Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Moving
I am now a contributing blogger for Icon New Media Network. This blog will now be posted through that forum. Please check it out! It is a great new Orthodox website. I'm not sure where or when my first post will arrive, but it should be soon! It's titled 'Sweeping in the Seasons'. (by the way, did I post enough links for you to follow?)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Christ is Risen!
Okay, I know this blog needs a major update right now. For instance, the Nativity Fast is long over and I should change that icon. However, we underwent a very interesting Holy Week this year....we found out we have bedbugs (got it from another apartment in our complex) and have spent most of Holy and Bright weeks packing up all of our belongings. I suppose this is what I get for skipping my Lenten/Spring housecleaning this year! You can check out all the gruesome details of the move on my family blog: http://torgusborg.blogspot.com/.
One of the interesting things happening is that they will be freezing our computer to kill any possible breeding of the bugs in the keyboard. So blogging will not be happening much, to say the least. However, I promise when I return that this blog will get some renewed attention. Ok?
Until then:
Christ is risen from the dead! And by His death has He trampled death! And unto those in the tombs, He has granted life!
One of the interesting things happening is that they will be freezing our computer to kill any possible breeding of the bugs in the keyboard. So blogging will not be happening much, to say the least. However, I promise when I return that this blog will get some renewed attention. Ok?
Until then:
Christ is risen from the dead! And by His death has He trampled death! And unto those in the tombs, He has granted life!
Monday, March 3, 2008
2008 Lenten Resolution
Lent is very rapidly approaching. Due to not having much extra time this year with 3 under 3 in my charge, please refer to my lenten posts and pre-lenten posts from last year for suggestions. I might occasionally update an older post, but I am not quite sure how feasible it will be.
However, since the Lenten Fast is that which tends to occupy most of our thought, I want to spend this post on that issue. The whole point of the fast is to simplify our lives that we may devote more time to prayer and more money to charity. You should approach a spiritual father to help determine your own personal fast for your family, but remember that simplicity is the key (both in preparation of food and in cost).
As I am nursing this year, the questions that will be guiding this year's fast are: 1) Could I make a cheaper meal? and 2) Could I make a simpler meal? I chose question #1 as the primary question because it is my goal this Lent, to save at least a 1/3 of our grocery budget to give to charity or a family in need. My kids and I will be decorating our Lenten savings can this week to put in the money saved after each week's shopping trip. My goal is not to cut out anything necessarily, but to make wise choices.
Now, for the 2008 Lenten Resolution!!! Each year, I try to make one change in our daily routine to help simplify our lives. Last year, it was to start using my Slow cooker. I am pleased to announce that I now use it for nearly every meal and the dinner hour is no longer an opportunity for a mental breakdown!!!! Now, although I have learned to plan our dinners efficiently, I cannot say the same for lunches and snacks. There is many a morning when my husband asks what he can take for lunch and I think, "Hmm. Good question." Then I frantically try to figure out something out of nothing or send him away telling him to just buy a sandwich. The same goes for my kids snacks. I have the food, but it isn't prepped and I find myself getting annoyed and stressed when my girls ask for a snack because I'm most likely in the middle of something and can't cut up that apple right now!!! So, this year's goal is to prepare lunches and snacks for the week ahead of time. In other words, if tuna salad sandwiches are on the menu, I'll make the tuna salad at the beginning of the week and have it sitting in a tupperware ready to go. Carrots will be peeled and cut up ahead of time. Eggs will be boiled. Apples will be sliced and tossed with lemon juice so they don't brown. And it will all be sitting, ready and waiting, in the fridge for their time of need. So, instead of spending 20-30 minutes accumulated throughout each day preparing snacks and lunches, I will spend about 5 and when my kids want a snack, I can tell them where to get it...all by themselves.
Yes, it sounds simple. That is the point. Sometimes the simplest things can make a very big difference. Please share your resolution for this year!
What is your Lenten Resolution this year?
However, since the Lenten Fast is that which tends to occupy most of our thought, I want to spend this post on that issue. The whole point of the fast is to simplify our lives that we may devote more time to prayer and more money to charity. You should approach a spiritual father to help determine your own personal fast for your family, but remember that simplicity is the key (both in preparation of food and in cost).
As I am nursing this year, the questions that will be guiding this year's fast are: 1) Could I make a cheaper meal? and 2) Could I make a simpler meal? I chose question #1 as the primary question because it is my goal this Lent, to save at least a 1/3 of our grocery budget to give to charity or a family in need. My kids and I will be decorating our Lenten savings can this week to put in the money saved after each week's shopping trip. My goal is not to cut out anything necessarily, but to make wise choices.
Now, for the 2008 Lenten Resolution!!! Each year, I try to make one change in our daily routine to help simplify our lives. Last year, it was to start using my Slow cooker. I am pleased to announce that I now use it for nearly every meal and the dinner hour is no longer an opportunity for a mental breakdown!!!! Now, although I have learned to plan our dinners efficiently, I cannot say the same for lunches and snacks. There is many a morning when my husband asks what he can take for lunch and I think, "Hmm. Good question." Then I frantically try to figure out something out of nothing or send him away telling him to just buy a sandwich. The same goes for my kids snacks. I have the food, but it isn't prepped and I find myself getting annoyed and stressed when my girls ask for a snack because I'm most likely in the middle of something and can't cut up that apple right now!!! So, this year's goal is to prepare lunches and snacks for the week ahead of time. In other words, if tuna salad sandwiches are on the menu, I'll make the tuna salad at the beginning of the week and have it sitting in a tupperware ready to go. Carrots will be peeled and cut up ahead of time. Eggs will be boiled. Apples will be sliced and tossed with lemon juice so they don't brown. And it will all be sitting, ready and waiting, in the fridge for their time of need. So, instead of spending 20-30 minutes accumulated throughout each day preparing snacks and lunches, I will spend about 5 and when my kids want a snack, I can tell them where to get it...all by themselves.
Yes, it sounds simple. That is the point. Sometimes the simplest things can make a very big difference. Please share your resolution for this year!
What is your Lenten Resolution this year?
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Presentation of the Lord, February 2nd
As recorded in the gospel of Luke 2:22-40, this feast celebrates Joseph and Mary bringing Jesus into the temple 40 days after his birth as required by mosaic law. At this time, Jesus is beheld by Simeon who was promised by God not to die until he saw the Messiah and upon seeing Christ, he cried, "My eyes have seen your salvation, now let your servant depart in peace".
Readings: Hebrews 7:7-17 and Luke 2:22-40.
For the Little Ones: In the west, this feast is referred to as the Candlemas (for in "about 450 AD in Jerusalem, people began the custom of holding lighted candles during the Divine Liturgy of this feast day" see here). For Christ is He who will bring light to the Gentiles and is the glory of his people Israel. It is traditional in many parts of Europe to feast on crepes on this day.
An ideal craft for this feast would be to make candles. Dependent on how little your kids are, this may or may not be feasible. However, tea cup candles are very easy to make and little ones can help with various aspects of it (securing the wick, picking out the cups at a thrift store). Best of all, these are great gifts to give to the neighbors and you can tie a little note to the handle with the hymn of St. Simeon on it.
Readings: Hebrews 7:7-17 and Luke 2:22-40.
For the Little Ones: In the west, this feast is referred to as the Candlemas (for in "about 450 AD in Jerusalem, people began the custom of holding lighted candles during the Divine Liturgy of this feast day" see here). For Christ is He who will bring light to the Gentiles and is the glory of his people Israel. It is traditional in many parts of Europe to feast on crepes on this day.
An ideal craft for this feast would be to make candles. Dependent on how little your kids are, this may or may not be feasible. However, tea cup candles are very easy to make and little ones can help with various aspects of it (securing the wick, picking out the cups at a thrift store). Best of all, these are great gifts to give to the neighbors and you can tie a little note to the handle with the hymn of St. Simeon on it.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Epiphany (or Theophany), Jan 6
Well, my son is getting baptized sunday on this great feast. My husband is out of town currently in an intensive French language program in Monterey (though he'll be back this weekend for the baptism before taking off again) and I have been having extended family come in and out of town a lot recently. So, my preparation for this particular feast is sadly very little. Actually, nonexistent. I promise improvement next year. Please feel free to post any ideas you have, though! I'll try to do a follow up post sometime next week.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Day
Read the Christmas story in Luke together. Sing Christmas carols now that Christ has come!!! Light your Christmas candle; now the Advent wreath can blaze in its full glory. We all have our own personal family traditions. Remember to talk to your children about why we do the things we do. Keep the meaning in tradition!
(and for a Christmas follow up, now is the time to start teaching your children to write thank you notes. Read to them the story of the ten lepers in Luke and talk about how important it is to say' thank you'. For ones who are too little to write a thank you note, have them color a picture instead (I'm sure you could even find one of the ten lepers on the internet).)
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
(and for a Christmas follow up, now is the time to start teaching your children to write thank you notes. Read to them the story of the ten lepers in Luke and talk about how important it is to say' thank you'. For ones who are too little to write a thank you note, have them color a picture instead (I'm sure you could even find one of the ten lepers on the internet).)
Week 6: Communion (color: red, December 23)
This is the very last candle lighting before Christmas. He who came and will come again is present with us in the sacrament of Holy Communion.
"And the Word became flesh , and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1: 14
"He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6: 54
For the Little Ones: It is this sacrament that allowed Paul to say Christ lives in Him. And we can do the same through our own participation. To encourage talking about how Christ lives in us, build Gingerbread Houses with your children (so very Christmas-y). Talk about how our bodies our also houses that God can live in and discuss the Eucharist with your children.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Week 5: Repentance (color: purple, December 16th, 2007)
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.'" Mark 1:14-15
As always, I suggest purchasing the book I mentioned in my previous post. It contains evening readings for the Sundays in Advent, suggested hymns to sing, special prayers and discussion topics pertinent to the readings.
For the Little Ones: The Candy Cane looks like the staff that the shepherd uses to bring his sheep back into the flock. Jesus is our Good Shepherd who brings us back to God. The white stripe reminds us of Jesus' innocence. The red stripe reminds us of the blood he shed for us. John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
Candy canes are a very appropriate craft theme for this week. They remind us of our Good Shepherd who calls us to repentance and grants us life through the blood he shed. Another plus: they are very 'Christmas-y' and there are tons of activities/crafts you can do with them. Here are a few ideas for starters:
1. Tell your kids the story of the candy cane and color this page.
2. Clay/Play dough candy canes (perfect for toddlers)--Moms: roll out red and white play dough into long strips. Show your child how to wrap the strips around to make a candy cane pattern. Continue wrapping until the play dough is used up. Have your child shape it into a candy cane shape and leave out to dry. When dry, tie a ribbon around it and hang it up, or hang it on your Christmas tree. (you can do a similar thing with cookie dough).
3. Get a white candle and have your kids glue candy canes around for a candy cane candle to light on Christmas day.
4. For toddlers, draw a candy cane shape unto a piece of white paper and have your child draw on the stripes. Then have your child count how many stripes he/she drew (red or white). That's simply for math practice. (:
5. Candy Cane Balance (for multiple children): Supply each child with a candy cane. Ask them to balance it on their head. Then have the children race (you'll pick the course). Whoever makes it to the finishing line first without dropping their cane wins (when cane falls, they return to the beginning!).
As always, I suggest purchasing the book I mentioned in my previous post. It contains evening readings for the Sundays in Advent, suggested hymns to sing, special prayers and discussion topics pertinent to the readings.
For the Little Ones: The Candy Cane looks like the staff that the shepherd uses to bring his sheep back into the flock. Jesus is our Good Shepherd who brings us back to God. The white stripe reminds us of Jesus' innocence. The red stripe reminds us of the blood he shed for us. John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
Candy canes are a very appropriate craft theme for this week. They remind us of our Good Shepherd who calls us to repentance and grants us life through the blood he shed. Another plus: they are very 'Christmas-y' and there are tons of activities/crafts you can do with them. Here are a few ideas for starters:
1. Tell your kids the story of the candy cane and color this page.
2. Clay/Play dough candy canes (perfect for toddlers)--Moms: roll out red and white play dough into long strips. Show your child how to wrap the strips around to make a candy cane pattern. Continue wrapping until the play dough is used up. Have your child shape it into a candy cane shape and leave out to dry. When dry, tie a ribbon around it and hang it up, or hang it on your Christmas tree. (you can do a similar thing with cookie dough).
3. Get a white candle and have your kids glue candy canes around for a candy cane candle to light on Christmas day.
4. For toddlers, draw a candy cane shape unto a piece of white paper and have your child draw on the stripes. Then have your child count how many stripes he/she drew (red or white). That's simply for math practice. (:
5. Candy Cane Balance (for multiple children): Supply each child with a candy cane. Ask them to balance it on their head. Then have the children race (you'll pick the course). Whoever makes it to the finishing line first without dropping their cane wins (when cane falls, they return to the beginning!).
Sunday of our Forefathers
This Sunday is the nameday of my husband, Jesse and our godson, Davede (David). On this day, we get our Christmas tree (to symbolize the tree of Jesse). We read special Western Orthodox blessing of the tree prayers (which I can post later if people desire) and will place a star on the tree (for the star of David)...we won't decorate the tree till Christmas Eve, though (our own tradition).
We will have friends join us for the blessing of the tree and supper. We'll sing some Advent hymns together, read some Psalms in memory of King David and send friends away with their own little trees (courtesy of Trader Joe's) and some homemade star-shaped cookies (for the star of David).
*** The Sunday of our Forefathers is celebrated on Sunday, Dec 11 or the first Sunday after Dec. 11th).
We will have friends join us for the blessing of the tree and supper. We'll sing some Advent hymns together, read some Psalms in memory of King David and send friends away with their own little trees (courtesy of Trader Joe's) and some homemade star-shaped cookies (for the star of David).
*** The Sunday of our Forefathers is celebrated on Sunday, Dec 11 or the first Sunday after Dec. 11th).
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