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.

Bread and butter and memories

February 7, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Every time I spread butter on bread, I stop and think of our friend, Father Tom.

Fresh chocolate chip cookies, Groundhog Day, potato peeling, fun at the office, and more (7 Quick Takes)

February 1, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Last weekend when I made chocolate chip cookies, I made a big double batch and ended up with way too many.

Celebrating the small victories of an ordinary workday

January 29, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

In life, it’s the little moments that add up to the big ones. The small wins become the larger ones.

Afternoon tea, 5 things you might not know about me, Pokemon tournaments, and more (7 Quick Takes)

January 25, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

I spontaneously invited friends to come for afternoon tea, and we had such a wonderful
time.

Thank you, God, for the usual

January 24, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Every morning when I ask, “What would you like for breakfast today?” our fourth grader says, “The usual.”

How to cut an onion without tears, that art app, snow days, and growing crystals (7 Quick Takes)

January 19, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

For years and years I have cried while cutting onions.

Enjoying a behind-the-scenes look at a local, family-owned bowling alley

January 18, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

When friends of ours suggested we get a group together and go bowling last weekend, I knew I wouldn’t have any trouble selling my family on the idea. We love bowling.

Shopping with kids: When you have your own purse-onal shopper

January 16, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Uncategorized

I’ve reached a whole new place in parenting. Today if I get to choose, I do not want to shop alone. I want to bring a child along.

Hearing Dr. King’s voice today: 6 favorite quotes from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 15, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Words can hurt, and words can heal. Words can divide people or build bridges.

Let it snow (but not too much), a baptism photo, a final batch of Christmas cookies, and avocado toast (7 Quick Takes)

January 11, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

If I can put in my snow request for the season, I would like one good snowstorm—maybe six inches or so—and then we can head into spring.

Starting the day with “Pastries for Parents”

January 10, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window, Uncategorized

Pastries for Parents.It’s such a lovely idea. You’ll take your child to school a half-hour early and sit in the cafeteria and talk about school and life and meet their friends and other parents. That’s the dream. The reality? Everyone has to wake up early, which naturally sets the whole day up for success. They’re […]

Oh, I want pugs for Christmas. Oh, only pugs will do.

January 6, 2018
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

This Christmas season as we were making paper towel snowmen and paper towel nativity figures to give as presents, I had an idea for a gift for a friend and her family.