“In my own stories I have found that violence is strangely capable of returning my characters to reality and preparing them to accept their moment of grace. Their heads are so hard that almost nothing else will do the work. This idea, that reality is something to which we must be returned at considerable cost, is one which is seldom understood by the casual reader, but it is one which is implicit in the Christian view of the world.” --Flannery O'Connor
Tuesday Folder 10/18/2011
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This was meant to be last week's Tuesday folder, but blogging has taken its place behind our family activities. Time to catch up a little!
Shoes, Shoes, Shoes
We did some serious shoe shopping two weeks ago. It's the first time we've had to buy multiple pairs of shoes for several children. In the past, we've had shoes handed down or shoes bought on clearance the year before and put away until they fit. They were all very happy with their shoes. For each of the girls, I gave in on one pair of cute, non-sensible shoes. E has not worn hers yet, so no pictures, but C wore her to RE (Religious Education) and mass. I think she's still in shock that we bought them.
Her new dress that she calls her "Annie" dress--such a sweet, classic little-girl dress!
Since we don't have any living grandparents, I feel like I have to buy some of the frivolous things grandparents today often buy. Mama would have bought these for her!
Fall Decorating
I think I enjoy fall decorating just as much as Christmas decorating. Most of my fall decorations are ones that Mama bought for us or her pieces that I found among her things after her death. It's nice to get two months out of the decorations!
This year, I made a new fall wreath. JoAnn's Crafts had a wonderful sale on these beautiful picks and sprays. This cost about a fourth of the cost of pre-made ones. It has feathers; I have always wanted a fall wreath with feathers!
Our autumnal fireplace
Close-up of our mantel
Mantel centerpiece--one of Mama's pottery pieces featuring grapes and our favorite statue of Our Lady. A reminder each time I look at it of the harvest ideas of: the fruit of her womb, Jesus and a reminder that we shall reap as we sow. Most of the floral pieces were Mama's.
Bunko
We are blessed in our community to have several Catholic Bunko groups. Over the years, I have been on the sub. lists for several and I finally became a permanent member of a group. October is my month to host and this was my first time as hostess. The ladies are such a blessing and they make me want to be a better person.
My small bunko buffet before all my oven items were done. I like putting together a buffet and I use my serving dishes and baskets as often as possible. I don't like keeping those things stored away. Most of my glass pieces belonged to Mama and many have garage-sale-find stories behind them. The square basket was used at our wedding reception. After almost 15 years of marriage, I've finally learned to organize and pace for entertaining. It was so nice to have all the cleaning--the grunt work--done and just relax in the kitchen as I cooked and arranged. Now to work on making the grunt work more peaceful!
Since it was the day before the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary, I chose our Lady and the reminders of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament as my centerpiece. The vase and wheat stalks will make a nice centerpiece for our family's first communion celebrations in future. My new "Keep Calm and Bake On" apron was a birthday gift from my friend, Lauren.
As part of our Bunko evenings, we have a time of prayer and reflection. Since humility has been on my heart so much, I chose to share, The Litany of Humility, a favorite prayer of mine. I was happy to find a beautiful version of this prayer sung by Catholic artist, Danielle Rose. Her work is beautiful and so inspiring. Only 99 cents on iTunes and the kids are enjoying listening to it, along with her other songs. She has written songs for each mystery of the rosary; they were released on an album titled, Mysteries.
I need this litany before me throughout the day as often as possible!
Our Lady of the Rosary
We celebrated Our Lady of the Rosary with a feast of bunko leftovers. Look how attractive it all is. Keep going...
As most of our celebrations do, this one ended with drinks spilled all over the tablecloth. I spent many years with pristine tablecloths and I am thankful for my mess-makers who keep my perspective in-check!
Healthier, Part III
I've been motivated to get back to our old eating habits. The week has gone well so far, although a virus in the house made us turn to canned chicken noodle soup and ice cream for sick kiddos.
I found some great deals on organic items at HEB this week. I'm adjusting my menu planning to include more bean- and veggie-centered meals. I have no interest in going vegan, since we have no allergy issues with animal and dairy products, though. I'll post some of our newest recipes.
A wok for our veggie stir-fry; it will be so much better than using the skillet.
A healthier dessert--frozen berries heated 'til bubbly, topped with Greek yogurt and organic granola--reminds me of cobbler
I took time and prepared all my veggie toppings to make sandwiches and salads at home that are more like a certain sandwich chain.
Packed Away
Toys, clothes, shoes, etc.. were out of control in our house. I hadn't been able to organize the toys and put child locks on closet doors since our move. We spent one weekend doing just that. I packed away most of the kids toys. They were all the little bits that don't really see much play-time. I left their major toys out and they have had so much more fun playing since the big clean-out. I thought about all the episodes of Clean Sweep I watched on TLC years ago. The organizers always stated the truth that Americans don't have an organization problem; we have a stuff problem. It was too much to ask of my children to keep all those extra items organized and neat. Some of their toys are in the closet and they will get circulated regularly, but those bagged items have not been missed and we will donate them.
"Is she in there?" "I think so. Should we knock?" This was part of the conversation from my fellow teachers outside my classroom door the morning I returned to work, two months after the birth of my first child. My locked classroom door. I managed to get into the building with no contact with others, cover my window on my door, and lock myself in for a good cry. I did not take separation from my baby very well. I called my husband and told him I just couldn't stay. He called the personnel office and asked about my leave options. Then, he called Mama. "I know it's hard, Joey, but you have to let her face this; she just has to do it." Later, when I talked to Mama, she told me how she felt when she took me to my first day of school. She said leaving me at that poor, old south Louisiana school building was one of the hardest things she ever did. ...
This week, Leila at Like Mother, Like Daughter , announced a Master Bedroom Challenge: Make Your Bedroom Beautiful and Useful . It was a perfectly timed challenge for me. As part of the Reasonably Clean House series at the blog, Leila recommends beginning the process in your master bedroom. Her reasoning is right on target, as I've learned after nearly sixteen years of keeping --or trying to keep--our house. Our bedroom is last on our list to work on in this house. Since we moved in over a year ago, we've worked on all the other rooms . Now, it's time to start making the master bedroom come together. It's a large wonderful space. My mama always said the problem with a bigger house/space is it is easier to clutter it and you aren't as wise with organization. She was right. Lot of corners and spaces to "store" things in this room until I get to them. Plu...
September 16, 2004 began as a typical morning. Emmeline and I went for a walk and then she settled down for her morning nap while I worked on laundry. I decided to call Mama; we usually talked to each other every day. Since Emmeline was born nine months earlier, our conversations had grown to several times a day, as I called her to share Emmeline's latest "firsts." She had called a little more than normal to check on me. A month earlier I had my first severe reflux incident. I was eating lunch when I experienced the normal discomfort, but this time, it got worse and it was as if my windpipe was closed and I couldn't breathe. I felt like I was choking, but I could talk, so I knew that I wasn't. I was alone with Emmeline, so I quickly snatched her out of the high chair and put her in her crib. I worried about what I would do if this did not pass quickly and I stopped breathing. ...
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