Beating Cabin Fever

Dear Friends,

Happy Chinese New Year's to you (We were going to do a Valentine's post, but didn't get around to it, so Chinese New Year is the next best thing.)!

We had a wonderful week of spring-like weather that had us all basking in the warmth outside, but now we're back to mitten and boots weather. The little ones aren't quite as excited to go out and play in the snow as they were back in December, so we've been trying to keep everyone entertained inside.

We put on a show for the residents of a local nursing home on the day before Valentine's, which was a lot of fun. The older folks seem to enjoy the upbeat songs more than anything, so we've been working on learning the guitar and fiddling songs to keep from hearing nothing but crickets after each number. :)

We also recently acquired a mountain dulcimer to spice things up a bit. Thankfully the dulcimer is quite easy to play, and we know that Tasha Tudor played one, so that is a plus in our book.

Frankie has been busy making bows and arrows for himself, and his sisters have been having fun creating costumes for him out of faux fur.

Even little Rebecca wants to be a part of the show (unless she's performing in front of live humans!).

Frankie has been learning to read, but still isn't quite up to reading Narnia, like he'd like to . . .

The dolls have re-opened their post office, and have been busy with the rush of Valentine's cards and other personal mail.

So we'll be continuing to creatively create until we can get out and get our hands dirty in the garden!

May you find something fun to do to get you through as well (unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere or Zone 9 or higher, of course).

Love and blessings,

Marqueta

Beautiful Inspiration

Dear Friends,

We've discovered some lovely Japanese videos on YouTube that help us to remember that spring is indeed coming soon. The tranquility and order of the Japanese lifestyle has always intrigued me, as well as their love of nature which shows in their everyday lives.

May you be inspired as well!

Love,

Marqueta

Birthday Wishes to Evangeline

 

Dear Friends,

Last week Evangeline celebrated her official entrance in "girlhood." Now she can use all her fingers to tell how old she is! It's always hard to believe how fast everyone is growing up. The days are long, but the years fly by. Evangeline has been such a blessing to our family, with her feminine and graceful (at least mostly!) nature.

She chose to have a unicorn theme for her birthday cake, signifying hopes and dreams for a magical future. 


Mr. Graham had the day before her birthday off, so we celebrated early, with a backyard picnic and ball games. I was reminded at how graceful I am not when it comes to baseball! :)

Towards evening we went to a local park that had some fun slides and monkey bars to play on, too, and we had some more fun there. 

Evangeline's sisters decorated the house for her special day, and even made a throne fit for a princess for the day.

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Thank you to all of you, for sharing with our family all the joys and adventures we pass through and share in Blogland; may your year be blessed.

Love,

Marqueta

A Merry Little Christmas

Dear Friends,

I hope that you had a lovely Christmas, wherever you spent it. Ours was spent at home, enjoying the joyful noise of little ones so excited by the possibilities of what could possibly be hidden under a thin layer of wrapping paper. Hyrum wasn't too excited, however, about modeling the knitwear that was made as gifts this year!

The dolls had a fun Christmas. One of the them, who was just a head without a body, finally got a body for Christmas, which can only happen if you're a doll!

 Evangeline's dolls were excited to meet the newest Ken doll, whom we have dubbed "Mr. Darcey" for now~

Frankie was just happy about getting a few toy tractors to add to his construction company~

The older girls not only received hobbit-related paraphernalia, but also were able to see the latest Hobbit movie the day after Christmas. They even dressed as some of their favorite characters!

My friend Cat surprised me with a homemade apron, which was truly needed~

 

 But of course, the greatest gift of all is knowing that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Love,

Marqueta

Thoughts on Home Life

Dear Friends,

I have reading some nice thoughts about home influence, and would like to share some of them with you this Christmas season.

"Our homes need the blessings which come from daily communion with God. Devotion in the home, which has been such an anchor to youth and parents alike, has all but vanished. A few generations ago it was a common practice. Then families knelt together in prayer; the scriptures were read aloud; and households joined in the singing of Church hymns. This practice, if revived, would contribute much to the strength of the home and the nation. The differences and irritations of the day melt away as families approach the throne of heaven together. Unity increases. The ties of love and affection are reinforced and the peace of heaven enters.


Such an atmosphere can be created as parents plan for recreation and diversion together with their children An evening at home in wholesome activity; a picnic in the mountains or nearby park; or a fathers and sons' and mothers and daughters' project- these all tend to increase filial affection and love in the home and strengthen parent-children relations. Time thus spent yields big divideds Love at home and obedience to parents increases as the bonds of home are made secure."

~Ezra Taft Benson, So Shall Ye Reap

 

As you can see from the photos, we have been enjoying a simple Christmas season. The children always decorate the trees (this year we added a small live cedar tree from the woods). Evangeline has even decorated the maple trees out front with ribbons and balls (photos forthcoming!).

We did have a few St. Nicholas gifts brought to us in our boots, but we also forgot to get photos of the festivities, as well! I love celebrating St. Nicholas Day, as it helps to offset the length of the wait until Christmas Day.

Hyrum looks like he's making a list and checking it twice!

We have been bringing out a few pieces from our antique linen collection, pinning up a bit here and there to add winter cheer to the home. I have a hard time fighting the winter "blahs" every year, and having pretty things about really brightens my mood.

May you all be blessed this coming week with love and joy.

Love,

Marqueta