Minnesota Mom

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The Sinner and the Saint that’s Me

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

I am wondering if I might interest you in a post or two about my conversion. It’s quite a story—not a tall tale, unfortunately, but it is a long one—and the reason I am thinking about is this:Today is the feast of my much-loved adopted patron, Queen Margaret of Scotland, and as I meditate on her amazing life I find myself longing to be better.I … [Read more...]

The Apple of My Eye

by Filed Under: Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Motherhood, Special Events 12 Comments

It’s that time of the year again. It’s…November.November is here and with it, that two-month period known as “crunch time”. There are only three weeks to go until Thanksgiving— my family doesn’t even know where we’re going yet—and then immediately we launch into that bittersweet season full of both reverent beauty and lunatic shopping known to most … [Read more...]

For Margaret Mary, with Love & Honor

by Filed Under: Gratitude, Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Spiritual Growth 9 Comments

In defense of the tongue-in-cheek title of my last post, I do not think I’m a bad mother.I think I’m a darn good mother, actually, though flawed. Very flawed.Is it my pride that makes me think I’m a darn good mommy? Or perhaps my vanity?No. Rather, it is my faith in the assistance of grace; my tremendous love of the people to whom I’ve been … [Read more...]

I’m getting old.

by Filed Under: Anecdotal, Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Motherhood 7 Comments

And this is how I know: I slept in until 7:00 a.m. this morning!Should I call the doctor?Then—to my further embarrassment and shame—when I got to the coffee pot (which is always my first stop of the day) there was a note (which is always where my husband leaves them, because he knows that they’ll be SEEN) that read:Wake husband PLEASE.Which I would … [Read more...]

Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope

by Filed Under: Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Moments of Incredible Joy, Motherhood 24 Comments

A year ago today I published the following story—a family favorite—on my blog.A year ago today I had, like, two readers:my husband and my cat.Just kidding.I’m allergic to cats.Anyway, true story. The following really happened and for that reason I’m re-sharing it. (Re-sharing? Recycling? Really. Does it matter?)Here it is.* * * * * * *We have many … [Read more...]

Happy Feast of the Assumption!

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

“The ark which God has sanctified,Which He has filled with grace,Within the temple of the LordHas found a resting-place.”The Assumption of Mary is one of those feasts that the world would gladly diminish. We know better though, don’t we?Still, I also know that I myself see so dimly the eternal truths of this proclamation.Oh, to be holy, as Mary was … [Read more...]

Famous Last Words

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

Today is the feast of that much-loved martyr, St. Lawrence.So! If you’re planning to fire up the grill this evening for a nice little piece of salmon or something, consider sharing with the kids the words of our dear deacon, who, on his death “bed”, (aka the gridiron), said to his executioner:I’m finished on this side. You can turn me now.I should … [Read more...]

A Shout-Out for St. Ignatius

by Filed Under: Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me, Spiritual Growth 5 Comments

"God's will is what happens."anonymousThis is Margaret in Minnesota coming to you live from my sister's farm in North Dakota, where the kiddie pool is refreshing and cool; where the cows are gently lowing (There are, like, dozens of them. They're very cute.); and where the computer's located temptingly right off the kitchen.You know me. I caved. … [Read more...]