more flakes

the flurries turned into flakes

Crazy weather.
Foils the plans.

wet flurries....

A change in the weather is coming. Snow flurries and then the weather will turn drier and colder... -10 degrees. Oh yes. Winter is coming. It is pouring rain right now.

Pray for my parents who are driving to the Lower Mainland from the Okanagan.

a book I want to read

things we do

One quite Monday morning I found this blog http://www.blackbird17.blogspot.com/ - link is not working...
But, I like the idea of listing the things we do do.

- get to bed at a reasonable hour
- drink water daily
- eat balanced meals at home together
- eat non medicated meat products
- shop locally
- buy bulk
- pray before eating
- read - everyone reads -
- visit the library regularly
- walk the dog
- extreme limits on tv time
- music lessons
- dance lessons

I am thankful for my friends and family who love and support me.

the project

on feasting and fasting

I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to
gluttony, and about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I
shall say nothing on my own account, but only what I have received
from the Holy Fathers. They have not given us only a single rule
for fasting or a single standard and measure for eating, because
not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of
body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal:
to avoid over-eating and the filling of our bellies... A clear
rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop
eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are
satisfied.

St. John Cassian


We are preparing for the the Nativity Fast - part of that preparation is talking about it ahead of time - mental preparation. I find keeping the Fast during Advent much more difficult than during Lent. It is completely counter cultural to abstain before Christmas. I also believe that it holds more impact and spiritual punch with my children. We Feast to celebrate the Incarnation. But, I am also a firm believer of accepting hospitality as it is offered. So, we don't purposefully go out and indulge in non Fasting foods; yet we don't go on and on about how "we" are fasting and can't possibly eat what is offered.

The whole issue of food and eating is one I have struggled with over the years. Right now I am of the belief that my kids will not starve - no kidding - or suffer terribly consequences if they don't eat dinner right at 5pm. It is far more important to me that we eat together at the table rather than having them eat at 5pm. Time around the table allows for conversation.

I am interested in what others have to say on this topic.