Saint Anne's Colors

According to Catholic Tradition, "Saint Anne has two colors, red and green, one for love, the other for rebirth, as she bore the New Eve, Mary. No artist is bound to paint the mother of Mary wearing these two colors, and a number of holy cards do not do so, but it is more often the case that Saint Anne is seen with one or both of these colors in her robes. Like the Virgin Mary she usually has a white lily for purity in the scene and often roses, too, again a parallel with the Virgin. The other symbol is an open book because it is she who steeped the Mother of God in the holy mysteries."

St. Anne is one of the saints I choose when I was confirmed. We had a full day today, starting with Driver's Ed this morning for our 16 year old, lunch at the park, and then I spent the afternoon at the office working. One of my brothers happened to show up at the office with all sorts of freshly-picked goodies to share from one of the job sites. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.... Fresh figs taste SO amazing! Especially on a hot summer day. They made a perfect {AIP approved} treat for today's feast!  

.: From the Archives :. 

Saints Joachim & Anne Faith Folder

Celebrating St. Anne's Day (St. Anne's Day Dessert Fruit Pizza) 

Watermelon Cupcakes :: A Fun Summertime Treat!

On the Feast of St. Anne (Watermelon Pie & more...) 

... and here's the link to my favorite St. Anne statue! 

O models of pious and virtuous married persons, St. Joachim and St. Anne! Through the wondrous blessing with which God rejoiced you when He chose you as the parents of the ever blessed Virgin, the mother of our Savior, obtain for us, we beseech you, the grace to desire nothing but virtue and piety; that, in fidelity and love, we may share each other's joys and sorrows, and together with our children lead such a life as to insure our entrance into the kingdom of heaven! Amen.

Happy Feast of Sts. Joachim & Anne! 

Feast of St. James the Greater

A certain someone baked Madeleines again today... This time she made "Bacon and Chocolate" to celebrate her bacon-loving older brother's nameday! Happy Feast of St. James!

{Recipe can be found in We Love Madeleines. I shared it over at Catholic Cuisine here.}  

O glorious Apostle, Saint James, who by reason of thy fervent and generous heart was chosen by Jesus to be witness of His glory on Mount Tabor, and of His agony in Gethsemane; thou, whose very name is a symbol of warfare and victory: obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending warfare of this life, that, having constantly and generously followed Jesus, we may be victors in the strife and deserve to receive the victor's crown in heaven. Amen.

St. James the Greater, Ora Pro Nobis!

The Summer Book of Days

I haven't had a chance to share much about The 2016 Rocky Mountain Catholic Home Educators Conference yet (hopefully soon!) but thanks to some of my wonderful and always generous sponsors (Catholic Child, Prayer Pillowcases, De Montfort Music, Culture of Life Studies, and author Cay Gibson) I had all sorts of awesome prizes to give away during my workshops!

In addition to the copies of Catholic Mosaic and Christmas Mosaic that Cay sent for the giveaways, she also sent me a copy of her new seasonal planner, The Summer Book of Days.

"More than a planner, A Seasonal Book of Days helps you record the moments that truly matter so you learn to look for those moments every day of your life."

Even though this planner is made specifically for mothers, I gave my copy on to our oldest daughter. She is really enjoying coloring the lovely illustrations throughout the book, recording her exercise and water intake each day, writing down all the special moments she wants to remember, and all the fun writing and planning prompts sprinkled throughout the book! She is even making some plans for "Homemade Ice Cream" and an "Ice Cream Sundae Bar!" Thank you for all the inspiration, Cay! 

Starting TODAY you can pre-order The Autumn Book of Days over at Cajun Cottage Press!

The Autoimmune Protocol :: Homemade Guacamole

I never did get around to sharing my guacamole recipe last year, after posting the Seven Snacks That Helped Me Survive the AIP Diet. I  have had a few more requests for it lately so I dug the post out of my draft folder to finish up and share with you all! I don't have exact measurements for you - it ends up a little different every time I make it depending on what I have on hand - but here's what I use:

3-4 avocados, peeled and diced
1 large cucumber (or 4 small cucumbers), diced
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1 lime, juiced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
olive oil (I just drizzle some over)
apple cider vinegar (same thing, just drizzle some over)
1/4-1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 tsp sea salt

Mix avocado, cucumber, onion and garlic in bowl. Stir in lime juice. Drizzle olive oil and apple cider vinegar over, sprinkle sea salt and stir together. Taste to make sure it has enough salt. Garnish with cilantro. Use as a dip or a condiment. Enjoy!



I enjoy this guacamole with plantain chips, with baby carrots, on my lettuce wrapped hamburgers, on my salads, on my fish taco lettuce wraps, or even by the spoonful! ;) Mmmmmmm!



From the Archives:

The Autoimmune Protocol :: My Journey Towards Better Health & Weight Loss with the AIP Diet

Additional AIP + Paleo Recipes

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Happy Feast of St. Mary Magdalene! The Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments recently raised the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene on July 22nd to a feast. You can read more about this over at Catholic Culture. 

"Mary Magdalen was well known as a sinner when she first saw Our Lord. She was very beautiful and very proud, but after she met Jesus, she felt great sorrow for her evil life. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man named Simon, Mary came to weep at His feet. Then with her long beautiful hair, she wiped his feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch Him, but Our Lord could see into Mary's heart, and He said: "Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much." Then to Mary He said kindly, "Your faith has made you safe. Go in peace."

From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and His Apostles. And when Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the food of His cross, unafraid for herself, and thinking only of His sufferings. No wonder Jesus said of her: "She has loved much."

After Jesus' body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. Not finding the sacred body, she began to weep, and seeing someone whom she thought was a gardener, she asked him if he knew where the Body of her beloved Master had been taken. But then the Person spoke in a voice she knew well: "Mary!" It was Jesus, risen from the dead! And He had chosen to show Himself first to Mary Magdalen, the repentant sinner."

Today I will often say the invocation, "Jesus, make me love You more and more." When the love of God fills our hearts, it purifies them from every stain of sin.  

~ Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year, Volume II

Our 4 year old discovered the Risen Jesus and Mary Magdalene in his Easter Basket earlier this year, along with the He Is Risen! set from Naturally Catholic. Our little ones pulled it out of the basket to play with as we read the story of St. Mary Magdalene today.

I had to go to the office and work for a few hours this afternoon. When I got back home the little kids were "playing Mass," our oldest son had started preparing dinner, and our oldest daughter was finishing up a batch of Madeleines (her very first time making them!) to celebrate today's FEAST of Saint Mary Magdalene!

Saint Mary Magdalen form Saints: A Year in Faith and Art
Photo Credit: Twinkle Toes

You can find the recipe for these Madeleines over at Catholic Cuisine. (Madeleine is a variation of Magdalene.) This recipe is also perfect for the feast of St. James coming up on July 25h! 

"Playing Mass!" - Photo Credit: Twinkle Toes

 

Mary Magdalene from Lives and Legends of the Saints

St. Mary Magdalene, Ora Pro Nobis!

Marvel's Avengers :: Captain America Birthday Party

Captain turned SIXTEEN this week!!! We started celebrating the night before with a Captain America Movie Night with a few friends and continued the party with extended family on his actual birthday. Captain America theme of course!

.: Party Food :. 

So are you two…? Do you…? Fondue? ~ Steve Rogers

Fondue is just cheese and bread, my friend. ~ Howard Stark

Or, in our case, melted chocolate with berries and marshmallows!

You could have the power of the gods! Yet you wear a flag on your chest and think you fight a battle of nations! I have seen the future, Captain! There are no flags!  ~ Red Skull

Not my future! ~ Captain America

American Flag Bean Dip

Refried Beans, Sour Cream mixed with Taco Seasoning, Shredded Lettuce, Shredded cheese, Quartered Cherry Tomatoes, and Chopped Olives

... served with Salsa and "Star" shaped Scoops!

Geez! Somebody get THAT kid a SANDWICH. ~ Senator Brandt

We had sandwiches for lunch before heading to the golf course... and then pizza for dinner!

Originally I thought I'd do another "Avengers Assemble Pizza Party" but I had to keep it as quick and simple as possible so I just picked up (the day before to take advantage of $10 Tuesday!) take-n-bakes at Papa Murphy's: Pepperoni, Murphy's Combo, Papa's All Meat, and the seasonal BBQ Chicken Pizza which is Captain's favorite! 

I also pulled out the movie reel birthday banner from a past birthday. 

You can find the link to download the banner here. 

.: Party Time :. 

You ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?

~ Captain America 

... aka: a water balloon fight with the uncles... 

It's so nice to have over half of my siblings back home and/or in the area this summer.

We had everyone else jump into the picture for a quick group photo... 

... then my dad has us all stay right where we were for a quick game of Simon (or Captain!) says... 

Mom/Grandma beat us all and won the game! 

.: Birthday Gifts :. 

Spending time with friends and family was at the top of his "wish list" so we picked up some of his close friends for a movie night and took him golfing.  The rest of his gifts from Sean and I were mostly on the practical side this year. We had picked up a pair of golf shorts, slip-on shoes and some polarized sunglasses at Costco...

... the last time we went shopping at Trader Joe's we filled a big bag of some of his favorite foods... 

... and we also surprised him with a book which he didn't know had been published yet! 

I pre-ordered the newest Brotherband book last February and it was released last month! 

Grandpa & Grandma, Aunt Mary, Uncle Kevin and Uncle David all surprised him with an awesome hammock and hammock suspension system! 

He also received such thoughtful and generous gifts from Grandpa & Grandma G, Uncle Paul & Ramona (Paul's sweet girlfriend who is visiting from Germany), and Uncle Brian & Aunt Meagan. 

.: Captain America's Shield Birthday Cake :. 

What do you think?

~ Steve Rogers, showing his shield to Peggy

Yes. I think it works.

~ Peggy Carter, sweetly, after unloading her gun into the shield

I posted more about the cake here:

Captain America's Shield :: An Avenger Themed Birthday Cake {Dye-Free}

You can also find his Captain America Berry Cheesecake here.

Happy 16th Birthday, Captain! 

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