Saturday, March 31

Watching Little House...


For the past few months, the children and I have been enjoying an episode of Little House on the Prairie each evening (we've read through the first few books as well). I remember watching this show with my mother every afternoon before dinner. It's funny how the simple things are the ones that you have the fondest memories of. I am so glad that Little House is available on dvd so that we can enjoy it as a family. It's also fun to get Father John interested in it, too! The next challenge is to get him to watch Anne of Green Gables with me!

Friday, March 30

Feminine Friday: Take a Stroll...


Today's feminine tip is to get outdoors for a stroll. Maybe you'll spot something you've never noticed before!

Thursday, March 29

New York City...

Some shots taken during our resent trip into Brooklyn to celebrate my grandmother's 75th birthday!

Lady Liberty


The Manhattan Bridge


Heading into Chinatown


Heading into Chinatown



The Brooklyn Bridge

Wednesday, March 28

Horses!


When we moved to this house a few months ago, I was feeling pretty happy that we would be closer to a local beach that has wild ponies running free there. I didn't realize that we would have a horse farm right behind our woods! We've gone for a few walks to visit with the horses (Sugar Plum has named them Pet and Patty after Laura's ponies in Little House on the Prairie) and plan to go frequently! We hope to meet their owners some day soon, too!

Monday, March 26

Lenten Cleaning: Week Five...


Playroom, Laundry Room, and Porch

Clean Windows, Picture Frames, and Mirrors
Dust
Sweep Floors
Mop Wood and Tile Floors
Wash Curtains and Dust Blinds
Organize Cabinets and Drawers
Toss Garbage
Make Donation of Unwanted Items to Goodwill
Sweep and Hose Down Porch
Clean Porch Swing
Plant Flowers in Window Boxes and Planters (if appropriate weather-wise)

Sunday, March 25

Reading...


At dusk Sarah cut Caleb's hair on the front steps, gathering his curls and scattering them on the fence and ground. Seal batted some hair around the porch as the dogs watched.

"Why?" asked Caleb.

"For the birds," said Sarah. "They will use it for their nests. Later we can look for nests of curls."

"Sarah said 'later,'" Caleb whispered to me as we spread his hair about. "Sarah will stay."

Sarah cut Papa's hair, too. No one else saw, but I found him behind the barn, tossing the pieces of hair into the wind for the birds.

Sarah brushed my hair and tied it up in back with a rose velvet ribbon she had brought from Maine. She brushed hers long and free and tied it back, too, and we stood side by side looking in the mirror. I looked taller, like Sarah, and fair and thin. And with my hair pulled back I looked a little like her daughter. Sarah's daughter."

Sarah, Plain and Tall
Patricia MacLachlan

Saturday, March 24

Annunciation...


Today is the beginning of our salvation,
The revelation of the eternal mystery!
The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin
As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.
Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace,
The Lord is with Thee!

:::::

The Annunciation Learning Basket can be found HERE.

Friday, March 23

Feminine Friday: Spring Wardrobe Inspiration...


Gored Knit Skirts (my favorites are carbon and pewter)

Born Albright Slides

Paired with a tee shirt, a colorful scarf, and sunglasses, my spring uniform is ready to go!

Do you have a warm weather uniform to keep things simple?

Thursday, March 22

Tortillas!






This week has been a Mexican Fiesta! We had chili for lunch on Monday and Black Bean Burgers on Tuesday. On Wednesday, our friend Gabriella (Miguel the Contractor's wife), came and made us homemade corn tortillas, salsa, and fried cactus (which is actually quite delicious!). It was such a great thing to watch her expertly make these treats for us. I am very excited about making salsa soon (it is so simple!) and I think that I might try my hand at the tortillas! I know that I will have help... Sugar Plum loved making them with Gabriella!

Wednesday, March 21

Deep Chocolate Bundt Cake...


Deep Chocolate Bundt Cake
adapted by my mother from the cookbook Veganomicon


Ingredients

1 3/4 cups fresh brewed coffee
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup applesauce ( used unsweetened)
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 t vanilla
1 t almond extract
2 cups flour
1 t baking soda
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt

Method

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a bundt pan.

Brew the coffee and then measure it into a measuring cup. Stir the cocoa powder into the hot coffee until the cocoa dissolves and let cool to room temperature.

In a mixing bowl whisk together the sugar, oil, applesauce and cornstarch for about 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Mix in the extracts. Once the coffee/ chocolate mixture has cooled mix that in too.

Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat until relatively smooth, about 2 minutes with a whisk.

Pout the batter into the bundt pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until the cake is done (using a knife or toothpick)

Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes and then turn it upside down on plate to cool completely. Once cool, sift confectioners' sugar over the top and enjoy.

Monday, March 19

Lenten Cleaning: Week Four...


Office, Entrance, and Paschal Shopping

Clean Windows, Picture Frames, and Mirrors
Dust
Vacuum Rugs
Sweep Floors
Mop Wood Floors
Wash Curtains and Dust Blinds
Organize Cabinets and Drawers
Toss Garbage
Make Donation of Unwanted Items to Goodwill
Purchase Sugar Plum's Dress, Sweater, Headband, and Sandals
Purchase Little Man's Shirt, Pants, Vest, and Sandals
Purchase Button's Shirt, Pants, Vest, and Sandals
Begin Scouting Out Paschal Basket Goodies

Sunday, March 18

Reading...


The August sun rose red, then turned gold. It touched the flowers of the aunts' gardens, the beds of late roses and nasturtiums and asters. Geese flew in, sitting calmly on the water. A boat with two masts and a tall sail slipped by. Caleb went fishing with William and came home with two fish.

"Flounder," said William, smiling at us.
But Caleb didn't smile.

In the afternoon we walked by the water, Aunt Lou and Sarah, Caleb and I. Caleb threw sticks for Brutus, who brought them back along with big rocks and seaweed and whatever came up with the tide. We began to walk up the path again, Caleb carrying sticks, Sarah stopping to pick a handful of rose hips. A fishman pulled lobster pots in the cove. Then, suddenly, Caleb straightened and looked past me to the top of the hill. He didn't speak, but his lips moved.

"What?" I asked him, and I turned to see a figure standing there, looking out at the sea.

Caleb's mouth opened and he dropped his sticks.

Papa."

Patricia MacLachlan

Saturday, March 17

Commitment to Loveliness: Week of March 18th...


1. Write post on children and the Crucifixion (I am so sorry that it has taken me so long, Nicole!)

2. Decorate for Spring!

3.Clean Out the Sand Table and Add Fresh Sand

4. Wash and Store Winter Coats, Hats, Scarves, and Mittens

5. Make Father John's Birthday (March 21st) a Special One!

:::::

Please join me in making a Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in one's life each week without much effort! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!
Once you have chosen five simple things, post them on your blog and let us know in the comments section. If you do not have a blog, but have a commitment to share, please post them in the comments section.

Saint Patrick's Day...



Holy Bishop Patrick,
Faithful shepherd of Christ's royal flock,
You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel:
The mighty strength of the Trinity!
Now that you stand before the Savior,
Pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!

:::::

The Saint Patrick Learning Basket can be found HERE.

Friday, March 16

Feminine Friday: Add Beauty...


Today's tip to to beautify something. It could be to tidy up your dining room table and add a centerpiece that will make you happy as you pass by. It might be to really deep clean something that is so filthy that it makes your heart sink when you spot it (our filthy thing was Button's high chair! I cleaned it last Saturday and felt so accomplished.). Maybe it's just tossing the junk out of your handbag and organizing everthing. Whatever it is you do, do it well! Enjoy how adding just a little beauty to your surroundings makes all the difference!

Springtime at the Zoo...







Wednesday, March 14

Button Lends a Hand...

Mr. Miguel wasn't too proud to ask Button for a little help with the plumbing this week! In all seriousness, it has been great to have such a patient contractor on the church's construction job!

Monday, March 12

Lenten Cleaning: Week Three...

Sunroom and Living Room

Clean Windows, Picture Frames, and Mirrors
Dust
Vacuum Rugs
Sweep Floors
Mop Tile and Wood
Wash Linens and Curtains
Sort Through Books and Magazines
Organize Cabinets and Drawers
Toss Garbage
Make Donation of Unwanted Items to Goodwill
Purchase Any Needed Items

Sunday, March 11

Reading...


Bedtime came early for Mama's girls. The children were sent to bed at the same time regardless of age. Mama had found that to be much the best way for all. In the first place, the children had no feeling of separation from each other as they would have had if they went to bed at different times. And it meant that Mama could have a few quiet hours for reading or knitting or even just chatting with Papa without being disturbed by her little ones.

As for the children, bedtime was something to which they looked forward. Bedtime was when Ella and Sarah, who slept together, built their imaginary house and decorated the beautifully rich and colorful make-believe rooms. Bedtime was when Charlotte made up fanciful stories to tell or thought up games to play with her bedfellow, Gertie. Bedtime was when Henny planned some special mischief she could carry on the next day in school or at home. Planned all by herself, because she didn't like sharing a bed with anyone.

They slept, all five of them, in the one room and that made for plenty of company in the dark. And what was the best of all, Mama never minded their talking to each other. "It's early enough and they're resting their bodies anyway," she said. "They'll fall asleep when they get tired."

Saturday, March 10

Commitment to Loveliness: Week of March 11th...


1. Birthday Thank You Notes

2. Keep to my Lenten Cleaning Schedule

3.Enjoy the Warm Weather This Week. It is supposed to be in the 60's and sunny all week long. I hope to get the children outside to play as much as possible! We plan to visit the zoo on Thursday and we also cleaned off our outside tables in hopes that we can enjoy lunch in the fresh air this week.

4. Beauty Maintenance: I need to groom my brows and give myself a pedicure. I would also like to keep up with my moisturizing.

5. Plan For Button's Namesday (March 18th) and Father John's Birthday (March 21st)

:::::

Please join me in making a Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in one's life each week without much effort! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!
Once you have chosen five simple things, post them on your blog and let us know in the comments section. If you do not have a blog, but have a commitment to share, please post them in the comments section.

Friday, March 9

Feminine Friday: What's in Your Handbag?

Here is my autumn and winter handbag. I have had it for three years now (it was a gift from my sister) and I still like it as much as I did the minute that I opened it! I try to take good care of it so that I will have it for a long time. I like to try to get quality items that will last and last and last. My goal is to have this bag for at least ten years.

My wallet shows a bit of wear, but it is as nice as ever! I have two keys on on my key ring (house and car).

My sunglasses

Three pouches for organizing the little things: makeup, comb, and bandaids in the largest, pens and paper in the medium, and odds and ends in the smallest.

Mobile Phone

Diapers and Wipes

Not pictured, but often included: tiny toys (mostly cars), receipts, baby clothing, small blanket, coins, and a snack or two

:::::

What's in your handbag? Does it double as a diaper bag like mine?

Thursday, March 8

Click...


I've been trying out Instagram the past few days and I have to say that I like it! I still really enjoy using our old Canon, but this is a fun way to get a quick shot and use some interesting filters (something I never do with the pictures that I take with a real camera). Are you on Instagram?
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