~ 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...
 

 

 

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~ Patience is a Virture...and REGAL! ~

Today, I'm forty-five minutes early to pick up my daughter from her orthodontics appointment...she informed me that they had cancelled her appointment and that I would have to call them to reschedule...I'm annoyed.  
Butterfly has waited 4 weeks since her last appointment to (possibly) have her braces removed.  We cannot make it back next week.  And on, and on, and on...go my thoughts & arguments (I can feel my blood start to boil).  Life is too busy right now...I don't have time for this nonsense.

Yesterday, at Little Lamb's dentist & retainer check, we waited 10 minutes (actually 20 minutes, because I was early)....I had to pick up my son from Mass...he was waiting for his ride.  Me!  I started to stress...

(Back to today) 
 Rather than getting in the car and driving home to my one million "things to do", I turned off the car's engine and made my way back to the orthodontics office.  I'm walking fast.  I'm walking with purpose.  My poor daughter is following me...trying to keep up.

I throw open the door and walk straight to the desk...they see me coming and guiltily cower.  All three of them.

(Side note:  I had gone to confession earlier this morning) 
I think my guardian angel, and grace from this morning's Mass & sacrament, took charge.  My  face actually broke into a sincere smile and out from my mouth came sweet salutations.  (I shocked them.  I shocked myself).

(The moral of the story)
We worked it out to get my sweet and patient Butterfly her long awaited ortho appointment, first thing tomorrow morning (or, day three at the dentist office); and, they apologized profusely and gave her complimentary tickets to the movie theatre...

The smile on her face made this mama very thankful that I had not given into my vice, that I had not taken the dark path.  Yet, it wasn't I, but God's good and amazing grace...
You see, patience really is a virtue.  And God is good.

~ Things I Did Today... ~

Sometimes I feel that I'm just running around in circles...not accomplishing what I NEED to do.  I  tackle things as they come at me...then at the end of the day, I'm exhausted.

When I was working, outside of the house, I used to write out my list of things to do for the day, or month.

Actually, I continued this practice of writing down my 'list' until just about 4 or 5 years ago.  Occasionally, I would would start this practice up again, but it wouldn't be long before it just petered out.

Writing my list kept me, I felt, from wasting time.  I was able to accomplish so much...I could see all my progress as I would check off all the items on my list.  What I didn't finish, I would transfer to the new day.  But it made me feel "in control".  I knew I wasn't missing anything.

Lately, I've been "dropping the ball".  Which is not a good feeling for me. 
Overwhelmed.  That is what I start to feel if things are not getting done...

So I've decided to start a list again, ONLY this time, I'm going to include one for my children...why should I have all the fun!?

One morning, I took out my pad and wrote down all the things I had just accomplished or Things I Did Today!

Morning Prayer
Make my son's lunch
Drop son off at Math tutor
Read a few Blogs & write a few comments
Let dogs out, feed, walk...
Clean up dog area (usually the kids do this job as well as care for all the animals, but I gave them a break)
Sweep up leaves/rose pedals
Pull some weeds
2 loads of laundry
Sweep porch & decks
Water plants
Make oatmeal for girls
Bring in Birthday decorations
Load & start dishwasher
Start school...
ALL BY 8:30AM

For myself, I'd really like to use Marcia's idea to "Jot It Down!"...a practice that will help me when I start to get too busy, pulled in too many directions, or just plain distracted (I do tend to procrastinate).
"This gave me the idea to make a list for my children.  A pre-written check off list of what I want need them to accomplish...EVERY DAY.  Weekend's excluded (or not).

I'm looking at it as a Life Skills lesson.  Something that will help them with organization, and take some of the stress out of my our lives.  I've tried a Chore Board in the past.  Now I'm ready to try something new.  Something that will work for the every changing and growing family...

phfr: ~ Confirmation Celebrations ~

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom

Knowledge

Counsel

Fortitude

Understanding

Piety

Fear of the Lord

I found these beautiful wooden 'Come Holy Spirit' signs and then printed out each Confirmand's name to designate their seat & to reserve a pew for their family.

 

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

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{pretty}

 

The sanctuary was so beautiful in red...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butterfly's cake was from our favorite cake shop (downtown)...and similiar to Conductor's cake.

So beautiful, so delicious.

 

 

{happy}

 

This is the moment that has been anticipated...

Come Holy Spirit!

I wasn't able to capture "The Slap"

 

 

I love the picture above (lower left) where big brother (and MC) is assisting his sister.  Butterfly read the Prayer of the Faithful (above, right). 

She is pictured with her sponsor (lower right)

 

 

{funny}

 

 

We had a full house...ten of the Confirmandi came together and continued  the joyous celebration at our home.  We were surrounded by families and friends - it was an absolutely wonderful day!!! 

There was singing and laughter and a good time was had by all...

 

 

Did I mention Singing!?!  They were singing beautiful music, playing the piano and singing songs like Ave Verum Corpus!!!!  No prompting, no planning.  It was simply spontaneous and from the heart (and soul)...us adults heard this glorious sound (coming from the inside of the house)...

as we file into the house,  we found this scene (above).

 

I had to hold back tears...I was so struck and overwhelmed.

These are our teens!!!  Needless to say, us mothers (and fathers) were beyond pleased.

And yet ANOTHER reason why I/we home-school.

 

 

One of the young men even broke out an accordion...it was a wild party, I tell ya!

 Butterfly chose two different cakes, chocolate and rasberry in fondant and lemon with light lemon creme in whipped cream...we made the toppers on the whipped cream cake, while my baker made the topper on the fondant cake.  Two cakes were perfect...last year we had cake coming out of our ears more than enough!

 

 {real}

 

~ The Catechists ~

 

Husband is wearing his RED tie...

going over the particulars.

 

~ The MC (Master of Ceremonies) ~

 

My son making sure things run flawlessly, (and they did).

 

 

Our good friends (who's daughter also made her Confirmation) put out this spread!!!
Aren't those 'Tongues of Fire' in the middle of the meat tray great!?! 
So creative and festive!

Everyone pitched in to make an amazing feast for all....
 

I wasn't able to take a picture of our traditional 'First Communion Punch', now called 'Confirmation Punch' - it was a big hit! 

And below is our beloved pastor leading us all in song...

 it was a remarkable day!

 

~ + ~

Confirmation Prayer

O Holy Spirit of God; take me as Thy disciple.

Guide me, illuminate me, sanctify me. Bind my hands that they may do no evil.

Cover my eyes that they may see it no more. Sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell within me.

Be Thou my God. Be Thou my guide.

Whatsoever Thou forbiddest me I will renounce.

And whatsoever Thou commandest me, in Thy strength I will do.

Lead me then unto the fullness of Thy truth.

Amen.

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~ phfr ~ Totally Terrific Tea Edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

And

Joining the Catholic bloggers Network's 2013 Monthly Link-Up Blitz

This Week I hosted a Mother & Daughter Tea with Mary...

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist came to our home and shared a little about their work and lives as Brides of Christ.  It was a lovely, lovely afternoon.

{pretty}

The tables were all set to a Marian theme...

she definitely can make a table pretty.

{happy}

Little Lamb with Sister Mary Judith

Now, if that isn't a {happy} & joyous smile, I don't know what is!

An unknown dream was to have a harp in my home, it's such an elegant and peaceful musical instrument...my dream came true!

The lovely lady that played this heavenly instrument, had graciously agreed to play at our tea just days before, as I met her at my daughter's Confirmation reception...her niece was also Confirmed.  God is good and generous with his blessings!

{funny}

{funny} how everyone wanted to help...so wonderful!!!  There were lots of helpful young maidens...and even a young gentleman to help with the details and behind the scene prep.

Conductor helped with set up & details

So, what is so {funny} about all this food?  Nothing, but it was sure {fun} to enjoy!  Just sorry I wasn't able to capture every delicious dish in photo form...

{real}

Sr. Mary Judith, O.P

I cannot believe the Sisters were {real}ly here in my home!

Sr. Maria Fatima, O.P

Sr. Mary Samuel Handwerker, O.P and founding member.

 Meet more of the Dominican Sisters, here.

(out of privacy for the young girls, I am limiting the amount of pictures shared here on my blog)

 The Dominican Sisters' visit was fun, happy, and real....

It was exciting, engaging and, OH, so lovely!!!!

Besides the exciting news of the Dominican Sisters making it to the finals on the American Bible Challenge!  The Season finale will air, TONIGHT, Thursday , May 23 at 9/8c!

The Sisters have so many wonderful opportunities & retreats to offer & grow in faith; we will be trying this new one for sure!

Also, some 'Fast Facts' about the Dominican Sisters:

• Founded in 1997 with four Sisters
• Grown to over 115 Sisters
• Average age of the Sisters is 28
• Average age of women who enter is 21
• Sisters presently represent most of the States across America, and Provinces in Canada

www.sistersofmary.org

 

And away they went....

Dear Sisters, we will keep you close in our prayers....

"Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You."

~*~

"Mary, Mother of Jesus, be my mother too."

~*~

"Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine."

~*~

"O, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

~*~

"Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may love You forevermore."

~ prayer taken from Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

www.sistersofmary.org

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~ Veni Sancte Spiritus ~

The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit

 

Charity (Love)

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Generosity

Gentleness

Faithfulness

Modesty

Self-Control

Chastity

 

...Veni Creator Spiritus!