Guilty

St. Lucy's Cookie Dough ~ White Chocolate Truffles

St. Lucy or St. Lucia is the patron saint for the blind & those with eye disorders.  

Her name means "light".  

She was born in Syracuse, Sicily, and was from a wealthy family.
She was persecuted while defending the Faith.  Lucia is often depicted holding her eyes on a golden plate, because her eyes were gouged out before she was executed. She was a young courageous Christian woman, filled with the love of God.  Read more about St. Lucy here.

  

Find the quick and easy recipe for Cookie Dough White Chocolate Truffles here.


St. Lucia, ora pro nobis!

Advent 2014: Week Two

ADVENT:  WEEK TWO

+ Preparing our souls to receive Christ worthily +

"No one heals himself by wounding another."  ~ St. John Chrysostom

Celebrating Feast Days:
St. Nicholas is always a fun feast day to celebrate...no matter what your age.  It was also a great opportunity to gift everyone slippers since the weather is finally cold (& wet).  I like the idea of the sock slippers for my girls.

On December 8th we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  This year we attended Mass at our Cathedral.  Our bishop gave another awesome homily.  I didn't realize that about the same year the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was being defined by the bishops, before Pope Pius IX officially declared it on the 8th of December, 1854...the California Gold Rush (49ers) was in full swing.  It is very interesting, when you put events on a timeline, what world history was being made.  

(l) Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; (r) Conductor serving as Episcopal Server.

Preparing for the Celebration:
We do not put Baby Jesus out until Christmas Eve, and we are slowly preparing our home for the great Feast & Celebration of Christ's birth...I usually put up our Christmas Tree for Gaudete Sunday...I will see how things play out this year - I've got my wreaths up and in place though!  This year we bought some wreaths through Conductor's Trail Life group fundraiser to help support some of their activities.  Win-Win.   I was going to hang the wreaths outside, however, I found they make beautiful centerpieces and advent wreaths...besides,  I love the smell of fresh pine in my home.

Week Three Advent Activities:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day - December 12 (Mexican Hot Chocolate, Chicken with Mole)
The Memorial of St. Lucia - December 13 (Cookie Dough Truffles, Lussekattor)
St. John of the Cross Feast Day & Gaudete Sunday - December 14 (Gazpacho)
St. Mary di Rosa, St. Maximinus,...St. Valerian Feast Day - December 15
St. Valentine Feast Day - December 16

ADVENT:  WEEK ONE

Sharing Family traditions, reflections, activities & crafts over at 

Catholic Bloggers Advent Link Up

Advent 2014: Week One

Sharing Family Traditions, reflections, activities & crafts over at 

Catholic Bloggers Advent Link Up

~ + ~ THE LORD IS COMING ~ + ~

SPIRITUAL READING

+ Books on Saints for Elementary Grades +

Traditionally we have read books from the Lives of Saints whose Feasts days land during the Advent season.  We have tons of books to choose from, so, I will fill our baskets with those that pertain to the month of December.

+ Books for High School +

These are books that I am considering:

Advent with St. Francis: Daily Reflections  (Franciscan Media)

Advent with the Saints:  Daily Reflections (St. Anthony Messenger Press)

+ Books for the Mama! +

A Mary Christmas (Franciscan Media) 

Advent Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen - 28 reflections (Liguori Publications)

ADVENT FOOD PREP

+ St. Nicholas +
Last year, at our First Friday Mass we had several activities after Mass and Devotions.  However, at home, we celebrate with Hot Chocolate and Gold Coins.

FAMILY & CHURCH TRADITIONS

St. Nicholas Feast Day is December 6th

+ Jesse Tree +
I have been very happy with our (now retired) Jesse Tree ornaments, which I originally created using the Paper Dali templates.  After my children colored the ornaments, we laminated them and added a purple ribbon.  I guess they are now, priceless. 

+ Advent Calendar +
We have 2 Advent calendars that we enjoy...here is a favorite of ours:

+ Advent Candles +
Both a family and church tradition...

+ Nativity Scene +
Our nativity scenes make their appearance, but we cover Baby Jesus until Christmas Eve.

ADVENT ACTIVITIES:

+ St. Nicholas +
Last year, after our monthly First Friday Mass, I organized several St. Nicholas Games & Activities such as:
St. Nicholas Coin Toss
Chocolate St. Nicholas Craft
Nutter Butter St. Nicholas Cookie Decorating
St. Nicholas Guessing Game (adapted from Catholic Inspired)
Apple St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas Roll-Up
Coloring Table of St. Nicholas, St. Lucia & Our Lady of Guadalupe
St. Nicholas Story Time

The next First Friday gathering for our home-school group is coming up quickly...I'd better get to work!

+ ADVENTures +

Last year we participated in the fun Adventures hosted by Jennifer...I recommend this activity for your family, too!  Week One, post Two, post Three, post Four, 

COMING SOON - WEEK TWO ADVENT IDEAS

+ Cookie Exchange & Rosary Night +
Week Two...

+ Parish Advent Retreat +
Week Two...can't wait!

 

You can find more Family Traditions, reflections, activities & crafts over at 

Catholic Bloggers Advent Link Up

D.C. & A.M.D.G

Washington Monument

A couple weeks ago, we were in Washington, D.C. enjoying an educational trip at our country's capital.  We had dreams of taking our children on this very trip, to see some of our country's most historical places...It was everything we had hoped.

Picture Perfect

We were so blessed for the opportunity to experience all that we did:
Lincoln's Memorial, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the National Mall, the Smithsonian Castle & Museums - especially the National Air and Space Museum, and the White House were several of the many points of interest that we visited.  Additionally, and more excitedly, we attended Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  An extra special blessing was having my son serve at the Mass.

Serving at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Conductor (middle server) - looking sharp!

Lincoln's Memorial & National Air & Space Museum

St. John Paul II National Shrine:  Where we were able to venerate a First Class Relic of Saint John Paul II. The Knights of Columbus were entrusted with the relic which was presented by His Eminence Stanislaw Cardinal Dziwisz, the Archbishop of Krakow, back in 2011.
  

St. John Paul II National Shrine

While in town, we attended a reception for the Archdiocese for The Military Services, USA, hosted at the St. John Paul II National Shrine.  We learned more about the work of this "global archdiocese" and those that serve...the motto is:  Serving those who Serve.  This Archdiocese was created, in 1985, by Pope John Paul II.  

We received a pin with the Coat of Arms.  The pin is colored red, white, and blue to recall the colors of the U.S. Flag.  It also has a Miter (indicating a Catholic Diocese), the Bald eagle with an olive branch (Americans bearing peace), a Silver cross in front of the earth (proclaiming Christ throughout the world) and the Gold and Silver crossed Keys of Saint Peter (the Church's mission to offer healing through the forgiveness of sins).  It was a very special evening which my children and hubby & I will never forget.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was so amazing!  I knew that it was going to be beautiful...it exceeded my expectations.  The various places of religious artifacts, the chapels and the art on display were breathtaking.  I definitely want to return...

The National Mall & Memorials

We were blessed with perfect weather and there were still some beautiful autumn foliage on the trees.  Being from California, I welcomed the coldness and was happy to finally make use of my coat, gloves and scarves.  I LOVE the Autumn!  I loved D.C.!

me

This is me, on our last day in D.C., after enjoying a very nice lunch.
When the picture is fuzzy and in black & white, I can tolerate viewing a pic of myself.  lol.  

We found some really tasty and fun places to dine.  This Pizza Pi place was such a great find!  The Occidental Grill was another gem of a place.  The Hamilton was a favorite and was worth a return visit...classic American with a great menu and great tasting food and most importantly, very family friendly.

great pi & beer served here

Visiting the campus of The Catholic University of America was another major item on the "To Do" list.  Nice.  Very, very nice.

The Catholic University of America

We visited the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as well as several other museums.  While on one of our walks, we found this church which was "erected about 1792".  

St. Patrick's Church 

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Well, these are just a few highlights from our amazing D.C. trip...we covered a lot of ground, saw a lot of points of interest, visited many museums, and indulged in several delicious food establishments...everyone had a great experience - definitely a successful trip!

I believe my favorite highlights included the evening reception for the Archdiocese of Military Services at the impressive St. John Paul II National Shrine and Sunday Mass at the wondrous Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  

+ Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam +

Sharing my Family Journey over at Catholic Bloggers Network

~ + ~ 

Prayer of the Archdiocese for the Military Services

Won't you join me...

Almighty God and Father, look with love upon our men and women in uniform and protect them in their time of need.  Give them health and stability and allow them to return to their loved ones whole and unshaken.  Be with their families and sustain them in these uncertain times.

Grant strength and peace of mind to the Veterans who have given their best for the country they love.  Support them in infirmity and in the fragility of old age.  Teach us to remember their sacrifices and to express our gratitude.

Manifest your tender care to those in the Military Academies who prepare for future service and to those who serve our Nation for from home.  Teach us to remember the sacrifices of those whose efforts contribute to ensuring our way of life.

Bless and multiply the priests who minister to the faithful of the Archdiocese for the Military Services.  Reward their generosity and keep them faithful.

Hear us as we present our prayers to You through Christ our Lord.

~ Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

www.milarch.org

~ Good Habit, Bad habit ~

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny, and real family fun!

{pretty}

Rite of Imposition of the Habit

Carmelite Sisters of the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

We were blessed to attend the Rite of Imposition of the Habit and Mass at the Carmel.  My son has served a 'Rite of Imposition' at the Carmel once before.  It is an absolutely beautiful ceremony.  The nuns' angelic voices, in chant, can be heard behind the grate.  I wish I could share more photos, but the contemplative Sisters are situated behind the grate...in cloister.

Soon the Sisters will be moving to another location, a traditional monastery, that is in dire need of repair.  You can read a short history about them here, with links for additional information.  We are SO blessed to have them in our diocese.

Perhaps you would like to help the Sisters with the construction work at the Carmel?  View the progress and plans on Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph blog. To the right of the article, you can find out how to donate to the Carmelites if you feel so called.

It was such a joyous occasion, as one of the Sisters received her Holy Habit.

"Hearken, O Lord, Almighty God, unto our prayers and deign to bless this your handmaiden, whom we have clothed in the habit of our Holy Order in Thy Holy Name; and grant that by Thy generosity she may remain faithful in the Church and may merit eternal life.  Per Christum Dominum nostrum.  Amen."

{happy}

Because you can never have too much chocolate & strawberries

Little Lamb turned a happy ELEVEN.  She asked for this chocolate cake with fresh strawberries and our delectable ganache icing.  We adjusted the cake recipe, yet again, substituting the unsweetened cocoa powder with some (melted) bittersweet chocolate chips.  I didn't have any cocoa powder on hand, lucky us.
And I thought this cake could not get any better.  

This year, instead of our traditional treasure hunt for birthday gifts, we decided to go on a mom & daughter clothes shopping spree...my girl is growing and so she needed a new (simple) wardrobe.  We had a really fun time and (thankfully) found some really cute and modest pieces of clothing.  

I love you, my Little Lammy, you are so smart and wonderful.  You are growing into such a lovely young lady - mommy and daddy are SO very proud of YOU!  XOXO!!!

{funny}

Who knew?!?

This is not what Little Lamb chose, but I just had to take a pic...it reminded me of the pope's mozzetta.  

{real}

Am I the only one that has this problem?  

I can neither find the right color, nor part with the wrong.  (Do I think that one day they will somehow 'work'?)  I look at this and see...a waste (of money).  However, I cannot seem to throw them out, because, that would be...a waste (of money).  I am in a quandary.  I think I'll put them back into my makeup drawer and forget about them...until I stumble across them, again.  My bad habit.

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

All Souls Day

"The Lord is my Shepherd.  There is nothing I shall want."

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Requiem ~ Music of the Requiem by Gabriel Faure.  Beautiful.

In Paradisum

In paradisum deducant te Angeli;

May angels lead you into paradise;

in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres,

upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you,

et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.

and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem.

Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,

May the ranks of angels receive you,

et cum Lazaro quondam paupere

and with Lazarus, once a poor man

aeternam habeas requiem.

may you have eternal rest.

~ Gabriel Faure