Merry Christmas

Celebrating the birth of Christ...

May you have LOVE, JOY, & PEACE from above.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Blessings,

Garrett, Johnna, Julia, and James

Understood Betsy

Understood Betsy has been our favorite read aloud so far this term. It is the one that I just cannot wait to read each week! Our last chapter is coming to an end...we will miss this book, until we read again. This is one of many of Julia's favorite parts:

It was a warm, dark evening in late May, with the frogs piping their sweet, high note, and the first of the fireflies wheeling over the wet meadows near the tumbledown house where 'Lias lived. The girls took turns in carrying the big paper-wrapped bundle, and stole along in the shadow of the trees, full of excitement, looking over their shoulders at nothing and pressing their hands over their mouths to keep back the giggles. There was, of course, no reason on earth why they should giggle, which is, of course, the reason why they did. If you've ever been a little girl you know about that.

One window of the small house was dimly lighted, they found, when they came in sight of it, and they thrilled with excitement and joyful alarm. Suppose 'Lias's dreadful stepfather should come out and yell at them! They came forward on tiptoe, making a great deal of noise by stepping on twigs, rustling bushes, crackling gravel under their feet and doing all the other things that make such a noise at night and never do in the daytime. But nobody stirred inside the room with the lighted window. They crept forward and peeped cautiously inside. . . and stopped giggling.

Owls

When my friend Katie shared with me the owl ornaments in the C&B magazine, I thought they were just adorable and had to make my very own! It was enjoyable planning the colors and finding the right fabric prints to suit these critters. These little owls were made for each of the families we adore in our nature study group. Merry Christmas! Hopefully we will get see a real owl together:)

Our Caterpillar

Isn't this a beautiful Monarch Caterpillar? We were hoping its mama would lay eggs in our garden! Last spring we sowed milkweed seed into our garden soil and just last week we observed our first caterpillars, seven to be exact.



HE PRAYETH BEST

He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Tamago Sushi Roll

Garrett loves sushi and his wife and little ones love sushi vegetarian style! Last night, Garrett made such an amazing tamago sushi roll with dipping sauces for us. A friend of Garrett's is an awesome sushi chef and he says that the rice is the most important thing to get just right. The rice needs to be sticky, but not mushy. While learning the art of making sushi, it was his job to make rice for a year, perfecting it. Garrett's rice is not sushi chef perfect, but it was amazing to us and one of the best vegetarian rolls we have ever had!

Preparing the tamago was next. Tamago is like an omelet cooked with soy sauce and sugar, even it in itself is so good! After the rice and tamago were ready, he prepared the seaweed by carefully sweeping it over the flame on the stove burner to warm it a bit causing it to soften so as not to crack or tear. First, the rice was placed on top of the seaweed. Next, the thinly sliced carrots and green onions were placed. Then, the tamago and avocado topped the pile of goodness. Last, before rolling, the spicy creamy sauce was drizzled over.

The orange spicy creamy sauce is Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce mixed with Mayonaise. The green is wasabi.

He also made the best ponzu sauce for dipping! It is made from soy sauce, fresh squeezed juice from an orange, a little apple cider vinegar, and diced green onions. This is a simplified version as we didn't have the bonito flakes on hand. The apple cider vinegar was substituted for the rice wine vinegar that would traditionally be used.

The rolls were formed by hand in lieu of a bamboo sushi roll maker.

Thank you my love for making a wonderfully delicious meal!

Nature Journals

Julia and James found a very large pine cone on our nature walk this Thursday. They were so excited to bring it home as it was the biggest they ever saw. Here are their nature journal drawings that I just love!

Nativity, Giotto 1311-1320

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14