{pretty, happy, funny, real}

by | Oct 4, 2013 | {phfr}, Catholic Digest, Chemistry, Science, St. Jerome | 11 comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~
{pretty}

It’s so exciting when our copy of Catholic Digest arrives in the mail each month and we can flip to my submission to see which pictures (including some that I submit with the article) were chosen to go along with the text.   Doesn’t it look so pretty?!

“If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.” 
-St.Thérèse of Lisieux
Even though I choose the quote for today months ago, St. Thérèse must have known I would need to hear these words this week, as we struggle with my husband being sent home without pay until further notice due to the current government shutdown.   

Here is another inspiring quote that I ran across this week, 
while flipping through the pages in the St. Thérèse the Little Flower Daily Journal:   

“It is very well for great souls to soar high above the clouds when the storm is raging, but for us, we have merely to bear the showers with patience.” 
-St.Thérèse of Lisieux

I’m trying my best to not panic and bear the “showers” with patience and trust in God’s providence… 
{happy}
Look what arrived in the mail this week! The boys had loaned a friend a few of their Ranger’s Apprentice books and they were sent back with a box full of Pumpkin and Candy Corn Cookies and some special sticks for me to make some more of our own!  Visit ELM’s blog for the recipe and details.  BEST. SUGAR. COOKIES. EVER!

The boys are also very happy and excited that the next Ranger Apprentice book, The Royal Ranger, is coming out next month. They can hardly wait!

{funny}
So… Who wants to see my Cupcake Fails from earlier this week?  I had extra cupcakes from Michaelmas and wanted to turn them into lions for the feast of St. Jerome… I had run across these adorable lions and thought I’d give them a try, only using things I already had in the cupboard. Yeah.  Easier said than done.  Here are my results before giving up and keeping it simple

Nope… And it’s WAY too Orange.

And this one?  Wow.  I gave up before even finishing and nearly died laughing.  Just ask Charlotte.  She was laughing too, when I emailed her the picture of my “crazy caveman” cupcake.

Twinkle Toes told me to step aside and she’d show me how it’s done.
Hers is such a cute kitty!
{real}

Real Science 4-Kids Focus on Elementary Chemistry and Focus on Middle School Chemistry has been such a hit this school year. Today we had a blast making marshmallow molecules!
I’ll post a few more pictures soon, but here is one I snapped with my phone using Instagram.

I’ll be back soon with a few more pictures from today’s feast and another giveaway! 

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

11 Comments

  1. Stephanie

    Oh Jessica your cupcake fails are the equivalent of my cupcake bests 😉 what a gift for your children to see their mama getting published, now that is a "living" curriculum at work

    Reply
  2. 9peasMom

    I love that you contribute to Catholic Digest! I truly am praying for you guys as you go through this (hopefully short) time of furlough!

    Reply
  3. elm

    I look forward to my copy of Catholic Digest to see what YOU have added. I like the other articles, too… but, I flip right to your addition, first!!

    So glad you all enjoy your cookie treats!!! 🙂 I promise they are easy to make when you roll them out with those sticks!! I think the frosting/sprinkles didn't travel as well as I had hoped!! Hoping they tasted yummy anyway!

    As for your lion… the orange one – yes, ORANGE! 😉 But the next one? It looked like a bearded "minion" from Despicable Me ads!! Of course, I laughed and laughed at your description of caveman!! I bet they all tasted great anyway! AND I LOVED the one you posted on the Feast of St Jerome!!

    Finally – my kids have a renewed interest in their Chemistry (got home and science has been on the back burner!) and hope to make their marshmallow molecules soon!!

    Reply
  4. Barbara

    I'm keeping your family in my prayer, Jessica. This whole situation just stinks, but much more so for those who are intimately affected. My brother is going through the same thing in Maryland.

    Reply
  5. Unknown

    I would love to see a review of the science program. I have given up on any text for my boys for science. But, I've heard many like this series. My oldest reads well, but he struggles with every science text we have used. We do a lot of hands on science and DVDs at the moment to avoid reading. Do the elementary and middle school series match up together to be used together?

    Reply
  6. Jessica Gordon

    Thank you, Barbara! I'm sorry that your brother is in the same situation… Your family remains in our prayers!

    Reply
  7. Jessica Gordon

    I'll try and post more about it soon! We've struggled with Science the past couple years, and I am so happy with this program! It does seem that the elementary and middle school series match up nicely. So far they are learning and doing pretty much the same things, just a little more challenging and advanced at the older level.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous

    I wonder if Catholic Digest back orders…. I'm loving all the Saint things, but especially Therese! As my rose given to me at mass on her feast day begins to open… cjbruner17@aol.com

    Reply
  9. Robina

    your cupcake outtakes are cracking me up.

    Reply

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