Lenten Reading List

   I have for the past several Lents 'given up' fiction and that is my plan again this year. I tend to make a book list and then let the mood take me, but here is some of what I hope to read this Lent.

The Reckless Way of Love: Notes on Following Jesus by Dorothy Day; a buddy read hosted by Fountain of Carrots that I'm joining.

Quiet Companion by Mary Purcell a biography of St. Peter Favre one of the founding members of Jesuits. 

We Are Our Mothers' Daughters by Cookie Roberts

Six Sacred Rules by Tim & Sue Muldoon

The Benedict Option by Rod Dresher

Make My Life Simple by Rachel Balducci

 My devotional for this lent is No Unlikely Saints offered by Brick House in the City.

And being released on March 12th  Be Bold in the Broken by Mary Lenaburg. 

What are you reading this Lent?

Linking up with Rosie of A Blog for my Mom

Open Book ~ April '20

As I have for the last few years I chose to give-up fiction for Lent again and found a few treasures.

Live Big ~ Love Bigger by Kathryn Whitaker is a wonderful tell it like it is memoir. Whitaker shares about her faith journey and how in the early days of her marriage she and her husband set about creating a home culture based in service and seeking God's will. She is honest about mistakes made and how the premature birth of her youngest son rocked her world.  It is a wonderful visit with a Catholic mom of many where she shares what she has learned along way in the hope of making your journey a bit better; best enjoyed with a glass of Dr Pepper perhaps.

Holy Women by Pope Benedict is lovely little book based on a series of talks Pope Benedict gave in 2010-11.  The seventeen women profiled was a nice balance of saints I knew and others I was 'meeting' for the first time.  Each chapter is part biography and part reflection of the saints contribution to Church history; and I felt like I learned from each one.

Holy Women was a late addition to my Lenten plans when I decided to join an online book club, but it paired beautifully with a book I was already planning on reading.

Accidental Theologians by Elizabeth Dreyer is a fascinating look at the four women named Doctors of the Church.  Dreyer does a wonderful job of sharing each women's faith journey and their understanding of matters of faith, both as it applied in their time and in ours. Dreyer also explores how the definition of scholarly theology used to determine eligibility to be considered worthy of the title was broaden to include those who given the customs of the times would never be given the opportunity to attend university but whose contributions have profoundly added to our understanding of theology.

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

Quick Takes #287: Ma Bailey's 3 Room Schoolhouse

1. Greetings from my corner of world where I am mostly successfully maintaining social distance except from my little and medium loves to whom I'm teaching about the distance their dear introverted mother needs on occasion.
2. One week in remote learning is largely going well; though I am still taking a wary deep breath each morning as I log-in to find my orders for the day.  As in their teachers create the plan, and I to the best of my ability execute. Mostly this week has been a lesson in when they can work independently versus when I really need to sit with them.
3. Hopefully next week goes even smoother; the weather continues to allow for outside time. Hopefully we begin to know if we are in fact 'flattening the curve', and what the timeline looks for the next few weeks.
4. The world outside my window is starting to show signs of spring.  Our daffodils are in bloom, as is our forsythia. Trees all around are beginning to blossom and the smell in the air is beginning to change. About half of our yard was torn up for the addition construction leaving ample area for mud but hopefully soon grass seed.
5. On the topic of the addition; I owe you a really post on this but... it is complete!! We now have a working bathroom!!  There is still a lot painting still to do, not to mention putting the rooms disrupted by the construction back in order but the biggest hurdle crossed.  
6. Philadelphia along with many other dioceses has closed Mass to the general population so we will be watching one that is being streamed. But to be honest I am struggling to wrap my brain around what Tridium and Easter will be like, hoping if we start now by those important days I will have something in place here in our domestic church for my little family.  
7. As with many of you, there are good days and tough days.  The uncertainty is tough but prayer is constant; and be assured of mine.

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

Poetry Pause: Ready for Silence

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

Quick Takes #255: Happy March!

1. Happy March!! How'd that happen?  February is often a tough month for me; however this year while we definitely had our share of grey weather I'm ending the month ready for spring but not as stressed as I've been in the past.
2. The Olympics definitely helped. Having something fun to watch night after night as well as introducing the kids to new sports to watch such as ski jump and skeleton gave a big upside to the last couple of weeks.
3. Lent is presenting challenges as it ought; but I'm really liking both the Take Up & Read devotional and reading St Teresa's Interior Castle.  So far I've managed to stick to my reading plan or non-reading plan as it were.  I'm way behind on 40 bag/40 days but hope to catch-up next week.  
4. Speaking of books; Modern Mrs Darby compiled a couple lists of most recommended books. I really enjoy reading these lists even if they include books from genre I don't usually read.
5. It is an often quoted cliche "The days are long, but the years are short." Given that tomorrow Elisabeth will be ten years old and I recently enrolled Caitlin for Kindergarten it feels like my mantra.  It is true that one doesn't love every moment but thank heavens for the pictures and blog posts that record the moments I haven't always soaked in as I was managing to get from wake-up to tuck-in with everyone feed, clean and not fighting.
6. A full birthday post forthcoming but simply put I am grateful beyond words the beautiful, spirited girl who brought with her the gift of motherhood to me and the decade I've gotten to spend watching her grow and change up-close.
7. Praying for everyone here in the East in the storm's path; may you stay dry, keep your power and may it not mess with weekend plans too much!!

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

15 months

5 years old

Showing off the loft bed she built with her dad.

Quick Takes #254: Thoughts on Lent and Love

1. Crazy couple of weeks with Dr Daddy having a hospital heavy schedule and the kids having the 1st & 4th grade version of mid-terms complicated by schedules having to shift around many kids being out for illness and everyone in the area getting a day off to go the the Champions Parade.
2. We didn't go but with the aid of some favorite snacks the kids had a blast watching on TV and trying to spot friends in the crowd who went. 
3. In other sports news; enjoyed watching the Opening Ceremonies with the kids and seeing which sports catches their interest; so far figure skating and ski jump are the faves but am wondering what they will think of luge and skeleton.  Elisabeth observed that bi-atholon would be more interesting if they were using bow and arrow instead of shooting a gun. 
4. Valentine/Ash Wednesday was a fun balancing act. We observed Ash Wednesday by attending Mass and receiving our ashes and abstaining from meat for the day. We observed Valentine's Day with exchanging cards and other non-candy gifts of love.  
5. Plans for Lent include the Take Up and Read devotional, attempting a 40bags in 40 day purge, and focus on spiritual reads starting with The Interior Castle by greatly limiting reading fiction.  Lenten plans of Elisabeth and Liam are still in flux but are stimulating interesting conversations about habits that pull them towards or away from loving God.
6. Very much looking forward to a date night with Charlie tonight!  While somewhat in disbelief that we are celebrating 25 years together I am beyond grateful to have shared so many wonderful years with him. That at 19 years old a handsome guitar playing man of faith and integrity came into my world for me to love and loved me back continues to be an awesome and amazing blessing to me.
7. Speaking of love and marriage ~ couple of sites to share. Surprised by Marriage is a wonderful new blog filled with videos and fun posts about marriage.  Kirby of Under Thy Roof has been hosting a wonderful series on love languages and marriage. 

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

In the quiet of Saturday

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

Quick Takes #228: Random thoughts and a bit of shopping

1. Life is good if a bit exhausting what with Dr Daddy currently on-call slide in between two work trips.  Kids are good; busy with school and home projects and all excited for the recent big winds to blow winter out and spring in.
2. Lent is quietly moving along; at the halfway point I'm happy with the reading we are doing and the efforts we are making at being less negative and fearful.  Still looking for focus for almsgiving to do as a family.
3. So excited to share that Lisa of a Pinch of Zest Etsy shop is open; please head over and enjoy her wonderful finds.
4. Speaking of Etsy shops I treated myself to one of Katrina's beautiful mugs! It arrived this week and is beautiful and just the pick me up I needed this week.
5. Prayers for the victims, their families, and the people of London as they pick themselves up and move forward in this sometimes scary world we live in.
6. Waiting to hear if Caitlin will get a spot in the same Pre-K program that Liam attended. Hope so ~ it was wonderful for Liam and as she can already count to 100 and is asking us how to write words we very much want a strong program for her.
7. Have a wonderful weekend!

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

Quick Takes #226: Lent and Birthdays

1. Happy March! Blessed Lent!  No actual flowers here but many sprouts and buds about; but also betting we will get one more snow fall if past trends hold true.
2. Lent is off to a good start with me actually having the chance to talk with both Lisbeth and Liam about what they want to focus on in addition to what we are doing as a family.  I posted earlier about what books I've chosen for Lent; am particularly excited about how Bringing Home Lent has suggestions for personal and family activities.
3. Elisabeth is 9 today!! Am definitely planning a separate post celebrating all thing Lisbeth but had to give 'quick take' shout out to my Birthday Girl who made me a mom and filled my life with so much light and laughter.  You have a lot of dreams and I pray you "catch them all"!
4. Today is the feast day for Saint Katherine Drexel; happy name day to those celebrating!! Her mother house has been sold; am hoping to get up there one more time before it closes though I believe her remains are being moved locally to the Basilica in Philadelphia.
5. Posts to check out: Colleen is hosting a great giveaway and Jenny has an excellent post about leaning into Lent.
6. Group sourcing: Any recommendation for a timid reader who made the jump to chapter books with Magic Treehouse and it coming to the end of those?
7. Have a wonderful weekend and send up a prayer for us as we (hopefully) move Caitlin her 'big girl' bed!

The birthday girl at one!!

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

Open Book ~ March '17

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah; a wonderful story of loss and redemption. Anya struggled to be a  warm or outgoing mother to her daughters but deeply loved her husband and a promised him that she would begin again to tell their grown daughters the Russian fairy tales she told in their youth.  This book moves smoothly from 1941 Leningrad to 2000 Pacific Northwest and speaks elegantly of the harm that is done when we don't trust those we love with our past and truths.  This is the first book I've read by this author but will definitely be seeking out others.

   
Currently reading Trusting God with St Therese which meets my dual Lenten goals of giving up reading fiction and being less fearful.  While only a third of the way through I am enjoying Rossini's part biography part self-help approach as she highlights how St Therese's "Little Way" is grounded in complete trust in God's love and how we can better strive for that kind of trust in our lives.

As I'm reading Trusting God on my kindle I've also ordered Bring Lent Home with St. Therese as a companion and place I can make notes for future reflection.

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

Quick Takes #202: Lent and life these days

  

1. Snow on and off all week have made for pretty views but no loss of school and not too bad clean-up wise.  Temperature wise winter is definitely settling back in this weekend.  
2. Lent plans are coming together; alms wise I'm hoping to complete 40 bags in 40 days again and will be staying open to other giving opportunities. Prayer-wise I'm using the devotional journal offered by Blessed is She.  
3. Ana of Times Flies offers this wonderful post on motherhood during this season; so in shorthand I'm going to giving up being annoyed at the interruptions which comes with loving and living with littles.
4. Nancy of Do Small Things post offers a wonderful list of different ideas for Lent. Hoping to focus on one from each category ~ maybe picking a new one each week.
5. I'm also participating again with #holylens on Instagram hosted by Abbey of Surviving Our Blessings.
6. Lisbeth and Liam both came home from school with a checklist of ideas for during Lent ~ so beyond completing the pathway from Catholic Icing and meatless Fridays I'm currently hanging back and letting them decide how they want to approach Lent.
7. Charlie and I are presenting at a Pre-Cana tomorrow; I've come to really appreciate these chances to meet with young people and discuss ideas and goals for how to build a strong marriage.

Please head over to Kelli's for more 7QT's

What I've been reading this Lent

 
  This Lent I've taken a sort of two prong approach and it has actually worked out really well. I got and have been using the Blessed is She journal which based around reflecting on a word inspired by the daily readings; reading the daily readings is something that had fallen away as more little people filled my home and day ~ and one I'm so glad to have returned to.  Often it worked best for me to read the readings in the afternoon and take the rest of the day to reflect and actually journal in the evening once everyone was tucked in for the night.

  The second part was a commitment to be intentional about reading about and reflecting on a saint featured in A book of Saints for Catholic Moms.  Initially it took me awhile to appreciate Lisa Hendley's wonderful book. I did like the format of biography, reflection, quotes from the saint, followed by a scripture passage and suggested activities; and the idea of spending the week with a given saint. Reading it straight front to back felt a bit dry, however once I went 'off-roading' so to speak and just let the book open at random I came to really appreciate the wonderful range of people the author chose to feature. Among the fifty-two are many I knew, such as Saint Joseph, Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint Joan of Arc, but many more I'm meeting for the first time, such as Saint Margaret of Scotland, Saint Zita of Lucca, and Saint Sebastian.  Each is presented with attention paid to both their successes and failures. But what makes this book so much more than a collection of saints' biographies are the useful reflections that Hendley includes and the questions to ponder, building on the particular cause or charism of the saint being profiled. While these are aimed at mothers, the author does include suggested activities for the entire family to do, as they learn more about each particular saint.

   Another nice feature of the book are the indices in the back where Hendley lists all the saints first alphabetically, then according to their feast days and patronages, and finally by whether they could be considered companions of the heart, mind, body or soul.  With so much information the reader might meet the saints in the order they are presented in the book, at random, or according to a particular intention or struggle of the moment.  I'm truly happy to have this book in my library and look forward to mining its depths more and more over the years.

Linking up with Micaela of California to Korea

What have you been reading this Lent?

Quick Takes #176

1. Happy First Day of Spring!! We actually have snow in the forecast for today but it did warm up enough a couple days this week to get me excited. I made the concious decision last fall to not plant any bulbs and just see what came up in the spring. Regretting that a bit now as there are no crocuses poking their way out in my yard and that is by far one of my favorite signs of spring.
2. Feast Days; Unfortunately my oldest was sick yesterday so we kept things low key for the St Joseph's Solemnity focusing largely on giving thanks for the fathers in our lives and especially the one we live with.  Saint Patrick's Day included a yummy dinner cooked by Dr Daddy and dancing to some Irish faves.
3. Newest update on my formerly picky eater; being offered fish sticks last Friday declared them Delicious!! Tater Tots got a 'meh' so clearly I still have worked to do, but progress!!
4. Shout-out to our lovely host and her wonderful post this week sharing some of her best tips for dealing with writer's block.
5. And Caitlin fell victim to the GI bug last night. Silver lining; nothing sweeter than watching a toddler go from a whimpering mess to happy cherub by simply getting cleaned up. Once we had her in clean pjs she snuggled in close and proceeded to start her favorite game of asking where everyone in the family is at the moment.
6. Two prayer requests: firstly that neither of the grown-ups get it; it is a busy weekend of presenting at Pre-Cana and hospital duty for Dr Daddy and soloing on the homefront for me.  Best if we could avoid the bug.
7. Secondly for the couples we are presenting to; this will be Part II of the program and Part I was filled with quite a bit of blank stares that give the impression that those attending are just marking off the time till they have met this requirement. If you would pray that Divine Spirit would open their hearts a bit and that we presenters are able to plant some seeds which will in time bear fruit as to the beauty of the Church's teaching on marriage. Thanks!!

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

Quick Takes #173 Lent and a case of the sickies

1. TGIF: What a crazy week: School holiday, Snow day, Ash Wednesday, etc
2. Both the big kids were sick this past weekend and then Lisbeth unfortunately kept relapsing all week; fine Monday, lousy Tuesday, managed a school day Wednesday, sick through the night and so stayed home yesterday. Currently at school and has hopefully kicked it to the curb.
3. Lenten plans coming together with using the Blessed is She journal for myself and the Lenten Path of Catholic Icing and Bringing Lent to Life by Kathleen Basi with the kids. 
4. Also planning on doing 40 bags/40 days along with Kelly of Familiar Joy
5. Great posts I've read recently: Mary of Let Love be Sincere on Pope Francis
6. And Jenny of Mama Needs Coffee on NFP
7. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy weekend!!

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

Quick Takes #172 of the quickish, linkish fashion

1. Life this week is good; we are all mostly healthy and giving thanks for a warm home, praying for those out in the cold.
2. This week Lisbeth's class celebrated a hundred days of class and part of the celebration was a sort of bucket list. Here's what Lisbeth would like to accomplish before she is hundred: Find a husband, get a job, have kids, shop for food, be happy. Decent List!
3. Largely have my plans for Lent in place, just waiting for my journal from Blessed is She to arrive!!
4. Speaking of Lent; Lisbeth's birthday is in early March and so always falls during Lent. Given that she is hitting the age to understand and truly observe Lent I really appreciate Kendra of Catholic All Year explanation and take on celebrating birthdays in Lent.
5. Both kids had Valentine Parties in their class this week. I think watching your young kid have to write their name twenty or so times is an excellent definition of frustrated cuteness!
6. Downton Abbey!! Are you watching? Are you reading Rachel's summaries!!
7. Have a good weekend and head over to Kelly's for more 7QTs

Ending with Lenten thoughts

It feels a bit like limping over the finish line simply posting a video for the 7th post but it truly has been on my mind as I try and discern what I should do for Lent and how I want to introduce the season in a more concrete way this year for the kids.

And I'm working on a birthday post for a certain almost 6 year old.

Thank you for all of those who have read along these past 7 days, and Jen for issuing the challenge.

Quick Takes: #129

1. Happy Easter! By long tradition any member of the Triduum choir my husband sings with who wants to is invited to our house for Easter dinner ( down in the fine print of The Corporal  Acts of Mercy is feeding the weary musician I'm sure); this year we had about 20 and hopefully a good time was had by all.
2. Sending out many good thoughts and prayers to our wonderful hostess Jen as she undergoes her clots  capture procedure!!
3. 3pm is the middle of nap time around here so Good Friday services were going to be a challenge; happily I found Way of the Cross led by the Pope, grateful not only to have found this link and therefore to able to participate in some manner last Friday but also for not having to endure the isolation faced in the past by pioneers and currently by missionaries throughout the world
4. Also sending good thoughts and baby soon prayers to Hallie Lord of Moxie Wife & including the link to a review I did a couple weeks ago of a wonderful book written by her husband.
5. Currently according to Lisbeth 'a dozen' is a huge number; as in "A hundred, a thousand, a dozen". I'm resisting the urge to ask her if we should get a dozen donuts to see if her head explodes.
6. Lisbeth has been enjoying all the jelly beans around, Liam is following in his dad's footsteps and munching malted milk eggs anytime my back is turned ~ this leaves the peanut butter eggs for me.  Isn't it amazing how life works out sometimes!
7. Easter Friday ~ Eat Meat!!

Please head over to Conversion Diary for more of this week's Quick Takes

Quick Takes # 126

1. What a week, Pope's big announcement, State of the Union, Ash Wednesday, St Valentine's Day ~ and getting into the Lenten rhythm. Here's hoping for a quiet weekend!
2. Still sorting out my Lent practices; I'm again giving up reading fiction and have selected a book to read as well as download Magnificat's Lenten App hoping to read some of the prayers of the day.  Not sure yet what the focus and direction of our almsgiving will be yet.
3. Found out this week that Lisbeth was accepted into Kindergarten, the catholic school we registered at has a maximum class size of 24 and gives first preference the children with older siblings in the school.
4. Earlier this week Caitlin passed her repeat hearing test (she failed in one ear the one done in the hospital after birth) which was highly likely but still nice to have confirmed.
5. The most interesting take on Pope Benedict's decision to abdicated, in my most humble opinion, was by Elizabeth Scalia of the Anchoress.  I don't yet know if I agree but much food for thought, yes?
6. Break for baby picture:



Baby's First Ashes!

7. 4 day weekend for the kids in observance of Presidents Day and the Season Finale of Downton Abbey (how is the season ending already?!!).  Whatever your weekend holds ~ have a good one! 

Please visit Conversion Diary for the rest of this week's Quick Takes.

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!!