Outside my window- It's cold and dark. That lovely day of sunshine on the first is but a memory- it was 17 when I got up this morning and remained cold and windy throughout the day.
I am hearing- Accordion from down the hall - Ale Brider, Hava Nagila, The Beer Barrel Polka... someone clapping along, someone whistling along, now someone joining in on the piano. Little girls' heavy breathing as they drift off to sleep on my shoulders.
I am wearing- A chocolate brown skirt, orange top, cream cardigan. I've grown tired of wearing the same boots and heavy wool sweaters every day, but it's so cold without them...
I am thankful for- That accordion. We wanted to get Josiah something cool for his eighteenth birthday last week. Jonathan had generously decided to surprise him with the sword he had been wanting and we wanted to get him something equally as cool and fun and awesome as that, but what? And then last Monday I thought of an accordion! (Sometimes I just get these Ideas.) Josiah is fond of discovering jolly music for us to listen to, stuff like Irish jigs and klezmer dances, so I thought it would be neat if he could play his own. Michael liked the idea and said, "Find one!" Searching craigslist for 'accordian', the closest ones I found were in another state. I started looking online at shops, where I realized I knew nothing about the instruments or what to look for in buying them and also they cost a ton of money even for the ones 'great for a beginning student' (ugh). But I also found out it's really spelled 'accordion'! So I thought I'd just check craigslist once more with the proper spelling, and lo and behold there was one here in town. Michael filled his pockets with cash and went to look at it after the girls' piano lesson the next night. He had asked me what to look for in an accordion, and I told him he just had to go on what it sounded like and his gut feeling of the guy selling it. They came home with a lovely vintage Italian made accordion! I would spontaneously laugh out loud whenever I thought of the two gifts hiding in my closet - a sword and an accordion. Josiah is one eclectic dude. Of course Jonathan is having a riot with it as well - thankfully they are good at sharing nice. It's my turn!
Most nights I have fallen asleep hearing the boys making music - one night I drifted off to Danny Boy, another night Josiah played while his brother belted out Whiskey Johnny... They play jigs and reels and polkas and show tunes, everything from Courtin' in the Kitchen and Edelweiss to Puff the Magic Dragon. It is so incredibly fun to have this versatile, portable instrument.
I am thinking about - How very joyful it is to have a houseful of music and how wonderful it is to have a bunch of kids who enjoy making music together.
I am reading- We'll finish up Rainbow Valley tomorrow -it's very good and every one is anxious to see how all the happily-ever-afters work out in the end. In the evening when Jonathan and Michael are home I'm reading Chesterton's The Napoleon of Notting Hill aloud. It starts off really, truly nuts, but it might be starting to make a bit of sense along in Book II.
I am pondering - From My Daily Bread: Do you expect to enjoy interior consolation whenever you wish? Not even My saints could do that during their earthly life. They had to face many troubles, temptations, interior misery and desolation. They went on, however, in spite of all these obstacles, trusting in Me more than in themselves. They were fully aware that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come...
Wait for the light and strength which I will send in due time. In the meantime have courage and be patient. Do not give up the fight against your faults and defects. Do your best to become the kind of person I want you to be. Leave the results to Me. I am near you at every moment. Be unselfish enough to go on trying for My sake. I will someday reward you far beyond anything you can imagine...
I really like this book.
I am praying for - This week I'm praying especially for the family of ten year old Sanjay, who passed away on Friday evening after complications from a brain bleed while he was undergoing a bone marrow transplant for a congenital blood disorder. He seemed to be improving and making hopeful progress when the bleeding started again in his brain. We first connected with this family through the Marian and saint artist trading card swaps I hosted. I feel such a connection to this sweet boy from having been privileged to receive his artwork, and somewhere out there ten of you have art cards made by dear little Sanjay. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for his grieving family.
From the kitchen- With Lent coming up we are indulging in a fair bit of goodies. Today we made cocoa for tea time to go with our chocolate chip cookies. (!) Some people are generously trying to eat up all the candy in the house and finish off the open bags of chocolate chips. We also made these kolache the other day - thank you Jen! My family thanks you! They want to know if these things are Lenten?
Living the Liturgical Year- Clearly, it is Septuagesima:
Lent is just around the corner, and with it being so late this year it is most welcome by now.
Around the house- My kitchen is still decorated with medieval theme from the birthday. This weekend we'll clear things out and get ready for Lent.
We are creating- Lydia is working on a commission of some watercolor birds. The girls are all working on ATC's to send out to their trading friends this week. Josiah made something to attach his sword to his belt. A few more things should go in the shop tomorrow.
A few plans for the rest of the week- I must get my seeds planted. I must. I must.
One of my favorite things - Crawling into a warm cozy bed at night.
A picture thought- Gotta work on that Myron Floren smile...
