Or for a friend. These beautiful titles by Donna Cooper O’Boyle will bless the new year ahead.

My mum sent me an email with these sweet pictures of polar bears. I had to share because… I have a really big soft spot for polar bears.

Relax…

Make funny faces…

Laugh with friends…

Come and get your love…

Snuggle up with your children…

I just read a beautiful article entitled “I Love Saint Joseph!” written by Donna Cooper O’Boyle.

I must warn you to keep the tissues handy…

It’s been a trying day. The kind of day when you really need the support of your friends. And I have the most wonderful friends in the world. I have been receiving the most beautiful, uplifting messages from them and am feeling their prayers surround my family.

A few minutes ago, there was a knock on the door. I honestly thought “Oh, Lord… Please let it be good news. I’ve had all the challenge I can pray on for a day”. And then I opened the door. And it was my neighbor Kathy with the most luscious arrangement of roses from my dear friend Jennifer. They are the color of new beginnings, they are 12 perfect pearls that remind me that those gates of Heaven are my goal, not any Earthly pursuit.

Jen’s message is an unction for my soul and the butterfly attached to the card reminds me that we will come through this temporary difficulty just as surely as He rose on the third day.

Yes, I am truly loved. I am blessed to have friends. They are gifts, they are sent to help each soul on its way Home.

These first two days of November are very special indeed. They are set aside for the remembrance of those that have gone before us to their Heavenly rest. Father Augustine has a beautiful homily today. Please go by and listen to it.

And a new soul has joined Heaven. Please pray for Bridget and her family.

I had to share this beautiful, inspirational project from Katherine at “Life in the Onion Dome”. I can’t begin to express how blessed our family has been by her sharing a look at the Eastern Church. It has helped us immensely to grow in our understanding of the Universal Church.

These boxes have prompted me to do a similar project for my own children, which I’ll try to photograph and post here. Our liturgical year and family of saints provide so much nourishment for our children - both spiritual and temporal. This project is a wonderful way to introduce small children to that richness. Thank you Katherine!

My oldest daughter attended a lovely Montessori school in a little village called Beck Row, in England. I remember taking a tour with the headmistress before enrolling. My heart went thumpity thumpity - nearly beating out of my chest - at the sight of those beautiful materials. I remember doing some research into buying materials for Cate at the time. I nearly cried because there was just no way I could justify the enormous expense on our meagre military pay.

Unfortunately, the internet was not what it is today. I had no way of finding resources for making my own Montessori materials. But now, for my younger children, I can!

I am so inspired by this website, with many thanks to Meredith for the recommendation. And my friend Donna-Marie is both passionate and knowledgeable about Montessori. Kim always has wonderful ideas. And I can never keep up with Theresa - but it sure is fun trying.

And if you still can’t get enough, visit Montessori Mom for some more ideas!

The only problem I’m left with is which project to start with. What is your favorite homemade Montessori tool?

I am truly humbled. This award means a lot to me since it is given by peers in the blogosphere. I am overjoyed that something I’ve written has touched another person in some small way.

Thank you Kris at CM Living Science for thinking of me!

I want you to know that Kris is a legendary bread baker, so stop by her blog and ask for some receipts!

And now it is my pleasure to pass the award on to five bloggers that inspire me.

1. Dawn who inspires me so often with her passion for God’s creation and her love of making life beautiful. She is someone I feel very in tune with - it’s funny how often we think of the same thing at the same time. I have lost count of the numbers of times I’ve been to By Sun and Candlelight only to find she’s prepared something in the kitchen or at the craft table that I did that day. Separated at birth?

2. Regina, who challenges me to look at life through a well-focused lens on the random beauty that occurs in the mundanity of my daily life. She always invites me to slow down and go to that place of stillness in my heart so that I can truly be thankful for all that I have.

3. Jewels at Eyes of Wonder helps me to remember that the little things I do for my family coalesce into a way of living that will continue to bless them for generations to come. She reminds me that we are mothering for eternity, not just today.

4. Amanda whose work makes me crazy happy everytime I visit her weblog. Her eye for light and color, for composition, her sense of sweetness really touches a chord in me. I am always inspired to go back to my own fabric stash and create something to make my home my own. She challenges me to think about patterns, prints, and fabrics in new ways.

5. … and Vicki at Turkey Feathers is like a trip to my Nana’s house. I visit when I feel like I need a hug, when I need to reconnect with the magic of childhood. The writing is down-to-earth and generous, it’s just like sitting down to tea and cake at a dear friend’s table. Her website, the PatternBee is a gift to anyone who adores kitsch and nostalgia as much as I do.

I am in love with these little houses, and the blog where they live!

HT: Dawn

Amy’s scan is back and she’s clear of cancer. Please, please keep those prayers coming - pour it on. We want Amy to stay this way for a long, long, long time forever! God is so good!