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.

Praying from the Heart

Driving home from some errands this afternoon, I caught the tail end of Isabella's prayer from her carseat as I hung up my cell phone.

"...Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for Johnny to go to sleep and stop being so fussy."

Autumn 2010

Fall is such a beautiful time of the year. I can't say it is the best time of year, because each season brings its own beauty and rightly so! But, for now, we are really enjoying the Fall. The crisper weather and turning leaves beckon for us to be outdoors as much as possible. Let's not forget about the crunchy apples that are not lasting long in our fridge!

Isabella is now 3 and an eager recipient of any kind of instruction. We are using the Little Saints program in the home this year, mostly during John's morning nap, and her and I are enjoying the time together. It is a Catholic preschool program incorporating Scripture, music, art, reading, and learning activities. It does take some time to prepare the lessons (I can't just wing it - believe me, I've tried), but it is definitely worth the time it takes because the lesson flows all the more smoothly.

There are so many ideas out there for how to structure the day with littles. After getting entirely overwhelmed with what "everyone else" was doing, I finally worked out a routine that seems to flow for us. I have incorporated the ideas that I really liked and that are feasible for us right now. It seems that ideas come to fruition over time, not all at once. At least this is what I tell myself on the days when I have not accomplished all that I intended. And lately, these kinds of days have been many. It is hard for me to not get overrun by tasks. So, I have to remind myself on a daily, ok more like hourly, basis, that I need to be cheerful and encouraging with my children. Even when the 9 month old is writing on the kitchen floor with the crayon I swear I took away yesterday. And even when the 3 year old is asking me repeatedly, "What are we going to do today?" when we've already done ballet, park, bike rides, nature walks, lunch, snacks, and too many leaf crafts to count!


John is in that cruiser phase and is literally everywhere. He looks like a little bug, moving all over the house. We are in that phase where I have to watch both of them like a hawk. It is exhausting, but I know that this is just a phase and in another month we will be on to the next one. My favorite blog: OurMothersDaughters, suggests having boys move wood from one pile to another to keep them moving and using their energy. So, we are planning in this regard - to get the little rascal using his masculine energy in a productive way. He is a strong little man too and just as stubborn, oops, I mean determined as his sister. My mother has already warned me that if I have two kids with my stubborn personality, I am really up a creek. So, in conclusion, I am up a creek.

Room for Two?

Isabella has quite the interest in the crib. Most likely that is because she never saw one until John came along. Poor girl. Anyway, now they like to rev up, I mean wind down for the evening visiting through the bars. Much to their mother's dismay, Bella usaully ends up in the crib. With John. No one of course is sleeping. It just becomes what La Leche League calls a Romp and Roar area for toddlers, cruisers, whatever. Maybe I should get stricter with my parenting. What do you think? It's hard to stand in the way of two loving siblings. And by 8pm, the house is usually overrun by kiddies anyway and I am in survival mode, collecting laundry, hanging towels, and chasing an unwilling toddler around with a toothbrush. Oh, I am sorry. Are you still stuck on the part about my kids being awake at 8pm? I KNOW. If you ever really want to lend me a hand, come over for a visit during the evening hours when hubby is at work. That's when the real craziness begins. And if you have any tips for coordinating sleep with two littles under the age of 3, leave a comment. Think of how famous you could become. According to Google, this blog gets a lot of hits!

Bethany Beach 2010

We had a beautiful vacation this year, thanks to Papa and Grandma. Truth be told, it was comparable to having in home child care. Papa and Grandma took meticulous care of the kiddos (a much better job than I) which freed Dave and I up for some kid free dinners, walks, and shopping. We missed Aunt Linds who could not coordinate her vacation time with the week we booked. We still can't get a good family of four picture. I remain hopeful and am posting the shot anyway!

All About John

Bella was the spotlight of this blog for two years. It's Johnny C's turn to shine. And shine he does. People ask us, is he always this happy. Yes. Yes he is.