She is working on several projects that have been neglected for far too long. If you’d like, I’m chatting on and off over here.

I apologize to my Fit in 40 ladies. The diaconate program has taken much more of my time and energy than I could have imagined (and that’s saying something for me!). I am working on getting the weeks finished and into the drafts folder for publication. You may get a bunch of weeks at once to catch us up. Please forgive me.

I have also been spending a lot of time over here, here, and here. Working on audio programs, as well as this, and this, and this, and even some video content. I will have a couple of announcements in the coming weeks about some other projects as well.

To my sweet, wonderful customers. Thank you so much for your patience with me. Rosaries are almost caught up and will be going out as soon as possible. The recycled binders are finally in and will be going out this weekend (probably Friday). Your support and generosity have blessed me beyond measure.

Please know that your intentions, which God knows very well, are always in my prayers. I cherish yours more than you know.

To all the lovely ladies in the Nashville, Tennessee area who are reading Simple Gifts. Our family will be out your way this spring for a nice visit, and to do a write-up for this magazine.

If your church or ladies group would like to have me come and speak while we’re there, just send me an email.

Last call to sign up for the dotee doll swap. Sign-ups close on SUNDAY.

Don’t miss out on a super-easy, super-fun swap. If you’ve never swapped before, this is a great introductory project. Dotees are really simple to make (and oh, so addictive).

See this link for more information and to sign up!

Swapping is a wonderful way to meet like-minded ladies, and make new friends!

Please won’t you be my friend?

And if you are interested in joining a little reading group, I’ve set up a Simple Gifts reading group. I hope I’ll see you there!

Oh the things you can do when you take a day off from computing!

Built:
One bookcase for children’s play center.
One sofa table to be used for home altar

Cut Out:
Three hippie-chic tunic dresses for Sophie
Two pair hippie-chic pants for Sophie

Repaired:
One china cabinet drawer

Primed:
Two wooden serving trays

Served:
Two homemade pizzas

Taught:
Furniture construction, to one seven year old boy
Appreciation for little helping hands, to one two-year old girl
Garment construction, to one 15 year old girl (who is as I write cutting out the pattern for a new top)
Self-Reliance, to four children old enough to understand.

Hugged and Kissed:
Six of the loveliest human beings on the planet.

Praised:
The Lord above for all His gifts.

In just two short days:

Both my favourite mugs

One hair brush

The clothes rack

Three ceramic napkin rings

One china cabinet drawer front

One sliding keyboard tray(fixed)

… and my Lenten resolution not to lose my cool.

Mercifully, my laptop survived the 4 foot fall from the top of the printer with only minor injuries.

Updated to add: One paintbrush being used to spread glue on the broken china cabinet drawer front (see above). How am I going to get that out of the bottom of the bottle?

Do you think God is trying to teach me to be more detached from my stuff?

Cate: “Louis, you are absolutely adorable!”

(As we all turn to admire those chubby cheeks and dimpled hands…)

“You look just like me”

Just get your Kleenex ready first. I was sobbing by the end of this video:

Bring myself to cut these curls…

Don’t forget to sign up by the 24th if you want to take part in the Dotee Doll Swap! It’s easy peasy, and lots of fun!

This is an international swap, and I’d love to hear from more swappers outside the States. Dotee is pretty lightweight and small, so she’s not at all costly to send. Swapping is a wonderful way of making new friends, too.