Master Franklin Has a Birthday

 Dear Friends,

Oh my, can Frankie really be seven already? He loves African animals lately, so we made him a rhino cake with bananas for horns (so creative, I know). The ice cream topping melted quickly, so the photo doesn't look its best, but at least Frankie liked it!

Frankie wanted to go to the zoo to see the African animals, but we went to a nature center instead, since it was supposed to rain. The day after his birthday was nice and sunny, however, so he finally got to go see everything in its animal glory. I think that a person could do worse than be in love with animals!

Here are a few photos from his special day, for you to enjoy:~

 

Seven Times One

Jean Ingelow

THERE’S no dew left on the daisies and clover,
There’s no rain left in heaven.
I ’ve said my “seven times” over and over,—
Seven times one are seven.
I am old,—so old I can write a letter;
My birthday lessons are done.
The lambs play always,—they know no better;
They are only one times one.
O Moon! in the night I have seen you sailing
And shining so round and low.
You were bright—ah, bright—but your light is failing;
You are nothing now but a bow.
You Moon! have you done something wrong in heaven,
That God has hidden your face?
I hope, if you have, you will soon be forgiven,
And shine again in your place.
O velvet Bee! you ’re a dusty fellow,—
You ’ve powdered your legs with gold.
O brave marsh Mary-buds, rich and yellow,
Give me your money to hold!
O Columbine! open your folded wrapper,
Where two twin turtle-doves dwell!
O Cuckoo-pint! toll me the purple clapper
That hangs in your clear green bell!
And show me your nest with the young ones in it,—
I will not steal them away;
I am old! you may trust me, linnet, linnet!
I am seven times one to-day.

Love, 

Marqueta

Christmas Joys...

 Dear friends,

We hope that you had a safe, happy Christmas, and that you are getting back to "normal" now. The weeks leading up to Christmas are so busy, it seems to take a few days after the day to let the magic sink in!

We performed at nursing homes as a family and also as  part of a homeschool co-op  (see me peeking above the piano?).

The children put on their ninth annual homegrown "Nutcracker Ballet." This time they thought they would do something different and use the big band version for their music. They performed for Grandma and Grandpa Graham, and a wonderful time was had by all.

Tasha, Frankie, and Evangeline took advantage of the snow fall and made a few snowmen,
which are miraculously hanging in there, although they look a little smaller each day:

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On Christmas Eve after acting out the Nativity story, we bundled up and headed outside for our Tasha Tudor-style trip to see our own enchanted creche in the woods. It is amazing how much we truly feel like we are going to see the baby Jesus when we carry lights and sing Christmas hymns along the way!

Christmas morning brought a few presents, both homemade and store bought; little Rebecca of course thought that every present was "MINE!"

Mr. Graham and the two oldest girls sang "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" for church's Christmas program, and Mr. Graham read "A Christmas Carol" to us over a few nights. The simple things truly are the best and most memorable, don't you agree?

 We thank you for all of the joy that our friends give to us, through your blogs and letters. May the Lord continue to keep you and yours the remainder of the holiday season.  As Tiny Tim would say, "God bless us, everyone one!"

Love,

Marqueta

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