My new favorite . . . at least for today!

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.

Albert Einstein

Something to think about! :-)

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

Mark Twain

Time to get away from the news . . .

My daughter just reminded me of a unique way to bake a cake and not have to worry about watching it in the oven, etc. She is baking it in the crock pot! I can only imagine how great her kitchen is smelling with a gooey, chocolate cake scenting the place. Just Google and surf to find some great links on this.

Also, for Food Network fans, Buddy, the Cake Boss, is taking on Italian cooking on his new show, Kitchen Boss. I have already successfully made and been applauded for Chicken Sorrento. After checking the proposed shows for the season, I'm pretty sure there will be more Italian meals at my house in the next few months!

Also discovered a great idea for a different sort of pound cake. You basically make the batter for a regular, vanilla pound cake and swirl in 1/2 cup or more of Nutella hazelnut/chocolate spread to marble the cake batter and bake as usual. You could do this with a boxed pound cake mix, too.

I'm making myself hungry but homemade fried chicken for dinner will certainly help that situation!

Changes don't always improve things . . .

Definitely a scary world in the wake of the uprising in Egypt this week. Although the current 'ruler' isn't premium leader material, the alternative could end up being one of a religious faction that could turn the country upside down and change the face of that part of the world even more. If Christians think persecution is going on now, a new president with religious bias could make life even more percarious.

It is interesting how little to none we are hearing about tourtists over there right now. For once, it seems all safety is being taken in removing them from the country before the mob decides to make examples of innocent people.

Lots of prayers needed especially with our secretary of state mouthing platitudes that don't even come near to getting to the heart of the problems over there.

Too good not to share!

What's the point of havin' a rapier wit if I can't use it to stab people?
- Jeph Jacques

The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all of your time.
- Willem de Kooning

He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.
- Sir Winston Churchill

Morality is an old-fashioned concept?

I have to wonder how much women's lib has REALLY helped the fairer sex.

Personally, I like being treated like a woman and enjoy having doors opened for me and being treated like I am the gentler sex and could not survive a spewing forth of profanities in my presence. Unfortunately, the worst x-rated vocabulary seems to come from females these days. I hear these young woman using the 'f' word like every day language and have to wonder what they are thinking. If being a male's equal is talking like a person lacking real adjectives reflecting education, I'm not for it. Hey, being equal can mean lowering  down standards. Any time you take a step down, isn't so much as declaring your equality but your desire to blend in with the scum of life.

I look at the 'chick-a-fication' of the world and the only faction that I can see which has benefited from women's lib are the young, single (Probably some married one, too!) males. Without a basic respect for themselves in the name of liberation, so many females are now offering free sex to relative strangers because they are 'free'! It's practically an every day, sordid theme park for males without any liability. What have women gained?

Got that right!

Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it.
- Jane Wagner

Great quote!

Ghost: The outward and visible sign of an inward fear.

Ambrose Bierce

Where did Christmas go . . .?

It seems that ever since that first spash of water came through our ceiling two days before Christmas, the holidays took a backseat to visits from insurance agents and men crawling all over our roof and writing up estimates. Not to be left out, Sue and Sam an obviously loving and fertile couple of termites took up residence in our closet and they are facing termination of their homesteading rights this week. My best-laid plans for spreading Christmas cheer didn't go according to plan and now it is almost Valentine's Day! I imagine I have more than a few people who wonder at my 'absence' this past holiday season but it works both ways in that more than a few people didn't even notice we were 'not all there' this year! Hey, it is a good way to pare down the Christmas card list for next year. Always a silver lining is every situation!

Today, I spent the majority of it cleaning out the closet that needs the termite treatment. Brain storms struck and I decided that I should take the six boxes of correspondence from the last 28 years and sort them out according to author, need to keep, etc.

Oh, in working with the termite guy that the one major thing to never, never, NEVER do is use ant or bug spray on termites. As in NEVER, according to him because regular ant sprays don't bother them, they just move on to another part of your house and await eventual discovery there.

Also found out that roofing companies look at things differently even among the same profession. The first company gave us an estimate of almost $2,000. What put it up was repairing 70 tiles on the roof. They said just that repair would be $750. We decided to do some looking around although, in our innocence, we thought they were giving us a relatively fair price. We got another estimate and the man almost apologized because repairing many more than 70 tiles plus putting down double lining, repairing the gutters, cleaning them out, and taking down our old antenna would cost . . . $800 total. You have to wonder about the first company and how much they would have actually done as we don't often stroll about on the roof of an evening to check things out!

I have a new crocheting pattern that is interesting to work. In fact, it took me three tries to fully understand the instructions! Going to have dinner and have some lazy time this evening.

The Anniversary of Roe v. Wade . . .

On the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade: "If man's right to life is violated at the moment in which he is first conceived in his mother's womb, an indirect blow is struck also at the whole of the moral order, which serves to ensure the inviolable goods of man. Among those goods, life occupies the first place." (JPII, Poland, June 8, 1979)

Words to live by!

“The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.” ~St. Basil

That about sums it up!

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy.
- Ernest Benn

Killing ourselves with kindness . . .

I've been working on my weight for a few years now. I never had a problem until I developed anemia. I didn't realize that was the problem only that I was tiring easily and when one is tired, it seems we figure the way to combat that is to eat! Once I realized the medical problem, I took the required iron and felt better . . . but still had the habit of eating more than I actually needed.

Three dress sizes down, I'm aware of the inclination and mostly resist the impulse to eat for the sake of eating. I managed to help myself on this by realizing that stuffing myself with fast food or processed snacks was doing me damage even if it wasn't evident the day of the eating.

It made me wonder how overeating or not eating healthy food affects my soul! It seems to me that every time we knowingly indulge with the thought that we shouldn't, we might be leaning towards sinning. How many times have we told our children that they can't have a candy bar because it isn't good for them yet we find ourselves grabbing one for a snack when we are out shopping?

That's not to say we can't enjoy a good dessert or a foray into a tasty box of chocolates. I'm thinking moderation is the key word and the knowledge of what we can eat vs. what we should eat. The recent laws being enacted to show the calorie count of items at fast food places isn't the answer. Once you find yourself ordering that stuff, you aren't going to even look at the calories because you want what you want when you want it. Been there! Done that!

Every day, you hear more medical reports on the damage excess sugar, fats, etc. can ultimately do to your body. I guess when you overdo it with fast/processed food and wash it down with a soda, you can't say you are doing it without an informed decision! Hey, when someone told me that a caramel/nut candy bar is over 250 calories and it would take an hour of hard exercise to work it off, I decided to go the lazy route and eat an apple!

The view of value . . .

I sew a lot to earn a little extra money and because I love to sew and share my ideas in quilts and banners, etc. What is irritating, however, is how little value other people often put on one's efforts. One woman asked me about the cost of making a custom quilt for her. I told her I charge $10 an hour plus the cost of the fabric. The quilt she had in mind would have come to around $100. She was shocked even after I showed her the proposed time involved and the cost of the fabric. Since I knew the woman was going through some financial problems (her own fault, but . . .), I was actually thinking of making the quilt and just giving it to her. As I walked away from our conversation, I heard her snort to another woman, "Can you believe that price! I wouldn't pay her $20 for a quilt." That kind of took THAT quilt project off my agenda.

It wasn't so much that she didn't want to pay for the cost of a quilt but her attitude that $20 would more than cover the expense. Kind of an insult to my time and creativity.

Anyway, I was productive, yesterday, and designed three banners for my sale's efforts this week. Instead of the large, square type, I made 11 x 38-inch long one depicting Our Lady of Guadeloupe on two of them and the Holy Spirit on the third. Just have to get the dowels fixed for hanging them and they are on the market!

Sewing today . . .?

I've been trying to wend my way to the sewing machine for a week now but life, cleaning, and appointments have constantly veered me off track! Today, I'm hoping to get enough creativity going to get something done. I'm still sewing and crocheting to make a bit of extra cash to take care of my own, small needs as termites and leaky roofs have eaten into the budget! I just got some beautiful panel prints of Our Lady of Guadeloupe and should be able to think of something to do with that. I sold most of my tote bags over Christmas so might think about replenishing my stash today!

I've been watching a Food Network show called America's Worst Cook which has been frustrating but interesting. The frustrating part is these contestants can't seem to follow the most simple of directions. It seems to me that if I could absolutely not cook to save my life, I'd pay more attention to the cooking projects at hand. I love this one guy who tries to improvise away from the stated recipe when he doesn't know how to cook in the first place! However, the recipes proposed for the challenges are great and I was happy to discover they are being posted on the Food Network site. Hey, I know how to cook AND I can follow directions!

Twisted world?

Practically the moment the Arizona shooting happened, the media and liberal factions pointed fingers at conservatives claiming their 'narrow-minded verbage' ignited the hatred in the mind and heart of the shooter. Turns out, the bad guy had no political leanings and didn't listen to the 'awful' conservative talk show radio programs. He was just mentally unbalance all on his own.

Once that was determined, the liberal press graciously offered an apology to each and every conservative they blasted . . . NOT! While bemoaning the horror of the shootings and the lives lost, there are ongoing death threats and nasty postings about Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, etc. Now, who is igniting hatred in the hearts of people? It is like the lefties of the world glady took advantage of a tragedy to further their own twisted agenda.

I'm hoping that with the election of more conservative minds into our government, good and clear thoughts will start to take hold in how we are governed.

Easy to figure out why . . .

After hearing the results of these movie/actor award shows, it is easy to see that moral values are pretty low. I wonder, however, how many people figure out that the movie industry might be encourged to up their idea of real moral value if we let them know at the box office. I mean, popularity comes from people supporting the productions and the only way is from purchasing a ticket or buying a DVD. Next time, you hear someone bemoan the downward slide of our culture, ask them what movies they've seen lately.

Yeah, let's worry!

Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate; now what's going to happen to us with both a Senate and a House?

Will Rogers

Long-term Biscuits!

Can't recall posting this but there are always people popping in for a look who might find this handy!

Freeze 'n' Bake Biscuits

6 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry milk powder
1/4 cup baking powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups shortening
1 1/2 cups water

In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients together until well combined. Cut shortening into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Using fork, stir in water until mixture is just moistened.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Turn dough onto well-floured surface. Lightly flour your hands and knead dough 8 to 10 times until smooth. Pat out dough about 3/4-inch thick. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares or cut with biscuit cutter, without twisting biscuit cutter. Place about 1/2-inch apart on baking sheet and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.

Makes about 5 dozen.

To freeze, prepare but do not bake. Freeze, then place in plastic bags. Remove biscuits as needed and bake frozen for 30 to 35 minutes. Ingredients may be mixed, stored in container, water added and baked as needed.

Termites are so much fun . . .

If you believe the subject line, I might have some swamp land property to offer, too! We first got notice of the unwelcome critters when we discovered they had actually eaten a noticeable chunk out of the baseboard in my daughter's room. Fortunately, they were able to treat just the wall and, for the sake of prevention, sprayed our attic and the perimeter of the house. We were offered a yearly 'membership' for $250 which would give us an annual check up and treatment as needed. We weren't sure but decided to go for it. Best decision of our life.

Given the extensive treatment of last year, we were pretty sure the $250 payment would remain just a fee without a benefit. Wrong! The termites came in through a drain line that was outside the house BUT up against the wall of an inside closet. Uh, this is my craft/junk closet so you can imagine how much I enjoyed my husband the the termite guy pulling out the piles and piles of stuff. Sigh . . . Guess what, that closet is near perfection today. Do you think the termite guy was sent by my guardian angel to finally bring organization to that portion of my life?

Hard to figure . . .

When I was about two weeks away from delivering my fourth child, I got an unexpected visit from an unpopular relative. She had actually brought a gift for the unborn baby and addressed it in the name of the baby we had named and lost the year before. It was like she figured we'd recycle the name until we had a live birth of a male child. It was not a calming influence on an already nervous mother to be. I had a bad fall the next day and went into labor two days after Christmas and had an uneventful birth and a healthy baby.

The odd part followed. Every year, we go to the trouble of calling each and every sibling and parent and wish them a Merry Christmas. Giving the pre-Christmas trials and tribulations and the pending delivery, we never got around to it. We found it a bit disheartening that not one of the relatives called us either. We have stopped calling and they don't seem to notice. Guess we get extra blessings for having made the effort?

I've run into that with casual friendships over the years, too. It must be a frequent quirk among more people than just family. It is really kind of sad that in this turbulant world of ours, people can so easily let go of relationships. This actually happened to us this year but we must have 'grown up' a bit because we just shook our heads and went on with life.

We had one of those Christmas holidays which was preceded by the onslaught of a leaky roof, an unexpected dental bill, and a termite invasion. We missed out on connecting with a lot of people with all this going on. A few of them didn't notice so I guess we were subtly informed that the friendship wasn't really there. It's a strange world which is probably what hones our sense of humor! :-)

Have still been busy with sewing, crocheting, and trying to sell my items on-line. I feel a great need to pad our emergency fund!

All so true . . .!

We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex--but Congress can.
- Cullen Hightower

I used to wake up at 4 A.M. and start sneezing, sometimes for five hours. I tried to find out what sort of allergy I had but finally came to the conclusion that it must be an allergy to consciousness.
- James Thurber

Bureaucrats write memoranda both because they appear to be busy when they are writing and because the memos, once written, immediately become proof that they were busy.
- Charles Peters

Lack of intellect . . .

As you all know, some 22 year old guy decided to hurt or destroy the lives of over 18 people today. Not sure on the number as the investigation is ongoing at the crime scene. I sure do not respect this guy for whatever he thinks he stands for in this situation. Only an idiot or a bully resorts to physical violence against innocent people. It seems that if a person can't meet their opposition on an intellectual level, they resort to fists . . . or guns. Strong-armed power does not make the person. It just reflects a serious lack of real brain power. Situations are changed with ideas or suggestions not destroyed to make the point.

We have to remember all the people involved in this horrible event today. We even have to pray for the gunman that he realizes his intent today and has to deal with the guilt of what he did to so many people and their families because HE had a problem.

As usual, we see that even the moderate gun control laws do not stop murders by gun because only the law-abiding citizens weren't prepared for gunplay today.

Number One Rule!

I've learned that what you tell people they see, they WILL see! This is especially true of husbands. Men are usually so happy to just have a warm home and wife that they don't notice the changes over the years as in a few wrinkles or gained pounds . . . unless you constantly point this out to him. A friend's husband recently signed them both up for a health program that would reduce their insurance co-pay. She was shocked when he mentioned he had signed up for improving his body mass indicator while he signed her up for the weight-loss program. He said his boss was amazed that he would do that and still be welcomed home in the evening. Although my friend didn't say TOO much to her husband, she was a bit shocked and asked how he came to consider the weight-loss program for her. He said because she was always complaining about having gained weight. She was bringing something to his attention that he wasn't 'seeing'!

At New Year's, the same friend and her family shared what they'd like to change about themselves during the new year and, also, what they'd like to see each other do differently. Her husband said he couldn't think of a single thing he'd change about my friend. She is learning . . . She smiled and simply said, "Thank you!"

I guess what the world and our loved ones see in us is what we project to them and the world. If we are happy and content with what God has given us, it shows and people react positively.

Back to schedule . . .

Although I do not really have a schedule, I do like to get certain things done during the day. We always start our morning off with daily Mass. I've heard some people say that attending the eight o'clock Mass disrupts the flow of the day. Personally, I like the fact that I have a good beginning to the day. If everything else goes wrong or doesn't get done according to MY specifications, I know that I checked in with God before it all started.

With older children heading back to college, I now have to get down to work on my youngest's lesson plans. I keep asking him for his books, he forgets to give me the books, and I forget to ask him again. Do you think we are both avoiding the issue?

Today, lesson plans WILL be prepared.

I got back into sewing after the hectic holidays. I made six Easter tote bags to sell on-line. I know that when my children were of the Easter basket stage, the 'worst' part of the Easter aftermath was the baskets. They didn't want to part with them and about three months down the road, beaten up baskets graced various parts of the house. I came up with the idea of Easter tote bags! They can hold an adequate amount of Easter goodies and have a side pocket for stashing a special coloring book or saint book for Easter. The best part is that even though they are floral and bright, they are not particularly labeled EASTER so can be used during the year. They would be fun for the children to use for bringing their little prayerbooks, Rosaries, and such to Mass thus freeing up mom's purse!

Crocheting has taken hold of me lately. I'm anxious to try a lacy poncho-type pattern but had to wait until I completed a baby blanket. Sigh . . . I love the idea of using a tiny crochet hook and fragile yarn until I'm a quarter of a way through the project and it takes so long! My creativity, sometimes, exceeds by patience.

Old-fashioned but patient . . .

Anyone who reads my blog has probably already figured out that I weigh in heavily on the conservative side of life. Although I would much prefer a more dignified daily Mass, I do know that Jesus IS in the tabernacle and I AM receiving his Body and Blood. I do, however, have a problem with extraordinary ministers pawing their way through the tabernacle and insisting Father cannot possibly distribute Communion to 30 attendees without the threat of a stroke.

I was talking to our relatively new pastor last Sunday and he said that he is working to stop the onslaught of EM's at daily Mass as their assistance when not really needed IS a liturgical abuse. Besides the sheer numbers of willing laity that love nothing more than clambering around the altar, it is their lack of regard and honor due our Lord at the Mass. They 'make it their own' and then the priests wonder at the lack of real belief. One EM has a good deal of her chest hanging out of her Sunday-best sleeveless, practically front-less tank top. Another one goes into a windmill patomaine as she feels a need to direct people to the altar when it is pretty evident WHERE the altar is located. Then there is the EM who likes to grin a greeting, and call you by name as she hands over the Eucharist. She is veering it from a solemn reception of a precious sacrament into a meet and greet with everyone but Jesus.

The Novus Ordo does lend itself to 'personal' interpretation. Our earlier Sunday Mass is relatively calm, however, the next Mass is often a free for all of Protestant hymns and greetings, greetings, and more greetings.

The aftermath of Vatican II brought us 'ministries'. One does not help out at church but joins a 'ministry'. Greeters evolved and you cannot quietly enter a church without at least two people glad handing you and distracting your pre-Mass preparations and thought. In fact, the entrance into the church greeting is followed by a beginning of Mass in the pews greeting, soon followed by the Sign of Peace greeting and then the after-Mass greeting. My husband tried holding a handerkerchief to his nose at stragetic times, claiming by action, a cold. After about six months, he kind of had to get 'over' the cold.

You have to ponder over the lack of wonderment found in the Mass these days. I think it has to do with the loss of dignity and the beauty of the altar that all added to the awe of coming into church. Not many of the 'servicable' churches, these days, carry the everlasting hint of incense that speaks of eternity.

The Nanny State!

I know the vast majority of us have never had a nanny. It seems, however, that our government is trying to fill that void we had in our lives while growing up.

The government wants to dictate what we eat when we dine out. My family and I watch our calories at home but when we have the treat of a restaurant dinner at a nice place, we don't want to menu to cut back on prime ingredients or spell out to us that we are splurging. Nor should restaurants be chastised because they use rich ingredients. The restaurants do not lay in wait for us and then drag us in by the hair and force food down our throats. They expect us to be mature and grown up about paying our bills and taxes yet go nanny state on us about what we want to put on our dinner plates.

I heard about a school forbidding bake sales with those fatty cupcakes we all grew up and enjoyed. Nope, now they want granola bars and carrot sticks. Don't even mentione using pizza for fun raising.

We are all more than aware that the government is currently taking over how we receive our medical treatment and deciding for us whether we can or cannot have treatment. Don't want to waste taxpayer money on . . . tax payers?

The current light bulb situation is crazy. One hundred watt bulbs have been outlawed and we have to use those silly curly bulbs in order to save the environment. Two problems they don't seem to want to address:

The 'curly' bulbs have a flicker and I believe it is in England, they have found it can be a problem for children and people suseptible to seizures. These people now have to get a 'prescription' to buy the old-style bulbs! Also, if you break one of the new bulbs, you are exposed to high levels of mercury. Our brave, new world!

There are even medications that are deemed too expensive even though the use of them would cut back on medical treatment. Has anyone in the government ever taken a financial course or learned to use a checking account?

When I worked in the bank, it was back when the first debit cards came out. One of the bank officer's came storming in, one day, and was VERY upset to discover his wife thought the debit card meant she could use it for any and everything not realizing it tied into her checking account balance. Seems this woman's mindset has taken over the financial brains of our 'ruling class' as they like to borrow without a chance of paying back and then just 'charge' some more.

Makes me wonder how we are going to teach our children how to manage finances when the government will tax it away from them immediately and then our children will have to borrow against an empty bank accoutn.

Back to the Trenches!

Although my son THINKS he had the break with no homeschooling lessons for the past month, I'm pretty sure I'm the one who really enjoyed the time off from lesson plans and papers to grade. Monday, it is back to work as I come up with his Spring Semester work. I am, however, feeling a little premature nostalgia as this will be his LAST semester of school at home. After summer break, my youngest son will be starting college. The thought of all that extra time doesn't seem quite as sweet as it did in the days of toddlers, diapers, and first grade readers.

I do hope and plan to get more projects done along with finishing both my books. One book is complete except for one chapter which needs revising. The second book has all the notes at hand but has been organized up to Chapter 15 so far. If all attempts at publication fail, I will, at least, have a lot of memories and information for my children to enjoy down the road.

Children are heading back to college this week and we have that revolving door swinging again as they go back and forth to various destinations. Even as I type, we are waiting to hear back from friends about one, last get together before the bags get packed and the planes start taking off, again.

Time to get my recipes in better order and, perhaps, start a blog on cooking successes, attempts, and interesting links. I'm one of the breed that actually enjoys talking about cooking/baking as a social pasttime!

We've found a way to spend the first day of the New Year . . . cleaning house. Okay, we have an appointment for the annual termite inspection on Monday and want to make sure our termites are dusted off properly. Also have a roof repair to face this summer but with a forecast of more rain to come, that will have to wait. I'm not even going to tell you how much it may cost for a dental visit when there were no cavities but the dentist found 35 year old fillings that needed replacing. He didn't seem to believe me when I said that 35 year old fillings were impossible as I was sure I wasn't a day over 30!

Happy New Year!

My daughter was just remembering a time when she read the book 1984 and realized it was already past 1984 as she was born in 1987 . . . and the world hadn't gone quite THAT bad yet. The years do dash by.

In spite of the bishop's 'ruling' that January first, the Solemnity of Mary, is NOT a Holy Day in this diocese, I plan on attending Mass. You have to wonder about a religious leader who actually makes life too easy on us spiritually when we all know that attaining the grace of Heaven is NOT an easy proposition! I guess 2011's resolution is for more prayers that our Church takes matters of Faith more seriously than getting involved in secular politics.

Finally, we have a pastor who realizes that excessive use of Extraordinary Ministers at daily Mass is a liturgical abuse not to mention totally unnecessary! Last week, we had about 30 people at Mass so the priest and the EM got to distribute Communion to all of 15 people each. Have to admit, however, most people took some humor in the look on an EM's face when she sauntered up, uninvited, to help distribute Communion and Father kindly gestured for her to go back to her seat.

Yeah, women on the altar do annoy me. They come up wearing their stretch pants and low-cut shirts and want us to respect their 'ministry'. You have to wonder, too, about the men and boys who will never get involved in their church because they are afraid to face the entourage of females who have this presider-wannabe mentality and a sense of being MORE equal than any man present.

Oops! Guess I have to maintain MORE custody of the eyes this coming year to avoid the circus so many females make of the Mass with their self-righteous participation and in-your-face attitude.

On a happy note, God has granted us another year to work our way and stay in His Graces.

A funny flash back to my school days when Sister said that by the 1990's the US could be overtaken by the Communists. Wonder what she would think about the US that is overtaken by the sins of legal abortion and perversion?

My thought is to take just enough of the past to plan our future. We shouldn't dwell on the mistakes of yesterday to any more of a degree that is necessary to make today better.