Paola’s Shelf (Mom)

One Thousand Gifts and Easter Joy

One Thousand Gifts and Easter Joy

Having a thankful heart.  I recently picked up Ann Voskamp’s best selling book, One Thousand Gifts.  I was familiar with it in that I had often read quotes from it in the Magnificat daily meditations. They were always profound, on target, so naturally I was...

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Paola’s Book Bites: Purity

Here are my go to list of books for passing onto family and friends, on the virtue of purity.  Each book or video offers something practical and more importantly spiritual for fostering purity in our own lives and those most near and dear to us! Choosing Beauty: A...

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Will the real Guy Fawkes please stand…

Yesterday November 5th all England and the countries once under British rule celebrated Guy Fawkes day. This is the day marking the failed attempt in 1605 by a small group of conspirators whose plan was to blow up Parliament and King James I.  The failed attempt is...

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Choosing Beauty: A 30-Day Spiritual Makeover for Women

By Gina Loehr Gina Loehr does it again, I really enjoyed her insight into the lives of women saints in her book Real Women, Real Saints and learned much from their virtues….now Gina takes us on a real and practical retreat towards inner beauty…the kind that reflects...

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Surprised by Truth

By Patrick Madrid “When I received this book as a gift from my husband, little did I know that soon we would both be fighting to read it! It is absolutely a hopeful, inspiring collection of 11 conversion stories. You will be touched, moved and motivated to evangelize,...

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Get Ready to Thrive in Your Homeschool

4 simple steps to create your best year! 25+ years of homeschool experience compressed into 1 simple guide. Written by Paola Ciskanik

Latest Posts & Podcasts

Tired Parents Guide to a Peaceful Advent

Tired Parents Guide to a Peaceful Advent

Catholic Homeschool Online · BLOG: Tired Parent's Guide To A Peaceful Advent AUDIO Let's hear top 5 tips from Dave and Debbie Cowden - fellow homeschoolers and the authors of The Prayer Book for Tired Parents: Practical Ways to Grow in Love of God and Get Your Family...

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Learn Spanish During the Holidays

Learn Spanish During the Holidays

Listen to the Audio OnlyI am so excited! This past week I had the opportunity to interview Adrienne Babbitt, my go-to expert on language learning in your home! In our SPECIAL EVENT PODCAST FOR THE CATHOLIC HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY she shares how her family is connecting...

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“Heavenly Peace” During Advent

“Heavenly Peace” During Advent

Catholic Homeschool Online · Blog Heavenly Peace During Advent AUDIO Maintaining peace of heart as a mother during Advent may, in fact, seem a Christmas miracle. Lists, activities, shopping, cleaning, cooking, and decorating threaten to turn the bustle into hustle. We...

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2023 Advent and Christmas Family Guide

2023 Advent and Christmas Family Guide

Anticipation... Excitement.... Restlessness.... Are you and your children feeling any of these now??? It's that time of the year. Seasons are changing and we are feeling the anticipation of the Birth of our Lord. The world creates NOISE around this season, distracting...

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All Souls’ Day with Children

All Souls’ Day with Children

Catholic Homeschool Online · Blog All Souls' Day With Children AUDIO   This past year we had quite a few funerals, more than I can ever remember. I suppose in part it is due to my “getting on in years.” In part though, it was because some very dear ones died...

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Cultivating Your Women Friends

Cultivating Your Women Friends

Catholic Homeschool Online · Blog Cultivating Women Friends Audio It’s good to stop and smell the roses! Never take your women friends for granted. I need to remember that every now and then. I need to take a break and connect with other women. On the spur of the...

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