New Christmas blog

Here is a new blog dedicated to spreading the True Meaning of Christmas! I hope you will visit and find some good ideas for this coming Advent!

Idea #20 says to buy an oplatek - if you want to see what oplatki are or buy some, go to my husband's online store Aquinas and More and see!

I live in the Hundred-Acre Wood

Not really, but I am Kanga, according to this:


Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

Pioneer Tough

On Thursday, Sept. 20 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl at home, with the assistance of 2 midwives, my husband and my Mother-In-Law. I was in labor since 6 that morning, but hard labor didn't come until almost 10 that night, and Maria Isabel Andrea was born shortly after.

On Sunday, Sept. 23 we drove into town and went to Mass. Afterwards we went to the parish hall for donuts and coffee. We met a couple of families with lots of children, like us, and one man looked at me incredulously when he found out how old our baby was and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you are pioneer tough!"

I laughed about it then, but after Mass we spent the afternoon and evening at my In-Laws' house where they were having a farewell-to-summer party. I didn't do much more than sit around nursing the baby, but I spent the next few days groaning and staying in bed as much as I could. Not too pioneer-like at that point!

Fall is Here

Yesterday was a glorious day. The weather was beautiful and we spent the afternoon and evening outdoors with family and friends celebrating the end of summer and the beginning of autumn feasting on paella & gazpacho (two traditional Spanish dishes) and sangria (Spanish red wine punch), as well as desserts and appetizers galore.

Today started foggy and cold, and right now, at 1:30 in the afternoon, the rain has started and the wind has shifted to the North. Definitely tea and cozy sweater weather!

Birth Announcement!

My newest daughter Maria Isabel was born on Thursday, Sept. 20. She's a real sweetie and we all love her. Praise God she is finally here!

Forget the Poinsettias this Christmas!

I recently came across this post over at O Night Divine. It seems that 70% of the nation's poinsettias, those beautiful red plants used to decorate our homes and churches throughout December, are provided by the Ecke family in California. Sounds great - support a family business and decorate to celebrate the birth of our Savior!

BUT this family, unfortunately, uses the money they get from the sales of these poinsettias to renovate abortion mills and support Planned Parenthood's agenda of more abortions!

So, can anyone think of a better alternative to buying poinsettias this year? Get the word out to your pastors about this!

Musings from A Catholic Bookstore has more on this.

Please post any church and home decorating ideas!

Everybody Loves a Parade!

* I will add the photos to go with this post later. *


Last weekend (Saturday, September 9, to be precise) we all drove up to Estes Park, Colorado to participate in the Longs Peak Highland Games Parade. I made hard-boiled eggs and gingerbread cookies the night before so we could eat on the road, since we had to leave at 6 AM.

We arrived at the parade site supposedly just before the parade was to start, but had to stand around for a while before we actually started moving because there were many clans and bands there, and we had to wait our turn to go. Next year we'll send one person to sign us all in, and actually bring everyone to the line up later. The littlest ones got a bit impatient, and I (37 weeks pregnant) was anxious to get going, too!

My Brother-In-Law bought the fabric and designed the banners which were carried by the men in the family.

Doesn't Dad look great in his kilt? Mom looks elegant in her Hostess Dress. My beautiful Sister-In-Law made the skirt she is wearing when she was in Junior High School! And look how gorgeous she looks in it now that she is married and has an almost-two-year-old son (the cutie in the Glengarry hat), and a "bun in the oven." The guys looked handsome in their Tweed jackets and driver's caps. My guys all had matching tartan ties. I wore a tartan mini-sash over my shoulder with a navy blue dress my mother wore at my wedding 11 years ago!

It was wonderful to see that many people still know what to do when the Flag of the United States passes by. Many veterans in the crowds stood and saluted, and many civilians and children put their hands over their hearts.

After the parade, we had a picnic lunch at a nearby picnic area. The kids had fun dipping their feet in the stream at our picnic site.

It was a great day - the weather could not have been better. Next year we'll do it again, God willing!

Retreat

Today I am alone in the house for a couple of hours. Normally, Mondays are for grocery shopping and errand running, but today I am just too pregnant to walk, much less drive all over town getting groceries and library books.

So Ian took the kids (all 6 of them by himself - what a man!) and loaded them into the van after treating us to a yummy breakfast of oatmeal and home-made biscuits. They are off to do the necessaries of the day while I waddle around the house looking for the last items I need before the baby's born. And then I'll lie down and let my back relax for a few minutes while I do some spiritual reading. That's probably all I have time for today, but it is enough.

Back To School

Well, here we are in the middle of August again! Normally we would not start school so soon, but the kids have actually been asking (!) and since baby Snowdrop is due towards the end of September, I thought we should start so that we can take a break when baby is born.

So far so good. All three of my school-aged kids did extra Math pages the first day - they decided to do this without my prompting, and no complaints, except that some of them wanted to do more when it was time to clear the table and prepare dinner. If this good cheer continues, we might finish school this year by Christmas (just kidding)!

Sharing the Bounty

Peach jam! Pickles! Applesauce!

My Mother-n-Law is taking time this summer to teach me how to make such culinary delights, and if we can control ourselves and not eat it all before Thanksgiving, there will be a jar of peach preserves for Uncle Tommy and his family, a jar of applesauce for Aunt Mary, and a tin of spiced nuts for Uncle John. Not to mention the rum balls for Aunt Elizabeth and Gingerbread cookies for Grandpa.

I am hoping that Uncle Brandon will share his home-made Christmas Ale in return!

Win Dairy Products from Horizon

Go HERE to sign up to win $300 of dairy products for your family! Here''s a link to Horizon Organics too.

May She Rest In Peace

Last night our family drove home from the home of my husband's grandmother. She was 92 years old when the Lord called her home on Thursday, July 12. All of her children and many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were with her when she died.

The Rosary was held on Monday of this week, and the funeral Mass was on Tuesday. The ceremonies attached to these events were beautiful and dignified, as was the life of our Nana. Please pray for the repose of her soul as well as for the strength of the family to carry on without her here.

Asking for a Miracle NOW!!!

Please pray! I know someone who needs a large sum of money TODAY. If you would please pray that somehow this money will materialize before midnight, it would be greatly appreciated. Please pray for this person to be able to trust God as well. I beg of you to implore heaven. Give your Guardian Angel something to do: Send him on an urgent mission.

Pro-Family Businesses Wanted

In my previous post "Is it Wrong to Buy at Discount?" Someone commented that her family tries to support Catholic businesses whenever possible. I responded with this (below) and thought I should start a new post on the subject, asking if anyone knows of small family-run businesses that struggle to stay afloat because they cannot compete with larger corporations that discount more than the smaller businesses can (perhaps because they have their items manufactured in China or other countries that do not promote freedom for their people):

Kitty's response: "Which reminds me! I am planning on repainting my kitchen and saw a wall hanging I really wanted at Hobby Lobby. It is just exactly the size and shape of what I was thinking of to put in the mud room - it is black wrought iron and has a rooster at the top and 7 hooks along the bottom - perfect for little coats and gloves in winter and little sun hats and gardening gloves in summer. HOWEVER, it is made in China and you have just reaffirmed why I cannot buy it. It supports forced abortions instead of strengthening families. Do you know any American family-run businesses that make and sell "country" type items for the home?"

SO! If you know of any such small businesses I would like to have a list here. It does not have to sell "country" items, but any small business that sells wholesome items NOT made in countries where Catholic values are trodden upon and people are enslaved. My blog does not reach millions, but I want to do my small part to help families trying to earn a living doing something worthwhile. Tell your friends to send me information on these businesses. I am especially interested in online and "local" stores (local to your part of the country or world).

Pray for Nana

My husband's grandmother is old. Her 93rd birthday is coming up this August, but she may not make it. All of her children and some of her grand children and great-grandchildren are gathering at her house this week and next week to say goodbye. We will probably be headed there on Monday also.

Please pray for safe travel for all of her family who are going to see her, for strength for those of us left behind without her, but most of all for a happy and holy death for this beautiful woman who has touched so many lives with her generosity and hospitality.

Put On a Happy Face!

We were talking about all of the kids' cousins, whom we will see at Christmas time.

Me: And Uncle Tommy & Aunt Dwija are having a little boy a little before our baby is born, so we'll see him too!

Andrew (5): You mean they already know it's a boy? How?

Me: Yes. Do you remember that thing my midwife put on my tummy and we could see the baby on a little TV? Well, they can sometimes see if the baby is a boy or girl.

Lucy (8): yeah, they look at the...

Me: Wait, let Andrew answer. Andrew, how do you think they can tell if it's a boy or girl?

Andrew: They can tell by the face!

Two-Year-Old Self Awareness

Susan (2): Mommy, I don't have...I don't have...have...have...have... Oh, I don't know what I'm talking about!

Is it wrong to buy at a discount?

I have been mulling this idea around for quite some time now - at least a year. I wonder if anyone has any insight into this problem.

Is it wrong to buy at a discount? Or is it SOMETIMES wrong and sometimes ok?

I am somewhat of the opinion that if I can afford to pay full price (or sale price) at a regular store, I perhaps should not go to the Salvation Army or Goodwill store to buy something that someone who truly cannot afford to shop anywhere else might need. For example, I found a long black skirt in my size at Goodwill last year for about $3. It was the only one in my size. If I have enough money to buy a similar skirt at a regular clothing store, is it ok for me to buy it for so little and perhaps deprive someone who really can't afford it of needed clothing?

On the other hand, someone pointed out to me that she deliberately buys from secondhand stores because she does not want her money to go to large companies that support ideologies that she does not believe in (abortion "rights," gay agendas, etc). I see her point, too.

Another scenario: We own a Catholic bookstore. Our staff is knowledgeable about all our books and products and are always reading and researching in order to help our customers choose what they need, we strive not to carry anything made or printed in China, and to carry only orthodox Catholic materials.

We have friends who will either come into the store or call and keep an employee busy answering questions about various products, sometimes for hours. When these friends have learned what they need to know to purchase a book or gift, they'll say something like, "I am going to go order it from Amazon because they're cheaper." They have just stolen time, expertise & information from our employees when they had no intention of buying from us. They have just made it that much harder for us to compete with giants like Amazon or B & N, who can afford to buy books in large quantities and offer deep discounts. They have pushed us one step closer to closing down, and they are supporting a company that supports gay agendas and abortion on demand. They are taking food out of the mouths of our children and those of our employees.

Why do we always strive to buy it cheaper if we don't need to, or if by doing so we are hurting families? What are we saving the money for? To buy more stuff?

Baby Belly Band

No, it's not musical. I found this contest at 5 Minutes for Mom. They're giving away a Belly Band from Baby Be Mine Maternity

If you or someone you know if pregnant, you may want to see this style innovation. It may even save you a little cash on maternity clothes!

Now THAT'S empty!

Andrew (5): "My tummy was as empty as water after you fish all the fishes"

Home Decorating: Hall Bath

This room is between the girls' & boys' rooms, and the space between the three doors is fondly referred to as "the hall" (it measures about 4 X5 feet). The walls of the bathroom are currently white, but I would like to paint them a shade of tan to go with the various other tan rooms. I would like to put a frame around the mirror which is glued to the wall (so we can't replace it easily). There are 5 bright "vanity globe lights" above the mirror. There is a toilet, and tub with a green/ burgundy/ gold plaid curtain around it. I might like to replace it with something like this. The counter which holds the sink has 3 cabinet doors under it, and lots of storage room. There's also an attached linen cabinet between the door and the sink. I would like to put a framed picture over the towel rack across from the toilet. The one that's there is a hand-painted water color of the cathedral in Florence. Ian & I bought it from a street vendor on our honeymoon. It may stay there. I like it. Maybe add a nice bath set.

Home Decorating: Guest/Play Room

This room is white, but I'd like to paint it green or tan. I wish that it could be strictly a guest bedroom, but we don't have any other room for sewing supplies, toys with small parts that would be dangerous for the little kids to find, or boxes of things I need to go through and get rid of or find a home for. Eventually, if we don't sell our house, this will have to become a bedroom, probably for girls. Right now, it would be best to make it a play room/sewing/seasonal storage room. So, I need to go through those boxes of things that didn't sell on eBay and give them away. Next, go through the shelves holding school things and see what can be thrown or given away. Put the kids' toys on the shelves in bins so they can find what they want without everything falling off the shelves. Move the coffee table in here so they have a place to build their creations. Take the things stuffed into the closet out and go through them. Acquire some cabinets with doors so I can bring in the boxes of fabric & patterns that we took out to the garage "because we won't need them before we move in a month or so" almost two years ago. Maybe I can move the folding table from my bedroom in here so I can sew. Guests can sleep on the floor on an air mattress. Maybe we can make room for their clothes in the closet.

Home Decorating: Boys' Room

This room is currently white, and one boy & one girl sleep in here. There is one small dresser that holds the boy's clothes (but he's getting bigger and his clothes are too). The toy box is also in here, along with a couple of larger toy vehicles. I would like to move the girl into the girls' room and the baby into this room. The walls I would paint two shades of blue: one above a chair rail, the other below. I would put the older boy's bed along another wall where it would not be in the way of the closet door, and I would put the crib where the bed is now, eventually replacing it with the toddler bed that one of the girls is using (and later just one set of bunk beds and no toddler bed). I'd like to put up shelves in here too, for some special collectibles or boy memorabilia.

Of course, if the baby I am now carrying turns out to be a girl, we might be in trouble. If he's boy, we'll just add another bed or set of bunks to the boys' room.

Home Decorating: Girls' Room

As I mentioned, I painted a mural on 3 walls in here. It is unfinished and I doubt that I'll ever finish it. I am thinking of painting the walls two shades of pink - one above a chair rail and one below. We currently have four girls, three of whom sleep in this room. We have one set of bunk beds in here, and a toddler bed. I would like to bring in another set of bunks and get all four girls in here. If I do that, I will need to figure out where to store all their clothes. Currently we have two dressers, two closets, and two very big drawers under the lower bunk holding all of their clothes, but I may need to remove one of the dressers to fit the other bunks in here. I'd like to put shelves on the walls to hold special things away from the reach of the littlest ones. This room will basically be only for sleeping and dressing, as there will be no room for desks or lamps, unless the lamps are wall-mounted next to the beds. The biggest problem I foresee is that both younger girls will be in the same room at nap time, which is not a good idea.

Home Decorating: Master Bedroom

This is a big room. We have a Queen size bed, a side table with drawers, a tall chest of drawers, a Jacobean table that is in use as a computer table for when Ian works from home, a folding table with my sewing machine on it, and a large, green recliner that I sleep on in the last trimester of my pregnancies. We recently moved the furniture around in here and it actually doesn't look too bad (except that the folding table is old and the top is torn and stained, and I have boxes and piles of books and things to "get to" one of these days around the recliner and by the windows - ok it looks pretty bad). The walls are currently white. I have been wanting to paint them a deep red, but with the red already so prominent in the kitchen and dining room, I may want to choose a more soothing color in here. I found a picture in a magazine once (which I kept - maybe I can scan it in sometime) that showed a very nice bedroom. The walls were a cool, light teal, and the bedding was a mix of pale teal with peach and soft gold, I think. I'll have to find it again. I actually bought some upholstery remnants with the colors so I could make some pillow shams if I painted the walls that color.

If I could, I would replace the Jacobean table with a roll-top or some other kind of desk that would hide any trace of technology (Ian's computer, etc). It would take up less room than the table, and could be put in the corner. I would then replace the card table with the Jacobean for my sewing (and while I was at it I would replace my Brother sewing machine with a new Bernina heehee - I might as well dream big! If I REALLY dream big I will dream up a sewing room with a clean, neat place for all the supplies I need. I want and get it out of my bedroom altogether - but that will be another post). I would like to get the big green recliner out too, but there isn't another place to put it, and it seems to be the only place I can sleep (or at least rest) during those last months. I wish I could at least replace it with something smaller and more feminine (but just as comfortable). Next to it I have a small side table with attached lamp. It doesn't really "go" but I need light when I work on hand sewing, reading etc. It is in a "country" style, so maybe with a new coat of paint it would work somewhere else in the house.

Home Decorating: Master Bath

The walls, as I mentioned, are dark blue with metallic swirls hand-painted ALL OVER them. This is a very big room, for a bathroom. To give you an idea, there is enough room to place a twin bed or two in the middle of it. It has a big tub in one corner (I can put 5 of my kids in for a bath - although it is getting a bit tight now), and a shower in another corner. the third corner has the toilet, and the fourth has an attached linen cabinet. Between the cabinet and the tub is a counter with mirrored medicine cabinets above. Between the tub and the toilet is another counter with a sink and mirrored medicine cabinets above it. Between the shower and the linen cabinet is the door to the Master bedroom, and between the shower and the toilet, the wall juts out with a coat closet and the door to the mud room. Next to the shower is a space big enough to place a vanity and chair, but we currently have a changing table with a shelf above it for diapers & supplies. Whew! I am sure that is confusing, but there it is. The original white walls made this room look very big and cold. I think I should cover the gold swirls, but a dark blue might work in here if it coordinates with the red in the kitchen and the cashew in the mudroom, which are both just outside the door. But maybe a more subdued sage green would work, too, and make this a more restful place, especially as it connects to the Master Bedroom, which should be a place of rest. I'd like to run a chain across the ceiling and hang a lamp above the changing table. You'd think the 5 bright, hot vanity bulbs above both counters and the fan light in the ceiling would light up every corner of the room, but they don't. I would like to also keep these counters clear of anything except for a pretty liquid soap dispenser and a hand towel holder by the sink, and maybe some candles or a tart burner on the other counter. I would like to eventually have a vanity where I could keep my makeup and do my face with good light, but diaper changing days are not over yet, and they won't be for a while. A new toilet brush and plunger would be good, too. 10 years is probably long enough to use the same ones.

Home Decorating: Living Room

This room faces southwest, and has a gorgeous view of Pikes Peak from the windows. The walls, as mentioned earlier, are painted a warm "Roasted Cashew" which I love. There is a wood burning fireplace in one corner near the windows, and on the other side of the windows is the "front" door (which leads to the back yard) and the door to the coat closet. The opposite side of the room opens to the kitchen, with a pass-through between the two rooms. It is a long, narrow room, which I find difficult to decorate to my satisfaction. There aren't any "corners" that can be used for furniture placement. One corner has the fireplace in it, one has the door and the closet, one is open and leads to the kitchen and dining room, and the last has a door to the Master bedroom in it.

We currently have two large sofas, a love seat (that matches one of the sofas - both quite faded), a coffee table, a matching side table that has at least one broken leg, a hand-me-down piano that is badly in need of tuning on the inside and refinishing on the outside, a sofa table that is in use as an altar, and an old fiberboard cabinet with a TV on it. The kids keep all their kitchen toys in it and "cook" and have picnics in the living room. The doors do not close all the way & I am always afraid the very heavy TV is gong to fall on the baby, who likes to climb!

What I would like to do is throw everything out and start over. However, I don't think that's going to happen. I like having enough comfortable seating for everyone, but I just can't get it to look nice, even with sofa covers, and I don't find this room a peaceful place to be. There's just too much in it and none of it seems to "go" with anything else. I really want to get a nice TV armoire so that I can hide the TV away when it's not in use. I would put it in front of the wall between the closet door and the opening to the dining/kitchen area, perhaps flanked by matching (or at least coordinating) book cases. On the book cases I would put potted plants, a matching buffet lamp on each one, and nothing else. I don't think I would put anything on the wall above them. I'd throw away the old fiberboard cabinet, and find another place for the kitchen toys.

If I could, I would get rid of all of the seating and get one pretty love seat and two upholstered chairs to go in the middle of the room, centered around the windows. I'd like one of those small coffee tables with a glass-topped cabinet for display in it so I could put some decorative items in it without danger of little hands breaking them (things like Russian lacquer boxes, silver bouquet holders, little porcelain figurines, the displays changed with the seasons). As it is, I don't have the budget to do this, and will probably just give away one of the sofas and save up to buy some nicer slip covers for the matching sofa & love seat. I would like to move the coffee table to the guest room (which is a play room for the older kids to play with things that the littler ones might swallow). It is the perfect height for the kids to build things on with Lego.

The upright piano I would like to have fixed and restained one color (it currently has brown on most of the body and orangish paint streaked on the lid and front. I don't know how it ended up this way). I do not know where I would put it at the moment besides its current location between the fireplace and the door to the Master bedroom. I would not put anything on it, but on the wall above it I would put a framed picture (I don't know what yet). The cover on the bench I would replace with something other than brown velveteen with orange flowers on it. It isn't hideous, but it doesn't "go." Above the fireplace I would like to hang a large framed mirror, (or one like this) with nothing but a couple of seasonal items on the mantel (pillar candles for winter, white tapers in tall silver or crystal candlesticks (or these) for summer, a couple of ball topiaries for spring, etc.)

The altar I would like to put in a place where it is prominent and usable, but I really don't know where. It is currently against the wall between the Master bedroom door and the opening to the kitchen. I wish I could center it on the wall opposite the windows, but there is no wall there - just the open space to the kitchen with the pass-through in it. Even if there were no other furniture in this room, there would be no prominent place to put it. maybe it can be transfered to the buffet in the dining room. The Guadalupe picture will already be there. I don't know where we would put our Sacred Heart wall statue (He's 3 -dimensional, except that his back is flat, to hang on a wall). I'll try to post pictures later so you can give me ideas.

Home Decorating: Dining Room

This room is open to the kitchen, so I think the same color walls would be good. It is a very large room. We have a huge conference table as our dining table in here, and wooden chairs with broken rush seats and folding chairs, some with booster seats on them for the kids. I love the table. We have a large family & everyone fits when my In-Laws come over. I found some table cloths online that were on sale, so I can cover the whole thing (it's about 20 feet long, I am guessing) and make it look quite elegant. When not in use as a dining table, it is excellent for school work and art, as it is not wood and wipes clean easily. I would like to replace the seats on the wooden chairs with pads or solid wood seats, but I am not sure how. I know I can figure it out; just haven't had time to think about it. I would like to upholster them with something that will coordinate with the living room furniture, so we can take chairs in there for additional seating. The folding chairs keep losing screws, but they have not fallen apart yet and aren't stained or torn, so we'll keep them until we don't need them for the booster seats. Ideally, I would replace the carpet in here with wood or nice-looking laminate (along with the kitchen & mudroom, which are all the same room). But then kids' running and shouting would be a lot louder and the winter would be colder. Sigh. Maybe a runner along the side of the room that leads from the kids' rooms towards the kitchen & living room would be a good remedy.

In this room there is also a metal cabinet that holds school supplies, my computer desk and chair, and a buffet. My desk's horizontal surface ends up looking pretty bad because if the kids break a toy or draw a picture for me, or if they don't know where something goes, guess where they put it? I do this too, so I am partly to blame. It has a hutch, where I used to keep my cookbooks (when the desk was in the kitchen), but it was put in the garage when we first put the house on the market because we expected to move right away. If I had my 'druthers I would replace this desk with a roll top or something to hide my computer from view unless I were using it. I would get an attractive (not metal) file cabinet to file away beautiful artwork and broken toys until I could get to them. I would also replace the metal cabinet with something attractive (wood would be nice). The buffet is nice, but it needs to be cleaned and polished (and dusted regularly). I have a beautiful framed picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe which I would love to hang above the buffet, flanked with metal candle sconces or lamps of some sort. I would also like to replace the ceiling fixture with something more attractive than the flush-mount glass bowl with the "energy saver" bulb in it. A chandelier like this would be nice, and keep with the "country" feel of the place. I would probably put little lamp shades on it. I don't know if there would be a way to center it above the table (or put two in), as the light fixture is not currently centered above the room). There is one long wall in here which I would like to turn into a family photo gallery. I have portraits of our family and I want to frame them and get them on the walls where they can be enjoyed. If we do paint the walls barn red, I think the pictures would look good in black frames with white mats.

Home Decorating: Kitchen

This is the sponge-painted room I mentioned above. The color clashes slightly with the mudroom & living room walls (which both open to the kitchen), so I am thinking of repainting. I like the barn red of the dining area in the article I linked to above, but I need to find a shade that will go well with the Roasted Cashew of the two adjoining rooms. I don't think that will be hard to find.

I also want to add a little color to the floor in the form of a rug near the sink, and a pot-hanger above the sink where I could hang plants in front of the window. I would love to add lighting to the counters, but I am not sure how to do this (nor do I have the budget). I have some appliances on the counters, and I would like to keep them in the cabinets until I use them. Clutter accumulates on any horizontal surface & it is a constant battle for me, as I don't have a place (or this) to put a lot of the stuff that ends up there (my purse, receipts, cookbooks, notebooks, etc). I know I have a lot in the cabinets that I never use, so I am going to get rid of a lot of that so I can make room for my appliances and maybe have a special place where I can put the phone book and other things that are needed but don't have a home. I'd also like to have some sort of box I can hang that will have holes on the bottom and a door on the front, where I can "hide" my cell phone while it charges. I don't like the "look" of technology and would rather hide as much of it as possible. If I could have clear counters all the time (except for when I am actually preparing and serving a meal) I think I would be happy with my kitchen. I would love to only have a vase of fresh flowers on the island counter, and possibly some decorative item, like a rooster statue (or this one) or pretty lamp on the pass-through, and a fruit basket. A galley slave to clean up after me would be nice, while I am dreaming.

There's a big blank wall between the mud room and the living room, where we recently placed a chest freezer. There's still lots of room, so I would like to put a "family center" here -I have a magnetic dry erase board here but would like to replace it with a magnetic blackboard and a shelf for chalk, eraser, extra magnets to "keep it country" - I think the white dry erase board says "technology" don't you? Maybe I'd top it with some wall decor - a clock perhaps, even though there is a digital clock on the microwave and the stove. How are my kids ever going to learn how to tell time if there are no "real" clocks in the house? I'd also like to move our family calendar here. It is currently on the side of the refrigerator, but it's not easy to access because of the counter.

Home Decoration: Entrance/Mudroom

This is actually the back of the house, but we had the builders put it on our property facing the front, so that we'd have someplace easy to clean where people would be coming in from the outside. The actual front door opens onto the living room, which is carpeted. I am so glad we did this! We've had some very muddy winters & springs out here. It's getting better as grass grows in and we landscape a bit, but still I like the idea of being able to mop instead of cleaning a carpet all the time. Anyway, the walls are currently "Roasted Cashew" which is very nice & warm. I have a picture of the "Polish Madonna" (Mary hanging clothes on a line with Baby Jesus sitting on the ground playing next to her) which would look great in here, especially as this is also the laundry room. A Holy Water font would be good to have in here by the door. I hung a curtain made of solid burgundy sheets from the ceiling in front of the washer & dryer to make this room more welcoming. I hope to hang a large mirror on one wall, and add a bench and a short cabinet with doors and shelves inside for shoe storage. Maybe some hooks on a wall for hats & coats. We currently have a tall fiberboard cabinet in here which holds kitchen towels. I would like to move the cabinet to the garage for use there, and find another place for the towels (some of the wash cloths need replacing too).

Home Decorating

I have been itching for a number of years to redecorate our manufactured home. It is a big house, and it had a lot of big white walls when we moved in 7 years ago. That first summer, while I was pregnant with my second child, I painted the kitchen with a sponge roller, using a honey-hued paint mixed with glaze over solid cream paint.

The next time I was pregnant, I painted the Master Bath "Neptune Blue" (dark) and added metallic gold swirls freehand all over. I like it, but it definitely does not look professional. I am considering covering it and painting something else that might be less scary to potential buyers.

Then, during another pregnancy, my Sister-In-Law came over and watched the kids while I painted a fairytale mural in the girls' room. I should say I STARTED the mural. I painted the background land color and sky on three walls, and added a castle on a hill, a big tree in a corner, a lake by the hill, flowers, and clouds in the sky. I meant to paint the wall surrounding the closet doors to look like a wooden wardrobe, but I never got that far.

Another time my Mother-In-Law and I painted the living room and mudroom a beautiful color called "Roasted Cashew." I got paint chips back then in shades of tan and rose that coordinate with that color, which I have wanted to add to the walls of the dining room, hall & Master Bedroom. More recently I found paint chips in blues and greens that also coordinated with those colors for the boys' room and the guest room/storage room/ whatever else room and hall bath.

Instead, though, right after I gave birth to my 14 month old, I invited a family with teenage and pre-teen boys over to help me paint the boys' room and the dining room white, because I thought that would be more appealing to potential buyers. Well, no one made an offer on the house in the 18 moths that it was on the market (perhaps due to the "scary" Master Bath, but no one ever said anything), so now I am looking for a more colorful way to express "home" that would still be appealing to potential buyers.

I just found this over at Starry Sky Ranch.

This country look would work well in our home. We live in the country (on 5 acres), and most of the year we have cool if not cold winds blowing. I think cozy colors would make this house, with its large white walls, more inviting. I don't necessarily like the "shabby" look of the used furniture with the scraped paint job or ladder used as a decoration, but I think the wall colors used here (warm barn red in the dining area paired with the black furniture, and the warm honey walls of the family room with new upholstered chairs) are charming. The light fixtures and other "country" decorations add the finishing touch.

I have been too afraid to put much on our walls. I know I probably have plenty of things that would look nice on display, but I lack the confidence in painting & putting up shelves or even putting a nail in the wall.

I am pregnant now, and the weather will hopefully be getting warmer soon, so it is the perfect time to do SOMETHING! I tend to have the creativity, energy & will to do that kind of work when I am pregnant, if you hadn't noticed.

I have decided to put each of the rooms in a different post for easier reading. This post was getting way too long. I hope I am not boring anyone. These home decor posts are basically so I can put my thoughts into words and decide what I can do and what I cannot do to make my house run more smoothly and be more peaceful.

Mother's Day Giveaway!

Here's a neat set of contests for Moms! I entered today. Go see all the cool stuff you could win.

Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter


Discussion questions: Did Peter do as he was told by his mother? Did he get into trouble? What did he get for supper? Did Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail obey Mrs. Rabbit? Did they get into trouble? What did they get for supper? How should we behave when our parents tell us to do something?


Outdoor Activities:
Mr. McGregor's Garden
Plant Peter's favorite vegetables (carrots, lettuces, radishes, parsley, etc.) in a small garden plot or in containers if you don't have the space in the yard. You might consider planting "rabbit tobacco" (lavender) and chamomile, too! Take care of your garden throughout the summer and harvest your vegetables.

Make and run an obstacle course, like Peter running away from Mr. McGregor

Take a nature walk through a rural area: spot bunnies or rabbit tracks. See what other animals or tracks you can find! Keep a nature journal an draw the animals, plants & tracks you see.


Indoor activities:
Pretend to be a bunny in the living room or play room. Hop slowly, like Peter did when he was trying to find his way out of Mr. McGregor's garden (lippity, lippitty).

Draw Peter and his family in various scenes from the book, or use your imagination and draw what you think they might do on another day.


Snack: carrot sticks, salad, veggies with dip, chamomile tea with a little sugar or honey (and milk if you like)

New Project!

Many years ago I interviewed for a job at a library. It was for the position of children's story hour reader. I did not get that job, but I found the most wonderful book at a children's bookstore. It had short children's stories in it, like Peter Rabbit and other classics, along with an activity for each story. Unfortunately, I did not buy the book, and I have kicked myself for not getting it ever since, especially since I started having children of my own! I do not remember the name of the book, nor have I been able to find anything like it again.

So! As we near the summer months I am going to attempt to compile my own ideas here. We'll start with Peter Rabbit, since soon we'll be able to go outside and garden and see rabbits hopping around. My next post will have some activity ideas for children to do with adults after reading the story. I hope you enjoy them. Please feel free to add your own comments with ideas for any books you liked as a child or any your own children like, as well as activities (including cute snacks)!

Lent is over, time for a meme

It's been a long time since I posted anything, and as I live my life and care for my children, I find that there is really very little time for me to blog much. I intended for this site to be a weekly spiritual exercise, but sitting at the computer offers too many distractions from what I really ought to be doing during the day (home school, kid care, meals, dishes, laundry, etc). And at night when the kids are in bed and Ian comes home I don't want to be at the computer!

Anyway, I have a few minutes today to fill out this meme. I don't play tag, so if you feel like answering this yourself, just leave me a comment so I can know more about you.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:20am (I think)


2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls mostly, but some day I'd like to wear diamonds with a dark blue velvet dress!

3. What was the last film you saw at the theater? Night at the Museum (at Christmastime).

4. What is your favorite TV show? I really have no idea what's on - we don't have TV. We did borrow the 1st season of 24 a while back and that was fun. I also liked Stargate.

5. What did you have for breakfast? Oatmeal with bits of dried apricot in it.

6. What is your middle name? Maria

7. What is your favorite cuisine? I like all kinds of food. I have a craving right now for Chinese (specifically egg rolls and lemon chicken) . And pickles. And pistachio ice cream. I'm pregnant.

8. What foods do you dislike? I really dislike liver, but not in all its forms. I like pate and liverworst on crackers or in a sandwich.

9. What are your favorite chips? Pringles in the potato variety, and I like white corn chips (no particular brand, as long as they're crispy & not thick) in the corn category, with salsa and guacamole.

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Hmmm. Hard to say. I like Enya, the soundtracks to the Lord of the Rings movies, and Haydn.

11. What kind of car do you drive? Chevy Venture 2003 minivan - this is for sale, if anyone is interested and lives in the Colorado Springs area or can get here to pick it up. We're about to outgrow it (as I said, I am pregnant, and as soon as baby #7 is born we will need a new van, but we need to sell this one first).

12. Favorite sandwich? BLT. With avocado. I'm hungry.

13. What are characteristics you can't stand? insincerity, lying

14. What are your favorite clothes? ballet-neck linen dress with soft floral print and princess seams, and heels.

15. If you could go anywhere on vacation where would you go? Italy

16. One random fact about myself: I like to sew (and wear) costumes from various time periods.

17. Where would you want to retire? Colorado. I love it here!

18. Favorite time of day? nap time! And when Ian gets home!

19. Where were you born? California

20. What is your favorite sport to watch? Hockey, but i don't watch sports much.

21. Coke or Pepsi? neither - I don't like soda much. I'd rather have root beer if there's ice cream in it ;)

22. Beavers or ducks? What a weird question. To eat? Ducks. To watch build dams? Beavers.

23. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Neither. I like 9 AM to about 1 PM for being awake.

24. Pedicure or manicure? manicure I think, but I have never had a pedicure (first one is scheduled for Monday)

25. What did you want to be when you were little? a veterinarian.

26. What is your best childhood memory? Playing in the back yard with my siblings, building villages for the Star Wars figures in the sand box. And swimming at night in our swimming pool with our cousins, and making "night rainbows" with a hose and a bright light.

27. Ever been to Africa? No

28. Ever been toilet papering? No

29. Been in a car accident? Yes.

30. Favorite day of the week? Monday. No kidding!

31. Favorite restaurant? 3 Margaritas is up there. The Briarhurst Manor is WAY up there.

32. Favorite flower? rose

33. Favorite ice-cream? Coffee

34. Favorite fast food restaurant? Wendy's or Chick Fil A

35. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None.

36. From whom did you get your last e-mail? Pikes Peak Library District

37. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? I don't have a credit card, but I would spend money, if I had it, at Bombay Company, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Williams Sonoma, and a good nursery.

38. Last person you went to dinner with? Ian - 10th anniversary dinner!

39. What are you listening to right now? Kids playing in the living room.

40. What is your favorite color? red

41. How many tattoos do you have? None

42. How many people are you sending this to? zero

43. What time did you finish this blog entry? Well, at this question, it is 10:53am.

44. Favorite magazine: Faith & Family and Romantic Homes, when they don't go overboard on the Shabby Chic look.

45. Coffee or tea? I like both, but rarely have either.

46. Do you tan easily or burn easily? neither. I don't go outside much. I guess I tan when I do gardening in the summer.

47. Do you color your hair? No

48. What was the first car you ever purchased without the help of your parents? 1996 Voyager minivan (actually my husband bought it)

49. What is your most dreaded household chore? Ironing.

h/t: St. Francis Academy

Bleg for Prayers and Letters

Some friends of mine are facing trouble in the near future, concerning their land and the government. Read Here what's going on, and how you can help! No one deserves to lose their home, their life savings or their good health!

Housekeeping Meme

Tagged by Michelle at the Family-Centered Life!

Aprons – Y/N?

Yes! I just bought a new one because my old one was tearing at the pockets. It is my uniform for daily tasks from homeschooling to cooking to cleaning. I have used its pockets to carry produce from the garden or seeds and tools TO the garden.

Baking – Favorite thing to bake:

Blackberry Wine Cake

Clothesline – Y/N?

Yes, in summer.

Donuts – Have you ever made them?

No, but I have been tempted. Actually, I think I attempted them once, before I was married.

Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day:

Dishes

Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?

Yes, in the mudroom.

Garbage Disposal – Y/N?

No. Compost.

Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?

My Mother-In-Law. No kidding - she's good at it and I admire her orderliness!

Ironing – Love it or hate it?

Ask my poor husband. Better yet, don't.

Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it?

Well, I don't have enough drawers to designate one for "junk" but I have a "storage room" (which is also a play room for the older kids, a guest room, a Christmas present wrapping room, etc. heehee. It used to be a sewing room and my dh's office when he worked from home.)

Kitchen: Design & Decorating?

big & open with a large island in the middle. Not much in the way of decorating, unless you count "clutter, early 2000s." I actually think my kitchen is too big for me - I am a small person and find it tiring to work in there, even though I like to cook. I would design a smaller, more efficient space. Good for parties, though.

Love: What is your favorite part of homemaking?

Cooking, and putting fresh linens on the beds.

Mop - Y/N?

Yes but not often enough.

Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine?

washing machine.

Oven - Do you use the window, or open the door to check?

Window, unless I need to check the temp. Time to clean the window by the way. Yuck.

Pizza - What do you put on yours?

Oooo... Feta, fresh tomato slices, a bit of olive oil, fresh mushrooms...maybe asparagus if it weren't so expensive!

Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?

What's that? Can I get it online? Actually, pray a rosary, spiritual reading or nap.

Recipe card box - Y/N?

No. If it isn't in my head, online or in a book I won't find it again.

Style of house -

2000 manufactured ranch-style

Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N?

Yes. Tablecloth or place mats for every meal. Usually paper napkins, but I am trying to build a collection of cloth for every day use so I can just throw them in the wash.

Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?

Neither. Not much under there except some empty jars for disposing of used oil, but it could use a scrub-down around the trash can.

Vacuum - How many times per week?

I'll let you know when we get the vacuum fixed.

Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do a week?

average: one or two a day except Sundays.

X’s - Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?

No. I have tried this, but I keep misplacing it. I haven't found my "system" yet. I do put important things on the calendar, which I look at several times a day. I get daily reminders from www.fylady.net in my email, too.

Yard - Who does what?

dh mows and waters grass and trees, and helps me prepare the soil for seeds, and I water and tend the flower and vegetable gardens in summer.

Zzz’s - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?

Clear the dinner table, put food away. If dh doesn't have time, sometimes I will wash dishes and clean the sink, check on kids in bed and turn out lights.

My Path

We have decided to take our house off the market for at least 3 months to have a "breather" while we work on school and live without having to interrupt our day for potential buyers to come see the house. In May we'll re-assess the situation and go from there.

A few weeks ago I was really excited about painting all the rooms in the house and had the energy to do it. Unfortunately, it was extremely cold outside and I couldn't do it (although we did buy some new interior doors to replace the ones on the children's rooms, and some nice paint to go on them). It is nice and warm today (has been in the 60s the last few days) but I have no time, energy or desire to paint. All I want to do is take a nice, long (like 2 days long), hot shower and then sleep for a week on clean cotton flannel sheets under a down comforter in a dark room.

Instead I am feeding the kids some good leftover chicken stir-fry I made yesterday, and finishing up today's school work with Lucy, and listening for Peter's voice (I put him down for a nap but the other kids keep forgetting that shouting in the house is not allowed). God knows what is good for me. Sure, I could use a week at the spa, but changing diapers and doing laundry is the path God has set me upon, and it is the path that leads to heaven.

Well, it is quiet time now, so maybe I will get a 20 minute shower.

We Are in Exile on This Earth

I have begun thinking about our situation again here. Our house has been on the market for almost 1 1/2 years, and no one has made an offer. In about a month or so our current contract will expire and if our house does not sell between now and then, we are not going to renew it right away. We will enjoy the thaw of the snow (I HOPE!!!), and I will plan a big vegetable garden to grow with the kids this summer. We are planning on painting the rooms in the house in the colors we like, not just what "will sell" since that doesn't seem to be working anyway.

We're also, incidentally, trying to budget in some goat shares (for milk) and have friends who can sell them to us, as well as sell us fresh eggs, and my In-Laws this very night offered to go in with us on a side of beef (grass fed, no hormones, etc), even though we had not yet mentioned our thoughts to them yet.

A year ago I was on bed rest, very anxious about having my 6th child out here during a snow storm. I though for sure the house would sell on the day I went into labor and i would be hauling boxes through a blizzard to the moving van between contractions, and my midwife wouldn't be able to get to us. Such were the mad ramblings of a stressed-out pregnant woman! Now, a year later, I would still like to move, but I am at peace with staying here as well, if that is His will.

Well, tomorrow is my Sabbath, and it is getting late. I must go to bed so I can get out early and have a good mini-retreat tomorrow (Monday). Please say a prayer for me for a fruitful day.

For some reason this did not get posted on Sunday, so I'll try again today! I will be off-line for a week or so while we get a new Internet provider. If you submit comments and they bounce back as undeliverable, please check back here on or around Feb. 5th. I should have a new email address by then.

Primary Art Winter 2007

I am co-teaching a class to 7-9 year-olds this winter. We are taking the class over from a teacher who is unexpectedly moving out of state, and we have to somehow teach the basics of art on a very small budget. ($4.12 per session for ALL 12 children). One other Mom (Erin) and I are alternating weeks, so she is in charge of week 1, I am in charge of week2, etc. Another pair of Moms is taking the 5-6 year-olds for the same class.

Week 1 (Jan 10) Epiphany
Project: Erin had mentioned making treasure boxes representing the gifts of the Magi, but that was before we realized how little money we had. One other possibility is making paper crowns and painting or coloring them (Thank you, Mimi, for the idea).

Week 2 (Jan 17) January is Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus
Project: make a monogram of "IHS" using stiff paper as a background, and outline the letters with yarn, gluing it in place. Then paint the "badge" gold and use yarn to hang it around the child's neck, indicating that we belong to Him.

Week 3 (Jan 24) Conversion of St. Paul

Week 4 (Jan 31) Presentation of the Lord/Candlemas
Project: make "tin" lanterns out of foil-covered cardstock and punch holes in it in Christian designs. Parents can add a tea light at home.

Week 5 (Feb 7)

Week 6 (Feb 14) St. Valentine
Project: quilling with strips of pink, red, or purple paper. Make a Valentine for Jesus, our True Love.

Week 7 (Feb 21) Ash Wednesday/ Lent

Week 8 (Feb 28) Ember Days
Project: Make a set of sacrifice beads if I can find pony beads, strong cord, small crucifixes and holy medals VERY inexpensively or free. OR make a "Pocket Rosary Card" on a piece of cardstock (business card size or index card size): make indentations around the edge with an embossing plate or something similar, and paint or draw a Marian picture on the card.

Week 9 (Mar 7)

Week 10 (Mar 14) St. Patrick & St. Joseph
Project: make a shield out of cardboard, cover it with foil, and glue on symbols of the saints

Week 11 (Mar 21) Annunciation

Week 12 (Mar 28) Palm Sunday/Holy Week/Easter
Project: Make a cross out of tongue depressors and glue, paint it, and sculpt a Corpus out of air-drying clay and glue it onto the cross.


We are trying to follow the Liturgical Year as much as possible. If you have any ideas for themes, projects, or where we can get supplies for nothing or next-to-nothing, please feel free to comment! I cannot figure out how the original teacher was going to teach painting, sculpting, etc., with so little money! As it is, our class is going to be more "Crafts" than "Art." I do have to mention a few rules we have: No glitter or sequins or other small hard-to-pick-up objects, and no burning things like candles or incense.

Merry Christmas and Back to School

I hope everyone is having a blessed Christmas season! We had a good time with relatives ad are now enjoying the large amount of snow we have here at home. The kids spent hours outside sliding down a steep drift beside the house, while I made them some herbal tea and ginger snaps.

We began our new semester of school this week, and although my 6-year-old said she does not like school because it involves Math, we are off to a pretty good start.

Next week is the first week of our homeschooling co-op, and I am teaching a Primary Art class to 7-9 year-olds. Some other moms and I are taking this class over from the original teacher, who is unexpectedly moving out of state this month, so we are having to use our imaginations to come up with a program! Not only do we not have a plan, we have only $4.12 to spend on each class period (for all 11 students, NOT each student). We'll be doing a lot of paper projects, but I don't know how we are supposed to buy supplies for the "painting, sculpture," etc. that are in the course description! We are planning on tying in each of the 12 classes with some part of the Liturgical Calendar that falls close to the class date. So the first one will deal with Epiphany, the second with the Holy Name of Jesus, etc. Any ideas?

Thank God Advent Isn't Over Yet!

Rachel at Testosterhome has written a beautiful reflection of Advent, relating it to her pregnancy. I wanted to comment on it because it brought into sharp focus my own failings as I struggle to keep my voice down and show my children how much I love them amidst the distractions and temptations that entice me.

So many times I make plans for how I am going to show God that I love Him, if only He would....(name your favor). " If You can send us enough money to be (more than) comfortable, I will build a beautiful church and a retreat center where your faithful can gather and worship You the way Your Church asks us to." "If only You would send a buyer for our house and find us a new house closer to my husband's work, I would go to Mass daily." My "if onlys" are numerous. But God in His infinite wisdom and mercy has seen fit not to grant me these and other prayers.

He knows best. I am at this moment a wife and mother. I have my little built-in congregation of six children, and they look to me for their daily wants and needs. Too often I push them away because I "don't have time" to listen to Margaret read her first sentence to me, to watch Andrew do a daring somersault, or help Annie get a paper towel down so she can wipe up the spill I asked her to wipe. I am too busy washing dishes (because I did not do them last night when the kids were in bed), doing loads of laundry (because I haven't done any for the last 5 days and it is an emergency NOW), or stuffing things into closets as a Realtor walks up the drive (because I have too much STUFF and no place to put it). What was I doing when I should have been doing these things daily? Was I sitting with my children reading to them or teaching them how to make cookies or how to water the African Violets without wetting the leaves? Was I cultivating the virtues in myself or in them, the dear children whose lives and souls are in my hands?

I am ashamed to admit that the answer is NO (at least not consistently). I am not ready for our Lord to come. I am not even ready for the buyer of this house, whoever that may be, to come. I am not ready for any of the gifts that I so fervently ask my Lord to give me. I am not even ready for the wonderful gifts He has already given me. I am like an ungrateful child who demands a new toy, only to neglect it and demand another, newer one.

Dear Lord, forgive me, Your ungrateful child. I know that You are always ready to take me back into Your loving arms and cover me with the graces I need to follow where You lead me. You give me everything I need and more. Help me to see Your gifts for what they are, and to be grateful for them. Help me to be aware that You are coming, and that You're already here in the little ones I am to bring to You. Give me the grace to see the path clearly and the courage to take it, one diaper at a time.

Christmas Meme

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? I like both at this time of year - but hot cocoa is more of a "winter" treat, and eggnog is only available from Thanksgiving through Christmas, so I usually serve that as a special treat during this time. One year some friends surprised me with coffee with eggnog instead of cream for my birthday (which is this month). YUM.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Saint Nicholas comes on Dec. 6th (the night before, actually). On Christmas day, the stockings are from St. Nick, the presents are from whichever extended family we're with. If we're with my folks, there is usually a gift from Baby Jesus in there too. All gifts are wrapped.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I use purple and pink lights around the interior of the tree (which we plug in during Advent - and the kids put Advent ornaments that they make out of paper), and St. Nicholas or Baby Jesus put white or colored lights on the exterior (which we turn on during the Christmas season).

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. We do a lot of kissing without it.

5. When do you put your decorations up? We put up our Nativity scene for Advent, and get a tree early so we can use it as our Advent tree too.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? That's a tough one. I love turkey and all the trimmings, but I also love the traditional Christmas tamales my In-Laws make in October and save in the freezer until Dec. 25. If I could only choose one dish, I might go with mashed potatoes with lots of butter and good gravy. Or leftover turkey sandwiches with cranberry-orange sauce. Or refried beans. Or...

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: Visiting my cousins in Mexico City and Santa Claus REALLY coming to Nona's house and giving me a Raggedy Ann doll bigger than myself! I was amazed that Santa knew Spanish! Actually, I don't know if it amazed me more that he knew Spanish or that he didn't seem to know English.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember. I think I just eased into the knowledge that St. Nicholas has many helpers and I eventually became one of his helpers for my younger siblings.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? When we stay home for Christmas Day, we open one gift after Midnight Mass (usually something useful for our trip tp see family, like new pajamas). When we visit my family, we open everything in the morning. When we visit my husband's family, we open presents after the reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve (Santa actually can be heard on the roof and seen running by the window) and then go to Mass in the morning. Presents from immediate family are exchanged on Epiphany.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? First, the kids help put on the purple & pink Advent lights. When they are in bed, St. Nicholas and Baby Jesus put white or colored lights on over those, but we only turn on the Advent lights until after Midnight Mass. During Advent, the kids make paper ornaments to put on the tree. When we leave for Midnight Mass, the angels must come and change all the paper ornaments for the colorful family ornaments we have collected through the years. Each of my 6 children receives a new ornament each year, and these are added also. So when we get back from Mass, the colored lights and ornaments are a beautiful surprise.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it, as long as we don't have to go anywhere.

12. Can you ice skate? Not really. I haven't tried since my body became a mother's body. Not sure how it would go.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? An engagement ring from my sweet husband!

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? To prepare my heart for Christ's coming, as well as making great memories for my family that are rich with eternal truths.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? home made pumpkin pie with real whipped cream, rum balls that my Mom makes, and my Mother-In-Law's bizcochitos.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Watching the wonder in the children's eyes as they listen to "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and hear Santa on the roof, and visiting with family.

17. What tops your tree? We have a beautiful glass tree-topper brought from Russia by my brother-in-Law.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving. I love thinking of what the person might like. I usually follow their wish list if I have one, but if I see the perfect gift or can make something they'd like, I do that instead, especially if money is tight.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Lo, How a Rose; What Child is This?; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; I really love most of them...

20. Candy canes: One per child on St. Nicholas Day. We sometimes use the tiny ones to decorate gifts for others.

21. Favorite Christmas movie? A Charlie Brown Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life

22. What do you leave for Santa? Cookies and milk or eggnog if we have it.

Preparing the Way of the Lord (Advent Thoughts, part II)

Since God put us here on earth to know, to love and to serve Him, what can I do to get to know Him better? Here are some books that could be helpful as I ponder His loving face:

The Dawn of the Messiah

Perhaps the story of Christ's birth has become almost too familiar. We've heard the story so many times that it fails to shock us: the appearances of the angel, a virgin giving birth, a child placed in a manger, the arrival of shepherds and magi.

Today's reader, unfamiliar with the ancient Jewish world, misses the significance of many details in the Gospel accounts of the birth of the Messiah. This book bridges the gap, explaining the original context of every line and detail in the biblical stories. Sri not only helps readers understand an earlier and pivotal time and place, he also brings them to a deeper understanding of the great mystery of God's entry into the world as one of us.

The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook

This reader-friendly companion provides everything Catholics need for a richer experience of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Whether readers wish to follow a traditional, contemporary, or family program of devotion and prayer for Advent and Christmas, this all-in-one resource will be a treasured guidebook.

The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook covers a wide range of topics including:
Morning and evening prayer services
A short history of Advent
The preparatory nature of Advent
Traditional hymns and symbols of Christmas
Traditional Christmas practices
A Christmas novena
Daily Christmas meditations
Family meal prayers for the holiday season


The Magnificat Advent Companion 2006

Advent is the sacred season of anticipation and expectation in which we prepare for the coming of our blessed Savior. To live Advent is to live in an awareness of a Presence that changes our lives. The Magnificat Advent Companion is a rich spiritual guide that will accompany you daily through the 4 weeks of this holy season. It provides original daily reflections based on the Scriptures of the Mass for each day of Advent written by some of the finest Catholic writers in the world. In addition, it offers superb essays, devotions, prayers, and other liturgical and spiritual aids to guide and enrich the reader's experience of Advent. This invaluable booklet will bring you ever closer to the Infant King.


Advent and Christmas With the Saints

The Advent and Christmas season is a time of anticipation and preparation, celebration and joy. Beginning with the first day of Advent and continuing through the twelve days of Christmas, Advent and Christmas With the Saints guides readers to an experience of closeness with God. Words of devotion and excitement fill each page, from the pens of such luminaries as Francis of Assisi, Therese of Lisieux, and many, many others.

This book is arranged for use on every day of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Each day's reflection begins with a scriptural quotation, continues with a thought from the writings of that day's featured saint, and concludes with a prayer for the day. The daily passages of Advent and Christmas With the Saints offer profound and spiritually enriching food for the journey, drawing us closer to the joy of welcoming the Savior into our lives and cultivating a renewed appreciation of the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Approaching Christmas

In the rush before Christmas, it is easy to forget that the very preparations themselves—decorations, music, gifts and meals—are a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the Lord. This book will help the readers to discover, through lyrical prose and masterpiece art, the spiritual scope of the season’s festivities, and restore the wonder of Christmas to their hearts.



Advent, Christmas and Epiphany in the Domestic Church

This is an illustrated book full of wonderful activities for children and families to help them better understand and celebrate the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons. This large size, spiral-bound volume is the perfect book to help families learn together and share the joys of this happy time of the liturgical year.

Filled with a variety of family activities, saints' celebrations and crafts, this book has something for everyone in the family. Family activities include making an Advent wreath, a Jesse Tree with all its symbols, cloth Nativity figures, words for singing 21 Advent and Christmas songs, recipes for special cakes and breads and more. Also included are stories of special saints for the season with activities and prayers. Finally, it offers numerous craft activities including cross stitching Christmas patterns, making gift boxes, table-top and Christmas tree angels, table runners, and many coloring pages.

A Letter From Jesus

I received this in an email from a friend, and thought it was worth thinking about. Please feel free to comment.

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking

my name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually

born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors

who decided to celebrate my birthday on what was actually a time of pagan

festival. Although, I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily

understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth, just

GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that, let me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene

depicting my birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen, and

put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers

did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square

because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday

tree, instead of a Christmas tree. Your Christmas tree should be on your

wall all year long, it's called a Crucifix. It was I who made all trees.

You can, and may remember me any time you see any tree. Decorate a grape

vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who

I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot

that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my birth, here is my wish

list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is

being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.

They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell me

all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.

They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his

staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be

praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up with, "It will be

nice hearing from you again."

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they

don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I

came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that

I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own

life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't

know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile -- it

could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local

Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the

holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile

and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry

Christmas," that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping

there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd

close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, a priest,

a brother, or sister, one who takes my love and good news to those who have

never heard my name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town

who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any

presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you

don't), buy some food and a few gifts and give them to Catholic Charities,

the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in me

and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty

to me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you

wouldn't do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one

of mine.

I LOVE YOU.

Love, Jesus

P.S Don't forget: I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and

do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the

list above and get to work -- time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is

now in your court; And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom

you love and remember.

So much for a weekly blog! (and Advent thoughts)

Well, here we are, finishing up week 12 of our homeshooling effort. Two more weeks and we're free for the rest of Advent and Christmas. As the Christian Year ends with the Feast of Christ the King tomorrow (I started writing this on Saturday -oops) and we begin the new Year with Advent, I rededicate myself to posting at least once a week (unless I'm out of town ;)).

As we approach Advent, I once again ponder the miracle of the birth of the Savior. Twenty centuries later, we still celebrate His First Coming. There are parties and decorations, gifts for each other and lighted trees. All this I love and look forward to, but what gift do I have for my Savior on His birthday? I have bought or made all the gifts for family and friends, and even wrapped them on a good year, but am I prepared for His Second Coming? What if He actually came to one of the parties we give in His honor? Would He be pleased with what He sees? Would I actually welcome Him or would I rather He didn't come?

Well, He is coming, so what can I do to prepare? What can I do to help those in my care to prepare? Prayer is a good place to start. I don't have to buy any special equipment or do anything except turn to God in humility. Remember ACTS:

Adoration - I love You, Lord.
Contrition - I am sorry for the wrong I have done and the good I have left undone.
Thanksgiving - I thank You for everything You have given me.
Supplication - Please give me what I need to get to heaven, as well as what I need to do Your will here on earth.

I will blog more on this subject later this week.

Pray for Priests

This morning at Mass, Father gave an impassioned plea for our prayers for priests. He talked about praying for vocations and how sad it is that the parish will only be able to have a communion service during the week because all the priests will be on retreat. He talked about how incredible the sacrifice of the Mass is and that that's the priests number one responsibility.

I can only add that the sacrament of Holy Orders isn't just for men! The men who answer God's call to the priesthood are there for all of us. Without them, we can't live our lives as Catholics! Without them, there is no Mass, no Eucharist, no "source and summit" of our Faith! Without them, Jesus isn't present in the tabernacle! We need them, so we must do our part and AT THE VERY LEAST pray for their perseverance and faithfulness.

I am going to put a Pray For Our Priests Car Magnet on my vehicle. I hope that when you see one of these, you will stop and say a Hail Mary for our Blessed Mother's dear sons. Better yet, put one on your car, too!

Week 2 Begins

We began our second week of homeschooling today. We're not burned out yet! YAY!!

Seriously, we are enjoying our adventure very much. My 1st grader, Margaret, is picking up reading really well, and just loves math. Lucy, my 2nd grader, is looking forward to her First Confession and First Communion in the spring.

Andrew, 4, likes going off by himself and building things with Lego, and Anne, 3, likes to color. Susan, 2, also likes to color, but likes to eat crayons more. Peter, 6 months, likes to nurse and be held more than anything, which makes it imperative that I get our school supplies out before school begins every day!

What I am working on this week is using my time wisely so that the house stays in good order and the dishes and laundry don't get out of control in the midst of our studies. I need to figure out the best time to do these things, and then do them at those times instead of wasting time doing things I could do later (like surf the 'net, for example).

I actually already know when the best times for these things are. I just need to do them at those times before I get sidetracked by something else. In order for that to happen, I need to start a load of laundry as soon as I come out of my room, dressed and ready for the day, before the kids get up. Then I need to head to the kitchen and put away the clean dishes from the dishwasher, and start making breakfast.

In order for that to happen, the night before I will have had to put the dishes into the dish washer, treated any stains on the laundry and put the load I will wash in the hamper next to the washing machine, planned the next day's school activities, and decided what clothes I am going to wear.

This will be easy once i get into the habit. Right now, I don't do these things in order, so it is hard to remember what needs doing, especially when a certain 2-year-old is standing next to me as I try to type, whining about wanting a snack over and over again.

So - right now I will get the kids a snack (it is snack time, after all), and then I will see about getting the clean dishes put away so I can put today's breakfast and lunch dishes into the dish washer. We have already finished with school for today, so the kids can watch Black Beauty which we borrowed from the library yesterday! Tonight i will treat the stains on the clothes that are waiting next to the wash basin, and tomorrow morning I will rise up early with a prayer in my heart and start the day more wisely.

Older than Adam

Lucy (7) after reading to the little ones about the Creation out of the children's Bible: "Okay. Who can tell me who the very first people were?....Annie?"

Annie (3), looking up from her doll house: "Grandma?"

Silly Book Meme

1. Grab the book closest to you...NO cheating!
2. Open to page 123
3. Scroll down to 5th sentence.
4. Post text of next 3 sentences on blog-and name of book and author
Tag 3 people (that will be the hardest part!)

The Faith Explained by Leo J. Trese

"Before going any further, perhaps we should recall what the word 'virtue' means. In religion virtue is defined as a 'habit or permanent disposition which inclines a person to do good and to avoid evil.' For example, if you have the habit of always telling the truth, then you have the virtue of veracity or truthfulness."

Tag! You're it. Mary Poppins Not, Danielle, Amy, Sr. Lorraine, and YOU!

What's Your Name?

I just ran over to Barb's via Lori's. They are wondering about how we come up with our blog names. Are the names puns? Do they convey something about us or something we admire?

My blog's name comes from the Kyrie we pray during Mass. (Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison: Lord Have Mercy, Christ Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy), and the fact that I love kittens. Kitty Eleison has become my nom de plume (or nom de Internet at least - heehee). It is a prayer as well as a silliness, but I hope it is not seen as disrespectful to God, because it isn't meant to be!

Go to Barb's and leave a link to your blog!

Help Needed: Spiritual Adoption

I am asking you for help, and I would like you to pass this along to everyone you can think of who would be willing to pray for our priests.

How any times do we see our priests leading their congregations astray? How many times do we complain to each other about it? Does complaining about it help the priest in any way (I mean talking about his problems to others - not asking him directly what is going on or offering help). How many times do we actually pray for our poor priests? When we DO pray, do we ask God to change the priest or make him go away so that life would be easier for us? Or do we humbly throw ourselves at His feet asking for forgiveness for the times we have felt superior to these servants that God has chosen for us? We cannot live without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Mass cannot exist without our priests.

I am spiritually adopting a priest of my acquaintance, and intend to pray and sacrifce for him for the rest of my life. I will not go into specific details, but I will say that he desperately needs prayers. I am asking that you join me in sacrificing and praying for this man of God for as long as you feel called to do so. I also encourage you to adopt your own pastor or priest friends, because, you know, they can always use our prayers!

Tithing

Whenever we run into financial difficulties, we are faced with the temptation to cut back or keep our tithe. After all, we are helping a family in need, right?

But this seems to leave God's Providence out of the picture. If we say we trust in God, but keep back part of what is His to begin with, are we not lying (and stealing)?

I am renewing my dedication to giving my tithe faithfully every month. Please pray for me!

Letter to the Pope

No, I am not going to post an open letter to the Holy Father here. But I was wondering what YOU would write to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI if you had the opportunity. What would you tell him of your prayers, works, joys & sufferings? Would you ask him for anything? What concerns for your famiy, parish, job, diocese or country would you express to him?

My BOY Overheard at the Breakfast Table

4-year-old Andrew: "Mommy, am I the hungriest person here?" (as he eats yet another pancake after everyone else has left the table.)

To 4-month-old Peter: "Someday you’ll be as hungry as me!"

To me: "Mommy, did I eat sure a lot?"

And as soon as he has swallowed his last bite of breakfast, before he has even put his fork down: "Mommy, can I have a snack?"

Rules of Etiquette

Today my 7-year-old daughter Lucy handed me a list of rules she made up for her sister's upcoming birthday. I thought that many of these rules would benefit society at large, so I will start educating the masses by posting the list here (I have corrected spelling so that the masses may be educated more easily):

Margaret's Birthday Rules
1) Don't stick out your tongue
2) Only one dessert per person, including adults
3) Don't spit! No mean faces
4) Don't say the cake is ugly
5) Don't make personal remarks
6) You shall not touch the Queen's stuff against her will
7) Don't hit the Queen
8) Bow before the Queen!
9) Don't bow sideways backwards
10) Don't kick the Queen out of her throne
11) Don't flick the Queen
12) Don't spank he Queen
13) Don't take any of the Queen's stuff home
14) Don't ask to watch TV!

Punishment:
Be arrested
Time out
Sit in the car
Can't watch the Queen open presents

Homeschooling Carnival 27 is up!

Go here for this week's Carnival of Homeschooling!

What's your Home School's name?

Do you have a name for your home school? I have been homeschooling for 2 years now, but haven't pinned down "the" name for what we're trying to do here. I love St. Therese, and much of what we do is modeled after her "Little Way," but I don't know if my boys would like a name reflecting this as much as my girls might. What are the names of YOUR home schools and why? OR, if you have chosen to remain nameless, why?

Overheard in the Bathtub

Andrew (4) is in the tub, making bubbles with a squeeze toy: "Mommy, look! I can easily kill the bad guys. I am thundering them. Watch me throw a bomb at them."

Me: " "

None of my 4 girls would imagine that bubbles coming from a bath toy were a weapon of mass destruction (well, maybe my almost-2-year-old would destroy the bathroom by splashing it).