House Beautiful
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, August 12, 2010
I made a mistake today.
In an effort to get some inspiration, I pulled out my three-ring binder of “good ideas”—the one with pages torn out of magazines, things I come across that inspire me and make me want to create beauty and peace in my home.
Unfortunately, between post-vacation fatigue and the Georgia heat and humidity, dragging out all those pictures of magazine-perfect rooms just made me feel... READ MORE
Picking It Up
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Homemaking on Thursday, February 25, 2010
In today’s podcast, I mentioned that I’m trying a suggestion from Lisa’s new book The Handbook for Catholic Moms: keeping my house fairly tidy during the day.
Bryan and I work together to make sure that our house is orderly before we go to bed every night, and I also attempt to have the place decently tidy when he gets home from work. But putting extra effort into keeping the house in order during... READ MORE
Is He Home Yet?
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Homemaking on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Because of my new resolution to be joyful, I’m noticing the less joyful parts of my life more clearly.
For example, between 4:00 and 6:00pm each weekday, I’m not very joyful.
Those last two hours before my husband gets home from work are the most challenging of my day. During those two hours I’m the most likely to watch the clock, most likely to feel impatient with my children, most likely to wish... READ MORE
Finding January Joy
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Friday, January 08, 2010
Thank you all so much for your comments on my post about winter! January is normally a depressing time for me and you inspired me to think positively about this cold month, and I’m grateful.
I had an exhausting Advent and I think that, too, is helping me feel better about January. Normally I’m let down after the celebration of Christmas ends and it’s time to go back to normal life. But this year December... READ MORE
Crock and Roll
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, January 05, 2010
It is the end of a long day—the kind of day that included an OB check-up (everything is great!) and sending my brother back to Utah (oh how we will miss him!) and then finding out that tonight’s basketball game, the one that started at 7 p.m., actually started an hour earlier. We found that out thirty minutes before the game started.
Fortunately after all that, we came home to a crock pot full of... READ MORE
The Home Front July/August 2009
Posted by Danielle Bean in Home Front on Thursday, August 06, 2009
FOOD by Danielle
Thrill of the Grill
Nothing says “summer” quite like the smell of food on the grill. And nothing says “happy mom” quite like a delicious dinner with quick kitchen clean-up. Summer might be short-lived here in New Hampshire, but I make the most of the grilling season while I can.
To get the most flavor from grilled meats, however, I try to think beyond that tired old bottle of barbecue... READ MORE
Help for Your Housekeeping
Posted by Danielle Bean in Homemaking on Saturday, June 27, 2009
(Join each day’s Coffee Talk discussion: Mon: Parenting; Tues: Open Forum; Wed: NFP; Thu: Marriage; Fri: Education; Sat/Sun: Homemaking)
Our weekend forum is for discussing Homemaking.
Have a great craft idea? Want to share your favorite cleaning products? Have a super recipe to share? Want to ask a question or share a strategy for meal planning, family schedules, laundry techniques, or any other household dilemma? This is the place to do it.
Come on in and join the conversation!
Dinner Company
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tonight we had our parish priest over for dinner. It was a really wonderful time.
I’m one of those types of people who uses entertaining as an excuse to clean everything in sight. I work like crazy to clean all the nooks and crannies, knowing full well that the dinner company will almost certainly not see the inside of my closet and or bathroom cabinet. No, I’m kidding. I don’t clean *those* areas... READ MORE
Tote Couture
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, June 18, 2009
For years, I would eye longingly those classic tote bags when my L.L. Bean catalog came in the mail. I’d give long and serious thought to buying one, and for whatever reason I never did. I’d notice people who had the totes, note that the bag seemed useful and classic—and then promptly do nothing about getting one.
What put a stop to this behavior was my frustration with having a whole host of other... READ MORE
Susan Boyle - And the Magical Folding T-Shirt
Posted by Sr. Patricia Proctor, OSC in Family on Sunday, April 26, 2009
I have to tell you that I am one of the 45 million viewers of Susan Boyle who is totally sold by her YouTube performance. But there is one little problem with the Susan Boyle story.
Everyone has already seen it.
My sister Euli was over with her husband and three kids. I thought here is my chance to find someone who hasn’t seen Susan yet! I mean my sister is a working mom who spends so much time on... READ MORE
