Christmas: The Kids and The Cousins

Just posting a few picture collages right now. Will share Christmas story later.
There are scones to make and children to wake. Tea Time at 3:30 today. Care to join us?

Off on a Tangent

Ok, it is the day before Thanksgiving. I should be baking. And I guess technically, I baked something.

I decided I wanted to do a Jesse Tree with the boys this year, but did not have any of the ornaments. I've seen some done from paper and some from felt. this morning I decided to make the ornaments out of clay. I've got 10 done, 15 to go!!!!

Basically, there is a Scripture reading for each day of December leading to Christmas. Each ornament is a symbol of an Old Testament story. I found a link with a chart of readings and ornaments/symbols. (I'll post the link later as I am not in a regular internet browser right now.) I am excited about this.
***********ADDED: Here's the link: JESSE TREE INFO.

Now, I need to make the relish and do whatever is on my list for today. The sweet potatoes and pumpkin for pie are baking away at least. Hope you are all having a great day and remembering what really matters about Thanksgiving. I keep reminding myself. :)

Watch This

Can I just say that I love this movie? We bought it in January when everyone was on the mend. I've already lost count as to how many times I've seen it! I've never seen it before, but I think it's wonderful. Of course, one must truly love slow period pieces. This is not an action movie. Jane-ites will adore it and wonder why it took me so long to see it!

Now, for a decent Mansfield Park...

Side note: We recently watched Jane Eyre again and were pleased to see Captain Wentworth as Mr. Rochester. A bit gruff, but an enjoyable rendition nonetheless.
Also, if you haven't seen North & South, by Elizabeth Gaskell, DO! It's truly delightful. The music is hauntingly beautiful. I haven't been able to track down the soundtrack, but I love it. This has nothing to do with the Civil War, and is in fact set in England. I personally think Richard Armitage would make a wonderful Mr. Darcy if they rerereremake Pride & Prejudice. He broods wonderfully!
Do yourself a favor and just buy this:


The Elizabeth Gaskell collection (which we own) contains Wives & Daughters, Cranford and North & South. All three are wonderful stories wonderfully done.
All my guys enjoy them with me. :)

Christmas in the Big Woods

This is Pumpkin's new favorite story to have read to him. It's a picture book adapted from a chapter of Laura Ingalls' Little House in the Big Woods. He loves it. He is able to "read" along with you and knows quite a lot of the story already. He is so fun to read to!

I've also been reading Jan Brett's Gingerbread Baby to him. The illustrations are, of course, incredible. What makes it even more fun is that I have it in big book form. The book is about two feet by three feet. It's something I bought with my book order points when I was a teacher. I'll try to get some pictures of that with him soon.