a spirit of simplicity

  The good I got our Christmas tree up and decorated. I think it’s so pretty. I love waking and turning the lights on.  The fun I went to my daughter’s house over the weekend and she did a bit of shopping while I stayed with my grandchildren. So. Much. Fun!  The random It was only me, my husband, and my mum for Thanksgiving this year.  On one hand I missed the rest of our family but on the other hand it was nice to have things quiet and not so much of a fuss.  Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving! ~ ~ ~ The good, the random, the fun

    A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices.  ~ ~ ~ The season of Advent is upon us and this first week is to be full of hope. Every year, since I could ever remember, my mum has an Amaryllis at Christmas. My sister in her house, and me in my house have continued this tradition. We plant them in a bit of soil and some garden rocks just before Thanksgiving and   we wait as the first tender shoots begin to emerge from its dark bulb. Each in our own homes, apart this year, but full of hope that by Christmas the stems will have grown tall and strong and at least one large full flower will blossom.  Our homes are dressed for the season. Beauty and cheer fill each dark corner with light. ~ Here where I live there has been a request sent forth on all kinds of social media that on Christmas Eve, At six o’clock in the evening each person shall stand in their own doorway and ring a bell for two minutes. This is to say to one another that though we may not be gathered together in the way we are

  t And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, Even he who arises to rule the gentiles; In him will the gentiles hope.” Romans 15:12 ~ ~ ~ Sunday scripture blessings Scripture and a snapshot Heart encouragement You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

  The skies were grey and misty all day on Thanksgiving. It was just me and Joe and my mum this year but we continued our tradition of taking a picture around the turkey.  At dusk on Thanksgiving I went for a walk. It had been misty all day but it wasn’t raining. It was so warm that I was wishing I hadn’t worn my coat.   I could smell turkeys and fireplaces.  Here and there families had set up tables for outdoor eating on their patios and I could see them talking as I walked past. By the time I turned toward home it was dark but the streets were quiet and still.  I came home from work noticed the Christmas lights in both my mum’s and my apartments. Even the lady who lives on the third floor has gotten into the spirit.  It looked so pretty. The picture doesn’t do it justice.  Have you noticed that people seem to be decorating early this year? I’ve seen Christmas trees in quite a few windows as well. It’s very cheery.  We have been using flowers in our curriculum this week. One of our Mo

  Instilling a love for the natural world in children and encouraging their own natural curiosity about the world in which we live. “The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.” Maria Montessori  I am a teacher at a Montessori school. Children are encouraged to use their hands to explore by touching, feeling, and doing.  In this activity they used red and yellow paint, flowers, and pinecones. I believe that if we want adults to have a reverence, a love and respect for the natural world then we have to give them the opportunity to explore it when they are very young.  We have to teach them that “nature” isn’t a separate place but that we are all connected in one natural world and that when we care for our world we care for ourselves.  ~ ~ ~ Nature notes Our world Tuesday   Pictorial Tuesday .  Image-in-ing   My corner of the world .  Community Global .  Wordless Wednesday

  Pink poinsettia! I am old enough to remember when poinsettias only came in red. And then I began to see white flowers..and then some of them came sprinkled with glitter (not a fan). The glitter is what made me turn my back on the poinsettia and turn toward Christmas cactus instead. Even when they began to introduce all sorts of shades of red or red leaves that were splashed with white I was not enticed.  But last year I discovered pink! And just like that I was in love! ~ ~ ~ The hearth and soul All about home    Celebrate your story    Inspire me Monday    Little cottage link party Saying yes to the hodgepodge    Charming homes and gardens    Grace at home You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter