It’s the turn of another month and time to catch up, look in the book basket, and plan the month ahead.
Liturgical planning…
Obviously, big events headed our way liturgically speaking. Easter arrives April 16th. Since I live in the Midwest, there is always debate about whether it will be warm enough for the children actually wearing their Easter outfits on Easter Sunday. Hoping this late Easter will let that happen!
There are lots of other feast days to celebrate in April, so check out the April Feast Table if you want book suggestions or other ideas.
April links:
What’s new here…
I’ve already told you how I’ve recommitted to my morning routine, revamped chores, and switched up curriculum, but there are a few other things going on too.
#1 The 2017-2018 Catholic Planner is done!
It is available for purchase right now on Etsy. Later it will be listed on Amazon, and, hopefully, in a store here on the blog I would like to get going sometime this spring if time allows. Thanks to the moms who pushed me to get it done so they can get their summer activities organized!
#2 I’m working on an ebook!
I’m really excited about this one! I let all you subscribers in on this secret a while back (want to subscribe too?). It is no secret that I love order. I’ve spent the last 10 years learning to create an orderly home. It is something I’m passionate about. All those years of work are what ultimately allowed me a few spare hours to blog, create planners, and get to know you great Catholic (and not Catholic) ladies.
Despite all that, my life remains far from Pinterest perfect! I’m very much about living in the season God has given me and treasuring each moment with my family.
That’s how I knew, when I challenged myself to write an ebook, that I wanted it to be about a well ordered home. I took my Nourishing Routine series, and revamped, edited, and added incredible amounts of practical advice to help all you other homemakers who desire a well-run home. My prayer is that it is a blessing to not only the ladies who read it, but their families as well!
#3 Name Changes- BIG time!
You subscribers also know about this one! If you’ve been reading here for any amount of time, you may have noticed that my kids’ pseudonymns changed this past month. I just wasn’t feeling the names I randomly picked out when I started this blog. They will now be going by their middle names: Lowell (9), Christian (6), Lilla (4, a derivative of her middle name, since it is really Elizabeth and that would just get super confusing!), and Michael (18 mos.).
I’ve also changed the name of my Etsy store to ElizabethClareShop and the seller name on Amazon to Elizabeth Clare. It isn’t all about me (though I do agree that my parents named me well), but this means all the businessy type names are one name now. This simplifies things for me, you, and for the government.
What I’m reading…
We implemented the ChorePacks and I have to say it is ingenious! You can read a bit more about it here.
I actually picked this one up as a little gift for Husband (it is written for men), but I enjoyed the very hard truths and practical advice shared on how Christians should manage their time.
I’m a big fan of making things from scratch (household and food). I picked up a few new recipes from this library loan.
This has been on my “To Read” list for quite sometime!
Introduction to the Devout Life
This is an ever ongoing read. So many Catholics read the Imitation of Christ on a daily basis, but this book is my preferred daily devotional (besides the Bible).
I’m still working on that Bible in a year challenge and it is beginning to bear some fruit!
What’s in the Book Basket…
For the “bigger” kids…
This is Christian’s favorite (well, he has a lot of favorites, but this is right up at the top of the list). It is such a sweet story and great beginner read aloud.
I tend to come around to the Little House books every few years.
This is an all time family favorite! A great beginning chapter read aloud.
For the Littles….
Little Blue Truck (board book)
Kiss Goodnight (board book)
The Little Lamb and The Little Rabbit
The kids (every single one) love these books. The pictures are so sweet and I’m sure they are all imagining themselves as the children in the story as I read. I see there is a Little Animals Treasury at a very reasonable price I may have to pick up for the Easter basket this year. They are a fitting choice for spring!
What have you got going on this month?
