We have two winners of Easter at Ephesus! Kansas Mom and Jessica F. — an email is wending its way to you!
For everyone else, do check out the CD or download using our link or going to the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles website — there you will see a way to get a discount on multiple orders.
And, since today is the Feast of St. Joseph, and you know how much we love him around here, I thought I'd share this awesome Vespers service with you. Vespers is evening prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours — it can be simple or elaborate. This one is elaborate, with hymns, chants, and beautiful motets. Basically it's prayers and Scriptures chosen for the day in question. Enjoy!
~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
{beautiful but demanding}
I don't really have a pretty. I was going around taking pictures of my boring icy frozen cold existence and I guess I can show you some handiwork. (I'm not complaining — it's Lent and I gave up complaining. I'm explaining.)
In progress:
That chalice veil that is going to take me a long time to see finished. Part of the hangup is — how to feel that you're doing a good job? It's going to cover the chalice at Mass.
Handiwork from the past, making me {happy}:
I thought maybe you would be amused to see this patch. The blanket is an Icelandic wool one — they were all the fashion in the 70s when Habou very kindly gave me this one. I was a teenager. Some years later, our dog ripped a hole in it (not Roxie!).
I did that wavering thing where you feel like you shouldn't keep something because it has a big hole in it — but you don't want to ditch it because it's good quality. But, there's a big hole.
Many was the day that I almost threw it out. But there only got to be more kids who needed blankets on their beds, and it was a good blanket. But it had a hole.
Finally I cut up another blanket that was pitch-worthy to make this patch, thinking that if I was going to keep the Icelandic one, I might as well embrace the hole.
Do you see how I did it? Patched both sides with a blanket stitch, using yarn. To do the inner sewing, I cut the tear into a circle so that it would look, um, intentional.
I'm glad, because if I had ever seen a picture on someone's blog (not that there were blogs then, but you know, now) of this kind of patch, I would have been mad at myself for throwing a good blanket away!
{funny}
You know my secret to cleaning, where I tell you that you simply must completely clear a surface in order to declutter and clean it? I thought I'd do a “sort-of-during” (since I thought of it a bit late) and “after” for you to remind you.
So this picture below is the result of me cleaning the little table next to my computer completely off, moving all the things to the coffee table for sorting and purging.
The idea is, only put back what actually belongs there. No other organizer tells you this. It's really my secret.
And this is the side table, below. All that stuff had been on there, and now it's really clean, you know? Be intentional!
So … here it is with only the intentional things on it.
So now you know why there wasn't a post about that.
{real}
Had I told you about the hard hat? A necessity, I'm telling you. Scary giant icicles out there.
Will is coming today for his (belated, it was yesterday) birthday dinner. I'd like to make him steaks and in theory I'd like to grill them …
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Sara says
The chalice veil is going to be lovely. Here is complaining: they don’t cover the chalices here anymore. 🙁 I can imagine a few parishes where it probably happens, but most don’t.
Jennifer says
I agree with you, my parish doesn’t veil the chalice either. I miss that respectful tradition. I’m currently just praying our church will return to using patents, a host dropped again this past weekend. It really upsets me.
The veil is beautiful, Leila.
Leila says
Jennifer and Sarah, it is very beautiful — alas, it is not my parish’s. It belongs to a little Catholic school near me that has some lovely old vestments for their celebration of Mass that takes place every so often. This is a piece that I am repairing. The original lining (which was indeed that loud fuschia!) was sadly worn. Just replacing it has proved to be a challenge for me!
Rain says
I use your advice of taking everything off the surface before you clean it. It’s excellent advice and really works!
Your blanket patch solution is genius.
I pre-ordered Easter at Ephesus and currently have it at the ready to play once Lent is over.
Blessings.
Katie says
My husband must be a kindred spirit of yours. He was the one who taught me to take EVERYTHING off of the surface you’re de-cluttering. I always worried it made a bigger mess. You have confirmed for me the method to his madness
Kathy@9peas says
I’m a surface remover too, its the only way I can de-clutter. I’ve also been known to completely remove furniture from a child’s room in a de-cluttering effort.
Congratulations to the winner!
Kansas Mom says
Kathy, I’ve done that, too! It drives my husband crazy to move all the furniture out and back again, but it really allows us to think about where we want everything instead of just leaving it where it gets dumped the first time. Also, then I can vacuum everywhere and easily get to all the stuff they let fall through the cracks.
Jennifer Gregory Miller says
I love the patch!
I do my cleaning of an area in the same way. It’s always discouraging when the intentional items still make it look cluttered. But I know the effort was there.
Ally | A Home Called Shalom says
The blanket does look very cute, even with a patch. =) For others dealing with blanket holes, you could also cut it into a heart… but that seems kind of fancy and like a lot of extra work. =)
priest's wife @byzcathwife says
My mother had some of those blankets when I was little- I love them! …about your harsh winter- do you have a green house to start seedlings so you can put plants in the ground at the first possible signs of Spring?
Kate says
I feel your stress over the chalice veil. Decades ago, I was asked to sew a tabernacle cover for my college’s new tabernacle. I was given some very expensive lace and told to got to it. Stress. I had no pattern, but had to figure it out as I went along. It was a tall, cylindrical shape with a pointy top which didn’t make it easier. I think I did a credible job for a 20 yo, but for awhile every time I went to mass, I was distracted by that tabernacle veil, rethinking maybes. I finally had to let it go (or graduate). But guaranteed, your priest or sacristan will be very grateful (men are always in awe of female sewing skills) and Our Lord will bless you for your handiwork and anxiety.
Donna L. says
I think the chalice cover is gorgeous! I believe you are doing an amazing job–and so prayerfully thoughtful….but now, “all you can do, is all you can do–and all you can do is enough!” {My little sing-song advice from my Nana}
So… deep breath…. finish it and allow others to appreciate it!
God bless you!
P.S. I gave up complaining for Lent, too! I have *goofed* a couple of times. Then I caught myself, and began again….sigh…
Maurisa says
The chalice veil is gorgeous!
Nice job saving such a great blanket. I love the patch. I think it gives the blanket a bit of a worn but loved look.
I love your decluttering advice. It’s how I’ve always cleaned off my counter tops.
Stacy says
Love the chalice veil! So jealous of your skills. Great advice on decluttering.
Woman of the House says
Scary giant icicles indeed! I hope the snow is melting and spring will soon come your way. I love the patch on your blanket, and I think the chalice veil will be just right because it’s a labor of love and an act of service. 🙂
Amanda says
So beautiful! The chalice veil. Such a gift to be making! I can’t even imagine. I just learned how to turn on my new sewing machine and am hopeful to master a new craft. In time though because I’m still all kinds of intimidated! And that kind of cleaning can be found in our home too! But not the need for the hard hat. That’s just crazy!
Leila says
Amanda, thanks! I’m just repairing it (that will be my gift — someday :). But it is really beautiful.