Lent is around the corner

Lent starts this coming Wednesday.  Most of my Catholic friends grew up giving something up for Lent.  It was often something that could, in a way, be easily controlled by our parents...no ice cream, sweets, TV.  As I matured, I learned about picking something to give up that had meaning of some sort, something a little challenging.  I also learned, probably because I went to Catholic school, about doing something extra.

Fast forward to the present time and I have been contemplating what I will do for Lent this year.  I came across an article on Busted Halo that presents the why and how to decide what to do for Lent eloquently.  I know that I want this Lent to be one of spiritual growth for me.  Maybe I will go to bed earlier so that I can wake up earlier to have dedicated praying time every morning.  Maybe I will give up something like the cream in my coffee.  I really LOVE my coffee with cream in it, so every time I drink it without it, I will remember what I am doing and why.  It is definitely something for me to think about and pray about in the next few days.

What are you going to do for Lent?

ribbon barrettes...blast from the past

In my quest to find solutions to keep Lilly's hair out of her face I recalled how much I loved my ribbon barrettes as a kid.  I got to thinking that they would be the perfect answer since the addition of the ribbon to the barrette should help them stay in Lilly's hair.

I finally found the directions online at wee folk art and, after a few tries I made the 1st one!  It became easier as I practiced.  I also used slightly wider ribbon which was easier to handle.  I put beads on the ends of some the ribbins and sealed all the edges with a flame.

Lilly is so excited to wear them AND they stay in her hair without sliding out!

the first one!

For St. Patrick's Day!  Made with slightly wider ribbon.

So much for blogging every day...

This month there was some kind of campaign to encourage bloggers to blog every day.  So far I have not written one blog since the end of January.  Brilliant.  It may or may not be directly related to my new addiction to Pinterest.

Tuesday was Valentine's Day.  I don't necessarily buy into the whole chocolate and flowers hype, but this year was different.  Our anniversary was only a few weeks ago and it happened to be the same day we found out about my father-in-law's brain tumor.*  I was so surprised and felt so loved by all the thought my dear husband put into Valentine's Day this year.  We went though a very difficult period a few months back, which made celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary all that much important to us this year.

He and Lilly drove me to school and then they used the whole day to get treats for me.  They picked me up from school and I came home to chocolates, red roses and a luxurious body wash.  Lilly got flowers, too!  Then for dinner we went to one of our favorite family restaurants and had a heart-shaped pizza.  It was a wonderful day and the feelings of being loved and pampered have lingered longer than just that day.

*As far as my father-in-law goes...He has done amazingly well!  He had the tumor removed on a Wednesday at Overlook Hospital, only 15 minutes from my house, and was home at his house in the Poconos in Pennsylvania on the following Sunday.  He had his staples out a couple weeks later on Valentine's Day and he is continually exceeding the doctors' expectations.  Especially considering he is 77 years old, we are so grateful that he is doing so well.  So many people were praying for us and for him and we thank you all for those prayers!