Favorite things...Just a picture I like... these are the boys and DH Bill on their recent hunting trip- they got rained out of their tent and had to spend the nights at a hotel. Now that sounds like more fun to me. DS Joe(16), DS Jacob(13), DH Bill, and DS Daniel(15). Their smiles are certainly a few of my favorite "things!"
Feast Days...
Every December, we celebrate what we call "Feast Days." We put the numbers 1-8 in a bowl and the children draw- to determine the order that they will be going in. We get out a calender to assign dates to each child and then they each meet with me- secretly- to plan their menu. The meals are usually very simple, but incredibly thought-out, as to what they think the other children might especially like. We read the book of Ester to show how a simple act of kindness can make a big difference. Then on each feast day- or the day before, I take each child out to shop for groceries and small simple gifts to give each of their "guests." They decide how they will set the table and how they will decorate the room. On the feast day, as they are preparing their meal- with a little help from Mom, we curtain off the kitchen so it will all be a surprise.
Jacob's Feast... was last night. He set out the best china and put pine on the table along with gold tinsel. He put 2 oil lamps on the table, also. He made fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans and rolls. Bottled sodas- remember when they were always in glass bottles? My kids get the biggest kick out of opening the bottles! Orange and Grape Crush. Another feast tradition is having appetizers- I think the children look forward to that as much as the meal. Why don't we have appetizers with our everyday suppers? Maybe because it would make the feast days less special;) Jacob sliced apples and served them with caramel sauce. His dessert was a big hit- butterfinger ice cream- (a 2 quart box of ice cream, a large box of coolwhip, and a gazillion chopped up butterfinger candybars.) He thought that one up, himself. Soooooo good. And simple. His gifts were those little pocket notebooks which he gussied up with stickers that had inspirational sayings on them. The kids loved them. They all are walking around today looking like little detectives taking notes!
Feast Days...
Every December, we celebrate what we call "Feast Days." We put the numbers 1-8 in a bowl and the children draw- to determine the order that they will be going in. We get out a calender to assign dates to each child and then they each meet with me- secretly- to plan their menu. The meals are usually very simple, but incredibly thought-out, as to what they think the other children might especially like. We read the book of Ester to show how a simple act of kindness can make a big difference. Then on each feast day- or the day before, I take each child out to shop for groceries and small simple gifts to give each of their "guests." They decide how they will set the table and how they will decorate the room. On the feast day, as they are preparing their meal- with a little help from Mom, we curtain off the kitchen so it will all be a surprise.
Jacob's Feast... was last night. He set out the best china and put pine on the table along with gold tinsel. He put 2 oil lamps on the table, also. He made fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans and rolls. Bottled sodas- remember when they were always in glass bottles? My kids get the biggest kick out of opening the bottles! Orange and Grape Crush. Another feast tradition is having appetizers- I think the children look forward to that as much as the meal. Why don't we have appetizers with our everyday suppers? Maybe because it would make the feast days less special;) Jacob sliced apples and served them with caramel sauce. His dessert was a big hit- butterfinger ice cream- (a 2 quart box of ice cream, a large box of coolwhip, and a gazillion chopped up butterfinger candybars.) He thought that one up, himself. Soooooo good. And simple. His gifts were those little pocket notebooks which he gussied up with stickers that had inspirational sayings on them. The kids loved them. They all are walking around today looking like little detectives taking notes!
What a lovely tradition, Nines!! Something that your children will always remember...and you have a houseful of lucky children--to have you as their Mom! :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful special thing to do with your children. I know they'll remember this forever. An incredible tradition we should all emulate. Maybe I'll try that with the grandchildren as soon as they are old enough - it'll be a few years as neither of them are born yet.
ReplyDeleteYou are passing on awesome traditions for your children to carry through to their future families. And the memories are priceless.
ReplyDeleteYay! I have been entertained by you all year just waiting for this year's feast days. Thanks for sharing once again.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED reading about all the feasts next year and I am so happy that you are going to share them again this year!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Evelyn
Oops - I meant LAST year, not next year, LOL! I was going to delete the comment, but then you have a space that says - deleted comment - and I always wonder myself what was deleted!
ReplyDelete-Evelyn
I am always amazed to read about the wonderful things you do with your family! Feast days are so special! Now after reading the comments, I am going to have to hit your archives and read about last years!!
ReplyDeleteYou really do have such a special family and you are passing on such wonderful traditions!
Nines, you have to be the world's best mom. I LOVE this Feast tradition. Oh to go back in time and implement some of these wonderful ideas with my kids. Now they're both adults; I've done my damage. But I can do better wtih the grandkids. I got a good chuckle out of Patti's comment... it'll be a while as they aren't born yet. That's me, too. Mine aren't even conceived nor are they yet even a twinkle in someone's eye.
ReplyDeleteJust last week I was thinking about you and wondering if you were going to blog about your feasts again this year. I loved reading about them last year. :o)
ReplyDeleteAnd where can you find pop in bottles still?!? I haven't seen those in YEARS!
Love the tradition of Feast Days, I look forward to reading about the next 7.
ReplyDelete