{bits & pieces}
The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
We’re getting there! Gaudete Sunday tomorrow! The earliest it can be. Which means a little more time for making.
The little vest gave me fits for some reason. I had made it in the size given (you can see my notes on Ravelry) for Desmond’s birthday, and then tried to figure out to make it in a larger size for Freddie (shhh… for Christmas). And I did it, but I can’t tell you how ridiculous every step of the way was. In theory, I just added like four stitches or something, but wow, I don’t know. Took me forever.
Anyhooo… On to our links!
Has it started to snow in your neck of the woods? What if you finally got your toddler bundled up and out there, and then:
I am a sucker for “making-do” stories. I have these books, fully recognizing that they are a view through a particular lens, but a lens that helps me be content in lean times and satisfied when I can figure things out. This article about Remembering Christmas During World War II, with recipes, keeps alive the memory of how things were, and what people did to bring cheer to each other in simple and inventive ways.
Our very own Joseph wrote a piece about the value of writing letters. (He writes for the Washington Examiner and if you are super interested in economics and lots of analysis, follow him there). I do write letters on occasion — very rarely do I receive one in reply, though. Maybe he will write to me :).
David Clayton is provost of Pontifex University, which is offering a Master’s degree in Sacred Arts, that centers on beauty for the transformation of culture. I recommend you check it out, and if you decide to pursue, let them know that I sent you! (This is not a sponsored link, but I would be interested to know how many of our readers would be interested.)
The prayer Sub Tuum Praesidium is ancient one, begging the intercession of Mary, Mother of God. Its simplicity and faith move the soul, and in this post, there is a lovely version of it in song, in Arabic. It is short:
We fly to Thy protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from all dangers,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Here’s a handy recipe for a simple cookie glaze from King Arthur — I recommend a wee bit more milk than they call for, but it is a good shiny icing.
One of the very first links we ever linked to here was also one of my favorites — a “doodle” (seems like an inadequate word for the skill and genius of it) of a piece by C. S. Lewis. I hadn’t realized there were others. I’ve been thinking a lot about manhood and chivalry recently, and I came across one on that topic! (And there are more! I’m so excited.) (Tip: hover your mouse over the bottom of the video; when the “settings” wheel appears, go in and set the speed to slower than normal. There is a lot to absorb here between the words and the drawing, and it goes a bit fast.)
From the archives:
Don’t miss the ongoing series on Nurturing the Moral Life of Children. Lots of good discussions in the comments! My thoughts are definitely meant to be taken in the context of all my other thoughts, found throughout this blog. Which, I guess, is why we have the “from the archives” section here as well!
I keep mentioning the Liturgical Year. To learn to live along with it, the most important thing is to observe what the Church does. This is made a little more difficult in our day because alas, our own leaders have lost their confidence in it and have truncated it dreadfully, but I am hopeful that when families make known their needs and desires, our priests and bishops will respond. Delve into the things that are left out or skimmed over, out of a false sense of convenience or the wrong sort of simplifying. For instance, our “optional” saints’ days are given short shrift, but we can be sure to take it upon ourselves not to let their commemorations go by, at least in prayer and story. I’m not saying that you need to make a special dessert for each saint! But it is good to read and talk about them, and perhaps note the Collect (prayer) that’s proper to them, or pray the Vespers that goes with them. In this way we absorb what Holy Mother Church wants us to understand about the holiness and virtue that emanates from God and draw us to Him, as exemplified in His friends, the saints. A great resource is the Catholic Culture site. If you go there, look on their menu bar, and click on “Liturgical Year,” you will see excellent information, including what I find is usually the best available (that is, not bland) stories of the saints. All this to say that I wrote a post about how to bring the saints into your family life. (Also a book, The Little Oratory.)
Read this, not that! Or one children’s book is not as good as another.
Go here to find today’s saints! And prepare to rejoice tomorrow!
It’s also Habou’s 80th birthday tomorrow! We have to give her a shoutout for that, right?
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