7 Quick Takes #276: Thinking about being Spring

1. Hello! Happy Spring! Weather-wise it is trying to be spring around here. No flowers yet but some shoots and buds can be seen; and I may be tempting fate but the snow shovels are back in the shed.
2. The warmer weather means we have pulled out the bikes! Liam having gotten a new taller bike has passed on his former to Caitlin and each are off to happy, if wobbly starts. Lisbeth has mostly been focused on mastering the caster board she received for Christmas. After consulting a couple of videos she got the knack and is having a blast.
3. Last weekend we traveled to N.J. to join in surprising Dr Daddy's uncle for his 80th birthday.  It was overall a great time with excellent food and a wonderful chance to catch-up with friends and family we don't get to see very often.  Given his St Patrick's Day birthday there was plenty of Soda Bread and Irish coffee to enjoy!!
4. In addition to prayers and remembrance; food wise we marked St Joseph's Day with pizza for the kids and kielbasa and peirogies for the grown-ups thereby covering both traditional nationalities. 
5. Last night we had the great pleasure of watching Lisbeth perform with the Archdiocesan Children's Choir; 5th-8th graders from all the local catholic schools are selected and perform together.  It was so nice to watch her enjoy the results of all their hard work and practicing this year.
6. This weekend Dr Daddy and I are presenting at Pre-Cana; please pray that the engage couples come with open hearts and minds to the information provided to them.
7. Have a wonderful weekend!

Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!!

Open Book ~ March '19

The Wreath by Sigrid Undset (translated by Tina Dunnally) is the first book in a trilogy about a Norwegian girl Kristin Lavransdatter set in the fourteenth century. The book follows Kristin, her family and village from her early childhood, through her teens and evolving plans for marriage.  A lovely read which looks deeply into the thoughts and emotions of a young girl coming of age, falling in love, and seeking to discern if called to marriage or cloister.  Against this main story Undset provides tons of information about the geography and customs of Norway at that time; and Dunnally's translation provides all of this information without feeling forced or dry.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon is a wonderful day-in-the-life story in New York where two high school seniors having a bad day meet and find the support needed to face some tough choices.  A fast paced story with just enough backstory provided for a wonderful read about what it means to be a child of immigrants.

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner a slow paced lovely story of friendship as two couples reflect back on a friendship which began in their twenties and has sustained them through the decades and the Vermont camp which they have all retreated to at different points in their lives. A wonderful reflection on marriage, and the strength it brings as life events change and alter our dreams.

Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales is a book which began as a correspondence with a noble young woman seeking to understand how to live a devout life while in the world which became a book when the Bishop decided that this was a wish shared by many in the laity.  The advice he provides while first offered in the seventeenth century holds true in present day; I found almost none of it dated and so very much valuable to my life and vocation.  This was a book that I deliberately paced myself to better mine and reflect on its depth and wisdom.

Please head over to Carolyn's  for more Open Book.

Quick Takes #275: The difference a year makes!

1. Happy March! February was fun, busy, with enough snow for a couple of snow days and couple of memorable activities like taking the girls to Annapolis to see Snow White by the Maryland Ballet.
2. Later today we will be headed to Build.a.Bear to hopefully get Lisbeth a Light Fury and kick-off her birthday (How to train your Dragon) weekend which will of course include seeing the movie
3. Before I write these birthday posts I will look back on the previous post, and sometimes not much has changed except perhaps their favorite show.  Not this time; in the past year Lisbeth has grown so much. Literally ~ about 4 inches and figuratively in poise, maturity and ability to handle herself in difficult situations.
4. She received a box set of the first 5 books of the Wings of Fire series last birthday and has been inhaling the series (now 12 books & 2 graphic novel) ever since. While not my genre of choice it has been so fun watch her reading with such abandon.  Mythical creatures ~ particularly dragons are the current focus of much of her artwork.  
5. Some things have not changed ~ Math, Minecraft and Art continues to be her favorites things.  
6. It somehow feels very appropriate that my 1000th post on this blog is largely about little 9month old when I started this blog who has grown into such a lovely, bright, imaginative tween.  
7. Have a good weekend!! Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!