Fairies, Elves, Gnomes?

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No.

Friends.

Remember when I wondered if I were going to have time to make all new Jesse Tree ornaments?
Remember when Matilda suggested that the fairies might just do it for me?
Remember when I mentioned that the seasons table was draped in purple and ready for a surprise?
A surprise.
I had no idea.
I ordered a surprise for my children and it's on its way.
But...I got an unexpected surprise myself today and look what's on the table right now.

Seasons_table_014

Those very creative, talented, generous women who made so many, many beautiful ornaments for a Jesse Tree Craft Swap and shipped them all to Lorri for organizing and shipping made an extra set for me.

And they made me cry.

Today, I thank our good God for the gift of friends. (That's #10 on the gratitude list:-)

If you're local, you're in for a sweet treat!

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Mb2005014The Joan Izzo Academy of Dance presents "The Kingdom of Sweets" from the Nutcracker AND new this year:  "Holiday Rhythms: A Seasonal Medley of Movement and Sound" .  This is one combined production.    

Saturday, December 1st at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 2nd at 3:00 p.m.
 
All performances will be at Dominion High School in Sterling.
 
Tickets are $15/each, $13 for Girl Scouts and their families.  Tickets can be reserved/purchased by calling Peggy Lajoie at (703) 689-3205 
The Joan Izzo Academy of Dance presents "The Kingdom of Sweets Nutcracker Tea".
A special celebration--sandwiches, sweets, and tea (or juice) with a performance by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Sweets.  Every child will have the opportunity to meet the cast and will receive a special holiday gift.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local charities.
 
Saturday, December 8th, at 11:00 a.m.
To be held at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Chantilly.
 Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children--seating is limited.  Tickets can be reserved/purchased by calling Cheryl Kijewski at (703) 754-6016   

These are truly wonderful, family-friendly events--the perfect opportunity to introduce young children to the art of dance.  I hope to see you there!

More fairies and Christmas

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I have reviewed the Huron Carol before, but this year, I'm looking at it with fresh eyes. First, let me tell you a little about the Huron Carol:

"The HuronCarol" was created by Jean de Brebeuf, missionary to the Huron nation, some three hundred and fifty years ago. In it he described the Nativity in terms relevant to the native peoples. Thus, the three kings from the east bringing costly gifts were replaced by "Chiefs from far" with with gifts of fox and beaver pelt. The Bethlehem shepherds became "wondering hunters" and the humble Bethlehem stable "a lodge of broken bark. The essential message - of the miracle and promise of new life and new hope in the midst of dark and bitter winter - was very acceptable to the Huron people, and is one we can all share to-day.

 

It was so acceptable that, even after Jean de Brebeuf's death at the hands of the rival Iroquois, the destruction of the Ste. Marie settlement, and the dispersal of the remaining Huron people, they still celebrated the nativity each winter and kept the carol alive through the oral tradition. It was translated into French about one hundred years later, and into English in 1926."

The mother of the illustrator of my lovely version of the Huron Carol has directed me to the artist's website. There, I found more picture books, and fairy prints (including one called "Gypsy Caravan," which reminded me of my favorite Gypsy blog) and paper dolls. Best of all, check out the Fairy Gazette. It looks like Victoria went to Fairyland:-)Brew a cup of tea and click away. It's serendipitous delight!

Monday Night Football Geography Extension Activities

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November_2007_042It's back to Pittsburgh tonight for Monday Night Football. This is a fact that delights the people in this household because, thanks to a friend in Pittsburgh who reads this blog, we learned that Clark bars originated in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania: heaven for chocolate lovers! Thanks to Beth, we have a stash of candy for Pittsburgh Round 2. AND we can see what the papers had to say the morning after the last MNF in Pittsburgh!I am working on plans to extend our sports-location geography beyond Monday Night Football season. The playoffs look to be in Wisconsin (I hope;-), among other places. The Super Bowl is in Arizona. The Pro Bowl is in Hawaii. We'll visit the NCAA tournament sites and some NBA sites and some Major League Soccer and Baseball sites. We've got to visit fifty states (it may be a stretch, but hey, even Alaska has the Iditarod. I figure I can find some kind of sporting event in every state). Stay tuned and email me if your state has something to offer!