With Gratitude

14. the last bit of warm weather


15. nature walks



16. little girl angels

17. turtles that captivate moms and children alike

18. Papa's that are happy to babysit

19. Music Man and Ballerina Girl rolling out pita dough

20. clean warm pajamas on a sleepy babe

21. a mother who asks about my day, everyday

22. a Mexican fiesta on a Sunday afternoon

23. talking across the ocean to my only sister

24. siblings sharing a wagon ride

25. my mother's helper

26. October weekends

With Gratitude

Here is the start of my gifts as I work my way to 1,000 as part of Ann Voskamp's Gratitude Community. Follow the above link to visit one of my favorite blogs entitled, "A Holy Experience"

1. snuggling with a sleeping babe

2. favorite cookie recipe from my mom

3. faces smeared with warm chocolate

4. crisp Autumn air

5. the 91st birthday of a dear friend

6. a day with Barbara Harper

7. a swept and mopped kitchen floor

8. quiet house at the end of the day

9. sister comforting distraught brother in car with reassuring words and hand holding

10. library books

11. a true day of rest on Sunday

12. baking bread as a family

13. sharing my heart with the Music Man

Bread Baking

Dave and I took a breadmaking class (at our home) this weekend and it was incredible and completely indulgent. Dave had the entire weekend off for the first time in a few months, so we wanted to do something fun. And I wanted to learn how to bake bread. And my husband is incredibly accomodating. So breadmaking it was. He did have a great time, though, we all did!

We were taught by an artisan breadmaker from NJ. I found him on the Internet and his rate was very reasonable. Isabella was a great helper and was on her best behavior for the full 5 hours. I know, I couldn't believe it. But it did make for a wonderful family day. We made English muffins, French baguettes, a French boule, and pitas. We learned about dough hydrations, how to knead by hand and with a mixer, and how to shape the aforementioned breads. He even brought over some sourdough starter for me that I hope to maintain. I just happened to whip up a batch of hummus for some veggies earlier that morning, so at the end of all the baking, the hummus and veggies made perfect pita fillings. Not to mention that we smothered the cinnamon raisin English muffins with butter and they were soooo good. I feel guilty for the ones that disappeared in the late hours of the evening when everyone else was sleeping. We stashed the rest of it away in the freezer so c'mon down and sample what we've made!

The Little Way

This past Friday marked the Feast of St. Therese, Flower of the Child Jesus, known for her "Little Way". In her autobiography, St. Therese wrote that simply picking up a pin with great love could save a soul. She even went as far as seeking out little hardships for herself to endure, so that she would have something to offer up for the sake of souls. St. Therese wrote that she was certain that this was the surest path to heaven. Accordingly, she was cannonized only 28 years after her death, and is now known as the Saint of Modern Times.

St. Therese used the metaphor of a "pin". In the state of motherhood, this can easily equate to scattered socks, crumbs on the floor, or yet another night waking. When I think about all of the "pins" about my day, I realize the ample oppotunity that I have to save souls. What are your "pins"?

Lord, help us to embrace the small trials that come our way, with great love and generous hearts, following the path of St. Therese.