~ 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...

~ Random Works ~

 

 

Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

{pretty}

Such a pretty sunset evening for our Altar Server C A N D E L O R A

Dinner Fundraiser Event...on, of course, Candelmas.

(Which deserves a post of its own.)

 

Through all the preparations and busyness for the Dinner, the girls were keeping up with their embroidering - pretty, too.

 

 

{ happy}

 

 

 

Happy to report our deck is complete...and it provides much happiness and peace, set amongst our young olive trees. 

 

{funny}

 

 

Popcorn is at it again...doing what she loves best!  Funny, until she threw up dirt.  (yuck!)

 

{real}

 

 

Compiling the decor for C A N D E L O R A ...

my dining room was out of commission for some time!

Just getting back to our regular routine!!

 

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

~ Good Works ~

Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

 

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

 

{pretty}

 

The girls have picked up their embroidery hoops again...I am SO delighted!

Hand-Made with Love by Butterfly

 

 

{happy}

 

Hand-Made with Love by Little Lamb

Little Lamb is so excited and is working non-stop to create pillows & pillowcases for her brother's Altar Boy Fundraiser Events...

they are helping to send the boys to Rome! 

We have another amazing dinner & auction coming up...

 

 

{funny}

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard-working husband/daddy is now building a deck, he and son work hard to beautify our home...and Popcorn wants in on the action!  She gets her nose right in there!! 

 

 

 

{real}

 

 

The embroidery fun is taking over our Learning Room table, floor, space...

 

 

 

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

~ For the greater glory of God ~

Dusting off this  very old post from the vaults...

to join the O Most Sacred Heart: 

 

 

      June 15th, was the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

One of the works that gives me great joy and happiness (besides spending time with my children and family & working in my garden) is arranging flowers for the sanctuary at my parish. 

Flowers hand-made with love for Him!

Flowers on the High Altar

It's another labor of love -

It takes time and patience...

...Some creativity and vision...and a lot of prayers.  Prayers to St. Anne for her intercession and help, and prayers to the Holy Spirit for guidance and inspiration.  +AMDG+

On the High Altar, for Him

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam = For the greater glory of God






There is a group of terrific ladies that have been arranging flowers for the church for years...they are very talented and inspirational.

They create beautiful bouquets and arrangements, working quietly and diligently...

all for the greater glory of God.

At the foot of the cross altar

This week I arranged the flowers...using RED for the SACRED HEART, PURPLE for HIS MERCY on our sins and WHITE for his GOODNESS, GLORY and TRIUMPH.

+AMDG+

~ Boys & Toys ~



Conductor at work

 I just love my two men!  They are always SO good about keeping things maintained around the yard (& house)...always fixing & improving.  What a team!

They are amazing - both in designing and building new places of beauty, all for the family to enjoy.

Conductor's Toy

Toys, toys, toys

Of course, with all this manly work, several toys tools are needed...

...I'm good with this;  Hmmm, come to think of it, I have several toys tools in the kitchen.  ;o)

Besides, they always get the job done - and it's always top notch. 

Break Time

BREAK TIME! 
Man & Man-boy are peacefully enjoying a short break and some father/son time.

Play Time

PLAY TIME!
Dog-puppy playfully attacks Master, from behind!

TIME OUT, TIME! 

Master reverts to old high school wrestling move for a pin!                                                                     

Time Out, Time