First Yarn Along

Ginny at Small Things is hosting a Yarn Along.  Since knitting and reading are my two favorite pastimes, I wanted to join in the fun of showing what I am currently working on.  Ivy is a Hooligan who is part of a trio of friendly monsters.  I am using Knit Picks Stroll Tonal Sock Yarn in Springtime and Gypsy with Bare Stroll Fingering.  These mischief makers are really ornaments, but I decided to use them as stocking stuffer for my younger boys.  I think they will make cute little pocket pals during the holidays.

This advent I am reading Donkey Bells, Advent and Christmas Stories, Traditions and Meditations from Catherine Doherty foundress of Madonna House Apostolate, as well as A Child in Winter, Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany with Caryll Houselander.  Both are are wonderful!  Tomie DePaola's Country Angels Christmas is part of this week large stack of Christmas books we are enjoying as read aloud.  I am having so much fun sharing these for the first time with my granddaughter Maddie.

Thanksgiving and Emma's Birthday

We have so much to be thankful for; family, friends, a warm cozy house, good food!  I give thanks everyday for all these good gifts, but it is nice to set a day apart to celebrate in a special way God's goodness to us. 

Our Thanksgiving bonfire was a bit wild!.  Raphael and Felix had to take turn protecting our satellite antenna from threatening sparks.  It was hot standing up there!  One of the garden post caught on fire!  Yikes!  But there was plenty of big boys (men, really) to take control of the situation. 

Emma turned two the day before Thanksgiving.  As you can see she wasn't quite comfortable standing there with all of us singing Happy Birthday both in French and English.

But she soon cheered up when she received her little mouse, and her set of baby farm animals.  Her favorite was the calf (which she called a cow).  The mouse is from the book Phoebe's Sweater.  I had so much fun knitting it. 

                            

My New Shawl

Sara asked to see my new shawl.  It took me a while to get to it, but here it is!.  It is knitted with Capra, a merino, cashmere blend, in Sea Spray from KnitPicks.  The pattern is also from KnitPicks, the Georgiana Shawlette.  Isn't it pretty?  In the picture below I am wearing it with a Cameo brooch my mother gave me.
 

Wordless Wednesday: Madalyn's First Days of School

Wordless Wednesday, Loving Cousins

Ava Rose' s Baptism

And now of to Canada for Michel's parents sixtieth anniversary.

Michel's Ordination

Yesterday, was one of the most blessed day of our lives. After five years of preparation Michel was ordained a permanent deacon.

Our pastor, Father Greg Lowchy, vested him. We are so pleased that our Bishop assigned Michel to our home parish, St Therese.

The Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber was an extremely pleasant surprise as it is one of Michel and I favorite piece of music!

Felix and Raphael had the honor to serve at this most holy Mass.


After five years of formation, these men and their wives have become dear friends. It was truly a blessing for us wives to be not only invited, but highly encouraged to join our spouses for classes and seminars, I learned so much in those five years.

We are truly a deacon family! Some of our older children and their family, because of various understandable reasons were not able to be with us, but we know they were in spirit. I am sure I can say the same for our extended families.

Lord Jesus, You came to serve, not to be served,
Form within us Your generous spirit:

Fill us with Your love,
That we may love the Father as You love Him.

Fill us with Your compassion,
That we may see our brothers and sisters
As You see them.

Fill us with Your courage,
That we may give our lives in service to the Church
As you gave Your life for Her.

Fill us with that spirit which will make us
Preachers of you words,
Ministers of Your sacrifice,
Servants of Your bride,
Friends of the poor,
And the voice of the forgotten.

Transform us through Your Holy Spirit
So that we may transform the world into
Your kingdom of justice and faith.

Amen.