Daybook Entry (my short version)

Outside my window  

It is dark and quiet.  I had to take the children for a little walk tonight in an attempt to calm them down a bit before bedtime - so we walked until the sun went down and it was beautiful !

Currently reading

Crazy John by Dionysios A. Makris  What an awesome book.   I just finished it last night and I already want to read it again.    Perfect book to finish off my Lenten reading !   

I am thankful

for my darling nieces, who took an entire day to spend it with my children at their very first big "park" !  They gave 7 selfless hours and played in the kiddie area with them, riding the rides, climbing the ropes, going through the mazes, etc.  They never once asked to go on a "real " ride or watch a show.  They are amazing - and my sister is an amazing mom for raising them they way she did !

From the kitchen

This week is so crazy busy that there are NO big plans for the kitchen.  I am thankful to have frozen a few meals and soups to be able to send with my husband for lunch...so light and fast dinners are the tallest order I have to deal with - until the big Feast on Sunday !  We will be having leg of lamb with roasted potatoes, vegetables, pastisio, avgolemeno soup,  traditional Easter bread, Greek salad and plenty of sweets !  Feast of Feasts !

A few plans for the rest of the week

We are in the midst of Holy Week - which as many of you know, is a non-stop beautiful week !  We will be spending our time at some of the most lovely Church services every day and sometimes more than once a day.  Amidst all of that, we try to maintain a little bit of a normal rhythm here in the house; learning time, exercise time, cleaning time, etc.  But really, who am I kidding ! ?  Church services, coloring eggs, Holy Week lessons for kids and shopping for our Paschal meal with the family...I"m lucky if all that gets done.  

Toward a living education

We bought the kids a little "critter catcher" set.  An adorable lunchbox-looking thing with netting on the sides, a plastic tweezer and magnifying glass.  They are always trying to get a closer look at the bugs and creatures outside and now they will be able to do that.  (and then let them go of course)!  

Beauty in the home/Around the house

I have been trying very hard to somehow redecorate our 2 lanais/porches without spending a lot of money.  My first choice was to buy one of those lovely outdoor sets with the fluffy pillows - a loveseat, two chairs and tables.  Alas, that is not really in my lanai-decorating budget.  I am starting small ( meaning the smaller one in the front of the house).  I have reassigned the large wicker rocker and side table from the "nursery" to the porch.  Ditched all the artificial plants and "junk", stopped storing my double-jogger there, purchased a few houseplants, a comfy pillow, door mat  and a wall plaque.  Wa-La - $40 and I have  a pretty peaceful retreat to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning (or at least 3 sips before the kids get up)!  The back lanai will be much more challenging....but I'm working on it !  Hopefully, some pictures to follow !

The Domestic Church
I have really been trying to emphasize Holy Week and the importance of each day and service with the kids.  Sophia, particularly, is much more interested this year in learning and is asking a lot of questions !  We are also using the Holy Week coloring book that I purchased from Potamitis Publishing...which I cannot recommend enough !  Instead of learning a new hymn from the Liturgy this week we have been chanting the hymns from each of the beautiful services.  I benefit from this as well because I am sometimes called upon to read and/or chant the English versions during the services.  

I am praying

for my sweet Uncle, who continues to be a warrior against bone marrow cancer.  They were unable to perform the transplant because of a heart condition and mostly because his liver is in such bad shape at this point.  They are going through 2 more rounds of chemo and will reassess the situation.  Praying for some change in this scenario so that he can receive this life-giving transplant that he so desparately needs. 

In the garden

Oh, we are very far behind.  I don't know what has happened to our time or our plan !  But my little square foot gardening box is just BEGGING Me to fill it !  After Easter, that's when we will do it.  Sophia is so anxiously awaiting our first fruits !

Picture though to share