Searching for a Balance

A sunny spot in the living room with a bit of hand stitching, listening to Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring  on the radio. Wit...

"If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every mo...

Like every Christmas, we spent it with my Italian side of the family.  Very lively. Kissing everybody. Rum cake. Laughing. And a ...

(painting by Heather Sleightholm)

"We do not dare to believe or trust the incredible truth that God could live in us, and live there out of choice, out of preference. Th...

The Smart Cookie I'm talking about is me.  I've mentioned  these  before. Once you've had them you don't forget them. A...

I'm joining Ginny again for yarnalong . I've begun knitting a cowl for myself, just because it's a good way to use up some Wool...

I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near; A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel. - N...

The Music Lover, lulled to sleep after enjoying Christmas carols.

We've got some snow on the ground; now it's really winter. It's feeling like Christmas. And another of the things I do in Adv...

"The genuine significance of Catholic devotion to Mary is to be seen in the light of the Incarnation itself. The Church believes that t...

Today was the feast of  St. Lucy , who is especially revered  in Sweden . Which is a fascination to me, as Protestants don't genera...

In the current issue of Country Living  is an awfully cute idea with inexpensive salt shakers, small bottle brush trees, a miniature stag a...

This, inside a card we received yesterday:     During this Holy Season, may your hearts be warmed with the golden memories of all the happ...

Yes, it was the sun rise . I could hardly believe it. And then we had snow all day. "Sailors take warning."

I used it last year for the tree skirt, but I suddenly realized how perfect it works on the table. A yarn-dyed cotton plaid in navy and ...

"Cynics often suggest that cats trick people into providing food and shelter through false displays of affection, and that cat owners p...

Emily dropped by yesterday, and a neighborhood cat came along and sat on top of her warm hood. He's a favorite of ours for some re...

I am still enamored with knitting these hand warmers, and getting better at it, too.   Susan  showed me where to learn how to avoid those...

doesn't have to be all cookies. These cranberry-orange muffins just came out of the oven. I think they'd be pretty good with a ...

the second thing I always want to do when Advent begins is hang up the gaudy wreath . It makes a big splash. "The Advent liturgy...

"In this silence [of prayer] we find a new energy and a real unity. God's energy becomes ours, allowing us to perform things well. ...

The first thing I like to do when Advent begins is put the lights in the window. Because Somebody's coming.

if you've never done it before. The first thing you need to know is what you're going to bake it in. Get it ready, and as you...

with thanks to God: for the beauty and fruitfulness of the earth,      and the mystery and wonder of all creation for the love of...

Can't rest quite yet - gotta make a sweet potato pie.

cute pink ears "In addition to...sensitivity to ultrasound, cats can hear the same full range of frequencies that we can, from the...

We've been in a dry spell, but not for long. The forecast is for two to four inches of rain. My activity level is also rising; I...

Back to knitting, and the simple wristlets again. This yarn is too pricey for a large project, but eleven dollars for hand-made wool ha...

"The first pet cat I ever got to know was...a neurotic Burmese by the name of Kelly. Kelly belonged to a friend of my mother's who ...