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~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

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Bishop's Cake

You can find the recipe over at Catholic Cuisine! 

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Photo Credit:  Marc Salvatore

We were very happy to see Monsignor Cihak in attendance at Bishop Cary's ordination!   (And even more upset that we were not in Bend!!!) Monsignor has been over in Rome, and is currently one of the MC's for the Pope!  How we miss having these holy priests in our diocese!

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Here is another picture (actually two meshed together) of Monsignor Cihak and Bishop Cary, taken at our rehearsal dinner the night before our wedding back in 1999, singing a song/toast to us.
We all look so much younger!

(I also have a picture of the new Bishop singing the same song for our friend Marc, at the surprise birthday party we hosted for him last year.) 

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Even though our travel plans had to be cancelled, we felt so blessed to be able to "attend" the ordination of Bishop Cary via livestream, since we were just not able to make the trip to Bend. At this point, when the new Bishop was addressing everyone in attendance - both in person, and all those that were watching along online - one of my little ones had tears streaming down her face, wishing we could have been there. It was a beautiful ordination and the diocese of Baker is blessed to have this holy man for their new bishop! Deo Gratias!!

Our friend Marc, who happened to be one of the "official photographers," has sent me a number of pictures from the ordination to share with you all!  I'll be posting them soon.

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment

State-by-State Scrapbook :: New York

"E is for Empire State and the marvelous Erie Canal.  

Opened in 1825, 

this waterway carried the lumber and goods 

that helped our state to thrive."

~ E is for Empire: A New York Alphabet

It has been quite some time since the boys completed these scrapbook pages for New York, but I'm just now getting around to posting them, along with the girls' State-by-State Baking post for New York.

Actually, it is the perfect time for a little review, as we have been studying the Erie Canal (reading Amazing Impossible Erie Canal and re-watching an episode from How the States Got Their Shapes) this week, as we study the Early 19th Century.

by Captain (photos taken last year)

by Rascal  (completed last year, photo taken today)

*The links to the worksheets used for these notebook pages can be found here.

We were also blessed with a goodie box from a sweet family in New York. (Thank You Harmony!)  It was packed with all sorts thoughtful gifts including pretty much the strangest thing I've ever received in the mail... Turkey Joints!  :)

This unique treat is created in Rome, New York, using an old time process and a secret formula. The end result is a decadent chocolate and brazil nut “bone marrow” center that is enrobed in a delicate, shiny and crunchy sugar “bone” outer shell.

My kids were all a little skeptical, and hesitant to try them, at first... But, after just a little nibble, they "gobbled" them all up.  And it's a good thing too!   Despite my diet, I couldn't resist having a taste myself (just three bites) and boy was it yummy!

It has been so much fun to discover (and enjoy) a few of the regional specialties found around our country. 

State-by-State Baking :: New York Cheesecake

I'm so behind in posting the recipes the girls have been creating for their State-by-State Geography Study!  We have decided that our goal for the current school year is to complete 25 states and then move on to the remaining 25 next year.   We still have quite a few to go, to even accomplish that, but they have been making progress!  If only I could keep up with the actual blog posts! ;)   I will be back soon with the Dogwood Bark the girls made for the Easter season and the state of North Carolina,  Johnny Cakes for their American Revolution Unit Study and the state of Rhode Island, and the amazingly delicous Pancakes with the best Maple Syrup ever for  the state of Vermont.  

For the state of New York, the 11th State to join the Union, the girls read E is for Empire: A New York Alphabet and then completed their Notebook Pages. 

New York Notebooking Pages
by Twinkle Toes (L) and Chiquita (R)

"G is for glistening Garnet,
Grab your garden tools.
and we'll head up to Gore Mountain,
for New York's State's official jewel."

  ~ E is for Empire: A New York Alphabet

The girls had such a hard time deciding what to make for New York.  First they thought they would make potato chips, which were invented in 1853 in New York.  Then they decided to make Garnet Jello Jigglers since a carpenter from Le Roy, New York invented Jello.  But, ultimately, the girls decided to make New York Cheesecake, using this recipe, for Mother's Day!  Next time (maybe for Father's Day?) we want to try an Oreo crust and perhaps follow Barbara's directions.

New York Cheesecake

Ingredients:

15 graham crackers, crushed
2 tablespoons butter, melted

4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup milk
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch springform pan.  In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press onto bottom of springform pan.

In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Blend in milk, and then mix in the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Mix in sour cream, vanilla and flour until smooth. 

(Over mixing will cause the cheesecake to crack... I am fairly certain ours was over mixed!)

Pour filling into prepared crust.

Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours; this prevents cracking. (which, as you can see, we didn't do...) Chill in refrigerator until serving.

The girl's decided to cover the crack top our cheesecake with whipped cream and a strawberry heart for Mother's Day.  

We also enjoyed some cherry topping with the cheesecake as well. Since it was Mother's Day, I did have a piece, and it was delicious.  Thankfully I think Bud is finally starting to outgrow his sensitivity to dairy!

Resources we used for this State Study:

E is for Empire: A New York Alphabet

E is for Empire Teacher's Guide (pdf)

New York's Notebooking Page from United States Maps
United States Coloring Book (Dover)
State Birds and Flowers Coloring Book (Dover)
The United States Cookbook: Fabulous Foods and Fascinating Facts From All 50 States

Other Posts of Interest: 

State-by-State Scrapbook
State-by-State Scrapbook :: New York (coming soon) 

On Fatherhood

I wanted to take a minute to share the link to a beautiful and inspiring reflection on fatherhood.  This article was written by my brother-in-law, Tom Steenson, who is married to my husband's sister and teaches 5th Grade at The Heights School in Maryland.

Four Things Boys Learn From Their Fathers

Here is a short excerpt that I found particularly inspiring:

"We may fool ourselves into thinking there is nothing heroic in our daily lives. After all, our day-to-day is hardly newsworthy, nor does it approach the level of notice reserved for medals and public honor. But just as there is a white martyrdom, the silent and bloodless giving of one’s life for Christ, so also there is an everyday heroic, which often finds itself played out in the silent offering of one’s daily life and work to God."

Do click over and read the whole article!  

Good Shepherd's Garden Party :: Week Six {and May Crowning!}

Yesterday afternoon (before watching the solar eclipse!) we had our sixth Good Shepherd's Garden Party.  Since we hadn't had an opportunity to have a May Crowning yet this year, I thought we'd try to tie it in to our Garden Party this week, especially since all the symbols for Week Six can easily remind us of Mary.   I suggested the idea to Charlotte and she took off with it coming up with the perfect titles and menu items.   Here are a few pictures from this week's Garden Party/May Crowning:

~ The City Gates ~

Gate of Heaven Angel Food Cake

~ The Bride and The Groom ~

(Bride and Groom) Spouse of the Holy Spirit Strawberries

~ The Temple ~

(Shirley) Temple of Virtue

~ The Thrones and Alleluia ~

We also listened to Alleluia music and enthroned Mary as Queen of our hearts and home.

~ The Crown ~ 

Queen of Peace Crown Shaped Tea Sandwiches 

Hubby and I skipped the treats and opted for a yummy salad!  I spent this past Saturday running errands and finally stocking up on fruits, veggies, and lean meats.   We are trying hard to eat better, but I really need to find a better routine for grocery shopping on a more frequent basis!

For this final week, I've decided to give my children a special treat each day (rather than having a Garden Party next weekend) to both build up their excitement and also simplify this coming weekend for me, since we will want to have our traditional Pentecost Celebration.  Today I'm serving ReinDEER sandwiches and trail mix!

Please head over to Catholic Cuisine to see the pictures from everyone else's Good Shepherd's Garden Parties, or to share pictures from you own Garden Party and/or May Crowning!

The Ordination Mass of Father Liam Cary as Bishop of Baker

Today the Most Reverend Liam Cary will be ordained a Bishop!

Deo Gratias!  

Father Cary is the priest that provided most of our marriage preparation and married Hubby & I back in 1999!   I had so wished that we would be on our way to the ordination right now... However, Hubby's work schedule has been overwhelming lately and he ended up needing to work today after all, so we had to cancel our hotel reservations.  The trip would have been just too hard for me to make on my own with all the kids, though the idea did cross my mind!

Instead I just put a "Bishop's Cake" in the oven and we will be watching the livestream (also available here at CatholicTV.com at additional times) of the Ordination online, beginning at 1:30pm.   Isn't technology amazing!?!  After the ordination we will offer a rosary for the new bishop and have our own little reception!

Please say a prayer for the new Bishop of Baker!

O God, who made blessed bishop Ambrose

to be a teacher of Catholic Faith

and an example of apostolic fortitude,

rouse up in your Church men after Your own Heart,

that they may govern her wisely and bravely.

~ Source: WDTPRS

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}

Hubby gave me two pretty new hanging baskets with flowers for Mother's Day.  

I was so excited, I've always wanted a couple for our front porch, and I especially love that the baskets have fluer-di-lis's on them - one of the symbols for our Blessed Mother! 

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I'm so very happy and blessed to be the mother to our seven children!  

They were all given S'more Goodie Bags at a birthday party we attended, which made for the perfect end to a supper fun weekend. 

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At the birthday party, the kids all had a blast on the homemade water slide! 

Watching Snuggles slide down was hilarious!

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Yes, according to our kiddos, that water slide was "REALLY" fun!

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment

Little Flowers Girls' Club ~ The Gift of Piety

This past Thursday afternoon we had our 6th Little Flowers Girls' Club meeting for Wreath IV, which just leaves one more meeting to complete all four wreaths of the Little Flowers program!!  Originally I thought I would go back and start over at Wreath I again next year, having my older girls go through the program again, but at this point I think we will be taking a break and trying another program next year.   I don't want to burn out on Little Flowers by the time Rose is ready for the program!  I purchased and have been looking over the materials for The Little Women's Hospitality Program, which looks perfect.

Anyhow, back to our last meeting...  This meeting focused on the gift of Piety and our dear St. Therésè.  Here are a few highlights :

~ Coloring Pages ~

Coloring Page Options:

St. Therese from Catholic Artworks
St. Therese from Catholic Artworks Faith Keepers CD
St. Therese from Waltzing Matilda
St. Theresa the Little Flower from St. John's
St. Therese Paper Doll from Paper Dali
St. Therese of Lisiuex as a young girl and in habit from Waltzing Matilda

(2 more) St.Therese from Catholic Artworks

St. Therese from Fenestrae Fidei (not pictured)

I had to stop myself from printing more options!  ;) 

~ Wreath IV Lap Book ~

The girls Lap Books are all coming together so beautifully!  

At this meeting we had a short lesson on the gift of Piety and St. Therésè, read and discussed a story on Piety from the Virtue Stories for Wreath I book, and then continued our lesson by reviewing our Lap Book mini-books from our last meeting, and then working on the new additions for the gift of Piety.

Here is an overview of what was completed (*some are taken home to complete):

• Review last month's gift and add Mini Books that were completed at home
• Add Definition and Motto for the Gift of Piety
• Add the correct Jewel to the Treasure Box
• Complete the Saint Profile*
• Complete the Convert Profile*
• Research and Complete the Mini Book "My Favorite Passages of Inspiration" to share at the next meeting*

Additional Resources:

St. Therese Lap Book

St. Therese and Her Family Paper Dolls

Glory Stories Vol. 2: The Story of St. Therese

Many Additional Ideas and Books listed Here 

Movie Suggestion from Member's Guide:

The Chosen

(Additional Options for younger girls: Miracle of St. Therese and My Catholic Family - St. Therese of Lisieux)

~ Notebook Pages ~

For the notebook pages, I used the motto for piety, a few quotes from St. Therésè, an image (in the public domain) of St. Therésè, a definition on the gift of Piety from My Catholic Faith, along with a short prayer for Piety, with an invocation to St. Therésè.

You can download my document here.

Here is a picture of the sample page I created:

And here are a the girls' completed notebook pages:

~ Craft ~

Since this meeting focuses on St. Therésè and the gift of Piety, we made St. Therésè Sacrifice Beads using cord and beads in the color "Amethyst," the jewel for this particular meeting.

You can find the directions for making these here:   St. Therésè Sacrifice Beads

~ Snack Time ~

Saintly Symbols Cupcakes :: St. Therésè, the Little Flower

Cupcakes (baked in Amethyst Cupcake Liners), topped with some homemade frosting, gold sprinkles, a chocolate cross, and mini candy roses

I would have loved to have A St. Therese "Shower of Roses" Tea Party, but instead we had pizza!

~ Group Photo ~ 

Grant me the Gift of Piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe Your divine precepts with greater fidelity.

St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us!