Doodle Acres

Romeo & Juliet

Heather — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:54:59 +0000

: Hope (Lady Capulet) mourns over Juliet’s death

Hope (right, Lady Capulet) comforts her daughter, Juliet

Lord (Lenny) and Lady Montague are distraught over Romeo's banishment

Peter was thrilled to serve appetizers to the audience during the ball scene

A Capulet servant (Lily, right) gets help from Romeo in reading the guest list for the ball

Lily (a Capulet servant) tries to read a list

A fight scene between the Capulets and the Montagues

Lenny takes a break before the second performance

Making peace

The whole gang on the beautiful set

Hope’s 18th Birthday / Graduation Mass – Some pictures…

Heather — Sun, 30 May 2010 03:16:45 +0000

Before the diploma ceremony, Hope shared a quiet moment with her brother Lenny (who was the MC for the mass). I am so happy that they are such good friends…

Father Kedjierski presented Hope with her High School diploma after embarrassing her by enumerating her accomplishments…

Here’s the family after the diploma ceremony. Afterward, Father celebrated a beautiful traditional Latin Mass for our family and friends.

Repost: In Honor of Valentine’s Day: Now That’s Romantic

Len — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:02:25 +0000

(Originally posted Feb. 2007)

After reading Mary Ellen’s post on romance and after receiving an encouraging email from Margaret, I have decided to chime in on the topic of romance. It has taken me many years to shed my teenage ideas about romance developed largely by movies I can’t believe my parents ever let me watch. We actually experienced a few years of marital difficulties in those first few years of marriage due in large part to my inability to let go of those unrealistic romantic notions. If my life is a movie then it certainly isn’t a romantic comedy but praise God it’s not a tragedy either.

Mary Ellen mentioned in her post about when she knew that she had married the right man. My “aha” moment came shortly after the death of our daughter Mary in 2003. She was delivered stillborn at 36 1/2 weeks gestation. As you can imagine, this was a very difficult time for my husband and I (not to mention our three children). In the weeks and months that followed I spent many days in tears for the baby that I would never know here on earth. On one particularly difficult morning as I was crying in the shower, my husband entered our bathroom. As I got out of the shower, I commented to my husband that I wished I was coping better. He turned to me and said, “You got out of bed this morning and you took a shower. Everything else is just icing on the cake.” I knew at that moment that I had married the man of my dreams – romantic and otherwise. This was a man who understood that I was giving my best effort and loved me unconditionally. Now that’s romantic!!!

This is the same man who waited to hold our sweet baby Peter (born 15 months later) so that I could be the first to hold him after the c-section. Now that’s romantic!!!

This is the same man who devotedly goes to a stressful job day after day to support his family and to enable his wife to home teach their children. Now that’s romantic!!!

This is the same man who took his wife on a romantic NYC getaway for her 40th birthday. Now that’s romantic!!!

And finally, this is the same man who loves his wife enough to find special moments together even if it’s only a trip to the supermarket together, a movie, or holding hands at Home Depot. Now that’s romantic!!!

True romance comes through a life of service and devotion to one’s spouse. Now that’s romantic!!!

Picture-Books in Winter

Heather — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:45:49 +0000

Picture-books in Winter
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Summer fading, winter comes–
Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs,
Window robins, winter rooks,
And the picture story-books.Water now is turned to stone
Nurse and I can walk upon;
Still we find the flowing brooks
In the picture story-books.

All the pretty things put by,
Wait upon the children’s eye,
Sheep and shepherds, trees and crooks,
In the picture story-books.

We may see how all things are
Seas and cities, near and far,
And the flying fairies’ looks,
In the picture story-books.

How am I to sing your praise,
Happy chimney-corner days,
Sitting safe in nursery nooks,
Reading picture story-books?

What Do You Do With Your Old Snapple Bottles?

Heather — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:12:51 +0000

This idea would come under the categories of both “frugal” and “green”. I am not a big fan of plastic water bottles (both disposable and reusable). I tried a stainless steel bottle and the water always tasted bad to me. So when a friend recommended using empty Snapple bottles as water bottles, I gave it a try. And I must say that I love it!!! They wash up really well in the dishwasher. If I forget one someplace, it’s no big deal. They don’t break easily. Plus I feel that it is healthier to drink out of glass than plastic. So I keep about a half dozen filled with water from my filter in the refrigerator at all times (I drink a lot of water and I like it cold). I hope that you find this tip as useful as I have. Enjoy!!!

A Great Quote About Running

Heather — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:13:16 +0000

As a type-A personality, I totally agree with this quote!!!

“Running is ideal for type-A personalities who prefer routine, structure and a little self-competition,” says Jessica Smith. With a no-nonsense attitude and motivation to burn, you enjoy a no-strings workout that lets you enjoy the scenery (and solitude), anywhere at anytime. Plus, you can harness your own momentum to clinch that runner’s high. Make sure to invest in a supportive pair of sneakers.

From: What Does Your Workout Say About You? By Melissa F. Pheterson

HT: Building Cathedrals

We Have a Special Visitor…

Heather — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:47:05 +0000

We are so blessed to belong to a wonderful Catholic home-school group. And our fearless leader, Alice Gunther, manages by the grace of God (and I’m sure much prayer) to keep us (over 100 families) together. Alice has been kind enough to share her beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother. Our Lady is traveling from family to family on her journey all over Long Island and NYC. And this was OUR week to be blessed by her presence. Thanks Alice!!!

Fluffy White Cuteness

Heather — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:08:48 +0000

The smallest members of our doggy tribe received a much overdue grooming yesterday…

Game Recommendation: Dinner Games

Heather — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:31:13 +0000

We had gotten in the terrible habit around here of NOT eating together at the table for most meals. It happened slowly with differing schedules, etc. Even when we were sitting together for dinner, it was brief and not very social. Well on a lark, I got “Dinner Games” for Lily for Christmas. It was one of those add-on gifts to make the piles look even (Hey, I know you’ve done that too!!!). Well it has turned out to be a great addition to our family life. Dinnertime is a lot more engaging and this newly rediscovered connectedness has led to more family discussions and sharing. It would make a great Valentine’s Day or Easter gift for your family. They even have a version for younger children (ages 3-6) appropriately called “Beginner Dinner Games”. Enjoy!!!

Book Recommendation: I Love to Draw Horses by Jennifer Lipsey

Heather — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:51:28 +0000

I picked this book up for Lily (9) at the library. She has derived many hours of pleasure from this book and is reluctantly returning it to library after multiple renewals. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival (via interlibrary loan) of other drawing books in this series. I highly recommend this book for your budding artist. Enjoy!!!