Hey friend!
It’s been awhile since this newsletter made it into your inbox; truly, I wish I could be more consistent with Substack but as much as I enjoy it, writing takes more time than I often have to give.
Between motherhood and homemaking, freelance writing, running the mother’s group at our parish, planning our home-school curriculum + the co-op class I’ll be teaching in the Fall, as well as the missionary work we do, my days are filled near to the brim.
And that’s what it’s felt like recently; not busy but full. Really, really full.
Full of bonfires and Bible studies, cookouts, wedding celebrations, board games, beekeeping. In April alone, we had plans every night for three weeks straight—an occupational hazard of living as parish missionaries. Several of these events involved hosting 20+ people AT OUR HOME.1
Most nights I feel ready for bed but it doesn’t feel like a bone-aching, soul-crushing feeling of exhaustion but the satisfied tired of a good day’s work, like I’ve done the work that was mine to do.
Whatever season you are in right now—fast or slow, busy or quiet—I hope you feel the same.
I recently shared a story about community and how my husband and I became beekeepers. We’ve since added two more hives and so far, the experience has been even better than we ever dreamed.
I promise I haven’t forgotten about the “Play” series and I’m a little embarrassed I’ve let it sit for so long. It’s a topic I wanted to explore in writing because it’s something I am in the process of exploring in my own life; that exploration takes time.
I recently had my first commission for a book re-bind. A friend reached out about putting a new cover on her family's collection of The Chronicles of Narnia, and as a C.S. Lewis fan I was more than happy to oblige. I also recovered a $.50 thrift store copy of Pride and Prejudice for a friend’s birthday.
If you have a book in need of a new cover or a collector of special editions, feel free to message me! I’d be happy to chat and see how I can help you. My second commission is from a fellow Substack user!
I’ve come across many excellent pieces and resources recently that brought me in touch with the True, the Good, and the Beautiful and I just had to share them with you.
I loved this podcast episode of
interviewing Dr. Larry Chapp —who runs the Catholic Worker Farm here in PA—on Dorothy Day and re-weirding Catholicism.I have been cautiously optimistic about the new Flannery O’Connor biopic, but Haley Stewart’s review of it has been incredibly excited to finally see it. 2
This performance of “Wild Mountain Thyme” at the Kennedy Center gave me chills. It’s powerful to see a whole room of people participating in creating something beautiful.
Substack is home to a lot of wonderful fiction writers, and I’ve recently read some stories I’ve really enjoyed like
’s Under the Roses—a Beauty and the Beast retelling that can be read right here on Substack. I’ve also really enjoyed ’s stories of Ferris Island and have just started her novella Freelance and Fishmaids.
My current book club pick is George Eliot’s Silas Marner. I’ve never read any of her work and honestly, I’ve found it a little difficult to read though the heart of the story is really lovely.
I’m also reading John Senior’s Restoration of Christian Culture and listening to The Benedict Option on Audible. I’ve had both books in our home library for years but never got through them. Ben and I have been having many conversations about building an authentic Christian culture and community in our area and both books have been giving me a lot of food for thought.
In honor of our new bee friends, here’s a recipe for a honey-gin cocktail!
½ ounce honey syrup
1 ounce lemon juice (about ½ medium lemon)
2 ounces gin
Lemon twist, for garnish
How to make honey syrup and the proper way to make this drink can be found here.
What have you done, read, or listened to recently? What are you drinking? What was the last thing that got you excited? Shout it from the rooftops (or you know, leave it in the comments so we can share in it too).
Lest you get the wrong idea we are 100% introverts, so though we survived that much social interaction, we were emotionally hungover for like 4 days.
Speaking of Flannery O’Connor, I wanted to re-share this piece published a few months ago on her writing as Comedy…yes, you read that right.
Look at those re-binds!! Beautiful!!
I am so glad you enjoyed Under the Roses and thank you for the little peek into your life. And I love honey and gin! I am excited to try that recipe.