Sourdough

 

 

This beautiful boule was baked by a parishioner! He used his quarantine wisely!

The Other Bennet Sister

 

An excellent read! 

Al Fresco

Saint Paisios

Until the Last Petal Falls

Saturday Breakfast

First Roses

Boys Having Fun

 

Fourteen

 

 

 

 

 

She's fourteen. Where did the time go with our most precious daughter?  May God Grant Her Many Years!

 

We ate her favorites tonight: Chicken Marsala (Recipe by Robert Irvine) and Lemon Bliss Bundt Cake (King Arthur Flour recipe) 

The Frog Prince

 

 

He's tucked into the sweet-smelling folds of a rose petal bed. 

The Cazalets

 

I'm really enjoying this series... I'm going to draw a bath now so I can start the third installment while I soak. 

USA

Peonies from Pat

Spent

Fushia

Cherries and Flower Cart Friday

Up a Tree

Vingnette

Hydrangea on the Coffee Table

Meatball Monday

 

 

What's for dinner at your house tonight? We're having baked ziti and meatballs. 

Carnelian

 

 

I went a little wild today and chose a daring nail polish for my at-home pedicure. Normally, I'm a fan of dolce de leche by OPI, but decided to live a little with this carnelian shade. 

Evening Glow

I Hate the Sun

 

I spent a few hours weeding half of the front and sides of the Church and Rectory. I took a quick break to have a bite to eat and now I'm trying to summon up the energy to finish. It will look so good when it is done, but it is quite warm outside and I hate the sun.🌫 

Saint Basil's Cathedral

 

 

We received a 3D puzzle of Saint Basil's Cathedral on Mid-feast from our parishioner, Cecilia, and our daughter put it together last night. Father John has already requested it for his office! 

On This Mothers' Day

 

On This Mother’s Day
To those who gave birth this year to their first child - we celebrate with you.
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you.
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day – we appreciate you.
To those who stepparent – we walk with you on these complex paths.
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst.
To those who are foster mothers, mentor mothers, and Godmothers – we need you.
To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away – we mourn with you.
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. (Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.)
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you.
To those who have disappointment, heartache, and distance with your children – we sit with you.
To those who lost their mothers this year – we mourn with you.
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of their own mothers – we grieve with you.
To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children – we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be.
To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren - yet that dream is not to be, we grieve with you.
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you.
To those who placed children up for adoption - we commend you for your selflessness and remember how you hold that child in your heart.
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising – we anticipate with you.
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.
From the bulletin of The Orthodox Church of Saint Elisabeth the New-Martyr in Rocky Hill, New Jersey 

Tomatoes in a Pre-Exile Bowl

 

 

Sweet little grape tomatoes in a footed bowl (handpainted in Japan) and purchased for a song at a junk shop pre-exile. 

The Light Years

 

 

What are you reading? I found out about Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet series through the @mirandasbookcase vlog on YouTube. I devoured The Light Years and am about to embark on the second, Marking Time. 

Belgravia

 

I am really enjoying the adaptation of Belgravia (available via Prime). Are you? 

Breakfast of Champions

Tales from Exile: 7 May

 

I spent a little time searching for the perfect quote for our letter board this month and finally happened upon this one by George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans).  It's lovely for this situation that we find ourselves in.  Lovely for any day and age, when you get right down to it.

Tales from Exile: 6 May

 

I look for thin spears of asparagus whenever I am able to shop. They are a true taste of spring for me. I prepare them simply with a bit of olive oil, salt, freshly ground pepper, and some crushed cloves of garlic. They are baked in a hot oven (450 degrees) for ten minutes or so...  just until there are lovely crisp edges. Once they are out of the oven, I grate some Parmesan cheese right on top, which melts perfectly. 

Tales from Exile: 5 May

My eyes have really been opened to all the many things that are blooming at Rectory House. There are those things that we have chosen to plant: daffodils, lily of the valley, roses, ivy, rosemary, lavender, lamb's ear, hydrangea bushes, etc. And those that just spring up of their own volition: violets, mock strawberry, dandelion, lady's slipper butter cups, etc.

It's been glorious to watch unfold.

Tales from Exile: 4 May

The children and I assembled this Ukrainian pysanki egg puzzle in two days. It was lent to us by their grandmother who used to put it together with her mother. It's a wonderful activity to work on during these Paschal days. 

Tales from Exile: 3 May

Here is an evening scene from the couch. My husband and I have taken to seeing a news programme each night which is rather depressing, but also rather addicting. I've also taken to eating dessert while we watch, but it would probably be better if I did some knitting instead. My hands would be busy and my kitchen  washcloth stack would be my better served. That said, I do believe that ice cream and chocolate are medicinal at this particular point of quarantine. What say you?

Tales from Exile: 2 May

My sister sent our daughter a cashmere sweater that took an unfortunate ride through the wash and shrunk. It's a perfect fit for our girl and she looks great in Auntie Juju's style! 

Tales from Exile: 1 May

 

Window stars in Plain Jane white.

To make these you'll need kite paper (though origami will work in a pinch!), a glue stick, and a tutorial from Bella Luna Toys.