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

Quick Takes #284: Mid December Check-In

1. Greeting and Salutations; not sure how all of November and nearly half of December has pasted since my last Quick Takes. November was overall very nice and Thanksgiving in particular as we had a wonderful time with my family including my nephew who surprised us by coming home from college, and encountered remarkably little traffic for a holiday weekend.
2. Advent is going well. The kids seem to enjoy our wreath tradition while of course debating whose turn it is to light or blow out the candles. I've been pleasantly surprised how independent Caitlin is when it is her turn to read the prayer.
3. This week in particular is very fun #liturgicalliving wise. In addition to the Good Bishop visiting us last Friday with chocolate and oranges; last night the kids enjoyed Choco Taco in honored of Our Lady of Guadalupe (thanks Colleen for that idea).  Given that I knew dinner was going to be a bit of a rush job given the school's Christmas Tableau I appreciated a fun and easy way to mark the feast.  This morning I made cinnamon rolls to mark the Feast of St. Lucy.
4. The Christmas Tableau was lovely with all of the kids doing a lovely job under the direction of the school's wonderful music director.  It is the tradition that the 6th graders act out the Christmas Story during the show.  It was such fun for me to watch these kids many of whom I've known since Lisbeth was in Kindergarten perform (she by the way was one of the dancers who ushered the Romans in the proclaim the census).
5. I am finishing The Cross which is will wrap-up my book challenge reading for this year; and with Modern Mrs Darcy announcement of next year's reading challenge I'm excited to start thinking about next years reading.
6. We truly love our house but from the time we bought 5 years ago we knew at some point we wanted to put in a bathroom on the first floor; and it is finally happening.  Seriously the whole getting estimates and finding a contractor took much longer than I would have ever guessed.  We have already pulled up our deck in preparation and will this weekend take down some fencing to make way for the builders this week.
7. Some pictures to share:

Please head over to Kelly's for more Quick Takes!

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!!

Quick Takes #201: Hallo February!

1. The sickies have come to visit; mostly with Liam who got the persistent sore throat ~ spiking the occasional fevers version, while Lisbeth the persistent cough version. So far Caitlin is doing well as are the grown-ups.  Hoping for better things next week.
2. Candlemas was subdued but nice. We went out with friends for crepes on Sunday since Lisbeth had a school function on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday she helped me put the window candles away.
3. Catholic School week has been fun if a bit crazed as they are at two different schools this year ~ each having different activities all week. But the kids had fun and hopefully felt like their schools got celebrated.
4. I don't often do politics here but please go read this and this!!
5. Our play dough somehow disappeared in the move and I have been NO RUSH to replace it but sadly 18 months later Play dough is again in the house ~ and I am again picking up tiny scraps and explaining that if they don't put it away it will dry out!!!!
6. As of today Caitlin is registered for Preschool and Liam is registered for Kindergarten!! Lisbeth had a great kindergarten teacher and year; really praying history repeats itself for Liam.
7. Planning mostly a recovery weekend; Lisbeth has a Presidents Project to work on and we have friends coming over for the Superbowl.  Have a good one!!

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

Fave Five: Irish Music

In honor of St Patrick's Day I'm posting my faves a day early and highlighting some of my favorite tunes from Isle of Erin.

1. Be thou my Vision

2. Wild Mountain Thyme

3. Into the Mystic

4. Morning has Broken

5. How Can I Keep from Singing? (which may not be Irish but Enya is!)

What are some of your favorites??

Linking up at Melody's Harmonies