We got the clay out on Sunday afternoon when cousins Will and Burke (above) were here. The kids made a batch of fun animals. Yesterday, W. worked on some more clay creations as Christmas gifts. This little clay penguin is for her Sunday School teacher.

Tomorrow night is the SS Christmas program. Our church has a very traditional program with each class giving their "parts," playing musical specials, and staging a nativity while reading the Christmas story. Our tree at home is beginning to fill up with presents. The zebra blanket under it is from Husband's birthday this week. Earlier this fall, he was knocked over by our neighbor's zebra while checking the bins. (Yes, you read that right!) He had sore ribs and shoulder for a few weeks, and a great story to tell. We could not resist getting him a zebra patterned blanket for his birthday.

O Antiphons

I learned about a new (to me) Christmas tradition this year. At my HS mother's group, the ladies were talking about O Antiphons. Antiphons are the names for Jesus, as laid out in the Bible and the song O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Since there are seven O Antiphons, you start this countdown to Christmas on Dec. 17th. Each day you learn about another name for our Savior, and pray an appropriate prayer relating to that particular name of Jesus.
The pictures and prayers above are glued to the inside of the tins. The names in order are: O Wisdom, O Lord, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dayspring, O King and O God With Us. If you take the first letter of each title (taken backwards) in Latin, they make the phrase "Erocras" which means "Tomorrow, I Will Come."

There are various ways to craft O Antiphons, but I like this set that I found on Waltzing Matilda. She had most of the sizing and artwork done and ready for downloading and printing, and I liked her use of Altoid tins. I had some tins waiting in the basement as hand-me-downs from my friend Lori, who occasionally gives me "good junk." This first attempt went to Friend Nancy who was aching for a set of O Antiphons. We may make some for ourselves next year.

College Friend

I was able to visit my college friend Mary this week. She has lived in the MN Governor's mansion for the last eight years, and she invited me up for a visit before they move back to their own house in Jan. The Residence is such a lovely place. It was especially pretty right now while it is decorated for Christmas.

The entrance hall. Such lovely woodwork and beautiful old furniture on display.

St. Paul had some snow! The storm over last weekend made us put off the visit until this week. Mary and I grabbed a bit of shopping time. It was fun to catch up on her and Tim's life and see their beautiful daughters again.

The dining room is gorgeous.

The Residence has a little mouse hole on the stairs where Herb the Mouse lives. Mary gave me a new book that the Summit Avenue Society wrote about him. (http://www.minnesotasbookstore.com/) This group helps support the upkeep of the Residence. My girls and I enjoyed reading it when I got home. If you were to sit very quietly in this beautiful old chair and read a book, you might be able to see him sometime when he peeks out of his hole.

I had a quiet cozy cup of tea and craft time by the fire while Mary and Tim were at a political supper. The next morning Mary and I had our breakfast here near the fire again. So warm and relaxing.

The view from upstairs and the stairway. The chandeliers are pretty neat.

Mary gave me a tour of the Capitol building. The tree in the Governor's reception room was very nice. We also saw his office. Tim was out and about tending to MN business.

The next morning I went for a quick walk and a bit of shopping on my own, then headed out to visit my sister Rose. I thought I might stay over with her one night, but the 2-4 inches of predicted snow squashed that idea. I made a quick stop, dropped off presents, ate a few cookies and had a cup of tea, then headed for home. I (mostly) beat the snow!

Christmas Card Magnets

We made these magnets with our friends yesterday. They are simple, inexpensive, good for any age and make nice gifts. Really fun and a little addictive! They were VERY popular!

Consider making sets in themes: words, animals, stars, snowflakes, etc, or you could do individual letters to spell something out a la Scrabble. You could do a bunch of family pictures (make a copy of the originals) or a little play nativity set. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Put a set of them into a decorated Altoids box for a "gift set."

You need:

Clear glue or white glue that will dry clear

Large flat marbles, found at Wal-Mart, dollar stores, craft stores (usually used for floral vase filling)

Old Christmas cards, family pictures, kid's drawings, cut-out letters or images

Round magnets-I got mine at Wal-Mart-they were peel and stick, which was handy

Choose a flat marble. Position it over the picture you want it to frame. Hold the marble in place and copy around it with a pencil or pen. Cut around the image about 1/4 inch inside the line. (The bottom surface of the flat marble is smaller than the outline.) Each flat marble has an unique shape, so copy around each individually for a good fit.

Spread glue on front of image and press the flat marble onto it. Affix the magnet on the back. Let sit flat until dry.

Christmas Crafts

These are the crafts we did yesterday in our mother/daughter craft workshop. Each mom brought a craft to share.

Our recycled cards/flat marble magnets. Nancy's potpourri sachets, Ann's cinnamon applesauce ornaments.

Linda's scented soap.

Ruth's orange/clove pomanders.

Ana's holiday risotto and Maria's hot cocoa mix.

Sandy's beaded ornament hangers, and Caitilin's earrings.

Craft Central!

Our house was Craft Central yesterday. We hosted a mother-daughter craft/gift making day with my friend Ana and her girls.

Christmas cheer abounded!

Each family brought a craft to share and the girls rotated from station to station making and wrapping gifts.

We had a great selection of crafts...

...and a great selection of friends to do them with! The house was full and happy all afternoon!

Annie, L. Isa, Rachel (her niece JoJo), Hannah, Cassandra

Myself and Friend Nancy, Ana and Friend Caitilin

By the end, the moms were crafting, the house was scattered with goodwill, the goodies were still being happily downed and evening (teen) plans were in the works. A most successful and satisfying day with our homeschool group.