the rhythm of the home ~ new beginnings...

Outside My Window ~

It's dark and cold. I am enjoying the last night of my icicle lights. They make my little house look magical. It's one of the things I love about decorating my home for this season. It's all about love and light and it makes me a little sad to take everything down. But 2011 has arrived and it's time for new beginnings so I will look forward to the next holiday season and my twinkle lights.   

I am Listening To ~

The Iron Chef is on T.V. and my guys are commenting on this weeks theme of "deep freeze". It's always so much fun to watch as a family. We take sides when picking the winning team and tonight I reign victorious!!! Bwaaahhaaaaa!!

I am Wearing ~

My green fleece jammie pants and a red long sleeve t-shirt. Jer calls them my elf jams. There comfy and warm...that's all I care about. I have on my favorite wool socks to make it complete.

I am Blessed and Grateful For ~

#111 ~ faith, family and food - it is one magical combination! 

#112 ~ for those who go above and beyond to make a stranger feel welcome.

#113 ~ for a husband who knows me, truly knows me with every wound and scab and loves me still no matter what I throw his way.

#114 ~ hope...it's what holds my world together.

#115 ~ a family on the mend after the flu swept through our house during the Christmas holidays. 

#116 ~ a parish community that comes together in support of one of it's own.

#117~ the honesty and beauty of childhood.

I am Pondering ~

Hard choices. Decisions need to be made regarding some opportunity's that have come my way. These are not life changing things but important to me nonetheless.  I hate choosing between people and projects. I want to do them all but I just can't so a choice must be made. I pray I make the right one for me and for my family.

I am Reading ~

Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy w/Grant Blackwood

Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah

Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach

The One Year Women's Friendship Devotional by Cheri Fuller and Sandra P. Aldrich

I am Creating Something of Beauty with My Hands ~

I am cleaning out the fabric closet and re-organizing my sewing space this week so no stitching will be happening. Beauty shall rise from the chaos I promise!

On My Ipod ~

happy snappy music...to get my bumm moving on the treadmill. It's a NEW year baby so we need a new bumm!

I am Writing ~

a plan for the New Year. For a woman who lives her life by the seat of her pants a plan means I am making progress in being a grown up.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty in my Home this Week ~

since the family began the New Year battling the plague, I have fallen behind in my home keeping...really behind. So the theme for the week is patience and perseverance. By Friday the dust bunnies will be banished. Yea!!

Living the Liturgy Daily ~

This year one of the things I really want to do better at is living the Liturgical Year. There is a natural ebb and flow to the church year, that when followed brings a peace to my life, a centering if you will. So I have made a loose daily plan that includes quiet time, every single day. It is crucial for me to make this change or I may lose my mind by March. 

I am Hoping and Praying for ~

* for my friend Marque and the two other candidates from our parish who will be taking vows on Jan. 15 as a permanent deacons in the church. We are blessed to have them and his family in service to the church.

* for Caleb and his Mom and Dad, for wisdom and healing

* for two family members who are getting ready to make some big transitions in their lives. I pray for God's wisdom for both of them and for His light to shine on the paths they are to follow.

* for good health for my family this winter. So far, not so good, but I know that God can work miracles so He needs to get to work on this one. Please!

In the Garden ~

mud...lots of mud

In the Kitchen ~

It's time once more for the Pantry Challenge. This year I have imposed even stricter rules on myself to get some overspending in the grocery store under control and to utilize every aspect of my deep freeze and pantries. I am really excited about this. I love a good kitchen challenge. 

This weeks menu can be found here.

A Few of My Favorite Things ~
nieces and nephews that me me laugh 
freshly sharpened pencils
a new calendar blank with possibilities
a menu plan
a new area rug bought on sale that fits just right
french fry curls on my favorite girl
watching my son fold his OWN laundry

Courtney's World ~
Miss Courtney has conquered the flu once more this year. She started to smile once more on Friday and i never tire of it. If this child is not smiling than something is off. She heads back to school tomorrow and I am sure will be exhausted by lunch time. We have taken it easy these past ten days so the next two will be rough getting back into the swing of things. So far 2011 is an OK year for my girl. Yes, I know it's only day three. 

A Picture Thought ~

smiling once more...yea!

Join Ann for Multitude Mondays and be grateful for God is good!