Making Rivendell...I've lost my focus on my purpose

 Today I watched a few active toddlers while the adults did sunday school. I put on Steve Green's "Hide 'em in your heart" audiotape from my childhood [thanks, youtube!], as kids colored and played with Noah's ark animals and a smattering of cars.

There was this sense of joy and peace as they played.

I realized I have forgotten what I set out to do. I wanted to make Rivendell. 

It has to be Rivendell for the kids. More than white walls, wood, and cool lanterns--the trappings.

I was here for the heart.

The singing. The peace. The joy.

That's what I want. And I can cultivate it.

If I taught little kids classes

• Hebrew
• Bible Memory [Psalm 27 in full, Psalm 23 in full, Psalm 46 in full]
• Stories of the Heroes [St Patrick, Gladys Aylward, etc]
• Watercolor/Markers/Art lessons//Craft Time
• Outdoor play [tag, sharks and minnows, etc]
• ?Line Dancing [little boys doing the Virginia reel]
• Choreographed fighting [pool-noodle lightsaber]
• ???Worship Dance, with scarves

I daydreamed about if I had the reins of a preschool class. But I do. I did. Most of the class is out of preschool now. I've got 2 or 3 left, depending on how you count. 

Why not here? Why not the singing as we color. Why not that feeling of peace and joy as we learn about the world, and how to color leaves and rainbows? There is so much wonder and joy to be had. But most of all, that home being a place of spontaneous singing, security---a golden sort of peace. The heart.

Heroism, self-sacrificial charges, etc, is all well and good. But its not the heart. I need to give the kids that heart.

Also, I found my new style icon

[insert the fisherprice Noahs wife picture here]

Its all there. The long grey braid. The industrious, helpful, generous basket. That simple and yet beautiful headband, a crown of womanhood. The bright eyes, the cheerful smile. 

That's who I want to be. 

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

DOUGH

• 6 c. flour
• 1.5 t. salt
• 1 T. Sugar
• 2 c. milk
• 1 c. water
• 1 t. yeast

SPREAD

• 2 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. cinnamon
• 2 sticks [room temp] butter

Split the dough in half, do it half at a time. [3/4 stick of butter per roll. Set aside the the half stick of butter remaining to melt and brush the tops, so it doesn't just overflow]

Remember to let them rise to fill the jelly roll pan, one recipe makes 6x4 to fill a jelly roll pan.

Remember to brush that saved butter on, and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top

375 for 20 min

Icing

• 1/2 lb powdered sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1/4 t. salt
• splash milk

you need to use a dough scraper/metal flipper to get them out of the jelly roll pan.

Scissors, wax paper to give them out. AND AN ICING BAG to top them off.