Happy Feast Day, Saint Andrew

Today is St. Andrew's Feast Day. 

He is commonly known as the first Disciple of Jesus. 

I really like this guy.  Our family is what it is because of his intercession.  

Our last three children are here because I asked, no! begged, for his help.  And he came through, in ways I never could have imagined.  (That's a long story, and I'll save it for another time.)

Naturally, we'll have fish for dinner tonight.  Not only because he was a fisherman with his father and brother (Simon Peter), but also because Jesus told Andrew and Simon Peter that He would make them "fishers of men."  So fish is just an obvious choice. 

Edited to add our dinner photo:

A bowl of Potato Soup, tossed salad, corn and a fillet of baked pollack

Notice our statue of St. Andrew and the Advent wreath on the table, too.  Delish.

I am posting the following prayer, it is known as the Christmas Prayer,  The St. Andrew Prayer or The Prayer to Obtain Favors.  Be forewarned, though.  Make certain you really want what you ask for....

St. Andrew's Prayer
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment 
in which the son of God was born of the 
most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, 
in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.  
In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! 
to hear my prayer and grant my desires, 
through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
and of His blessed Mother.  Amen.

It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayers fifteen times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew until Christmas will obtain what is asked.

It is our family's Feast Day today, and we will thank St. Andrew, and thank God, for his unfailing intercession.

On Being Thankful

May I introduce you to my newest grandchild?

On the blog, I'll call her Noelle.  She was supposed to be born just before Christmas, but she had other plans.  (I am absolutely certain this is not the only time things will go her way.)  She is only 4 1/2 pounds, and her lungs are not quite developed yet, so she is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  We're thankful that Noelle is receiving excellent care.  We are also extremely thankful that Noelle is doing so well, but are also praying that she gets well enough to leave the NICU and go home.  Soon.  We want to hold and cuddle her.  Mommy was able to finally hold her for about 30 minutes on Saturday, when Noelle was two days old, and on Sunday for a little bit again. We all are extremely thankful for that!  There have been a few little concerns, but -thankfully - nothing major so far.

 This is Big Brother Harvey visiting the NICU.   Mommy was introducing him to his little sister for the first time when I took this picture.  So far he likes her.  As long as she stays in the NICU, things might be ok between them.  But when she goes to live at his home...  he might decide that she isn't really that great.  Maybe.  Time will tell.

Right now Harvey is staying here with Nana and Grandpa.  Thankfully he likes his Nana.  His Uncle Crash is a built-in playmate.  And Nana is very thankful for Aunties that help so much!!  Our plans have been re-written slightly, and we're very thankful that we homeschool and are rather flexible.  

Between now and the end of the Christmas Season, we're planning to have all the kids and grandkids here, and our parents, too, at one time or another.  I hope to be ready for everyone's visits so that I am not rushed or distracted when our family is here.  There is nothing quite like the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing family packed into a small house.  And I am so very thankful that everyone still enjoys coming home for the holidays.  I love having everyone gathered in our home.  No matter the season, my most enjoyable times are when we're all here together. 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

On the Eve of Becoming a Big Brother....

(aka Chillin' with Grandpa)

Snowy November Day

November wonderland...

Looking across the driveway, November 13, 2010

[This is actually our second snowfall of the season.  The first was on October 27th.  After receiving over 2 inches of rain, it turned to snow overnight and we had a generous 2-inches of snow in the morning.  I took no pics of that one - it was too early!]

But now we're eager for snow.   It's time... for all the fluffy white stuff to blanket a dreary-looking earth, covering the dead grasses, flowers, leaves.  Time to set the tone for Thanksgiving and Advent.....  readying us for the Christmas season.   Yup, I think it's time.  How about you?  Are you ready for snow?   Tell me, do you enjoy the snow? 

Wordless Wednesday

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

My little grand-elephant, grand-ghost and grand-bug!!  :-)

On the Feast of All Souls Day

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them O Lord, And May Your Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them.   May the Souls of the Faithful Departed, Through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace.  Amen.

October Just Means... All Things Pumpkin

Am I the only one to equate October with Pumpkin?   I think October just means 'pumpkin'...  especially when the cold winds begin to blow and there is a real chill in the air.
Certainly you've heard of the Big Storm we've endured this week.  Not just MN, but most of the country has been experiencing some wild weather due to this monster storm.  Thankfully we did not get the snow here that was expected.  We did receive almost 2-inches of rain before it turned over to frozen rain/snow.  We ended up with less than 2 inches of snow on the ground.  But the real issue has been the wind.  Howling 25 - 30 mph winds, gusting to 40!   Batten down the hatches!!  Oh yeah, this is MN, in October.... there are not may hatches that haven't yet been battened down!!  Oh well...  Hang on to your hat, then!  But I digress.

We made Pumpkin Bread this morning.  Mmmm.  This is one of my very favorite smells.  It feels as if the whole house begins to wrap us in that heavenly aroma, taunting us and teasing our noses - and tummies!  

        Of course, we all enjoyed a slice while it was still warm... and by the time lunch ended, we only had a small portion of the first loaf left!  Yum! 

I'll share my tried and true recipe with you.  It's nothing special, just thoroughly yummy:

Lori's Pumpkin Bread
Yield: 3 loaves

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Blend together:

3 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup oil

1 - 15 oz can pumpkin (or 2 cups freshly cooked  pumpkin)

Add:

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

3 1/2 cups flour

(optional: stir in 2 cups ground pecans)

Mix well, pour evenly into three greased and floured standard 9x5 loaf pans (or use no stick cooking spray).

Bake at 325-degrees for 1 hour and 10 to 15 minutes, til toothpick comes out clean when inserted into middle of loaf.  Remove from pans and cool.  Mmmm.

 What are your favorite pumpkin treats? 

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Feast Day, St. Pio

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry! Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer. Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God’s heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips but with your heart. In fact, on certain occasions, you should speak to Him only with your heart.”--St. Pio

Read all about him here.

It Smells Like Fall

There's something about the autumn season...   it just has that smell, you know?  
There is a crispness when you walk outside, of course, those leaves meeting the coolness of the season. I just love the smell of the great outdoors in the fall...

But I'm talking about the smells inside the house today.  I took the summer-ish decorations down and packed them away, brought out the pumpkin spice candles, the silk mums for the front porch, the little pumpkins scattered here and there throughout each room... 

I just love these warm, welcoming, relaxing colors...

                                          

...and the food.  Mmm.  Fall has its own food.  I made Apple Crisp the other day.  I only make it in the fall.  I'll make Apple Pie all year 'round, but not the Crisp.  Hmm.  Pumpkin Bread.  I make that each fall, when the crispness hits the air.  Potato Soup.  Definitely in the fall.  Rice Pudding.  Homemade Chicken Soup...

We've been enjoying the delicious smell of chicken soup simmering since lunch-time today.  (Actually, I began this pot of soup yesterday afternoon, as that enabled me to chill it overnight and skim off all the coagulated fat before we ate it.)   Is there anything quite as comforting as a big bowl of homemade soup?  I can't think of anything at the moment.  Of course, I had to make drop dumplings to go with our soup.  When asked if we'd have dumplings tonight,  and I answered yes, we would, children's cheers were echoing throughout the entire house!  Funny thing though, I only make these dumplings with my chicken soup.  I'll make biscuits with stew.  Fresh bread goes so well with my Beef Vegetable Soup.  Cornbread with Chili.  But with Chicken Soup, it HAS to be these dumplings.

Every time I make my chicken soup and dumplings, I think of my in-laws.  This was my father-in-law's absolute favorite meal I made.  My mother-in-law raves about my soup, but my father-in-law could've eaten just the dumplings and been completely happy.  He loved the dumplings.  His mother made dumplings like these when he was a boy...  need I say more?  It truly warmed my heart to make him so happy, and by doing such a little thing as making dumplings with chicken soup.

So I'm thinking that the love of the dumplings must be in the blood - but, oddly enough, it skips a generation.  My hubby graciously leaves all the dumplings for the rest of us.  He does not like them - at. all.   

As we were settling in at the dinner table tonight, Crash said,  "Mommy?  I'll just eat those (pointing to the dumplings) and not that (pointing to the soup pot), okay?"  So sorry, Little Man.  He had a bowl of chicken soup, then asked for a second helping!  And he darn near ate his weight in dumplings tonight.  Liza was a close second...  and Mimi ate whatever was left.  Their Grandpa would have been so proud of them!        

New On-line Friends

If you haven't met Jessica yet at Shower of Roses, now is the time.  She's giving away a Faith Folder on St. Therese the Little Flower.   Click here for the scoop!

Jessica has a house full of lovely children, and she is quite the inspiration for young Catholic home schooling moms.  Go meet her.

I Like my Kids

Sorry, but I need to vent a bit.  I've heard from two different women within the past week a couple comments that have really been troubling me.

The first was when I'd gone to a medical facility the Friday before school began for routine immunotherapy.  (Allergy shots.)  This is the first time I've ever seen this particular woman, and she was just making small talk while we were both waiting.   The first thing she said to me was, "Are you ready for Tuesday?"  (The upcoming Tuesday would be the first day of school for the public schools in the area.)

I told her that yes, I was.  I didn't elaborate that we home school, or that we'd be beginning our school year on Wednesday, which meant that Tuesday would be our last day of 'summer vacation'.

Then she said, "I'll be waiting for that big yellow bus with bells on!  I can't wait for school to begin - this was such a long summer.  In fact, I took Tuesday off of work so that I can celebrate and enjoy the whole house to myself!  Aren't you glad that the kids are going back to school?"

Hmmm.  Now I had to say something.  So I said with a smile, "Well, we home school, so they aren't going to be leaving the house anytime soon..."  

At this point, she puts her hand up, palm toward me,  lowers her head and says, "You are a much better woman than I!  I could never home school my kids.  They would drive me crazy and I just have to work to keep my sanity."  And she said this matter-of-factly, with a slight smile on her face, and not the least bit upset about it.

I sat there for the split-second before they called her name thinking, How utterly sad.  

She got up, we quickly said polite good-byes and she was gone.

I really felt a sadness for her (and her children) while I was left waiting there.  This woman doesn't want to spend time with her own children.  And its been bothering me for an entire week.

Then another dear lady and I were talking several days ago, and I told her that I had run to a neighboring town to purchase bookcases for our school room/dining room.  She was saying how great it was that I got out alone because, "no one should have to be with their kids 24 hours a day."   Excuse me?  Like this is a punishment.

I said, "Well, you know that we really aren't together every minute of every day...." trying to lighten it up a bit.

She said, "But no one should have to be stuck with their kids every day, all day."

Now just wait a minute.  'Stuck'?  I'm not 'stuck' with my kids.  I choose to spend my time with my kids.  Yes, it's great when Hubby and I get the rare opportunity to go out for a date: dinner, movie, etc.  We really appreciate those occasions!  

But I'm not STUCK with my kids.  I like my kids.  A lot!  And I like spending my time with them.   Sure, I'll send the kids outside to play when I get tired of the non-stop commotion.  But they often do their own things: they go off on their own to read a book, they write to pen-pals or they do an awful lot of drawing, they climb trees or make forts in the woods,  and they even play at the neighbor's house.

No matter how dear this lady is to me, I really take offense when it is portrayed that I am having to spend time with my family against my will, like its a less-than desired way to live.  She knows me.  She knows how I feel about my kids.

I enjoy spending my days alongside my children.  In fact, I thank God daily for allowing me to spend my days with my family, and for the blessing of a hard-working husband who allows me to be 'stuck with the kids' on a daily basis.

I wanted to shout to her and anyone who cared to listen,  "I like my kids and I like being with them!!"

I just politely answered her with, "I'm not stuck with the kids.  You know that I really like having them home with me."

And she said, "Well, you know what I mean," and promptly changed the subject.

A New School Year Has Begun

We've officially begun our 16th year of home schooling and I'm posting a few highlights from our first week.

This has been a really fun week... the excitement was building for the first day of school and the kids were so happy to awaken to Schultütes waiting for them on the table!  (Click here for an explanation.)

 Several snacks for the week and a few fun-ish school supplies were found inside.

Crash was a bit perplexed at first, but once they were opened, he had as much fun with the empty posterboard cone as he did with the goodies!

  Then he got the girls going...     They thought they were being gnomes; Dad was thinking dunce caps! Too funny.

We pulled the math manipulatives out.  

 Once we had a bit of fun by creating cool designs, we got down to business.  

 While the girls were geared for buckling down to their studies, Crash got to work on a few pre-school activities I'd made ready for him, as well as a good dose of playtime. 

So far he's worked with the math manipulatives...

 and some of his math...

And some really cool pompom work!  Here he's using tweezers to place the pompoms into muffin tins.  Later in the year we'll work on sorting them by color, but for now, we'll just work on manipulating those tweezers.  This was his first try, and he did a great job!

 One day this week, while we had a bit of quiet time before lunch I caught Liza reading to Crash. 

This is just one of the reasons we home school.  I love the relationships that develop between siblings.  They truly are the other's best friends.  That's just the way its supposed to be... in my mind, anyway.

Quote

I came across a beautiful quote on another blog I happened upon the other day, and I want to share it with you...

"Jesus is waiting for you in the chapel.

Go and find Him when your strength and patience

are giving out, when you feel lonely and helpless.

Say to Him, 'You know well what is happening,

my dear Jesus. I have only you. Come to my aid ...'

And then go your way.

And don't worry about knowing how you are going to manage.

It is enough to have told our good Lord.

He has an excellent memory."

—St. Jeanne Jugan, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor

 

A New Beginning

My first post on my first blog.   Who would've thought?!  Why am I even creating this blog?  Really, I think I am intending it to be a record of sorts for the kids.  And for me.  A record of our schooling adventures, of our every-day-life activities, of my thoughts, plans and hopes for the kids and for our family.   

I have high hopes for school.  I am really looking forward to this school year.  It is full of promise.  And the kids are full of excitement.  They are on a count-down.  After dinner this evening Mimi asked me, "How many more days til we start school, Mom?!"   She asks me daily.  Six.  Only six.  Boy, I've got to get in gear!    There are plans to complete, and still art supplies to purchase!  But I've got tubs of books sorted and organized and just waiting for that first day of school.  And waiting for some new bookcases to be purchased so that they can find a home on the new shelves.  

I'll have to get in the habit of taking more pictures of the everyday stuff, so I can show the before and after photos.  Especially in our school room/dining room.  I am hoping to create a major change.  Everything now feels so cluttered and strewn!   My hope is to organize and create an eye-pleasing setting.  At least in this one area.  (I'll attempt to link the blog where my idea was born-but I am so new at this!) 

We are still in the midst of the on-going remodel of the house.  Hence the cluttered and strewn feel in most of the house.  Oftentimes it seems we'll never get it complete.  And I hope that some day we will.  But with all the activities and traveling we did this summer, there's little doubt as to why nothing was accomplished.  Oh well, now that summer is over (in my book) -- it is my hope that we'll get motivated to begin again on the house - one little step at a time.