~Sunshine Award~

I received this beautiful award from very dear friends! It's called the Sunshine Award. It makes me smile and boosts my morale. It fills me with humility that someone would think of me. In this case two very special people Abbey and Brny have offered this award to me and I graciously accept. A wonderful day to ponder sunshine when the report for today is torrential rains!

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award on to twelve bloggers.
3. Link to the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award.

So my awards go to...

SuzyQ at Scraps of Starlight
Lisa at Are We There Yet?
Jan at A Tapestry of Life
Doylene at A Gracious Home
Tracy at A Catholic Mom in Minnesota
Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii
Sarah at Prayer 4 the Journey
Queenmother Mawmaw
Eileen at Umma's World
Laura at Catholic Teacher's Musings
Bia at La Dolce Vita: the sweet life with three sons
Carol at Charlie and Me
and three for good measure...
Sarah at My Wonderful Life
Sue at In Him We Live and Move And Have Our Being
Bernie at On My Own

To Abbey and Bryn I say thank you very much!!! To all who visit here and with whom I visit I say thank you, too, for you invariably make my day!!!

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

It has been gently brought to my attention that I missed another who has given me this gift. Anne at Like Showers On the Grass also offered this award. To her a offer a heartfelt thank you and also my apologies. To others, I would ask you to drop by for a visit!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Eighty-five years ago one of God's creations arrived. She is beautiful, generous, and tender. She loves her neighbor and is charitable at all times. This is my mother. Thank you for who you are, Mom.

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

The Day After~~Mosaic Monday~~

Twas a grand and glorious Mother's Day!
Not only were gorgeous roses delivered to the door,
but the garden displayed her blooms is
beauty and grandeur!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

~~More Smiles~~

This was a gift to me from my very dear friend, Juliene. Today I offer this as a gift to all who, whether a mother, teacher or caregiver, deserve this thank you!!!

~~~~~~~ Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night . Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep . Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom . Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy . Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.

~~~~~~~

Wishing you all Happy Mothering!!! You are all so very good at it!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Smiles~~ Mosiaic Monday~~

As I worked on the reunion cookbook this weekend and as I sorted through the picture archives available to me I so enjoyed comparing pictures. Here are just four of many, many that I have been privileged to see. There is such beauty in the smiles and the heritage they contain.

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

Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

Bad Haiku Friday

It's been a while since I've written any Haiku...and as I reflect on this one I see how really bad it is...

I took a brisk walk
A blustery day indeed
My hair is a sight!

Wishing all a grand weekend in which you can walk briskly, talk adamantly, relax restfully and enjoy greetings with all you meet.

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

If you wish to join in the fun drop in on Laura at Catholic Teacher's Musings. We do have a grand time.

~~Tea Talk~~

Tea and books-Mmmmm, two of life's exquisite
pleasures that together bring near bliss.
Christine Hanrahan

~~~~~

I'm having...Black Cherry Berry tea by Celestial Seasonings. MMMMM (again)!!

My teacup is...another of my teapot/tea cup sets. This was a Mother's Day gift from Wes, Annie and the Girls.



I'm feeling...rejuvenated. Yesterday, I completed most tasks I set out to do.

On my mind...The Hagemeier Family as they bury their husband, father and grandfather today. He was a grand man, farmer and cattleman. In his 90 years he touched the lives of many people. May God greet Henry and embrace him as he enters the home of his Father.

~~^j^~~
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 with us.

Getting Reacquainted

My first harp. A humorous story for
another day!

Recently, I became reacquainted with my friend, Harp. Today we begin a new journey. It's one that is filled with fear and trepidation. "What can this be?" you might ask. Well, I have been away from Harp and have only just picked her up again. Yes, tuned her and plucked her. But for the persistence of a friend, that may have been all I would have done. Cyndi is a gifted and talented harpist. She is also a music therapist at Saint Mary's Medical Center here.

Every other Tuesday a group meets at the hospital on 6 South and plays in the waiting room. Well, dear friend, today I am going to join them...my skill is lacking and there is much to be said for my talent, but for some reason I am being called to join this group. Think of me at 5:00 this afternoon. Please pray the angels will be conducting and doing the editing...

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

Oh, before I forget Carol at My Painting Room is having an anniversary give away. It has been a year since she began blogging. Stop by and visit! She has a delightful blog.

Spring Progresses~~Mosaic Monday~~

It's been a rainy weekend. Not much to see but the trees, the birds and plants all dealing with the elements. Still a beautiful sight!

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

Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

In Praise of God

Love is a mystery that transforms everything it touches into things beautiful and pleasing to God. The love of God makes a soul free. ~Saint Faustina Kowalska

It is important that our Lord be praised in the love offered to us, and so I praise Him.

I praise him in my children and grandchildren, for the gifts and talents he as produced.

I praise God in the love of my husband for the example of generosity and compassion he offers to others.

I praise him in Sundays, those holy days of rest.

I praise him in my friends who support me and care for me

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

Now venture over to My Chocolate Heart and read others words of praise and perhaps add your own! It's been some time since I have participated but it does do a body good to write it down or say it out loud, "Praise God!"

Information of National Importance to Women!

THE CORRECT WAY TO WEIGH YOURSELF!

I'M SO GLAD I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS!

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years.

WE MUST SPREAD THE WORD.
~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!

I don't know to whom I should give credit for this but it made my day! So I guess I will thank Karen who sent it to me!!!

The Crockpot!

In the POT...boneless turkey roast, red cabbage and scalloped potatoes.

~~~

It was very tasty!

I have loved cooking with the crockpot for over 30 years. And for Valentines Day I got this wonderful set of crockpots. It cooks an entire meal!!! It will keep foods warm not cooked in the crockpot for serving. I really enjoy using this terrific kitchen tool...

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

C. A. J. E. Rally Tonight!!!!!

As I prepare to attend the annual Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment (C.A.J.E.) rally tonight at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville, I was considering the reason I attend these. We, personally, have only been "rallying" for a few short years, but C.A.J.E. has been working for the needs of the poor and disenfranchised here in the area for a number of years. They work with area leaders in government and education to encourage improvement in the lives of those in need. This year's continued topic is affordable housing and expansion of transportation. It's amazing what numbers of people can accomplish. A few short years ago a free dental clinic was built out of concern and determination. It works. One must persevere. With large numbers together One becomes Many and if we all persevere GOOD will prevail.

The poor must know that we love them, that they are wanted. They themselves have nothing to give but love. We are concerned with how to get the message of love and compassion across. We are trying to bring peace to the world through our work. But the work is the gift of God. by Mother Teresa from Love: A Fruit Always in Season

And so tonight, I rally! I encourage! I am encouraged! I live in a place where rallying seems to make a difference.

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

Before and After...

I did it!!!!!!!

It took a couple of days and commitment and the avoidance of distraction but I did it!!! I cleaned up the office and my space...The hard part was the avoidance of distraction. That is what has taken me so long to clean the office in the first place. I'd find something and get side-tracked. Start reading something and poof the time was gone. BUT not this time...NO!!! I DID IT! Now how long it will last I cannot tell.

BEFORE

AFTER

Have you any Spring Cleaning Nightmares to share? Wishing you all a productive Spring Day.

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

Felt like a little Carly Simon music today...Hope you enjoy!

Spring In Full Bloom~~Mosaic Monday~~

It has been a glorious weekend and a walk about proved to be a wonderful journey into the gallery of our Creator!

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

Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

A Friend In Need of Recipes...

There's really no grand story behind this recipe except that a friend, Theresa, at Aussie Coffee Shop is wanting some new recipes. Maybe you could help her by sharing some with her and posting them for us as well. So here is my offering...

Chicken Brunswick Stew

2 medium onions, chopped
3 large chicken breasts
2 (15 oz.) cans cream style corn
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 (12 oz.) bottle chili sauce
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can chicken broth
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup butter, cut up
2 tablespoons cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon pepper sauce (Tabasco Sauce)

Place onion in a 4 quart slow cooker; place chicken over onion. Add corn and remaining ingredients . Cook, covered at HIGH 4 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken, shred and return to stew.

This is wonderful with Sour Dough Bread or warm French bread. It really is good any time of the year because cooking in the crockpot doesn't heat the house and yes, I do fix it all year round.

Wishing all a grand weekend!!!

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

When you've finished posting your recipe for Theresa. Please link to it here so we can all share in the delights of you recipe box!

Proud to be Catholic

My mother emailed this to me. I thought it important to share.

Proud of being Catholic

(These are excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman - NOT Catholic.)

Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important
institutions that we have today in the United States, namely the Catholic
Church?

Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at
the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other
hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to
graduate studies at the rate of 92%.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment
of 700,000 students.

The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which
account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just
Catholics - in the United States today.

But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the
Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia
on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the
institution of marriage.

At this point in our original posting of his letter, Mr. Miller cited statistics indicating rates of sexual misconduct among Protestant Ministers, one of which claimed that "10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia." The Reverend Rob Pollock of Vancouver B.C. showed us that this statistic was false. We thank the Rev. Pollock, and have removed the entire paragraph which compared rates of sexual misconduct among Catholic priests and Protestant Ministers. We apologize. The Reverend Pollock's email, which alerted us to the error, and which traces the roots of the erroneous statistic to an article in Sojourners magazine, is posted in the comments section below. To continue with Mr. Miller's letter:

A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and
find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the
choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR
the church has been receiving.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that
Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church.
You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably
been totally weeded out by now.

Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the
most important non-governmental agency in the United States. Then remember
what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient
paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'.
Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what
your Church does for all other religions. Be proud that you're a Catholic.

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

The above has been edited to include a statement offered by Father John Malloy, SDB in his blog A Shepherd's Voice. Thank you, Father John. Thank you, too, to Reverend Robert Pollock for calling this to my attention.