The regular “little of this, little of that” feature from Like Mother, Like Daughter!
This is a little bit of work I did a few months ago, for the birthday of a dear friend. In general, I have not been on top of birthday cards so far this year (despite the resolve I had just around this time a few years ago to be steadfast and committed about sending out homemade birthday greetings!). But I did muster a bit of organization and forethought for this particular lady who's the type of friend to always be on top of such things for me.
This week's links!
- I absolutely love this piece about relationships and social media from Public Discourse (a site which I always find worth a visit). I have actually been talking recently with my friend to whom I sent the above card about how texting adds a layer (at least one) of difficulty to current-day dating habits. But, although this article is largely about how texting and social media are problematic in the context of dating, it also sheds light on how they are also problematic for relationships at any stage and between people of any age. Beyond the Screen: Love in the time of Social Media. [I will add that I have said since texting arose and will continue to say it: never develop the beginning of a relationship via text message!]
- Beautiful photos and a powerful idea: Empowering Photo Project ‘One Day Young' Reassures Women that Childbirth is Nothing to Fear. I can agree with this photographer that reading Ina May Gaskin had a major impact on my life (it sounds a bit hyperbolic to say it that way, but I think it's accurate). I enjoyed these reflections as well as the images.
- I haven't seen the new version of Cinderella, and have been wavering, based on reviews that I've read, as to whether or not I particularly want to see it. This review from Fr. Robert Barron is fairly compelling and I'm now leaning back towards wanting to see it. (Considering how many new movies I've seen in the past three years, however, I won't be holding my breath!). Kenneth Branagh's Very Christian Cinderella. Oh, and no matter what I think of this latest take, I remain one of Ever After‘s biggest fans.
- Speaking of Cinderella, and since I'm back in wedding mode (I trust that you are keeping up with the {pretty, happy, real weddings} series?? More coming soon!), let's take a moment to admire this dress, shall we? Whatever Disney did right or wrong in Branagh's movie, I say two thumbs up on a thoroughly satisfying fairy tale wedding gown.
- And, apparently, this actress has been lucky in costume opportunities! Because we have another entry for awesome on-screen wedding garb, with the same model! This one from Downton Abbey (we LMLD ladies are by no means committed to the series — but we're happy to hear about great dresses coming out of it).
- Just a reminder not to worry about kids schlepping through some household work (don't know about your home, but Saturdays were always chore days at the LMLD homestead!): Why Children Need Chores from the Wall Street Journal.
- I honestly was shocked at some of the phrases on this list of 20 common misspellings of idioms. Why the tendency to get idioms wrong? Is it because we don't read the classics enough and see these things written down? Anyway, it's a worthwhile list to read to avoid embarrassment in the future. (Thanks, Annie!)
- And, if you're up for something a little more weighty, I recommend (again, from Public Discourse) this piece addressing the D&G controversy. I think that you will be hard-pressed to find a more thoughtful response that so clearly addresses the relevant issues.
Liturgical year: Are you getting prepared for Holy Week (this is a helpful link)? Suddenly it's upon us!
~We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).~
Ellen says
Bravo for not being a slave to Downton Abbey! I still watch it only for the clothes and the Dowager Countess’ lines, otherwise it’s just a boring soap opera.
Josie says
I feel the need to admit I watched DA with much pleasure. What did I miss-is it an awful thing to have enjoyed it? I didn’t expect it to be perfectly Christian, but it a very nice thing to look forward to each week. I thought the acting was excellent. I don’t know, I have enjoyed it very much. And I am not at all a show watcher! There is no need for me to have commented that, but for the sake of conversation with friends;). God bless!
Tori says
I enjoy it, too 🙂
Deirdre says
Hi Josie! I honestly can’t opine much about the show these days, since I haven’t kept up with it at all. I was a huge fan of season 1, but season 2 was so obnoxious to me in so many ways that I swore it off. But I know that the costumes and the Dowager pack quite an appealing punch! 🙂
Josie says
I love Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes. I was disappointed with declining behavior this last season, but still really enjoyed it. It was my little get away to go up and watch it:)!
Nancy says
Beautiful homemade card! Enjoyed the links this morning with a cup of coffee.
Melissa D says
I watch Downton for the interiors! Especially the rugs.
Your birthday card is beautiful, Deirdre!
Faith says
Loved Cinderella! I gave Downton Abbey a chance- but I too felt it was a soap opera… I’m trying to be more discerning about the media I consume.
chere mama says
I love your hand painted card! Sending snail mail is such a dying art, but I know whenever I get a card or letter in the mail mingled in with the bills and the junk mail, it still gives me a thrill to discover it there.
Ashley says
I have a question about Holy Week, Holy Thursday in particular. Is it a Feast day? I was reading one of Auntie Leila’s older posts, and that’s the impression I got (“the feast before the feast”). This is new to me, so I want to make sure that I’m understanding this correctly. I’m a cradle Catholic but sometimes I feel like I have so much to learn. 🙂
Deirdre says
Ashley, I hear ya on this one! I have, at times, thought of it as a solemn fasting day. But I remember one time that my friends and I were having dinner following Holy Thursday Mass with the Benedictine monks at our local abbey and one of the priests (now the abbot) came to our table to end our argument about whether we should have dessert. “It’s a feast day!” he told us, “Christ instituted the Eucharist today!” That does seem like a point worth celebrating! And yet one doesn’t want to head into Good Friday in a party spirit, by any means, and the chapel is stripped… You can check out this link for more info about Holy Thursday, and maybe you’ll dig something up that I missed (http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-04-02). Perhaps more of an expert can chime in here…
Mrs. B. says
He also instituted the Priesthood! The Crism Mass a Bishop celebrates with all his priests is very beautiful. Given that the liturgical color of the day is White, I never considered it a penitential day, but more like a Solemnity in character. Though it’s certainly true that the evening is quite sobering.
Laura says
Go see Cinderella! It was truly breathtaking.
Anastasia says
The card is so beautiful! i am looking actually forward to finally get a chance to sit down and write thank you notes for all the kind things people have done for us after the arrival of our newest baby (http://honeyandthehoneycomb.blogspot.com/2015/03/baby-news.html). It seems like one of the few chances to engage in that kind of old-fashioned communication these days 🙂 Thanks for the great links!
Elizabeth says
Haley (at Carrot for Michaelmas) and Kendra (at Catholic All Year) both gave Cinderella such glowing reviews I am planning to splurge and take my daughter out to see it.
Elizabeth says
Whoops! I meant Carrots, with an ‘s’. Nursing and typing at the same time doesn’t work very well!
Margo, Thrift at Home says
What a pretty card! I had resolved to make a fuss over birthdays because they come one at a time, and then downplay individual greetings and gifts at Christmas because it’s just too many all at once. But I’m afraid I have missed some birthdays since that resolve. . .
I was also wondering about Cinderella and yes, feeling the urge to re-watch Ever After again!!
I have enjoyed Downton Abbey for the clothes, interiors, and education on some of the customs and issues of the time in England. There was a companion piece that BBC did on manners of the era that was absolutely fascinating, a good reminder on how to read old novels in that context instead of thinking it was ridiculous that they were so tradition-bound or class-conscious.