showeredwithgrace

Today. . .

Rose Red:  "Look mommy there's Bama"

I look down to where she is pointing to the newspaper at a picture believe it or not of  President Obama .  I would never have guessed that she knew his picture let alone his name.  Politics aren't a large topic in our home and we rarely watch the news on t.v.   I'm baffled by this ~ the absorbent mind is an amazing thing.

The small heater in the greenhouse ($19 at home depot) has made all the difference.  Six this morning internal temperature inside greenhouse 70 F.

Internal temperature in the greenhouse yesterday afternoon:  100 F

Internal temperature at 8 this morning:  30 F

I think I'll get a warming light to place inside it at night.

Rose Red sitting on the stool in the kitchen begins singing a made up song to herself as I start the fire in the fireplace.

Rose Red:  "Sun is shining, earth is spinning . . ."

Mommy:  "I'm the earth and the table is the sun"  (I get up and begin spinning around the table)

Rose Red:  "I'm the moon!"  (she jumps off the stool and begins spinning next to me as we go around the table.)

Learning together ~ so much fun.

Always looking to lift out the connections ~ the ways in which He reveals himself and his plan to us . . .

As the dawn breaks ~ cup of coffee in hand ~ oatmeal steaming soft and fruity . . .

Mommy:  "The sun is rising.  See the light coming into the world."

Rose Red:  "Why?"

Mommy:  "So we can see . . . and grow."

Rose Red:  . . . pause . . .  "Just like Jesus in our home!"

Mommy:  "Yes sweetheart,  just like Jesus."

Observation of nature in all it's glory.

Am I crazy or does typepad drop words out of our posts.  Surely, that can't be me ~ after all that double checking?!

Some artists paint beautiful paintings, some write beautiful poetry, some create beauty through their music.  But there are hidden artists everywhere.  Some create beautiful souls,  allowing the Great Creator to work in them and through them as any great artist must do, And some create, build, imagine into being beautiful lives.  Each day is my canvas, a blank page in which I can spill forth my art.  Is the soul of an artist forever dreaming?  The relentless dreams of the caged artist bring their own kind of sorrow.

We have a Fresh and Easy neighborhood market coming in soon that will be walking distance from our home.  I've been bunking in here at our new home and love the fact that I can walk to the grocery stores, church and park!  I've never lived like this before and it is exactly what I've been looking for in the efforts to simplify our life. 

Catechesis classes are back in full swing.  I've been enjoying my year off this year ~ just observing and aiding in Rose Red's atrium.  I love to watch her learn! 

Going to back up everything on my laptop today and send it in to get wireless fixed.  Meanwhile, sneaking into River's room using desk top and sitting on his brutally uncomfortable drum stool in his unmentionably untidy room. . .  I miss my computer : (

I'm noticing how badly my windows need washing.  Do I do this now?  Or do I wait until we paint this ramshackle cottage?  The outside of our new home needs a paint job badly.  Our plans are to paint it in February.  Can look at dirty windows until February?

My library has put a hold on putting books on hold as they revamp their computer system.  This is messing with me.  : (

After Pappy (grandpa) comments that spending time with Rose Red has helped save his life (he's been going through some tough times emotionally):

Pappy:  "Do you like to go to the park and on walks with pappy?"

Rose Red:  "Yes, don't die Pappy"

I recently purchased a copy of this book recommended by Nina.  Thanks Nina!  I've been perusing through these types of books from the library in the pursuit of creating Rose Red's magical garden lately (always a challenge in our desert climate) but haven't seen this one yet.  I look forward to its arrival! 

This one will make you cry.  I loved it.  Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola.

Recruited FIL to help me set up the greenhouse to start up some seeds again this year (hoping for better luck)!  I've also been plotting about how I want to transform the sorry backyard of my home into a magical place for Rose Red. 

Bad news:  My computer still problematic and won't be up and running until February and Rose Red has a virus.

Good news:  Computer is still under warranty, I'm not distracted into blogging and Rose Red will be better in no time and must just eat popsicles and soups until her throat feels better!

Enjoy your day!

Well here it is a few months late ~ our winter nature table.  We are setting it up in Rose Red's new bedroom in front of the window.  We didn't put much thought into this one and rather scrambled to put one up as our nature walks have been non-existent lately and the few empty pods we gathered were sadly crushed.

Rose Red received these wonderful bean bags from Romeo's mommy for Christmas ~ homemade with love.  She slept with them.

 

We are also carrying this little man around with us everywhere we go.  She loves how he "flips" and I love the old fashioned gymnastics leotard he is wearing which always makes me laugh.  This one her grandad made for her for Christmas.

 

Don't you just love homemade toys?

Finished Stormy Weather ~ good.  Listening to Rose Red play River's drums.  Thinking about hot coffee.

Enjoyed a relaxing day today ~ even began reading a book, Stormy Weather by Paulette Jiles.  Internet connection restored.  Life is good.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Blessed Solemnity!

 

My favorite image of Mary ~ Our Lady of Tenderness.  I fell in love with this image after seeing it for the first time during a small Mass in Assisi.  We have one now displayed in our new home.  A beautiful reminder that as a mother, a gentle heart and tenderness are the pathways that lead to the hearts of our children.

Happy New Year as well!  We are now happily ensconced in our new home and completely moved out of the rental.  Hurray!  We enjoyed our night at the Japanese Teppan tables last night with my FIL and Rose Red (who made it up until 11pm).  They were playing live  music and Rose Red sang and danced the night away and was the hit at our teppan table last night.  This morning dh and I woke up to see the sunrise ~ cup of coffee in hand and then we walked to Mass as a family and home again.  I'm feeling it will be a very blessed new year for our family.

Pax et bonum.