Victoria Magazine

My very dear friend, Dee Ann, at Grace At Home has blogged on some news that has us both on cloud nine together. For years now we have lamented the demise of Victoria magazine, the only magazine that made the day it was received into something special. A quiet respite of beautiful images and lovely articles. A celebration of the beauty in life.

I have often wondered how it could have failed. It's one of the only magazines that are no longer published that I see blogged about again and again. With this many devoted fans...how could it have failed? Well, through a joint venture of Hoffman Media and Hearst Publications it is returning this October. So many have blogged about this but I have heard that whether or not it continues will be determined by the number of subscribers so I'm doing my part to get the word out. Keep your eyes out for it!

More Praiseworthy Video: Jot the Dot

The animated short Jot the Dot appeared on my local television station's afternoon Children's show (anyone remember those?) in the early 70's. Jot was created in 1964 and aired all over the world teaching short bible lessons to kids. I remember these vividly and loved them. I have looked for them for years and just ran across a couple on YouTube, a site with some praiseworthy elements, but also a lot of unpraiseworthy elements so beware. In the comments section I found out the a video can be purchased here. Meanwhile I hope you enjoy the two I found on YouTube.

Bayeux Tapestry

For those who may be studying the Middle Ages as we are this year you may want to show your children this YouTube video. If you do, make the image full screen because, unfortunately, people who leave comments on YouTube don't always make those comments family friendly. But in full screen mode (done by clicking on the icon at the lower right of the image that looks like a rectangle within a rectangle) you can watch the video without your children seeing indecent comments. I thought this video was fun, educational and helped to reinforce the main points of the Battle of Hastings.

Free Cones at Ben and Jerry's!!

I LOVE Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. So I was thrilled to learn they were offering free cones on tax day, April 17th. I was even more excited to go here and discover there is actually a shop close to me. Check it out yourself and celebrate with something free on tax day.

Storybook Woods Giveaway!!

One of my favorite bloggers is Clarice of Storybook Woods. She is a fellow homeschooler who fills her world with beauty. I remember when she started her blog and I've enjoyed it ever since. As a celebration of her one year blogiversary she is giving away some fun things. Run over to her blog and check it all out!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!

Easter Garden

My good friend, The Jacobite Rose, gave instructions last year for making an Easter Garden on her old blog. It's very simple and she gave step by step instructions with pictures. You basically make a small replica of Jesus' tomb with rocks. The rock that covers the entrance is rolled away on Easter morning. It's a great activity to do with your children. It was so memorable for my children that they begged me to do it again this year. Even though it is now Saturday I'm going to do it with my children today. It is so wonderful to see their excitement when they see the open tomb on Sunday morning.

Good Friday and Hot Cross Buns

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks for me and even thought I've shared a lot of recipes lately...I'm going to share more! Hot Cross Buns are traditional food for good Friday. They are marked with a cross to remember our Lord and Savior's death on this day. In the past I have used this recipe with success. A good friend tells me that in England the cross is made on the top of the roll with a paste of flour and water. But, my goodness, icing could only be better!!! My children love this recipe and look forward to making them with me.

Other activities this week were to read the account of Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday together as a family on Sunday night, dying Easter Eggs and then taking some to people we love, and tomorrow we will make lamb cookies according to my mother's tradition. Just a sugar cut out cookie frosted with white with a snipped raisin or a dried current for the eye. Yummy. We died our Easter eggs using this kit by Easter Unlimited called Easter Sunday Egg Decorating Kit. It had great Christian decals that my kids enjoyed. Sorry I don't have a picture though. Another fun place to visit is http://www.tentwostudios.com/countdown/ for her Easter countdown of paper ephemera downloads.

In movies I'm planning to watch the Ten Commandments, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Passion and maybe the Gospel of John too. For books I love Easter Bunny Are You For Real. There is also a book in this series about Santa Claus that is excellent. I highly recommend them both.

I hope you are having a wonderful week preparing for Easter with your family as well. I'd love to hear what you are doing.