I really enjoyed Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor...I'm starting the RCIA journey myself and found the book to be very insightful :) Do enjoy!

Well said. I was so proud of the clothes and costumes my grandmother and mom made me as a child. My costumes especially were a favorite and always way cooler (I thought) than the others friends bought. I tried my hand at making a spider costume once for myself in college...it was way more difficult than I ever understood.
I also knit. When people ask about items I'm wearing that I've knit, I proudly answer yes. I don't give them even the time to "feel bad" for me because I've made something I'm wearing. Even when I detect a derisive tone, I spin it positive and move on.
The things you create for your family (knit & sewn) that you feature here on the blog are so beautiful. I can't imagine anyone having a negative thing to say, other than maybe a touch of envy they do not create beautiful things as well. Hold your head up :)

What an amazing adventure!!! It looks like your pups had the best time and so did your sweet children. What a perfect winter's day!