Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real: May 2016

Pentecost Bouquet in the Month of May

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

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

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 ~

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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...

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 ~

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Home School Style

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

{pretty, happy, funny, real} : Sweet Saints Edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

Equipping Catholic Families Saints Cele-Linky,

and Catholic Bloggers Network
+ Family Journal +

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 Butterfly's Collections.

She arranges them just so...pretty.

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I save boxes and containers, just in case. 

So I was {happy} to find a good use for these empty gelato containers (that have been taking up space in my pantry closet). 


Thanks to Jennifer at Catholic Inspired for the idea, the labels and, of course, the inspiration!

Each Jar named a saint...and the contents had saint themed goodies inside.  Check our her ideas, and get her label printouts, here.

Thank you, Jennifer for sharing this wonderful idea!

{funny}

As our homeschool groups new First Friday Mass Coordinator, I organized an Ice Cream Social, which took place right after the Mass.  Fun.  We also made "saints" for the All Saints Party.  The children traced each other, and then painted in a saint.  This was Little Lambs contribution...

Everyone had fun making their saint...there were some really talented artists!

They will be added to all the previously painted saints.

{real}

Working on schoolwork, activities, organizing clubs, events...my desk is a perpetual mess.
I actually have layers of stuff...sometimes things (my ipad) teetering on top of books and things.  Thank goodness for little helpers...

She's ready to help..."as an American Heritage Girl, I promise to be: 
Compassionate, Helpful, Honest,
Loyal, Perseverant, Pure,
Resourceful, Respectful, Responsible, and Reverent."  ~ The AHG creed

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

Catholic Bloggers Network's Link-up Blitz

and don't forget to

Visit Equipping Catholic Families to find more saintly activities!

~ October Saint ~

There are a lot of wonderful saints that we celebrate during the month of October.

I have been trying to learn more about the *less-known* saints...that is, not know to me.

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One such saint is St. Maria Soledad.  Her full name is actually:

~ SAINT MARIA SOLEDAD TORRES ACOSTA ~

Why did I choose her?  Well, I didn't.  My daughter, who I call *Little Lamb* (here on my blog journal), chose to dress up as Saint Maria Soledad for an AHG Explorers party &/or our homeschool groups All Saints Party. 

St. Maria Soledad was the Foundress of the Congregation of Sisters Sevants of Mary, Ministers of the Sick.  She was born in Madrid, Spain in 1851.  St. Maria did everything for His greater glory and relied on His help, entirely.  She was canonized, *recently*, on January 25, 1970, by Pope Paul VI.  I was just 7 years old!  St. Maria Soledad's feast day is October 11th.

{happy}

Speaking of AHG...Little Lamb recently joined this girls club.  After about 7 years of running a Little Flowers (& Blue Knights) group, I hosted a Rosebuds Girls Club for another 3 years.
Finally, last year, we attended Oakrose Girls Club.  Sadly, this year we cannot make the meeting times. 
Now, Little Lamb is an Explorer, and she loves it! This makes me happy!
A mother is happy, when her children are happy.  Having other people organize and plan also makes me happy appreciative and grateful!

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And...speaking of groups, I decided to accept the nomination of First Friday Mass Coordinator for our Homeschool group.  Years ago I was our group's Membership Chair...after a couple (three?) years I thought that I should step aside and let someone else deal with it share the fun.         

{real:  Burnt muffins...even pretty paper cups and stacking them nicely could not save them...terrible shame}

These days, I have a little more time since, this year, I am not teaching the First Holy Communion class.
And this First Friday Mass Coordinator position is something that me and my children can *share*, since my son serves as acolyte, and I schedule the sacristans; and my daughters sing in the choir; but mostly because we already attend the Mass and participate in the beautiful devotions.  I can do this one small thing.  Our homeschool group is important to me...to us!
And attending First Friday Mass, at our parish, is a priority. 

{real:  Ground squirrels or gophers are destroying our landscape...my westie has been trying to dig them out, making more of a mess...oh, what fun. I am pulling my hair out}

{real:  meanwhile...}

And so as not to leave on a down note:
I continue to count my blessings and am thankful for all, even my small crosses.

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Visit Saints Cele-LINKY at Equipping Catholic Families to find more saintly activities!

~ Oakrose Girls Club ~ March 2013

Sadly, we have not made all the girls club meetings this year, as I could not commit to hosting the Rosebuds Girls Club any longer.  However, Butterfly was able to give another talk to the younger girls at the new Oakrose Girls Club!   This month, the talk was on the virtue Generosity and a Catechism lesson on the subject of the 4th Commandment and Obedience to parents.

As always...we start out with a social gathering...This month we celebrated St. Patrick's Day.

"GENEROSITY helps us to give of ourselves, and the things we have, to others who are in need.  It is acting unselfishly and cheerfully for the good of another.  A generous person thinks more of someone else's needs than his or her own.  Generosity is being concerned for others, even those you do not know.  It will ultimately lead to a love for all mankind and help establish peace in the world."

 Little Lamb used the overcast stitch, while Butterfly used the invisible stitch.

Little Lamb wanted to make sure she wore some green...see it? (mostly pink with a spot of green).

We continue to be thankful for the mothers & daughters of this group; for the many opportunities to learn leadership skills and form Christian Virtues...Creating Friendships and Sodality. 

And a HUGE THANK YOU to our coordinators and hostess!!

Butterfly's hand-made with love...pillows

~ Saints & Sickness ~

I was enjoying this lovely piece of art on display, while visiting our Cathedral last week.

I'm sharing it in honor of the recent All Saints Day, which took place at the beginning of this month, on November 1st.

It's like a sneak peek into heaven...
...a very nice family photo.


Here is a side shot, to show the *3-D* effect.


Isn't it wonderful? 

Speaking of saints...

I decided not to host the girls club at my home this year...our schedules are so overwhelmingly full; I wasn't sure if we could make any of the meetings. 
Thankfully, another mother will host and we will try to attend as many as we can.

Butterfly was asked to give the talk at the girls club, which was on Friday.  The subject was on the virtues of forgiveness and penance; and on friendship.  She also spoke on the Catechism:  Original Sin, Sin & Mankind, Venial & Mortal Sin. 

I am so proud of her leadership skills...

Well, my sore throat, from a couple days earlier, turned into a terrible cough and so I quarantined myself to my car and waited outside while the traditional mother/daughter tea took place.  I brought along some companions to help pass the time:

When I heard a little tap on the car door...my sweet and thoughtful daughter was delivering a treat to her *lonely sick mother* (minus the annoying cough, I was quite alright with the quiet reading time). 
Of course, I was happy to be the recipient of this saintly act of kindness:

She even remember to bring a napkin and fork...I'm feeling much better already. 
 0:o)