Tea thyme

Try as we might, we just didn't escape the cold season this year (although, it looks like we've dodged the flu, thus far). 

 We're all a sniffling, sneezing, coughing, hacking mess! 

 I was looking online for some herbal tea remedies for this brutal cough and found that the thyme still growing in my herbal garden would make an excellent tea.

It's as easy as chopping a tablespoon of fresh thyme 

and steeping it in a cup of hot water for five minutes.  

Add honey and lemon to taste.  

This healing tea should be consumed 4-5 times daily for relief of cough, bronchial congestion, and common cold and flu symptoms. 

This is a really delightful tea,

I'm already on my second cup of the day! 

In a little country church, far far away...

 On a chilly Christmas Eve, 

a faithful community gathered together 

to hear the story of our salvation.

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.  Luke 1:26-38

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.  Luke1:39-45

19Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ 22All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ 24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.  Matthew 1:19-24

2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  Luke 2:1-4

6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  Luke 2:6-7 

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’  Luke 2:8-14

7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the East went before them until it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.  Matthew 2:7-12

Thank you, Fr.Gabriel and youth of our parish, 
for the telling the story of the Nativity of our Lord 
with such beauty, devotion, and love. 

It was a wonderful way to start this 
most holy Christmas season.

O Divine Infant of Bethlehem, 
Whom we adore and acknowledge to be our sovereign Lord,
come and take birth in our hearts. 
Amen.

Making...

Making traditions

Making snacks

Making comfort

Making (lots & lots) of cookies

Making gifts

Making projects

Making room in our hearts.

Wishing you a very merry and holy

Christmas season!

Wisemen ADVENTures!

Our Wisemen have been pretty busy trying to find the Infant King but have been quite distracted by things in our house...

Stay tuned for more ADVENTures!

Preparing our Advent home...

 I am really excited for Advent to start this year, but I have to admit that I was a little less than prepared 

(as evidenced by our white Advent candles!). 

 I love our Nativity set.  I purchased this the year Doug and I were married.  We take out the Infant Jesus and place in His spot, a candle.  He'll return to the set on Christmas Eve after Mass...it's ironic that there is always a battle among the kids who will place Him there!

 Lots of wonderful books to read by the glow 

of the Christmas tree.

Our Advent calendar 

(painted by Kyle a couple of years ago) 

is filled with a candy treat for each day.

 And a wall full of stockings!  

I'm frantically sewing up Mary Grace's stocking whenever I get a free minute here and there.  She's two and I'm finally getting around to sewing her stocking, see what I mean about that whole "prepared" thing!

 And a bit of whimsy this Advent season!  

While the "Elf on a Shelf" is very popular these days, 
I took an idea from Catholic Inspired and made

"Wisemen Adventures" this Advent. 

Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior are having quite the time as they search for the Infant King.  I may have to devote a whole blog post to their adventures!

Wishing you a most Blessed and Holy Advent season!

Thankful...

 So very thankful for family,

 and games, and naps,

 and gorgeous fall days to throw a ball,

 and making memories,

 and laughing about stories from the past, 

 and food, lots and lots of food,

 and fishing, and cousins,

and this beautiful life!

Forgive me, Lord, if I don't love it enough.

When life gives you lemons...

You make gallons and gallons of lemonade.

And lemon icebox pie.

And lemon bars, limoncello, Starbucks Lemon Loaf, lemon sugar scrub, lemon curd, and this wonderful citrus cleaner made from lemon peels and vinegar:

Oh, and we did get a whopping two oranges this year, too.

And we just straight up ate them right off the tree!