12 / year...belated March 2013 edition

If you want to play along, please do. No quality or quantity limits...no time limits (except it would probably be a good idea to do one a month ...that's kind of the idea). Other than one a month, do whatever you like. I will too. Some months may be busy and fun, some may be boring. You can be artistic or not, just show life, or be symbolic. You choose it all!

You are welcome to snatch my image. I never did get a button made...you can snag it and link back if you want. Just leave a comment here so I can come and see what you did in March 2013.

March was a long month, was it not? It seems like we had so much going on but it just kept on staying March on the calendar.

To be honest, I enjoyed the cold days and nights (I know, I'm one of the few), with fires in the fireplace every night, and projects to keep me busy. I was not happy to see the time change and the daylight stay longer, but then, I did say I am one of the few. I am getting used to it now and when it finally gets a little warmer, I'll enjoy being outdoors.

When I went back to look at photos it seemed the ones taken at the first of the month were taken eons ago. Was it really just a few short weeks ago that our new pope was elected and became our beloved Pope Francis (how quickly he became beloved!)? It seems like St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day were months ago, as well. I guess keeping busy does that. But you know what they say about time flying when you're having fun? Well...admittedly much of my month was not fun.

Did you know that Barbie does math? She helps Faith with the answers.

A quilt for a sweet baby boy. Number two quilt out of three for new babies. 

The next up is pink, but that's the only clue you get. Hoping to get it to her before her six month birthday! 

Kidding. 

Sort of. 

I just wanted to show you the edge of my baby quilt. 

I have gone back and forth using bindings, not using bindings, and I finally decided that I don't have to follow rules about quilts if I don't want to.

Turning 50 is very freeing in that way.

My baby quilts will no longer have bindings because I like a nice lightweight edge for baby to sleep with.

Papa. 

No words needed, except I so enjoy being able to see his sweet face whenever I want to.

My first stole. It doesn't look like much but it was a lot of work and worry. It was just for practice and to see if it hangs correctly on the young man for whom I am supposed to make a confessional stole. I mailed it off to Rome at the beginning of March and, to my knowledge, it has not yet arrived. Am I nervous? You betcha. Not real happy with Italian postal service and silently thanking God for my mail carriers daily.

I started making many of my own dairy products this month. So far I have mozzarella, yogurt, sour cream (pictured) and buttermilk under my belt. All super yummy and I know just what is in them.

 Enjoying lit candles in dark evenings.

A new Papa...such a great day to be Catholic.

The Cardinals were all hanging out in the backyard that day (ok, they hang out there every day). Did you know that a group of Northern Cardinals can be called a Conclave, a College or a Vatican? I never get tired of watching the Cardinals in the yard.

 

St. Patrick's Day -- he looks rather disgusted with the entire American style of celebration, don't you think? That may, or may not, be a magic wand he is carrying. Maybe he uses it to zap Americans drunk on green beer.

Peach in the kitchen on St. Joseph's Day. She's making the pate choux for the cream puffs.

Cream puffs --  yum -- the quintessential St. Joseph's Day treat. Peach did a fabulous job.

Early spring snow. I admit, I loved it! Our Lady of the Snow was out there!

I also never tire of watching the antics of the Gray Squirrel hanging on the bird feeder. They make my husband furious, but I say as long as there is no "No Squirrels" sign on the feeders, they are free to go at it. They are hungry critters, too.

Where much of my month was spent. If you are a regular reader here you know I volunteered to sew 47 pairs of hip hop pants for Faith's dance studio. Twenty-two white and 25 black pairs, and a variety of sizes, were cut and sewn right here in the dining room. I delivered the last of them this afternoon, and sadly (weep, weep), a large stack came home with me after the children tried them on. I asked for any outliers in length and width be noted prior to sewing, but they were not, and so waists must be adjusted and hems shortened on quite a few. I really could cry, but I'll offer it up. I must be in need of penance.

The Easter flowers. Oh my...this azalea is gorgeous. How can anyone be atheist when looking at this beauty?

Cousins post-egg hunt. Happy kids with buckets of eggs filled with candy and dollars. Even cash did not entice any of the "big kids" to participate. They need lessons in humility.

The Paschal lamb on the Easter table...made from butter. My flag added. 

It does look rather like he has a butter knife sticking out of his, um...but he doesn't. Promise. Not that any one of the young (and old) men in my house would not have fun doing that.

The Paschal candle (purchased here...h/t to Jessica). We brought a flame home from Mass (permission granted from our pastor) in the canning jar in the foreground of the photo. Then we asked Doug's father to light the Easter candle, and he was very touched to do so. It was so worth the effort. And we will keep the flame lit with seven day candles throughout the Easter season, relighting the Paschal candle when we are having our meals together.

The annual Hot Milk Cake, adorned with pink Peep bunnies.

At bedtime, all dark but the Paschal flame.

Opening Day was technically April 1st, but the Holy Week tree was still up (in the foreground), the candles were lit against the darkness, and a fire was roaring in the fireplace, so it all seemed more like March.

And if you are still with me, God bless you!

I'll see you at the end of April with another edition. Leave a comment if you play along so I can come and see what mischief you've been up to.