Fans of Brother Victor's cookbooks--and anyone who aspires to live a simpler life--will find sustenance for the soul in this book of year-round meditations. Following the cycle of the seasons and the cycle of the Church year, Brother Victor offers a brief meditation for each day of the year. Each meditation begins with a quote from Scripture or a relevant author followed by a reflection that leads readers to find the spiritual in the fabric of their daily lives. Interspersed with topics such as sheep shearing and making pumpkin jam is advice on keeping Advent holy, meditations on humility and the beatitudes, and appreciation of the saints. The book is illustrated with 12 woodcuts, one for each month of the year. By taking time out of their busy day-to-day lives to make Blessings of the Daily a part of their prayer routine, readers will be inspired to live in greater harmony with the universe. Author Michael Korda describes his neighbor Brother Victor in his book Country Matters this way: "Brother Victor, wearing an apron over his robe and a large straw hat of the kind worn by Impressionist painters, was seated at a folding picnic table under a beach umbrella, reading a small book. His demeanor was affable. He did not make any attempt to sell his wares, which included plastic containers of the tapenade I had enjoyed so much, homemade aioli, aluminum-foil plates of tomatoes Proven al ready for reheating, and tiny pots of herbs. When he founded the monastery, his homemade specialities were of interest only to those who came there to make a retreat. Now, he said...there was a greater demand for the monastery's wares--greater than he could meet." He indeed is a unique guide for a meditative journey. View sample pages. Hardcover