This or That - Spring Edition

I've seen a few of these floating around social media, and I thought it might be fun to play around with one here.

DAISIES

For me I think I would have to choose Daisies. I'm not a huge fan of tulips, although I can appreciate them, but daisies are such a cheery little flower.  I also really like Daffodils this time of year!

SHORTS / T-SHIRT

I am definitely a shorts and t-shirt kind of girl, but where I live, this probably wouldn't happen until around late Spring, middle to the end of March. Before then it's just too cool, at least for me!

UMBRELLA

I've always loved umbrella's. There's something about them that is just so delightful! I would say the only thing I don't like, is carrying them around inside once I'm indoors.

SUNSHINE

I love rainy days and sunshine, but since I currently have a to-do list a mile long and a number of those things are outdoors, I'll take all the sunshine we can get!

RAIN BOOTS

I love my rain boots for any kind of work that needs to be done outdoors, even on sunny days! I used to wear flip flops a lot, but as I am getting older I find that my feet are so tired if I wear them for tool long, I need something with a little extra support.

CHICKS

Some years ago now, we bought both of our girls bunnies, and while they were very cute, they didn't much like being handled, or perhaps the girls didn't handle them enough when they were babies.  But their back legs were so strong, and they often left some pretty good scratch marks. Overall, of the two, I much prefer chicks.

BIRDS

I have loved birds and birdwatching for a number of years now, and thanks to my husband I am able to identify a number of the ones that come to our feeders. My favorites are Chickadees and Titmouse.

APRIL SHOWERS / MAY FLOWERS - I couldn't choose!

As long as it's a shower, especially on a Sunday afternoon, I love it. But I am not as fond of storms, at least not severe storms. I love the sound of the thunder as it rolls over the mountains, and as long as we can avoid high winds and possible power outages, I'm down. But really is nothing quite like Spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is breathtaking! 

So what are your choices, I'd love to hear! Leave your answers in the comments!

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Ordinary Things

I am in love with the ordinary things

of life, fresh air, acts of kindness

old soul conversations, watching

things grow, listening to the rain as 

it empties its heart toward earth.

Remembering the times I ran through

it unafraid, spontaneous, freedom

filled. I find pure joy in the joy of 

others. I am drunk on simplicity and 

nostalgia, and old thrift shops run by

volunteers who just want to change

the world one human at a time. I greet

the morning with eyes that still have

remnants of pain but will see their way

through it. I am determined to create 

something beautiful every day, whether 

art, or peace, or a path for those who

are lacking in light. I wish for nothing

more than soft hands filled with giving,

this is where I find my rest.

- ullie-kaye

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Small Things - First Saturday in March 2024

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are six SMALL THINGS that have saved me this week.

1. If you've been visiting with me here, then it will come as no surprise to you that I LOVE old movies and sitcoms. 90% of what I watch are movies and sitcoms from the 50's, 60's and a few from the 70's. So I was overjoyed when I came across this YouTube channel, Keeping Walt in Disney, which "celebrates the Disney of Walt's era", which I'm sure at least most of us can agree (at least if you're my age!), was the best! I hardly know where to begin! Will it be, Savage Sam, The Three Lives of Thomasina, Beyond Witch Mountain? The collection is vast and memorable! If you loved watching Walt Disney as a child, take a trip down memory lane and revisit a beloved classic!

2. As I said, I watch very little in the way of modern day television, but if and when I do it's usually on PBS. I just finished watching Season 4 of All Creatures Great and Small, and let me tell you, this series is my current personal favorite! Have you seen it? It's available with a subscription to Masterpiece through Prime Video, or you can also subscribe through PBS, which is what I do. I've started over from the beginning now with Season 1 and I'm amazed at how much I had forgotten! I heard just this week that they are currently filming Season 5 and there will be a Season 6! And to top if off, one of my favorite characters, Tristan Farnon is returning this coming season!

3. discipleship.org I haven't spoken much about my spiritual life in recent months, well, let's be honest, I haven't spoken on much of anything. But that is, in part, because of the deep work the Holy Spirit has done and is continuing in my life. Perhaps I'll share more in an upcoming post, we'll see. I have spoken before about the profound impact that John Mark Comer and these videos have made on my life in recent years.  John Mark has recently written a book, Practicing The Way (AFFILIATE LINK), which speaks to this same subject, as well. I am going to be reading it soon with a friend of mine, and from there we may begin meeting with a small group of women who are interested in reading it as well, and then who knows, we'll see where the Holy Spirit takes us. discipleship.org has a wealth of free ebooks that I've been perusing, as well, some along the same line of thought as Practicing The Way. If you're interested in learning more about a more ancient, holistic, relational, embodied and emotional model of discipleship, I encourage you to check out the Practicing The Way videos, reading the book, or look through the offerings at discipleship.org.

4. This post I read on Facebook this week, "I want to be a come as you are friend" Kind of in line with the small group my friend and I are considering starting up this year.  I listened to a podcast this week that spoke to this as well. So many people feel like they can't come to church in their brokenness, so they put on this false self in order to be accepted. And I'm just shaking my head thinking, if you can't be broken you and saved you at the same time? This was never a prerequisite for Jesus, and the church needs to have the same capacity as Jesus. Either that, or stop saying "come as you are" when what they really mean is, "come until we find out". Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of churches that are doing this well, I'm not here to call out specific churches (althought I could). I'm talking Big C church, as in natinal/global. We need to do better, and I want to be a part in that!

5. This recipe for Big Mac Smash Burger Tacos. Can't say it's actually saved me, because we haven't made them yet. But I haven't been able to get it out of my mind since I saw it. Weird thing is I'm not even much of a Big Mac fan, like I NEVER order it! But I have had it, and something about this recipe just has me intrigued. Part of me thinks why mess with tacos, especially with a Big Mac? But I'm going to have to try thig one. Have you made this? What are your thoughts? Watch for a follow up post soon.

6. The Cold and Flu Bomb.  I mentioned in my post yesterday that I've been battling some upper respiratory crud this week. We actually had to take our daughter to the ER this week and she ended up being diagnosed with pneumonia, which kind of freaked me out, since I already had symptoms. Things did get worse for me, but never along the lines of her symptoms. Still, I've felt pretty crummy for several days now, but yesterday things finally took a turn for the better. I attribute it to the recipe that I am about to share with you. It brought me back from the worst case of flu I've ever had in my life a few years ago, and whatever it is I've been fighting this week couldn't stand up to it.  I had actually forgotten about it (HOW??), until I became so frustrated with all of the OTC treatments I'd been pushing for days.  Two doses of this and that same night I was already feeling relief. I'm still not quite 100%, but I'm still taking it and every day I feel better than the last. If you ever get the flu or just a really bad cold, this stuff works!

COLD AND FLU BOMB

*1 clove or garlic, minced

*1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

1 Tablespoon of honey (local is best)

1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper

Juice of 1 lemon (organic)

Add this to 1/2 hot, 1/2 cold filtered water. Should be warm, but not too hot. Drink 2-3 x per days until symptoms subside. 

*The minced garlic and ginger may float to the bottom. I mince mine fine and they still find their way to the bottom of the cup.  I use a spoon and stir it as I drink and also spoon the piece up and put them in the mouth and then chase it with the liquid. The garlic and ginger are essential to fighting colds and flu, so don't let it sink to the bottom and stay there! Get every last piece!

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Go Slowly Still

Chocolate mint from last years garden. I noticed yesterday one tiny sprig appears to be coming back to life. 

This time of year, in the transition between winter and spring, life is a contradiction. There is birdsong and thunderstorms, daffodils and mud puddles, a pretty spring dress covered up by a warm winter coat. Just as we begin to think winter will never end, nature begins to give us signals that beneath the still cold ground, spring is stirring! It sneaks, unsuspecting from the folds of winter. But one must watch closely to see it, to be aware. Perhaps where you live the snowdrops are in bloom, while for others snow will be on the ground for many weeks to come.

Here in Virginia the daffodils have made their appearance, and the early budding trees are showing glimmers of new life. This year, as with last, winter didn't make much of an appearance. With the exception of one snowfall of about 6", late February into March has been rather mild. I've lived in these parts long enough now to not be fooled by a false spring. We think we've landed full into spring only to get pulled violently back into winter, maybe even a couple of times. But the forecast isn't looking too promising for winter to have a last hurrah. Still, I'm not convinced. The biggest snowfall we've had since moving here was 16", and that was in mid-March. I guess time will tell.

I feel the pull of spring racing to move me forward, but I'm not ready. Maybe you aren't either, and that's okay. It's still early yet, the equinox isn't for a few more weeks. And while the days are lengthening, one aspect of this season that I love, I'm not quite ready yet to unfold from the slower pace of winter. Perhaps it's this upper respiratory illness I've been nursing this week, but deep down I know that's only part of it. I'm simply not ready to rush headlong into all the doing. It's early yet, the mornings, still cold. It's time to dream and plan, start some seedlings, tending them gently and intentionally protected still by the warmth of the hearth. There's no reason we shouldn't keep this pace, as well. Gently, slowly, tenderly, allow yourself to emerge from the darkness. There's no reason yet to expect life to come bursting forth. 

Go slowly still.

Pay attention to your body, your desires, your creative impulses. Learn to trust your own pace and rhythm. Just as you would not expect a seed to shoot up into a plant overnight, allow the same slow growth in your own life. The seeds we plant in our lives will not poke their tender heads above the soil for many days, perhaps even weeks. But this doesn’t mean growth isn’t happening, it’s simply beneath the surface. Just because you can’t yet see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.

What plans and dreams do you have for this season? What tender seeds have been planted in the soil of your soul? Are you ready for spring, or still lingering in these final days of winter? Share your thoughts in the comments.

"Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"

- ISAIAH 43:19 NLT

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God's Masterpiece

"Sometimes the biggest things God does start out in the smallest, most ordinary acts of daily faithfulness. The things we do so often and with so little fanfare that we don't even think about them anymore. We can spend so much time wondering and worrying if we're fufulling God's primary will for our lives. Yet ultimately, God's will isn't about the things we achieve, its about the people we become. Life is more about how He uses us to make a difference to the people who cross our paths, even while we are just going about our normal, sometimes boring lives.

God's primary will for our lives isn't about a particular job or circumstance. It's not about the city we live in or whether we're married or single. We are in God's will when we awake with a willingness to go wherever He leads that day, to seek Him in the ordinary, and to love and influence the people around us.

Life is what is happening all around us while we're waiting for the thing we hope will give us some inner peace, contentment and joy. But the problem with that is when and if it happens, we usually enjoy it for all of about three and a half minutes. But when we really start to pay attention, we realize life is full of small wonders that can make all the difference in a day, an hour or a lifetime. And those small, ordinary moments are no less holy than the big ones. In fact, maybe they are more holy because it is the million little pieces of our our lives that really shape the people we become.

In J. R. R. Tolkien's, The Hobbit, the wizard Gandalf says, "Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I've found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay."

The true joy of life is found in the every day. It's the moments that don't necessarily take our breath away at the time, but often become the ones that matter most. When we look back on our days we realize such moments are the very threads that make up the tapestry of life. Taken together, these seemingly ordinary threads of joy, sorrow, conflict and laughter make something exraordinary. With every small thread, God is carefulyl and thoughtfully weaving a masterpiece."

- MELANIE SHANKLE

Church of the Small Things

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The Somber, Beautiful Season of Lent

Tomorrow is the first day of Lent. I'll be sharing more about how I am observing this beautiful season of the church year with you in the coming days, but for today, here is a lovely passage on Lent from one of my favorite books, The Dance of Time by Michael Judge. The labyrinth in the picture is just a short walk from my daughter's apartment. Last year I walked it on New Year's Day, and weather permitting I hope to visit it again this weekend as part of my Lenten observance.

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent lasts for forty days, in imitation of Christ's self imposed exile in the desert at the beginning of His mission. During this time the faithful are expected to give up vices or pleasurable habits, pray and attend mass more frequently, and meditate on the state of their souls. In medieval times people donned sackcloth, smeared their faces with ash and water, flogged themselves and foreswore most food and drink during the Lenten observance. In spite of its severe customs, Lent is a hopeful time. The word comes from the Middle Earth word, lengten or "lengthen", a reference to the fact that the days grow mercifully longer during this time.

Of course, people being people, all of this Lenten-self sacrifice had to be rewarded before it even began. Throughout Europe for three days before the beginning of Lent, businesses closed, streets were blocked off and everyone headed for church, where they went to confession. Afterwards, kegs were tapped, bottles drained, and sweet meats and other foods, soon to be forbidden, were consumed in a bout of wild merrymaking.

Eventually these pre-Lenten revels became concentrated into the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, called Pancake Day, after the sweet pancakes traditionally eaten during the party. In Medieval France where the day was known as mardi gras, or Fat Tuesday, a vast carnival was celebrated during which an enormous ox was paraded through the streets of Paris, surrounded by common folk dressed blasphemously as priests and nuns. The people banged drums and kettles in an unconscious imitation of a Roman triumphal parade. Years later in France's former debauched colony of New Orleans, the party known as Mardi Gras became America's most famous orgy, and a raucous song in the depths of winter. Eventually, however, in New Orleans as in all christian lands, Lent arrives with the grey dawn of Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday is calculated backwards forty days from Easter. It is so named because on that day Catholics stand before the church alter and receive on their foreheads a smeared cross of ash from the priest. along with an admonition, that in some churches is still whispered in Latin.

Memento, homo, quia pulvis es

et in pulverem reverteris.

(Remember man, that thou art dust, and unto dust though shalt return.)

The ashes come from a very specific source. On Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, members of the congregation hold palm fronds, in imitation of the crowds who welcomed Christ into Jerusalem. Afterwards the palms are ceremoniously burned, their ashes collected and stored. They reappear the following year on Ash Wednesday, to be daubed on the foreheads of the faithful. The symbolism of Ash Wednesday's is circular, striking and sublime. A year after the Savior's symbolic entrance into the city, the very ashes of the banners once held forth to honor him now prepare the faithful for the season of His crucifixion. 

- from The Dance of Time

by Michael Judge

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The Betsy Tacy Book Club- Book 1 - Betsy Tacy Discussion

Good morning, friends! I am back from my social media fast and ready to discuss all things Betsy-Tacy with you this morning!

If this is your first time reading this delightful series, I hope you have enjoyed getting to knowBetsy Ray and Tacy Kelly! In reading this series again for the first time in many years, I was reminded of the first time I was introduced to it and how much I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am happy to report that my enthusiasm has not waned in the least! This series remains one of my all time favorites!

For the sake of turning this post into a short story of its own, I thought I would just highlight a few of the happenings in the first book that I particularly loved.

First off, I just loved Betsy and Tacy's first meeting, and in many ways I so relate to Tacy, especially, who darted at the sight of Betsy running towards her, and then in her own way, trying to push past her shy fears and shouting out her name just as she closed herself safe behind the door.  But of course, Betsy didn't know at the time that Tacy was terribly shy, and not understanding what she said, she mistook it for name calling. My heart always breaks for Betsy in that moment, too, who was so excited to potentially have a friend just her age, only to be disappointed when things not only didn't turn out as she had planned, but mistook her for being rude. Of course, eventually they make things right and all is forgiven.  Being an introvert, I've been misunderstood a time or too, myself, so I'm so glad that Betsy was able to reach a place of understanding, and all the more so as she came to know Tacy better.

There are two other passages in this book that I always find especially sweet and endearing and the first is in Chapter 8 - Easter Eggs. Tacy's little sister, Bee, has just passed away and the two girls have not played together for awhile and Betsy has grown especially lonely for Tacy's company.  In the story Betsy dresses without disturbing anyone and walks over and stands outside Tacy's house.  Eventually Tacy comes out and the two walk together up to their little bench at the top of the hill where they decide to climb a tree. After awhile Tacy begins to open up about Bee's death and funeral. How pretty she looks surrounded by candles, and how sad her mama was, and at some point Tacy started to become emotional. That was when Betsy did what she often does, she begins to tell Tacy a story of how beautiful heaven is, and when Tacy questions whether Bee can see them, Betsy assures her that she can. Eventually they climb up a little higher in the tree and place a lovely purple egg for the birsds to take to Bee in heaven. 

The thing I find particularly lovely about this part of the story is how Betsy, even at her tender age, didn't push Tacy for information.  She simply wanted to be with her friend doing the the things they had always done together, and that created a safe place for Tacy to open up. When Tacy became emotional, the author says that it made Betsy "feel queer", but rather than asking Tacy not to cry or completely changing the subject, Betsy begins to speak of all of the positive things that Bee is now experiencing in heaven, and assuring her friend that Bee is safe and well.

I think so often in life, especially during seasons of grief, even well meaning people can bombard others with the inquistions and their odd way of wanting to know all the details. If you've experienced the death of a loved one, you probably know that after awhile you really do become weary of answering all the questions and rehashing it all. It is good to have a friend who is comfortable enough to sit with you in silence, or even just invite you to lunch and not even bring up the heartache you are experiencing, but at the same time, remains open should you feel the need to discuss it. That kind of friend can be hard to find.

And then later in Chapter 12 - Margarent, Tacy has an opportunity to return the favor.  Betsy has just come home from spending the summer away to find that she has a new baby sister. With the time frame of the first book being roughly 1898 or 1899, I assume that in those days families did not discuss such things as pregnancy, and with Betsy being away most of the summer I suppose it woud have been easy for to have no clue that her mother was expecting. Still, I remember when I read this the first time thinking it was a little odd that Betsy had no idea her mother was pregnant. Regardless, what we do know is that Betsy did not warm to the idea at first, in fact she became quiet upset about it. As was the case when Betsy went and stood outside Tacy's window after Bee's death, Tacy instinctively knew where to find her friend, and, as Betsy had done for her, she did not make Betsy feel she was wrong for being upset. Instead she comforted Betsy with her own experiences of having younger siblings; "You can't keep on being the baby forever," Tacy said. That statement alone assured Betsy. To know that Tacy had once been the baby herself and she seemed ok. Tacy also assured her that even though the baby was funny looking now, it would get prettier, and after awhile Betsy was feeling much better about her new baby sister.

I love that in this part of the story it is Tacy who is the comforter, which is very different than the shy, reserved little girl who often has nothing to say. The author even points this out; "All of the sudden she thought how odd it was that Tacy should be talking like this. Usually she herself did most of the talking.  But now Tacy was doing the talking. She was trying to comfort Betsy. And she had comforted her. All the sore hurt feelings were gone."

I am in season, even this late in my life, in which God is growing me. He has placed me in situations recently where I mayself have been called on to comfort and encourage others, which is as odd a thing for me as I'm sure it was for Tacy. And isn't it lovely how often in life love compels us step out of our comfort zone to be there for another?  I also relate very much to Betsy in this chapter, as well. I was almost seven when my brother was born, and while I had known for awhile that my mother was expecting, I really had my heart set on a sister and recall being visiblly upset when my father came home from the hospital with the news that I had a baby brother. But like Betsy, it didn't take long for me to push past my disappointments. Almost seven years separated us, so we never had a lot in common, but I have many wonderful memories of the things we shared together as children.

So now it's your turn! What were some of your thoughts, favorite chapters, passages as you read through this first book in the series?  Are you enjoing it so far, looking forward to move on to the next book, Betsy Tacy and Tib (who we were introduced at the end). I'd love to hear from you! Just leave your entry in the comments, and then join me here again on Monday, March 4, as we continue the discussion!

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A Day of Light: Candlemas Celebrates The Light Of The World

It's been about twenty years ago now that I was first introduced to The Liturgical Year (Year of the Lord), and my life has been so blessed since that discovery. Slowly marking time by tracing the events of the life of Christ through the year has broadened and deepened my walk with the Lord in ways that I could never have imagined, and it all began with Candlemas (February 2). Also known as The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and likewise,The Feast of the Presentation of Christ, Candlemas symbolizes the day when Mary went to the temple to be purified with her newborn son and to present him to the Lord. It was the first personal remembrance and observance I made all those years ago, and it remains one of my favorites to this day. It likewise marks the beginning of Spring, although in the Northern Hemisphere you have to look closely to see that change is coming. The shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere is The Winter Solstice, which occurs on or around December 21. From that day on the daylight grows until we reach equal hours of day and night on The Spring Equinox, which occurs on or around March 21. The mid point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox falls around February 2, Candlemas.

You might be more familiar with Groundhog's Day, but as with so many of our Americanized holidays and observances, its roots have a much deeper and symbolic meaning.

Depending on what part of the world you grew up in, Candlemas symbolizes a number of different events, or, in our home, a combination of them all.

THE PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Under Mosaic law, a woman was viewed as unclean for 7 + 33 days  40 days) after child birth, and as such, could not go into the temple. From the 25th of December, February 2 marks forty days.
See Leviticus 12:2-8, Luke 2:22-24

THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST
But long before the Church in Rome began observing the day of purification, other branches of Christianity, such as the Greeks and the Armenians centered their observance around Christ first coming to the Temple, and was known as "the redeeming of the firstborn," or in Hebrew, pidyon ha-ben and is why this day is also known as The Feast of the Presentation of Christ.
See Exodus 13:2, 12-13, Numbers 18:15-16

It wasn't until some time in the 600's that the Roman Church began referring to the day as The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. So while the Eastern Church focus was more upon Jesus, in the Western Church the emphasis was upon Mary. Today is primarily observed by the Anglican, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

THE FEAST OF LIGHT (RETURN OF THE LIGHT) OR THE FEAST OF CANDLES
Though candles didn't originally play much of a factor in the observance, some time in the 11th century the day came to be  commemorated as "The Feast of Light"  based upon the prophecy of Holy Simeon -- the "just and devout" man of Jerusalem who was inspired by the Holy Ghost to know that he would live to see the "consolation of Jerusalem" -- and the encounter with the aged widow, Anna the Prophetess, who lived in the Temple and confessed Christ upon meeting Him.  In Luke 2:32 Simeon referred to Jesus as "the light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of the people of Israel." Since ancient times the Church has given special meaning to the candles used in Candlemas as a symbol of the Incarnate Christ: the beeswax is a symbol of His pure body, the wick His soul, and the flame His divinity.

In keeping with the reference to "the light", the tradition of blessing the annual supply of the Church's candles was established. Beeswax candles were blessed by being sprinkled with water and having incense swung around them, and were then distributed among the members.  Today, parishioners bring their own beeswax candles to be blessed. In some churches, the blessing is then followed by a procession in which people carry lighted candles while the choir sings, The Canticle of Simeon. The procession represents the entry of Jesus as light of the world into the temple. Afterwards, church members take their candles home and place them in their windows as a symbol of light during the darkest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. 

THE CANTICLE OF SIMEON

Now dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, 

In peace, according to Thy word: 

For mine own eyes hath seen Thy salvation, 

Which Thou hast prepared in the sight of all the peoples, 

A light to reveal Thee to the nations 

And the glory of Thy people Israel.

Latin Version: 

Nunc Dimittis

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine 

Secundum verbum tuum in pace: 

Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum 

Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum: 

Lumen ad revelationem gentium, 

Et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. 

You can listen to it, here.

Many families set aside their blessed candles for use on the family alter and for various feast days, as well as during storms and power outages. From the Pieta prayer book comes this prayer to pray while burning a blessed candle during a storm.

Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace.+ God became man, + and the Word was made flesh.+ Christ was born of a Virgin.+ Christ suffered.+ Christ was crucified.+ Christ died.+ Christ rose from the dead.+ Christ ascended into Heaven.+ Christ conquers.+ Christ reigns.+ Christ commands.+ 

May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning. + Christ went through their midst in Peace, + and the Word was made Flesh.+ Christ is with us with Mary.+ Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Juda, the Root David, has won.+ Holy God! + Holy Powerful God! + Holy Immortal God! + Have mercy on us. Amen.

Here are a few of the symbols and traditions associated with Candlemas, as well;

DOVES
Doves are a symbol of Candlemas, as they were offered by Joseph and Mary as a sacrifice at the presentation. Their symbolism is significant, as they were poor and unable to afford a lamb for sacrifice. Traditionally, those who were unable to do so were allowed to offer a pair of doves instead.

ST. BRIGID

In Celtic and Christian tradition, February 1 is recognized as St. Brigid's Day, who among other titles, is the patron saint of Midwifery.  There is a legend (though no biblically supported), that she served as a mid-wife to Mary, and that later when Herod was searching for Jesus, she distracted him so that the Holy Family could escape. In Celtic tradition, Brigid rules fire and water, and at Candlemas we see how the cold is slowly giving way to the warmth. Snowdrops, mentioned next, are also associated with St. Brigid as many believe that they appear wherever St. Bridgid's feet have trod.

SNOWDROPS
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are also known as "Candlemas Bells" because, being the earliest to bloom in the depths of winter, and often shortly before Candlemas, though some varieties bloom all winter long in some places. Legend says that they sprang up by the hand of an angel, who then pointed them out as a sign of hope to Eve, who was weeping in repentance and in despair over the cold and death that entered into the world after she and her husband sinned. Because our Hope is Christ, the Light as referred to by Simeon ,it is providential that the snowdrop should bloom so close to this feast day. If possible, gather some Candlemas Bells to bring inside. Legend tells that bringing them indoors before this date is bad luck, and bringing them indoors on this day "purifies" one's house. These flowers, along with carnations, are also the "birth flower" for those born in January.

And while most of us have taken all of our Christmas decorations down by now, some people do hold on to them until February.

TAKING DOWN THE FINAL REMNANTS OF CHRISTMASTIDE
The eve of this Feast is the absolutely the last (and best) day for taking down the Christmas tree, putting away the creche, etc. In some Latin countries, the creche isn't just put away, but is replaced with a figure of the Child Jesus sitting on a chair, acting as a sign that it is time for the devotion to the Divine Childhood to give way to a focus on the grown-up Savior and the public ministry, forty days of fasting, and Passion to come.

In any case, when Candlemas is finished, all feelings of Christmas give way to the penitential feelings of Septuagesima and then Lent. The English poet, Robert Herrick (A.D. 1591-1674), sums it up in his poem "Ceremony Upon Candlemas Eve" -- and reveals a folktale in the process:

CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE
Down with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and misletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all,
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall:
That so the superstitious find
No one least branch there left behind:
For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected, there (maids, trust to me)
So many goblins you shall see.

The very ancient carol, below, also speaks of the departure of Christmas on this day. It is called "I Am Christmas," and was written by James Ryman, a Franciscan Friar, ca. 1492. The reference to Hallowtide (the days of the dead centering around All Saints Day) here refers to the fact that it was during Hallowtide that monarchs used to announce where they would be spending Christmas.

I AM CHRISTMAS
Here have I dwelled with more or lass
From Hallowtide till Candelmas,
And now must I from you hense pass;
Now have good day.

I take my leave of king and knight,
And erl, baron, and lady bright;
To wilderness I must me dight;
Now have good day!

And at the good lord of this hall
I take my leave, and of guests all;
Me think I here Lent doth call;
Now have good day!

And at every worthy officere,
Marshall, panter, and butlere
I take my leave as for this yere;
Now have good day!

Another yere I trust I shall
Make merry in this hall,
If rest and peace in England fall;
Now have good day!

But oftentimes I have heard say
That he is loth to part away
That often biddeth 'Have good day!";
Now have good day!

Now fare ye well, all in fere,
Now fare ye well for all this yere;
Yet for my sake make ye good chere;
Now have good day!

Some likewise view this day as the first official day to symbolize the return of spring, but because our biggest snowfalls in my neck of the woods are often in March and even as late as April, mentally, I'm just not there yet. However, I do keep a phenology wheel and because of that, I am very aware of how the days are lengthening and the light truly is returning.

GROUNDHOG'S DAY
As I mentioned earlier, Candlemas Day is also known as "Groundhog's Day" in America, the day when, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there'll be 6 more weeks of winter. There is a similar belief in Europe about how Candlemas weather foretells the length of winter. The English have a saying, "If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year." The Germans also have a few sayings about how the weather at Candlemas bodes ill or well for the nearness of Spring:

When the bear sees
his shadow at Candlemas,
he will crawl back into his
hole for another six weeks.

or this one;

If Candlemas is mild and pure,
Winter will be long for sure.

And finally;

If it storms and snows on Candlemas day
Spring will not be far away.
If Candlemas is bright and clear,
Spring is not yet near.

In our home we've used a variation on these poems;

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain
Winter is gone and will not come again.

But I also came across this lovely little poem just this week, which is so much like the poems we've traditionally used during Advent that I wish I'd found it when the girls were young.  At any rate, if you followed along with my Advent plans last year, perhaps you'll enjoy it.

Candle, candle burning bright,
Winter's halfway done tonight.
With a glowing, we are knowing,
Spring will come again!

While Punxsutawny Phil is fun, personally I much prefer the loveliness of Candlemas.

IDEAS FOR OBSERVING CANDLEMAS
If you want to conduct an actual Candlemas Ceremony, you'll find an outline here.

- Let children roll and make their own beeswax candles, or if you want to get really adventurous, perhaps make some by dipping them a few days ahead.  Here's a kit for making your own rolled candles, or you and also purchase them ready made. I also love these orange peel candles, so beautiful how so many of the same elements are used in decorations from Advent through to the days before Lent. If you do make your own candles, here's another lovely poem to share with the littles in your life.

“A candle’s but a simple thing, it starts with just a bit of string. But dipped and dipped with patient hand, it gathers wax upon the strand. Until complete and snowy white, it gives at last a lovely light. Life seems so like that bit of string, each deed we do a simple thing. Yet day by day on life’s strand, we work with patient heart and hand. It gathers joy, makes dark days bright and gives at last a lovely light.”

- Light candles and set them in the windows. You can use the electric or battery operated ones that are popular at Christmas for safety.

- Go on a nature walk and try to locate some snowdrops. If possible, bring a few in and put them in a vase.

- This candle ring is particularly pretty, especially with the sun in the middle symbolizing the return of the light and lengthening days.  You could easily make one out of bread dough, even just a small one using birthday candles. There are twelve candles around the outer ring, one of each month in the year and then the sun candle in the middle.  If you want to make it a little bigger, you could use emergency candles which I usually purchase from the dollar store. It might make a pretty centerpiece for your table to share a special meal.

In honor of St. Brigid (whose feast day is actually February 1), many people make a St. Brigid's Cross, but there are other traditions associated with this day, which you will find here.

TRADITIONAL FOOD
Food is always a great way to celebrate feast day because we always have to eat. Crepes are by far the most traditional food for Candlemas, and are very popular for celebrating in Europe, especially France.  Both crepes and pancakes are fitting because of their round and golden texture, symbolic of the sun (light).  Whatever you serve, you’ll want to put some candles on the table to celebrate this awesome day. Here are some recipes you might like to try

If you think you can’t make crepes at home yourself, you’re wrong! It’s really every bit as easy as making pancakes. Check out this recipe for the best easy homemade crepes, but if you still find it too intimidating, I've made these buttermilk pancakes a few times, and they are so good.But this year, I've actually got my eye on these Bacon and Corn Griddle Cakes.

But if breakfast food isn't what you're looking for, in Mexico, tamales are the candlemas tradition! But then again, tamales can be a LOT of work, so instead, you could try out one of these.

My personal favorite, Chicken Tamale Casserole, a dish I've made MANY times! So easy, and so good! But if you'd prefer beef, this recipe looks good, too, Tamale Pie.

You could make these Mexican Cookie Rings with the littles in your life and let them decorate them with bright, festive sprinkles and serve them with Mexican Hot Chocolate.  You could also make simple cut out sugar cookies in the shape of a dove, perhaps sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

I also love the idea of this Cardamom Coffee Bread Wreath, it would be lovely topped with some small candles and perfectly fitting!

Well, I hope by now I've given you enough history and plenty of ideas for celebrating! Candlemas is such a lovely celebration, and as with so many other aspects of The Year of the Lord, filled with deep meaning and symbolism.  I hope you will try out a few of these ideas and savor in the beauty of this lovely day with your family.

"A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." - Luke 2:32

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As We Embark On Our Read Along - Some Betsy Tacy Resources

Good morning, friends! I hope your week is off to a good start! We got a light dusting of snow here this morning with a bit more expected this afternoon. Nothing of any significance, but I do love snow and winter so I'm happy with just about anything this time of year that makes it feel more in season.

As we are embarking on a read-along this year of the complete Betsy Tacy series, I thought it might be fun to provide you with some resources I've come across over the years related to the books.  I read these with my youngest daughter when we were homeschooling, and I often looked for such things to enhance the experience. With that, I thought perhaps you might enjoy some of them as well.

Several of these resources I found at The Betsy Tacy Society Website, and they also have a You Tube Channel with some lovely videos you might find interesting. They have a Facebook page, as well.

Maud Hart Lovelace - A bit about the author of this series.

Something fun I found at their website are guides to Deep Valley, whether you are staying for a day, a weekend or a week (a dream of mine!). I thought it might be fun just to look up the sites listed online and go on kind of a virtual visit. Maybe during our reading I'll type up a different post and follow the links to all the places and we'll go on a virtual visit together. But, if you don't want to wait for me, by all means look the places up for yourself and get a feel for the setting of the Betsy Tacy books.

- A Day in Deep Valley

- A Weekend in Deep Valley

- A Week in Deep Valley

A Betsy Tib Tour of Milwaukee - this is a tour by one of the members of the Betsy Tacy Society that you might enjoy.

Make Your Own Betsy Tacy Bookmarks - just something fun!

Betsy Tacy's Deep Valley - this is an entire blog with ten years worth of posts dedicated to all things Betsy Tacy.  I plan to reference it often as we read the series, but it is definitely worth perusing for yourself!

The Betsy Tacy Encyclopedia - Another blog dedicated to Betsy Tacy. Though there doesn't seem to be as much here, you might find something of interest.

A review of the series from The Literary Ladies Guide.

Article about the real homes featured in the books from The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

That is all that I have for now, though I do hope to re-visit a few of these sites as we read through the series and point out interesting facts and tidbits to enhance our reading. Hopefully you found something here to spark your interest! 

Before I close I did want to let you know that I made a link to all posts related to our read-along that you can find in my right side bar.  Just look directly under the graphic/link for the originial post about how to join the read-along and you'll see it!  That way it keeps everthing nice and neat in one place and hopefully easy to navigate!

Have a wondeful day, my friends! I plan to sit back and enjoy the snow and the chili for tonight's dinner is already made! :)

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Of Cranberries, Books And The Packing Away of Christmas

One of my goals for the year is to expand my homesteading skill set, and today I checked off the first thing on my list, home canned cranberry juice.  I am making small batches, 4 pints of regular and 2 pints of cran-grape (my favorite!). I decided on pints, which may not seem like much, but when I tell you that we typically pour out at least half of a bottle or more of the store bought stuff, I am not exagerrating! It's not that we don't like it, I think it has more to do with the events taking place in life when we do drink it, virus, uti, etc. It would seem that once the symptoms subside what is left goes to waste. With that, I'm thinking maybe a pint is just about right? I followed the instructions found here, and as soon as the jars finish completely cooling I'll put them in the pantry to steep for a couple of weeks and then I'll test out a jar. Fingers crossed! If it turns out good I may make this part of my Christmas gift giving this year.

Other than that, I did a couple of loads of laundry and managed to get my snowmen packed. I had planned on bringing all the totes down and doing some much needed purging and organization of our Christmas decorations, but with my back still iffy, I've decided to just pack it away and then come some warm Spring day I'll have Bill bring them all down to the porch and I'll sort through them then. Just getting it taken down and put away is a s-l-o-w moving process right now, so I decided now was not the time for such a project.

I've really been enoying the books I'm currently reading, and the need to take it a little easier has allowed for more time for that. Right now I'm reading;

In Search of Guidance: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard which I just discovered was re-released under a different title Hearing God. My original plan was to read The Spirit of the Disciplines, until I happened across an article that suggested reading the books in sequential order, and Hearing God is considered to be the first in that order. I am taking my time with these, because I find almost everything Dallas wrote so philosophical and contemplative that I don't want to skim over and miss anything. Thankfully I've been able to locate most of these on Internet Archives and Hoopla, because they prices they are asking for some of these is outlandish! However much I love anything by Dallas Willard, he is out of my budget.

Another book I like equally as well but am finding a little easier to read is Beholding: Deeping Our Experience in God by Strahan Coleman (AFFILIATE LINK). Do you see a theme here?

I started out the year reading Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty and Peace by Christie Purifoy (AFFILIATE LINK), but I've put it down for now, not because I wasn't enjoying it, it just feels like the time isn't right. I'm thinking maybe early spring?

In its place I've decided to re-read an old favorite, The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris (AFFILIATE LINK).  I've been blessed with the opportunity to spend the weekend in a monestary coming up at the end of the month, a dream I've held ever since I read this book the first time, so now seems like a good time to revisit it.

And then of course, I have plans to re-read the entire Betsy Tacy series this year, so I'm going to sit down with the first book in that series this coming weekend.

And with that, I think I'll try to take in a chapter or two before dinner duties beckon! What are you reading, friends? Drop a few titles in the comments. :)

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My Favorite Songs: What A Wonderful World

If you've followed me here in the past, one of the things you probably know about me is that I love music, particularly oldies! It is rare that you would find me listening to anything that is popular today, unless it's a song my daughter introduced me to, or occassionally a newer country song. I do love me some Tim McGraw! But 99.9% of the time if I am listening to music it's oldies from the 40's - 70's, the only exception being anything from the disco era or The Beach Boys, #notafan.

I love sharing my love of oldies music with my readers and introducing them to the sentimental songs of days gone by.  I even have a playlist of my favorites in my side bar, The Ordinary Days of Small Things Favorite's Playlist, which you can click on any time you want to peruse a few of my favorites!

But I thought it might be fun to pick a few songs here and there and share a little about their history and why they are my favorites, and I'll begin with my absolute favorite song of all time, What A Wonderful World, sung by Louis Armstrong.

Written by George Thiele, writing under the psyeudonym "George Douglas" and George David Weiss, What A Wonderful World was first recorded in 1967 and released as a single in 1968 by Louis Armstrong, topping the charts in the UK but originally performing poorly in the US. George Weiss stated that he wrote the song specifically for Armstrong, who inspired him by his ability to bring people of all races together. Armstrong had recently signed with ABC Records, and president Larry Newton was hoping for a hit like Hello Dolly which Armstrong recorded with Kapp records a few years earlier. So when he heard the slower pace of A Wonderful World, he tried to stop the recording session and was thrown out of the building. They finished the session that night, and the song was released, but because Newton refused to promote it, it intially sold fewer than 1,000 copies in the US, but was a major success in the United Kingdom, reaching number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. 

The song gradually became something of a standard and reached a new level of popularity. An episode of The Muppet Show produced in 1977 and broadcast early in 1978 featured Rowlf the Dog singing the song to a puppy. In 1978, it was featured in the closing scenes of BBC radio's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and was repeated for BBC's 1981 TV adaptation of the series. In 1988, Armstrong's recording was used in the film Good Morning, Vietnam, and was re-released as a single, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1988. It is also the closing song for the 1995 movie 12 Monkeys and the 1998 film adaptation of Madeline. Armstrongs recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

After it was released digitally, Armstrong's 1967 recording had sold over 2,173,000 downloads in the United States as of April, 2004. 

In 2021, it was ranked at No. 171 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time"

For me personally, I love this song for its emphasis on the simple ordinary things that make up an extraordinary life. I believe that when we take the time to notice the abundance which is ours every-single-day, we don't focus as much on what we feel is lacking. I don't ever want to take the beauty of life for granted! Taking the time to notice these simple every day graces, forces us to slow down, to simplify our expectations, and to be content, and those are all good things! I love this song so much, in fact, that I have it set as my ringer on my cell phone and every time I hear those first few notes, I smile!

If you've never listened to it, just click play below! To be honest, a lot of people are not Louis Armstrong fans, and in today's world he probably would not have made it far. But even his style speaks to a simplicity of life that is becoming harder to capture in this day and time. It's one of the reasons I think I am drawn to songs like these. In the midst of all the hurt and hate that exists in the world, music takes me back. I can't control what is happening in the world, but I do have some say about the atmosphere that exists within my house, and music often sets the stage.

 

Lyrics:

I see trees of green

Red roses too

I see them bloom 

For me and you

And I think to myself 

What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue 

And clouds of white

The bright blessed day

The dark sacred night

And I think to myself 

What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow 

So pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces 

Of people going by

I see friends shaking hands

Saying how do you do

They're really saying

I love you

I hear babies cry

I watch them grow

They'll learn much more 

Than I'll ever know

And I think to myself 

What a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself 

What a wonderful world

Ooh, yes

If you enjoyed this post, and if you like oldies music, I'll be writing about more of my favorite songs in upcoming posts, and sharing other playlists with you as I develop them! I love movies and sit-coms from the same era, and I'll be sharing about them as well!  I hope you'll join me!

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Small Things - First Saturday of The New Year

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are six small things that inpspired me this week;

1. Tending The Embers: Four Ways To Support Winter Wellness

2. How Ginger, Cinnamon and Nutmeg Became Winter Spices

3. No Spend Activities in January - I love these ideas!

4. The Self Care Year

5. A Festive Winter Walk with Hideaway Cottage

6. The First Snow of Winter - a lovely film to watch with the littles in your life.

Have a lovely weekend, friends!

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Announcing The Betsy Tacy Book Club: 2024 Series Read Along

This year one of my goals is to make more time to read. I've felt in recent years that I am far too often distracted by social media, and it was detracting from the time that I would prefer to be reading. I currently have two books I started just this week, but something I have been contemplating is re-reading The Betsy Tacy series of books by Maud Hart Lovelace.

I discovered this series as an adult when I began homeschooling my children, and the first time I read it I think I might have read the entire series within just a few weeks. It may possibly be my favorite children's series of all time!

I mentioned in my previous post that I was considering hosting a read-along, and as I have committed myself to reading them again, I've decided to do just that. The more the merrier, yes?

With that, I've come up with a schedule which you'll see below and participation is really very simple. We'll read one book in the series each month and on the first Monday of the following month, I'll share my thoughts about each book in a post, and if you are reading along with me, you can share yours in the comments. Here's how it will work

January - Betsy Tacy

Discussion - Monday, February 5

February - Betsy Tacy and Tib

Discussion - Monday, March 4

March - Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill

Discussion - Monday, April 1

April - Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown

Discussion - Monday, May 6

May - Heaven to Betsy

Discussion - Monday, June 3

June - Betsy In Spite of Herself

Discussion - Monday, July 1

July - Betsy Was A Junior

Discussion - Monday, August 5

August - Betsy and Joe

Discussion - Monday, September 2

September - Betsy and the Great World

Discussion - Monday, October 7

October - Betsy's Wedding

Discussion - Monday, November 4

We'll finish up our discussion in early November, and then towards the end of November, I'll have a fun Advent Calendar reading for us to enjoy with select passages from each of the books.  I discovered this year and almost posted it then, but now I'm glad I waited so we can make it a part of our year-long readings.

If you already own the series, that's wonderful! And if not, check with your local library or you can order the from Amazon (these are the books I have!)

The Betsy Tacy Treasury (The First Four Books in the Series) (AFFILIATE LINK)'

Heaven to Betsy / Betsy In Spite of Herself (AFFILIATE LINK)

Betsy Was a Junior / Betsy and Joe (AFFILIATE LINK)

Betsy and Great World / Betsy's Wedding (AFFILIATE LINK)

I looked for them on the Internet Archives, but so much there has changed in recent months, and many books are no longer available to borrow.  I did see that there is also a Kindle edition of the titles listed above, if you'd prefer to go that route.

I'm looking forward to spending a year in Deep Valley with Betsy, Tacy and Tib, and you as well! If you want to join me, please leave a comment on this post to let me know. And, as always, don't let the year long commitment scare you.  This is all very simple and easy, just read when and if you can, and if you forget and don't visit the post each month to join in the discussion, that's ok, too.  There are no rules here, other than to be kind, friendly and courteous to all! If you ever forget what book we are on or when our next discussion will be, *I'll create a link back to this post in the side bar over the next few days, so you can always just click on it and find your way back here.

*UPDATE - You'll find the link to this post in the right side bar!

Until then, my friends . . . .

I'll meet you at the top of the hill!

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