Four Blessings Academy

Small Successes

2012-02-16T09:12:00.003-05:00

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

2012-02-15T07:45:00.001-05:00

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 a great "Mom Therapy" session on Monday w/ my dear friend & her children! As I told her afterwards, I'd hate to imagine the expense of a real psychologist for all the things we talk about.

2) I'm thankful for our tax refunds coming in a week earlier than expected!

3) I'm thankful for several recent purchases we've made that have come in WAY under what we budgeted.

4) I'm thankful for the sparkly beauty of freshly fallen snow (not that we have much at the moment!) I love to step outside in the evening as it's snowing & listen to the silence of the blanketed earth.

5) I'm thankful for a good session w/ The Archangel's new psychologist yesterday. She spent most of it w/ him & already, this morning, I have seen him trying to reign in his temper as he begins to get upset. I'm praying we can help him along to recognize his triggers & step back to pause before a full blown explosion of anger occurs.

Tuesday's Ten - Ten of My Favorite Things to Drink (2nd post today)

2012-02-14T07:40:00.004-05:00

1) Coffee w/ flavored creamers - I'm not addicted to it, but I love a fresh cup or two or three in the mornings. I rarely drink any after lunch, unless it's a "Mom Therapy" day w/ my dear friend!

2) Hot Tea - Two of my favorites are Lady Grey & Ginger Peach.

3) Ginger Ale - I don't drink pop often, but this is one of my favorites.

4) Root Beer - my other favorite pop

5) Margaritas - I don't drink alcoholic beverages often, either, but I do love a good margarita.

6) Plum Wine - YUM! I just might be having a glass of this when Casinodad & the munchkins take me to a Japanese restaurant for my birthday in a couple of weeks.

7) Raspberry Lemonade - very refreshing on a hot, summer day

8) Iced Tea - another refreshing summer drink

9) Green Machine (Naked brand juices) - It looks & sounds gross, but it Oh. So. Delicious!

10) Plain Old Water - Nothing beats this when I really get thirsty.

Lovin' My Husband

2012-02-14T07:00:00.002-05:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! What better day than today to share how much I'm "Lovin' My Husband!"

It's Tuesday...time for Judy's 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) Lovin' my husband for doing our income taxes every year.

2) Lovin' my husband for steaming the kitchen floor just about every Saturday while I'm at work. Other than a quick mopping after we got our appliances last week, I have not steamed or mopped our kitchen in over a year.

3) Lovin' my husband for his smile! When I first met him, that was the first thing I noticed & I'm still in love w/ his smile over 14 years later.

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

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 NEW kitchen appliances! After 10 years in our home, I feel like a real homeowner now. They look GREAT!

2) I'm thankful for a wonderful surprise package I received in the mail the other day...THANK YOU, JUDY!

3) I'm thankful for when I can help others in times of need. No matter how bad my troubles may seem, there is always someone hurting more or in need of assistance. Helping them helps me, too!

4) I'm thankful for a possible curriculum change for next year. My sister told me about the Robinson Curriculum & it sounds very intriguing. We haven't made a firm decision yet, but I am leaning towards it (tweaking a bit to suit our family). There is also a Catholic Robinson site that adds a Catholic basis to it...even better! (BTW - If you've heard anything about it or have any experience w/ it, please let me know.)

5) I'm thankful for the mild weather we've had recently (LOTS of outdoor time for the munchkins), BUT I really think we need some cold & snow to kill off germs & future bugs! At the rate we're going, we'll have a blizzard in April!

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

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 took The Archangel to a new doctor yesterday. While it's still too early to tell how things will turn out, I will say that I'm thankful the initial appt. went well.

2) I'm thankful for the warmer weather we had on Monday. The munchkins have been a bit stir-crazy lately, so I sent them outside & they spent most of the day out there.

3) I know I've said this before, but I'm thankful for our local Goodwill store. I found a great two piece skirt suit w/ matching scarf for $5.99 to wear to my cousin's wedding next month. It looks like it's never been worn & I'm very pleased w/ the way it fits me. Casinodad also found some clothes for work.

4) I'm thankful for the many prayers of our Catholic Faith...for any situation one may be going through or for any special devotion one may have. At times, my prayers are spoken from my heart, yet there are other times when I just can't come up w/ something to say & know that I can rely on many wonderful prayers out there.

5) I'm thankful a potentially stressful situation that arose on Friday evening worked out quickly.