My Heart's at Home Daybook - Candlemas

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Outside My Window ...
it's threatening to rain. And then tomorrow, we might have snow. I want snow and lots of it--after Mike gets home.
 
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I am listening to...
quiet.
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To Live the Liturgy...
today is the feast of Candlemas. I have nothing planned (I'm coming off a weekend of birthday and Super Bowl sans Daddy). So I think I'll revisit this Loveliness Fair for Candlemas and see if I can find a quick idea or two.
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To Breathe Deeply...
I've found a great morning workout routine and I've stuck with it.I'm finally feeling like I've awakened some muscles I feared had dissolved last year. Unfortunately, between the morning prayer routine and the morning exercise routine, I've lost the morning writing time,unless I happen to awaken before 6:00. To everything there is a season; I trust I'll find the time when the Holy Spirit wills it.

Towards rhythm and beauty ...
We definitely have a new rhythm at last. It always surprises me to see where God leads us after each baby is born. My morning routine is the one I tend to put in place first, baby and I learning to dance together in the early hours of a new day. And then, I figure out the evening and bedtime routine. Then the rest of the day just falls into place. It took me longer this time. A new friend (who happens to be a NICU nurse) reminds me that my baby was early and that changes all the rules. Sure 'nuff, it has. All part of His grand plan.

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I am thankful for ...
the promise of February. Really:-). I like winter days, pots of stew, snow and ice, sitting on the hearth, lacy doily Valentines, and chocolate cake baked into heart shapes.
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From the kitchen ...
pecan crusted chicken thighs, risotto, salad--by candlelight!

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I am wearing ...
a white tee shirt with a pink and gray striped oxford shirt over it; pink pearl earrings; black knit pants; fuzzy pink socks; my new St. Anne medal necklace; my baby.
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I am creating ...
a memory book for two special little girls.
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  On my iPod...
Ben Folds (my iPod used to be Michael's iPod--some remnants are better than others)
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Towards a real education ...
We are so in the groove now and February is usually a good month for buckling down. I have to say it again: I'm really loving the IEW history lessons. They dovetail perfectly and writing is our focus for this semester. I can span the ages from fourth grade through high school and it's very solid, very time-worthy instruction. But I would not use it with children who aren't already good at narration.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
we'll be lighting lots of candles today and that always looks pretty. Things are fairly tidy.I'm thinking today is a good day to rub all the furniture with beeswax. Beeswax candles, beeswax furniture rub. Sometimes I just need to let my brain do its thing.
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I am hoping ...
Mike makes it home before the snow and ice. He's been gone a long time and, as much as I like February, it's much better with him in town.
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Around the house ...
the goal is to maintain our newly found sense of peace and order. This is the intention I bring to St.Anne every morning. She is such a faithful intercessor.
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One of my favorite things ...
a two-year-old curly girl who insists she is Felicity and expects us all to remember our assigned characters and to speak as such. It's really endearing. 
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
We don't have much on the calendar for the beginning of the week. A nice snow day would be lovely. And then I need to get Nicholas ready for his Daddy Trip at the end of the week. He's chosen to go to Niagara with Mike. He really wants to see the falls, frozen or not. Brrrr.
Need to sit down with Mike's travel schedule and get the rest of the year's Daddy Trips on the books.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
DSC_0512    

  Don't even attempt to read what the candles spell. I bought blue birthday candles yesterday. Today, I couldn't find them. But I had some brand new "congratulations" candles, minus the O's and the U (where did they go??). So, Stephen agreed that ten random candle letters would work. That middle child coping mechanism is quite remarkable.

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