Three Prayers for During Pregnancy...

Here are three prayers for during pregnancy that we try to say each day. Our daughter's godmother gave them to us in the first months of our first pregnancy and we have been very thankful to have them this time too!

First Prayer during Pregnancy

Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, Source of life and immortality, we thank Thee, that Thou hast enabled us in wedlock to become partakers of Thy blessing and gift, for Thou hast said, O Master, "Grow and multiply and you will fill the earth." We thank Thee and pray: bless this fruit of our body which Thou hast granted us, show Thy mercy upon it and enliven it with Thy Holy Spirit. Make its body to grow in health and without flaw and grant it well-formed members. Sanctify its body, mind, heart and inward parts. Grant this infant wisdom and fear of Thee; appoint a faithful guardian Angel for his soul and body. Cover, protect, strengthen and preserve the child in our womb until the very hour when Thou didst command him to be born. But do not conceal him in his mother's womb, for Thy hands have prepared him. Thou gavest him life and breath. O Lord Jesus Christ, we entrust our child into Thine all-powerful hands. Place the right hand of Thy grace upon him, sanctify him with Thy Holy Spirit and renew him for eternal life, that he may be a partaker of Thy Kingdom. Amen.

Second Prayer during Pregnancy

O all-merciful Christ our God, look upon us and preserve us, Thy servants, from fear and evil spirits, which hope to destroy the work of Thy hands. And when our hour and time will come, grant us deliverance according to Thy grace. Look upon us in Thy mercy and free Thy servants from torment. Alleviate the hardships of our pregnancy and grant us the strength and fortitude to give birth and enable this with Thine all-powerful help. For this is Thy wondrous creation, the power of Thy omnipotence, the work of Thy grace and mercy. Amen.

Third Prayer during Pregnancy

Our most merciful Queen, our hope, O Mother of God, the joy of those who sorrow — help us who are weak, and pray to Thy Son, Christ our God, that He may lighten the time of our pregnancy and successfully resolve this difficult time of His unworthy servants, and that His blessing may be on the infant born of us. For we have no other help, no other hope, but only you, O Mother of God, that you may preserve and cover us and our child. For through your protection and help we are saved, and send up glory and thanksgiving for all to the One God in Trinity and the Creator of all, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

A Throwback to Summer...

Lunch today was Grandma Judy's recipes for Sloppy Joes and Potato Salad... Delish!

Toys, Toys, and More Toys...

One of the things that I like most about the Pottery Barn Kids catalog is that they have beautiful, creative, and well-made toys that are very gender specific. They are one of the few popular shops that seem to really celebrate girls being girls and boys being boys. Unfortunately, their products are quite expensive. Hop over to Frugal Hacks and their article and comments on using these free catalogs as a resource for improving your surroundings!

Some Beautiful Orthodox Christian Artwork...

While browsing a new-to-me blog awhile back, I came across Mary-Leah's Flickr albums (under Orthodox Art Set)... I love the paintings that she has so nicely compiled! I will be printing many of them for framing I think!

Christmas- Elmira Petrova 2006

Nikolai Bogdanov-Belsky. In Church

"Rostov Velikiy" Petrov

Christening-Dmitry Petrov

Your Suggestions Needed...

If my lack of posting has been any indication, I think you all must know that I am going through a period of blog-block. I would love to have any ideas that you may have for posts that you would like to read! Leave your suggestions in the comments section! Thank you!

October 28th...

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week:

1. Work on the nightstand project... This has not been started yet because of the rain last week!
2. With cooler weather finally here, I plan to prepare one favorite stick-to-your-ribs recipe per day!
3. Search out a pair of pretty flats so that I can let my sandals hibernate for the winter
4. Get a hair trim
5. Now that Baby is officially weaned, get her to sleep in her own bed throughout the night... we did this four out of seven days last week. We will do better this week!

Once you have chosen five simple things, post them on your blog and link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Commitment to Loveliness post below. If you do not have a blog, but have a commitment to share, please post them in the comments section.

Finishing Up Little Projects...

I finally bought an extension cord for our baby changing closet! I wish that I hadn't waited so long, because it is very entertaining for a wiggle-worm! I also got a yard of each of these patterns to cover the plastic changing table pad. They are beautiful AND soft!

Creating a Nature Scene (Part Deux)...

I've been working on the little indoor nature scene since posting it. I added some moss to the bottom and a little birch tree towards the back. Despite looking very winter-y (while it is still very summer-y!), I really like it! I wanted to add this wee plastic fawn, but when I popped it in, our little one burst into tears! It is safely back where it belongs - in her wire animal basket!

Harvest Candles...

After seeing the first two gorgeous photos in Living this month, I wished for the ability (and supplies!) to make candles like that. Since having the skill and money for a hobby like that isn't in the foreseeable future, I put harvest candles out of my mind. Imagine my happiness when we arrived at a mission parish's 5th anniversary party on Sunday and I discovered these little beauties at each plate! I quickly confiscated my husband and daughter's candle and have been enjoying them enormously!

October 21st...

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week:

1. Work on the nightstand project...
2. Prepare tea and a delicate snack each afternoon to enjoy with a chapter or two from Jan Karon's In This Mountain
3. Decide on a baby shower theme for a friend and get necessary supplies to pull it off
4. Continue writing down purchases in Expenditure Notebook to further reduce spending
5. Now that Baby is officially weaned, get her to sleep in her own bed throughout the night

Once you have chosen five simple things, post them on your blog and link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Commitment to Loveliness post below. If you do not have a blog, but have a commitment to share, please post them in the comments section.

12 Women's Body Types...

Trinny and Susannah reveal 12 women's body types - which are you?

It's always hard to find clothes to suit you.

But now TV style gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine say they have found the formula that will enable every woman to transform herself.

In their brilliant new book, The Body Shape Bible, they have identified 12 body shapes - not just the classic Pear, Apple and Hourglass - which they say are the real key to looking great.

In the first part of our exclusive series we show you how to identify your shape, and the clothes that will highlight your assets and minimise flaws.

Read the whole article here.

A Homemaker's Wardrobe...

Recently Lynn left a comment for me asking for a list of a basic wardrobe for a homemaker. Though I have my own idea of what works well for a woman who spends most of her time tending to her family, I thought that it would be interesting to see what other homemakers would put on their list for a basic homemaker's wardrobe. I will put my list in this post and you can put yours in the comments section or on your own blog. Just remember to leave a comment so we get to read your list too!

A Homemaker's Basic Wardrobe

Undergarments

• Delicates in a nude shade - wearing only nude undergarments takes the guesswork and potential for disaster out of dressing. if you are wearing nude underwear, you don't have to worry that your undergarments are on display.
• Stockings, tights, and socks - make sure that you have plenty of each of these items. They are used quite often and it is always a headache to realize that you don't have something you need because everything is dirty or ripped.
• Slips - Though these are not really "in fashion" right now, neither is a see-through skirt!

Tops

• Plenty of knit shirts (polos, tees, etc.) - when you are at home cleaning, cooking, gardening, and taking care of children (especially babies) it is inevitable that you will end up with a spill on your shirt. If you find a top that looks wonderful on you, buy as many as you can afford! Basic shirts are the staple of a homemaker's wardrobe!
• Sweaters - purchasing several flattering sweaters (whether they be button front or pullover) can really improve the look of a plain top and bottom.
• Nice tops - If you tend to wear a lot of skirts, try to find seeral "nicer" shirts to wear to church, dinner parties, etc. When you need to dress up a bit, tee-shirts just won't cut it!

Bottoms

• Skirts and/or Trousers - purchase bottoms in durable, yet attractive materials. Some ones to consider are: corduroy, chino, linen, cotton, knit materials, and even some that are mixed with a bit of a stretch. Find out which silhouette looks best on you and stick with it!
  

Dresses

Jackets and Outerwear

• Jackets - Wearing a jacket with a good, flattering shape really adds a lot to basic outfits! Purchase one in a color and weight you can wear for several seasons
• Outerwear - Think about your whole wardrobe and environment before purchasing a coat. Is your style dressy? You might like a wool coat. Favor a sporty look? A parka might be best for you. Live in a windy, cold place? Look for something stylish, yet warm.

Shoes

• Dressy shoes
• Boots
• Casual shoes
• Sneakers
• Sandals

Accessories

• Jewelry
  
• Scarves, shawls, hats, gloves
• Handbag
• Grownup hair accessories

Remember

• Choose a color palette and stick to it as much as possible. If you do this, everything will go together!
• Avoid clothing that needs to be dry cleaned!
• Iron your clothing!!
• Don't wear shorts!
  

Hands and Fingers...

Hands

People never know what to do with their hands. Remember, if your hands are free and not gesturing, hold them at waist level, slightly touching.

The following things are also important to know:

• Hands should not be overused in conversation - it creates an unintended distraction.
• Hands should be kept in a relaxed postion until you wish to emphasize a point.
• Do not fidget by playing with your rings, nails, hands, pens - or fixing your clothes - it distracts and disturbs others. Most importantly, it takes away from what you are saying.

If you are in a situation where you have a drink in your hand and you will be greeting people with a handshake, try to hold the drink in your left hand. As you shake hands with your right hand, it will not feel clammy to others due to the wet glass.

Fingers

Fingers are very important. A very feminine message can be conveyed through your hand movements. Your thumb and middle finger need to come together when you reach. In order to arrive at the correct position, imagine you are picking up a a tissue.

Fingers are extremely sensual and can be used to enhance your image as an elegant and sophisticated woman. By making some minor adjustments to everyday positions, a major change can occur in your everyday appearance. For instance, when resting your chin on your hand, make sure not t have a clenched fist. it sends the message that you are aggressive (whether intentional or not). However, by slightly opening your hand and resting your chin on your fingers, you immediately appear softer and more feminine; someone who is interested in the other person's point of view and open to interaction.

-Text from the UdefineU Reference Guide
-Photograph from All-Posters

Which Movie Star are You?

Number your paper from 1 to 10, then answer each question with the choice that most describes you at t his point in your life , and then add up the points that correspond with your answers.

1. Which describes your perfect date?
a) Candlelight dinner for two
b) Amusement Park
c) Roller blading in the park
d) Rock Concert
e) Have dinner & see a movie
f) Dinner at home with a loved one

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll
b) Alternative
c) Soft Rock
d) Classical
e) Christian
f) Jazz

3. What is your favorite type of movie?
a) Comedy
b) Horror
c) Musical
d) Romance
e) Documentary
f) Mystery

4. Which of the following jobs would you choose if you were given only these choices?
a) Waiter/Waitress
b) Sports Player
c) Teacher
d) Policeman
e) Bartender
f) Business person

5. Which would you rather do if you had an hour to waste?
a) Work out
b) Make out
c) Watch TV
d) Listen to the radio
e) Sleep
f) Read

6. Of the following colors, which do you like best?
a) Yellow
b) White
c) Sky blue
d) Teal
e) Gold
f) Red

7. Which one of the following would you like to eat right now?
a) Ice cream
b) Pizza
c) Sushi
d) Pasta
e) Salad
f) Lobster Tail

8. Which is your favorite holiday?
a) Halloween
b) Christmas
c) New Year's
d) Valentine's Day
e) Thanksgiving
f) Fourth of July

9. If you could go to any of the following places, which would it be?
a) Reno
b) Spain
c) Las Vegas
d) Hawaii
e) Hollywood
f) British Columbia

10. Of the following, who would you rather spend time with?
a) Someone who is smart
b) Someone with good looks
c) Someone who is a party animal
d) Someone who has fun all the time
e) Someone who is very emotional
f) Someone who is fun to be with

Now total up your points on each question:
1. a-4 b-2 c-5 d-1 e-3 f-6
2. a-2 b-1 c-4 d-5 e-3 f-6
3. a-2 b-1 c-3 d-4 e-5 f-6
4. a-4 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-1 f-6
5. a-5 b-4 c-2 d-1 e-3 f-6
6. a-1 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-4 f-6
7 a-3 b-2 c-1 d-4 e-5 f-6
8. a-1 b-3 c-2 d-4 e-5 f-6
9. a-4 b-5 c-1 d-4 e-3 f-6
10. a-5 b-2 c-1 d-3 e-4 f-6

NOW take your total and find out which Movie Star you are:

(10-17 points) You are MADONNA:

You are wild and crazy and you know it. You know how to have fun, but you may take it to extremes.. You know what you are doing though, and are much in control of your own life. People don't always see things your way, but that doesn't mean that you should do away with your beliefs. Try to remember that your wild spirit can lead to hurting yourself and others.

(18-26 points) You are DORIS DAY:

You are fun, friendly, and popular! You are a real crowd pleaser. You have probably been out on the town your share of times, yet you come home with the values that your mother taught you. Marriage and children are very important to you, but only after you have fun. Don't let the people you please influence you to stray.

(27-34 points) You are DEBBIE REYNOLDS:

You are cute, and everyone loves you. You are a best friend that no one takes the chance of losing. You never hurt feelings and seldom have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty, and calm most of the time. Just keep clear of back stabbers, and you are worry-free.

(35-42 points) You are GRACE KELLY:

You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments and are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday. Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.

(43-50 points) You are KATHERINE HEPBURN:

You are smart, a real thinker. Every situation is approached with a plan. You are very healthy in mind and body. You don't take crap from anyone. You have only a couple of individuals that you consider "real friends". You teach strong family values. Keep your feet planted in them, but don't overlook a bad situation when it does happen.

(51-60 points) You are ELIZABETH TAYLOR:

Everyone is in awe of you. You know what you want and how to get it. You have more friends than you know what to do with. Your word is your bond. Everyone knows when you say something it is money in the bank. You attract the opposite sex. Your intelligence overwhelms most. Your memory is the next thing to photographic. Everyone admires you because you are so considerate and lovable. You know how to enjoy life and treat people right.

October 14th...

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week:

1. Get paint for side tables and ask Fr. John to use it:)
2. Set up tables on either side of bed with the usual things: lamps, tissues, water glasses, a picture or two...
3. Work on plants: get rid of dead things, re-pot plants that need it, etc.
4. Bake cinnamon rolls!
5. Catch up on correspondence

Once you have chosen five simple things, post them on your blog and link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Commitment to Loveliness post below. If you do not have a blog, but have a commitment to share, please post them in the comments section.

The Pumpkin Farm...

Some of the sights from our Sunday Pumpkin Farm excursion...

Creating a Little Nature Scene...

Though I knew that I had this little glass house packed away somewhere, I only unearthed it a few days ago (and in the nursery closet, of all places!). After seeing directions and enticing pictures in several magazines this month (Cookie and Living), I am thinking that this just might be part of a perfect fun project this coming week!

Obviously, my Little Miss thinks that it would be a good project as well!

Caring for Others...

I was greatly impressed and inspired when I read Monica's recent post about taking food to a friend suffering with morning sickness. Though I have always wanted to do something like that for someone I know (and even have fond memories of having it done for my family when I was a child), I never have. I changed that today by bringing a basket of food to an older, single woman in our church who is going through chemotherapy. We included: Chicken Tetrazzini, Manhattan Clam Chowder, yogurt covered raisins, applesauce, chocolate chip cookies, mini apple pastries, an apple, peppermint patties, and The Magic of Ordinary Days in book and dvd.

Try to do this for someone that you know is suffering... it is hard to care for those outside of your family, but caring for others is an incredibly important thing for feminine women to master!

Thank you for giving me the push I needed, Monica!

Feminine Inspiration...

As usual, the Boden catalog that arrived in my mailbox this week was full of fun, feminine fashion! Don't say anything, but the best part is that most of us have these things at home already and can put together a clever new outfit without spending a dime! Don't you love the color combinations?

Fresh Herbs All Winter Long...

With cooler weather fast approaching, think about bringing in some of the herbs that you grew in your garden. They will make a lovely addition to your kitchen and will also provide you with some beautiful green garnish for the foods you prepare during the colder months!

If you don't have any herbs growing already, take a trip to your local garden center and purchase a windowsill herb garden kit. They are not very expensive and are fun to tend!

How to Enter and Exit a Car Gracefully...

Recently, we were taking a drive and I saw a lady re-entering a car in a very graceful manner. It reminded me how often I heave myself out of the car's seat or plop myself down inelegantly. I've found a little video on the subject, but also decided that it would be a good idea to post the transcript in case someone didn't want to view the video (The woman is wearing a very short skirt and shows her skivvies... frequently). Here's the transcript from Wikihow:

Steps

• Prepare your clothing. Before you even open the door, get your skirt or dress ready for your exit.
• If you're wearing a miniskirt, pull the cloth down to cover as much of your thighs as possible.
• If you're wearing a longer skirt, dress, or train, pull it down to cover your knees and push any excess fabric toward the center of the car so that it doesn't get caught around your feet when you exit.
• Open the door as far as you can stretch your arm.Don't lean out of the vehicle to open the door, but make sure it's open far enough that you can exit gracefully. If your date or chauffeur opens the door for you, all the better.
• Keep your knees together and put your feet on the ground. Place your outside leg on the ground outside the door, and quickly place your other leg next to it. Try to keep your knees together throughout the movement.
• Swivel your hips and upper body towards the door.
• Help yourself up with your hands. Place your hands on the seat on either side of you, and push yourself up out of the car. Keep your hands low to give yourself better leverage and to appear more graceful. Try to rise smoothly.
• Dip your head slightly as you get out. Showing your underwear is embarrassing, but hitting your head on the way out of the car is even worse. Gracefully dip under the top of the door frame.
• Make sure your feet are firmly on the ground before stepping away from the car. If the pavement is uneven, or if there's a curb right next to you, the first step can be disastrous, especially if you're in high heels. Be aware of where you put your feet, and watch your step.
• Another great way to exit gracefully is to keep your knees touched, and simply swivel. This works exceptionally well in high vehicles, like SUVs. It works well if you are wearing high heels as well, as you can lift yourself out with your legs and keep your hands near your center.
  

Tips

• It's worth noting that wearing a longer skirt or something that will not permit inadvertent displays of your undergarment(s) is likely the easiest route to take if this is an actual concern.
• Even if you're careful, you might end up showing a glimpse of your underwear. Make sure they're clean and flattering just in case.
• If you have someone to help you out of the car, place one hand on the seat to push yourself up, and put your other hand on top of your assistant's outstretched hand so that you can push down on it.
• Practice makes perfect. The steps above should be performed quickly and should appear effortless. Practice in private before you go out, and have a friend watch you so you can make sure you look good and you're not showing off your underwear.
• The same process can be used in reverse for getting into the car...open the door, enter the car butt-first (or in Great Britain, bum-first) and then swing both legs into the car after you with your knees together.
  

Warnings

• Don't bend back into the car to retrieve something. You don't want to ruin the effect of your graceful exit by immediately bending over awkwardly and possibly showing your underwear.

Food Meme...

Darcy tagged me for this food meme! I'm supposed to take the letters of my name and tell you a food-related factoid about me for each letter.

Eggs: Please don't laugh, but until I started teaching first grade and we did a unit on eggs and chicks (we hatched our own!), I didn't know that the eggs we eat are not fertilized... Eggs kind of grossed me out until I learned that fact!

Madeline Cookies: Though I have had these before, I have never made them myself. I am planning on trying out this recipe sometime during the week.

Milk: My parents made us all drink a glass of milk with dinner until my sister Katharine broke them by sitting at the table for hours and refusing to drink a drop (for days in a row). Though I tease them for being weak in the face of my stubborn sister, I was (and still am) secretly happy that she freed herself (and the rest of us!) from having to drink milk.

Appetizers: I love eating appetizers! Sometimes, I will prepare an appetizer only lunch or dinner. Some of our favorites are feta cheese dip, boneless buffalo wings, onion dip, veggies and chips, cheese, crackers, and pepperoni, and chili cheese dip. We also enjoy breaking out a bottle of sparkling apple cider to drink when we eat a meal like this.

If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!

October 7th...

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week:

1. Organize nursery closet, art supplies, and toys
2. Use pedicure voucher (a gift from Mother's Day!!)
3. Order maternity clothes
4. Find a recipe for madeline cookies and make a batch
5. Order subscriptions to Victoria and Martha Stewart Living

Once you have chosen five simple things, post them on your blog and link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Commitment to Loveliness post below. If you do not have a blog, but have a commitment to share, please post them in the comments section.

Playtime...

Our little girl set this up all by her sixteen month old self while sporting one black peep-toe kitten heeled shoe belonging to her mama this afternoon! There's no doubt that she's my childl!

Treats...

Going to visit family always results in lots of presents for our little trio...

Colored pencils, paper, a wise old owl,

a beautiful wooden cradle for the wee girl in our life,

The Complete Novels of Jane Austen for Mama,

and The Lives of the Saints (for the first six months) for Papa,

Caring for Delicates...

For years I've cared for my delicates by tossing then in a little net bag which I then threw into the washing machine. Once clean, my delicates were air dried on a rack. I've never really given this routine much thought until recently purchasing new underpinnings.

Did you know that it is recommended that these delicate garments be hand washed? I didn't!

After some trial and error, I've come up with a method of hand washing these items without much effort or planning on my part. Basically, before taking a bath or shower, I put any delicates that need to be washed into the sink. I close the drain, turn on the cold water, and put a very small amount of body wash (smaller than a pea!) into the water. I quickly swish the garments around and then leave them to soak while I bathe. Once finished with my bath, I rinse my things, gently wring them out, and hang them to dry.

This is a very quick process that is much more painless than saving up these items for a week or two and washing an entire load by hand! I've found that my things look much fresher than they would if I had been washing them in the washing machine and the scent of my body wash lingers delicately on the clothing! This is a feminine ritual that can easily be added to any woman's day!