My power went out for most of the morning, so my time for posting is just about gone! But let's have a quick visit anyway! Maybe you will have a moment in between all your own preparation to have a cup of tea with me!
I did get some “powerless” tasks accomplished in the meantime, like setting the table most of the way (napkins not pictured on the table, because I still have to iron them and got delayed in that job!)
And chopping the pistachios for the Ba'lawa (Egyptian version of Baklava, highly very superior, remind me to post about my method someday… ).
Here is a little of the baking I have already done — I will post more on Instagram, which is quicker. Chocolate Babka (I posted about it here last year):
You don't need power to get out the decorated eggs of yesteryear… done by many in our family. They don't hold a candle to Deirdre's creations (though some of them are from when she was much younger), but they do make a nice decoration!
I can manage to seat 13 at my table — there is not one inch for a seat at the very end, if you are wondering — if I add a card table with a top I found on clearance at some store back many years ago. It's a circle and allows me to fit four, even losing the one side that is up against the main table. It folds in half and I store it under my bed:
And the piano bench squeezes in two more (where that space is where you don't see chairs!). The little plate, fork, and spoon are for the toddler who will sit in the high chair:
The tablecloth is from Lovely Lady Linens — it's super long and goes right over the two tables!
I didn't have enough plain candles for my little silver candelabra, so I had to mix in red ones. It's fine, I think!
At last, Spring is beginning to spring, even though the low this morning was 28℉. Last week I spent a lot of time rushing to get my onion sets planted with all that entails in terms of distraction: cleaning up random beds, moving trellises and fences, and remembering to plant peas as well.
So my Easter baking got flung forward into the past couple of days… not sure why I don't do it in mid-Lent and put things in the freezer!
I want to share with you a poem my husband wrote one day last week. He came home from daily Mass and went into his office. In a bit, he returned and handed me this piece of paper, saying that “it just came to me at Mass!” I asked what the title is; “that didn't come to me.”
I think it's a good one for this day:
At last I could do no more.
The weight of past mistakes— and worse
Weighed down my shoulders,
More than I could lift.
My paltry efforts—
Too few, too weak,
Too often gone awry,
Only made the burden
More oppressive.
I knew at last I could not stand.
So finally,
More in shame than sorrow,
I asked Him to lift from me
This weight I could not bear myself,
Although it was my own.
It was too much for me.
But for Him— already burdened past endurance—
What difference would it make:
Another ton or two?
Then I watched,
Expecting his shoulders to sag
Under this new weight.
But his agonized posture changed
Not a whit,
As if He felt no difference.
Now I wondered:
Was his strength so great
That, spent though He was,
He still could take another burden
Without even a shrug?
Yes, but no.
His strength might be incalculable,
But here was something more.
I realized— far too late—
That He had taken my burden
Already, all through that bloody Day
That lasts forever.
So I joined the Woman
And her new-adopted son,
Who did not smile,
But looked on me with eyes
Softened by tears,
Yet warm and bright.
And when his Body finally sank
My heart was heavy,
Knowing well my role
In that blessed Disaster.
Yet my step was light,
My burden gone.
A Blessed Easter to you! We love you!
bits & pieces
- A beautiful reflection on the Eucharist, a must-read: The Eucharist is not just for eating
- Hillsdale is right here: Hillsdale College breaks ties with Tallahassee school over Michelangelo’s ‘David’ controversy
We have to understand what culture is, so that, for one thing, we can understand what pornography is, and reject it. The David is the very pinnacle of high art because it radiates the truth of man as he is meant to be, as he was created by God. What's notable about the nude form as depicted in the statue (and other such sculptures of which it is the apotheosis) is the perfect balance, proportion, and hierarchy of humanity, reason, and spirit. Yes, we (and children) see his genitals. They are, in ancient fashion, “at rest” and minimized in comparison with his chest (his courage and thumos) and his noble head (his mind, Reason). We need precisely this depiction — among other qualities (its beauty, its truth about the actual Biblical figure, from whom Our Lord received His own manhood, ultimately), as an image against which to measure degraded ones.
- I was noticing that currants are just not available (sadly for my Irish Soda Bread), but I have only recently realize that there are two different things called currants! Do you know a good, cost-effective source for the dried berries?
- Fr. John Naugle writes movingly about the Light of Easter: Reflections on the Triduum: Can the Darkness Turn to Light? It's a priest considering what happened three years ago. The world is covered in darkness — railing against it does nothing (though we have to know what it is). Easter must mean more to us now and forever more — we have to let Christ's sacrifice and redemption enter into us; we must allow Him to change us.
- Michael Brendan Dougherty: Make Priests Wear Black Again!
- The Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael’s Abbey are live-streaming their Tenebrae services (our dear friend Patrick Cross has entered there, so we are particularly drawn to watch at least some of it! It's very beautiful).
from the archives
Remember — especially if you are new here — I have hundreds of posts aimed at helping you commit to becoming competent in homemaking and knowing why you should! I post here now to offer some daily doings, but all my “how-tos” are archived here on the blog and organized into my 3-volume set, The Summa Domestica!
follow us everywhere! share us with your friends!
My book, The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life is available now from Sophia Press! 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!
My new podcast can be found on the Restoration of Christian Culture website (and you can find it where you listen to such things) — be sure to check out the other offerings there!
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We share pretty pictures: Auntie Leila’s Instagram, Rosie’s Instagram, Deirdre’s Instagram. Bridget’s Instagram.
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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.
LMS says
Thank you Leila and Phil for always sharing such inspiring posts to lift both heart and soul! Your poem, with the title which has not yet come, perfectly captures the spirit of Lent, especially this particularly difficult one. May Easter Joy and Divine Mercy pour out upon your entire family in abundance!
Rozy says
It saddened my heart to hear about the controversy over the David statue. Nudity is not pornography! The very word describes what it is – pornography means depictions of the actions of prostitutes. It is meant to excite the body’s lusts and is degrading to the sacredness of marital intimacy. I allowed our homeschooled children to see nudity in selected art pieces to help them be able to recognize the difference, as well as to show the beauty of God’s finest creations Male and Female, and remind them of the specialness of their own beautiful bodies.
The poem is exquisite! Thanks so much for sharing it. May you have a joyful and blessed Easter with your Family, friends, and loved ones.
Rebekah W. says
Thank you for the beautiful poem and post!
My favorite source for dried fruit (including currants, though I haven’t ordered those yet) is Azure Standard. They deliver all over the country, with extremely reasonable shipping if you have your order delivered to a once-a-month drop. They can also ship directly to you for standard shipping cost.
https://www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/food/dried-fruit/currants/currant/zante-currant-raisins/7570?package=DF009
Hope this helps!
Happy and blessed Easter–Christ is risen, Alleluia!!!
Lisa G. says
The poem is a lovely gift, isn’t it? From his guardian angel, I suppose? I do love your pretty dishes with the flowers on them. Happy Easter! Easter is fantastic!!!!!!
Rosemary says
Happy Easter! I always enjoy reading your posts and seeing the images of your rooms – kitchen, dining room (here) and living room. Table decoration does not come naturally to me, so seeing some images helps me remember the salt and pepper, change the tablecloth, put some bunnies or eggs or candles out! I am truly a work in progress…as we all area.
‘The Eucharist…’ article is by my pastor! He is wonderful. Have you read his new book yet? If you are ever in St. Louis, please stop at Epiphany for Mass, it is very beautiful.
Marta says
Blessed Disaster is wonderful. Where have I heard the term “eukatastrophe?”
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Leila says
Yes! JRR Tolkien’s idea — the joy of the happy ending!
Iris says
Very much enjoyed the article by Fr. John Naugle. Thanks for the link!
Lindsay says
I really want to read the Dougherty article about priests wearing black but it says I need a subscription to the National Review. Is this available anywhere else?
Leila says
You can go here: https://archive.ph/X8400