Home-Laid Nativity Set

Yes, you read it right. I am making a home-laid Nativity set from blown eggs!

What I have made so far. Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus and 2 of the wise men.
The stable is from The Dollar Tree. (I have no idea why they sell only
these little wooden stable, but no figurines!)

The happy couple, before delivery. (When I added this picture, the computer went
wacko, so the pic is a little wonky!)

Two of the 3 wise men.

This is not my original idea, I saw 2 blog posts over at Homestead Revival's Barn Hop #89 that showed egg Nativity scenes, and I just knew I had to make one for our family! Both the Chicken Chick and Fresh Eggs Daily posted how to make the Nativity set. Fresh Eggs Daily also shows some other Christmas crafts to make with eggs that are just lovely and I want to make, too!

I have wanted a Nativity set for a couple of years now, and either I couldn't find a set that I liked or it was out of our budget. I was originally going to make one out of the old fashioned clothespins, but I love the blown egg ones better. And I think I would have agonized more over the clothespin ones and it would have taken me much longer. And I wasn't sure how to make them stand up.

So, last night as our turkey soup was simmering away, I blew out the eggs and cleaned them. Then I cooked up scrambled eggs for the kitties, who normally will eat eggs, but of course didn't this time. Stinkers. Anyways, this morning I gathered up all the trimmings and fabrics I thought I would use and also found the little wooden discs that I glued the eggs to. It makes them nice an stable and will make it easier to add the "characters" to the scene. I'm going to put the manger on the shelf of our family faith wall, where Mary and Joseph will travel around the living room during Advent until Christmas Eve. Then I'll have one of the children put the manger in the stable, and Christmas morning we'll put Baby Jesus in the manger. I would like to do a devotional each night as a family as we move Mary and Joseph closer to their destination. I think it will make the Nativity more exciting for the kids, and make it more alive for them as well.

I'll be posting some more Christ centered Christmas crafts soon. I've been pretty busy getting things together to make crafts with the kids, so there is much to post. Hope you have a lovely day, Friends!

Many Blessings,
Kelly

Pancake Tuesday, Mardi Gras and/or Shrove Tuesday

Our morning started with chocolate chip pancakes.

The kiddos and I sat down to these lovelies and added some butter and, of course, Daddy's homemade syrup.

After chores we had craft time. We made crowns and masks for Mardi Gras.

These are the boys' crowns.

Mimi got in on the action when she dropped of our King's Cake that we're having for dessert. I'll share pics of that later, she did a beautiful job of it!

This is a cat toy for Miss Merlin. I did some sewing in the afternoon. I'll show the fruits of that labor in a very near future post. Prissy cat didn't even care for her toy. It's stuffed with our last sprig of homegrown catnip. I put pretty, tantalizing ribbons on it. Humph!

This was our table for dinner. I got the coins and center piece at the dollar store. The table runner was one of the fruits of labor mentioned above.

I also took some time to work on our family faith wall for Lent. I got the Alleluia out so that we can bury it tomorrow, for Ash Wednesday. I'll post more about our family faith wall and preparing for Lent.

Well, that's our day! I'm off to have some King's Cake with my family. Have a lovely evening, Friends.
Blessings,
Kelly

Decorating for Christmas: Just the Beginning!

It seems as if nature is decorating for Advent, with shades of pink and purple.

Our Advent wreath, with two friends to help celebrate. Of course, shortly after taking this picture I remembered that I had a large clear glass candle plate to put under the wreath to catch drips!

The Nativity window clings on the dining room window just above the Advent wreath.

The shelf on our Family Faith wall. I've had this angel for years and she's actually out all year long. I'll be putting a tea light in to burn in the evenings to make her glow.

I changed out the artwork and framed Scripture. I like to have verses from the Old Testament prophecies and then verses from the New Testament fulfilling by Jesus.

I'm extremely cheap frugal when it comes artwork for our home. This is actually from a calendar that I bought for $1 at my local Hallmark store. The Scripture quote is covering the part where "2010" is printed. (probably to deter people like me from using it for artwork! Showed them!)

My afternoon project while the chickens were out. Wheels cut the little trees and branches for me, and then I "arranged" them in my planters. Of course, I still need to take down the corn stalks and fall wreaths, but this is just the start!


Have a wonderful evening, all! I'll be back tomorrow for "DoN't WiNg It wEdNeSdAy" post, where I'll be talking, er, typing about Christmas treats, Advent traditions and share a recipe or two. Hope to see you back here!
Blessings,
Kelly