Award and Ash Wednesday

This morning I awoke to a wonderful surprise and one that has set before me a dilemma. You see if I had gotten this yesterday I would have had no trouble accepting it...It wasn't the first day of Lent. Today it is. I am committed to offering up prayer and sacrifice in preparation of the Resurrection. As I was raised that this time of penance and not for celebration, what am I to do...

What would Jesus do? He would be gracious, kind, and grateful. And so it is with gratitude that I say, "Thank you, Jackie, so very much." Her home is The Way of the Upright Is the Highway.


Here are the rules:

~~Thank the person wo kindly passes this to you and link your award back to them.
~~List 7 thing about yourself
~~Pass it on to 15 Beautiful Bloggers

About Me...
1. I like to knit, but have to have a reason, so I have started knitting baby booties as the Elizabeth Ministry at church is wanting them.

2. I'm going on retreat at St. Meinrad Archabbey on Friday for 2 days.

3. I love cream of tomato soup with melted cheese and Ritz crackers.

4. I have sincere hopes of returning to Ireland again!!!

5. I miss the Colorado Rocky Mountains!

6. My family is the most cherished treasure of my life!

7. I believe in miracles!!!!!!

My 15 bloggers:

Laura
MightyMom
The Duchess
Bernie
Sarah
Tracy
Lisa
QMM
Zuzana
Squelly
Abbey
Valeri
Anita
Suz
Sue


Now please visit these generous people and basque in their beauty!






I cannot leave today with out offering my Ash Wednesday Post!

Today we begin reading the Passion Narrative of mark. One way to pray the Scripture is to 'take someone with you' and talk with them along the way. For example, Mary Magdalene, or Peter, or Mary the mother of Jesus. (from The Little Black Book)


Give this serious consideration. If you need a Companion On the Journey, who better to spend time communing. A good way to meditate on Scripture.

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Thanks be to God!!!

Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday...

Tradition. My years are filled with earthly and spiritual traditions. They are welcome landmarks along the journey.

Here are just a few that I'd like to share.

MARDI GRAS

Mardi Gras is said to have come to the New World in 1699, with a Canadian explorer named Pierre LeMoyne d'Ibersville, who founded the colony in Louisiana.

D'Iverville's father had been an indentured servant when he arrived in Canada and grew wealthy in Montreal. His son, Pierre, distinguished himself as a soldier during efforts to keep the English our of the Hudson Bay area. Soon, the French asked him to find the mouth of the Mississippi River along the gulf and to establish a fort there.

On March 3, 1600, d'Iverville landed on the shores of the Mississippi near the Gulf. He name the spot Point de Mardi Gras, in honor of the holiday being celebrated that day in France.

PANCAKE DAY

For Catholics in some regions of the world, the day before Ash Wednesday is Pancake Day. Some suggest that serving pancakes on this day became a popular way to use up fat, butter and eggs before Lent got underway.

*****

In England, a Pancake Day Race has been held on this day before Lent for over 500 years--begun allegedly when a woman cooking pancakes heard the church bells summoning her to services. In her hast, she rushed out of her house still holding her frying pan.

From the Little Black Book 2009/2010

Please share your traditions. How do you prepare for Lent?

Tomorrow the Lenten Journey begins in earnest. Inviting you to be a companion on the Journey to Calvary.

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

Beautiful picture courtesy of Holly at Banner Haus.

Presidents' Day

Happy Presidents' Day
~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Happy Valentine's Day

It brings comfort to have friends
in whatever happens.
Saint John Chrysostom

It has occurred to me after all these years that this "LOVE" celebration is not or should not be solely for "lovers." It is a celebration of friendship. For it is my opinion that lovers should be friends.

It is said very well in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for thier work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up!

So to all my friends I say Happy Valentine's Day and...

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

Bad Haiku Friday

The bird's chirping
Outside my window he sings
He, too, wants Spring.

~*~*~^j^~*~*~
Thanks be to God

Now it's time to visit Laura at Catholic Teacher's Musing for her Bad Haiku Friday!!! Please join in the fun...It's grand!


Thank you to:
Artist of picture (unknown)
and
Graphic by Peniwigs

Tea Talk

"There is a right time for everything."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
The Living Bible

This morning it is really COLD!!! It is a perfect morning to warm myself with a cup of hot, aromatic tea. Join me, won't you?

I'm having...Good Earth tea. It is naturally sweet with the flavor of cinnamon and spice. It warms my whole being.

My teacup is... is a mug I have as a reminder of a wonderful weekend shared with a daughter-in-law. Often the vessel from which I drink reminds me of times cherished and remembered. It is also at this time that I remember family and friends in prayer.

I'm feeling... glad that this week has been a treasure in which quiet time has been restful!

I found this wonderful recipe in the book A Tea For All Seasons by Mary Pielenz Hampton.

She writes.

"The cookie, of Scottish origin, lives up to its name. Make these as a reminder that while time may be short, it can be very sweet if we learn to appreciate the beauty of the moment."

Melting Moments

1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1/14 cups self rising flour
about 1/3 cup quick-cooking rolled oats or lightly crushed flakes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and egg and neat well. Fold in flour until well mixed.

Make batter into 1-inch balls (about 1/2 tablespoon of batter) and roll in quick-cooking oats or corn flakes.

Place balls on greased baking sheet and make for about 10 minutes or until tops are light golden and and bottoms are very lightly browned. Coll briefly on baking sheet then remove to wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen (recipe can be doubled). Melting Moments nice with a ginger or almond-flavored tea.

Now it's time for you to visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house. I'm wishing all a grand day!

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

Hope of Spring

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Still playing with a new software and OLD pics...Wishing all well!!

The Song Birds of Winter

It was snowing when I went to bed last night I knew to what I would awake. But much to my surprise I did not expect to awaken to this and song birds I captured on video.

Much to my chagrin, the movie I had hoped to upload was alas too long so it could not be added. But if you want to see a pretty cool picture of birds visit Mrs. Poogle's World. It will be fun! I have to try again later.

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

Mosaic Monday

It's Mosaic Monday again! Only just got the new camera yesterday. Only doing some clicking, nothing artistic (Me? Artistic? NOT!) Just having fun with this Canon PowerShot.! I had fun with Duchess. She seems to love having her picture taken. New because she used to look away from the camera not too long ago! At any rate enjoy today!!! Another treasure offered and accepted.

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

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

Celebrating Friendship

When I say good morning I mean to say:

G-od
O-ffers us His
O-utstanding
D-evotion to

M-ake us
O-bedient &
R-eady for a
N-ew day with Him.
I-nspire others, and
N-ever forget
G-od loves you!

And so it is that I write to my dear friend, Kay. She is the one who offered me this pleasant Good Morning. We have been friends for, oh, so many years. She has been there for me in good times and bad. During the mourning and the celebrations. Providence brought us together over 30 years ago.

Dear Kay,

For all the times you have been there for me I want to say, Thank You! You are a most compassionate and caring lady. We have laughed so hard we cried. You have been a true "sister" to me, someone in whom I could confide. I also know that I can always rely on your forthrightness and honesty.

I have wonderful memories of shopping and picnics and bonfires. There was Keller's Corner on Labor Day, the parade and the eating and community we shared. There are trips to the State Fair and sitting in the grand stand watching your kids show their cattle. There is nothing like being with friends and celebrate life with them and in many ways you have offered me the most memorable celebrations!!!!!

My dear friend this note is to tell you how very much I appreciate you and love you!! May God bless you always, my dear friend!

Cathy

~~~^j^~~~
And for all my Friends I say,
"Thanks be to God!"

I invite you to join Ruth at Celebrate Friendship and other friends in this special celebration.

Bad Haiku Friday

My Friday just doesn't seem the same if I don't write a Bad Haiku! So here is this Friday's offering.

Peanut butter and
Kids clamoring for sandwich.
On white bread or wheat?

No jelly but jam
Can bring smiles to their faces
With a glass of milk.

If you have the chance stop by Catholic Teacher's Musings and join in the fun. Laura is a gracious host!Wishing all a Happy Peanut Butter Sandwich Friday!!!

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

Tea Talk

Teapot is on, the cups are waiting,
Favorite chairs anticipating.
No batter what I have to do,
My friend, there's always time for you
Author Unknown
from Take a Little Time for Tea
by Kathy Hatch

Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house. I do enjoy a good cup of tea. And this is just the perfect time to celebrate! Yes, first thing in the morning before the mind gets muddled with all the things it has to process. So visit Ruth, have a cup of tea and then share with us.

I'm having...Irish Breakfast Tea from Taylors of Harrogate. It is great on a cold morning as it warms me from the inside out.

My teacup is... actually "tea mug" that was given to me by Ron's sister and brother-in-law along with the Irish Breakfast tea. It's very plain with a bold shamrock and simply the word Ireland on it, but it means a great deal to me for it was given with love.

I'm feeling...invigorated. Yesterday was my meeting with Sister Dorothy for Spiritual Direction and I feel renewed.

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

Now dear friends please stop in at Ruth's delightful and cozy "tearoom" and enjoy! The book, Take a Little Time for Tea is a delightful book with recipes and sayings by the wise and learned.

One Day It Had To End

Today as a fitting end to the career of Collette my Canon camera I thought I would post her last picture as a puzzle. So as I bid a fond farewell to Missy and all the times we had making wonderful pictures that I could share in the Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom, scrapbooks, and postings. Collette you were a trouper!!!



Wishing all a grand day! Will be shopping for a new camera and so pictures may be from my archives until a new "Collette" is found!

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

If you wish to offer a picture of far more elegance and grandeur to challenge our puzzle skills please link as always with Mr. Linky.

Winter Wonderland~2010

This weekend is one for which I am truly grateful. The snow was beautiful. Family time was wonderful. There were picture puzzles to put together, party to be had, and sledding most of the afternoon.

Wishing the beginning to a wonderful week.

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

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

Celebrate Friendship Saturday

I'm joining Ruth at Celebrate Friendship today to share with you a friendship rediscovered. Bev has been a friend I've had since grade school. Ye, that long ago. We went to the same middle school (junior high school in my day) and then went to high school together. She is a very intelligent lady. And for what ever reason we really lost contact with each other after graduation. She went on to college and I went to Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. I got married and moved away, she stayed and worked in public service and education.

Bev and I stayed in contact yearly with letters at Christmas. Then much to my delight, she invited me to face book. It has been such a treat to chat! Some things never change...she is still sensitive, hard working, and gifted in so many ways! And now she and I can share our lives as if we were just across the street again!

Open Letter

Dear Bev,

I just wanted you to know who proud I am to have you as a friend. You have been a source of pride for me for some time. I admire your courage in the area of education and politics and I know that you are sensitive to the needs of others. May God Bless you heartily!!!

Yours in friendship,

Cathy


I invite you to share with her a special friend you would like to celebrate! Please do, friends need to be acknowledged and what better way to do that than by praising them publicly!

Wishing you all a grand weekend!!!

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

Picture Puzzle Day

This is perfect day to do a jigsaw puzzle...Snow is on the way and it's cold. Wes, Annie and the Girls are coming to visit. Neil will be spending the night with us too, as Kellie has a winter guard competition in Spencer tomorrow and they need the space for the other girls in the car. (He doesn't want to go either.)

We'll sit around and put puzzles together here, so join in the fun. Get your cup of tea/coffee and gather round the table and begin. If you have a "picture puzzle you would like to share with us please link us to you "puzzle place" with Mr. Linky. Let's begin!!!

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

The Simple Things

Christina at Soul Aperture is inviting us to list the little things we appreciate in our lives. For every blog that participates, Christina & her family will generously donate one dollar to Doctors Without Borders (max $250).

So it is today that I list those Simple Things for me.

~The soft skin of a newborn child.
~The velvet petal of a rose.
~The Autumn Gold of the trees.
~Lilies in the pond.
~A child's giggle.
~Tears of joy.
~The full moon.
~The smell of freshly mowed grass.
~The sweet smell of the peony.
~The sun glistening on a lake.
~Cheering crowd at a sporting event.
~The choir singing in church.
~ Watching the sunset and its rising again.
~The surety of God's ever presence in my life.

Please wander over and share your "Simple Things" with Christina.

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

Novena for Life IX

Montgomery Falls
Quebec, 2003

Day Nine
Meditating on the Gift of Life

Prayer
Father of life, may the mysteries of our Redemption stir us to contemplate with wonder the invincible hope which is our in the Gospel of Life.

A Reading form the book of Revelation 22:1-5
An angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like the crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its street. On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the tree serve a medicine for the nations. Nothing accursed will be found anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it , and his servants will worship him. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun. for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.

(silent reflection)

Prayer
God of all creation, may men and women of every time and place proclaim the Gospel of Life: a Gospel of God's love for us, a Gospel of human dignity.

A Reflection by Pope Benedict XVI*
[The] Eucharist is far more than just a meal; it has cost a death to provide it, and the majesty of death is present in it. Whenever we hold it, we should be filled with reverence in the face of this mystery, with awe in the face of this mysterious death that becomes a present reality in our midst...Death is the ultimate question...Only when this question is answered can men truly celebrate and be free. The Christmas feast, the Eucharist, plumbs the very depths of death. It is not just a matter of pious discourse and entertainment, of some kind of religious beautification, spreading, a pious gloss on the world; it plumbs the very depths of existence, which it calls death, and strikes out an upward path to life, the life that overcomes death.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life, p. 44

~~~~~~~

Spiritual Adoption prayer

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to
spare the life of ( Baby' s name) the unborn baby that I have
spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion."
- Prayer of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen-
~*~*~*~*~*~

I have added this prayer that was first displayed by Kathy at Daily Grotto. It is an example of what to say when you desire to pray for a child you do not know and will never know, yet one who needs your prayers. I will be praying for "Matthew Thomas". I had decided that as soon as I read Kathy's plea.

And as God would have it, I had made the commitment to pray for "MT". Then my son, David, called to tell me he and his wife were going to the Dr. that day. Kelly is with child. This will be their 5th and I will be a grandmother once again. And so it is with joy I will be praying for two wee ones now. "Matthew Thomas" who I beg will be spared and another who will be loved and nurtured and cherished. God Is GOOD...all the time!

~~~~~~~
I truly say,
Thanks be to God!

Originally posted 1/24/2008

[Indeed, Maddie arrived healthy and happy August, 2008! TRULY, THANKS BE TO GOD!!]

Novena for life VIII

Pieta, Shrine of Sainte-Anne de Beaupre
Quebec, 2003

Day Eight
Consecrated to the Sacredness of Life by Christ

Prayer
Father of life, in every moment of the day remind me of the incomparable value of every human person.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to John 3:16-18
For God so love the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

(silent reflection)

Prayer
God of all creation, as by his birth, Christ united himself with us, so by the way we live our lives, may we witness the boundless love of the one who so loved the world that he gave his only Son.

A reflection of Pope Benedict XVI*
[The] words [of Pope John Paul II]...constantly echo in my ears: "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!..." Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that he might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? And once again the Pope said: No, if we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation...Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

*Pope Benedict XVI, Homily, Mass for the Inauguration of his Pontificate, April 24, 2005.

~~~~~~~

"No, if we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide." I can only imagine what it is like to stand in front of David's Pieta. I only know that standing in front of the Pieta at the Shrine of Ste. Anne I could only be filled with sorrow for the mother who held her lifeless son in her arms and gratitude to God our Father for his Son. I cannot truly empathize with her loss. I really have never experienced loss as devastating as this was, but because Our Lady was the mother of God...Oh! I cannot put what I want to say into words. They escape ME!!! Indeed, there are times when words are useless and one must only be quiet!! And so it is for me today. LIFE is GOOD!!!

~~~

In gratitude for quiet reflection, I say,
Thanks be to God!!!

Originally posted 1/23/2008

Novena for Life VII

Mt. Rushmore, 2007

Day Seven
Remembering Our Forefathers

Prayer
Father of life, help this nation to hear the voice of our forefathers: and to believe that God has truly given us the right to life, to liberty, and to the pursuit of happiness.

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 17: 26-28
[God] made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For "In him we live and move and have our being..."

(silent reflection)

Prayer
God of all creation, make every one of your children a defender and promoter of the right to life.

A Reflection by Pope John Paul II*
[The] Gospel gave a new meaning to the concept of native land [patria]. In its original sense, it means what we have inherited from our fathers and mothers on earth. The inheritance we receive from Christ orientates the patrimony of human native lands and cultures toward the eternal homeland. Christ says: "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again I am leaving the world and going to the Father" (John 16:28). Christ's departure to go to the Father introduces a new homeland into human history. Sometimes we speak of the "heavenly home," or "eternal home: These expression indicate what has been accomplished in the history of man and the history of nations through Christ's coming into the world and through his leaving this world to go to the Father.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

*Pope John Paul II, Memory and Identity: Conversations at the Dawn of a Millennium, pp. 62f.

~~~~~~~

There are so many songs we have as a nation that give rise to patriotism. There are also many more songs, I would contend, that should give rise to Christian Patriotism. I'm also thinking there are songs of gratitude that must be sung, as well, for this precious life we have been given. "Now Thank We All Our God" is one I am humming now...A grand and glorious song of thanksgiving, I'm thinking!

~~~~~~~
For all who join in this chorus, I say
Thanks Be to God!

Originally posted 1/22/2008