A Simple Woman's Daybook: December 2015

I'm joining hostess Peggy and friends over at...

FOR TODAY ~ December 2015

Outside my window...promising rain clouds.

I am thinking...about taking a walk, and then one everyday after that.

Past Years ~ Present Year

I have loved my old faithful artificial tree that has given my family much happiness and glow over the PAST YEARS...

However, this year, I had a strong desire to GO (real) GREEN....

The Immaculate Conception

"Hail, full of grace!  The Lord is with you."

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." 

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word."

~ Luke 1:26-38

December 8th

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Patronal Feastday of the United States of America

Long before the angel Gabriel spoke those words to Mary, she was preserved from original sin.   While Mary was in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, she was kept sinless by the virtue of the foreseen life and death of Christ.  This was the Immaculate Conception.  Mary was concieved without original sin.

What better vessel to house the Son of God.  Thank you, Mary.  Thank you for your fiat.  Thank you for your motherly love.

Little Women's Hospitality & Little Flowers Girls' Club

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

I am starting up a Little Women's Hospitality group, and I will be implementing all the virtues learned in the Little Flowers Girls Club.
The Little Flowers & Little Women's Hospitality Girls' Club:  Teaching young girls from the ages 5 and up, virtues through scripture and classic literature, using the Saints virtuous lives as an example, centered around the Catholic Faith.

credit

This has been on my heart for some time, and since my youngest daughter has just turned twelve, I am motivated to make it happen.  I thought I was done organizing or hosting any Girls' Club.  But, I was truly inspired by Jennifer over at Catholic Inspired, and after much prayer, I decided to give a another go.
I have found a lot of pretty crafts, and ideas for our meetings.  I cannot wait to share them!

We had our first meeting to discuss and plan, and I am happy to say that our group will officailly begin in 3 short weeks!

{happy}

The family helped my mom celebrate her 85th Birthday!
She requested a white cake with pineapple filling and whipped cream icing...
Butterfly created this yummy cake to specification.
I suggested she use crushed pineapple, lemon curd and whipped cream for the cake filling.  It was PERFECT!
HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY MOM!
I LOVE YOU!
Thank you for all that you have done for me and the family.
I hope to honor you always.

{funny}

Big brother finds little sisters creation...some mild teasing ensued...the glove-hen-head was popped shortly thereafter (and not by big brother).  I love Little Lamb's creativity.

{real}

credit

I have been doing a lot of research, planning and PINNING.  What ever did I do before Pinterest???...and I accompished so much more before Pinterest!!!  It can be a useful tool, or disadvantageous.  Anyway, so many great and wonderful ideas are being compiled for our Little Women's Hospitality group meetings.
I am going to be checking out this tool for teaching Communication Skills and Etiquette ideas.

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

Weekly Weekday Wardrobe: Early Autumn

Taking the wonder out of my mornings...

MONDAY

All Souls Day

November 1st

Prayer for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

English

V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

R. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.

And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Latine

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.

Credit

We were blessed with much needed rain and a beautiful sky and multiple rainbows.  God hears our prayers.  Please pray.

The Heavenly Jerusalem

A blessed All Saint's Day!

All Hallow's Eve gives us a moment of Hope.  There is excitement and joy.

We can all look towards our Heavenly Home...

With each piece of candy that you enjoy...let it remind you of the sweetness of the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Celebrating All Hallow's Eve and All Saints day, domestically, has changed over the years.  We can still find that excitement and joy that remind us of the Hope of Heaven.

How do you celebrate All Hallow's Eve and All Saints Day?