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.

~ Mystical Rose & Gardens ~

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

{pretty}

A wedding cake to celebrate Traditional Marriage in our Archdiocese.
Our Lady, full of grace...keep us in your motherly care.

A few weeks ago I took a small group of teens from our parish Youth Group to a Benefit Dinner in San Francisco.  P.L.M.R or Pro-Life of the Mystical Rose is a Catholic organization led by youth, advocating the pro-life cause.  Their aim is to educate and inspire other youth to make a difference in today's world, in regards to Life & Death issues in our society.  I posted about the 1st Pro-Life Youth Conference NorCal HERE.

{happy}

Foods from around the world were served.  Afghanistan, France, India, Ireland, Marshal Islands, U.S.A., Philippines, Thailand, Mexico...to name a few!  I was in my happy place.

There was also a very nice array of auction items...

Interestingly, I took more pictures of the food rather than the auction items...

{funny}

This was the first go 'round.  (My before Lent-type serving)  Eating like a gluttonous... there was no tomorrow.  The food was delicious!  And colorful...I love a spectacular presentation!  

I have no shame in photographing my plate.
50% of the pictures on my iPhone are of plates of food.  It is a problem.

{real}

Multiple projects, including building of chicken coop for my Little Lamb.
The lumpia are from the PLMR Benefit dinner...just thought I'd throw them in there!

This is my handsome 16 year old son, who I endearingly refer to as CONDUCTOR here on my (mostly private) family journal blog...and, by the way, he likes it that way.  Thank you very much! :D  
Conductor has taken this weed infested piece of land and turned it into an amazing garden with full irrigation and landscape equipped with a fully functioning train and rail road tracks.  G scale 1:20.3 ratio (for those who get it - I don't.  It's like another language).  
Here is another post on the work Conductor has done, because I often forget when I see progress as slow going.

Whatever you decide to do in life, son, may you do it for the Glory of God!
Even using a blowtorch can be reverent!

This is the same young man that loves serving as an Episcopal Server and who thoughtfully brought an entire church all the Liturgical Vestments, Sacred Vessels and other items needed for Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction...to our recent 3 day Youth Retreat.    Which shall have a post of its very own.   
It was a bit rustic, but we certainly made do.
I am so proud of you, son!  Thank you!!!

Little Lamb's Chicken Coop is taking shape...her companions never leaving her side.

Little Lamb, has been insatiably reading books about 'chickens'.  She has figured out how many chicks she will need to feed our family and possibly sell some eggs for profit (or at least to pay for the chicken feed).  I keep telling myself there is a good life's lesson here...

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

~ 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)

~ Life ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter 

&

Catholic Bloggers Network

2013 Monthly Link-Up Blitz

 

 

{pretty}

 

This crucifix qualifies as {pretty} special.  I hand held this all the way back from Assisi, Italy during our Altar Boy Pilgrimage to Rome.  It was hand-made from olive wood from local artisans. 

 

{happy}

 

{happy} Birthday Dinner & Dessert for my Father-in-law 

 

 

 

{funny}

 

Our friends asked if we would take care of their birds while they were on vacation...sure (I say).  In my mind, I envisioned this cute little bird cage...HA! 

 

Boy was I surprised when they pulled up with this...

 

It took up half my dining room.  :oD 
(just kidding, L ~  Love ya! xo)

 

My girls were ecstatic that they had these sweet birds to care for, and I have to admit...they were really sweet. 

Messy, but sweet.  {funny}, too!

 

 

{real}

In August, I took a group of teens, from our church Youth Group, to the First Ever Pro-Life Youth Conference Nor-Cal 2013...held at the Cathedral in San Francisco.

It was organized by P.L.M.R.  Pro-Lifers of the Mystical Rose which is a Pro-Life Youth-Led Organization.

The two day event was packed full of nine amazing  and compelling speakers, including the wonderful Sisters of Life,

The Sisters of Life is a contemplative / active religious community of women founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O’Connor for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life. Like all religious communities, we take the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We also are consecrated under a special, fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.
~ Sisters of Life

...the event also included live music, as well as an Info-Faire, books & media tables.

We experienced our first "Die-In Rally" and participated in a Peaceful Walk to the Civic Center Plaza led by the loyal and worthy Knights of Columbus.  Surprisingly, we had a great amount of positive reactions & support...and only one (maybe two) jeers. 

Several priests were available throughout the event to offer the sacrament of Confession & Spiritual Direction.

 The event was very well organized and the food (important when you have teens), which was included in the registration package, was superb!

Advocating the Pro-Life Cause and working towards the end of abortion is what the Pro-Life Youth Conference event is hoping to accomplish. 

We are looking forward to the 2nd Annual Pro-Life Youth Conference 2014!

 

 

 

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

and

Linking up to Catholic Bloggers Network

2013 Monthly Link-Up Blitz

~ Catechism, Apologetics and Catholic Product Reviews ~

~ Progress ~

A while ago I posted about our garden and the different projects that we are working on, first HERE and then again HERE.

My son, (blog name: Conductor), has really taken over the entire grounds with my eldest daughter, (blog name:  Butterfly),  helping out tremendously.

I thought I would do an updated post with some pictures of the progress.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

 

AFTER:

 I love this little "retaining wall" and the raised track.  Conductor has added many details; a lot of work has gone into his project.

 

It is A LOT of work...

There is still some unfinished work, but it looks so.much.better!  I am thankful and proud of all the work that my children have completed this far. 
What a difference in the appearance of the landscape...they are experiencing the pride of ownership.  They are enjoying the fruits of their labor - literally!  They go out and eat fresh fruit when in the garden...

 

Brother birds are at it again...

Sweet peaches, straight from the garden. 

 The corn suffered...but the nectarines are doing good. 

  

 And yes, we had a few casualties...

But overall, it was a great crop and worth every effort!

  Peaches!

 

Grapes! 

 Strawberries!

Thanks to my husband...here is my new (tiered) raised garden beds, awaiting soil...

...and the work continues!