Our Lady

Love this beautiful adoration of Our Lady, our queen of Peace. I was on facebook and saw this lovely picture of her a friend had taken in Guatemala. photo taken by Anahata Katkin.

Matt Maher

I am not a huge listener of Christian Rock. I don't know why but I think sometimes it is because I haven't heard someone that moves me... until now! Matt Maher has an amazing voice with just as beautiful of a message.  My mom introduced me to him. Really it was my Uncle's stepson's that introduced us to him in a memorial video that they put together for their brother who died in Afghanistan. It was so touching and I cannot stop thinking about it. This is the song they played. Hopefully, it will touch your heart and you will pass it along. Many blessings to the Higgins Family. xo

click here to listen  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-he2DohfwWE

One little Rose

One Little Rose
I would rather have one little rose
from a garden of a friend
than to have the choicest flowers
when my stay on earth must end
I would rather have one pleasant word
in kindness said to me
than flattery when my heart is still
and life has ceased to be
I would rather have a loving smile
from friends i know are TRUE
than tears shed around my casket
when i bid this world adieubring all your flowers today
whether pink or white or red
I'd rather have one blossom now
than a basketful when i'm dead....

Mother Mary

I have sadly forgotten to post on this blog in awhile. I truly wish I had a good reason for my lack posting but there isn't one. Just summer came and swept me away with it. During the summer, I so often prayed and asked for Mother Mary's guidance. She is always there for us, never failing.  I am reminded of Mother Mary's guiding light in our life. It is everywhere...you just have to look for it! It is a true reflection of her Son's love for us. 

Miracle Icons

I love the juxtaposition of religious jewelry with funky materials. Miracle Icons creates these fabulous unisex pieces. 

A faithful confirmation!

I am so proud of my hubby, Chris, for being so dedicated to completing his confirmation classes. A truly faithful act! He was confirmed on Tuesday, with about 65 other candidates.  He never was confirmed when he was in eigth grade because his family moved. So he decided on his own to get confirmed. His faith is so strong and he is such a source of inspiration for me. I truly am so blessed to have him in my life. ..xoxo 

Totally Yours Marian Conference

After an amazing weekend at the Totally Yours, Marian Conference at the DuPage Expo with my girlfriends Lisa and Judy I had to post a few of the pictures that I snapped while we were there. We went to go see Immaculee Ilibagiza speak about her amazing experience of forgiveness and love in the midst of the Rwanda genocide.  Which was so beautiful and healing... but the best thing about seeing her speak is listening to her truly genuine and forgiving heart. Amazing! So many more speakers touched our hearts- I was so impressed by Hector Molina who spoke about Spirtual Warfare, he was incredible!  There were other moving speakers that shared their personal stories ; Zaid Jazrawi and Father Rick Wendell experiences were truly heartfelt transformations. The best part of the weekend was witnessing Brother Carmelo Cortez. It is so difficult to explain in this post but it was truly a blessed experience. I couldn't help but look around at those around me and I had to snap this photo of this precious person so deep in prayer. The other images are from my rosaries that were blessed in holy water and the rose petal that Brother Carmelo Cortez touched and became imprinted with Jesus on the cross. I truly recommend anyone to attend and be inspired! xoxo

Serving up love

I was crafting away and working on these garden markers. I think every garden and home needs spoonfuls of love, blessings and faith!

Mary Mary

Okay so my girlfriend, Maureen, was making a little joke about my Mary blog and posted this picture in her bathroom this weekend. I just love that everyone who went into her bathroom was probably wondering  what is going on...p.s. loving the double JC reference. 

Divine Mercy

Today, being divine mercy Sunday I am overwhelmed with God's infinite mercy and love.  I was thinking about how we forgive others today...is it heartfelt? Do we let it go once we forgive or are we holding onto the pain? I was thinking about this and one of my favorite authors came to mind, Immaculée Ilibagiza.  Immaculée shares her miraculous story of how she survived during the Rwanda genocide in 1994 when she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor’s house for 91 days! In this captivating and inspiring book, Immaculée shows us how to embrace the power of prayer, forge a profound and lasting relationship with God, and discover the importance of forgiveness and the meaning of truly unconditional love and understanding—through our darkest hours. I am reminded of how we are all capable, even thru the most horrific circumstances, to offer our forgiveness to others. And it is Jesus' immaculate heart that teaches us this!

Little Altars

I have been wanting to create a little altar space in our home but I had not found the right shadow box. So my sweet dad,  made me this wonderful shadow box from some old fencing. He backed it with a heavy duty piece of plywood and added a little shelf. My mom said that when she was little they use to have one up for the month of May. It was a place they could say the rosary and their prayers. I just love that idea. So I created a space of my own with a few prayer cards, rosary, some heart rocks, an angel, my moms Mary statue and some candles. I also placed a little box where I can write my prayer requests. Last night it all came together and I just love it! I feel like I will continue to add little touches here and there. But for right now, it is perfect!

the Prayer

Some songs come along that just leave you breathless. I love this song, the prayer. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmscFwj22vg

My favorite verse is the last one...

It's the faith

you light in us

I feel it will save us

so perfect on Good Friday. xoxo

Finding Grace

Whenever I am anxious or worried about something, which was the case today, I seem to always find comfort in the verse above. 

Grotto Mary

I just love this kooky Mary shadowbox found on etsy. I think I may have to try to recreate one. 

Finding Mary

So my honey just got back from his National Sales Meetings in Baltimore. And he was talking about my blogs to a buddy who happened to have this tattoo of Our Lady on his arm. Which, of course, I love that these guys were chatting about Mary at a sales meeting. She always finds her way into our hearts. I think it quite comical that I now have my husband looking for Mary. Thanks Stephen for sharing this photo!

Walking in prayer

The first time I walked a labyrinth was a few years ago at my friend Sue's church. During this time of lent, many churches may have a labyrinth set up for you to walk. I am planning on walking this tonight at my church, St. Joseph Catholic Church. Today, many people walk labyrinths to slow down, to grieve, to seek insight, to find stillness and compassion, as a form of prayer, and for calming and balancing health benefits. Since the labyrinth has only one path so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and may be a mirror for where we are in our lives. This prayer experience may touch our sorrows and release our joys. Walk it with an open mind and an open heart, letting God in. 

Helping each other grow, a direction for our times

I am reading this book Direction for our Times, Volume One. And came across this beautiful part that I thought I would share. "Jesus asks us to focus on people's strengths and attributes, rather than their flaws. Shining a light on someone's good qualities is like sunshine on plants. It makes them grow. If we focus on their flaws, or negative qualities, it has the same effect in a negative way. We must practice being supportive and not critical, even in the face of the faults of others."  I had to highlight this in my book because it is a lesson I need to remember and focus on.

Little Dresses for Africa

Okay so this post isn't about Mary..but, it all about Mary's message of love and kindness. Which is exactly what these amazing group of women will be doing to help these orphans. My friend, Susie, read about an organization called Little Dresses for Africa. Where they make dresses for children in Africa out of pillowcases. So she has started, Little Dresses for Hope, where we will be making the same pillowcase dresses and then sending them to Little Dresses for Africa. Simple dresses that are distributed throughout the orphanages of Central Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy. On Sunday, March 21st, a group of kindhearted women, will be getting together to sew, cut, embellish, iron and package pillowcase dresses. We are not just sending dresses we are sending hope. All are welcome to help out at our sewing party from 2-4 p.m. or if you cannot make it you can drop off of send supplies. Please click here to find out where you can send supplies or directions to St. Lawrence Church in Libertyville. We are collecting cotton pillowcases, double wide bias tape, pins, thread, 1" elastic. All loving hands are welcome! images from ashleyannphotography.

Pure and Holy

Loving this domino Mary necklace...on Etsy of course!

Madonna and Child

I found this simple print on etsy of Madonna and child. Thinking it would be beautiful in a bright frame.

Mother Mary comes to me

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, Let It Be

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Whisper words of wisdom, Let It Be

And when the broken hearted people

Living in the world agree

There will be an answer, Let It Be

For though they may be parted there is

Still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be. Yeah

There will be an answer, Let It Be

Let It be, Let It be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Whisper Words of wisdom, Let It Be

Let It be, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Whisper words of wisdom, Let It Be

And when the night is cloudy

There is still a light that shines on me

Shine until tomorrow, Let It Be

I wake up to the sound of music

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

There will be an answer, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

There will be an answer, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Let It Be, Let It Be

Whisper words of wisdom, Let It Be

This Beatles song, Let it Be, was written in 1970. I just love this song...and its simple message.

Creating little altars of adoration

So I have wanted for a long time to create a little space in my home where I can house all my mass cards, rosaries and Mary statues. I found this shadow box on Wisteria and I am thinking it would be quite perfect. If you are looking to create a special space in your home to light a candle or house a few religious items and don't know how to get started check out Altars, bringing sacred shines into your everyday life.

Messages from the heart

So my friend, Lisa, bought me a tee shirt and belt buckle from this great company Cutting up. They write  these amazing messages that are inspired by the belief that a message built upon the simple assets of the heart, love, emotion and a nod to the Spirit in the sky is worth sharing with others. 

Angels and Mary

Jes Maharry's jewelry is so special..Her handwritten messages will touch your heart.

Worth Hanging

Some beautiful shadow boxes from Wisteria. Made of metal and distressed, this framed framed folk art shadowbox art celebrates the Virgin Mary patron saint Nuestra Senora de La Candelaria, who is the patroness of the Canary Islands and widely venerated in South America. 

Bottle cap Mary

Another find from Beat Street in Winnetka. Our lady hand painted in a bottle cap.

A pocket size Mary!

Found this little traveling Mary at a shop in Winnetka that I love called, Beat Street. It looks like this when it is closed, then open the doors and see all the people.

Finding grace

My friend, Lisa, has Mary all throughout her house...This little vignette is so sweet,  I love the immaculate heart and the grace book in the background.

Finding Mary

Since starting this blog, Mary has been popping up everywhere!

I was at my friend, Susie's, house and there was Mary...Just had to snap a photo of this beautiful cross!

Searching for Mary on Etsy

Found these cute Mary Magnets on Etsy. Her love is Magnetic!

Hope is here

Anahata Katkin, co founder of Papaya, creates these beautiful art panels. I just love Mary's face in this one. It looks like she is saying what is written...Hope will find you! Hope is here! Mary is reminding us everyday.

Hanging around

Some beautiful pieces from CLP's saints jewelry collection. Love these!