A Rosary Shower for Baby

I have so much updating to do, including finishing my posts on the mother/daughter event.  Where did the time go?  As the summer draws to a close, I am getting more excited for fall and our coming child, as well as overwhelmed, by everything I must accomplish in the next three months.

Every child is a cause for celebration and a special gift from God.  I wanted to do something for this baby to celebrate the amazing joy that has come to our lives through this pregnancy. Despite all the difficulties and complications I have faced over the years with every pregnancy, I still truly have enjoyed being pregnant whenever I have been blessed to be so.  However, there is something truly special about this pregnancy.

I have not had one single complication or issue, it has been smooth sailing the whole way.  If I were only about six years younger, it would be considered a picture perfect pregnancy.  It has been a great blessing and gift, and my husband and I are just overflowing with joy and happiness.

One of the members of my online pregnancy group posted the idea of a rosary shower.  It seemed like just what I was looking to do.  So, I sent out evites to the special ladies in my life from church and long time friends asking them to gather for a rosary to pray for baby.

Every new baby is a cause to celebrate. Come celebrate with us as Jennifer gets ready to welcome her new child.
Please join us for a “Visitation” where we will pray the joyful mysteries of the rosary for Jennifer, Drew, and Baby.
The Annunciation –Like Mary she has conceived and will bear a child
The Visitation – Like Mary, she has been blessed and prayed and trusted in God to give her children
The Nativity – We will celebrate the birth of her child
The Presentation in the Temple – Like Mary & Joseph, Jennifer and Drew will bring their child up in the Catholic faith, beginning with a baptism
The Finding in the Temple – Jennifer and Drew will teach their child to proclaim the messages of the HEAVENLY FATHER
Please join us for a tea and light refreshments.  This is NOT a gift giving event, only a chance to gather and pray.  Thank you.

Pretty

 

I truly enjoy fancy tablecloths with linen and lace.  Pink is my favorite color, always has been. I agonized over whether to use a pink or blue tablecloth, though.  Pink because it is so pretty, blue for Our Lady.  I knew either one would leave people reading into my choice, when it had nothing to do with the baby itself.  I was relieved when I realized we needed two tables.  So, I used one of each.  

I even broke out the good china, silver flatware, and crystal glasses.  Some of my guests were a little afraid to use such nice pieces.  If a miracle baby isn't reason enough to use the good stuff, I don't know what is.

 

A dear friend from church brought me this beautiful rose.  It made the perfect centerpiece.  Have I mentioned that pink roses are my favorite flower?

I was blessed to be able to have the pilgrim statue this week.  She was really the only decoration I had for the shower.  I found my mother's pressed rose rosary and her Infant of Prague statue to complete my display.

  Happy

 

I was so happy that my best friend and college roomie was able to make the long drive for the shower.  We are like sisters and often got mistaken for twins in college.  There are many things that computers mess up, and quite honestly they often complicate life instead of fixing it.  However, a computer randomly matched us up and it couldn't have been more right.  Kim is the perfect compliment for me as far as friends, and one of the only people I would ever willingly choose to be my roommate. I always joke about playing the lottery to win millions, but truly I have already won the best lottery there is.  I not only ended up with the best roomie ever, I have a best friend for life!

Funny

 

I have not perfected the art of entertaining, serving, AND photographing events.  Photos always seem to fall off the radar for me.   However, I wanted some photos of the event.  My Comare (Godmother) always takes pictures of the food at events, then we discuss the amazing menu.  She was sick the day of the shower, so I wanted a photo for her.  I was rushing, and am not quite tall enough to get a good aerial view, so this is what I ended up with.  Please, believe me, it was much more impressive in person.  We dined on Gluten free goat cheese, cherry tomato, and purple basil pizza, zoodle cucumber salad, homemade caponata (an Italian eggplant stew), roasted chicken, farro salad, gluten free blueberry lemon cake, vanilla meringues, hazelnut chocolate wafers, and lemon tartalettes.  

I also found it funny that I discovered this delicious, yet incredibly easy, recipe for caponata for the first time. For generations, my family has been paying exorbitant prices to buy little cans of the stew imported from Italy.  It is a family favorite, but we only ever had it at major events and holidays because it cost so much for so little.  All this time, we could have just made it in the slow cooker.  Wish I could have brought a pot of it to my grandmother, she would have enjoyed it so, and was always my best cheerleader.

 

So, rushing around and trying to take photos before anything got moved led to very blurry photos.  My little set up looked so lovely, if I do say so myself, with my crystal stemware, pretty, blue china, crystal ice bucket, and selection of drinks on a beautiful cream table cloth.  Please, close your eyes and imagine.  I purchases a couple of French sodas, my favorite splurge drink ever. (You can keep you wine and fancy mixed cocktails, I'll savor my French lemonade soda.) a delicious peach nectar, and seltzer.  What's that you say?  There's no tea at my tea party.  Well, you are correct.  I got so caught up in everything, I forgot to make it.  Mea culpa. No one missed it, though.

Real

 

I have been acutely aware of my grandmother's absence this pregnancy.  I miss her so very much and wish she could be here to share in my joy.  It seems difficult to comprehend that this child will never know my parents, nor my grandparents who have meant so much throughout my life.  My heart aches for them every day, but they will only be vague stories and old photographs to my baby.  I prayed on my grandmother's silver rosary and wore her MOM bracelet that my mother had bought her.  

I also wore coral beads that I discovered in the jewelry box I inherited from my grandmother.  There isn't anything very special in there, all her fine jewelry was stolen in a burglary over two decades ago, however it is priceless to me.  I love to go in there and explore to find a piece that matches my outfit. The best part, though, is when I pull out a drawer or open a side, it still smells like her, and for that moment she is close to me, like she never even left.

 

A friend gave me a beautiful swing that her daughter has outgrown.  It couldn't be more perfect.  Another special blessing.  Teddy is keeping it warm for baby.  Despite all that has been lost, every goodbye that I have cried through over these past eight years, there is still so much hope and joy to be sought.   Last year, beginning at Christmas 2014, was a heartbreak of a year.  I lost my mother and my grandmother in four and a half months.  I bid goodbye to my grandparents' home just two weeks later, my favorite place on this earth, as a child, and the most welcoming little space I ever knew.  My heart was shattered, my soul crushed, I reeled from the intensity of the loss, and the trauma of watching the two most important women in my life slip into the hereafter.  I was determined to make 2016 a fresh start, to find my joy and purpose once more.  Now, after all those who I bid goodbye, I am preparing to welcome a new little love.  Life truly is a circle, and God has been so good to me.

Stay safe little one, Mommy longs to hold you close, but for now rest well deep within me and remind me that the best is always yet to be!

 

{p, h, f, r} It's a Party for Books!

Party, did you say???  Books, did you say??  We all like a little time to chit chat with our friends and enjoy a break from the everyday.  For busy moms like me, the idea of a party has changed drastically over the years.  I consider an hour without interruptions and a cup a tea with my friend Dara a rocking good time. Let's be honest, with eight kids between us, fifteen minutes without someone yelling "Mom!" is a victory.

But I digress,  the other night I had a Facebook party for Usborne with a few friends and my sisters.  They have great books, and what is better that books???!!!!??? (I think the real reason I homeschool is that I am a closet book-aholic so it gives me an excuse all year to shop for books--can we say curriculum?  LOL)

Facebook parties are the best because there is no need for a babysitter but it gives you an excuse to lock yourself in your room with yummy snacks and chat with all your friends on-line for an hour while hubby gets the kids to bed and you shop for Christmas gifts in your pj's six months early.  Does that sound like I have too much experience in this?  Cass Heck is an Usborne Consultant and a lovely lady to work with.  Her parties are fun, engaging, and easy.  This is my second party with Cass and I'm hoping it's not my last because I have really enjoyed "hanging out" with her via Facebook.

 

Superhero Cass rescuing bored children one book at a time!

Now for my post.

Pretty

These books are pretty amazing!  Not only are the illustrations beautiful but they have hidden pictures that can only be seen with a flashlight. One of these and a sturdy flashlight is on Buddy's list of gifts this Christmas.  Best of all, I got one of these beautiful books free just for hosting a party with Cass!  I really want more....my wishlist keeps growing!

happy

 

While on the subject of happy, what makes me happy?  Books, of course.  What makes me happier?  Books on sale!!!!  When Hubby and I were younger we banned ourselves from book stores just because it was too tempting, especially the ones that put the sale items up front! Now we go to curriculum fairs and homeschool book sales because you know, they don't count, we NEED them--lol!

Oh, golly, I can't stay on topic today. But, today is the day for you!  All books that have anything to do with veggies are on sale 10% off!  Today only!!  I think I need to pick up that garden book I keep pining over.

funny

 

Moms of a certain age all remember those egg commercials that played after school--you know the ones.  I'm not sure how effective they were, but this graphic gave me a chuckle.  If you need more proof that your kids need books, listen to the master, himself, dear C.S. Lewis:

 

real

 

 

 

Okay, so I ave joked a lot about my book hoarding  collecting habits, but kids really do need books.  The more you know, the more you grow.  Even in this age of technology, children need actual books to fuel their imagination and teach them critical thinking.  The other side of the coin is that ALL kids need books, especially those in greatest need. That's why Cass not only hosts rocking parties, but is passionate about book drives to get books into the hands of the children that need it most.

If you would like to purchase a book for your children to beat the summer blahs or to donate, please contact Cass.  My party is open through midnight tonight, but she is a fabulous consultant any day of the week.  Thanks, and may the literary force be with you! 

Linking up with Auntie Leila 

  

{p, h, f, r}- The Spring has Sprung Edition

I'm a little late getting this up but, i wanted to do a little Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real....so, I'm linking up with Rosie.

pretty

 I won this beautiful print from Audrey Eclectic.  I have a special place in my heart for St Elizabeth of Hungry, my daughter, Ashley, had been due on the her feast.  I think that she was supposed to be an Elizabeth.  I sometimes get calls or mails for an Elizabeth and I feel like that is God's way of letting me know she's in good hands, even if she never reached my arms.  Thank you, Heather, for the very, pretty prize!

happy

 So, this may not look like much, but it makes me happy.  This is the site of my future garden.  The rototiller comes next week, I just need to get some fencing.  We have so many deer through our yard every day, a fence is of greatest importance, lest I invest a whole lot of effort into building a deer buffet.  To give you an idea of scale, and just why I am so happy, from where I am standing to the pine tree (straight ahead) there is an area twice the size of our old home!  And the sun!  We have so much sun at the new home.  No more living in the woods, thank you very much.  I always wanted to live in the woods, until I did.  Growing up, we didn't have any trees in my neighborhood because we were built a a section of dairy farm, so I always had a fascination with trees. Grass is always greener and all that!  I'll post garden pictures once there is more progress to look at--I'm just happy, happy, happy!

funny

  Little Man would not wear shoes, I mean anything that had any hint of a sole.  I had beautiful moccasins made for him over and over, but there were times when moccasins weren't very convenient and I wondered what we would do about winter.  Then we happened to be walking through a store in late Fall and he found these shoes.  He took them off the shelf, put them on his feet, and never looked back.  They were his "Hike-Hike" shoes and he was so attached to them that he actually had to keep them next to his bed when he slept.  Well, the "Hike-Hike" shoes have seen a lot of action and have been extremely well loved.  They are completely worn through in spots and the sole was starting to crack.  I didn't know if Little Man would be willing to give them up.  However, once he saw his new light up Spiderman sneakers, he was smitten.  I had to sneak these into the trash when he was asleep, but snapped a photo first.  I am going to miss these little "Hike-Hike" boots.  My baby is growing too quickly!

real

  Now, I realize that I may have bitten off more than I can chew as far a Lenten study.  I keep falling a bit behind, but I am so glad that I have.  This study is REAL-ly good.  If you read no other book this year, pick up this new one from Father Gaitley.  He will be leading a consecration on Divine Mercy Sunday broadcasted on EWTN at 12 noon EST.  This study is just what I need to sooth the feeling that I'm not doing anything great enough, nor big enough--as long as I am doing God's Will and striving to serve Him better each day, I'm doing enough.

How is your week going?  Do you garden?  Have you gotten out in the dirt yet?  

Thanks for stopping by. God bless! 

{p, h, f, r} The New House Edition

I have been wanting to post pictures for awhile, but it just hasn't happened.  Over the weekend, we finally got the house blessed and I took the opportunity to snap some shots as we walked through the house.  I am linking up with Auntie Leila.

pretty

 I really like my pretty bedroom that is now no longer the overflow storage room of the house.  In our old house, there was no storage so if there was anything that needed to be kept out of the way or away form little fingers, it got piled in our room.  Auntie Leila always encourages ladies to keep a pretty room, and that I am doing.  I especially like the pretty quilt that my grandmother had bought for my mother who never got to use it.  I think they would smile seeing it in this beautiful room.  

 

I am trying to figure out what color curtains I want for this room.  My mother in law purchased the ones up now just to cover the windows until I decide.  She picked them up dirt cheap at the Christmas Tree shop.  What do you think?  Green? White? Off white?  Taupe?  Another color?  I just can't seem to find the right fit.

happy

 

We were very happy that Father J could come bless the house and spend a Sunday afternoon with us.  I set the table for coffee, tea, and apple cake fresh from the farm.  Some little person was very excited to have Father over, and a little impatient for that cake.  Can you tell?

funny

 

Well, Hubby and the rest of the family find it funny that I like my 1950's bathroom so much.  My favorite color has always been pink and this reminds me so much of my grandmother's pink bathroom.  When we first moved in, we had some major plumbing issues to contend with, including the leaking fixtures in the bathroom.  The plumber suggested I replace the whole shower unit because, "after all this work, you'll still have a pink tub!"

I told him leave my pink tub alone. I like my pink tub!

real

Hubby requested the workshop be blessed since Buddy does some crazy projects in there, hence everyone just out of frame.

This is our family room/playroom/classroom.  It has been a Godsend.    It is still very much a work in progress.  We had to replace the flooring and all the trim. The trim still needs to be reinstalled.  Then we have to replace the ceiling tiles.  Once the trim is up, we can arrange our bookcases and unpack our 40+ boxes of books.  However, just for some REAL perspective, if you moved our 1950's bathroom downstairs and attached it to this room, it would be the same size as out entire old house.  What a difference it is in a larger home!

 

 

There are parts of the house that I didn't include in this mini-tour.  I left out the children's bedrooms for their privacy.  There are also those parts that are a little too real, if you know what I mean, to broadcast across the world wide web.  The two areas above, I posted to get some feedback.  The first  is the stairway down to the family room.  Before we moved in, we pulled up from the stairs a very old, very dirty carpeting that was full of all kinds of nastiness.  I'm not inclined to replace it with carpeting because there are no electrical outlets that would allow easy and thorough vacuuming of the stairs--hence why they were probably so dirty. However, with the amount of foot traffic the stairs receive, I don't see paint holding up well.  Any suggestions or ideas?

The second photo is our future mud area.  Once the door is replaced (It is covered with a curtain because Buddy knocking and glass don't mix, so you really don't want to see our little patch job.) with a door that has a keyed lock, it will become the main entrance for the children and I since it is just off the car port where I park.  It will help keep their shoes and belongings out of the living room--along with the mud and snow!  The gate leads to downstairs.  I am not sure if I want to keep it.  I'm trying to decide on a color to paint it that will brighten the area up but stand up to muddy shoes and children continually passing through.  I'm all ears!

{p, h, f, r) Christmas 2015 Edition

This is a bit of a photo dump of a post.  We had a Pretty Happy Christmas.  It was Real-ly nice to have such a big and beautiful living room to decorate and enjoy.  We had a lovely Christmas breakfast, as always, and then attended Mass.  I'm happy that I finally got a picture of the kids in front of the Nativity this year, I always hope to do it and it just doesn't happen.  No family photo this year, though. It's Funny because when we got to Mass early and it was so warm, I thought it would be nice to get the entire fmaily in front of the Nativity, but didn't have anyone to take the photo for me.  As I was snapping the picture of the kids, Little Man's Godmother walked up and said, "Could I take a picture of the whole fmaliy for you?"

 I thought, "Yes!"

Hubby said, "No, we are early, let's keep it that way.  We can do it on the way out."  Little Man fell fast asleep mid way through Mass--oh well!

Hope everyone had a joyous and blessed Christmas day!

Linking up with Rosie who did a photo dump of her own.