A Potluck Post

You know, a potluck: a little of this, a little of that, everyone brings their best stuff?

In case you missed these blog posts, podcasts, and announcements in other parts of the web I thought I'd share the good news here. :)


First up: Blessed Is She is growing by offering more regional retreats!


In a couple weeks they will be on the beach (literally? I don't know.) in Seal Beach, California. You can still sign up for the October 15th retreat and for those close to the Southwest there is an upcoming retreat in Chandler, Arizona on March 18. Midwesterners and East Coasters - a BIS retreat will be coming your way, too, so stay tuned. For more information and to register go here.


Second, here's some of my favorite recent reads and listens from the internet:
Success is Not a Name of God
The Story of a Forever Home
Why and How I Chucked 2/3 of My Closet
If You Bring a Mom a Muffin
I Want a Better Marriage
The Power of Writing It Down
To Live With Our Wounds
Long Live the Queen
An Apology to My Readers
Life in the Time of Grief and Twitter
Saying 'Yes' in the Mess: Mary's Fiat for Overwhelmed  Moms



And finally, if you are a small business owner, crafter, vendor, etc please consider being a part of
my upcoming Advent Care Package Giveaway. I did one two years ago and will be doing it again this November. If you'd like to be part of the merry-making, and have your business / item featured on my blog and social media please email your information, proposed donation, item's dollar value, and all relevant website / social media links to bonniefandel at gmail dot com. All donations would need to be shipped to me by November 1st to be eligible for the giveaway.

Alright! Have a great day, folks! xo

My five favorite blog reads of late

Today I'm liking up with Ashley from The Big White Farmhouse for #FiveFavorites. :)

This is my Best of the Web version of #5Faves - some of the best posts that popped up in my reader over the past few days. I hope you enjoy them, too.

How to Deal with Little Hoarders at House for Five
Now if Deme could just write a post about how to deal with hoarders when the hoarder is you. ahem. And her story about Mr. Steve is really beautiful - I am inspired by this post on several levels.


Is It His Money or Mine? at letlovebesincere
In a funny move of bloggers inspiring bloggers, Mary's post on tithing is, in part, the fruit of my Financial Hardships and Surprise Pregnancies series, and I found this post to be incredibly thought-provoking.  Also, please do click through to read Colleen's post Giving Uncomfortably at Martin Family Moments. It is another inspiring read and obviously impacted Mary and me.


The 10-Year-Old Trip to Chicago: Part 3 at Team Whitaker
I live in Illinois and have a fairly strong dislike of Chicago. I even refuse to drive in the city, or in any of the suburbs beyond Aurora. But Kathryn's three part series has me thinking I just might be missing out. (Or maybe I just want to spend time with Kathryn - that could also be true.) Either way, her list at the end of this post is really great, especially #7.


A New Chapter at Audrey Eclectic
As a mom who tries to squeeze creative things in during nap time it was so nice to read about how Heather paints and what this new chapter in her life will mean for her - as a person and an artist. I also love the explanation she gives on one of her paintings - what inspired her to create it and what it means to her.


Beyond Candy and Crafts: Living Liturgically with Older Kids at This Ain't the Lyceum
You know what, maybe this post did make me tear up a little bit, I don't even really know why, but I think it is beautifully written, thoughtful, and practical all at the same time.

A future train driver, a pirate, and a mom sum up their school year AND the Best of the Web

Summer is in full swing in these parts. Of course it's raining almost every day but there's still time for swimming lessons, playing in the sprinkler, and checking in on our small garden and pumpkin patch. 

Today we tried something new: handwriting and math worksheets for the older three while Resa and I worked on shapes, colors, and numbers. L read aloud to us all and then I sent them to play - I have some very important blogging to do!

Important blogging, like posting the last day of school pics for the sake of my adult children who will read this blog when I am dead and shed tears over how embarrassing I was.

Onward! 

Ben finished his school year first.

At the beginning of the year Ben wanted to learn how to make boats. Sadly that didn't happen for him this year but he did learn his ABCs, as in how to write, identify, sign, and say their sounds. I had at least taught him the song. He also wanted to be a farmer when he grew up and he said he likes trains.


JF's last day came next.

I didn't do the survey with JF at the beginning of the year, probably because I didn't have my act together. Sorry future JF! But how cute is it that he wants to be a pirate when he grows up? arrrrgh

L finished up third and here's what she had to say for herself:

Math was what L was excited to learn at the beginning of the year and I'm so glad she takes after her daddy and enjoys the thrill of numbers. (That actually wasn't sarcastic.) In August she wanted to be a veterinarian when she grew up, which was heavily influenced by a visit from Resa's godmother who is a vet, and she liked flowers. Now she likes playing on the slip-n-slide.

Travis finished up his school year last, spent a week working at his parents, and then started an intensive masters' class. So here we are now. The baby is sleeping, Travis assignment for the day has been submitted, JF just got tossed on the sofa, and Ben is calling someone a Tickle Turd. 

And on that note, may I introduce you to 

This week (and it's only Wednesday!) has been a fabulous one for blog posts. Here's some of my faves.

On fairy tales and letting my children believe at Svellerella

The one thing every parent needs to stop doing at Team Whitaker

State of the blog: Going forward at House for Five

20 states + 6 weeks + 3 kids + 1 van = Our next crazy idea at Carrots for Michaelmas

Changing the world with a bonfire, and a giveaway! at Like Mother Like Daughter

What we'd like new moms to know podcast from The Visitation Project

I want the tidying up, but not KonMari's brand of "Life Changing Magic" at Ordinary Lovely

#5Faves: Things about my husband at Everything to Someone

Raising Boys to Men - 12 insightful guidebooks for parents at Sole Searching Mama

God cares about skillful design, a guest post at Look to Him and Be Radiant (be sure to check out her giveaway!)


Have a fun day, all, and thanks for stopping in!

Right now I'm...

This spring has me spending more time reading, playing outside, and dreaming about gardening and less time writing. But it's still fun to catch up with you so I thought I'd share some of the things I'm enjoying with you right now. I'd love it if you would tell me the same.

Right now I'm

loving:
white fingernail polish
this playlist
breakfast burritos for lunch

reading:
Silver Linings Playbook
(having just finished The Book Thief for my book club. Half of us liked it and half of us didn't. I did.)



excited about:
The Visitation Project launching this Sunday! eeeek!

planning: 
my daughters' joint birthday party. L wanted a ballerina theme and Resa wanted Minnie Mouse. It's a pretty easy blend to do and I am once again grateful for a sister-in-law who is amazing with cakes.


blog-loving:
all the updates from Cari
Britt's amazing post about her growing family
a first communion party - Whitaker style
Tess' before and after
the face-life The Feminine Gift recently got (bazinga - does it every look great!)
Micael's blogging conference re-cap
Brianna on young black men
Sr. Patricia's review of the radio show

watching:
This Old House. We all love this show.


And now your turn. What are you up to?

Best of the web

We're still living up the season of Christmas in these parts, living life slowly, sitting by the fire, watching too much tv, and eating brussel spouts for lunch. (Seriously, brussel sprouts cooked in bacon grease with brown sugar and salt - be still my beating heart! But not because of a heart attack, which may happen from the bacon grease and brown sugar.)

Ahem. Anyways.

While I figure out what to make for dinner you should follow these links to some of my favorite posts I've read recently.

Travis and I saw Mockingjay for our anniversary and I've been listening to this song ever since.

Four beautiful, hard truths Ashley learned in her 20's. She's such a good writer and I really liked this list.

Speaking of good writers, Abbey is one of the best. She's not your traditional blogger but I think she's one of the best kept secrets in the Catholic blogging circle. Read about her five minutes.

Mary from Sometimes Martha, Always Mary is having a blogiversary. I spent part of my break working with her and it was a lot of fun. It's fun to watch someone have fun with blogging.

Micaela's accidental resolution that changed her life. SO. GOOD. Read it! And read the article she links to that's written by a priest.

Olivia's got some exciting news to share and share and share.

The devotions at Blessed Is She. Solid gold.

I'm super happy for and proud of my girl Jenny.

Cynthia should post more. I loved this little check-in from her.

All these good things are happening in Katie's life! So happy for her!

Haley and I have very different taste in clothes usually. When she writes her fashion posts I'll look at a picture and think "Oh gosh! That's gorgeous!" and then she'll write, "Hate it. Sending it back." And she keeps what I hate. Oh well. Sorry, Haley, but the best parts of your fashion posts are Daniel's comments and so I'll always keep coming back.

Unrealistic Perfectionism - I like hearing about it from fancy bloggers like Ann Marie - it makes me feel more normal.

Molly made me cry with her beautiful, moving reflection on miscarriage and Mordor. If you read anything from this list, read this.



Did I miss anything? What were some of your favorite posts recently? Share them in the combox so I can check them out, please.

A little gift for Minnesota readers and some Best of the Web

Friday and Saturday I'll be speaking in Minnesota and I have a special gift for any A Knotted Life readers who come to hear me. :)

On Friday, November 14th I'll be the keynote speaker at the Holy Spirit Academy's 2nd annual Harvest Banquet in Rogers, MN.

On Saturday, November 15th I'll be speaking at St. Michael's Morning of Renewal. The event begins at 8am with Mass and ends at 11am. There will be light refreshments, time for confession, and I will be sharing the story of JF's alleged miracle, the reasons I love Venerable Sheen so much, and I'll speak about the canonization process. There's no need to register so you can just show up! A free will offering will be taken with all the proceeds benefiting Holy Spirit Academy.

If you live in the area I hope we can meet! Be sure to tell me if you read my blog so I can give you your gift and if you're a blogger please tell me the name of your blog, too! Sometimes I'm horrible with names so the more help you can give me the better.


And in the meantime, here's some Best of the Web reads. Please say a prayer for safe travels for me and then enjoy these articles.

Intolerable Pain, Unfathomable Joy by Melody Lyons at Catholic Exchange

When NFP Is Hard to Swallow by Jenny at Mama Needs Coffee

While You Were Out from Verily

Where Are All the Good Stories About Marriage? from Christianity Today

That One Time I Accidentally Chopped Off All My Hair by Deme at House for Five

Being Absent and Being Fully Present by Calah at Barefoot and Pregnant

Walking Light and Carrying Little by Ashley at Narrative Heiress

About by Elizabeth at Super Swell Times (Yes, I did just link to an About page - but it's so well done!)

If you're new here, stick around! You can follow A Knotted Life on Bloglovin' or Feedly.
Plus, I'd love to connect with you. You can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. I hope to "meet" you soon!

Ben and the neighbors and Best of the Web

Our new home is at the end of a road in a subdivision that is mostly filled with empty nesters. Our neck of the woods is five houses and we're the only ones with kids living in the home.

Our next door neighbors are wonderful. We call them Paul and Mrs. S, which isn't actually their names but privacy and all that. She is a retired elementary school teacher and he restores and collects gorgeous antique cars. They have a beautiful lawn, which they let the kids wander through a bit, and they are incredibly kind to my kids. Ben especially loves them and whenever he sees that they're outside he asks if he can do over.

Today he made them a picture. On it he wrote, "To Paul and Neighbor Lady. Ben."

I can't stop laughing about it.

I've been collecting these for a couple weeks. Lots of good reads here, friends.


A Tale of Two Churches by Francis Cardinal George in Crisis Magazine

How American Parenting is Killing American Marriages from Quartz (h/t Jenny)

Why I cringe every time someone says they hate Christian music by Chris Marchand
(I went to high school with Chris. Back in the day he was a pretty solid evangelical, maybe even fundamentalist I'm-non-denom-not-Protestant Protestant. Today he is Episcopalian.)

Marriage is not a water fountain by Anthony Esolen at The Witherspoon Institute's Public Discourse

Choose Your Own Adventure, or Take Control of Your Life for Once by Kelly

You Are Not Defined by Your Child by Nell

Children Who Never Play by Michael J. Lewis at First Things

Elise's good news at In Endless Song

Entertaining Angels from Blessed Is She

The Silent Sufferers of Postpartum Depression at Verily

Being Fruitful by Molly

We don't have to be afraid by Brianna

A Diamond is Forever and other fairy tales by Modern Mrs. Darcy

Why do Catholics have so many kids? by Jenny



If you're new here, stick around! You can follow A Knotted Life on Bloglovin' or Feedly.
Plus, I'd love to connect with you. You can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. I hope to "meet" you soon!

Best of the Web (and a wishlist item)

Do I know someone crafty who loves me and was trying to think of a nice Christmas gift? Oh YOU?! Well, if you insist... How about these awesome photo backgrounds? I think a lot of bloggers would love something like this for our "oh please pin me!" images. Actually, I could probably make them myself if I had the money - Travis has the right staple gun. I would even hang them on my walls so they'd double as decorations. Love it!

Grace shared a brownie recipe and I just had to try it. Dagnabit, I shouldn't have done it because those brownies are SO freakin' good! I didn't have cream cheese and made them sans the cow spots and still, by golly!

Some of my favorite bloggers did a little blog hop party and shared their Mass + kiddos tales and tricks. There's Abbey and her ten tips, Sarah and her standards, Haley and her 27 books, Kendra and her age appropriate goals, and Christy and her prep.

Fr. Barron's homily for today, the Feast of St. Augustine, is pretty good.

Rockstar Catholic DRE and godmother to my oldest, Katie has some fab ideas for encouraging parents to be more involved in religious ed.

Finally I am SUPER EXCITED (caps lock don't lie) to tell you that on September 1st Blessed Is She will begin sending out daily devotionals based on the Bible readings from Mass for the day. Beautiful, solid devotions written by women just like you (+ one rock star).
To kick it all off there will be a Twitter Chat Monday night at 9pm Eastern. But you can also follow BIS on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, just in case Twitter isn't your thing.

Please be sure to go to Blessed Is She and sign up for the daily devotionals. Let's help each other in our walks with the Lord and let's live authentic Catholic lives.