My Resolutions, My Gifts

Last Year, 2016, I had an Epiphany to use the New Year to resolve to do better, and make a change for the better.  The Epiphany is when the Magi set out to find the Christ Child...Following the path to Christ.  That's what resolutions ultimately are...

So as I set out this New 2017 Year, I resolve to do my best to search out Christ in everything and everyone and follow Him in every way, bringing Him my gifts.

Celebrating the New Year

Wow!  2017.  Hello!

Several of our family friends hosted our annual Old Fashioned New Year's Eve Family Celebration...we included a Sparkling Cider Toast and Balloon Drop at the stroke of twelve...(EST).

Fun Favors of chocolates and holy cards

Of course, we begin by giving thanks for all the blessings we received throughout the year...what a beautiful Mass!



The tables and ceiling were decorated with a lot of silvery-gold twinkly-bling.
We had about 100 guests...including the five families that helped plan and organize, decorate and serve...

I love this backdrop...Merry Christmas!

The noodles and rice and side dishes were SO DELICIOUS...not to mention the hand-made desserts...

There were so many wonderful desserts hand-made by one of the teens...THANK YOU, "L"

And the celebration wouldn't be the same without the traditional roasted pig...

Everything was amazing and delicious and much fun was had by all...

What a great family and friend memory and an exciting way to ring in the New Year!

FEAST-ivities continued...

My favorite month of the year is NOVEMBER.  It is a time when I feel things slow down, even for just a bit.  The nights get longer, the air is cooler and the sun is toasty warm...not scorching hot.  Here in California, the sun can be merciless.

It is also the month that I celebrate my birthday. :o)

This year, my daughters and husband made me the most wonderful Birthday Brunch to go with my Birthday Extravaganza.

This is the spread they prepared to help me celebrate the day...

It was a day of jollity!  Nearly festivity overload.

Everything tasted delicious.  Everything was done with such love.  Every detail in the presentation was exquisite and I was most appreciative.

Goodbye November...you've been feastive. 

XO,

FEAST-ivities

The month of November, and October for that matter, passed by so quickly!  Autumn is definitely filled with a lot of family activities and traditions.  

Once again, I am Back-blogged and so I share a few highlights of the Autumn months...

And let the Feast, er, Festivities begin...

Our dear friends invited the girls over for a pumpkin carving night, what fun!
Prize ribbons and all....

And with pumpkins, come pie!

My Butterfly made this baked deliciousness from scratch.  

All Souls Day, a holy day, commemorates all of the faithful departed.  We celebrate with a beautiful Solemn Mass.  Our Cathedral Choir sung Gabriel Faure's Requiem.  Heavenly.

This November, my husband lost another of his aunts.  We held the memorial (or remembrance) reception at our home for dear uncle's wife.  Their friends and family were invited and it was a blessed day.

Autumn is my favorite season...the colors, the coolness in the air, and all the foods associated with Fall...

And then there is THANKSgiving...a time to reflect and express our gratitude for all that has been given to us in the preceding year.  Yes, here in Northern America we clebrate the autumn harvest festival from 1621, but it is much more than the traditional turkey and trimmings feast that most Americans replicate.  It is stopping and giving thanks to God for everything. Watching football, feasting and enjoying the company of family & friend reunions are just wonderful benefits and blessings. ;o)

Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes Here

Hopefully, I will resume with the final Autumn back-blogged feast-ivities soon...

xo,

Grain Brain

Butterfly was making pizza dough....

One Thousand Words

A picture is worth...
One Thousand Words...and then some.

Over the summer the hens stopped laying eggs.  There are several reasons why hens stop laying in the summer.  In our area, the heat can get pretty extreme.

In early July, my daughters built a new (and improved) chicken coop and we added a few more hens to the brood.  

The moratorium on eggs has been lifted.

Happy hens, happy mama.

Are they not beautiful!?!

xo, 

This one's for you...

Little Lamb.

A week or so ago, you asked me why I don't journal on my blog anymore...

I am so glad you asked and I am SO thrilled that you enjoy reading and remembering a few of our family highlights.

There are about 20+ posts that are waiting to tell of some of the adventures and blessings that we have experienced over the paste several months (and years).  I promise to work on them so that you can have a place to reminisce.

I really miss sharing some of the family times here on the blog.  Now that things have settled down a bit, I hope to start posting again.

To help get things going...let's begin sharing about my very favorite season of all,..

AUTUMN

Thank you, Little Lamb, for helping me put up all the Autumn decor!

It was fun!  Any you were Oh, So, helpful.  

xo,