Minnesota Mom

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Notes from Home

by Filed Under: Hearth & Home, Just Me, Minnesota Me 12 Comments

On the Passage of Time, as per Angela“Once,” she began, “A long, long time ago…longer than Mass…when we were at camp this summer…”I’ll bet I’m not the only parent whose kids want to go to daily Mass, but only if “It’s a short one.”* * * * * * *On Life imitating Art, or in this case, Ancient HistoryWe were discussing the Greeks when the subject of … [Read more...]

No Stove

by Filed Under: Hearth & Home, Keeping It Real, Minnesota Me 27 Comments

My stove (and oven) have been broken for two weeks, and we haven’t yet replaced it.My husband claims that he’s still doing research on a new model but I don’t for a moment believe him.I think I’m being filmed for a reality show.Do you have any idea how hard it is to feed a family of seven—eight if you include the five-month-old that’s feeding off … [Read more...]

Love in All Things (Reprised)

by Filed Under: Just Me, Minnesota Me, Spiritual Growth 28 Comments

(You may read Part I here.)Every Saturday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press runs a “Sainted and Tainted” column in the Local News section. People will send in their descriptions of various Good Samaritans and assorted…jerks, all for our Saturday reading pleasure.I will admit (shamefacedly) to being a bit disappointed when the “Sainted” entries outnumber … [Read more...]

Hearth & Home(schooling) Humor

by Filed Under: Homeschooling, Humor, Minnesota Me 6 Comments

Upon arriving at the breakfast table this morning, Angela announced, “I’m so hungry I could eat the crusts!”* * * * * * *Jem was asked to give the abbreviation for “pound”.“I haven’t learned this!” he protested.“Yes, you have,” I rejoined gently. “Cate, do you know the answer?”Cate was equally stumped but said, in her defense, “Jem’s in the grade … [Read more...]

Love in all things? Or not?

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me, Spiritual Growth 15 Comments

So you’re parked at the library drop-off and are depositing your many books. (Hey, what can you say? You’re a homeschooling mom.) You are startled by a sudden honk from the car behind you but keep going—there’s only a few more.You hear another loud honk.And then another.And then a fourth. You look back to see the angry face of the car’s occupant … [Read more...]

Happy Feast of All the Saints!

by Filed Under: Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Spiritual Growth 12 Comments

“I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue.”(Revelation 7: 9)Did you cry at Mass today? Tell me the truth.I did.I love this feast day.From left to right: Mary, Queen of Martyrs; St. Isaac Jogues;St. Gianna Molla (sans her daughter); St. Patrick (sans his miter);and one over-sugared, … [Read more...]

Happy All Hallows’ Eve!

by Filed Under: Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Special Events, Spiritual Growth 4 Comments

The next three days will be blessedly busy, with trick-or-treating this evening, (in costume), singing at Mass tomorrow, (in costume), and visiting our local cemetery on the hill on Monday (not in costume).We will give out Kitty Cookies tonight—to the parents, mind you, who are as much to be commended as the kiddies—and we will say, “Thank you! God … [Read more...]

7 Quick Takes Friday

by Filed Under: 7 Quick Takes Friday, Minnesota Me 8 Comments

(Volume X for Me)~ Take 1 ~Today is my friend Jenn’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Jenn!Jenn is proof that great good can come out of Internet connections. She and her blog have blessed my life in ways too numerous to describe in a Quick Takes Post—ways that are quirky & cute & inspired, just like her.“It’s a spider!” Angela squealed. She was … [Read more...]