Guess what! A few months ago, I was asked to contribute to a book of reflections on the mysteries of the Rosary and motherhood. And it's almost out! I wrote about the Visitation which is my favorite mystery. Edited by Michele Chronister of My Domestic Monastery! With contributors including: Amy of Go Forth and Mother Kelly of This Ain't the Lyceum Cari of Clan … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: April
I’m always trying to figure out how to make it easier for families to observe the Christian Year because we felt so overwhelmed when we first started that journey (which is why we wrote the book we wish we had then). I thought it might be helpful for our family to have resources compiled for the month ahead so that we can plan in advance which special saints days we want to observe and I hope … [Read more...]
Sticky Handprints and When You’re Not Ready for Easter
It’s Holy Week and I’m not ready for it. It’s been a busy Lent. It started out focused, but then life showed up. Did that happen to you, too? With our house on the market, trying to keep everything clean while homeschooling and raising three little ones is driving me crazy. Daniel was really busy at work and was out of town some for his second gig as a youth group leader. My lenten food … [Read more...]
Why Mary Has to Hold the Cards: Thoughts on the Annunciation, Assault, and Free Will
In Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Annunciation, we see the angel Gabriel visiting Mary in her bedroom. He stands tall while she shrinks back on her bed. Her face is difficult to read. Is she deep in thought? Or is she paralyzed by fear? The image is deeply unsettling and it’s hard to ignore the fact that it looks like we are witnessing an assault on a young girl. This is problematic on so many … [Read more...]
Getting the Eastertide Party Going {Sponsored Post}
When I was chatting with Christy and Bonnie on the Fountains of Carrots podcast recently, I realized that while we have some set traditions for observing Lent in our home, we haven't developed as much for celebrating Eastertide (50 days!) after Easter Sunday comes to an end. But we're slowly and surely adding in some solid Easter traditions in our home, so I thought I'd share. Kick it Off! One … [Read more...]
8 Picture Books for Lent and Easter
I'm usually on the ball with having great picture books to read during Advent, but this is the first year I've intentionally sought out Lent and Easter reads for the kids. So head on over to your local library and check 'em out! 1. Tomie dePaola's Book of Bible Stories Lent is a great time to read passages about the life of Jesus. We usually read a bit of the New Testament section of this … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: March
Ok, folks, I know I'm really late on getting this one out there, sorry! BUT, we were sick last week, our house is on the market, and my baby godson and his twin are in the process of being born (!!) while we watch their five siblings sooooooo......excuses. I got 'em. I mean, adding an extra five kids to your household should get you out of most anything, right? Ok, on to the good stuff! I’m … [Read more...]
Rob Bell’s “Tribe”, MacLaren’s Pub, and the Homeless Guy I Have (Almost) Nothing in Common With
My 22-month-old daughter had made it through most of evening Mass, but after receiving Communion I was holding her in the back of the church so she could wave to her favorite statue of St. “Shoesoff”“ (Joseph) and kiss his “feetsies.” She waved and beamed to the parishioners walking back to their pews. “Hi!” she grinned at an unkempt man wearing an old military coat and multiple bandanas around … [Read more...]
Go Cajun with a Shrimp Remoulade Recipe for Mardi Gras!
Need a good idea for Mardi Gras food? Daniel's family lived in New Orleans for several years when he was growing up and the culinary tradition of that fair city is still strong with him. Tonight we celebrated his sweet mom's birthday with some delicious gumbo and shrimp remoulade. Then I realized how perfect it was for a Mardi Gras meal and wrangled him into typing up his recipe! Seriously, so … [Read more...]
9 Ideas for Observing Lent with Kids: Holy Heroes Review (and free coloring books for you!) {Sponsored Post}
This post is sponsored by Holy Heroes. Is it just me, or is Lent painfully early this year? I feel like I'm still recovering from Christmastide. On the other hand, I'm a big Lent fan. I love that the Christian Year offers us a time set aside to clean house. And no, I'm not talking about my dusty baseboards, although that would be a good thing to tackle during Lent, too. I'm talking about our … [Read more...]
