Chill is in the Air

It is that time of year which means the boys in the house need something warm and cozy to cover their noggins.  There are always many hats around the house as we all like to wear them regularly but they were all in need of something for the days that required something a little nice.  When you don't want to wear the hat that rolled in the mud at rugby or was full of sweat from a run or bike ride in the cold.  I have been fairly busy (and my right hand can tell you so) with hats for the guys, hand warmers for my sister while she was here (missed a photo op with those) and presently working on a chunky cowl that will keep the chilly wind off my neck and face.

green for Dillon

blue for Ronan

a mix for Michael

warm and soft to fight off the seasons chill and wind

Sagrada Familia

Church of the Holy Family

The afternoon of our second day we made our way to Sagrada Familia -  a Roman Catholic church in Bacelona.  I have not always been one to be extremely interested in historical churches and the such, I enjoy the beauty of them but have not spent much time reading the story behind them all.  In this case it was completely different, once there I wanted to know so much about this beautiful structure.
When I entered I was absolutely awestruck by not the just the beauty but the enormity and the detail of the structure.  Not just in size but by the monumental amount of energy, thought and work that it would take to create such an impressive piece of work.

Sagrada Familia from Parc Guell

Antoni Gaudi joined the project in 1883 a year after it began - it is still a work in progress today.  In 1926 when Gaudi died it was less than a quarter complete.

I am not an art expert but when I viewed the church I found it interesting how there was a mix of more modern design and old gothic, yet it all worked together.

the stain glass windows (many are still incomplete) were designed carefully for light to shine through in purposeful ways

once inside I handed the camera to Carith, although she had seen the exterior of the church in previous travels she had never been inside and this was her element

my sister and I discussed how we could sit inside the church for hours and just "look" and take in all the detail and different designs - take time to walk all the different stair cases and walk ways

the main skylight is stunning

this window is awaiting to be replaced with stained glass

as I looked around I noticed particular details and design and thought to myself there has to be reasons for these choices  - he was not just a mad random architect, he was very precise and there was a purpose in each design and choice.  The main columns were a perfect example - there are 4 different colors with the burgundy being the largest and strongest and the lightest being sandstone and taking the lightest loads.

the organ

the boys borrowed the camera to take pics of their favorite parts - I enjoyed watching them look at all the details and observe the many different carvings

nativity facade

note the difference between the recent construction and the old

hmmmmm

there is a large museum below the church

the school Gaudi had built for the families that worked on Sagrada Familia - it is located next to the church

I love the shape, colors and texture of this building

Passion Facade - faces the setting sun and is indicative and symbolic of the death of Christ

I was impressed with the amount of time the boys enjoyed wandering through the church but I could definitely stay for hours and hours.  To have the opportunity to see a project like this in progress and know that if you come to see it again it will be different, more work completed, is something special.

Every carving was carefully planned, every detail thought out, the windows specially placed, every square inch of this church has a purpose and a meaning - to tell a story.

I am thankful that I was able to pay a visit to such a beautiful place and for the boys to have the opportunity to see a part of history in the making.

The hope is that these photos will be a reminder of all the beauty we saw that day

Holiday Goodness

While my sister Carith was here we spent some time in the kitchen preparing our Thanksgiving meal.  As neither one of us are a baker there was a bit of experimenting.  We were hoping to pick up a couple of pre-made pie crusts for the pumpkin pie that Dillon has been dreaming of.  We realized that was not going to happen and settled for some frozen shortbread pastry.  We figured it would be easy enough to substitute.  Well - it was a bit different and I admit defeat - our pumpkin pie had no hope of being as good as Grammies.  I am sure the day we return to the US Dillon will be begging Grammy to make him a pumpkin pie.  On the positive side I loved using the pastry to make fruit tarts.  

we made these up last minute with sliced pears and plums sprinkled with brown sugar

our funky looking pumpkin pie - just not the same as Grammies

Carith took the left over pastry and filled pockets with frozen berries

with much improvisation we came up with an array of yummy goodness for our Thanksgiving

Thanks Carith for all the fun in the kitchen

....and the stockings were hung with care.

Several years ago my aunt Maryanne made stockings for each one of us.  I make sure I bring them wherever we may be for Christmas.  Although we do not have a mantle this year we were still able to find a way to hang them with care.

Thank you Maryanne for these special stockings that will always remind us of home, even when we are thousands of miles away.