This Week

This week I'm noticing just how much these daughters of mine are together. And of course I love it!

Anna took Abigail out to lunch to a fun new place in town. 

And this week we all went to our local farm store that we love oh so much and filled a basket of homegrown farm goodies! 

Summer is such a gift. This time home day after day. Even the 'busy' ones with appointments feel like luxury to this classroom teacher mom. I am treasuring each one of them before back to school at the end of this month. 
 

Theology of Home

"Home, by its nature, is meant to be a foreshadowing of heaven. It is to be both satisfying in the earthly life while also offering a glimpse of things to come when we see the fulfillment of Christ's promise of heaven." ~ Gress, Mering 

My home is now decades in the making. Scott and I, over our twenty eight years, have crafted the place that it is now. I know that it won't always stay this way. We will forever be figuring out new seasons that will need new intentions and shifts as we reach the heart of our family and create a home that is a place to belong. We will always be planning, envisioning, building, and creating what our daughters need. 

My favorite places to be inspired are these. And I know that I need to be in them often, not once in a while. For those that I love draw from what I have filled into my own cup, my own soul. 

1. The Bible - yes, reading the Bible might seem daunting. Here are a few things that direct my time in the Word: 

• Read one Psalm a day - circle, write down any truth it teaches you about God. Underline every promise God gives
• Hebrews - write down what pleases God, the attributes of Jesus, His will for us to hold fast
• Proverbs - keep a list of what this book teaches you about folly vs. wisdom
• Read one chapter of John or Matthew a day - write down any lesson you learned
• Read through Philippians - notes all the ways Paul tells us to follow Jesus

2. Devotions - these are my favorites: 

• Padre Pio's Spiritual Direction For Everyday 
• Mom Heart Moments
• Word Among Us 
• Magnificat 
• Day by Day with Saint Faustina  

3. These books: The Theology of Home (there are four in the series) 

4. Sally Clarkson: You can find her on instagram and she has a weekly podcast. I belong to her membership for so much content that has taught me oh so much. 

I've always loved the cover of this first book. The mantle has a lot on it but I'm sure all rich in meaning within their catholic faith. After thinking it over I decided to collect some pieces that have meaning to our family and create something like it. 

Here is how it turned out: 

All of the things I chose are very meaningful to us. For example: 

This is Anna church on her college campus. It is a sacred place for our family as it was Anna's first church away from home; the first one that belonged to just her. 

We've also been there so many times for beautiful occasions that have wonderful memories for our entire family. 

I found these at a beautiful bookstore. There are drawings/art work of Anna and Abigail's saints, chosen at their Confirmation. I actually found Saint Kateri in the store and then commissioned the artist to create one for Saint Cecilia. They are very special to me. 

When I started this project I contacted our parish, the oldest catholic church in Connecticut. She found me this drawing of our church that was the original church drawing before the fire. 

A photo of my daughters in front of our church a few years ago on Easter Sunday. 

I added an oil painting of roses to symbolize our devotion of the Blessed Mother Mary. 

I do so love the way it turned out. It is a visual reminder of all that important in our lives. When I walk in the room I feel grounded and blessed. For our home to have that feeling is priceless to me. 

"Our homes are becoming sanctuaries - a place where we feel safe, protected, cared for... Making our homes a kind of sanctuary means more than simply having nourishing comfort food on the table. There must be nourishment for the soul. Without this, the soul will be left hungry and searching for the One who truly satisfies every desire of our hearts." Cress, Mering 

August Summer Kitchen

I read somewhere "let July be July, let August be August" 

and so

even though my heart is pulling me to all things cozy and fall, I plan on living out my fruity strawberry kitchen throughout August. 

I just redid a few things, deep cleaned, and loved the way it all turned out. 

Here and here is how it looked before (a lot of it is the same)  

I found that little cast iron skillet on this trip along with the strawberry tea towel... 

This was a 'must come home with me' from here too! 

I love these cookbooks so much. You can find them here. I first found one at a thrift store for $1 and had to hunt for the others in the collection. They are all handwritten and have the cutest little drawings. 

After we come home from our last little getaway in August (we are going back to Vermont) then I will begin to pack things up that are all summery and start to decorate for the fall. Can't wait! But still, let August be August. ❤

Summer Teatime Discipleship #3

I wrote about the first one back here  

I wrote about the second back here 

Teatime Three: Faith and Faithfulness 

When we exercise our faith and choose to be faithful at every age, it pleases Him for us to believe in His reality and presence. 

What is faithfulness? 

As defined faithfulness is: being loyal, accurate, reliable, conscientious. 

The story of Ruth and Naomi: Naomi's two sons passed away. She told her two daughter in law to go back to their own mother's homes and find new husbands. Ruth chose to stay by Naomi's side. 

Ruth 1:16-18

So Ruth began working in a filed to pick up left over grains. The field belonged to a man named Boaz, who recognized Ruth's faithfulness (loyalty, devotion) to Naomi even in a time of great despair. 

Ruth 2:11-12

Ruth married Boaz and had a son - who was part of Jesus' ancestral line. 

Her unknown fears and doubts didn't prevent her from stepping forward in faith. She continued acts of faithfulness big and small that led her to be blessed by the Lord. 

During our lives we'll experience many moments, challenges, choices, and transitions that provide opportunities for us to demonstrate our faithfulness to God. Those are also the times we witness God's faithfulness to us. 

When we walk forward in faith and honor Him there will be situations when our expectations don't line up with what is happening. We might have days or seasons when we've been faithful to God's call in our lives but we doubt He is leading / guiding us. 

This is when our faithfulness is even more important. The fruit of following where He leads is living the story He has planned for us. 

We feasted on homemade bread toasted into cinnamon sugar perfection and a fruit salad that was so so good! What a treat! 

We immersed ourselves in God's Word and conversation about faith and faithfulness. 

Here are some verses we focused on: 

Hebrews 11:1

Proverbs 3:5-6

Hebrews 10:23

Another post you might like: Mentoring, Mothering, Discipling 

Hartt Suzuki Institute

This week Abigail participated in an intensive viola program: Hartt Suzuki Institute. 

Here is a post about the Suzuki method. 

Goodness, I've never written a post about how it all started in our family but there are so many 'viola' posts on this blog -- I just peeked, over 124! Just click on the label viola on the side and you'll so many, in case you feel like it, ha! 

The Hartt Suzuki Institute was offered every summer and our family never participated. I've always believed in taking time off in the summer -- pool days, playing afternoons, time to think, dream, create... and I just didn't want my girls in something so focused as an 'institute'. 

Now that Abigail is a rising senior and asked to be a part of this I said a resounding YES because she got into Solisti (that post back here) and I thought it would be good for her to have a intensive week with her viola during the summer... almost like a big week of practice because it sure is hard to motivate yourself to practice in the summer. 

We had no idea just how awesome this program would be and I'm so very glad she was a part of it this week. She completely loved it! 

Here she is walking into her end of the week concert:

Here's a close up of that sweetie and her big smile: 

And in just four days ... yes just after FOUR of the days this was the outcome: 

1. Chamber Group Concert (only 4 days together) 

2. Fiddling Class (just after 4 days together) 

I love her smile and just how into it she is (middle of the group with red hair) 

3. Orchestra (just after 4 days) (and yes, that's Beauty & the Beast) 

4. Viola Master Class (just after 5 days together) 

Piece: Romance sans Paroles, Op 17, No. 3-G Faure arr. J Gower

She has grown so much as a violist and her love for playing, joy, and enthusiasm delighted me. 

Piece: Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 6

 

Anna's Last Day of Summer 'teaching'

This summer we were thrilled that Anna chose to do ESY again as a para. This was her second summer as a para for this town wide program for students who have academic needs during the school year. 

Here is a post from last summer - A Summer Job that Changes a Heart

Today she came beaming out of that school on her last day filled with energy, happiness, and joy! 

Here are some of the things she said: 

• I'm so glad I did ESY this summer
• I feel like I was meant to be in that room
• I was meant to meet those kids and help them out
• I love the staff and how supportive everyone is
• Everyone is willing to help
• The head teacher is grateful "thanks for all you've done"
• Now I know I need to work with kids

We are oh so proud of you Anna and letting God work through you again this summer. May he continue to guide you. 

South Pacific ~ the musical

My dad and I love musicals.

Here is a post that tells the story just a bit about 'our story' with the theatre. 

In my dad's production of Aladdin   

In my dad's production of Music Man 

In my dad's production of Lion King

In my dad's production of Annie 

SoooooOoooo when one of my dad's favorite musical's came to Goodspeed Opera House we decided to treat him for his 85th birthday. 

The show was magnificent and we made a precious memory that Abigail and I will tuck away and save forever.