~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
I would like to say that I definitely have the world's most amazing readers. Yesterday's post‘s comments astonished me with their honesty and the display of deep faith and caring that strangers rarely exhibit. Need I say even more rarely on the internet, a place that usually allows a maximum of two comments on an even mildly controversial post before insults fly and epithets are hurled and commenters accuse each other of being commies and/or fascists.
Not here! I could hug you all! I had a lot to say in a small space, although I took liberties with that constraint (as is my wont, I admit). And you all understood me and gave me a lot of hope that this tired world of ours really does have warriors for truth in it. I haven't had time to answer questions or address issues, because I too am getting ready for Easter, but I will try to get there. In the meantime, you all are doing very well. Discuss amongst yourselves!
I promise I won't take as long to reveal the fourth secret!
{pretty}
So a box of my books arrived chez moi. And they are just really pretty!
Wait until you see. I'm not actually supposed to be doing official talking about it, because it's not quiiiiiite at the bookstore yet, although one friend did wonder what the charge was that appeared on her Amazon account until she realized that her pre-order had shipped! So… trickling in?
But I waaaaannnnttt toooooo!!!!
But seriously, here's the thing. The book is about how to connect the inner life of your soul and that of your home with the church and with the world, in a really practical, simple, venerable way. And thus, I can say with all humility (a virtue I've really perfected this Lent, I must say, and also I have a co-author on whom I can thrust praise as well as blame, so that works out for me), really, this book has the potential to change things in our day, when the person seems very stripped down and powerless before the forces bearing down from outside.
It's not about our personal “take” on things. It's about the church's own, universal prayer; and the place of that prayer in the sanctuary of the domestic church (as St. Augustine called it), the home.
You could say that the family and the home are today's catacombs, where the faith will be rekindled.
Want to read a sample chapter, see the images, and read a bit about it? Take a peek here. Yes, it's true — so much of it is available right online! You can print out coloring pages, drawn by David Clayton, for your children right now!
This is truly a work of evangelization from our hearts to yours, from our homes and faltering steps (because it's not that we are experts, but just encouragers) to yours. But the actual book is itself a work of art, I have to say, now that I've held it in my hot little hands. So beautifully produced!
After Easter, when I'm sure the book is readily available, I'll start posting about some of the themes. I can't wait. You are going to love this book for what it can do for your family life!
{happy}
None of this must interrupt the crafting, though. I am happy to be about to put the label on the wedding fifth anniversary? quilt for Nick and Natasha. No one said WHEN they would get their quilt, now did they?
After I give it to them I will do a post for you with lots of pictures. You can laugh at me for being slow at that point — I'll give you plenty of opportunity, I promise!
{funny}
So the foot of snow disappeared after the warm weather last week, revealing… the bones that Stella (our neighbor's friendly Bernese Mountain dog and Roxie's best buddy who comes over to play every day) has stockpiled right here on our front yard.
Right…
…here.
I just snapped this with my phone Tuesday morning, hence the wonkiness, but how funny is that. The two of them play and mock-fight over the bones and then drop them in the exact same place. Apparently the next time Stella just brings over another, the previous one having blended in with the snow.
Farouk, the cat, is scornful, and if I had a {gross} to go on my meme, I would post here a picture of the absolutely disgusting “gift” he left for us by the garage door yesterday morning. But I don't so I won't
In other funny news, yes, this is the little bit of sunlight I have in this entire house to grow my seeds by. I just have no south-facing windows! (Other than in the den, but those are behind furniture — completely inaccessible.) Every year I tell myself that I won't bother with seeds. Then I plant a few because it's warm. Then I stand there in the kitchen wondering where to put them because it's gotten freezing again and I have no sun for seeds.
{real}
Yesterday morning after the wind and then the snow. It's like one of those photos that goes viral after a much-touted storm: “Behold the devastation.”
Do note the bones in the background. And the SNOW did I mention snow.
Devastation, I tell you.
Have a wonderful Holy Thursday and rest of the Triduum. A blessed Easter to you all!
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Sara says
I’m so, so excited! It’s the Triduum AND your book is on it’s way to me! I may even get it tomorrow, but assuredly by Saturday. What a great Easter present! I’m going to try to let DH put it in my Easter basket and not peek.
I hope your Easter is as blessed!
Rayna says
So exciting!!! I just read the sample chapter and am so happy to say that it’s your voice I hear on those pages, the very same voice that’s been encouraging me via this blog, now in a form I can hold and share and gift to dear friends.
Thank you also for yesterday’s post. My husband and I strongly agree with your take on Child Resistance. Kevin often reminds me that Mother Theresa said that saying there are too many children is like saying there are too many flowers.
Have a blessed Easter Leila (and daughters!!!)
Mrs. B. says
Yes, when I read: To a Catholic who greets every saint’s day as if it’s the last chance to eat a celebratory bowl of ice cream, ” I thought: Leila all right!!!
Rayna says
It arrived today!!! I can’t wait to delve in. The cover is so buttery soft (how do they do that?). It looks to be everything I was hoping for…and more! Such a treat for us LMLD fans!
Jennie C. says
Yup, amazon says the book is preparing for shipment! Can’t wait! I’ve been hoping for it all Lent. 🙂
Gwenny says
I got mine in the mail this morning!!! I CAN’T WAIT to read it!
Wanda says
Amazon says mine is preparing as well !!! I forgot my camera today so I can’t load pics for my PHFR. But I will when I arrive home!
Donna L. says
I was so excited to receive a note from Amazon that your book is on the way to me! Thank you in advance for the writing and the love and ideas that are inside…I pray that I put them to good use with my family!
Leane says
Thanks for the smiles this morning! I love the way you said, “We are not experts, just encouragers”. Thanks again and have a lovely Easter!
Allison says
My copy shipped yesterday and is supposed to be here today! So excited to explore your book!
Tamara says
My book is on its way too! Yea!
Tamara says
Its here! Its here! I’m so excited! It is beautiful. Thank you for your labor of love!
Annie says
The book looks gorgeous! It should be pretty AND happy!
Catherine says
This is what I saw in my inbox, ” Your Amazon.com order of “Little Oratory” has shipped!” Yay!! Arriving today! I am beyond excited! Thank you for all you do to encourage us. Have a blessed Easter!
Barbara says
Mine arrived! Yay! I can’t wait to get into it! Thanks, Leila! (Lots of exclamation points!)
Barbara says
PS It really is gorgeous and much bigger than I had imagined, with it being called “Little” and all. 😉
Lisa G. says
Yes, I got an email from Amazon yesterday that it’s on the way!
Cristina says
Leila, your wisdom has been such a blessing to my family. Yours was the first blog I found years ago when I began searching the internet for examples of what a Catholic home was supposed to look like because, growing up Protestant and with a working mom, I had no idea what I was doing–Catholic, homemaking, or otherwise–and clearly I was desperate, having resorted to internet searches 🙂
I am so thankful I found you and I can’t wait for my book to arrive!
sarah marie says
Congratulations on your book! I will eagerly purchase it and devour it! Your blog has been a tremendous encouragement to me, and oh-so-much moreso since becoming a mother almost two years ago. I remember sitting in a flood of postpartum emotions practically reading through your entire archives to glean bits of your wisdom. Thank you for all that you offer your readers!
That quilt looks beautiful. My post involves a quilt too, but only my second ever quilting attempt and not very impressive. 🙂
priest's wife (@byzcathwife) says
I got my 3 copies today! I’m hoping to use the book for a women’s book club
Josie says
I got my 3 copies today! I’m hoping to use the book for a women’s book club
Elizabeth says
My copy arrived today, just in time for Easter! I have already started delving into it and cannot wait to enjoy it all. Your blog has helped to guide, encourage, and motivate my clueless self in countless ways over the years in my homemaking, my mothering, and my faith. Thank you so much for sharing the wisdom of your experience to light the way for the rest of us!
Jen says
Congratulations on the book! I look forward to receiving my copy whenever Amazon.ca gets around to sending it off. 🙂 For now I will content myself with the sample chapter.
You will get no judgement from me on a quilt taking longer than anticipated. I am excellent at UFOs (UnFinished Objects) and have more of those than completed ones. It always feels like such a relief to finally get one done!
Molly R says
Just wanted to let you know the book arrived yesterday! Haven’t had a chance to look too much yet, but am very excited! Congratulations!
Janet says
Leila, your book was waiting for me when I got home from the Good Friday service at my parish. What a beautiful book! Thank you, Deirdre and David Clayton for this wonderful endeavor and have a Blessed, Happy Easter.
Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere!
sibyl says
The book is here. It is beautifully produced, and the first chapters (so far) have been SO good. I’m hoping to give these as Mother’s Day gifts. Also going to show my pastor tomorrow. Congratulations!
Valerie says
Oh my! I’m arriving late to the party…
I am SO excited for your book! Now off to order…