For Today | April 20, 2015
Outside my window…
Shouldn’t every laundry room have a lilac bush right outside its window? Thanks to my neighbors, mine does!
I am thinking…
About St. Benedict, his Rule, and how it can be applied to family life.
I am thankful…
For my friend and health coach Jessica. She has inspired me to try a different approach, and it’s working.
I am wearing…
My running shoes! This is my second pair of Brooks Glycerins, and I love them. When I was fit at Kyle’s Bikes a few weeks back, I was shocked when the salesmen recommended size 9.5. I’ve worn size 8 or 8.5 since pretty much my teen years. Aren’t feet supposed to shrink with age? :)
I am creating…
Joel and I have received an increasing number of speaking inquires lately, and naturally, the inquirers want to hear some samples. We’ve finally been able to record audio of a few of our recent talks, and I’ve uploaded them to our speaker’s page here.
I am going…
While on the subject of speaking gigs, I will be doing some radio work at Iowa Catholic Radio this week and next. I’ve been helping out with Bishop Pates’ “In the Heartland” radio show as a rotating co-host. I’ll be back in the studio with him this Friday. Next Thursday, April 30, I’m rejoining Julie Nelson for that one episode of Catholic Women Now to discuss The Well-Read Mom.
I am wondering…
If the boy will ever use the toilet?!
I am reading…
- The Accidental Marriage by Roger Thomas, published by Ignatius Press Novels. I probably wouldn’t have read this book had I not been asked to review a chapter for the CatholicMom.com book club. I really enjoyed it. My review is over at CatholicMom here.
- The Hound of Heaven at my Heels by Robert Waldron. Wow. Profound. That one will stay with me for a very long time.
- My current read-aloud with the kids is the Josefina’s Story Collection from the American Girl Collection. I think I enjoy those American Girl books more than my kids!
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I am hoping…
For nice weather on Wednesday so we can resume our park outings with the homeschool group.
I am learning…
That lighting a votive candle and setting it near the kitchen sink helps me to stay in prayer throughout the day. Ora et labora: prayer and work.
In my kitchen…
Baked bone-in chicken breasts: I’ll never cry over dry chicken again. Just season with salt and pepper, bake for about 30 minutes at 350-degrees, and wow — some of the juiciest, tastiest chicken I’ve ever eaten. I know everyone probably already knows that, but I’m sharing anyway. Bone-in, for the win!
In the homeschool room…
Several months ago, a friend asked if I was going to blog about the changes we’ve made to our homeschool space. I haven’t gotten around to writing it, so consider this a teaser to that post, I guess. Inspired by Susan’s post about her homeschool space, we had a carpenter custom build a Pottery Barn-esque desk. While he was at it, I had him build a shelving unit for the wall, too. I also found a desk and chair at a local consignment shop and had him refinish both to match. That desk I picked up on consignment serves as my writing and organizational space and has helped keep mail clutter out of the kitchen (which was driving me mad!). Most of the artwork on the wall is courtesy our six-year-old artist-in-training.
This second photo shows two of my favorite pieces of furniture in the house — the two arm chairs where I do a lot of reading from. Theoretically, I pray there, too. Theoretically. I’m still brainstorming what to do for window treatments for the front window … looking for something minimal, yet interesting, yet provide enough privacy in the evenings. And finally, the third photo shows the crucifix and icons we purchased with the gift cards given to us at Joel’s ordination. We hung those above the piano, and they help to sanctify the entire space.
Full disclosure: we are still discerning if homeschooling is the right path forward for our family at this time. Regardless, this space brings us joy, and even if we don’t continue homeschooling, I’m keeping this room set up as is.
A favorite quote for today…
Quote by John Muir | Memorial plaque found at Gray’s Lake, Des Moines
A peek into one of my days…
The bald eagles are back at Gray’s Lake in Des Moines and looking majestic, aren’t they? I shot this photo with my Sony SLT-A58 and Tamron lens. LOVE that camera! We’ve had a really great Spring here in Des Moines, and we enjoyed a nice picnic and walk around the lake on Friday evening … as did half of Des Moines.
One of my favorite things…
After living with the less-than-lovely pillows that came with the living room furniture we purchased eight years ago, I finally found some fun pillows to make me smile. And they are so inviting and comfortable for those quick (or not so quick!) snoozes. Thank you, HomeGoods! That place has quickly become one of my favorite stores.
Post Script…
(a link I simply want to pass along)
Click on over to read The Moral Bucket List, an uplifting and powerful post by David Brooks in The New York Times. He discusses two sets of virtues — the résumé virtues and the eulogy virtues, and certainly made me think about which set I’m spending more time building.
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Linked with the Simple Woman’s Blog. As always, thanks for stopping by! Continued Easter blessings to you and yours.
I really enjoy the American Girl books too. Last summer after living with friends and reading them to their kids, I went on a kick of re-reading a lot of them.
Now I’m curious. Which series is your favorite?
I’m partial to Felicity and Kirsten. The Revolutionary War part of Felicity’s story fascinated me as a child, as well as the idea of her lessons to be a lady. I related more to Kirsten though as a kid.
Lucy wants to read Molly next. I’m thinking Felicity will resonate with me, too.
I love your pottery barnish desk!! That is what I want for my craft room! I am pricing out some pieces to make a homemade one myself!! I love, love, love the photo of the eagles!!
Hi Jodi! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. One thing our carpenter did that I don’t believe is a part of the Pottery Barn model I showed him, was add drawers to where the stools slide in. Food for thought – a great addition to our desk! :)