Mrs. Pickwick’s Tips for Recommencing Actual Life after a Holiday

January 14, 2018 Mrs Pickwick2 Comments

Nothing is more exhausting than taking a break from all one’s regular duties, unless it be resuming those duties after the break. School, routines, menu planning, writing, laundry, kitchen maintenance, essentially every part of our lives (with the exception of the small Pickwickian bedtime, which reigns supreme, even over the twelve days of Christmas) has… Continue reading Mrs. Pickwick’s Tips for Recommencing Actual Life after a Holiday

Fairies and Math

December 12, 2017 Mrs PickwickLeave a comment

Small Pickwick, in high dudgeon at the lunch table: “Do you know? I don’t believe I was actually born in this family. I believe I arrived here by accident.” A somewhat smaller, Sweet Pickwick crumples to the floor in sisterly distress and agony and wails: “But I want you to belong to us! Why don’t… Continue reading Fairies and Math

Unbounded Domesticity

Mrs. Pickwick vs The Pomegranate

November 20, 2017 Mrs Pickwick1 Comment

The first point goes to the Pomegranate, because Mrs. Pickwick had to use spell-check and she’s still slightly suspicious. 0-1 The second point goes to Mrs. Pickwick, because the Pomegranate was on Sale. 1-1 Point to Mrs. Pickwick for managing to keep the Pomegranate looking festive and lovely on the butcher block for several days… Continue reading Mrs. Pickwick vs The Pomegranate

Education of the Pickwickian Blessings

Educational Priorities

November 17, 2017 Mrs Pickwick1 Comment

Something like AB or CD would be so trite. I’m afraid the math people in this book have very little imagination. I do hope our portfolio evaluator does not suffer from the same complaint.

The Wisdom of Fr Pickwick · Unbounded Domesticity

Mrs. Pickwick and the Clocks, Continued

November 14, 2017 Mrs PickwickLeave a comment

Fr. Pickwick was delighted this week to hear the unprecedented sounds of his family preparing to leave the house over an hour before the time he had appointed for a departure. As the usual (albeit very early) sounds of the scramble for socks, shoes, the correct number of children, etc crashed through the house, he… Continue reading Mrs. Pickwick and the Clocks, Continued

Education of the Pickwickian Blessings

When you are Very Three

November 11, 2017 Mrs PickwickLeave a comment

“Mommy, can I have teeeeaaaa?? Pleeeaaase???” “Sure, I will make you some tea.” “Mommy, but why are you letting me have teeeaaaa???” “Well, you don’t have to drink it. I just thought since you asked you might want some so I said I would make you some.” “But I want teeeaaaa!!!”

Musings

Mrs. Pickwick Turns Back Time

November 7, 2017 Mrs PickwickLeave a comment

And so did almost everyone else this weekend, so it really isn’t that impressive. However, I would like to take a few moments to reflect upon this longstanding tradition of completely wreaking havoc in the lives of mothers everywhere. I have a tenuous relationship with clocks as it is. I find them confusing and unreliable.… Continue reading Mrs. Pickwick Turns Back Time

Unbounded Domesticity

The Envelope System

November 4, 2017 Mrs PickwickLeave a comment

The Envelope System has been such a help to our budgeting over the years, that I have tried to incorporate it into as many areas of my life as possible. For instance, I have efficiently combined menu planning, grocery lists, and household scheduling into what I call “The Envelope System: Used Edition.” Not only does… Continue reading The Envelope System

The Wisdom of Fr Pickwick

Mrs. Pickwick’s Greatest Fear

November 3, 2017 Mrs PickwickLeave a comment

It finally happened. I’ve been worried about this for years. I went out to the car and… Fr. Pickwick has actually traded the baby for books.

Overheard

Perfectly Normal Pickwickian Moments

October 25, 2017 Mrs PickwickLeave a comment

Mrs. Pickwick, looking down at a fresh scone in dismay: “I do so wish we had some clotted cream for these.” Fr. Pickwick, sympathetically: “I’m sorry…” Mrs. Pickwick: “…that we don’t live in mid to late nineteenth century England? Yeah. Me too.” Fr Pickwick glances around for sources of comforting inspiration: “Well, we have this… Continue reading Perfectly Normal Pickwickian Moments

Spilling Tea with Mrs. Pickwick

and other minor catastrophes