A little gift-giving guide
I know I benefit from seeing others’ ideas for gifts, so without further ado, I offer a few ideas of my own. I do participate in the Amazon affiliate program, so those links do result in a small commission when you use them. My opinions are always my own. The other links are not sponsored — just things I love!
For your little ones, music! I can’t recommend Cecilia and Emma Black’s Singsong Pennywhistle enough, and they have a new album, Barnyard Dance! Your children will learn traditional tunes and you will actually enjoy the process!
We love Upton Tea. Their service is impeccable, their shipping fast, and their teas pure (even the flavored ones — no cloying artificial additives) and of high quality. Our favorites that we’ve ordered again and again: Rose Congou, Lavender Earl Grey, River Shannon blend, and for breakfast, the Scottish Breakfast Blend, which I like as much as or more than Barry’s. The Chief loves green tea and his favorite is Special Grade Temple of Heaven Gunpowder Green. I looked high and low for Rooibus and really enjoy theirs. The packets and tins can be personalized, which is really fun and makes giving different varieties to a family easy to accomplish.
My friend Pascale has a beautiful shop, Pease Porridge Press, with all the old children’s books your heart could desire. Your purchase is lovingly wrapped, meaning you can send directly from her to your recipient.
John Folley (aka The Artist) has a beautiful book out: A Child’s Christmas ABC Book: Angels in the Air Arrayed. It has all the makings of a classic.
I really love these slippers. Here are my criteria: they must be made of wool including on the interior, have good arch support, an open back, and a non-slip sole — but still be flexible. Slippers that cost more lack one of these elements — I prefer these. Order a size that is less than the usual one; at first they will really seem too tight, but they quickly shape around the foot. I usually wear an 8 and I get a 7. If I hadn’t read the reviews I would have sent them back. Now they fit perfectly (as did my previous pair).
This electric kettle has the nicest heft to it, costs a reasonable amount, has the least contact of water to plastic elements, holds a lot of water, works fast, and lasts long. I’ve been to all the stores and looked at all the kettles. This is the one I have used for years. (I will say that they all have the same dubious little pin at the bottom, so none will last forever. I’m on my second one, and the first was replaced for me by the company quickly when it failed after a year.)
This site is pricey, but I found this cotton herringbone throw (I was given a gift certificate) and I really love it. I got the cinnamon — it’s a nice light burnt orange that reads as neutral in my oddball bedroom. Free shipping too!
My friend Leila Miller recommends the Beany Malone series for adolescent girls — found here along with many other great selections of classic children’s literature.
I hope this helps with your shopping!
On to our links!
bits & pieces
Robert Reilly is always worth reading (another gift idea — one of his books!). Here he puts Mozart into context, the context of miracle: Mere Mortals Eavesdropping: The Greatness of Mozart. “Mozart is our musical Eden. Somehow, in his musical ability, he escaped the stamp of original sin and sings with purity of the first days. Aaron Copland expressed it this way: ‘Mozart… tapped once against the source from which all music flows, expressing himself with a spontaneity and refinement and breathtaking rightness that has never since been duplicated.’ But as a fallen man in every other way, Mozart also expresses the depth of loss. This is the sadness of his perfection.”
Roger Scruton on Home and the economy and something more.
A really beautiful meditation on Advent, the longing of Jews and Gentiles alike: Come, Lord Jesus
It seems likely that a lot of us will get Covid. Some common supplements that might help mitigate the severity.
Great longer essay about Julian of Norwich, who is often misunderstood as some sort of universalist, when she embraces the deepest truths of faith. “Julian presents to us the mystical complement to the intellectual insight of St. Augustine and St. Thomas. She shows us (through what was shown to her) that God has painted creation with a place for the darkness of sin.”
What whales do when they sleep.
The little-known story of the incredible martyrdom of Silesian priests 75 years ago, offered by scholar and LMLD friend, Brownen McShea.
from the archives
Quiet moments with Christmas books. (Be alert, by the way, for all the books and calendars that say that the Blessed Virgin was engaged to Joseph. She was betrothed, which in Jewish times didn’t mean what engaged means now, and in fact was the first step to marriage. See here for a thorough explanation. I just say betrothed and if possible change the text with a pen!)
The satisfaction of frugality: creamed this-or-that soup.
liturgical living
St. Sabas — I hear he tamed a lion!
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