Same Sex Marriage.

By now all of America has heard that President Obama made a groundbreaking speech on supporting Same Sex Marriage.  Now little old me...  is making a "groundbreaking" reponse to him. 

Dear Mr. President, 

I voted for you. I fell for your dynamic voice of change.  I too believed War needed to stop. I too also believed that everyone deserves the right to healthcare.  I too believed your stance on Marriage in 2008. As stated on MTV.....  "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage. But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that’s not what America’s about."

Now I have grown to see your contradictions as so many Americans. NO America is not about hurting or prohibiting others to be who they want to be. We are about Freedom under GOD. 

Before you Mr. President.... God created a sacred covenant between Man and Woman to continue his beloved human race. This covenant can not be broken by your statement.

We as followers of Christ are given the gift of free will. I will not ever be in judgement of anothers lifestyle choices. This is what Christ asks of us to be obedient to his Father and uphold his teachings. I stand by the teachings of the Church that Christ established through his disciple Peter.  

Marriage is between a Man and Woman even if this is not a popular opinion or under the guise of winning more votes for you.

C.  

Mary is the Month of Mary.

How do you plan on honoring Our Blessed Mother during her special month?  I know I am challenging myself to pray the rosary daily and just spending more time in prayer with Mary.  Love, C.  

Girl_Catholic Book Shelf.

Being the only woman working at a small Catholic Book/Gift store, where the majority of our customers are women. I feel compelled to take a active role in finding the right books to fill our Women's Interest Shelf. What I look for is Authentic dialogue on the subjects that our close to Girl_Catholic hearts everywhere. It is not easy for me at times thinking outside of my 30 something, no children yet and married to a  Muslim mid-century design and fashion loving self. But, I try and this is my top 8 finds in no particular order. 

1. Weightless by Kate Wicker. Ok this book is on my personal list of must reads. I just discovered Kate's Lovely blog via no. 2:) This subject is close to my heart with my own lifetime struggle with weight and overeating.  I am curious to bring a Catholic Faith voice to this subject. 2.  Style, Sex and Substance edited by Hallie Lord of Betty Beguiles. Ok watch the trailer on this charming book. I can't wait to read what these Ten fabulous Catholic lady bloggers have to say! I am sure telling it like it is and living their faith while doing it. 3. Extreme Makeover by Teresa Tomeo. This book I feel is a life changer. Please do watch the trailer. In a world where Women's liberation is the "right" to degradation through media, fashion and sex.  We need a big dose of Christ centered dignity! And this book sheds the much needed light on Authentic Womanhood. 4. Where was Emily Stimpson's The Catholic Girl's Survival Guide for the Single Years when I was single?!?!? 5.  Adam and Eve after the Pill. I will be honest, I am a bit "afraid" to read this book. Knowledge creates power and responsibilty as well. In a time where contraception is infringing on our religious rights, I am curious open my eyes to a story that modern culture likes to skew. 6. Ok Liz Kelly's book 50 reasons I love being Catholic is the only book on this list I have read thus far and it's wonderful. Great reminder of rich and beautiful our faith is! 7. How to Get to 'I do' - A dating Guide for Catholic Women by Amy Bonaccorso. When I see 10 years and practical in the description. I am ready to read this and give copies to my single friends. 8. Wish you were here by Amy Welborn. I first heard about this book on The Gist and then recently again read a moving excerpt in Catholic Digest. Heartbreaking and real. A deep glimpse on Grief.  

What do you think? Have you read any of them? Maybe some others to add? Love, C. 

Anatomy of a Bedside Table.

What made me think to document this? Well, my inner memory keeping self (scrapbooker) decided to show up after one hectic week at the Catholic Book and Gift shop (Hello Holy First Comm. and Confirmation season:). While I languished in bed nearly all weekend reading with non-streneous intervals of catnaps between casual spring cleaning. Then with my iphone in quick reach I snapped this photo of my bedside table, thinking of how the most ordinary home scene can tell a story of who I  really am at this moment. So, here goes....

1. My Little Petit Milk Glass lamp on it's marble stand. It's a sweet find I found at my local favorite Thrift Store with my dear childhood friend last year. Reminding me most that my most treasured possessions are gently used and have a memory attached.  My bedside table itself is a Tiffany blue Mid-century living room end table that I found free:) 2. Another find from that very day. A faux gold frame,  just like the ones that decorated my Grandmother's Bedroom. The print in the frame I purchased from one of my favorite home decor bloggers sfgirlbybay, I just adore old cameras! And the colors are deliciously soft in this picture. 3. My Marian statue from my Mommy, which has been on all my bedside tables since I was little. 4. My Palm Sunday palms lovingly weaved by a dear friend as she attempted to teach me with no success:) 5. Holy water bottle for a little night time blessing. 6. Queen of the Cosmos book by Jan Connell. One of the many books on Medjugorje I am reading right now. Getting ready for the Month of Mary~May. Just love the cover as well. Beautiful picture of the statue Our Lady of Tihaljina.

Now I am curious to know what is on your bedside table? Love, C. 

Mary May Day Project.

Growing up making and distributing May Day baskets was a huge highlight of Spring! Thanks to my own Momma's love of this tradition as a kid. We would usually use Styrofoam cups and pipe cleaners and fill them with leftover Easter candy treats:) Then with a simple ballpoint pen I would write the recipients name and then count down the minutes until I could ding dong ditch my little friends neighborhood houses and take off as quick as I could:)

Even though I do not have little people myself yet to share this tradition with yet. I couldn't help devising a new Marian twist to this May Day classic. I hope you enjoy this mini how to and supply list in honor of Our Lady....

Craft Ingredients: 1. Plastic Luminous Bead Rosary 2. White Wire Ribbon (Alternative Option: White Pipe Cleaners). 3. Marian Blue Paper Cups 4. Mary Laminated Prayer Card 5. Petite Glass Holy Water Bottles with two style options (Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima) 6. Plastic 3" Our Lady of Grace. 7. Sweet Candy Treats and a Flower (Real or Faux).  Supplies: A. Hole Punch to create ribbon handle holes. B. Clear tape to secure handle inside of the cup. Many of these items can be located at your local Catholic Store.

Quick How-To (So easy) : 1. Get your hole punch out and create first hole on cup's seam 1/4 below rim and then repeat another hole near by for a flower stem hole. 2. Do a second handle hole directly across from First Handle hole. 3. Cut Wire  ribbon to about 6 inches and string  it inward into cup. 4. Secure handles with clear tape at the length you prefer. 5. Put Flower stem into hole and  repeat adhering of stem with clear tape. 6. Fill and enjoy sharing Mary with everyone you love. 

Love, C.