The Epiphany

Happy Epiphany!

Do people say "Happy Epiphany!" Dear Reader? I've never heard anyone say that.

Epiphany is the day that some Christians celebrate the Magi visiting the infant Jesus and bringing him special gifts. It's more important in some families than in others.

Joe remembers his family leaving the Christmas decorations up until after Epiphany. He remembers the holiday being mentioned at Sunday mass, though it wasn't a Holy Day of Obligation. My mom calls Epiphany the Orthodox Christmas, and she always left our Christmas decorations up until then. Some people actually celebrate Christmas that day, especially Greeks and other eastern Europeans.

My dear friend, Julia, celebrates the Feast of the Three Kings on Epiphany, and it is one of her family's most special traditions. The children always set their shoes outside before bed time, and when they wake in the morning, the shoes are filled with treats and gifts. For Julia's Catholic family, Epiphany is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Epiphany is the end of the twelve days of Christmas, for what it's worth, and it's Little Christmas in Ireland. Other cultures around the world have special customs for Epiphany, ranging from a special food or meal to giving and receiving gifts to a costumed parade (something like Trick or Treating in the US).

I would like to commemorate Epiphany (obviously starting next year, since things got a little hectic this year), and I would like to hear your suggestions, Dear Reader. Do you celebrate the day? What do you do?

Happily to submitted to Works for Me Wednesday because I'm hoping you'll tell me what works for you

Sharing wonderful

When I was little, my family lived across the road and through the field from my Grandma. She didn't have a swing or a swimming pool or any of the fancy things I think Gracie needs now, and I never missed them.

In fact, those were the best days.

During our Christmas travels, I took Joe and Gracie exploring (on foot! I didn't make that mistake twice.) around Grandma's yard and nearby fields.


We found my favorite tree, the bouncy tree with the long branches that bounce when you jump up and down on them.

The limb my sister and I jumped on has since gotten too long to support itself; it's "hanging" on the ground. Instead, we found a higher branch for Gracie to bounce on. She laughed and laughed. It was wonderful, just like I remembered.


From there, Joe, Gracie, and I walked up into the field, exploring the tall grasses, the dead leaves, the tweeting birdies, the walnuts, and everything else we could find.

I love the country. It's a wonderful place to be.


Grace was really confused by the walnut hulls. The thick skins make them look less like nuts and more like black tennis balls.

Grace thought the same thing. She laughed when I rolled them to her. She chased them across the yard, yelling, ball! ball!

It was a great way to spend the day after Christmas, sharing wonderful with my husband and our fiesty kiddo.

Happily submitted to Wordless Wednesday, 5 minutes for Mom, The Not-So-Blog Blog, Punky Monkey's, Stay at Home Mom, Wordful Wednesday, Go Graham Go, and Moomette's Mama Mentor Blog

Banana Sour Cream Cake

We buy a lot of bananas at the Feels like Home house. Grace loves them, and she always has. I like them, too, and so does Joe.

Occasionally, though, a banana will expire. You just know when it's happened.

I hate to throw food away, though, so I like to put the soggy banana into something I'm about to bake. They're good in French Toast, brownies, cakes, and just about everything else I've ever mashed them into.

Be careful about having too much moisture if you add mashed banana to an existing recipe. You have to play with that a little.

I haven't tried this recipe yet, and I'm not sure where I found it, but it looks good to me.

Banana Sour Cream Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup mashed banana (about 3)
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ cup oil
• 8 oz cream cheese
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 16 oz powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
• 1 cup walnut pieces, finely chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350.
   
2. Beat cake mix, eggs, bananas, sour cream, and oil with mixer on low until moistened, scraping bottom of the bowl often. Beat on medium 2 minutes.
3. Pour into greased and floured 13x9-inch pan. Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack.
4. Beat cream cheese and butter with mixer on medium until blended. Gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition.
5. Remove cake from pan. Carefully cut cake crosswise in half using serrated knife.
6. Place one cake half, top-side down, on platter; spread with frosting. Top with remaining cake half, top-side up. Frost top and sides.
7. Press nuts onto sides and sprinkle over top.
8. Refrigerate leftovers.

I'm happy to submit this post for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Living Life One Day at a Time, and Kitchen Tips Tuesday

Build A Bear Giveaway: A winner!

I have read all of the stuffed animal posts, as well as the comments listed below. Joe was not a willing participant this time around, and I could not hardly pick a favorite post amongst my Dear Friends and Dear Readers, so I looked to Random.org for some help.

Before I share that number, I would like to say that I loved the posts written by Adrienne and Susan. If you haven't already, you should pay both of them a visit.

I also loved the post that ended up being the winner. It's simply adorable, and I laughed out loud when it first loaded on my laptop screen.

The winner is The Angel Forever. I've contacted her, and she has 7 days to get me her shipping info.

Congratulations, The Angel Forever! I hope you'll show us what you get with your gift card!

Zenses Giveaway for Nintendo DS: A winner!

My Zenses Giveaway for Nintendo DS giveaway has ended. I would like to again thank The Family Review Network and The Game Factory, who sponsored this contest.


The winner is collyn23. I've emailed her, and she has 7 days to contact me.

Congratulations, collyn23! I hope you enjoy the games!

Things to write home about 1/4/09

Sorry, Dear Readers, but the comments will be moderated until further notice. The up side is that you won't have to do that dumb letter recognition thing anymore, but your comments won't appear right away.

I've had a request for a button - something like "Featured on Things to Write Home About." What do you think?

I have a lot of gems to share this week, Dear Reader, partly because it's been two weeks since I last posted my notes. I hope you enjoy them!

Homegrown: Advice on Parenting & Families

• This isn't a blog, but I was delighted to find dozens of free Sesame Street videos online. You can even search by your favorite character. You know, for those times when your kid says "ErnieErnieErnieErnie," or some such phrase.
• PhD in Parenting has an overview of Attachment Parenting
• Tami at OhDeeOh has a great photo gallery of Do-It-Yourself play kitchens, a topic obviously close to my heart
• Alli at Mrs. Fussypants shared suggestions for spoiling your children (not a typo - go read the article; it's great)
• Amy, the ResourcefulMommy, posted an informative article about being a Work At Home Mom at Women's Wellness and Integrated Social Health
• Robyn at Robyn's Online World posted a beautiful tribute to her Grandma
• Heather at Maternal Spark posted a nice list of quotes from moms
  

Home Cooking: Recipes & Kitchen Tips

• Megan at Not Martha posted an illustrated tutorial for Jello fruit slices, and Jenny at The Reckless Chef made them into Jello shooters.
• the Lylah blog reminds us about the dirty dozen - foods that you should always buy organic
• Diana at Cookerati posted a recipe for Orange Pudding Cakes that looks divine
• Stef at The Cupcake Project posted a recipe for Homemade Graham Crackers
• Lori at The Wooden Spoon posted a recipe for Orange Poundcake
• Steph at Live.Love.Eat. shared a recipe for Amaretto Truffle Bars and a healthier one (though no less delicious, I'm sure) for chicken tortilla bake
• Joe at Daddy Dorkus posted his best Cheese Fondue recipe
  

Homemaking: Keeping Your House Running

• Genna Cockerham wrote about reducing paper waste in the kitchen at Suite 101
• Margaret from A Way to Garden says toss your poinsettia in an informative article about plant gifts
• Lori at The Recipe Girl posted a brilliant tip for organizing your spices
• Dawn from Painter Mommy shared a tip for keeping winter gloves organized
  

Homespun: Crafts & Other Projects

• Miranda from Keeper of the Cheerios posted a huge list of tutorials and patterns for making felt food. Joe and I are making a lot of felt food these days for Gracie's kitchen.
• The Crunchy Parent posted more felt food ideas and patterns
  
• Marie at Make and Takes has a tutorial for a homemade tutu

Have you post something this week that was worth writing Home about? Send me the link, and maybe you'll see it here next Sunday!

Hope for my baby girl

It's hard for me to remember the Gracie Anna who was ever so small and motionless.

It would have been impossible for me then to imagine her now, so independent and vibrant and full of personality.

Equally so, I can't picture her at her high school graduation or college commencement. I believe she'll be wildly successful at whatever she does, and I hope it makes her as happy as I am right now.

The PhotoHunt theme this week is hope.