Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Fanciful tales

I doubt I'd be sharing anything novel by digressing on how important imaginative play and stories are for children. So I'd just like to recommend a book that has been a tried and true treasure from my own childhood and that is still a proven gem with my own children: Told Under the Magic Umbrella. While it's out of print now, it's worth your time trying to locate it through a used online bookstore. The book is full of modern fairy tales (or "fanciful tales") which serve a distinct niche in the brain of a child. Probably most of kids books you find in the library are of this sort. But there is a HUGE difference between kiddy stories and children's literature. One is like cotton candy for the brain... not always BAD for kids, but certainly devoid of any nutrition... any real or significant meaning. And this is probably the majority of books currently on the market now. The other is the whole Easter feast; these types of stories "...show life from a new angle, like objects seen through a prism. It can open fresh ranges of vision and understanding, rouse the perceptions of beauty in hitherto disregarded things." Let me just share an excerpt from the Foreword of "Magic Umbrella" that explains this a bit more:

Make-believe is a great resource of childhood. It is a child's first essay in imagination, his attempts to interpret a strange and confusing world in terms of his own liking. Explanations of the older mind are not always satisfactory; they take too much for granted, and the child mind, insatiably curious, often prefers to invent his own explanations. Young children are apt to have rather tidy minds; they dislike loose ends instinctively; they want to find a reason for everything, and where reason is not forthcoming they will promptly make one up for themselves, and more often than not their reasoning takes the form of a story. In a word, the are born creators of folklore, a folklore entirely their own and concerned with the things around them.

The modern fairy tale-- or fanciful tale, to make a useful distinction-- takes full account of this creative instinct. It differs from its long line of predecessors in concerning itself not so much with fantastic elembents outside the child's experience as with the more everyday things of his own world. It realizes that magic, like charity, begins best at home.

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Unknown :: 1:33 PM :: 2 Comments

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Monday, May 21, 2007

A book for Spring

We've just finished planting this year's little vegetable garden... lots of produce to look forward to!
One of our readers just expressed interest in how to get started on her own garden. Whether you live in the city or on land, you can have a garden of some sort. There are a few basics to starting a garden: choose a South-Eastern facing part of the yard; take out the grass and turn it into a vegetable garden by adding fertilizers and more topsoil if needed; start a compost pile with your kitchen scraps, etc. These are just the basics, but everything you need to know is here in this book below. If you're any type of serious gardener, growing flowers or vegetables, I'd like to recommend a great book to have around. Lately I've been reading THE NEW ORGANIC GROWER: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, by Eliot Coleman of Four Season's Farm in Harborside, Maine. This book has been a real treat for me to read over my lunch lately. It has always been my reference book whenever spring hits. As one reviewer said, he transforms gardening from a task to a craft, and finally to a 'local science'...

This book is not only an excellent manual but also incredibly motivating! Whenever I read any part of it it just increases my desire to learn more about growing my own food and to get on top of more projects such as growing our own salads all winter long in greenhouses... ah, to have more land!

~sia

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one of us :: 10:05 PM :: 3 Comments

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Friday, May 11, 2007

Friday Coffeehouse: Blood Diamond

Lord, forgive us for all of our offenses against Love! Jesus, have mercy!
Normally I do not watch very violent movies, as I hav trouble with the images and sleeping at night. However, recently a friend recommended the movie Blood Diamond. She is from South Africa and said tht the movie was pretty accurate concerning the social situation over there. She also said that it was filmed near her beautiful home of Mossell Bay.

I was pleasantly surprised for a number of reasons: The acting was excellent. Unlike movies such The Last King of Scotland, this movie did not leave me feeling utterly depressed. It left me saddened by the horrors committed against Love. Saddened by the hatred we have in our world. It left me saddened and grief-struck for the mothers who have to watch such horrors and watch their children exposed to such horrors. But it left me with hope! It witnessed to the fact that Love is indeed amidst the ruins! That Love triumphs over all, that His light is even shining in the darkest of places. It also left me feeling incredibly grateful for the very safe country we are blessed to live in and raise our families in. So often we take this for granted! It also refreshingly did not include any steamy sexual scenes whe it easily could have. The director chose to show two hearts drawn to one another but to leave out any unnecessary steamy scenes. I thought this made the movie all the stronger.

After having seen this movie I am led to ask a question to you all regarding the social and political situation over in SA and in other parts of the world:
How do we, as Catholics, other than of course PRAYER (we can never pray enough!!) respond to these horrors? Which organizations and charities do we suppport?

~Sia

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one of us :: 12:34 PM :: 3 Comments

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Wednesday, May 09, 2007

quick pick

Outstanding. Teresa Tomeo's book "Noise: How our Media-Saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families" is able to articulate what most of us probably sense but don't quite know how to express. I just checked this book out from our local library and am eating up the wonderful quotes in it.

Busy lives and homes filled with 'noise' (via the TV, radio, telephone etc.) wear on our energy levels in such a way that we allow the media to think critically for us.

Most readers here know that you can't trust everything you see or hear in the news. But just what kinds of ramifications do various media outlets have on our thought processes or our family attitudes.

The bottom line in this book is as old as Socrates: "The unexamined life is not worth living." Our highest faculty of our human person is the mind. Reflection is a lost art. We do everything we can to be distracted or entertained. God lives in silence. In silence we find Him. This book is a great tool for living a proactive life rather than a reactive one.

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one of us :: 3:54 PM :: 1 Comments

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Monday, April 23, 2007

St. George and fairy tales

Today is the feast day of St. George; all that we know for sure was that he was a soldier and a martyr. But there are many legends that are fun to entertain about him, especially his slaying of a dragon. We've honored this day by checking out a book called St. George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges. Don't expect a particularly pious rendition of George's story, but this is a fairy tale in it's finest complete with lovely vocabulary and gorgeous illustrations. Never underestimate the greatness of fairy tales! (On that note, Andrew Lang has compiled some of the finest if you need a recommendation; his "colored" fairy tale books are wonderful!) They are traditionally filled with accurate conceptions of Good and Evil and help to foster appreciation for the virtues of nobility, honor and truth.

St. George pray for us!

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one of us :: 10:14 AM :: 0 Comments

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Friday, March 23, 2007

Friday Coffeehouse: Donna Marie Cooper-O'Boyle

One author Catholic moms might (or should) know about is Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle who has two books out and another being released next month. As a Lay Missionary of Charity and award winning writer, Donna Marie knew Blessed Mother Teresa and received her encouragement and blessings on her work:


The Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers is a small, sturdy bestseller that is ideal for tucking into your purse or diaper bag. It's composed of both traditional and original prayers. The thing I like about this book is that it's design allows for it to be an understated and effective tool for evangelization... not a self-righteous fishing line for the admiration of others. There's something lovely about the idea of just pulling a prayer book out in the doctor's waiting room rather than reaching for People magazine. This book would be great to tuck into a baby shower gift as well.


The Heart of Motherhood is her second release and don't be fooled by it's soft, pretty cover; this book at times packs a powerful punch! One of my favorite lines in the book is so quirky that one might easily miss out on the depth of the statement. I wonder if the author meant for it to sound as simple as planning for a weekend sightseeing itinerary. She's referring to the need for a mother's consistent love and presence in a child's life: "This presence is crucial, so do try to plan your life accordingly." Throughout the book, which reads like a long but notable and worthy sermon, there are parts which seem kind of basic to the conscientious readers of this blog-- such as the need for physical affection for example. But this only serves to widen the base of appeal for this book. It would be perfect in the hands of those like us, who need the encouragement like our Blessed Mother who "helps us to run from the temptation of mediocrity and compromises," as well as those new moms or mothers who've not been exposed to the positive message about the great dignity of our vocation. Donna Marie discusses the world's very real need for model families. How true is that! Our society desperately needs the example of courageous women who show that they find JOY in their vocation... even the nitty gritty of it. And the example of women who don't just tolerate kids as part of their life but who truly delight in their blessings from God.

Lastly, I can't wait to see her newest book "Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be." There are a hundred and one "What to expect when you're expecting" type books out there; how refreshing to see one focused on the spiritual aspect of pregnancy! Instead of dwelling on the aches and cravings of your body, women can focus on using this special time as a living prayer to unite themselves to Christ. While I can't comment yet on this book's content, I suspect that is the exact direction it plans on taking its readers.

All of Donna Marie's books can be purchased from any major bookseller or directly from her website where they'll come to you signed!

-Ellie

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one of us :: 7:00 AM :: 3 Comments

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Friday, February 16, 2007

Friday Coffeehouse: Rio Grande Games

As my profile reveals on here, I'm quite a board game fan. My husband and I drag our friends into board games whenever we get the chance. Back in California, this would involve a few people coming over and me putting my boys to bed while their children wandered around, playing... staying up irresponsibly late while we tried to keep our voices and laughter down from one of our favorite games. I long for those days again. Along with buying books with spare money, board games are another cause for vanity that I struggle to moderate: our hallway closet is full.

As such, I consider myself somewhat of a game connoisseur. I've only played two or three games that I actually didn't like. Everything else has its proper time and place. Word games like Scrabble or Scattegories are for a certain mood, just as party games like Cranium or Apples to Apples are. We even pull out good old Yahtzee every now and again and play with our kids. Then there are the strategy games like Risk or Axis and Allies, which are wonderful learning tools if you have older children as well as just plain fun if you can devote the time to it.

Most casual gamers do not know about Rio Grande Games. They don't know what they are missing! This company publishes some of the most fantastic strategy games EVER and there are a few components that contribute to making this company such an award winning one year after year. First of all, most of their games involve a perfect time length. While I love Risk, I can't pull the all-nighters we used to before we had children to play it. But the strategy games of the Rio Grande company usually last under an hour. So it doesn't monopolize your entire night to play an interesting game.

Another reason I love this company is that the games are artistically interesting to look at. They are simple, usually with wooden pieces, and pleasing to the eye. Furthermore, these games are almost always historically educational... would be a great resource for older children to supplement history lessons in or out of the home. I'll highlight the two games we own, though my wish list includes a few more I'd like to get!

Puerto Rico

This game is the most popular one this company produces because it has won numerous awards and many serious gamers recognize it as the ULTIMATE strategy game... meaning there is almost no "luck" involved. Every move you make affects everyone else and vice versa; throughout the game you have to constantly adjust your strategy to be the most efficient settler to raise and ship crops from Puerto Rico island. There are a lot of rules to go over so the first game is slow and complicated, but once you get it down a vociferous appetite develops to play it again and again.

Carcassone

This is another popular game and the company has produced many variations of it. This is nice because it can be played with 2-5 players and my husband and I have often pulled it out on weeknights and enjoyed playing it together; the game changes each time you play and you become more and more aware of the dimensions involved. "A clever tile-laying game. The southern French city of Carcassonne is famous for its unique Roman and Medieval fortifications. The players develop the area around Carcassonne and deploy their followers on the roads, in the cities, in the cloisters, and in the fields. The skill of the players to develop the area will determine who is victorious."

I highly recommend any Rio Grande games on the market. Your basic Target/Wal-Mart stores won't carry these games. Their website has a list of which stores in your area you can find them in, or you can purchase them on amazon.com.

-Ellie

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one of us :: 6:46 AM :: 1 Comments

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Tuesday, January 30, 2007

A Mother's Rule

On our booklist, you'll find many treasures for both adults and a link to our children's book recommendations. Every now and again, I think it's helpful to go into some detail about particular books that have either helped us as mothers or delighted us with our children.

Many of you know about Holly Pierlot's "A Mother's Rule for Life" because so many women, once reading and implementing it, are quick to want to share it's usefulness with others. I am one of these people.

The whole gist of the book is essentially creating a schedule and sticking to it. I had this down... even scheduling in nap time, errand time, exercise time, Mass time, play with kids time, etc. Everything. If you allow yourself a flexible window and include recreational things, your plan WILL work. Prior to living with a Mother's Rule, I was pretty disorganized; I'd do a little laundry, a little dishes, a little computer time etc... and nothing was getting done! Now, if I know that from 10-11, I do laundry (including PUTTING AWAY the clothes!), then I don't worry about laundry all day long or I don't worry about dishes until their scheduled time.

My children thrive on routines. Most kids do. They know if we have a particular order about our day, certain things are unreasonable at certain times. They know now that I WILL have time to play or color or walk with them after our napping hour so they don't bug me too much during my working hours in the morning. They know we do story-time at the library on Tuesday and go to the gym on Friday. Instilling in them a sense of when things happen has been essential in having a more peaceful home.

My good friend Steph just inspired me to extend my Mother's Rule even more by getting out of bed earlier. This has been a challenge for me to get up from my toasty bed into the cold room and dark house when my husband leaves for work around 6-6:30. But after I'm up and moving, I feel okay. I am able to say morning prayers and do all my computer work for this blog and for my classes I teach with Mother of Divine Grace before the kids even get up. Getting up this early helps me to justify taking my daily nap with the baby while my toddler naps and my oldest son plays quietly by himself.

The other thing that has been instrumental for us is creating a menu plan for a full month... and sticking to that when shopping. It's brilliant not worrying about what to make for dinner anymore! And it's been a huge help on our budget. I've organized the meals so the more expensive ones are spread out as are the cheaper meals to keep spending each week consistent. Plus, when I plot out the week, we aren't having three hamburger casseroles in a row! There are many online menu plans you can plug into... (http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/ or http://www.savingdinner.com/ for example) or you'll just have to do what I did for my picky husband and figure out all the meals he'll actually enjoy (or at least tolerate: I even organize those! Having one "tolerable" meal a week and at least one really nice meal).

I found Holly Pierlot's blog... which exists to help women trouble shoot with creating their Mother's Rule. I've already gotten off-track reading many of those posts.

With three kids now, I can't logistically have my day mapped out to the half-hour like I used to. But I DO have it organized in segments. I have mornings for breakfast and housework and noons for lunch and naps; afternoons are for errands and walks or games; evenings are for dinner prep and being mentally and physically present for my husband and children. Sometimes errand time gets switched with housework time, but the point is that things all have their place.

The concept of ordering our lives can do wonders for our souls primarily, and also our selves and families too. I highly recommend "getting a grip" on life! You'll be so glad you did...


-Ellie

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one of us :: 7:33 AM :: 4 Comments

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Friday, January 26, 2007

Friday Coffeehouse: Jim Aylesworth

I don't know about you, but I always get excited when I find a new children's book or author that delights us. We take reading seriously in this family and storytime is one of our more special times of day. I keep meaning to update our Kid's Booklist but I haven't made time for that. So in the meantime, we'll just keep up on little treasures we've been finding at the local library.

And the latest author I've discovered is Jim Aylesworth . We picked up two of his books from the library: Tricky Fox and My Son John. Tricky Fox is a rendtion of an old tale but something that this author loves to incorporate into his stories are fun little rhymes and noises that make the whole story a treat... not just a telling of a tale. My boys and I love to cozy in on the couch and read delightful little books and this is one of them! One thing I love about this author too, is that he has a penchant for choosing great illustrations for his books. Tricky Fox is done in a classic style by Barbara McClintock.

My Son John is my favorite so far. This book is complimented with wood cutout illustrations that are a joy to look at in and of themselves. The book is a play on the old rhyme: "Diddle, diddle dumpling..." He goes through an entire day on the farm with various sons and daughters (hey: pro-life message right?! ;o) ) with a page for each one:
Bonny bonny bridal, My daughter Rose.
Combs her mare in old work clothes.
Hay in hair and dirt on nose.
Bonny bonny bridal, My daughter Rose.

Old Black Fly is another book I remember checking out at one point. This one is geared toward little readers as an old fly goes through the alphabet wreaking havoc through the house along his way. Again, in his trademark style, it is catchy and has a wonderful cadence that children will want to experience over and over.



With over 25 books in print, we will definitely have our eye out for more of Jim Aylesworth !!!

-Ellie: Oak Harbor, WA

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one of us :: 12:05 AM :: 1 Comments

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Friday, January 19, 2007

Friday Coffeehouse: singing books for the home

Every home needs some good singing/music resources. Below are a few I think are pretty essential to have around.

Rise Up Singing: This amazing folk book is wonderful to have on-hand... It doesn't have every song in it but it has most of the gems (especially ones that were well-known between 1950-1980) which our parents sang to us, and most fun kid songs. I love to use it for lullaby singing. It's basically the songbook which every folk-musician owns or knows about. A unique feature of this songbook is that it has a very diferent presentation of guitar chords... a great presentation which I use for all of my own music. The illustrations are also a plus. They are beautifully-done, gentle and strong. Some of them have a sort of new-agey look or feminist side, but it's lovely sketching in general. One of the biggest pluses is that it is spiral-bound, so it is always stays open if you're reading along while playing the guitar.


The Adoremus Hymnal is a wonderful hymnal put together quite recently, in 1997.
It was designed for use both in small parishes with few musical resources and in large parishes with full choirs. Following the general plan in Musicam Sacram, this hymnal consists of three major sections:
1. the Order of the Mass;2. musical settings for the Ordinary of the Mass; and3., an excellent selection of the most beautiful hymns ever written -- for every season of the liturgical year and other feasts and holidays.
The music was selected on the basis of beauty, holiness, Catholic tradition, theological integrity, familiarity and simplicity. All the music is within the capabilities of every Catholic parish. (~adoremus.org)
For more information go to Adoremus.org. It's a great hymnal to have around the house as well... great for learning new hymns and harmonies for every season.

Go in and Out the Window: An Illustrated Songbook for Young People ~By Dan Fox
This one is published by Metropolitan Museum of Art, including a delightful and very diverse selection of artwork, prints, ancient tapestries, woodcuts and more to adorn the classic old folk songs such as Down by the Riverside, Greensleeves, The Farmer in the Dell and more.This folksongbook, unlike Rise Up Singing, includes the music for piano, not just guitar tablature. It does include the guitar tabs as well though. What really makes this book unique is the narrative on the side of every song, (directed towards a listening child), which introduces the reader to the song by using the illustration/picture provided.
Here is what he says about the well-known child beloved classic song, The Fox:
"Foxes, both the red and the gray kind, are very pretty animals, with their bright eyes, pointed snouts and ears... But farmers do not like them, for they can do a lot of damage... The designer of this tapestry made the fox very hard to find among all the greenery and flowers. If you look closely,... "(He goes on to tell the reader all about the tapestry which is the illustration on the page, then concludes with an introduction to the song:) "In this old folksong, the fox is up to no good..."
Here is what he writes about the beloved American lullaby, All the Pretty Little Horses:
"This tender lullaby was very popular in the American South, hummed over cradles by parents and nurses. Some people counted sheep when trying to fall asleep, but it is much more pleasant to think, and perhapd dream, of the 'pretty little horses' like the one in this print by the French artist Henri Matisse. He used brilliantly colored paper cutouts to create a joyous circus design..."

In short, Go in and out the Window is a delightful songbook that can provide hours of fun for adults and children to read, learn new songs, learn about different artwork from all different time periods: -Definitely a homeschooling essential to have around!

~Sia, Vancouver, WA

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one of us :: 7:56 AM :: 0 Comments

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Friday, January 05, 2007

Friday Coffeehouse: in my mailbox...

The sad reality of my bookworm tendencies is that I don't often find the time to sit down and do much solid reading. Or, what is more often the case, I don't have the brain energy to think on a level much deeper than the Sunday Comics in the newspaper.

And so, magazines and newspapers have become my mainstay for intellectual stimulation. I can handle something that is an article length... or even better is reading the letters to the editor. I have heard of several highly recommended magazines out there but am only qualified to share what my personal experiences have been:

National Catholic Register
This is my most anticipated treat by way of mailbox publications. It comes weekly and is chock full of current news from a Catholic perspective and interesting tidbits about what is going on in the Church and especially at the Vatican. Be careful not to confuse this wonderful, orthodox newspaper with the "National Catholic Reporter" which isn't nearly as reliable or time-worthy as this one. In each issue there is the Holy Father's weekly address as well as a wonderful sub-section on the "Culture of Life". If you have to choose just thing to subscribe to, pick this one.

Crisis Magazine
Okay, I admit that I no longer subscribe to this because I couldn't commit the brain cells to thinking this "well" after having my third child. It's a wonderful magazine, again very solidly Catholic... and the articles are usually quite brilliantly written on politics, culture and the Church. The problem is that one has to FOCUS on these articles. They are highly intellectual and a fierce competitor to your attention to toddlers begging for more milk in a sippy cup or gassy babies filling up diapers.

Family Fun
Well, on the opposite end of the spectrum is a perfectly light and easy reading magazine geared exactly toward what its title sugests. This isn't a Catholic magazine, but it's been such a treasure for us to have simply because there are so many wonderful ideas for things to do and make and play with as a family. My kids are just barely getting old enough to where I can actually do many of these activities with them... though I've been a subscriber since my first son was born (saving up back-issues because they're so full of good ideas). This magazine is great for homeschoolers too because it offers so many ideas; I especially appreciate their seasonal and holiday focused issues.

Envoy Magazine
I don't get this magazine anymore either (I think they've converted to only offering digital subscriptions?) but it was instrumental for me in reverting back to the Faith. It is an apologetics magazine. Colorful and flashy and probably perfect for teenagers or adults who want to know how to defend the faith better but don't have the resources or time to commit to reading the Early Church Fathers or studying the Bible in depth. It's somewhat elementary in the sense that with this alone, you couldn't debate seminary theologians; but it's more for the day-to-day, down to earth lay people. The editor is well-known apologist Patrick Madrid (author of Surprised by Truth... a great read for new Catholics or potential converts from a Protestant background).

* Gift subscriptions are a wonderful gift idea, especially for kids who have too many toys as it is. Children LOVE getting things in the mail... why not indulge that with a quality publication that they can really get involved in. There are magazines geared toward almost every sport or hobby out there; just google it! Other magazines I think are worth looking into (for kids or adults) or ones that I've enjoyed include these: Boys Life, Faith and Family, Ranger Rick, Highlights, Real Simple, Mothering, Runner's World, and National Geographic.


-Ellie: Oak Harbor, WA

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one of us :: 4:30 PM :: 2 Comments

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Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Quick Pick

I just finished reading what came as a breath of fresh air: "Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent's Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives."

I trust that all of our readers are thoughtful people and as such, make informed decisions about the healthcare of their children. I have been on the fence about vaccinations as long as I've been a mother and I'm just now feeling some peace about the decisions we are making as a family. This is difficult terrain to tread because there is SO much propaganda out there on BOTH sides of the camp... whether and when to vaccinate or not. This book, you should know, does not take sides in the issue. Rather, it systematically goes through each illness and vaccine and explains its history, risks, and alternative treatments. It is the single most balanced book on the subject I've ever seen. And while I wish that the author (a certified nurse midwife) would just TELL me what to do... she wisely does not. Her goal is to empower parents with the information they need to make the decisions that is right for their family.

No one should feel pressured or bullied about their decisions in this matter. It is a very personal choice and I'm convinced that a little education (beyond the severely limited and somewhat biased flyers they give you at the clinic) could go a long way in helping YOU make the decision you feel is right.
~Ellie, Oak Harbor, WA

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one of us :: 9:57 AM :: 4 Comments

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Friday, December 22, 2006

Friday Coffeehouse: "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

I think we're all pretty familiar with the song called The Twelve Days of Christmas!

This is a wonderful song to sing during the 12 days of Christmas, which is from Christmas to Epiphany. Below is some information about the song and it's origins, which I found here.

~"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the basics of their faith.
~The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, but it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. i.e. the church...In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."

Here is a complete list of the 12 symbols with their meanings:
1 Partridge in a pear tree = The One true God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch" which contain the law condemning us of our sins.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

~Sia, on Hanover Ridge with her family in Ohio

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one of us :: 9:59 AM :: 5 Comments

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Saturday, December 16, 2006

Friday Coffeehouse--music for the holidays

I have wonderful memories of music we listened to during Christmastime, both in our preparations and after. Here are a few I thought I'd share with you all.
The Baroque Folk: Joy After Sorrow is the name of the album (yet I can't seem to find a place where you can buy it online!)

From O'Carolan to Bach and Mozart, this album is really diverse in it's selections yet it works beautifully and all peices flow together well. The music brings classical and Scottish/Irish folk together. The group is made up of classically trained musicians... It's a combination of dulcimer, recorder, guitar, and strings. My memories of this album are baking and doing projects in our kitchen around Christmas time... It's a rare beauty, if you can find it!

An excellent source of music to have in your home for the Christmas season is the book titled Carols for Christmas, by David Willcocks- this is "A collection of medieval and Renaissance carols, traditional carols and hymns, and modern selections is accompanied by masterworks of sculpture and painting by Giotto, Raphael, Durer, Van Eyck, and others..." (-from a review on Alibris.com) It's rather pricy, but worth every penny. I have spent hours and hours learning all the beautiful ancient carols in this book with friends and family. There is also a double CD you can buy which goes with the book.--a real treat to listen to!

The book and the album are both gems to have in the home.

~Sia, in Ohio for the season

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one of us :: 8:34 AM :: 2 Comments

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Friday, December 08, 2006

Friday Coffeehouse: Tomie DePaola

I hope you all know about Tomie DePaola. I would have to say he is among my top 3 favorite children's authors. Probably the best book he's ever written that should be mandated reading for all kids is "Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs." No other book treats the topic of death in such a delicate and honest way that eases children into it. This story is a beautiful telling: "Every Sunday four-year-old Tommy's family goes to visit his grandparents. His grandmother is always busy downstairs, but his great-grandmother is always to be found in bed upstairs, because she is 94 years old. Tommy loves both of his nanas and the time he spends with them. He is desolate when his upstairs nana dies, but his mother comforts him by explaining that "she will come back in your memory whenever you think about her."

We have four or five of DePaola's books in our home and always look for more at thrift stores/garage sales. His books have a wide range of topics... from the lighthearted Popcorn book.... to the educational Cloud book... to the religious saint books... to the fantasy/magic of Strega Nona. All of them are dressed up with his unique illustration style that won't ever be duplicated. My favorites include "The Clown of God" (which has been known to bring people to tears) and "Pascual and the Kitchen Angels" (the story of St. Pascual... patron saint of the kitchen). Other religious books from this author cover the stories of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Patrick, and St. Christopher.


One timely thing to note is that DePaola has written/illustrated several Christmas themed books (including "The Clown of God"). The one we have and love is "The Legend of the Poinsettia":

"Lucida is heartbroken because she has nothing beautiful to bring baby Jesus in the Christmas procession, when an old woman convinces her that the Baby Jesus will love anything she can give, her simple gift turns out to be the most miraculous of all."

One of his endearing little Christmas books is a pop-up: "The First Christmas." Some families use this as a weekly Advent calendar. Other Christmas titles listed here include descriptions from Emmanuel Books:

Country Angel Christmas
"The story of Saint Nicholas and the country angels. They were preparing for a Christmas celebration. But three of the youngest angels were told to stay out of the way by the bigger angels. They wanted to do something too. Saint Nicholas gives them an idea. It was the best idea for their celebration."

The Night of Las Posadas
"The story is set in New Mexico. It is about the old Spanish custom that commemorates Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem! Sister Angie has organized the tradition for many years. This year Angie's niece, Lupe, and Lupe's husband, Roberto, are going to play the parts of Mary and Joseph. But when Sister Angie becomes sick and Lupe and Roberto get stuck in a snowstorm, only a miracle can save Las Posadas! Wonderful tale of a Spanish Catholic tradition!"


Mary: the Mother of Jesus
"A feeling of joyful reverence pervades this story of Mary's life! A very colorful book. This story tells of Mary's life from her childhood, her visit from the angel Gabriel, her marriage, the birth of Jesus, her death and her assumption into Heaven."



-Ellie: Oak Harbor, WA

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one of us :: 7:41 AM :: 2 Comments

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Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Quick Pick

In light of this feastday today and the recent Santa discussion, I thought it helpful to throw out what I think is an excellent book on the topic: "A Special Place for Santa." This link goes to the current place where you can find the book the cheapest. I've noticed that around this time of year places like Ebay and Amazon.com sell it for a much higher price than the suggested $8.95... which isn't too bad considering it's a hardback!

At any rate, this is an EXCELLENT book that shows that Santa Clause and Jesus Christ are not mutually exclusive and it shows the history of St. Nick and how he fits into today's world. The illustrations are a little cartoony for my taste but the story is absolutely invaluable as it reconciles Santa's place on Christmas with the birth of Jesus.
-Ellie

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one of us :: 9:41 PM :: 1 Comments

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Friday, December 01, 2006

Friday Coffeehouse: children's Christmas stories

There are many many gems out there when it comes to children's books for Christmas time. Here are just a few for today to share with you, in case you've never seen them before. They are a few out of many, many gems read to me during my childhood...

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas- The illustrations are a combination of iconographic and sketching styles; they are beautiful, warm and glowing.
It tells a story of St. Nicholas... Alexi is a Russian child whose grandmother tells him of the soldiers who closed St. Nicholas Church many years ago. When he asks why they can't celebrate Christmas there this year, she tells him that it would take a miracle. The little boy believes in miracles...I am especially pleased with the icons throughout the text. It is nice to see both the art and the faith of the Russians so beautifully depicted here. (~from the St. nicholas center)


Cobweb Christmas-
This isn't the most religious of books about Christmas, but it is a lovely, well-told story. All her life, Tante had heard tales about marvelous happenings on Christmas Eve. Animals might speak aloud. Bees might hum carols, or cocks crow at midnight. Tante wished she could witness a bit of Christmas magic, too...This Old World tale about the warmth and wonder of Christmas will leave children enchanted with the magical possibilities of the season. (from harpercollins.com)

The Donkey's Dream, by Barbara Helen Berger- A little gray donkey, led by a man on a long journey, dreams he's carrying a wonderful city, a ship, fountain and a rose on his back. The imagined burdens succeed each other until the travelers reach a town where the donkey realizes he's carrying "a lady full of heaven." The donkey receives thanks for the family's safe arrival from the mother who shows him her lovely child, no dream this time, but a baby whose eyes fill the cave with light. Berger's note explains the traditional Marian symbols (City of God, spiritual vessel, Rosa Mystica, etc.) as fantasized by the donkey. The paintings are glorious, reverent versions of the Nativity in which colors intensify the impact of visions and reality. Delicate borders are composed of forget-me-nots which, the artist tells us, she learned are called in French "les yeux de Marie"...(Review from Publishers Weekly) Barbara Helen Berger is also known for her book Grandfather Twilight.

Some of the other Christmas titles included on our Children's Booklist are:

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story

The Legend of the Poinsettia

The Story of the Three Wise Kings

The Little Fir Tree

B is for Bethlehem

The Tale of Three Trees

Baboushka and the Three Kings



~Sia, Vancouver, WA

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one of us :: 12:00 AM :: 2 Comments

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Friday, November 17, 2006

Friday Coffeehouse: A few books on family and marriage

Here are a few books on Mothering, Marrriage and Family which I think to be pretty edifying. They were a treat for me to read, anyway.

Rosalie McPhee wrote a couple books on Mothering and on Marriage which are well-worth reading. They are full of Scripture pasages, quotes from Catherine Doherty and her own experiences as a wife and mother. -Although the content is rich, it is very easy reading. Her books Mothering: Becoming the Heart of the Home (A Little Mandate Book) (with a beautiful illustration by Michael O'Brien to adorn the cover, I might add!) and Marriage: A Fountain of Grace (Little Mandate Book). These books are great reads while you're making dinner, waiting for the water to boil, etc... ;)


Marriage: The Mystery of Faithful Love, by Dietrich von Hildebrand:
This book is a bit heavier than the above ones I mentioned, as it is written by the well-know philosopher.. so it has mor ephilisophical/theological depth in certain ways. -What a reat for your heart and your intellect, though, when you have time to really think and soak up what you're reading! (This book is more of a coffee-hour concentration book.)
"Marriage has been chosen as the image of the perfect union between the soul and Christ because in marriage, likewise, the center and core is love. No other earthly community is constituted so exclusively in its very substance by mutual love..."
To read more of this book, go to:http://www.ewtn.com/library/Marriage/SIPMARRG.HTM

Fulton J. Sheen's book Three to Get Married is a remarkable presentation about the nature of marriage and discusses common marital problems and solutions.

Letter To Families From Pope John Paul II-- I highly suggest reading this as it is from our late Holy Father! To look at this letter or to read it, go to: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_02021994_families_en.html

~Sia, Vancouver, WA

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Friday, November 10, 2006

Friday Coffeehouse: Patricia Polacco

For today's coffeehouse subject ;) I'd like to share with you all one of my favorite author/illustrators of children's books. She is known for her very colorful, folky illustrations and wholesome stories based on her own life experiences and passions...

Her name is Patricia Polacco. Born in Lansing, Michigan her heritage is Russian, Ukranian and Irish. As a child she spent the school year in Oakland, California, her summers in Michigan on her grandparent's farm... this explains to me where she gets her passion for thunderstorms! I share her passion, and still delight in reading her wonderful book titled:

Thundercake. This is my favorite of her books. The story illustrates a delight in thunderstorms as opposed to a fear. It also is a feast to look at her detailed illustrations which include icons on the walls of the home. If you know your icons, you'll certainly recognize some of them!

G is For Goat-- This book is a delightful, colorfully illustrated rhyming alphabet book. Unlike the normal A is for Apple type, this one is unique in that it follows a little girl around the goat farm. As you learn the alphabet, you learn about goats as well... the Goats who nibble on Oats...
"L is for lunch-get out of their way! M is for Munch; clothes taste better than hay."... to see more of these illustrations go to: http://www.patriciapolacco.com/books/goat/index.html

The Keeping Quilt--
"...A Russian immigrant mother and family arrive in the United States. She plans to make a quilt from a basket of old clothes, telling her daughter, "It will be like having the family in backhome Russia dance around us at night". The quilt is passed along from mother to daughter for four generations. It becomes a Sabbath tablecloth and a wedding canopy. When it becomes a blanket for new generations of children, it really tells a family's story of love, faith and endurance..." to read more from this review, go to: http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/keepingquilt.html

She has many more out there, but these are a few of my favorites. I highly suggest getting some of them out of the library to read. I own a few of them as I wanted them to be a permanent part of our bookshelf for the many years to come.

Happy story-times!

~Sia, Vancouver, WA

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one of us :: 7:48 AM :: 2 Comments

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Friday, November 03, 2006

Friday Coffeehouse: Carmina Gadelica

I am always excited to find new prayers, because as a mother I am conatantly in search of appropriate and simple ones for my own children. I hope to some day hang a few little prayers around the house for them to read.

Carmina Gadelica, by Alexander Carmichael, is a wonderful compilation of prayers, hymns, poetry, incantations and more from the Celtic lands. Alexander Carmichael, a Scottsman from the late 19th century, collected these amidst his travels throughout the Scottish Highlands.
Among the prayers of Carmina Gadelica are some refreshingly simple prayers which, to me, are an example in words of what our constant spirit of prayer should be throughout the day: prayers which are not a foreign way of speaking, but a way that is natural, free, real.

"But for those of us who yearn for a rebirth of Christian culture, on whatever scale, books like Carmina Gadelica can offer a taste of wholeness, where God is seen in all..." ~Daniel Nichols, of Eighth Day Icons and the Caelum et Terra journals, wrote about the book in one of his reviews.

Below are just a couple of the prayers in this rich, thick book which I particularly love. I wish I could share more of them, but alas- my own copy of this beloved book is still in a box somewhere amidst our pile of belongings from Ohio.

Morning Prayer:
God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.

God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my hands,
God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity.

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Sleep Consecrations:

I lie down this night with God,
And God will lie down with me;
I lie down this night with Christ,
And Christ will lie down with me;
I lie down this night with the Spirit,
And the Spirit will lie down with me;
God and Christ and the Spirit
Be lying down with me.

**********

I lie down tonight
With fairMary and with her Son,
With pure-white Michael,
And with Bride beneath her mantle.

I lie down with God,
And God will lie down with me,
I will not lie down with Satan,
Nor shall Satan lie down with me.

O god of the poor,
Help me this night....

**********

~Sia, Vancouver, WA

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one of us :: 9:56 AM :: 2 Comments

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