tradition {kolache making}

I feel very lucky to be part of a family that has nurtured family traditions.  Traditions that have real and important meaning to us and our relationships.  While we have  varying traditions throughout the year, we enact several special ones as we prepare for the holidays.

One of these special traditions is the gathering of the cousins -- all nine, ranging from wee to teen -- to make kolache.  Kolache from our Slovak family tradition is more commonly known as nut rolls.  But that isn't wholly accurate because the fillings can range from poppyseed, to apricot, to other fruits and cheeses.

So early each December we gather at Nonnie and Poppy's house.  This day is unlike any other gathering at their home, which often is connected to a birthday or another celebration.

This day is different.

It stretches ahead of us with only the kolache rolls to make.  The kids know a long day of play awaits.  The furnace is intentionally set a bit higher, warming the house to help the rolls raise for baking.

And we all take turns around the wooden dining room table.  The same table that has been the center of family meals, from early in my childhood.

We take turns using the taught technique of short rolling strokes to stretch the dough, which thankfully is made by my Mom a day prior, into long rectangles.

The carefully measured filling is spooned and spread onto the flat dough and then oh so gently all of it is rolled together into a long skinny form. 

In reality the Aunties do most of the rolling. 

But each cousin is encouraged to help with at least one of the 18 rolls, and most do, some kids lasting longer than others at the technique that have been passed down through several generations.

At the very least small ones flitter around the room, sneaking bits of the nut filling, sweetened with condensed milk or greedily licking up the spoons used for the poppyseed filling.

And then they return to their chasing games and dress up and watching Christmas movies snuggled up together in the reading room.

This year held a pretty awesome snowball fight, with kids coming in soaking wet and cold.

By early evening the rolling was done.  Baking was underway and families were bundling back up to head to our own homes.


And in just over a week those rolls will be sliced and displayed on Christmas plates.  They will be eaten and enjoyed, and kids will be sneaking entire pieces before dessert time.

and it begins

I am finally beginning to actually create the creations that I have been making in my head the past several weeks.

It is usually about this time in the holidays, approximately ten days before Christmas, that I realize the big plans that have been formulating in my mind since Halloween need to either get to getting or get gone. 

The list of gifts I want to make is much longer than the actual time I have to make these gifts.

So...

I began tonight. 

It involved markers and a scrapbook punch and sandpaper and hot mitts.

And lots and lots and lots of trial and error.

Lots.

But I have begun.

We will see how much of the list I accomplish and what I will end up having to let go.  (Ooooh, the letting any project go is so hard!)  And seeing enticing homemade gifts like this just make me want to add to my list.  I am desperate to make that Peppermint Bark.

What special gifts are you making this year?

scenes from a snow day

So very cold outside, that the snow could only be enjoyed through the frosted windows.

But inside it's been warm, and fun has been had.

All.  Day.  Long.

 play dough.

playing cards.

book making.

 fun making.

  money making.  (to be spent in the pricey holiday shop set up in the living room)

 even more card playing, with Dad who got to come home a bit early!  Hooray!

One family member did get to enjoy the snow a bit.

Don't worry, I made her come inside every so often -- and within minutes she would bark to go back out and curl up into her little snow nest.

Wishing you a warm warm week.

magic letters

Seven little letters that make up one of the most wonderfully magical phrases in the world:

S. N. O. W.  D. A. Y.

Yep, lists are made, fun is being had...

So must go, but promise a full report later!

this moment

I'm joining Soule Mama in this Friday ritual.

In her words: "A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link up your moment in the comments for others to enjoy!

Wishing you a weekend full of love and kisses, mistletoe optional!

wintery

Oh, we've been enjoying an early start to a winter wonderland around here.

I love it, and all that goes with it.

The quieting of the neighborhood.

The plants and trees pulling on the heavy covers of snowfall, showing their subtle deep colors.

Our outdoor sacred objects decorated for this cold season of hibernation.

The pinkened cheeks and noses.

The piles of coats and boots and mittens and scarves dampened from fort building.

The hot chocolate following the time in the snow.

All of it.  I love all of it.  And am enjoying watching my children love it too.

The early cold this year, though, has also brought to mind the many who don't have a warm home to enter into, those whose blankets don't sufficiently warm them up at night.

As I find myself shivering a bit when dodging in and out of the cold, I let each shiver be the important reminder of the many without.  And that shiver is my call to pray at that very moment for God's mercy on those most in need.

Perhaps you can let any chill you have be a reminder to pray as well.

elves

We've decorated for Christmas already.

That may not seem spectacular to some of you -- those who put seasonal touches out beginning right after Thanksgiving.  But in this house we tend to decorate the tree and put candles in each window a week or two before Christmas Day.

I guess we've never wanted to extend the season too early -- so that we could instead focus on the joy of Christmas Day all the way through Epiphany.

But this year is different.

This year we have elves.

Three in fact.

And they are pretty persistent.

And, it turns out, very good at decorating!

Now that I think of it, by waiting to decorate I maybe was putting to much "last minute" pressure on myself of having everything being done perfectly and perfectly fast.  In previous years I had to have every inch of the house cleaned before cracking open a box of decorations!

Not this year.  Dust bunnies welcomed!

Kids toys about.  Just fine!

Some things not exactly perfect.  Perfect!

And I found that I have enjoyed, really enjoyed the decorations already. 

We've sat in front of the tree sipping cocoa and reading Christmas books already. 

In previous years this wouldn't have happened until much later in the month and always with a bit of pressure along the lines of "oh my we haven't read many Christmas books yet -- someone make the cocoa and quick!"

So I thank my elves, who also happen to be the children I have birthed.

You are making my Christmas look soooo good.  In so many ways.

scientific principle

So I am talking to Munchkin about snow and why it is not a good idea to stand on your car seat with snow covered boots, which will quickly melt in the warm car.

"What does snow become when it melts?"  I ask.

"Salad!" he replies, huge smile on his face.

Well then.

anticipation

The anticipation around here is palpable.

Nope, not anticipating the annual family run.  (We don't even really have an annual family run, but those tennis shoes sure don't know that!)

But anticipating St. Nicholas.

And Christmas.

And the next gathering that has Christmas cookies.

And the afternoon to play in the snow.

Which brings anticipation for the hot chocolate that follows.

Oh, yes, anticipation of all sorts abounds in this cozy house of ours.

My oldest son is particularly sensitive to anticipation.  He always has been.  Will have trouble falling asleep, will be over-the-top excited for any special happening around the holidays.  Hmmmm, sounds a bit like his mama I hate to admit.

So this year I am trying really, really hard to be calm and focused on the goodness and bounty of this Advent season as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. 

Like many, I find myself wrapped up in the have-to's and the must-do's that I forget that my time and energy during Advent is meant to be spent in thankfulness, prayer, and helping my children learn to do the same.

I want them to embrace the beauty of sharing the real gifts of time spent together, time spent making presents that are meaningful and heartfelt, and participating in traditions that feed our souls and faith-lives.

So this mama is praying. 

Praying for patience. 

Praying for calm. 

Praying to let go even a little of the house being just so for the holidays.

I've been visiting some women, Grace, Molly and Meg, who are trying to do the same in their own ways, and I am feeling inspired and empowered this year.

I also plan to share some of the meaningful traditions that shape our December and prepare us for celebrating that most miraculous birth, by that most amazing woman.

Please share what you try to do to celebrate this Holy season meaningfully.

this moment

I'm joining Soule Mama in this Friday ritual.

In her words: "A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Feel free to link in the comments your own moment.

Have a happy weekend!

gratitude tree

I gave a peek last week of a neat little project I put together for Thanksgiving.

It started with a brainstorm many weeks ago.  My original idea was to create festive, leaf covered, crowns, inspired by the tissue paper crowns that come in Christmas "poppers."  Perhaps everyone could wear them at dinner.  Yet, I couldn't quite figure out how best to make these crowns work.

So it was Big Brother who had the really great idea.  As he and I were discussing the leaves that we would need to make, he said "so we will then put the leaves onto trees." 

Eureka!  Yes, put the leaves onto trees.

So last week Daddy cemented branches from the backyard into a terra cotta pot.

And Big Brother and I used a die-cutting machine to cut out red and yellow and orange and brown and green leaves from construction paper.

And everyone at our Thanksgiving gathering got to share their gratitude.

Throughout the day the tree grew more full and colorful as  kids and grown ups spent a few moments to reflect, write and hang their leaves on the tree.  And some visited back again and again to add more thankfulness, or simply appreciate the thoughts shared by others.

Such amazing amazing gratitude!

As for the crowns.  Well I couldn't let that good idea go.  So I made them on Thanksgiving Eve with the kids and we enjoyed wearing them about the house.

If you look closely, Big Brother is thankful for money.  Yep, money. 

Which, ironically, doesn't grow on trees.

right now

I'm reminded that...

The most important thing about "big boy" underwear is that they are scaaaarry!  I guess Star Wars underwear fulfills this most important requirement.

A mocha made of Ovaltine and decaf coffee is the perfect drink for a cold afternoon.  Made even sweeter when it is sipped from a cup bought ages ago from Williams-Sonoma when Daddy and I were the only ones in the "us." (The magazine, Mothering, is my fav.  Hoping Santa will be renewing it for me this year!)

You can sneak in a few pages if Baby Sister is distracted by the toy cupboards.

That the leaf-sucker truck is, and will always be, perfect entertainment!

That colorful bras, at eye level, can be quite appealing.

He counted each one.

Twice.

Yep, appealing.  I would take one in each color.

Of what are you being reminded today?

blogging theory

I think I could do some serious academic research and get published with this folks.

Hypothesis:  Children in a household of a blogging mama fall asleep far past their bed time in direct proportion to how desperately said mama would like to sit down and blog.

Basis for hypothesis:  my own children.

Hypothesis being exhibited in real life application:  last night. 

My three children fell asleep at 9:15 pm, 10:30 pm and 11:45 pm.  Yes, 11:45 pm.  Which was preceded by an hour of crying.  Poor baby.

And when I say baby, I mean me. (And Lovey too!)

Oh my.

You with me other blogging mamas?

So tonight, just maybe tonight, the kids will fall asleep earlier.  But maybe not, I want to blog pretty badly.