The Stressed Out Momma’s Daybook ~ September 15th
Outside my Window… there is lots of smoke. A constant reminder that hubby won’t be home for awhile.
I am thinking… that we will postpone beginning the Alphabet Path till next week.
From the learning room… just the basics. That’s it.
I am thankful… for the kind emails and prayers from you all; the much needed overtime that my hubby is receiving; that my 8 fingers are only sprained and not broken; for a chiropractor who was able to squeeze me in and realign my “very out of joint” jaw (to quote my doctor); for drive thru restaurants; for ice (my chiropractor teasingly suggested an ice bath!); that Snuggles goose egg has reduced in size and the bruise isn’t that bad; and for the fact that my 8 year old son knows how to wash dishes.
From the kitchen… taco bell wrappers from lunch, and no plans for dinner. I sure wish the pizza man would deliver up here…
I am creating… lower expectations for myself… At least for this week, and maybe next.
I am going… crazy.
I am wearing… an ice pack.
I am reading… nothing at the moment, but I am really looking forward to reading all the links shared in the From Thy Bounty Fair on the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross! I really need to read something uplifting and positive!
I am hoping… that my car battery is not dead again the next time I try and start it… (OH! That reminds me… I am also thankful for spare car keys, that the tutor was still here when I tried starting my van this morning, and that I had a set of jumper cables available!)
I am hearing… lots of static on my phone line… The repair man will be back out again tomorrow morning.
Around the house… I really don’t want to think about it.
One of my favorite things… SLEEP!!!!!!!!!
- Tutor will be coming Mon, Tue & Wed Mornings
- Dentist appointments for our 3 oldest on Thursday. (rescheduled from last week)
- My very first Little Flowers meeting on Thursday, which reminds me, I still need to plan the craft, and confirm a babysitter.
- Try and make a trip back up to the Fire Camp to visit hubby and bring him a home-cooked meal.
- Try and clean the corroded things on the vans battery with the stuff the auto parts guy sold me.
- SURVIVE the week!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing:
Bring on the chocolate!Thank you for letting me vent! :o)
Smoky Mountain Picnic
It was so nice to be able to see hubby today. He has been working the 3pm to 7am shift, and was able to meet us for Mass this morning after he got off. I had packed along our feast and so after Mass we headed up to the lake near fire camp for a picnic lunch.
We found a nice shady spot under a few trees not too far from the lake. Despite the smoke, it was still beautiful.
Rascal got right to work coloring in the brand new coloring book he received from the tooth fairy last night. Can you believe it? She actually remembered on the FIRST night for ONCE!!
Awww! There is my toothless boy, with a bouquet of flowers for his momma!
Lunch was delicious!!!
Although, it is a little bit harder to eat without those two front teeth…
After lunch it was time for a little running and exploring…
The time flew, and we had to let daddy go back to camp so he could try and get a couple more hours of sleep before he was back on the clock at 3pm. We miss him already!!!
Ouch!
For some reason, I keep hurting myself today!!
This morning, as we were headed out the driveway for Mass followed by a picnic lunch with hubby, I realized that I forgot the cookies on the coffee table. I turned the car around and ran back into the house knocking my shin on the corner of the table. When I got back into the car Captain asked what was wrong.
I replied: I hurt my leg on the coffee table.
Captain asked: Which leg? Your right or your left?
I replied: It was my left leg.
Captain said: Oh, that’s good. At least you can still drive!
Yep… I could still drive. My leg wouldn’t stop us from making it to Mass and to see their daddy. (Glad to know he knows his left and right so well, and which foot is used to drive!)
Oh, and that wasn’t my only bruise of the day. Just after we got home, I was trying to dump the old water out of our kiddie pool so I could refill it, and somehow bruised (I think?) 8 of my fingers. They are so sore…
At least I can still use my thumbs type! 😉
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Tomorrow is the feast of the Exaltation (or Triumph) of the Holy Cross. The church has celebrated this feast ever since September 14, 326, the day that Saint Helena, mother of Constantine, miraculously discovered the cross while she was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
In one of my favorite Catholic cookbooks, A Continual Feast
The author, Evelyn Vitz, goes on to suggest a recipe for Pesto (a wonderful sauce for pasta made with fresh basil) since, “With this dish you can keep the spirit of the day as one of abstinence from meat and still serve something delicious and symbolic.“
Although I don’t have a garden, we do have a wonderful local Grower’s Market. This morning I was able to pick up a couple bunches of fresh basil and some beautiful tomatoes, among other things. When I arrived home (my twin sisters babysat the kids!) my oldest son said, “Mom, you smell like pasta!” 🙂 Don’t you just love the smell of fresh basil? I do!I had planned to spend the afternoon (after Mass) at home painting wooden crosses with my children and then having a nice Pesto dinner as a family, but plans changed. The good thing is, the fire that my hubby is on, is relatively close to home. Not only is it in the same state in which we live, it is in the same county, less than an hour away! So, the kids and I are headed that direction to meet up with my hubby for Mass in the morning (he will have just gotten off the night shift, poor guy!) and then we will head to a nearby park for a picnic lunch. Yeah!! We will get to see him and it will have only been two days since he was dispatched! (This NEVER happens!! Thank you all for your prayers!!!!)
In preparation, earlier this afternoon the girls and I baked some cross shaped cookies. They were very simple. (I am ALL about simplifying things right now, with my hubby gone!) We used a roll of pre-made sugar cookie dough, a Cross Shaped Cookie Cuttermilk chocolate wood colored frosting.
We will still have Pesto pasta, though I will be serving it cold instead of hot. I am also packing a couple Baguettes, a jar of Bruschetta sauce, and a Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad.
Before prayers and bedtime, in anticipation of the feast, I let the children stay up and watch The Legend of the Three Trees
I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross!
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
The countdown begins…
…till daddy’s return.
My hubby was dispatched to a wildfire assignment earlier this afternoon, just as we were getting ready for a relaxing weekend!! He just arrived at the fire and it looks like they have him scheduled on the night shift for the next couple weeks. Any prayers you can spare for his safety (and my sanity!) would be very much appreciated.
The Most Holy Name of Mary
Some days I have great plans, but something comes up to prevent me from achieving them… Today was one of those days. I had hoped to attend Mass with my family and then bake a beautiful cake in honor of the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, but it just didn’t happen.
Instead, my hubby took our older boys to Mass and then out to breakfast, while I stayed home with the girls and my sick little baby, and quickly baked a box of “Twice the Blueberry” Muffins.
Thankfully my children had no idea I had hoped to bake a cake, and they were thrilled with the muffins, along with a wonderful new book
It was the perfect opportunity to break out those new markers! I hope you all had a very special day as well!
Having Fun with the Alphabet
This week, our Little Saints theme was Alphabet Fun. It was a very fun week and a great kickoff for our journey along the alphabet path starting next week.
Here is a glimpse at a few of the things we did:
We read:
- ABC of Birds
- A is for Altar, B is for Bible
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
- Prairie Primer A to Z
- Let’s Fly from A to Z
- ABC Cat
- On Market Street
- An Alphabet of Catholic Saints
The girls (and in some cases the boys!) played lots of games and made crafts relating to the alphabet including:
Alphabet Puzzles
From Thy Bounty Fairs – Autumn Edition
Catholic Cuisine will be hosting a series of From Thy Bounty Fairs highlighting the major feasts and fruits of the coming months which lead us into Advent. (A big THANK YOU goes to Mary for coordinating these for us!!!) These fairs will be an opportunity to share with one another the joys, beauty, and abundance of our hearth and home, kitchen and table. We would love everyone to join us in sharing about any aspect of bounty and feasting that you would like – whether it be meals, desserts, homemaking/decorating tips, or prayers.
Upcoming From Thy Bounty Fair Schedule:
Triumph of the Cross (September 15): The cross is a very basic shape and one easily incorporated into cooking and table decorating. This fair will be held right after the feast day. Share what you did to celebrate the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. How did you make the feast and symbol come alive in your Catholic kitchen? Michele will be the hostess. Please submit your link or pictures by 9/14.
Angels: Our Guardians and Defenders (September 29): Angels are honored in two big feasts within a few days of each other – the Feast of the Archangels (9/29) and Memorial of the Guardian Angels (10/2). Share how you are celebrating either or both of these feast days. What are you doing to make this memorable and visible for your family? Do you have special symbolic foods or meals for these days? Jenn will be the hostess.
The Fruits of Our Harvest (October 13): How do you give thanks? What do you do with the bounties of your harvest? Whether you grow your own, shop at he farmer’s market, visit the orchard, or hunt the land you are benefiting from the bounties of God’s creation. Let’s share our recipes, ideas, and thoughts on the bounties that God provides. Mary will be the hostess.
Hallowed Days: All Saints and All Souls (October 27): Florence Berger writes in Cooking for Christ: “The doctrine of the mystical body unites all Christians to their Master, and one with the other in God’s kingdom here on earth. As the branches have their source in the vine, so with Christ we have been bound together for growth and fruition.” The Feasts of All Saints Day (preceded by All Hallows Eve) and All Souls tie together and help us remember the Church Militant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Triumphant. These days offer many unique traditions and celebrations. Share how you feast any of these days? What do you do to fill your tables with the traditions of these hallowed days? I will be hosting this one.
Holiday Foods and Feasts (November 10): Thanksgiving and Christmas are days associated with feasting and celebration. Each family has traditional foods and festivities. Please share your thoughts, suggestions, menus, and recipes for these big feasts so we’ll be well prepared to enjoy them. Amy will be the hostess.
The Bounty of St. Nicholas (December 1): St. Nicholas Day provides a bit of special festivity early in the waiting weeks of Advent. There are so many wonderful culinary traditions from around the world honoring this saint. How is St. Nicholas honored and remembered in your hearth and home? Do you have special treats or food ideas for celebrating this feast day?
Don’t they sound wonderful?? I am looking forward to being inspired by all the submissions!
To participate in the fairs please send a link to your post by the deadline date to the hostess indicated, leave a message in the comments section of the Catholic Cuisine blog, or email me at catholiccuisine[at]gmail[dot]com, and I will forward it to the right hostess. You don’t need to have a blog – you can participate by sending pictures or ideas to the hostess for inclusion. So don’t be shy! 😉
An Alphabet of Saints
Next week we will begin Along the Alphabet Path.
Along with each letter of the alphabet the children will be introduced (or re-introduced as the case may be) to a Saint using the beautiful book An Alphabet of Catholic Saints
Elizabeth suggests making a Wee Felt Saint each week. They are darling, however I decided it might be fun to try my hand at painting instead, inspired by Catholic Folk Toys. So, while I was grocery shopping on Saturday, I picked up an inexpensive paintbrush and a bottle of skin tone paint — I had other colors in my craft bin from some projects I planned last year, which were never completed. I do need to pick up a bottle of blue sometime.
I had never been very good at drawing or painting, but they didn’t turn out too bad! I truly surprised myself and my family. My husband said he was “impressed,” and Captain said, “WOW mom! I didn’t know you were an artist!” It was very cute, and made my day, though I am sure the Saints must have been helping me!!
I painted most of Saturday afternoon/evening and then a couple more hours on Sunday evening. I have only finished A-J, but couldn’t wait to share them with you!
I do need to seal them somehow… any suggestions out there for this amateur?
(Updated to add: I’ll continue updating this post, as I paint more saints.)
A is for Angel…
and also St. Anne…
B is for St. Bernadette…
C is for St. Cecilia…
This was my first, and my favorite! I always loved St. Cecilia as a child, and always thought she was the most beautiful saint in my Picture Book of Saints. My hubby laughed when he noticed that I highlighted her hair! 😉
D is for St. Dominic…
E is for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton…
F is for St. Francis…
G is for St. George…
H is for St. Helena…
I is for St. Ignatius…
J is for St. Joseph…
K is for St. Kateri…
L is for St. Lucy…
M is for St. Martin…
N is for St. Nicholas…
O is for St. Odilia…
P is for St. Patrick…
R is for St. Rose…
S is for St. Sharbel…
T is for St. Therese…
U is for St. Ursula…
V is for St. Vincent de Paul…
W is for St. Wenceslas…
X is for St. Francis Xavier…
Y is for St. Joseph Yuen…
Z is for St. Zita…
Fresh Plum Cobbler
Here is one of the ways we are using all those plums:
FRESH PLUM COBBLER
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 6 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 cups sliced fresh unpeeled plums
- 6 tablespoons butter or shortening
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk Whipping (heavy) cream, if desired
DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oven to 400ºF.
- Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the cornstarch and cinnamon in saucepan. Stir in plums. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Pour into ungreased 13×9 casserole; keep plum mixture hot in oven.
- Cut butter/shortening into flour, 2 tablespoon sugar, the baking powder and salt in medium bowl, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until particles are size of fine crumbs. Mix in milk until mixture forms soft dough. Drop by 12 spoonfuls onto hot plum mixture.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Serve warm with whipping cream.
(Modified recipe from Betty Crocker)
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