Autumn Tea Leaf...My Cup Overflows

This picture reminds me of changes that have taken place in the past month and a half...it's a bit of a blur, but filled with goodness and blessings.

Even when the days seem to be made of struggles and uncertainties, we can rest assured that God has the overall plan in our best interest.

Upon returning from our trip to Japan, I visited my mother who had been admitted to the hospital...she had fallen and broken her hip and was now 'recovering' in a nursing/rehab center.  What was supposed to be a month long recovery to independence, turned into a nightmare.  Her health took a drastic turn and it seemed we would lose my mother.

Sparing the ugly details, I removed my mother from the 'care center' weeks early. I moved into her home, where I would become her full time caregiver and therapist.

My years as an Occupational Therapist paid off.  I could not only offer her professional treatment, but attentive and loving care 24/7 to bring her back from her torment.

Today, this first day of Harvest, she is walking outside with me and enjoying the crisp air and warm sun on her face.

It was not without pain, perseverance, sacrifice, humility and tears.

In the past month, my daughter has left for college.  This is her first year out of the house.  I haven't really had time to feel the emptiness of her presence in the rooms of our home.  Her beauty.  Her laugh.  Her smile.  Her loving and gentle hugs.

My beautiful Butterfly

I miss my Butterfly and my heart is mixed with so many emotions.

I am filled with excitement & happiness for her.  I know that she will grow in the Lord and strengthen her Faith.  She will gain wisdom and knowledge through life experiences and academia.  She will make life long friends and build upon her character.  She may meet her future husband, or learn what God is calling her to do...how to serve Him, now and in the future.  She is a precious child of God, and I love her to the heavens and beyond.

In a few days I will return home.  I will resume my full time position as wife, mother, and keeper of my home.

Soon, I will be reunited with my garden, and my silly and sassy dogs.  I will decorate my home with things of autumn.

I will praise Him with every detail in my life.

My time with my mother, and my father, has been such a blessing.  My cup surely overflows with God's good love.

God is so good.  

He allows us to know, love and serve Him through those around us.  

He is always giving us the opportunity to reap His Harvest!

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, 
for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, 
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." 

~ Psalm 23:4-6

Harvest, Autumn, Fall...

I am giving thanks and feeling mighty grateful for another season of Autumn...my favorite season!

The months and years are slipping by...and now, I have another graduate.  She is away at college, thankfully in California.  This mama is happy about that!

And so a new Academic year begins...

Blessings to all our homeschool families, students and teachers everywhere, and college students near and far...

"But those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength.  

They will soar with wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary, 

they will walk and not be faint."  

~ Isaiah 40:31

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real: May 2016

Pentecost Bouquet in the Month of May

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~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Epiphany Gingerbread Cake

Butterfly handmade the chocolate magi cake toppers with much love (& detail).

Sweet Sixteen

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

{pretty}

My sweet girl turned SIXTEEN!!!  I love you my dear, what a beautiful young lady you have become...I am so very proud of who you are and all that you do, for the glory of God.  You are sweet, and fun, and (so very, very) smart, and talented.  You are an angel in my eyes and one of my greatest and most precious treasures.  Happy Birthday...with all my LOVE.  XOXOXOXO

{happy}

Fifteen was just a blink away... ;o) 

Fourteen was two blinks... ;o)  ;o)
Thirteen was three...;o) ;o)  ;o)

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My Sweet Sixteen decided to make a day of fun, with her sister and me, at the salon for a mani & pedi...it was fun, fun, funny!  We sat three in a row and were pampered with fun girly stuff - not to mention, very relaxing.  We walked out of there with fabulous feet & fingers!

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My teens had their friends over for a soccer game...I remember having lots of energy and a voracious appetite as a youth...I am happy to report:  things have not changed much in that area.  It makes this mama's heart happy to take care of our guests; I certainly inherited the love of hospitality from my mother.

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~ Love is... ~

Butterfly created a Valentine for an assignment in her Spanish Class;

I thought it was lovely and very creative!
Can you see the message of Love...Charity...Caridad?

I thought I would create something for the day, too...

Blue Berry Muffins with Valentine Heart Icing...Healthy Heart with a taste of Sweetness.

Small things done with great LOVE

I added fresh blueberries, walnuts and Ghirardelli's 60% bittersweet cacao chips to the recipe...The muffins came out delicious!

The fresh roses were a gift, from my hubby...he always remembers. xoxoxox

For God so loVed the world

      That He gAve 

             his onLy begotten Son,

   that whosoEver

    believeth iN Him

     should noT

                  parIsh but have

       everlastiNg

                   lifE

~ John 3:16

A VERY BLESSED ST. VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL!

Valentine's Days of the past...
2012:  The Language of Love & St. Valentine's Day
2013:  My Love &  An Agreeably Argumentative Opinion
2014:  Happy St. Valentine's Day

~ The Gifts that Keep on Giving ~

I am still living Christmas.  I have not had a moment to journal about all the beautiful gifts of love that the Christmas Season brings.  

The Gifts of Love that keep on Giving!

I used one of my Christmas Gifts this morning, and I just had to share...

My Butterfly gifted me with so many wonderful tokens of charity and affection. 

~*~ Twelve Cooked Meals ~*~

~*~ Twenty-Four Cups of Hot Tea ~*~

~*~ Ten Bed Makings ~*~

~*~ Four Dog Washings ~*~

And if that wasn't enough LOVE, my sister in law made this absolutely beautiful Treasure and Memory Box for the family.

On the exterior, a collage of pictures of Christmas' Past.

In the interior are cards to Create Written Memories for each Christmas.

This has love written all over it...literally.

I am feeling overwhelmingly blessed these days and I am so thankful to God for all the blessings in my life.  My husband, my children, my family and my friends.  But I know that it is my Faith that brings me the most joy, and with the knowledge that I am loved bounteously by He that has made me.  He is the most perfect Gift, that gives - continuously.

+AMDG+

"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him...There is no fear in love."

~ 1 John 4:15-16

Eggs-travaganza

The Summer has been filled with one spectacular event after another....

Camping at Lake Siskyou

Fishing for rainbow trout

Cooking rainbow trout

AHG Camp

Learning to tie knots...among other skills

Achieving the Climb on badge

Train Ride from California to Washington

Catholic Family Conference

Serving

San Francisco Stay

Investiture Mass

Dinner at the St. Francis - Celebrating a joyous occasion

Mass at the Carmel

Mass at the Carmel - Imposition of the habit

and Fresh Eggs!  My Little Lamb has now been gathering fresh eggs on a daily basis.  Which means, Butterfly has been doing a lot of baking using up some fresh plums & peaches from our families gardens...one "eggstravaganza" event after another.

Our summer is officially over...it is Back to School time.  I am hoping for a successful academic year and praying for a rainy Autumn & Winter...

"O God, in Whom we live, move and have our being, grant us sufficient rain, so that, being supplied with what sustains us in this present life, we may seek more confidently what sustains us for eternity.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever."  ~ The Roman Missal of the Catholic Church, #35

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~ Airing Our Dirty Laundry ~ {phfr} style

I am always trying to find new ways to run an efficient household.  Constantly moving, changing, adding, removing...

As our family grows & ages, new techniques and ideas are needed in order to keep things streamlined; which is a perpetual goal of mine.

It always centers around "Simplify".  This is the key; keep things simple.  

Rather than spending hundreds on organizational gadgets & boxes & shelves & baskets, I keep those that work, while I move out those items that don't (or no longer) fit our needs.  This should help my laundry challenged child with her sorting limitations.

{real}

The black binder clips may not look pretty, however, they get the job done; and they were free.  Win-win.  Done.  Next...

{pretty} 

Our Home School group organized a fun Spring Formal Dance...

My Conductor & Butterfly looked pretty fabulous...If I do say so myself. :o)
How did these 'little' people, all of a sudden, become taller (& smarter) than me?  
'In the blink of an eye'...so very true.  

I am truly enjoying my children and I do not regret a single day of staying at home with them.  Those that questioned my husband and I and our wanting to take them everywhere with us; those that did not understand that we did not care to leave them to babysitters, daycare centers, ...so that we could 'take time for ourselves' or not give up 'my career'.  I say to you...I do not regret our decision.  Nope.  I do not regret a single second of staying at home with my babies.  Neither do I regret all the sacrifices or exhausting toddler (and now teen) days.  LOL.  I love how they now gently encourage me to go and take a nap...so sweet.

Did I ever want to pull my hair out?  Yes.
Did I ever want to quit being their teacher (or 'mama-teacher' as they used to call me).  Oh, ya.  There were days that I was tempted to throw in the towel.  Home schooling is not for the faint of heart.  It is also, not for everyone.  

And now...here they are, my oldest two, heading off to a teen dance.  Very much a lady and a gentleman.  Two creatures that I love with all my heart and am so very proud of...
In the blink of an eye.  Guardian Angel...please continue to keep them in your care.

Speaking of mamas...a Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the moms out there!
You are to be honored, appreciated and thanked!!

{happy}

I just love this bible verse:

A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.  She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.  In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.  

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  When it snows, she has not fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.  

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  ~ Proverbs 31: 10-30
   

A few of my favorite things:  Champagne, Chocolate, Flowers &
my Husband (it doesn't hurt that he is doing the dishes, either) O:o)

{funny}

This lovely, large & lanky bird was spotted on the roof of a neighbor's house.  Maybe it wasn't too funny the gift that it left behind...(ahem).

If you are visiting for the first time, Welcome! I hope that you found something {pretty}, {happy}, {funny} or {real} here on my little blog.  For more {phfr} times, visit Like Mother, Like Daughter.

Speaking of LMLD...have you not purchased your THE LITTLE ORATORY book?  I am waiting for the upcoming, long weekend, so that I may savor every page in peace...I allowed myself one little peek.  Can't wait!!!

You can also visit other Family Journals over at Catholic Bloggers Network.

~ phfr: Seeing Stars ~

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{pretty}

Birthday flowers for my Fifteen year old...my Butterfly!  She is a gentle and sweet girl.  Correction:  She is a young lady with a gentle heart and sweet soul.  I love you, sweetie!  xoxoxo, mom

{happy}

My Butterfly celebrated her FIFTEENTH Birthday this month...It was another birthday extravaganza.  On her actual birthday, we celebrated with just our familia.  But on Sunday, we had her teen friends over for lunch and then a movie...

Super moist Chocolate Cake with fresh raspberries and a Dark Chocolate Ganache

The recipe for the cake can be found here.  It can be used for a Fourth of July Celebration.  Or, leave the red, white and blue decorations off, for a simply impressive 'plain' Chocolate Cake. 

Then again, you can add some fresh berries to give it an interesting look and exciting texture.  Either way, this cake is amazing.

{funny}

Little Lamb:  (teasingly) Mom, I'm going to raise Catholic Chickens!

Me:  Huh!???!  (turning, abruptly, to face her)

Little Lamb:  (as she spreads out the 'Catholic' News Paper)  

Ya!  See; So they can read Catholic material.  :o)  Tee-hee

And they actually looked as if they were reading the paper!!!
It was hilarious!

{real}

'Sisters' inspired by White Christmas 

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~ Family Journal ~

~ Backed Blogged - March Feasts & Goings On: p,h,f,r style ~

Linking up to Like Mother, Like Daughter to share some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

March is filled with more wonderful feast days...which fall during the Lenten Season. These feast days tend to be even more celebratory (in our home), because we are in a solemn time, focusing on the "dying to ourselves", so that He can be better known in our hearts and through our works.

Here are several every day happenings in our lives at the Hand-Maid Household:

{pretty}

Celebrating all the feast days makes for a pretty home...

Little Lamb waits patiently while her mother captures the moment via film :P

{happy}

This typewriter used to belong to my dad when he was in high school.  He gifted it to my eldest daughter, my Butterfly.  She is a freshman in High School, and although she has her own laptop to participate in her online courses, she has always wanted an 'old-fashioned' typewriter.

One of the first things she wrote (on the well-used, ink depleted ribbon) was a thank you letter to her grandfather -my dad- for the typewriter.  
Secondly, she wrote a story, while playing a game she made up of taking turns writing a story with several people.  The first person writes a paragraph, then the next person continues with a paragraph and so forth...It goes like this:

"My Sister Wants a Story, so...here goes.

     Once upon a time (as all fictional stories start) there was a very beautiful princess with red-brown hair that went all the way down to her feet.  Every evening, she would walk in her magical garden which wasn't very magical!
     She was joined by her white unicorn, named Crystal.  Crystal was a very tame unicorn that loved to fly through the clouds and over rainbows.  Her favorite food was marshmallows and cotton candy.  Crystal had brought her friend Amethyst.  Amethyst was a purple unicorn that had just joined the unicorn herd, so Crystal had brought her to meet her favorite human, Princess Guiliana, the only human who was smart enough to be able to talk to unicorns.  One day, a young prince of Pulchra Unus walked besides the garden wall and heard her singing.  Her voice was like angels in choir.  When she sang, the birds would join her and all the animals would stop and listen.
     He asked his manservant who was it that was singing with the heavenly voice.  His manservant (another name for comic relief, sidekick) answered that they must have died and gone to paradise.  Then the Paige replied, "it is Princess Royal, Guiliana of Hardcastle".  The prince insisted that he be gotten an audience with the King of Hardcastle, but there was a large golden gate with a large lock!!!!!!!!! 
     The lock could not be removed, unless one as worthy as to take the princess' hand in marriage came forth.  The Prince was determined to see the Princess, so after he returned from hunting he....(to be continued)."

More happy, the Library Book Sale was this month...So many gems were found!

{funny}

The growth of the chicks have been amazing.  I could take a picture everyday and see a change...

{real}

During Lent, many activities are taking place in our home and within our Parish life.  This is the first year that I am not teaching the First Holy Communion class; however, as the DRE, I continue to organize the Sacraments that our young parishioners receive.  Traditionally, during the Lenten season, the 1st Communion students receive the sacrament of Confession (Penance or Reconciliation).  They also receive a blessed crucifix from the Holy Land.  The candle cross below, represents all those that have made the Sacrament of Penance.

Candles are placed on a small table.  These candles will be lit once each child has made their First Confession.  The flame is taken from the Paschal Candle of last year.   It is a beautiful day...many souls are made clean and pure.

Also, as the years fly by, we turn from all the wonderful activities that we enjoyed while the children were younger and celebrate the feast days with food and books.  That is not to say we do not participate in any activities, but they are not as frequent or as needed.  Here are a few books that we enjoy during the March feasts...

We have enjoyed the traditional St. Joseph's table in the past, and we hope to enjoy it in years to come -

credit

However, this year, we settled for a day of Holy Mass and quiet prayer.  It was perfect!

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