Can you say P.U.M.P.K.I.N. ?????

What can I say? I just love pumpkin! I love everything about this time of year (except the weather here in Florida)! I love to fill the pantry with goodies that I can whip up whenever the need arises. I'm also usually counting down the months until I can get a Pumpkin Spice or Eggnog Latte at Starbucks! Here's what's lurking in my pantry already.....

Can I just say that I really, really enjoy World Market! I found one of these cookie mixes there and I found another one at Hobby Lobby!

Can you just smell the pumpkin pancakes & muffins?

These Fright Bites are corn tortilla chips in the shapes of ghosts, bats and pumpkins...how fun! And of course, Halloween pasta!

Wordless Wednesday

Celebrating the Archangels!

It actually turned out to be a pretty good day! I was dealing with a lot of things at home...and some personal stuff, but I managed to stay on schedule! You have no idea how important that was today. In order to do it though, I had to sacrifice Nathan's choir practice....but I think he'll live!

One of the things that's been on my list has been to get the liturgical calendars finished started! As you can see by this first photo....I'm 10 months into the year and this is the first one that actually made it up on the wall. Now, we do have a family calendar hanging in the kitchen that is for all school/personal stuff....but I wanted a separate one for special feast days and holidays.
I am going to make a sincere effort to actually do an activity of some sort for the saint of the week. Since school started, our devoted saints have had to take a back seat. Since October is the month of the Holy Rosary and the Holy Angels, we will commit to saying the entire Rosary every day (we currently can only manage one decade) and learning the prayer to St. Michael (actually, Nathan already know this...but we'll be working with the girls).


I included this photo of Nathan doing his homework.....mostly to show you my fall centerpiece that I put together. Those are candles from last year, but this year I added the "doom-a-flachee" around the bottom. Isn't it cute? I thought it was simple enough for our style. Now....if I can keep the kids from pulling the little painted balls off of the vine....

For dinner, I used the recipe from Catholic Cuisine for gnocchi! I must tell you, it was extremely easy. This was so easy that I'm embarrassed I've never tried this before. No, it doesn't exactly taste like my Nanny's, but it really was pretty good.

I didn't even make much of a mess while doing it!

I made some meat balls and garlic bread to go with them (no veges tonight!). Surprisingly...everybody ate (it always helps to starve your kids before you feed them something new)

After dinner and baths, I pulled out the Archangel coloring pages from Waltzing Matilda. Amelia was exceptionally proud of her St. Gabriel!!

I wrote out the St. Michael prayer and placed it on the wall with their pages. We'll practice the prayer every night!!

And how can any feast day be complete without chocolate chip cookies?

Happy Michaelmas!

What are your plans for this wonderful Feast Day???? We're going to keep it simple this time around. We will have this wonderful recipe for dinner! I've already printed off some great coloring pages for the kids. We will light the candles that we made last year and then, we will ask these very special angels for their continued protection.

I will post some pictures of our day.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...Monday, September 28th

Outside my window...still very dark

I am thinking...that we need two bathrooms

I am thankful for...my family (crazy as it is)

I am wearing...pajamas (Santa Claus bottoms and S.F. 49er top.....no they don't match but they were both clean!)

I am remembering...today is soccer practice (yippee)!!

I am going...to listen to Mother Angelica today on EWTN radio

I am reading...the flyer about "school spirit tshirts" and contemplating the fact that they are $10 each (x5 in our family)

I am hoping...to get an order placed with Oriental Trading company today (Thanksgiving crafts)

On my mind...plans for Michaelmas

Noticing that...my living room looks like a tornado hit it....again

Pondering these words..."you'll understand some day when you're a parent"

From the kitchen...I don't know yet, going to the grocery store during my lunch hour

Around the house...a lot of dust!

One of my favorite things....COFFEE!

From my picture journal...

Nathan at 2 years old checking out his pumpkin!

Please visit Peggy for more of a Simple Woman's Daybook

Special Reminder

As I was reading my favorite blogs this morning while enjoying my first cup of coffee, I came across this post over at Mommy Life. I really needed to hear this today. Thank you, Barbara!!

If there is one thing I've learned in a real and concrete way over this last year, it's that life is so short! God has given us this gift of life and we need to make good use of it. I've learned I need to slow down and enjoy all of those small things that I used to think had no real significance.

As we prepare for Respect Life Month, let us all reflect on this life we've been given....this life we've been allowed to have...and rejoice in the small things.

In case you were wondering....

.....orange crayon on a white front door does NOT count as fall decorating!

Better

Feeling a lot better today. I had some down time last night.....Dan took care of dinner and homework as well as getting the kids to bed. I got up early this morning to go to the 40 Days for Life site and spent an hour in front of the abortion clinic. We got lots of positive honks and waves as well as a lot of middle fingers and other nasty gestures.

Sometimes I wonder how much it helps the cause to just stand on the sidewalk and hold a sign, but then I remember that if even one little life is saved, it's worth it. It helped me being there today because my focus was not on myself but on others. Plus, I got some fresh air out of the deal.

If you have a 40 Days for Life campaign in your area, I encourage you to participate!

Help from St. Ignatius of Loyola

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power,

so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You,

we shall see Your hand,Your purpose, Your will through all things.

Amen.

By Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Well, here's an interesting tidbit!

From Coping Magazine:

"Drinking wine while undergoing radiation treatment for breast carcinoma may reduce the incidence of skin toxicity in women with breast cancer, according to a study in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics. Researchers found that women consuming wine had a lower incidence of Grade 2 or higher acute toxicity than those who did not consume alcohol.
Those who drank one glass of wine per day had a 13.6 percent incidence of skin toxicity versus a 38.4 percent incidence in women who did not drink wine."

I say, "Salute"!!!!

Did you know.....

that according to an English study, 50% of women with early breast cancer had depression, anxiety or both in the year after diagnosis? Well, I guess I fall within that 50%. It's nothing that I can really talk about yet...not in detail anyway. I'm working through it. I just can't seem to shake this funk. I find myself especially vulnerable to everyday stresses. I feel as though I'm just barely treading water. I tell you all of this....not to gain your sympathy or kind words/comments....I tell you only because I know many of you are true prayer warriors! I beg you for your prayers right now. Forgive me for my light posting these days....putting coherent thoughts together is just not in the cards right now. I'm trying to find the right balance.

I realize that I am a very blessed woman and that God has placed me in this spot, in this time for a purpose. I must be honest, I prefer mountain tops, but I will do my best to deal with the deserts when they come. Can anyone say S.A.H.A.R.A?

Homemade Trail Mix

Doesn't this look delicious???? I think this is a great gift idea and something I could bring to work to share with my co-workers. I bet it wouldn't last long! Here's the recipe...

2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup coconut
1 cup whole almonds
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup canola or olive oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup cheerios
1 2/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
2/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.In a medium bowl, combine the oats, coconut, honey, oil, sugar, and salt. Stir until well coated. Add the flax and sunflower seeds. Mix well. Spread mixture out on a large baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes.Remove the oat mixture from the oven and allow to completely cool. In a large bowl, stir in cheerios, apricots, and chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container.

H/T http://good-life-eats.blogspot.com/2009/09/homemade-trail-mix.html

There it is!!!!

Thank you, St. Anthony! I never would have looked there!

This and That...

• I'm pretty sure I forgot to post an update on my skin cancer. The Mohs procedure went well...they only had to take one slice. However, I was surprised that the incision line and stitches ended up being about 3 inches long (the size of the cancer was smaller than a pencil eraser)...go figure. It's healing well and I go back in a month for a check up. Please do NOT neglect anything on your skin that changes or doesn't look right!
• I received the practice schedules for the soccer league that Nathan and Amelia are in this year! Nathan's are for Monday's at 3:00pm and Amelia's are Monday's at 5:00pm! Sigh. This is really going mess up my day! This will mean making sure Nathan takes his practice clothes with him to school.....or....I will have to bring them to him when I pick up the girls. I'm not sure how the logistics of it will work...I'll need to work that out. Dadgummit! The games are all on Fridays. I wonder how you get 6 Kindergartner's to remember what to do from the practice on Monday's...to the games on Friday's. This should be interesting.
• I got lots of stuff done this weekend. I organized all the kids' bookshelves and switched out all the book baskets from summer books to Halloween/Thanksgiving books! I was also able to get all the beds changed with clean linens and completed about 6 loads of laundry.
• Have you ever looked behind your dryer? I never had...until Dan and I decided it was time (it's been 11 years) to clean out the ducts and vacuum out all of the lint from around the dryer. You will not believe how fast my clothes dry now! What a huge difference this has made! I recommend it.
• Each year at Thanksgiving, I make a Thanksgiving Tree for our family. We use it to remind us of all the blessings that we have in our lives. Here is the post I did from last years tree. It really didn't look much like a tree. So this year, I'm cheating. I found the cutest tree from the Oriental Trading company. It's already made and it comes with the leaves already made too. I know it probably won't be as fun for the kids.....but hey, right now, time is of the essence! Click here to see a picture of the ready made Thanksgiving Tree.
• I also had my 3 month check up with the oncologist. My lab worked looked fine. I had my portacath flushed and that all went fine too. As it stands right now, I will have a PET Scan the week of 12/7/09 and then see the Oncologist for the results the week of 12/14/09....because, you know, finding out if your cancer has spread is best done right before Christmas! Sigh.

Please tell me....

Please tell me that that you have read this Wall Street Journal opinion piece by Betsy McCaughey?? If you haven't read this....PLEASE DO!! And while you're at it....pay very close attention to the graph called the Reaper Curve. If you have an infant or are among the elderly....I have bad news..................

********Click Here to read the article************

Fall smells...

I took Nathan to the mall on Sunday so that he could spend some of his birthday money. He was so cute as he scouted out how much things cost! He kept trying to do the math in his head to figure out how much he would have left if he purchased a particular item. I was really proud of him as he looked for the things that he really wanted. He settled on a Bakugan Watch and Clock gift set from JCPenney's and then he made a few purchases from this store. All in all, I think he had a great day!

There were some advantages for me as well....just for taking him! First of all....I got to visit this store which I ABSOLUTELY ADORE! As a matter of fact, I am sitting here in my recliner enjoying the wonderful aroma of Spiced Pumpkin and Autumn Wreath! These are two fragrances that I highly recommend for getting into the spirit of the season.

The only disadvantage for me coordinating this shopping trip was trying to buy some new work clothes. I rarely shop for clothes, but when I do, it's usually at Walmart, Kmart or Target. Everything I tried on made me look fat! I finally settled on the Spanx that is supposed to help "smooth out my lines". Frankly, I'm not sure that's possible! Anyway, a word of advice for anyone attempting to go the Spanx route.......Don't Do It!!!! Just don't! Trust me on this one!
If you are like me and visit the ladies room several times a day.....it's just not worth it! I spent more time trying to pull the suckers up and stuffing myself into them, that I'm quite sure I lost a few pounds in the process!

Anyway, it was a nice afternoon spent with just my son. I am so proud of him! He came home with straight A's for this first quarter progress report!!! Now, if I could just get him to be a little nicer to his sisters.....

****Also, thank you all for your ideas regarding my blogging slump! I will be using several of the suggestions in some upcoming posts!************

Blogging Slump....

...I'm in one. Suggestions?

Rest In Peace

I was saddened to hear of the death of Patrick Swayze today. He really fought this disease with class. He stayed positive and hopeful...even to the very end. His death has reminded me (as if I needed reminding!) that we are all just visitors here. This is not our home. Since learning this afternoon that he had passed away, I've been humming the same song over and over.

NOT HOME YET (click here to listen to the song)

To all the travelers

Pilgrims longing for a home

From one who walks with you

On this journey called life's road

It is a long and winding road

From one who's seen the view

And dreamt of staying on the mountains high

And one who's cried like you

Wanting so much to lay down and die

I offer this, we must remember this

We are not home yet

We are not home yet

Keep on looking ahead

Let you heart not forget

We are not home yet

Not home yet

So close your eyes with me

And hear the Father saying, welcome home

Let us find the strength

In all His promises to carry on

He said, I go to prepare a place for you

So let us not forget

We are not home yet

We are not home yet

Keep on looking ahead

Let you heart not forget

We are not home yet

We are not home yet

Keep on looking ahead

Let you heart not forget

I know there'll be a moment

I know there'll be a place

Where we will see our Savior

And fall in His embrace

So let us not grow weary

Or too content to stay

'Cause we are not home yet

We are not home yet

Not home yet

So let us journey on

We are not home yet

We are not home yet

Keep on looking ahead

Let you heart not forget

We are not home yet

Not home yet

(Steven Curtis Chapman)

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord, And May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him.

May He Rest In Peace

Amen

I'm depressed.....

I attempted clothes shopping today.....sigh......


**the only thing I ended up buying was some Spanx!**

Life Lessons

Early this morning, our little cat (Sarah) chased and caught a young squirrel. The girls were eating breakfast and I was sipping my first cup of coffee when I heard the little squirrel yelp. Nathan (who had already been outside taking the garbage out) burst through the door screaming...."Mom! Sarah caught a squirrel....Sarah caught a squirrel!!" As I put my coffee down and moved toward the door....I said a quick prayer that I would know how to handle this. I knew this was not going to end well.

Once outside, I noticed that I was not the only one surveying the situation. We have two other cats that decided to make an appearance too. This was horrible! The poor squirrel was obviously hurt and scared. It was bleeding from the ear and one leg seemed to be injured. All three cats hovered like vultures as the squirrel tried to escape. But, his poor little body was not going to recover. Nathan was hysterical! He kicked and screamed at the cats and kept begging me to get a box so we could take the squirrel to the vet! I tried to gently explain to him that the little squirrel was hurt badly and that we would not be able to save him. He was insistent that we take it to the vet. I again tried to explain that it's very expensive to take our animals to the vet and that this squirrel was in a lot of pain.

I prayed again, "God, please help me explain this to my son and please get Dan's attention and tell him to COME HELP ME!!" Nathan physically stood between us and the front door. He was NOT going to let us go outside. He was sobbing hysterically and kept telling Dan and I that we were mean and that he didn't like us anymore. As Dan went outside to (ahem) take care of the squirrel, I sat Nathan down and tried again to explain about the "circle of life", the food chain and then lastly....nature in general. None of this was working! I then tried a different angle....I mentioned that the squirrel was hurt badly and the more he tried to move and get away because of his fear, the more he was hurting and that it was the right thing for Daddy to help the little squirrel along to his eternal reward. ****just in case anyone was wondering....I NEVER mentioned anything about the squirrel going to heaven so I stayed away from that whole theological issue****

It was at that moment that my son posed a question to me that stopped me in my tracks! He said..."It isn't fair mom....what if I was suffering, would you kill me too to stop my suffering?"

This was not a conversation that I wanted to have at 8:45am on a Saturday! How do you explain this to a very emotional 9 year old? The only thing I could come up with at that very moment was that we (humans) were made in the image and likeness of God and that made us different and more important than the animals. As an adult, I know the difference between a suffering squirrel and a suffering human being but it's awfully hard to explain that line to a young child who only sees a cute furry little squirrel.

I finally got him calmed down enough to understand that this was something we had to do....but he still thinks that we are mean for killing it and burying it. For many hours he was very quiet and introspective. Why was this so hard for me? I keep second guessing myself...thinking that maybe we should have taken it to the vet....maybe it would have survived....maybe I could have nursed it back to health!

All I know for sure is that I had a LONG talk with my cats this afternoon! They are no longer allowed to chase or catch ANY squirrel or squirrel-looking animal.....EVER AGAIN. They need to stick with smaller, less cute things like lizards and roaches.

8 years! It's hard to believe!

My first born!!

Happy Birthday, Nathan! I can't believe you're 9 years old! I am so proud of you! I love you more than you'll ever know!

Happy Birthday, Mother!

photo of Our Lady of Medjugorje, courtesy of Catholic Pilgrim

Reason #2

Reason #2 (see reason #1 here) that alerts you to the fact your kids watch too much tv.....

Mom: Olivia, is your grilled hamburger good?

Olivia: Yes mom, it's the best crabby patty I've ever had!

Enjoyed this a lot!!!!

Catholic Criteria for National Health Care Reform

This appeared in our bulletin that I received at mass this morning....

"For decades, the Catholic bishops of the United States (USCCB) have supported and continue to support genuine National Health Care Reform, provided that the following criteria are met:

1. It must be a truly universal health policy that protects the life and dignity of all, including those who are most vulnerable.

2. Allowing access for all with a special concern for the poor and the inclusion of legal immigrants.

3. The common good must be pursued and pluralism preserved, including freedom of conscience and a variety of options.

4. Exclusion of any efforts to expand abortion funding, mandate abortion coverage, or endanger the conscience rights of health care providers and religious institutions.

5. Costs must be controlled and applied equitably across the spectrum of payers.

In addition, Bishop Galeone (Diocese of St. Augustine) is of the opinion that two more items are essential if Congress is truly serious about reforming Health Care: 1.) Tort reform must be enacted in order to control escalating costs. 2.) The members of Congress must be insured under the same Health Care System that they adopt for the rest of the nation."

Don't ya just love it!!

Recipe Swap Thursday

I must be honest, when I made this a few months back...it did not go over well with the kids. But then again, if you knew my kids, this would not be surprising! However, Dan and I loved it!

Corn Casserole

2 (16 1/2 oz) cans yellow cream style corn
1 cup milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 package Jiffy cornbread mix
1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies, drained
1/2 cup finely chopped onion

Combine all ingredients and pour into a lightly greased 11 x 7 1/2 baking dish. Bake at 50 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. About 8 servings.

Please visit Therese for more wonderful recipes!!

Each week as I go through my recipe box to find which one I want to share, I often times run across stuff I had forgotten about.....like this little gem stuffed into an old church cookbook I found in a used bookstore....

The Heavenly Grocery Store

I was walking down life's highway a long time ago.

I saw a sign that read, "Heaven's Grocery Store."

As I got a little closer the door came open wide,

And, when I came to myself, I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels who were standing everywhere.

One handed me a basket and said, "Child, shop with care."

Everything a Christian needed was in that grocery store,

And all you couldn't carry, you could come back for more.

First I got some Patience; Love was in the same row;

Further down was Understanding - you need that wherever you go.

I got a box or two of Wisdom; a bag or two of Faith;

And I just couldn't miss the Holy Ghost, for it was all over the place.

I stopped to get some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.

By then my basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed some Grace.

I didn't forget Salvation, for Salvation was always free.

So I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me.

Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,

For I thought I had everything to do my Master's will.

As I went up the aisle I saw Prayer, I just had to put that in,

For I knew when I stepped outside, I would run right into sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful, they were there on the last shelf;

Songs and Praises were hanging near, so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the Angel, "Now, how much do I owe?"

He just smiled and said, "Take them everywhere you go."

Again, I smiled at Him and said, "Really, how much do I owe?"

He smiled again and said, "My child, Jesus paid your bill a long, long time ago."

(author unknown)

Math manipulatives

Ok all you homeschooling moms out there...I need your help. I'm looking for some math manipulative's for my 3rd grader. Specifically, I'm looking for Base Ten Blocks (like these), although I was thinking they were much cheaper than this. I'm looking for information about places that you all trust and I'm open to getting them used.

Any ideas?

Wordless Wednesday

University of North Florida on Sunday, August 30, 2009