7 Quick Takes Friday

Courtesy the invitation of Jen from Conversion Diary.

I am loving this week off from the children’s formal studies and am using it to catch up on all my lesson-planning DVD-viewing. I am nearly finished with this series, alas, and must savor the last two episodes. Are you as fond of war movies as I? Or do you avoid them like the plague? If you are of the latter persuasion, I will also admit to having enjoyed several DVDs from this series this past week. (Another one is due to arrive this afternoon.) A bit of grit here, a bit of schmaltz there. I like to keep my life in balance.

It is good that I’ve had a good movie or two to lean on, because this stomach bug that has come to call has been one heck of a bad boy—industrial-strength and sneaky. It makes itself known to the current victim—once or twice or maybe a handful of times—and then goes into hiding for the next twelve hours and/or until the bucket is left out of reach. Poor Cate. Poor Mom. Poor bedroom wall & pajamas & bedding & stuffed animals. Poor little sisters who share the room.

(Did you know, though, that you can throw stuffed animals into the washer & dryer? They came out fluffy clean and smelling of Downy! All’s well that washes well!)

On to more savory subjects. Here is a family photo taken by Joe before our Thanksgiving dinner.

Ellie was beyond herself in disbelief when she was called over to the table for a picture. Having then been sent out the kitchen while we ate (as is the rule), she spent the remainder of the meal in turkey vulture mode.

Also, please note that we do not require our guests to wear babushkas at every meal. That was strictly Felicity’s choice.

Most of us looked like this at one point or another on Thanksgiving Day, though I’ll admit I needed a bigger berth.

It was not so bad, ordering KFC for Thanksgiving. In order to assuage my mommy guilt, though, I still felt compelled to make a handful of side dishes (including this one) and a couple of pies.

I can’t help but think that the time saved by buying those pre-made pie crusts is totally not worth it. Or maybe it’s just my baking! In any case, I found this crust recipe online and am very, very tempted to give it a try, even if it means trading a year of my oldest son’s college tuition for the cost of that almond flour. And I do mean very tempted. Stay tuned.

Speaking of pie, Felicity had these thoughts to share on yesterday’s dessert: “I don’t like cherry pie. One, the cherries roll around. Two, I just don’t like it.” This from the same kid who said, “Do you know why I don’t like oatmeal? Because it has oats in it.”

Joe and I stopped by Michael’s on Wednesday to buy our Advent candles. We followed the smell of cinnamon-scented wax and arrived at the appropriate section of the store, where there were boxes and boxes of every color except lavender and pink. Every color. On the way out we saw a beautifully assembled Advent wreath and I considered—temporarily—snatching the candles and running. Instead, I approached a nearby clerk and asked if they had any Advent candles in stock. She said…yes! and showed me the seasonal display where indeed, I found several boxes of this precious, precious commodity. I briefly thought about exercising restraint…and then promptly bought the store out.

(Okay, I’m only kidding. In reality I bought two sets.)

And finally, speaking of candles, my husband has resumed his once-upon-a-time hobby of candle making. He makes beautiful sets of pillars in a variety of heights—cinnamon-scented, yes, but also bayberry and lavender. I help him match the fragrance to the colors and then go into hiding as the smells overpower the kitchen. I’m pregnant. Enough said.

Visit Jen at Conversion Diary to see all the entries from today’s 7 Quick Takes Friday. (Scroll down to the bottom of the post, and do include your own if you join in.)

All for the greater glory of God,