Daybook for the Heart of my Home: March Feast Week
/It is cold and damp. On my way to the car this morning, I noticed that all sorts of things are bursting through the ground--perennial buds and plenty of weeds. It will be time for some serious dirt digging very soon.
the incessant chatter of Katie and Karoline. These little girls talk all day long (and in their sleep:-).
***
We will celebrate St. Patrick tomorrow with stories and games and homemade Shamrock shakes and white chocolate mint Oreos. The children are looking forward to Jennifer Mackintosh's trinity craft. On Thursday, we'll celebrate St. Joseph. I plan to create a St. Joseph's altar this year. And the Pasta Bolognese and "bisque tortoni" will be back by popular demand.
I'm feeling the need to be ever more silent as the second half of Lent begins. I reviewed my resolutions and I recognize that I will need to be more dependent and obedient in order to bring those good things to our Lord.
***
To Breathe Deeply...
The exercise routine was derailed on Saturday when I slipped down the stairs. I've managed to pull some key muscles. Yes, I was carrying the baby. Thank God, she's just fine. I managed to completely protect her while calling upon muscles I didn't even know I had. I had planned to pull up the carpet on the steps this spring and have the wood underneath refinished. The carpet gets so much use that it's nasty and I'm sure we'll never be able to keep new carpet clean either. But, I can't imagine that fall on bare wood, so now I'm re-thinking.
the example of holy women.
***
I think I'm addicted to kombucha. My local Bloom carries it now, which makes it way too easy to obtain.Bloom is across the parking lot from Starbucks. So, when I go to get a fix, I'm faced with a nutritional decision: sugar and caffeine or fermented probiotics. Price is the same. Both are ridiculously expensive.Last year, I tried to make kombucha. The first batch was great. The second batch was a rather frightening mold soup. I'm working up the courage to try again, because, as I said, I'm addicted and it sure ain't cheap.
a blog post. Seriously, my blog is my creativity outlet lately and that suits me fine for the time being. I'm not starting any more "projects" until I get through the spring cleaning list.
On my iPod...
George Winston Gulf Coast Blues.
***
Towards a real education ...
I spent every spare moment this weekend restoring order to our learning room. I'm feeling a bit like Michele these days. I need a new springtime in our home education endeavor. Unlike times past, I'm not inclined to really write much about it. I homeschool from the very heart of my being. And I have grown rather protective of my heart in this regard. I know that for me, the first steps towards fresh perspective is the environment. Once I "put my house in order," literally, the rest usually follows nicely, as long as I listen for God's guidance. The learning environment can inspire me as well as it inspires the children.
***
I put fresh flowers on the grocery list. And, truly, I think "clean" is beautiful and I'm trying to stay very focused on clean:-).
Katie has nearly memorized the rose catalog. We will be planting roses very, very soon. Then, I will have lots of blooms to bring inside.
For Lent
~~~~
With Christian:
Before I Go: Letters to My Children About What Really Matters
With Patrick:
Yes or no?
With the others:
St. Patrick's Summer
For me:
The Gift of Faith,
recommended
on Faith and Family Live! This book very well may be the
best book on faith I've ever read (I'm not finished yet).It's written
simply enough to be readable even in translation. It incorporates
Scripture,sacrament, Tradition, and the wisdom of the saints to offer a
fresh perspective on the spiritual life. I started it during Advent and
then lost the book. It "just appeared" on the theology shelf in my
library closet yesterday when I was looking for something else. Perfect
timing for Lent!
that the fact that both the washer and the dryer are in need of repair isn't too monumental. Laundry is multiplying like rabbits in the spring and it's not pretty.
the goal is to maintain our newly found sense of peace and order (still). This is the intention I bring to St.Anne every morning. She is such a faithful intercessor.So far, I'm sticking to the Spring Cleaning plan. I recognize that every room isn't going to be perfect (or even close) but it IS going to be better than it is now. I know God blesses the effort and I pray I can do this cheerfully.
***
One of my favorite things ...
The NCAA basketball tournament. I love Bracketology (can we give a lab science credit for this?). I love incessant college basketball games. But most of all, I love that it's a CBS production and not an ESPN one. Mike will be home. Soon. Very, very soon. And that's my favorite thing in a big way.
doctor for Christian, St. Patrick fun (Mary Beth is in charge and will guest post tomorrow), St. Joseph's Day, lots of soccer this weekend, much more spring cleaning.
.
Nicholas has spent a lot of time on the road with Mike in the past few weeks, thoroughly soaking in the atmosphere of NCAA basketball. Here he is a few hours before the Patriot League Championship. One of American University's players stood and rebounded for him for a long while. Rumor has it, Nicky put on quite a show and drained quite few three-pointers on that big boy hoop.
