a new year

A new year brings with it all sorts of resolutions, and in that I am no different from anyone else.  But this year I have one very important resolution--the one I want to accomplish even if I fail at all the others--I want to learn to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and make it a part of my daily life.

Kindness Elf

After reading this wonderful post over at The Imagination Tree I decided that I'm going to incorporate some of the ideas in my classroom this week!  I've got my elf all ready--he's an old ornament from my childhood tucked into a vase of holly.  Isn't he cute?

If all goes according to plan, he'll be in the classroom when we return from Mass on Thursday, complete with a letter to the children about acts of kindness and a plate of homemade cookies!  Once I compose the letter I'll post it here for you to see.  (DH will be the actual scribe--a left-handed male handwriting will look sufficiently different from mine and from our classroom teacher to hopefully keep the children guessing!)

And later today DH will be putting up the 2nd Advent candle in the yard...photo tomorrow!

Frugal Advent Wreath

I just finished making my Advent wreath!  And other than the purchase of new candles, it's a freebie!  My budget is so tight this year that there just isn't money to spend on anything that isn't really a necessity.  But I'm thrilled with what I was able to put together from items I already have in the house, with the exception of the candles (which I need every year).   I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

I'll be deconstructing it in a few minutes so that I can take the candles with me to Mass this morning to have them blessed, but when I get home I'll put it right back together again AND I'll change out the table runner to an Advent-appropriate one.  Step-by-step photos of the wreath-making process later today!

Novena to the Immaculate Conception

Today may be Black Friday for some (oh, how I dreaded this day when I worked in retail!) but for me, it's the first day of the Novena to the Immaculate Conception.

Need the prayers?  Hop over to PRAY MORE NOVENAS and you'll find everything you need, including a convenient sign-up so that you can have the prayers emailed to you each day.  And no worry, they won't start spamming you if you sign up!

Day 28

I'm thankful for so much--but honestly, right now I'm thankful that I didn't overeat today!

Day 27

Today I'm thankful for "Friendsgiving".  Spent the day with my DH, and my dear friends Liz, Mike, and Connie.  We had a great lunch, and a great time visiting with each other.  It's such a treat to have some extra time to spend with them.

Day 26

Today I'm grateful that I could find this adjustable roasting rack!  It's almost exactly like the one my mother had (hers wasn't non-stick, of course) and it's just the thing I'll need when I try to make the bacon-wrapped turkey breast later this week!

Day 25

Today I'm thankful for all the cleaning/decluttering/organizing that I accomplished in my kitchen!  Just looking at it makes me smile!

Day 24

I'm thankful for a quiet and peaceful day spent with my husband...

Day 23

Today I'm grateful for seeing a new low when I stepped on the scale at my Weight Watchers meeting!  But what I'm really grateful for is the help and companionship of the 7:15 Saturday morning Weight Watchers bunch...I don't know that I would still be getting up, going to the meetings, and working the program without them!

Day 22

Today I am thankful for the start of a week-long vacation from work!  Time to get some housework done!

Day 21

I'm thankful that Paul and I were able to see "Mary of Nazareth" tonight!

Day 20

Today I'm thankful for the infectious joy of the little children that I am surrounded by each day!

Day 19

I'm grateful to have a job.  In today's economy so many people don't have work, so having a job I enjoy is truly a blessing!

Day 18

I'm thankful for this:

Thank you, Caden.  I'll always be thankful that you've come into my life.

Day 17

I'm thankful for the chance to go to the swimming pool and visit with my dear friend Liz.  We don't get to see each other or talk to each other as often as we once did, so these once-a-week visits are a real blessing in my life!

Day 16

I am thankful for a beautiful day spend with my husband and 600 our closest friends out walking to raise money for--and awareness of--the Women's New Life Center!

I survived the 5k!

Day 15

I'm thankful for Mr. Taco--no cooking tonight!  Seriously, I'm actually thankful that I have enough to eat when here are so many people going hungry tonight.

Day 14

I'm grateful for the wonderful teacher that I work with.  She's young and vibrant, and such a joy to be around!

Day 13

Today I'm grateful for my friends.  They truly are a gift from God, and were there to help me find my way back home after so many years away from the church.