Friday, December 31, 2010

~~Bad Haiku Friday and Haiku My Heart~~



The year is closing
Balls will fall and bells will ring
Happy New Year all!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Please visit Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings the sponsor of Bad Haiku Friday.  Visit also Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart.


Bad Haiku Friday

Haiku My Heart

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Oh my! What A Grand Time We Had...


Having gathered and eaten and played and shared time together there was the lovely glow of the trees. It's that glorious halo that lingers in the eyes of the wee ones and warms the hearts of those who witness the miracle of family in the name of the first and most Holy Family! 

~~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Here at the Inn


The guests begin arriving here today.  The anticipation is exciting!  I'll be enjoying family and friends the next few days so will be seeing you all after this glorious holiday we call Christmas!!!

May you and yours have the most joyous and blessed Christmas!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Lights and Football

It's difficult for me to post this picture.  You see I have been a Denver Bronco fan since the team's inception in 1960.  Yes, even this year!!!!  Every team has to rebuild...(sound like I'm making excuses?)   Well, anyway, the reason I'm here.  Last Saturday night while in INDY we took a tour of the city and came upon this house.  I have to say that this picture does not do justice to the actual site. And so it is that I must give credit where credit is due and say to those fans who created this festival of lights, "Well done!"

AND!!!  GO BRONCOS!!!!

~~~*~~~*~~*~~*~~~*~~~
Thanks be to God!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

~~Mosaic/Macro Monday~~


Had the best time at the Indianapolis Children's Museum yesterday.  Such a wonderful place to play when you are anticipating the Birthday of the King.   Sitting on the lap of Santa was a  thrill as always.  Especially, when they are older than 4 years old and Mom doesn't have to hold them on her lap to get a picture with the Jolly Gentleman.



I love this picture. Daniel is holding Grandpa's hand waiting for his turn to sit on Santa's lap. These are times to be cherished. And these are all locked away in a special place for me!

~~~*~~~*~~*** ~~*~~~*~~~

Thanks be to God!


Now visit Mary at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   Lisa at  Macro Monday  also has much to offer.  The pictures are grand.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Faith In Providence and Moral Responsiblity

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
September, 2010

His protecting hand has sustained us in so visible a manner that we cannot fail to see in it the attention of his Providence.   
~~Saint Mother Theodore Guerin~~


The earth is our to maintain and cherish. The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the Woods is doing it in their little corner of the world.



~~~*~~~*~~***~~*~~~*~~~
Thanks be to God!

~~Bad Haiku Friday and Haiku My Heart~~


The little Dutch shoes
Hung on the tree just
Waitin' and watchin'

How lovely I am
As she watched and she waited
For someone to stop

She realized though
As humility won out
It's not about me!

Wishing all a wonderful weekend, with peace and relaxation as we approach the Birthday of the King.

~~~*~~~*~~***~~*~~~*~~~

Thanks be to God!!
Please visit Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings the sponsor of Bad Haiku Friday.  Visit also Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart.


Bad Haiku Friday

Haiku My Heart

Thursday, December 16, 2010

~~Tea Talk~~

"On wings of hospitality,
she flew to brew the tea."
A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg

I'm having...Good Earth tea. It's icy outside this morning.  Roads are awful and just waiting to see if the office will be open.


My teacup is...is a plain white mug.  But the tea in it warms the hands and heart.

I'm feeling...Warm and cozy in my kitchen, waiting to see if the office will be open after this ice storm during the night.


On my mind...visit to INDY this weekend. We are going...YEAH.  Hoping to go to the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  Oh what fun we will have!!!!!

Ornament given by Wes, Annie 
and the girls.  Adapted for the 
20th Anniversary of
A Cup of Christmas Tea.

Wishing all a grandday!!!  Thank you all for your hospitality and this time for tea with you all!

~~~*~~~*~~***~~*~~~*~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Now won't you join me and visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house?  Share a cup of tea or a cool refreshing drink with us.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Once Upon a Time Recipes

 
Well, tomorrow is my birthday. An so I thought I'd share with you, my favorite pie recipe.  I love Lemon Meringue Pie!  I first learned to bake it when I was in 6th grade.  I was a challenge and one of those things I accomplished for which I am proud.  I remember how pleased Mom was with it.  And I especially remember how much Daddy liked it.  So without further adieu...



Lemon Meringue Pie


1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Dash salt
1 1/2 cups hot water
       * * *

3 slightly beaten egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 9-inch baked pastry shell cooled
       * * *
Meringue (recipe to follow)


In sauce pan, mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt.  Gradually add hot water, stirring constantly.  Cook and stir over high heat till mixture comes to boiling.  Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Stir small amount hot mixture into egg yolks, then return to hot mixture.  Bring to boiling and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add butter and lemon peel.  Slowly add lemon juice, mixing well.  Pour into pastry shell.  Spread meringue over filling; seal to edge.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.  Cool before serving.

Meringue

3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons sugar

Beat egg whites with vanilla and cream of tartar till soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff and glossy peaks from and all sugar is dissolved.  Spread meringue over hot filling.  Continue as above.

Note:  I use ready made pie crust in follow directions for baking on the package.

Maybe the reason I love this tasty pie so much is because it was my 1st attempt at baking and it was such a resounding success.


Humorous story about me and lemon meringue pie.  We had traveled from Indiana to Colorado  to visit family on our summer vacation.  It's a good two day trip and the kids were always such troopers, especially through the heat of Kansas.  When we got to Dad and Mom's house we were all pretty hot and tired.  Mom and Dad greeted us and we all unpacked the car and began to settle in.  I went to the kitchen to help with dinner and noticed two lemon meringue pies on the stove cooling.

"Wow," I said, "two pies."

Mom smiled and said, "Yes, one for us and the other for you!"

Thanks Mom!!!!  And...

~~~*~~~*~~***~~*~~~*~~~ 
Thanks be to God!!!


Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, 1973 Edition


Please share one of your baking success stories.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

~~Mosaic/Macro Monday~~


I love Santa, that glorious symbol of good, love, compassion, giving and sharing.  I don't have large collection and at my age one needs no more, but the ones I have I cherish as they are reminders of the time when all were here to share in the glories of this Holy Season.


One Santa is my favorite.  More like a china doll
he has wonderful features and seems so lifelike.

~~~*~~~*~~***~~*~~~*~~~ 


Thanks be to God!

Now visit Mary at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   Lisa at  Macro Monday  also has much to offer.  The pictures are grand.


Again this Wednesday please
join me in offering Once Upon a Time 
Recipes, a story and recipe you
have as tradition at your house.  This will
be the last before Christmas.  Please share
your treasure with us.


Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Legend of the Candy Cane


Candy Cane
Originally uploaded by Pisces Romance



Mom sent this to me today and thought it would be good to post it for all to see.  It's a wonderful story about how those tasty Christmas treats came into being.


Have a grand day!!! It's damp here...Snow maybe tomorrow!



~~~*~~~*~~***~~*~~~*~~~ 

Thanks be to God!

Friday, December 10, 2010

~~Bad Haiku Friday and Haiku My Heart~~


When the season, you think, is getting out of hand, do like Sam!  Take a nap!!!  Or just take a break.  Times not the enemy.  Maybe the list of things to do is.  After the nap, see if there are some unimportant things on the list that can be eliminated or postponed.  You are too important to have all this stress.


Just do like Sam, CHILL.
(And in this weather it's not hard!)


Better yet is this
 Rely on Mary's image
of tranquility!



~~~*~~~*~~***~~*~~~*~~~ 
Thanks be to God!


Please visit Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings the sponsor of Bad Haiku Friday.  Visit also Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart.


Bad Haiku Friday

Haiku My Heart

Thursday, December 09, 2010

~~Tea Talk~~


Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. ~Calvin Coolidge~




I'm having...Good Earth tea.  My delivery came yesterday.  Oh I have been with out it for three weeks.  That's a LONG time.

My teacup is...a Norman Rockwell mug that Hallmark produced many years ago.  I love them and use them often during Christmas.

The chocolate pecan candy is made by a neighboring parish each year
and it is oh so delicious.  There are sugar cookies topped with crushed
candy cane.  Understand that this is NOT my breakfast but only pictures
so I didn't have a photo of a lonely cup. 


I'm feeling...better since I think I have licked this cold that started Saturday.  I used Zicam for cold relief and it seemed to have done the trick.


On my mind...visit to INDY this weekend.  May not come to fruition.  Weather seems to be the culprit!  Will have to wait until Friday, but it seems a big storm is on the way and it may need to be postponed!  Love to visit the kids up their and enjoy their Christmas trees!

Wishing all a grandday!!!
~~~*~~~*~~***~~*~~~*~~~
Thanks be to God!!


Now won't you join me and visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house?  Share a cup of tea or a cool refreshing drink with us.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Once Upon A Time Recipes



There is always that special recipe that brings back wonderful memories of gatherings of family and friends and grand times spent together.  Christmas is one of those times when memories flood back for me.  What about yours?





~~~*~~~
*****
***




Today's recipe reminds me of the gift of  a friend gave me and all the wonderful recipes and stories it has to tell.  The book is The Twelve Blessings of Christmas by T.J Mills and how that gift brings joy to to family and friends.  It also brings back memories of one of those traditions my family had at Christmas and the breakfast pastry on Christmas Day.

It was a treat each Christmas to have this fruit-filled stollen warm and tasty with our eggs and bacon after early Christmas Mass.  The recipe I have been using is not as complicated and takes very little time to prepare.  And so I offer it from the pages of this delightful book!

Christmas Stollen

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 packages yeast
1 package yellow cake mix
4 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 can cherry pie filling

Mix together water, yeast, cake mix, flour and salt.  Place in a greased bowl and let rise until double.  Divide in half and roll to a 12 x 8 oval.  Spread 1/2 can of pie fill on one side of dough and fold over half of the dough on top.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Place on a greased cookie sheet and let rise until double in bulk.  Bake in a 350  degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool completely and drizzle powdered sugar frosting.

(I place the loaves on baking sheet covered with parchment paper.  I also used cream cheese icing on the loaves.)

Baking this stollen each year also allows me the opportunity to thank God for Lisa who gave me this book in the first place.  She is on of those treasures for which I say,

"Thanks be to God!"


If you have a recipe your family enjoys traditionally every year, please link below so we can all share in the the excitement and try your recipe this year!!

Sunday, December 05, 2010

~~Mosaic/Macro Monday~~

The tree is decorated and the lights are aglow.  
Still savoring the wonder of this Holy Season.


It seems like a long time ago now but every time I hang this and other ornaments that Ron and I have made out of porcelain I recall the joy I had in making them. They were gifts to family and friends.  To me they are still treasures of the wonderful Christmases past!  They instill in me the hope of Christmases to come.

*
**
***
*****
=
~~~~~~~
Thanks be to God!


Now visit Mary at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   Lisa at  Macro Monday  also has much to offer.  The pictures are grand.


Again this Wednesday please
join me in offering Once Upon a Time 
Recipes, a story and recipe you
have as tradition at your house.


Saturday, December 04, 2010

The Littlest Angel


When I was 7 years old my Aunt Rosemary gave me these records.  And every year thereafter there was that anticipation of hearing them again.  You know even now there is something so tender about this beautiful tale that I want all children to hear it.  For me today this was a treasure found again, and all because I happened upon it at YouTube. It still brings tears to my eyes and allows me to hope that I will find myself walking or even skipping down the streets of heaven.  I too want to balance myself on the edge of a cloud...Oh, heavenly!  Hoping you have the time to linger here and listen to it.






*
**
***
*****
=
~~~~~~~
Thanks be to God!

Friday, December 03, 2010

~~Bad Haiku Friday and Haiku My Heart~~



Don't want to hurry
Want to savor the moment
Decorating fun

*
**
***
*****
=
~~~~~~~
Thanks be to God!

Please visit Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings the sponsor of Bad Haiku Friday.  Visit also Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. 


Bad Haiku Friday

Haiku My Heart