Monday Recap: September 5, 2016

September 5, 2016September 5, 2016 franciscanmomLeave a comment

It’s the first Monday of the month, so I’ve gathered up links to the work I’ve done in other spaces, from book reviews and Tech Talk (will I ever get to Inbox Zero?) to recipes and back-to-school tips from none other than Ramona’s mom!

At CatholicMom.com

mailbox-55464_1920 — Image via Pixabay (2009), CC0 Public Domain

Tech Talk: Is Inbox Zero a Pipe Dream? I fight an ongoing battle with my inbox. Are you working on controlling your email? Find out what works for a detail-oriented thinker.

Mrs. Quimby’s 6 Best Back-to-School Tips (Plus One from Me). I loved reading Beverly Cleary’s “Ramona” series as a child. Turns out, these books are chock-full of sound parenting advice.

Book Notes: Works of Love are Works of Peace. My review of the newly-reissued photobook about Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Works of Love are Works of Peace. This book will challenge and change the way you serve.

Book Notes: “Mary’s Way” Encourages Praying Moms. Mary’s Way: The Power of Entrusting Your Child to God is both a testament to perseverance and a guide to surrender. I reviewed this new book by CatholicMom.com contributor Judy Klein.

At Catholic Underground

Catholic Underground picked up my review of Stephanie Engelman’s A Single Bead. Thanks for hosting me!

At Cook and Count

I haven’t made too many new dishes this summer, so there’s just one recipe this time!

Shrimp Fra Diavolo for Two

At Dynamic Women of Faith

Book Review: The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. The book is out now, so be sure to order your copy today! Want an autographed copy? Leave a comment or email me for details.

Monday Recap: May 2016

June 6, 2016June 5, 2016 franciscanmomLeave a comment

It’s the first Monday of the month, so I’ve gathered up links to the work I’ve done in other spaces. May was a busy month for book reviews, but I found time for a few recipes and a little spiritual writing, too.

At CatholicMom.com

Book Notes and Author Interview with Theresa Linden. Theresa Linden’s novel “Life-Changing Love” released in May from Silver Fire Publishing! I interviewed the author on the subject of courtship as a dating alternative, a central theme in the novel.

Copyright 2016 Barb Szyszkiewicz. All rights reserved.

The Chapel Rosary. Using a rosary belonging to someone else brings to mind a unique connection that is made through prayer.

Book Notes: Learning to Love with the Saints. I reviewed Jean Heimann’s spiritual biography, Learning to Love with the Saints, which explores the how and why of those saints’ personal influence on her life.

Book Notes: Keep Your Kids Catholic. Marc Cardonarella’s new book guides parents to nurture their children’s faith at home.

Book Notes: The Joy-Filled Broken Heart. This small book is packed with big advice for those in the midst of suffering.

Book Notes: Talking to God by Julie Cragon. This new book by Julie Cragon helps you turn everyday challenges into prayers.

At Cook and Count

Sauteed Spring Vegetables turned out to be a delicious seasonal side!

Because bigger IS better when it comes to cookies (according to my teenager) I made these Giant Chocolate-Chip Cookies.

Chicken with Mushroom Sauce is a great alternative to Chicken Marsala.

At Dynamic Women of Faith

My review of The Joy-Filled Broken Heart is available here.

At Mercatornet.com’s Reading Matters

My review of Deanna K. Klingel’s novel, Blue-Eyed Doll, was picked up at Mercatornet.com.

Monday Recap: April 2016

May 2, 2016May 2, 2016 franciscanmomLeave a comment

At CatholicMom.com

Cooking with Kids: Easter Ham and Cheese Bake. I shared a frugal recipe that kids can help prepare for the non-Meatless Friday after Easter.

Catholic Catalogue Book Club Part II: Seasons of the Church Year (#32-44). We discussed Part Two: Seasons of the Church Year (#32-44) from The Catholic Catalogue, by Melissa Musick and Anna Keating. Reading this book has convinced me of the need to make sure that the observations of both the daily and the seasonal aspects of Catholic life take place on a family level, not just a personal one

Book Notes: The Four Keys to Everlasting Love. My review of The Four Keys to Everlasting Love by CatholicMom.com contributors Dr. Manuel and Karee Santos. The book is an excellent resource for marriage prep, but it’s not just for engaged couples or even newlyweds.

Amoris Laeticia, The Joy of Love. A roundup of early commentary on the latest papal exhortation, as well as a link to the document itself.

Book Notes: Blue-Eyed Doll. I reviewed Blue-Eyed Doll, a fascinating historical novel that transports the reader to 1920s California, where students collected dolls to exchange for dolls from students in Japan.

Tech Talk: Texting and Tweeting with Catholic Emoji. Just for fun, I tried out the new Catholic Emoji app for iPhone and iPad. Those new emoji from Apple? Try to find real Rosary beads in there. Catholic Emoji has you covered.

Mother’s Day Book Notes: Hope Unfolding. I reviewed Hope Unfolding: Grace-Filled Truths for the Momma’s Heart. It’s a perfect Mother’s Day gift for any overwhelmed mom.

At Cook and Count

Citrus-Cilantro Chicken

Roast Pork with Orange Pan Sauce

Three-Way Taco Topping

Meatless Friday: Chesapeake Bay Shrimp

At Dynamic Women of Faith

Book Review: Blue-Eyed Doll by Deanna K. Klingel. This fascinating historical novel transports the reader to 1920s California, where students collected dolls to exchange for dolls from students in Japan, and follows the collectible dolls into World War II and its aftermath. Don’t miss Ruth Mary, the gutsy main character–she’s terrific.

Note: All links to books are Amazon affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my website with your purchase!

Monday Recap: March 2016

April 4, 2016April 3, 2016 franciscanmomLeave a comment

At CatholicMom.com

Book Notes: Jeff Cavins’ When You Suffer. Cavins maintains that suffering has a purpose. It can help us grow in grace, to grow closer to Christ–if we choose to allow that to happen.

Tech Talk: Is there a Cure for FOMO? I admit that my use of some social media can border on the compulsive. What do you do to alleviate your fear of missing out?

The Faithful Traveler Brings the Holy Land Home. I enjoyed a virtual journey to the Holy Land through a new video series from The Faithful Traveler, this one focusing on a papal pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Book Notes: Wartime Historical Fiction. I shared impressions of two historical novels I read recently, one set during World War II, the other during the Spanish Inquisition.

Easter Vigil: Bring Your Family to the Fire. Are your children too wiggly to handle the whole Easter Vigil? I suggested that you start slowly–by bringing your family to the fire.

At Cook and Count

There’s been lots of international cooking this month!

Irish Soda Bread, just the way my mom makes it

Blueprint Recipe: Chicken Fettuccine with Vegetables

For St. Patrick’s Day: Irish Tea Brack

Meatless Friday: Pierogi Lasagna

Waterford Rolls based on a recipe from the region where my Granma was born

One-Pot Cooking: Arroz con Pollo. Certainly not authentic, but definitely delicious.

Corned Beef Hash, a frugal “breakfast at any time of the day” dish

Fabulous Appetizers: Asparagus Tart is fancy enough for company and can be made ahead

At Dynamic Women of Faith

Book Review: True Radiance by Lisa Mladinich

Monday Recap: 8/17/2015

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015 franciscanmomLeave a comment

At CatholicMom.com:

Book Notes: Walk Softly and Carry a Great Bag

Here’s my review of Teresa Tomeo’s purse-sized devotional, Walk Softly and Carry a Great Bag, and interview with the author. This is a book you’ll want to tuck into your favorite handbag!

Tech Talk: Never Miss a Homily Again

A growing number of priests and deacons have begun offering the text and/or audio recordings of their homilies online, so that people who didn’t get to hear the whole thing can catch up later–and people who want to prayerfully review it can do that as well.