Orthodox Book Giveaway!

Do you love children's books? Would you like to win a copy of The Woman and the Wheat by Jane Meyer? If so, head on over to her blog to enter her giveaway!!!

Name Day Celebrations

Nameday celebrations are quite fun for us. We try to make them unique to keep it distinctive from a birthday celebration. We also view them (as my husband likes to call it) as 'hobbit' parties in that the idea is to 'give' rather than 'recieve'. To encourage you to creatively come up with ideas for your own family, please read my ideas for our family's saints and our godchildren. If there are any saints you would like me to post about, please just ask!

Sunday of our Forefathers, Jesse and King David (Whatever Sunday falls between December 11-17 of each year. Note that Kind David is also celebrated on December 30th)

On this Sunday we celebrate my husband and godson's nameday. For our own family, this is the day we get our Christmas tree. We then pray a special blessing of the tree and sprinkle the tree with holy water. We then decorate the tree and enjoy fast appropriate treats for the celebration. In the past, I've bought tiny Christmas trees at Trader Joe's to give as gifts to our guests.

St Lucy (December 13)

I have blogged about this before. Look here for how we celebrate this at home! For a gift, we give our guests white candles wrapped in red ribbons.

St Mary of Bethany (June 4th)

It is Mary of Bethany who anoints Christ's feet with ointment and wiped them with her hair. We do not require our daughter to do anything of this kind! However, within that theme, we have Mary give a special 'ointment' to our guests (lotion or a perfume of sort). I do struggle with this one a bit (maybe you can help). Ideas are to 'act out' the story either in costume or with homemade puppets.

St Catherine of Alexandria (November 25)

For this feast day, there are lots of fun food themes. I like the ideas at Catholic Cuisine, which include eating pasta (using the special wheel pasta you can find at the store) and making heart shape cakes (an old french custom on St Catherine's Day. Read the above link for more info). For a fun activity, bake St Catherine's Wigs together or have a cake decorating contest. For a gift for your guests, send home a small lace doily or something else of that sort, as St Catherine is the patron of lacemakers and spinners. Her anniversary is still celebrated as the lacemakers feast in England!!!

St Edmund (November 20)

When we were in England last year, we had a grand time celebrating our son's name day. We visited Bury St Edmunds where this great saint was martyed and enjoyed pints of St Edmund's Ale. The kids and I painted our very own St Edmund flags on construction paper and hung it in our living room. While there, we had the foresight to buy our very own St Edmund's flag from Bury St Edmund's and hang it on his feast day. We unfortunately can't buy St Edmund's Ale here in the US. However, we can still honor his British (or, really, Anglo Saxon) heritage with a fish and chip supper. In England, there' s a silly custom (I think new though they claim it is old) of handing out sticky buns in remembrance of his 'sticky' end. Quite the breakfast story, no? A fun activity for the little ones would be to 'crown' the king. Decorate crowns and read the story of his martyrdom together. For gifts, make bookmarks with a Psalm on it (St Edmund was known for having memorized the Psalms). Simply type a Psalm in columns on your word processor and print unto cardstock. Cut it into bookmarks and give to your guests.

Christmas is coming!

We are going crazy in our house finishing up the graduate school term and preparing for an extensive road trip over the holidays (3 1/2 weeks!). However, if you haven't already, be sure to check out the compilations of crafts and activities for the Nativity Fast to do with your little ones.

Besides those listed, here are some other activities to do together this year:

1. Assemble together on Xmas eve and sing Advent songs. The next evening, gather together and drink Mulled Wine and sing Christmas carols together. We use a hymnal we have, but you can easily find music and lyrics on the internet.

2. Get a small gift for your children for each of the 12 days of Christmas. Or another idea (for older children) is to give your child a new clue each day that will lead to a hiding spot on the 12th day of Christmas and have a special gift hidden.

3. Wait until Christmas Day to put baby Jesus in the manger. On Christmas Eve, say special prayers and bless the crib with Holy Water.

4. Bake a cake for your Christmas dessert and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before opening presents.

I hope you all have a wonderful Advent and Christmas season! Please share any ideas you have!

Trick or Treating?

In not too long, Americans will be celebrating the ghoouulisshhh feast of Halloween. What will you be doing?

I am well aware that most Orthodox are told not to celebrate Halloween because of its pagan roots. I know many Orthodox who don't. But I also know many that do.

In the past we have not celebrated Halloween, but this year we are. My reasoning: I see nothing counter-cultural through simply abstaining from celebrations. I think true counter-culture actions are ones that seek to transform. What better thing can we do then to do our best to transform Halloween into something holy?

I'm not sure yet what that will entail in the years to come. Western Christians have the advantage of celebrating All Saint's Eve on Halloween in anticipation of their feast day. We Orthodox do not. However, there is always a time and place to celebrate Christ's victory over death and what better time than Halloween to do just that.

For those of you looking for wholesome ways to celebrate Halloween, below are some ideas. If you are not celebrating Halloween, feel free to talk more about why in the comments.

• An appropriate opening to any celebration of this holiday will be to sing a triumphant song. Although it is NOT pascha, I do think the paschal song is appropriate. "Christ is risen from the dead and by his death he has trampled death and unto those in the tombs, he has granted life."
• Carve pumpkins. I have always loved this activity as a kid. We will be having a 'silly face' competition. Whoever carves the silliest pumpkin face wins a prize! For the little ones, simply let them go crazy with markers and glitter and glue.
• Play doughnuts on a string or apples and flour for some great laughs.
• Watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for some old fashioned American fun.
• End the evening fun with vespers and light candles for your departed loved ones.

Do you have any ideas to contribute?

Mommy Brain Strikes Again!

I nearly made a major mistake...I almost forgot the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos!!! That comes prior to the Elevation of the Cross.  It is next week on September 8th!!! Dear me, when will my brain ever start functioning properly again? Is it the multi-tasking involved with motherhood that makes you overlook the fairly obvious or do you really lose brain cells when those babies are baking in the oven?

So do, please, check out this for an idea on how to celebrate the feast with your little ones.

For a great summary of the feast and its significance, read what Fr. Hopko says here.   

And, as always, please share any ideas you have for celebrating this feast with your children.

The Year's Beginning

Part of raising your children in the church is teaching them and helping them to have ownership of their faith.  It is not just the faith of the family or the faith of the church but their own personal relationships with Christ.   Without individual faith, there would be no community of believers.

It sometimes seems silly doing these little crafts with our children.  However, these things are important in that they help make faith tangible for our children.  It is the living of our faith that makes it real and engaging our children in such things helps them to see this:  The liturgy in the every day.  

This upcoming month of September not only marks the beginning of the secular school year but the beginning of the church year.  It is all kicked off with the feast of The Elevation of the Cross on September 14th.   With all the busyness of the beginning of the school year, do not forget to celebrate this feast in your home and at church.  Along with these various activities you can do on the feast day itself, don't forget to talk with your children about what calendar our lives revolve around as Orthodox Christians, and it is NOT the school calendar!!!! (o:

One activity you can do to help facilitate this is to make a festal timeline.  Get a long strip of butcher paper (or tape together several regular sheets of paper).  Draw a line along the middle and mark the various major feasts and fasts, beginning with the Elevation of the Cross on September 14th.  Then, have your children color pictures to represent these events.  Glue them onto the strip of butcher paper and you have a Church Year Timeline!!!  

To mark the progression of the year, you can cut out a cross out of colored construction paper. Simply pin it on the appropriate time of year with a push pin or use putty.

Happy Schooling!!!

scrap stock

I've just discovered another incredibly easy, incredibly fun, and incredibly free kitchen trick.  

Scrap Stock.  

Collect those onion skins, potato skins, eggplant skins, etc.  Keep those ends of veggies like carrots and zucchini.  And don't throw away those limp carrots that you never got around to using up.  Just throw them in a pot.  Add water to cover them and a lil' bit of salt.  Bring it all to a boil, simmer for an hour & half and then strain.  The result:  

Yummy veggie broth.

Vegan Recipe Swap

My husband is a missionary kid, and this year's 2 international moves have given me a whole new respect for my mother in law. We've been back in the U.S. since July 1st and in our new home since the 6th, and I still feel dazed and confused from the transition. Thankfully the kitchen is now settled in and the cooking can begin!!!

The last theme for our Vegan Recipe Swap was Grains. Thank you for all your contributions! For some great recipes, go visit these blogs:

• Michelle M. at Our Little Monkeys for Spanakorizo
• Monica at Orthodox Mother's Digest for Crockpot Vegan Grains
  
• Katie at Making Room for Curried Lentils and Rice

Now for this weeks theme....Beans.

Please excuse yet another Mexican themed recipe, but I've been deprived this last year and am currently obsessed.

Tacos with Garlicky Black Beans
(feeds 6-8)

3 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
4 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth
salt to taste
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Mince garlic and saute with pepper in 1 tsp oil till fragrant. Add black beans plus 1 1/2 cups water or broth. Simmer for 10-15 minutes till thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally. Add salt to taste.

Drain liquid at this point or serve with a slotted spoon (if planning on leftovers, I recommend using a slotted spoon as the liquid helps the beans to reheat easier). Spoon into tortillas and add your favorite taco toppings. During fasting periods, we like to throw on grilled or broiled veggies (zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and onions) for a nice smoky, fajita flavor and top it with Tomatillo Salsa.

Leave a link to your blog in the comments with your favorite Vegan Beans recipe!

Vegan Recipe Swap

Well, the tofu didn't generate much (or anything, for that matter). It may be simply because this blog is still busy trying to resurrect from its hiatus...so here's another go. This week's theme: Grains (rice, barley, couscous, etc.) Please share your recipe in the comments section...just type it in or leave a link to your blog and I'll feature it in the next recipe swap!

Paella (serves about 8)

• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can artichoke hearts or 1 bag frozen
  
• 1 large bell pepper (green or red), diced
  
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 can diced tomatoes, (14.5 ounces)
• 2 cans vegetable broth, (14.5 ounces each)
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed

1. In a heavy 12-inch saute; pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and rice; cook, stirring to coat, until rice is translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Stir in paprika, turmeric, tomatoes, artichokes and broth, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed almost all liquid, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in peas; cook 1 minute; serve immediately.

This dish is delish, but lacks protein. I usually serve a chickpea salad on the side, but a can could also very easily be added to the Paella itself.

Saints Peter and Paul

Troparian
O Leaders of the Apostles and teachers of the world, Peter and Paul, pray to the Lord of all to grant peace to the world and abundant mercy to our souls.

Monday, June 29th, is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. It also marks the end of a fasting period called the Apostle's Fast (which begins every year after All Saint's Sunday). On this day, focus on talking with your children about how even great sinners can become great saints through repentance.

Activities:

• Make Mandryky (meaning 'to wander')! It is a Ukranian custom to eat this on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul due to a legend that the Saints were sustained by these rolls while traveling for missions. Here is a recipe for the dish. If you lack the time, energy or skill to make it, go ahead and buy the pre-made rolls (or bread dough from the freezer section) and add the topping yourself.
  

• While the kids enjoy the rolls, talk about the lives of these great Saints and read some of the scripture stories. Suggestions include: Peter walking on water, Peter' denial and restoral, Paul's conversion, Peter's escape from prison, etc.

• Make some sidewalk paint and help your children depict stories of the lives of Saints Peter and Paul in color!

• Talk about missions with your children. Does your church support a missionary? If not, why not support one as a family? You can find one at the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Talk about a missionary family with your children and pray the prayer for missions. Decorate a jar/small box/can with your children to collect money for the missionary. For some decoration ideas, look here or here or here!
  

Happy Feasting!