{pretty, happy, funny, real} Guest Room Edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

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Joining Catholic Bloggers Networks ~ Monthly Link Up Blitz
{Family Journal}
 

{pretty}

Hospitality.

 

 

Having my guests feel at home...

Treating my guests with warmth...

 

surrounding them with loveliness...

 

 

finding the perfect setting, in simplicity...

where peace can be found.

 

Using what I have, or sharing things that were given to me...

 

 Making my guests feel welcome...that's Hospitality.

The perfect nook to read a book.

 

 

{happy}

 

A visit to a book sale at my local library...happy!

There is no question, we hit the MOTHER LODE.  I could hardly contain myself as I scooped up all these beauties.  And among all my new found treasures was my very favorite, in rare vintage, preserved so well...

Someone had gifted it, Christmas 1900.  1900! 

We came home with bags and bags of lovely vintage books.  Oh yes, HAPPY.

More, happy.

Some vintage, some not.  All make me happy.

 

 

{funny}
HEAVEN or HELL?

 

A converted Corn Hole game...throwing the seven deadly sins into HELL.

And then there is the HEAVENLY game of Halos on the Saints...

 A lot of creative parents; the children had lots of fun!
Of course, the Saints Jars were also played...

 

{real}

 

Butterfly shared a prayer card that she found while cleaning out her closet.

On one side is a picture of All Saints in Heaven.

On the other side of the card, reads:

 

SURPRISE IN HEAVEN

 

I dreamt death came, the other night

 

And Heaven's gate swung wide,

An Angel with halo bright

Ushered me inside.

 

And there!  To my astonishment.

Stood folks I'd judged and labeled;

As "quite unfit", "of little worth";

And "spiritually disabled".

 

Indignant words rose to my lips,

But never were set free,

For every face showed stunned surprise ---

 

Not one expected ME!

 

Speaking of saints...my children and I were privileged to view and venerate 165 relics through Treasures of the Church. 

What are relics?  Read about it, here.

I will share this one picture:

A Fragment of Mary's Veil
De Velo (from the Veil)

OK, this one too:

Which other relics did we see?

All of these, here.

What a perfect experience, so close to All Saints Feast Day.

 

Go to Like Mother Like Daughter to find more contentment...

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{Family Journal}

{pretty, happy, funny, real} : Sweet Saints Edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

Equipping Catholic Families Saints Cele-Linky,

and Catholic Bloggers Network
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{pretty}

 Butterfly's Collections.

She arranges them just so...pretty.

{happy}

I save boxes and containers, just in case. 

So I was {happy} to find a good use for these empty gelato containers (that have been taking up space in my pantry closet). 


Thanks to Jennifer at Catholic Inspired for the idea, the labels and, of course, the inspiration!

Each Jar named a saint...and the contents had saint themed goodies inside.  Check our her ideas, and get her label printouts, here.

Thank you, Jennifer for sharing this wonderful idea!

{funny}

As our homeschool groups new First Friday Mass Coordinator, I organized an Ice Cream Social, which took place right after the Mass.  Fun.  We also made "saints" for the All Saints Party.  The children traced each other, and then painted in a saint.  This was Little Lambs contribution...

Everyone had fun making their saint...there were some really talented artists!

They will be added to all the previously painted saints.

{real}

Working on schoolwork, activities, organizing clubs, events...my desk is a perpetual mess.
I actually have layers of stuff...sometimes things (my ipad) teetering on top of books and things.  Thank goodness for little helpers...

She's ready to help..."as an American Heritage Girl, I promise to be: 
Compassionate, Helpful, Honest,
Loyal, Perseverant, Pure,
Resourceful, Respectful, Responsible, and Reverent."  ~ The AHG creed

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

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Visit Equipping Catholic Families to find more saintly activities!

~ Birthday Bows ~

Butterfly and I worked together to decorate these gifts.

Simple, but thoughtful.  We used silk flowers that I had in my craft box.

The wired ribbon (love this stuff) was from last years clearance bin...stock up!

It was easy and makes the present really special...

...and you want to make the recipient feel special...

...because the recipient IS special!

~ Autumn Bows ~

~ October Saint ~

There are a lot of wonderful saints that we celebrate during the month of October.

I have been trying to learn more about the *less-known* saints...that is, not know to me.

{pretty}

One such saint is St. Maria Soledad.  Her full name is actually:

~ SAINT MARIA SOLEDAD TORRES ACOSTA ~

Why did I choose her?  Well, I didn't.  My daughter, who I call *Little Lamb* (here on my blog journal), chose to dress up as Saint Maria Soledad for an AHG Explorers party &/or our homeschool groups All Saints Party. 

St. Maria Soledad was the Foundress of the Congregation of Sisters Sevants of Mary, Ministers of the Sick.  She was born in Madrid, Spain in 1851.  St. Maria did everything for His greater glory and relied on His help, entirely.  She was canonized, *recently*, on January 25, 1970, by Pope Paul VI.  I was just 7 years old!  St. Maria Soledad's feast day is October 11th.

{happy}

Speaking of AHG...Little Lamb recently joined this girls club.  After about 7 years of running a Little Flowers (& Blue Knights) group, I hosted a Rosebuds Girls Club for another 3 years.
Finally, last year, we attended Oakrose Girls Club.  Sadly, this year we cannot make the meeting times. 
Now, Little Lamb is an Explorer, and she loves it! This makes me happy!
A mother is happy, when her children are happy.  Having other people organize and plan also makes me happy appreciative and grateful!

{real}

And...speaking of groups, I decided to accept the nomination of First Friday Mass Coordinator for our Homeschool group.  Years ago I was our group's Membership Chair...after a couple (three?) years I thought that I should step aside and let someone else deal with it share the fun.         

{real:  Burnt muffins...even pretty paper cups and stacking them nicely could not save them...terrible shame}

These days, I have a little more time since, this year, I am not teaching the First Holy Communion class.
And this First Friday Mass Coordinator position is something that me and my children can *share*, since my son serves as acolyte, and I schedule the sacristans; and my daughters sing in the choir; but mostly because we already attend the Mass and participate in the beautiful devotions.  I can do this one small thing.  Our homeschool group is important to me...to us!
And attending First Friday Mass, at our parish, is a priority. 

{real:  Ground squirrels or gophers are destroying our landscape...my westie has been trying to dig them out, making more of a mess...oh, what fun. I am pulling my hair out}

{real:  meanwhile...}

And so as not to leave on a down note:
I continue to count my blessings and am thankful for all, even my small crosses.

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Visit Saints Cele-LINKY at Equipping Catholic Families to find more saintly activities!