~ ONE in a MINION Party ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty, happy, funny & real} all wrapped up into one BIG PARTY

Here, Despicable Me translates into Invaluable Ten...

...which is what my little girl is to me!  She is ONE in a MILLION!

These little minion creatures are loveable, adorable and funny, and so is my Little Lamb, more so!

We had a blast making the decorations and Little Lamb hand-made her own invitations...so cute!

Everything was hand-made with much love...and I spent most of the day in the kitchen with her making and baking for "my baby's" TENTH!  She was one happy girl!

She chose her cake, and her Birthday Dinner - TEN IS A BIG DEAL!!!

Double digits. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9...10!!

Worthy of creating FUN BANNERS

 We searched our craft closet & craft boxes and (thankfully) found all that we needed.

 I searched for some Minion images and voila!  A FUN & FESTIVE Banner!


My Minions:  Conductor, Little Lamb & Butterfly

It was MINION MADNESS!

Party Crasher - evil minion

Little Lamb decided on a Dark Chocolate Cake with Fresh Raspberry Filling and covered in Dark Chocolate Ganache Icing.  It was the perfect combination.

Ack! Suzy Homemaker in my favorite fancy apron. :oP

The cake was dense, but oh.so.moist.  An excellent recipe that I will request for my birthday...
(minus the minions)

When making MINIONS, you will need Sugar, Sugar, AND MORE SUGAR!(bleck)
oh, and some bananas. 

Going Bananas for Minions!

WE LOVE YOU...PRECIOUS DAUGHTER...

YOU ARE TRULY ONE IN A MILLION,

BECAUSE YOU ARE BEAUTIFULLY AND FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY 

~ MADE BY GOD ~

Ten years old

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

~ A Shining Light in a dark World ~

Monica over at Equipping Catholic Families has a SHINING LIGHT DOLLS GIVEAWAY going on right now...

What a wonderful way to celebrate Pope Francis' consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary!  THANK YOU, MONICA!

{pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ The flavor of Autumn ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

{pretty}

The Kitchen Table Centerpiece

 

{happy}

 

An early birthday gift from my children.

 

I think they were pretty happy about it...

since it makes hot chocolate and Hot Apple Cider!

How convenient!  :o)

And that makes ME HAPPY!

 

{funny}

 

Little Lamb has been asking to learn the following languages:

Spanish, Italian, German, Latin and Polish

Little Lamb making her own layered candle

 

She wants to speak these languages "conversationally" and not just learn them "grammatically".

 

 

Little Lamb:  Mom, when can I learn Spanish?

Me:  Well, there's no time like the present!  (Getting up from my computer and immediately getting out the Rosetta Stone).

Little Lamb:  WOW, that's the first time I've heard you say that!

Me:  Really?  You act so surprised...do you like that saying?

Little Lamb:  Yes; that is the smartest thing you have ever said!

Me:  LOL.  (I'm guessing that I say, "just a minute" and "just one moment", way too often!)

 

{real}

 

New gift = Re-organizing my Tea Drawer

 

And what goes wonderfully with some Hot apple Cider...?

Baked Apple & Cinnamon Oatmeal - extremely easy, delicious and with the flavor of Autumn

Autumn Breakfast

 

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

~ Priesthood Sunday 2013 ~

Joining Jennifer over at Catholic Inspired for the

~ Catholic Inspired Link-Up ~

~ Second Wednesday of the Month ~

 

The month of October has been set aside to acknowledge our priests and the priestly ministry.  Although we pray for our priests daily, Priesthood Sunday is a special day in which we can celebrate, honor and show appreciation for all they do...

 


Last year, I created a tri-fold that included pictures of our parish priests and a clipboard with a Spiritual Bouquet to gather signatures and pledges. 

We then had a simple potluck after Mass with a cake to show our love and appreciation of our priests.

 

The life of a priest is busy, demanding and I'm sure, at times, challenging.  But the life of a priest is always essential.  A priest's ministry is so expansive.  Much more than preaching or praying, offering the Sacraments and even preparing us for the sacraments.  They comfort the grieving, counsel all those in need, and bring back those lost sheep - they are shepherds over their flock.
A priest's life is given over entirely to serving the Church and her people - all people.

I have heard it said that in order to understand the life of a priest, you have to have faith in Christ. 


This October 27th, 2013, is our next National Priesthood Sunday.  You don't have to throw an elaborate party...they most likely wouldn't want that. 
But don't forget to thank your priest; give them a Spiritual Bouquet, a thoughtful card, a hug.


They will appreciate your kind gesture.  They need our prayers.

You can go here for more ideas about celebrating PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY in your parish.

For more inspiration or to share your own, link-up to Catholic: And Living It!

 

Also, linking up to Catholic Bloggers Network Monthly Link-up Blitz

~ Catholic Family Journal ~

 

 

~ Blue Mass & Angels ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

& 

 

Linking up to Catholic Bloggers Network Monthly Link-Up Blitz

~ Catholic Family Journal ~

 

On the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, we attended the Blue Mass at our Cathedral.  It was a historic occasion, as it was the First Blue Mass celebration in our Cathedral.

 

Our Bishop and many other priests, deacons, and clergy came together to thank, pray and bless our men and women of the Police, Firemen and First Response Teams
within our two counties.

  

The first Blue Mass, celebrated in 1934, took place at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.  The Mass is now celebrated in cities from coast to coast to honor the many law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who gave their lives so that others might live.

Our Bishop specifically chose the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, October 2nd, as the day to celebrate The Blue Mass; and appropriately so!

Saint Michael the Archangel is the Patron Saint of Police Officers. 
St. Florian is the Patron Saint of Firefighters.

 

 

{pretty}

Special roses from the garden to celebrate a special day...

We seem to use our Guardian Angel Candle regularly for special occasions, including Baptismal, First Communion & Confirmation Anniversaries. 
Butterfly & Conductor celebrate their Baptismal Anniversaries this month, while Butterfly celebrates her First Holy Communion anniversary as well as her Feast Day...October is full of special celebrations.
Heavenly Anniversaries is what I call them...dates that we have celebrated since their baptisms and dates that I have always taught my First Communion Students to cherish.
How do you celebrate?  Please share!

{happy}

I was SO HAPPY that my brother accepted our invitation to attend the Blue Mass.  He was asked by several people to participate in the procession...he humbly agreed and then branched off to sit with his sister (that's me!) and his nieces.  His nephew (Conductor) was proudly serving the Holy Mass.  It was both a very solemn and happy occasion.

 

{funny}

 

 I quickly snapped this shot, but missed what all the fun was about...
clearly something funny occurred...
 

{real}

 

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS!!!

 

 AND GOD BLESS THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES SERVING, PROTECTING AND DEFENDING US!!!


Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

St. Michael & St. Florian, Pray for us!
Holy Guardian Angels, intercede for us...

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

 Visit Catholic Bloggers Network Monthly Link-Up Blitz for more

~ Catholic Family Journals ~
and
SAINTS Cele-LINKY

 

 

~ Angel of God ~

I love my guardian angel.
And I am thankful for my guardian angel.

"From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercessions.  'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.'  Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church 336)."

Brethren, we will love God's angels with a most affectionate love; for they will be our heavenly co-heirs some day, these spirits who now are sent by the Father to be our protectors and our guides. With such bodyguards, what are we to fear? They can neither be subdued nor deceived; nor is there any possibility at all that they should go astray who are to guard us in all our ways. They are trustworthy, they are intelligent, they are strong — why, then, do we tremble? We need only to follow them, remain close to them, and we will dwell in the protection of the Most High God. So as often as you sense the approach of any grave temptation or some crushing sorrow hangs over you, invoke your protector, your leader, your helper in every situation. Call out to him and say: Lord, save us, we are perishing. —St. Bernard

Vatican Gardens - Rome, Italy 2013

"May the angels lead you into paradise;
may the martyrs come to welcome you
and take you to the holy city,
the new and eternal Jerusalem." (Rite for Christian Burial)

Altar Boy Pilgrimage 2013, Vatican Gardens

We will be bringing out the Guardian Angel Candle holder and baking some Angel food cake or maybe even some Angel Kisses...aka Meringues...

Altar boy Pilgrimage to Rome, Italy 2013

~ A Blessed Memorial of the

Holy Guardian Angels to All ~