One of my favorite festive scents is the combination of orange and cloves. I made orange pomanders once or twice as a little girl and decided to share the experience with my 3-year-old this year since it's such a fun and kid-friendly activity. And because I have no crafting skill and they're so easy to make. Basically, an orange pomander is an orange decorated with whole cloves. They've been … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2012
First Advent
Something from the archives today. I wrote this little reflection soon after Benjamin was born. I was huge. Not just big—gigantic. Even before I entered my third trimester, well-intentioned old ladies would pat my shoulder and say, “Any day now!” encouragingly as I waddled my way through the grocery store. Considering the raging pregnancy hormones running through my system, I’m impressed that … [Read more...]
This Week’s Miscellany: Vol. 34
The world is a lovelier place this week, because my gorgeous, stunning, and perfect baby niece, Vivienne, arrived in it! Isn't she beee-aaaa-uuuu-tiful! We're so happy that Benjamin and Lucy have a little cousin who lives right down the road. And so grateful for the safe delivery since my SIL had some complications late in pregnancy. Thanks for your prayers for them. She is precious. And … [Read more...]
Sleepers, Wake! An Advent Music Guide and Playlist
After explaining how we fast from Christmas music during Advent (and then turn up the jams during the Twelve Days of Christmas until Epiphany!), I get a variety of reactions including “Are you insane?” Well, probably. And “so, what DO you listen to during Advent?” To be honest I am just now discovering “Advent music” instead of just abstaining from Christmas music and I have completely fallen in … [Read more...]
Little HolyDays: The Feast of St. Nicholas
Welcome to our first Little HolyDays link up and Happy New Year! No, I haven’t gotten the months confused, it’s the beginning of a new liturgical year. Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. Let’s hope you were more organized than I and didn’t spend part of your Sunday scrambling around looking for your Advent wreath (don’t worry! I found it!). Anyhow, for our very first Little HolyDays … [Read more...]
This Week’s Miscellany: Vol. 33
First of all, I've really enjoyed reading your comments on this post: You had such thoughtful and interesting things to say. I really have the cleverest and most inspiring readers. In case you haven't been back to look at the comments, I want to share this one from my college friend, Meg who shared the NYTimes article with me in the first place: "I grew up in a trailer park in a tiny mobile … [Read more...]
