Tea Towel Swap

Here they are:

I participated in my first swap.

Over the last month or so, I have been thinking about or creating 2 tea towels for this online swap. My swap buddy is from Washington state- the internet is pretty cool, right? It was very fun making these for someone. I hope she likes them! I also have to include a recipe in this swap...still thinking about that one, but if I come up with something really good, I'll post it on the blog.

Holier than thou

You know you're Orthodox when...

your 7 month-old refuses to eat meat during Lent:

Since the first time I put a spoon in her mouth she has loved food. Green beans, carrots, fruit, vegetable soup, hummus- you name, she'll eat it. I should start entering her in contests at county fairs. Is she her mother's child or what?

Before I ventured into the world of starting my child on solid foods (and I use the food "solid" loosely) I read several articles about the subject. If there was any consistency to them, it was that they all said how terrible it would probably be- food splattered all over the baby, you, the wall, your next door neighbors house. The picture they painted was pretty stressful and messy. They said, "Don't bother videoing the first feeding because it will not be the easy, happy event that you envision."

So it was with trepidation that I slowly approached her with the first spoon full of squash. To my astonishment and relief, she opened her little bird mouth and lapped up the squash in record time. She didn't even get A DROP on her bib. If only we HAD video taped it! (Darn those psycho parenting books)

But, it was bound to happen. My perfect eater just had to make a mess at some point. I was bound to have to use some Spray-n-Wash on a bib at some point, even bound to have to get out the mop or broom after a (or every) feeding.

I have to say, even cleaning up the splattered chicken and vegetables off of the floor, the counter and the baby I still think she's just about perfect.

This will just be one of those stories from her life of piety that will read, "Even as an infant, Zoe refused to break the Great Fast."

Let it snow

A couple of weeks ago...Zoe's first snow. It was amazing that the day before I was wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt and jeans. Then the next day I'm scrambling around my kids room to find anything that seems realatively warm. I think 3 layers did the trick. (Good thing Daddy bought a sweater for his babe when he went to Maine last summer!)

Our just-over-an-acre yard looked amazing covered in a blanket of perfectly white snow. I've never seen such a busy street be so peaceful. Looking out onto our backyard reminded me of being in Central Park.

Now, like every other Southerner, I am ready for my short-sleeved t-shirt again (it is March, people!)

Forgive Me

I recently posted about the differences between my 4 Great Lent experiences. This Lent, my fifth, is starting out like none other.

For me, the beginning of the Great Fast always begins with a service on Sunday night (before the actual beginning of Lent on Clean Monday) with a service called Forgiveness Vespers. I am definitely no student of the differences in the various church services, but as far as I can remember it seems generally like any Vespers service with one big difference- there's a group hug at the end.

Well, not really a group hug- but you were intrigued weren't you?

At the conclusion of Vespers, everyone present lines up against the walls (or radiators!) of the church, forming a huge circle. I know what you're thinking. "This sounds a little too touchy-feely for Orthodoxy." Well, in one sense you'd be right, but keep reading...

Then, starting with the priest, we each go up to every person in the room and ask for his/her forgiveness. ("NOW you're sounding more Orthodox") You stand in front of your fellow believer and say, "Please forgive me, a sinner" and then usually cross yourself and bow.

The mere saying of these words brings humility to the soul. The bowing of the body brings even more humility- you are forcing your body to fall in line with your soul, making the whole person feel as one and connected to Christ, His Church and humanity.

I say connected to humanity because you are keenly aware in this service that all of your sin has an impact on Christendom- not only in an obtuse, spiritual way, but in a real one. My sinfulness has an impact on you. My sin has an impact on my sister in Louisiana. My sin has an impact on a grandmother in China. It affects humanity.

Humbling doesn't begin to describe it.

It is with those thoughts that we ask for forgiveness from every person in the room, some of whom we have never met.

The response from the other person is, "God forgives and I forgive."

How could we not forgive others when God forgives us so greatly? Easy to say, not easy to do. I don't forgive others for insignificant offenses, then expect God to forgive me for infinitely worse.

This Lent is different for me so far in that I was not able to make it to Forgiveness Vespers for the first time in my 5 years of being Orthodox.

This doesn't mean that Lent hasn't begun. It doesn't mean that I can't ask for forgiveness. In fact, it makes me realize that I need to seek forgiveness from God and those around me everyday, not just in that poignant service.

Please forgive me, a sinner.

Memory Eternal

This past Saturday was a commemoration of the departed called Saturday of Souls. We have several of these services throughout the year. I find this particular one special because it comes on the day before Judgment Sunday (or Meatfare) in which the Gospel lesson is about the Christ's Last Judgement of the earth.

It is an amazing blessing to me, and anyone else who has lost a loved one, to attend one of these services. I was not able to go this year because of Mommy duties. (It is difficult to go to even one of your favorite services when it falls in the middle of nap time!)

I was moved to tears that morning during our prayers as we "remember our departed loved ones, especially our beloved Moms." Saying these words and seeing my husband hold our beautiful daughter was almost too much to bear.

We named our little one Zoe for several reasons. First, after the Martyr Zoe who lost her life because of her unwavering faith in the Lord. Second, because "zoe" means "life" in Greek. How fitting that our first child, born exactly 9-months to the day of my own mother's death would bear the name "Life!"

Genetics are a strange and wonderful thing, and when I look at our new, little life I can see glimpses of Mom. I can't explain how strange it is to look over and see Zoe glancing at me with that slightly mischievous, 'Anne' look, like "I know something you don't know!" In those moments, I feel Mom's presence with me. I hear her saying, "Now you know how much I love you."



I love you, too, Mom.



Memory eternal, memory eternal, memory eternal!

Tag, you're it

I got "tagged" by my friend Caitlyn, the inspiration for this blog (after Zoe, of course.) She tagged me to put the 4th photo from the 4th album on my computer. Drum roll please....

This is the gown that I made for Zoe's baptism. I will probably post more about Zoe's Baptism at some point because it was one of the highlights of my life. Making this dress started that journey.

Until that point, I had never even considered the possibility that I could make something with such delicate (and expensive, sheesh!) materials. It was daunting, but I was in love with some dresses I had seen at the Women's Exchange in Memphis that my pocketbook couldn't buy me. So, I decided to give it a try.


It started with learning new vocabulary, like entredeaux. Yes, it's about as snobby as it sounds. Then I hand-stitched the delicate pieces together. I then put the dress together (after a 2nd visit to the fabric store to buy more lace to correct a mess-up) My godmother put in the sleeves for me. After all that work, I didn't want to mess that crucial part up, and I had never put in a sleeve before.

I am so happy with the finished product and would actually love to make another one. Although, all of our children will hopefully wear this one- Zoe's monogram is stitched into the slip of the dress, as will be the other children's.

Rubber Ducky, You're the One

One of Zoe's favorite times of day is bath time. No further comments needed, just thought someone might need a little laugh for the day, and the classic, wide-eyed Zoe face should do the trick!

Thanks to Liz for giving Zoe her favorite (and stylish) bath toy!