Advent is upon us. Time to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of our Lord.

As always, the much-requested Advent calendar packed with activities and coloring for every day in Advent is ready for download…FREE!

Click >>here<< to download your 2022 Advent Calendar.

Sancte Francisce, ora pro nobis!

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 –

Get off the computer. Turn it off. Stop reading “news.” Let go of Facebook, Twitter, and social media. Take a 24-hour break from the onslaught of crazy.

I am going to take my own advice because frankly I am burned out. It is seriously depressing to see 309 on the day counter, and tomorrow is looking even crappier. So, I have loaded today’s post and tomorrow’s, and I am turning off my computer and phone for a day. Besides, I have trays and trays of dirt to get ready! #MicroFarmLife

Sancte Dominice, ora pro nobis!

Monday, January 18, 2021 –

Well, now that we are out of Captain’s Logs, I suppose I should get on with new posts, or at least tell you all what Mr. Flusche and I have been up to. Apparently, when setting up a homestead there are many, many chores:

Finishing the garden beds (with Neighbor Dan’s help). For the record, that means moving 40 tons of rock AND roughly 40 tons of dirt/compost mix. Also, we need more of both.

Planning out the next couple of garden beds for berries (coming late spring to be nursed back from bare roots and planted early fall) and the mini orchard and grape trellises (also coming in spring). Thankfully, the strawberry and blueberry bins are ready to go, but the blackberry and raspberry beds need to be built around the new back porch.

Also planning our new back porch, fire pit, compost bins, and axe throwing range…because who doesn’t need an axe throwing range!?

Installing solar on my potting shed. This is a Mr. Flusche and Neighbor Dan task. They apparently decided we needed to start looking into off the grid. In reality, I think this is just an excuse for the two of them to buy tools and play with electricity.

Installing lights in, on, and around my shed. This was my request. You know…since we are going to have solar out there anyway. Really, it is just an excuse for me to buy some delightfully chic, modern farmhouse barn lights because I’m actually a secret farm snob.

Ordering my 2021 seeds, rhizomes, plants, etc. and duly cataloging them into the ever-growing digital seed vault. Yes, I have a digital seed vault because I am THAT nerdy! I mean, there is the “hard copy” of all m actual seeds sitting in our upstairs fridge, but I also have a handy-dandy, cross-referenceable database of all my seeds and stuff. Woot! Go nerd!

Converting my office into a temporary greenhouse whilst attempting to maintain some functionality as an office. Umm…yeah…more on that in a few days. Mr. Flusche and Neighbor Dan are taking bets on whether the cops or fire department get called first. Muahahaha!

Finishing my mother’s bathroom and trying to find a contractor willing to take on our expansion and remodel project. Mr. Flusche and I finally got around to converting my mother’s tiny 1950s bathroom tub with multiple layers of chipping glaze into a lovely and accessible shower with a fold down teak seat. Whew! Now we just need to get a contractor over to expand our little empire (ahem…house) and remodel my horribly outdated and cripplingly small kitchen. Basically, I need cabinets and countertops EVERYWHERE!

Readying my seed trays for the winter seed sprouting months. Yup, it is that time again. Time to start all the annual fruits and veggies from their itty-bitty seeds and pray that they grow big and strong before our last frost for transplant.

So, there you have it. Winter means doing all the little maintenance and finding new and innovative ways to cram fun and fulfilling things into our quarter acre.

Sancte Bernarde, ora pro nobis!

Sunday, January 17, 2021 –

Today is the last planned Captain’s Log for a bit, which means I may actually have to get back to writing something substantive. But…that is for another day.

Anyhoo, today we will be doing a Captain’s Log of the Weekday Devotionals because I know you all would just love to have all those downloads in one handy place. So, here you go:

• January 2: General List of the Weekday Devotionals – http://nicoleflusche.com/2021/01/02/day-292-weekday-devotionals/

• Sunday: The Holy Trinity – http://nicoleflusche.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0A-Sunday-The-Holy-Trinity.pdf
• Monday: The Angels – http://nicoleflusche.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0B-Monday-The-Angels.pdf
• Tuesday: The Apostles – http://nicoleflusche.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0C-Tuesday-The-Apostles.pdf
• Wednesday: Saint Joseph – http://nicoleflusche.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0D-Wednesday-Saint-Joseph.pdf
• Thursday: The Holy Eucharist – http://nicoleflusche.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0E-Thursday-The-Holy-Eucharist.pdf
• Friday: The Passion – http://nicoleflusche.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0F-Friday-The-Passion.pdf
• Saturday: Our Lady – http://nicoleflusche.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0G-Saturday-The-Blessed-Virgin-Mary.pdf

Sancte Benedicte, ora pro nobis!

Saturday, January 16, 2021 –

Now that we are well past Advent and rounding out the season after Epiphany (traddy thing), it seems like a good time to do a Captain’s Log on the O Antiphons. I mean, now is as good a time as any, and I’m still not mentally ready to do anything else…

• December 16: The O Antiphons and the Canonical Hours – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/16/day-275-o-antiphons/
• December 17: O Wisdom – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/17/day-276-o-wisdom/
• December 18: O Lord of Israel – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/18/day-277-o-lord-of-israel/
• December 19: O Root of Jesse – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/19/day-278-o-root-of-jesse/
• December 20: O Key of David – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/20/day-279-o-key-of-david/
• December 21: O Radiant Dawn – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/21/day-280-o-radiant-dawn/
• December 22: O King of Nations – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/22/day-281-o-king-of-nations/
• December 23: O Emmanuel – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/23/day-282-o-emmanuel/
• December 24: O Antiphon Fun Fact – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/24/day-283-o-antiphon-fun-facts/

Sancte Antoni, ora pro nobis!

Friday, January 15, 2021 –

We are almost done with this round of Captain’s Logs (two more days…I think??). Anyhoo, today we are going back in time and digging up the posts on the Four Moral / Cardinal Virtues.

• Part I: Basic List – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/09/day-268-four-moral-cardinal-virtues-part-i/
• Part II: Prudence – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/10/day-269-four-moral-cardinal-virtues-part-ii-prudence/
• Part III: Justice – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/11/day-270-four-moral-cardinal-virtues-part-iii-justice/
• Part IV: Fortitude – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/12/day-271-four-moral-cardinal-virtues-part-iv-fortitude/
• Part V: Temperance – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/13/day-272-four-moral-cardinal-virtues-part-v-temperance/
• Part VI: Other Moral Virtues – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/14/day-273-four-moral-cardinal-virtues-part-vi/

Omnes sancti Doctores, orate pro nobis!

Thursday, January 14, 2021 –

For today’s Captain’s Log, I am going to link back to the two days I covered how to read your new ordo (liturgical calendar) and apply it to your missal.

• TLM: New Year, New Ordo – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/03/day-262-tlm-new-year-new-ordo/
• Novus Ordo: New Year, New Ordo – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/12/04/day-263-novus-ordo-new-year-new-ordo/

Yup, that’s all for today, folks! Sorry, but I’m knee deep in setting up my grow lights and whatnot for 2021 garden. Whee!!

Omnes sancti Pontifices et Confessores, orate pro nobis!

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 –

And since yesterday was the Captain’s Log for the Corporal Works of Mercy, that means today is the Captain’s Log for the Spiritual Works of Mercy.

• Part I: Basic List – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/17/day-246-spiritual-works-of-mercy/
• Part II: To admonish the sinner – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/18/day-247-spiritual-works-of-mercy-admonish-sinner/
• Part III: To instruct the ignorant – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/19/day-248-spiritual-works-of-mercy-instruct-ignorant/
• Part IV: To counsel the doubtful – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/20/day-249-spiritual-works-of-mercy-counsel-doubtful/
• Part V: To comfort the sorrowful – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/21/day-250-spiritual-works-of-mercy-comfort-sorrowful/
• Part VI: To bear wrongs patiently – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/22/day-251-spiritual-works-of-mercy-bear-wrongs-patiently/
• Part VII: To forgive all injuries – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/23/day-252-spiritual-works-of-mercy-forgive-injuries/
• Part VIII: To pray for the living and the dead – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/24/day-253-spiritual-works-of-mercy-pray-living-dead/

Sancte Pie (Decime), ora pro nobis!

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 –

Next up in our Captain’s Logs are the Corporal Works of Mercy. That’s right, folks. It is a throwback to the beginning of November when we discussed those pesky little things we Catholics should be doing on a daily basis.

• Part I: The General List of Seven – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/08/day-237-corporal-works-of-mercy/
• Part II: To Feed the Hungry – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/09/day-238-corporal-works-of-mercy-feed-hungry/
• Part III: Give Drink to the Thirsty – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/10/day-239-works-of-mercy-part-drink-to-thirsty/
• Part IV: To Clothe the Naked – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/11/day-240-corporal-works-of-mercy-clothe-naked/
• Part V: Shelter the Homeless – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/12/day-241-corporal-works-of-mercy-shelter-homeless/
• Part VI: Visit the Sick – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/13/day-242-corporal-works-of-mercy-visit-sick/
• Part VII: To Ransom the Captive – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/14/day-243-corporal-works-of-mercy-ransom-captive/
• Part VIII: To Bury the Dead – http://nicoleflusche.com/2020/11/15/day-244-corporal-works-of-mercy-bury-dead/

Sancte Francisce (de Sales), ora pro nobis!