Author: Maria Johnson

and now, for the rest of us: it’s Festivus!

Happy Festivus, y’all.There will likely be plenty of comfort food tonight.

photo-10Um, no feats of strength since the thought of either of us being wrestled to the ground will require a call to 911, and those good folks are probably busy.

There will be, however, the airing of grievances. Let me get started with that.

1. Done with this rain. Done! We rarely get a white Christmas; I’ll pass on a wet one.
2. I ran out of whiskey. Why? WHY?
3. I didn’t win the lotto. Again.
4. Otis does not have opposable thumbs and thus, is useless to me. Unless we talk about doggy kisses and joy and all that stuff, but we’re not, cuz I’m airing grievances, not joys.
5. I need more hugs.

I anticipate Festivus miracles!

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on fire for Christmas!

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How’s your Advent been?

I’ve had one of the calmest, slowest (in a good way), simplest Advents in a very long time. An Advent filled with prayer and holy reading. An Advent that has touched me in moving ways I couldn’t have anticipated. In short, it’s been a month of such peace and quiet in my heart and soul that I hate to see it go.

John and I have been taking turns reading from Lisa Hendey’s O Radiant Dawn and enjoying, so far, 21 candlelit dinners. It’s been a lovely way to slow down in the evenings, especially in a time in our lives when it would have been easier to take dinner in the living room while watching The X-Factor.

I do believe that the discipline of using a prayer resource, together, contributed to the overall simplicity of this season.

Of course, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have a little drama in there. I did set fire to the Advent wreath today. We were just having a nice brunch…the usual, some eggs, a little bacon, some tasty home fries.

And then the conversation got a little weird, even for us.

John: Is there water in that vase with the tree cuttings?

Me, pleased with my amazing Pinterest-inspired creativity: Nope, I used those pretty, clear little stones.

John: I think it’s burning.

So, I set fire to the Advent wreath.

Yeah. That.

Don’t worry, all is well. I’m just saying that book should carry a warning label.

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Catholic Weekend is ready!

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Check out this week’s show with special guest Daniel Smrokowski from Special Chronicles Podcast. Daniel shares about a lot of things, but you’ll want to hear his perspective on how his disability has been a gift.

Why not me?!

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I’m tickled by this flash mob. Peanuts. Vince Guaraldi. The kid with the floppy neck and the fancy footwork.

This is probably my favorite Christmas special, after How the Grinch Stole Christmas. What’s yours?

 

 

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distractions, distractions

The kitchen is cozy, and the coffee pot is right there, so I sat down to work on a writing project.

But this was my view.

after

So is the advent calendar and a stack of wrapping needs. And Christmas cookies.

Silly me. I had to improve the view to get back into the groove.

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Um, after I posted this, of course 🙂

wisdom from a friend

this

“I’m going out on the lawn and meeting

it with a margarita in my hand.”

 

I’ll let you create your own context.

 

 

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Tis the Season!

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It’s that moment when I realize that I need an army of minions to help me around the house to get the wrapping done, last minute cleaning finished, and final decorating.

Oh, and a little more baking. For my honey — who seems to really like some apricot thumbprint cookies. So easy to please, the Big Guy.

I’ve had a very low key Advent…some nice couple-time, a few parties, some good reading, confession last week, a few daily masses thrown in here and there.

What have you been doing to get ready?

ladybug, ladybug

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We have a small infestation of ladybugs in our bedroom, and especially our bathroom. I don’t know how the little bugs got in, but they’re small, so they obviously found a way.

People keep telling me they are good luck. I don’t know about that, but they’re cute — when they’re not flying into my face or watching me. They aren’t watching me, are they? In the bathroom. Ew.

I did a little bit of research on them. Wikipedia suggests they were named for the Blessed Virgin, that’s why they are called Lady bugs, or Lady birds, in Europe. It turns out that in the Middle Ages, the farmers asked for Our Lady’s intercession to protect crops. I especially like the Dutch name for them, lieveheersbeestje, little creatures of Our Lord.

Isn’t that sweet? I think I’ll quit complaining about them.

right when I thought things couldn’t be better…

John and I went to a Duck Dynasty-themed Christmas party.

I know — I know. Why not you?

We can’t all live the dream. That’s why I’m sharing some pictures.

We were somewhere on the way to Flannery O’Connor’s place. This means nothing to you, I know, but let’s just say we were out in the country along some state road at a Wings place. Wait. Not just a wings place, the definitive wings place. And we had a party. Just like that.

Afterward, John and I stopped at Scoops to cool our palates with delicious ice cream. He had strawberry shortcake and I had pralines and cream because they didn’t have the kind of chocolate that I’ve been known to swoon over. We sat in the rocking chairs facing the square and enjoyed the people watching.

So that’s it. An epic date night for sure. Thought I’d share.

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