Lately.

Life here at the ITI is chugging along; nothing too exciting to report, so enjoy these pictures from the last few weeks.

 When the weather is quite chilly and Mama not feeling well, Michael is allowed to watch a bit of Bambi or an alphabet/number/color learning video.

He'll watch for about 10 minutes then will want to get back to the tangible life.

Sunday nap with Papa.

From the kitchen:

 Chili and cornbread - have to keep those good American dinners in our routine!

 Pears from the ITI orchard and one of the last butternut squashes from the garden...

...which went into the soup pot - I'm so thrilled to have found a good sturdy immersion blender for a decent price - it really is the little things that set my mind at rest these days. We were joking with another family here about how we came here in search of the simple life, and now all we do is lament the lack of things that we have. :) I will certainly appreciate more what we do have upon our return to the States - it is good to learn to live with less. But I simply DO need another pot/pan; the above soup pot is borrowed and I usually only work with a saucer and a large skillet.

 On the vigil of the feast of St. Therese (the patron saint of the ITI) the cardinal of Vienna, Cardinal Schonborn came to celebrate Mass and meet the new students. Our choir sang and I played the old wooden organ upstairs in the local parish church.

 Wow, I look 100% like my sister Mary when I'm playing, especially with the relaxed jaw.

 I'm thankful Michael listened and stayed off the organ pedals!

 Afterwards we had a meal together.

 

 

There was a student getting photographs of us all meeting the Cardinal - I will have to post those later. He is very kind, and sincerely asked us how we were settling in and how our children are doing.

 Rebecca, an amazing Canadian mom here at the ITI who has been very helpful with survival tips for me.

 Her second youngest, Kate, is a little older than Michael and they enjoy playing together - I just love her outfit.

Kate is very benevolent with Michael and let him feed her some food.

I tackled my first Austrian kinder flohmarkt (children's flea market) one Saturday morning with a few other moms. Andrew is usually the German speaker when our family is out, so this was a good chance for me to practice on my own. Austrians take very good care of their things so sometimes the prices are high and a little haggling is necessary. I was thankful to find 8 of the 10 things on my list: bouncy chair, snow suit for Michael, warm baby suit, hats, a baby carrier-wrap, long sleeve tops for Michael, a few toys, and this real sheepskin rug in perfect condition for 5 Euro, which I have wanted for baby use for some time now - definitely taking it back to the States. All for 40 Euros, and Babies r Us here was selling a snowsuit alone for that price. Good to know these markets come around occasionally.

 Michael has been enjoying a rocking motorbike leant to us by a family here.

 And his small collection of cars which he enjoys lining up.

The face of a tired, teething toddler - and yes, we finally have a molar through with 3 more on the way.

But plenty of goofy still in him.
 

Love to you all!



1st Advent weekend.

We had a lovely first weekend of Advent, and tried to do some things to move our hearts into a right direction of preparation and thoughtfulness for others. 

1) Winter and Christmas themes are definitely forefront in my mind...we've been on the lookout for a heavy dress coat for Andrew, and found a in-perfect-condition JoS. A. Banks wool coat at an antique store for $40 (normally in the $200 range.)

I picked up a few treasures too....

2 bits I put together for $3! (These cranberry wreaths go for $16-20 at a craft store.) Thrifting is the way to go sometimes most times! I enjoy the challenge of being responsible with the funds God allots us, while at the same time fulfilling our needs and finding ways to keep our home a lovely and useful place. My sentiment parallels this thought of the wise G.K. Chesterton...

"Thrift is the really romantic thing; economy is more romantic than extravagance...thrift is poetic because it is creative; waste is un-poetic because it is waste...if a man could undertake to make use of all the things in his dustbin, he would be a broader genius than Shakespeare."  

Love it. :)

2) Friday night, we had a young couple from church over for dinner. They are the proud parents of a beautiful newborn girl...it was cute to see Michael be concerned when he heard her cry and he tried to initiate conversation with her - will have to get pictures next time! I'm feeling blessed by the caliber of new friends we are making; so nice to be able to share spiritual and parenting thoughts, and have wonderful options for play dates for Michael.

3) Saturday morning we attended Mass for 1st Saturday, then joined the respect life group for a prayer vigil in front of Planned Parenthood. Michael slept in the carrier for the majority of the time; I was thankful to be able to bring my child to witness to life, but prayerfully protesting abortion is a completely different ball game once one is a mother - quite emotional. We received more positive honks and thumbs-up vs. negative shouts, which is encouraging. This is an activity we feel called to participate regularly in, especially as a young family.

4) On Sunday I put the finishing touches on our Advent wreath, a different one than the one of past years. I have wanted to have a live evergreen wreath for some time now, and our new living location does not disappoint in variety and abundance of winter greens! I gathered 3 types of evergreen from our lane in addition to some holly, and used a plate as a base for my candle ring and greens.

This year, I added an additional Advent candle; this to symbolize He who is the Light to the world. Our beautiful Jesse Tree from Mom was hung in a prominent place in the kitchen.

Little man watched the preparations with interest. Although we have our tree, we are holding off on putting it up, at least until Gaudete Sunday. I will slowly unpack Christmas decor for display throughout the next few weeks. I think adding a little bit here and there will help contribute to the expectant character of this Advent season, and keep me focused on meditating on its mysteries. 

5) This Sunday also marked the Rite of Acceptance for catecheums at our parish. Andrew was in need of sponsors for some of his RCIA group, and so I volunteered. I was able to meet my assigned candidate, Candice, at Mass and stand behind her in support of her wonderful journey into the Church. I'm looking forward to sharing our faith with her and praying for her. If you remember, keep her in her prayers, thanks!

6) Time was also spent this weekend organizing the house, mainly the master bedroom. It is still a work in progress but this part is especially exciting for me. The computer was moved to a smaller desk...

...leaving the large desk free for a craft table!! A shelf found in the garage sufficed to hold supplies, and I am in business.

It is nice to have room to spread out and work on Christmas gifts for my God-children. On a cute, tiny machine that belonged to my Nana. With multiple Skype calls to my mother. The sewing machine world is pretty new to me! :)

7) I love this season, this time of hopeful waiting for Him, minus the complete focus on materialism, with which most of the world seems to be intent on entrapping our spirits. Maybe it just seems more "in your face" here in a bigger city. We hope to combat this mentality with daily Mass, adoration, learning some new Advent hymns, celebrating special feast days that occur throughout December, and reading Advent-themed material. However, we have agreed to go enjoy the holiday sights and festivities around the city, and I have been searching the web for different options. A lot happens around the Seattle area at this time, and I'm looking forward to having some fun family time and introducing Michael to Christmas lights. 

I appreciate these remarks by our Holy Father - 

"Expectation and awaiting represent a dimension that touches our entire individual, family and social existence...We could say that man is alive so long as he expects, so long as hope remains alive in his heart...In this time of preparation for Christmas, each of us may ask ourselves; what do I expect?...This same question can be posed at the level of the family, the community, the nation." 

Pope Benedict continued by pointing out that Mary and Joseph were the humble unexpected parents of the Messiah, and a babe born in a manger was the unexpected dwelling place of a King. This reminded me that many of us do not appreciate or recognize what God is doing in our lives, because it is not the picture we imagine. It is not what we expect. A good meditation to assist us in remembering that "God's ways are not our ways" and that we need to imitate the example of the Holy parents of our Lord who waited in joyful hope and expectancy for the revelation of God's plan. Our world may be in turmoil, our communities in strife, our families in division, but as long as we wait on the Lord and trust in His timing and purpose, He will "make known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and on earth." (Ephesians 1:9-10)

Wishing you all a very blessed and fruitful Advent! 

Weekend elements.

1) Voted. For life. Plain and simple.

Peace reigns knowing that it is in His hands. Sometimes good is worked more efficiently and effectively through bad.
"Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants." Mother Teresa

2) Fall weather hit us hard this past week. Grey skies, wind, rain. However, there were sunny reprieves at some point almost every day, so not bad, although I don't mind the rain. The cold temps have been the most shocking to our still FL-spoiled systems. But hey, mid-40's is cold, folks.

I haven't worn nylons in so long. This weather caused me to break out an old old pair; I foresee new ones of different patterns and colors for me in the future. With boots. Delighted about the cold weather. Except the fact of jean or pants. Not so much just yet...

Funny, the things I've found sprouting up in this untamed garden section in the front lawn area (which we do plan on cleaning up before winter)...

...herbs, lobellia, a snapdragon, irises, some kind of onion, and I just noticed this simple autumnal beauty. I may replant it in a pot to place next to the front porch pumpkins. 

3) Michael has been loving his new tag blanket made by Nana. I had been telling her of his fascination with tags; looking at them, pulling at them, feeling the texture between his fingers, and of course chewing on them, and so she proceeded to make this for him:

Apparently this is a popular item among the wee folk; now I see why.

4) Thrifted treasures lately: love when I find just what I have been wanting at a much lower price!

Flower press for the abundance of NW wildflowers to be found nearby, wooden Christmas tree garland, sewing hoops for both practical use and decor, wooden child's rosary, hand-less teacups for little chubby hands, Berta Hummel sketches, and always always, children's books. :)

5) The afore-mentioned cold weather has encouraged more time indoors, and the fall crafting I accomplished, motivated me to pull out my craft bin in seriousness. A Christmas angel cross-stitch needs completion. There is a new nephew/niece on the way, and Michael could use another hat and warm booties, so I've started something on the knitting needles. I haven't knitted since I was 10 or 11 when my grandmother briefly taught me, but an easy baby pattern with the basic knit/purl stitches caught my eye, and it seems my fingers easily remember those. We shall see if the end results leave a desire for more yarn work; there are such cute knitted patterns for babies out there, and I would love to have the ability to quickly create a little something handmade for new babies of friends/acquaintances.

6) Sunday was a busy day, with Mass and CCD teaching, and then a quick stop over to a family's for one of their 7 children's birthdays. Michael got lots of attention from children and adults alike, and it was nice for us to spend time with folks from our parish; met another nice young couple too. After that we headed down south for dinner at some other friends' to celebrate their purchase of a new home. I brought dessert; pumpkin shortcake bars and brownies. In my mind, just what a perfect Sunday should consist of - our Lord, the faith, friends, fellowship and good food!

7) Sunday also marked the day of new saints entering the Church's professed category of saints. One in particular we had learned much about growing up. A native of the America's, Kateri Tekakwitha was scarred by smallpox as a young girl, leaving her partially blind. She became a Christian despite the taunts and rejection bestowed to her by her people. Kateri then led a life of virginity, prayer, penitential practices and service to those who were less fortunate than her. Due to her poor health, she died at age 24, and upon death, her disfigured face was miraculously restored and made beautiful. Bishop Hubbard of Albany, N.Y, had this to say about her:

"In this day and age, when the pleasure-principle so dominates our society, and when people spend all kinds of time, effort and energy to remove the Cross from Christianity and to escape the sometimes harsh realities and responsibilities of mature Christian living, Kateri Tekakwitha stands as an heroic example of how to integrate the mystery of the Cross with the mystery of the Resurrection in a way that gives honor and glory to God and that ensures loving service to His people."

So excited to have more women from the USA be proclaimed saints; very relative and encouraging to us American women. St. Kateri, pray for us!