Red Zuchetto

Pablo and I love this picture of Pope Benedict in a red zuchetto (the official name is pileolus). Thank you Michael and Katerina for this wonderful quote of Pope Benedict's.

"Our greatest need in the present historical moment is people who make God credible in this world by means of the enlightened faith they live. The negative testimony of Christians who spoke of God but lived in a manner contrary to him has obscured the image of God and has opened the doors to disbelief.

We need men who keep their eyes fixed on God, learning from him what true humanity means.

We need men whose intellect is enlightened by the light of God, men whose hearts are opened by God, so that their intellect can speak to the intellect of others and their hearts can open the hearts of others. It is only by means of men who have been touched by God that God can return to be with mankind."

Joseph Ratzinger, Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures

Red Purse (By my mom)

I usually buy a new purse every year or so. I have never invested in a really expensive one because I am too frugal and too hard on my purses. They are strictly utilitarian to me. I need them to be useful.

This year I want a red purse! I told Pablo and he isn't all that excited about the prospect of shopping for a purse with Mom but he is willing to go with the program since it is, after all, RED!

I perused the web and found some possibilities . . . til I saw the price! I will look for more affordable versions!

The first I found is actually a "pet tote." It is ~ $ 60.00.

But it looks great, doesn't it?!

I think either one of my little pups would actually love it, too!

You can click on the pictures for a track back link to where I found it on the web.

This Leather Tote (to the right) with the Silver Buckle is

~ $128.00

A 7 pocket leather bag. $ 150.00

Red bags abound! Here is another.

How about this 11 pocket leather bag?

~ $140.00

OK, here is the next day update:

We looked. We found. We bought!

We went to the very fru-fru, upscale

"Boutique de Walmart"

My first choice was vetoed by Pablo. "Mom, I think that purse is for reeealy, skinny people."

I sulked in silence for a few moments til I realized that this kid was absolutely right!

I found a purse within 15 minutes that looks very much like the Leather Tote with the Silver Buckle that sells for ~ $128.00.

It was the winner and we spent a whopping $12.98. Pablo and I are loving this whole RED thing. Today we found out that there is a great (RED) CAMPAIGN that we are including in our side bar. (Thank you, Michael, for the heads up).

Pablo will be posting on the weekends. He is looking forward to it! Oh, and, this weekend we really are painting our front door red. (You can translate "we" into -- Dad. God bless him!)