Advent journey

Advent is here. The first Sunday of advent was yesterday. This year, we had an opportunity to start our journey with  the jy children. 

       Prepared the advent wreath, evergreen leaves represent His ever lasting love for each ...battery operated candles decorated with sticky glittery foil. This week begin with the theme of Hope- ...

    

      Another very special activity during the journey is making Jesse tree- A shoot will sprout from stump of Jesse...starting with creation  going up till nativity on Dec 25th. Reading  bible passages  each evening after lighting advent candle and colouring accordingly can be an interesting activity for children during the season.

    More advent preps on it's way getting ready for the Lord.

Jochayan's birthday this week, celebrated with dear ones at home. Missing him so badly especially on birthday. Glad that it is a very special day for dad and mum

      We were in Alton castle to help children's ministry, third day end with power cut struck by storm.  But children were extremely keen to play and make snow balls next day.

   

     Have a blessed Advent season

Feast of Christ the king

 I remember the story of a Mexican saint in recent times, who martyred on feast of Christ king. It is a joy that Christ is proclaimed as king of universe and king of hearts. As we listen to kingship of Christ last Sunday of Liturgical year, we made little crown with cookie dough. Some of the little doodle at home.

On this day, we pray for every hearts to be touched by the Lord , a day to consecrate our homes to Sacred Heart.

 Cookie dough getting ready. Both Therese and geo into full swing of baking.

          

   Viva Christo Rey- Long live Christ the king   

      

Remembrance Week

Another month which remember all those who died in world wars. This week was a week to peep  more into veterans and their journey. Lest not forget...  , just had a chance to read through Flander's field poem. Looked at Armistice day when war stopped and Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday falls close to 11th of November. Time to look forward to two minute silence at 11.00am and queen's speech.

    Art work about the war trenches with poppy art , word search and scrambles. 

   

This month is a time for us as family to visit our nearby cemetry and pay visit to war memorials. The colourful season is just fading , however it still a beautiful glance in Southern cemetry ...

   Candle craft made with Derby children as part of children's ministry.

    IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields......

    

Month of November

Month of November is all about souls. Remembering the triumphant souls and suffering souls. Also remembering all those died in wars- remembrance day.  All saints day pictures here. One of my favourite person is St Martin de Porres. He was a very special saint who has so many gifts- healing, humility, .He wanted to be a donado, one who gives himself completely to God in the service of others whom I am interceding for my ministry too.

St Gertrude prayer for the month for holy souls in purgatory.

 Some of other highlight this week is- bonfire night , which our God daughter  came and spent time. Our little blasts at home...Jobycha lit and am bit scary. But enjoyed the fireworks together. Always remind me the Christmas night in India.

Caramel slice pud made yesterday, something gone wrong, but came out just ok. :

 Ingredients 

3 eggs, milk, vanilla essence and sugar for caramel.

 In a large heavy saucepan, cook and stir 3/4 cup sugar over low heat until sugar is melted and golden.

 Pour into eight 6-oz. custard cups, tilting to coat bottom of cup; let stand for 10 minutes. 

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk, vanilla and remaining sugar until blended but not foamy. 

Pour over caramelized sugar. Place the cups in two 8-in. square baking pans. 

Pour very hot water in pans ,  Bake at 350° until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. 

Remove from pans to cool on wire racks, run a knife around rim of cup and onto dessert place. Serve warm or chilled.

All Hallows eve

It is All Hallows eve around the corner, tomorrow 31st of October . These days are beautiful days of the season reminded of souls, saints. Every year these days are packed with saints dressing ups, games and little nuggets of faith are shared. Some years with other homeedders, friends, church community and Jesus youth . 

    Pumpkin Lantern/ Jack O Lantern

      

One of the great way is to make a lantern by slicing of the top and scoop off the flesh out of it. Different shapes can be cut and we normally do symbols of cross, eucharist and so on. When we place candle inside, reminded of the Christ light shining in us taking out the sins. 

some of the beautiful blogs I am always inspired of are shower of roses, faith filled family. Printables of different foods and labels.

On All Ssints eve, there was  party organised by a one of our home educating mother. It was so lovely to meet different people from Germany, Belgiun and so on. Children dressed up in different saints. Theresu dressed up as St Agnus and Geo as St Dominic Savio.

  Playing bingo

Our table decors for the day with saints, decors and some guessing games, scavenger hunts .

Along with it, we did some crackers outside.  

      Table decors 

  Sweeties ready to distribute for trick or treat.

    

     St Isidore was a farmer, with deep desire to take part in Eucharist. Unfortunately or fortunately the couldn't do. God honoured his desire, many at times he prayed in the fields that time and I believe guardian angel helped his chores in the farm. . The fruit cocktail reminds the saint.  

Another is St cecila with piano keys and mini saint litany booklet by kids.

        All saints Ora pro nobis

Autumn bakes

Some of the dainties made on these chillier days. 

Little kids attempted to make some chocolate rolls with pastries wrapped in. 

     Flaky warm croissants are a real delight for the morning. The recipe is simply easy.

Ingredients require are ready rolled puff pastry, chocolate chips , butter or egg .

Spread the rolled sheet once thawed . 

Roll out onto a floured board.

Cut into triangles/ squares. 

Add chocolate on top leaving some edges . 

Transfer to baking tray after egg wash .

Bake at gas mark 5 for 15 minutes.

Leave it to cool and drizzle some chocolate on top. Now yummy to eat at room temperature.

  

      

Then on the feast of St Therese of Jesus, made a caramel slice reminded of Carmelite nun. Caramel slice recipe is hands down one of all time favourite slice recipe. Once you start making, you will absolutely love making .

  Ingredients ; 1 cup plain flour, half cup brown sugar, 125gm melted butter, 1/3 rd golden syrup, 1 tin condensed milk, 400 mg milk chocolate.

Instructions

Combine sugar with melted butter and press into baking tin.

Bake it  in 180 deg for 15 minutes.

Melt butter and add n stir condensed milk with sugar syrup and bake it till thickened.

Once thickened pour on top of base and bake for another 20 minutes.

Get ready melted chocolate and spread on slice  and stick it to fridge to almost set. Cut into slice when it isn't fully set.

      There you go , some of the yummy treats for the colourful season. Relax and enjoy.

Nature detectives

Today was another brilliant day with some sunny spells. To explore autumn with its majestic beauty is very fascinating. Big children at college and home doing their works. Backpack with lens, binoculars, sketch pads, pencils ready to explore. .. These days we were looking at birds in gardens and birds in water.  It was a quiet day , lovely and warm , looked at various types of leaves. 

   Good time we spent close to mini peer , splashing water, made paper boats, watching swan at far with binoculars.  Different types of swans were identified- mute swan with big S shaped neck, whopper swan with long neck and the last one is Bewick swan with round head.

 All the birds hovering around..looked at why birds migrate at this time and some animals hibernate. 

  With so many Michaelmas daisies(aster flowers) bloomed around this season. Such a lovely gaze to watch these flowers reminder of St Michael feast just passed....in the autumn.

Our primary focus was to watch varieties of swan in the water park. Forgot to take feed fir the birds, so geo was bit cranky. But we managed it.

Our lapbook for the autumn season. Looked at squirrels , animals that hibernate and migrate, life cycle of pumpkin. Our corn is nearly ready in our back garden. It was so curious to know the hibernation of hedgehogs, tried to sketch it.

    Theresu's lapbook

  Geo's lapbook with hedgehog.