Springtime Curb Appeal...

Last week's project was buying and spreading the mulch and putting out the bunting. We went to a small nursery this week and hung out our hanging baskets on the porch. Next on the agenda are some flowers for the steps and the screened-in porch in the back. I'll post pictures as we finish! How are your yards being improved this spring?

Saint Emilia...

Somehow, I totally forgot to post about Saint Emilia on her feastday (May 8th). I am very honored to be named for this saint as she was a wonderful example of wife and mother!

Troparion (Tone 1)

Through thee the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Emilia; for thou didst carry the cross and follow Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels.

This icon of Saint Emilia was done by my friend, Paul Drozdowski, a wonderful Iconographer. He also wrote this icon of Saint Emilia that we have in our icon corner.

Dining Al Fresco...

One of the things that we have been really looking forward to is eating out on our screened-in porch. We were so excited to rent a house with one, but somehow didn't use it for eating last summer and fall. Since my sister graciously gave us a patio table she was no longer using, we've renewed our interest in al fresco dining. This picture was taken last week (on my namesday)... dinner was wonderful! Our daughter was thrilled beyond words to be eating outside! I'm hoping that the torrential rain and wind (though I have been enjoying that too!!) we've been having lately will give way to warmer weather and sun so that we can do this more often!

Little Man's Five Month Update...

I cannot believe that our little boy is already five months old! He has been doing quite well these past few months! He now weighs about thirteen and a half pounds (catching up to his nearly two year old sister who is only 20 lbs!). He smiles, coos, and even shouts a little. He is a demanding little guy... When he's hungry or dirty, he NEEDS MAMA NOW! He is starting to get a kick out of some of the baby toys we have and learned how to roll over last week. We were startled to see how far he rolled a few nights ago because it was easily a few feet! It is amazing how well he is doing given his very early arrival. We thank God every day for our little boy!

Richard Earl Thompson - Tender Moment

Music to Cheer Us On While We're Cleaning...

Happy Working Song

All right everyone, time to tidy things up

Come my little friends
As we all sing a happy little working song
Merry little voices clear and strong
Come and roll your sleeves up
So that we can pitch in
Cleaning crud up in the kitchen
As we sing along

And you’ll trill a cheery tune in the tub
As we scrub a stubborn mildew stain
Lug a hairball from the shower drain
To the gay refrain
Of a happy working song

We’ll keep singing without fail
Otherwise we’d spoil it
Hosing down the garbage pail
And scrubbing up the toilet
Ooh!

How we all enjoy letting loose with a little
La-da-da-dum-dum
While we’re emptying the vacu-um
It’s such fun to hum
A happy working song
Oo-ooh
A happy working song

Oh, how strange a place to be
Till Edward comes for me
My heart is sighing
Still, as long as I am here
I guess a new experience
Could be worth trying
Hey! Keep drying!

You could do a lot when you got
Such a happy little tune to hum
While you’re sponging up the soapy scum
We adore each filthy chore
That we determine
So friends even though you’re vermin
We’re a happy working song

Singing as we fetch the detergent box
Or the smelly shirts and the stinky socks
Sing along
If you cannot sing then hum along
As we’re finishing our happy working song!

Ah...wasn’t this fun?

Happy Mother's Day...

Sound Advice...

I picked up this little Martha magazine at the checkout a few weeks ago and am so glad that I did. I have become more and more interested in living a more healthy life and have enjoyed using this little guide. Martha has an gone through the main things that people use in their homes and given some suggestions to make our lives a bit healthier... for most of her topics she has suggestions to be careful, more careful, and most careful. Check it out!