Here we go—the second edition of Eight on the Eights. Thanks so much for your wonderful feedback so far. Please spread the word about this newsletter, if you find it enjoyable. I have some bigger news coming down the line, and I want it to reach those who need it!
For now, this is the update for a quietish February.
Some updates
This week, my husband and I celebrate nineteen years of officially being together. Nearly two decades ago, we went out for dinner at a hibachi restaurant, then went ice skating, and I officially became his girlfriend. Looking back, it makes me laugh to remember a conversation I had with a friend about my nerves on the way out of Calculus class that day. “It’s just a date,” my friend said, “you don’t have to marry him!” Ha! Didn’t have to, but so glad I did!
For a few weeks, play practices and basketball practices overlap, which necessitates some serious meal planning (and knitting, to decompress!). Afternoons are a little wild with five children and some distance between our home and our school. But I’m grateful for all the opportunities in music, theater, sports, and martial arts that my kids have to try new things and develop their gifts and talents. It is a gift to watch another human being grow and mature.
Two of our kids were in spelling bees during Catholic Schools Week, and while I’m proud of how each finished, what I’m more proud of is how they worked together to study and the character they showed during and after the competitions. God is at work in our family, in our children, and I praise Him for that.
What I’m reading
At the top of my priority list is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, the current topic for my graduate class in the European Catholic Revival. My husband recalls reading this in high school, but I’m experiencing it for the first time. I’m really enjoying it, and looking forward to two sessions of discussions.
I also just finished The Grail: A year ambling & shambling through an Oregon vineyard in pursuit of the best pinot noir wine in the whole wild world by Brian Doyle (which has one of my favorite covers ever). Next up: trying the wine in question, Lange Pinot Noir.
What my kids are reading
When I last wrote, my ten-year-old was just starting the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He’s now finished the three books and is on to other stories by Tolkien. I’m hoping he and my oldest both read “Leaf by Niggle” before I get to it in my graduate class at the end of the semester–how fun would it be to have a dinner time conversation bringing all these perspectives together.
My daughter is enjoying two new-to-her historical fiction series that make dogs and horses the stars of the show. One of the best moments of the day is when we come to her room to tuck her in, and after reluctantly closing the book, she tells us what she’s learned or how the story is going.
Reading with our littlest is a time of constant discovery–there is much pointing and repeating. So much changes each week, each day in the earlier years, and being with him is a great reminder that we are all works in progress. We all have something new to learn every day.
Something I love (affiliate links galore, here)
I’ve loved everything Holy Heroes for a long, long time (imagine my delight when they started to sell my book!). They recently sent me some of their resources for Lent, especially as pertains to the Stations of the Cross. The kids and I have a practice of stopping at church on the way home from school on Friday afternoons in Lent and praying about four stations. We use the Holy Heroes prayer guide, which has been updated with new art. I can’t wait to share this with them!
If you’re looking for something FREE to do this Lent with kids in your life, I highly recommend their Lenten Adventure. Daily Lenten activities come regularly to your inbox. All the work is already done, and you and your kids will learn a bunch!
What I’m creating (knitting, lettering, embroidery, etc.)
I finished my first embroidery hoop! I’m sure there are mistakes in there that trained eyes will see and mine can’t yet. For now, I’m very happy with how it turned out. I tried to correct as I went, since I used this project as a kind of sampler to learn on. The colors are just my style, so I’m hanging this up near my desk to enjoy. I’ve also returned to a big shawl project I started many months ago, which I hope to finish before winter is over. If I don’t, I’ll just look forward to bringing it to my MFA residency in Texas, where it’s always freezing inside!
Where my work is
Editing: Into the Deep, a lovely family-owned business that creates Catholic catechesis for homeschool, just released the remainder of their Picture Study on the Mysteries of the Rosary. We don’t homeschool, but we’ve used these for prayer in our home to introduce the kids to more sacred art as well as the practice of visio divina. The kids are asking to go to the Met, so that’s a win.
Writing: There are a couple pieces I expect to be published this month, but nothing new since last time (unless I’m missing something!). Expect this section to be more exciting next month.
What I’m working on
A fantastic Catholic designer came to me late last spring with an idea for a picture book. She wanted to know if I knew someone who might be able to write it, or if I might be willing to write it. I’ve admired her work for years, and I jumped at the chance to work together. Our submission was well received at the first publisher we went to, but the editorial board asked for some changes. We’ve both been at work on our respective pieces, and I hope the revised project will return to their desks this month or next. Say a prayer for us, please!
A quote to sit and sip with
But how much happier you would be if you only knew that these people cared nothing about you! How much larger your life would be if your self could become smaller in it; if you could really look at other men with common curiosity and pleasure; if you could see them walking as they are in their sunny selfishness and their virile indifference! You would begin to become interested in them, because they were not interested in you.
—Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton
I've resolved to read Leaf by Niggle once a year until I die. I may read it after that too.