I really enjoyed creating last year's Advent music playlist: Sleepers, Wake! to learn more about songs appropriate for the Advent season and to help me hold off on the Christmas music until Christmastide. So I really wanted to make a new one this year! It's a little bit shorter than the first one, but I hope you'll enjoy it. It's got a little something for everyone, from very traditional Advent … [Read more...]
Are You Ready for Advent? (at Catholic Exchange)
Catholic Exchange is running an excerpt from our ebook today about the season of Advent... "Advent (not New Year’s) is the beginning of the Christian Year and it’s considered a ‘little Lent.’ It’s quiet. It’s somber. It’s full of waiting and hoping. Just as there can be no real celebration of the Resurrection without the pain of Good Friday, there can be no real Christmas without the … [Read more...]
Advent Unplugged (A Link Up!)
I have a confession to make: I need to unplug during this Advent season. I need to stop distracting myself and focus on preparing my heart for Jesus. I find myself less and less able to just live life and BE. Instead I keep reaching for my phone, filling the minutes between one activity and the next with social media and it needs to stop. NOW. This quiet, reflective time of Advent is coming at … [Read more...]
27 Picture Books for Advent and Christmas
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. I may be compensated for purchases made through these links, but all opinions are my own. It's been a couple of years since I wrote about picture books for Advent and Christmas and we have acquired so many more good ones to share with you! This year I'm going to wrap each book with wrapping paper so that the kids can unwrap one each morning of Advent. … [Read more...]
Our Book! It’s Here! It’s Finally Here!
At long last and just in time for Advent, our ebook, Feast! Real Food, Reflections, and Simple Living for the Christian Year, is here! Thank you so much, Carrots readers, for all of your encouragement and excitement about this project. I can't believe that we FINALLY get to share it with you! I'm thrilled and a little nervous to finally send this book out into the world. We're having a special … [Read more...]
When Our Good and Holy Plans Fall Through…
(I'm honored to share this beautiful guest post from my dear friend, Mandi Richards. -Haley) I thought I woke up every morning willing to do God’s will. I made choices that others questioned (like marrying young and starting our family early - both without much money in the bank, giving up grad school for life as a stay-at-home mom) but I did so willingly and with great joy because I believed … [Read more...]
Want 100% Beeswax Advent Candles? GIVEAWAY with Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles
Did it just hit you that Advent is almost here? OK, good, because it just hit me, too. Haven't ordered Advent candles yet? Well, you're in luck. Because Toadily Handmade Beeswax Advent Candles is sponsoring a giveaway and offering one Make Your Own Advent Candle Kit to the lucky winner! For the past four years, I've bought my Advent candles from them because they are not only prettier than … [Read more...]
Nosepickers, St. Peter, and the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
Some thoughts from Daniel... After Haley’s “Kids in Mass” post was featured on Catholic Exchange, a few colorful commenters descended to share their opinions. Some were less than charitable. Maybe they mistakenly thought we let our children roam the aisles and regularly scream bloody murder through the homily. But most people were supportive. One positive comment that stood out to me was a … [Read more...]
Creating a Liturgical Year Binder
This is a guest post from Kelly of This Ain't the Lyceum, one of my favorite blogs. I can't wait to create one of these binders because when I keep ideas only on Pinterest they're out of sight, out of mind and I simply won't remember the recipes, activities, and prayers I wanted to do! - Haley Our home library contains an impressive amount of Catholic books, however when it comes to praying as a … [Read more...]
Feast! Our eBook! (A Michaelmas Announcement)
Happy Michaelmas! (Daniel carrying Gwen over the finish line) Even though Daniel ran 50 miles yesterday (and came in first in his age group!!!), he didn't forget how much I love Michaelmas and took the kids to the store to get ingredients for a big feast tonight. Speaking of feasts, I want to officially announce that we're writing an ebook that will launch in November! The working title … [Read more...]
