Orthodox Christian Crafts for Pascha 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.

If you're Greek...time to start thinking of festival season.

If you're Greek...or even if you're not...
it's time to start thinking of festival season.

Yes indeed it is.

If you are Greek or belong to a Greek Orthodox Church you know exactly what I mean. As soon as Easter/Pascha has been celebrated... the baking begins!

What are classic parts of the festival, other than the fantastic time with each other?

Well, there's the food.

And then there's the food.

Umm, did I mention the food?

There's the dancing and music.

Then, there's the Agora (the village store). 

Today we celebrate, wave those palms.

Not sure of the original source, if you know it, contact me please, to allow proper credit. Thank you to the sweet soul that shared it with me and gave me a BIG smile and laugh.

Have a Blessed Holy Week!
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Happy April Fool's Day!

Well, it seems like pranks happen to be a big part of our lives lately? Our son couldn't wait for April Fool's and so in the past 2 weeks, we have had frozen cereal served, cotton balls in shoes, pull poppers on the doors and an elastic band over the faucet hose. Needless to say, gales of giggles have followed.

So this morning it was my turn.

Pretzel fish on the fish tank.

(recently all our mollies went to the big fish tank)

At lunch time, he opened up his lunchbox to find?

In addition to his regular lunch, an old banana and a bag full of nothing!

Here's the link.

It was a big hit at the elementary lunch table.

Then when he got home from school for his after school snack.

Dog biscuit cookies were served.

Don't be worried, they are chocolate chip.

Did you play any pranks today?

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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.

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.  

Adventures in Winter Window Cleaning

Alright, if you have been following my blog you know that I like my windows being clean, but I don't always have the best luck.

This adventure in window cleaning was no different.

I finally took off the Christmas clings.

You know how they leave a little film and stick on the windows.

I don't know about your home, ours get moved around a lot!

New words, little changes almost daily to see if someone else in the family will notice.

It's a fun game, but leaves a big mess on the window.

Time to clean it!

I cleaned the inside, but it didn't look clean.

Then I realized ...dun dun dunnnn.

Ahhh-it was on the outside!

Red, White and Blue Danishes

Getting ready for July 4th.

Last year we were headed for a celebration breakfast, 

before the parade. Obviously I wanted to bring something yummy for the potluck.

So decided to make a version of the Strawberry Danish.

The fruits used were fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.

Take a peek, they were super yumm.

What are you planning?

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Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Boogieboardcottage
Ishouldbemoppingthefloor
SavvySouthernStyle
igottacreate

Ole! 5 for 5th of May

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Need some recipes for a fun dinner tonight?
Here are some that have been shared here at the Fields and will be easy to whip up!

Guatemalan Black Beans

Bean Corn Salad

Shrimp or without Shrimp Peach Mango Salsa Tacos

Super Healthy Mayan Salad

Plantains-Yummm

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Keeping track of your garden

I am continuing my garden journal this year but adding to it.  Last year I did this schematic to help me remember where and what was planted in the rock garden. You may remember we decided to triple it's size last year and so added quite a few more perennials ,after amending the soil.

This year the journal is going to have dates of blooms and progress of the flowers with photos. I'm keeping a journal on the computer but am also printing out pages and adding to a three ring binder so I can also keep seed packet info, add drawings/notes and take it out to the garden with me. I'm pretty pleased with myself on this one.

Let's see how I do this season?
What's your plan? Do you keep a garden journal?

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Stone Gable
French Country Cottage
Be Different Act Normal
BoogieBoardCottage
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
The Dedicated House
Savvy Southern Style

Palm Sunday

No palm is too little to wave for the Lord. Have a blessed Holy Week.

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21 Favorite Ideas to Decorate Easter Eggs

40 Days-40 Lenten Recipes (and more)

So with Easter/Pascha approaching, a girl's thoughts turn to... the eggs of course.
It can't be recipes and food all the time.

I started thinking about all the gorgeous egg tutorials I've seen on Pinterest.

So I thought I'd share some of my favorites and some history I learned, along the way.

Enjoy and then let's get cracking!

Sorry couldn't resist.

Would you like to Guest Post for 40 Days-40 Lenten Recipes 2014 Challenge?

Last year I challenged myself to complete posting daily and offer to you all, 40 recipes for Lent.  

My hope was that it would help that ever present question, "what are we going to eat?" and I am always trying to answer that question. In fact, it is the question that led me to discover blogs in first place. Admittedly this season always brings with it, a sense of excitement and renewal. I am looking forward to Lent this year and returning to cleaner whole eating.  This year's lenten offering to you all, will focus on easy and healthy recipes and few other surprises.

Drum roll...offering 5 guest post openings . 
Would you like to be that guest?

If you would like to be a guest, please email me.  To be considered, please submit either a tutorial or recipe with at least one clear picture of the finished food item or activity.  If submitting a recipe it must be vegetarian or vegan to be considered. 

40 days Recap will be posted soon!
So send me an email and come over to Share the Day!

How does your Sunday Start?

How does your Sunday start?
Last year on the Sunday closest to Valentine's Day,
 I had the pleasure to host coffee hour for our Fellowship hour at church.

Sweets for the Sweets!

We had Cake balls, Quiche, Cupcakes, Brownies, Pepperoni/Salami Slices and cheese with crackers and Tarama with bread, Cheesecake cookies, Greek Sugar Cookies, Spanakopita, Fresh Fruit and 

Granola Vanilla Berry Yogurt Parfaits.

I tried to make sure we had a little something for everyone, those who wanted something healthier, those who don't mind indulging, something for the kids, something for those who need some protein, and of course, coffee. Someone else made that for me. Many hands helped,  our community is wonderful and always ready to lend a hand to anyone.

I have this pretty valentine fabric, it's one of my favorites, you can see it in the middle,
I placed cooking pans from the pantry upside-down in order to make some raised platforms.
Heights make a difference, in being able to reach something and in general prettiness.
You can see them in the fall buffet too, remember?

I'm starting to plan, I signed up for this weekend again.
What should I make, hmmm?

What to give-what to give?

I love giving. This is something my hubby knew well, when he met me. He understood it even better, when we married too. It's always part of the budget, crafting and gifting. Trust me, the eyes start rolling in July, when I start talking about Christmas. 

Is it just me? I didn't think so?

Anyway, I thought I would share some of my faves today about great ideas to give those who are housebound or in a nursing home.  Things to think about when giving a gift; what would they like? what do they need? what is a luxury? In the end, what would brighten someone's day or bring them a lasting smile?  Being remembered by someone unexpected is always a good feeling.

I love fingerless gloves which can help keep the person toasty, or a fleece wrap.
Although I think anyone of any age would love these!

Pattern Found here on Etsy

Easy Crochet Fleece

Other ideas include,

treats and fresh fruit which are always nice, a small planter or indoor garden, photos and cards. 

Warm socks, warm packs, and warm hugs. 

Anything bird-watching-related is also popular. And why wouldn't it be, they are so fun to watch! 

A great gift can be  bird feeders or as simple as a bottle of birdseed with a bow on it.

I think making a simple birdseed ornaments, with no cleanup to be a great gift.

It's fun to do with the kids and so pretty.

Below are my two favorites!

Go check out 

Salt Water Kids for a great tutorial.

or

Henry Happened

For some more fun ideas, this is what I found and pinned on Pinterest. I made a board of them.
I absolutely love some of the things I found.

Fun things in the holidays would include, decorating for someone, whether the porch or a window, use clings, lights, a wreath, anything to make it beautiful.  Remember if you decorate for someone who is homebound or elderly, please, please, please remember to set a time to go back and take it down for them. They should not be getting up on anything to take something down, or worried about it. What would be the point of the gift if it caused more worry. Another thought, singing to them, the old wonderful treat of carolers, it's fun and inexpensive and a beautiful way to connect.

Having listed all these things, let me add the all time best thing!

All time best thing to offer is TIME. 

There is nothing like time together, whether it's sharing a pot of tea, watching a show together, making small talk, playing cards, or even better, helping them reminisce about the beautiful moments.  I have found that any amount of time offered including a hug, holding hands and a smile is appreciated more than anything else.

So, go get out there
and
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Sharing with these lovely parties.

French Country Cottage

    Chic on a Shoestring Decorating,

Jennifer Rizzo

All Things Pretty,

Coastal Charm

Lovely Crafty Home
I Should be Mopping the Floor

The Dedicated House

More Love for Fall

I know I said I would post the Fall Mantle Reveal this week...

I just couldn't get to it,

multiple factors, I won't bore you.

It is on it's way.

But I did want to share some more of my love for fall 

and the beauty it holds.

Fresh apples from the trees.

The last of the dahlias and a bit of wine to share with friends.

So grateful for the moments we have.

Are you able to slow down a bit, 

at least once in a while,

 to enjoy the colors, and each other?

Go outside and take a deep breath.

Look at the beauty that God has given us.

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Beautiful Fall

Beautiful Fall Geese-to be watched-out of formation

Beautiful Fall Colors-to be enjoyed.

Beautiful Fall Bulbs- to be planted.

Beautiful Warm Fall Nights- to be ending soon

Beautiful Fall Gourds- to be arranged.

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Coming this week, Rustic Breakfast Stromboli Recipe and Fall Mantle Reveal...

Fall Breakfast Buffet Menu

When planning an event when you need to feed a crowd, 

the place to start is to know the location and resources available. 

For this function, there are two sets of stairs, no elevator and no kitchen but lots of tables. 

How did we overcome this, you may ask?

Four ways is the answer. 

1. Have fantastic help,
many hands make everything more fun,
and more beautiful.

2. Plan the menu 

(nothing that needs to be reheated/cooked at the site)

3. Coolers/ Pack smart

4. My favorite-this year we were blessed with a clergy kid extraordinaire,

 who joined us and did tons of running up and down those two sets of stairs. 

God Bless Her!

This year's Menu included:

Coffee, creme, etc.

Apple Cider

Bougatsa (creme-filled fillo pastry-sweet and delicious)

Assorted Fresh Fruit including,

Grapes, Watermelon/Melon, Pineapple, Figs, Blueberries and Strawberries, Apples

Yogurt and Granola

Rice Pudding with Cinnamon and Nutmeg on the side

Pumpkin Cake

Apple Strudel

Blueberry Cake

Pumpkin muffins

Cornbread

Apple Crisp

Sesame Anisette Biscotti

Cheese Plate and Rolled Deli Meats

Bagels and Cream Cheese and Jams

Rustic Breakfast Stromboli 

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

When planning a menu, try to consider dietary restrictions and a balance of sweet and savory.

The little leaf toothpicks doubled as decor and we had written on them if something was gluten-free, or had nuts, etc. you get the idea. 

Some of the decor you will end up seeing back on my mantle, reveal will be soon. You may recognize a few pieces already from last year, like the Three Little Sweater Pumpkins and this year's Glitter Gourds before they were dressed for a party.

Still loving me some burlap.

Do you think we missed anything?

What should we add to the menu for next year?

                                 

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Sharing with these lovely parties.

 Jennifer Rizzo , FarmHousePorch, Feeding Big, Mandy's Recipe Box, Dedicated House, Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom