Daybook

Outside My Window::

::I can see my entire front lawn. It's a curious thing though because when I visit my neighbor across the street, it still feels like the day after a big snowstorm. I face south; she face north. Life is like that isn't it? It all depends on your perspective

I am Listening to::

::a whole lot of noise downstairs. Nine children--more or less--are cooking, eating, planning more eating and doing "pregame prep" in advance of the hockey final.

I am wearing ::

:: jeans and a cream colored sweater that is Mike's favorite. I have a date at the airport a little later, a date I'm very eagerly anticipating.

I am Thankful For::

::an amazing, unexpected avalanche of blessing in my inbox. You are dear, sweet, kind people and I read and treasured every single word.

I am Pondering:

::St. John of the Cross

"Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others."

This quote will define my Lent. And, of course, the St. Ephrem prayer is  back at the forefront for this holy time. Plenty to ask God's help with here:

O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.  But give rather the spirit of  chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother; For Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen

I am Reading:

::I have three different books that I'm eager to share with you here. I'm hopeful this week will present some pockets of time for that.

Oh, gracious! I wrote that last week. This week: book reviews, I promise.

From the Kitchen::

::It's spaghetti carbonara for lunch and homemade kung pao chicken for dinner. Not sure exactly what the game food is...

I am Thinking:

::that some thoughts are better kept private ;-)

I am Creating::

::new plans for Serendipity. Pardon the temporary closure. We're getting some work finished as quickly as we can. Feel free to email me if you absolutely must have a page this afternoon.

On my iPod::

:: I Have Been Blessed. Oh, boy, have I ever.

Towards a Real Education::

::Stephen was really ready to change gears for awhile. Since he's so into My Side of the Mountain right now, I downloaded this unit for him. It's so complete and he's really relishing the change of pace.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:

::Basketball season has ended for the big boys and the Olympics will end tonight. Those two endings will make a good time for some beginnings of new rhythms. I'm very ready:-).

::To Live the Liturgy:

::a little complaint: is anyone else bothered by the "alleluias" in the compline at iBreviary? Alleluias during Lent? Didn't we bury those?

::I am Hoping and Praying:

::for Colleen and for Elizabeth deHority. Some people don't get to choose their Lenten sacrifices.

In the Garden:

::It's time to do a little cleaning up. I can see just a couple tulip shoots. Spring? Really. Oh, happy, happy day!

Around the House:

::The great basement cleanout continues. Slowly.

On Keeping Home:

::Part of the new rhythm is a new chore routine/rotation. It's time.

One of My Favorite Things:

::the way the light streams through the sunroom in the morning, awakening us to a new day of discovery there.

Sarah Annie this week:

::she turns 16 months this week. I'm not sure exactly when; what do you do with those birthdays that fall on the 31st? Whenever, my baby took her first steps the week she officially became a 16-month-old. I rejoiced again in the miracle of her. And, truth be told, I wept a little, too. My baby is a toddler.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

::I'm dedicating the week to re-establishing some warm, bright rhythms in our home.

A Picture Thought I'm Sharing:

When Karoline first saw Sarah this morning after yesterday's momentous event, she said, "Oh, Sarah Annie, today is the best day! Now you can walk and you get to be my best friend!"

Wouldn't you love to be Karoline's best friend?