I know, I know, I drop a bombshell and then disappear from the blog.

It's hard to know how to follow a piece of miserable, earth-shattering news, you know? I have pictures from before Margaret died that I still haven't shared here, because every time I think about them I just start crying again. Maybe I'll be able to eventually.

But for now I thought I would share the fundraiser we're doing in her honor, even though this basically just entails copying and pasting from my Instagram. The laziest form of blogging... But since the majority of you follow me on some form of social media, you've probably already seen this. If not, we would be honored if you would join us.

I bought her a stocking.

Usually our babies use the "baby's first Christmas" stocking for that first Christmas season, but it didn't feel right, knowing that her first Christmas is in heaven instead of with us. And I really, really didn't want to see an empty spot where I know her stocking belonged. 

So I bought a Margaret stocking, and the kids immediately wanted to know what we were going to put in it... Maybe that's where you can help?

Every year we pull a star off our parish giving tree and give a gift to our local pregnancy center, which helps expecting mothers and new mothers, well after the baby is born. They provide free ultrasounds, parenting classes, car seats, baby food, diapers, clothing, and so much more. When we missed our chance to grab a star this year, I told the kids that maybe we could see if other people want to donate to the pregnancy center along with us?

I'm going to post several links if you feel called to donate in Margaret's memory. They can use physical items (particularly diapers in size 4&5, wipes, baby food, and winter clothing up to size 2), gently used baby gear (no used car seats or cribs for safety reasons), and always monetary donations. If you make a donation of any sort, please leave a comment and I will write it on a slip of paper to put inside Margaret's stocking. I think the best gift we could give her right now is to help other babies in her honor ❤️

Our Saint Margaret

 

Our sweet baby Margaret Mary went home to heaven on Friday, October 1st. We are absolutely devastated, and ask for your prayers as we adjust to life without our smiley little girl.

Homeschool Year 7!

Baby Photo Dump + Baptism Photos!

Margaret Mary

Around Here (June & July)

John Paul, Age 12

20/52: Clover Crowns and Light Saber Duels

19/52: Baby Potatoes, Baby Peaches, Baby Princesses

18/52: Lucy the Grazer and Picnicking Children

17/52: Lake Vacation!

16/52: Nature Study-ish

 

15/52: Dandelion Crowns and Spring Bouquets

14/52: Tulips and Dandelions

13/52: Pretzels and Easter Eggs

Just Because, Volume 13

Happy Monday! After more than a week off of school, we're back today... And the kids seem to have forgotten what school is! Of course. We're nearing the official end of our year, and it's so hard to keep up the momentum when the weather is gorgeous and everybody wants to play outside! Gotta keep trucking along for another month at least, and then hopefully we'll have managed to do what's necessary to take a nice long break.

12/25: Daffodils and Baby Dolls

Just Because, Volume 12

Happy Monday! (Late, I know... Easter Monday jellybean hangover, I suppose?) We're enjoying glorious weather and I've been puttering around, listing clothes I'm cleaning out of my closet on Instagram, eating too much candy, and generally having a lovely day!

Happy Easter!

 Regina Caeli, Laetare, Alleluia! 

Happy Easter from all ten of us! (Yes, ten! Baby #8 making his or her appearance in July or August!)

40 pictures and this is the best we could do... Next year I'm getting everyone dressed at 8 AM so that nobody complains about the sun being in their eyes!

Just Because, Volume 11

Happy Monday! My daffodils are blooming!! I have to give you some pictures, they're just so cheery 🥰

11/25: Block Art and Bodily Functions

 

Just Because, Volume 10

Happy Monday! Less than two weeks until Easter!! I'm hoping that we have daffodils by Easter Sunday, it seems to be taking them forever to bloom this year... Some have buds, at least, so maybe it'll just be a waiting game until the rest catch up? We planted *so* many bulbs in the fall, it's hard to wait for the blooms! Our lilacs also have a ton of buds, but I think we've got more than a month before they actually bloom, everything's been a little late this year. 

Six New Books for Your Easter Baskets!

While lamenting the fact that one of my very favorite Easter books, Petook, was out of print, last year I heard a wonderful rumor that is was coming back!! Then I saw that Ignatius Press was beginning to republish some of Tomie DePaola's most beloved religious books, and my heart started beating faster... Lo and behold, while checking used prices for Petook months later, the pre-order link popped up for the newest edition!! I told everybody I know, I was so excited. And I not-so-subtly hinted that if Ignatius wanted to send me a copy, I would review it in a heartbeat!

 

10/25: Roots and Shoots, Sunny Days, and Holes

Just Because, Volume 9

Happy Daylight Saving Time... Or something? Definitely not my favorite time of year, but the kids have been waking earlier and earlier so I guess I'm glad that now 6am is actually 7am? It just makes it so much tougher to get school started in a timely manner! I suppose we only have 2.5 months more of it before we go on break for the summer, though.

9/25: Bull Horns, Napping Spots, and Doll Adoration

Just Because, Volume 8

Here we go again! We got the peach trees pruned this week, which is a huge relief because they really needed it!! With a week of warm temperatures coming up, I'm trying to decide if I have the energy to brave our local arboretum with the kids, though we've got a busy schedule so it may not be possible... It closed to the public early last spring so we really missed a ton of beautiful growth, and I'm looking forward to going with everyone when things have begun to bloom! Maybe we'll wait a couple weeks and go when the daffodils are all blooming.

8/52: Animals

20 More Meatless Meals for Lent

My meatless meals roundup from years ago has continued getting lots of views every year, but we've added so much to our meal repertoire that I thought a second post was in order!

Whether you're trying to eat more meatless meals in order to observe Lent, or just as a personal choice, this list should help give you some tasty new recipe ideas. 

Most of these I've tried, or would try, with my family, and I'd consider my kids to be pretty middle-of-the-road in terms of how adventurous they are with their eating. If yours aren't very adventurous, there's no shame in sticking with macaroni and cheese or pizza! 

7/52: Piano Girls and Lent Beginnings

Just Because, Volume 7

Monday, here we go again! We really enjoyed the warm, sunny weather this past week, and I can't believe it's already March!! I'm on the lookout for crocuses in our yard, but I haven't seen anything yet... I think everything needs to dry out a bit after all the rain we've gotten, and the snow only *just* finished melting. Hopefully we get some sunny days this week to dry things out, because we're going to get started planting our cold crops in the next couple weeks!

6/52: Tassels, Lego Cats, and Cozy Winter Reading

 

Meatless Meals: Instant Pot Black Bean Soup (a no-recipe recipe)

I have to admit, I'm generally a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants sort of cook. I love looking at recipes for inspiration, but when it comes down to it? I'll happily make all the substitutions I want, do my own thing, and I'm almost always happy with the result! So if you're a "must-have-exact-quantities-or-my-life-will-explode" sort of cook? This is probably not for you!!

BUT if you're comfortable (or want to get comfortable) improvising in the kitchen, this should be a good starting point for you!

It's not picturesque. Soup never is. But it's delicious!

This "recipe" was really borne of the conundrum, "I have too many random vegetables from my produce box, insatiable children who adore soup, and hey, dried beans are cheap!" And it has quickly become a staple in our house!

(No instant pot? Try these slow cooker black beans! Add extra broth and it'll be plenty for soup!)

Just Because, Volume 6

Monday again! We are due for some unseasonably warm weather this week and I cannot wait. I'm feeling just about done with winter, but I have to remind myself that even though March is coming up and feels like it should be spring weather, it takes us until solid April/May to really get there.

Lucy, Age 2

Family Catechesis at Home: Through the Year with Jesus Giveaway

Lent is almost here! (Or maybe you're reading this late, in which case... I hope your Lent is sufficiently penitential and spiritually enriching!) If you haven't already solidified your family's plans, I've got an idea for you:

 

Katie is a religion teacher and an absolute gift to the Church - if you've never read her blog, please don't miss it! She has an abundance of resources for living the liturgical year whether you're homeschooling, trying to add to your religious education at home, or teaching CCD at your parish. And now, she's published a book!

 

Just Because: Volume 5

Happy Monday, and happy almost-Lent! Our weather lately has felt sufficiently Lenten, so I think we're all ready for simple meals, praying the Stations of the Cross, and adding some extra sacrifices to our days. 

I'm working on a second volume of my ever-popular meatless meals for Lent post and would love to see your suggestions in the comments to give me some inspiration! I've got a couple recipes I really need to get written down to share with you all, because we've added some staples to our repertoire since I wrote that first post back in 2014.

5/52: Baby Doll Beards, Roller Flailing, and House Plants

 

Just Because: Volume 4

Happy Monday! A quick reminder that February is the shortest month, and soon it will be Lent (Speaking of which, here are all my helpful links for Lent in one place!) and then it will be Easter and then warm weather has to be on the horizon, right? Flowers! Sunshine! My apologies to those of you in Canada and the like, who have so much longer to wait than others of us...

4/52: Nativity Tableau

3/52: Nugget!

Just Because: Volume 3

Happy February!! I'm so excited to read what you write this week! We're enjoying our first big(ish) snow of 2021, complete with popcorn and hot chocolate. Very important fun to be had!

Cecilia, Age 10

Just Because! Volume 2

I loved reading everybody's posts last week! If you're new to linkups or it's been a while, please make sure to link to a specific post, not just your website in general. And please make sure to link back to this post so that your readers have a chance to read what others are writing, as well. (I had trouble even finding blog posts on some of the links!) 

2/52: Amaryllis, Wheelchair Construction, and Dress-Up

 

1/52: King Cake

 

Just Because! A New Linkup

My blog feed has been dwindling every year, ever since social media started appealing a little more and long-form blog posts became few and far between... I miss reading what my friends have to say, and I've heard so many others say they wish "old fashioned blogs" would make a comeback. Well, let's start a revolution!

52/52: Christmas Tree Time!

51/52: Merry Christmas!