Quick takes 95: Style edition

1. Having enjoyed the wonderful posts on personal style by Elizabeth of That Married Couple and Lauren of Magnify the Lord ~ and being a happy follower of Betty Beguiles for many months ~ I thought it was time I took a look at my closet.
2. Given that in the past four years there has been pregnancies, nursing time, and the loss of about thirty pounds this inventory is long overdue ~ and so inspired by those who have inspired me (like my logic) I promise to get rid of what does not fit or does not flatter.  As 'me time' is limited this will  most likely take a couple of weeks but I figured the change of seasons will help as I will be looking at much of what I own in the semi-annual wardrobe shift.
3. Also given that 'me time' is elusive there is not a lot of time in the morning for outfit selection so paring down and building a closet of pieces that work for me and work together really appeals ~ and while definitely still an evolving concept I have, thanks to my reading, a sense of the image as full-time mom, part-time nursing instructor, and all the time me; I want to convey to the world. 
4. Footwear: I have of late definitely settled into a uniform of ease and functionality as a mom with a nursling and an active toddler but one area where I've enjoyed having some fun is footwear. I had great luck this summer finding a couple pairs of cute flats ~ and am now hoping to replicate that same style boost from two new pairs of boots ~ one from the lovely Sarah of Fumbling toward Grace, and one I picked up this week.

5. Skirts: One day earlier this summer I suggested a dress to Lisbeth and she declined pointing out that  we were not going to church ~ and I explained that we could wear skirts and dresses even on non-church days, but also know that if I wanted her to really believe me I would have to model that ~ and besides I love skirts and have picked up a couple heavier weight ones for autumn and winter.




6. Reality: I'm terrible at purging and most days you will most likely find me in jeans and my black clogs (and maybe even a hoodie) but I am so excited and inspired about all that I'm learning about developing a personal style

7. Yup that's me ~ a mom with a bit of style!









Please visit Conversion Diary to enjoy the rest of this weeks Quick Takes

Wordless Wednesday: My Guys

Thankful Thursday: October 20th

1. A non-leaking roof
2. A warm down comforter on the bed
3. Pumpkin scones
4. Wide open spaces to visit and explore
5. Friendships begun online, deepening in person: Pictures soon
6. Grace abundant and love everlasting

Please visit The Road Home and share what you're thankful for

Ten on Tuesday: October 18th

1. You’re packing for a week long vacation, do you pack ahead of time or wait until the last possible minute to pack?
    Usually the night before, not the last minute but kinda

2. Are you a light or heavy packer?
      Heavy getting lighter all the time now that I also have to pack for kids

3. What are your favorite road trip snacks?
       Trail Mix of the chocolate and fruit variety


4. Do you take any reading material along?
        Always!!


5. Do you prefer to drive or fly to your vacation destination?
       If we are going to be there for more than a couple days ~ drive so I can get around otherwise fly so that I don't use vacation time just getting there and back.

6. What is your favorite time of the year to take your vacation?
        Anytime!!  Seriously I love travel!

7. Where is your favorite place to vacation?
       With family at the beach

8. You are vacationing in the mountains, what is your favorite thing to do while there?
       Hike

9. You are at the beach for your vacation,  do you like to take it easy on the beach or play all day in the water?
       Wave jumping at the edge
10. While your on vacation do you prefer to eat out every night or cook some of your own meal
          Both, trying out local places some nights and others hanging out at 'home'


Please head to Roots and Rings to enjoy others take on these Ten on Tuesday questions

Quick Takes #94

--- 1 ---

Blogger meet-up tonight!! Rebecca of The Road Home is in my neck of the woods attending a conference and I get to have dinner with her tonight!!

--- 2 ---

I think we have made the move totally to table food with Liam, I offered purred stuff twice this week (trying to finish it up) and he would take two bites at best. Current faves include: eggs, noodles, cucumbers and of course frites

--- 3 ---

I tried a 'roasted' chicken recipe this week in the crock pot, and it worked well. I see fried rice and quesadillas in our future!!

--- 4 ---

CD1 ~ I can't truthfully say I missed you, but you do make charting easier!

--- 5 ---

The saving grace of Liam still being up once a night to eat was that he never stayed up, he would just eat and go back to sleep . Until this week, yes I know he is teething and getting over a cold ~ but man am I draggin

--- 6 ---

Am hoping for some good weather this weekend to get some plants and bulbs in the ground, challenge being remembering back to last spring and where l felt fresh bulbs were in order.

--- 7 ---

Weekend plans also include a trip to a local orchard for a hayride and some apple picking! What does your weekend hold?

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Honeymoon Memories

Betty Beguiles is collecting honeymoon stories ~ and here's mine:
    

    We married at the end of December, and my future husband not fond of tropical heat pushed for us to go somewhere 'wintery' ~ I agreed with two caveats that when we came in from the cold it would be to a fireplace and hot tub.  After working on finding a place for awhile he came back to say that it was going to have to be an either/or choice ~ I chose the fireplace knowing we would enjoy that more.

      And so on January 1st having visited my father and his grandmother (both unable to attend the wedding due to health issues) and spending New Year's Eve with his family we headed out to drive across Maine and New Brunswick to our ultimate destination: Prince Edward's Island

     My new husband had actually done a wonderful job choosing our lodgings; it was a charming older hotel at the edge of Charlottetown (the capital) which allowed us easy walking to the shops and eateries of the old part of town and easy access to get out of town by car and explore the rest of the island.  Unfortunately nine years ago most of the more touristy places closed in the winter so we were unable to visit the home of L.M Montgomery now a museum celebrating her and her most famous character Anne of Green Gable but we were able to go to Cavendish beach and walk some of the dunes whose descriptions I had read and re-read so often since discovering the series at 12.

      On the one or two more snowy days we stayed in town walking, window shopping, and enjoying yummy seafood ~ as it should be ~ to date the BEST PEI mussels I have ever had was on PEI!!
Over all it was a wonderful 5 days together exploring and/or doing nothing.  BTW the fireplace turned out to be more comedy than romance: it being the fakest looking gas fireplace we had (or have) ever seen!!

               

Blessed John Henry Newman ~ Feast Day

        
         As I have written previously being involved at my university's Newman Center had a great and wonderful impact on my life and faith journey (not the least of which ~ it is where I met my husband) up to and including this weekend when C.and I presented at a Pre-Cana Day hosted at the Center. The following quote was on a plaque given me at graduation:


“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work.
 I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place,
while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.
Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”
― John Henry Newman


And the following is an excerpt from Pope Benedict's Homily at the beatification this past year ~And indeed, what better goal could teachers of religion set themselves than Blessed John Henry’s famous appeal for an intelligent, well-instructed laity: “I want a laity, not arrogant, not rash in speech, not disputatious, but men who know their religion, who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of history that they can defend it” (The Present Position of Catholics in England, ix, 390). On this day when the author of those words is raised to the altars, I pray that, through his intercession and example, all who are engaged in the task of teaching and catechesis will be inspired to greater effort by the vision he so clearly sets before us.


Blessed John Henry Newman pray for us
"Cor ad cor loquitur"

Quick Takes # 93: Rain Drops on Roses version

1. I'm sick, not bad sick just annoying head cold sick so please allow as find some positives to focus on.
2. I am now consistently only changing dirty diapers for one little person in the house.  There is still the occasional wet pull-up after naps and nights, but solid wonderful progress
3. 'Mama' is being heard more often and increasingly selectively aimed at me!!
4. Lisbeth is really enjoying her school, and I'm enjoying the evening concerts of new songs learned.
5. Happy Midwifery Week! 
6. Dunkin Donuts Vanilla Chai
7. Prayer request: Pre-Cana this weekend ~ Please pray that the couples listen with an open heart and mind ~ and that I don't lose my voice.

Please head over to Conversion Diary and enjoy the rest of this week's Quick Takes

Thankful Thursday: October 6th

Giving Thanks this Thursday for:

1. Standing in warm sunlight
2. Sharing a happy meal
3. Pumpkin muffins and lattes
4. Listening to Lisbeth's songs
5. Hot de-congesting showers
6. Time to learn, laugh and love
7. Hope renewed each morning

For what are you giving thanks ~ Head over to The Road Home hosted by Rebecca and join in

Ten on Tuesday: October 4th

1. How do you take your coffee?

With some chocolate or perhaps seasonal flavor (pumpkin, anyone)

2. Do you prefer soft or crispy chocolate chip cookies?

Warm, soft and chewy!

3. Do you wear a belt everyday?

Not everyday, usually part of dressing up

4. What is your favorite color combination?

   Casual; Blue/Tan Formal: Cranbery-ish Red/BLack

5. Do you like sour candy?

Have to be in the right mood ~ then yes: worms, gum drops, etc

6. How often do you do laundry?

   2-3x a week

7. Did you ever wear braces?

Nope

8. Are you good at Roman Numerals?

I do okay,  better with the basics

9. What is your favorite form of social media?

?Facebook?

10. How do you feel about chin dimples?

I don't bother them (except babies),  they don't bother me


Congratulations to Chelsea of Roots and Rings on the 100th Ten on Tuesday

Where I'm From

I am from metal swing sets, from Tupperware cups and Kool-aid to drink.

I am from the best driveway to roller skate down, watching for deers out the back window, European elegance and American Craftsmanship.

I am from the Christmas cactus growing inside, and  tomatoes and lily of the valley growing outside

I am from leaving my shoe out for St. Nicholas and talking at the table after dinner, from Milou  and Pierre, Roland and Hazel.

I am from bring a stack of books home from the library, pancakes on the weekend and jumping into the leave pile.

From get your hair out of your face and "What are We Men!".

I am from Amazing Grace, One Bread One Body, from sacraments of grace, and men of good will seeking tolerance and understanding

I’m from Providence, Galilee Beach, and Loon Mountain by way of Belgium, from lobsters, clam cakes, and fighting for the piece of chocolate with the elephant.

From the Bon Papa who wanted grandchildren, the Apple Girl, and the URI graduate.

I am from many, many albums kept in the dresser, color pictures under clear plastic covers and black & white held by the corners. from slide shows late at night, from stories told and re-told, cherished and honored.


Thanks Sara for the inspiration!