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I'm Going to Try Not to Lose You

>> Friday, August 13, 2010

I'm about to try to do my best not to lose all of those that subscribe.

Shortly (within the next hour), I will be posting another post that is called "Welcome."  If you get it, it means that I successfully moved your subscription.  If you don't, please visit me over at the new site for Catholic Mothers Online and resubscribe.

Thank you!

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We're Moving Soon!

>> Thursday, August 12, 2010

Catholic Mothers Online is soon going to be moving to http://www.CatholicMothersOnline.com

There are many exciting changes coming with the move, and I hope that everyone will enjoy the new site.  The design will still be very similar, but there will be articles more regularly and hopefully content that you really enjoy.  We'll also launch with a giveaway!

I will warn everyone before we move, because it is my intention to try to move the subscriptions to the new blog.  Hopefully with a warning though, if your subscription doesn't get moved, you'll remember to come check out the new site and resubscribe.

Things are moving along well.  I know that some people have been waiting to get added to the blog roll (or to receive the coding, as it will be slightly different).  Thank you for waiting!

There will continue to be advertising spots for 125x125 ads on the upper right column on the new site.  If you are interested in advertising, you can check out the details about advertising on Catholic Mothers Online As a special bonus (and for a limited time), advertising spots will be available for $20 for a three month term, instead of $25.  (Monthly spots are $10/month.)  There are a limited number of spots though, so if you are interested in advertising your business, blog, Etsy shop, or even just a special message, please contact me as soon as possible.  (Simple ads can be designed for you for a small cost, so don't let not having an ad stop you from inquiring.)

I'm very excited for what is to come, and hope you are too!  (I'm also hoping to have everything finished before the date on the countdown on the new site.  Wish me luck!)

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Family Savings Fridays: July 30, 2010

>> Thursday, July 29, 2010

Welcome to a new feature here at Catholic Mothers Online. Since so many Catholic families have larger families or may have had to give up a second income to homeschool or make other financial sacrifices, I have decided to share some deals from around the Internet once a week (or maybe just once every other week - I'll have to figure it out as I go along). So, if you're interested in the deals, then I hope you'll enjoy it. However, if this is a feature that you don't enjoy, just feel free to ignore me when I post these, okay?

This one expires Friday (July 30th) at noon: If you are a blogger and want to turn your blog into a business and really grow it, you will probably enjoy the session recordings, handouts, and power point presentations from the Savvy Blogging Summit Conference.  The set of all of the recordings and handouts is normally $97, but through tomorrow at noon (using the code CHEYENNE), you can get them at half price!

And then with even less time available, for the next couple of hours, the new eBook 110 Breakfast Recipes is on sale for $3.97! Act quickly on this one!

My eBook, Finding Educational Activities in the Most Unexpected Places, is currently priced at 50% off.  All of the proceeds from those sales (using the coupon code bike) will go toward buying my 11 year old son with Autism his very first bike.  (It's an expensive one, so if you don't mind passing along the info about this to others, I would greatly appreciate it.)

Canvas People is offering new customers a $55 credit, which means you can get a free 8x10 canvas made from your favorite photograph. (You'll just be responsible for paying for the shipping and handling.) This could make for an amazing Christmas present!

With CellFire Coupons, you can add coupons right to your grocery store savings card. Stores that they serve include: Baker's City Market Dillons Fry's Gerbes Hilander JayC King Soopers Kroger Owen's Pay Less QFC Ralphs Scott's Smith's Carrs Dominick's Genuardi's Pavilions Randall's Safeway Tom Thumb Vons ShopRite

Diabetic Connect Care Services is offering a free low carb recipe book. Now, you will have to give your name and address (and the like), but if you feel comfortable with that, then this is a great freebie.

York Photo is offering 40 free prints for signing up as a new customer. They also have everyday low prices of $.04 a print! (I don't know about you, but I have a few thousand photos to be printed. It's simply shocking to me.)

Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel is accepting new families. You can earn points for products by scanning products that you buy with the scanner that they provide for you.

Vista Print has a variety of current offers for items where you only pay for the shipping, and get the items for free otherwise. The current Vista Print offers include: Personalized Tote Bag, 250 Free Business Cards, a Free 4x6 Photo Flip Book, a Free Photo Wall Calendar (another great Christmas gift idea!), 10 Free Products (rubber stamp, sticky notes, wall calendar, flip book, tote bag, mug, and mouse pad).

(Now, it is important to note that you need to be careful while ordering from Vista Print. I have ordered tons of things and never had problems, but some people have had issues with extra charges. From what I have heard, you just need to be very aware while ordering and careful that nothing is checked that you wouldn't want to be checked. I have probably ordered from them 25 times though, and never had an issue.)

SimplyInk is offering 10% off ink and toner plus free shipping on orders over $55.  This is a perfect way to stock up before school starts!

If you like to use coupons, be sure to check out sites like Free Coupon Alerts, Free Flys (samples and coupons), SavingsAndCoupons.com, and Share the Save.

photo by Tracy_O

This post contains affiliate links.  Please do not feel the need to buy anything that you might not have bought anywayAffiliate links just help run this site.  Plus, we all love a good deal when we can find one!

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Welcome to the Ordinary

>> Monday, July 26, 2010

I love feast days. The vestments are white - there is a "specialness" that is in the church - as we gather to celebrate something special - something specific.
 
Then, we move onto Ordinary Time. In fact, we will be there for a while now - the next feast we observe on Sunday will be the Assumption of Mary, which happens in mid-August.

Parked in the ordinary, we will see green vestments.

The green color of the altar cloths - it reminds me of the green outside at this time of year - green things growing in the summer sun and rains. Producing fruit.

Growing. Producing.

This is a time for us, also, to grow.

Nourished by His body - nourished by the Word - nourished by the ordinary days of our life, lived in hope.

Welcome to the Ordinary.
 
In between home-keeping, home-schooling, and home-farming, you can find LuAnne (aka Mrs. Imperfect) writing and pondering at www.winterpastfinally.blogspot.com.

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New Blog Roll Members: July 22, 2010

>> Thursday, July 22, 2010

When it rains it pours, or so the saying goes, so I'll apologize again for the long delay between updating the blog roll.  Right before July started, my Mom went in to the emergency room with some mild burning in her chest.  Two days later (on July 1st), she was having an emergency quadruple bypass.  Life has been a bit on hold since then, it seems.

So, enjoy this very long list of new blogs on the blog roll!  Not only were there a lot of blogs to add, but I also went through the list of blogs that I was waiting to hear from about the coding being installed, and many of them had installed coding (but I hadn't received emails about it).  So, why not pick a blog or two (or ten) to visit and say hello!

Running At Large

Sera Getting Married

Contranaut Girl

To Build a Catherdal


Living and Learning Together

Leslie on Life

Through the Thorns to the Stars

Bonnie Lander Johnson

Diary of a Disastrous Housewife

Casa Candelaria

Sorrowful Mother

Mama Says

Plot Line and Sinker

Sunshine in our Hearts

Oblique House

 Blessed Simplicity

Livin' La Vida Catolica!

Happily Ever Johnson

Jeremiah 29:11

All things Gale


Happy Little Family

Deep in the Heart

Kissing the Leper

The Intentional Family

Scrutinies

Give Him Your Heart

Musings of a Catholic Lady

CindyO the Catholic Mommy

You Know, The One With All The Kids

Holy Family Institute

Consoling His Heart

Time, Talent and Treasure



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New Blog Roll Members: June 26, 2010

>> Friday, June 25, 2010

I apologize for my long delay in getting this latest update done.  So, enjoy lots of new blogs, and make sure to stop by and visit at least a couple of them.


God is Love

Never Fading Wood

Sweet Pea and Lulu: The Domestic Monastery

The McIntee Family

home-school-life

Angels Muse

Quotidian

Natural and Relaxed Home Learning

From the Heart

The Happy Mother

Reasons for Chocolate

Free Spirit Haven

Lear, Kent, Fool

Zealous Musings

Simple Catholic Living

3 Turkeys

Catholic Mom in the Country

Keeping the Lamps Burning

Welcome to all of our newest friends!

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Limited Internet Access for a Few Days

>> Monday, June 21, 2010

I'll be back to working on updating the blog roll in just a few days, as well as going through all of the writer applications (I got quite a lot - thanks so much!).  My Internet access is very spotty for a few days, and it looks like it will be for the next few days as well.

Thanks so much!

Angie

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Thank You to Our Wonderful Sponsors

>> Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Thank you so much to all of our wonderful sponsors here at Catholic Mothers Online!

Six Suitcase TravelCatholic Child CatalogSuburban Tree HuggerMaking Music Praying TwiceCatholic Gadget - Catholic Family ToolbarUse Code MLB55 for $55 Off the Cost of One YearAre you Meal Planning Yet?

As well as our additional sponsors:

gif creator

If you are interested in advertising on Catholic Mothers Online, please read about our advertising options.

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Seeking Applications for Staff Writers

>> Saturday, June 5, 2010

photo by tomswift46
 
In the past, I have published guest posts here at Catholic Mothers Online.  I want to continue to feature guest posts from time to time, but I also decided that I would love to have 4 - 8 writers that regularly contribute original posts (not previously published on their own blogs) for Catholic Mothers Online.  This would involve writing approximately once a month, unless I find closer to the eight writer mark, then it will likely be just once every other month.

What does writing for Catholic Mothers Online consist of?
  • One required article/post submission per month (you may send in more, but you must meet that requirement)
  • Posts are 250 – 1000 words in length (though if it makes sense to do less than 250, that is fine, and we really strive to keep under to 1000 word mark, unless it warrants being longer)
  • Posts need to be well written grammatically and well formatted
  • Topic ideas are pretty open (and you’ll mostly come up with them on your own) - anything that might be of interest to Catholic Mothers.  Topic ideas: faith formation, motherhood, crafts, reflections, recipes (with an eye toward a religious focus -- perhaps to correlate with feast days), household management, homeschooling, reviews of Catholic products or businesses, etc.
  • You will have a byline (that you write) at that bottom of each post, as well as a bio on an author page, a 125×125 button on the sidebar, and your link in the "Links" section of the Catholic Gadget that is for CMO writers
If you are interested in writing, drop me (Angie) an email with “writer application” in the subject line. 

Please include:
  • your name (first only is fine)
  • blog URL
  • a little bit about yourself
  • any writing ideas you have
  • links to two or three posts that you are particularly proud of.
Thank you!

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New Blog Roll Members: June 2, 2010

>> Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Welcome to our newest blog roll members:

Feeding Souls

Philosophy in a Teacup

Imitation of Mary

My Biggest Fan 

Team Whitaker

the o'doyles

Fiat Voluntas Tua

Rambling Thoughts

Winterpast

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New Blog Roll Members: May 20, 2010

>> Thursday, May 20, 2010

Welcome to all of our newest blog roll members!

Family At The Foot Of The Cross

Rowley Clones in Action

Miss Momma: Daily Lessons from My Home

So Much To Say, So Little Time

Quest for Beauty


What This Mom Thinks

Room for Patience

The First Four Years

Mothering Gods Children

Sacred Hours

Make sure to pop by and tell them hi!

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Delay in Updating Roll

>> Thursday, May 13, 2010

I will be updating the blog roll next week. I apologize for the delay, but we have been busy dealing with end of life care and then the death of my Grandmother. I am mostly away from the computer, but hope to be back up and running soon. Sorry for the delay!

~ Angie

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New Blog Roll Members: April 28, 2010

>> Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Welcome to all of our newest blog roll members!  Make sure to stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood.















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Last Chance to Buy Smaller Ads

>> Monday, April 26, 2010

If you have been interested in promoting your blog or business in one of our 100x100 size ads in the lower right hand column of the blog (at half price of the 125x125 upper column ads), please do so soon.  We will be closing the sale of these ads as of April 28th at 11:59 pm EST.

Thanks so much for your support!

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I Would Love to Have Your Help!

>> Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Catholic Mothers Online community has meant so much to me over the past three years that I have been running it.  It's so amazing to me how it has grown from the night that I argued with God over the call to start it. 

Yes, I really did argue with God.  Not only did I have no idea how to start a blog roll, but I was afraid nobody would join.  He didn't let up though, and look at us now -- almost 600 wonderful Catholic blogs represented in our blog roll. 

I am trying to make my way to two different upcoming blog conferences without having to burden my family too much with the expenses.  There are a variety of ways that you can help me with this (or even just send some good wishes or prayers), please pop over to Many Little Blessings and read about the various opportunities.

Thanks so much for the way that you have helped us to grow!

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New Blog Roll Members: April 12, 2010

>> Monday, April 12, 2010

Welcome to our newest blog roll members!  Make sure to stop by and welcome them.











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Catholic Mothers Online Advertising Special

>> Monday, April 5, 2010

For a limited time (and a limited number of spots), just to help me make it to Relevant Conference in October, we are featuring some 100x100 ad spaces. Because these are slightly smaller than our normal ads and farther down on the website, we are running a special where these ads are HALF THE PRICE of the 125x125 ads that are higher on the website.

There are only 10 spots available, and once these are gone, they're gone. The cost is $15.00 for a three month advertising spot.

This is a great way to advertise your blog, Etsy shop, favorite cause, or other online venture. Please note that each ad will need to be approved and must be something that is suitable for our audience and in keeping with the spirit of our blog. (This doesn't mean that the ad must be to a specifically Catholic site, but it does mean that things like get rich quick schemes or non-family friendly ads will not be accepted.)

If you do not have an ad, you can add a $10 design fee to have a simple ad made for you.

Ad spots will be updated as sold once payment is received. (Payment will be via Paypal only. You can use Paypal without a Paypal account. Payment details will be sent to you within 24 hours of your form being submitted. Payment must be received within 24 hours of invoice being sent.)

If you are interested in securing one of the advertising spots, please fill out this form.  Thank you so much!

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We're on Facebook!

>> Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Lacy (from Catholic Icing) encouraged me to set up a fan page for Catholic Mothers Online on Facebook.  I had thought about it as well, so that was just the kick in the pants I needed to do it.

Right now though, we're pretty lonely.  If you could become a fan of Catholic Mothers Online, that would be great!

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New Blog Roll Members: March 23, 2010

Welcome to our newest blog roll members!

Mystical Rose Design

Caffeinated Catholic Mama

Somewhat Organized,Slightly Crafty Tot Teacher...and Mommy

Being Mirrors

In My Free Time

A Journey Through Lent








Why not pick one or two blogs to drop by and comment on?  Have a great week!

~ Angie

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Seamus the Leprechaun Visited Our House This Morning

>> Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Last year on Saint Patrick's Day, we read about the saint and wrote short reports about him (and painted some shamrock pictures).  This year, we went with a little different approach...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

We have never been visited by a leprechaun before, but the kids had been talking a lot about the pranks that leprechauns can pull in the last few days, so apparently Seamus the Leprechaun decided it was time for a visit.

The kids excitedly woke me up this morning to find all of the shenanigans that Seamus had left for us.


To read the rest of this post (and see all of the pictures), please visit my blog, Many Little Blessings.

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2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar

>> Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Today's guest post is by Jennifer from My Chocolate Heart.
----------------------------------------





“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.” John 19:1

Let this mystery teach us purity, and to accept God’s will.

Flogging… they used a whip made of several strips of leather that were embedded at the ends with pieces of bone and lead. No Roman limitation was placed on the number of lashings inflicted, and often the victim didn’t survive the flogging. Jesus did.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Every blow from that cruel whip was for my sake. Every vicious tear in His flesh, every drop of precious blood that flowed was for my healing. Every agonizing moment of pain he endured was to secure my peace. His punishment, my freedom.

My impurities are not beaten out of me; they were beaten out of Him.

God deals with me gently and patiently, always with love. I can’t even fathom the harsh treatment Jesus received in my stead. He must have screamed in pain, but He never protested. He never even tried to whisper a plea to the Father, “Stop! Please stop!”

He would do anything to rescue a lost child.

Me.

You.

Copyright © 2009 by Jennifer, happy homemaker and mom to 3, and lover of all things dark chocolate! Find her at My Chocolate Heart, and fear not; the smudges on your screen are just chocolate

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New Blog Roll Members: March 4, 2010

>> Thursday, March 4, 2010

We have quite the list of new members this time around!  Why not pick one or two tomorrow, while you're eating your tuna sandwich (it'll be Friday, you know), and welcome them to Catholic Mothers Online!

















Welcome to all of our newest members!

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Catholic Homeschool Reviews

>> Sunday, February 28, 2010


I have recently been really pleased to have seen some reviews of Catholic homeschooling items on the homeschool review site Curriculum Choice.  (There is even a sidebar category for Catholic reviews.)  Often, I think, sites that are not Catholic-specific will avoid talking about materials that are specifically Catholic.

I will admit, I did write one of the articles, but that was only after another Catholic specific book was reviewed.  And, then today, another specifically Catholic resource is reviewed on the site.

Kudos to Curriculum Choice for being inclusive!  I know I'm not the only Catholic homeschooler who appreciates it.

~ Angie

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New Blog Roll Members: February 24, 2010

>> Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Welcome to our newest blog roll members!  Please make sure to go visit some of them and say hi!









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One More Day to Enter the Rosary Giveaway

>> Monday, February 22, 2010

Be sure to check out the great new toolbar for Catholic families and enter to win a handmade Rosary.  One day left!

I'll be emailing out coding to people who have requested to join in a few days, as well as adding new members at that time.  I have given up the computer for one day per week for Lent this year, so I'll be away until Tuesday morning.  I'll do some updating later that day.

Thanks!


~ Angie

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Resource for Catholic Families

>> Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Today's Guest Post is by Brenda from The Tie That Binds Us.

For a chance to win this rosary scroll down to the give-away.

Angie and I have been working together to create a resource for Catholic Homeschoolers like none other. It is a toolbar that sits at the top of your computer and guides you to some of the best Catholic sites and blogs available to Catholic families.

The toolbar itself has many components that are geared towards families, but it also has a huge homeschooling emphasis.

Take a look at all that you get when you download this resource:
  • Family planning sites
  • Sites on the sacraments and saints
  • Web pages about the holidays and feasts
  • Links to crafts for Catholic children
  • Forums that you can join to meet other Catholic families
  • A drop down menu dedicated to homeschooling - encouragement, curriculum reviews, email lists, suppliers, and magazines
  • 50 Catholic blogs, plus more on the way!
  • RSS feeds to daily readings, Catholic Icing, The Homeschool Classroom and more
  • Email notification for all your email accounts
  • A radio player that features Catholic radio stations plus your local ones too
  • Weather updates
We are still adding sites daily to this free resource. If you download it and you would like to suggest an addition please email us @ hslifemedia@gmail.com

catholicgadget125
Did I mention that this resource is free?

To download this toolbar visit the page: http://catholichomeschoolingmoms.ourtoolbar.com/

Wait! There is a give-away!

Remember that pretty rosary that was at the top of this post? For your chance to win it you may leave a comment that you have downloaded the toolbar for a chance to win this beautiful rosary hand made by Angie. You may leave one comment (on the original post about The Catholic Family Toolbar at The Homeschool Classroom, comments on this post here at Catholic Mothers Online are closed) if you do any of the following:
  • download the toolbar for one entry
  • twitter about the toolbar for another entry
  • blog about the toolbar for another entry
  • leave 5 or more Catholic sites that are not included that should be on the toolbar for one entry
Entries will be closed on February 23rd.

Brenda can be found writing at The Tie That Binds Us.  She is also the founder of Curriculum Choice and Joyful Holidays, and co-founder of Homeschool Lifestyle Media.

Angie can be found writing at Many Little Blessings.  She is also the founder of Catholic Mothers Online and The Homeschool Classroom, as well as the co-founder of Homeschool Lifestyle Media.

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Fish: It’s What’s for Dinner, and Lunch, and Breakfast

>> Monday, February 15, 2010

Today's guest post is by Elizabeth from The Divine Gift of Motherhood.
(It was originally featured on her site on March 6, 2009.)

------------------------------

Some may find fault with this, but I find I look forward to Lent, if only for the culinary delights. I love fish; my husband just tolerates it.

This Friday morning I made him a tuna sandwich. I made one can, which makes two sandwiches for us. Rather than have to wrap up the second one, I ate it for breakfast.

The kids being home early from a half-day at school, we had fish sticks for lunch.

For dinner there were flounder and salmon, over a bed of my metabolic rice garnished with fresh steamed broccoli. The kids and I love salmon, but my husband really hates it. So I make both. Everyone is happy, and eating healthy.

Here is my husband’s plate.



Here is my plate.



Here is my son’s plate.



Elizabeth’s method for cooking all sorts of fish:

Coat a glass baking dish with olive oil.
Coat both sides of the fish with olive oil.
Place skin-side down in the dish.
Sprinkle with seafood seasoning, usually a combination of salt and sweet paprika.
Seal dish with aluminum foil.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.
Fish should be flaky through the middle when it is done.

Elizabeth’s Metabolic Rice (so named because it is filled with all sorts of ingredients which raise your metabolic heat, therefore burning more calories):

Place rice and water in pot at a ratio of one cup rice to two cups water.
Pour in kosher salt, pepper, and hot paprika, as desired.
Slice onions and place on top.
Bring to a simmer.
Cover and lower heat.
Simmer for 15 minutes.

Elizabeth’s Steamed Vegetables:

Place in glass casserole.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Microwave for approximately seven minutes.

What are some of your favorite Lenten meals?  Feel free to share them in the comments or link to your own Lenten meal posts!

Elizabeth is a Catholic write-at-home Mother of four from Long Island who shares poetry and prose family life and other topics of interest at The Divine Gift of Motherhood.

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New Blog Roll Members: February 9, 2010

>> Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Welcome to our newest blog roll members!  Please pick a site or two to stop by and welcome them to the blog roll!

















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A Little Delay...

>> Thursday, February 4, 2010

I apologize, but I haven't updated the blog roll in about two weeks.  And, unfortunately, I won't be able to get to it until next week.  But, never fear -- I will be updating it next week!  If you have sent me an email and don't get a reply of some sort by February 12th, then send it again.  But, otherwise -- your patience is very much appreciated!

Thanks!

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New Blog Roll Members: January 20, 2010

>> Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Please check out our newest blog roll members:







On a side note, Elizabeth has been working her way through the blog roll links lately.  So, please make sure that you are regularly updating your blog (at least once every couple of months, at a minimum) and that the blog roll or blog roll button is somewhere on your blog.  If you are not in compliance, your blog will be removed from the blog roll.  We will not be notifying people when their link is removed.  Sorry!

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The Night’s Dark Shade: A Novel of the Cathars

>> Monday, January 18, 2010

Today's Guest Article is by Elizabeth from The Divine Gift of Motherhood.  
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I had the pleasure of reading Elena Maria Vidals’ new historical romance, “The Night’s Dark Shade: A Novel of the Cathars”, released by Mayapple Press in November, 2009.

The Night’s Dark Shade tells the story of a young heiress, Lady Raphaelle, who is caught up in the turmoil of the Albigensian Crusade in thirteenth century France. En route to meet her betrothed in the castle in the Pyrenees that is hers by right, she is rescued from an ambush by the brave and alluring Sir Martin.

The sparks between the two are flying from the very beginning, while the readers learns of the history of the crusade as well as the mysterious Cathars, a polytheistic sect which claimed to be Christian. In the first chapter the setting, plot, and all the main characters are all well-established. The second chapter instructs us on some history as told by the sweet-smelling knight as he carries her on horseback to her castle. The novel moves on, mixing history and drama, at a good pace. Raphaelle is caught up in several major dilemmas; we can truly sympathize with what she is going through.

Raphaelle is a strong character who insists on doing what is right for her people. All that she does, including following through on her betrothal to a man she does not love, is seen as her duty to them. Even so, she is torn by the feelings she has for another man. She also chooses to harbor an evil object which results in dire consequences. Vidal shows us how even the very best of us can struggle with sin.

The book addresses some surprising delicate moral issues of the time that are seldom brought up in a Christian novel. The Cathars were against marriage because it regularized procreation, and they thought children were evil. The religious midwives used herbs to prevent conception or to abort, even killing live babies if they were not deemed fit to survive. They promoted homosexuality because it did not result in children. People were encouraged to live together without marriage because they were more likely to contracept.

These topics are intertwined through the plot; the immoral acts are alluded to but never described explicited. The historical research is well documented, and moral deductions drawn by the author are all consistent with Catholic doctrine.

The more you read about history, the more you realize that there is truly nothing new under the sun. What is going on in modern society is a rerun of what was happening in the Middle Ages. If you haven’t heard about the “dark side of being green”, many environmental groups have been saying that children are “emitters” and the best thing we can do for the environment is to stop having children! Planned Parenthood is supported by so many large and well-reputed organizations that it is hard to go shopping, go to a movie, or go to a theme park without purchasing a product that will go toward their “cause”.

I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. I was up until 3 AM reading the suspenseful ending! Justice is served (medieval style!) to the protagonists. The main characters all make turn-arounds for the better and there is forgiveness all around. The choice Raphaelle makes in the end is completely satisfying.

Elena Maria Vidal sent me a copy of the newly released book in exchange for my honest review of her book. The author studied the Cathars at SUNY Albany before receiving her Master’s Degree in European History. She also authored Trianon and Madame Royale. You can follow her blog at http://teaattriannon.blogspot.com

The book is available from Lulu.com and will be available from Amazon in a few weeks.

Signed copies can also be bought directly from the author at her blog

Today's guest article is by Elizabeth from The Divine Gift of MotherhoodElizabeth also writes as the columnist for The Long Island Motherhood Examiner.

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New Blog Roll Members: January 11, 2009

>> Monday, January 11, 2010

I apologize for having not updated the blog roll in a while.  I have been very busy with the move and relaunch of The Homeschool Classroom, as well as the launch of Homeschool Lifestyle Media.

But, at long last, here are the newest members of the blog roll:

March Up to the Gate

anything.but.grey

IndignantConservativeMom

Life of a Photographer

S.A.G.A.

Domestic Bliss

Catholic Icing

Praying Through Chaos

OCDS-Carmelite

To Be Thode

Stitchin' Kufe

A Blessed Journey

Why not take five minutes and visit some of our newest members?  Make sure to tell them where you found them! 

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