It's Almost Summer Daybook

Outside my window, our flowers are blooming and I am enjoying spending time in the garden, marveling at God's world. Over the past few years, I have been trying to get our garden to the point that I don't have to spend much money on it. I am succeeding with the flowers. I wasn't able to divide my perennials earlier in the spring, so they look a little messy, but they are still pretty. In addition, my godetia seeds didn't grow for the first time, so we won't have any "pretty pink flowers" in our garden this year. I don't know if the birds ate the seeds or what happened. Thankfully, the snapdragons (the Infant Jesus' shoes) did grow. My store-bought Shasta daisy and coneflower seeds must have been moved by little feet because these flowers are sprouting in locations that I didn't plant them. 

I am trying to figure out what long-blooming annual or perennial I can grow next to our 'butterfly blue' scabiosas (Our Lady's pincushion). If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I currently have dianthus (Mary's lights) growing near it, but it looks too short. I might just need to find a dianthus that is the right height. Last year, I divided Our Lady's pincushion flowers and I am amazed by how well they are doing this year. I have always appreciated their long bloom time and how pretty they look in little vases all by themselves or with our red roses and alyssum (Mary's flower). Can you tell that I like flowers?

Spring flowers

I am wearing, a homemade red floral skirt, a pink shirt, and my fleur-de-lis flexi clip. Have I mentioned how much I like this clip? The clip makes it so easy to pull my hair back. I am so thankful that I finally decided to buy some Lilla Rose products. I am happy that I decided to "gasp" become a consultant. When Elisa's friend asked me if I wanted to be a consultant, I thought, "Yes, I want to share these pretty clips with my sisters and friends." Now, I also want people to know about the hair bands, bobby pins, and you pins. I like them that much.

In the kitchen, we are making plans for Pentecost. Fr. V. will be coming over for dinner and we will be having tortilla chips with a seven layer dip for an appetizer, a barbecue (assuming the weather is good), a twelve fruit salad, a cake like this one, and homemade strawberry ice cream. Thanks go to Finnian's godmother who had her end of the year Catechesis of the Good Shepherd party on the Feast of Pentecost several years ago (make that 9 years ago). She asked all the mothers to bring a Pentecost related food item and brainstormed ideas with us. One of the children suggested that we make cupcakes with flames inserted on top of them, but we have been enjoying making cakes lately and are looking forward to making another one.

Mother's Day apple crumble cake and Ascension Thursday cake

I am thankful to have a baby in the house again. I spend hours happily holding, smiling at, and playing with Kilian. I am also thankful that reading is starting to click for Elizabeth. I always find it so exciting when my children start to read.

I am hearing Bernadette practicing for her upcoming violin recital. We finally decided on an end-of-the-year gift for her violin teacher. Bernadette is sure that her teacher is going to like it. I am too.

I am praying for my loving, happy, talkative, little boy, Kieran.

Our birthday boy

In the learning rooms Catherine has been continuing to do dissections, much to her chagrin. Once again, some of her siblings have been enjoying observing, encouraging, and helping. As I wrote previously, one of the things that I like about homeschooling is the shared interest and learning among my children.

Frog dissection

When we did frog dissections in high school, I let my lab partner do all the work and I simply wrote down what he told me to write down. Since my children are homeschooled, they are required to actively participate in their science courses. I know that some of them wish that they could do as I did, but they aren't complaining.

I am reading  The Glories Of Mary by St. Alphonsus Liguori. I started reading this excellent book about Our Blessed Mother in May and I highly recommend it. I am also continuing to read St. Alphonsus Liguori's The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation each month. This month, the book is focused on the virtue of chastity.

I am listening to Modesty, Scandal, Purity & Caring for Our Neighbor (H/T goes to Tracy).

Plans for this week 

• Mass
• Lessons
• Violin recital
• Cleaning
• Gardening
• A Lilla Rose consultation with a friend and her daughter
• Preparing for Pentecost

A picture thought

My baby sister holding my baby boy

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