Outside my window…
I hear the leaf blower as my husband cleans up the yard for our party tomorrow night!
I am thinking…
about everything that still needs to be done… So much (that I’d like) to do and so little time! (And yet here I am sitting at the computer… Everyone needs a break every once in awhile, right?)
I am thankful…
that we were able to squeeze in a trip to the pumpkin patch this past weekend. It was a whirlwind of activities all weekend long, but we had a blast!
Learning all the time & Celebrating the liturgical year… We have a light school week this week, as we wrap up our first quarter, so we can focus on celebrating the liturgical year. We’ll be learning lots about the saints, attending mass on Thursday for the feast of All Saints, and the boys will be serving Mass at the Cemetery as always for the Feast of All Souls.
From the kitchen…
dinner is simmering in the crock pot, Chicken with Marinara and Artichoke Hearts to serve over spaghetti with Parmesan Cheese, Dinner Rolls, and Salad. After dinner I am going to start the Pumpkin Cupcakes for tomorrow!
I am working on…
carving this year’s Saint-O-Lanterns! After going to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday with four of my siblings, aunt, uncle, sister-in-law, and niece, we headed over to my brother Brian’s house to eat dinner and carve pumpkins! Since we weren’t at home, and there were aunts and uncles to visit with, my kids weren’t nearly as focused on carving this year so we only completed three. I have one more all ready to carve and Snuggles and I are hoping to finish it tonight after dinner.
I am creating…
a couple games and a banner for our All Hallows’ Eve / All Saints’ Party!
I am going…
to try and get back to answering emails soon! It has been awhile and I am really really behind (some have been waiting a year or more). I do read every email, but it is impossible for me to respond to them all, as much as I do try. (Often times I am reading on my cellphone and have to wait until I’m on the computer to respond.) FYI: I usually work on answering comments on the blog first, followed by Facebook, emails from friends and family, and then other emails are usually last.
I am hoping…
for the Hadley’s! We attended the 5th Annual Harvest of Hope Dinner, an annual fundraiser for the Hadley Hope Fund, this past Saturday night. Here is an update on their beautiful family and a few pictures from the dinner.
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| 2012 Hadley Hope Dinner © Marc Salvatore |
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| Bud, me and my sister-in-law Meagan (You can also see my Dad just over Meagan’s shoulder) © Marc Salvatore |
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| Kristin & Ann-Marie (dear friends that I grew up with, Kristin was my Confirmation sponsor and is Rascal’s Godmother and Ann-Marie was one of my bridesmaids), Amy (who is losing weight like crazy and looking amazing) and Me (not looking my best!) 🙂 © Marc Salvatore |
I am praying…
for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, for the soul of Barbara Curtis, for my sister-in-law Melissa who will be delivering another baby soon, for my little sister Jamie Jo who just celebrated her anniversary and birthday yesterday and the day before, and for Emily! Oh, and that it doesn’t rain here tomorrow night!
I am (still) reading…
the saint quotes and short paragraphs that my children have come up with to share with everyone tomorrow evening. I will have an extra treat for any of the children that come dressed as a saint or biblical character and have something to share with everyone. (A short paragraph, quote, or even just a coloring page for the little ones.)
Pondering these words…
spoken by St. Joan of Arc, which Chiquita found (all on her own) in her copy of The Pocket Daring Book for Girls and is planning on sharing at our party tomorrow:
I am listening…
to Prince Caspian, as we continue working our way through the 7 Volume Unabridged Audio Set of The Chronicles of Narnia.
Around the house…
I’ve done over 20 loads of laundry yesterday and today and am almost caught up! I’ve also sorted through half the kids clothing, boxing up everything that is too small and pulling out all the summer clothes. What was I thinking starting this project before our All Hallows’ Eve party?
One of my favorite things…
pictures at the Pumpkin Patch! I will be posting this year’s soon.
- Lego Robotics Classes for the older boys (Tues & Thurs)
- All Hallows’ Eve Party
- Mass on All Saints Day, Tutor in the Afternoon
- Annual Mass at the Cemetery for the Feast of All Souls
Can you post the recipe for the artichoke stuff and pumpkin muffins?
If you click on the words/link Pumpkin Cupcakes, it will take you to the recipe at Catholic Cuisine. It's very easy and they turn out very delicious and moist.
My crock pot meal was simply 6 chicken breasts combined with 1 can of drained artichoke hearts and 1 jar of trader joe's marinara sauce. I shredded the chicken and served it over spaghetti noodles. I did not use a recipe, just used what I had on hand. 🙂
As always, you and Amy *both* look beautiful. Radiant, really. I love your brother's candle carving. Very creative with just a smidgen of spooky. 🙂 I can't get over how big Bud is now. Wishing you all a very blessed rest of the week with your festivities.
Jessica, You look beautiful! Such an amazing mom! Thank you for all of the uplifted prayers for us and I will continue to keep your sweet family in my prayers as well!
We dodged a big one with Hurricane Sandy here in VT! WE mostly had high winds with some rain, but nothing like what NY, NJ, PA and other states that way got! We got hit VERY HARD last year with Irene and are still rebuilding in some parts of the state. It was a terrible storm, this Sandy. My heart goes out to all those that were not so fortunate…
Now if that doesn't beat all I don't know what does! 20 loads of laundry in the middle of getting ready for a party of 70 is beyond staggering. A party for 15 OR 5 loads of laundry would do me in. I didn't even know this feat was humanly possible 😉
Thank you.