The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Nov 5th

I wasn't able to post the past two Monday's since I was just too busy, and I missed it! It has been such a good way to record what we are up to. So, even though it is Wednesday, here is my Daybook for today.

Outside my Window... it is raining like crazy. I can see 7 deer bedded down, trying to stay dry. Every once in awhile they stand up and shake off the rain.

I am thinking... about the sermon I listened to this morning and trying really hard not to be fearful, and to thank God for the crosses he sends our way.

I am thankful... that at least, in the states of Arizona, Florida and California, voters voted to support traditional marriage. Thanks be to God!

From the school room... we actually have been schooling in the living room this week since it is warmer near the fireplace. Lots of reading, but very little crafts. Though I do have one craft we did for the Feast of All Souls to share... Maybe later tonight!

From the kitchen... I have tri-tip marinating (in our favorite marinade of Red Wine, Soy Sauce and Garlic). Hubby will throw it on the grill as soon as he gets home and I will serve it with Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes, Steamed Carrots and Broccoli. I am also thinking about throwing together another Apple Crisp.

I am creating... plans for tomorrow night's Little Flowers meeting, or at least, I should be!

I am going... to go start dinner in just a couple minutes. :)

I am wearing... warm clothes. It has been really cold!

I am reading... my first issue of Mater et Magistra. It just arrived today!

I am hoping... like Regina, that "he [Barack Obama] doesn't do to our country what I think he will."

I am hearing... the children playing together in their rooms. From the sounds of it, there is a war going on: Playmobil Knights versus My Little Pony and Kelly Dolls.

Around the house... I am loving my new washer and dryer that I broke down and purchased last week, when my washing machine gave out once and for all. Why does that always happen when hubby is out of town? Anyhow, the new one was delivered last Saturday, and I am almost caught back up on the laundry!

One of my favorite things... is how excited my children get each year to dress up as saints and head to our All Saints' Party!


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...

Well the week is half over. I did have to cancel the tutor again this week, since I am sick (I somehow caught a cold). We had more firewood delivered today, and tomorrow the girls and I have Little Flowers. Since the past couple weeks were so busy, it has been nice to slow down, at least a little bit, this week.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

The girls with a little friend who will be moving far away next month. :(

To see more Daybook entry's, click here.

I hope you all have a simply wonderful week!

Just what I needed to hear this morning...

"Why are ye fearful, Oh ye of little faith?"

All Things Work Together Unto Good

Thanks God!

**It's about 18 minutes long, but please listen to it if you can.

A Mass at the Cemetery

for the Feast of All Souls

Video Stills courtesy of Marc

It was such a beautiful Mass! This was our 3rd annual All Souls Mass at a local cemetery since the Catholic section was "rediscovered" and unburied from the brush and blackberry bushes. Our boys have had the honor of being able to serve at the altar each year. And even though the weather is always bad, by the grace of God, the rain stops just long enough for Mass!

I only took a couple pictures myself which, it appears, was caught on film! I may still post one of two of my favorites, but I was so excited that Marc so graciously agreed to email a me a few video stills to share with you all. Wahoo! Thanks Marc, they're awesome!

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

I Am My Brother's Keeper

Here is another awesome video made by a friend of ours. It is only a minute long, so please watch it!



This one, Spread the Wealth, is longer, but also very worth taking the time to watch:

All Saints' Party

Our annual home-school All Saints' Party is one of my children's favorite events each year. This year was no different. They had SO much fun! The two women that coordinated, and gave Kristy and I a much needed break this year, did an excellent job.

As usual the evening started, in the church, with the Rosary and Litany of the Saints. It is such a perfect way to start the evening and so precious to hear all the children praying together dressed as the saints of their choice. I'm sure the Saints in heaven were smiling.

Then it was time for dinner. Dinner was kept fairly simple and was potluck style. The dessert table consisted mostly of donuts, a very appropriate food for this feast.

I have always wanted to use Jennifer Miller's suggestion and include a "graveyard" at our party, but with the overwhelming amount of work that went into the games, I was never able to pull it off. I passed on the suggestion to Marci this year -- who did a beautiful job with it. After her awesome Summer with the Saints, I'm convinced that she can do anything!! :)

It turned out perfect! At the base of the cross, she made tombstones out of painted card stock labeled: Departed Family, Forgotten Dead, Departed Clergy, and Departed Friends. There were markers available so that everyone was able to write their departed loved ones names down. In fact, we were able to place the names at the base of the altar at the cemetery this morning for our All Souls Mass!


After dinner we took a group photo of the kids and had a procession of Saints, at which time they were able to tell everyone who they were dressed as. Each child was given a treat bag (to be filled with treats while playing games), a candy bar, a holy card, and a rosary.

The children were very anxious to start playing the games...



In addition to some old favorites, there were some fun NEW games this year as well!

One was a variation at St. Isidore's Pumpkin Patch. This year, the object was to "roll" the pumpkin into the basket, rather than toss it. Sort of like bowling, but without the pins. The kids loved it.

Another new game was called Feed My Sheep. The object of this game was to toss a bunch of hay (a bean bag with hay glued to the outside) into the mouth of the sheep! What a clever idea!

A favorite new game, especially with the boys, was St. Pat's Shooting Gallery! The object of this game was to hit the shamrocks on the wall with these little rubber disks (which are safe if they go astray and hit something or someone else!). Bonus points, or rather candy, for hitting the leprechaun!

My girls loved the new Halo Toss.

The Tower of Babel was lots of fun too. This game took 2 or more players, and the object was to build the tallest tower without it falling over before the time ran out.

There is always a long line for Fishers of Men.



I was recently asked for copies of my Musical Saints posters, and since I couldn't find them on my computer, I quickly made new ones. After years of using the same ones, it was high time for replacements anyways.

When I took my little Saint Clare over to play Musical Saints, she immediately noticed the Saint Clare poster and said:

"Look momma, it's ME!"

She then sat in "her" chair, a very happy little girl.

When the music started I told her that she needed to start walking again... Which she did, but when the music stopped, and someone else sat in "her" chair she wasn't sure WHAT to do!! As soon as they got up, she jumped back in the chair and refused to move:

I had to break it to her, that it wasn't just her chair, and that she did need to share it, but I couldn't help laughing at the same time. It was funny!

She quickly got over it, and here is a picture of her with a little friend who borrowed her costume from last year. Doesn't she make a cute little Saint Kateri?


Snuggles was pretty content just eating pizza and hanging out with daddy. Especially since it had been a week since he had seen him!



Oh! I almost forgot!! The Saint-O-Lanterns were used to decorate the tables, but I did get a quick photo, before we left, of them all lined up.


There wasn't a competition this year, but I must say that my personal favorite was this beautiful carving of Our Lady of Guadalupe:


Everyone had a great time, and all my children came home with WAY too much candy...

All Saints in Heaven ~ Pray for Us!