Daybook - This Side Of Eden

Outside My Window - the usual Winter clouds but warmer than the last few weeks. The melting snow makes for a slippery step, the slurry of melt and mud erasing the beauty we beheld for so long. 

I'm Wearing - the usual uniform of sweatshirt dress and fleece leggings. I need my comfort clothes that takes me from home to public without looking frumpy. The older I get, the more my vanity shines.

I'm Listening To - praise playlist. Mondays need a healthy dose of Jesus to start my week right

I'm Reading - the Lenten Companion by Ascension Press. One of my friends bought it for our mom group. Not gonna lie, it is a challenging devotional. There's no happy-clappy feelings here, at least not for me. It's all about digging in, facing and asking hard questions. I've cried and cried some more. But through the tears is God's mercy and providence as I see all He has done for me. This is exactly the devotional I need this year. 

I'm Looking Forward To - all the Lent events. Adoration, Holy Hours, Stations of the Cross...all of it. Whereas the world offer fleeting joys and temporary outrages, the church offers consolation and redemption. 

I'm Pondering - see what I'm Reading above.

I'm Praying - the St. Michael novena for the young people in my life. They need that angelic patronage more than ever.

What's Cooking - NOTHING! We cooked a big batch of food last night. In part, for my oldest to bring back to uni. He was home for a visit. I can't believe he is almost finished his first year of college. He was happy to eat home-cooked meals and requested some faves which we were more than happy to oblige. 

Mom Treat - coffee dates this week. I'm so thankful for these small opportunities to not only get out of the house but have adult conversations and catching up with friends. 

Life In A Snap - 

once a year, at the beginning of Lent, I get my This Side Of Eden fix to remind me of the many retreats I spent at this Benedictine Abbey in Canada. Set on a hill overlooking the Fraser Valley, this place has seen me through so many moments of joy and despair. It's comforting not just to see the abbey but the many familiar faces in this documentary. I miss it but I'm always thankful for the memories and the work the Lord has done in my life through those retreats.

snow days are baking days

sun and snow in the Winter is a blessing

a Valentine's day feast courtesy of a caterer-friend

Daybook - Snowbound

Outside My Window - a lot of snow and more on the way. I haven't seen the dormant grass on my yard in awhile. The weatherman predicted up to 8 inches of snow. I wouldn't mind another snow day.

I'm Wearing - gray velvet fleece leggings, hooded tunic, cabin socks, gaiter doubling as headband. Another Ohio winter uniform on this cold holiday Monday.

I'm Listening To - the laundry spin cycle. Which means my house is unusually silent for having all five kids at home and a husband who is off from work. Maybe I should check in and see what quiet mischief they are all working on hahaha

I'm Reading - and finished Hallie Lord's new book. I've decided to support some of my favorite gals even if their story does not always resonate with me. And Hallie is one of those people. We have a few things in common but something about her mix of joy, candor, and melancholy is something I appreciate. If nothing else, it opens me up to something new and my prayer life is all the more enriched by it. 

I'm Looking Forward To - LENT. That's all there is to say about that.

I'm Pondering - how almost ironic that leading up to the feast of St. Valentine's, I have gotten prayer requests for floundering marriages and relationships. It always breaks my heart a little when marriages are hurting. I think as Christians we all share in the devastation of a broken sacrament. 

I'm Praying - for all marriages, floundering or flourishing.

What's Cooking - a Filipino style stew with bone marrow and veggies and all the good things to warm cold bodies. Planning the usual Mardi Gras feast for tomorrow so lots of baking and bacon!

Mom Treat - a Winter hike. It's good for both body and soul.

Life In A Snap - 

I think he's tired of playing in the snow

the unusual moments of sitting in the backseat with a cute kid

recess

Daybook - I Called, You Answered

Once I said in my anguish, "I am cutoff from your sight", yet you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried out to you - Psalm 31-23

Outside My Window - snowpocalypse 2.0 after an icy, snowy, slushy weekend.  The snow just started swirling again right before I had to pick up my middle child from school. The roads were a bit dicey this morning but I survived the drive.

I'm Wearing - the best $25 I ever spent on clothes with a hooded sweatshirt dress, fleece-lined on the inside and blanket like on the outside. I'm of the mind that there is no bad weather, just bad gear. My snow gear needs to stand up to Ohio weather. For the rest of my ensemble, fleece-lined leggings, dangling earrings, and my tiara-like headband.

I'm Listening To - chatter between my husband and kids

I'm Reading - nothing of note other than the usual devotionals. I'm perusing my bookshelves to plan Lenten reading.

I'm Looking Forward To - virtual school days this week for my boy. He is the only one who is on campus everyday but these next few days they are all-virtual. I'm a homeschool mom at heart so when my kids are all home my heart is happy.

I'm Pondering - see above Scripture passage. It's from today's Mass readings and I was so struck by how true this is in my life. It's a reminder for me that once I'm done with the pity party, the Lord is still there waiting for me to snap out of it. I promise, my thoughts were more deep and eloquent than that lol.

What's Cooking - my daughter has a slow roast in the crockpot and she also baked a chocolate cake. Life is good for this mama on this Monday.

Homeschool Is Cool - seven wonders of the ancient world and such and some Lenten planning happening. 

Mom Treat - one of the things I've splurged on is pre-made salads. I don't know about you but I usually have no appetite for foods I make. I love salads and I love it even more now that the grocery store makes it for me, saving me time, giving me variety, and making me eat something healthy.

Life In Snapshots -

the calm before the winter storm

yummy treat

senior night at our nephew's hockey game