Our parish priest was away this week, presenting at the Healing Land Homesteading conference. Usually, when he’s gone, we take the opportunity to attend Mass at our previous parish in town. But this week, we decided to visit the Melkite mission instead. When we arrived, though, no one was at the church. Had I gotten…
Category: Liturgical Year
Lenten Notes
How on earth can I ever put anything useful up here if all I’m doing is updating occasionally? My poor, neglected blog-friends! How is your Lent going? Mine is delightful, though I’ve gotten distracted these past few days by a visit from my sweet parents. They’re here to celebrate my son’s upcoming birthday, to put…
Winter Gloom
It’s been a gray, gloomy winter so far. We’ve had one, glorious snowstorm and tons of heavy rain. The skies are overcast and the air is heavy. It feels very much like what I imagine a British winter would be. But I miss my wild, snowy, New England winters. I’m hoping January and February feel…
Reclaiming in Easter
I’ve mentioned that my word for this year is Reclaim. It’s a slow goal, not something I can snatch up and be done with. It’s more about remembering who I am than checking off a list of goals. I want to reclaim the Masha who read piles of books in a room of incense and…
Cleaning House
It’s Passion week. The statues are all covered but the Icons can keep watch. I love draping statues, but it’s always felt rude to do the same to the Icons. This week I’m deep cleaning all my spaces – thus far I’ve found a mouse nest, my long-lost recipe for doughnuts, and the little, wooden…
New Year, New Words
My goodness I’m a neglectful blogger, aren’t I! How was 2021 for you all? It’s been good and calm for me – cozy and hidden. By the end of the year though, my soul has been aching for something fresh. And now it’s almost 2022 and I’m looking back – feeling a bit like I…
Seven Sleepers for Summertime Sleepiness
I’ve spent the past few days running around away from home – errands, baking day at the parish, van repairs, and waiting for rides from friends to get me where I need to go. This morning, I woke up knowing there was nowhere to be and nothing to do but the homey tasks that bring…
Washing Walls and Lighting Candles
Earlier this year I was asked to write more on how I use Epiphany water and blessed candles. This year, on Epiphany, we were able to have quite a few jars of water blessed, as well as salt and chalk. The chalk sort of collects around the house after it’s used to bless the doorways…
Ash Wednesday
Lent always looks a little bit different; every year there’s something new. Each Ash Wednesday though, starts with the same feeling. I wake up, and suddenly I’m standing at the edge of the desert, everything in front of me is bright with potential. There on the sand is a future full of hope and holiness….
Y is For Home! 