Four Blessings Academy

Comments are Now Moderated

2012-02-12T13:09:00.003-05:00

In the past couple of days, I have received at least five spam comments on my posts. I think I've found & deleted them, but please let me know if you see any more.

Because of this, I am now moderating my comments. Please don't let that deter you from commenting on my posts. I LOVE to read what my viewers have to say about my posts.

Book Review - I Surrender by Judy Dudich

2012-02-10T09:06:00.002-05:00

I've mentioned in numerous posts these past few months that my friend Judy Dudich has written & published her own book.

I Surrender: A Study Guide for Women by Judy Dudich
To get your copy (print or e-book):
Judy's Homeschool Faith and Family Life website,
Amazon, or
The Book Locker

As it says on the front cover, the goal of this book is "making Christ the center of your daily life." Is that possible? Absolutely & Judy guides her readers through her own thoughts & experiences, thought-provoking reflection/discussion questions, & spaces for journal writing. This would work as a personal journey or in a group setting.

There are six chapters on surrender: Homeschooling, Family Life, Marriage, Friendships, My Schedule, & Your Faith Life. Not Catholic? Not a homeschooler? Not married? Not a problem! This book is for women of ALL faiths, plus you can cater it to your own life situations. Each chapter includes a section to read that guides your surrender in each area. There are also promises for you to make yourself...what you can promise to do & not do within that area of surrender, followed by questions to ponder.

Wait! That's not all. Before you read each chapter, flip to the back of the book for prayers of surrender in each of the six areas. You'll also find a study guide, thoughts on reflecting further, ideas to apply to your life, & more. And, if that's still not enough for you, Judy has started a book discussion group on Facebook. This has been a valuable edition...sharing & hearing the successes & struggles in surrender from women all over the world.

As you can probably tell by now, I am LOVING this book! There is so much packed in it, yet it's perfect for busy women. You can spend as little or as much time as you'd like on each chapter. I, personally, am on my second time through it & am getting more out of it each time I read. Surrendering to Christ is not an easy, quick thing to do, but an ongoing task. Judy guides you along & give great insight on how to get there. She, as the author, even said herself that she's learned much from us, her readers, through our Facebook discussions.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

Friday's Fare - Parsnips

2012-02-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

"Parsnips?" you say. Why yes, indeed! They are a new discovery for me & depending on how they are prepared, they can be quite delicious! They are similar to carrots, but have a bit of a bite to them...great flavor, IMHO! Here are three recipes I use. All make great side dishes.

1) Parsnip Mash (I found this recipe in a recent copy of Prevention magazine.)
Cut 1 lb of parsnips into small pieces. Cook in boiling water until tender (about 20 minutes). Mash to desired consistency with 1 1/2 tablespoons each of olive oil & grainy mustard. (I used stone ground.)

2) Roasted Parsnips & Carrots
Cut desired amount of parsnips & carrots into matchstick-type pieces. Coat w/ olive oil, salt, pepper, & any other seasonings of preference. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until tender.

3) This last recipe is my favorite of all three, another roasted parsnips recipe. To save space, I'm just going to link to the recipe on Simply Recipes' website. I love, love, LOVE this recipe!

Roasted Parsnips

Enjoy!

The Catholic Company Book Review - The Saints in My Life

2012-02-09T20:04:00.003-05:00

My latest book review for The Catholic Company is The Saints in My Life: My Favorite Spiritual Companions by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. After the last book of his that I reviewed, I jumped right on this one when I saw it as one of my choices.

Fr. Groeschel has chosen 19 saints who have become some of his favorite spiritual companions & friends. Some of them he's known since he was a child, while others he's met throughout the path of his life. Some saints known by everyone & some lesser known.Each saint's chapter has four parts to it: an introduction, a brief biography, how Fr. Groeschel's life was touched by the saint, & prayer or spiritual writing by or about the saint.

He didn't just touch on the stuff we already know...St. Francis of Assisi lived in poverty & loved animals, St. Maximilian Kolbe gave his life for a stranger at Auschwicz, St. Monica's prayers for her son St. Augustine were answered. Fr. Groschel went deeper. He tells us about St. Maximilian Kolbe's life & good works prior to World War II. He shows us that, despite the outbursts & cruelty of her husband, St. Monica's fervent prayers helped to convert him, too.

I really liked what he had to say about St. Francis & that there is so much more to him than we understand. He literally gave all to follow Christ & is "...possibly the most radical Christian the world had seen since the time of the apostles." (pg. 50)

Reading this book, I could hear Fr. Groeschel's gentle voice, as if he were right next to me reading it aloud! I highly recommend it!

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Saints in My Life: My Favorite Spiritual Companions by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible.

Small Successes

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

2012-02-08T06:52:00.002-05:00

Tuesday's Ten - Ten Accomplishments in My Life (2nd post today)

2012-02-07T15:07:00.003-05:00

1) Finding & marrying a wonderful man...Casinodad

2) The Prophet

3) The Archangel

4) The Princess

5) The Saint

6) Earned a college degree in Music Education - Vocal Emphasis

7) Performed vocal & flute recitals in college

8) Traveled & studied in Europe for four months in college

9) Started this blog & kept it up for the past 4 1/2 years

10) Grown closer to God (this is an accomplishment always in progress!)

All of the above couldn't have been accomplished w/out the help & guidance of my Heavenly Father!

Lovin' My Husband

2012-02-07T07:08:00.002-05:00

Yea! Judy has started a new meme! As she says, "In a world where people are always griping and complaining and the 'norm' for women's get-togethers seems to be to 'down' the husbands, we have taken the reins in an effort to do the opposite: BUILD UP THE MEN WE LOVE!"

So here I am to do just that...sharing about my dear hubby, Casinodad. If you'd like to participate, share about your husband: 3 ways you've been blessed by him, what makes you love him so, pictures, stories, anything! Then, go to Judy's meme blog to link up!

1) I'm lovin' that Casinodad works so hard for us so that I can stay home during the week w/ the munchkins.

2) I'm lovin' that he loves being a father...and he's a GREAT one!

3) I'm lovin' that we work together & help each other to grow in our faith. We listen to Catholic radio, read some of the same Catholic books, talk about what we've read or heard, & pray as a family in the evenings.

Your turn...what are you lovin' about your husband?

Friday's Fare - Chicken Enchiladas

2012-02-03T07:06:00.003-05:00

This is a recipe from my sister years ago. It is a bit time consuming, but not hard & the results are delicious. It's also flexible in some of the ingredients (can use beef or pork if you prefer). Enjoy!

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 c. water
2-3 T. cornstarch
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 can (10 oz.) enchilada sauce, green chile or red (I prefer green, but both are good)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) shredded cheese (I use the Mexican blend, but any would work)
2 large chicken breast halves, cooked & diced OR 2 cans (8 oz.) chicken
1 pkg. (8-10/pkg.) tortillas
sour cream (optional)

Boil water, then add bouillon cubes. Once they are dissolved, pour into a med. saucepan with corn starch. Stir constantly until thickened. Add taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, 1/3 cheese, & all chicken. Heat 5 minutes. Heat tortillas until pliable. Lightly grease or spray 9x13 in pan. Fill each tortilla w/ about 2 T. chicken mix & some cheese. Roll up & place in pan. Top w/ remaining cheese & sauce. Bake uncovered @ 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Sour cream can be spread lightly on top before baking or dolloped when served.

Small Successes

2012-02-02T07:37:00.003-05:00

Sherry, at Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) Made a shopping trip to Aldi in less than an hour, including the 15 minutes round trip driving. Granted, it wasn't a big trip, but it's amazing how quickly shopping goes when you're alone & don't have little ones begging for this & that!

2) While bagging my items, a lady made a comment on her way out about "people being rude & not letting others go ahead in line because they only had one item." I usually do that, but my mind was elsewhere & I didn't even think of it that time. My success...as I was going to the parking lot, I told her I knew her comment was directed at me & I apologized.

3)With Casinodad's (& The Archangel's) help, I finally got the storage containers out of the upstairs hallway & down to the crawlspace. They've only been in the hall for about 4 months or so!

Last Week's Goal...Front room storage (I did get about 3/4 of the school cabinet cleaned out...Hey, it's a start!)

This Week's Goal...Finish front room; also, our new kitchen appliances will be delivered next week, so I need to clean around the fridge & stove. Dare I admit...while I knew you could move the fridge & clean, I really didn't know that you could pull the stove out & clean behind it. After 10 years in this house, I'm VERY afraid of what I might find. Pray for me!!!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

2012-02-01T06:59:00.003-05:00

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for The Saint's cuddliness (Hmm..is that even a word? LOL). Recently, he's snuggled onto my shoulder in the evening while I read to the rest of the munchkins & has fallen asleep there. Then in the morning, he likes to snuggle w/ me while he finishes waking up for the day.

2) I'm thankful for this book I found last spring while in Hocking Hills for my girls' weekend. I am now reading it aloud to the munchkins & they're enjoying it. It's called, "Andrew's Journey" by Wanda Diller Gilligan (an Ohio author). It's about an 8yr. boy who moves from Boston to Ohio in 1841 w/ his family. It's a great adventure, plus a lot of Ohio landmarks & history that ties in w/ our study of Ohio. I'll do a review of it soon.

3) I'm thankful for gas discounts. We built up 90 cents off per gallon at Giant Eagle, so I was able to get gas for the van yesterday for $2.59 a gallon instead of $3.49. So, w/ the savings I decided to get the van washed!

4) I'm thankful for The Saint staying in Mass the whole time on Sunday. Not only that...it was so sweet to see him participating by holding up his hands for the Our Father, keeping his hands clasped on the way to Communion, & kneeling to pray w/ us.

5) I'm thankful for Judy's new meme on Tuesdays, Lovin' My Husband (oops...which I missed yesterday). It's a great way to share w/ others how wonderful Casinodad is.

I'm Stepping into the Political Fray (2nd post today)

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Like many other bloggers (Colleen from Thoughts on Grace & Judy from Benmakesten), I normally tend to steer clear of politics here on my blog. However, there is a GREAT threat to Americans, esp. Catholics, right now & I cannot in good conscience remain silent.

Recently, the Obama administration announced through the US Department of Health & Human Services that almost all employers would be required (forced) to provide health care services that include sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, & contraception to their employees. It will be written into their policies & employees will be forced to buy the coverage. This includes Catholic hospitals, schools/universities, charities & more. Their reasoning for taking away our religious rights & for not allowing an exemption is that all these institutions provide care/education for anyone, not just Catholics.

As Catholic Charities USA's president, the Rev. Larry Snyder, notes, even Jesus and His disciples would not qualify for the exemption in that case, because they were committed to serve those of other faiths. (from Archbishop Timothy Dolan's article in The Wall Street Journal - You can read his full article HERE.)

THIS IS HORRIBLY WRONG! We, as Catholics & many others, have fought (& continue to fight) to save human lives, NOT provide access to the prevention & murder of innocent babies in the womb. The loss of respect for the sanctity of life is growing more each day & I fear for the future.

It is a violation of our religious freedom stated in the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Also in The Wall Street Journal article, Archbishop Dolan said:

The Catholic Church defends religious liberty, including freedom of conscience, for everyone. The Amish do not carry health insurance. The government respects their principles. Christian Scientists want to heal by prayer alone, and the new health-care reform law respects that. Quakers and others object to killing even in wartime, and the government respects that principle for conscientious objectors. By its decision, the Obama administration has failed to show the same respect for the consciences of Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease. (see link above for the complete article)

I hope & pray that Catholics across America will join the fight against this bill. Strike that...I hope & pray that EVERYONE across America will join the fight. After all, ALL life is precious!

* Above all else...PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!
* Spread the word & let our nation's leaders know that we WILL NOT STAND for this.
* Contact your congressmen & state representatives.
* Write to your local newspaper.
* Become an informed citizen.

For more information, you can click on the following links:
US Conference of Catholic Bishops - links include background, what's new, & advocacy work
Bishop Campbell's Letter to the Columbus Diocese - letter by our local bishop to our diocese churches & similar to other bishops' letters to their churches across the country

Tuesday's Ten - Favorite Contemporary Christian Songs

2012-01-31T07:30:00.001-05:00

I listen to a wide variety of musical styles, depending on the mood I may be in. I love country, Broadway/movie soundtracks, classical, 80s rock, traditional Catholic hymns, & so much more. Typically, though, I'm usually tuned into the local Contemporary Christian station. I find so many wonderful, uplifting songs there...plus, I don't have to worry about making sure the munchkins aren't hearing anything inappropriate.

For today, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Contemporary Christian songs. I'm not linking to YouTube for these, but I'm sure you can find all of them there. As with most of my Tuesday's Ten lists, this is not in any particular order.

1) Above All by Michael W. Smith - This was the first song that really got me hooked on our local radio station.

2) On My Knees by Jaci Valesquez - Such a powerful young voice singing such a powerful song!

3) Blessings by Laura Story - This one brings tears to my eyes, esp. lately.

4) Slow Fade by Casting Crowns - This song was in the movie Fireproof.

5) Never Alone by Barlow Girls - a very comforting song, esp. when you feel like there's no one there for you

6) Lose My Soul by Toby Mac - a fun song w/ a great message

7) El Shaddai by Amy Grant

8) By Heart by Point of Grace - They have many great songs & you can't go wrong w/ any of them, but this is one of my favorites.

9) Joseph's Song by Michael Card - This Christmas song is sung from Joseph's point of view.

10) Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood - This is one of those crossover songs that bridges the gap between country & Christian music.

Friday's Fare - New Orleans Beef & Bourbon

2012-01-27T06:58:00.005-05:00

This is a recipe HelpfulGrammy used to make when I was younger. The flavor & tenderness of the beef is just incredible & delicious! I made it a couple of weeks ago & it was a hit.

New Orleans Beef & Bourbon
3 lb. pot roast
salt & pepper to taste
2 celery chunks
1/3 c. bourbon
2 cans (10 1/2 oz) condensed chicken gumbo soup

Sprinkle pot roast w/ salt & pepper; put into Crockpot. Add remaining ingredients. Cover & cook on High 9-10 hours or on Low 16-18 hours. Remove meat, slice, & keep warm. Skim off excess fat from top of juices. Spoon juices over meat to serve w/ rice or potatoes & a salad. Makes 6-8 servings.

Small Successes

2012-01-26T07:03:00.000-05:00

Sherry, at Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) When I went into the boys' bedroom Mon. morning to open their curtains, I was greeted w/ that unpleasant scent of boy sweat! It never ceases to amaze me how much the boys can sweat at night, even when it's very cold. So, I stripped all three of their beds to wash their sheets & comforters. While those were in the washer, I used a fabric spray on their beds & the curtains. Now, it smells quite nice in there!

2) Also, on Mon., I decided to go through the boys' dresser drawers & closet. I took out clothes that don't fit anymore, refolded/hung up messed up clothing, & put everything neatly away. Now...how long will that last?

3) Tuesday called for a cleaning out of The Princess' dresser drawers & closet. The timing was perfect because my parents' church is holding their annual donation drive. I gave HelpfulGrammy two bags of clothes, two boxes of toys, & a grocery bag of plastic hangers.

Last Week's Goal...Work on front room storage; Start a new recipe meme for Fridays & call it "Friday's Fare." (I started the new meme. Hopefully the recipes will come in handy for some of you. Still didn't get to the front room.)

This Week's Goal...Once again, front room storage!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

2012-01-25T07:30:00.003-05:00

Lovin' My Husband (2nd post today)

2012-01-24T09:09:00.002-05:00

Yea! Judy has started a new meme! As she says, "In a world where people are always griping and complaining and the 'norm' for women's get-togethers seems to be to 'down' the husbands, we have taken the reins in an effort to do the opposite: BUILD UP THE MEN WE LOVE!"

So here I am to do just that...sharing about my dear hubby, Casinodad. If you'd like to participate, share about your husband: 3 ways you've been blessed by him, what makes you love him so, pictures, stories, anything! Then, go to Judy's meme blog to link up!

1) He's so compassionate! One of the MANY things that drew me to him was his caring & sensitivity. He shows great empathy for others & whatever problems they're facing. People know that when they go to him w/ a problem, he WILL listen!

2) I've found so much encouragement & inspiration when it comes to my faith life. He's a very prayerful person. Growing up, we only prayed at dinner time or big celebration meals. Casinodad prays for all meals, including snacks, & I have seen that devotion rub off onto the munchkins.

3) He is a wonderful father. I love to see him interact w/ the munchkins & to see their excitement when he walks in the door every evening.

Tuesday's Ten - Toys/Dolls from My Childhood

2012-01-24T07:22:00.004-05:00

What toys do you remember playing with as a child? These are the first ten that came to mind for me:

1) Barbies (Yes, I played w/ them when I was younger, but I don't let The Princess have them now. They just don't seem appropriate anymore, esp. the clothing.)

2) Fisher Price Little People Airport (My parents still have this in their basement for the munchkins & their cousins to play with.)

3) Bionic Woman Salon Head (I could style her hair & put make-up on her.)

4) Princess Leia doll (She even had the big buns on the sides of her head.)

5) Wonder Woman doll (You could dress her as her alter ego, Diana, in a navy blue business suit or as Wonder Woman.)

6) Cabbage Patch Kids (I had two of them...a boy & a girl.)

7) Square Building Blocks (They were about twice the size of Legos, but not as well made. Many of the blocks didn't stay together & others wouldn't snap together. Despite these difficulties, we still had fun building houses w/ them.)

8) Peanuts Camp Set (While I'm not a Peanuts fan, I still had this rubber camp ground set that had several of the characters, bunk beds, canoes, a picnic table, & a campfire.)

9) Holly Hobbie & Friends dolls (These were fabric dolls & I loved them. Somehow I lost them over the years & have no idea what happened to them.)

10) Glamour Gals (I had four of these miniature dolls. My friend & I would get together to play w/ our Glamour Gals in her dollhouse.)

Speaking of dollhouses, I should also mention that I received a Victorian dollhouse kit for my 14th birthday. It was to be a project for HandyGramps & me. We worked on it a total of three times & it is now sitting in our crawlspace, awaiting the day The Princess is old enough to work on it w/ me.

Friday's Fare - Cincinnati Chili Over Pasta

2012-01-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

I've had some requests for recipes of dishes I've mentioned lately, so I thought I'd start a new meme here. So, without further ado, the first recipe for "Friday's Fare" is...

Cincinnati Chili Over Pasta

1 med. onion, chopped in small pieces
2 stalks celery, cut into small pieces
2 cloves garlic, peeled & sliced
1 lb. ground meat (beef is better, but I used turkey)
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
3/4 c. beef broth
1 T. chili powder
2 T. honey
1 t. ground cumin
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/2 t. oregano
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, drained
water
8 oz. thin spaghetti
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat skillet for 2 minutes on med-high heat. Add beef, onions, celery, & garlic, stirring until beef is brown & vegetables are tender. Drain fat.

Stir in tomato sauce, paste, beef broth, chili powder, honey, cumin, cloves, & oregano. Bring to boil, lower heat to simmer, cover, & cook 30 minutes...stirring occasionally.

Add kidney beans & cook 15 minutes more. While beans are cooking in the chili, fill a stockpot 2/3 with water & bring to a boil. Add spaghetti & boil according to package directions. When done, drain.

Divide spaghetti on plates or bowls. Top with chili & shredded cheese. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Note: This recipe is a a modified version of one I found in the book, The United States Cookbook by Joan D'Amico & Karen Eich Drummond.

Small Successes

2012-01-19T07:24:00.003-05:00

Sherry, at Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) I started using Pinterest at the invitation of my sister. It's a bit overwhelming & I only have two things pinned at the moment, but I'm sure I'll add more soon!

2) I got my flute out yesterday. My cousin has asked me to play for her wedding next month, so I thought I should practice some. While playing, The Saint came up carrying a small plastic trumpet & said, "I play too, Mommy-uh?" So cute!

3) I finally called & made several appointments that I've been putting off or forgetting...orthodontist & 11 yr. check-ups for The Prophet, a new psychologist for The Archangel, physical for me, & The Princess' annual check-up.

Last Week's Goal...Clean & organize the front room where all our school stuff is stored. (Some Accomplished...the room itself doesn't look too bad, but the storage areas are kinda cluttered.)

This Week's Goal...Work on front room storage; Start a new recipe meme for Fridays & call it "Friday's Fare."

A Thankful Womans' Book of Blessings

2012-01-18T07:11:00.002-05:00

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful we were able to get into a new doctor for The Archangel quicker than I thought we would. We've not been happy w/ the psychiatrist he's been seeing for various reasons, but had to wait until Casinodad's new insurance started. I talked to the new center on Monday & the appointment is next Tuesday. Please keep us in your prayers as we try to help our dear son w/ his ADHD, anger, aggression, etc.

2) I'm thankful the munchkins have been enjoying my meals the past couple of days. Last night, I made Cincinnati Chili over spaghetti. The night before I made New Orleans Beef and Bourbon. (Hmmm! That might be a great meal for Fat Tuesday, w/ a King Cake for dessert!)

3) I'm thankful for the snow we had over the weekend for several reasons. It made it feel like winter finally, it got cold enough to hopefully kill some of the germs & illnesses going around, and hopefully it will reduce the number of bugs this spring & summer!

4) I'm thankful for The Prophet's assistance last night when we prayed our evening Rosary. He sat next to The Saint & helped him w/ each bead. It was so cute, too...each time he went to the next bead, The Saint shouted, "Yes!"

5) I'm thankful for The Princess' faith. She's recently expressed an interest in becoming a nun & has been asking a lot of questions about what they do. I told her the best thing to do now is pray for God's guidance & that if it is His Will, He will show her the way to becoming a nun. I also found a couple books at the library about nuns, but if you have any book suggestions, please let me know. She'll be seven next month.
She also told me that she wants to be a nun for Halloween this year. I said that she'd been a nun the last two years (St. Therese of Lisieux & St. Bernadette Soubrious). She was amazed, "They were nuns?" I guess, even though we'd read about them, she hadn't put two & two together!

"Tuesday's Ten" - Ten of My Favorite Homemade Meals

2012-01-17T07:27:00.003-05:00

Ten of My Favorite Homemade Meals

1) Chicken Enchiladas
2) New Orleans Beef and Bourbon
3) Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole
4) Lasagna
5) Taco Pie
6) Chicken Stir-fry
7) Macaroni & Cheese (NOT from a box!)
8) Kielbasa & Cabbage, w/ fresh garlic
9) Chicken Quesadillas
10) Spinach & Cheese Quiche

Small Successes

2012-01-12T07:11:00.001-05:00

Sherry, at Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) I started another journal for myself...Finding the Joy in my daily life. Each day, I reflect on the joys & write them down so that I can remember them & KNOW there truly is JOY in each day.

2) Tuesday, I opened up & washed the parts to my new juice extractor that I bought last week. Yesterday, I used it & made green juice...kale, spinach, celery, apples, ginger root, & 1/2 a lemon. It sounds weird & gross, but is REALLY good. I can't wait to try other juices.

3) I paid my overdue fees at the library. They weren't high, I just wanted to get them taken care of. I really don't mind paying overdue fees at the library...after all, we get to borrow the books for free. I feel I'm helping to contribute to their cause!

Last Week's Goal...Take down Christmas decorations & get organized to start back to school on Monday. (Accomplished, except for getting organized! We did start back to school, but I still need to do some rearranging in our school cabinet.)

This Week's Goal...Clean & organize the front room where all our school stuff is stored.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

2012-01-11T07:15:00.000-05:00

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for an enjoyable Epiphany Party w/ my small church community. We gather for prayer, a great meal, secret pal gift exchange, & socializing. A few years ago, we decided in lieu of a Christmas party (getting everyone's schedules to mesh was tough), we'd celebrate on Epiphany Sunday & it's worked out great for us.

2) I'm thankful for new kitchen appliances! We're getting a new fridge, stove, & dishwasher w/in the next month & I am so excited. After 10 years in our house, I finally feel like a real homeowner! (I'm still on the lookout for that perfect, indestructible, affordable coffee pot!)

3) I'm thankful for clean humor. In a world full of perverse & offensive humor, it is so refreshing to see some clean humor out there.

4) I'm thankful that our checkbook balanced correctly the first time! Usually, it's off & I have to go over it several more times (I don't stop until it balances to the penny), so when it balances the first time, I am VERY happy!

5) I'm thankful that I found you can pop microwave popcorn on the stove. We have a smaller microwave & the popcorn bags are too big. They get stuck & end up burning the popcorn. So, I just opened the bag, poured the kernels into a saucepan, covered it w/ a lid, & popped it on med-high (shaking it occasionally)...super easy & done in the same amount of time.

"Tuesday's Ten" - Strange Yahoo News Headlines

2012-01-10T07:45:00.003-05:00

These are headlines I've seen recently on my home page for my internet provider. I have not read the articles...their titles just caught my attention! (I won't link to them, just in case there's any questionable material to them.)

1) "Charlie Sheen: 'I'm Not Crazy Anymore'" (So, you're admitting that you were crazy before?)

2) "Why Woman Paid $50,000 to Clone Dog" (I guess the Clone Troopers needed a companion to help them track down the enemy!)

3) "Kim K.'s Doubts on Marriage" (I find it hard to believe that she has any real significant insights on marriage!)

4) "Mining Ban Near Grand Canyon" (Now, you're wondering why this is strange, aren't you? Well, my tired eyes read it as a mining "bar.")

5) "TV Technology on the Horizon" (Isn't TV already technology?)

6) "Kardashian Barbie: Good Idea for Kids?" (Ummmmm! I'm gonna go w/ a big, fat NO on this one!)

7) "Pedophilia as a Disability?" (a new rule in Greece - That's not strange, that's just downright horrid & wrong!)

8) "Whitehouse Hosted 'Alice in Wonderland' Party" (Oh, the comments that could be made...biting my tongue!)

9) "Steven Tyler to Supreme Court: Watch the Language" (Anyone else see the irony here?)

10) "Beezow Doo-Doo Zopittybop-Bop-Bop Arrested" (I feel sorry for the officer who had to do this guy's paperwork! - I'm linking to this article because the comments are just HILARIOUS!)

The Catholic Company Book Review - Shine: Choices to Make God Smile

2012-01-06T07:44:00.003-05:00

Shine: Choices to Make God Smile by Genny Monchamp is a book for young children about the Fruits of the Spirit. Children (as well as adults) are faced with choices and decisions every day. When they choose to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control, they are shining for God. For each fruit, there is an example of a situation children might face in their daily lives and the solution that makes God happy.

There are two special note sections at the back of the book - one for parents and one for children.

While I didn't find anything over-the-top amazing about this book, I do think young children (ages 4-7) will enjoy the lessons that can be learned, as well as the cute illustrations. It is a good way to introduce children to the Fruits of the Spirit and show them how they can make God happy when they make the right choices in their daily lives.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Shine: Choices to Make God Smile. They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible.

Small Successes

2012-01-05T07:25:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday - The Munchkins Christmas Day (2nd Post Today)

2012-01-04T07:34:00.001-05:00

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

2012-01-04T07:06:00.006-05:00

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2012-01-02T09:33:00.002-05:00

Peggy hosts this meme each week. Read other Daybooks HERE.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...cold w/ tiny snow flakes today, possibly an inch accumlation

I am thinking...of all those I know in need of prayers right now.

I am thankful...that we all stayed well through Christmas & New Year. Of course, now we are all dealing w/ colds!

From the learning rooms...planning to get back to the books on Wed. if I can get everything organized & ready to go.

From the kitchen...lots of leftover cookies that need to be taken care of!

I am wearing...a burgundy sweat outfit w/ matching fuzzy socks - comfy & warm for today

I am creating...not much at the moment (lots of thoughts & ideas running through my head but nothing has been attempted yet)

I am going...to take it easy today

I am reading...Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (read aloud for the munchkins & one of my favorites from the series), The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson, & I Surrender by my dear friend Judy Dudich.

I am hoping...we all get well soon

I am hearing...the older boys playing card games in the living room, The Princess playing Wii Fit, & The Saint going back & forth to watch them

Around the house...a little cluttered, but not too bad

One of my favorite things...when the munchkins are playing well together

A few plans for the rest of the week...back to school, Small Church Community, shopping for new kitchen appliances, Epiphany dinner w/ our Small Church Community (Several years ago, we decided to have an Epiphany party instead of Christmas because it was always tough to get our schedules together.)

A picture I'm sharing...Christmas Morning in our living room!

Small Successes

2011-12-22T07:09:00.004-05:00

I wish you all many
Christmas Blessings!

"Tuesday's Ten" (on Wednesday) - Ten Favorite Christmas Movies

2011-12-21T09:51:00.004-05:00

Yes, I know it's Wednesday...Better late than never!

Taking a cue from Kristen at St. Monica's Bridge, I'm listing my favorite Christmas movies.

1) A Christmas Story

2) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

3) The Nativity Story

4) It's a Wonderful Life

5) Miracle on 34th Street (the original)

6) A Christmas Carol (w/ Alastair Sim)

7) The Bishop's Wife (w/ Cary Grant)

8) White Christmas

9) Elf

10) The Shop Around the Corner (w/ Jimmy Stewart - Did you know that You've Got Mail was a remake of this movie?)

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

2011-12-21T07:49:00.002-05:00