November 22, 2009

Hunting Success

My man and little men in orange went out this weekend for the big hunt.

"Meat's back on the menu, boys."
Deer #1 - Gyro

I feel much the same, at the end of the day!

I witnessed for the first time the *ahem* process of de-gutifying a deer. I wasn't overly impressed. Not to mention they didn't wear surgical gloves!


Deer # 2 - Ground Venison for Sausage


Deer # 3 - More Gyro and Sausage

Rosary Making Day

There is a beautiful couple who attends Mass at one or other of the parishes in our Cluster who are very avid Rosary Makers..
... can you tell by their signs? I brought a friend of mine and several of my children for a Rosary Making Day.

For those of you who attend the local Divine Mercy Sunday event, this is the start of the lovely Divine Mercy Rosaries that they make and donate (see them hanging on the dish rack?). The Rosaries have clear beads on one side and red beads on the other. It's a labor of love.


They have the more interesting chapel in the corner of their back patio area. Right into the corner! I want one! of course I don't have a corner to put it in but maybe that can be arranged :)


Isn't this beautiful? There is a kneeler opposite this lovely little altar.


Included is a full set of Stations of the Cross.


You know, I had strategically arranged for Eleanor to stand in front of me... Ah well, I'm suppose to be learning humility.


Rosie and the Giant Rosaries.


Their doggie had shoes on!


Now my dear friend, Mrs. Rosary Maker came up with this idea. A crucifix at one end and a matching cross at the other with a bar in between with a full rosary. I thought this would be splendid for a mother who is up in the night with a nursling, she could keep this on a little table and say her rosary and keep track on the beads each time she gets up.


Mrs. Rosary Maker with her "laptop".

This is the "laptop". How clever, she tacked little beads to a board and made a full rosary.

This is the little desk where the rosaries are often made.

Sam learned quickest of all... he simply got it. I cannot say the same for myself, I was clumsy as all get out. I would blame Poppy but I was no better after she was off my lap!


Mr. Rosary Maker showing Mrs. R the ropes... or rather wires.

Eleanor with the hula hoop.


Eleanor on the swing. Are you getting the idea that this is an absolutely darling house?


Galadriel and Poppy. Poppy does smile, I know that is hard to believe she can get those plump cheeks up into smile mode.


Poppy enjoyed a nice nap with Mrs. R.

Sam was quite intrigued with the size of this pinecone. I want to see the tree it grew on!
Adorable!

Thumb Sucker

Poppy is officially a thumbsucker. This is our 8th thumb sucker out of 10. Rosie and Merry never sucked their thumbs. Check out her plump cheeks and "fat eyelids" (as a friend of mine said!!)

Indian Summer

Our 3 ponies.... yes, the goat thinks he's a pony.
Pippin on top of the world

Merry


Guess who...
Cuttin' the corn


Leaves Glorious Leaves






November 21, 2009

Prayer Request

Please spare a prayer for an on-line friend, Julianne, whose appendix ruptured leaving her with a bad infection. She will be hospitalized for quite a while.

Sign of the Times

I couldn't help laugh when I read the following on the side of a box of cereal:

"How fit are you? How many sit-ups or push-ups can you do during commercials of your favorite shows?"

Pictures coming soon, I know I've neglected my blog!

November 1, 2009

All Souls' Day - November 2nd

Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord
And let Perpetual Light shine upon them
May they Rest in Peace.



II Machabees 12: 43-46
And making a gathering, [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.




Pray for the deceased members of our family (and friends):
Agnes, Leo, Heidi, Francis, Bob, Bobby, Marty, Timmy, Bob, Fr. Sheehan, Fr. Kunz, Fr. Shamon, Fr. Fiore, David, Page, .....

Post the names of the deceased memebers of your family and we will remember to pray for them in return. I know I have a much longer list than above but this was just the quick list... for starters...
Dies Irae, Dies Illa
Sequence from the Mass on All Souls Day
(in English)
***if you are taking notes, I would like this sung at my funeral***
That day of wrath, that dreadful day,shall heaven and earth in ashes lay,as David and the Sybil say.
*
What horror must invade the mind when the approaching Judge shall find and sift the deeds of all mankind!
*
The mighty trumpet's wondrous tone shall rend each tomb's sepulchral stone and summon all before the Throne.
*
Now death and nature with surprise behold the trembling sinners rise to meet the Judge's searching eyes.
*
Then shall with universal dread the Book of Consciences be read to judge the lives of all the dead. *
For now before the Judge severe all hidden things must plain appear; no crime can pass unpunished here.
*
O what shall I, so guilty plead? and who for me will intercede? when even Saints shall comfort need?
*
O King of dreadful majesty! grace and mercy You grant free; as Fount of Kindness, save me!
*
Recall, dear Jesus, for my sake you did our suffering nature take then do not now my soul forsake!
*
In weariness You sought for me, and suffering upon the tree! let not in vain such labor be.
*
O Judge of justice, hear, I pray, for pity take my sins away before the dreadful reckoning day.
*
You gracious face, O Lord, I seek; deep shame and grief are on my cheek; in sighs and tears my sorrows speak.
*
You Who did Mary's guilt unbind, and mercy for the robber find, have filled with hope my anxious mind.
*
How worthless are my prayers I know, yet, Lord forbid that I should go into the fires of endless woe.
*
Divorced from the accursed band, O make me with Your sheep to stand, as child of grace, at Your right Hand.
*
When the doomed can no more flee from the fires of misery with the chosen call me.
*
Before You, humbled, Lord, I lie, my heart like ashes, crushed and dry, assist me when I die.
*
Full of tears and full of dread is that day that wakes the dead, calling all, with solemn blast to be judged for all their past.
*
Lord, have mercy, Jesus blest, grant them all Your Light and Rest. Amen.

If you look closely at the bottom of this picture it says, "The End". (haha)

One thing I found fascinating as I was looking through pictures of All Souls' Day was that in each of the pictures of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered on this day in the Traditional Rite there was a casket in the picture. I had never seen that before.

All Saints' Day

Today we celebrate that beautiful feast that honors the Church Triumphant in Heaven- those who finally see the Beatific Vision, the Church Suffering in Purgatory- those who died in Sanctifying Grace but still have to purify their souls from the punishment due to their sins and the Church Militant- those who are living in Sanctifying Grace on earth and fighting the good fight for the Love of God.
Happy Feast Day!