7 Quick Takes

1. Since we have been home I have been on a search for a few good Paleo muffin/bread recipes to become my go-to recipes. We have had two winners so far - Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and Hummingbird Bread. I'm particularly picky about gluten-free bread recipes, but these were amazing. They also received rave reviews from Zach, Ryan, and Tony (who doesn't really count because he will eat anything. Eggy coconut flour bread? Devoured.). 

 

2. I have never used Jen's Saint Name Generator before, but somehow ended up using it the other day. It gave me Jane Frances de Chantal. I knew the name, but next to nothing about her. But for some reason I almost cried reading what she is patron of on that first page. On Catholic Culture's page, it says that Abandonment to Divine Providence (Jean-Pierre de Caussade) changed her life. I have it sitting in my nightstand drawer, a gift from my Grandma some time ago. Time to read it? I think so. Zach got Joseph Moscati, a medical doctor in Italy in the early 1900's. I thought that was pretty cool, given the profession he is pursuing.

3. Evie rolled over the other day! She hasn't done it again, sadly, but she gets close. She has also been doing stomach crunches trying to sit up. Makes me laugh. Zach thinks she will be sitting up soon.

4. Zach has taught Tony to say, "Evie Evangelini." Cutest thing ever. It comes out more like "Evie Bangelini." The "lini" makes me think of Sister Evangelina in Call the Midwife. I don't know why. I'm looking forward to March when that comes back on. I love that my favorite shows on Masterpiece are staggered - I have Downton right now, Sherlock starts on Sunday (it's short, though), and then Call the Midwife will begin once those are over. At some point in the very near future I should be picking up Person of Interest Season 2 on DVD from the library...needless to say, there will be a PoI marathon over here.

5. I ordered seeds for our garden! I felt like an idiot last year buying the bean and pepper plants. But perhaps their success is what I needed to spur myself into action to do it myself. I didn't go terribly overboard - kale, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, squash, bell peppers, beans, and a couple of herbs (they didn't have many). I'm praying it is all successful. I need to get a grip on gardening while we live in a place with beautiful soil. I ordered from Clear Creek Seeds, which is owned by a traditional Catholic family, which makes me happy.

6. Coming soon to our backyard farm: RABBITS! The hutch is ready, we're just working on sourcing food for them, and finding the breed we want, within a reasonable driving distance.

7. I'm kind of trying to do the Motherhood and Jane Austen book club. I doubt I will be successful, but it sounds like so much fun. Embarrassing confession: I haven't read all of Jane's books. Even more embarrassing is that I can't remember which ones I have read (I know Persuasion and Northanger Abbey...can that be it??).