ponies

Recent Reads & More In Seven

September 16, 2011 By Sarah Reinhard 6 Comments

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I mentioned it a while ago, but wanted to bring it up again because it is now available for purchase. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and probably destroy your sleep pattern as you stay up to find out what happens. But beyond being a great suspense, it’s also an excellent example of morals in action and family life redeemed. As a fan of Ellen Gable’s work already, I’m now officially getting a t-shirt!

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Weightless: Making Peace with Your Body, by Kate Wicker

Weightless is the kind of book I need to buy in bulk, because it’s the kind of book I think just about every woman I know needs to read. What woman hasn’t questioned her physical appearance, wondered if she should change, felt a prick of unsurety in the face of a full-length mirror?

Kate Wicker is no stranger to body image issues, and she speaks to the reader as if to a close friend–the kind of friend you can tell the hard stuff to, with complete honesty. Kate shares her struggles candidly, even as she pushes you to seek the higher way.

Kate speaks to the hidden part of each of us, to that small voice that whispers, when we least need it, that our butt’s too big or that he can find someone better looking (as though that’s his top priority anyway). Kate brings the love of Jesus to her readers, even as she makes you smile and want to hug her.

Don’t miss this book. Every woman I know deserves a copy.

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Wholly Mary: Mother of God, by Chris Padgett

This book was a delightful surprise and testament to the fact that there is always something more to say about the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Padgett’s words are vivid and he describes deep theology with a sense of humor and complete humility, a combination I found both unexpected and enjoyable.

Whether you have a devotion to Mary or are looking to learn more, I recommend this book as a great addition for your personal (and parish!) library.

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A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms: 52 Companions for Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul, by Lisa Hendey

Over the years, I’ve come to know and love Lisa Hendey. It was a joy and a blessing to read her latest book.

Lisa inspires me with her intimate view of the saints. She not only makes them accessible and relateable from a mom’s point of view, she brings us an opportunity to learn more about the saints in a way that’s uniquely suited for the nitty-gritty of everyday family life. You’ll experience the saints as real people even as you grow in your faith journey.

One of my favorite books this year, and perfect for a group study, an individual devotional, or a gift.

So don’t wait. Preorder it now.

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I’m currently reading an upcoming novel by Karina Fabian (who I met in person–at last!–in August).

Oh wow.

She is so converting me to “speculative fiction” (because I’m more likely to read it if it’s not called sci fi/fantasy, and I realize that probably makes me silly or shallow…but there you have it).

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Speaking of books, today’s the LAST DAY of the Marian Novena of Giveaways at CatholicMom.com.

And WHAT a last day it is!

Stop in, pray with us, and enter to win a great book.

Then pray some more.

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My #1 fan told me the other night that he’s disappointed lately when he reads my 7 Quick Takes posts.

“I always hope for pictures. And there are never pictures anymore.”

This is for him (and for those of you who might not have “liked” me on Facebook yet).

: My three-year-old, with her “great hair.”

: The pasture at the horse farm: a place of great peace & happiness for me

: See that horse coming toward me? Nosy, nosy!

: Here’s that horse, demanding some attention, which I was happy to give

: Six-year-old on “Montana.” As she cantered on him, she giggled. A lot!

: My three-year-old is quite a fashionista. She wore a white faux fur coat over this outfit to preschool the other day.

Stop by to see Jen at Conversion Diary for all the fun that is 7 Quick Takes Friday!

Filed Under: Books, family, Quick Takes, Reviews Tagged With: Books, CatholicMom.com, Chris Padgett, contests, Ellen Gable Hrkach, family, fiction, giveaways, horse farm, Karina Fabian, Kate Wicker, novena, pictures, ponies, reading, Reviews, Saints, Virgin Mary

Because the Days are Fleeting

September 15, 2010 By Sarah Reinhard Leave a Comment

I have a pile of books to review here, in this space. I have requests in my inbox for announcements to be shared here, in this space. I have thoughts swirling in my brain, waiting for the chance to come out here, in this space.

But I also want to remember that this space is a little corner where I can share the most precious moments of my current days.

Like, for example, my equestrian daughter and her persistence with a pony who shares a flair for being strong-willed that she meets as though she recognizes just what to do about it:

Or the way the other daughter just falls asleep. Will I ever get tired of her scrunched-up sleeping face?

No, I think I won’t. It won’t be that small or scrunched-up (or willing to be posted in cyberspace) for much longer…

And we can’t forget the newest members of our household:

How about pigtails? (Some of the other women in my girls’ lives have introduced them to a concept known as “Mommy Does Your Hair.” Have I mentioned I’m a tomboy, through and through? These pigtails are darn cute, because they’re on my really adorable children, but I think I may need to start practicing on the Barbie head that’s floating around here somewhere…)

(Oh, and we can’t forget the empty jar she insisted on holding.)

These days are sliding by fast enough without me forgetting to share them…perhaps with a me who will stumble across them in a few years and wonder where those little girls went.

Filed Under: family Tagged With: family, family life, horse farm, life with children, life with pets, pets, ponies

Wordless Wednesday: Moving Up

August 4, 2010 By Sarah Reinhard 1 Comment

…to a HORSE, that is. (She informed me she’s going back to the pony next week. He’s easier to get trotting.)

Filed Under: family Tagged With: family, horse farm, pictures, ponies

Wordless Wednesday: English!

July 7, 2010 By Sarah Reinhard 1 Comment

Filed Under: family Tagged With: family, horse farm, pictures, ponies, riding

Wordless Wednesday: Horse Crazy Girls

June 30, 2010 By Sarah Reinhard 2 Comments

Filed Under: family Tagged With: family, horse farm, pictures, ponies

The Sunny Seven

April 30, 2010 By Sarah Reinhard 7 Comments

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I’m back in Ohio this week and enjoying the sun here. It’s not quite the warm we’re used to from our nice long visit to New Orleans, but hanging the laundry on the line, and then taking it down and folding it, and then doing it again…ah, I love spring. I feel reflections brewing inside me.

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So, funny thing…while I was in New Orleans, I had pretty much no problem with my nausea. Was it because my mother-in-law let me sleep in embarrassingly late? Was it because I ate breakfasts that were far different than what I eat at home (pancakes, French toast, eggs)? Was it just the different setting?

Ah, I wish I knew. I’m back to hugging the toilet and trying to think positive thoughts of holding a downy-haired newborn, smelling the little feet, holding the little body against me.

One particular experience last night gave me a lot of food for thought in terms of uniting myself with the Cross. And I decided it’s highly overrated.

Or maybe what I realized is that it’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. I realize that every single time I try to offer up my sufferings.

Any advice from ye wiser than me?

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My sister-in-law introduced me to this Crazy Frog video during a late night computer fest. We laughed so hard that there might have been some bladder failure. (For me, not her.)

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You know, I’ve never spent much time on YouTube. That might change, because my kids are asking for it. I ended up sharing my computer with them a bit during our trip (mistake #1), and now I not only have the Ladybug Picnic on a permanent loop in my head, I also have a five-year-old asking for PBS Kids whenever she sees me on the computer.

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My husband is the one who’s always been the YouTube surfer. He’s the one who dug up all the old Sesame Street stuff a few years ago when our oldest was born. Talk about memory lane: how about the Alligator King? Or Number 9 Cutie?

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Recently, a friend emailed me a forward that was an anonymous person’s account of why they felt the thousands of dollars they had spent on horses through the years was worthwhile. I hate that it was an anonymous forward, because I nodded my way through it, and even had tears in my eyes at the end. Among the advantages listed were planning ahead, having compassion, independent learning, increased self-esteem, and understanding the value of money.

When I look at what she has learned and what it will help her become, I can honestly say that I haven’t “wasted” a penny on providing her with horses. I only wish that all children had the same opportunities to learn these lessons from horses before setting out on the road to adulthood.

In the two years we’ve been involved with riding — more this year since our five-year-old started taking actual lessons — I’ve seen all of these and more.