Being in the Presence of God Amongs the Pots and Pans

"God is in the pots and pans." -- St. Teresa of Avila

A devotional classic that you may not have heard is "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence . When someone once asked him how he had such a habitual presence of God in his life, he had said it was because of a willful decision to spend his entire life in God's presence not matter where he may be.

He worked in the monastery kitchen, which was a very busy place to be (kind of being a busy mom?). But in that enviroment, he always maintained his vision of being at the Throne of God always trying to keep his composure and tranquility of spirit. "The time of busyness," he had said, "does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and the noise and clatter of the kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacarment." In other writings he says, "Lift up your heart to him, sometimes even. .. when you are in company; the least little remembrance will always be acceptable t Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of." Brother Lawrence talked continually to Our Lord, therefore he established aHis constant presence. He wrote, "To be with God it is not necessary to be always in Church. We can make a chapel of our heart where we can escape from time to time to talk with Him quietly, humbly, lovingly.

A wonderful prayer to say amidst our busy day:

"Lord of all pots and pans and things, since I've no time to be a great saint by doing lovely things, or watching late with you, or dreaming in the dawnlight, or storming heaven's gates, make me a saint by getting meals, and washing up the plates. Warm all the kitchen with your love, and light it with your peace; forgive me all my worrying, and make my grumbling cease. You who always gave your people food, in the house or by the sea, accept the service that I do - I do it for you."
~ St. Teresa of Avila

St. Therese The Little Flower's Feast Day is October 1st.

The feast day of the St. Therese The Little Flower is approaching us on October 1. More information about the life of St. Therese can also be found at Society of The Little Flower.

A MORNING PRAYER WRITTEN BY ST. THERESE

O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love.

O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity. Amen.




I have to credit St. Therese for beginning the deeper spiritual journey that I am on now. I borrowed The Story of a Soul from the Library, and that was it for me. I bought the book about 15 years ago, and love to re-read it from time to time.

Some great ideas for the day, make some St. Therese sacrifice beads, great for mom as well as the kids to have! For the kids, here are some great coloring pages of St. Therese. Homemade Holy Cards can also be made with the many images of The Little Flower we can find online. A great idea is to make one, maybe a little larger than the size of a holy card, and put St. Therese's Morning Prayer that is above on the flip side to keep on a nightstand. Paper roses are sure to be a hit with the kids to make St. Therese in honor of her Feast Day. Lastly , here is a Novena, may you received many roses from heaven on the Little Flowers Feast Day!!

Recipe Perfect for Fall, Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

Not only is Pumpkin Roll guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser, but this is a recipe that you can make ahead early in the fall and throw in the freezer for future use (I wrap mine first in wax paper, then in aluminum foil). When I buy the bigger can of pumpkin, I have enough to make a couple rolls at a time. I like having them on hand, so then with the craziness level picks up and I need a dessert to bring along to a back sale or get-together, I can just simply pull one out of the freezer, thaw it out, and sprinkle some powered sugar on it.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup canned Pumpkin
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:)

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan, I use a deep cookie sheet; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
3. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
4. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Re-roll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

The Mother of the Little Flower

The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.

~Mark Twain


I love to read books that are inspirational it me as a Catholic wife and mother. The Mother of the Little Flower, is a book that I want to recommend to you today that is one of those rare jewels. The book is written about Zelie Martin, the mother of St. Therese, by her sister Celine Martin. Zelie Martin married at age 27 and bore nine children. She ran a successful home business and at the same time raised one of the most beloved Saints of our times, The Little Flower. This is such an inspiring book about the life of such a charitable, pious Catholic mother. Zelie Martin passed away at age 45 of breast cancer, but has left us with such an amazing legacy. Zelie Martin was declared Venerable by the Church in 1994 for her Heroic Virtue, and her cause is now progressing toward Beatification. This books is available from Tan Publishing.

I would love to hear from women about books that have made such an impact on the lives as this one has made on mine. Please let me know via the comment section or on facebook, via the badge in the margin.

Training Our Hearts to be Content

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

Have you ever experienced the feeling of being discontent? Possibly it is in desiring a larger home, nicer cloths or a newer car?If we as women ponder our own discontentment , we can possibly trace its roots all the way back to Genesis when Eve who literally had paradise at her fingertips, but still felt the pangs of discontentment when she was offered the forbidden fruit.

Contentment is so important for today's Christian woman. When we are content we are not running around blowing our family budget trying to keep up with the Joneses. We are at peace from not purchasing what we can't afford. When we are at peace, we are happy and that permeates into our entire home-life. We can not keep our eyes on what others have and measure our own success in life comparing it to what we have at the moment. It is not easy to remain in a state of contentment with the constant bombardment of magazines, tv shows and advertisements that are trying to convince us that we need more, more, more.

Sometimes, it discontentment can get in when you are visiting a friends home that is larger than yours, and you go home with discontent in your heart. Possibility it might be a yearning to have a closet full of the newest fashions. This discontentment leads to covetousness. It is important to guard our hearts, so discontentment does not hinder us or those we love. Possibly, if we are content we can influence others as well. If we can train our thoughts for contentment and being confident in God's provision in our lives, we truly will be a light to the world that is so focused on materialism and consumerism.


I say this this week as a woman who is trying to clean her house and is trying to figure out what the heck to do with all of this stuff that I just had to have, and I have to ask myself, "What could have possibly motivated me to buy this?" I hereby resolve to be more mindful on remaining in a state of being thankful and content with what I already have instead of being so easily swayed to buy more. I and my family will be so much better off for it.

Getting Ready For Fall

I am so ready to welcome the season of Fall here in Ohio. This is my absolute favorite time of year, I find the coolness invigorating as the weather changes from the long, hot summer we have experienced this year. I love the Fall colors and comfort food that I love to make.

To me, call Fall brings to my mind how I will be working on my "nest", getting my home ready for my favorite time of the year. Here is a little look at what I have been doing around our house the past couple of weeks.

First of all, I have been doing some deep cleaning. I want my home to be inviting, comfortable and clean so my home can be a place of hospitality, and and cozy place to cocoon in the winter for my family.

I have began a grand mission of organizing my home. I have started with my linen closet, took absolutely everything out, with all goal of weeding out unwanted items.. The garage will be next before it gets too cold. It would would be great if we could get two cars in there this year! I have done my own closet, and was able to give away an entire garbage bag of cloths. I intend to empty out my kitchen cupboards, wash them out and get rid of items I have too many of. Our basement and attic will be last, getting rid of things I have been holding on to that should really be pitched or given away. I am on the lookout for some more totes and easy shelving to organize everything.

As I was cleaning my own closet, I am in the midst of bringing everyone's wardrobe up to date. Out with the summer gear, in with the nice fuzzy sweaters and warm flannels! My daughter alone got ready three trash bags of cloths for donation. Now, we know what we need when we go shopping. I like get some sort of update for each of our wardrobe each year. It is not always financially feasible to do so, but it always is best when we know what we actually have that fits and what we needed to get rid of because we had outgrown them or simply have worn them out!

Outside, I have been pulling out my garden. The snow will be flying before you know it, so I have been pulling everything that is done in my garden, and taking my deer fencing down. I am thinking about trying to grow some salad greens before the winter gets here.



I absolutely love bringing out all of our fall decorations. I got a hay bale and put pumpkin out top for our front door. I have nice burgundy mum that I have next to it. I LOVE mums, and have them all around the outside of my house. I have much success with them coming back year after year. I usually like to buy one a year to have in the house, and when I am done with that, I just put it in the ground. Next year, it will usually bloom in the Spring and in the Fall. I have brought out my big orange tote full of Fall decorations, and have begun decorating for the season. Already, I can smell the aroma of pumpkin & spice candles burning in our home. I suppose I should have waited until my cleaning and organized were complete, but I get too excited and seem to always but the buggy before the horse when it comes to decorating!





Now that the cooler season is upon us, I have been putting much thought into our menus. We adjusting from our Summer B-B-Q menu to the comfort foods that we love so much. Soups, pies, and homemade bread is now on my mine for the upcoming weeks ahead. I have already made a pear pie from the tree that was growing in my parents yard. I have frozen several "pear pie in a bag", so in the winter all I have to do is to make the pie crust, throw the pears in, and bake!

Lastly, I want to make some fun family memories this Fall. It is so important to make warm memories for your children that will last. This weekend I hope to take the kids to our yearly trip to the apple farm. In a couple weeks, we will be looking forward to a hay ride and some warm apple cider!! I just purchased some new candy molds with my 40% off coupon, so my children and I will be making some fall chocolates together this year as well. This wonderful season will be over before you know, take advantage of it while you can!

But with God ALL things are Possible. . .

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible." Matthew 19:26


I have reached a time in my life once again that need to put all of my trust in God that he will work another miracle in our lives. My daughter is now in 8th grade and wants desperately to attend a Catholic High School. She has gone to Catholic Grade School all her life. Public School is so bad where we live at moment, High School students get out at 11 O'clock in the morning. The problem is, Catholic High School is currently costing about $9,000 a year, and I have three children. Yikes.

I know that if I place my trust in our Lord, HE can make ALL things happen. Sometimes we may wonder how in the world we are going to get that camel through the eye of a needle or make that mountain move. But I know that it is not by my might that makes things happen, it is by my faith in God, He is the one that I will rely on during this time.

I am doing what I can, my website, The Custom Quill, is up and running, I am hoping that by some miracle people will find me on the web while doing their Christmas shopping for their childrens grandparents, aunt's, godparents, coach's, etc. But when all is said and done, I am leaving it up to my heavenly Father, I am putting it all in his loving hands.

One Nation Under God

Just heard of this Painter, thought is was neat enough to share with you!

My Secret Weapon

Psalm 132:15 "I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread.

What is the best secret weapon that you have available to you to you in your busy days? How can you avoid expensive and unhealthy take-out? The biggest secret in my arsenal these days is my beloved crock-pot. Even as I type this very moment I can smell the aroma of Bar-B-Que Pork coming out of the kitchen.

Crock-pot cooking is about planning ahead. No fast-food guilt here, nutritious and delicious meals already under way as you go about your busy day. Chicken, soups, roasts and more can be easily put together for a healthy meal for your family.

Walking into your home after a day out with the kids and having the aroma of food beckoning from from the kitchen is so welcoming. Even on the days that I am too busy to spend much time in the kitchen, dinner is not a problem. I have two crock pots, and two larger roasters for bigger gatherings. (I am a big fan of making stuffed cabbages ahead of time for parties and throwing them in a roaster to cook). And what a relief for me, no last minute scrambling around in the kitchen trying to throw something to together.

If you don’t have one in your arsenal of secrets, give a crock-pot a try on your next busy day, the I don’t know how I will ever get it all done kind of day. There is nothing as easy as putting in a roast, it is guaranteed to come out nice and tender and ready for the family to sit down to at dinner time.

Some Great links for crock pot recipes:


http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Main-Dish/Slow-Cooker/Main.aspx

http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/crock-pot-cooking/results.do

Pro-Life, Not Anti-Abortion

Andrea Bocelli clarified the message that he gave regarding his own story, saying that his message was pro-life, not just anti-abortion.
His statement to me is reminiscent of when Mother Theresa was asked to take part in some even that was anti-abortion, and much to every one's surprise she said no. She did say however, that if in the event was termed pro-life, she would lend her support. By instead proclaiming that we are pro-life instead of anti-abortion,we are making our statement in love. And then, as Mother Theresa was, we become more fully missionaries of Christ.

You can view Andrea's video on his pro-life stand on this blog below.

Making Father's Day Special

"Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad"
~ Proverb

This Sunday is Father's Day. I am trying to make it a special day for my husband. I am on my way this morning to pick up some T-Bone steaks that are on sale for this week to make my husbands day special. We will make them on the grill, and I plan to serve them with some nice baked potatoes, salad, and perhaps some corn on the cob. Yum!!


There is a lot inspiration out there on the web to inspire us to make Father's Day Special for dad. Check out Kaboose to find some really cute printable cards for the kids to make for dad on Father's Day.


Martha Stewart's Website has cute retro Father's Day Clip art Printable to make some personalized gift's for dad. You can also find some cards and recipes to make as well.

I still need to decide on a special dessert to make. I am thinking about a nice ice-cream pie since we are expecting a nice steamy day this Sunday.

Hopefully we will get some corn-hole in, and end the day with a nice bon-fire in the yard. I am hoping for a nice family day centered around dad, letting him be King, at least for a day!

Planning the Annual Summer Vacation

~ Don't skip your vacations and breaks. Spend your breaks meditating, praying or reading. Don't bring work or your laptop with you on vacation. ~
~ Yasmeen Abdur-Rahman


~ Every man who possibly can should force himself to a holiday of a full month in a year, whether he feels like taking it or not. ~ William James

We scrimp and save for all year, and although I know
there is always something else we can do with the money, we look forward to taking a family vacation every year. This year, we are counting down the days to Myrtle Beach. It is a vacation we can drive to, so it is a great economical choice for us. We all love to play in the ocean, and have equally love spending a few long lazy days on the beach.

Many families mistakenly believe that a vacation has to be an expensive adventure so they think that it is just not possible. It really does not matter whether you travel to a close amusement park, camp overnight at a state park, go to Disney, or drive to the beach, each can be considered a summer vacation. It just that matter that you change your scenery for a bit and have time away from what you usual schedule. It does not matter where you go, you are creating memories as family that will last a life-time.

When choosing to stay at Myrtle Beach, our family stays at a wonderful family hotel that includes rooms that have kitchens. Our first stop when we get there is to the grocery store so we can cook our own breakfasts and lunches to make our vacation affordable to us. For dinner, we opt out of the long lines and pricey menus of fancy restaurants, but instead order in Pizza or walk to the hamburger joint on the beach that is right next door.

Many families choose not to take a family vacation due to their busy schedules. Summer get-aways are a great excuse to take a break from their daily activities.

~ To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away
from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.
~Charles Horton Cooley

One of the greatest benefits of taking a summer vacation with your family is the amount of time that you will be able to spend together. In this day in age, many families are rarely able to spend time together. Distractions come in the form of long work hours, homework, and busy sports schedules. Our family always be sure that we don't sabotage our vacation by scheduling too many activities into it, because then it defeats our purpose in getting away in the first place, rest!


~ A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.
~Robert Orben

I love our car rides to our destination, my husband does the driving, so I have a big chunk of time to read and write (something that never happens at home!) I try to catch a few moments by myself on the balcony over-looking the ocean while the family is playing on the beach and I am making some lunch to bring down to them. I treasure those moments, they are moments full of inspiration and peace. But as every year, vacation comes to an end and it is time to go home. But, your bed never feels as good as it does after a few days away from it, and the house, never as homey. And as always, I think to myself, "It is so wonderful to get away, it is always nice to come home too."

~ A vacation is over when you begin to yearn for your work.
~ Morris Fishbein

Pro-Life Story From Andrea Boccelli

Just got this one, Andrea Boccelli tell his own personal Pro-Life story. . . .

How are You Trying to Build-Up Your Home?

"A wise woman builds her home, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands."
Proverbs 14:1

Do you think this proverb is actually talking about a woman going outside and actually ripping every shingle off of her home then in fact destroying it? No, we have a metaphor here in woman who is not on purpose with her vocation as a wife and mother in effect tears down instead of building up her family and what is important to them.

What is one way you can "build a your Home"? Be conscious about what you want your house to define as well as the atmosphere that you create in it. What do you want you home to say about yourself and your family As a mom, you are the heart of your home, and as the prover 14:1 tells, us we are wise to be deliberate in how we do some. No matter how lovely our home life maybe, with some thought we can always make it better. There is a saying "Homes are built with bricks and beams but homes are built love and dreams". I have been thinking a lot of what I want for my family as I try to create a certain atmosphere in my home.

First of all, I want my home to be a place of rest for all who enter. I am trying to create a peaceful place of rest for my family. Sometimes that is hard to do in keeping the outside word at bay and from intruding into my family's home. Between all of the new technology, busy schedules, and the like, I am trying to be more deliberate in what is allowed into our home. Just because it is out there, it does not mean we have to have it , and if we choose to own it, it does not have to be accessible to all 24/7. We do have a Wii, but the kids can only play it on the weekend, and even then there are limits.

In making a place of rest, I am finding out the less clutter the better. The more stuff you have, the more it owns you. In pondering ways to have more joy in our home, I have realized that big influence in the mood of our home is the mood my husband is in when he comes home from a hard days work. Now, I have come to realize, that when comes home to a clean and orderly house, it really lifts his spirits. But on the other hand, when the house has piles of paper, books and toys thrown around, he it puts him in a bad mood - to say least! Organization is not one of my strong points, and if I put forward the effort to have everything in its place when he comes through the door, he really knows I did it for him. I think that is a spirit of service we should be aiming for.

In making our home a place of rest for my family, I also try and monitor (sometimes this is so hard to do!) what they are watching and listening to. I want our home to be a holy shelter that will protect them from the sometimes very harsh (I guess that's putting it mildly!)outside world.

If a woman does not take her duties at home seriously, her family and home will amount to much(Proverbs 11:29); but if she applies herself wisely and with great purpose, she will be a great influence many generations to come(Proverbs 24:3-4; Ruth 4:11-12).

How can you find a wise woman in today's culture? Her. Her children will reflect what there mother has taught them. Proverbs say that a neglected child will shame his mother (29:15). If everything our children should know about values and character we need to teach them. We need to teach them how to treat others, how to be neat and organized, gracious, virtuous, modesty, and service to others. The wise woman in the proverb knows that it is just as important for a mother to show in example that she gives herself in how to live a good life honoring God. Here is a link I found on the Duggars website that is contains a wonderful graph on virtues to instill in our children,as well as bible references.


A wise woman prays with and for her children. She tenderly tells them that she loves them. Shes tries to spend some special time with each of them, sharing special moments that will be etched in their memory.

The wise woman in today's culture also can be spotted when we look at her home. It clean, organized, orderly,and welcoming. The house reflects the care that is given to it(24:3-4,30-34; 31:13-27; Eccl 10:18). It would never appear that is was neglected. The atmosphere is warm, comfortable and it abounds in generosity and hospitality.


The wise woman is hardworking. She is a manager of her household, trying to bring in money into it if possible by a home business, and is wise with her money. Maybe she is a coupon clipper, carefully planning her shopping trip to make her family's money stretch to the furthers degree. She also is a very diligent lady! She rises early in the morning and stays up late. (Proverbs 31.) She is not meddling in every ones business, but is a keeper at home, (Ti 2:5, I Tim 5:13-14) She cares about her appearance, and about others.

OK, we have seen what a wise woman looks like in today's world. But what about the foolish woman? She most likely is unfocused and has no true priorities in her home. She is distracted by outside influences. She care is more proactive in finding out the current gossip then in what is going on in the hearts of her children. She may be consumed by today's entertainment orientated society, too much facebook, twitter or tv watching. She relies totally on the school system for all the her children are to know in life. She may waste time and money, and has no discipline. Instead of building her children & husband up, she tears their spirits down with her negative and sharp words.

Let us all come up with an idea and a plan for our home, let us be purposeful in the way that it is run. Time is moving swiftly, and there is a sense of urgency that we begin today in making our homes a wonderful place for our husbands to come home to, as well as a wonderful place for our children to be raised in!

The Significance of Motherhood

"Doing up cut fingers, kissing hurt places, and singing bedtime songs are small things by themselves; but they will inculcate a love for home and family that will last through life and help to keep America a land of homes.

Putting up the school lunch for the children or cooking a good meal for the family may seem very insignificant tasks as compared with giving a lecture, writing a book, or doing other things that have a larger audience; but I doubt very much if, in the ultimate reckoning they will count for as much...It belittles us to think of our daily tasks as small things, and if we continue to do so, it will in time make us small. It will narrow our horizon and make of our work just drudgery.

There are so many little things that are really very great, and when we learn to look beyond the insignificant-appearing acts themselves to their far-reaching consequences, we will 'despise not the day of small things.' We will feel an added dignity and poise from the fact that our everyday round of duties is as important as any other part of the work of the world.

And just as a little thread of gold, running through a fabric, brightens the whole garment, so women's work at home, while only the doing of little things, is like the golden gleam of sunlight that runs through and brightens all the fabric of civilization."

-Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Ozarks May, 1923

Hospitality from the Heart

How do you define hospitality? Do you have to throw a grand dinner party in order to show hospitality? Although throwing a grand party may show others hospitality, it is not particularly what the bible is instructing us to do when it tells to "practice hospitality". (Romans 12:13) I have read that entertaining brings the attention and honor to yourself, where as practicing hospitality points the glory and honor to God.

Entertaining can quickly turn into a very prideful occasion to say the least. We easily be discouraged as it quickly becomes a burden. I must say, I have been guilty of this, and not only does it take some of my fun away, but it changes the whole experience of my guest. Showing hospitality in the biblical sense does not entail cooking competitively to out-do yourself or someone else. Also, hospitality extends itself outside our closed circle of friends. As we read in the bible, we want to be kind to others that perhaps we know can not repay us for our efforts in return. We are told in Luke 14:12-15, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or relations or rich neighbors, in case they invite you back and so repay you. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled , the lame, the blind, then you will be blessed, for they have no means to repay you so you will be repaid when the upright rise again." In Matthew 25:40, Jesus tells us when we give someone something to eat or drink, "I tell you indeed, whenever you did this for one of those poorest brothers of mine, you did it for me!"In Hebrews 13:2, we read, "Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did it, and welcomed angels without knowing it." It certainly seems like extending ourselves in hospitality is something we need to be doing!

When the bible tells us show hospitality, it is actually is communicating to us to that we need to have the heart of a servant. When we set our sites on welcoming someone into our home, we should not have our hearts on impressing them, but spending time and talking with them. We are in a way ministering and demonstrating to them the Love of God. Our focus of our hearts should actually be on them. Perhaps we will be the only example of Christian hospitality that our friends may witness. My mom always was prepared for a spur-of-the moment guest. She always kept some homemade "goodies" in the freezer that she could quickly unthaw to serve a last-minute guest with some coffee or tea. Her guests were always delighted with her homemade pineapple squares or nut roll .

Now as the weather is getting warmer, I love to have people over for an impromptu fire complete with homemade smores and a few games of corn hole. Yes, its humble entertaining, but everyone from mom & dad down to the youngest child has a good time!

I would love to hear from some of you and what some good-old-fashioned hospitality is experienced in your home!

Are you Taking Advantage of Catholic Radio?

I want to tell you about something that has been such a tremendous blessing to us!! We now having Catholic Radio in our area. But, I did not realize I could have been listening to it all along on the Internet. Just go to LivingBreadRadio.com and click on the right hand corner to listen to the live radio programming. The line-up is terrific, Fr. Corapi, Johnette Benkovic, & Dr. Ray just to name a few. If you are not already listening to Catholic Radio, why not give it try today!!

St. Joseph Novena - Day One - Monday

I am going to begin a Novena to St. Joseph for a special intention. I am hoping that if I am accountable to this blog and come back every day, I will finish. I am great at starting, but not as as much at finishing.

To anyone who might not know, A novena is a 9 day prayer for a special occasion or intention. Why 9 days? The significance of 9 days is that when The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Disciples spent nine days in the Upper Room prayer beginning with the Ascension. One the ninth day, they were rewarded with the Pentecost.

St. Joseph the Worker's Feast Day is May 1st. He is the patron Saint of the home, family, and a happy death. If you would like to know more about the life of St. Joseph, below I have linked to a video of St. Joseph's life that I think you will enjoy:

Who Did You Have Breakfast With This Morning?

In John 21:12, After the Resurrection, Jesus said to his disciples, "Come, have breakfast". How blessed the disciples were to be able to have breakfast with Jesus, The Bread of Life. Believe it or not, we are able to do the same , by beginning the day reading the Scriptures. In the Byzantine Catholic Tradition, Cannon 27 says that we should read the Holy Scriptures at home at dawn. I am trying to make my this a resolution of mine, to begin the day with at least reading the Gospels for the Day, and the corresponding Psalm & Proverbs (today is the 22nd, so today I would read Proverb 22). It is so easy to get sidetracked and not start the day by doing this, but the fruit of this practice would benefit us throughout our day. There was a Saint of the Church who wrote, "Those who have been walking in a beautiful garden do not leave it willingly without taking away with them four or five flowers, in order to inhale their perfume and carry them about during the day."

The Custom Quill Mother's Day Giveaway!

Ladies, don't forget to enter The Custom Quill giveaway as noted below. The gift is a lovely matted perosonalized verse for mom,grandma, or a special Aunt for Mother's Day. The gift measures 8 x 10, there are two openings, one with the verse and one for any 3 1/2 x 5 inch picture of your choice. How to enter? Just become a fan on The Custom Quill on Facebook, but hurry up, contest ends at 6 p.m. on Friday, to be sure this gets to the lucky winner for Mother's Day. Also, there will Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, and Christmas Giveaways as well, this one entry will cover you for all!