A Simple Woman's Daybook: December 2015

I'm joining hostess Peggy and friends over at...

FOR TODAY ~ December 2015

Outside my window...promising rain clouds.

I am thinking...about taking a walk, and then one everyday after that.

Past Years ~ Present Year

I have loved my old faithful artificial tree that has given my family much happiness and glow over the PAST YEARS...

However, this year, I had a strong desire to GO (real) GREEN....

The Immaculate Conception

"Hail, full of grace!  The Lord is with you."

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." 

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word."

~ Luke 1:26-38

December 8th

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Patronal Feastday of the United States of America

Long before the angel Gabriel spoke those words to Mary, she was preserved from original sin.   While Mary was in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, she was kept sinless by the virtue of the foreseen life and death of Christ.  This was the Immaculate Conception.  Mary was concieved without original sin.

What better vessel to house the Son of God.  Thank you, Mary.  Thank you for your fiat.  Thank you for your motherly love.

Little Women's Hospitality & Little Flowers Girls' Club

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

I am starting up a Little Women's Hospitality group, and I will be implementing all the virtues learned in the Little Flowers Girls Club.
The Little Flowers & Little Women's Hospitality Girls' Club:  Teaching young girls from the ages 5 and up, virtues through scripture and classic literature, using the Saints virtuous lives as an example, centered around the Catholic Faith.

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This has been on my heart for some time, and since my youngest daughter has just turned twelve, I am motivated to make it happen.  I thought I was done organizing or hosting any Girls' Club.  But, I was truly inspired by Jennifer over at Catholic Inspired, and after much prayer, I decided to give a another go.
I have found a lot of pretty crafts, and ideas for our meetings.  I cannot wait to share them!

We had our first meeting to discuss and plan, and I am happy to say that our group will officailly begin in 3 short weeks!

{happy}

The family helped my mom celebrate her 85th Birthday!
She requested a white cake with pineapple filling and whipped cream icing...
Butterfly created this yummy cake to specification.
I suggested she use crushed pineapple, lemon curd and whipped cream for the cake filling.  It was PERFECT!
HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY MOM!
I LOVE YOU!
Thank you for all that you have done for me and the family.
I hope to honor you always.

{funny}

Big brother finds little sisters creation...some mild teasing ensued...the glove-hen-head was popped shortly thereafter (and not by big brother).  I love Little Lamb's creativity.

{real}

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I have been doing a lot of research, planning and PINNING.  What ever did I do before Pinterest???...and I accompished so much more before Pinterest!!!  It can be a useful tool, or disadvantageous.  Anyway, so many great and wonderful ideas are being compiled for our Little Women's Hospitality group meetings.
I am going to be checking out this tool for teaching Communication Skills and Etiquette ideas.

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

Weekly Weekday Wardrobe: Early Autumn

Taking the wonder out of my mornings...

MONDAY

All Souls Day

November 1st

Prayer for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

English

V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

R. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.

And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Latine

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.

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We were blessed with much needed rain and a beautiful sky and multiple rainbows.  God hears our prayers.  Please pray.

The Heavenly Jerusalem

A blessed All Saint's Day!

All Hallow's Eve gives us a moment of Hope.  There is excitement and joy.

We can all look towards our Heavenly Home...

With each piece of candy that you enjoy...let it remind you of the sweetness of the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Celebrating All Hallow's Eve and All Saints day, domestically, has changed over the years.  We can still find that excitement and joy that remind us of the Hope of Heaven.

How do you celebrate All Hallow's Eve and All Saints Day?

Tea for Twelve

My Little Lamb has turned Twelve!  

So what do you do for a sweet girl of twelve years?

{pretty}

Her sister and I thought a Tea Party would be fun...

and so did her friends.

John Paul II 2015

We are preparing to celebrate the Feast Day of our beloved 

Saint John Paul II...

Last year we re-created this well know Papal Cream Cake or 

Kremowka Papieska

This year...will be even more celebratory!

A Simple Women's Daybook: October 2015

~ A Simple Woman's Daybook ~

I am joining hostess Peggy over at The Simple Woman

For Today...October 19th, 2015

Outside my window...Clouds.  Lovely, threatening rain clouds.

I am thinking...about all the errands I need to run, and where exactly am I going to find the time to do them!

I am thankful...for my Faith.  Last week was crushing to the spirit.  The loss of a friend.  The disappointment of a loved one.  My Faith is a balm for my soul and healing source for my hurt.  It reminds me how much I am loved and how much I have to be thankful.  God is good.  Always.

Weekly Weekday Wardrobe

Taking the wonder out of my mornings...

Here is a blueprint for my weekday wardrobe...

MONDAY

Style, Eighteen, Pine Wood Derby, Home School

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

{happy}

{funny}

{real}

Home School Style

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

Styling my Autumn Hutch

Displaying my silverware in a flower vase...
easy access, while reminding me to use enjoy the silverware more often.

Decorating for the season can be simple.
I never find decorating to be a hassle or burdensome.  If I did, I simply would not decorate.  Right?

Autumn Changes

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

This pretty white rose is from my the garden.  My mom is now taking great care of the plants.  She enjoys cutting the flowers and bringing them into the house.
I love that.

What a difference a little flower can make in a room.

First Days 2015 - 2016

Back to School.  Yes!

Having my little cyber-journal blog, makes it so convenient to quickly look back at the past several 'first days of school'...looking back brings such good memories, and allows me to see just how much we have matured as a family.

Cornucopias

Me:  "After Mass today you can have your schultute."

Butterfly:  "What is a schultute?"  "Do you mean our cornucopias?"

Me:  "Hahaha.  Yes!"

Butterfly:  ":o)  yay!"

A Simple Woman's Daybook: September 2015

~ A Simple Woman's Daybook ~

I am joining Hostess Peggy over at The Simple Woman

For Today...September 7, 2015

Outside my window...
          my parents sitting together enjoying the sunshine and peace.

I am thankful...
          to be able to care for my aging parents.

I am wearing...

Jeans & lace...

Son Day

Ephphatha!  Be opened!

Thus says the Lord;

Say to those whose hearts are frightened:

Be strong, fear not!

Here is your God,

he comes with vindication;

with divine recompense

he comes to save you.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, 

the ears of the deaf be cleared; 

then will the lame leap like a stag, 

then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Streams will burst forth in the desert,

and rivers in the steppe.

The burning sands will become pools, 

and the thirsty ground, springs of water.

~  Isaiah 35 4-7

Today, Sunday, is a day of rest.  God put this day aside, so that we "keep Holy the Sabbath day."  It is a day of mercy and a day to honor God.

"The Sabbath brings everyday work to a halt and provides a respite.  It is a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money."  CCC 2172

As we approach Labor Day here in America, we should be reminded of all those that have worked and labored for both the social and economic achievements that have made our country prosper.  As we take this time of rest from labor, to honor all the workers, let us take time to thank and honor God, too.  Without Him, we would not prosper, nor would we have strength.

"The Sabbath is for the Lord, holy and set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on behalf of Israel."  CCC 2171

As in today's readings:  Ephphatha!  Let our hearts be opened, and our voices be opened, to His will and glory and Truth.  When we labor, we are all participating in God's Holy will.

As we read in Pope John Paul II's Laborem Exercens (Man's Dignity in Work), helping all men identify with Christ through their own work.  Jesus was a laborer.

For the good of society, for the good of God...

Let us give thanks this Labor Day weekend

"For whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works
as God did from his."  ~ Hebrews 4:10

Winner, Winner - Chicken Dinner!

Do you like to Win?

Do you like to take (safe) chances?

Here is your chance to WIN, WIN, WIN:

~ Family ~

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

We have been enjoying some beautiful flowers, which were gifted to my parents...actually my dad recently suffered a serious and life-altering medical injury.  My mother's health declined shortly after my dad's month long hospital stay.

We moved both my parents into my home so that my family and I could care for them.

Happy 239th Birthday America!

"GOD BLESS AMERICA,

LAND THAT I LOVE,

STAND BESIDE HER

AND GUIDE HER

THRU THE NIGHT

WITH A LIGHT 

FROM ABOVE"

~ Irving Berlin, 1918

Have a safe and blessed 4th of July

A Fair Day in 2015

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

We had a fun day at the fair this year, as we do every year!

This is the same fair my father took my siblings and I when we were children.

Coastal Happy Times

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

It was a beautiful day at Half Moon Bay!
The fog cleared up nicely and let the beautiful blue sky surround us.

World's Greatest Dad, pictured in center

AHG, Life

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some real, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

I thought the sky above the dorms looked pretty amazing.  Conductor is traveling through New York, D.C. and then onto Virginia to check out colleges.  He will spend the week experiencing the summer program at Christendom College.  The Summer Program allows participants to take classes, meet the faculty and staff and experience a lot of fun activities while meeting new friends.  Pretty good.

Manis, Movies, & Munchies: {phfr} style

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times.

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

This week was draining, both physically and emotionally.
Sometimes a girl just needs to take a moment to re-charge and rejuvenate, and add a little joy and laughter to life.

Jubilant Silver Jubilee - {p,h,f,r} style

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter 

for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

                         ~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

I was able to take a few photos before our guests arrived.  The decor was simple...just the way I like it!  My children planned and organized this celebration and did a grand job!  I am so proud of them!

A Simple Woman's Daybook: June 2015

~ A Simple Woman's Daybook ~

I am joining Hostess Peggy and friends over at The Simple Woman

For Today... June 3, 2015

______________________________

Outside my window...Beautiful blue skies, with white wispy clouds, and plenty of birds chattering.  Spring is definitely here. 

Corpus Christi

A lot is going on these days...fun activities, school year ending, vacations, anniversaries, parties, and then there's...

CORPUS CHRISTI

Silver Jubilee

My last post pictured a nest on my front door.

Both the male and female birds have been working diligently building their home.  Finally, on the morning of our 25th wedding anniversary celebration, I found this gift:

One Thousand Words: Spring Door Decor

'A picture is worth a thousand words'...Enjoy several thousand:

Memorial Day 2015

We remember all those who have sacrificed for our freedom...

Thank you and we keep you close in prayer.

Greater love has no one than this, 

that someone lay down his life for his friends.

~ John 15:13