Are these little booties I knitted for Louis:

They were knit using Paton’s “Grace” in a pale plue. The mercerised cotton makes a scumptiously soft fabric. The pattern is from “Simple Knits for Cherished Babies”, page 34

It is with a hat tip and a big hug to Jenn that I present this site. We adore Gregorian chant here in our home. I’ve always wondered about the musical notations, what they mean, how to read them…

Thanks, Jenn! You might just have the the cause of filling my home with little voices singing the sacred music I love!

And Providence has intervened once again… I notice that there is a link on Musica Sacra to Regina Laudis. The Abbey is not far from us and we’ve been looking for a monastery to make an oblation to. Regina Laudis has been on the short list - the first connection came when I was looking for heritage breed critters to raise. The sisters breed some lovely animals on their farm.

And I’m thinking I need to get a copy of “An Idiot’s Guide to Square Notes“…

What a wonderful feast day! Father has been offline for over a week following a computer AND server failure. We are so thrilled here in the Gadbois household to have him back!

Oh, you have to go visit Michele! She’s changed the header of her beautiful site to include a sweet portrait of her exquisite little Mia. Scroll down the page and there are more photos.

I’m taking photography lessons from y’all, Michele! And Cate is LOVING the little penguin on the red dress!

Fabric.com has Moda Lawn listed. Perhaps they have for a long time, I haven’t visited in forever. I’m so in the mood for some major spring sewing - dresses, blouses, little bloomers… But make sure you leave plenty for me if you buy some!

Oh and the knits! I have got to make some knit ‘everyday’ dresses for the girls and myself. The boys need knit shirts and Louis would look so sweet in a matching stretchy.

Sewing I can still do… Thank heavens!

Oh I love a bake sale! What could be better than one that never ends?

The flock have been begging me for ages to let them do something to raise some funds for things they want. We let them do work around here for our family businesses, but they wanted something of their own.

When they saw what Annabelle’s kids were doing, they were inspired! After delivering Christmas cookies to the neighbors, they were completely convinced that a home bakery was the perfect cottage business. Jack has been an aspiring pastry chef since toddlerhood. When other little boys wanted to be a police office, firefighter, astronaut, Jack wanted to make sure that he was the cook at the police and fire stations, or the mission cook for NASA…

The biggest, sweetest surprise is that the children want to help raise money to help save an historic farm. They could have chosen new neato sneakers, electronic toys, clothes… They chose to save a bit of history for generations to come. They chose to preserve a way of life that is fast disappearing.

That’s homeschoolers…

Oh and they told me they need the farm before they can get that horse. Very practical.

They don’t call me the Plaid Princess for nothing around here. I adore all things tartan. When I saw this chair, I knew it was the one for me. It matches my specs, too!

Now I’ll be cruising the mall in style - whether I like it or not. Now about that tiara…

I’ve ordered supplies this morning to make 6 jointed teddies for the children. I got English mohair in dark brown for the boys and dark honey for the girls. I’ll be stuffing them with wool batt from LaVonne’s sheep. I can hardly wait for it all to arrive. I’ve been wanting to make these since before I even had children. Is there anything more special than a mohair keepsake bear?

I worked with a man whose wife is a teddy bear artist. Each Christmas, there was a draw to see who would get the bear!

While I’m waiting, I’ll be thinking about how I want to personalise each bear. What I want is to highlight each child’s personality or interests.

You have got to see this post by my ‘long lost sister’ Julie. She may have the bigger half of brain, but my half is younger! After looking at this post, I think you’ll agree she has the more creative half, too!

1. Favorite devotion or prayer to Jesus?

“The Jesus Prayer” it gets right to the point and is easy to remember!

2. Favorite Marian devotion or prayer?

The Angelus

3. Do you wear a scapular or medal?

Yes, a miraculous medal and a St. Anne medal. Once we’ve made our oblation, I’ll wear a St. Benedict scapular.

4. Do you have holy water in your home?

Yes, in the house and in the car.

5. Do you ‘offer up’ your sufferings?

Yes, I do. I need to get much better at it though…

6. Do you observe First Fridays and First Saturdays?

Not yet, but a group of other Catholic homeschoolers in our area is arranging a group First Friday and I can’t wait!

7. Do you go to Eucharistic Adoration?

Yes, but not nearly often enough.

8. Are you a Saturday evening Mass person or Sunday morning Mass person?

Neither, we have a Sunday evening Mass that rocks the house!

9. Do you say prayers at mealtime?

Yes, “Grace Before Dinner”

10. Favorite Saint(s)?

Oh, there are SO many! I especially love Benedict and Scholastica, Brigid, and Anthony. I also have a special devotion to Theresa of Calcutta and John Paul the Great.

11. Can you recite the Apostles Creed by heart?

Yes.

12. Do you usually say short prayers (aspirations) during the course of the day?

Constantly.

13. Where is your favorite place to pray?

Outdoors… In the garden, on a walk.

Bonus Question: When you pass by a automobile accident or other serious mishap, do you say a quick prayer for the folks involved?

Yes, and for the emergency personnel.

Cay had Helen’s bonus question: If you could visit any of Our Lady’s apparition sites, which one would you choose?

I agree with Cay… Do I have to choose only one? And Lourdes is also my pick. I’d also like to tag along on one of our Parish’s trips to Medjugorje.

I’m tagging Donna Marie, Mary Ellen, and Bridget.