Casting Off the Body

 I cast off the body of my Ramona Light Cardigan this afternoon.  I am happy to report that it fits well!  Now, onto the sleeves, button band, and collar.

Cousin Time

 Sweet Sampson and Darling Vivienne are here!

A Dozen Cakes in 2018: February

 February's choice for A Dozen Cakes in 2018 was Cherry Cheesecake.  The recipe was from Smitten Kitchen and was pretty easy to follow (though I had to increase baking time to an hour and a half).  The cherry topping was particularly easy to whip up and I think that I will be using that to spruce up some Lenten birthday cakes we have in March.  

Scarborough Fair Skirt

This sweet girl spent all of her free time on Saturday and Sunday sewing a Scarborough Fair Skirt with her grandmother.  The pattern is by Alicia Paulson and it was very easy to follow.  I purchased the fabric nearly ten years ago to use as a curtain in a house we were renting.  I'm so glad that it is getting a second chance as a part of our little girl's wardrobe.  Our daughter is already planning to make a second one!

Joyous Feast!

 

The Prayer of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace,

according to Thy Word,

for my eyes have seen Thy salvation,

Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples-

a Light to enlighten the Gentiles,

and the Glory of Thy people Israel.

Preparing

We made rolled beeswax candles today in preparation for the feast of The Meeting of the Lord tomorrow.  My husband will bless candles after Liturgy tomorrow, which is always an exciting event!  I bought this kit last year and divided it in two to use two years in a row.  We also used a modeling wax kit and pattern cutters to decorate the candles.

Beautiful Moments

Make the most of beautiful moments. Beautiful moments predispose the soul to prayer; they make it refined, noble, and poetic. Wake up in the morning to see the sun rising from out of the sea as a king robed in regal purple. When a lovely landscape, a picturesque chapel, or something beautiful inspires you, don’t leave things at that, but go beyond this to give glory for all beautiful things so that you experience Him who alone is ‘comely in beauty’. All things are holy - the sea, swimming, and eating. Take delight in them all. All things enrich us, all lead us to the great Love, all lead us to Christ."
 

St Porphyrios

Chicken Soup with Rice

Our daughter has been in a creative groove since returning from Florida:  baking blueberry cake, whipping up a little wrap skirt using a YouTube tutorial, and setting up sewing lessons with her grandmother this weekend.  I've just been sitting here congratulating myself that we are eating chicken soup with rice for lunch right after reading Chicken Soup with Rice for school with our second grader.  NBD, guys.  NBD.

Monday Blues

We're back to the grind:  school, violin practice, and basketball...  PLUS, the discovery of a Darth Vader costume perfectly laid out on our bed just as we're ready to fall asleep.

Sunday

Sunday roasts, rainy afternoons, and the first buds on the French pussy willow.

Home.

Breakfasting at my own table again, while I admire velvet hydrangeas for a future project.

Disney World: Day Five

Disney World: Day Four

Disney World: Day Three

Disney World: Day Two