white flour and had to substitute with wheat.  Regardless,  a bit more water in the mix seemed to do the trick.  I also ended up taking the cookies out earlier than 10 minutes (it was more like 6-7 min) so that they were soft.  I didn't know with the current bout of HFM if hard cookies would be right for us. 

 I must say the recipe was delicious both cooked and uncooked.  I honestly thought about balling up the dough and serving it as is though the final product is delicious, too.  I will probably make them again at Christmastime.  I had one cookie stealer in the kitchen...at least twice I caught her with cookie in hand and on the run!  Rascal!!!

"You can't catch me with the gingerbread man!"

Katie thought the dough was mighty tasty, too!

Much to my delight, Katie did wonder to herself as we put the first batch in the oven if one was going to jump off the pan...and if it did, we'd definitely catch it for a snack (and if I had my way, a nap like that foxy fox!)!   We all enjoyed catching the gingerbread boys- especially Daddy. 

What have you done as a family to encourage literacy lately?  Head on over to Work, Play, Read and link up to November's Family Literacy Challenge. 

Quick Takes Friday

1.  Julia has been reaching new heights literally!  She has figured out there are certain things she can manipulate to get her to where she wants to be.  Oftentimes this chair will be moved to the kitchen counter where she will assist me in cooking and mess making.  She is also experimenting with dumping her cup of milk on the floor, writing (usually not on paper), ripping books and pulling her sister's hair.

2.  Its not all 'bad' so to speak.  Julia is REALLY FUN to be around.  She's learning in leaps and bounds.  And has mastered some of her animal sounds so well I wish I could record them here for you, a-dorable!  Her favorite words/sounds include cock-a-doodle-doo!, apple, acorn, egg, thank you, please, bye-bye, book, bath, star, Nicholas (a character from one of her favorite books), night-night!  She's smart, hilarious and cute and you can't help but love her to bits- I should know.

3.  We're wrapping up G week on the Alphabet Path.  Kate really enjoyed the Glitter Glue project and you can see in the background of this first picture the Garden we planted.  I had my doubts as to whether or not this would be a fruitful endeavor (pun intended).  However....

4.  Today at lunch Katie spotted some growth from the grass seed and as we looked further a couple of our beans had sprouted, too.  She was needless to say thrilled with this news.  Evidently she has more of a green thumb than her mother. (In case you were curious, Marla and Jason, the gifted plant is still living however, perhaps a new house record...if it makes the winter then...WOW.)



 5.  Also on the agenda to wrap up G week we're doing a November family literacy project in hopes to post it at Work Play Read.  Can you smell the Gingerbread?  Can't wait for Daddy to get home to let the fun begin.  The post is coming SOON!

6. Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFM) has been part of our week in review and will be keeping us cooped up for the most part till late next week as it is contagious especially to other little ones.  Julia developed the sores in her mouth today but has still managed to eat a few of her favorite things.  Hopefully it won't get much worse for her.  The plus side is she's been getting better sleep (she'd been so restless with teething I think) and that's good for me, too!  Kate has the sores on hands and feet but has yet to develop them orally that we've noticed.  She is however enjoying the special treatment when it comes to eating.  A friend made some recommendations as her son recently had HFM and we swiftly took action. 

Sucking on ice cubes, Popsicles (homemade), gogurt, hummus, soups and other smooth foods have made the menu.  Though she hasn't complained much my dear Julia is really covered in rash.  This picture is just a small  peek.  Poor thing.

7. One of the things I've yet to try on our new laptop is video chatting.  Though, I did manage to take this picture of the three of us one day.  Maybe next I'll take a video.  Kind of inconvenient for catching some moments but it might work. ;-)  Anyone Skype or the like?

Have a great weekend!