Truer words were never sung.

Unfortunately, it took me a long time to fully realize this fact. And James, lovely plain-spoken James offers a wake-up call. He tells us that we must cry out to the Lord properly. That we too often let our own selfish passions get in the way of letting the Lord uphold our lives. And we get caught in a nasty cycle of asking for help incorrectly, not receiving and then trying to ‘go it alone’ under our own power, allowing our passions to cause harm along the way. Basically, we’re behaving at times like toddlers with a temper tantrum.

It’s a good thing that God is a patient parent. He waits for us to calm down and speaks to us gently. Eventually we may understand. Just let Him take care of things, trust in Him, don’t fight with your siblings over things you want… If He wants you to have something, to achieve something, He will bless you with it. And that will be a better blessing than you ever could have imagined.

This Week’s Feasts:

St. Vincent de Paul - 27th September

Born to a peasant family, educated by Franciscans. He later became a priest and teacher. He loved the poor. He is a fine example of someone who took seriously Corporeal Acts of Mercy. He fed and clothed the poor, nursed the sick - and even help people find work. He is probably best known for the Society named in his honor.

Did you know? St. Vincent was captured by pirates and made a slave. He was released after converting his master to Christianity!

How to celebrate: This Wednesday, visit a food pantry with a donation, take clothing to St. Vincent de Paul Society, or visit a shelter near you where you can volunteer to visit with homeless, read stories to homeless children, help with repairs, or serve a meal. Visit someone in hospital, bring some work clothes to a local bank, volunteer to teach someone to read or gain a skill so that they can find work.

Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael - Archangels - 29th September

Michael - the warrior, protector

Patronage: Against temptations; against powers of evil; officers; radiologists; sailors; the sick; security forces; soldiers; against storms at sea; swordsmiths; those in need of protection

Symbols: Angel with wings; dressed in armour; lance and shield; scales; shown weighing souls; millstone; piercing dragon or devil; banner charged with a dove; symbolic colors orange or gold.

Gabriel - the messenger

Patronage: Ambassadors; broadcasting; childbirth; clergy; communications; diplomats; messengers; philatelists; postal workers; public relations; radio workers; secular clergy; stamp collectors; telecommunications

Symbols: Archangel; sceptre and lily; MR or AM shield; lantern; mirror; olive branch; scroll with words Ave Maria Gratia Plena; Resurrection trumpet; shield; spear; lily; symbolic colors, silver or blue.

Raphael - the guide, healer

Patronage: Blind; bodily ills; counselors; druggists; eye problems; guardian angels; happy meetings; healers; health inspectors; health technicians; love; lovers; mental illness; nurses; pharmacists; physicians; shepherds; against sickness; therapists; travellers; young people; young people leaving home for the first time

Symbols: Staff; wallet and fish; staff and gourd; archangel; young man carrying a staff; young man carrying a fish; walking with Tobias; holding a bottle or flask; symbolic colors, gray or yellow

Prayer:

Heavenly King, You have given us archangels to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth. Saint Michael is our protector; I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones, and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News; I ask him to help me clearly hear Your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel; I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to Your throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Help us, O Lord, to realize more fully the reality of the archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy angels, pray for us. Amen.

Today was to be a very busy day. The forecast was for seasonably warm sunny weather. But we live in New England. Meteorologists come here to get paid to fib… We woke this morning to the unmistakably splashy sound of cars treading water.

Weeks of planning down the tubes. This morning Brian was planning to take Catherine, Caroline, William and Catherine’s friend Chelsey to Old Sturbridge Village for the morning, then out to lunch. Chelsey has only ever been one time, by contrast, we seem to live there, having purchased a family membership several years ago. We love to go visit the animals and see what’s cooking in 1830’s America. On the way out, we always stop for some warm, soft chocolate chip cookies or a dish of ginger ice cream. The kids were looking forward to showing Chelsey our favorite getaway… No dice. It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s YUKKY.

Jack was to stay home with me and the baby waiting for their return so that he could go camping with the Boy Scouts and attend the Big MOE. We checked the forecast for overnight and Sunday. Warm and Sunny, right? No, wrong again. Dangerous thunderstorms… Bother. The first campout of the year and it’s literally and figuratively a wash. Brian regretfully sent an email to the troop leader to let them know that Jack would not be there.

But wait! We get an email back letting us know that they have alternate accommodation for the boys - there is a lodge! They’ll be going after all. So 150 some boy scouts have packed enough gear for a year-long expedition with the requisite provisions (consisting of hot dogs, chips, Gatorade, and trail mix), and descend upon the campsite. heaven knows what hijinx they’ll get up to in this filthy weather. Heaven knows what their uniforms will look (or smell) like tomorrow for the demostrations they’re offering… But that’s the fun of childhood, right? Camping in the rain… Not the first time, not the last time. Memories for a lifetime.

We’ll hit the Village next week!

Blessings,

Nissa

Welcome to Fashionable Friday!

I’ve been sewing, knitting, crocheting for most of my 35 years. I’ve made wedding and christening gowns, curtains, costumes, hats, shoes, bedding, sweaters and hats, mittens and socks, and some crafty bits and pieces… If it will sit still long enough, I’ll find a way to sew, knit, or crochet it. I’ve also been known to employ hot glue on occasion.

I’m into making jewelry with my oldest daughter and my mom. I love making my own knock-offs of what we see out and about. I adore vintage (as you will have seen if you’ve been with me for a while). I love my family to look funky, or expensive by turns, but I’m also a fan of modesty. I mean, who wants to look at a woman who has inflated and deflated as many times as I have? Blehk! BTW, my DH is legally blind - it’s one of his best features! I certainly don’t want anyone looking ‘that way’ at my lovely little girls. We’ve shunned mainstreams stores as a result.

I love to haunt Sally’s and the local Recycled Resource Center for things I can use. I can’t resist a free stash of yarn, fabric, notions or sparkly things.

My all-time favorite refashion was Mother’s Poitiers and rooster feathers made into a ravishing go-to-town costume for Mizz Scarlet (pictured above). Here’s what is on my refashion/needlework list of things to do:

- Old gold brocade curtains and mauve moire stash into totes
- Flea Market fab jeans remade with cool fabric scraps and crocheted sprigs for the girls
- Peasant tops and waistcoats to match the girls’ new jeans (I’ve seen these ensembles going for around $300 at some online boutiques!)
- Matching ballet flats made from that 1/4″ cork I’ve had hanging around and more fab fabric scraps… This’ll be a great time to dive into the bead stash, too!

What’s on your list?

Drum roll please…

In an effort to be more organized, and since I have nothing better to do, I have decided to create a weekly schedule of feature posts! So without further ado:

Mondays: Housekeeping. This will include cleaning tips and tricks. Some of you who know me well will wonder what on Earth I know about this topic. I assure you that once upon a time, I was fastidious in the extreme. And if you don’t believe me, just ask Brian. I used to drive him insane. He tried over the years to corrupt me and very nearly succeeded. It’s the bedrest that has given me strength to fight back!

Tuesdays: Cooking My friends knowthat this is my favorite subject. FOOD IS LOVE! My Nana taught me how to cook as soon as I could stand on a stepstool and hold a spoon. Spending time with her in the kitchen was treasured time indeed. I hope you’ll feel that warm fuzzy feeling each week as we sip coffee and talk food. In addition to the regular feature, please submit your favorite recipes - The theme for the following week’s recipes will be posted every Tuesday. NEXT WEEK: Apples

Wednesdays: Organizing, Bookkeeping Oh, don’t groan… I know it’s a tedious task, but we’ll make it fun, I promise! This is where you’ll find my Household Management Series each week. We’ll take it nice and slow and get through it together. OK?

Thursdays: Homeschooling I’ll talk about curricula, approaches, books we’re reading, outings and projects we’re planning. At our little Home School, we have combined Classical and Charlotte Mason philosophies. It works beautifully for a big group of children of mixed ages. Now I know there are others of you who favor other approaches, so let’s hear your suggestions, I’m sure there’s room for some new ideas for all of us!

Fridays: Needlework and Crafts Another of my favorite topics! I’ll talk about projects I’m working on and dreaming about, resources, and techniques. I’ll also share some of my patterns accasionally. And if the camera co-operates, I’ll post photos. Ooooh, ahhhhh! I may also post some of my daughters’ projects.

Saturday: Outdoors and Fun Stuff Our Saturdays are normally spent outdoors, whether at a ballgame, camping trip, or in the garden. In the winter, you may find us sledding or snowshoeing. The children often find little critters - and are darned good at chatchin’ ‘em, too! Saturdays are also good days to report on other outings we take during the week, because you’ve nothing better to do than spend the afternoon looking at our vacation photos!

Sunday: Worship I’m going to try to post my thoughts on the day’s readings, discuss ways we can bring the sacred into our everyday lives and celebrate feasts for the upcoming week.

Please pass the word - the more the merrier here every day!

Blessings,

Nissa

So this bedrest thing isn’t so bad. I’ve had a lot of time to work on organizing my schedule - and everyone else’s - for after our little one arrives (just 4 weeks away!). I’m feeling much better about managing a busy, busy household with 6 children (2 under 2), family businesses, farming, homeschooling, and life in general.

I have been a student of large-family and organizational management, monasticism, military logistics, and general crowd control for many years. I often joke that I have ADHD – but it’s true - and extreme organization is how I cope with the chaos. The fewer distractions or occasions for on-the-spot decision-making I have, the better.

I have drawn great inspiration and strength from the Rule of St. Benedict in planning our days and our roles in the home. We are striving every day to perfect our monastic way of life and I always find something new within the Rule that I can work on! I am also ever grateful to my friends at Magnum Opus for encouragement and advice and for sharing their daily joys and trials. I have also learned so much from other moms of many who have been kind enough to share their strategies, especially Kim at Large Family Logistics (beautiful new site, Kim!). I have snitched, modified and tailored ideas from many other people to create a system that works for our family.

I’m going to serialize my organization process since it’s a lot to bite off all at once. It IS a lot of upfront work – but in the end, your life should run more smoothly, whether you have 2 or 20 children. We’re going to make Mama’s Personal Organizer, Chore manual (you’re going to love this!), Chore Board, and Cards for Chores, Duties and Virtues (which I snitched from the lovely ladies at MO!). Along the way, we may add in some more projects, who knows? We’ll start with material gathering. Grab a cup of tea, put on some music and make your shopping list!

You will need the following for the entire project (at least in order to do it MY way! LOL). You may choose to have additional arts and crafts supplies if you are a crafty person (glass paints, FIMO clay, etc):

- 2” Looseleaf binder (I like the kind with clear pockets on the outside)
- 1” Looseleaf binder
- Artwork, quotes, poetry and scripture that inspire you
- Scissors, glue, hot glue gun (with glue sticks!), markers, pens, paints, etc.
- Plenty of looseleaf paper
- Pencil and eraser
- Business card paper
- ID Card holders for laminating
- Lanyards
- Full sized laminating sheets
- Laminating Machine
- Pouches for holding chore cards
- Three-hole punch
- Tabbed dividers (for binders)
- Hole reinforcements
- Cork board
- Push pins
- Fabric, vinyl, sturdy paper for making chore board
- Plenty of printer paper
- Dry Erase markers
- Marbles (also a separate stash of single color marbles – I like gold or silver)
- Jars (2 for each child you have, plus one)– peanut butter jars are PERFECT and glass ones make a nice ‘clink’
- Computer with Word, Publisher
- Printer
- Copious amounts of tea (or your favorite drink, though I would dissuade you from anything alcoholic for this project considering the number of potentially dangerous tools!)
- Good music
… and don’t forget your creativity and patience!

Put these all in a box or storage bin so that they are set aside just for your use. That way they won’t grow legs and wander off! You know exactly what I’m talking about, don’t you?

Up Next… Get Set - Get Crafty

Today we celebrate the birthday of Our Lady! The children have made decorations, picked fresh sunflowers, and they’ll make a cake later with their father. We’ll say our weekly family Rosary and enjoy a lovely birthday dinner.

From the Litany of the Holy Name of Mary:

Mary, Mother of the Living God, pray for us
Mary, daughter of the Light Eternal…
Mary, our light…
Mary, our sister…
Mary, flower of Jesse…
Mary, issue of kings…
Mary, chief work of God…
Mary, the beloved of God…
Mary, Immaculate Virgin…
Mary, all fair…
Mary, light in darkness…
Mary, our sure rest…
Mary, house of God…
Mary, sanctuary of the Lord…
Mary, altar of the Divinity…
Mary, Virgin Mother…
Mary, embracing your Infant God…
Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom…
Mary, ocean of bitterness…
Mary, Star of the Sea…
Mary, suffering with your only Son…
Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow…
Mary, torn with a cruel wound…
Mary, sorrowful even unto death…
Mary, bereft of all consolation…
Mary, submissive to the law of God…
Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus…
Mary, Our Lady…
Mary, Our Queen…
Mary, Queen of glory…
Mary glory of the Church Triumphant…
Mary, Blessed Queen…
Mary, advocate of the Church Militant…
Mary, Queen of Mercy…
Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering…
Mary, exalted above the angels…
Mary, crowned with twelve stars…
Mary, fair as the moon…
Mary, bright as the sun…
Mary, distinguished above all…
Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus…
Mary, our hope…
Mary, our sweetness…
Mary, glory of Jerusalem…
Mary, joy of Israel…
Mary, honor of our people…
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception…
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption…
Mary, Our Lady of Loreto…
Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes…
Mary, Our Lady of Fatima…
Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa…
Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal…
Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel…
Mary, Our Lady of the Angels…
Mary, Our Lady of Dolors…
Mary, Our Lady of Mercy…
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary…
Mary, Our Lady of Victory…
Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe…
Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence…

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

This recipe requires cornstarch. It’s delicious - you can serve it with sweetened raspberries, strawberries or cherries. My mother used to serve it still warm with milk or cream poured over the top. It’s guaranteed to put you to sleep!

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup white sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 1/2 cups milk
4 tablespoons margarine or butter
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
In a saucepan, stir together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Place over medium heat, and stir in milk. Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from heat, and stir in margarine and vanilla. Let cool briefly, and serve warm, or chill in refrigerator until serving.

Serves 8

We’re all shocked and saddened about the death of Steve Irwin. His was one of the shows we enjoyed regularly. Catherine is very interested in wildlife - in part because of his show. He loved God’s creatures so much - especially the ones most people consider un-lovable. He helped us to see the beauty in every animal and always pointed out their goodness.

I can’t imagine the shock and sorrow his family and friends must be feeling. My kids keep saying that it feels like a nasty joke someone is playing. Truly sad.

The Australia Zoo site is down. We’ve been trying to get there to leave a condolence message all morning.

Blessings,
Nissa