46 Beads

Adelae's new "thing" is bracelets.  Constantly begging to wear the butterfly bracelet I made for her a couple Easters ago, I thought it might be fun to make a purple bracelet for Lent - complete with 46 beads!  Why 46?  There are 40 days in Lent, not counting Sundays.  Sundays are always a mini Easter, "a happy day"!  Add six Sundays to the 40 days of Lent and you have more than a bracelet - you have some good fine motor, counting, sorting, pattern making practice too.

I had a bunch of old mix-matched plastic beads in my bead box.  Adeale sorted them by color to find all of the purple beads.  We also found some purple wire. 

Normally I use stretchy elastic for making children's jewelry, but I thought we'd give the wire a try. The stiff wire acts like a needle, easier for small fingers stringing small beads.  The downfall of using wire is that you also need crimp beads, a clasp, and with little ones, help taking on and off the jewelry.  

Next, Adelae sorted the purple beads by shape.

Meanwhile, I made a little loop on the end of the wire and closed it off with a crimp bead.

After counting out 40 purple beads, one for each day of Lent, and gold beads for the Sundays.  Adelae laid the beads out in a six purple, one gold pattern.  Remember, the first week of Lent starts on Wednesday, so we began the pattern with four purple, one gold.  Laying out and stringing the beads was also good practice naming the days of the week.  We added a large clear crystal bead for the last Sunday, Easter.

Throughout Lent we spend a little more time studying the Bible and Catechism, so we also strung a little Bible locket in the middle of the beads.  Lent is about Jesus' taking our sin to the cross where He died the death we deserve.  It's nice to wear a little reminder of our Savior's love around your wrist, especially when you're four!

In order to make the bracelet fit properly with all those beads, we planned to for it to wrap around her little wrist twice.  Once you have your beads laid out you'll be able to get a good idea of how long you'll need the wire to be and can play with the proportions to make it best fit around the wrist.  The size of the wrist and the size of the beads can make a big difference in the size of your bracelet.

It turned out that the bracelet was big enough that it can also be worn as a single strand necklace! 

It's not every day when a last minute idea like this comes together so nicely, but I sure love it when it does!



Burying (shhh!) Alleluia

Stop. Don't say it!  You know the word.  You won't hear church for the remaining 40 days - plus Sundays - of Lent! It's the A word, A------a! 


Throughout Lent the church doesn't use the joyful word, (shhh) alleluia, removing it as part of the somber, penitential tone of the season.  We bury "it" at our home too.


Is this a man made tradition? Absolutely.  Does it serve a practical opportunity for teaching the faith by providing a contrast between the repentant solemnity of Lent and the joy of Easter?  Beautifully.  Plus, I just like the idea of giving my children something to listen for, or in this case NOT listen for, in worship.

This year baby Pete buried the Alleluia painting Adelae and I made together last year.  She was only three, so she finger painted in glittery gold and silver, and I wrote "Alleluia" for her. 


Adelae can now write, so we made a more advanced Alleluia this year! 


We'll bury the paintings for Lent, and display them again on Easter morning as part of our decorations, so I'm glad to share some of my watercolor paper for this project. 

Using a green crayon Adelae added grass along the bottom of the page. Next she taped a paper circle on the grass near the left side of the paper. Using watercolors, she painted streams of color flowing from the circle to the edges of the paper.

Once the painting was dry, *this is the BeSt part!*, she got to remove the paper circle to reveal clean paper, the empty tomb.

Inside the space she wrote "Alleluia".  I knew she would have a hard time spacing such a big word in such a small space, so she traced my penciled letters in gold marker. I'm proud of her because, a lefty, she kept her wrist up and didn't smear the marker.

Finally, I made a slit in the paper just under the blank circle area.  Adelae cut out a circle for the stone.  We used white paper colored gray with crayon.  I love that her cutting isn't perfect for this application!

We buried Alleluia under the sofa prior to leaving for church on Ash Wednesday.  Last year she checked on "it" almost most every day. The anticipation of seeing and saying ******* again on Easter morning was more exciting to little Adelae then the egg hunt!


If you haven't buried the alleluias with you're little ones yet, it's not too late! 

Throw Me Somethin' Mama!

Beads!

Today is Mardi Gras, Carnival, Fat Tuesday, Shrovetide, Pancake Day!  How are you celebrating?  What are you eating?  Do you children know why? 

Look to the root of the word Carnival for the answer. Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting, prayers, and giving in preparation for Easter.   Our Catholic friends give up meat, carne, especially on Fridays throughout Lent.  The pre-Lent party was really all about using up the meat, eggs, butter, lard, sugar and other rich foods before giving them up for Lent.


Lutherans fast as part of our tradition, but it is not an obligation. Fasting for Lutherans is more of a spiritual discipline, and we are not required to "give anything up" during Lent.  In our home, we try to keep the solemnity of Lent without losing sight of the joy we have because Jesus went to the cross as payment for our sins.  Celebrating today, with pancakes (!) for dinner (!!), helps me begin reintroducing Lent to the children through this contrast in our daily diet.


For dinner tonight we'll be feasting on pancakes.  I was going to make some sort of special pancakes, but with a few other projects taking precedence today, I'm relying on a box mix.  I know, I know, don't shame me!  Guess what else, I'm out of syrup.  And want to know something else? I don't want to run to Publix today.  SO, instead of measuring and mixing real pancakes, and in the spirit of using up odds and ends in the fridge and pantry, I hope to come up with a variety of fun toppings for my family to enjoy.  I have powdered sugar, strawberries, bananas, sweetened condensed milk, yogurt, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, various nut butters and coconut just to name a few.  Certainly I can whip together a few topping options!


Before I tell you about my topping concoctions, I'll show you breakfast!

What did the kids want for breakfast?  Waffles. Sigh! We finished off the box of Van's topped with jam.  Peter finished two, yes TWO, waffles before I even sat down with my breakfast.  It truly was a Marti Gras moment when both of the kids vultured over my plate, drooling with their hands out!  Throw me somethin' Mama!  They ate most of my breakfast too.

Empty plates and another round of dishes to do...

This afternoon while Pete was napping I finally got those breakfast dishes done, and then I got to work creating the "out of syrup" pancake toppings. 

Starting from the top and going clockwise, we have Sweet Banana, Greek Yogurt Vanilla, Strawberry Merlot, Sweet Coconut Cream, and Almond-Chocolate Swirl.  Good thing it's Fat Tuesday!

Here's the non-recipe for each!

Sweet Banana is for Pete.  It's a whole banana, a dollop of sweetened condensed milk, a splash vanilla and milk all mashed together with a potato masher.  I resisted the urge to add a splash of rum.

Greek Yogurt Vanilla is for a little tart, creamy protein.  It's just plain Greek Yogurt with a couple splashes of vanilla.

Strawberry Merlot.  Yup, Merlot. I mashed some sliced berries along with just a touch of powdered sugar and the last swallow of last night's bottle.

Sweet Coconut Cream.  I'd rather have sweetened condensed milk than syrup any day! I stirred it together with an equal part toasted unsweetened coconut, a splash of vanilla and milk. Even though I know he'll find this whole idea weird, Andy is going to love this one!

Almond-Chocolate Swirl, for me!  I could live, LIVE, on nut butters and dark chocolate quite happily.  Why not put it on pancakes?  I had a little chocolate syrup left over from the Valentines brownie mix, so I just swirled it into my yummy almond butter.

Fat Tuesday indeed. 

   For dessert... just kidding!

Dirty, happy children are now in the tub.

And another round of dishes waiting for me.

Enjoy Pancake Day! Have a happy Lent too!

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

Ash Wednesday is THIS Wednesday already, and so the Season of Lent begins.  I'll be posting a lot more about Lent, but for today I'll share my hands down very favorite project of the year, making Ash Crosses with the children. 

Here I'll show you what we did last year with the hope it will inspire you with a meaningful way to talk with your children about Ash Wednesday.

You'll need:

aprons or smocks

6"x6'"squares of purple or gray paper

scrap paper

pencil

matches

vegetable oil

Begin by introducing Ash Wednesday as the beginning of Lent, the time when we prepare for Jesus' death and resurrection on Easter Sunday.  Part of Lent is remembering that we sin.  We are born wanting to do bad things. Often we fall into temptation and do many bad things.  We sin. 

Ask the children to think of some of their sins, or bad things they have done.  Help them to think of recent incidents that have been issues in the family and write them down.  Don't forget to share and write down a few of your own favorite sins - it's good for your children to know that we all sin and need forgiveness.  Last year, at age 3, Adelae considered wetting her pants the worst possible offence! 

Talk to the children about forgiveness.  Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  We are forgiven!  In our Baptism we were washed clean of all sin.  We are forgiven!  Keep the children at a safe distance, but where they can still see. Place the list of sins in a glass dish and light them on fire.  Burn them until the list is nothing but ash.  The sins are gone!

Here is how our sin and forgiveness conversation flowed this year at age 4. First, Adelae named some of Pete's annoying habits, that just so happen to be some of her own bad habits, such throwing unwanted food on the floor and leaving toys scattered around the house.  We worked through the 10 Commandments and came up with a list of sins, and even touched on Adam and Eve's Original Sin.  Then she asked, "Mommy, Jesus is God?"

   "Yes honey, and He's man too."

   "But what's His name?"

   "Jesus."

   "Why?"

   "Because God picked the name."

   "Why?"  

   "Jesus means Savior. His name tells us what He does. Jesus saves us from our sin."

   "So where is He?"

   "He is with us wherever we go."

   "But how does He talk to us?  I don't see Him?"

   "No, we can't see Him now like they could see Him in the Bible."

   "Sort of like my friend, Brielle.  I can't see her now."

   "Yes, sort of."

   "How does He talk to us?"

   "At church, at Sunday School, when you read the Bible.  God talks to us through His Word."

   "Oh."

   "But He's not with us."

   "Yes, He is.  He is with us in the Sacraments.  When Mommy and Daddy go to communion, He is there.  When you touch the "baby bathtub" (aka the baptismal font), He is there.  He reminds us that we have forgiveness, life and heaven because of Him."

   "Mommy, that fire you burned makes me sad."

   "Yes, our sins make us feel terrible."

   "Lent is a sad time.  Our sins made Jesus have to die.  But we are happy too, because His death saved us."

   "Mommy, I like these crosses."

 

I could go on and on.  It was a sweet little exchange.  Later she gave her cross necklace to Pete to wear "so He would believe".

Pete's Ash Cross

Speaking of Pete, He was a sport about trying to make a cross.  He really enjoys getting dirty!  I guided his little finger over the paper. 

I'm getting ahead of myself.  Back to the project.  Show the children the black ash.  Stir a few drops of oil into the pan to form a black paste.  Have the children use their fingers to paint a cross on the purple and gray papers. 

Simple and stark, these little paintings help the children begin to understand the seriousness of their sin, thereby making Jesus' work on the cross and Easter resurrection far sweeter than a marshmallow peep  - or even a chocolate bunny! 

Ash Crosses in our kitchen window - 2011

Transfiguration on the Table Top

Peter on the "mountain" peak in awe of the dazzling brightness!

Jesus on the mountain peak

Stands along in glory blazing;

Let us, if we dare to speak,

Join the saints and angels praising.

Alleluia!

(LSB #415, vs 1)

Itty Bitty Lutherans joined the church in celebrating Transfiguration Day today.  The last Sunday before Lent, worship was filled with many Alleluias!

In Sunday School the Itty Bittys learned about Jesus' Transfiguration with lots of color and movement.  Gathered around classroom work table, my little friends joined me on the "mountain top" as I climbed the table.  We even had a Peter!  Instead of James and John, we had Carlos, Corbin, Hannah and our special friend from Sweden, Melker, gathered around. 

Jesus showed himself to his friends in a way they'd never seen Him before!  Unfurling gold, white and shimmery silver ribbons, I continued, Jesus' clothes became white- whiter than Mommy can bleach them! Jesus' faced shined like the sun! Jesus was all sparkly and light!  We learned that the Swedish words for white and Jesus sound very similar, so little Melker could join along!  Peter had never seen anything so wonderful as bright and shiny Jesus in His glory.  He wanted to put up a tent and stay there with Him forever.  But Jesus had to come down from mountain and so did His friends.

We played with the bright streamers for a bit, then continued the story.  Later, Jesus glory was hidden again.  Wrapping the ribbons in black tulle, Jesus came down the mountain to die.  He went in the tomb and no one could see Him for three days.  Until Easter, again reveal the bright ribbon streamers. On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead.  Jesus beat death for our sins and so we can stay with Him forever in heaven. 

We looked at a picture of Jesus in Glory with Moses and Elijah.  Click here to read the Transfiguration Day text.

Next, we did a little Transfiguration Day craft.  It was an idea I had not yet tested, so we experimented together.  Once it drys we'll know if it worked, so stay tuned! 

At home, I carefully let Peter play on the green mountain peak for a few minutes and reviewed the story with him.  Great fun, but unlike Peter in the Bible, my Pete was soon ready to come down!

This is God's beloved Son!

Law and prophets sing before Him,

First and Last and only One.

All creation shall adore Him!

Alleluia!

(LSB 415 vs. 4)

Don't forget that Lent starts this Wednesday with Ash Wednesday with dinner and worship starting at 5:15.

P.S.  We were actually ready for church 10 minutes early this morning, so I painted Adelae's nails with some gold Transfiguration Day sparkles, and previewed the story with her.  All morning she did "spirit fingers" every time she heard the word Transfiguration.  Here they are also covered with cracker crumbs.  Silly fun! 

Coke Date

My beloved, Andrew, a good German Lutheran, doesn't always display great passion for many things. There is one exception.  He pines for the bubbles, the first sip throat burn, the perfect ratio of ice. This man loves Diet Coke!  I can't say I'm thrilled with his carbonated caramel-colored chemical devotion, but Diet Coke love runs in the Koehneke line. Seriously, if the man has to have a vice, I could think of many far worse.  Most days I passively overlook this addiction, but today is Valentine's day and nothing will make my Andrew happier than a Coke Date!

I've had this Coke Date postcard longer than I can remember, but when I came across some Libbey glass Coca-Cola glasses last month, something pulled at the roots of my Glass City heart strings and a Valentine's theme was born! It just so happens that Diet Coke cans already come dressed for the party!  Aren't the big red hearts and stick fellow festive?  I began by simply cutting hearts from the empty cardboard case.  This thrilled AK, not because he loved the hearts, but he LOVED seeing the fridge so well stocked!

Next, Adelae and I got to work on a simple an fun project to make the little Diet Coke stick men our own.  I cut a little wedge from a piece of pressed sponge to use as a stamp for the figure's body.  (See my St. Michael and All Angels Day Post for more on my favorite method of instant stamp making.)  We quickly stamped black bodies all over red paper. 

Next with the tip of our baby finger we dotted on a black head.  Funny how much these little guys look like bottles of Coke!

After they were dry Adelae drew lines for arms and legs stemming from the figure's body using a thin black marker.

We gave each Coke bottle man a heart to hold in his hands! These little silver hearts were cut from scraps of box too.

Then, I cut the little guys out into big heart shapes.  Like with the hearts cut from the box, they were just free form and fun.  This is not an occasion for stuffy perfect heart!

With our centerpiece done, we dashed over to Publix to pick up some things for dinner. All I knew was that I was going to try to make some sort of Diet Coke sticky sauce for brushing on some type of meat. Also, we planned to try Diet Coke brownies, as seen all over Pintrest.  The Martha in me hated not having an exact menu and shopping list, but maybe since I've been spending time so much time with her sister Mary, while writing a unit plan about anointing Jesus' feet, her mellow trust has rubbed off on me a bit.  It's doubtful, but maybe! 


Andy enjoys drumsticks, so in the cart they went.  Cherries are a classic combination with Coke, so I thought I'd pick up a bag.  The idea of pitting a whole bowl of cherries before dinner was a killer; it was already 4:45!  Instead, we found a bag of frozen cherries.  Also going the easy route, I let the kids choose a vegetable - also frozen.  We found some cute crinkle cut carrots.

Once back at home, we started to make the Diet Coke brownies.  I had looked at several of the Pintrest postings for this recipe and the reviews were mixed.  Everyone agreed they were easy and yummy. Common complaints were a runny batter, longer cooking time and ugly presentation.  We added the Diet Coke a little bit at a time to avoid the runny batter problem.  In the end, I think we used about 3/4 of a can to one box brownie mix.

Easy to make, it was also a lot of fun watching the soda fizz as Adelae stirred it into the brownie mix.  To save time and avoid the ugly presentation, it was Stan to the rescue!  You don't know Stan?  Stan was the owner of the hoarder house my brother had to clean, and let me tell you we all hoarded a lot of great stuff from that house that would have otherwise been pitched.  From Stan, I had these darling little tin heart shaped molds.  With a hit of cooking spray then filled with batter, our brownies were in the oven!  I could now reduce the baking time, also the temperature a bit, from the box instructions and serve them directly from their cute little mold for pretty presentation AND no extra dishes!

Meanwhile I started reducing a can of Diet Coke over high heat.  That stuff comes to a boil rapidly!  In order to get the sticky gooeyness I was after, I added 2T brown sugar.  It's true, I wouldn't have to add the sugar if I was just using Coca-Cola, but as the connoisseurs like AK know, Diet Coke has a flavor profile all it's own.  I didn't want to mess with that.  For extra flavor I added a shot of Makers Mark to the pan.  Once the Diet Coke concoction had reduced to about half I reserved about 3T for later use.  Adding about a 1/3c ketchup added some body and extra stickiness to the sauce.  Finally, a I gave it a couple good splashes of Worcestershire.

Diet Coke Sticky Sauce

1 can Diet Coke (reduced)

2T brown sugar

1 shot good bourbon

1/3c ketchup

2t Worcestershire

I seasoned and pan fried the chicken legs for color and crunch then covered them in sauce and popped them in the oven to finish cooking for about a half hour.

While the chicken was baking, we raced against the clock to set the table and throw the sides together.  Remember that Diet Coke, Makers Mark, brown sugar sauce I reserved?  I added a splash of lemon juice and divided it over the carrots and cherries.  Carrots were nuked for 10 minutes, hit with sea salt and done!  The cherries were even easier!  The package said they are best served partially frozen, so I put them in a pretty bowl, tossed them with the rest of the reserved Diet Coke reduction and let them marinate in the fridge until the chicken was ready.

 Black and silver was my table cloth choice,  but the centerpiece was missing something.

So we surrounded it with cans of our love elixir in a heart shape!

For the final touch, we lined the ledge with cans of Diet Coke topped with a votive candle!  Our Coke Date was almost starting to look elegant!  By this time Andy was home and dinner was ready.

I got one shot of AK's plate while he generously filled our glasses with Diet Coke. Juicy and sweet, it really was a delicious and fun Valentine dinner!

Our little desserts turned out to be as darling as they were delicious!  Do you see that beautiful chocolate strawberry?  That was my valentine!  AK thoughtfully made these with Adelae - just for me! 

Any night is a good night for a Coke Date!


Want to know more about the real St. Valentines? Click here to listen and learn!