A Season of Contemplation: A Couch Adventure
Couch Talk
We are still experiencing a busy season and crafty time has been limited. I did sit and make a few Christmas cards this morning but I forgot to photograph them before sending them out in the mail. I also made a few stamps to join in the #carvedecemberchallenge hosted by Julie Balzer but I have yet to make anything with them so hopefully next week I will have more crafty things to share.
During the Christmas season, I get so caught up with busyness that I tend to lose the reason for all the joy. This year I have been joining in an advent study by Dee Brestin. She has amazing studies on her blog. If you need some encouragement during this difficult time or just want something to help you reflect on the meaning of the season, check out her free study HERE. I have found it to be very uplifting.
The Little Chef
As you can tell, my little that likes to bake has been busy. He is not yet able to complete everything without assistance so I am present throughout the (virtual) class to help clarify instructions and help where needed.
Last week, my son made candy cane cookies in his Baking from Scratch class. They are sugar cookies twisted into candy canes and dusted with peppermint.
For my son’s Dinner in December class, he made Pasta al Limone, chicken breast and garlic bread.
On the menu this week in his baking classes are brown butter blondies, pumpkin spice hot chocolate, and Italian sugar cookies. Yum! I can’t wait to sample all of these.
Sketching
I had a little extra time to sketch this week so I am making a little more progress on this image. I am struggling to get the right texture for her skin. It appears too smooth to me.
Tea Day
I am joining the T ladies, hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard. My tea today is a white peach. White tea is my favorite and I love the dried pieces of peach.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Hi Kate, I just love that your children are enjoying cooking and baking in the kitchen. I grew up doing that and have always loved it-especially cooking baking for others. Thanks for the link will check it out. Happy T Kathy
Your son is a fantastic cook, wow! Love your drawing, too. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
Hmmm, I´m very hungry for pasta now! Great your kids learn this, I only did now…
Look at all the delicious food! Yum! Yes, sometimes it’s hard to just sit down, do nothing and just enjoy Christmas time. Hope you find the time for a cup of tea and a cookie. 🙂
Your tree looks beautiful. Those must be wonderful cooking lessons.
be safe… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing that link. I’m going to add it to my blog, and read it in its entirety after I’m done leaving comments for everyone. (So far, I like what I read.) And thank you for being positive, which has helped uplift my spirits. Your Christmas tree is beautiful. (Teddy said to tell you he loves the bear angel ornament.) Your son’s cooking endeavors look delicious, especially that garlic bread. Your sketch looks very good. Happy T-Day!
And I thought I would share this quote, which your post reminded me of, and which has helped me in the past:
Let nothing disturb thee;
Let nothing dismay thee;
All things are passing.
God never changes.
Patient endurance
Attains all that it strives for.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila
Ohhhh what a spread and so glad you kids are doing all of this. Your drawing is coming a long beautifully. Skin is difficult. It is for me any way. LOL Just keep drawing. Have a very nice day.
Your tree is beautiful. I also like the little bear and all those other lovely ornaments. How sweet your son is able to cook and bake so well. It looks like he is on his way to becoming a first rate chef. I hope he continues to pursue this in the future. Your tea looks and sounds so yummy. I need to get some of my fruity teas out in time for Christmas.
Thanks for sharing your tree, your son’s baking and cooking, and your tea with us for T this Tuesday, dear Kate.
Thank you for pointing me to Dee’s blog. I really like the look of that contemplation (and the beautiful poem). Thanks.
How wonderful that your son is so enthusiastic about baking and cooking! Those are fun classes. Home schooling is full of teaching opportunities anyway. My dad was a teacher and whenever we went out, even in our own neighborhood, dad would have something to point out to us, be it trees or plants, or the lay-out of the streets in our area (geography lesson), or car brands (other countries, more geography, bit of economics), or he’d ask us to remember something we had seen and then draw it when we got home. Or he’d hum a tune and we would have to stamp a rhythm with our feet, or make up some words as we were walking etc You get the drift. If we went out as a family, we would be asked to remember where the car was parked. He would tell us to look back, as that is what we would see when we came back. And also to look for land marks or remember the street name. To this day I do those things.
Your tree looks so pretty and your tea (white?, it doesn’t look white) very interesting.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
The cooking class sounds like something I’d benefit from 🙂 The results look so tasty! Happy T Tuesday!
So lovely to see your beautiful Christmas tree! I bet you and the kids had fun picking it out and it’s decorated so beautifully, loving the train track around the bottom too 😁. Great bakes and your sketching is amazing! Happy T Day wishes! Hugs, Jo x
Your tree is delightful! I’m loving these tall skinny trees I have been seeing. May rethink mine as it’s getting close to having to replace;)
Look at all this yummy food and treats-so impressive! Love the candy cane twists- well done!
Enjoy, and happy T day!
Wonderful that your little guy like to bake and cook, and the food looks awesome. I can barely draw stick figures so your portrait is amazing. Happy T Day
Thank you for the link to the Advent study by Dee Brestin. I love the song.
Sunday, Dee asked what words stand out. For me, “Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings … Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice.” I sing in our choir and frequently it gives me very special feelings of love, gratitude and closeness to God.
Your tree looks beautiful. I love all the toys around and beneath.
Your little chef is pretty amazing! Yum.
Your sketch is coming along great. Her skin doesn’t look smooth at all to me. I know you’re working from an image. Doesn’t the image have “I” lines between her eyebrows and perhaps a horizontal crease across the bridge of the nose. Those lines are very aging. Don’t ask me how I know. 😉
Happy T-day! Stay safe and well. Hugs, Eileen
Your tree is really pretty and your son is doing a fabulous job baking and cooking! The bible study looks encouraging and manageable to complete, I might give it a go. It’s great that you fitting in a few crafts and sketching too ~ Enjoy the season!
Your tree is beautiful Kate. It sounds like you have been busy. I agree it is too easy to get too busy at this time of year. I still have Christmas cards to write, and I actually have time right now. And you little chef is amazing. Lucky you, and what nice experience to help him. Hope it was a great T day and have a nice week. Hugs-Erika