Life Changing Books

       

     It is said that your first answer is often the best and the first book that came to mind I read of this carnival was "Anne of Green Gables" or rather the series. Encouraged by a friend to buy the first three books at a yard sale when I was 12; I discovered a favorite storyline, a new author to explore, and many lovely thru-threads to my life.

-When asked on a college application to write an essay about ~ if I could spend an evening with anyone living, dead, or fictional who would it be ~ I choose Anne; this first worried my parents but later when I was accepted they appreciated my creativity.

- As a person always happiest with a book in my pocket; the series became my friend in times of stress ~ what I would read while settling into classes or studying for finals: loyal friends but easy to put down when commitments demand.

- The location of my honeymoon!

- A wonderful (if fictional) example of a life of faith well lived. Anne is a very authentic character and a wonderful introduction to being who God created you to be and honoring God in the trying.


Little Bear is the first book I read myself and certainly started me on my love affair with reading and other books have meant much to me but Anne and her friends and family will forever hold a very special place in my heart.

Please head over to Modern Mrs. Darcy and join the Book that Changed My Life Carnival!!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thankful Thursday: April 30th

1. My sisters!
2. Getting the grass cut ahead of the  rain.
3. A-framing Husband!
4. The chance to visit beautiful gardens 

Please visit The Road Home and share what you are thankful for.

I've been tagged

by Jamie of A Rough Diamond

Here are the rules:
1.  Post these rules.
2.  Post a photo of yourself and then write 11 things about your life.
3.  Answer the questions for you set in the original post.
4.  Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you have tagged them.

11 things about me:

1. Despite being half-Belgian I prefer my beer COLD
2. Tulips are my favorite flowers
3. My husband and I had been dating 9 years 10 months when we got married
4. We will be married 9 years 10 months this October!
5. Love to read, favorite books become old friends I visit with over and over again
6. Favorite movie: The Philadelphia Story
7. My first concert was John Denver, I was five.
8. I would eat mussels year round if it would not scandalise my mother
9. Staring at the ocean soothes my soul, and recharges my batteries 
10. Have been known say 'Wicked' when I meant Very
11. Favorite color is purple.

Jamie's questions;
1.  What is your most vivid dream?
 Walking out onto a deck overlooking the ocean and watching the sea ~ often turns into me flying over the ocean.
 
2.  When you want to feel comfortable, what outfit do you put on?
   Favorite jeans, soft t-shirt or sweater

3.  When you are alone, do you turn on the TV, open a book, or sit at the computer? 
   Depends on the day, but one of the three, definitely!!

4.  What family member are you most like and what about you is similar? 
  My uncle (my father's brother): introverts in a family of extroverts, and both appreciate ice cream and good conversation.
   
5.  What song makes you think of 7th grade? 
   "We built this city on Rock and Roll" or "Greatest Love of All"

6.  How did you meet your spouse?
 At the Newman Center at the University of Pennsylvania, I was in nursing school and he was in grad school.

7.  Mountains or beach? 
   BOTH!! Ok, beach gets the narrow win.

8.  You need to relax.  Where in your house do you go?
  If the weather is nice, patio; otherwise family room.
 
9.  What is your favorite form of exercise? 
     Hiking (swimming in the summer)

10.  How many houseplants do you have?
     Currently, none inside.

11.  How much time do you devote to reading/commenting/blogging per week?
     My guess would be about 2 hrs a day ~ 15 hours a week.


   

Tagging Catholic Mutt, Rebecca, and Katherine (my apologies if you've been already tagged).

Quick Takes #105

1. Preview of summer this week, sundresses, popsicles on the front step, cutting the grass, watering and worrying about new little plants.
2. Memories to cherish of a growing, maturing 4 year old: Welcoming guests to our Easter Feast! Pedaling away on her new bike!  Turning off without prompting a show she is not to watch.
3. We have been discouraging E. from taking her 'pony-cow' out on too many adventures in the hope of prolonging the lovey's lifespan.  So she decided that L's lamb should definitely come to this week's check-up for them both.  He did in fact prove to be an adequate snuggle friend during shots!
4. Time Magazine released its current '100 influential people' including Jeremy Lin, Cardinal Dolan and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Princess Kate).  A mix of those who I recognize and those I don't; it is an opportunity to catch up on current events ~ at least from one perspective.
5. While completing a"100 places to visit before you die" survey on FB I was reminded that I really need to visit Gettysburg someday (about 3 hrs from where I live).  Much closer is Valley Forge (not on the list), where I have been but not in a while; so yesterday while E. enjoyed an extended school-day, little boy L. and I paid a visit.
6. Favorite post of the week "NFP: Catholic Birth Control" by Sarah of Fumbling towards Grace. An excellent post exposing the linguistical landmine and disconnect that often exist between Catholics and Non-Catholics in discussing family planning, birth control and contraception.
7. My iPhone died yesterday, hoping a 'genius' can fix it tomorrow.  However I don't miss it sufficient to attempt an Apple store with two kids today when waiting one day will reduce the kids in tow by 50-100%.

Please visit Conversion Diary hosted by Jen to enjoy the rest of this week's Quick Takes!

Wordless Wednesday: Pause Button Please!

It's still good news!!

My sister recently reminded me of this song which was a favorite and a cornerstone in 

our family growing up.

Thankful Thursday: April 12th

1. For a wonderful Tridium and Easter services!
2. For a friend who volunteered to watch the kids so I could serve.
3. For sharing dinner with my church family.
4. For new family memories as we first colored eggs.
5. I am loved and forgiven!!

Please visit The Road Home and enjoy all there is to given thanks for.

Wordless Wednesday:A day in Washington..

at the Kite Festivals.

Forty Days ~ Forty Bags: Wrap-up

 
        I'm calling this 40 bags lite; as I've included weekly trash and recycling but I'm also calling it a success as by Tridium 37 bags + a TV and some electronics had found their way out of my home to the trash, recycling center or donation places.  I'm also so motivated to keep purging and see how quickly I can get the count to 40 without including trash.

Here is the weekly breakdown:

Week .5: 1 bag trash, 3 bags recycling (4)

Week 1: 2 bag clothing donated, 2 recycling, 1 bag trash (9)

Week 2: 4 bags recycling, 1 bag trash (14)

Week 3: 4 bags recycling, 4 bags clothes & household items donated, 2 bags trash (24)

Week 4: 2 bags recycling, 2 trash ~ and a TV,  3 computers and electronics to special recycling (28+)

Week 5: 3 bags recycling, 1 bag trash (32+)

Week 6: 2 bags recyling, 2 bags clothes donated, 1 bag trash (37+)

 
Overall it was a great experience and a challenge I'm so glad I decided to meet.

Lenten thoughts

        Overall it was a good Lent, with its usually share of success and failures.  I did not manage to make a Morning Offering every morning and so a discipline I'm still working towards but I did manage to abstain from fiction for the whole time except for one afternoon sick with a GI bug when I opted to curl-up with a favorite book.  This did help me to make the time to finish not only the devotional I chose for Lent but a book on prayer and to start another.  Simplify the Soul was wonderful; I really enjoyed the prayers included and the practices recommended.

        Almsgiving wise I completed (largely) successfully a 40 day/40 bag challenge ( post coming) and discovered through Leila's posts Reece's Rainbow and was able to meet my giving goal.

     Where I was not as successful was incorporating Lenten practices for the kids, the two books I got both proved to be beyond them, ah well, on to next year.

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter!!

Roll Away The Stone – Tom Conry

They have been saying all our plans are empty.
They have been saying “Where is their God now?”

Roll away the stone, see the Glory of God.   Roll away the stone…

They have been saying no one will remember.
They have been saying Power rules the world.

Roll away the stone, see the Glory of God.  Roll away the stone…

They have been saying no one hears the singing.
They have been saying all our strength is gone.

Roll away the stone, see the Glory of God.  Roll away the stone…

They have been saying “All of us are dying.”
They have been saying “All of us are dead.”

Roll away the stone, see the Glory of God.  Roll away the stone…

Happy Easter!!

Holy Saturday; Sacred Silence

A favorite poem by a favorite author:

Ready for Silence

Madeleine L’Engle

Then hear now the silence
He comes in the silence
in silence he enters
the womb of the bearer
in silence he goes to
the realm of the shadows
redeeming and shriving
in silence he moves from
the grave cloths, the dark tomb
in silence he rises
ascends to the glory
leaving his promise
leaving his comfort
leaving his silence

So come now, Lord Jesus
Come in your silence
breaking our noising
laughter of panic
breaking this earth’s time
breaking us breaking us
quickly Lord Jesus
make no long tarrying

When will you come
and how will you come
and will we be ready
for silence
your silence

Thankful beyond Words

 What language shall I borrow 

 to thank thee, dearest friend, 
 for this thy dying sorrow, 
 thy pity without end? 
 O make me thine forever; 
 and should I fainting be, 
 Lord, let me never, never 
 outlive my love for thee.




O Sacred Head:verse 3