Rita Buettner

Rita Buettner is a wife, working mother and author of the Catholic Review's Open Window blog. She and her husband adopted their two sons from China, and Rita often writes about topics concerning adoption, family and faith.

Rita also writes The Domestic Church, a featured column in the Catholic Review. Her writing has been honored by the Catholic Press Association, the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association and the Associated Church Press.

Olives, a lesson from Annie’s mom, a forgotten trumpet, and a flat tire (7 Quick Takes)

January 17, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Our pediatrician once told our children that you need to try a new food 16 or 17 times before you can decide that you don’t like it.

The little plant that (maybe) could

January 15, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I’m just not good with plants. I’m not sure whether they don’t care for me or I’m just not destined for plant greatness, but my plants never survive.

Discovering the last of the daylight on a winter evening

January 13, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

As I’m walking across the parking lot, I sense that something is different, but I can’t put my finger on it.

Soup for January, the beauty of a sky and snow, a new hoverboard, an Epiphany house blessing, and more (7 Quick Takes)

January 10, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Something about January puts me in a soup mood. This week I made Italian wedding soup.

My favorite thing to do when it snows

January 8, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

When I hear snow is coming, I can’t wait to start baking.

Reflecting on a spontaneous trip to St. Anthony’s Shrine

January 4, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Maybe 2020 will simply be a year to be open and receptive to how God wants us to experience His love, wherever we are.

Still celebrating Christmas, homemade donuts, and hopes for the New Year (7 Quick Takes)

January 3, 2020
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Recipes

Are you still celebrating Christmas? It’s only the 10th day of Christmas, and the Three Kings haven’t yet arrived. Our tree is still up, and we have been exchanging final gifts with friends and baking cookies.