October Afternoon Daybook

Outside My Window

Cool, gray baking kind of day. Again:-) No kidding. We have had days and days of cool and gray and rainy. It definitely feels like autumn. 

I am Listening to

all my girls baking in the kitchen. I'm far away from the flour dust, but not so far that I can't enjoy listening in on their cupcake adventures.

I am Wearing

jeans, a tshirt, and a big, red, cotton sweater. Big, heavy socks.  Oh my, it's going to be a long, cold winter. 

I am so Grateful for

good friends who make the lives of my children so much richer and so much kinder when life knocks them around.

I'm Pondering

"If I did not simply suffer from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient; but I look only at the present moment forget the past; and I take good care not to forestall the future. When we yield to discouragement or despair it is usually because we give too much thought to the past and to the future."—St. Therese of Lisieux

I am Reading

The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains, at the suggestion of Tonia, who recommended it while we were discussing all things internet on Facebook last week.

I am Thinking

About Christmas lists. I want to make and make and make. I need to think how much is truly feasible. 

I am Creating

birthday surprises. I spent today making a fabric crown for tomorrow's birthday girl. Pretty darn cute.

To live the liturgy:

I love this time of year, as the feasts of special saints mingle with the celebrations of of the births of many of my children. We just celebrated the feast of St. Matthew (Matthew Christian's name day) and the feast of Padre Pio (the day Sarah was nearly born at 28 weeks). Now, we will march onward to St. Michael (and Michael's birthday--September 29), St. Jerome (and Katie's birthday--September 30), St. Therese (October 1), the feast of the Guardian Angels (and Patrick's birthday-October 2), the feast of St. Francis (and Karoline's birthday--October 4th). 

Towards a Real Education

I had a chat with some friends the other night and pondered the theoretical question of what Real Learning would read like if I wrote it now instead of ten years ago. I didn't really come to any conclusions except that I would never attempt to write a book like that now. Not exactly sure what that means. Maybe, as Mary deTurris Poust observed recently, I just seem to need more quiet. Or, maybe, I just know that there'd be so much to add that the mere thought of it makes me tremble.

Or maybe it's a little of both.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

About how to tinker a bit with our schedules. We no longer have naps to consider and we don't have to be home on a school schedule . We're going to go apple picking and meander on the way home. We're going downtown--a lot-- and finally soak in the educational treasure that living in the DC suburbs affords us. We're going to embrace this new season.

I am Hoping and Praying

for peace of heart. 

 I am learning

to quilt. Nicky asked me to hurry up already. He's cold in the family room in the morning. How hard is it to back with fleece? Super slippery? Any tips? 

Around the House

Birthday decorations.

The original plan was for Paddy to be out of town for his birthday, playing in Columbus. That game was canceled late Friday. With fewer than 48 hours to plan and decorate and cook, Mary Beth threw together a little shindig for him--just a handful of friends after soccer and a rousing game of FIFA 2012. Oh, and a cake made entirely of Swiss Rolls and chocolate ganache. And he really was surprised. Karoline was so tickled with the decorations that she's insisted we leave them up for tomorrow--her birthday.

From the Kitchen 

I'm thinking sugar free (and honey free) pumpkin latte, maybe?

On my iPod:

my mail. In an effort not to get sucked into my computer during the day, I'm only checking mail on my iPod at two set times a day. 

One of My Favorite Things

Snuggling sweet girls to sleep.

A Few Plans for the Week

Karoline's birthday tomorrow and a visit from our friends from the Cabbage Patch.

Sushi lunch with Katie and Karoline to celebrate their birthdays. 

Apple picking again. I promised Nick we'd return when the Granny Smiths are ready. Boots will not be optional.

The boys have soccer in Pennsylvania this weekend. Nutcracker rehearsals continue here.