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 

Being Like Our Mother

Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Our pastor is an excellent homilist and will often make a point so striking that I wish I had a notebook with me so I could write it down immediately. Then he’ll keep talking and I’ll realize it’s something I’ve known all along, and was simply failing or forgetting to think about in the proper way.

With his homilies he brings the truths of our faith back into focus and helps renew them in our minds... READ MORE 

Doing It Right

Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Yesterday, for the first time ever, I made chicken noodle soup. It was very, very good and I was so proud of myself I very nearly wept.

(I used this recipe by the way and every single one of my boys was in heaven.)

I know I make mention (every so often) that cooking is not my strong suit. That’s not my point today. Today I want to offer encouragement to those women who have areas in their life where... READ MORE 

So Bad It's Good

Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Lisa’s post about bad family photos reminded me of my All-Time Favorite Balducci Family Photo (to date).

When I first discovered this picture (it was pre-digital for us, so I picked it up at the store), I had a strange emotion come over me. In that split-second, as I stared at the mugs of my four sons, I couldn’t decide if I would burst into laughter or burst into tears. Later that day, when I put the picture on my blog to bemoan how close I came to perfection, all the comments pointed to using the photo as is.

That is exactly what I did, and now I look at that picture as one of my most favorite Christmas cards ever! May 2009 bring you just as much quirky delight!

The Paradox of Perfection

Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Monday, September 14, 2009

I have a problem with perfectionism.

If I read an inspiring thought, but the sentence communicating it has a glaring error in it, it will be nearly impossible for me to focus on the thought rather than on the error.

Having high standards can be useful.  It gets things done.  It gets things done well.  But obsession with perfection can be a liability.  It can cause me to miss the forest because I’m... READ MORE 

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