needle & thREAD

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One nice advantage to hosting needle & thREAD every week is that I can't get away with not stitching something for very long. I mean, there's only so much sewing room cleaning, project list making, and fabulous guest posting I can slip in here before I actually have to start sewing something. I decided to do a quick little project to prime the pump. 

As I set up all the components of our new language arts program, I noted that we'd need a family journal. This need reminded me that I wanted to make prayer journal in January, but never did. However, Lent is right around the corner, so that's a perfect time, too, right? And, I've long been promising myself that I would keep a food and execerise log. Need a pretty journal for that, too. Since I'd never made even one journal, it seemed like a good idea to dig in and figure some things out. 

So I did. I had some Anna Maria Horner fabric that I bought over a year ago, thinking that I would crosstitch rather a lot of it to make drapes for my bedroom. I thought they'd go with the pretty pillow around which I was going to design a quilt. Mike --ahem-- was not fond of the pillow. So, a quilt wasn't going to happen. And if no quilt, then no drapes. I put my one crosstitched flower on the shelf, still attached to yards and yards of fabric. 

And forgot about it.

Until I went digging for journal cover possibilities. Aha! I could fussy cut it and make something pretty, just for me. And I just happened to have some ribbon with which to embellish it. A couple hours later and I had worked out the math and stuff and come up with something super pretty.

My girls are begging to do one for themselves. And I just happen to have a stack of new composition books. Katie is eyeing a particularly pretty stack of fabric a dear friend sent last week. She's right; that would make some lovely patchwork covers...

I've been ever so slowly reading Folks, This Ain't Normal. Actually, I'm listening to it. I've changed up my gym routine so that I'm spending as little time as possible on those cardio machines and much more time in fitness classes and such. This is a very happy place for me, with one exception. My listening time for books has dwindled to about ten minutes in the steam room. Now, If I would focus a little on some sewing, I could easily listen while I stitched, couldn't I? I'm enjoying the book. We have been longtime supporters of Polyface Farm and very much enjoyed the fruit of the hands of Joel Salatin. He reads the audio version and it's just like hanging out with him and having a good chat. I admit to squirming a bit as he analyzes childhood in suburbia, but I don't really disagree too much. Highly recommended.

What are you sewing and reading this week? I really do want to hear all about it!

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Gathering my Thoughts

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

I just really wish it would snow. It's cold. It flurries. But no real snow at all.

::listening to 

silence.  

::clothing myself in 

Jeans, long-sleeved t-shirt, cardigan. The winter uniform. 

::talking with my children about these books

We are realllllly meandering down the Alphabet Path. It's "I" week right now. Please don't tell me how "behind" I am.

I is for Laura Ingalls. I so love these little picture books! Years later, Nicholas still knows them all by heart.

Winter Days in the Big Woods

Christmastime in the Big Woods

A Little House Birthday

Sugar Snow

Dance at Grandpa's

Going to Town

Summertime in the Big Woods

The Deer in the Wood

Going West

Prairie Day

A Little Prairie House

::thinking and thinking

Katie and Karoline have become obsessed with the indoor climbing wall at the gym. They're trying to scramble up every chance they get. Katie took a class before Karoline event attempted the wall and discovered she's quite good at it. When it was Karoline's turn, Katie was all about offering pointers and encouragement. Katie even quickly scrambled up an adjacent wall the first time Karoline looked like she was going to make it to the top. She wanted to be right beside her when she reached the summit. I've been thinking about Karoline's approach. We like to go when no one else is there. The wait is non-existent, but also, if it's quiet I can hear Karoline encouraging herself all the way up the wall. "You can do this. You are strong and you are getting stronger. You've got this. Don't give up. Don't look down. God will help you. Keep reaching higher." She's never taken a class. I have no idea where she learned this.  The things this child teaches me...

::pondering prayerfully

 On the days of Lent, from morning until the end of the third hour let them apply themselves to their reading, and from then until the end of the tenth hour let them do the work assigned them.  And in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they shall read straight through from the beginning. These books are to be given out at the beginning of Lent. ~from The Rule of St. Benedict

I plan to use Consoling the Heart of Jesus again this year. I cannot say enough good things about this book. It's life-changing. I read it last year, on an unexpected and unusual "retreat," and I shared these thoughts:

I spent Holy Week reading Consoling the Heart of Jesus. There are a small handful of books in my life where I remember exactly where and when I read them because those times and places are turning points. This book is one of those. It is easily at the top of that list. This incredibly readable volume makes some of the most beautiful truths and devotions of the Catholic faith understandable (at last)  and accessible (even to busy mothers of large families).  Fr. Gaitley brings together fine threads of several spiritual traditions and weaves them into a beautiful and exceedingly useful tapestry of a do-it-yourself retreat. It is Ignatian spirituality made accessible. It is the Little Way of St. Therese for all of us. It is consecration to Mary and devotion to Divine Mercy explained in plain language and made clear to little souls. Mostly, it is a rich volume of Merciful Words that brings Merciful Love to its readers. You don't have to have a weekend to make the retreat. You can just read a little each day until you are finished. If it's your heart's desire to get to know and understand Jesus better, tell Him.

I'm so looking forward to re-reading this book this year.

::carefully cultivating rhythm

We're definitely in our winter groove. But the emails are arriving, announcing that soccer practices are no longer optional and the pace is about to quicken palpably. I have major conflicts in transportation. I'm trying not to lose sleep over it. So far, I'm failing miserably.

::creating by hand

Someone please give me permission to put away the flannel nightgowns and begin sewing Easter dresses. I have three to sew during Lent. I hate the pattern instructions for the nightgowns. I'm stuck. I wanted to sew those before anything else, and so, I'm not sewing anything.

::learning lessons in

teenagers. I am not a quick study, but I do think I'm making progress. 

::encouraging learning 

Last week we began our study of Matthew.The verdict from the kids is that it's awesome. They really, really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

And I'm all in with Primary Arts of Language. Almost everything I ever loved about teaching reading and writing in early childhood, all well put together in some tidy packages. All good. Dovetails very nicely with the Alphabet Path.

::begging prayers

for all the intentions of our prayer community.  

::keeping house

Up this week: Reorganizing the linen closet (It's been a long time since it looked like this, but I have photographic evidence that it once did, so I'm motivated). Also,  the storage room in the basement is in need again. Last time I did, it was a big emotional epiphany. I don't have time for epiphanies this week. I just want to clean it up. 

Fact check: I did neither of the above last week. But I made it to the gym six times. In my defense, laundry is all caught up and things are acceptably clean--just no deepdown projects.

::crafting in the kitchen 

Now that I have a reliable standby that I know won't challenge my digestive system in place and I know I won't starve or eat something I shouldn't, I'm really looking forward to beginning Heather's workshop. It's time to learn some new things and to sweep away some bad habits. I love that it will coincide with Lent. I intend to fully immerse Mary Beth in the workshop and to fill in here with some very intentional, hands-on grocery shopping lessons. I hope she'll have her driver's license by the end of those two months, as well. And she'll be all set to become the family's primary grocery shopper.

::loving the moments

When I have a chance to spend some time with a child one-on-one. My friend Jan called unexpectedly last weekend to let me know she was in town with her 16-year-old daughter for a dance competition. Mary Beth and I took the opportunity to sneak out for a quick dinner and to meet Jan for the competition. We had lots of time to talk in the car and I even squeezed in a little shopping at Athleta.

::giving thanks 

for a husband who knows best. I did not want to join a gym. I was not interested in adding more things to our day. I was just a wee bit resentful about being pushed. Unequivocably, we are all loving it. We're there together. There's something for everyone. I can avoid all the hardcore, competitive pounding, pulling, and pushing of the male component in this family and still challenge myself. And take care of myself. I honestly believe we are all getting healthier. And for some of us, that's long overdue.

living the liturgy

This week is all about preparing for Lent. More thoughts here. 

::planning for the week ahead

Just an ordinary week. The last one for awhile, I think. They're so rare. I'm going to relish it.

Preparing for Lent

Here's the quick tutorial to answer some questions and then some links to help you plan and give you some time to actually do this before next week. 

 Remember those wooden mantel letters?  During Lent, they say "Repent" (take the "Prepare" purple letters from Advent, and make an "N" and a "T"--you're all set to spell REPENT). For the Easter season, they spell "Alleluia." They are painted gold and covered with "diamond dust" glitter. On Fat Tuesday, I take out the ALLELUIA letters and make a big deal of spelling out "Alleluia." I let the children chant, sing, and even yell "Alleluia" in order to "get the Alleluias out." Then, I solemnly put the golden letters in a purple bag and explain that the Church doesn't say "Alleluia" during Lent and that we will "hide our Alleluias" until it's Easter.I hide the purple bag with the Alleluias in it (and tell someone where I put them;-). Then, it's Lent.
And it's quiet.

 

 

 

 

Talking with Your Kids about Lent

Lent is a Good Thing

Prayer Rule for all of Lent

What to Give Up?

Remain in Him

Thoughts on Fasting

Family Lent Project: Counting Blessings

For the last few years, there has been a daily Lenten Fast::Pray::Give prompt here for you. Shall we do that again this year? I'd mostly republish the old, familiar ones from Lents past. Would that be helpful?

Sponsor Love

I can't believe it's already February! There are a few sponsor spots available as we head into the spring. Since Febraury is a short month and I'm a bit behind in getting the word out, I'll extend a free month to new sponsors who commit to quarterly sponsorship by February 8. 

I love working with my sponsors to bring news of their businesses to my readers. My sponsors are men and women committed to integrating work and wholehearted parenting and sponsoring this blog gives them an opportunity to connect with likeminded readers.Readers benefit because they get to know some really great artists and writers and entrepeneurs. It's a win-win. If you have an Etsy shop or small business that you think might bless readers of  In the Heart of my Home, please consider becoming a sponsor.  Please contact me at intheheartofmyhome AT gmail DOT com for more information. Hurry! February is slipping away!

Lord, Hear Our Prayer

Gospel

Luke 4:21-30

Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. 
They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”
He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,
‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say,
‘Do here in your native place
the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’”
And he said, “Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you,
there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.

Think:
A smile is one of nature's best means of making people happy. One of the most delightful factors in a personality is a real heartwarming smile that comes from within. Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, "I like you. You make me happy. I am glad to see you." If you do not feel like smiling, smile anyway; make yourself smile. Fr. Lovasik

Pray:
Blessed Mother, you have been called "Our Lady of the Smile." I want that title, too! Please ask the Holy Spirit on my behalf to remind me to smile as sweetly and kindly as you would.

Act:
 In May of 1883, St. Therese of the Child Jesus was a bedridden child who was very ill. She faced a statue of the Blessed Mother that was near her bed and prayed for cure. "Suddenly," Therese writes, "Mary's face radiated kindness and love." Therese was healed and the statue has since been called Our Lady of the Smile. On Mary's face that day was an expression of beauty, bounty, tenderness, and, above all, "a charming and enchanting smile." That smile has become a simple summary of St. Therese's Marian devotion. We are all wounded, all in need of healing. A smile has such a therapeutic effect, both on the person smiling and the person receiving the smile. Challenge yourself to genuinely and tenderly smile early and often every day this week.

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The internet is a formidable force for bringing the comfort and consolation and hope of the Lord to all of us. It can be an incredibily powerful medium for community. There is an unfathomable resource for prayer here. We have on the 'net the privilege of praying for people and of being witness to the miracles brought forth when fervent, faith-filled people pray for one another.

Let's be that community of hope and faith for one another.

How about this idea? What if I pop in here every weekend, share Sunday's gospel and talk a wee bit about how we can live it and pray it in our homes? And then you tell me how we can pray for you that week? Deal?

{And please, do return and let us know how prayer is bearing fruit.}