A Finch in a Pinch March 29, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Children are always most curious and observant when it’s time for bed. So, of course, it was at bedtime last week when our younger son noticed that one of our zebra finches had redness around her tail.
Secret birthday gifts, the finches go to the Oscars, and a butter bunny (7 Quick Takes) March 27, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window ~1~ My niece Elise will turn 15 this week, so I’ve been assembling a package to ship to her in time for her birthday. I wish I could tell you what I’m sending, but she’s an enthusiastic 7 Quick Takes reader, so I’ll have to fill you in later. But I will tell you I […]
Try to see the love March 22, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window Go home and find a crucifix, the priest said. Sit and hold it and really look at it.
Shamrocks, soda bread, and two dates for mom and dad (7 Quick Takes) March 19, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window This year I decided we should have something Irish for our door.
The world begins today March 15, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window It started as an ordinary enough day. I was just starting the workday at my office when my phone rang. My new nephew had been born!
Bee is for Buettner, babies, and bananas (7 Quick Takes) March 12, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window When I put dinner on the table, I told my children that I bought the placemats because “bee is for Buettner.”
Two years later, a double-dip feeling March 9, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window This week, as we find ourselves marking the second anniversary of the day schools—and the world—shut down, I find my mind wandering back to March 2020. Our world turned upside-down.
Our Lenten prayer basket, a hole-y surprise, and a nice number of bananas (7 Quick Takes) March 6, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I love having a prayer basket for Lent. I don’t know why pulling an intention out of a basket feels so ceremonial and important, but it does.
Welcome to Lent March 2, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Two years ago, on Ash Wednesday, we went to Mass as a family. It was a beautiful service on what was otherwise a relatively ordinary winter day.
Fondue for dinner, an ice storm, and general musings (7 Quick Takes) February 27, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window ~1~ Sometimes when I run out of ideas for dinner, we make fondue. It requires a little prep—cutting up vegetables and meats and preparing the broth, but then John takes over the pot and handles the cooking. It always feels fancy and special, but there are never leftovers. I wonder whether people will expect dinner […]
Making the most of the journey February 23, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized This weekend, my sons and I road-tripped to New York to see my sister Maureen and her three youngest children. Spending eight hours on the road for about 36 hours together might seem a little intense, but I would drive further than that for the chance to hug my sister. We had a fantastic weekend. […]
Surprise! A birthday road trip with Shamrock Shakes (7 Quick Takes) February 19, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window One of my favorite writing techniques is to give myself a designated period of time to write and see how quickly I can go. I am currently racing to complete these quick takes before my sister Maureen and niece finish baking brownies for my nephew who turns 13 today. Here we go! ~1~ We are […]
