It is time once again for us to share with one another the joys and pleasures of lives lived in pursuit of joy and beauty in the domestic church. This years Loveliness Fairs will focus on achieving loveliness in simple ways. Our new logo focuses on the sweet loveliness of a simple flower, the violet, which, while it may not be a rose, can delight the Lord just as much as St. Therese tells us:
"So it is in the world of souls, the living garden of the Lord. It pleases Him to create great saints, who may be compared with lilies or the rose; but He has also created little ones, who must be content to be daisies or violets nestling at His feet to delight His eyes when He should choose to look at them. The happier they are to be as He wills, the more perfect they are."
Thanks to Alice Cantrell for loaning us her art work for the year.
Let us strive together to be "little" in our quest for loveliness, bringing touches of warmth and displays of love into our domestic churches in small, yet significant ways. The fairs for the beginning of this year are:
Simply Lovely Plans (January 16): Let's share how we can create some simple strategies to keep our family life, household, and learning on track and inspired. How can we use things we already have or already know to create a good working plan for daily life in our homes? Sarah will be your hostess. The fair is here. Thanks, Sarah!
Simply Lovely Soups (January 30): What's cooking in your big pot to warm your family on those blustery winter days? Suzanne will be your hostess. The fair is here. Thanks, Suzanne.
Simply Lovely Prayer (February 13): How do families pray? What do they pray? When and how do moms find time to pray alone? What are you reflecting on this Lenten season? Let's share our thoughts on the simple loveliness of time with spent with God. Susan will be your hostess. The fair is here. Thanks, Susan.
Simply Lovely One-on-One (February 27): Let's share ideas on how to create lovely moments with simple joys for children growing up in busy households. What are some ways we can share simple pleasures with our children one-on-one, from the smallest members of our families to the ones that are all grown up? Marianne will be your hostess.
Simply Lovely Sacred Spaces (March 5): Where do you go in your home when you need to think, pray, reflect? How can we create Sacred Spaces in our homes arranging areas and things to reflect the presence of God? Let's use what we already have to beautify a space for prayer and reflection and then share those ideas. Lisa will be your hostess.
Simply Lovely Connection (March 19): How do we moms find time to stay connected to the ones we love? What are some simple ways we can nurture the vocation of marriage and connect with our spouse on a regular basis? Let's share how we create lovely moments in a typical day to connect with our spouses. Sarah R. will be your hostess.
I will host January 16th- Plans.
Thanks!
Posted by: Sarah | January 08, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Hello,
I would be happy to host the January 30th date-Soups:-)
Posted by: Suzanne | January 08, 2008 at 09:45 AM
I will host February 13 -- Prayer.
Posted by: Susan | January 08, 2008 at 11:24 AM
I'll take the One-on-One, February 27th.
Posted by: Marianne | January 08, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Can I do Sacred Spaces? I've never hosted a fair before, but hopefully I'll have it figured out by March!
Posted by: Lisa | January 08, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Oh fabulous! I'm so glad I found out about these - I so enjoyed them last year! I would be happy to host the Connection fair. :) Blessings to you for keeping these going!
Posted by: Sarah R. | January 09, 2008 at 04:51 AM
Oh, this sounds like a lot of fun.
Posted by: Darcee | January 10, 2008 at 07:03 PM
These Loveliness Fairs have quickly become opportunities for cyber mothers' encouragement feasting! They continue to offer the loveliness of the all things, including of course, the visual located on each participant's blog. I thank all of you for continuing on with these fairs,and very much look forward to the Simple Loveliness Fairs ahead. It certainly has grown into a "Titus 2" womanly endeavor. God Bless You All!
Posted by: Renee | January 13, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Hi Colleen,
I'm not sure how else to get this to you - I was asleep at the wheel and didn't get a post up on the 4Real boards, and I see they're closed this week. I did post a reminder on my blog, but as of now, I have zero entries. Could we move this last fair to next week - or perhaps even two weeks - in order to get some entries together? My email is peerybingle at gmail dot com, if you wouldn't mind contacting me.
Sorry for dropping the ball. Thanks for any help and guidance you can give me for this Simply Lovely Connection Fair...
Blessings,
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah R. | March 18, 2008 at 03:31 PM