Science Bowl State champs!

The Fab Four team won yesterday in Huron! They will be going to Washington DC, all expenses paid, courtesy of the National Science Foundation!

Thanks so much to Mr .T., and M. and J.!

Snow friends

Temperatures outside hit a balmy 30 degrees yesterday, after a record streak of 87 days of consecutive cold days--or something like that. Numbers Six and Seven and friends S and C were able to trod on snow that has not been walked on for a while...

Chile Earthquake: my oldest brother

His birthday was yesterday and he wrote from Punta Arena, Chile, where he and my sister-in-law Teresa were to get on a ferry towards the capital of Tierra del Fuego, and the southermonst city in the world: Ushuaia.

This morning Number Two during a morning chat, all the way from France, told me about the powerful earthquake that happened 6 hrs ago in Chile, stronger than the one in Haiti, and now the danger of Tsunamis from the western coast of South America all the way to Asia.

We are trying to get communications from my brother but nothing yet... we are praying they are safe. Pedro and Teresa are Number Six's godparents.

Update 9:30 AM: Just got a note from Rio de Janeiro, my brother Eduardo spoke to him and they are OK! Yeah!

6PM Update: She emailed saying they actually crossed the Strait of Magellan peacefully today! Neat!

A great cake!

We have been planning Number Three's graduation lately... I have offered to make the cake!

My cooking is simple, ordinary, and I seldom follow recipes. But one recipe I have gone back to again and again is the Four-Egg Cake in A Continual Feast cookbook by Evelyn Birge Vitz. That is a wonderful sacrament cake--First Holy Communions, Confirmations, Baptisms, Weddings-- I have made it again and again, for over twelve years, and have had consistent, excellent results!

The recipe is a wonderful from-scratch experience, and the kids love to help as each step progresses towards a marvelous tasting result! Vitz' book is much more than a cookbook, it is a lesson in Catholic traditions in the kitchen.... I have recommended it for so many years!

I have decided even if it is not a sacrament, this will be the 2010 Graduation Cake!

Co-op Art: Sedimentary Layers

Mrs. Daly talked about Geology in co-op science today, and in Art the students colored a most interesting sedimentary geological formation.

Tutoring Center Speech Class

Enjoy the first five manuscript speeches on Christmas traditions!

The Seven Silly Eaters

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman is neither a Catholic book, nor does it tell of a saint--it is not even around a religious theme. And yet, it is an all-time favorite in this seven-children Catholic family! The book tells about a family that grows and grows... almost every time we turn the page there is a new baby! The fact that they are silly--or fussy--eaters, which our kids have never been, matters little to us. The illustrations are absolutely captivating and darling, and the rhymes are known by all the kids, who can recite the book from cover to cover. The details of family life, the messy rooms, the bunk beds... and trees outside that grow as the babies arrive and the kids grow! The boy-girl-boy order of their kids is the same as in our family which has delighted the kids all of these years.

I find in The Seven Silly Eaters a strong pro-life, pro large-family book as each child is so openly welcomed even if they don't seem to have much apparent affluent power. If you have never read and enjoyed the illustrations of The Seven Silly eaters, give it a try!

Family Rosary with Names

My friend Maria Rioux asked me to help advertise this small family business!

She has been making these since 1968. She is the author of three books including An Empty Cradle, a Full Heart and Prayers for a New Mother.

Through Shakespeare's Eyes by Joseph Pearce

To read past library recommendations, or to join the email list, visit: Pope Saint Nicholas V.

Check to see if this title is already in your library's catalog. If it is, put a hold on it and check it out. If not, fill out a patron request form right away. This can usually be done online at your library's website.

Title: Through Shakespeare's Eyes

Author: Joseph Pearce

Publisher: Ignatius Press

Date Published: February 2009

ISBN-10: 1586174134

Price: 19.95 hardcover

Product Description:

Fulfilling the promise he made in his previous book, The Quest for Shakespeare, bestselling literary writer Joseph Pearce analyzes in this volume three of Shakespeare's immortal plays -The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet and King Lear - in order to uncover the Bard's Catholic beliefs.

In The Quest for Shakespeare, which has been made into an EWTN television series, Pearce delved into the known biographical evidence for Shakespeare's Catholicism. Here the popular and provocative author digs into the plays, which were written and first performed during the English crown's persecution of Catholics.

English history and literature were taught for generations through the prism of English Protestantism. Of late both of these fields have been dominated in universities and academic presses by modern scholars with filters and interpretations of their own. Though the evidence for Shakespeare's Catholicism has been studied before now, thanks, in part, to the unique contribution of Joseph Pearce, the Bard's genius is being analyzed in the open air of the public arena, the very place where Shakespeare intended his dramas to entertain and edify.

"What more is there to be said about William Shakespeare? Yet the supply of books on the great dramatist is never ending. Now, however, there is a new reason for this supply. The religion of Shakespeare, and specifically his Catholicism, is now recognized as a 'hot topic'."

-Peter Milward, S.J., Shakespeare scholar and author,Shakespeare the Papist.

Amazon link here.

New reviews on Love2Learn

I have posted some new reviews on the Love2Learn site...

Max and Benedict

Max and Benedict, a Bird's Eye View of the Pope's Daily Life, by Jeanne Perego, illustrated by Donata Dal Molin Casagrande, 2009 Ignatius Press, 52 pages.

Who says picture books are for kids? Everyone in our house enjoys what I bring from the weekly trips to the library. Our 17 yr old son is enjoying this volume as I write this, and his comments include

...the illustrations have such a nice feeling to them

...the author seems to really know what she is talking about

... very insightful!

... the pope plays piano? I didn't know that!

... I like the listing of other birds' behavior around the Vatican

...a cheerful read!

Need say anymore?

This post doubles as a Pope St Nicholas V post as I have requested this book to be purchased by our library system. It was a wonderful feeling each time the library purchases our own suggestions. Give it a try!

A bit of Spring

I didn't realize that our family is jointly plotting against the winter that dominates the outside world with a firm grip, until I donwloaded these: Number Seven moved her birds to a sunny door, the first order of seeds came into the door with a breath of fresh air, and Husband brought cheerful, colorful tulips from the store!

My nephew's Graduation Invite

I am so proud of him! This is just part of a most beautiful invitation from the College of Engineering at the Catholic University in Petropolis, Brazil. His quote has him thanking family and God for the path he has trod so far!

Congratulations!

Co-op Art: Lenten Windows

I just love to see the different artistic expressions my co-op students bring into each of their projects! We used watercolor on tracing paper.
I must also add here these 6th grade samples from Mrs. S.' art class. I loved the globe-collage using a paper cutter and magazines!

Young friendship

A privilege

It is indeed an enormous privilege for my boys to serve for our good Bishop Swain! Number Seven had the camera...

Lenten Windows

Ashes on foreheads, Lenten hues... and a good art project.

Faculty Dinner last night

I didn't take pictures, but I did bring home the menu... add the local excellent wine!

A Valentines' Party

It happened the day before yesterday... Numbers Six and Seven are so happy and proud of their own decorated noteboks. Thanks, Mrs. K.!

Homeschool Ski!

We have loved our ski/snowboard season! The winter has been good and they gave us another session for free!

(This post dedicated to Number One who insists this time of the year I become very negative about winter...)

Lenten Spiritual Reading

Husband and I found these for free this past week, at a free book table in our country parish and at the Book Exchange organized by our homeschool group's chaplain, Fr. A.

This weekend's project

We are enjoying newly fallen snow and the Vancouver Winter Olympics!

I am writing a Unit Study for little ones for Mater and Magistra and having great fun--on World Geography. This morning before we leave for Mass I am writing about Ethiopia and visiting some of its beautiful Christian art online.

From my siblings Marta and Pedro

Marta is the Braga child Number Ten... and Pedro is Number One. He sends photos from his vacation in Patagonia, Chile.

She, a doctor in History and Seminary professor, writes for the good Archdiocese of Niteroi's online magazine on the Brazilian author and thinker Gustavo Corção.