What a singular thing it is to be welcomed to the home of a friend--to spend time in pleasant conversation knowing your children are content and basking in the best company there is.
Our family is so grateful for the week we have had, beginning with a magical playdate shared by Margaret and a pair of lovely lasses at the Bonny Blue House, followed by our fruitful St. Nicholas Day visit, and now the most holy and memorable Feast of the Immaculate Conception imaginable.
My friend Cathy and her family welcomed us with open arms, offering food and sweets, hot chocolate and a bottomless cup of piping hot coffee that was much appreciated. The children played, and I sunk into a cozy chair, drinking in the gracious atmosphere of that holy and blessed home. Best of all, though, Cathy taught the girls and me a skill we will take with us the rest of our lives--the art of knotted rosary making. We picked up the craft with varying degrees of speed, but, by the end, each of us held a lovely new rosary all ready to be blessed and shared. We prayed a rosary all together in Cathy's family room, the children taking turns leading the decades, gladly fingering their bright new beads.
Maureen, it should be noted, was like a duck to water, immediately stringing rows of tiny beads with assurance and dexterity. She had never before strung a bead in her life as far as I know, but perhaps her Guardian Angel was guiding those dear, dimpled hands.
Attending Holy Mass in the evening, the girls could not wait to approach our Pastor to ask him to bless their handiwork, even going so far as to have him bless the entire kit Cathy had given us as a parting Christmas gift. Father was, as usual, affable and kind, graciously blessing the beads with words of faith and wisdom for the children.
This morning, I woke to find Margaret and Marie contentedly stringing Rosary beads in the living room, chattering about all the friends and family members who would love to own these handmade beads.
Now, I ask you, what could be better than that?
*******
O Mary, Conceived Without Sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!
O Mary, Conceived Without Sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!
O Mary, Conceived Without Sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!
I cannot imagine what could be better than that, Alice! What a perfect day. Thank you for sharing the pictures - and you my friend, are beautiful!! Blessings!
Posted by: Dawn | December 10, 2006 at 06:08 AM
How wonderful! We haven't made knotted rosaries in too many years. Such a great project for little fingers.
Posted by: Love2learn Mom | December 10, 2006 at 06:37 AM
I can't imagine anything better. What a warm and wonderful day! I LOVE the photo of you with your daughter! Beautiful. I have to ask, Alice, do you make all your children's beautiful clothing?
Posted by: Jennifer | December 10, 2006 at 07:34 AM
What a lovely day!
Posted by: KatieButler | December 10, 2006 at 08:16 AM
What a beautiful day. My girls and I love making rosaries too. (e haven't mastered the knot though.) And it's always a blessing to have the opportunity to see your sweet smile.
Posted by: Katherine in TX | December 10, 2006 at 09:53 AM
Alice,
What a lovely time spent together learning a skill that will bless you and your loved ones for life!
Posted by: Jennifer in TX | December 10, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Oh, how lovely!! Those pictures are so beautiful as are you, Alice.
Posted by: KC | December 10, 2006 at 03:11 PM
I so enjoy reading about your children's activities and these visits with such warm and gracious people on these beautiful feasts! I think you must win The-Loveliest-Advent-of-all award!
Posted by: helene | December 10, 2006 at 03:14 PM
How wonderful! You are so right, what could be better than that? :)
Posted by: Amy | December 10, 2006 at 07:10 PM
How special, what a lovely day!!
Posted by: Meredith | December 11, 2006 at 06:37 PM
Alice, you'll have to teach us. Looks like you had a wonderful time.
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barrett | December 13, 2006 at 08:31 PM