Minnesota Mom

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In the Key of C

by Filed Under: Hearth & Home, Just Me, Minnesota Me, Special Events 5 Comments

Once again, it's the weekend.On the very full list for today is:Little Flowers for my two little flowers, in two different parts of town;A piano recital for my son Joe;And a couples' potluck in the evening.We don't have a sitter for the couples' potluck so I will be attending solo. That's just wrong. Do you think they'll even let me in?Oh, and … [Read more...]

At the Art Museum

by Filed Under: Family Fun, Gratitude, Minnesota Me 13 Comments

On Wednesday we went to an art museum.We were supposed to go the day before, but some of us couldn’t find our shoes.Do you ever have days like that?So Wednesday it was and on Wednesday we went, to a museum across the river. (It’s rather hard to read the name of it, isn’t it? That’s so you can’t stalk me.)I gave the kids the standard lecture before … [Read more...]

First Fruits

by Filed Under: Food and Drink, Minnesota Me, New Baby 27 Comments

Actually, it was rice cereal.Not that my five-and-a-half-month-old minded.He was pretty durn interested regardless.Just look at him! It’s a bowl of mush and he can’t take his eyes off of it.(I don’t think he’s realized yet that this bland but delicious concoction is…for him. He has grown so accustomed to his momma eating in front of him that such … [Read more...]

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...]