Kayaking Lake Albano!

 

Ancient Greek

 My first flash cards in 20 years! I love Greek--I am firing on all cylinders. 

These pristine cards have now traveled on a train to Rome, hung out in a coffeeshop in the Termini train station, diner lots of good work in the study hall at the Angelicum, and seen me to my first test in Greek class--which I think I aced. Lovin' it!

 

Gorgeous!

 She had not gotten her hair cut since 2019! Finally, it was just time. 

                   Before: 

After: 

 

A New View of Lent

 Reading Fr. Roch's Jesus Christ: Fundamentals of Christology, I was struck by his exposition on Jesus' temptation in the desert. 

"[The] one great temptation Jesus faced during his public ministry [was] to become a Messiah who fulfills the expectations of the people" (p. 98). 

This is the focus of my Lent this year, as we imitate Christ in the desert: enjoying the freedom in Christ to be exactly who God calls me to be. 

It is also going to be very desert-like in this home! Everyone has taken on extreme penances: we are going completely alcohol-free; Ron is fasting every other day (wowzers); Annie is eating only 2 meals a day; Leigh is giving up all sweets and large portions. Clare? Giving up all but 1 cup of coffee and all beverages but water. Sebastian?? Gum. :)

University of Dallas Rome Program: Women's Retreat

 It was a privilege to speak to the women on the UD Rome program on their retreat. I got the chance to speak with them about marriage and family life. I still have to pinch myself that I chose to marry Ron and live this crazy Catholic family life with him. What a joy it is! I am so blessed. 

"Our God in his deepest mystery is not solitude, but a family."

        -John Paul II

"[Mothers and fathers] are a true, living icon, capable of revealing God the Creator and Savior.  For this reason, fruitful love becomes a symbol of God’s inner life." 

-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Movie Pic for Valentine's Day

 In my quest to find 52 new movies this year, I have a good one for Valentine's Day! It is called "Be My Valentine." It stars William Baldwin (Alec's brother) and Natalie Brown. It is very clean and 100% chic flic. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B00HUNOY02/ref=atv_hm_hom_c_LzQwT3_brws_24_2

Happy Valentine's Day!

Roman Pizza

 Kathryn : Since you are gifted at making authentic Roman pizza, can you tell me if this recipe looks okay? 

Alessandra: Well, I suggest you use fresh yeast, not the dried granules. 

Kathryn: What is that and where do you find it? 

Alessandra: [Sends photos of fresh yeast packaging]

After a trip around the grocery store with a store employee, I found fresh yeast in the refrigerated section. My daughter-chef Annie and I googled the conversion rate (triple the amount if it is fresh rather than dried). Annie made the dough and then we left it to rise in the fridge for 2 days. It was as soft as butter when we took it out of the bowl! Sebastian did the rolling and Annie and I did the toppings. Truly delicious. 

Alessandra Morello works in the business office at the University of Dallas. She is the beautiful mother of two adorable boys. 

Thank you Ale! 

I got a 9,9!

 I just got my grades for Christology: a 9,9! That is out of 10! Wahoo! 

Here is a video of me after the exam: 

Annie's Valentine Pun

 For years, Annie has made puns. Constantly. She finds pun material everywhere. 

Today, she was making pizza dough. She kneaded it for about 10 minutes. Then she grinned her most mischievous smile, held out the dough in the shape of a heart, and said, "Doughn't you think you should be my valentine?" 

Speaking of Valentines, Sebastian has picked out the girl he hopes will be his! I shall not post her name here for the sake of privacy, but goodness gracious, Sebastian and Annie discussed it for 10 minutes! He is very clear about his interest in this girl! 

A Wonderful Mom

 My mom is wonderful! On the occasion of her birthday, I am reminded of so many happy memories: 

• Rollerskating and having picnics in Central Park
• Eating at a Jewish diner near our apartment and ordering blueberry blitzes
• Walking through the Metropolitan Museum of Art with her and looking at mother/daughter images
• Going to ballets, plays and operas together 
• Both of us thinking spinach pie is about the best food on earth
• Her teaching me how to write essays, using her skill as a previously-employed english teacher
• Her teaching me about Hegel and other thinkers
• Her taking me to Mexico, Ireland, and on a college tour when I was a teenager
• Her baking us cakes and always having them around (vanilla cakes with chocolate chips that tended to sink to the bottom)
• Her parenting style of never raising her voice and trying so hard to be a safe person for us

She did all this and more as a single mom for many years! Rather incredible achievement. 

Thank you, Mom! I love you!

Ron and I in Rome

 Ron and I had a wonderful Saturday in Rome. We now have a new favorite church, Santuario di San Salvatore in Lauro, that houses the gloves of Padre Pio, and a new restaurant, Da Francesco. Lovely, relaxing day; so happy to see Romans out and about. So happy WE were out and about!

Playing Hooky!

 We've been in CODE ORANGE in the province of Rome for over a month which means severe restrictions. We were not allowed to go from our town, Frascati, to Rome, nor were restaurants open, etc. It has been another long home-bound period. 

New broke of Rome switching from ORANGE to YELLOW! Leigh, Clare and I celebrated by taking the day off (literally pulling them out of school) and driving to Rome to spend the day. 

It was a blast! Much needed mood-mender!