Feast Day of St. Nicholas Daybook

Outside My Window
It is dark. The icicle lights are blowing back and forth. It was a very blustery day with intermittent snowflakes.

I am Listening
to the turning of pages as Aislinn studies for her Latin test.

I am so Grateful for
a warm house.
Lands' End coats with hoods.
warm cars.

I'm Reflecting on
"Try to commit yourself to a plan of life and to keep to it..."
- St. Josemaria Escriva Getting to Know God #149

I am Reading
The Lost Art of Reading by David Ulin. I just picked this book up yesterday at the library.

My Advent Reading
is Advent and Christmas Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton.

I am Thinking
that every time I think I'm done shopping for Christmas gifts, I remember someone else. So many people have come into our life this year. It's important to me that I show a token of appreciation. I really do need to make a master list for next year.

I am Creating
a Hansel and Gretel Christmas tree. We have candy canes, faux gingerbread cookies and a real gum drop wreath garland. I hope to add sugar cookies to the tree and maybe a few more surprises. We have a Hansel and Gretel gingerbread house too.

Education
We are working on an Advent Alphabet book. Last week was A-E. This week the letters are F-J. We'll have to double up a few letters next week and the week after.

Rhythm and Beauty
We eat our meals in the dining room which opens up to the living room. I've noticed since putting the Christmas tree in the living room that we've been eating breakfast by "tree light." A little elf has been turning on the tree lights and plugging in the fireplace mantle lights. It really does look nice at 6 am.

I am Wearing
tan Lands' End jeans, a red turtleneck and my old comfortable Esprit navy wool sweater. Is Esprit even around anymore?

To Live the Liturgy
Today is the feast of St. Nicholas. One of my favorite books to read is A Baker's Dozen.

I'm Thinking
how blessed I've been to spend so many Advents with my girls and to create memories. I didn't realize how fast time would go and how fast things change.

I am Inspired
by the book A Fairy Tale Christmas. I love creating magical moments with my girls.

I am Hoping and Praying
for continued good health.
for all those souls that have gone before us.
in thanksgiving for a friends recovery from back surgery.

In the Garden
I trimmed back the boxwood to use the branches for decorating the auction rooms last month. Now I don't have much for decorating my own home. I did notice that there are two very tiny boxwood plants that are growing in the front garden. I'd like to transplant those in the spring.

Around the House
I'm finishing up my current decluttering mission. I'm filling up the van with bags and bags of clothes, toys and household items. I can not wait to bless others later this week.

From the Kitchen
We made Specuulas cookies in the shape of St. Nicholas. I outlined the cookie and added the miter and staff with icing.

One of My Favorite Things
the picture in my mind of Clare wearing sneakers and her pink winter coat over her striped pajamas. Too, too, cute...

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
I'm on a costume search with every other church and school doing a Christmas play. I need to find female generic Jewish attire for the upcoming Christmas play. I know I don't have the time to make these items.