Rainy Days and Mondays Daybook

Outdoors...rain, rain, rain. April showers...

I am thinking about...Easter approaching. It is quite a different event with a new family member coming into the Church. I haven't thought once about Easter baskets, Easter dinner, or anything other than preparing myself for the vigil and all that is involved with being a sponsor and preparing Taylor. It's quite a different feeling. I do need to start planning Easter baskets and dinner, however. 

I did order Easter clothes for Faith. I love my boys, but there is just something totally awesome about a girl in an Easter dress. I am enjoying it for as long as I can. Dontcha love those sparkly shoes? And the dress is darling -- a good modest length.

I also ordered myself a sweater set from Talbots to wear with a black skirt. I don't usually buy new things for Easter, but this year is certainly a good reason to make an exception. I think I'll focus on getting all of the boys a good haircut.

And dinner...what to plan for dinner. What are you having?

I am wearing...a denim skirt, a red v-neck top and a sweater, gray tights, black loafers. It's chilly out, especially with the rain.

I am reading...I am finishing up When I Found You. I put it down at the beginning of Lent and I recently picked it up, just so I could lie down with a book at the end of the day. It's on my kindle, and it's easy reading, so I can take it to bed, which lately feels really good. It's not the kind of book I would normally read, but it has gotten interesting. Makes me want to go to bed early, a good thing.

I am also listening to Maeve Binchy's Minding Frankie. Gosh, I love Maeve Binchy, and I love listening to a narrator with an Irish accent.

I am creating...a Tiny Tea Leaves cardigan. Yay!

my Ravelry notes

I also have some Consecration bracelets to make and a couple of First Holy Communion rosaries. Other than that, I am just knitting. Oh, and I have a few of the coat of many color vests to finish for the dance studio. I just finished a baby quilt. Darling.

At the school table...just hanging on until spring break. We're finishing up for the year in a couple of subjects, but have a ways to go in others.

On the table...for lunch we had leftovers from last night -- Pioneer Woman's Chicken Mozzarella Pasta. It was really good. And made a lot of food. For dinner we're having Taco Joes. They smell pretty good and couldn't be easier. If you have a teen cooking dinner at your house, this is a good one. I am making mine on the stove top but it's written for the crock pot. I just have to put some fries in the oven and make a salad.

Also in the kitchen is a new coffee maker. After a combox conversation at Elisa Loves, I started thinking about the fact that most of my automatic coffee maker is made of plastic. I worked really hard to get rid of almost all the plastic in my kitchen, especially that which touches hot food, and then I was drinking coffee every day that shoots hot water through plastic parts. Hmmm.

I did some research and this is my new coffee maker.

Actually, I am technically the coffee maker. This is just the receptacle. It's a Chemex, and I love the low-tech aspect of it. I also love the coffee. It really does taste better. And no plastic.

I am going to...do our taxes. Tonight. Ugh.

A few of my favorite things...

...Barry's Gold with milk and sugar in the afternoon when my behind is dragging.

...these little mini pumpkin pies. They are so tasty. They were a nice fifth Sunday of Lent treat.

...Easter dresses for little girls

...pressed pillowcases and starched dress shirts (I like to iron)

Prayers sent heavenward for...

...my husband and children

...all those who are sick and alone
...my son, to learn his chemistry and algebra this semester, and if summer school is in His plan, then so be it
...our priests and religious, especially our parish priests, and Fr. Howe
...all the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week, for a change of heart

Thought for the day...

  

Never count your friends on sunny days

 for they all will be around,

Count your friends on the rainy days when

the clouds are grey and lightening shakes the ground.

It is then you painfully see the

type of friend they really are,

when Life delivers a sharp blow

do they stay and try to heal the scar?

The friends you count during

this storm are ones to commend,

these people stood their ground

these people are labeled “True Friend”.

When the rain finally stops

and your new day is here,

you will be amazed that after a

violent storm a rainbow can appear.

Be careful not to begin your count

see what friends the rainbow can make,

remember, these are not your true friends

their loyalty is fake.

Keep sight of the friends that

remained when the rain poured down,

now begin your count of real friends

ones you know will always be around.

-Robert Louis Vanelli

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