Our little Lucy is growing up. And, in honor of her being older, we are celebrating her name day more traditionally this year. For those of you who have a daughter, here is the more traditional way of celebrating Santa Lucia in Sweden:
Your oldest (or youngest) daughter arises in the darkness of the morning before the household and dresses in a white gown with a red sash and puts a crown of candles on her head. She carries a plate of Lucia buns and walks around waking the household while we sing the Santa Lucia song as we wake (granted, Pa and I are going to help her wake up this year).
There are many recipes out there. Traditionally the recipe uses to saffron. I will confess I have deviated from that in the past and used this recipe a few times (substituting soy milk) and the kids enjoyed it very much.
All right! Baby needs a nap! Blessings to you all!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tree Blessing Prayer
Every year on the Sunday of our Forefathers and in honor of my husband's patron saint, Jesse, we buy our Christmas tree and bless it. For those of you who would like to bless your tree, here is the prayer for it*:
Father or Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who hath made heaven and earth.
All: All the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord, for He comes.
Read Psalm 95.
All: All the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord, for He comes.
Leader: Lesson from the Prophet Ezekiel (Read Ezekiel 17:22-24)
All: Thanks be to God.
Leader: And there shall come forth a shoot.
All: Out of the root of Jesse.
Leader: In Him was life.
All:And the life was the light of men.
Leader: O Lord hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come unto Thee.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Leader: Let us pray. Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, Who hast caused Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be planted like a tree of life in Thy Church, by being born of th emost HOly Virgin Mary, bless, we beseech thee, this tree that all who see it may be filled with a holy desire to be ingrafted as living branches into the same Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the HOly Spirit, One God, world without end.
All. Amen
Sprinkle the tree with holy water and sing an Advent hymn.
All: Who hath made heaven and earth.
All: All the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord, for He comes.
Read Psalm 95.
All: All the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord, for He comes.
Leader: Lesson from the Prophet Ezekiel (Read Ezekiel 17:22-24)
All: Thanks be to God.
Leader: And there shall come forth a shoot.
All: Out of the root of Jesse.
Leader: In Him was life.
All:And the life was the light of men.
Leader: O Lord hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come unto Thee.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Leader: Let us pray. Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, Who hast caused Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be planted like a tree of life in Thy Church, by being born of th emost HOly Virgin Mary, bless, we beseech thee, this tree that all who see it may be filled with a holy desire to be ingrafted as living branches into the same Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the HOly Spirit, One God, world without end.
All. Amen
Sprinkle the tree with holy water and sing an Advent hymn.
*Many thanks to Nan, who in her research years ago discovered this prayer!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Orthodox Jesse Tree Activity
Jen (another contributor here) posted this link on facebook today. I hope you don't mind me posting this link for you, Jen!! We'll definitely be doing this activity here. Especially since Jesse is my husband's patron saint!!!
Anyhow, you MUST check this out!!!! Don't forget to check the links which provide all the printables.
Anyhow, you MUST check this out!!!! Don't forget to check the links which provide all the printables.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Kicking off the Advent Season!!!
Happy Advent, everyone!
If you haven't already constructed your paper chain, here are the color layouts for this year:
Week 1: 6 green strips
Week 2: 7 blue strips
Week 3: 7 yellow (gold) strips
Week 4: 7 white strips
Week 5: 7 purple strips
Week 6: 6 red strips
Do the Sunday reading* on the Sunday following each color week with the "red" reading being on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
This past week a World Vision catalog came in the mail and the kids were very excited about the idea of giving an animal to a suffering family. They decided they wanted that to be their gift to Jesus this year. However, instead of Pa and I just writing a check, the kids are working to earn money to pay for their gifts. What birthday gift are your kids/family giving to Jesus this year??
* (see the Nativity Fast section for more information on the weekly color schemes)
If you haven't already constructed your paper chain, here are the color layouts for this year:
Week 1: 6 green strips
Week 2: 7 blue strips
Week 3: 7 yellow (gold) strips
Week 4: 7 white strips
Week 5: 7 purple strips
Week 6: 6 red strips
Do the Sunday reading* on the Sunday following each color week with the "red" reading being on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
This past week a World Vision catalog came in the mail and the kids were very excited about the idea of giving an animal to a suffering family. They decided they wanted that to be their gift to Jesus this year. However, instead of Pa and I just writing a check, the kids are working to earn money to pay for their gifts. What birthday gift are your kids/family giving to Jesus this year??
* (see the Nativity Fast section for more information on the weekly color schemes)
Monday, November 14, 2011
the nativity fast begins tomorrow!!!
Just in case you needed a reminder.
We were a bit distracted from our preparations though....
As I said, we are a bit behind. But I will get started on that advent chain today! The wreath probably won't materialize till later.
And just so you know, making traditions in your home takes time.
Don't expect to perfect it all in one year.
Some things will work. Some won't.
During these early years, feel free to experiment and find out what works for your family. It might take a few years to figure that out.
We're still in the process. And this blog started four years ago.
Just sayin.'
Monday, October 31, 2011
Quick Soul Cakes
For those of you wishing to celebrate the western All Souls Day and the Vigil of All Saints (a.k.a. All Hallow's Eve/Halloween) in a way that brings out the Christian (and Orthodox) significance of the day, I highly recommend for your enjoyment the tradition of making "soul cakes" (a.k.a. "doughnuts") with your children.
Before you freak out at the idea of making doughnuts from scratch, check out this short-cut version which I've adapted from Catholic Traditions in Cooking, by Ann Ball (see p. 129). All you need is a can of refrigerated biscuits, some spices, sugar, and oil.
These are called "soul cakes" because they are circular, signifying, in the unending arc of the circle, the immortality of the soul. Add a double whammy of catechetical instruction disguised as fun and yum, as you make the seven-spice mix with your children, teaching them the story and theology of creation (when human souls came to be).
Preheat oven to 375ยบ.
Make 7-Spice Mix: Have your child(ren) help measure each spice and put it in the bowl as you talk with them about how the seven spices represent the seven days of creation and remember together what God made on each day. If you haven't read it recently, it may be a good idea to read the creation story in a children's bible before you begin your kitchen activities. (Note: You can substitute other sweet spices, if you wish, or organize them in another order. My ordering below is simply alphabetical and has no correlation to the respective day of creation being discussed.)
To signify the 8th day of creation and emphasize how it is the most amazing, blessed part of creation, pour into the spice mixture,
Open
Warm in a fry pan over medium heat
Remove from oil with tongs, allow excess oil to drip back into pan, and coat in sugar-spice mix. Place coated cakes on cookie sheets (covered with parchment paper for easy clean-up, if you'd like). Repeat the previous steps until all the doughnuts are fried and coated. Then bake until fully cooked through, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove to rack to cool.
Makes 6 to 8 soul cakes; easily doubled.
Before you freak out at the idea of making doughnuts from scratch, check out this short-cut version which I've adapted from Catholic Traditions in Cooking, by Ann Ball (see p. 129). All you need is a can of refrigerated biscuits, some spices, sugar, and oil.
These are called "soul cakes" because they are circular, signifying, in the unending arc of the circle, the immortality of the soul. Add a double whammy of catechetical instruction disguised as fun and yum, as you make the seven-spice mix with your children, teaching them the story and theology of creation (when human souls came to be).
Preheat oven to 375ยบ.
Make 7-Spice Mix: Have your child(ren) help measure each spice and put it in the bowl as you talk with them about how the seven spices represent the seven days of creation and remember together what God made on each day. If you haven't read it recently, it may be a good idea to read the creation story in a children's bible before you begin your kitchen activities. (Note: You can substitute other sweet spices, if you wish, or organize them in another order. My ordering below is simply alphabetical and has no correlation to the respective day of creation being discussed.)
- 1/8 t Allspice—1st Day: Light
- 1/8 t Anise—2nd Day: Firmament (Sky)
- 1/8 t Cardamon—3rd Day: Dry Land and Seas, Vegetation (Plants)
- 1 t Cinnamon—4th Day: Sun, Moon, and Stars
- 1/8 t Cloves—5th Day: Sea Creatures and Birds
- 1/8 t Mace—6th Day: Animals, Adam and Eve
- 1/2 t Nutmeg—7th Day: Rest (and Worship)
To signify the 8th day of creation and emphasize how it is the most amazing, blessed part of creation, pour into the spice mixture,
- 3/4 C sugar—8th Day of (Re)Creation: New Life in Christ's Resurrection
Open
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits (Trader Joe's are the best).
Warm in a fry pan over medium heat
- canola or other vegetable oil (enough to come up to midpoint on the biscuit cakes when placed in the fry pan).
Remove from oil with tongs, allow excess oil to drip back into pan, and coat in sugar-spice mix. Place coated cakes on cookie sheets (covered with parchment paper for easy clean-up, if you'd like). Repeat the previous steps until all the doughnuts are fried and coated. Then bake until fully cooked through, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove to rack to cool.
Makes 6 to 8 soul cakes; easily doubled.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Vegan Cornbread
Now on to a more mundane topic: FOOD! Mmmmm.
This afternoon, I googled vegan cornbread on a whim to go with our chili tonight and came across this recipe.
Did you catch that link? If not, here it is again.
Because, seriously, this is the best cornbread ever. Yeah. It even beats the recipes I've tried that had the delightful ingredients of eggs and butter.
It is truly that awesome.
Now I did have to substitute a 1/3 c of semolina flour because I was exactly 1/3 c short of cornmeal and thought that would be the best substitute. Maybe that contributed to its moist, cake-y goodness? I don't know. But I do know that my family efficiently demolished that pan of cornbread.
This afternoon, I googled vegan cornbread on a whim to go with our chili tonight and came across this recipe.
Did you catch that link? If not, here it is again.
Because, seriously, this is the best cornbread ever. Yeah. It even beats the recipes I've tried that had the delightful ingredients of eggs and butter.
It is truly that awesome.
Now I did have to substitute a 1/3 c of semolina flour because I was exactly 1/3 c short of cornmeal and thought that would be the best substitute. Maybe that contributed to its moist, cake-y goodness? I don't know. But I do know that my family efficiently demolished that pan of cornbread.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Church year timeline 2011-2012
**UPDATED below**
I don't know about you, but our family was finding itself so distracted by changes in our lives (new baby, new school situation, dissertation writing, etc) that we were finding ourselves completely out of sync and unaware of the church year. Not a very good thing.
So this weekend, I attacked a church year timeline for our home and here are the results:
I decided to place it in the hallway right upon entering our front door. This is the hallway that one must use to go basically anywhere in our house, and so I thought it was an ideal spot. Included in the timeline are the 12 major feasts, name days and St. Nicholas.
A close up:
On each square is the name of the feast day, date, icon image, readings for the day and an activity to do together as a family:
**Here's a link to my document I created for this project. Feel free to use it for your home or just for inspiration!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Nativity of the Theotokos Coloring Page
We celebrate the Nativity of the Theotokos on September 8, but begin, as is the Church's tradition, with a versperal liturgy on the evening before. In addition to implementing Jen Marie's great idea of making a birthday cake for Mama Mary, this year I'll be using the Nativity of the Theotokos icon coloring page from the OCA website to help my children understand and commemorate the feast.
To download the full-size icon coloring page (pdf), go here and scroll down a bit. (I am surprised that this icon is not included in the "Orthodox Christian Icon Coloring Book," as it represents one of the 12 great feasts of our Church.)
See Kelly's previous posts for the Scripture readings, links to articles, and other helpful ideas.
To download the full-size icon coloring page (pdf), go here and scroll down a bit. (I am surprised that this icon is not included in the "Orthodox Christian Icon Coloring Book," as it represents one of the 12 great feasts of our Church.)
See Kelly's previous posts for the Scripture readings, links to articles, and other helpful ideas.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
St. Patrick Enlightener of Ireland
As a teenager he was kidnapped, taken from Briton (Scotland) to Ireland and forced into service as a shepherd. His response was a life of prayer. He prayed day and night. Let us strive to emulate Patrick who in the face of difficulties turned his thoughts toward God instead of ourselves. Let us be an example to our children by praying with them frequently and praying for them often.
Listen to the life of St. Patrick on the saint of the day podcast
You can read more at orthodoxwiki too.
Troparion - Tone 3
Holy Bishop Patrick,
Faithful shepherd of Christ's royal flock,
You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel:
The mighty strength of the Trinity!
Now that you stand before the Savior,
Pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!
Kontakion - Tone 4
From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ's service:
He sent you to deliver Ireland from the devil's bondage.
You planted the Word of the Gospel in pagan hearts.
In your journeys and hardships you rivaled the Apostle Paul!
Having received the reward for your labors in heaven,
Never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on earth,
Holy bishop Patrick!
Prayer of Saint Patrick
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, and in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
To celebrate This day with your kids during lent you could eat like he probably did and have porridge and fish and flatbread. see web page re 5th century Irish diet.
OAT FLATBREAD
Ingredients
1 cup large-flake rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup margerine softened
2 tbsp malt syrup or honey
Preparation:
In food processor, process oats until finely ground, about 2 minutes. In large bowl, whisk together oats, whole wheat flour, salt and baking soda. Stir in margerine and malt syrup to form soft, crumbly dough. With fork, stir in 1/2 cup (125 mL) water to make soft ragged dough.
With lightly floured hands, press dough into ball; cover with tea towel and let stand for 10 minutes. Divide in half.
On lightly floured surface; roll out each half into 16- x 12-inch (40 x 30 cm) paper-thin rectangle; prick all over with fork. Transfer to greased or parchment paper–lined baking sheet.
Lightly brush with water; bake in 400°F (200°C) oven, rotating halfway through, until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Let cool on pan on rack. Break into pieces. (Make-ahead: Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.)
Listen to the life of St. Patrick on the saint of the day podcast
You can read more at orthodoxwiki too.
Troparion - Tone 3
Holy Bishop Patrick,
Faithful shepherd of Christ's royal flock,
You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel:
The mighty strength of the Trinity!
Now that you stand before the Savior,
Pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!
Kontakion - Tone 4
From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ's service:
He sent you to deliver Ireland from the devil's bondage.
You planted the Word of the Gospel in pagan hearts.
In your journeys and hardships you rivaled the Apostle Paul!
Having received the reward for your labors in heaven,
Never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on earth,
Holy bishop Patrick!
Prayer of Saint Patrick
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, and in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
To celebrate This day with your kids during lent you could eat like he probably did and have porridge and fish and flatbread. see web page re 5th century Irish diet.
OAT FLATBREAD
Ingredients
1 cup large-flake rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup margerine softened
2 tbsp malt syrup or honey
Preparation:
In food processor, process oats until finely ground, about 2 minutes. In large bowl, whisk together oats, whole wheat flour, salt and baking soda. Stir in margerine and malt syrup to form soft, crumbly dough. With fork, stir in 1/2 cup (125 mL) water to make soft ragged dough.
With lightly floured hands, press dough into ball; cover with tea towel and let stand for 10 minutes. Divide in half.
On lightly floured surface; roll out each half into 16- x 12-inch (40 x 30 cm) paper-thin rectangle; prick all over with fork. Transfer to greased or parchment paper–lined baking sheet.
Lightly brush with water; bake in 400°F (200°C) oven, rotating halfway through, until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Let cool on pan on rack. Break into pieces. (Make-ahead: Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.)
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