Three Plus Two

So I may have been a little mixed up...

In this post, I wrote that the next Carnival of Joy would take place on Friday, May 5.  Well, obviously I was talking about some alternate universe where time does not run sequentially like it does in ours.  Because today is Friday May 4, not May 5, and I should have known that because Katydid's birthday was Wednesday, May 2... but then I would have had to count, wouldn't I?

Oops.

Anyway, since I didn't actually receive any entries for this carnival on the non-existent date of Friday, May 5... leave me a comment and let me know if there is any interest in continuing the carnival through the rest of the Easter season.  I know we all have a lot to keep up with! 

Carnival of Joy postponed

Technically, the next Carnival of Joy is supposed to run tomorrow... but since I didn't manage to post a timely reminder... and since this week is incredibly full... I think I will have to put the carnival off until Friday May 5.  (Send your entries to me at aboord at nyNOSPAM dot rr dot com by Thursday night, May 4.  As always, though, if you're running late, just leave me a comment or send it to me Friday morning, and I can add you in.)

Christine suggested that the Carnival become a permanent feature, sort of like "Wordless Wednesdays".  I think it sounds like a good idea.  She suggested Mondays as being a good day, and I tend to agree.  (The only reason I picked Wednesdays was so the carnivals didn't conflict with some of the other Loveliness Fairs going on!)  Of course, this coming Monday will be the Loveliness of Gardens fair, hosted at As Cozy as Spring, and that's pretty joyful in itself!

But maybe after the Loveliness of Gardens, we can have "Mood-boosting Mondays?"

Carnival of Joy -- Week 2

Welcome to the second installment of the Carnival of Joy!  Here at Three Plus Two, we have birthday cake to share... have a slice (it's virtual cake, so take as much as you like!) and a cold glass of milk and settle in for some joyful reading!

Every joy is gain.  And gain is gain, however small.  -- Robert Browning

Last week, winter still held many of us in its grip.  This week, the weather has softened, and at our house joy seems to be popping up everywhere.  And although it's easier to be happy when the weather is warmer, spring is a reminder that joy doesn't always come in large packages.  Sometimes it as simple as a single blossom.  This week, Marjorie encourages us to see the roses of joy strewn along our path.  Christine at The Simple and the Ordinary shares the quiet joy of a beautiful Sunday afternoon at home.  And Elizabeth has learned to sing a new song -- setting aside the busyness of everyday life to make time for old friends.

Often a single word , a friendly smile, is enough to give a depressed or lonely soul fresh life.-- St. Therese of Lisieux

Andy and I have moved quite often in our married life, and sometimes we've ended up in places and situations that have turned out to be difficult for us.  It can be hard trying to find joy during those lonely times.  Elizabeth of Frabjous Days writes this week about how she has found joy in London, although moving there was not something she thought she wanted. 

Charity took possession of my heart, making me forget myself, and I have been happy ever since. -- St. Therese of Lisieux

Amy shares with us this week a good resource for your children's religious bookshelf... and the lessons it can teach grownups about finding true joy.

All who joy would win

Must share it -- happiness was born a twin.

                                         ---Lord Byron

Now there's a quote for me! :-)  Lorri at the Mac and Cheese Chronicles also has a toddler in the house who is bringing lots of joy to her life these days, and Meredith at Sweetness and Light shares her joy at being successful in her quest to find joy every day... one of her little ones has learned to read! 

As the mother of a child with special needs, I found this next post particularly refreshing.  KC at The Cabbage Patch shares the joys -- that's right, the joys  -- of having a child with autism.  So often the temptation is to focus on what is "wrong" with our children, and it does my heart good to read what is right with them.  Thanks, KC!

That's it for this week's carnival... Thanks to everyone who participated, and have a joyful week!

Carnival of Joy on Wednesday!

I want to run another Carnival of Joy this Wednesday, but I need entries!!!!  Pretty please? 

The details are here.

(Edited to add: You can send me entries at aboord at nyNOSPAMcap dot rr dot com... except take out the NOSPAM, of course!  But if you'd rather just leave me a comment, that's okay, too. :-) 

EnJOY these late additions

I just wanted to let everyone know that there have been a few late additions to the Carnival of Joy.  If you've already read through the Carnival, you'll want to check back and read these late-day additions.  They've all been added at the end of the Carnival, so just scroll down!

Carnival of Joy: Week 1

Sometimes joy doesn't just "happen" unless we look for it.  If you feel like you need a little help finding the joy in your own life, take a few moments to read these thoughtful, joyful posts.  Have a cup of tea (or two) and settle in for a good dose of optimism! :-)

Meredith, whose blog Sweetness and Light absolutely radiates joy, shares her desire to find joy every day this Easter season (and some strategies for making it happen.)  And Elizabeth at Frabjous Days will have you singing along with her excellent post, "I Whistle a Happy Tune".

Sometimes making a list or snapping a few photos is the best way to find out how much joy lies right under our noses. Click on over to A Lee in the Woudes to see the bright smiles that bear MaryAn's joy.  (What a cutie!)  And then find out why Jenn of Family in Feast and Feria is rejoicing this Easter season.

Next we're off to visit Amy, with her new blog Between Daydreams (and its very peaceful banner!) Amy shares a list of things that have made her joyful this week. She links to an article about Mother Theresa which really helps to put "joy" and "sorrow" into perspective; don't miss it.  After contemplating the life of Mother Theresa for a while, we'll journey on to Assisi, the home of St. Francis, and Mary Theresa's poetic post about the blessings she discovered there three years ago. (The photo that illustrates her post certainly brought its own joy into my life as well.)

Next comes a subject I can certainly identify with... Donna Marie of A Garden of Roses and Lilies posts about the joys of parenting a large family... even when no one else seems to understand.  Her thoughtful essay is wonderful encouragement to those of us walking a road less traveled!

And a few more additions to round out our fare today... Marjorie of Lettres de Mon Moulin gives us a different spin on the joy of cooking, and Melanie shares her joy in thirty minutes of quiet in a busy household (she has 3+2, too, so I can relate!).  Michaela, at the appropriately named Filled With Joy, savors a perfect day, and --last but not least -- Dawn leaves us with a whole alphabet of joy!

Thanks to everyone who participated this week! (You've certainly made my life more joyful.)  And remember, next week's Carnival of Joy will run on Wednesday, April 25, so be sure to send me your posts by Tuesday night, April 24.

Wishing you all many joyful days!