Writing Here and There

April 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

At CatholicMom.com: 

Tech Talk: Laudate, An App Worth Downloading

A while back, when I was looking for Rosary app recommendations for Droid users, a friend of mine called Laudate (then Catholic One) her “one stop” app for all things Catholic.

I felt sort of sorry for her, truth be told. I’m an Apple user, and my iPad apps are just, well, prettier than what I saw then on Droids.

The folks at Catholic One changed their name to Laudate (which, near as I can tell, is Latin for “Praise”) and now they’re billing themselves as the #1 free Catholic app on iTunes, too. –> Read the rest.

A Survival Guide & Giveaway You Don’t Have to Be Single to Appreciate

In early March, I was blessed to be participating as a blogger at the Behold Conference in Peoria, Illinois. While I was there, I met a delightful woman who, it just so happened, had a personality that made me want to read her book. She had just penned an article that week that grabbed my attention, and meeting her made me pick up her book right away, despite a review shelf that’s begging to be emptied soon.

How had I never heard of Emily Stimpson before? –> Read the rest.

At the Catholic Writers Guild blog: 

What I Love about Being Catholic Online

Every week, I encourage you to keep going with your blogging. I share tips and advice to the best of my ability. I try to be candid and not too idealistic.

Blogging’s hard work. But, as I was reminded recently, so is life. Period.

Last week, I had a bit of a family emergency. It took over my life, and it also made me appreciate, once again, why I so treasure my online Catholic community. –> Read the rest.

At New Evangelizers: 

Making an Old Story New

When I stand in front of my fifth grade class as a catechist, animated and enthusiastic, and mention “Easter,” I can see their eyes start to glaze over.

“Isn’t Easter just about coloring eggs and icing cookies?” their initial reactions seem to say. ”Isn’t it a chance to eat chocolate and see family? Isn’t Easter just an old story we talk about over and over every year?”

I found this reaction when I started to talk to these kids about the wonder of Christmas, too.

 

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Friday the 13th Takes

April 13, 2012 By 6 Comments

— 1 —

Today’s the first official day of the Catholic Family Fun Book Tour! Yay!

Jen Fitz, she of the “I hate Cute Jesus, but Sarah’s book is good” endorsement, is the hostess at her blog, Riparians at the Gate, today.

I have no idea what she will say (because she hasn’t told me), but I’m sure it will be at least:

a. complimentary

b. entertaining

c. inspiring

d. worthy of quoting

So, with that, let’s all head over and see what she said, shall we?

— 2 —

While I’m sending you to other places, this is your friendly reminder that, if you like the idea of Catholic Family Fun, there’s a Facebook page to like, too! On it, I am trying to share (and hoping other people will too) ideas, encouragement, and tips.

— 3 —

I’m going to be updating the book’s website with new activities each month.

In case you were wondering, that TERRIFIES me. I feel like I maybe stretched myself to max capacity on the “family fun idea” pool, is a bit.

“Every good idea I could have had is already in the book,” I whined to a friend.

“You’ll be fine,” she replied, not even batting an eye. (She was one of the poor people who had to deal with my frantic phone calls when I was writing the book. Pray for her.)

— 4 —

I just loved this post at Catholic Vote: The Glories of Being Weird, by Emily Stimpson.

Incidentally, we’re giving away a copy of Emily’s book over at CatholicMom.com. You can read my rave review and enter to win, simple as that.

— 5 —

Here’s something cool: National Pro-Life T-shirt Week, Tuesday, April 24, 2012 through Monday, April 30, 2012. They have t-shirts for $8 (plus S&H) or buttons.

— 6 —

I’ve been working my way through the Hunger Games trilogy. I finished the second book last week, and am hoping to start the next one in the next couple of weeks.

I’m a little ashamed to admit I like them. Kind of a LOT.

To offset that lingering feeling that I should hate them (which is crazy, I guess), here’s a link to some brilliant commentary by Fr. Robert Barron, with videos below, courtesy of Brandon Vogt and Karen Edmisten. (Be warned: spoilers included.)


(click here to see embedded video on YouTube)


(click here to see embedded video on YouTube)

— 7 —

Here’s a bonus (via the link above from Fr. Barron’s written piece): the Shirley Jackson short story “The Lottery” is in the public domain.

Visit Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes!

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Quick Takes of the Writing & Praying & Book Variety

April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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!

— 1 —

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.

— 2 —

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! :)

— 3 —

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!

— 4 —

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.

— 5 —

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!).

— 6 —

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!

— 7 —

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.

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Quick Takes of a Fun Variety

March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

— 1 —

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!”

— 2 —

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.

— 3 —

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.

— 4 —

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.

— 5 —

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!

— 6 —

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.

Colleen Spiro

(commented on The Beauty of Spiritual Direction)

Salome Ellen

(commented on The Mighty Macs Review & Giveaway)

Christie

(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:

Jen Steed

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.

— 7 —

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.

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Phoning In

March 14, 2012 By 3 Comments

Had a sick family Sunday night and yesterday and I’m still recovering from trip + time change hangover (but oh! the trip!), so I’m phoning in today…

 

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On the Way to Behold Quick Takes

March 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

— 1 —

As you read this, I’m probably on my way over to the Behold Conference.

Not to brag, mind you, but I am a LOT excited.

I’m going to be spending a LOT of time with Elizabeth Duffy and Mrs. Darwin. I also plan to harass pursue follow around like a puppy dog see Danielle Bean, Jennifer Fulwiler, Hallie Lord, Arwen Mosher, Kate Wicker, and many, many more of my favorite online friends.

Hoo boy!

— 2 —

In the latest Catholic Foodie, Jeff’s talking fishy Fridays, and I’m sharing a Mary in the Kitchen that reflects on just why Lenten failures are good for me, every single year.

On the newest iPadre, Fr. Jay Finelli is awesome, as usual, and I’m on with a Mary Moment that’s B16-inspired.

— 3 —

Got a new iPod, iPad, or iPhone? I share my 13 Essential Catholic Apps in this week’s Tech Talk at CatholicMom.com.

Got a few minutes to talk New Evangelization with me? Over at New Evangelizers, I’m talking about how we’re all in this together.

— 4 —

You’ve probably long suspected there’s something “not quite right” about someone who names the voices in her head. But did you know I have multiple personalities online too? I talk about my dilemma over at the Catholic Writers Guild blog this week. If you have ideas for how I can reconcile myself…well, I’m all ears/eyes.

— 5 —

“Would you review my new book, Getting #Married: Using Social Media to Celebrate the Sacred?”

I was too curious to say no when the request came into my inbox.

For one thing, I think very highly of Meredith Gould, who is an author, a blogger, and one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter.

For another, when you put both “social media” and “sacred” in the subtitle, it makes for irresistibility as far as I’m concerned.

Read my review over at CatholicMom.com.

— 6 —

I’ve been tempted to start posting links to our priest’s homilies here on my blog. He’s such a talented homilist–he can say more in seven minutes than I can say in a half-hour. Last weekend, his homily inspired a whole column idea for me, among other things. (I need to listen to it a third time to get all my notes down so I can bug him with my uber-nerdy theology questions.)

— 7 —

This is a classic case of saving the best for last, don’t you think?

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Quick Takes of the Quick & Random Variety

March 2, 2012 By 2 Comments

— 1 —

Less than a month until we can all have our hands on this:

Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative, or Clueless

Join me in a happy dance, will you?

It’s not available yet for pre-order, but just as soon as it is, I’ll be sure to let you know! :)

— 2 —

Have you seen the great work Greg and Jennifer Willits are doing over at New Evangelizers? I have meant to mention it, and I never have. (Bad me.)

As it turns out, I’m now writing there weekly, about the New Evangelization. I’m finding this to be a topic that, like so many other topics I’ve started writing about, turns out to be FAR BIGGER than I imagined in the beginning.

My first post, “In the Silence of the Internet,” starts with a plug for the Pope’s message for World Communications Day and then a few words about how the internet inspires silence in me.

The Pope’s Message for the 46th World Communications Day has struck a deep chord with me and it speaks to each of us who are involved in spreading our Catholic faith.

For one thing, there’s the title: “Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization.”

In my years of interacting on the interwebs, there is silence of a sort, at least when I’m not yelling at my screen or ranting about what some fool (whose name may or may not be Sarah Reinhard) has said or done.

Continue reading at New Evangelizers –>

— 3 —

In my Mary Moment on iPadre this week, I share how Mary Poppins inspired me to think about Mama Mary.

In case you want to hum along with me, here you go:

Click here to view embedded video.

— 4 —

At CatholicMom.com this week, I’m talking tech with an idea I have for an app that would take off like wildfire. Or not. Anyway, if you’re curious, you can read it and let me know what you think.

I also share a detailed review of the collection of Chesterton essays I mentioned on earlier this week.

— 5 —

I don’t really have a good entry at the Catholic Writers Guild blog this week, though I do open it up for questions (no takers so far). If you head over there, check out the other good stuff…I really liked Ebeth Weidner’s piece on tending the garden and learned quite a bit about developing theme from a writer’s standpoint from Leslie Lynch. (I may write nonfiction, but wow! I learn so much from my fiction writing friends!)

Those are just the things that went up THIS week. If you have an interest in writing, I highly recommend at least following that blog…and why not consider a membership to CWG?

Hoping to see you at the Catholic Writers Conference Online later this month, too! (Registration is closed now. And wow, it’s going to be a great and intimate group this year!)

— 6 —

I found this bit of awesomeness via Danielle Bean. I have shown it to everyone I can think of, but whether you have seen it yet or not, I MUST post it on my blog. MUST.

Click to view embedded video.

See why? :)

— 7 —

I’m pretty sure this is one of my all-time favorite pictures of my girls:

Yes, my four-year-old is now riding by herself unassisted! She takes lessons, too. A year sooner than her sister. By our calculations, that means the mancub (who is 16-months-old!) will be riding at age three.

I took this picture to show how tall my seven-year-old’s horse was next to the pony my four-year-old rides.

Have a good weekend!

Be sure to stop by Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes and lots of goodness!

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