A Little Birthday Reflection July 27, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized Yesterday was my birthday. It wasn’t a special milestone, but every birthday feels significant to me. And every birthday offers a chance to pause and reflect on who I am, why I’m here, and how blessed I am.
Painting, sister outings, a diaper cake, and pre-birthday fun (7 Quick Takes) July 22, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Uncategorized When the children are younger, you struggle with how to display their artwork because it’s all so personal and sweet. Then when they get older, it can be even harder to know what to do because their work is so beautiful.
Go ahead. Have ice cream for breakfast. July 16, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Open Window Maybe this is not your parenting approach. You do what works for you. I’ll be over here watching a happy child lick his spoon.
Thank you, Father Joe July 13, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I’ve long admired Father Joe Breighner’s work.
An Adventure in the Kitchen July 13, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window There wasn’t quite enough for another double-crusted pie, but I could maybe make a tart.
Robotics camp, cousin time, an Orioles game, and a bari sax (7 Quick Takes) July 3, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Our boys have been participating in a robotics camp—one as a counselor and one as a participant. I had the chance to visit the camp briefly for a competition, and I was struck by how amazing it is to see your child move into that kind of leadership role.
“Are You Catholic?” July 2, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Was I wearing a crucifix? Had a rosary slipped out of my purse? Then I realized she was looking at the reusable grocery bags I had brought along.
Hooray for July July 1, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window July is the cherry on the top of the ice cream sundae. It’s summer at its summer-iest. It’s when we will finally welcome the hotter days, when—if we’re doing it right—the children will start complaining about being bored, and when we will realize which popsicle flavors no one likes because that’s all that’s left in the freezer.
Make an eagle cheese ball and watch your party soar June 27, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Recipes As it turned out, though, we didn’t need a superhero to make our eagle cheese ball.
Car-buying advice from my father June 21, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window The other day John and I went car shopping to replace our minivan. We went to a couple of dealerships to look around. At the second one, we decided to buy a car. Purchasing an automobile is not my favorite thing to do—and I know I’m not alone. Many people do not enjoy car shopping. […]
Shopping and a lesson in trust June 14, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I’ve been looking for a new shirt or two, but the styles I’m finding are so unappealing. I don’t need a shirt with a zipper or things dangling off of it. It doesn’t need to have puffy sleeves or have a longer tail in the back. But I also don’t want it to be boring. […]
A First Communion, the school year ending, and a happy potato (7 Quick Takes) June 10, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window ~1~ Two of our nieces made their First Communions this spring—one in New England and one here in Baltimore. We missed the one in New England, but I managed to get to the Mass in Baltimore where our niece received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. It was wonderful to be with her […]