Unexpected Honey

Funny story. My daughter's teacher sent out a request for family members to come in and talk about their holiday traditions. I mentioned that I'd be interested in reading my favorite book, Pippin the Christmas Pig, and like any good teacher who knows the value of volun...

Ever notice how October is a bit of a glory hound? It comes in with a blaze, still warm afternoons, pumpkin spiciness, grinning jack-o-lanterns, kids in costume, and we hungrily eat it up.

November feels a bit somber by comparison--especially if you're Catholic. Bang! A...

Shannan Martin’s words have been speaking truth to my heart, lately. (*Excellent podcast, here, or put The Ministry of Ordinary Places on your hold list at the library), because she has this compelling way of making the truly mundane, shine with the light of the Incarn...

Silently, they peered from the south-facing front yard.

I saw them peeking over cars.

Reverent, beautiful, cold.

Sisters, swinging wildly through the mid-winter air, late afternoon shadows, cast long and blue.

Giggling, shrieking, oblivious to all but one another.

Taking in...

This morning, my daughter’s class was talking about the people in our community. They brainstormed a list of people they know in their communities, and the jobs they each perform. Firefighters and police officers topped the list. Beyond some of these more prominent, pu...

There’s something fresh about turning the calendar page over to December. Just like there’s something fresh about the first week of a new Advent. In many ways it’s a blank slate—as we ease into the most celebrated month of the year, December eases in quietly with its p...

Advent breezed in this weekend without the pomp and circumstance we might be inclined to give it, just as it does every year—with dimmed lights, flickering candles and space for quiet—everyday reminders to help carve out space for the holy in our ordinary. Even more fi...

I’ve been on hiatus in these parts recently—mostly as a detox from writing and instagram daily in October, working ahead on some Advent writing, preparing for a holiday sale I’m doing with some other small business owners in early December —let me know if you are a loc...

Beyond paper calendars bearing chocolate candies, I don't think I really celebrated Advent until college. As my roommates and I decorated for Christmas, one of the girls introduced me to the practice of moving the Magi from the nativity set, throughout our home to sign...