Why Do We Have Pancake Day, Miss?

One of my pupils asked me that last week.

Cue for my five minute lesson on Lent...

Do you know why Christians celebrate at Easter? It’s about Jesus dying and stuff, isn’t it? [that's a positive start, I thought]

 

Good Friday/Easter is a very important time of the year for Christians – and another part of the story of Jesus is about how he spent 40 days preparing himself for the work he had to do – like teaching and healing and miracles, and of course, the crucifixion.

Christians have traditionally used the 40 days before Easter to understand God better, and prepare themselves to serve Him and stop doing bad stuff and do more good stuff. One way to concentrate more on God is to concentrate less on food – so they used to stop eating ‘fancy’ food, and just live on a simple diet of water and vegetables.

No meat, no cream, no butter. That’s a bit dull Miss! Yes, but if you know you are getting a dull meal, you stop thinking about that, and concentrate more on other things, like how good God is!

Now, in the olden days, nobody had fridges and freezers, so they had to eat up all the fancy foods beforehand or they would go to waste – you couldn’t keep cream or meat for 6 weeks. They called these 40 days ‘Lent’ which means ‘lengthen’, because the days were starting to get longer as Spring came. So just before these 40 days started they ate up all the goodies in a big feast.

What do we call animals that eat meat? Carnivores Exactly – and ‘carne’ is the Latin word for meat [like chilli con carne]

In countries where there were lots of Catholics, who used the Latin language, they said “Goodbye meat” – which is “Carne Vale” – so they call it Carnival Time. And in Venice and Brazil and other places, they will be having carnival celebrations and feasts.

And can you remember what the French word is for Tuesday? Mardi That’s right, so where they speak French, it is called ‘Mardi Gras’ or ‘Fat Tuesday’ – the day they eat up the fats, the butter and cream. There’s always a big Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans in the USA.

But here in England, we just use up the eggs and butter to make pancakes. Which isn’t quite as lively and colourful, but never mind! Sometimes people have Pancake Races.

So that’s why we have Pancakes on Pancake Day – and in the old days, Christians knew that was their last exciting food until Easter Sunday, when they would eat meat and eggs again, and celebrate Jesus resurrection and coming alive again.

Now many children just look forward to Easter Day because of the chocolate eggs.

And that’s what Pancake Day is all about.

I didn’t know ANY of that before, Miss! Well, you do now!!

…and so do you! Will you be eating Pancakes tonight?

This Little Piggy Went To Market…

I have been busy making costumes for school – five little piggies! I was given two large pink cloaks from a previous production and asked to turn them into 5 pigs’ outfits – each one being a tabard and a mask.

I did most of the sewing on my overlocker, with ask details on my regular machine. The fabric was a rather horrid slippery pink crimplene type stuff- neither of my machines liked it very much!

The tabards are just two rectangles [with side tabs at the hips – no side seams or fastening, and a slit at the neck]

The masks were from a pig face I found on the internet – three layers – back, wadding and front – this gives some stiffness but without being uncomfortable. I zigzagged round the eyes then cut out the holes. Then I sewed lengths of elastic to hold the masks in place. I used white buttons on ovals of pink felt for the nostrils [you can just see the brown thread stitching them into place]

The curly pigtails were simply pipecleaners threaded into a tube of fabric, and curled round an ordinary household candle to get the spiral shape. These will pin onto the tabards with safety pins [that means the tabards can be multi purpose]

I wanted to make history…

…but I ended up making costumes!

That’s Not My Reflection!

Do you know this wonderful series of Touchy-Feely Usborne books?

There are loads in the series and they are great fun.

I am thinking of producing one called “That’s not my reflection…” Whenever I walk past a mirror I find myself doing a double take – I do not look like ‘me’ anymore!

…On Friday I went to the hairdressers. I have had my hair trimmed just once in the past two years [We Have A Mortgage!] but it really was getting straggly and unmanageable. I decided that a preaching engagement followed by a modelling assignment meant I ought to make a bit of an effort as Mum would have said. Having established the missing £1000 was safely in the bank, and before it all got spent on dull bills, I rang the hairdressers and they said “9.15 tomorrow?” and I said “Yes, please” quickly, before I chickened out again.

Now I am going to be incredibly brave and post before and after pictures. I get very annoyed with magazines who print ‘before’ in grotty dress, sans make-up, in poor light, and then ‘after’ in posh frock, wrinkles painted over [or even air-brushed out] it seems vaguely dishonest.

So here is me immediately before I went to the shop and immediately I came in again. Both pictures taken in same spot in dining room, same outfit, still without make-up. Same spot on chin too!

Before [decidedly anxious]

After [a little more relaxed]

Thus far, the reactions have been positive. Thank you Fiona at Kool For Kuts [why do hairdressers go in for silly names like that?]

Bob has been spending too – we now have a new laptop. Should I get him a copy of this book do you think?

Stir Us Up To Prayer

Today after church we are having a meeting for those involved with the Youth Work. We are taking packed lunches. So I put two yogurts in my box and then hunted for a couple of teaspoons as well [yes we do have teaspoons at church, but I thought it was easier to have my own with me!] I dug out two small ones from the drawer. I had completely forgotten this one [even though it was out at Christmas for the pickles]

This spoon was a gift from a friend who visited New Zealand. You can just about work out the picture – it is the Cathedral in Christchurch – now sadly in pieces. My spoon has become even more precious now.

I was very moved by the words of the Archbishop, to the journalist, immediately after the earthquake “So how do you feel, now your church has been destroyed”

The reply was instant “The building is damaged – but the church is the people and they are strong in their faith”

This story on the BBC website yesterday was good news too…

Unexpectedly finding the spoon in the cutlery drawer this morning has reminded me that we need to go on praying for our friends on the other side of the world, as they rebuild their lives.

May God continue to keep their faith strong

Listen To The Word

Do you know the wonderful story of Mary Jones and her Bible? read it here or watch the clip below

Since 1804, the Bible Society has done some fabulous work, promoting the reading of the Bible throughout the world. The website says “The Bible Society exists because millions lack the Bible in a language they can understand, in a form they can use or at a price they can afford.”

This year, they have set up a special Bible reading project for Lent, entitled “You’ve got the Time”. We are planning to follow this here in our fellowship – some of us using podcasts, others will have CDs, and others will just read the set passages for the day. And we will be discussing what we have learned in Housegroups and Sunday services

“You will be enriched and inspired as you listen to the whole of the New Testament for just 28 minutes a day over 40 days.
Whether you’re on a lunch break, at the gym, walking the dog or doing the shopping – with You’ve Got the Time, the Bible can fit into your busy day.”

The readings are produced by those gifted people at the Riding Lights Theatre Company. And all the resources are free- but the Bible Society ask that people make a donation to the Society's “Faith Comes By Hearing “ Project.

Hearing the Word round the world

If you want to get to know the Bible better during Lent, check out these helpful resources. If you are reading this – that means you can read, and that you have access to all that the Internet has to offer. thank God for those two great blessings – why not consider spending less time reading blogs and more time reading His Word during Lent ?!

Lenten Giveaways

For some years, I have made Lent not a time to ‘give up’ but rather a time to ‘give away’. Among other Lenten activities** this year, I’m going to do a blog giveaway on each of the 7 Wednesdays in Lent

I have decided to ‘theme’ them, so you can enter for all, or just the ones which fit in with your activities. Nothing terribly valuable – but they may be useful bits and pieces for you. I shall show a picture each week but there will also be a small ‘added extra’ in each parcel which has not been on the photo!

Sharp eyes will have spotted that there are seven Wednesdays in Lent, and only six labels above. Somehow I omitted the “Cardmaking Collection” tag from the picture!

The first giveaway will be listed on Ash Wednesday – March 9th

**Floss is organising a Pause In Lent again, so that’s my Sunday blogposts sorted.

My Daughter Making A Difference!

Liz is spending two months on a charity placement, sponsored by Vodafone. Here is her first report…

A few words from me...I'm so excited to be taking part in World of Difference, and to have a chance to find out more about the charity I'm working with, The Brooke. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in!

 

Horses and donkeys and mules, oh my!

Looking back at the end of my first week of the World of Difference programme, it’s been both exciting and exhausting. A little over a week ago, I was clearing my desk in preparation for the two months I’d be spending away from my regular job, and now I’m getting stuck into my project. For the next two months I’ll be working with The Brooke, supporting their communications team as they work to raise awareness of the work they do to help horses, donkeys and mules in some of the poorest parts of the world.

A bit about The Brooke

The Brooke are an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses and donkeys in the developing world, delivering veterinary treatment and community animal health programmes in 11 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Many animals in the developing world endure poor health, pain, exhaustion, and malnutrition, resulting in suffering for millions of working horses, donkeys and mules and insecure livelihoods for the millions of people living in poverty who rely on them to earn a basic living.

The Brooke works with communities to show them how to care for their horses and donkeys, making sure they have the medical care they need and have access to rest, shade and water. Working animals can be happy and healthy if they have the care and respect they deserve.

The majority of working horses and donkeys are owned by people who need them to support their families. These animals are vital to alleviate poverty, and help people become independent. This year, they aim to reach more than 800,000 animals, which will benefit more than four million of the world’s poorest people.

What I’ll be doing

I wanted to work with The Brooke because I think the work they do really makes a difference – it understands the important role that animals play in helping people and communities. Working animals are often overlooked or considered to be a bit trivial compared to human needs, but in the developing world, they play a vital role. The Brooke works in places that have often experienced extreme poverty and hardship,including helping people who are trying to rebuild their lives after the floods in Pakistan, and their current work feeding animals badly affected by the civil unrest in Egypt.

During my time here I’ll be working to support their press office so they can reach more people and spread the word about what they do. I’ll also be exploring the brave new world of digital media and getting to grips with social networking, which is very exciting! The World of Difference programme is a great way for people like me to really make a contribution to the amazing work done by charities across the world, and I’ll be keeping you updated on everything I’m doing via this blog. You can also follow me on Twitter .

[©Liz Almond- 4th March 2011]

How Many Loaves Have You?

This is the theme for this year's Women’s World Day of Prayer. The verse is from Mark Chapter 6 [feeding of 5000] and the service was prepared by the women of Chile.

The International Logo of the WWDOP was designed in 1982 for the service prepared by women of Ireland. The design comprises arrows converging from the four points of the compass, four figures kneeling in prayer, the Celtic cross and a circle representing the world and our unity through all our diversity.

This year it is our turn to host the local service and I have been asked to be the Guest Speaker.

The service is planned by women of a different country each year – and the country is chosen five years in advance. I have been very struck by the fact that most people would have struggled to mark Chile on a map back in 2006, when they were chosen [err…is it somewhere in South America…?] and yet last autumn, this country was the focus of world attention when “Los 33” – the trapped miners – were rescued in that wonderful way.

One of the British committee was equally moved by the fact that Chile has already been so much in our prayers in the past year, and has written a poem God’s Safety Net about the rescue, which is being used by many groups who are marking this special day of prayer. Find it here

I hope you are able to join with other women, to pray, on this special day, and that it will be a blessing to you.

God is faithful, and he always hears our prayers!

All across the world rejoices

God can accomplish great things still

“How many loaves have you?” they ask us

Will we stand up to the task?

Offer what we have to others

See more miracles come to pass

[Margie Savage]

Follow The Yellow Brick Road!

Today is World Book Day, and a very pregnant teaching colleague rang up to ask if I had any ideas for a costume which was a; literary and b; big enough to cover The Bump.

Two years ago, Steph and Mark needed fancy dress costumes for a New Year’s Eve Party and this gave me some inspiration.

I dug out my cloak [made back in the 70s when I was a student, and then given a longer starry hem when Bob need to be Merlin at a dress up do in the 80s] I made Steph a floppy fabric wizard hat using some black fabric from the great stash. I also made Mark a rather fetching elf costume. Modelled here by Steph…

Follow the link above if you need the tutorial for pointy hats!

Voila! Pointy Hat, Voluminous Cloak, Red Slippers and Green Face Paint all retrieved from the loft.

That should help re-create The Wicked Witch Of The West!

 

Technically, the Witch in Frank Baum’s original book had silver slippers, but when MGM were making ‘Oz’, Technicolor was just taking off, and the idea of glittering ruby slippers would give an added ‘pop’

I should just point out that my teaching friend is one of the sweetest, kindest people I know, and has no witch-like qualities at all [although she is extremely good at spelling!]

World Book Day is Brilliant, and I am always excited when schools take it seriously as an opportunity to get children reading.

Pearls Of Wisdom

As I have said before, I love pearls. 99.9% of my ‘pearl’ jewellery is plastic – but I still appreciate their sheen and appearance.

The fascination started when I was a child. I asked my Dad if “cultured” pearls could only be worn by very posh people. He told me the story of how the pearl was created by the oyster when it felt some grit inside its shell. He then explained that cultured pearls were ones which had been artificially cultivated- that men deliberately inserted grit into the shells to stimulate the oyster to make the ‘nacre’ which enrobes the grit and dries to form the pearl.

This led to a lot of confusion on my part – for years I thought simulated pearls were stimulated pearls!

Anyway, the other day I was looking at some pictures of HM The Queen, and she was wearing a pearl necklace and a pretty brooch on the lapel of her suit.

[These photos were taken 60 years apart- in the same place, at Broadlands in Hampshire- and Her Majesty is wearing the same jewellery in both pictures. She too is a thrifty woman]

 

And I suddenly had this brainwave – in my dressing table I have a box of ‘retired’ ear-rings. Mostly huge ones from the 1980s which I find heavy and uncomfortable to wear. I fixed one to the lapel of my grey suit

 

 

I shall wear this with my necklace and pearl studs [ensuring that I have matching ones this time, after my recent wardrobe malfunction]

Btw the grey suit is ancient – ten years old, from Next, but it goes in the washing machine and comes up fresh every time, and is always getting compliments.

 

On the advice of Liz and Steph, I bought the skirt and the trousers when I first got it, and that has made it doubly useful. In terms of ‘cost per wear’ it has to be one of the thriftiest items in my wardrobe. Always useful when I need to look ‘instantly smart’

New brooch at no cost – good result!

Has anyone else got any good ideas for ‘recycled’ jewellery?

Matthew 9:22 “Take Heart, Daughter”

You may have noticed that I have moved Jo Heim’s picture from my sidebar[I am just re-arranging things a bit.] That isn’t because I have stopped praying for her – but now I have added her blog [The Simple Wife] to my ‘regulars’ list – so it is easy to click there if you want updates.  But also, Jo’s progress is so amazing – read this wonderful post from her sister. Kristen is an accomplished photographer and has documented Jo’s progress from “stroke victim in coma” to “texting/eating/typing/manicuring” Do follow this link to her Busy Hands post to see pictures of Jo.

I heard last weekend of someone else who has been ill – my friend’s email said

“She had cancer of the bowel last year and had all the chemo etc. They then found a lung secondary - which looked like more surgery and chemo. A lot of people have been praying for healing. When she went to the hospital week before last they couldn't find it- she has been healed from it.”

I cannot tell you why some people are healed and some aren’t. But let us rejoice in such good news whenever, wherever we find it – and thank God for His amazing grace and love.

Straight From The Horse’s Mouth

This post is dedicated to my eldest daughter Liz, for whom today is a very special day…

PART ONE

Another great  Michael Morpurgo book [now transformed into an amazing play on the London stage]is War Horse. This is the tale of a horse [Joey] who ends up being sold to the British Army in 1914 to be used in France. Such was the use of horses on the Western Front, that over 8 million died on all sides fighting in the war. Two and a half million horses were treated in veterinary hospitals with about two million being sufficiently cured that they could return to duty.

At the end of the War, the Army sold off their horses abroad - some went to farmers- others to butchers. It was cheaper and easier than transporting them back to the UK.

Joey’s story has a happy ending, you will be glad to know! And it is good to know about other[real] survivors e.g.the gun team of beautiful black horses.  After the War, they were given the great honour of transporting the coffin of the Unknown Soldier to Westminster Abbey.  The team, affectionately known as 'The Old Blacks', were finally retired in 1926.

PART TWO

In 1930, a British woman, Dorothy Brooke, wife of a Cavalry Officer, went with her husband, to live in Cairo. She was an accomplished horsewoman – and was horrified to see the emaciated horses and donkeys working on the Egyptian streets – carrying heavy loads, pulling carts taking tourists to the pyramids at Giza etc.

Many of the animals were struggling with all sorts of health issues. Dorothy was even more appalled to learn that these horses were ex British Army equines – many around twenty years old, having left Britain during WW1.

Dorothy wrote an impassioned letter to the Morning Post

…These old horses were, many of them, born and bred in the green fields of England – how many years since they have seen a field, heard a stream of water, or a kind word in English? Many are blind – all are skeletons….An animal out here, who would be considered far too old and decrepit to be worked in England, will have before him several years of ceaseless toil – and there are no Sundays or days of rest in this country…

From this one letter came donations of £20,000. Dorothy was able to rescue 5000 horses, and set up the Brooke Hospital for Animals in Cairo – which is still running. In 2009, they helped 115,000 working horses, donkeys and mules throughout Egypt.

So often these animals suffer simply through the ignorance of their owners. The Brooke helps educate owners, and provides low cost veterinary treatment, enabling animals to go on living and working in much better conditions.

The Brooke animal charity celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, and its current patron is Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall [that’s C on the left, and donkey on the right!]

More details of The Brooke’s ongoing work throughout the world can be found on their excellent website.

PART THREE

So why am I dedicating today’s post to Liz? Because today she begins working for The Brooke for two months. She applied for – and won – a placement with the “World Of Difference” Charity Internship Scheme sponsored by Vodafone

Liz will be working from their HQ in Farringdon Street, and using her considerable skills in their Communications Department. Many of the countries where the charity is currently working are caught up in civil unrest right now – and animals as well as people are suffering. She is expecting to be kept very busy – and part of her remit is to keep us informed about her work. I'll keep you posted on that!

Many people across the developing world are united by one key fact; they rely on their horse, donkey or mule to work for their income and survival.

The Brooke estimates that the 800,000 animals it helps every year support as many as 3.7 million people. The charity is not just helping the animals – but whole communities.

I am incredibly proud of Liz for doing this work. It means a significant drop in income for her for two months, but she is doing something she knows is very worthwhile. I am so glad she can combine her gifts of communication, her lifelong love of horses, and her strong social conscience in this way.

Well done, daughter – have a wonderful time!