Thursday, June 30, 2011

Simple Pleasures- Comfort Food

As we are completely immersed in our Winter with the cold and often rainy days then to be followed by some beautiful sunny blue skied days we just seemed to have a need want for what I call comfort food and yet a SIMPLE PLEASURE as well.

Now there is nothing more comforting on a cold wintry night to have some warm, smooth homemade custard and I would love to share the recipe with you. This is a recipe I have had for many years and it ALWAYS turns out.
Now I always make two jugs for our family of 14 and we love to have it with canned peaches.

Beautiful Custard~
Ingredients:
2 eggs
6 tablespoons of white sugar
3 heaped tablespoons of custard powder
3 heaped tablespoons of  cornflour
8 heaped tablespoons of milk powder
2 liter jug for stirring ingredients

Method:
1. Put sugar, custard, cornflour and milk powder into a jug and mix
2. Add eggs and mix in
3. Add cold water in very small amount and stir until it forms a FIRM not a runny mix.
4. Beat until smooth with a spoon
5. Boil water and pour into mixture in one continual stream STIRRING THE WHOLE TIME and afterwards for a couple of minutes.
6. If for some reason it isn't thick enough just put in the microwave for one minute ( I have done this maybe 3 times in over 10 years)
Another favourite amongst the family is Yorkshire Pudding once again it is a no fail recipe and no wonder as it is Tasha Tudor's form her Cookbook
We have this with our Stew recipe that is in this post

Yorkshire Pudding by Tasha Tudor ~
1 cup plain flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. In a bowl mix together flour and salt, then gradually add the mild to make a smooth paste.(I actually use our Kitchen Aid mixer with the whisk attachment for the whole process including the eggs)
3. Stir in the eggs and beat for 2 minutes
3. Pour the batter into a pan with a little oil (do not skimp here) and bake for 20- 30 mins
4. Cut the pudding into squares and serve immediately.

I am joining in with Dayle for Simple Pleasures this week

Blessings to you and your homes,

Everyday Achievements or Natural Learning

Today was a day where we had very little 'real organised learning' today.

Over the last week especially we have not been following to the full our Homeschooling plans we have made. We have had the children's grandparents visiting and dear Anna-Lisa too.
Some days we have achieved some lessons and others have had appointments and just doing whatever we could  that day.

Today as I was outside playing basketball with the little ones and then looking at the activities they wanted to share with me I thought about the fact that while we were not 'officially' doing lesson work that the children had achieved some great things during the day, some of which I will list below:

Arwen learned to climb trees

Vellvin chopped a whole barrow load of wood for the first time and broke the axe handle, make two cakes and did do set lesson work as well as general home helping
Myffwyn started drawing in a sketch book, played shops which we all went to  and played in the trailer with Rogan, Corbyn, Moran and Arwen having dressed up in character.

Corbyn was building behind the shed a major woodworking project and played the trailer game too.

Rogan climbed in a tree and built a desk and shelf then proceeded to continue to  write the story he has been working on up in the tree.It is very high up and hard to see.

Autumn learnt about the 1920's era while doing some research for her 18th birthday theme party we are planning on. She was able to share this with us.

Autumn and Arwen also went on a nature walk and brought back 'leaf letters' (below) which have been written on (hard to photograph) for some of us.
Poor Saxon was sick in bed and so just slept and read when he was up to it.

Eden read some of the Redwall series books for the umpteenth time as well as some planned lesson work and general helping too

Anna-Lisa helped with  jobs and spending time with the little ones did some of her own school work she brought with her. Anna-Lisa also was creative with the Menu Board - writing out tonight's menu.
Moran made  the shop with Myffwyn  and did some drawing and the trailer game too. She also cleaned up the shop game mess completely with out help and without being asked. Moran also worked on climbing trees, this is a big achievement for her as she is scared of heights.

Mummy: well I  played basketball and soccer with little ones for a while, looked at all the children's games etc and spent most of the day settling Trahaearn which is why this is a shorter post. I am still trying to get him to sleep!

Kynan played on  his I -phone, he is on holidays anyway, chopped wood and helped me as well as with the younger children.

Of course Braedon was a work today.

So although we did not achieve much in the way of set curricula I can see as I start to categorise ( this is not a complete list) that we live a lifestyle that gives all of the children opportunity to learn through out the day and I am thankful that we life a  lifestyle that encourages the belief that.....

LEARNING IS A LIFE LONG PROCESS THAT WE LIVE EACH DAY

Blessings to you and your homes,

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sticky Tape: or entertaining a two year old

Today Moran brought me her very much used and loved picture bible to put the cover back on it and re-attach the pages back into it.

As I was cutting sticky tape that I had stuck to the table to the right lengths Arwen came along and climbed up beside me.
To try to keep her busy (and not helping me) I handed her a pair of  scissors too and some paper.  However  she couldn't get the idea of cutting it yet.

So I got an idea, perhaps not an original one but it was inspired at the time.

I asked her to get some paper and then tore up some paper tape that just happened to be lying around near me too and then I stuck them to the little coffee table so she could just pick it up and stick it on her paper, a bit like stickers.

It actually provided a long time of entertainment for her and she had great fun putting them all on her paper and then pulling them off and putting on again.

Sometimes the simplest things are the most fun!!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts for Home - 27th June ♥

 In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Enjoying our lives on the 27th June by doing ♥ ♥
First off -  please forgive me for not commenting and visiting last week to you all. I just did not seem to get it all together with spare moments and the baby.

We seem to be improving on Trahaearn's Colic with a natural remedy we have found. So try to monitor his reactions to this.........and hopefully get his little internal clock reversed as he thinks night is day and vice versa.

I am planning (with some help) for Autumn to go to Melbourne for a ball which she is very excited about.

Continue working on the Beret, now I have it worked out with Adrienne's and Bernadette's help.

Make some plans for Autumn's 18th birthday, which is hard as she has no set ideas or expectations.

Try to get the dentist appointments on time and keep our highly sensitive children, namely Corbyn and Moran calm for this time

Praying you all find peace and joy in your own homes this week,






Sunday, June 26, 2011

Great Granny's Gift

First off I need to say.......isn't this the sweetest little precious boy??

Can you see that little smile and his little hands clasped together in excitement?

Trahaearn was given this lovely  aqua jacket beanie and booties for his birth present by his great Granny.
We have been blessed to have been given a similar gift for each of our children except  for one or two (I think)

Great Granny is turning 96 next birthday so I think this is a wonderful gift from the heart.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Friday, June 24, 2011

The String Of Pearls..............

I read this today from a friends Facebook page and was very touched by the story. I hope you are blessed as well ♥

The String of Pearls:

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

'Oh mommy please, mommy. Can I have them? Please, mommy, please?'

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.

'A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma.'

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, 'Do you love me?'

'Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.'

'Then give me your pearls.'

'Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite.'

'That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.' And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, 'Do you love me?'

'Daddy, you know I love you.'

'Then give me your pearls.'

'Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll.. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.'

'That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.'

And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style.

As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

'What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?'

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, 'Here, daddy; this is for you.'

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.

God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Preparing for the Day

This morning as I was preparing for day, you know getting dressed before the baby needed me, I was pondering the preparations that I tend to make each day to achieve this physically.

Not the spiritual preparations that I need to sustain me each day but the outward side that is seen by anyone I come in contact with.

Now I know that we as christian women should not dwell too much on our outward appearance BUT I also believe we are ambassadors for Christ and that as such we should present our best physical appearance as well for most people will judge us on our appearance and we should give them some interest in seeing what it is about us that is worthy of note.

Now I also believe that as a home maker I spend most of my time in the home surrounded by those special persons God has placed in my life and as such I should present a worthwhile image to them as well.
For these are the most special people in my life and so I should dress and be well presented for THEM as much as I would for an guests or for going out into the world.

Most of the time I achieve this by wearing clothes that do not require me to get changed if I need to make a quick trip to town or if someone arrives unannounced on our doorstep. I wear shoes as well ( boots actually) because I feel incomplete with out my shoes on.

My wardrobe is by no means extensive or excessive: my standard of dress involves a skirt (usually quite long) a skivvy or long sleeved blouse in the winter or t-shirt/ shirt sleeve blouse in the summer.
I also wear a cardigan in the winter and have a lovely selection at the moment built up over some years.
I also have pull on jumpers (or sweaters for my American friends) that once again I have had for some years. When I am not breast feeding a baby I also wear dresses!
This for me is my 'uniform' so to speak. I add my apron when cooking and doing other jobs that require it and am quite content and even feel very homey and fulfilled in this 'uniform.'

I wear make up most days and am trying to get back into the habit of everyday. For many women this isn't a staple but for me it is one of those things where I feel more confidant and 'finished' with make up on too. I have had times when I let this slip and I know it when one of the younger children ask me if I am going out if they see me putting make up on.

When I have made all these physical transformations I feel ready to take on the day with all its challenges and all it's joys.
I am prepared for battle.

I feel that this is another area of LACE management for me because due to the  imperfect person that I am I find that the qualities that Trish asks us to adhere to, those being .........
Philippians 4:8 Whatever is..Lovely. Admirable. Cheerful. Encouraging. ~ LACE
that I am more able to stay focused on these qualities and share the positive that results from this with the precious and very dear people in my life.

I would ask you if you would share how you manage your LACE to be all that God has called you to.
Joining in Trish this week....
Blessings to you and your homes,

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Yarn Along: 22nd June


Once again I am joining in with Ginny with Yarn Along this week.

I am crocheting a beret after dear Adrienne sent me a pattern to do this. I am making it for Vellvin in this lovely soft pink wool that I just love.

I am also attempting to sew up the knitted lamb I knitted for Trahaearn a while ago. I must admit the instructions for knitting up are a little hard for me to interpret, hence my ending up with a two legged lamb to start with and my having to un-sew it and start it again. The book I use for this is Toymaking with Children

I am continuing to read in bits and pieces the books still from last  week's Yarn Along. 
However I am starting The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosmary Sutcliffe. I have read this before many years ago and we as a whole family love the  series of these books BUT as we are eagerly awaiting the release of The Eagle on DVD  and I am just giving myself a reminder of the plot.

So once again I hope you enjoy seeing what we are creating in our home and visit the other interesting Yarn Along entries.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Hearts for Home - 21st June ♥

 In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Enjoying our lives on the 21st June by doing ♥ ♥

Trying to be patient in the time from 9pm on wards till the wee hours of the morning with our colicky little boy.

Enjoying the time with our visitors - Stephen's parents and Anna-Lisa who are with us for some time.

Work on the crochet beret I started on Sunday after the Baptism. Thank you Adrienne for the pattern and Bernadette for getting me started. Have I mentioned I love to crochet!!

I need to spend more time in my reflective time:prayer and bible reading. Finding time for this when Trahaearn is settled and I am not too tired is a struggle at the moment. So I need to be more attuned to finding snippets of time.

Look at at all the ways I can plan for a more self sufficient lifestyle and some more imaginative play equipment for the children

Praying you all find peace and joy in your own homes this week,






"Our Possum"

Well after some very interesting computer problems over the last two days, hence my absence again,  I just had to share these special photos of our little dumpling.

Don't you just love those big possum eyes he has????
So wide and trusting and loving.......I just soooooo love our babies.
After trying to get this photo- this is the best we could do.......
You know how it is they fall into a natural pose and you JUST HAVE to get a photo, it is so cute, and you finally get the camera loaded and by then the baby is not cooperating now.

He looked just adorable with his bunny rug over his head, just like a little Joseph from the bible but of course we couldn't get a great shot of this .

I will be back later with my regular Tuesday Hearts for Home Post

Blessings to you and your homes,

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Blessed Baptism Trahaearn

Dearest Trahaearn Archer Wulfran,

We pray for you today on this very special and memorable day as you are Baptised and welcomed into the Catholic Church as a Child of God.

God Bless you always our precious son

xxxxxx

Friday, June 17, 2011

Love Blooms ♥

" Before love blooms it gets it's start-- Deep within a Mothers Heart!"

One wonders how true this quote is!       For me I think it is a truth that needs no explaining.

I feel such deep and unconditional love for each and everyone of our special children and am so grateful for the opportunity to share that love with them on a daily basis.

From the time each child was a little baby within my body I have wanted and yearned for that child to be with us and the sadness that was felt when we lost our little baby (before we had Autumn) before it was born was very upsetting.

Our family has been enriched by the birth of each baby and the growth within the family has been a blessing to all of. Even now with our newest baby Trahaearn none of us can imagine that we had a life without him. The comment  "can you imagine that we never had Trahaearn" re affirms the love that is associated with the baby.

The love we have as mothers can be a gift to our children. A gift that we have the opportunity to help them be givers of Love.
I would be devastated to think that I had been stingy  in giving this love to our children.

I wonder how many children who grow up without the ability to give LOVE in an unconditional or only in a 'hard love' way did not receive this tender love that every mother has the opportunity to give her child.

A true mothers love is a Gentle love:
it is soft and giving in heart, voice and mind
it is  being there in both spirit and body
it is understanding their heartfelt desires and loving in spite of faults
it is knowing what inspires and motivates
it is being interested,even when you have other things to do
it is an unconditional love that know no boundaries
it is.........FOREVER

How blessed I am to be able to hear from many wonderful and beautiful children the word that I love to hear with love form their lips...... MOTHER.

It is a gift I will treasure forever♥

Blessings to you and your homes,

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Yarn Along: 15th June

Today I wanted to join in with Ginny again for a Yarn Along.

I am finally making some progress on my granny squares for my crochet blanket but only after having learnt how to crochet while holding our precious Trahaearn in my arms. This has been a learning curve for me and I have crocheted about eight center pieces (hard to see in the photo- they are in the middle) as I find these the hardest to do and now will just work on theme one at a time.
I have yet to try knitting with the baby and so will try that soon.

The books, yes books as I tend to like to read more than one at a time I am reading are
You Are your Child's First Teacher
Simplicity Parenting and
Parenting with Grace

Frankly I think these are probably the best books on Parenting I have read in all our years and collections of parenting books. They cover such  a wide variety of subjects but with a very gentle and loving approach that I admire.

I hope you are able to pop over to Ginny's blog Small Things and have a look at all the great books and projects happening.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Hearts for Home - 14th June ♥

 In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
May God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

Enjoying our Babymoon here still on the 14th June by doing ♥ ♥

It seems we have yet another colicky/windy baby who is unhappy from this. It seems to be a  very boy thing in our family as our girl babies don't seem to be affected by it. I need to look into some treatment for this. Does anyone have tried and true remedies for baby colic?

I am still trying to get a great tutorial and wearing site for Moby Wraps so I can buy the fabric and make this for Trahaearn. I think this will help his colic as he loves to be held upright.....all the time, which I don't mind at all but I would like to be hands free to achieve some basic things: like feeding and watering the troops etc.

I have the Baptism cake in the oven right now and just need to buy the trimmings for the cake to decorate it and plan some food items for the lunch we will have after the Baptism on Sunday.

Of course this Sunday is Trinity Sunday and I am sure we will not be planning any  special celebrations this year. I really dislike feast days on the weekend as they tend not to be celebrated in a big way in our home.

We are expecting guests this week both Stephen's parents and dear Anna-Lisa as well as the return of Braedon  (after being stranded in Victoria due to the Ash cloud and no return flights home) on Friday as well as Kynan for his Uni Holidays. It will be lovely to have our family complete again.

I am trying to balance all my interests still. I am obviously getting computer time but haven't managed much craft or reading time except for a little crocheting. I am still feeling my way with times and our poor fussy little dumpling.

I am giving  thanks for the many blessings in my life as often as I can during each and every day.

Praying you all find peace and joy in your own homes this week,





Bonfire Night

When I was a younger girl the long weekend in June, being the Queen's birthday weekend was a time for  what was called 'cracker night'.
This was a time when people could buy fire crackers and have bonfires. I don't remember a lot of them (they were being phased out in my younger teen years even) except going to a neighbouring larger town one year for the fireworks on the river. Oh and yes once I remember visiting cousins in the city and them gathering  junk from the neighbours to have a huge bonfire.

What I do remember was the 'long weekend rifle shoot' that my father participated in each year with shooters form around the state and sometimes interstate.
After they were finished on the Saturday night they would light a fire in a large 44 gallon drum and then have a few fireworks.

I remember this becoming less and less over time as law banning personal use of the fireworks became more enforced.

Anyway this memory just came to me as I realised we had participated in our own long weekend bonfire on Sunday.
It actually wasn't a planned event. Stephen was whipper snipping and getting wood for our 'real' fires indoors when he found a lot  of burnable rubbish and was just going to burn off.
He was then inspired to say 'let's have a bonfire,' now this is remarkable event in itself because Stephen is not known for spontaneous acts like this.

Stephen was even inspired to make a seat for everyone to sit on out of a left over building plank and some freshly cut rounds to sit on.
I think it was a fabulous idea,Very good thinking 86!
So after a very late lunch/dinner on Sunday we all headed out into the cold, very rugged up and lit our fire.
We all sat on the long bench, except for those responsible for keeping the fire going by adding more wood and those  who were making our own version of smores.
We made our smores form chocolate ripple biscuits with melted marshmallow in side and another type with chocolate cream biscuits split in two and then the melted marshmallow inside.
Needless to say we were all  VERY rugged up
Our little precious Trahaearn was like a giant teddy all rugged up, he was very hard to hold with all those layers on let me assure you, but he was very snug and slept through it all!!
Rogan was having a lovely time taking photos with his birthday camera and it was hard to keep Corbyn pinned down in a place of safety away form the fire
Vellvin and Moran were great helps with the eating of the smores!!
Part of a smore, not much left though!
Saxon has taken on the role of 'keeper of the fire' This used to be Kynan and Braedon's duty but as they were away Saxon has taken on the desired task.

I tried to get a photo of Myffwyn but one was too over exposed and she looks like an alien and the other was too dim to see properly....sorry Myffy!

After some time of star watching and fire watching we all went back inside to snuggle up in blankets and pillows and watched an old favourite DVD together, The Great Mouse Detective by Disney, we are great animated movie fans.
Then off to bed for everyone........Goodnight!!

Just for fun here are the lyrics from John Williamson's Song Cracker night.......

Teary eyes at the window,
Where did Mum and Dad go?
I wish someone would hurry up and come and get me,
Gee I'm scared
The cat shot through, She saw the light and fled.
Cracker night was a real big deal, when I was a little kid
They started lettin' them off after tea I ran inside and hid
And all the dogs from everywhere were underneath me bed.

We all went down in our dressing gowns to see the big bonfire
Wide eyes watched the straw man burn on a mile-high pile of tyres
Hot as hell, big black smell and red hot rings of wire.

Sky rockets zinging,
Catherine wheels spinning,
What a flamin' evening,
Fire trucks were screaming
Smoky haze hangin' round for days
And Grandma's ears were ringing.

Everynight after school draggin' bits of wood,
Boxes and branches and rotten old fences,
And mattresses were good.
We even scrounged a vinyl lounge
And anything we could

Little Guy Fawkes's and letter boxes
Blown all out of shape
Light the wick and back off quick,
And make the big escape
Cackin' ourselves and rippin' my shirt
Scrambling through the gate

Sky rockets zinging
Catherine wheels spinning
What a flamin' evening
Fire trucks were screaming
Smoky haze hangin' round for days
And Grandma's ears were ringing.

A house burnt down on the edge of town
We all took off with Pa
This thing whizzed across the road
And nearly hit our car
A bang and spark lit up the park
And everyone went Ah! Ah! Ah!

Cracker night was a real big deal,
When I was a little kid,
It seems like only yesterday
Tucked away in bed
Dreams of schemes and double bunger
Daring things we did

Blessings to you and your homes,

Monday, June 13, 2011

Pentecost - The Birthday of the Church

As I have not prepared antything for today, we actually have been doing other family orientated tasks and looking fo ward to  Anna -Lisa coming for a visit tomorrow.

Here are my past posts on Pentecost- The Birthday of the Church
Praying you all have a wonderful Feast Day

Blessings to you and your homes,

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Nurturing for New Mums

I am pondering today (and have been for a week or more) the idea of 'Nurturing New Mums,' not just mum's for the first time but any mother who has given birth to a precious new baby.

I am also wondering if you have experienced that time of nurturing  for an extended period of time?

My assumption would be NO, unless you belong to a few select communities that promote this type of 'luxury' for mums, or is it a luxury at all but a necessity that is overlooked in most western style societies today.

'Why is it that we do not promote the nurturing of new mums in our society?
What is it about our society that has caused this to happen?
Have you ever wondered about this?

To be honest it has only been the last few years that I even wondered about this and it was only through the writings of some of my orthodox friends that this even came to my attention

Obviously after all the years of giving birth, nearly 22, I was surprised to find a different perspective on the  nurturing not only of the newborn baby  but also the new mum as well.
I believe that it is not only the Orthodox Church that promotes this tradition but some other non western cultures as well.

After reading Ginny's post on her first week after the birth of her little boy 
I have been thinking on her remarks on staying in bed for a week after the birth of her little boy and the recommendation by her midwife that two weeks is the recommendation for rest and recuperation of the body and mind.

Now I have never in all my recovery from giving birth EVER had this recommended to me and even when I had a Cesarean with Autumn nearly 18 years ago the emphasis was on getting up and getting moving and even then I went home after 5 days but with the precaution not to lift anything heavy for 6 weeks.

Now I do understand the theory of the getting up for the cesarean and yes I am thankful I was able to recover form this easily but what I am talking about goes beyond the healing of scar tissue to the very real idea behind rest and recuperation.

What I have experienced is that most hospitals are  very keen to get you feeling ready to go home and get on with your life. Now I have never been turned out of a hospital but the rest period was a very brief idea that was to happen before you went home or it you went home early (as I have done sometimes) that the nominal saying of 'get some rest' was not really an idea but more a thought of- maybe if you can manage it.

We also in our society are expected to be able to, now we have had the baby, to resume our life much as it was before the baby arrived. That is: get back into our routine as quickly as possible to allow our lives to return to the habit of normal more quickly, after all the baby can just adjust to our lifestyle! This is encouraged by society as women are 'persuaded' to rejoin the workforce as soon as possible and are aided in this by those 'perfect day care places'
Our society expects women to rejoin into it and to not be soft and needy but to be that superwoman that every one knows doesn't exist but society would like to see on a daily basis.

I have in the past been most intrigued by the Orthodox friends who have the tradition of 40 days of rest and help in the home after giving births.
It seems to me that the close ties within the Church itself and the  tradition of of this allows  a general acceptance of the need for the time for complete and re assured recuperation of the mother and baby, not to mention the time devoted to developing a close and lasting relationship within the family to the newest little soul entrusted to the care of this family.

My research on this topic also seems to confirm the fact that in many non western cultures the length of the after birth time varies. However  the idea of a 40-day recovery period is common in many non-Western cultures. In almost all non-Western societies, 40 days after birth is seen as necessary for recuperation.
Among most non-Western cultures, family members (especially female relatives) provide strong social support, help new mothers at home during that period. This means the new mother's activities are strictly limited, and her needs are taken care of by (typically) female relatives and midwives

During this 40-day period, someone comes to the house or stays with the new mother to take care of the baby, the house, and the other children, so that "all new mothers have to do is rest"

Something I did take notice of was the thought that women's status has been considered relatively higher in Western cultures than in non-Western cultures, yet strangely enough  less recognition seems to be given to new mothers in the western society. The gifts and celebrations are centered around the baby rather than the mother (e.g., baby showers, christenings, visits from friends and relatives to see the baby)

Now don't get me wrong here, I love that people are interested in our baby and want to see this precious gift but what I am focusing on here is the almost universal idea that for a period of time (seemingly about 40 days)  after birth that a new mother really should be encouraged to rest and bond with  the new baby not be EXPECTED to do much else.


I am even taking a gamble here and stating that the 'traditional' 6 week check up with the doctor for both mother and baby actually is the only left over product of this traditional time after birth that has come into our modern society from more 'ancient or old fashioned times!'

So how ow can we achieve this in our more modern society?

Sadly, I think that we cannot unless we are surrounded by a community that supports this and the values we hold in regards to family support.

In our very mobile society where people move far from the traditional support of the extended family, assuming the expended family promote this idea anyway, unless you are blessed to have a very active church community or a community of like minded persons I cannot see many of us benefiting from this very much needed time and bonding with our babies.

However perhaps this can be a way for us to open new pathways for others as we come into contact with them. If we look for opportunities to bless other new mums with some of the 'services' of the 40 day recovery period.
Ideas like:
~ cooking some meals for the family, perhaps even getting some other people involved on a roster for this for a week or more even!
~ doing some shopping for necessary supplies
~ doing some housework or cooking at the new mums home
~ if there are other children playing with them or bringing over your own children to play with them (don't forget to tidy up the mess though)
~ don't for get to bring some chocolate and a great movie or book for the resting mummy to fill some time with or some craft to do together  (just joking or maybe it is a great idea)
~ anything else you can come up with ( it is late and my brain is not working, perhaps I should rest too)

I actually think this is one of the saddest facts from our modern society, well actually when you think about it, it really is just another element of the fact that the family culture is not supported in modern society. The old fashioned community and family that helps one another in all aspects of family life ~ the good, the bad and the ugly, just isn't happening for most of our society.

Perhaps though as we contemplate the value of the family, and as we teach and help our own children grow and they have families of their own, WE can be the catalyst of change and nurture these new mums in this very time honoured and wonderful vocation right from day one in this time honoured tradition!

Just a little note: I am not saying 'woe is me' in this post. I really do think it a would be a benefit to so many families if this were a more time honoured practice for all mothers after the birth of a baby.

Blessings to you and your homes,

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