and yet, we do still have fun

Despite the impression I gave during that previous post, there is still plenty of fun and joy around here. I have risen out of the pregnancy fog to put together a few feast day celebrations.

On December 5th, the children hung their stockings in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be here. And he was, but I my camera battery was dead, so I didn't capture any pictures of it.

Even without the photographic evidence, you can be sure he came with his generous spirit bringing silver (chocolate) coins, books for Firstborn, a hand-knit kitten (purchased from the Woolies shop at Etsy) for Rosebud, a Therese DVD for Sunshine and lots of other little tidbits. Of course, there was the traditional box of clementines on the table. And no coal in the stockings. There were also lots of pictures to color, games to play and history to read, courtesy of the amazing St. Nicholas Center website.

Taking a cue from Jordan over at Oh Happy Day, this year I decided the children and I would roll beeswax candles for our friends and neighbors as small Christmas offerings. And then, by some divine coincidence, my friend Becki mentioned that December 7 is the feast of St. Ambrose, patron saint of candlemakers. Well, that decided it! Last Friday evening we began our candle rolling adventure and plan to have them finished in time to have our priest bless them this Sunday.

If you have never done this, by the way, it is a relaxing activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The Knorr beeswax kit we bought included basic instructions and adequate wick for rolling out lots of subtly scented, beautifully hued candles.

And then winding up the week was the feast of the Immaculate Conception. In the afternoon we attended Mass and came home to spend a pleasant evening within. In honor of the feast, we ordered out for pizza. What a treat! Then I prepared a dessert which seemed just wrought with symbolism for the day.

I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatical balm;
I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh;
and I perfumed my dwelling as store, and galbanum,
and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut,
and my odor is as the purest balm. (Ecclesiasticus, 24:20-21)

Jenn writes at Catholic Culture that it is customary on this day to bake and eat gingerbread cookies representing the aroma of our Lady described in this passage from Ecclesiasticus (aka Sirach) It is also traditional to eat white foods on this feast, representing, of course, Our Lady's purity.

Symbolism or no, this was a simply delicious cake
and worth an annual repeat.

Thus, following this simple recipe for Ginger Cookie Icebox Cake (simple because I did not make the cookies from scratch), we found the perfect marriage of sweet white cream and aromatic spicy ginger. There were nine layers, which The Prof-a lover of symbolism-immediately equated with the Divine Maternity and perhaps the slightly bitter blood orange compote that topped the cake represents the blood and bitter sorrow that Mary had ahead of her. Well, it was a all a good reason to break from our Advent fasting and enjoy a good slice of cake, anyway.

And now onto the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (today), the feast of St. Lucia (tomorrow) and then Gaudete Sunday (3rd Sunday of Advent)....

presence required

It seems strange to return to my blog and realize just how long it has been since I have really written anything. Inspite of the many witty and insightful essays that are created in my head while loading the dishwasher, dusting the living room or laying awake late at night, I find that in reality those ideas are still locked inside my head or long lost. Meanwhile, this blog has become a venue for quick family news reports and jotting down notes rather than real thoughts and reflections on the "Soul of the Family." In many ways, the days have a similar feel to them. Crossing off items on a list, making new lists, quick updates to my husband on essential information and lots of promises to do things later.

Years ago, I attended a parenting workshop given by Montessorian, Patricia Oriti. She suggested we each try a little mental excercise to help us stay on course. "Close your eyes,"she instructed, "and envision your family unit just the way you would ideally like it to be." She confessed that her own vision of family life brought forth the image of a band. She and her husband and their two children were playing together...in a band. Slightly embarrassed, she admitted that none of them had any musical talent, but the point was that they were doing something that was fun and very much together.

Ha! I like the vision of us all cleaning the house together. Okay. Maybe that isn't the greatest vision. Honestly, I like Patricia's family band image. Pleasurable, together and yet generous and challenging. Now, how to get us to even closer to that place? I mean the house still has to be cleaned, Daddy still has to go to work with his crazy-erratic schedule, life must carry on.

I dread that I am losing that magical, fearless ability to live in the moment. Living in the present is that fantastic skill that little tots and teenagers come upon so naturally. It allows them to experience life in a way that we preoccupied, worried-about-the-future adults can no longer appreciate but rather regard with a patronizing pat on the head and a clucking of the tongue. Yes, I realize it is a sign of our maturity that we can avoid danger and negative outcomes because of our ability to look ahead. Our children's very lives depend on our prudence in knowing "what could happen if..."

However, is it necessary that the Present always succumb to the Future?

I have had a long career of playing and teaching the piano. Many a mother has come to me quite excitedly reporting that her three or four year old loves music, spends a lot of time playing the piano, seems to show some real ability and raw talent. And then the dreaded question, "Do you think we should sign him up for lessons now?" As if a love for music and hours joyfully spent at the piano have no value. The message seems to be that playing the piano is Not Important Work but studying the piano is Very Important Work. Indeed, nothing delights me more than when the parent of a student reports (usually with some degree of concern) that the child, having abandoned the assigned pieces went on to spend an hour or two creating their own music or basking in the pleasures of long ago learned, but beloved songs. Lost in the moment. Not concerned about what awaited them at the end of this moment.

The new edict is that this family band must make music together every day and get lost in that momentum of music making--at least from time to time. I am reminded of a public debate that I participated in as a part of a college history class. The British professor posted papers around campus that read: Your attendance is Required on Monday, this date, for a public debate... We tried to explain to him that the word "required" should be struck in favor of "requested." But, to no avail.

There may well have been a lesson to be learned from that history professor and his eccentric ways. Perhaps a pinned up scroll in my family room should read:

Your presence is Required here and now

{body, heart and mind}

in this very moment, in this very place.

the three holy days of autumn

Just to clear up any confusion, I originally wrote this entry on Saturday, but just got the pictures uploaded and the whole thing posted tonight (Monday).

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Exhaustion has set in. There are a million other tasks that require my attention at the moment, but writing a blog post seems to be my feeble attempt at staying engaged and "accomplishing" something. It has been a busy three days contemplating mortality, celebrating sainthood, and praying for the dead.

On the 31st, we celebrated All Hallow's Eve--that beloved Catholic holiday--with a party and trick or treating. Years ago, we didn't celebrate this holiday. Indeed, we turned out the lights and hid in a dimmed room to avoid the horrors of costumed children and to keep the evil spirits out of our home. But then my children got old enough to know what fun they were missing and they started demanding explanations. I turned to the internet seeking solid reasons in language that I could easily give to my candy-starved clan. I came back with different answers than I expected. Much to the happy relief of my husband and to the joy of my children, I learned the Catholic roots of All Hallow's Eve. Indeed, with a Catholic worldview, we could participate in this wondrous night!

So about three years ago, we started celebrating...not just an early All Saint's Day, but a full fledged Hallowe'en. This year was our biggest celebration yet: we hosted a party. There were decorations, costumes (everyone dressed as a saint), prayers, games, and autumnal goodies. While the mothers and older girls led the games, I stood in kitchen frying up homemade spiced doughnuts and watching on delightedly. And in the evening, after everyone departed, we went trick or treating. New traditions were born.

Thursday, being All Saint's Day, is normally a day of feasting and relaxation. Unfortunately for little Sunshine, she had an appointment with the dentist that morning. Four little cavities, but the dear was as brave as ever through all of the unknown and discomfort. Afterwards, we had a lunch out with Daddy--a rare treat, to be sure! In the evening, it was off to Mass we went to honor all of those holy souls who have endured persecutions, stayed the course, and left us all with such inspiring models of sanctity and interceded on our behalf on innumerable occasions.

And finally, Dia de los Muertos arrived on Friday. A day to pray for those dearly departed who have not yet reached their eternal reward. The weather was beautiful and we headed up to Rose Hill Ranch where our dear friends raise their three children and lots of animals. From there we all visited a lovely old Catholic cemetery in the countryside. We slowly ambled amongst the tombstones, studying the years, mourning for the loss of so many infants, guessing the relationships, imagining the tales and touching the little portraits attached to the older stones. We prayed for all of those souls, knowing that many are long forgotten and neglected. And we felt peaceful.

Then back to the house for a simple but good dinner and wonderful company. And today, we absorb, rejuvenate, and rest.

Scenes from Wednesday's fete:

A host of Saints appeared in the front garden, full of joy,
exuberance, and a bit of sillines.

Among them, the generous and the brave:
St. Elizabeth of Hungary and
St. Agnes of Rome (Sunshine).

Also, St. Margeret Mary came to spread her devotion
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The usually sober St. Isidore the Farmer was
was in a particularly jovial mood.

Aptly portraying the very serious
St. Rose of Lima is my little Rosebud.

With a few words about forgiveness,
St. Maria Goretti looked the part
in attire she made herself.

We also had St. Rosalina, St. Michael the Archangel, St. John Berchmans, St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas and a little St. John the Baptist present for our hallowed celebrations. We are already looking forward to making this party an annual event!

State Fair of Texas

The Professor and I have enjoyed state fairs in Minnesota and Wisconsin over the years, but after 12 years of living in the great state of Texas, we decided it was time to load up the carriage and take the family to the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. State Fairs bring such a sense of excitement, nostalgia and history to the air.

I love walking through those old fair grounds and thinking of the thousands and thousands of families before us who have packed up their contest entries, put on their best clothes and come to town for the fair. The Texas State Fair has been held on these grounds since 1886! Imagine the buzz all those years ago as the ranchers and the ranch hands brought their cattle to show off and the wives escaped their duties for the day, bringing their best pies and handwork hoping to go home a blue ribbon.



Overheard (Sunshine): "Mommy, I get dizzy just standing here looking around!"



Before we arrived, the children all thought they might be brave enough for the Ferris wheel, but in the end, 5 year old Rosebud and her daddy were the only ones to go for the ride. Here she is beaming just before getting on.

The Texas Star (Ferris wheel) is the tallest in North America, towering over
Fair Park at 212 feet.
Overheard: "From the top, the people looked like confetti!"

This stadium has been home to famous Red River Shootout--the great rivalry game between Oklahoma and Texas--since 1929. I have no comment about this year's game.

In 1942, Neil & Carl Fletcher unveiled their new creation at the Fair: Corny Dogs.

Living History: Everyone still enjoys a corny dog.

Gotta' love this promotional for the monorail. In case you didn't know, the State Fair of Texas features deep fried foods. We passed on the deep fried lattes. Seriously.

The Art Deco architecture is a striking feature of Fair Park.

It's not that I am a big Art Deco fan, just love how this vintage era style
unintentionally does so much to create that nostalgic ambience.

We also enjoyed spectacular handwork displays such as this stunning quilt.

There were interesting animals to observe and to pet.
The petting zoo included giraffes, kangaroos, camels and other exotic
creatures in addition to the perennial favorite farm stock.

There was a roller coaster ride for the two older children, a dog show,
a string puppet theater show, Big Tex, a cooking show, and so much more.
It was an exhaustingly wonderful day. Proof:

Overheard (Firstborn to Sunshine): "Sunshine, this is a once in a lifetime experience."

I am not so sure about that, Firstborn, but it was a memorable day of family fun.

Ahhh

We are back. The wedding was lovely; the vacation was fabulous. I am working on uploading photos and video clips, completing laundry, and delving back into routines, but a vacation post is imminently forthcoming.

Sunday Wildflower Hike

On our quest for spring wildflower sightings, the children and I took a little hike around a small neighborhood park this morning. Here are a few of the gems we spotted:

Though this park is only one city block, it was blanketed in fields of cheerful Greenthread (thelesperma filiform).

Although Firstborn was calling this Queen Anne's Lace and Rosebud insisted it was Baby's Breath, I think the feathery fern-like foliage (not visible here) indicates it is actually a Yarrow (achillea millefolium).


One of the most brilliant and among my favorites in the showy spring display is the Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella).




Hmmm...I'll need to try for a clearer picture of this Prairie Phlox (phlox pitosa) next time we are out. It is a brilliant little flower and one I have not seen as often.

We will certainly be checking back to see the prickly pears in full bloom...I wonder which color corolla these buds will bring forth.

Here the delicate Purple Tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia) is protected by its prickly neighbor. This little flower is unique because the stamens radiate outward; the stamens are twice the length of the petals!
Some sort of lovely greenery Sunshine found growing around the large rocks on the perimeter of the park. It is difficult to research this one without some sort of bloom on it; we'll have to keep an watch for some little sprinkling of color.

Most of the Bluebonnets are gone or shrinking and I am not sure why I didn't take a picture of the Indian Paintbrush Firstborn spotted today. Next time. I am on the look out for some Mexican Hats which is one of the flowers that I found most striking when we first moved here nearly 12 years ago. Evening primroses, Rain Lilies, Silver-leaf Nightshades and some of the other common flowers deserve a photo or two as well. Those can easily be found in the yard this week. More photos to come plus an online album including our annual bluebonnet pictures.

ahhhh, an april weekend

This weekend, so typical of many in April and May, was a whirl of pleasures. Too many pleasures for a single weekend, and yet, one to be remembered with fondness. Friday was spent preparing the guest room, which I am most ashamed to confess, was still serving as a holding place for Christmas decorations. No, you did not misread that. Christmas decorations. Also Lent and Easter activities, crafts, and decorations. It was a rather odd task to head out to the garage with Easter baskets slung onto the left arm and Christmas lights clutched under the right arm. Nonetheless, the time had come as we were expecting overnight guests in just a matter of hours.
And arrive they did. Mr. & Mrs. H with their six beautiful offspring and one girl wombie drove in late Friday night. Once the youngin's were tucked away in beds, sleeping bags and upon the luxurious air mattress, we enjoyed a little late night conversation. A little indeed. Actually it went rather late as Mr. H tried to persuade me that I hold the wrong opinion of the Texas Trans-Corridor project. Hmmph! Anyway, just as we were getting ready to bid adieu for the night, a certain young person from my clan appeared in the kitchen. That little person finally fell back to sleep a couple of hours later. At 3:37 to be more precise. I fell to sleep at 3:38 to the best of my memory. Whew!

Saturday began very early for all of the children so happily reunited. And then with breakfast for fourteen. With a few proverbial cracks of the whip, we had everyone dressed and ready to head out for the day. First stop: studio recital. The Prof & I had our annual Spring Studio Recital and Potluck Luncheon to execute at 11am. Not only that, but this was to be Sunshine's debut on the big stage. Armed with a few of the our guest's children and a lovely babysitter, we headed to the church for the big recital. It was a lovely recital, solid performances all the way around. Firstborn and Sunshine did us proud. Very proud, indeed.

A plate full of fruit salad, chicken salad and cake for everyone and then it was time to head out for our next destination. Van loaded to capacity, we made it just in time for Firstborn's ball game warm-up at 1:30. Another triumph for the day...a strong victory for the team, in small part thanks to our little sluggers efforts at third base and at bat. Now with van and car past capacity, the Prof & I headed home with our little scholars and five little guests. Frozen pizza all around! Baths for everyone! Shirley Temple in the title role of Heidi on DVD! And at long last, off to bed.

The Prof had left around 7pm for baseball conession stand duty and returned shortly after 9pm. Mr. & Mrs. H returned home from their evening out around 9:30 and I put our dinner in the oven. An hour later, the four weary though cheerful adults sat down to a lovely dinner. Wonderful conversation was propelled by a fruity shiraz, stuffed salmon & blanched asparagus. Topped off by a fruit laden boston creme pie (why do they call it pie?). Happy 12th Anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. H!

Sunday started out slow and lazy. Late pancake & bacon brunch. The H's had to step out to see a couple of people while the rest of us reset the kitchen and bedrooms and prepared for Mass. Then off to Mass for everyone. And this Mass was the very reason that our dear friends had returned to their old stomping grounds for the weekend. Yes, this was to be a very special Mass.

Our little Tridentine (Latin) Mass community has spent its whole life shuffling around to different churches and chapels (even met for awhile at a cemetery chapel) looking for a real home. A home that reflects the beauty of the Mass and a home that would truly welcome us in (not everyone is so welcoming of our traditional ways). And just recently in a most unexpected moment, the rector of the cathedral gained the blessing of the bishop to invite us to join the Cathedral parish. So for the very first time we were able to offer the sacrifice of the Mass in the full glory of a well appointed sanctuary.

The altar was splendid with the towering golden candlesticks, surrounded by swaths of gold fabric and dozens upon dozens of lilies. The choir sounded magnificent from the high loft and it was said that my darling little children's choir brought people to tears with their two part harmony Latin hymn. Most importantly the interest of this particular Mass being offered at the Cathedral more than doubled our usual attendance levels.

Although we know that many of these were just the curious, even perhaps a few skeptics, my husband posed this question last night: After experiencing the Mass in this way, how can anyone be willing to settle for anything less? How, indeed!

The weekend ended quite serenely after we said our last good byes to dear friends, tucked the very drowsy children into their beds and re-lived the details over another glass of that wonderful shiraz.

Thread Eggs for Easter

The moment I read about these Thread Eggs (check out the fun "minis" & platters while you are at the site), I knew we were going to try making them. The eggs looked lovely, but more importantly, they are made of embroidery thread. I don't yet know how to embroider, but I absolutely love gazing over the gorgeous rainbow of shiny colors of the DMC threads at the craft store. The hues are so very subtle and rich and the smooth strands literally glisten. I spent about twenty minutes swooning over the selection before narrowing it down to those in the photo.





Next Firstborn blew up a whole bunch of five inch balloons for us. He was obligated to do this because I haven't got the lung power to blow up a balloon. (I remember trying to play the tenor sax in high school, no matter how hard I blew, the horn was mute) Anyway, he blew them up just a bit, molded them to resemble the shape of an egg and tied the knot.



Next step, we cut the threads into 12-15" lengths and soaked them in liquid starch. (Note bene: it is worth buying the liquid starch; spraying little puddles of starch for the soaking just doesn't work. 'Nuff said.) Wipe the excess starch off of each thread as you are ready to use it.




Now for the creative part: wrap the threads around the balloons in desired pattern, using as many or few colors as you wish.

Hang to dry:

Once the threads are completely dry, pop & remove the balloon. Enjoy the lovely thread eggs!

We delivered them to friends in these living Easter baskets and the rest are on display in a little (purchased) nest.

Sowing Seeds for Easter

The children and I undertook the preparation of a different kind of Easter basket today. We are planning some Easter basket gifts for friends and I suggested a "living" basket. I have seen the wheat grass baskets before but somehow this was the year that I realized that this was a simple project we could at home.

We began with simple materials: Potting soil, Small Metal Pails, and Wheat Berries

Each pot was lined with plastic wrap and filled with a few scoops of soil.

Next, we covered the soil with a scoop of wheat berries.

Lastly, we watered our little gardens.

And now, with a daily watering, plenty of sunlight, and lots of prayer, we hope to present our friends with a little basket of living wheat on the feast of our Lord's Ressurection.

You can view the pics of our day in Galveston at our online album (just click on "view slideshow").

Drumroll, please...

::PREP WORK::

::BUILDING::

::ASSEMBLY::

::READY FOR ACTION::

::Firstborn's Crusade-Era Catapult::