A question from a reader

I am on a mission to provide chapel veils for free to anyone who is interested in wearing them.  I've been buying on ebay, vintage, and my wallet just won't tolerate it anymore =)  I sew.  I know I can make them.  What I need are patterns or size suggestions.  I've seen the shell type, your D shape, the large circles and have quite a few of the triangular mantilla on hand.  I'd like to make some for young girls and was thinking the large circle or maybe an oval shape that would cover hair but be off the shoulders would be a good way to go.  That is also a good shape for moms with squirmy babies =)  Is it really just a big circle or is it oval in shape?

You can go to our archives to find more on working with lace or veils in general, but I also found very nice directions here, some general guidelines here, and etsy is always a source of inspiration.

I've also made something like this from a pattern I bought.  (I can't remember the manufacturer off hand, but it is definitely something I bought at JoAnn Fabrics. These free online directions look pretty much the same.)  You can fold up the lace to wear it as a regular headband, and fan it out during Mass.

As always, we'd love to get your suggestions as well.  Just leave them in the comments box!

Sometimes We Need a Reminder!

Good morning ladies!  I wanted to let you know about this very helpful service I've been subscribed to for the past month or so that's helped me to pray a couple novenas from beginning to end.  Each day I get not only the reminder, but the actual text of the prayers via email.  It really couldn't be easier!  There is no charge (but donations are accepted), and no ads or junk mail either. :)  You can read more about it below and on their site.

Have you ever started praying a novena only to forget to pray it after a few days?This used to happen to me all the time!
I started this website to help me and you to remember to pray all 9 days of the novena prayers. I do this by sending you email reminders with the novena prayers right in the body of the email.
Now, if you’re like me, you check your email every day. So, when you’re checking your email, you will be reminded to get praying!
It turns out that I’m not the only one who needs reminding… So far, several thousand people have joined in praying novenas with the help of these little reminders!
You can get your own reminder and pray together with thousands of others by signing up here.

The Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for August, 2012

General Intention: That prisoners may be treated with justice and respect for their human dignity

Missionary Intention: Youth Witness to Christ. That young people, called to follow Christ, may be willing to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father for this month. Amen.

The Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for July, 2012

General Intention: Work Security. That everyone may have work in safe and secure conditions.

Missionary Intention: Christian Volunteers. That Christian volunteers in mission territories may witness to the love of Christ.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father for this month. Amen.

More ideas for your one quart jars

I don't tend to can much in my quart jars- they are a bit big for my family's needs.

Being constantly short on plastic containers, I realized tonight that I could freeze my triple batch of red sauce in jars. Just be sure to leave enough room for expansion. You can easily thaw overnight in the fridge or sans lid in the microwave.

The Little Women Letters

One of my favorite things about living in Boston is my proximity to Concord's Orchard House, where  I have spent many happy hours learning more about the Alcotts.  Indeed, all the Church Ladies (and some of our Pious Men!) are fans of Little Women.  So when I saw Gabrielle Donnelly's The Little Women Letters at the library, I quickly snatched it up... and devoured it in the next twenty four hours.

The Little Women Letters operates on a single premise- the Marches were a real family, and Little Women is unknown.  Fast forward several generations to modern day London, where Jo's great-great-great granddaughters are growing up, learning important lessons about life, love, and family in the process.

The Little Women Letters succeed because the March girls are unchanged.  Certainly, some anecdotes are developed, but the original characters remain wholly Alcott's- not subverted to the reader's desires like fan faiction.  Donnelly is incredibly successful at bringing Alcott's lessons about the importance of family, moral character, domestic responsibilities, ambition, and public service to a new generation.

PS.  Be sure to check out the author's account of first encountering Little Women- something that I could relate to well from growing up in a house of brothers!

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Squash Chutney

"She prepares her food in summer, and gathers her sustenance in harvest." (Pro 6, 8)

It might seem a bit odd to can squash chutney in June, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity when my greengrocer was clearing out his stock of winter squash at extremely discounted prices.  The recipe, an Indian take on Our Lady of the Resurrection Monastery's pumpkin chutney,  below made eight pints.  And just like Ma Ingalls, I had my Pious Man/sous chef chop the squash (not, however, with an ax)!

2 acorn squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 shallots, minced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 t turmeric
2 t cumin seeds
2 t mustard seeds
2 t sambhaar
1 T fresh ginger, grated
2 pears, peeled and chopped
2 apples, peeled and chopped
1.5 cups sugar
1/4 cup rice vinegar or vermouth
1 T lemon juice
kosher salt to taste

Place squash in a dutch oven over low heat; cook covered until squash is al dente, about 15 minutes.  Remove lid and increase heat to medium.  Create a well in the middle of the pan; add oil and let heat a minute.  Then stir in shallots and cook until tender.  Stir in garlic and other spices; cook for 2 minutes.  Stir in fruit and cook a few minutes until juicy.  Stir in remaining ingredients except salt and and cook until thick and bubbly, about 20 minutes.  Add salt to taste. Can in a hot water for 15 minutes, according to manufacturer's instructions.

More summer refreshment

Thérèse's summer beverage hint inspired me to share a few of my own.  Pictured from left to right: iced mocha, iced chai, and peach basil margaritas in two quart jars.

Iced Mocha
Brew four cups of strong coffee; pour into jar.  Stir in two tablespoons of baking cocoa.  Add sugar to taste.  Cool to room temperature; then chill covered in fridge.  Stir well before use, adding milk to taste.

Iced Chai
Pour one quart of boiling water into the jar.  Steep two chai tea bags for five minutes; discard tea bags.  Stir in sugar to taste.  Cool to room temperature; then chill covered in fridge.  Stir well before use, adding milk to taste.

Peach basil margaritas - a peachy take on this Kitchn recipe for strawberry basil margaritas.

Bon appetit

"Cooking is crafty, self-empowering, and the closest existing thing to old-world magic. By trading money for raw roots, a thatch of herbs, and a slab of protein, you can transform it into something not only edible, but delicious—that’s powerful alchemy. Plus, making your own food almost guarantees you’ll eat better and feel healthier. It will also give you a chance to engage with the people around you, from the farmer who sells you produce to a loved one you feed to the relatives whose recipes you keep tacked to the fridge." (full post)

Via GOOD, a 30-Day Challenge (with a tip for each day of the month) to encourage eating at home- something from which everyone from families to new grads just starting out can benefit.

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The Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for June, 2012

General Intention: Christ, Present in the Eucharist. That believers may recognize in the Eucharist the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life.

Missionary Intention: European Christians. That Christians in Europe may rediscover their true identity and participate with greater enthusiasm in the proclamation of the Gospel.

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father for this month. Amen.