A Visit with My Godson

My brother- and sister-in-law came for a visit this weekend!  It was so wonderful to see them and visit with our nephew/cousin/godson.  He is a little darling!

For the Teacher

Our homeschool review is done and went well, so I bought flowers for the teacher. The teacher is me.

Victoria the Queen

Do not to let your feelings (very natural and usual ones) of momentary irritation and discomfort be seen by others. Don't (as you so often did and do) let every little feeling be read in your face and seen in your manner.” 

                          Queen Victoria

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This is an excellent book. I borrowed both the book and the audio and have been enjoying switching between them immensely!

Song of the Sea

I began attempting to use this yarn the day that our daughter was admitted to the hospital in November. We knew something was wrong, but had no idea what was going on. Now, six months later, we know she was suffering from Crohn's Disease and, Thank God, she's on her way to remission. I cast on to three different things with this yarn and it finally became a Song of the Sea Cowl. I think I will give it to my little Crohnie. 🖤

Privacy

My husband's study doubles as our guest bedroom. It has lovely double glass doors that work beautifully for daily use, but don't offer enough privacy for overnight visitors. I finally bought drapes and rods that my husband installed today (just in time for some family to visit this weekend!). They're a smidge too short, but the hem can easily be picked out and re-sewn during the school holidays in a month or so.

The First Rose

On This Mother’s 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

Yum!

I'm so happy to be back to delicious Saturday breakfasts!

Celebrate

Skee ball on the boardwalk to celebrate Father John wrapping up a couple of big projects for Orthodox Web Solutions!

Thrifting Treasures

Matilda is very happy that her dear friend, Sugar Plum, had such a successful thrifting experience today. The table, terracotta pots, silver plated baby mug, and little blue and white planters were all found at her favorite thrift shops for a grand total of $10.25!

Delicious

The first ice cream cone of the season:  Peanut Butter Cup

Heron

This fellow was perched near the bike path my boys were whizzing along today. I'm glad Button spotted him and stopped to point him out to me!

Jackpot

I hit the jackpot at Marshall's today! I found this pretty 100% linen cardigan that will pair perfectly with my sleeveless linen dresses and sleeveless cotton blouses... like this delicately detailed one that I also found there today! It was a nice namesday treat to bring these two treasures home with me.

Babies!

The boys have been biking around a little pond nearby this past week, with me trailing behind as I walk along the path at a more leisurely pace.  I was able to get quite close to these wee babies, which made me quite happy!

Sheep & Wool 2019

Lady's Slipper

I've never seen a white Lady's Slipper in our wood before!

Lilly of the Valley

I was given about one hundred little lily of the valley plants last year from a parishioner, Cecelia, and they've started coming up!

The House of Eliott

The House of Eliott continues to entertain.

May 1

Our third trifle since Pascha and I'm only sorry that it isn't the fourth. This time, I put it in my hard-won Hearth & Hand pink milk glass bowl and made homemade whipped cream.

Bright Monday

Oh, Bright Monday!  I love it so!  We started the day off with Liturgy and went out to Five Guys for delicious burgers that really hit the spot.  One of the boys brought Mr. Cubebot, so we pressed him into service.  He did a great job holding up the peanut shells!  The rest of the day was a restful one and ended with the children spending time playing in the shed together.  While they worked, I spied on their cuteness from the bathroom window.