Through the Week in Feminine Dress: Day 6

Today's outfit was a bit more active and casual: my a-line tensil/denim skirt, a pink cotton stop with stitched accents, and my vivid pink summery vest, almost peasant-style. It was rather chilly today, so my pastel pink fleece jacket completed my wardrobe. I was quite comfortable doing all kinds of running around in this outfit today — including an early-morning jog and enjoying a family game of volleyball in the yard tonight!

My Eucharistic medal... I wore it yesterday, too, because May 8 is my double Sacramental anniversary: 20 years since my baptism and 14 since my First Holy Communion!

Oh, and thanks to Veronica for these photos! :)

Through the Week in Feminine Dress: Day 5

Yesterday was our Suzuki String group concert. I'm a teacher, Sarah's a helper, and Veronica and David are students.

I accented my concert black outfit — a long linen skirt and a chiffon top with ties at the neck —with a ribbon sash to add a touch of spring color. The sleeves are my favorite part of this top! However, being chiffon with lace inserts makes it it very sheer. Worn alone or even with a tank top camisole underneath, the sheer lace up the sleeves can still be somewhat glaring (and distracting, according to the Modesty Survey). :)

So... I just wear a solid long-sleeve stretch shirt underneath, which both makes a lining for the chiffon and fills in the sheer lace on the sleeves. Voila!

My shoes are actually a pair of character dance shoes that I like so well, I use them for formalwear. :)

My jeweled cross...

Oh, and if anyone's wondering if I wore this all day, I didn't. :) Before I changed for the evening concert, I actually wore the same outfit as on Friday (the denim and pink).

His Vessel

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many — which one would He choose?

"Take me!", cried the gold one: "I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like you, Master,
gold would be best!"


The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall.

"I'll serve you, dear Master,
I'll pour out your wine
And I'll be at your table whenever you dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment you."


Unheeding, the Master passed on
to the brass...
It was wide mouthed and shallow,
and polished like glass.

"Here! Here!" cried the vessel,
"I know I will do.
Place me on your table for all men to view."

"Look at me!"
called the goblet of crystal so clear.
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I,
I will serve you with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy
in your home to abide."

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.

"You may use me, dear Master",
the wooden bowl said.
"But I'd rather you used me for fruit,
not for bread!"

Then the Master looked down at a vessel of clay,
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

"Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find...
I will mend and use it and make it all mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of itself,
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf,
Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud,
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right,
But this plain earthly vessel filled with my power and might."

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay,
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly: "There's work you must do.
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."

~ ~ ~

My heart is often consoled to remember that our Lord does not call the qualified —
He qualifies the called!

HT: Godly Ladies in Training

Through the Week in Feminine Dress: Day 4

Today's outfit was another complete thrift-store ensemble. I always say that I'm not accustomed to paying more than $7 for a single article of clothing! :) This skirt is deep green but has lots of different colors in its print, so the possibilites for matching a top are numerous. Today I'm wearing my vivid blue three-quarter sleeve blouse accompanied by a woven brown leather belt. As Clare at Romance and the Roses mentioned, a belt can add such definition and character to an outfit! In the book Dressing with Dignity, author Colleen Hammond talks about tastefully defining the curves of our feminine figure. We we speak of modest attire, a gunny-sack wardbrobe is not at all what we're talking about. :) Mrs. Hammond points out how our Blessed Mother always appears in a beautiful flowing robe with a sash or belt about her waist. An interesting point, I think!

As you may have noticed, I wear a lot of blue. :) I also love pink...perhaps some will show up later this week. Vivid colors (rather than earthy hues) seem to fit my skin tone better.

I felt very Narnian taking this picture! :) It rained this morning, so I wore my long wine-violet jacket to Mass. The tree behind me is our lovely flowering pear... my only disappointment in it is that it doesn't bloom very long.

My cross — a Christmas gift last year from one of my Religious Ed students. It's very pretty and dainty. Underneath my blouse I have a lightweight white cotton tank top with a row of eyelet lace and a touch of ribbon sewn along the collar. Yesterday I mentioned using brooches to fix a neckline — this is another great way!

Photo credit goes to my lovely sister, Sarah. :) Thank you, my dear!

Through the Week in Feminine Dress: Day 3

Another beautiful Spring day! In recent months, I've taken to checking weather.com each night as I prepare for bed, and laying out my clothes for the next day. It really helps me because I may not always be thinking so creatively in the morning! :) Perhaps it sounds silly, but I find myself more easily focused on morning prayers and exercises when I've predetermined what I'm to put on when they are finished. :)

Today I wore my flowered linen skirt found at Wal-Mart about four Springs ago (they had a bunch of nice things that year!). It's still in great condition. I love, love, love the ruffle (I am absolutely a ruffles kind of girl...they send me into exclamations). The design of a lightly gathered back and drawstring front is one of my favorite.

My blouse is a button-down white cotton with small white embroidered flowers throughout. Again, a thrift store find and one of my "staple" spring/summer pieces! Three-quarter-length sleeves are my favorite — they are so versatile in many kinds of weather.

I'm barefoot again...I did wear my closed-toe brown leather sandals when I went out today, but as soon as I get home they're off. :)

I wore my hair up in what is actually a fast do for me, but one which I am often asked how long it takes! I think it must look more complicated than it is...the mini claw clips are what make it a breeze. With the thickness of my hair, keeping this up with bobby pins alone would take a gazillion of them.

I enjoy brooches, but one of the biggest reasons I wear them less than necklaces is that I'm reluctant to put away my crosses and holy medals! :) Today I took a bow-shaped brooch that has a pearl "dangling" piece from the center and did something I've done before on occasion: detached the pearly dangle and in its place, put a medal of my choice! Today, I chose Our Lady of Guadalupe. I'm always good when Mom is with me. :)

A tip... a brooch is a terrific way to dress up and/or fix a blouse neckline. Especially those that they sell now that tend to be missing a top button or two! The pin takes their place with competence and a good deal more style, and takes care of too much peeking skin. (Those few buttons missing can make for a real teaser).

Thank you all for your kind words about yesterday's outfit. This is so much fun!

Where is your heart?

I had to share this powerful quote I just came across from St. John of Avila (not to be confused with St. John of the Cross — actually, John of Avila was spiritual director to John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila).

"Withdraw your heart from the world before God takes your body from it."

- St. John of Avila

Through the Week in Feminine Dress: Days 1 and 2

I've seen these in the past and always thought it was such a lovely idea — to post daily photos of going through the week in pretty and practical feminine attire! Contrary to common thought, semi-dressy is both possible and comfortable on a daily basis. :)

So, when I saw a few days ago at A Joyful Handmaiden that a group of ladies are doing their "Spring 2008" week, I decided to join in. I know this works on different levels for different ladies — some decide to do it to try wearing skirts daily for a week, and some just decide to share a peek at how they regularly dress. For me, it's the latter. Either way, I think this can be a blessing and encouragement! I'll do my best to keep up in between the many goings on of this week!

I wasn't able to take any photos on Sunday, but I wore a pastel-sort-of-green skirt with a gentle print of swirly lavender and white flowers, coupled with the clearanced $9.99 white eyelet jacket I found at Sears a while back. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and we celebrated First Holy Communion at the parish where I'm DRE. Later in the afternoon I changed into a work skirt and t-shirt since we were catching up on housework, but they're not worth describing. :)

Yesterday (Day 2), I wore one of my favorite solid skirts — a dark navy rayon (I think) that I love for its comfort and versatility. It's one of my many valuable Unique Thrift Store finds. :) It has six gores, a side zipper, and is smooth in front and elasticized in back, making it the perfect fullness. While I enjoy pretty shoes, I also love going barefoot, and will whenever possible when the weather is as lovely as it is now. :)




My top is a sheer white polyester with shimmery knots down the front as buttons (also a thrift store find). It would be unthinkable to wear it alone, but I simply layer a white cotton short sleeve shirt underneath and voila! — comfortable, springy, and lightweight.

The only item of my outfit not found at a thrift store is my scarf — it was actually a gift from a friend who is a pilot in Europe. For many years, he would bring home scarves from various places for my sisters and me. I think this one is silk and is from Italy! I love how a scarf can add character to an outfit.

I especially enjoy wearing jewelry that proclaims my Catholicism...

such as my large miraculous medal.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee

I wore my hair in a simple braid, with a few rhinestone barrettes to clip back the top. Of course, a braid means matching a satin ribbon to my ensemble. :)

Since we had a dance practice yesterday, I wore white cotton eyelet capris underneath my skirt instead of a slip/petticoat. I actually found these last Spring at Wal-Mart — in the pajama section! They make perfect bloomers. Any activity can be done in a skirt with a comfy pair of capris or bloomers underneath! :)

If any of my readers are participating in the week of feminine dress, do let me know!

Blessings on this lovely Spring day!

A Little Girl Again

We took a family "rosary-walk" tonight at dusk — such a tranquil time. All was still. The inky silhouettes of the trees lay against the smooth indigo sky.

Dad likes to for us all to stay near each other as we pray the rosary, so he has us walk in two lines of three, holding hands. For a time, I ended up between Mom and Dad. It's been a long time since I've had one of my hands in each of theirs. It was comforting and secure...for a bit I felt like a small girl again.

I am infinitely blessed with parents who are selfless, wise, and so present. Any gifts and strengths that have been cultivated in me have been largely from their loving training. From the haven of a home filled with Faith and growing in love by the grace of God working through and despite our human struggles.

This kind of home is recognized by many, including our Holy Fathers, as crucial to the growth and health of society.

“Many people ask: why are families so important? Why does the Church so insist on the topic of marriage and the family? The reason is simple, even if not everyone can understand it: the future of the human person, his happiness, his capacity for giving life meaning all depend on the family… As the family goes, so goes the world.” (John Paul II)

“The family is a kind of school of deeper humanity. But if it is to achieve the full flowering of its life and mission, it needs the kindly communion of minds and the joint deliberation of spouses, as well as the painstaking cooperation of parents in the education of their children.” (Gaudium et Spies: The Church in the Modern World)

“Today, if they are to give a truly human face to society, no people can ignore the precious good of the family, founded on marriage.” (Benedict XVI)

Let us pray for the healing of the family. For the restoration of homes where prayer, work, play, and service foster the kind of unity that in turn, strengthens all of society!

Simple Joy

is taking a walk home from Mass with your ten-year-old brother on a breezy Spring morning and laughing together at all kinds of wonderful discoveries.

At a squirrel that didn't realize we were near him (and nor did we, for that matter) until we were right next to his little tree, and then bolted for dear life across the sidewalk...about two feet in front of us.

At tulips with pointed petals.

At what David says he was "99.9 percent sure" were springs of poison ivy growing along the sidewalk. "Add about a million nines after that point," he said. I believe him, too — that boy has a positive knack for spotting and correctly identifying poison ivy.

At random patches of perfect violets, especially the variegated ones that are white along the edges but the loveliest pale purple in the middle. We both exclaimed at those... and tried to capture them with the cell phone camera.

At the charmingest house (I know, that's probably not a word, but it should be). Don't ask me why I've never noticed it before. It looks like it could be right out of a book, or a movie. Ivy clung to the antique yellow stone walls, complete with arches and such. The fact that it was somewhat set higher than the road added to its allure. Even the yard was unusual, with a little brick walkway along the house and things growing here and there. We felt like were looking at a kind of cross between a Victorian cottage, English Tudor, and miniature castle!

At little white blossoms growing directly from the fat limb of a tree!

At a literal blanket of petals in one yard — the work of the big, beautiful magnolia succumbing to the tugging breeze.

...At the gentle beauty of spring, bursting forth in all its splendor.

Sweetness

Last night, thanks to the invitation of a professional violinist with whom we've had the chance to become aquinted with recently, I had the opportunity to see Rachel Barton play in person — for free! (It was a final rehearsal for the a nearby concert she's playing this weekend...we all got to go.)

It was sublime. So incredible that a person can take that instrument and bring from it such sweetness! It's the kind of sound in which one can simply melt. Just amazing.

Our violinist friend summed it up exactly, I think: "She has an absolute gift from God".

Secrets of the Eucharist

Let's just continue our Sacramental theme, shall we? :) We hosted a meeting tonight for the parents of our First Communicants at St. Joseph's, and so last week I searched around for a Eucharistic "teaching" film to show them. I found Seven Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn.

All of us really need to make sure we are continually re-energizing our understanding of what and Who the Eucharist is. If we don't, it can all too easily become thoughtless monotony.

This talk, based off of Mr. Flynn's book by the same name, does just that: wakes and shakes us up to profound reality of this gift! He highlighted how the effectiveness of the Sacrament is directly proportional to our participation in it. He takes what may sound at first like simple or even obvious points and completely lights them up. For example: the Eucharist is alive. When we receive our Lord, it is not the dead Jesus but the living one! We receive the presence of the whole Trinity as Father and Holy Spirit come to us with Jesus! We receive the presence of all of heaven, angels and saints, as they come to us with Him!

I especially loved Mr. Flynn's explanation of Spiritual Communion. Wow... it's so much more than most of us think! He shares a beautiful prayer: "Jesus, lock me in the tabernacle with You." There is a lot to be meditated on in that tiny little prayer...

What I most appreciated was how everything he explained was based off of writings of the Popes, Saints, and Divine Revelations such as Our Lord to St. Faustina. So solid. So good.

At the very end, he mentions how a whole chapter of Pope John Paul's Eucharistic Encyclical was dedicated to Our Lady. He then goes on to share some of the most beautiful titles for her... such as the First Tabernacle, the first Eucharistic procession (when she bore Jesus and went to Elizabeth!), and the Living Monstrance.

He also drove home how crucial it is for us to enter into communion with Our Lord, not just passively receive Him. It really struck me when he said that one could receive Holy Communion every day of their life, but remain unchanged if they're not desiring and working toward and praying for closer union with Christ!

The summary of it all is this: we can transform both our own lives and life of the Church through the life and power of the Eucharist... if only we desire it.

Sealed in the Spirit

Tonight, the twenty-one students of my Religious Education Class at St. Joseph's in Joliet received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the hands of our Bishop J. Peter Sartain. Preparing them the past two years, and being intimately involved in the Liturgy and celebration has in a very tangible way been somewhat of a "reliving" of my own Confirmation eight years ago. The articles, stories, quotes, and teachings that I've looked up and prepared for my students have been just as much a blessing for me.

I especially love this excerpt which I found in an article on CatholicCulture.org (that website is a gem!):

Confirmation marks one's spiritual growing up. With Confirmation he is launched on the social aspect of his spiritual life, with which goes an even greater obligation to pursue his own sanctification. But self-sanctification is now dependent upon his relationship with all men. With Confirmation, he is equipped, by the strengthening in him of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to look at the world with new eyes, to desire its conquest for Christ with new love. He sees more clearly (if he is helped to see by his parents and teachers) what it means to be a member of the Mystical Body. Like a cell in his own body, he is a cell in the Body of Christ. Each cell is important, a part of a whole. Without it, the whole would be less whole. If one cell is sick (in sin), the whole is less well. Now he begins to see that it is up to him, as well as to the other members of the Body, to work for the total health of the Body; not only that — but to work for the further growth of the Body.

The absolute beauty of the Mystical Body of Christ is something that has, and continues to leave me awestruck — especially in the last year or two. Recently a seminarian friend coined a phrase that I thought summed it up perfectly: the interconnectedness of the Body of Christ. It is so, so much more connected than I think any of us realize. It's incredibly powerful to realize the truth of the above text: we literally and directly affect the life and health of the whole body. Amazing!

It was truly bittersweet to watch my spiritual children receive this Sacrament tonight. It's near the end of our time together so far (only 3 more classes before the school year ends), but I hope and pray that much more than an end, it is a bright new beginning for them. One of my students' mothers asked me tonight if I was nervous. And while I wouldn't describe myself as that, there were plenty of other emotions swirling around my mind and heart this evening.

And oh, but I so love our bishop. I was cheering (silently, of course) from the choir loft as he gave his final message to the youth. With authority and yet tenderness, he said some of the very same key points I've tried so hard to drive home for them this year: Confirmation is not the same thing as graduation. This doesn't mean you are done learning the Faith. This doesn't mean Religious Education is done for you!

Forgive me if I my reflection here is somewhat disjointed tonight. I wish I could summarize here somehow the culmination of graces for me the past few months. I feel as though I've had greater contemplation, and less spoken words than typical for me (perhaps my family wouldn't agree, but it seems so to me!). I am usually one to whom words come fairly easily, even about relatively awkward or in-depth topics. There are plenty of times lately, however, when I'm caught up in a kind of interior thought and find myself not saying much... or it's almost difficult when I do.

It might sound strange, but at times like these there is such a strange mixture of emotion when it comes to writing (at least, to blogging). My head and heart are simply brimming with things about which I wish to write, but interestingly, I'm almost reluctant to do so... as if I'm fearful that I won't have the time to do justice to the beauty or depth of the topic.

The Holy Spirit was indeed present in a very real way tonight. And He has been in many of our classes. There are days when I can stand up in front of those twenty-one seventh and eighth graders and know that He has taken over the words coming out of my mouth. And then I wish the clock would stop moving! I just hope that I have given these young people a glimpse into the treasure chest (rather, the gold mine) that is our Faith.

Father, grasp them in the palm of Your Hand. Son, encircle them in the abode of Your Heart, Holy Spirit, inflame them with the all-consuming fire of Your Love!

Glimpses

...at just a few of the goings-on of the past few weeks! Perhaps this can make up a bit for my extended absence here. :)

St. Faustina (a.k.a. Sarah) visited our parish for a special presentation!

"My Jesus, I want to love You as no human soul has ever loved You before; and although I am utterly miserable and small, I have nevertheless cast the anchor of my trust deep down into the abyss of Your mercy, O my God and Creator!" (Saint Faustina Kowalska)

Sarah was a Confirmation sponsor a few weekends ago, and Veronica made these beautiful nosegays for her and her goddaughter

A close-up

Suzuki music lessons have kept me busy!

My little students are so enjoyable

Spending quality time with Grandma Jan at her favorite place: Culver's. (Actually, this was back in March, but I thought I'd include it anyway!)

A sweet moment...

Appassionata played and sang for a First Communion a few weeks ago

Veronica, inspired by online photos of a "Friends" necklaces priced at $40 each, turned around and made these for a fraction of that!

My goddaughters (Veronica and Amanda) modeling their new necklaces

A baking project -- by many hands!

Our young griller... now that the weather's warming, he's done quite a bit of this lately!

At a recent Little Flowers Senior Club meeting, we had the opportunity to decorate cakes. As this is not something I often have the time for, it was a lot of fun!

Sarah's cake...

...and mine.

Easter 2008 Snapshot

Blessings! I hope and pray to be able to "return" with some more substantial writing soon.

Wow

Mrs. Hammond just had this quote from St. Ambrose on her blog...

"Chastity will be lost where the distinction between the sexes is not observed."

-St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397AD)

Are we seeing it... or are we seeing it?

Excellent

Lady Clare from Romance and the Roses very sweetly awarded me with this a few weeks ago. Thank you, Clare!

I'm supposed to award it to ten others, but I think I will just keep it simple and say that if you're on my sidebar, you are one of my favorites and I hereby award it to you!

The occasion calls for a quote :)...

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

-Aristotle

Book Bomb Praise Report!

Well, Spring is here (I think), and so am I! I've so many post ideas swirling around in my head that I need to make time to write!

First of all, I neglected to follow-up after my Do Hard Things Amazon.com Book Bomb plug. Thanks to our Lord's goodness prompting thousands of passionate youth and adults who have faith in our generation, on March 25th we took Do Hard Things from #625 to #5 of Amazon.com's bestsellers and #1 in the Christianity section! I hope and pray this is indicative of a transformation happening in my generation. Glory be to God for the great things He has done!

If you haven't heard of this book yet or you're wondering what on earth a "book bomb" is, visit here.

Charlton Heston... Rest in Peace

"I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses...

and that's probably enough for any man."

"Political correctness is simply tyranny with manners."

"You can spend a lifetime, and, if you're honest with yourself,

never once was your work perfect."

"It's been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it."

-Charlton Heston