We spent yesterday boiling the rest of the sap, having done the first half, about 25 gallons, last week — and when you do this, supper is best kept simple — what could be simpler than using the fire to grill a fish?
I quickly simmered some asparagus and made little lightly breaded discs of the St. Patrick's Day mashed potatoes. It was a pleasure to take our repast out by the fire in the dusk, with a celebratory libation too, it being a family feast of our Will's birthday (not that he was there, but still!)
Phil had done the previous boil (the outside part) while hanging out with his friends on that cold, bright day last week — their wives were inside with me, taking part in a seed-swap, the result of which was that I ended up with approximately three times the number of seeds I started with!
How it started:
How it's going!
Must do another swap soon!
Potatoes that got exposed to the light and also started sprouting. I will let these chit and plant them!
I made my first podcast — I hope you find it not totally incomprehensible and irrelevant, but mildly edifying. It took me a while to figure out the technical part of it… and for now it is called The Home Truth and Good Cheer Society Podcast! I mean, what can I tell you — I couldn't decide on a name!
This first episode is about The Reasonably Stocked and Prepared Life, or Doing a Little More.
Definitely share with friends if you find it helpful. There are now so many ways to access content that some have moved right away from blogs. I like it here myself! But I see the value of being able to offer thoughts about home, raising children, and making things beautiful.
If there are specific topics you'd like to hear about on the podcast, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
I encourage you to poke around the other offerings of the Center (the host of my podcast). The idea is the restoration of Christian Culture, as implied in the name. See what you think, give a listen to some of the other lectures and recordings on there, pass along to your husband! Often people ask me for a recommendation for the men in their lives, and so there you go.
Our cat, Toffee, is an outdoor cat (due to allergies). She is pretty content but hard to get a photo of — partly because her unusual coloring makes her almost camouflaged, and partly because she is usually on the go! But while we were boiling, she was keeping us company.
bits & pieces
- Sophia Institute Press is having a big sale for Easter, 30% off everything, including The Summa Domestica. The sale will be over on Tuesday, so hop on over!
- If you enjoy the snippet of the introductory music on the podcast, you will find it here: Haydn's Fantasia in C. Delightful.
- I recommend this short (6 minutes) video made by a priest, on the book by Peter Kwasniewski (also available at Sophia with that discount, above), True Obedience in the Church.
liturgical living
Today is the feast of glorious St. Joseph!
follow us everywhere!
My book, The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life is available now from Sophia Press! And it’s 30% off (along with everything on the site) until Feb. 9!) All the thoughts from this blog collected into three volumes, beautifully presented with illustrations from Deirdre, an index in each volume, and ribbons!
My “random thoughts no pictures” blog, Happy Despite Them — receive it by email if you like, or bookmark, so you don’t miss a thing!
Stay abreast of the posts here at LMLD, when they happen:
Consider subscribing to this blog by email. In the current situation, if we can’t meet here, it would be good for us to be connected by email!
We share pretty pictures: Auntie Leila’s Instagram, Rosie’s Instagram. Sukie’s Instagram. Deirdre’s Instagram. Bridget’s Instagram.
Auntie Leila’s Facebook (you can just follow)
The boards of the others: Rosie’s Pinterest. Sukie’s Pinterest. Deirdre’s Pinterest. Habou’s Pinterest (you can still get a lot of inspiration here! and say a prayer for her!). Bridget’s Pinterest.
Rebecca Smith says
Auntie Leila,
You are so encouraging to me. It brings joy to my heart.
My daughter saw me reading a volume of your Summa and said, “I thought you already read that.”
To which I responded, “I did! I’m reading it again!” And again, and again, and again. It’s wonderful!
We tap two maples in our city yard along with three maples belonging to different neighbors. We have done this for years now using sap buckets my husband inherited from his family. I can’t tell you how many conversations this sparks with passersby. It’s a real community-builder!
Your backyard meal is rather elegant!
Leila says
Oh, that’s so fun, to engage with neighbors… we live where no one passes by, which is not my vibe, actually!
So glad you are enjoying the books — does my heart good!
Laura H. says
Just started listening to the podcast — love the focus on competence and peace! In that spirit, I felt so empowered when one of my daughters pulled out a very wrinkled skirt she wanted to wear to a function yesterday evening. Having already set up my iron for piecing a quilt over the winter, I said, “Hand that to me,” and promptly ironed it instead of trying to find something else. It was such a little thing, but it made boosted my spirits dramatically. Thank you, as always, for giving us both the inspirational and practical guidance to make our home lives better.
Leila says
Feels good to know what to do. Well done!
I think that having skills, even in little things, helps us meet challenges with a healthy attitude – no fear.
Lisa G. says
You made an ugly time of year look appealing with your pretty table and delicious-looking meal. 🙂 Toffee has an interesting coloring, with her sooty paws and ring-tail. You have to watch out for those torties – we’ve had two, and they definitely have attitude! But, since she’s outdoors, it’s probably not an issue. I assume the allergies are on her side, that she’s allergic to people? 😀 (just kidding)
Leila says
Thanks! She is very affectionate, but you’re right – on her own terms at a certain point. During this day she spent a lot of time giving me hugs when I sat down to rest, which was nice!
Blayne R says
I loved the podcast, Leila! I think “The Good Cheer Society” by itself is a great name, and leaves open a little more flexibility in whom you might interview and what you might talk about. It’s also just uplifting and joyful and reminds a listener that she is someone of Good Cheer! Or should be ;).
Leila says
Thanks! Away with doom and gloom 🙂
Margo Brown says
It’s a lovely name as it stands, but I agree with Blayne R, and her reasons. Just my 2¢.
Rosemary says
Thank you for this! I appreciate your measured approach vs an extreme end. I look forward to more episodes! And I really want to focus on a medicinal herb garden this year.
Leila says
You have to have more herbs! It’s in your name 🙂
Valerie, NZ says
Very much enjoyed the podcast, thank you, Leila. I have a treasured collection of 1940s and 1950s gardening, cookery, and household ‘cope’ books. So much wisdom in them.
Leila says
Those old books are so thorough!
I’m glad you enjoyed the podcast! Thank you!
Amanda Mills says
You’re right that many have moved away from blogs, which makes me sad! I prefer them very much to podcasts because I’m interrupted so frequently that trying to listen to something becomes a frustration. And videos are never something I watch because screens attracts children like flies in my home!
To me blogs are like magazines. You get to sit down with an “issue” on occasion and read something lighter and shorter than a book. But blogs are better; magazines are filled with so many ads and unsubstantial content these days. I am loving your Summa Domestica, but am still glad that you’re keeping up the blog!
lisainmaine says
Just listened to your podcast. Bravo! I’ve been deepening my pantry and improving my madefromscratch skills. My husband is building a hoop house for my garden as I type. I was thinking I was overly anxious about the future, but now I’ve been soothed. I love your quiet, calm competence.
Jamie says
I will definitely listen! I love podcasts for actually being able to learn while doing something else.
Mrs. T says
Good podcast, I appreciate your calming and encouraging tone.
Jennifer says
Loved the podcast & especially the name! My two homeschooling mom friends sat down together on Tuesday over some coffee while the kids were playing outside, and had a (fairly cheerful) conversation along similar lines. So much less daunting to plan for better “self” reliance when sharing the journey with like minded friends!
Josie says
I loved the podcast what a treat to hear your voice for so long! So glad you talked about water. It was on my mind and I wasn’t quite sure what to think. We had a 48 hour boil water emergency in our town the other weekend and it made me realize how much we use daily! I have one filter but I might like a better one.
houseofgraham says
I found this blog this week, and it is exactly what I was looking for, and what we need! I loved the podcast. Did you say at the end that there are notes? No problem if not; I shall make my own. I truly look forward to learning more from all your writings, and I told my husband that he will be hearing about this Auntie Leila. Thank you and God bless
Leila says
I’m so glad you are here!
The notes are links for those unfamiliar with the blog, and they are posted below the podcast info on the Center site.
God bless you!