Novena to St. John Bosco begins Today

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Sugary, Wintry Houses ~

We finally got around to making our Christmas houses today.

 The kids had a blast and I had fun listening to them laugh. 

The House Cat's ~

Alpine Cottage

Looks so cozy

Snuggle Bug's ~

  Log Cabin

Reminds me of the great visit we had with one of their uncles last week. 

 He's about to have a log cabin built.

Buck's ~

Cathedral 

(Buck and I had fun making this church.

I added the IHS for the Feast of the Holy Name)

Honeybee's ~

Christmas Convent

There's a sister kneeling in the center of the church

surrounded by little orange slices chairs.

A fun activity for all involved!

Mission to Love

It's a great day to begin watching this wonderful movie
and begin praying the Novena for Purification.
(see my sidebar) 

Our Centerpiece on the Feast of the Lord's Baptism

Tonight we used some of the shell candles we made last year to decorate the table.  Buck and Honeybee also placed some sea shells about that we collected at the beach one year.  I knew I'd use those one day ! :)  It was a simple, quick and beautiful centerpiece!

Epiphany ~ 2011

The Magi arrived

Gifts were given

The House was Blessed 

A great way to begin the new year!

A Blessed Womans Daybook

Outside my window ~ The birds are back! My honey brought home some more suet and our downy friends are back :) The kids are all outside enjoying the warmer weather. All except for the House Cat whose back in her room immersed in Jane Austen :)


Praying for ~ All of the poor people in Haiti.


To be fit and healthy ~ I'm not focused on the numbers on the scale.....right? Right! Today is weigh in day at Weight Watchers. That scale is not my friend! Just kidding :) When mama eats good food, everyone does. The whole family is making healthier choices and feeling better for it!

God is making sure that I don't forget why I'm really doing this. I must learn to be temperant with food! This weeks focus is to move more. My commitment - walk on the treadmill at least twice.


On the menu ~ Tonight we are going to try this Spinach Lasagna recipe and this on the side. A couple of nights ago we made Taco Soup. It was yummy and only 2 points for a cup. Here's the recipe if you want it.


Recipe of the week ~ Weight Watcher's Taco Soup

1/2 pound lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey
1 chopped onion
1 can of black beans, drained
1 can chili beans
2 cans diced tomatoes (we used Rotel and it was very spicy) Use diced tomatoes to suit your taste.
1 can corn
1 pkg Hidden Valley Seasoning Dry Mix
2 cups water
1 pkg low sodium taco seasoning mix


Brown meat and onions. Add all remaining ingredients. (The only thing we drained we the black beans. Otherwise just pour the whole can in.) Bring up to a low boil and cook over med. low temp 45min. Enjoy!


One of my favorite things ~ Honeybee's curls. They form little ringlets at the bottom of her long hair.


To live the liturgy ~ Have you visited Lacy over at Catholic Icing? She does a great job gathering and sharing ideas for celebrating upcoming feast days.


We are watching Saint Jon Bosco - Mission to Love this week. His feast day is on the last day of January which falls on Sunday this year. So, we will be watching during our evening family time this week.


In the school room ~ Which is of course the whole house :) We are still working on the baptism folders. I've got lots of work printed and ready to go for Buck and Honeybee. Snuggle Bug and I are continuing to gather books for her sunflower basket and The House Cat and I are looking into starting Shakespeare Fridays. I still need to order the January Science Basket books for Buck. I just love Serendipity - don't you?




My picture thought~ Reading is great - especially when your sitting in a tree!

Have a blessed week!

Visit Peggy for more daybook inspiration.

Happy New Year!

Mary, Mother of God ~ Pray For Us

Our Lady of Altagracia - Lapbook

Snuggle Bug and I enjoyed working on this lap book together.

Some books we read for this study were:

What a sweet acrostic poem!

Saint Agnes / Our Lady of Altagracia

(I meant to post this yesterday :)

Today is the feast day of Saint Agnes. Catholic Cuisine has some neat ideas for lamb bread or cake/cupcakes. I'm going to skip these today. I got in a new cookbook yesterday and I'm excited about trying to limit may carb intake at supper. I'm going to see a new doctor today and am hopeful for a good report.

After lunch we'll read A Gift of Gracias: The Legend of Altagracia and enjoy some oranges.

Does this ever happen to you?

Do you ever get too busy doing something and leave out the most important thing you are trying to accomplish? Well, this is exactly what happened to me with my post on Sat. While we were having our supper and talking about Saint Anthony of Egypt, it occurred to me I had left out the source of his strength. In times of temptation he turned to God and MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. He also said little prayers throughout the day while he was working. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU; JESUS, MARY, JOSEPH HELP US; SACRED HEART OF JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON US.

Also, I missed an important step in making the bread baskets! The dough should be spun (on a flat surface) in a circular pattern: starting with a small circle and wrapping around and around forming about a 3" circle. Then press this out a little and drape over bottom of each muffin cup. We'll have to try this again soon. It got kinda frustrating trying to do it the way I had originally said. Oh well, live and learn. At least we get an A for effort.

Hope you have a blessed week and don't miss my new links for coloring sheets under the daily readings!

St. Anthony of Egypt - Supper Plans

A Treasure Chest of Traditions For Catholic Families suggest making Bread Baskets on the feast of St. Anthony, Abbot. 

To make these you ~

1. Take a tube of bread stick dough rolled out and braided. 1st spray the bottom (yes, the bottom) of a muffin pan with non-stick spray. Roll the braided dough around the bottom of the tins in a circular fashion. Place the muffin pan upside down in the oven and bake until the begin to brown. (check the tube for oven temp.) When cooked these will resemble little baskets.
2. Catholic Cuisine's post refers to a legend of how the devil often tempted St. Anthony in the form of a pig. Saint Anthony was always able to resist those evil temptations.So we'll make Granny's yummy Potato and Pork Chop Casserole. It's so yummy and sooo easy. And we'll talk about how God is stronger than the evil one and his temptations.

Potato and Pork Chop Casserole ~
Grease the bottom of a cookie sheet that has sides.

Wash, peal, and slice potatoes and place a single layer on the sheet.

I usually do about 1 per person

Season pork chops and place on potatoes. ( I use creole seasoning). 2 cans cream of mushroom soup and about a can of milk. Mix this in a small

bowl and pour over pork chops.

8 oz Shredded cheddar cheese over top.

Cover with foil and bake 45min to 1 hour.(It's ready when your potatoes are done.

Uncover and let cheese brown 10-15 min.

Crown Cake for Ephiphany

We had a great time making this fun cake!

Happy Epiphany Sunday everyone!

Happy New Year and Holy Day!

What an awesome way to begin a new year! The church in her wisdom sets aside this day as a holy day dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. Why is this important? Mary said YES to God's call to bear his son and save us all from ourselves. She is the first Christian and we honor her just as we honor our mothers here on this earth.
Surely our Lord listens to His mother's requests in heaven. So, I ask her to pray for all those who have been and will follow my blog. May your year be lived for our Lord. Living the liturgical year has enriched our lives beyond description. He is so good to all who call upon Him. Trust in His will and be Blessed!

Mary, Mother of God
Pray For Us!