« 2007-02 | HomePage | 2007-04 »
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Pysanky
The egg is one of my favorite Easter symbols. The bursting of new life out of the white eggshell tomb really is a strong symbol and reminder of the Resurrection. Decorating eggs is one of my passions, and I have a long time love for the beautiful Ukrainian eggs, or pysanky.
It all started in the spring of 1982, when I was a freshman. Every year our family decorated Easter eggs with crayons and food colorings. We incorporated Easter and Christian symbolism, covered the eggs with designs. Every year my mother wanted to find a way to create some eggs that were unperishable, so we could enjoy them year after year.
There was an article in our local newspaper, briefly illustrating this art. Even in the black and white illustrations I thought it was fascinating, so I clipped the article. Then my mother's friend passed on an article from the CGA World about this Ukrainian tradition of decorating eggs, and how to make pysanky, because she thought I would be interested. And then I found in my mother's files an old Ladies Home Journal article my mother had clipped showing an alternative way to design these eggs with just permanent markers. The next year the front cover and centerfold of the Games Magazine my father received featured some gorgeous pysanky , with the game entitled "The Egg Hunt", to find only two out of the many eggs that were exactly alike. I spent hours looking at the intricate designs, the vibrant colors, the rich symbols. I was completely hooked!
I still have those clippings...I enjoy seeing how my rabbit trail unfolded. I spent 1982 Lent and Easter coloring some very special eggs. I only used fine tip permanent markers, as I had no idea where to find supplies to make authentic pysanky while living in Northern Louisiana! So I created my own interpretation. My mother still decorates her Easter table with these eggs my sister C. and I decorated.
In 1986 my family moved to Northern Virginia. We found out that the Ukrainian National Shrine in Washington, DC, hosted a Ukrainian bazaar and pysanky workshop. My mother, my youngest sister and I attended. I was in heaven! After only reading about it for years, I finally was able to create an authentic pysanka!
I've talked ad nauseum about this art at the 4 Real Learning Boards. I have posted numerous links and resources for making pysanky.
Here's a slideshow of the small collection of Ukrainian eggs we have here. I made 3, dh made two, and two others were from other artists.
Unless I actually go to the Workshop in DC, I don't find time to create them with my 3 year old, but I hope to get him involved in a year or two and start him on this journey. At the workshop I saw some young boys and teenage boys creating some beautiful works of art--if they can do it, my son can try, too!
What's wonderful is that no matter what you create, uneven, squiggly, blobs...it always is a beautiful egg at the end, a perfect reminder that "Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed, Alleluia"
21:32 Posted in Crafts , Liturgical Year | Permalink | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Contest for a Dyson
Have you signed up yet? They are giving away a free Dyson Slim. Contest ends Wednesday April 4, at 1:00 Easter.
20:35 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Altar for Our Lady of Sorrows
Remember our St. Joseph Altars? Along a similar them, MaryM shares the Mexican custom of Altares de Dolores for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. It's just so beautiful and meditative and rich in symbolism. Do pay a vist today!
11:31 Posted in Liturgical Year | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
It Depends on Your Perspective
I have laryngitis. It starting coming last night. Ds and I were praying the Stations of the Cross together. I told him I wouldn't be able to sing. He insisted I try, so for the first few stations he heard the horrible noises from my throat, so he asked me NOT to sing.
He is very concerned about the loss of my voice. I joked that it was a frog in my throat, and that had him concerned. "When is the frog coming out?" Every few minutes he comes running to me, "What did you say, Mommy? Is your voice better yet? When is going to be better?"
Daddy just called from his retreat to check in. Ds got on the phone and said: "Daddy! Mommy's voice is ruined! She can't sing!"
10:15 Posted in Humor | Permalink | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Lesson from Jonah
I'll start this post with a confession. Frankly, I'm overwhelmed. I don't know how you moms do it!, like Theresa at Lapaz Farm and Maryan are coming to mind right now, but I know there are many others! I really want to implement more presentations of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, but there's so much prep work involved. And then Montessori activities...well, I won't go there today. If only I was made of money, I would buy all the materials ready-made if I could! I just get overwhelmed...I need to think in smaller, workable chunks for my son. I know it's my fault--lack of organization, selfishness, laziness. All of you mothers have much more on your plate, but you're prioritizing much better than I!
Holy Week is upon us and I haven't anything for presentations for this week. I'm hoping to get my Crucifixion and Resurrection Fontanini scene before Good Friday (a wonderful gift), as that will help. No Last Supper scene this year unless I can whip up some paper figures in time...which I will try to do.
I am preparing in one area, but it's not found in the COGS. At the beginning of Lent I pulled out all the books for the feast days and the pertinent Bible Stories to prepare for Easter. I was thinking about the Easter Vigil, the Old Testament, and the types of Christ.
Two of the books are by one of our favorite illustrators, Peter Spier. The first is Noah's Ark, his Caldecott Award book (did you read the article in this month's Faith and Family?) and the second is the other children's favorite, The Book of Jonah. (Note that the reviews mention that the 2001 version of this book is not the Biblical passages, but a fictionalized version. We are using the 1985 version.)
My son was immediately captivated by the story of Jonah, the odd names of Nineveh and Tarshish, and that wonderfully big fish. I wondered at first if he understood the whole story, as it was the exact reading from the Bible. This week he showed it to two of his cousins, and was explaining the whole story, from Tarshish to the ship, to staying in the Fish for 3 days and 3 nights until the fish "spitted him out", until back to Nineveh with the sackcloth and ashes. Spier's illustrations capture the story well, and his cousins were enthralled. Not to worry, ds had it down pat.
In discussing Jonah, I pointed out how he was in the fish for 3 days, just as Christ was in the tomb. And we put ashes on our forehead on Ash Wednesday to show repentance and change.
I then remembered a project from The Year and Our Children written by Mary Reed Newland, called A Jonas Project, with the tie-in discussion of Christ, Jonah and Holy Week. So I have decided to incorporate this project. The illustrations from the books aren't exactly templates, so I'm creating my own pattern and will transfer it to cardstock and create the tray. If I get them done in time I'll make a .pdf file of my patterns and post them...but it's all pretty simple and straightforward. I showed ds today and he's thrilled. He couldn't wait to have the figures...in fact, he took my sketches and starting acting them out immediately.
May you have a blessed Holy Week.
22:40 Posted in Books , Liturgical Year | Permalink | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tell Me Why
This 4Real thread, Tell My Why Tuesday, wonders how our blogs titles came to be.
I have no poetic or fancy story. My original intention for blogging was recording our family life, our Domestic Church, particularly in how it fits in the Liturgical Year. After my family, living the Liturgical Year in the Home is one of my favorite subjects. So the combination seemed like a perfect duo.
The title came to me gradually. I wanted to record daily ebbs and flows in our Catholic family and thoughts and ponderings along our journey. Family life and the Liturgical Year has both its everyday, non-festival days and the feast days. The Church calls days without feasts "Ferial days" or the Latin feria, so it was a perfect fit. Here are some definitions of feria. Later I have found definitions in other languages that refer to feria as a holiday or fair, the complete opposite of my intended meaning, so it might cause some confusion.
In including all the important points, I just incorporated a little alliteration, came up with the title. I first started blogging my food blog, Family Food in Feast and Feria (which has been sorely neglected as of late), which includes the extra "F" in the title, and this "Family in Feast and Feria" came a few months later.
16:20 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Happy Birthday!
I just wanted to wish one of my online friends, MaryM at "Our Domestic Church" a very happy birthday.
My thoughts and prayers are with you today, my friend! May God bless you!
16:11 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Loveliness of St. Joseph Altars
The Solemnity of St. Joseph honors the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster-father of Jesus. The lessons we learn from this great saint require some meditation, for the Gospels recorded no words spoken by this saint. The awesomeness of his duty to care for the Holy Family, showing patience, peace, gentleness, prudence, and so many more virtues. His feast elevated to a solemnity shows that it is not just personal devotion. Many popes have written about St. Joseph, including several encyclicals.
Personal devotion has never waned over the centuries since his death. Seeing his list of patronages one can see how loved he is. I offered to host this Loveliness Fair because St. Joseph is one of my favorite saints. He is one of the patrons of our family, and rarely a day goes by without some thoughts and prayers sent up to dear St. Joe.
A very popular form or devotion is the St. Joseph Altar or Table (this link will provide several places where you can view photos of large St. Joseph Altars). The tradition originates from Sicily, and the United States have adapted this custom in many areas. This year some of the 4Real Families adapted this devotion into their home, and I'm just thrilled to see the variety of ways to honor this dear saint. Just like the Mystical Body, each altar is different but all united in the same intention.
As we visit the various altars in the homes, let us invoke St. Joseph for the virtues needed to be loving wives and husbands, good parents, holy families, strong in our Faith, and ever growing in Love of God.
From the Litany of St. Joseph:
Joseph most just, Pray for us.
Ruth at Just Another Day in Paradise shares her feast day happenings with wonderful Italian foods, coloring pages, prayers and her altar, with the many statues of St. Joseph she found around the house, and a wonderful slide show of images of St. Joseph.
Joseph most chaste, Pray for us.
Jennifer at Let the Little Ones Come shared pictures of their patronal saint and the relationship of her family with St. Joseph. Her altar includes an icon of gentle St. Joseph.
Joseph most prudent, Pray for us.
Maryan at A Lee in the Woudes gives St. Joseph a place of honor on his feast. The statue is very beautiful. No apologies necessary for the small tribute, as St. Joseph doesn't except pomp and circumstance, but true simplicity.
Joseph most valiant, Pray for us.
Cay at her Cajun Cottage shares some pictures of her altars from the past. These are magnificent, and just a taste of those Louisiana tributes to St. Joseph.
Joseph most obedient, Pray for us.
Lisa at Catholic Mom's Journey has done altars for several years. She provided some background and information about the St. Joseph Altar, and then pictures of her altar. Included are cookies in the shape of fish, and canned goods to give to the poor.
Joseph most faithful, Pray for us.
MaryM at Our Domestic Church shares her first time St. Joseph Altar. She was able to find fava beans, and added a basket for petitions. The Santos is the Southwestern addition to the altar. Here is proof that even if you just see pictures and read about a tradition one can still make it a reality in your home.
Mirror of patience, Pray for us.
Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight shares all her wonderful family feast day celebration with Donuts and Crafts for St. Joseph. The homemade altar is just so sweet and lovely. What terrific activities to reinforce this saint for her boys.
Lover of poverty, Pray for us.
My sister Celeste shared pictures of her St. Joseph Altar that she and her daughters made. The specially shaped breads are just works of art -- and I don't think I'm being biased!
Model of all who labor, Pray for us.
I only had a A Small Tribute to St. Joseph, but it was fun gathering and decorating for one of my favorite saints.
Glory of family life, Pray for us.
One more late entry from Alison sharing her Feast of St. Joseph at home. I love the images of the swallows and St. Joseph. Just a sweet gesture of love!
Last night I found this delightful poem, which echoes my thoughts about St. Joseph's feast day:
St. Joseph's Month
Saint of the Childhood and the Hidden Life,
Why is it that thy month is always Lent?
What hadst thou with the Passion? Mary went
To Calvary with Jesus; but the knife
Of that fierce sorrow was spared thee. Thy strife
In anxious care and fostering patience spent:
Now to a stable, now to Egypt sent,
And then long years with the humblest labor rife.
But this thy portion of the coming Cross --
Which o'er they path its forward shadow threw.
And is not ours like thine -- to walk content
In that long shadow, counting all things loss
Save what for Jesus we endure or do? --
To teach us this thy month is always Lent.
--B.D. Hill, C.S.P, March 1875
ETA: Julie at Trinity Acres shared pictures of her parish's St. Joseph's Altar. WOW!
14:20 Posted in Loveliness Fairs | Permalink | Comments (10) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Small Tribute to St. Joseph
It is an annual ritual for me. The month of March I pull out all my Liturgical Year cookbooks and books on St. Joseph and plan what I will make for his feast day. Every year I promise myself I will make St. Joseph Cream puffs, but it hasn't become a reality yet. My 40th Birthday Bash Weekend kept me a little busy, so this year's hopes and plans for a grand St. Joseph's Altar were dashed.
So I thought. My mother and my sisters surprised me and helped me make an impromptu St. Joseph Table (Altar) for my second surprise party on Sunday, the day before the Solemnity. My husbands planned this little "ladies' only" party for me, and told me the night before. He had bought most of the food. After Mass I bought a few things such as flowers and a St. Joseph Candle from the Hispanic section of the grocery store. How convenient!
I included Easter pysanky eggs in the decoration, as part of the St. Joseph Altar. I read that it is giving a glimpse of the upcoming Easter celebration. We are almost there!
Earlier, some of the 4Real ladies were brainstorming on simple ways for a family St. Joseph altar. My sister Fuzzy decided to make the St. Joseph tower or altar of cream puffs for me.
It was lovely and delicious!
Another sister, Jess, brought over her larger statue of St. Joseph (she has many in her household that claim him as a patron saint) and it finished the table perfectly!
It was so nice to be able to honor one of my favorite saints. It wasn't the perfect Sicilian or Italian St. Joseph Altar, but it's a start.
09:20 Posted in Loveliness Fairs | Permalink | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Honoring St. Joseph
My sister Celeste and her 5 girls in Nebraska prepared this lovely St. Joseph altar. It's her first time, but I think it is absolutely lovely.
She set it up in her living room, with the three tiers, and added some family heirloom tablecloths to dress up the tables.
The statue is her outdoor St. Joseph statue.
Her mother-in-law lives in Baton Rouge and helps prepare their big parish St. Joseph altar. She sent many clippings and inspirations, plus some fava beans to help prepare their altar. The puffs are profiterole puffs, in imitation of the St. Joseph Cream Puffs (sfinge) made on this day.
The St. Joseph's bread is made in many shapes. Celeste took her French bread recipe which she makes regularly and created these shapes. This is the Host and Sheaf of Wheat. The Sheaf pattern was from My Little House Crafts Book: 18 Projects from Laura Ingalls Wilder's.
And grapes and chalice bread.
08:49 Posted in Loveliness Fairs | Permalink | Comments (5) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
To Hive or to Hive Not?
Last night proved to be quite interesting...or shall we say "intriguing"? I have on several occasions as a child developed hives from certain foods. Most allergens I have outgrown. My last bad case was in 5th grade. My mother bought some yogurt, and one was boysenberry. Boysenberry? I had never heard of it. I decided to take a small portion and try it, instead of wasting a whole container. That must have been my guardian angel warning me, because no sooner did I have a bite my lips swelled and I had systemic hives that didn't dissipate until a few days. In retrospect, it was a serious reaction, and now knowing about anaphylactic and allergic reactions, it's a good thing that it wasn't worse!
The joke in my family is to never touch boysenberry. I think I should go on a Rabbit Trail, because I don't even know how they look, where they grow, etc. I've never tried them again, but it hasn't been too hard to avoid, as they aren't very common. I had even forgotten to tell my husband about this allergy....
Until last week. Dh bought some new fruit leather from Trader Joe's, and I noticed one package was Boysenberry. Since it's been SOOOO long since I had any kind of allergic reaction or hives, I toyed with the idea of testing to see if I was still allergic, but I thought it might be prudent to wait until after my birthday.
Last night we celebrated the anniversary of our first date. We walked down memory lane (and MB, Dave had the same feelings when he saw me), had a little glass of white wine (Kendall Jackson Sauvignon Blanc), some dessert, and watched "Life is Beautiful" again.
Everything was wonderful, until I started feeling itchy. I scratched and scratched and then realized I had developed a mild case of hives all over. I think it might have been something in the wine, as the reaction happened before we had any dessert, and the wine was a new type for us. Or, it could have been some supplement or vitamin, but the only thing that was new was the wine. Benadryl cleared the reaction, so I was better this morning.
So, I'll have to do a little sleuthing to figure out the reaction. But it did help me decided to DEFINITELY NOT try any boysenberry any time soon, now that I've had another type of allergic reaction!
15:50 Posted in Musings | Permalink | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
A Family Anniversary
March 20th marks the anniversary of our first date. And it falling on the day after the Solemnity of St. Joseph is no coincidence. I had just completed praying a 30 day novena to St. Joseph, asking for guidance in my vocation, and if I was to be married, let me know clearly when the man was right. I say to this day, St. Joseph answered my prayers.
I had been corresponding and talking with Dave before I met him in person. You see, we originally met online at a Catholic dating site. It was 1999, and that still wasn't that "acceptable" in many Catholic circles. He "found" me and wrote to me first. I wasn't really sure a long distance relationship would work -- he was in Pittsburgh, PA, and I was in Northern Virginia. But we talked, corresponded and things seem to match (although it took me a little while to get over the Yankee thing). So we planned our first date, and he drove 6 hours, stayed a friend's house for the weekend and picked me up Saturday night for our first date.
When I opened the door and saw him standing on the doorstep, I knew he was the one. It was as simple as that. And the rest of the night everything was just confirming the thought that "He's the one!"
My girlfriend was worried about this date, so I brought along my cell phone. At a little bathroom interval I called her and said "Nothing to worry about! He's perfect! I can't believe it!"
We drove to Reston Town Center, had dinner at Paolo’s Ristorante. (As an aside, we went back the next year to celebrate the anniversary and were so surprised to find it so loud. We both didn't remember it as such!) He was so sincere, straightforward, no guile, a gentleman, but no airs -- a real down-to-earth manly Catholic man. Afterwards, since we had such a wonderful time and didn't want the night to end, we decided to see a movie. "Life is Beautiful" was playing, and I had really wanted to see it, so we did. I have never enjoyed watching a movie as much in my whole life.
This post is a "2 for the price of 1" as I mentioned I would give a virtual wine tasting report from our birthday dinner.
Before our first date, Dave didn't know ANYTHING about wine. He ordered a bottle at dinner and stumbled over the whole bottle opening, pouring, smelling...but laughed at himself. He admitted he was a novice, but interested. That sparked just a casual wine enjoyment we've had over our marriage. We're no connoisseurs, but have enjoyed dabbling and finding what pleases our palates, and trying the occasional fancier wines.
Fast-forward from 1999 to this past Friday, 2007. For my birthday dinner we asked the wine steward for recommendations. We were eating salmon, so we could have gone with white. I don't really like the buttery or oaky taste that many American whites have, so I lean for French whites, with a dry, crisp and fruitier taste. But we decided for a red, and we prefer deep, intensely full-bodied wines, like Zinfandels. So the steward recommended this Jacob Franklin Petite Sirah from Napa Valley, 2001 vintage. He explained it was different than most Sirahs, that the color was intense, the flavors rich and full-bodied, but fruitier and less tannins (so no aftertaste). Only 10 barrels were produced, so it was a chance to try a rarer wine. And I have to say it was one of my favorites. Many different flavors through the sipping of the wine, but no acidic aftertaste. The color was like crushed blackberries, or the poke-berries that Laura Ingalls Wilder described in her Little House books. Very enjoyable.
Tonight we will enjoy remembering our first date and continuing our wonderful weekend celebration one more day. Thank you, St. Joseph!
18:04 Posted in Family | Permalink | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
When Is It My Turn?
Conversation this Sunday with 3 1/2 yo son:
Mommy: Today you are going to spend time with Daddy. Mommy is having a party with her Lady friends for her birthday.
Son: When can I have a boy party with my cousins?
11:39 Posted in Humor | Permalink | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Monday, March 19, 2007
Birthday Celebration Triduum
Thank you so much for all your good wishes for my fortieth birthday. Turning forty has been absolutely wonderful -- none of what I feared came to fruition. I fretted for naught! (Isn't that the lesson God is always trying to convey?) It's been a whirlwind of activity and so many outpourings of love from so many I'm just deeply touched. Truly, my cup runneth over.
So a little summary of my Triduum, that is, three day celebration. One of my absolutely favorite family traditions is that we attend Mass on the birthdays and feastdays of family members, and all my siblings and my parents who live locally go to Mass together with us, praying for the family member, and offering their Mass and communion. It's the BEST way to start and celebrate the day. Afterwards we go out to breakfast. So Friday morning I was joined by my parents, one sister and their family and my husband and son at Mass and breakfast was at Cracker Barrel.
My mother was able to watch my son, since my one sister had a stomach bug, so it all worked out very well. Ds was an angel and thoroughly enjoyed his time with his grandmother Mani (and also Papa came by, so even more fun). And the next day my sister Fuzzy and their family took my son to the St. Patrick's Parade in Manassas. He loved it, especially the dancers and the musical instruments. The bagpipes really intrigued him.
Dh and I left around noon to drive up north to Maryland, near Emmitsburg. We had some plans to do a little antique shopping, visit the Seton Shrine and Grotto. But God had other plans, as the weather became quite dicey. The farther north we traveled, the more white-knuckle the trip became. Sleet and snow left so many cars off in ditches, visibility poor, that we were so relieved when we reached Emmitsburg. But that town had about 6 inches of new snow on the ground and we couldn't find our way through the parking lots, so we bagged our plans and went up the road 5 miles to Taneytown for our little Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel.
This is the third time we have been there, although it had been 5 years since the last time! It was originally a plantation, and has added rooms and little guest houses (all historical little buildings), making quaint little private retreats. The room was wonderful, off from the manor house by 200 yards. We had to drive to get to meals, but that was no problem. The restaurant stands alone as a 5 star restaurant, and boasts of a wonderful wine cellar. Not to complain too much, but the food and service wasn't as good this time. We were very, very disappointed...I know we were limited because it was Friday in Lent for the main courses, but tell me, how can you ruin chocolate cake? They did! But the wine we had was wonderful...I'll save that for another another post.
The location was so quiet and peaceful, and the snow was just an added feature of beauty. And my sweet dh gave me some wonderful Neuhaus dark chocolates and some beautiful princess cut diamond earrings. Can a girl get pampered any more?
The next morning we had breakfast, then spent a little time at the Antique Mall in Emmitsburg, where we bought a lovely Mary blue tablecloth. My dh knows me too well. I told him I was eyeing this blue tablecloth, he came over and thought it was beautiful, and then said "It would be perfect for the month of May." I had to kiss and hug him right there, because that's EXACTLY what I was thinking! And so I now have a beautiful tablecloth for my Marian feast days!
We then went to National Shrine of the Grotto of Lourdes for Mass on St. Patrick's Day, and then made our way home. There, I had another surprise -- my family was waiting to surprise me with a little party.
Later he told me he had one more surprise, tomorrow some lady friends were coming. He had bought some appetizers and sweets from Trader Joes and Costco, and my sisters also helped preparing for this little party. I had old and new friends and family come over and share in my big celebration. The conversation never lapsed and at least for my part I can say I had a wonderful time. Part of this surprise included setting up my food table like a little St. Joseph Table or Altar...I'll save that for my post on the Fair of Loveliness of St. Joseph Altars, which I will be hosting.
I'm exhausted. My son and I took a long nap this afternoon...that was our St. Joseph treat.
Thank you, again! I received so many good wishes, prayers, blessings from friends all over the world, it sure makes a girl feel humble, special, and loved. I have so much for which to be thankful...God has truly blessed my life, that turning 40 is just a wonderful time to take a moment and drink in all the delicious blessings He has bestowed on me, including you.
17:15 Posted in Family | Permalink | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Thursday, March 15, 2007
In Which I Get Thoughtful and Reflective....
Tomorrow is my fortieth birthday. 40 -- forty years on this earth. I feel quite different than I did when I turned 30. At thirty I had finally finished my undergraduate degree, and was accepting that God didn't have marriage in my plans. Ten years later, I am marking the 7th year of marriage and one young son. What a blessing! It is amazing what a difference it is to be loved and to give love.
I had a little birthday treat one day early. Two of our daffodils came out today. We are now experiencing a bit of a cold snap, possible snow and ice, but I'm thankful for that, only for reasons of vanity--I have nothing fancy to wear when it's spring!
Dh is treating me with a night away in an old inn in Maryland. We went there twice B.C. (Before Child). I just can't wait. The restaurant is highly rated, with a wonderful wine cellar. And of course there will be yummy dessert!
Please remember us in your prayers, though. My sister who was supposed to babysit has been fighting a bad cold, and to top it off, she just got a stomach bug. So I'm scrambling for back-up plans. I have generous family members who can step in, but I do a certain little person is going to be disappointed that he can't use his new suitcase and stay overnight at his cousins' house.
"God's ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts." And I add "His plans are usually NEVER our plans!"
19:35 Posted in Musings | Permalink | Comments (14) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
And the Good News Is...
The smoke alarm does work. Don't worry, nothing serious happened here. I was just burning last year's palms. I did find out that the smoke alarm does work properly. It's a good thing, because I was just wondering after 1 1/2 years here it hasn't beeped once. I must be a pretty good cook, or at least don't burn things on a regular basis.
I have a promised blog post to Carole for some Easter Vigil ideas. If you could pray to St. Anthony, as I can't find one book I wanted to reference. I've scoured the house to no avail. It's not vital, but it would help to have it!
But if I don't find it by tomorrow I'll still put something together!
Update: I just found it, in the most unlikely spot. 2 minutes after I press "publish"! Thank you, St. Anthony.
15:05 Posted in Musings | Permalink | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
All Fired Up!
I'm back from my retreat. It was a marvelous 3 day silent retreat, out in the rolling hills of Virgina, overlooking the Hazel River. I'm very grateful to God for giving me the opportunity and grace to go, as I sorely needed a spiritual and physical break. He laid bare a small part of my soul that I could make some resolutions and ONLY with grace will I be able to follow through. I know I can only handle small bits at a time, and even the tiny bit is plenty enough to be disgusted at the sad state of my soul!
Besides be rejuvenated spiritually from the retreat, I'm all excited about the new Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis of Pope Benedict XVI, released today. I can't wait to read the entire text.
What excites me the most was highlighted by the Church Music Association of America and I repeat it here because it's so great:
42. In the ars celebrandi, liturgical song has a pre-eminent place. Saint Augustine rightly says in a famous sermon that "the new man sings a new song. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love.". The People of God assembled for the liturgy sings the praises of God. In the course of her two-thousand-year history, the Church has created, and still creates, music and songs which represent a rich patrimony of faith and love. This heritage must not be lost. Certainly as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration. Consequently everything – texts, music, execution – ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons. Finally, while respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire, in accordance with the request advanced by the Synod Fathers, that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy....
62. ... I am thinking here particularly of celebrations at international gatherings, which nowadays are held with greater frequency. The most should be made of these occasions. In order to express more clearly the unity and universality of the Church, I wish to endorse the proposal made by the Synod of Bishops, in harmony with the directives of the Second Vatican Council, that, with the exception of the readings, the homily and the prayer of the faithful, such liturgies could be celebrated in Latin. Similarly, the better-known prayers of the Church's tradition should be recited in Latin and, if possible, selections of Gregorian chant should be sung. Speaking more generally, I ask that future priests, from their time in the seminary, receive the preparation needed to understand and to celebrate Mass in Latin, and also to use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chant; nor should we forget that the faithful can be taught to recite the more common prayers in Latin, and also to sing parts of the liturgy to Gregorian chant.
What does this mean for us in our Domestic Churches, as educators of our children? I'm sifting through my thoughts on that one. I have written before about Gregorian Chant and Sacred Music in the Home, particularly The Ward Method. I do only baby steps at home, but want to do more. It's obvious Latin and Gregorian Chant should definitely be part of our home environment, education, and prayer life. The Church Music Association of America is a treasure of information, education, and resources. I just need to work it into our Domestic Church. I have some more ideas...but that will be another post.
11:50 Posted in Hymns and Gregorian Chant , Music | Permalink | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Our Crown of Thorns
We had a late start to Lent, due to illness. But we did make our crown of thorns from dough. Next year I'll do the grapevine wreath idea. Due to potential hazards of a 3 year old and toothpicks, I got some craft sticks from A.C. Moore, dyed them and use them as our thorns. It still gets the point across to my son.
And we're learning the concepts of good works, prayers, sacrifice, "offering it up", obedience....
And thanks to MicheleQ for the tip about the votive candleholders at the Dollar Tree. They are perfect!
ETA: To make my dough a bit darker, I used hot, strong coffee for the liquid in the dough. I also added an egg wash when baking to darken and make it a little glossy.
19:45 Posted in Liturgical Year | Permalink | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this | Tags: Lent
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Book & Movie Meme
Thanks, Dawn, for tagging me for this meme. The instructions are to underline or put an asterisk next to all those books whose movies you have seen. Bold or highlight the ones you've read in a different color.
I'm underlining the ones I've seen, and bolding the ones I've read.
1. Heidi (Johanna Spyri)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
10. Anne of Avonlea (L.M. Montgomery)
11.The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
12. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
13. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
14. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
15. Chariots of Fire (Clarence E. MacArtney)
16. 1984 (Orwell)
17. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
18. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
19. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
20. War and Peace (Tolsoy)
21. Quo Vadis (Sienkiewicz)
22. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Victor Hugo)
23. The Robe (Douglas)
24. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
25. The Story of A Soul (St. Therese)
I obviously watch movies more than I read! I tag Maryan and MaryM.
06:10 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Monday, March 05, 2007
Balancing Hope and Acceptance
This time of year becomes harder emotionally for me to bear at times, because it brings bittersweet memories. I have had 3 pregnancies, only one full term. But each pregnancy started near the beginning of Lent, and during the cold winter season. In 2003 I had my first pregnancy. I was in the throes of morning sickness and first trimester exhaustion when dh and I were hunkered down for the Presidents' Day storm. Two years ago in early April we experienced a miscarriage at 8 weeks. Last year on March 2nd I had emergency laparoscopic surgery because it was suspected I had an ectopic pregnancy. It wasn't, thank God, but it was another baby we lost.
We would love to have God bless us with another child. We are praying so hard for another child including a 54 Day Rosary Novena that ends on the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Without becoming obsessive, I am trying to do natural helps to increase our chances to becoming pregnant. Ultimately I know it is in God's hands. We ask for a baby, but always with the words "if it is God's will." But I must be like a little child, because I do "expect miracles" (see 4RealLearning Prayer Forum)...and I'm not understanding how to accept God's will.
Each month I have so much hope. I mentally calculate the due date if we conceive this month, look ahead the next three months to see what events might be hard when suffering morning sickness. There is so much anticipation. Without explanation, my 3 year-old son is suddenly asking about "our baby" and wanting to buy and making things for "our baby." Then nearing the end of the two-week wait I try to decide if it would be emotionally easier to take a pregnancy test or to wait for my cycle to begin. Usually I decide to take the pregnancy test. And....
Negative.
Again.
And I cry. Not just little tears, but deep, full-body sobs.
I don't give up. I try another test the next day...sometimes three days. After all, I tell myself irrationally, it could be too early. It could be a bad test. I could have done it improperly. But all the tests are negative. And I cry more. And it's not until after the horrific cramping and period comes that I truly can tell myself that this month's chances are over. What provides some healing is looking forward to the next month of another hope.
But each month gets harder for me. I turn 40 in less than two weeks. I've only seen 3 positive tests in my life. My chances are getting slimmer.
And how slow am I in learning my lesson! In my self-pity and disappointment, I turn to heaven, shake my fist, and ask "Why God? Why aren't you answering my prayers??"
But He is. In His most beautiful, bountiful, providential love He answers my prayers. It's just not MY answer *I* wanted.
But I'm still such a little child and learn so slowly. I ask like a little child, but I also need to see that my answer is given, and in His Fatherly care He knows why we do not have another baby.
So my prayer today is asking for another baby...and peace of soul and comfort of my aching heart when the answer is no.
09:45 Posted in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (27) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Thank You!
Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers for our health. I was spared and didn't have the stomach virus symptoms, but a few minor ones that I was able to keep going. It's a good thing, because dh and ds took a long while to get back to good health. We hunkered down and focused on getting well and catching up on Lent, as we had lost a week.
08:44 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this