Simply Lovely Spring 2008: The Splendor of Spring

At the beginning of the year, we made it our goal to seek simple ways to bring loveliness into our domestic churches this year.  It is hard to believe that the year's newness is well behind us and we already find ourselves in the midst of Easter's joy and spring's warmth.   

We want to focus our pursuit of loveliness this spring on bringing that warmth and joy into our homes, on creating havens for our families to retreat to together in the bustle of busy days.

This goal can take many forms, from finding routines that keep our havens orderly and well-run to filling those havens with touches of nature's spring splendor.

We must, however, remain mindful of our purpose.  It is not our goal to create to the perfect home.  We have one perfect home, heaven.  Ours is the pursuit of a life that will lead us there.  As the hearts of our domestic churches, we find ourselves endowed with the responsibility of making our homes places where our families can be nourished and nurtured on the journey to heaven and where we can welcome friend or stranger alike into the subtle, sweet presence of God.

There is nothing quite like the joy of sharing a job well done with a sister who cares about it as much as you do.  And it is a great relief to know that there are companions who are traveling the road to heaven with caravans both large and small, who are seeking the best ways to carry the load and enjoy the journey at the same time. 

I can't help but imagine the Holy Family on the journey to the temple in Jerusalem.  This was probably a journey they took with some regularity, and one which they did not take alone.  There was a caravan of families, all traveling together in a sincere and humble celebration of their faith.  I imagine the families stopping to eat and rest, gathering on cloths laid out by the women or reclining on large stones.  I think of the quiet conversations that took place as they walked side by side.  I imagine the chatter of children weaving in and out of the crowd and the quiet that settled as each mother gathered her own family and fed them, washed them, and created a place for them to rest.  Think of the collective concern they must have felt when Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus and the great relief when word reached them that He was safe.

Let us seek loveliness together with the same mindset.  We are the wives and mothers of that holy caravan, making our way to the Heavenly Temple together, sometimes with moments to share and visit with one another and sometimes wholly absorbed in the task of caring for our family on the journey, but all the while together, wholehearted in the pursuit of a common destination.

So this spring, let's seek the splendor in the simple with these topics:

Simply Lovely Laundry (April 9th): Let's share wisdom, thoughts, ideas and systems for keeping families warm and clothed on the journey.  This one will be hosted here at Footprints of the Fridge.  Leave your links in the combox.

Simply Lovely Flower Pots (April 16): Sweet, lovely, and simple--the pot themselves are half the joy, and the life growing inside them is ever a reminder of Heaven's splendor and our Father's love.  Let's share their sweet joy with our families and one another.  To volunteer to hostess, leave a comment.  Susan will be your hostess.

Simply Lovely Windows (April 30): Sunshine warms our bodies and our souls and windows let it into our homes.  Windows are one of churches' most beautiful attributes.  Each is lovely in itself, and each tells part of a story and contributes to an overall atmosphere.  How can we use the windows of our domestic churches to do the same?  Paula will be your hostess.

Simply Lovely Rosaries (May 14): Praying the rosary is that moment when we encounter our Sweet Mother on the journey and share a quiet conversation with her.  In the month of Our Lady, let's share our stories of her rosary and how it has shaped and formed us on our journey.  And let's share the simple loveliness of rosaries themselves.  Sarah.

Simply Lovely Picnics (May 28):  As the days lengthen and the air warms, let's spread our blankets and gather our families around them for the sweetest kind of simple nourishment, a picnic.  What's in your basket? Who's on your blanket, and where are you gathering? Darcee will be your hostess.

So gather yourself and your traveling party and join the caravan, because we're headed to heaven and the journey is going to be simply lovely.   

Comments

[Paula in MN]

I'll do windows on the 30th!

[Sarah R.]

I can do rosaries on May 14th, Colleen.

Thanks for pulling this together!

[Susan]

I would love to host laundry. Since it is close, I'll ask for your links right now. Email them to me at SueFoxB@gmail.com.

[Susan]

I will host the laundry fair at http://attainingvirtue.blogspot.com. On my first comment, I posted the URL for my other blog (What Actually Happens) which exists to console me when my lovely plans go awry or are just plain silly. :)

[Susan]

Colleen, I apologize. I entirely missed that you would host laundry. Could I do flowerpots instead?

[darcee]

I will take picnics on May 28th if that is ok

[CityMom]

Can the simply lovely powers that be include a grilling theme come summer time? This is my first summer with a backyard and I would love some ideas that go beyond burgers and hot dogs!

[Susan]

Because I haven't left enough entries in the combox and also because I left too many, this wonderful entry for the Laundry Fair was emailed to me, and in case the writer doesn't get my reply in time, here is her link: http://plainsongschool.typepad.com/plain_song_school/2008/04/the-loveliness.html

[Matilda]

Ack! How did I miss the new schedule of fairs? Sorry! I have been redoing my laundry room this past month and have been posting about it. I am not sure if these are what you are looking for, but here they are:

http://tiredtwang.blogspot.com/2008/03/not-your-ordinary-laundry-basket.html

and

http://tiredtwang.blogspot.com/2008/04/final-laundry-hangups.html

[Sarah]

http://plainsongschool.typepad.com/plain_song_school/2008/04/the-loveliness.html

Hope I'm not too late!

[lisa]

Hi, Colleen! Love laundry. Just love it! (No really!) Have a post and a half here: http://arewethereyet-davisfarmmom.blogspot.com/2008/04/laundry.html
and here:http://arewethereyet-davisfarmmom.blogspot.com/2008/04/brian-regan-on-ironing-boards.html

[darcee]

I have started working on my laundry article: http://simplycatholic.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/simply-lovely-laundry/

I will be adding to it over the next couple days or so.

[Deb]

We visited an amazing cathedral today, and it made me yearn for a lovely church. Ours is a mega-church that looks and feels like a movie theater. Ugh! To worship in beauty--now that is a noble aspiration.
Deb

[darcee]

I have decided to postpone going live with the fair until Saturday to give people a little more time to share their lovely picnic ideas.