just another day of Catholic pondering by Sarah Reinhard
This week it was quite a pleasure to talk with Jeff Young on the latest Catholic Foodie. During our discussion about Holy Week, I shared one of my passions: Holy Thursday. We talked about Catholic Family Fun, too, and about how important it is to spend time as a family.
Bonus: you’ll learn what “sacramental principle” is. (I hadn’t heard that phrase before, but the word nerd in me just loves it!)
Jen at Conversion Diary isn’t hosting Quick Takes this week, but…well, it’s become something of a habit for me. Happy Triduum and Easter, everyone!
Thank you for all the prayers when I posted my request here on the blog and on my social networks Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our family has been truly lifted up. I can’t share any details (and maybe I won’t be able to ever), but we do thank you, and humbly ask you to keep them coming.
My book has a Facebook page, at the publisher’s suggestion, after I asked if we could have an interactive element to the book’s website.
I’m trying to get to 100 likes by Saturday…can you do me a favor and LIKE it if you haven’t already?
Thanks! 
And since we’re talking about my book already…next week kicks off the Book Tour.
I’m excited about it, though I’m also bracing myself. Hearing about what others think of my work is sure to be humbling.
What’s not to love, though, when the logo for the Book Tour is so stinkin awesome? I am using it every chance I get. It was designed by Amber Fabian, who was very affordable and extremely easy to work with. If you need any design work done, she’s your person!
I’m way behind on my 30K for Christ (#30K4JC on Twitter). I’ve logged about 2400 words. Think I can make 30K in April?
Well, I’m not giving up yet.
Shameless self-promotion:
This week’s Tech Talk highlights one of my new favorite apps, Angelus Pro.
I’m part of the Lenten Journey Series with a reflection on Lent becoming personal.
I spend a few minutes raving about Hallie Lord’s Style, Sex, & Substance and we’re even giving away a copy at CatholicMom.com!
It’s important to remember our priorities, whether we’re writers or moms or even just humans, so that’s what I wrote about at the Catholic Writers Guild blog this week.
Over at New Evangelizers, I’m considering the definition of New Evangelization.
Jeff Young and I talk Holy Week and family fun on this week’s Catholic Foodie (and Jeff has a great show beyond that, too!).
My pick of the week: CatholicApps.com.
It’s a website of just Catholic apps!
If things are suddenly quiet for me and I seem to disappear altogether, it’s because I have decided to forsake all my other endeavors and just immerse myself in the coolness that is there.
I wish.
Anyway, check it out. Serious awesomeness!
Today starts one of my very favorite devotions, but which I always forget (not this year, though!): the Divine Mercy Novena. You start it on Good Friday and end it the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday (which is the 2nd Sunday of Easter).
I’m going to be praying for a very special intention, and I hope you’ll join in with your own intentions.
If you’re like me and you tend to forget, you can get it delivered right to your inbox thanks to the awesome work of Pray More Novenas.
I get quite a few review books, which is a slice of heaven for me. I’m buried in them, right now, wishing I could read faster, more often, faster, more often…
Recently, an author asked me if they could send me their novel. I said yes, with the caveat that I may or may not get to it in a timely manner (which means in the next year).
The author has been very gracious about that, and even shared a joke with me by email.
Because you might need a smile too, here’s the joke:
The Pope gets off his plane in DC and into the limo. He says to the driver, “Joe, its been years since I drove a car. Can I drive?”
The driver says, “Sure, Holy Father,” and then jumps into the back seat and raises the screen between them.
After a few miles, the Pope gets pulled over for speeding.
The cop is in an awkward posiiton, so he calls dispatch and says, “Hey, I got a really important guy here that I really don’t want to ticket…don’t we have a VIP program?”
The dispatcher answers, “Whaddaya got, the Mayor or somethin?”The cop says, “No, way bigger than that.”
Dispatch says, “A Senator?”
“Nope, even bigger,” says the cop.Finally the dispatcher says, “Don’t tell me you pulled over the President?”
The cop finally whispers. ”No, I think it might Jesus, cause the Pope’s drivin His car!”
Speaking of review books, there’s a great pile of books for the younger set that I am reviewing at CatholicMom.com this week, including one that I gave to my sister-in-law for her birthday.
Also, at CatholicMom.com this week, in my Tech Talk column this week, I review a great new app that might help you to pray the rosary by teaching you a whole new approach to it.
Exciting news about Catholic Family Fun:
I’m trying not to post three times a day about book-related stuff, but it’s hard.
There’s a weeeee bit of excitement.
Case in point: best friend got her copy the other day. She read it in all its early draft ugliness, so there was no surprises for her. And yet, she told me, she had forgotten how good it was.
Humbled, folks. Truly, honestly humbled.
Not that this project hasn’t humbled me all to pieces already. You only have to look at what other people are saying to know that I am put in my place and completely bewildered how this came from me.
I love-love-LOVE spring, don’t you? My latest Mary Moment on iPadre is all about loving spring and loving Mary.
I also love-love-LOVE Saint Joseph, and so does Jeff Young. The latest Catholic Foodie is all things Joseph, including great information about Saint Joseph altars. My Mary in the Kitchen is a tribute to Joseph, too, and a bit of reflecting on this new role of mine as boy-mom.
Thanks to Steven McEvoy for interviewing me over at Book Reviews and More. He sent me the most extensive interview I’ve done to date. He asked me what I’d do if I wasn’t a writer, how I knew I’d be a writer, and he even asked how my writing process goes. He pointed out that I’m in a lot of different places and I told him how I do that. And then he gave me a chance to explain my typical day.
If any of this interests you about me, stop over and give it a read!
I promised winners today, so here you go!
Since no one entered in the actual giveaway for a Snoring Scholar SurPrize Pack (we’ll chalk that up to a marketing FAIL), I pulled names from random comments I’ve received in the last week.
(commented on The Beauty of Spiritual Direction)
(commented on The Mighty Macs Review & Giveaway)
(commented on Leading Me to Jesus)
Each of you will receive a Snoring Scholar SurPrize Pack, which will have a copy of my new book, Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative, or Clueless, as well as a book from my giveaway box (there are some good titles in there, I assure you).
The winner of the Table Grace Die is:
Winners, send me your address (contact info is on the sidebar of my blog), and we’ll get everything mailed right away.
Thanks to the folks at Catholic Family Gifts for sponsoring the Table Grace Die giveaway.
There’s still time to enter my giveaway of THE MIGHTY MACS (which my girls will probably try to get us to watch again this weekend).
Have a great weekend!
More Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.
Under the “too cool not to share” heading: Ellen Gable is giving away Kindle copies of Emily’s Hope from today through Sunday, February 12. If you’re looking for a good novel, give it a try. You can read it virtually anywhere–there are Kindle apps for every device and even a way to read using the Amazon Cloud Reader.
A bit about it:
Emily’s Hope is the fictionalized, parallel true stories of Ellen and her great-grandmother. Damon Owens said: “Compelling…a real page turner.” Lisa Hendey said: “…great storytelling that teaches some important messages, but they are wrapped in a plot that will pull you in and leave you wanting more.”
So what are you waiting for? Free books = good February.
Speaking of free books…have you entered my contest yet?
My audio reflections on Mary this week:
Over at CatholicMom.com this week, I’m considering how I can better understand art using a great app and I also share about some Lenten devotionals that have crossed my desk in the last few weeks.
I first discovered the Catholic Writers Guild during their first online conference a few years ago. (You should sign up to participate!)
I participated in that conference on a whim and because of the price (free). It was mostly a lark, but I have to look back with some amusement. I ended up helping with some behind-the-scenes things and then joining the Guild. I learned a lot about writing and, even better, made some connections with real people.
I didn’t even consider myself a writer then, though I had been blogging for a while (and blogging is writing) and I was dabbling in a few other writerly things.
That conference shifted my perspective of myself and, between their other conferences I’ve attended over the years and my involvement with the Guild, I’ve found a great network of resources and people who share my faith and my craft.
Beyond all that, it’s fun. It’s a change of pace. It’s educational.
And you can’t argue with the price: it’s FREE!
This year, it’s two weeks, March 17-31, with one week dedicated to forums and one week dedicated to chats. I’m going to be helping out again as a presenter and probably as a chat moderator, and I’d love to see you there!
If you’re interested in being in other places, the Catholic Writers Guild blog is looking for either regular or one-time guest posts from members. (You do have to be a member of the CWG to write for the blog.) If you’re interested, check out the blog guidelines and get involved!
I was over at the CWG blog this week with a post talking about being a Small Fry Blogger.
I was in a couple of other places too.
Ginny Moyer, the hostess over at Random Acts of Momness, invited me to share the greatest gift my mother gave me, and the Patheos Book Club ran my review of Christopher West’s new book.
And then, over at Amazing Catechists, I share my experience with the seven deadly sins and a room full of fifth graders.
You know what I’m looking forward to this Lent? Hearing the special Among Women podcast that Pat Gohn is putting together.
Could you spare a few minutes to share your favorite and most meaningful Lenten practices? Pat’s collecting them at amongwomenpodcast@me.com or 206-203-2024 until February 20.
I’ve done my part…now, you do yours and we’ll have a wonderful little Lenten gift.
Visit our lovely guest hostess Betty Beguiles for more Quick Takes!
If you want to hear me…
- Catholic Foodie 128 has oysters on the menu and my Mary in the Kitchen segment is about resolutions and failure and…Mary.
- Uncommon Sense 55 talks all about Chestertonian resolutions and my Mary Minute with Chesterton reflects on Mary becoming more beautiful over time. (I also called in and shared about my own Chestertonian resolution.)
If you want to read me…
- I’m on the fence about resolutions in my column at CatholicMom.com from Friday.
- I go to space with the Cat in the Hat for Tech Talk Tuesday at CatholicMom.com.
- I’m reflecting on the intersection of my online and offline life over at the Catholic Writers Guild blog.
And now I’m off to hide and eat some more of the excellent chocolate a friend dropped off yesterday. (When the baby/toddler/mancub sees me eating it, he demands I share.)
Good news! I’m going to be attending the Behold Conference in East Peoria, IL, on March 10! It’s quite a line-up going on over there: Kate Wicker‘s the keynote speaker and Jennifer Fulwiler, Hallie Lord, and a host of other people I stalk follow enthusiastically will be in attendance.
I’d love to meet you if you’re going–let me know! You can register at their site and if you’re in my neighborhood, let me know and we’ll carpool.
I haven’t set any resolutions for 2012, though I’m reminded that Lent is coming at the end of February. That’s always a good time to resolve and succeed (or fail, as the case may be), so I think I’ll play copycat to Danielle and wait.
One thing I did do, though, as I have for quite a few years, is select a patron for 2012. Thanks to the Saints Name Generator, I was given…St. Matthias the Apostle.
He’s the patron of alcoholics (current and reformed), carpenters, and tailors. His feast is May 14.
And what’s his tie to me this year? I’m not completely sure, but I’ll be incorporating him into my conversations this year.
Speaking of Lent…my newest book is out and available!
Welcome Risen Jesus: Lent and Easter Reflections for Families has one page for each day of Lent and the first week of Easter. Every day features sections for Think, Act, Fast, and Pray, designed to help your family work together to embrace the spirit of Lent to lead you to the joy of Easter.
Find it from your local Catholic retailer, your favorite Catholic online retailer (Aquinas & More and the Catholic Company are two of my favorites, though they don’t have it available just yet), Liguori, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.
And, while we’re on the topic of writing, exciting news: Welcome Baby Jesus and Welcome Risen Jesus are being released in Spanish!
Pardon me for being a wee bit excited.
And very, very humbled.
Have you seen ImmaculataArt.com? Here’s a little sample of a piece I really love:
I first “met” the artist, Nellie Edwards, a few years ago through some work we both did over at Catholic Exchange.
You can purchase prints on canvas or on paper and there are also greeting cards available.
I’m a big fan of good fiction, and that makes me a huge fan of the Catholic Writers Guild‘s Catholic Arts & Letters Award. This is the second year for awarding it, and I’m looking forward to it.
If you’re interested in applying, do check it out — you only have until January 31! Update: You have until February 29 to apply (thanks to Ellen Gable Hrkach for correcting me).
The other day, I was reading about no-poo, which is basically using baking soda and apple cider vinegar in place of commercial shampoo. I found myself, in the midst of my reading, forwarding it to a friend (who will laugh when she reads this) and suggesting that I might try it.
My husband thinks I’m a little crazy.
In the category of not-so-crazy, I am barely restraining myself from buying My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking, by John Besh. After hearing all about it on Catholic Foodie episode 126 and thinking about the clips he played, I’m thisclose to breaking my standing “no buying books” resolution to buy it. Because, after all, it’s a cookbook. Which is different than a novel or a nonfiction book. Right?
Visit Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes!
Around the house: A sleeping baby and evidence of said breakfast still lingering in the dishes I haven’t done yet.
What I’ve been writing:
In my thoughts: Christmas. Presents. The battling-down of bah-humbug.
In my plans: Some writing, a shower, and…I dunno. We’ll see.
In thanksgiving: For a fun family visit. For children’s giggles. For the hilarity that a group of children inevitably bring.
In my prayers: For a grieving family. For the constant battle of fear and anxiety. For a peace-filled Advent.
Nose inserted: I have been neglecting all sorts of things for The Father’s Tale: A Novel, Michael O’Brien’s latest. It’s thick and weighty and wonderful. It is the very epitome of what I love in a novel, of how I can learn so much from a good story, and of where I like to wander in my imagination.
Recent reads:
Links I like:
A favorite thing: Cranberry Sierra Mist, followed closely by pumpkin spice lattes (which I will indulge in sometime soon, I hope!)
Food for thought: Courtesy of Benedict XVI:
With immense gratitude, let us ask Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate and our Mother, to protect every earthly mother: those who, together with their husband, raise their children in a harmonious family context, and those who, for many reasons, find themselves alone to face a very difficult duty. May they carry out with dedication and loyalty their daily service within the family, the Church and society. May the Blessed Mother be for all a support, comfort and hope!
Worth a thousand words: This is the lovely, the incomparable, the awesome Mrs. Darwin. She is really that cool, folks. And I have met her. In person. And she let me get a picture with her after I ran into her (quite a pleasant surprise!) at a recent speaking engagement I had.
Here at Snoring Scholar, you'll find marriage and motherhood, book talk and rambling remarks, observations and distractions, in the midst of life in rural Ohio on a farm, with kids, critters, and Catholic flair.
Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative, or Clueless is now available for ordering! Read more about it and what others are saying or visit the book's website and Facebook page.
Worth the Click
