Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Every Wednesday Hallie host a 5 favorites link up on her blog and I love it. Is there a better way to share the latest and greatest?  Nope . . . Hallie is the bomb and you all should check her out. AND, heck I am linking up with What Were Reading Wednesday too. Why not. :)

Here are my latest favorites . . .

 1 . Amazon you prove yourself to be wonderful AGAIN, you never fail. When you sign up with amazon smile  they donate .5% of what you buy to a charity of your choice. I chose St. Gianna's Maternity home in Bakersfield, CA - i'm sure there are many wonderful organizations on there.





2. Librivox. Free audiobooks in the public domain! I can't believe it's taken me this long to find out about Librivox. It's wonderful and I have been in book nerd heaven since. Some of the readers are professionals, and do a wonderful job. My two favorite narrators are Karen Savage and Elizabeth Klett. If YOU know any others please let me know. :) I have downloaded THIS app on my phone so in the evening I can listen to them with headphones while cleaning the house. I haven't done so much cleaning since, well, never. Thank you Librivox. :)




4. Speaking of being a book nerd, I started using Paperbackswap and it's been really fun. I sent off a few of our unwanted books and received a few in exchange. Is there something cooler than that? Here's what we added to our shelf: E.B. White's Treasury for the kids and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for me. I can't wait to delve in. I have Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Professor by Charlotte Bronte coming in the mail for a book club I belong to. SO, if YOU sign up and tell them it was me that sent you then I will get credit for another book. Go sign up. :)








 3. I'm tired of Pandora's ads (mostly naked ladies anyone?) so we have been listening to Spotify. It's wonderful! You can listen to any album (at least any I have looked for so far!) and then a streaming station just like Pandora. There are FAR fewer advertisements.

We are going to see the Wailin Jenny's on Thursday and I can't wait. We have been enjoying all their music on spotify.






4. Speaking of Spotify, I discovered some new music through their streaming station and I couldn't wait to share it with someone. You will have to be it. :) Joy Kills Sorrow, fresh out of Boston. I love their name.

No finer words . . .

Thanks for sticking around, I probably should be getting on with my laundry or something, maybe a shower would be nice. :) See ya later!

- Sarah

The food I shove in and the virtues I lack . . .

I never thought the two really went together, but OH MY GOODNESS I'm learning that they absolutely DO, at least for this blood-sugar sensitive, frazzled momma.

On any given week we eliminate gluten, sugar and most dairy from our diet. Gluten because it makes me exhausted with headaches - not my favorite combination. Sugar because it makes us all crazy and dairy because the baby can't handle it without his nose being a snot faucet.

We make plenty of exceptions and this week has been one. The in-laws are in town and we are accommodating our diet to theirs. It's the right thing to do as they are our honored guest and we want to please them and make them most comfortable. The kids have been in a bread, cheese, restaurant and sugar heaven - I have been on a coffee high since they've been here.

Sometimes I get down about how difficult it is to feed my family real food, especially since our family is growing. I'm often tempted to think that it's not worth it, or even the best thing for us because of the strain on time and finances.

This week has changed my mind.

My blood sugar problems have come back with a vengeance (it's been about a year since I've experienced any issues) and I AM A GRUMPY MOMMA. Watch out. This week I have learned again that  I am utterly lacking in so many virtues. Dear Lord, please help me and help my kids! When I was pregnant with my first (and eating whatever I pleased, thank you) I could barely peel myself out of bed in the morning. Well, that was pretty much my whole life. I didn't know any different because I was practically born tired. These days I have three children with needs in the morning and I don't have a choice but to get out of bed and greet my duties for the day. With a smile? No. I have not been smiling.

It's going to be hard getting back on track with eating better but I realize it's a must for me. If I love my children and my husband I will absolutely take care of myself so that I can care for them. I need to be aware and disciplined about my food choices, it's not just about me anymore, it's about those I love. If I want to be more present, loving, patient and virtuous - I need to eat well.

I think it's easy to not realize when we are doing better unless we start feeling awful again, that was this week. I'm having memories of college, waking up with a very swollen face and a NEED to eat asap, and not being able to stay awake all day. Why did it take me so long to realize that I had food issues? haha, I have no idea.

My nonchalant attitude towards food and health changed when my daughter was 8 months old and I never want to look back. I admire those who feel great and seem unaffected by their food choices - good for them! (with a slight tinge of jealousy!)

Of course the choices I make surrounding food don't in any way excuse my impatient and grumpy behavior to my children, that I need to bring to God in the confessional and beg Him for help. But I know what makes it easier to practice virtues of patience and love - and I need all the help I can!

I am re-reading The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of the Child Jesus, because I know that the little way is all I can strive for these days. There is no other path for me but offering and loving these very small trials of my day. These little things are as simple as the toddler's fourth potty accident or lifting and holding a two year old who's crying. So extremely small and seemingly unimportant, but this is my sanctity. I cannot strive for anything more than loving and embracing God's will for me this morning. No, actually what He's given me this moment.

God in His infinite mercy has bestowed on me the trials of every day life because He loves.

He loves me more tenderly than the love that I have for my three children and that I can hardly fathom.

“Then, overcome by joy, I cried, 'Jesus, my love. At last I have found my vocation. My vocation is love. In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love, and then I will be all things.” - St. Therese of the Child Jesus

5 Favorite Books for a New Mama

Curling up with a good book in a comfy chair has got to be one of the most wonderful things in life. Give me a classic, a children's book, a cook book, or even a birthing guide - I love them all. I also love sharing my favorites and learning yours. If you would add to this list I would love to know! I am not an amazon affiliate (anymore), but if you buy books from amazon, support this homeschooling, book-loving momma! If you purchase books through clicking on her links then she will get a fraction of the cost, (merely penny's) but they add up!

Now for my favorite books to gift a new mom:

1. Beautiful Babies: Nutrition For Fertility, Pregnancy, Breast-Feeding, and Baby's First Foods.  This is the book I wish I had before I got pregnant with my first. I do not own this book, but I have checked it out at the library and it's fantastic. Pregnant with my first I thought I could eat whatever I wanted and baby got what it needed. I think this book would have helped me to understand that nutrition and gut health do matter. Kristen does an amazing job of keeping it simple and easy to read, just what a new mama's would need. Another journal similar to this book is the Weston Price Healthy Baby issue that I did get a hold of and love it, most of the articles can be found on the Weston Price website, but it's so nice to have it in a journal.   

   

2 . Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers.  I had almost every nursing problem in the book with my first, and then more with my second and I feel like i've read plenty of books out there on nursing. I didn't find any of them helpful except for this ONE book.  Most of them were entirely overwhelming, especially being postpartum and trying to figure out why the heck it hurt till I cried every single time. With the help of a wonderful lactation consultant and the advice from this book I was able to successfully breastfeed all three of my kids, I am so blessed. I think every new momma needs this book. :)

3. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. This is a great book for the Mama who wants to go all natural. :) Its a perfect overall guide that's very positive about birth. I personally have not read the whole thing, but many of my friends and my sister has and they love it. We read the Husband Coached Childbirth and it's great, too - but I would recommend Ina May's first.

4. When it comes to fertility books, I'm really impressed with Katie Singer's The Garden of Fertility: A Guide to Charting Your Fertility Signals to Prevent or Achieve Pregnancy--Naturally--and to Gauge Your Reproductive Health. What I appreciate most about this author is her nutrition standpoint. She understands that certain foods can help or hinder our fertility, and she's totally on board with Weston Price. (whom I love :). Its a secular book so she's not in line with the church's teachings, but completely worth the read. I have learned a lot from her.

5. Jane Eyre. Although I list this book last, I think this is the best one. The BEST ONE, folks. Im in love with this book. What more can I possibly say? Maybe, just maybe it's making it on the best book I have ever read category. It's only $2.99 on amazon for the paperback and free for your kindle. You can't beat it. :) I don't have a lot of sit-down-peaceful-reading time around here (and most new moms don't) so I downloaded this free app on my phone and listened to it for free on Librivox. I could listen to it while I went for a walk, did the dishes or while I laid the baby down at night.  Im really impressed with the narrator and I simply couldn't put it down. Im hooked on audiobooks now, such a great way to listen to classics!



So that's it! I'd love to hear which books helped or inspired you as a new mom - or even a seasoned mom. What would you buy someone for their baby shower?

Im linking up with the sweet Hallie today, click on over. Have a blessed day,

- Sarah

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” -Philip Pullman (taken from here)

Oh my, Butternut

I hardly take the time to make blended soups, but OH this soup, people. You won't wanna stop. It takes some time to do the roasting and blending, but totally worth it, folks. And yes, it's not fall - but this soup makes me want  fall!

You have the option to make it with coconut milk, heavy cream or any other creamy substance, it's delicious either way. I adapted the recipe from here because I like me some more garlic, onions and butter, baby!



Nourishing Butternut Squash Soup 
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• One medium Butternut Squash, cut in half
• 1 onion, peeled and cut in fourths
• 4-5 garlic cloves, peeled
• salt and pepper (for roasting onions)
• 1 Tbs. Olive or Coconut Oil
• 2 cups of Broth
• 3 Tbs. Butter
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 3/4 cup coconut milk, heavy cream or any other dairy substitute. 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cut the squash in half and remove the insides. Lay flat (cut part down) on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. In the mean time, chop onion and peel garlic, coat with olive oil and salt and pepper. When the 15 minutes are over, throw the veggies on the other side of the cookie sheet and roast for another 25 minutes. When done, you should be able to easily poke a fork into the squash.
3. When cooled, scrape the squash into a food processor or blender along with the roasted onions, garlic and broth. Blend until smooth.
4. Then melt the butter in a pot and add blended squash, cumin, nutmeg, ginger, salt, pepper and milk. Heat, serve and enjoy!

              - Sarah

“If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”

 "If you're afraid of butter, use cream."

- Julia Child

“If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”

“If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”

 

“If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”

Coconut Flour Dutch Babies

First, I have to say this isn't my recipe, but we enjoyed it so much I'm going to share it with you here.  This recipe was submitted by Karen over at the Coconut Recipes website. They have some fabulous recipes if you want to try baking with coconut flour. We LOVE coconut flour. It was a bit of a learning curve in the beginning, but easy peasy once you get used to it. Also, a half a cup goes a long way - so it's not as expensive as it seems.

We've been getting really sick of eggs so we switched it up this morning and my kids couldn't have been happier. The original recipe says it serves 6- 8, and umm, well, this morning it served three. SO, if you are big pigs like us, then I would say 3-4 servings. :)

We made this recipe completely dairy free (because my nursling just can't take it) but by all means slather these babies with butter and maple syrup - your taste buds will thank you.


Dutch Babies

Ingredients:

• Butter or coconut oil (to grease pan)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 6 tablespoons of corn starch
•  8 eggs
• 1 cup coconut milk
• Your choice of topping: maple syrup, honey, warmed apple sauce, raspberries, blueberries, etc.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Very generously completely slather bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 glass baking pan with butter or coconut oil.

Whisk all the dry ingredients together and quickly add and whisk in the eggs and coconut milk until batter is well mixed. Pour all directly into greased pan. 

Bake for about 20 minutes until puffed and cooked all the way through. Serve immediately.

We love ours slathered in butter and maple syrup - soooo delicious!

Enjoy!

- Sarah

 

"The creator of the heavens obeys a carpenter; the God of eternal glory listens to a poor virgin. Has anyone ever witnessed anything comparable to this? Let the philosopher no longer disdain from listening to the common laborer; the wise, to the simple; the educated, to the illiterate; a child of a prince, to a peasant."
-St. Anthony of Padua

Jesse Tree Ornament Exchange

If you ever get a chance to participate in a Jesse Tree Ornament exchange, go for it! I recently organized a swap in our community and it was a huge success! Each of the twenty nine ladies made one kind of ornament, then we gathered, exchanged and took home a whole set. The ornaments were beautiful and each one was made with love. I wanted to share pictures of all the ornaments, (because most of us got ideas from blogs just like this!) so you can see them too.

If you would like a little more information about what a Jesse Tree is, click over here. Most Jesse trees are about twenty four ornaments with the option of adding extra bible stories. I added five extra: Melchizedek, Aaron, Joshua, Ruth and Elizabeth. These are not necessary but I had enough ladies sign up so I added them in.

We each had a chance to talk about which story our ornament represented and how we made them. It was so much fun I would love to do it again someday!

Now for the ornaments:

From left to right we have the ornaments representing: Creation, Adam and Eve, The Fall of Man, Noah, Abraham, Melchizedek, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph

Here we have: Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Ruth and Boaz, Samuel, Jesse, David, Solomon and St. Joseph

 For the last of the Salvation History ornaments we have: The Blessed Mother, St. Elizabeth, John the Baptist and the Nativity. 

Now for the O Antiphons:

I found some more information about the O Antiphons on Father Z's blog, check it out if you are at all interested, I think it's fabulous. 

Here we have: Jesus is Lord, Jesus the Flower of Jesse, Jesus is the Key of David and Jesus is Radiant Dawn.

Now for the last O Antiphons:

 Jesus is King of the Gentiles, Jesus is Emmanuel and Jesus is the Light of the World.


I just want to give a big shout out to the WONDERFUL and beautiful ladies that made this all a possibility, especially to you, Gabi Karl for preparing your home and hosting all of us! I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. Thank you, Thank you!

  ~ Sarah

"Advent is here. What a marvellous time in which to renew your desire, your nostalgia, your real longing for Christ to come — for him to come every day to your soul in the Eucharist. The Church encourages us: Ecce veniet! — He is about to arrive!"

- St Josemaria Escriva

Homemade Italian Spice Mix

I am working on a recipe for crockpot spaghetti sauce, but for now I wanted to share with you our homemade spice mix. I was in the habit of buying spaghetti sauce until I discovered how easy it was to make your own, not to mention cheaper! I love putting this mix together because of the aromatic spices, the smell is wonderful. Also, once you do this you'll never go back to buying expensive Italian Herb mixes!

Mix together in a jar:

• 2 tbsp Basil
• 1 tbsp Majoram
• 1 tbsp Oregano
• 1 tbsp Parsley
• 1 tsp Thyme
• 1 tsp Rosemary
• 1 tsp Coriander

The great part about this mix is you decide which spices you like more of or which ones you don't like. Coriander is definitely optional - we like it in our sauce, but I also just happened to have it in my cupboard. Don't feel like you need all of the spices to make this mix, go ahead and make it anyway and see how you like it!

- Sarah

Linking up with Party Wave Wednesday

“You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”                                                            ~ St. Thérèse

Five Favorites: In which I show off my Bambinos . . .

Linking up today with Hallie from Moxie Wife. If you haven't seen her blog before, hop on over - you won't be disappointed!

Things have been sloooooow going over here for one main reason, which happens to be this:

1.

Luke Vincent! Let me introduce to you our newest Baby Doll! Born on August 26th - 9lbs 8 oz. This picture was taken when he was a week old, he is now six weeks old and things are just starting to feel normal. Well, as normal is it gets with a newborn! He is now giving me smiles and coos - my heart is overflowing with love for this little guy. . .

We had the most lovely home birth a girl could dream for. I started labor shortly after noon and had sweet little Luke on my chest before dinner. I can't say I am looking forward to my next birth, but this experiences was so positive that I feel more optimistic than ever. Maybe the third time's the charm? In any case I am so grateful to Our Lord for a wonderful birth and healthy baby!

Stay tuned for his birth story, I need to get it written down before I forget all the details!

 

2.

This is Peter.

This is how Peter walks around most of the day, with some sort of weapon in hand and a scowl on his face!

Ok, I don't give him enough credit, haha. He can be the most charming, sweet, loving and compassionate little boy I have ever been around. Things have been rough going since Luke was born, but he's coming around to his old self again and we get a kick out of things he says every day.

Peter has been hitting us with his sword lately so we put the sword in "time out" thinking he'd not have any weapons. Well, we watched Tangled the other night and this morning he was walking around getting all the bad guys with this frying pan!

3.

Gianna has been the sweetest little Mommy to Luke. Every chance she gets she's kissing and playing with him. Even though she's only four, she's been a great help with Luke. I can see how it'll only get easier as she gets older! 

I love seeing how my children act towards Luke - it's so sweet to see other people love Luke as much as I do. I feel as if every baby we have there's more love to go around and our hearts become more generous.

We have been doing some preschool activities with Gianna this year - and I know she would like us do to more, but life is tough with three little ones! Hopefully things will be a little easier when we start homeschooling for kindergarten next year - because im not sure how im going to do it!

4.

I put Gianna and Luke on opposite sides of my bed for a nap the other day and when I checked on them I found this. 

Heart melt. 

5.

The majority of days around are hard. Really really hard. Im in survival mode and I think it'll be like this for awhile. 

The kids wear their pajamas most of the day and I am constantly frazzled, exhausted  and grumpy towards the older kids. Forget having dinner made. 

That being said, I hate dwelling on the negative. So in case someone thinks its all lovey dovey and roses around here - it's not. For my own sanity, I need to savor, capture and share the beautiful in order to get through the rough.

This particular moment melted my heart and I snuck a picture before the kids saw me. Reading is one of my absolute favorite activities and I beam with pride when I see my children enjoying a book together. 

LOVE it. 

Thanks for letting me share my kids with you, have a blessed day! 

~ Sarah

"Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings  of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me."

- St. Faustina Kolwaska

Hot Buttered Cinnamon Tea

Now that the weather has turned and the days are chilly I long for a cup of hot tea in the morning. Coffee usually gives me the jitters and causes my blood sugar to dip - so black tea it is. I love it. I'm not sure any other word can describe my relationship with tea. There's something about savoring a few moments of quiet in the morning with my hot cup of tea and a brief prayer as I begin my day. Now, to be honest those moments hardly happen around here with three little ones, but a girl can dream, can't she? It gives me the boost to get going in the morning without the horrible crash later in the day, and it taste ooh so delicious.

A beautiful Tibetan woman drinking Yak Butter tea.

A few weeks back my sister told me she was drinking butter in her coffee. I immediately thought, "Eww!" But after some convincing, I had to try it, and maybe it was good after all? I was out of cream as usual so I made my tea, blended it with butter and honey and was immediately hooked. Thanks sis!

I looked up hot buttered coffee and found a bit of information on it, apparently it's an Ethiopian tradition to drink butter in your coffee and in Tibet they drink Yak butter in their tea. So I'm not crazy after all!

When I told my mother about my newest obsession she said, "Like hot buttered rum? Oh yeah!" Yes Mom, just like hot buttered rum. :)

According to a travel and leisure website it's considered one of the world's strangest street foods. "It's made by churning or shaking yak butter, black tea, and salt together in a covered container; the result is best consumed when it's hot and foamy." Locals usually drink dozens of cups a day and if you are a guest in their home local custom dictates that your cup is filled after every sip.

So interesting!

Now, I don't have yak butter, but I do have delicious Kerrygold butter made from cows grazing on green grass in Ireland. It's a slice of heaven if there ever was one and taste wonderful in tea. Here is my "recipe" if you are interested in trying it out:

 
Hot Buttered Cinnamon Tea

12 ounces hot black or Rooibos tea (or coffee if you prefer!)
1- 2 tbl butter
1 tbl honey
A dash of cinnamon

Blend your tea, butter and honey with an immersion blender or countertop blender. Blend till creamy and frothy. Pour into your favorite mug, top with a dash of cinnamon and enjoy!

Let me know what you think or if you have tried this before, I would love to know!

~ Sarah

"You learn about great food by finding the best there is . . . then you savor it, analyze it and discuss it with your companions . . ." - Julia Child

Linking up with Party Wave Wednesday and  Pennywise Platter