In the garden...
...today it's frigid outdoors. It snowed for a while yesterday, but today is dry, partly sunny, and freezing. It doesn't keep our little friends away, however. Faith snapped a few picks after we gave the animals their daily serving of peanuts.
Hello, Mr. Cardinal!
Bon apetite, Mr. Squirrel!
I'm thinking about...
...decluttering.
I reserved the famous The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying-Up to listen to.
I'd like to unclutter like I'm moving, and then just not move. Or maybe be ready to move if I want to. As much as we love our house and the land we live on, I'm really tired of two flights of stairs for every load of laundry. My knees aren't going to hold out much longer. My younger brother just had knee replacement, and I really don't want to do that yet. There's a ranch up the road that I've loved since we bought this house 17 years ago. The couple is elderly and it might be nice to be ready if we ever decided to move.
I reserved the famous The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying-Up to listen to.
I'd like to unclutter like I'm moving, and then just not move. Or maybe be ready to move if I want to. As much as we love our house and the land we live on, I'm really tired of two flights of stairs for every load of laundry. My knees aren't going to hold out much longer. My younger brother just had knee replacement, and I really don't want to do that yet. There's a ranch up the road that I've loved since we bought this house 17 years ago. The couple is elderly and it might be nice to be ready if we ever decided to move.
I am wearing...
...a brown corduroy skirt and leggings, a gray long-sleeved tee and a scarf, with wool slippers.
I am reading....
...Divine Intimacy in the morning and not a lot else. I'd love to just snuggle up with a book, but when I stop and sit I always choose to do something -- knit, make a rosary, write a grocery list, or other really entertaining things. It's a bad habit. What have you been reading? Anything good?
I am creating...
...a 15 decade wire-wrapped rosary for a friend who is a Dominican Friar. The wire is really heavy and so I can't do many beads in a row, thus I have been working on it for a couple weeks.
I am almost finished with my Daisy Chains shawl. Maybe it will be finished to share on Wednesday. The pattern at the bottom gave me fits. I just can't do complicated patterns -- my counting (and memory) is deplorable.
I took my Jesse Tree ornaments down today and took a pic of all of them. I will post it as soon as I can get all the readings typed up. I'm so pleased I finally got them finished. In the embroidery department, I have a couple of scapulars to make.
I am almost finished with my Daisy Chains shawl. Maybe it will be finished to share on Wednesday. The pattern at the bottom gave me fits. I just can't do complicated patterns -- my counting (and memory) is deplorable.
I took my Jesse Tree ornaments down today and took a pic of all of them. I will post it as soon as I can get all the readings typed up. I'm so pleased I finally got them finished. In the embroidery department, I have a couple of scapulars to make.
In the kitchen...
...ltonight -- Zesty Chicken Bites and salad.
Last night for dinner with most of the kids, we had Yankee Pot Roast, carrots, turnips, mashed potatoes and rolls. I love these Sunday dinners when the grown kids come home. They bring their laundry and do it while they're here, so the washer and dryer get quite a workout on Sundays. So do I, though the pot roast was an easier menu. We also had a delicious pumpkin pie. I used roasted butternut squash instead of pumpkin. Yum!
Butternut Squash pie.
Last night for dinner with most of the kids, we had Yankee Pot Roast, carrots, turnips, mashed potatoes and rolls. I love these Sunday dinners when the grown kids come home. They bring their laundry and do it while they're here, so the washer and dryer get quite a workout on Sundays. So do I, though the pot roast was an easier menu. We also had a delicious pumpkin pie. I used roasted butternut squash instead of pumpkin. Yum!
I enjoy making Sunday dinner a little more formal and eating in the dining room by candlelight.
Butternut Squash pie.
At the school table...
...today is a day off because the university was closed and both Doug and Noah were going to be home. It would have been fruitless to do school, even if I had wanted to deal with my moody teenager. I doubt she would have learned anything, so it's just a catch-up day. I took a photo of our school cat on Friday, though. This is her spot all day when we school. She watches the birds and squirrels and dreams, I imagine, about eating them.
school cat
Around the house...
...I still have my nativities up, until Candlemas, but everything else is put away, and I'm trying to maintain a decluttering state of mind.
Plans for the rest of the week...
...dance lessons and a haircut, and, sadly, the funeral of the father of my dear friend Gina (you remember Gina?). Say a prayer for her family if you will. Her dad was a WWII veteran and was awarded two Bronze Stars. He lived a lovely long life -- he was 92, and I imagine he was overjoyed to be reunited with Gina's mom, who has been gone for about 15 years.
A few of my favorite things...
...Downton Abbey -- did you see last night's episode? (I won't spoil if you haven't)
...a hot beverage in my mug
...antibitotics (for another UTI) -- they're not really my favorite thing but I am grateful for them
...antibitotics (for another UTI) -- they're not really my favorite thing but I am grateful for them
Prayers sent heavenward...
...for my husband and children, to do God's will every day
...for all priests and religious
...all babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion, for a change of heart
...for friends who have asked for prayers
...for Gina's dad, God rest his soul
...for Gina's dad, God rest his soul
I love your photos; the cardinal and squirrel are amazing. And I'd sure like to come to YOUR house for Sunday dinner!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. Faith took those. The cardinal is a little out of focus, but I can see every tuft of fur on Mr. Squirrel!
DeleteI'd love for you to be able to come to dinner at my house!
Are those Fiesta dishes? I love the colors of those! I have a few bowls and a stack of little dessert dishes.
ReplyDeleteI just saw Downton last night, and I have to say: Finally! A happy episode! I just grinned right through it. Also glad the Anna story line was minimized, because she is getting really irritating. :-)
Stay warm, friend!
They are Fiestaware. Funny story -- my mother-in-law started using Fiestaware years and years ago. She bought place settings in all the colors. Then she started giving them to us, and Doug's two brothers. Now we all have cabinets full of Fiestaware -- a rainbow of plates, bowls, serving pieces! The great thing is, if we ever need more for a party or big dinner, we can borrow each others! And I buy white platters and servings bowls because they always look great with the many colors.
DeleteI really enjoyed the last episode of Downton, and was so excited to see Branson, I actually cried. So silly how we become involved in these imaginary lives!
I think the fiesta line mixes and matches with my polish pottery, which is why I love it, but you're blessed to have been gifted with such a festive and cheery set. :-)
DeleteOh, and at least one of my girls is hoping Mary dies lonely and penniless. Says she doesn't deserve a Happily Ever After. ;-)
DeleteWell, my mother-in-law started th set, but it's been years of collecting that has me where I am. It's really durable stuff. Nary a break in all those years.
DeleteOh no! I don't want Mary to die alone and penniless. I don't think she has a mean heart, maybe just a damaged one. I don't think there is a mean character left, which is why, I think, we all love Downton so much. There was Mrs. Bates and Mr. Green, but we know what happens to mean people on Downton!
I have been reading WWII novels recently. I finished The Nightingale and I'm in the middle of All the Light we Cannot See. Both are really good. They're hard to put down and would likely keep you coming back for more.
ReplyDeleteI love WWII books. I gobbled up All the Light We Cannot See, but have not heard of The Nightingale. Will have to check it out. You've read The Book Thief?
DeleteWe left one Nativity scene up. Still have tinsel and wreath in the tv room and, as usual, the Christmas dinnerware won't be put away until Candlemas. I'm behind on Downton Abbey and just finished that Mother Teresa book. Oh and did I tell you, we cleaned the basement yesterday! Hurray! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSorry if I spoiled Downton. You need to catch up! Good job on the basement. Want to come and clean mine? I need to have an enormous garage sale!
DeleteI need to read "All the Light We Cannot See".
ReplyDeleteAdd March for Life attendees to you prayers list! I'm taking a bunch of AHG's up to DC for this historic snow storm. I'm ok with *being* there when it snows, but now they're predicting snow *here* when I'm supposed to be driving to the departure spot in the middle of the night. Yikes.
You do need to read it. Good, good book.
DeleteOh my gosh, in my mind those events (the storm and the march) had not collided! Will be offering my rosaries for it. God's will be done. I can't imagine why the Lord needs 20 inches of snow on that event, so I hope my prayers mean no storm!
Lovely pictures, all! Your dinner looks wonderful, and I can only imagine the joy of having folks return for the traditional Sunday meal together. Your house is always so neat and tidy I can't imagine what you have to unclutter! :-) Your school cat makes me want a school cat. Hope you feel well soon. It's frigid here too, with snow coming.
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet Kimberlee. I do love having the grown children back on Sundays. Sometimes the married couple come on Thursday, too, if laundry needs to be done sooner.
DeleteYou give me too much credit in the tidy department. Mostly it's the basement that needs decluttering, but if Faith turns her back for long enough ;-) I'll be in her room with my big black garbage bag! I'm going for really minimalist.
Looking forward to reading Divine Intimacy...sounds wonderful! I am also in a decluttering mode. It is freeing to give things away. Thanks for another wonderful update!
ReplyDeleteJanelle, Divine Intimacy is a book with a reading (about three pages) for each day. From Goodreads: "For each day of the year, Fr. Gabriel gives 1) a brief introduction, 2) a two-part meditation, followed by 3) a colloquy---holy acts of love, thanksgiving, petition, resolution, etc., addressed to Our Lord and based on the truths just meditated upon." It is filled with scripture, and quotes from especially the great Carmelite saints like St. Therese, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Sienna, and St. John of the Cross. I have read it at least a couple years now and I always get something new out of it. You will find it very Catholic in nature, but undoubtedly will enjoy it very much.
DeleteWill you be affected at all by the winter storm? I haven't looked too closely at the weather map since it's been a busy week here.
ReplyDeleteI think your house is one I would most want to stop by for a cup of coffee or tea and a nice chat. :) Stay warm!
Love all your sharing. I cannot wait to see your shawl and JEsse Tree ornaments!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful blog Barbara! This yankee enjoyed her visit here today. Loved hearing about Yankee Pot Roast, getting to know you and your family, and seeing the wildlife. Blessings !
ReplyDelete