What I did on my Saturday afternoon...

NOTHING!
It was wonderful!

Ok, not exactly nothing...after lunch we picked pecans and I sat at the picnic table to shell them.
All 4000 of them.
By myself.

I poured a nice tall cold glass of kombucha,

and settled into a gorgeous view (not a cloud in the sky!).

Kyle and JP come out to join me
(Danny was napping and Ryan was at Nana's house.)
JP is telling me jokes and stories
and Kyle was feeding Shorty all my freshly shelled pecans!

After JP drank the rest of my kombucha and refined his technique for burping his name,
(did I mention before that kombucha is highly effervescent and
JP drinks it for the SOLE purpose of making himself burp!)

JP says to me, "Mom, I wonder what dad is doing right now?"
Doug was shooting a wedding in Houston.
Me: "I'm sure he's having fun. He's probably dancing with a really pretty girl right about now!"
JP: rolls his eyes in disgust, "Dad would NEVER do that! He's....he's...he's your love puppet!"
Me: "Love puppet? What is that?"
JP: "You know, he's your puppet of love!"
Me: "So if daddy is my love puppet, what are you?"
JP: "Oh, I'm your love monkey! And Danny is your baby blue bird of love!"
Me: "That is so sweet! Tell me what Kyle and Ryan are."
JP: "Kyle is a dork and Ryan is a big lump of dumb!"

Ahhh...brotherly love!

For all my Catholic peeps

I did a little thrifting today and found this awesome retro game:
"Is The Pope Catholic?"

The box was totally sealed and in mint condition, and hey, for a buck fifty I just couldn't pass it up! The gameboard is a rosary that you have to work your way around seven times.

Everyone starts out on the level of "altar boy" and the winner is the first one to reach the level of "Pope."

As you roll the dice, you advance to different (spaces) beads on the Rosary.

Some beads make you draw a "Vatican Vitals" card that have some really good catechism questions:

Some beads have the harder "Baltimore Bonus" card questions:

And some of the beads make you draw a "See Me After School" card! There are also "Sin" cards and "Graces" cards. All of these have moral dilemmas on them and are the equivalent of get out of jail cards or "do not pass go, do not collect $200!"

If you collect three "Venial Chips" you have to go to THE BOX!

I just love this game! I've been quizzing Doug all afternoon...he's gotten most of the questions right, and he's a post Vatican II baby!
I had to explain the the title of the game to Kyle, he had no idea what "Is the Pope Catholic?" meant....now it's his new catch phrase.
I wish I had a BOX to send him to!

Needless to say, I'm sick!

The people (however uneducated about our president elect they may be) have spoken. It's time to fight the good fight with letters, prayers and sacrifice. I think St. Theresa of Avila says it best:

Let nothing disturb thee,
Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing;
God never changeth;
Patient endurance
Attaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth
In nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth.

In this world, there are no final victories until Jesus returns, and no complete defeats because He will return. There is never a time to rest easily in satisfaction, and never a time to give up in despair.

Every time and place where there are Christians presents its own challenges. God in His providence has chosen us to be the ones who face the challenges of the present day. This time is ours, and not another one. The problems of this time are ours, and not others, and it is futile to wish that they were.

We are Christ’s disciples, and He is our victorious King. He is ours because we are His, and there is no hope more secure than that.

Nada te turbe
Solo Dios basta.

Let nothing disturb you.
God alone is enough.

Hollah for some Challah!

I didn't used to make challah very often because it was so labor intensive, but that's all changed since I found this extremely easy and foolproof way to make it! A good challah is flaky, light and rich and this recipe fits the bill. Use leftovers (if there are any!) for an overnight french toast casserole for breakfast the next day.

Challah to make you Hollah!

3T of yeast (instant works best-you don't have to proof it in sugar water!)
4C. warm water
2T. salt
1C. vegetable oil (we use coconut oil)
4 eggs
1/2 C. white sugar
12 C. of all purpose flour......yes 12 cups plus more for kneading!

In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over water and sugar and let stand for 5-10 minutes to proof. You can skip this step if you are using instant yeast. Stir in the salt, oil and 4 eggs until well blended. Gradually mix in the flour. When the dough becomes to stiff to stir, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes. The dough becomes very soft and silky. Add flour as needed during the kneading process to keep the dough from sticking to your hands.

Place dough in a well oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel. Allow to rise until doubled. About and hour to hour and a half depending on your kitchen temp. Look how smooth and silky this dough is! Like a baby's bottom!


After the bread has doubled in bulk. Divide into two pieces for your two loaves. Then divide those pieces into three, four, five or six pieces depending on your braid. Roll your pieces into ropes and braid, tuck under the ends. Here is a really great YouTube video on challah braiding.


Allow your braids to rise for about thirty minutes and brush loaves with this mixture:

One egg, 1/2 tsp of vanilla, 3 T. of water.

Bake for 35 minutes in a 400 degree oven until bread is deep golden brown.

Somebody hollah!

Day 9 of our Rosary novena

"Pray, hope, and don't worry." ~ Padre Pio

...and what are you doing sitting here reading blogs?
Get out there and VOTE for life!

JP's First Tooth

"Hey Mom, do you think the Tooth Fairy can fit a $20 in here?"

Day 8 of our Rosary novena

THIS guy should be running for president!

Chard Love

The swiss chard I planted had some nice tender leaves that I harvested early this morning. The dude at the nursery said to cut away the outer leaves weekly and it will keep producing all winter long. I've never had swiss chard before, but people say it's pretty tasty! I like that you just eat stems and all (not like collards or kale where them stems are inedible.)
I changed my menu plan for tonight and made a winter vegetable soup. I have a feeling it's going to be a staple around the house this season! It's simmering in the crock all day and I'll serve it with a pan of sweet honey cornbread.

Mmmm.....can you feel the love?

Winter vegetable soup:
4-5 red potatoes cut into bite size pieces
one onion rough chopped
4-5 carrots chopped
1 bunch of swiss chard
2-3 cloves of garlic minced
2 boxes of organic chicken stock
salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and oregano to taste.
Put all the ingredients into the crock and cook on low for 8 hours.
UPDATE: There is NO love for swiss chard around here!
It tastes like stinky feet and has an odd smell that makes me slightly nauseous.
I'm pulling out of the garden immediately!
BLECH!

All Soul's Day

There is a Mexican saying that we die three deaths: the first when our bodies die, the second when our bodies are lowered into the earth out of sight, and the third when our loved ones forget us. Catholics forestall that last death by seeing the faithful dead as members of the Church, alive in Christ, and by praying for them -- and asking their prayers for us -- always.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may Perpetual Light always shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Day 7 of our Rosary novena

An important message from Fr. Corapi - Part Three:

Happy All Saint's Day!

Have a blessed All Saint's Day from
Pope John Paul II and St. John Vianney!

Day 6 of our Rosary novena

A message from Fr. Corapi - Part Two:

Day 5 of our Rosary novena

A message from Fr. Corapi - Part One:

Day 4 of our Rosary novena

An open letter to Senator Joseph Biden courtesy of the Knights of Columbus.

Day 3 of our Rosary novena

In 2004, Obama called DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) an "abhorrent law" and said, "The repeal of DOMA is essential. ... For the record," he continued, "I opposed DOMA in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying."

Many Americans have family members or friends who are homosexual.
We do not want them harmed by thoughtless uncharitable attitudes.
We would NEVER discriminate against a homosexual person’s fundamental rights.
Marriage is NOT an institution made by man, it is made by God, and God is very clear on the Sacrament of marriage.
How dare the Obamessiah think that he can legislate what God has made?

Please continue to pray for our beloved country and for the conversion of those who wish to distort God's laws.