XLIV Sunday, Feb 7 2010

Tonight is Superbowl XLIV. As the Steelers are not in this Superbowl, it’s not as big as an event here. And it was quite eclipsed by our major snow storm. We did dig out to make it to Mass and the grocery store for a few game essential items. But we couldn’t buy anything in the frozen food aisle — seems our store lost power at some point. My one sister lost power the whole day, also, but we were with power the entire time. There is a tree hanging in the backyard that has lost a lot of branches, but it’s not even our tree, so not near our house, so we have no big risks.

Inspired a bit by this article, Happiness Is Super Bowl XLIV By Daniel Henninger which talks about the use of Roman Numerals for the SuperBowl, we did a little informal Roman Numeral study.

My son was reviewing all the Superbowls that the Steelers had won, and was getting confused, because they were just letters to him, not numbers. So he asked how to read Roman numerals.

First, since we already had our Pairs in Pears game out on the table, I just used the tiles and starting showing how to count. (As an aside, we’re just loving this game! Perfect for early spellers and readers!) Having actual tiles as manipulatives was very helpful for my son. (ETA: He has been counting and adding by 5s and 10s, so Roman Numerals seems to be a natural transition.)

And this was a perfect example of how a home library is so helpful; it’s always nice to seize the learning moment instead of having to wait to our next trip to the library. I happened to have a book on our shelves for just this occasion, as I was waiting to read it when we started learning about Roman Numerals. It’s called Roman Numerals I to MM: Liber De Difficillimo Computando Numerum by Arthur Geisert. The illustrations are quite humorous, especially when you see how many pigs you need to count to make XLIV. (Does the author use pigs as a tongue-in-cheek reference to “Pig Latin”? I do wonder.)

And when we get a little thaw, we’ll check out Fun With Roman Numerals by David Adler.

In the meantime, we’ll be writing in Roman numerals all our ages, the years we were born, and waiting in anticipation for Superbowl L! (And we’re hoping the Steelers will win it!)

Leave a Response »

 

Buckle Your Seat Belts…. Thursday, Feb 4 2010

 

…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO
10 PM EST SATURDAY…

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO
10 PM EST SATURDAY.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE…HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS…STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 18 TO 24 INCHES.

* TIMING…SNOW WILL BEGIN MID-MORNING FRIDAY…AND WILL CONTINUE
  THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE RAPIDLY
  FRIDAY AFTERNOON…WITH HEAVIEST SNOWFALL OCCURRING BETWEEN
  SUNSET FRIDAY TO SUNRISE SATURDAY. THE MOST HAZARDOUS WINTER
  WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR FRIDAY NIGHT.

* VISIBILITIES…THE COMBINATION OF HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS
  WILL REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO BELOW ONE-QUARTER MILE…PRODUCING
  NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES FRIDAY NIGHT AND EARLY
  SATURDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURES…HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S FRIDAY. TEMPERATURES WILL
  BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 20S FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

* WINDS…BECOMING NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH FRIDAY WITH GUSTS TO
  30 MPH FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

CONDITIONS IN THIS STORM ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPARABLE TO THOSE
IN THE STORM OF 19 DECEMBER. PLAN FOR SUBSTANTIAL DISRUPTIONS TO
TRAVEL FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FRIDAY NIGHT.

Unbelievable to get two big storms in the same winter here in Northern Virginia! We just returned from a weekend trip to Central Pennsylvania. There was no snow. We had to go south, back home, to find the snow. There have already been two little snowfalls, one Saturday, one Tuesday, so we already have snow on the ground.

Toto, I just can’t think that I’m in Virginia anymore!

4 Responses »

 

Note to Self Tuesday, Feb 2 2010

If family members have colds, try to remember to take the extra time to check pockets before washing clothes. If not, you will regret it. Took me two loads today to put that together.

Don’t you love hundreds of wet confetti tissue on your clothes?

5 Responses »

 

Happy Feast of St. Agnes! Thursday, Jan 21 2010

(WordPress is doing wonky things with my post, so sorry for all the edits.)

Today is the Feast of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr.

Pope Benedict XVI has already blessed the two lambs whose wool will be used for the palliums (pallia?). From the Vatican:

BLESSING OF THE LAMBS FOR THE FEAST OF ST. AGNES

VATICAN CITY, 21 JAN 2010 (VIS) – This morning, in keeping with the tradition for today’s feast of St. Agnes, the Pope blessed a number of lambs in the Urban VIII Chapel of the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

The wool of the lambs is used to make the palliums bestowed on new metropolitan archbishops on June 29, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.

The lambs are raised by the Trappist Fathers of the Abbey of the Three Fountains in Rome and the palliums are made from the newly-shorn wool by the sisters of St. Cecilia.

From this link is a description:

On the feast day, 21 January, the Trappist fathers of the Monastery of Tre Fontane (near Saint Paul’s Basilica) provide two lambs from their sheepfold to the Benedictine nuns of Saint Cecilia. They arrive at Saint Agnes’ Basilica wearing crowns, lying in “baskets decorated with red and white flowers and red and white ribbons—red for martyrdom, white for purity.”

This YouTubevideo is from last year, but gives a little peek at those adorable lambs. Blessing of the Lambs at the Feast of St. Agnes (I can’t seem to embed the video in WordPress.)

ETA: Here’s the clip for this year’s blessing.

We’ll read today from Fifty-Seven Saints by the Daughters of St. Paul (older version). The story of St. Agnes is so captivating, and the illustrations are so beautiful. ETA: The original story is actually in Faces of Courage, and that has the color pictures. I forgot, as I had recently acquired this book.

Today is also in the Dominican Republic the feast of Our Lady of Altagracia. We read last night A Gift of Gracias: The Legend of Altagracia by Julia Alvarez. As we were reading we thought of the neighboring country of Haiti, and was praying to Our Lady of Altagracia for the Haitians suffering so much in the earthquake.

This blog, Catholic Icing has compiled many crafts and food ideas for both St. Agnes and Our Lady of Altagracia.

Crafts for St. Agnes Feast Day

Lamb Food ideas for St. Agnes

Our Lady of Altagracia

2 Responses »

 

Just Saying Hi Wednesday, Jan 20 2010

Subject lines and titles are sometimes the hardest part of writing for me. I don’t know how many emails I’ve sent out with that kind of vague title. But I’m vague because this is just a mish-mash of tidbits.

I’ve been quiet. We’re going through a “low tide” as Melissa Wiley has mentioned. (BTW, have you noticed that she and Melanie are both celebrating their 5th blog birthdays? Go wish them a happy birthday!)

Anyway, we’re dealing with sickness here, which means not much is getting done. We were in the midst of reorganization and cleaning out of our basement, and then first a bad cold, then stomach virus this week. Everything is on hold. I have one box for Christmas decorations that is still sitting there waiting for the straggling plates and towels. The toys are strewn all over the living room. School work? What’s that? Hubby has been home to help and cooked two meals. When little boys are sick, Mommy can’t do much.

I’m tired and on edge. When you’re not in the routine of losing sleep, lack of sleep really hits me hard. And naptime isn’t coming easily. But because I’m sitting here holding my son most of the day, it gives me time to think and pray. I’m praying for those in Haiti, especially those little ones who have no mother’s arms to comfort them in their hunger, thirst, sickness, and loneliness.

And I’m trying to make plans for February, Lent, and Easter. Things went so smoothly when I had a plan and organized books to read during Advent. There were highlights that I think we need to replicate in the Lenten theme. And we really, really need to establish some good habits. But where oh where is the instruction manual on whipping Mom into habits so she can help form her young ones?

I took up crocheting while I’m holding Nicholas. It’s been a while since I’ve done much, but I’ve always enjoyed doing white crochet (the fine white cotton thread and tiny crochet hooks). I love to knit, but I still have to think and watch carefully what I’m doing.

I’m thinking of making a bed jacket or shawl. After being up so many nights sitting up holding my son, a warm bed jacket would be so nice instead of a robe that twists and such. I wanted to make one before I had my last baby, as I thought that would be great for nursing and keeping my shoulders and arms warm. I think I found a pattern or two I would like to try, but that is after I was wowed by these repro pattern books. I think I should have lived in a different decade when I had less things to distract me from working with my hands. And perhaps I would have done more because it would have been a necessity?

Remember how I mentioned that knitting isn’t second nature to me? I was recently working on a project (which isn’t done yet, of course) and I had to look up some simple terms. I confess, I have to look up on how do I Yarn Over? How do I SSK? How do I Cast On if I’m knitting an existing row (I cast on differently than some authors). Knitting Help is a fabulous web site that includes pictures, videos and verbal instructions. I was able to get an answer and understand quickly and completely. I’m a visual gal. I know I’ll be using the site again when I get to the double-pointed needles part of the pattern. Ugh.

All these nights I’ve been sitting up in the chair rocking my son I see the blanket I knitted for him. It’s draped over the side of his crib. It’s so uneven, it’s embarrassing. I need more practice.

That’s all from my little world. Just saying hi!

7 Responses »

 

It’s That Time Tuesday, Jan 12 2010

In my mind I call it “the witching hour” but it’s totally an improper use of the term. My low time of the day is between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. I’m particularly drained and on edge around 4:30 and 5:00 — usually when I’m trying to wrap things up, start dinner, straighten up before my husband arrives.

Almost like clockwork, my sons, particularly the 6-year-old, start or want to do something new. What it will be, I never know, but it usually entails a mess, adult assistance or interference with dinner, and frayed nerves for both of us. Or it’s something rowdy with little brother and always ending in someone getting hurt. I can’t expand my attention to something extra at this time, but I also find TV or movie not a good solution.

Yesterday was making paper airplanes. He took out a book (and I checked the clock, yep, 4:30!). I said I can’t help much, gave a little advice, he doesn’t listen, turns into a mess, can’t follow the directions, screaming and crying, up to the bedroom to cool down. Sigh.

Friday was a little inconvenient, but cute. They decided to put the bucket of soldiers across the kitchen floor. So I was making sure I wasn’t stepping on the army regiment as I cooked. The timing was bad, and the location was worse. There was still frayed nerves on trying to reach the microwave, opening the freezer, accidentally knocked over men, and on purpose knocked-over men (little brother). But never was there a more protected cook and dinner.

It’s not until 4:30 that he announces he’d like to write his thank-you notes (which requires assistance still). A few weeks ago he wanted to try his hand at pastels, but wanted help with supplies and instructions. All this happens at the dinner table I had just cleaned and clear to set for dinner.

It’s not that he doesn’t have loads of choices and things he plays and reads all the time. It’s a I’m-hungry-I’m-tired-I want-to-be-with-Mommy-I’m bored-I want-to-do-something-new-before-Daddy-comes-home.

Am I the only one that experiences this?

I know some things could be cut-off it I was just a bit more organized and had things in advance that he could do alone. But without inspiration right now.

Any suggestions? I’m all ears?

6 Responses »

 

Christmas Is Over Monday, Jan 11 2010

That’s what my 2 year old keep saying after seeing the tree gone. “Christmas is over.”

We took down most of our Christmas decorations. I just have a few straggling items to put away.

The tree was all bare yesterday, but not put away until last night. I discovered that my six year old is also not ready for Christmas to be over:

He had decided to decorate the tree with the remaining candy canes.

2 Responses »

 

Made Me Look… Saturday, Jan 9 2010

I am in the midst of a purge and reorganization of our books. Part of the purge includes multiple cookbooks. I pulled a few from Mollie Katzen, thinking I’d sell these since I never use them.

My mistake was to start thumbing through the pages. These are good recipes. Why AREN’T I trying these recipes? There are even options for picky and allergy needs in our family.

So, I’ve decided to cull some useful recipes and shelve the books for a little longer.

Wish I hadn’t looked, but then I’m glad I did. I need some ideas for meatless meals for Lent.

4 Responses »

 

First Things First… Friday, Jan 8 2010

I see that the latest January print issue of First Things is online.

Two articles that I just loved and highly recommend reading:

Especially if you have boys, don’t miss reading The Killer Instinct by Sally Thomas. I always love her articles!

The Magazine arrived at my house with “Pete Seeger is a Communist” as one of the headlines on the cover. The actual title of the article is Where Have All the Lefties Gone by Lauren Weiner. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard my mother grumble about Pete Seeger and some of the other popular folk artists of the sixties. This is the backstory.

But I couldn’t help but apply some of this to the liturgical folk music. This “contemporary” or “folk” music that was pushed in the 60s and 70s was created; it was artificial, not a true find our roots type of movement. There were certain people trying to form our type of liturgical music. Emphasis mine.

These were borrowed tastes, but nobody seemed to mind. As Van Ronk observed, “One of the first things that must be understood about these revivals is that the folk have very little to do with them. Always, there is a middle-class constituency, and its idea of the folk—whoever that might be—is the operative thing.” Capturing all of the contradictions, the historian Robert S. Cantwell wrote that this was a time “when the carriers of a superannuated ideological minority found themselves celebrated as the leaders of a mass movement; when an esoteric and anticommercial enthusiasm turned into a commercial bonanza; when an alienated, jazz-driven, literary bohemia turned to the simple songs of an old, rural America.”

That part about an “ideological minority” being “celebrated” by somebody had gone over our heads, too: We did not know that the folk boom was a reverberation of an earlier boomlet, a foray into American music roots, many of whose movers and shakers were as Red as a bowl of cherries. Who on our suburban street knew that Woody Guthrie, the hero of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Bob Dylan, had been a columnist for the Daily Worker? Or that the man from whom we heard rollicking sea chanteys, a Briton named Ewan MacColl, was at one point kept from entering the United States as an undesirable alien? Then there was the cuddly-looking guy with the slightly pedantic six-record set and companion volume, Burl Ives Presents America’s Musical Heritage. If my parents or any of the neighbors were aware that Ives had been summoned, in 1952, to testify before the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee and had identified Pete Seeger as a communist, they kept the details to themselves.

I digress from the point of the article, but I couldn’t help see the similarity.

While I had heard a lot of this around my dinner table, this article helped flesh out some of the information and connect the dots. Very interesting reading.

3 Responses »

 

Scenes of the Christmas Season Tuesday, Jan 5 2010

Photo Highlights of our Christmas:

Our Gingerbread House –
 a kit with egg free icing meant ds1 could decorate with allergic problems if he licked his fingers.
And of course, the more frosting and candy the better, right?

The gift we should have given –
Ds2 was obsessed with Daddy’s old electric football game, which is on its last legs.
Even after the gifts were open he kept trying to sneak upstairs to play football.

You’re never too young to be a clown –
Christmas Eve dinner ds2 decides to put a show on for the family — balancing his bread on his head–buttered, no less.

All dressed to play –
Our two sweet boys playing with Thomas trains under the tree.

 

Let Your Dreams Soar –
Our two floor-to-ceiling Lego/Duplo towers

Decorating the Manger for Epiphany –
Younger son giving football helmets to Baby Jesus. 

Keeping a Stiff Upper Lip –
Penn State won their Bowl game, but Steelers are out of the Playoffs. Boohoo.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder –
Our Allergy Free Epiphany Cake.
All the “jewels” and icing make this a most beautiful King Cake for two little boys!

2 Responses »