{p,h,f,r} A Hershey Story

Linking up for the first time in way too long with the lovely ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter. I thought I’d use the {pretty, happy, funny, real} link up to share our recent trip to ‘The Hersey Story’ museum in downtown Hershey, PA. The museum is a new attraction to the plethora of tourist…

{p,h,f,r} FIRE, FIRE! or Bonfire Season Begins.

There is actually a Beavis and Butthead reference in this post’s title. (Or ‘Butthead and Beavis’ as Byron kept calling them which grated on my nerves more than it should have.) If you think less of me, so be it, but we actually had a conversation about said show during our most recent family bonfire…

{p,h,f,r} Doing Much Better

I’ve always insisted that this is not an SMA blog, and that we’re not an SMA family, just a family that happens to include two kids with SMA. And most times, SMA is just this thing lingering in the background that’s not spoken of even though it’s present in the routine and daily living of…

{p,h,f,r} A Field Trip Focused on Saltwater Ecosystems

I’ve been saying since the beginning of March, that the first warm sunny day we got was going to become a beach day. Enter Monday with temperatures above 50 and clear sunny skies; field trip!!! {funny} And the first spring beach trip of the year always calls for photos. I did try to warn the…

{p,h,f,r} I’m a Little Oratory Fan Girl

As promised, I’m back this week with some thoughts on Leila’s new book, ‘The Little Oratory, A Beginner’s Guide to Praying in the Home’, co-authored with David Clayton. And a giveaway. I know y’all love a giveaway. Icons, and other forms of religious art, have long held a place of honor in our home. Not…

{p,h,f,r} An Answer to Prayer

A couple of weeks back I linked up with the lovely ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter to share the joy of my daughter’s First Holy Communion, but also to put in a sincere prayer request. Let me tell you, you guys and God were really working overtime, with some pretty amazing results. Please keep…

{p,h,f,r} Milestones and Additions

Linking up at Like Mother, Like Daughter because this was a week for pictures! {pretty} Edith Arlene’s First Holy Communion! I didn’t forget all the hype I’d given this dress. I’ve got the pictures I promised, but not nearly as many as I anticipated. Thankfully, many other families were snapping shots during the ceremony and…

{p,h,f,r} Answers to Rhetorical Questions

A very solemn and penitential Lent to you all. Who’s still feeling the effects of cramming thousands of grams of sugar into their bodies up until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday? Withdrawal Wednesday and onto Good Intentions Thursday, followed by I Can’t Believe I Need To Fast Again Friday. Anyway, I got my Lenten affairs in…

This Old Schoolhouse or Keeping The Madness Contained

Inspired by the stunning array of homeschool classrooms that are clogging my Pinterest feed, I thought I would show the layout of our school room to 1. alleviate your fears that homeschooling must be done in a replica Montessori classroom and 2. show that a dedicated space for school work is helpful. Our house is…

{p,h,f,r} Natural Wonder Overload

Linking up again for the first time in ages with everyone at Like Mother, Like Daughter. Just so you don’t forget how I roll around here, I’m going to start off with my trademark sunset. {pretty} WOOT! I think it’s very fitting that on the feast of St. Lawrence the sky at dusk resembled a…

{p,h,f,r} And Theme Thursday: All About Fire

Joining all the ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter and Cari for another exciting round of photos that capture the essence of the Mantoan household without any of the offensive odors. We held a belated bonfire for the Feast of the Sacred Heart. (Flames of the Sacred Heart, get it???) If you’ve spent any time around my…

{p,h,f,r} Because I Didn’t Take A Picture Of The Toilet

What better way to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, and honor the head of our household, than to give Tony the opportunity to pick up a second-hand toilet in mint condition for 1/4 of its retail price? Okay, well if saving a bunch of money on a toilet didn’t excite him, our family trip…

{p,h,f,r} I’m Baaaaaaccckkk, From The Beach

February, you don’t own me! I am the master of my own destiny and you know what? I’m going to the beach! I refuse to be held a slave inside my house any longer! So take that, grey winter days and smothering cabin fever; I am taking some of life’s marrow and sucking it! Okay,…