Loved this!

Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

The Gist rebroadcasts on CatholicTV Thursday at 8:30pm, Friday at 4pm, Saturday at 6:30am, Monday at 8am, and Tuesday at 10pm. And you can now watch the first episode of The Gist on demand on CatholicTV.

Thanks for watching and keep your feedback (the good, the bad, and the ugly) coming! It’s very helpful as we are planning future shows.

If you would like to listen to me talk with Scot Landry, host of The Good Catholic Life, for an hour or so about Faith & Family, Catholic Digest, and The Gist … you’re in luck! You can do that today!

I’m excited to be a guest on The Good Catholic Life 4:00 – 5:00 pm EST today. If you’re not in the Boston area, you can listen to a live stream of the show at WQOM.org. See you there!

Yes! I can!

And what’s more, the hazy, gritty glasses coming from my otherwise awesome Bosch dishwasher weren’t my fault!

I think it was my sister who linked to a story about the new and terribly ineffective phosphate-free dishwasher detergents a while back, but I am only just now getting around to doing something about it. In addition to my usual, phosphate-free and terribly ineffective dishwasher detergent, I now add a few shakes of baking soda to the beginning of each cycle and fill the rinse aid dispenser with white vinegar.

Finally! Shiny glassware! Yes, we can!

O Lord,
the helper of the helpless,
the hope of those who are past hope,
the savior of the tempest-tossed,
the harbor of the voyagers,
the physician of the sick.
You know each soul and our prayer,
each home and its need.
Become to each one of us
what we most dearly desire,
receiving us all into your kingdom,
making us children of the light.
Pour on us your peace and love,
O Lord our God. Amen.
— Orthodox Liturgy of St. Basil

We made these houses on New year’s Eve. I thought I should take some photos before the little guys give in to the temptation to snack on them.

Our “gingerbread” is really graham crackers. These ideas were helpful. As was having a husband with knowledge of how a real house gets put together and stays together. Also, royal icing makes for perfect “concrete.”

Merry Christmas (Day 9)!

— 1 —
Resolutions
Are you making any? I can’t decide if I want to or not. I’m not usually motivated to make life-changing kinds of commitments until Lent anyway. That buys me more than two months to make up my mind. Perfect!

— 2 —
The Gist
Have I mentioned The Gist here yet? I have? Oh. That’s probably because I am all kinds of excited about it premiering next Wednesday morning. Make sure you check in at Faith & Family Live to join us for live chat during the show (Wednesday, January 4, beginning at 10:15 am EST).

— 3 —
Zits
They are taking over my face. Is it stress? Is it hormones? Is it the Christmas fudge? SOMEBODY! HELP!

— 4 —
Le Sigh for New Year’s
We had such fabulous plans for New Year’s Eve. I was really looking forward my brother and sister and her family visiting us for the weekend. But then some of us started throwing up and all the plans got cancelled. I am doing my best to not wallow in disappointment. We will be making gingerbread houses, ordering Chinese food and toasting the New Year with just the ten of us this year. When I write those words — just the ten of us — the ridiculousness of my disappointment becomes clear. I miss my extended family, but we are our own party.

— 5 —
Phoneless
I have no cell phone these days. Well, actually, I do have a cell phone that we pay lots of money for each month, but I can’t seem to keep it charged. You see, I can’t find my wall charger and using my car charger is soooo inconvenient when it’s 15 degrees outside.

I just can’t bring myself to buy a new wall charger because to do so would be to admit that I did in fact forget my charger in a hotel room AGAIN. And I did not do that. Do you hear me? I did NOT. I’m sure it’s here somewhere and I will find it, just as soon as I search my empty suitcase for the twelfth time or dump the contents of that purse I haven’t used since July. Because I did not forget it in a hotel again. I did NOT.

— 6 —
Gold Rush
Do you watch the show? Dan and I watch sometimes and find ourselves yelling things at the screen like “Get a real job!” and “Give up, already!” But this kid and his relationship with his grandfather make me tear up. I really like that some kids and some families are still sweet and close like that.

— 7 —
Blessings to You
Thank you for being here. May God shower you and yours with many blessings in 2012!

A Gist Coffee mug, that is.

The Gist is premiering in less than a week (next Wednesday, January 4 at 10:30 am on CatholicTV)!

Wouldn’t you like to watch while sipping a Latte Macchiato out of your very own, stylishly oversized Gist coffee mug?

Well, now’s your chance! First, make sure you “like” The Gist on Facebook. Then, tag yourself in this photo for a chance to win.

Good job! Now you’re entered! Good luck to you!

When our pastor stopped at our pew a few minutes before the start of the Midnight Mass last night and asked, “Would your daughter like to carry Baby Jesus in the procession?” I did not hesitate.

“Why yes, she certainly would!” I replied, and then turned to sweet Gabby who was doing her very best to be up to the moment in spite of her tendency toward shyness.

I whispered her through the basics and told I would walk her to the sacristy and stay there with her until the procession started. She put on a brave smile.

I worried a bit, but I need not have. Gabby was more than up to the task.

She carried Baby Jesus with tender care and presented him to Father with solemnity and grace. I can’t take any credit for that, though. Her confidence was not boosted by my words or presence. It was her older sister who made all the difference.

“It’s a good thing …” she whispered to her little sister as we left the pew, “your hair looks fabulous!”

Good thing, indeed. Sometimes all a girl needs to be ready to carry the Prince of Peace is to be reminded that she is having a good hair night.