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 … [Read more...]
Simple Homemade Recipe for Lip Balm, Hand Salve, and Beard Wax
My husband Daniel whipped some of this up recently and it's fantastic! So I nagged used my dulcet tones to convince him to guest post here at Carrots to share his recipe. Lucky for you, he's an obliging sort! -Haley I’ve used beard wax for several years. Mostly just beeswax and oil, beard wax helps a beard keep a good shape, gives a beard a nice sheen, prevents split ends, and … [Read more...]
Want to Know Yourself Better? Jane Austen Is Here to Help.
image: Jennifer Ehle in ‘Pride and Prejudice’/Image © BBC Every time I re-read Miss Austen’s novels (ahem, every single year), I find something I hadn’t noticed before. I uncover another layer with each return to her works and this year what I’m most drawn to is the theme of self-knowledge. I’m not alone in considering Austen to be a philosopher and she follows in the footsteps of the ancients … [Read more...]
This Week’s Miscellany: Vol. 152 (New bangs! And piglets!)
It has been a muddy, muddy week. It's been raining since Monday and I just refuse to bother mopping the floors until things dry up because it's just futile with the munchkins around. Gwen insists on stomping in EVERY puddle. Girl is not afraid of getting dirty. And check out those bangs! I was sick of seeing her hair in her face and in her food. Here's a before shot: They were making a … [Read more...]
How to Do Holy Week (And Being Flexible When There Are Kids Involved) {Sponsored}
This post is sponsored by Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles. See the end of this post for a giveaway of their beautiful candles! I can’t believe how quickly Lent is flying by. Does that mean I didn’t make it hard enough for myself? It’s possible. But that’s the great thing about Lent. You can always take note of how it’s going halfway through and ramp up the penitentialness (is that a … [Read more...]
This Week’s Miscellany: Vol. 151 (Or, what Daniel did when our meat freezer thawed.)
This basically sums up our week. Insanity. Ok, let me set the stage..... Sunday morning: I realize after breakfast that I caught Lucy's stomach flu. My Dr. Quinn-style home remedies kept me relatively comfortable, so it was basically a pass to spend the day in bed beginning (and ending) Season 1 of Poldark from Masterpiece Theatre. Image source: BBC It's streaming on Amazon Prime. YOU'RE … [Read more...]
Liturgical Living at a Glance: March 2016
Getting this one out just in the nick of time as March begins! Last week was busy because I went out of town for a night to speak at the Catholic student center in College Station (such great students! So much fun! And a big shout out to Martha who drove in from Huntsville--thanks for being there!) and then Sunday morning I got hit with a stomach flu that, thankfully, was quick to resolve itself … [Read more...]
Friday Fashion Frivolity: Just Say No to Fringe (My latest Stitch Fix)
Every so often, we chat fashion at Carrots. I hope it feels like going shopping with a friend, but not having to try on jeans….or leave your couch. So here’s the drill. I share a new box of Stitch Fix items, tell ya my thoughts, get my husband Daniel’s take, and share what I kept and what I sent back. (I’m not gonna go into the details of the personal styling service Stitch Fix in this … [Read more...]
This Week’s Miscellany: Vol. 150 (BABY GOATS EDITION!)
They're here! They're here! BABY GOATS! On Valentine's Day someone noticed that one of the mama goats, Amaretto, was in early labor so we all walked up to the kid barn to see what was going on. We watched her labor for over an hour and then a sweet little buck came out breech. Yikes! You could tell it was a tough labor. Daniel had to help get the little guy out because he got a little … [Read more...]
That Time St. Mary Magdalene Found Me
“But I don’t have a patron saint,” I thought to myself. It was the first night of my lenten retreat and we were encouraged to ask for our patron saint’s intercession for the weekend. In the past few years since my conversion to the Catholic faith, I’ve wanted to have a special friend in heaven, but no one stepped forward. Maybe St. Monica? St. Elizabeth Ann Seton? A mother like me? Someone … [Read more...]
