Here we are around the turkey:
Eating out at our favorite Indian fusion restaurant:
And just hanging out:
There was also lots of shopping and general silliness! I miss them all already! Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving as well!!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Turkey Trot Down Memory Lane
My family was in town for Thanksgiving last week - it was the first time we were all together in THREE years!
Here we are around the turkey:
Eating out at our favorite Indian fusion restaurant:
And just hanging out:
There was also lots of shopping and general silliness! I miss them all already! Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving as well!!
Here we are around the turkey:
Eating out at our favorite Indian fusion restaurant:
And just hanging out:
There was also lots of shopping and general silliness! I miss them all already! Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving as well!!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tickle Me Tuesday, 46th edition
Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!
If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)
2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)
3. Come back here and link up your blog post!
4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!
Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?
Missionary Kid Monday: French Church
{For more on this series, click here}
I was at the same time a missionary kid and a pastor's kid. Mom and dad were B-U-S-Y on Sundays. Not that they weren't working during the rest of the week, but it was a different type of work. My dad usually preached on Sundays (spending many hours during the week ensuring that both his French and the message were great). Mom sometimes played the piano, but most often took care of Sunday school for the kids.
(When I talk about French church, I'm not referring to those BEAUTIFUL churches that France is famous for. No. Protestant French churches meet in regular old buildings, or a series of rooms on the ground floor of some office space, or even in people's homes.)
Sundays definitely changed for me in France. Suddenly, the whole family had to be at church at least one hour beforehand to set up, and we had to stay about an hour late after the service. I had to give the bise to a lot of old ladies who I would have much rather waved to. I learned to worship in another language.
We had church people over at our house throughout the week for various Bible studies. Once, our African Grey parrot (to whom my mother had taught to say both English and French words), shouted out "N'importe quoi" after an especially spirtual point my father had just made. Everybody laughed! You'll smile too when I tell you that "N'importe quoi" means "WHATEVER".
Here's the thing that still baffles me about French church, which is true to this day. Even though I speak it fluently, even though I can read and understand the Bible in French, even though I am a mature Christian... a sermon preached in French is not as meaningful or impactful to me. It never has been, and this baffles me. I can read or hear the same spiritual words in French and English and it will only sink in when it's in English.
I have a theory that my heart doesn't speak French.
I was at the same time a missionary kid and a pastor's kid. Mom and dad were B-U-S-Y on Sundays. Not that they weren't working during the rest of the week, but it was a different type of work. My dad usually preached on Sundays (spending many hours during the week ensuring that both his French and the message were great). Mom sometimes played the piano, but most often took care of Sunday school for the kids.
(When I talk about French church, I'm not referring to those BEAUTIFUL churches that France is famous for. No. Protestant French churches meet in regular old buildings, or a series of rooms on the ground floor of some office space, or even in people's homes.)
Sundays definitely changed for me in France. Suddenly, the whole family had to be at church at least one hour beforehand to set up, and we had to stay about an hour late after the service. I had to give the bise to a lot of old ladies who I would have much rather waved to. I learned to worship in another language.
We had church people over at our house throughout the week for various Bible studies. Once, our African Grey parrot (to whom my mother had taught to say both English and French words), shouted out "N'importe quoi" after an especially spirtual point my father had just made. Everybody laughed! You'll smile too when I tell you that "N'importe quoi" means "WHATEVER".
Here's the thing that still baffles me about French church, which is true to this day. Even though I speak it fluently, even though I can read and understand the Bible in French, even though I am a mature Christian... a sermon preached in French is not as meaningful or impactful to me. It never has been, and this baffles me. I can read or hear the same spiritual words in French and English and it will only sink in when it's in English.
I have a theory that my heart doesn't speak French.
Even so, I am thankful that I had the opportunity for so many years to experience worship in a different culture, and to engage with Christians on the other side of the world!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Fabulous Black Friday HANDMADE Deals!
You can click on any picture to visit the shop.
Please be sure to read ALL of the sale information below each ad before making a purchase.
Happy shopping!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY25 for 25% off.
EXPIRES: 12/3
Plus, get a free gift with purchase for orders over $30.
SHOP Along for the Ride NOW!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY20 for 20% off.
EXPIRES: 11/27
SHOP Apearantly Sew NOW!
Use code HOLIDAY for free shipping and a free gift (yoyo pin) with purchase.
EXPIRES: 12/17
SHOP Folding Chair Designs NOW!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 30% off.
EXPIRES: 11/30
SHOP Han Made Things NOW!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 25% off.
EXPIRES: 11/27
SHOP Kristin's Kreations NOW!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY15 for 15% off.
Or get 30% off a purchase of $70 or more! (additional discount refunded via paypal after purchase)
EXPIRES: 11/28
SHOP Mandipidy NOW!
Use code HOLIDAYWISHES for 20% off Moonbeam Wishes (stationary shop)
Use code SEASONSGREETINGS for free shipping at Dear Moonbeams (embroidery shop)
EXPIRES: 12/3
SHOP Moonbeam Wishes NOW!
SHOP Dear Moonbeams NOW!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY for free shipping.
EXPIRES: 11/29
SHOP Moxie Mandie NOW!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 20% off.
EXPIRES: 11/27
SHOP Petunia Blooms NOW!
Use code HOLIDAY40 for 40% off.
EXPIRES: 11/28
SHOP Pink Lemonade NOW!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 20% off.
SHOP Pretties By Meg NOW!
Use code HOLIDAY15 for 15% off.
Every purchase $45 and over gets a free 5x7 print of choice! (a $14 value! please see rules and regulations below to see if you qualify)
EXPIRES: 11/28
RULES and REGULATIONS: To qualify for free 5x7 print of choice the items in your cart must total $45 before shipping fees. If you apply your 15% off coupon code to your purchase then your order must total $45 before shipping fees AND after you apply the 15% off. If purchase is less than $45 after you apply your 15% off then you are not eligible for 5x7 print. Please leave a note in the "notes to the seller" box at check out letting me know which print you would like made into a 5x7. Offer excludes all customizable work (including blog design, logo design and customizable prints)
SHOP Yellow Heart Art NOW!
Use code BLACKFRIDAY30 for 30% off.
EXPIRES: 11/26
SHOP Yes Teacher NOW!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving to All
I hope you're having a fabulous Thanksgiving too!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tickle Me Tuesday, 45th edition
Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!
If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)
2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)
3. Come back here and link up your blog post!
4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!
Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?
Missionary Kid Monday: Lessons Learned
{For more on this series, click here}
I learned a lot of things from growing up in France, silly and serious things alike. Here's a list (not comprehensive and in no particular order):
- How to give "the bise" (kiss on either cheek as a greeting) to boys without feeling awkward.
- How to memorize.
- How to sit at the table for long periods of time during a meal.
- How to enjoy "Prince of Bel-Air" reruns when they were dubbed over in French (they really lost the whole "black" thing)
- How to wear the same outfit four different ways.
- How to talk quietly in public places.
- How to be patient with foreigners.
- How to write with a fountain pen.
- How to appreciate history.
- How to cuss like a sailor without realize I was doing so (oops).
- How to take English as a foreign language in 7th grade and not die of boredom while my classmates learned their colors.
- How to make my English teacher not feel bad about her accent.
- How to eat bread. (Keep it on the table so as not to insult your hosts' tablecloth. Use your bread to help sop up sauces and dressing. Tear bits off. No butter.)
- How to do Franc to Dollar conversions in my head.
- How to cheer at a soccer game.
Friday, November 18, 2011
My School Turkeys
We are in full turkey mode here at school. And I love it! Doing seasonal stuff with my kindergartners and first graders is such a welcome break from our regularly scheduled programming.
We've read My First Thanksgiving and I'm No Turkey.
We've written a list of things that we're thankful for.
We had our Thanksgiving Music Program on Tuesday. (The kids were both hilarious and adorable!)
And today we're making Turkey Tracks! Except we're making them with peanut butter and straight pretzel sticks (because I'm not sure about how my picky eaters will handle chow mein noodles!)
It should be messy but FUN! I am especially excited because once today is over, I have the WHOLE BLESSED WEEK off for Thanksgiving! Do I hear an Amen? :)
We've read My First Thanksgiving and I'm No Turkey.
We've written a list of things that we're thankful for.
We had our Thanksgiving Music Program on Tuesday. (The kids were both hilarious and adorable!)
And today we're making Turkey Tracks! Except we're making them with peanut butter and straight pretzel sticks (because I'm not sure about how my picky eaters will handle chow mein noodles!)
It should be messy but FUN! I am especially excited because once today is over, I have the WHOLE BLESSED WEEK off for Thanksgiving! Do I hear an Amen? :)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Giving Thanks
It's a Give Thanks link up party and Thankful Thursday! What a perfect opportunity and a perfect season to remember the many reasons we have to be grateful.
Below is my short list:
Below is my short list:
Max (aka: most bestest hubby in the whole wide world):
Barney:
My job (even though it can be a total roller coaster):
Our newly remodeled kitchen:
Family coming into town for the holidays:
What are you thankful for?
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