Expressions from our Youngest

Expressions from our Youngest
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Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving 2015





If the only prayer you ever say in your life
 is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart


Colleen's blog has a meme where you list five things you are thankful for each week.





1) I am grateful for the wonderful Thanksgiving feast we had this year.

2) I was so good to see my mother again.  Here is a picture of three generations of females in our family.


3) I'm grateful for my neighbors also in the pre-Thanksgiving festivities.


4) I'm thankful for my hubby...we've been married for 29 years.


5) I'm grateful for my oldest sons who are following the Lord and doing very well in college.



Sunday, November 1, 2015

Celebration Potato Salad



2 lbs. red potatoes (6 med.) - cool

Mix:
2 hard boiled eggs (cool)
2 Green onions
1 - 2 ou. jar pimentos (drained)
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/3 cup trappey's peppers

Mix
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
3 T. vinegar from peppers
1 T. prepared dijon mustard
1/2 t. salt

Corn and Black Bean Salad




1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped, optional
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup Italian salad dressing
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon chili powder

In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients.  In a small bowl, combine the salad dressing, cilantro, lime juice, hot pepper sauce, and chili powder.  Pour over corn mixture and toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.  Serve with a slotted spoon.

6-8 servings

Spooky Witches' Fingers



This is a traditional Christmas cookie recipe.  Just the shape is changed. (It's a fat witch. I couldn't make them skinnier.)

1 cup butter softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole almonds
1 (.75 ounce) tube red decorating gel
Add all ingredients to list

1)  Combine the butter, sugar, eff, almond estract, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.  Beat together with an electric mixer; gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, continually beating; refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes.

2)  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

3)  Remove dough from refrigerator in small amounts.  Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon at a time onto a piece of waxed papger.  Use the waxed paper to roll the dough into a thin finger-shaped cookie.  Press one almond into one end of each cookie to give the appearance of a long fingernail.  Squeeze cookie near the tip and again near the center of each to give the impression of knuckles.  You can also cut into the dough with a sharp knife at the same points to help give a more finger-like appearance.  Arrange the shaped cookies on the baking sheets.

4)  Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are slightly golden in color, 20 to 25 minutes.

5)  Remove the almond from the end of each cookie, squeeze a small amount of red decorating gel into the cavity; replace the almond to cause the gel to ooze out around the tip ot the cookie.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Deo Gratias



"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart

Colleen's blog has a meme where you list 5 things you are thankful for.

1)  I am thankful for the bible study my husband and I are involved in at our local parish.  It is so rewarding to participate in this worthwhile endeavor with my husband and faith community.

2)  I am thankful for making some jars with dry ingredients for my two neighbors to make Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Quick Bread in the fall.

3)  I am grateful for my two older sons that are in college but still like to spend time at home when they can occasionally.  My oldest is pursuing his Ph.D. in engineering and came to my youngest son's soccer game and spent the day with us this past weekend.  We also watched the Maryland game on the t.v.  They unfortunately lost by one point.  

4)  I am so grateful for our new neighbors with three beautiful little girls.  My son loves to play with them and they are tons of fun.  They are holding a halloween party before trick or treating in our court.  The kids will have a blast.

5)  I am thankful for the recipe of Spooky Witch's Fingers I will make for the halloween party.




Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Love Defined: Giving versus Using


Sexual desire is supposed to be an EXPRESSION of the person who desires to make a gift of self (self-donation) to another person which involves responsibility as opposed to just emotion, desire, and attraction.

1.)  Express:

1a) directly, firmly, and explicitly stated (he disobeyed my express orders) b) EXACT, PRECISE

Only a husband and wife in their sexuality can directly, firmly, explicitly, exactly, and precisely express their love for each other as God intended.  Thus it is not only in their emotions and characters but their very design of their bodies created in the image of God that fulfills this purpose of self-donation.

2a) designed for or adapted to its purpose b) of a particular sort: specific (he came for that specific purpose)

As stated previously, the sexual desire between a husband and wife are only able to fulfill God's purpose for their lives...both emotionally and physically.

4.) Express.

1a) DELINIATE, DEPICT b) to represent in words: STATE c) to give or convey a true impression of: SHOW, REFLECT d) to make known the opinions or feelings of (oneself) (expressed himself very strongly on that subject) e: to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses or abilities of (oneself) f) to represent by a sign or symbol: SYMBOLIZE

Only the sexual desire of a husband and wife deliniates (portrays, or represents accurately, or describes in sharp or vivid detail) the design suggested by God for total whole-hearted self-donation.

Only the sexual desire of a husband and wife accurately and naturally depicts (to represent by a picture, describes) the kind of self-donation God suggests for married individuals.

The bible clearly represents in words and explicitly states the one analogy God uses above all others to express His love for us: the love between a husband and wife.

Only the sexual desire of a husband and wife gives or conveys (communicates the knowledge of) the  will of God designed by His plan.

God has made known the opinions and feelings he has for us to be united with him in heaven which clearly states sodomy as a divergence from this plan.

God has illustrated in the bible that traditional marriage is used to symbolize His relationship with Israel and Christ's relationship with the Church as His spouse.

2a) to force out (as the juice of a fruit) by pressure b) to subject to pressure so as to extract something

This is what gay marriage legislation subjects Christians to: pressure applied on us in the way of fines or punishment to force us to cave or be silent on the choice to avoid this immorality.  This is how too many homosexuals express their sexuality...by forcing others to change.  Heterosexuals have never used the law to punish homosexuals and heterosexuality was never imposed on human beings.  Why is gay marriage suddenly allowed to be used as an imposition on everyone?  It appears that some gays do want to express their sexuality but clearly can not do it in line with God's plan.  Therefore, they attempt to make the Christian submit to their desires by forcing them with fines, punishment, and silence.  We are targets for them and if we do not stop this insanity now...later it will be too late.


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Deo Gratias




"If the only prayer you ever say in your life
 is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart


Just list  5 things you are grateful for:




1.  I am so grateful for the 'sweet as pie' girlfriends my two sons currently have in college.

2.  So thankful for the job as lifeguards that my two daughters hold at the local pool in our community.

3.  So grateful for the new therapist I found who lives close by and is really helping me understand my illness better.

4.  I am very thankful that Our Lady has given us the gift of the rosary!

5.  I am very grateful that we have some of the nicest new neighbors around.  They have three beautiful daughters which my son loves to play with often.

Simple Woman's Daybook-August 19th, 2015




I'm participating in a Simple Woman's Day Book.

Outside my window...it is overcast here in Maryland today and the sun is finally trying to peak through the clouds.  It is overcast in my mind too. I am trying to teach my son how to be a good and respectful student/child when an adult is speaking to him.

I am thinking...that it will be a challenge to utilize Seton Homeschool for my fourth grader next year.  We will be attempting to follow their course materials, but I'm already having doubts about it with the way my son is behaving.

I am thankful...that we are not on welfare and stuck in the welfare trap.  Our welfare system has effectively set up roadblocks to the two main avenues for economic progress: marriage and employment.  The War on Poverty (Lyndon Johnson) has cost nearly $16 trillion since 1965, more than twice the cost of all U.S. military wars combined.

In the kitchen...I made stuffed peppers last night.  My husband and I enjoyed them as the kids were either at their girlfriend's house, at college, at work, ate too many cookies before dinner, or eating at a pizza place with a friend.

I am wearing...black and blue short set and top w/ flip flops.

I am creating...I have created the journal lesson plans and craft for tomorrows coop.  This is a big benefit today as I am tied up with teaching an important lesson at the moment.
I am going...nowhere.  I plan on saying the rosary at home with my son.

I am wondering...how I am going to break my son of feeling he is entitled to too many things.  Last night his little buddy and he squirted each other with the hose (not in their baithing suits but their play clothes) and got soaked head to foot.  Boys will be boys.

I am looking forward to... Teaching my son about the economy.

I am hearing...peace and quiet while my son is being disciplined with a time out in his bedroom and my daughters are at work.

Around the house...I have been decluttering little by little trying to purge old books and materials and make room for the new books and materials.  I also cleaned out the cars.

I am praying...for our homeschool year togther.  The beginning of the year always seems to have some hurdles to overcome.

One of my favorite things...was listening to the EWTN mass today with my son.  "Christ has bore the brunt of the days heat for us."  The reading of the vineyard owner:  "The last shall be first and the first shall be last."

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to have the NOL Journal Writing Coop and go for a Ladies Night Out.

Here is a recent picture to share of our 5 beautiful children at the beach.





Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Stuffed Peppers



Basic Beef Starter

You can prepare this savory combination of ground beef, onions and garlic, then store it in the freezer.  This meaty mixture can save many hours in the kitchen.  It gives one a convenient head start on a wide variety of easy entrees.

5 pounds ground beef
4 medium onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 teaspoon salt

In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, onions and garlic over medium heat until meat is no loger pink; drain.  Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cook for 10 minutes or until heated through. Cool.  Place about 2 3/4 cups each in four freezer containers. May be frozen for up to 3 months. Yield 4 portions (11-1/2 cups).

Beef Stuffed Peppers (Pictured Above)

Use a container of the Basic Beef Starter and your microwave oven to make this main dish.  Peppers are stuffed with the ground beef blend, tomato sauce, rice, and seasonings.

1 portion Basic Beef Starter, thawed
1 1/4 cups cooked rice
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 medium green peppers
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a bowl, combine the beef starter, rice, tomato sauce, basil, and pepper. Cut tops off green peppers and remove seeds.  Spoon 1 cup of beef mixture into each pepper. Place in a 10 inch round microwave-safe dish.  Cover loosely; cook on high for 10-12 minutes or until peppers are tender, rotating a half turn once. Let stand, covered, for 3 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Yield: 4 servings.


Course Plan - 2015/2016

This year we are using a new group to foster our homeschooling efforts:  Seton Home School.  Here is our course plan:


COURSE
REQUIRED BOOKS
Religion
Religion 4 for Young Catholics
The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 1
Bible History 4 for Young Catholics
Math
Saxon Math 5/4
English
English 4 for Young Catholics
Handwriting
Handwriting 4 for Young Catholics
Handwriting Tablet, 4th Grade
History
The Catholic Faith Comes to the New World
Maps Charts Graphs D: States and Regions
Reading
Reading 4 for Young Catholics: Comprehension
Reading 4 for Young Catholics: Thinking Skills
This is Our Land
A Book of Gladness
Augustine Came to Kent
The Small War of Sergeant Donkey
(Two Saint Biographies)
Phonics
Phonics 4 for Young Catholics
Science
Science 4 for Young Catholics
Spelling
Spelling 4 for Young Catholics
Vocabulary
Vocabulary 4 for Young Catholics
Art
Art 4 for Young Catholics
Music
We Sing and Chant
Physical Ed.
No Text, Soccer and Swimming

Extra History

Story of the World; Volume 4: The Modern Age
  By Susan Wise Bauer

Extra Writing

NOL Journal Writing:

Extra Writing

IEW-U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons
Volume 1:  Explorers to the Gold Rush

Extra Writing

 www.shurley.com English


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Deo Gratias





It's time to join Colleen's blog called Deos Gratias where we list five things we are thankful for.

1)  I'm grateful that my son and I have been able to attend daily mass periodically before we start our homeschooling.  It is such a joy to receive Jesus in the Eucharist before we start our day.

2)  I'm thankful that we were able to attend the 50th anniversary mass and dinner at the University of Maryland's Catholic Student Center.  My son and his girlfriend celebrated with us.  My oldest son had to teach a youth group at a local church and my daughter went to a concert with a friend.  We sat with our good friends at the celebration.

3)  I'm grateful that we found some elderly parishioners we can bring communion to.  They can no longer drive and they love the Eucharist brought to them.

4)  I'm thankful that my husband returned to work after his heart surgery.  He is doing very well.

5)  I'm grateful that I ordered the book the moms are going to discuss in my daughter's school book club.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Deo Gratias

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTV0vh7PO7BgITVcJF2nISxw8NFPwLSFz5SwZ7LpKtlru2CLjW6HLRBKoK6_7F5-jLs6y548J48vQ4V83-oqtgs_8_zLnmhMKMFHfluSBOrY80GiMEcVJD_h316G2vBxh6XpE8tQZOhI/s1600/deo-gratias+buttom.jpg

It's time for Deo Gratias over at Colleen's blog where we list five things we are grateful for this week.

1)  I'm thankful that my husband's heart surgery went well and he is getting stronger every day.  It's been 5 weeks now in his recovery and things are looking good.  He had a valve repair.  There were no blockages - just his heart valve wasn't closing properly.  He is giving all the glory to God these days.  It is wonderful to see his recovery.

2)  I'm grateful that my two youngest children were able to have a sleepover at their friends house last night.  Their daughter is friends with my daughter and their son is friends with my son.  With my husband's recovery, we haven't been able to do a lot during my daughter's Easter break from school.  My husband goes to rehabilitation 3 days a week now.  We haven't been able to go much anywhere lately.

3)  I'm thankful that my husband took my 15 year old daughter to get her ears pierced the other day while I was at homeschool coop with my 8 year old.

4)  I'm grateful that our coop days are coming to an end.  We have one more week of coop than a celebration.  We will have a pizza party and Ben and Jerry's ice cream for our last coop.

5)  I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit is guiding me to sacrifice more and pray more.  We've been trying to attend daily Mass or listen to it on EWTN.