Gifts galore! And good links!
I’m really, really trying to enjoy this Advent season and not let myself get stressed.
I’m glad I’m the grandmother now and not responsible for fulfilling everyone’s dearest wish!
I tend to get more creative with my ideas the closer Christmas gets, which is frustrating I must say — why can’t I be inspired in October? (I stand by my request that we have an extra month between October and November, is that too much to ask.) I’m leaning into our commitment to doing the most gift-giving at Little Christmas, Epiphany! I think the children like getting a box from us when they have some attention to give to it.
I cut my finger pretty badly so I can’t make this post too long. I have some gift ideas for you if you are interested! So let’s quickly get to that (the Amazon links are affiliate links):
People are always asking me if there’s a book for men that would complement The Summa Domestica. I hadn’t really found one because I don’t think men want to go into all the details the way women do. Now I have I recommend this one for a brisk presentation of fundamental ideas for establishing a flourishing family and maintaining a moral life:
As a great-great-grandson of Emperor Franz Joseph, Habsburg is distantly related to the great Blessed Karl of Austria, who I am convinced is a model of true, servant manliness for our time.
Eduard Habsburg’s book, you might be surprised to know, has a light touch about his imperial heritage (eclipsed though it might be in this small-r republican era). His advice comes from gratitude for the generations before him who lived in fidelity to their faith and their responsibilities and personal experience in a happy marriage with many children.
He offers the lessons he learned to anyone who will emulate them, no privilege of status required. In God’s kingdom, we are all royalty, and the book relies on time-tested truths about human nature, morality, and grace to guide the perplexed.
These two highly readable, intelligent books will change your ideas about “health care” and what taking care of the sick could really look like: God’s Hotel and Slow Medicine, by Victoria Sweet.
She is not writing from a perspective of faith but from one of her own experience as a doctor, her observations, and her studies, especially of medieval medicine. You won’t think about hospitals or doctors or nurses the same way, ever again, after you read these books. Give them to your husband and then you can read them later!
Lists:
For my “orphans” gift book guide, go here.
Nice gifts, go here (I have ordered that little doll for several of my grandchildren. The maker is super helpful and ships very quickly, and the dolls are darling, well made, and made with lovely materials.)
For my “men, why are they so hard to buy for,” go here. (Yes, it’s my Father’s Day list but it will have to do.)
{By the way — open any one of my Amazon affiliate links and whatever you purchase for 24 hours will result in me getting a small amount as well, thank you! Or use this link. This blog opens for you with no pop-up ads or promotions — so using my Amazon link helps me pay for using the platform and a little tech help! But no problem whatsoever if you think of a different way to shop for the things mentioned.}
For kids:
Office supplies. Hear me out. Your child is constantly raiding your paper, scissors, rulers, staplers, tape dispensers, and hole punch. Get him his own. Get a box. Tart it up. Put the things in. These make great stocking stuffers too.
Here are some ideas for that:
First, put on your wish list (or quickly just go buy): a paper cutter. Just do it. You will use it all the time. And that way you can get your child:
A stack of his own paper. I recommend one step up from the cheapest printer paper and maybe a supply of cardstock too. Now, cut it all at least in half with your paper cutter. Maybe in quarters. A picture drawn on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper is dreary and unpleasant. And how do we feel about one small flower on a whole sheet of paper? Not good.
The same one drawn on a half or quarter sheet is charming. I don’t know why. The smaller paper is more appealing to them too. A half-sheet can be folded to make a card. The quarter ones can be hole-punched, tied with ribbon or pipe cleaners, and voila! A book.
Hole punch. Three-hole punch. Star-shaped hole punch.
Heavy-duty stapler. Staple-less stapler.
Washi tape (my understanding is that this tape will fit into the tape dispenser).
Wood clipboards.
Good pencils and pencil sharpener to mount on the wall somewhere.
Painter’s tape.
Post-it notes.
And branching out a bit:
Dried flowers. (affiliate link)
Flour sack towels. Poor man’s play silks! In the spring you can start dyeing them with plants and avocado skins (pink!).
Bandanas (they usually have a good supply at stores like Michaels).
For older kids (probably girls?): a label maker. I haven’t tried this one but I’ve seen it recommended.
At least one of our grown sons listens to this podcast.
Leila Miller on those “standing” for their marriages, heroically. And here is an expanded verson,a talk she gave at a unique retreat. It’s well thought out and calmly delivered. I think we can all learn a lot from it about what marriage is and how to protect it.
In France, the government is silencing those opposed to abortion and even trying to suppress images of people with Down Syndrome. Deadly Silence: France’s Abortion Censorship. That the land of Jerome Lejeune would do this is doubly tragic.
I totally agree with this article: Encouraging and cultivating a moral reflex: Making the most of the current backlash against gender ideology.
from the archivesGaudete Sunday Vespers memory
Take some time to make this elderberry cordial. You won’t regret it when people start coughing and getting scratchy throats! (I’ve updated the recipe with a longer simmer time.)
Of course, the nicest thing is to make gifts! Last week in the comments the question was asked, but what? Here is one answer — little matchboxes decorated by the children. There are some excellent suggestions in the comments too! The older I get, the more I appreciate a good bookmark! See also in the comments my links to my Pinterest boards for ideas.
liturgical living
Tomorrow is of course Gaudete Sunday! And on the 17th begin the O Antiphons.
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Visit me at The School for Housewives and recommend it to your young friends!
My “random thoughts no pictures” blog, Happy Despite Them has moved over to Substack! — receive it by email if you like, or bookmark, so you don’t miss a thing! The old one is still up if you want to look at the comments on past posts. It will take me a while to get things organized, but you’ll be patient, I know!
There you will find the weekly podcast done by Phil and me, called On the Home Front. Do let us know what you think!
My book, The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life is available from Sophia Press! Also in paperback now! All the thoughts from this blog collected into three volumes, beautifully presented with illustrations from Deirdre, an index in each volume, and ribbons!
My podcast, The Home Truths Society, can be found on the Restoration of Christian Culture website (and you can find it where you listen to such things) — be sure to check out the other offerings there!
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We share pretty pictures: Auntie Leila’s Instagram, Rosie’s Instagram, Deirdre’s Instagram. Bridget’s Instagram.
Auntie Leila’s Facebook (you can just follow)
The boards of the others: Rosie’s Pinterest. Sukie’s Pinterest. Deirdre’s Pinterest. Habou’s Pinterest
Here is my affiliate link to my Amazon page — the only affiliate thing that goes on here on LMLD, which is why the blog loads quickly and you don’t have to keep closing pop-ups etc! It opens up an Amazon tab and anything you purchase using that tab for 24 hours sends a bit over my way without cost to you. Thank you for opening it and shopping if you are so minded — as some have asked me. If not, don’t worry one bit.
