From the Little Fields of Basil Bookshelf:My Yellow Balloon

My Yellow Balloon
Author: Tiffany Papageorge
Illustrator:  Erwin Madrid 

Most Holy Theotokos Intercede for Us

Xronia Polla! Happy Annunciation to All!

It's a beautiful day, it is always a beautiful day when we celebrate the sweet Mother of God, 

Most Holy Theotokos.

I have been asked why we celebrate her as we do.

It's simple.

She is the Mother of God. 

She is the one who accepted God's will as her own, without trepidation.

She is the one who prays for us, the way every mother prays for her children and intercedes for us, the way a mother intercedes when their child needs support or understanding.

‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ 

Luke 1:24-38

There are so many ways to apply this to your life everyday.

Accept God's Will.

 'For nothing will be impossible with God.’

Luke 1:24-38 

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20 Orthodox Crafts for Lent and Other Times

With Holy Week approaching here are ways to help our littles.  Looking for a fun craft to add to your church school lesson or perhaps a Lenten retreat or just someway to reinforce the lessons of the season at home? You are not going to believe this post! I gathered my favorite Orthodox crafts, all one place, to make it easier to pick.

  Whoo hoo, let the fun begin!!

If you like what you see and wish to pin it, please be courteous and take from the source post, give credit to these incredible people who inspire us. Photo heavy post after the jump.

Special Tea Cookies

It's tea time again. Recently made these for a special event at our parish. It was an extraordinary event and a beautiful time with our ladies. We are so blessed to have them all.

If you remember I had made these before, sort of, so these were the inspiration . But since it was a tea event, naturally I wanted to incorporate, you guessed it tea.  So I decided I wanted to add my favorite flavors, Lavender and Earl Grey.

There's quite a few pictures that will follow the jump.

Raise your Cross

Cross projects are always fun and can be easy or complex.  

This one is very satisfying and easy for little hands.  

I wish I could show you the ear to ear grins.  Once completed these look beautiful in the windows.  Make them with your children at home or at church school. Ours stayed up in the window for the longest time, I think until we moved?

Supplies needed are construction paper, scissors or exacto knife, tissue paper and clear contact paper.
Pair this with a lesson about the Cross and singing the hymn together.  

Lenten Recipe Roundup

I've been looking back at my recipes from last year and decided to do another recap. So, here's an easy link to each of last year's recipes for Lent. All veggie, many vegan. Be sure to check back for the Lenten Orthodox Crafts and more recipes, posting soon! There are quite a few pictures after the jump.  ENJOY!!

Quiet Reflection

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Pink and White

YES, it still feels and looks like winter,

spring will eventually be here.

We are almost there.

Our ladies society at church recently had a tea and I was given these lovelies.

They fill the kitchen with a beautiful aroma, sweet and full of spring.

Many are hoping for spring and renewal. In Greek, many times there are single words that encapsulate multiple meanings. The word I'm thinking of means patience, strength, perseverance, taking things in stride. This is something not only we all need for waiting for spring but also for many events in our lives. I think of recent events and I pray for...

EPOMONI

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, 

is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, 

and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

The funeral arrangements have been made and there are several places, here and here,  to assist Presbytera Kate and the Baker family.

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Great Sadness-Memory Eternal

"With a very heavy heart, His Eminence informs you of the untimely passing of the Rev. Fr. Matthew Baker, who tragically died in a car accident early this evening. Fr. Matthew was recently assigned to the Holy Trinity Parish of Norwich, CT, following the retirement of Fr. Paul Pantelis. During this evening's snow storm, Fr. Baker was traveling home from the parish when he had an accident from which he did not survive. His children who were traveling in the car with Fr. Matthew are thankfully not injured. The Metropolitan spoke directly with Presbytera Katherine a few moments ago and expressed the love and sympathy of the entire Metropolis and assured her of our prayers, presence and support.

More information will be forthcoming tomorrow.  Please join His Eminence as we pray for Fr. Matthew's eternal repose. We pray for Presbytera Kate, their six beautiful children, Fr. Matthew's mother and their entire family, that the Lord surround them in His comforting and peaceful embrace. May he rest in peace! May his memory be eternal!" Metropolis of Boston

More information will be shared by His Eminence and the Metropolis.
In the meantime, to assist this special family, a fund has been set up at
http://www.gofundme.com/nizf2g

Sharing this with great sadness, our hearts and prayers go out to the Baker family.
Please share this information, as we try to support this sweet family.
Eleni