Joy in Haiku

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as
celebrating the beauty in
God's Creation!

I must be open to it!

~~~~~~~~~~

                                   

As Lent begins, I'm called to reflect of the emptiness one might find in the desert.  And yet that is where the Savior went to pray.  It is void of distraction except for the occasional bird, screech owl, snake.  There is quiet and serenity!  How can it be empty if it was created by God?

Desert, serene,

And quiet contemplation.

There's fullness of life.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

I'm also joining Lou Ceel at Haiku Friday.  Come play with words.  It's such a joy!!!

The Joy in Haiku

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as
celebrating the beauty in words.

I must be open to it!

~~~~~~~~~~

For  Equilibrium

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,

May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

As the wind loves to call things to dance 

May your gravity be lightened by grace.

Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,

May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,

So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what's said,

May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough

To hear in the depths the laughter of God.

                                       by John O'Donohue

                                       From To Bless the Space Between Us

                                         

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                                     

Joyful is the Word
Liltingly spoken in love
Lifts the soul higher

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

I'm also joining Lou Ceel at Haiku Friday.  Come play with words.  It's such a joy!!!

Joy of Saint Nicholas Haiku

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

celebrating with Saint Nicholas
the love of God in the Incarnation.

I must be open to it!

~~~~~~~~~~

Good Saint Nicholas

Most generous follower

Model of giving

Good Saint Nicholas

 He teaches humility

Heed his example

~~~^j^~~~

So it is that we are called to follow the Savior in HUMILITY and LOVE for all.  And Saint Nicholas lived his life in such a way that we might know that it is possible even today to be giving and loving as our Savior and Lord has taught us to be.

*

***

*****

*******

|

~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

I'm also joining Lou Ceel at Haiku Friday.  Come play with words.  It's such a joy!!!

Halloween "Once Upon A Recipe" with Joy in Haiku

Today seems like the perfect day to share a "Once Upon a Time" Recipe. Why? Well it's Halloween, a beautiful chilly Fall day and I'm thinkin' hum...baked macaroni and cheese.

This is one of those recipes a family acquires but is never sure where it came from because it's been used for years. I started making this when we lived in Burlingame, California (just south of San Francisco) nearly 35 years ago. I have no idea how I got the recipe, I just know a week seldom went by without making it. Now it's the "Mother-In-Law" recipe. You know "The One Your Husband Asks You To Make Because His Mother Made It This Way" Recipe? So without further ado, here it is.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

1 stick of margarine/butter

4 cups macaroni, uncooked

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups grated Colby cheese/favorite cheese

5 cups milk

1 package smoky links

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9" x 13" baking dish melt margarine/butter in the oven. Add macaroni with salt and pepper to the baking dish and coat with margarine. Evenly distribute macaroni mix and top evenly with grated cheese (I sometimes use more that 2 cups). Cover mixture with milk. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and top with smoky links. Return to oven and bake another 15 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes before serving.

I usually serve it with french cut green beans, and the kids always like to put ketchup on it and the "links."

Please join the fun. Share your family recipe and memories surrounding it. Make your comments here and then go to Mr. Linky so we can visit and share your recipe. Who knows your recipe might start a new holiday tradition at someone else's holiday gathering.

~~~~~~~

Tomorrow I'll join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

Halloween!

I must be open to it!

~~~~~~~~~~

On All Hallows Eve

We gather to play and tease

Tomorrow we pray.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart on Friday. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Joy in Haiku

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

God's palate

I must be open to it!
~~~~~~~~~~

God of Majesty
He rises in the morning
Prevails in all things

~~~^j^~~~

Will be at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods this weekend on a retreat/gathering of Providence Associates.  Pray with us!!!

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Joy in Haiku

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

as a the appearance of Autumn Colors!

I must be open to it!
~~~~~~~~~~
Fall colors immerge
Crisp mornings and falling leaves
Great for a brisk walk

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

The Joy in Haiku

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

as a glowing disc in the West

I must be open to it!
~~~~~~~~~~
The glory of God!
It sets in the western sky
Praise and Thanksgiving!!!

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

The Joy In Haiku

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

a live  mannequin at 
The Festival of the Little Hills.

He offered surprise 
and laughter to passersby.
I too must be open to it!

Last weekend we made our annual trek to St. Charles, MO for the Festival of the Little Hills.  In years past it was a way to shop for wonderful craft and art and just mingle with the people on the streets of Old Saint Charles.  The past couple of years it has been an opportunity to be with the people and just enjoy the company of family as we luncheon on the the patio at the Little Hills Restaurant.  This year we had the treat of having a live mannequin posing near where we ate.  Oh my, what a wonderful time we had witnessing the surprise on the faces of the people when he would reposition himself.  He was very talented and the joy and laughter he brought to everyone around him was just priceless.  

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

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Share the Joy and Haiku My Heart

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

our resident tree frog.

He offered excitement and joy to the children.
I too must be open to it!


Tree frogs and children
The joy in discovery
Smiles on the faces.

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

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Joy In All The Heat

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

A bit of humor

During all the heat and humidity
we must bear.

~~~~~~

Joy today must be shared in the humor we find in life itself.  It is miserable outside.  It's been that way for weeks...I have to laugh, because  there is nothing I can do about it.  I have not control of it.  Then today a friend, Father Tim Tenbarge sent the following!  Please enjoy!

"IT'S SO HOT!!!  REALLY?.....HOW HOT IS  IT?....."

 ......the birds have to use potholders to  pull the worms out of the ground.
 .....the trees are  whistling for the dogs.
 .....the best parking place is  determined by shade instead of distance
 .....hot  water comes from both taps.
 .....you can make sun tea  instantly.
 .....you learn that a seat belt  buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
 .....the  temperature drops below 90 F and you feel a little  chilly.
 .....you discover that in July it only takes  two fingers to steer your car.
 .....you discover that you can  get sunburned through your car window.
 .....you  actually burn your hand opening the car door.
 .....you break  into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30  A.M.
.....your biggest motorcycle wreck fear is, "What if I  get knocked out  and  end up lying on the pavement and cook to  death"?
 .....you realize that asphalt has a liquid  stage.
 .....the potatoes cook underground, so  all you have to do is pull one out and add  butter.
.....the cows are giving evaporated  milk.
 .....farmers are feeding their  chickenscrushed ice to keep them from laying boiled  eggs.
 IT'S SO DRY!!! HOW DRY ???
 .....that  the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling
 .....the  Methodists are using wet-wipes
 .....the Presbyterians are  giving rain checks
 ..... and the Catholics are  praying for the wine to turn back into water!
 TRY TO  KEEP COOL !!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks to Father Tim

And

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy 

Joy In The Sunrise

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

As a sunrise on the High Plains

I must be open to it!

God's glory is seen
in each of His sunrises

here on the high plains

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

JOY

Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as
,

beautiful sunrise
I must be open to it!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Share the Joy!!!

Today I also join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

beautiful new life
I must be open to it!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Weekend of Blessings

Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the

 comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.

~~Author Unknown~~

I'm having...a cup of English Breakfast tea


My teacup...a Tea-rrific mug

I'm feeling...calm.  Even though my witness talk for Christ Renews His Parish is on Monday evening and I will be gone to a conference all weekend at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods I am confident that the Holy Spirit will be my guide.  Preparation is done.  Thanks be to God!  


On my mind...are the plans for this weekend.  We will be attending Women of Providence in Collaboration as a Providence Associate.  The speaker will be Reverend Ron Rolheiser, OMI and the topic is Providence:  Mystical Window on the World.  I cannot tell you how I look forward to hearing him speak!

Please join Ruth at Tea Talk today.

~~~~~~~

Today I also join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.
And this day has the potential of

being just as grand as

Four wonderful days
at Saint Mary-of-the-
Woods

I must be open to it!

~~~~~~~

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
Indiana's own saint!

A retreat in June

 Wonderful days at The Woods

It's like coming home!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!!