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Finer Femininity

~ Joyful, Feminine, Catholic

Finer Femininity

Category Archives: Smorgasbord ‘n Smidgens

Chit~Chat: Just a Cozy Day in January

19 Thursday Jan 2023

Posted by Leanevdp in FF Tidbits, It's the Little Things..., Smorgasbord 'n Smidgens

≈ 4 Comments

This post is about the simple things…

It is the simple things in life, the gratitude that comes from our hearts for the simple things which makes the “humdrum” of life…not humdrum!

We can work each day at making our homes and our lives more beautiful, more peaceful and more orderly. No matter if we have many children….we can find those  little ways to make life special…for ourselves and for our families.

Here’s a beautiful quote from Charlotte Siems, mother of 12:

There’s no rewind button on parenthood.

So let’s change the way we think about the have to’s. In fact, let’s get practical. Every time you notice yourself thinking or saying “I have to….,” stop and change it to “I get to….” It causes a shift in perspective and a change in your energy.

“Get to” comes from a grateful heart. “Get to” implies honor and thankfulness and privilege and excitement.

“Have to” comes from a fearful heart. “Have to” creates overwhelm and victimhood and dread and anxiety.

Sometimes we change our insides by starting with the outside. Disciplining our words can help us discipline our thoughts. Yes, out of the heart the mouth speaks, but words have power and it can work the other way, too.

Anyway….

Yesterday was a lovely day. I couldn’t make it to Mass in the morning…the residuals of a stomach flu was hanging on. Nonetheless it was a great day and I thought I would chit-chat a bit with you.

Here is my table.  The doily is the Christmas gift Rosie gave me 3 years ago. The bouquet was given to Hannah by her best friend, Madeline.

I usually keep a tea light lit on the table…at least in the winter. I plan to get a good amount of them and have them blessed at Candlemas so that I will always be burning a blessed candle!

Yes, that’s my List Book on the table, this wasn’t a “posed” picture…

It’s being used a lot lately. Like everyone, I go in an ebb and flow depending on what life is sending my way. For the last while, I have been quite solicitous in using my List Booklet to keep my life organized. It always makes such a difference!

I usually get up in the mornings before everyone else. I light my candle on the table and start my diffuser that Hannah gave me last year. I put the Holiday Blend Essential oil in it. I then turn the Christmas lights on throughout the house for a warm and cozy glow.

As you can see, we still have our decorations up for Christmas. They will be hanging around until close to The Purification of Our Lady, Candlemas, which is Feb. 2nd. It’s always nice to get the space back (our Nativity is big, as you know) but it is also sad to see them go.

It will look sparse for awhile here…which is perfect for Lent (fast approaching!)

Hannah and Gemma just got back from Topeka. They were dressed nicely (every day seems like a “dress-up day” when you wear skirts), but today was especially nice.

Here is Hannah’s outfit for your inspiration. All of it was bought at our favorite resale/coffee shop called God’s Storehouse. We very seldom buy new clothes.

Her sweater is very pretty. It wouldn’t be a sweater to wear if you have kids! Or, at least, only for Sunday Mass! But a single girl can get away with it.

Gemma is wearing her Christmas colors. She got this outfit from God’s Storehouse, too. The skirt was originally $75 and she got it for $6! Quite a deal!

Hannah has been using her relaxing time in between work and babysitting to do a bit of crocheting. She just finished this lovely hat. She so wanted to keep it for herself but had already told one of her married sisters they could have it. Haha She’ll just have to get busy and make another one! Here is the pattern if you want to try your hand at it!

She likes these little leather-like tags she found at Hobby Lobby!

And just a random picture. I got these “Women’s 1920s Sequin Shawls Sparkly Flapper Evening Wrap Capes” for the girls for Christmas. Pretty, aren’t they? Perfect for a feast day!

We are at the beginning of saying a 54 Day Rosary Novena. We usually say one or two of those a year. There are always so many special petitions that we feel we need a little extra ooomph to get answers for the bigger problems of life! It is very powerful and efficacious. Maybe you would like to try one yourself? Here is the link to get the booklet. And yes, we say it in place of our family rosary each day. It has extra prayers for each mystery…

Make sure and write down your petitions so you can see and remember how God has answered your prayers!

The Feast of the Holy Family was Sunday, January 8th. Here a couple of very good sermons to inspire you on that difficult but rewarding path!

 

As a gift from a dear priest friend, I was sent this delicious coffee! 

Here is a tidbit about the coffee…

Patris Roasting Co. was founded in 2020 by parishioners of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Our goal is to provide specialty grade coffee to those who are passionate about quality and freshness.
So…if you would like to give someone an amazing cup of coffee for a gift or just savor the flavor yourself, take a look at their website, Patris Roasting,  here. You would be supporting a good cause!

May you all have a lovely rest of January and Christmas season! Time flies so quickly, make the most of each moment!

 

 

A Christmas Gallery/An Update on Esther…

11 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by Leanevdp in Advent/Christmas, Smorgasbord 'n Smidgens

≈ 4 Comments

Before the Christmas Gallery I wanted to share with you an update on Esther as I know some of you have prayed for her and some continue to pray for her.

Esther was admitted into Children’s Mercy Hospital over a week ago. She was not sick but Mike and Jeanette went there hoping they would get admitted and very grateful that she was.

Esther has been put through many tests and her diagnosis so far is NEHI (“Knee High” Lung Disease) but there are some other things going on that they are concerned about. Her carbon dioxide level is high even with the CPAP. So they are still running tests and there will be many follow-ups once they go home.

Jeanette has been sleep-deprived. Here they are at the hospital.

The Sleep-Study Test was not a walk in the park…

Esther will have to wear a CPAP each night and during her naps to help her breathe

Thank you for your continued prayers! We are all grateful to be getting answers!

The Following is a Christmas Gallery….Normally I like to do captions but not this time.

This season, as Catholics, gives us so much opportunity to live the Liturgy within the home. It gives joy and is what makes life worth living.

                                  I hope you enjoy perusing.

The first pictures are of the stable and its construction.

St. Nicholas Day followed with much fun.

We then set up our booth for the local Christkindl Market. It was cold!

Next, Christmas pictures. And I included Theresa’s Family Pictures at the end as they were late getting them done.

Miscellaneous pictures are sprinkled in between…





















































































 

 

🎄Merry Christmas from Finer Femininity!

26 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by Leanevdp in Advent/Christmas, Smorgasbord 'n Smidgens

≈ 6 Comments

Merry Christmas from all of us at Finer Femininity!

Our family still at home:

Back: Hannah, Rosie, Angelo and Gemma

Front: Leane & Vincent

Vin and Gin’s Family:

In order:

Back: Johnathan, Antonio, Edward, Benjamin,

Middle:Emma, Vincent, David (Baby), Virginia, Nathan

Front: Annie, Peter, Juliette

Mike and Jeanette’s Family:

Back: Esther, Jeanette, Mike

Front: Elias, Tobias, Magdalene & Agnes

Esther:

Dominic & Sarah’s Family:

Left to Right:

Augustine, Sarah, Baby Adele, Rita, Dominic, Lucy

Some of the couples didn’t take official Christmas pictures. We have had a lot of sickness raging among the grandchildren which has slowed some things down and other things came to a halt….like Christmas pictures. So I snagged a few to include.

Devin and Theresa’s Family:

Sophia, Brendan, Sienna, Adam, Avila and Adrian. In their PJ’s about to take a nap before Midnight Mass…

 

David and Margy have 2 little ones now. We were able to get this picture on Christmas Day…

Rose Elizabeth:

Sean David:

Colin and Z’s Family:

Left to Right, Front to Back:

Isaac, Grace, Jacob, Charlotte, Colin, Ethan and Zaelie

Z is in the second photo….

Sep and Molly with their family:

Left to Right, Back to Front:

Molly & Marian (Baby), Dad, Sep, Mom, Sebastian, Fabian, Cyprian, Gracian, Killian, Marcellian and Lillian

Have a wonderful Christmas season!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from Finer Femininity / The Winner of the FF Advent Giveaway is…..

24 Thursday Nov 2022

Posted by Leanevdp in FF Tidbits, Seasons, Seasons, Feast Days, etc., Smorgasbord 'n Smidgens

≈ 1 Comment

May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with blessings! I am thankful for you, your prayers and support!

And now…the winner of Finer Femininity Giveaway is….

Congratulations Emily!! I sent you an email….

Some inspirational quotes

Mothers,  on Thanksgiving, know how very special you are. You are the essence, the heart of your home. Your smile lightens the burdens, your words brighten the hearts of those who will be part of your festivities. The tone of this special family time is set by you! We, as mothers, are privileged to have such an important part in the making of our homes! May your day be filled with grace and love! <3

This Thanksgiving let us offer up our little inconveniences, our stresses, our fatigue for those less fortunate than ourselves. And, on the flip side, let’s start becoming more aware of the little things and thanking God for them.

“After committing a fault of whatever kind, rather than withdrawing into ourselves indefinitely in discouragement and dwelling on the memory, we must immediately return to God with confidence and even thank Him for the good that His mercy will be able to draw out of this fault!

We must know that one of the weapons that the devil uses most commonly to prevent souls from advancing toward God is precisely to try to make them lose their peace and discourage them by the sight of their faults.”
Searching For and Maintaining Peace, Fr. Jacques Philippe https://amzn.to/2pSwDmQ (afflink)

Thank God for His many blessings. Make the most of each and every day. Enjoy the journey. The world will keep whizzing by but we must take time to smell the roses. Each day is a gift, each person in your life is special. Take nothing for granted.

“For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy!” ❤❤❤-St. Therese of Lisieux

Be attentive to the sacrifices your husband makes for the family. Each day he battles the world, the flesh and the devil out in the workforce for you. Don’t let that go unnoticed. Thank him often! Appreciate him. -Finer Femininity

Discussing the dynamics of Catholic family life…

The Spiritual Christmas Crib Picturesque and Prayer-Filled Coiled Flip Cards!

Help make Advent more meaningful for you and your family with the Spiritual Christmas Crib Coiled Flip Cards! Follow along and prepare your heart for the coming of Our Lord each year at Christmas using these special picturesque and prayer-filled cards to help keep your mind and heart focused each day. Keep the cards in a visible spot in your home as a reminder to your and your children.  Available here.

Lovely Advent & Christmas Items available here.