Woodland Wild Daffodils

Happy first full day of spring!

If you’re as calendar obsessed as me, you might have noticed that spring came early yesterday when usually it is on the 21st or 22nd.

As the Farmers Almanac writes:

Italian Food and Fatherhood

Okay, if there’s one thing that will happen because of this quarantine, it’s that I’m going to become a foodie. We are on one week for my family’s social distancing and my eight year old looked me in the face and legitimately asked if I was trying to recreate the Great British Baking Show and if this was bread week.

Yes, yes dear son, it is. This is bread Spring.

Last night we had manicotti made by my husband, tonight was corned beef and cabbage ala my half Irish father, and tomorrow, well, tomorrow I hope to recreate a dish from my childhood in honor of the solemnity.

I never once thought that I would ever hear (or read) that magical, sugary word Zeppole after 20+years away from a very Italian neighborhood in which I once lived. If you are unfamiliar with Zeppole, it’s essentially fried dough dusted with powdered sugar. Sweet clouds of powdered sugar that stick to your fingers as you lick each delicious piece of ricotta infused dough from every fingernail. One family made Zeppole each year for our church carnival. I remember the white paper bag filled with cooling dough that my father would bring home at the end of the night. We would each get one and, oh, how I wanted five!

When looking up traditions for St. Joseph’s Day tomorrow (after completing the free coloring page of the same saint), my mouth began to salivate when I read that folks traditionally wear red on that day and EAT ZEPPOLE.

Let me repeat for those in the back. IMMA FRY SOME IRISH LADY MADE DOUGH TOMORRA.

It seems so fitting too, remembering the jolly fellow who fried the dough with his daughter who had a head of dark curls and recalling my own father’s wink as he would pass “just one more” Zeppole to me after I turned the big blue eyes pleadingly upon him. Zeppole is a father’s dessert in my mind.

In some countries, the solemnity of Saint Joseph is also Father’s Day. Maybe Joseph cooked for Mary and Jesus. Maybe he would wink and give Jesus extra treats. We certainly know that he was a compassionate and brave example to his adopted son.

On March 19th we celebrate St. Joseph for his part in the redemption, as husband and father, as patron of social justice (it's true!) and an example of trust.

I hope that this limited time free coloring page sends you a waft of sizzling dough and the sound of fathers who dearly love their children as Joseph loved Jesus.

Part of my multicultural series, this child Jesus and Saint Jodeoh are inspired by a Latino father and son image I found that took my breath away. I've seen my own husband nuzzling and playing so dearly with our children.

Click the link here to download the PSF coloring pageor download the photo below. Please remember no reselling, redistributing, or resharing of the file. For personal use only.

Make sure to share your personalization and tag me on Facebook or Instagram.

Free Coloring Page and Saint Patrick’s Day

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, friends!

Are you 100% proof Irish, mostly Irish, a touch o’ the Irish, or Irish for a day?

I’m 62.5% Irish, myself and my husband says he is 54.4% British and Irish. Basically that makes at least one of our kids quite nearly stinkin Irish.

So of course I have Irish jokes about red hair.

And for those who want a Throwback Tuesday, here’s some of my Lucy and the Lion’s Den characters doing St. Paddy's Day karaoke (with Mr. Wickham) very badly and not just because they’re singing Scottish songs.

Free Marian Coloring Pages

For the time of this pandemic, I would like to offer this PDF bundle of five  Marian coloring pages, featuring the best selling, "Surrendering," as well as the yet to be released, "Handmaid of the Lord."

I pray that you, my friends, are able to share these with your family and those around you as we join together on this National Day of Prayer as a means to focus your hands and eyes, to be directed always to Mary's Son. 

As she gazes upon you, know that she beholds Jesus in your very heart, working his peace and grace, knitting together a worried soul to the fabric of His own love and compassion.

Click here to download the Marian PDF Coloring Pages and Print them from your own home.  No reselling or redistributing.  For personal use only.  This will be available for a limited time.

Quarantined? Bored? Try this!

Did anyone else’s mom tell them to “bring something to do in case you get bored,” be it in the car or an appointment?

When I was hospitalized for a high risk pregnancy, art and crocheting became my escape, my therapy.

Art therapy need not be sought outside of your home.

If you are self quarantined or distancing yourself out of necessity because of COVID-19, there comes a point when you need to unplug and connect with the world around you. I made this basic free printable of seven “windows” for you to download and print at home and then fill in every day of the week with your nature observations, traffic patterns, feelings, figure studies, anything you can imagine!

Print it as many times as you want. Share it with your family and have each one take a window or everyone can have one of their own. Show your personalized pages here or on Instagram using the hashtag #ilookoutmywindow.

This idea is inspired by my Nature/Phenology Wheels and Stellar Trackers which aid in tracking weather, nature, and habits. In this time of unease and social distancing, let us share beauty and take joy in the world around us!