This weekend along with my three siblings and parents we share some of our family traditions and memories of Christmas. Be sure to click on the photographs and look at them in light box.
Monday, 23 December 2013
Guest posting at my Dad's ...
Christmas is one of those times in the year that hold many special memories for me. During my growing up years I can always remember the excitement and anticipation that we all had. I have very fond memories of counting the days to the first of December so we could find all the special decorations and tree.
This weekend along with my three siblings and parents we share some of our family traditions and memories of Christmas. Be sure to click on the photographs and look at them in light box.
This weekend along with my three siblings and parents we share some of our family traditions and memories of Christmas. Be sure to click on the photographs and look at them in light box.
Saturday, 21 December 2013
HSMJ It's A Wrap for 2013
In my life this week…
Feeling very blessed this week. Paul has been creating a Jesse Tree for me. I saw this amazing tree on Pinterest and he has graciously been spending time cutting wood, drilling holes and creating me a master piece. All I need to do is paint it and he shall put it together.
This will be my final HSMJ for 2013. I shall be spending next week focusing on being with Sir N and enjoying family. I will be taking a two week vacation from my regular schedule. The HSMJ will resume in the second week of January 2014.
In our home school this week…
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
My favourite thing this week was…
I’m grateful for…
For a few years now the children of St Paul's Church in Auckland New Zealand have given us a new perspective on the nativity story. This year they look at what it would have been like had Jesus been born this year. Star News Bethlehem was directed by 11 year old Oscar.
Blessings
Chareen
Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor
This will be my final HSMJ for 2013. I shall be spending next week focusing on being with Sir N and enjoying family. I will be taking a two week vacation from my regular schedule. The HSMJ will resume in the second week of January 2014.
In our home school this week…
- Sir N and I have been planting vegetables.
So far we have tomato plants, parsley, yellow capsicum and egg plant plants. So I'm on the hunt for good vegetable gardening advice. I've been looking at POD easy edible gardening
- This one is for fun 38 Test Answers That Are 100% Wrong But Totally Genius At The Same Time
- I think every book loving homeschool family needs one of these One families home library is made into an inspirational space
- A friend and I surprised our children with a trip into Melbourne to enjoy the Christmas displays.
- We attended a card making class on Tuesday.
- Thursday was the last tennis session for the year and it happened that Melbourne had a 40'C day! Needless to say tennis was moved to 8:30 am.
- Friday evening was an evening of singing carols and enjoying supper together with friends.
- Was taking this photograph
- The royal icing I made this evening to ice a gingerbread house I am making as a gift ...
- I've been working on a couple of posts to schedule over the next couple of weeks while I am away on holiday.
- I shared some of our favourite Christmas books
- A guest post over at my Dad's blog ...
- Two review posts.
- 5 Ways to Distinguish Your Calling From Your Ego
- This is a great photo story and something to inspire your creative kids with It Looks Like A Box Of Junk At First.
- I know about wanting unique but some of these top the cake for me Unusual baby names of 2013
- Jimmie shares The Truth About Best Blog Contests
- One of the Best Hospitals in the Country Is Accused of Doing One of the Worst Things Imaginable to Families…Again
- Father And Daughter Recreate Old Wedding Photos To Say Goodbye To Late Wife And Mother
- 40 Must-See Photos From The Past some of these were interesting. Some shocking and some sad. But over all a good look.
- In response to my thoughts in last weeks HSMJ a friend sent me this: Nelson Mandela: Inconvenient Truths
- As a review blogger I found this rather alarming Couple Fined $3,500 For Negative Review Fights Back With Lawsuit
- The 2013 Books That Kept Us Up All Night over at the Random House Books Australia blog
- This was quite funny CELL PHONE CRASHING at the AIRPORT!
- Couple Married 61 Years Ago Takes "Up" Inspired Anniversary Photos
- I'm trying to get back into cooking Trim Healthy Mama style.
I’m grateful for…
- The Boys Brigade Australia who have started up a division near where I live :) Happy dance here.
- Lists like this one 15 Ways to Bless Your Missionaries This Christmas without Paying Postage
Blessings
Chareen
Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Christmas Books We Love
I really enjoy celebrations and using this time of the year to create family traditions. One of the things I have done over the years is find a Christmas book to add to the read in December box. I'm passionate about beautifully illustrated books so that is one of the criteria I have for when looking over a book to add to the Christmas Book Box. Today I want to share the books we love with you.
The very first book that I purchased is Jotham's Journey. We loved this book so much that we have purchased the three books in trilogy. These books help to change our focus from all things Christmas to Christ. We are currently reading Jotham's Journey this Advent season. If you have never participated in Advent before I highly recommend this series of books for your shelves.
Tabitha's Travels
Bartholomew's Passage
By (author) Geraldine Mccaughrean, Illustrated by Bee Willey
This book is fairly new on the Advent scene. It's the story of short tempered Mr Butterfield the wood carver and the annoyingly persistant boy who arrives at different points in the church where Mr Butterfiled is carving a Jesse Tree. It's a story of redemption, forgiveness and healing. The story of the Jesse Tree, the Word of the Lord and a young boy who knows about neither.
Format: Paperback 93 pages
ISBN 13: 9780802854032
ISBN 10: 0802854036
By (author) Antonie Schneider, Illustrated by Maja Dusikova
This is an Advent book for younger audiences. Follow Benjamin Bear as he impatiently waits for Christmas to arrive. Follow Benjamin each day on his journey to Bethlehem along with full colour illustrations.
Format: Hardback 64 pages
ISBN 13: 9780735819634
ISBN 10: 0735819637
By (author) Gale Wiersum, Illustrated by Alexandra Steele-Morgan
This little Golden Book is a story of where a group of animals recount the events of the birth Jesus.
Format: Hardback 24 pages
ISBN 13: 9780375839238
ISBN 10: 0375839232
Author Max Lucado Illustrator: Greg Dearth
I really enjoy Max's encouraging books and I am always attracted to books with beautiful illustrations. This is a story of imagination and many parts are true. Through the story we can focus on the One who made us, His greatness, His plan, His mercy and most of all His TRUTH. It is truth that sets us free (John 8:32) You can read an excerpt from the book over at Max Lucado's website along with why he wrote An Angel's Story formally published under the title A Cosmic Christmas.
Number of Pages:96 pages
ISBN: 9781418512712
By (author) Paul L. Maier (Illustrated) by Francisco Ordaz
A beautifully illustrated narrative of the the nativity story that is a wonderful read aloud for young children. Old and young alike will enjoy the pictures in this book.
ISBN 13: 9781859853283
ISBN 10: 1859853285
(author) Marjorie Holmes
A love story of Mary and Joseph. I read this book when I was about 15 years old and spent the next 20 looking for a copy of my own it impacted me so deeply. Marjorie does an amazing job of taking you on the journey of Mary and Joseph from an earthly perspective. These two, chosen by God to provide the earthly home for His son. This teenage woman and young carpenter who had to live on earth and face the reactions of the unbelieving around them. Who walked the streets with unbelievers and suffer at the condemning glances of the town. This is a beautifully written account of the nativity written with sensitivity and insight. A worthwhile book for any well stocked library.
Format: Paperback 224 pages
ISBN 13: 9780553281002
ISBN 10: 0553281003
By (author) E Woodruff
This is a new book for me I have not read it yet the write up in the catalog caught my eye: "Lucy and Glory are orphaned sisters with no real place to call home. Only their memories of a beautiful doll named Morning Glory brighten their bleak lives. When a deadly fever sweeps through the workhouse where the girls live, Lucy and Glory flee to the mean streets of London. One day the girls find an old battered doll that Glory senses is their beloved Morning Glory. But Morning Glory is no ordinary doll--the girls learn that she has magical powers that will change their lives in amazing ways.. With the help of the doll, the sisters discover the true meaning of the Christmas spirit." {Amazon}
ISBN 13: 9780613573047
ISBN 10: 0613573048
By (author) Bruce Whatley
This is another beautifully illustrated book. Follow Peter the boy upstairs and the watch maker as they repair a very special pocket watch. A story of precious things, friendship, time and sacrifice. Beautifully written.
Format: Paperback 32 pages
ISBN 13: 9781741662245
ISBN 10: 1741662249
By (author) Stephanie Jeffs, Illustrated by Jenny Thorne
Follow the adventures of this little mouse as late one cold wintery night he finds a beautifuly wrapped gift beneath the Christmas Tree. Upon opening it he finds himself
ISBN 13: 9781853453151
ISBN 10: 1853453153
By (author) Jostein Gaarder, Illustrated by Rosemary Wells, Translated by Elizabeth Rokkan
This one is new to our shelves and I am looking forward to reading it out loud next year. "In the corner of a dusty old bookstore, Joachim discovers a magic Advent calendar. When he opens the first door on December 1, a small piece of paper falls out. On it is the beginning of a story about a little girl named Elisabet who traveled through time to be present at the birth of Jesus.- Book Depository".
Format: Paperback 222 pages
ISBN 13: 9781559213950
ISBN 10: 1559213957
If you would like to find some more book lists be sure to check out the Schoolhouse Crew Blog tomorrow. There are over 50 lists and books to look through for inspiration from the crew.
Blessings
Chareen
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