Minnesota Mom

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In the Hands of God: the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila

by Filed Under: Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me 4 Comments

When my husband and I were dating, I proposed (perhaps impetuously) that we name our future daughter Avila. I so admire Saint Teresa! She has long been such a model to me of graciousness, humor & humility.God is good. He did indeed bless us with a little Avila! She is a treasure to my heart, just like her namesake. And, like her namesake, she is … [Read more...]

It’s too Cute for Words, Really

by Filed Under: Humor, Minnesota Me 13 Comments

...but since words are all I’ve got, I’ll give it a go.The moment went something like this:Stephen: “Mom! Come see what Camille’s doing!”Oh dread. I’m anticipating the mess of phenomenal portions already.Sure enough, I found my newly-minted two-year-old on top of the washing machine, carefully scooping up detergent and pouring it into the space … [Read more...]

My Meal for Martha

by Filed Under: Anecdotal, Minnesota Me 14 Comments

As requested, a short story entitled “My Meal for Martha,” by Margaret in Minnesota, who was then from North Dakota.And didn’t Martha know it.Because she and my employer teased me about it throughout the whole meal.But I’m getting ahead of my story. First the missing link to how I came to be there in the first place, because I know that we bloggers … [Read more...]

Monster Cookies! A Fall Favorite

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me 6 Comments

Aptly named because this recipe makes a big huge batch of big huge cookies: half a recipe is good for about 5 dozen. Perfect for sharing with the neighbors!These are really very good.Ingredients4 C. sugar2 C. (1 lb.) butter or margarine2 lbs. (4 1/2 C.) brown sugar3 lbs. crunchy peanut butter1 dozen eggs (yes, you read that right)1 T. vanilla8 tsp. … [Read more...]

Look Who’s Two Today!

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me, Special Events 11 Comments

And on the Feast of the Maternity of Mary to boot!I am so thankful for you, my little Hurricane Camille, because you are teaching your mother all over again to see the world through the eyes of a very busy 2-year-old.For example, little messes are no big deal. Ditto to those big messes. Heck, let's just learn the art of detachment! Because a … [Read more...]

Cheerfulness Check

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me, Motherhood, Spiritual Growth 4 Comments

After a particularly bumpy Monday, I pulled my copy of The Catholic Teacher's Companion off the shelf. It practically fell open to the chapter on cheerfulness."It is well for the teacher to have the saving sense of humor, for this may preserve her from being soured with the unpleasant experiences of the schoolroom. Without a sense of humor, her … [Read more...]

Sunday Afternoon at the Orchard

by Filed Under: Blogging, Minnesota Me 3 Comments

A gorgeously sunny Autumn afternoon seemed like an ideal day to visit the orchard.And it was, for us and oh, say, 500 other Minnesotans. The place was packed, to our slight chagrin. We stuck it out and by 5:00 p.m. the crowds had thinned, leaving behind room for our 3 families to run & roam & play.Only three families, but there were 16 kids … [Read more...]