CPQ March Newsletter
Annual kite day with our church is a much looked-forward-to occasion at our house and yesterday did not disappoint. The post-church afternoon was spent in blustery fellowship, chatting over hotdogs—some with buns, some without. The varied body of believers melded together in conversation and fun. In true potluck fashion, we brought a bag of Funyuns and set it down next to someone’s homemade tortillas and shredded pork in a crockpot. Everyone marveled at the beautiful weather and the fact that there was actually a wind to fly the kites. Our gaggle of homeschooled and public schooled and private schooled children ran around the park equipment and sat talking atop the park’s football goalposts. They played tag and, of course, got some kites up into the air. It was a day for remembering how to come together instead of focusing on all the things that can drive us apart. There will always be differences in how we think and how we raise our children, but the body—the body working out its fellowship in tangible ways is a beautiful thing—also, potlucks, always potlucks.
There is so much to say about food and gathering but mostly, I think I was just left with an impression of gratefulness. It’s funny, right? I find that I can be so high-minded about so many ideals and expectations when left to work them out on my own, but when I sit down over simple food and talk about real life, the hard edge of expectation begins to wear away under the weight of greater understanding. Not that we shouldn’t hold to ideals, or have expectations, just that spending time with other humans in our circle brings a greater element of care into our hearts and minds. It is good. We are meant to serve and be served. We are meant to talk over meals and breathe the outside air. I pray you have the opportunity to see God’s goodness in fellowship this spring. It is a good time to eat Funyuns in the park with friends.
Don’t Miss it!
Today is the last chance to shop our pop-up shop!
Did you grab yourself something fun?
Thank you for supporting Common Place Quarterly!
On The Blog
We’ve had a lot going on this month, including the launch of our blog! It will be an overflow of quality content that continues to educate, encourage, inspire, and delight our readership, and it will be free. Our editors will be writing columns for the blog, we have Sara Timothy joining us for an ABC’s of a Charlotte Mason education series, and we have opened up a guest post column for anyone who would want to submit pieces for the blog. Check out what’s been shared so far this month:
Magazine Overview
In your homes: The Middle issue
In Layout: Beauty Issue —Check out our main article writers in this post
In Copy-edit: Grand Conversations issue
Articles are being written for the Habit of Reading issue
Year 6 themes and main article writers are being planned
Get To Know The Editors
What’s Cara…
Reading: Radiant by Priscilla Shirer with my daughter
Listening to: Two Cello’s
Making: Shop items and Main Article Thank-you packets
Cooking: Skinny Cheeseburger Soup (except with hamburger)
Watching: Videos on how to perfectly sublimate mugs
Drinking: Coffee. Always coffee.
Learning: There is always time to do the things you prioritize and plan for
What’s Mariah…
Reading: Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad and Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life with my son
Listening to: One of my favorites—A Lark Ascending
Making: Gardening plans despite more snow
Cooking: Enchiladas like my mother-in-law taught me—the most important ingredient is love.
Watching: Not much. Life has been busy!
Drinking: Still coffee…maybe it’s becoming a problem
Learning: Humor is necessary.
What’s Sarah…
Reading: Homeschooled and Headed for College by Denise Boiko
Listening to: God Thing by Anne Wilson
Making: Quilted Table Runners for the moms in my co-op and a purse for my 9yo’s birthday
Cooking: Breakfast Sandwiches every day (I got a breakfast sandwich maker for my birthday…it’s a hit!)
Watching: Hoarders. Need inspiration for Spring cleaning!
Drinking: Watermelon mint sparkling water
Learning: To not start too many projects before finishing other ones!
In Search of…
We have a reader who has reached out to us looking for a used copy of our Habit of Attention issue from our first year. If you have a copy you’d like to part with, please contact me at mariah@commonplacequarterly.com to arrange details. Thank you!