as cozy as spring

Reflection of my inability to focus.

I missed this in April but Math-U-See has changed the binding and look on their books.  Our spiral bound books did get a little beat up towards the end of the year so I'm happy to see the new binding - especially with perforated pages which would allow us to file lesson by week in a file folder (something I toy with frequently).  However!  I didn't notice all of this prior to my purchase because I was lured in by the idea of a Math-U-See Clearance area.  Ahhhh, clearance!  So I ordered a copy of the older Delta set which was discounted.  I do look forward to the trying out the new binding with Epsilon, but for now I'm happy to have a saved a few dollars in the book budget.

Coneflowers, just because.  Oh but that reminds me!  I've been avoiding Lissa's bee links because 1) I don't need anything else to worry about and 2) I don't need a new gardening related obsession.  But I stumbled upon an article in Martha Stewart yesterday about honey bee decline and followed the listed link to The Xerces Society.  I'm cautiously curious and casually asked my husband if we were allowed to have honey bee hives in our city.  I knew this would happen.

Also, just a quick note that my little brother deploys again today.  If you would remember him in your prayers I would very much appreciate it.  

Feels like summer

Cake recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen's Raspberry Buttermilk Cake.  I couldn't resist the first cherries of the season.  They were surprisingly good.  And I can never resist a buttermilk recipe. Ripe berries + buttermilk = summer.

It's hot here and I don't think we're due for another cool down until September.  Our weekly schedule is now clear and I'm thinking of ways to fill the days.  Bike rides, picture books, mushroom hunts, museum visits and poetry (or just sitting around whining about the heat!).  I need to put all the pieces in place to begin our summer lessons.  Did you know Famous Men of Rome is on Librivox?  Very exciting.  We might finish it now.  There is so much competition for nighttime reading, it gets overlooked too much of the time.

Well that's all from me this morning.  My son is not up yet and I need to wrap this up and hit 'Save' before his tiny feet hit the ground.  

The ballet was beautiful.  My daughter doesn't really seem to get nervous, for which I am grateful.  I, one the other hand, was very nervous, but she danced perfectly.  She has always done every step as she was supposed to, but this year she seemed to do it expressively.  It was a gorgeous night in (that place where I live) and we finished off the evening with my parents at my very most favorite restaurant.  I admittedly grumble every time my husband decides to participate in a silent auction because I'm no fun at all, but he managed to get me a great deal on a basket of children's books and a trip to the zoo!

As an interesting aside, we had our first little "mean girl" issue back stage and I heard about it later.  I was just listening to my daughter nonchalantly tell me about what happened and dismiss it as "No big deal".  In my head, I was crying, "It is a big deal, she was mean to YOU!  MY BABY!"  I managed to restrain myself and applauded her handling of the situation then went and vented to my husband.  And vowed to chaperone next year so I can get my hands on little...  Kidding, of course!!  I am actually glad we went through this and she shrugged it off so well.  Since making the decision to homeschool I wondered how she would handle that sort of thing.  She handled it beautifully.

 

Media Roundup

Periodical - mater et magistra - The new issue is excellent.  I was just thinking of studying sonnets over the summer when this Shakespeare-filled issue arrived in my mailbox.  Do you know how you can only expect one or two good articles in any magazine?  Every single article in this issue is really fantastic.  

Books - Mansfield Park was temporarily put aside for The Rosary but I hope to pick it up again today.  I'm still reading The Secret Garden - please chime if you agree - I hate reading it aloud.  I stumble over the written form of the Yorkshire accent and it makes the whole experience rather unpleasant.  I'm wondering if there's a good audio version.

Music - Snobbism be damned, I like Coldplay.  I downloaded their new (free!) live CD from their website.  Good stuff.  

Blogs - Margaret completely lost her mind yesterday and asked for advice on whether she should have an epidural.  Brave woman.  

Television - My dad and I were chatting on the phone last night and he burst out laughing over some beer commercial he had just seen.  "Is it the one with the trampoline?!?" I asked.  Alas, it was.  I find this commercial so incredibly funny I make my husband rewind it seven or so times every time it comes on.  And that my dad likes it too?  Perfection.  In a beer commercial. 

Performing Arts - Our ballet performance is this weekend and this was the note I received today, "Students arriving with make-up will be asked to wash their faces before entering the dressing room."  And that is why I drive across town for this school.  "We want them to look like little girls." was the explanation.  I do too.

OK then, I think I've covered everything.  The children need to be put to bed now.  I can't imagine I'll be back here before Monday - so happy weekend friends!

 

Late May Garden Notes

I found the children in the backyard last night spontaneously gathering seeds from larkspur we planted - the larkspur that grew from seeds my grandmother gathered from her garden and how charming is all that?? 

Everything is a bit overgrown in the garden right now.  My "parsley border" is about 4 feet tall - these gorgeous flower buds on strong stems.  I can't bear to prune it and it's driving my husband nuts.  But it's so healthy and pretty.  The tomatoes and peppers are heavy with fruit that will ripen in about two weeks or so.  A friend told me earlier this year that she tried some Ukrainian (is that right Dawn?) pickled green tomatoes.  I would love to try pickling some of our cherry tomatoes this year.

For years and years I've wanted to go dewberry picking on the Texas roadsides.  I've read that dewberries make an uncommonly good jam.  If we can squeeze that in between ballet rehearsals this week, I hope to have our first canning experience of 2009 soon.  Our own blackberries are ripening, but we don't have enough to can this year.  And those that are ripe are soon eaten straight from the vine by my 4 year old.  Ina made this strawberry jam yesterday (on her show, at least).  This looks wonderful.  I've always used packaged pectin, but I love the idea of adding green apple instead.

In other non-related news, I saw the Star Trek movie with my husband last week.  It was pretty good, albeit violent.  I thought the casting was excellent.  Am I the only one who found the bad guy oddly cute?

I hope to get back to posting here more regularly, but as you well know, the last part of May is kind of crazy.  Also, I inserted three photos today but they aren't showing up here.  Sorry if they turn out wonky or not at all!

The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary

Say hi to my Dad (and my messy kitchen!).  He's flipping through Karen's new book.  I keep trying to write a review that's something more than, "Wow, y'all, this book is fantastic!" but I can't seem to write about the rosary without it getting uncomfortably personal.  It is a great book, a perfect read for cradle Catholics like me.  I pray the rosary frequently - I developed the habit of saying it while running and now as soon as I lace up my running shoes, I'm in prayer mode - my standing appointment with God.  However, I never really bothered to investigate the history or meaning behind it.  It just was.  It existed as a part of our faith from a very early age.  After reading Karen's book, I have a better understanding of the rosary and that knowledge has provided the framework for a deeper spiritual life.  It's also a great book for new Catholics who want a practical and spiritual introduction to something that might seem odd and/or forced.  Or even non-Catholics who want a solid answer to that over-asked question concerning vain repetition.

Well, that review hardly seems adequate, but no one wants me weeping publicly about how much the rosary means to me and how I'm so very happy that Karen (of all people!) worked so hard to produce this beautiful book.

This is my favorite rosary, the one my dad made for my little girl for her First Communion last December.  Isn't he talented?  

Normal

My doctor called this morning and my son's blood tests came back normal.  He does have excessively adorable big brown eyes that might be capable of causing some serious spoilage but there is a clear treatment for this.  I'm not sure we will opt for that though because it would requite me to discipline him without giggling and to cease sneaking him shortbread cookies for breakfast with the whispered instructions, "Don't tell Daddy!" and we'd have to seriously curtail my addiction to smooching his chubby little cheeks.  

Not worth it, I say!  Maybe we'll think about it after I get over the joy of seeing that mischievous sparkle back in his eyes.  

Little Break

My friends and family tend to hassle me if I don't write here often, but my son is still feeling poorly.  I'm sure he's fine but the doctor decided to run some blood tests today to see why he can't seem to recover fully.  Needless to say, between caring for him and worrying about him I just can't think of much that needs to be said here.  I'll be back when he's better.

My son woke near one o'clock this morning grumbling about his tummy.  I tried to talk him into falling back asleep when he began forcefully vomiting on me.  Learning nothing from the last go 'round, my instinct was to confine it to the bed, again ensuring seven loads of really awful laundry.  After a few minutes, I picked him up and carried him into the bathroom to clean us both off.  My daughter awoke in all the commotion and called out without a hint of irony, "Mama!  Happy Mother's Day!"  

It really has been a lovely morning with cards, kisses and presents, curling up with my daughter watching Barefoot Contessa, making plans to cook risotto later on this week.  But their joint comedic timing last night is what started this off as the best Mother's Day yet.

I wish the same to you (minus the stomach virus that wouldn't die).

Stamp Out Hunger

I meant to mention this earlier just in case you, like me, ignore random mailings.  Easy cheesy.  We've got our bag all ready to go.  It's tomorrow, don't dawdle!