~ Back-Blogged: A Thankful for...Edition ~

With Thanksgiving just behind us, I'm reflecting on the small blessings of life...

Our olive trees gave a bit more than last years harvest.

Our Myers lemon tree just keeps on giving, which allows me to give to others.

The giving tree.  Fresh lemons are expensive...I'm thankful for this tree.

Our new orange tree is now producing lots of delicious fruit.

Thankful for the warm California sun...

I'm thankful for our bishop and his work in our diocese...and the honor of having him to dinner at our home with my family.




Altar Boy Training.  Noon.  My son is leading the boys in the Angelus.

Lunch follows shortly...I'm thankful for hot ('n ready) pizza to help me feed the troops.

Teen Talks.  I began these Teen Talks last year with our first talk on the Cristeros.  A few times a year speakers come to our parish and give a talk to our youth.  Big Blessings...

I'm calling this my mid-centennial extravaganza celebration...

Sweet (& bubbly) gift from my dh,
beautiful floral bouquet,
complete with love note (on fancy paper) :o)

  Five-Oh!

 

 

I am thankful for my Husband, my children and most of all,

His Love.

 

 We give you thanks, Almighty God, for all Your benefits, who live and reign, world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.   (GRACE AFTER MEALS)

{pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ Rome Sweet Home Edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

We did it!  We successfully travelled to Italy with 24 of our Altar Boys...

Several shook His Holiness' hand during the Papal Audience...all were blessed.

Here are several (out of thousands!!!) of pictures to share...

{pretty}
While walking along the streets of Assisi, I came across this exceptional artist...his hands creating the most gorgeous masterpieces (as you can see to the left).  Beautiful classical music was emanating from his work area...which had originally caught my attention.  I would have stayed for hours...

 

 

{happy}

Happiness x 1,000,000!
This picture was taken a few seconds before he was right in front of our group...

this was his response when he saw all the boys in their cassocks and surplices...(of all my pictures, I prayed that this one shot was captured)  Just look at his reaction!


Pope Francis meets our Altar Boys...from California, USA!!!

He gave them all a beautiful blessing! 
Oh, the joy!
 

{funny}

People stood for long periods of time watching and waiting to see if he would flinch...

{real}

Serving at the church of Santo Spirito - now dedicated to the Divine Mercy
Jezu Ufam Tobie

 Many miracles and blessings occurred in the two weeks of our pilgrimage.  Chance meeting and picture with Archbishop Donald Wuerl; private audience with Cardinal Raymond Burke...Holy Mass on the tomb of Pope John Paul II...and much, much, much more...
It was a spiritual pilgrimage.  It will take years to "unpack" and digest all that has happened.
It was trying at times, as well as heavenly.
It was life changing.

 

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

~ pretty, happy, funny, real ~ Secret Garden & Carnival Edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

  

{pretty}

My husband and children have given me my very own 'Secret Garden'

The way the Morning Glory is wrapping its little arm around my candle post is {pretty}, as well as all the blooming lilies.  The lilies were from Easter and were once used to adorn the sanctuary at our church.  Another {pretty}.  There are lots of {pretties} going on inside my 'Secret Garden'...

 

{happy}

Another Benefit & FUNdraiser for our Altar Boys Pilgrimage to Rome! 

St. Philip Neri Party and Children's Carnival
St. Neri is the Patron of Rome!

 

Cherry Tree...pick a blossom to win a lolly pop!

The young children were definitely {happy}.  And the adults were {happy} as they enjoyed a delicious Italian Breakfast
~ Italian Cornetti & Franchesco's Favorite - Argentine Cafe Con Leche ~ 

The children's games & prizes made a lot of littles very {happy}. 

The 'Carnival" included a Fish Cup Game, Duck Pond, Sidewalk Throw, Balloon Pop, Bowling, Ring Toss and much much more...

My favorite was the Cake Walk...but since I was well over the age limit, I sent my youngest to give it a go!  (winner-winner, chicken dinner! - the mint chocolate bark was excellent!)

The nursing mom (with six children) that organized this event is amazing!!!


 

{funny}

Part of the Carnival "Big Top Show"...

Our pastor was a good-sport and humbled availed himself to help raise funds for the altar boys pilgrimage to Rome...Our very own St. John Vianney!  He grew his hair and we 'auctioned' off the viewing.  The audience was given a very {funny} treat as his hair was cut by someone that had absolutely no haircutting ability...me!  His only advice was that I didn't cut his ear off!  :o)  (Boy, was I nervous!!!)
I'm happy to report that he looks great and has both ears intact, plus we raised some great funds!   (whew!!!) 
 

 

{real}

"The Graveyard"

Back to my 'Secret Garden'...
I call this the 'graveyard'.  It's where all those discarded flowers that are not-doing-so-well, are placed.  I, then, nurse them back to health and plant them in the ground where they can (hopefully) thrive. 
I guess it would be appropriate to call this place a 'nursery', but they really look dead (and some are probably dead, with no chance of being revived.
The healthy looking purple calla-lily was very dead distressed looking; now it's ready to join the garden...see above in {pretty}.

More {real}

This hanging flower basket was also very {pretty} at one time. 

But every Spring the robins take their share of nest makings; now it looks so disheveled.  But I'm happy to provide some housing for these brother birds... 
(Maybe this is the reason why I took St. Francis as my Confirmation name over 34 years ago.)

It's also been a challenge keeping these baskets from drying out; I have to water them daily or they noticeably stress out!  I'm thinking of using a more drought resistant plant...although I do love my blooming flowers. 

Oh, yes - We have about three robin's nests with happy little families...
 

 

 

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

~ C A N D E L O R A ~

Also know as Candlemas,

Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Purification of the Blessed Virgin.

~ Observed February 2nd ~ 

I tried to complete this post before the last day of February...

tempus fugit!

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

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{pretty}

AN EVENING OF ROMAN LIGHT...

Our second Fundraiser Dinner to send our Altar Boys & Acolytes on a Pilgrimage to Rome! 

Candles and Beeswax.  Candles and His Blessed Mother.  Candles and Christ.

"For mystical reasons the Church prescribes that the candles used at Mass and at other liturgical functions be made of beeswax (luminaria cerea. — Missale Rom., De Defectibus, X, I; Cong. Sac. Rites, 4 September, 1875). The pure wax extracted by bees from flowers symbolizes the pure flesh of Christ received from His Virgin Mother, the wick signifies the soul of Christ, and the flame represents His divinity. Although the two latter properties are found in all kinds of candles, the first is proper of beeswax candles only."  ~ Taken from CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA.

ENLIGHTENING OUR STEPS...

A WARM WELCOME...UN BENVENUTO...

With elegant Italian fare; a grand time was served up by our Altar Boys. 
It was a magnigicent event!

 ROMAN ARCHITECTURE...ROMAN VILLAS...DINING AMONG DIVERSE ACTIVITIES...

IL SALUTO

{happy}

GREETING OUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS OF BUBBLY PROSECCO...

Everyone was kept in good spirits one aperitif at a time;
but not before guests were greeted with a smile & glass of bubbly prosecco.

~ APERITIVOS ~

Giardiniera * Bruschetta di tonno * Salmone affurmicato * Peperone e avocado pesto

Parents and friends created a delectable dinner, and with style and finesse our altar servers wowed us by waiting on guests with the utmost care and attention.
LE TABELLE

Our Altar Boys served the dinner
with style and finesse!

Hand-Maid wine labels pictured with our Altar Boys...classico!





THE AUCTION...

a fabulous display of auction desirables

collector's item...?  I say, yes!

So many lovely items...

IL MERCATO...
We had three portraiture artists set up in this area, taking orders and sketching portraits of our guests.  Beautiful!  Bello!


Market filled with charming portraiture artists and a game of Italian treasures.
PICK-A-PRIZE & RAFFLE TABLE...

{funny}

One of the families that will be going on the pilgrimage designed this FUNdraiser game.
Hiding under each of these "picks" was a picture of each Altar Boy that will be going to Rome!  How clever is that!?  The Altar Servers sisters helped their (altar server) brothers raise funds for the Rome Pilgrimage..sweet darling girls!!



DETAILS...

DETAILS...

DETAILS...

an evening of Roman light with its glowing décor
DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT...

{real}

St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking on the same mystery, bids us consider three things in the blessed Candle:  the wax, the wick, and the flame. 

The wax, he says, which is the production of the virginal bee, is the Flesh of our Lord;

The wick, which is within, is His Soul;

The flame, which burns on top, is His divinity.

The flame of our Candle, a symbol of Jesus who came to enlighten our darkness...

I had such a fabulous time doing the decor for this event...the evening went well and I received so much positive feedback about how everyone enjoyed themselves and were SO impressed by the service of the BOYS.  They ended the evening by SINGING "SALVE REGINA" to all their guests!! 

It was truly an illuminating evening!

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XO,