At Considerable Cost

This morning, I was SO very happy to see this video link as part of my facebook feed: http://www.ucatholic.com/apologetics/hitchens/ It features Fr. Robert Barron explaining why he loved watching and reading Christopher Hitchens.   It's how I felt about Hitchens, also, although I would have never expressed it so eloquently.  I've been disheartened by many of the posts and comments I've seen from "Catholic" pages and groups lately and this was a beautiful reminder of one of the many wonderful things about Catholicism.   We do not have to separate faith from reason.   We also do not have to cower in fear or ignorance, but may bravely pursue Truth.   Fr. Barron's ministry is such a welcome breath of fresh air in our current culture.   We need more honest intellectuals like him.

We had a beautiful Christmas season this year.   We started a little early with our trip to Fort Worth to see the dazzling windows at Neiman Marcus.    Then, came lots of faith, fun, food, and family.   Emmeline's first piano recital.   She's on the front row, fifth from the right.   She was so nervous! Thomas' new pajamas.   "Mama, my dogs are barking!" After their shopping trip at Santa's Workshop.   They LOVE buying each other presents. Thomas: worn out after Santa's workshop Our tree this year Dicken's Village: food themed pieces Dicken's Village: A Christmas Carol pieces Beautiful, fragrant bouquet from my friend, Nan.   It's still out, in dried form! Our Jane Austen Girls Christmas gathering: Nan's beautiful arrangement and basket, laden with treats and our film for the evening, Mary's yummy homemade truffles, and Lauren's delicious apple pie Our nativity scene Chr

It is impossible to believe that my precious girl is 8 years old .   It really does seem like only yesterday that she was born.   Added to the already pleasant memories of Christmas are memories of bringing home our beautiful baby girl.   Poor baby was sick on her birthday, so we had to cancel her tea party with friends.   We had cake and ice cream at home and we'll make up her party soon!   She is my artist with a tender heart.   She's my helper, without whom I don't know how I'd get along.   She's my math student, much to my delight.   She's just who she is, unique and wonderful and I'm always thankful I was blessed with the honor of being her mother.  

Since my last posts, here's a little of what's been happening... A Victorian Tea with friends.   Next year--period costumes! I was grateful to co-host a baby shower for a sweet friend who has since given birth to a beautiful baby girl.   Mary's beautiful cupcakes.   They were more amzaing in that they were dairy- and egg-free, but still decadent.   That's culinary talent! Our guest of honor, Becca, opening gifts with a happy big brother! This year, the days leading up to Thanksgiving were about PIE.  It was my first year to make and sell pies out of my new kitchen and I was anxious to see how I would handle the switch from two wall ovens to one range oven.   It worked out great and I was able to make twenty-four pies--homemade crust and fillings--in my oven.   Actually, I think I was more organized this way.   In the past, I could have two separate ovens going at different temperatures, so I would bake by order instead of by pie type.   This time, I