Whew. A couple of weeks ago I shared with the subscribers of the Carrots newsletter about how I needed to recharge and take a little step back from the blog to breathe. (Sidenote: Thank you SO MUCH for all your sweet emails of encouragement!) And the break has been so good and refreshing. I’ve been working on post drafts here and there, still plugging away at the podcast, and I even shot a new vlog to be shared soon. But I’ve been saying yes to novels and naps, and been ignoring my overflowing inbox to give my brain a bit of a break. Ah. It’s been good.
So here I am with a new TWM and you can expect the usual programming in February!
Cute baby photo break:
Ok, moving on.
Bookshelf Love
Currently obsessing over this wonderful read from Laura Kelly Fanucci. I won’t tell you how many times I cried. It’s so dang beautiful. Mamas out there, just read it. I am actually feeling a bit smug about my 2015 Reading Goals. I read more books in January that I initially planned to read and I finished a big chunk of Les Miserables (I’m almost halfway done!). I just have a couple of chapters of E. Nesbit’s The Story of the Treasure Seekers and I’m on to February!
Who needs a triple stroller, amirite?!
The Quotable Benjamin
“This Bach guy is pretty good.”
“Ya know, mama, you’re never alone when you’ve got a good book.”
The Quotable Lucy
Lucy loves to make up these little songs. And they just slay me. “I love my DADDY and he’s so SWEEEEEEET. And my mom loves me mucher than the STAAAAAAARS!”
The Quotable Gwen
“Uhdder side, pease.”
Toddler bum in the air is apparently the cool way to nurse.
Just try to take in the glory of those Laura Ingalls Wilder braids….on a 20 month old. HOW DOES SHE HAVE THIS MUCH HAIR?
How does it get so much peanut butter in it? Bath time, all the time.
Links
A Glimpse of Heaven in My Personal Hell: Catholic Exchange
Monks Scramble to Preserve Iraq’s Christian History: NPR
Guess Which Disney Princess Emma Watson Will Be (psst! it’s Belle! I’m so exited!)
50 Things to Do on Valentine’s Day Instead of Seeing 50 Shades of Grey: To the Heights
And since I’ve been taking a writing break, Daniel Bearman got to actually use the laptop we share and made the most of it with these awesome posts:
Let Folly Be Our Cloak (Tolkien fans, you’ll love this)
Podcast
Y’all. You’ve just got to listen to this conversation we had with Leila Lawler of Like Mother, Like Daughter. She is so inspiring. These are some of my favorite quotes from the episode:
“We need to have that childlike wonder.”
“They [our kids] are going to absolutely tear ahead of us if we just present them with what is good and true and beautiful with simplicity and enjoyment.”
The criteria for choosing family/liturgical traditions: “Does this increase wonder?” “Does our family have the energy to take this on?”
“The world needs your home and the peace that’s in your home and the love and just the simple goodness. The world needs it.”
See? You’ve just gotta listen.
And while we’re on the subject of Auntie Leila, do check out her secrets to taking care of sick kiddos at home.
Coming Up in the Liturgical Year
Candlemas is on Monday! I love this feast. We usually spend part of the day making candles which is a blast. I shared some about the feast last year in this post from the archives.
Sponsors and Friends:
Be sure to give some love to this month’s sponsors! They keep the lights on around here.
Tonight Daniel and I are going on a legit date! Gwen is not coming. And there will be food. And then a live music/dance performance and I’m gettin’ dressed up! Wonders never cease!
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!
Lots of love,
Haley
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That’s it, you’ve convinced me. I need to start listening to podcasts and I’ll start with this one. Have fun on your date tonight! *heart eyes and kissy face emojis here*
Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Ann Marie! <3
Ha! The quote from baby Qwen made me laugh! And the nursing picture. I’m nursing my nine-month-old and I can tell she’s going to be a breastfeeding acrobat, too 🙂
So, I’m sort of craftsy-challenged, and I would love to make candles but I don’t think I am ready for such an endeavor. Do you know of any other Candlemas traditions I could do? Thanks! 🙂
You could just buy some candles and have them blessed, or just have a special meal by candlelight!
*insert joke here about Gwen saying “udder” side and also nursing from you*
I know! The joke was there just waiting for you.
Uhdder side!!! I love it. My toddler likes to nurse with her bum in the air too. Nursing used to mean sweet cuddles… no longer!
haha!
Wow. The catholic exchange article was very interesting. A life of simplicity sometimes feels like the complete opposite of possible when you have kids. Like, we have somuchdamnstuff. But it feels so important to me to get rid of the stuff and makes our lives more simple.
I am feeling so much LIGHTER after decluttering so much of our house. Less stuff means less stuff to take care of and put away means less stress cleaning means happier me. 🙂
Totally different subject… Is it not the most handsome thing when your husband’s scapular is hanging out of his shirt?! Gets me every time. (My own hubs obv)
TOTALLY.
I’ve been listening to your podcasts and following your blog recently…just heard in a podcast you are in Tallahassee. I work there…and live up the road in Thomasville! Was your date any chance at Boots & Ballet?!? I love your podcast!!!
Yes! It was Boots and Ballet! I used to work at South Georgia Ballet! It was so fun. And thanks for your sweet words about the podcast <3
Awesome! My daughter dances there and watched the show with a friend( I capitalized on the “child care” and went out to dinner with my husband)!
HA! My 21 month old does the same thing while nursing- it’s so funny and she’s the only one of my four who’s done such acrobatics.
G is my first toddler to nurse and it’s a horse of a different color 😉
That child is too gosh-darned adorable.
The Starving Inspired
Haha, thanks, Iris!