So Thankful for Friends

I was given this award by Marcy at Blessings Each Day. To her I say a heartfelt Thank YOU!!! I love surprises and she is a treasure. Visiting her blog is a wonderful experience.

IF YOU COULD COME BACK AS AN ANIMAL, WHICH WOULD IT BE?

I believe if I was to come back as an animal I think it would be a kangaroo. Bouncing around seems like fun and with that pouch there's no need to carry a purse.

SOMETHING YOU COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT

The presence of God in my life and hope of a new tomorrow.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN ANOTHER PERSON

A sense of humor, compassion, tenderness and a dreamer

THE COLORS YOU TEND TO WEAR ARE

Navy and shades of brown

THREE WORDS THAT DEFINE YOU

Caring, understanding, hopeful

A PLACE YOU WOULD TRAVEL TO

Ireland again.

YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE FROM A BOOK OR MOVIE

"We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed firmly on God." Saint Francis de Sales

SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO

I'd like to spend more time with family and friends.

YOUR MAIN STRENGTH/FORTE

The ability to offer an ear for those who need an attentive ear.

You are also supposed to send this on to seven "young" blogs and seven blogs of wisdom. the nice thing about something like this is that it enables us to get to know one another just a little bit better and these 'tags, you're it' are fun and finally, if you have blogger's block, instead of walking around the block (get it...hee, hee???), you have something instant and easy to post.

Here is my list of Young and Wise Blogs (in no particular order):

1) Aussie Coffee Shop

2) Castles, Crowns and Cottages

3) Catholic Teacher's Musings

4) Cuisine Kathleen

5) Eileen on Him...At Least I Try

6) Jenny of Elefantz

7) La Dolce Vita: the sweet life with three sons

8) My Chocolate Heart

9) Umma's World

10) Tamara's Treasures

11) Scraps of Starlight

12) So...This Is The Road I Am Traveling On

13) My Wonderful Life

14) Catholic Mom in Hawaii

This was a great pleasure for me as I was able to offer to you all some blogs that Have welcomed me and offered me pleasure, insights and laughter. Please enjoy!!!

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

Beautiful Women Month

Kathy, a dear friend, sent this to me because it's Beautiful Women Month. And if you visit Anita at Castles Crowns and Cottages you'll find a wonderful "dinner with Audrey." I don't know if this is a coincidence or not but I am glad to be reminded of Miss Audrey. She was such a joy to watch perform. I loved her in My Fair Lady, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, Charade and A Nun's Story...I could go on and on.

So here in her words is a wonderful poem Miss Hepburn wrote when asked to share her 'beauty tips .'


For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you
will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you
grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;
one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

So, as you venture out today contemplate your value, your worth. You are grand each and everyone of you!!! Thank you for the ways you enrich my life!

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

Autumn Foliage

Someone needs to hide my camera...I have far too much fun with it. Wishing you all a grand day!!!

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

The Simple Women's Daybook

Rising to another day is always a blessing, one in which thanksgiving and praise is offered to the all-loving Father. So it is with gratitude I begin this day.

~~Outside my window...it is very dark. It's 4:25 a.m. Sam's peering through the office window meowing to come in.

~~I am thinking...it would be grand to visit my friends Martha in NJ or Fay in TX and chat over a cup of tea.

~~I am thankful for...sunshine and glorious Autumn colors that reflect the sun.

~~From the kitchen...clam chowder.

~~I am wearing...my long-sleeved nightgown.

~~I am creating...the Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom.

~~I am going...have a less hectic week.

~~I am reading...still A Call To Joy by Matthew Kelly. I have found it to be a good book for reflection.

~~I am hoping...the weather continues to be glorious.

~~I am hearing...humming of the computer in the stillness.

~~Around the house...decorations complete for Halloween, just need to dust and vacuum.

~~One of my favorite things...watching old movies.

~~A few plans for the rest of the week: 1) continue to work on my vacation journal (it was a BUSY summer);2) prepare for Halloween travel to INDY to visit grand kids for the holiday;get my hair cut; 4) prepare Bible study for Thursday.

~~Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Autumn Berries

After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share. It will always be a journey worth sharing!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Picture Puzzle Day

Niagara Falls
June ,2000

Have missed the puzzle this week. Perhaps this a good time to do it. It's a lazy Saturday and I can sit with a cup of tea and just relax.

Having been to Niagara Falls I must say I was awestruck by it's grandeur. When standing right next to the river I was aware of the power the water contained!!! It was magnificent!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of lazy hours!!!

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

Here is the link to JigZone so you can create and submit your puzzle. And Mr. Linky is available below for you convenience so we can enjoy your puzzle.

You are invited to leave a comment, too. Please join in the fun!!! I can hardly wait to put YOUR puzzles together!

The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality

The lesson last night was an instruction in how to move our Catholicity to a higher level. I have had this book for two years. In that time, I have used it as a resource in my preparation for my RCIA presentation numerous times.

Quick story...I received my copy of Rediscovering Catholicism two years ago when we visited our son, Jimmy, for Christmas in Alpharetta, GA. His parish, Saint Brigid Catholic Church, gave this book to the entire church, members and visitors alike, for Christmas and was distributed Christmas Day. I took it home, read it and was awed.

A couple of months later I used it in one of the RCIA classes as part of the topic on Reconciliation. When all was said and done, the Director of RCIA, asked where I had gotten the book. I pulled a postcard from the book that suggested one could get 2 free books to share with others and so she took it to see if she could get those two plus purchase enough for the class...about 10 candidates. The next time I saw Bev I asked her if she was able to get the books. She told me that, not only was she able to get those two books, but she was sent free of charge enough books for the rest of the class and each of the sponsors.

Enough said! This man practices what he preaches!

So that brings us to those Seven Pillars...This topic is an entire section of the book.

Those pillars are:

Reconciliation
Contemplation
The Mass
The Bible
Fasting
Spiritual Reading
The Rosary

When I heard these topics explained I realized that by integrating each of these pillars sincerely into my life I can't help but become "The Best Version of Myself." It's got to be laborious, for nothing good can come from stagnation and laziness. I say, "Give it a TRY." You and I certainly have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Wishing you a GRAND day!!

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

Matthew Kelly and A Better Version of Myself

We came home last night, after hearing Matthew Kelly, invigorated and hope filled . When the lesson is offered in positive manner, when the instruction is given without condemnation and when you are sitting in the midst so many on the journey hanging on every word, it's hard not to come away with the intention of making every effort to, as Matthew said, "Become a better version of yourself."

He's right! I am too busy. And because of this busy-ness, I neglect ME!!! When I neglect ME then there are so many things that suffer. I was hearing last night that there are many positive ways for me to improve this "version" of me. I can only tell you that when I hear Matthew speak in a way that affirms I am important, then I WANT to do something about it. When I take care of me then I am able to care for others more efficiently and compassionately. It's not being selfish to want the best for yourself, for when you are at your best then you can offer the best to others!!!

It was truly a GRAND experience last night. I'll be back again tonight!!! Wishing you a wonderful day!! In the meantime you can visit his website, Matthew Kelly Foundation.

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

Matthew Kelly: Rediscovering Catholicism

I cannot tell you how excited I am that the next two days offer me an opportunity to experience the talents of Matthew Kelly. He is a wonderful speaker who can, with his enthusiasm, lift your spirits, and motivate you to be, as he says, "A better version of yourself." And so again, I will be privileged to hear his presentation tomorrow and Thursday nights here at St. John the Baptist Church!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Grandma Gretchen's First Annual Recipe Contest

I decided to enter a recipe contest. Yes, I did. I've never done this before. I've posted other recipes that I like but never was so bold as to post mine much less enter a contest with it. But this sounded like fun. So here is my entry.



New England Clam Chowder

5 medium potatoes
1 medium onion
2 cans of minced clams
2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

1 cube butter/margarine

1/2 cup flour
3 cups milk
2 cups whipping cream

Peel potatoes and dice into small cubes. Finely chop onion. Place in large pot with clam juice from minced clams. Add just enough water to cover potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

Add minced clams, salt, pepper, milk and cream. Make roux from melted margarine and flour. Blend hot milk from chowder pot to roux to thin the roux's consistency and then while stirring over medium heat add roux to chowder. Continue to stir chowder until heated through. Do not bring to a boil. This should thicken the chowder to a velvety consistency.

Serve with salad and warm buttered French bread. May be topped with grated cheddar or Colby cheese if desired.

You can find the contest rules by visiting Spices and Stuff. The background for the contest can be found at My Wonderful Life. Think it over and go out on a limb! Who knows you may be the next chef featured on the Food Network!

Have a grand and glorious Autumn Day...I'm making clam chowder for dinner tonight!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Picture by doe-c-does

Word Verification...

Do you ever wonder if any of those words that are used for word verification are real? Well on occasion I have looked them up in the dictionary or tried to get away with one as a word while playing scrabble only to find it didn't exist and I couldn't fool anyone else by using it. I find that they just do not exist...I cant remember in the last 2 1/2 years getting a REAL word!

Well, much to my delight, this morning when I was commenting at Bernie's House I actually had a word I knew! Yes, indeed!

It put a smile on my face and will be reminded, when I have to spell a word verification 3 times to post my comment, that once upon a time I got a REAL WORD!!!

Have a grand day!!!

~~~^j^~~~
And thanks be to God!!!