For some reason, I seem to be a target for the Jehovah Witnesses, lately. The way it usually goes is they come to the door, I talk politely to them and let them know I have a religion I'm quite happy about and thank you but no thank you. And in case they don't get the message, they should take note of the three-foot statue of the Blessed Mother right by the door.
Although I am upfront from the moment I open the door, I never brush them off and often end up in conversation with them. Whenever they start in on their agenda, I swing the conversation to something we can agree on, make my points, and we part in good spirit.
Many people tell me I shouldn't even bother to open the door and just yell for them to GO AWAY. In my mind, there are few people it is safe to open the door to, these days so why not show them that we can be gracious even if we differ.
Today, they tried to get me on 'praying to saint' instead of God. I explained to them that I ask the saints to pray to God along with me. They chose to ignore that so I switched to immoral fashions which they jumped on immediately and we sighed over what the world has come to with sin. As we rounded up the conversation and they were about to walk off, I smiled and called out, "And, by the way, Catholics do NOT worship statues . . . in case you wondered!" They looked confused and wandered off to their next house.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Supermarket strategy . . .
It is a fact that the cost of groceries has gone drastically up over the last year so a necessary visit to the grocery store is a challenge to see how much you can buy for how little. I keep track of the rise in prices by how much more is being charged for various items that need to find their way into everyone's grocery cart each week.
In order to feed my family and stay with the budget left to us after taxes, I watch the sales closely. I never just stop by the market for one item. I go up and down each aisle to see what might be on sale that wasn't advertised or manager's bargains. I haunt the last chance section where they put the discounted meat and vegetables.
I'm learning to buy items like pasta and rice when they are on sale even if I have five boxes at home. I just rotate according to purchase date and know that they will come in handy for a between-pay day meal. I've also learned to do without some things and substitute less expensive items for other needs. Coupons are cherished but even they aren't the same help when the original price of the item is higher than usual.
You have to wonder what our politicians and unions are thinking when they increase taxes and abstain unions from any real cut backs. When they increased the sales tax in our state, we cut back our spending which earned the state a lot less than if they had left our taxes alone. The powers that be should take a basic lesson in maintaining a checking account - you don't write checks if the funds aren't there!
Anyway, I'm back from the grocery store trenches and did pretty well and saved over $40 on my purchase. My husband calls my store receipt, my report card and he said I get an A for today!
In order to feed my family and stay with the budget left to us after taxes, I watch the sales closely. I never just stop by the market for one item. I go up and down each aisle to see what might be on sale that wasn't advertised or manager's bargains. I haunt the last chance section where they put the discounted meat and vegetables.
I'm learning to buy items like pasta and rice when they are on sale even if I have five boxes at home. I just rotate according to purchase date and know that they will come in handy for a between-pay day meal. I've also learned to do without some things and substitute less expensive items for other needs. Coupons are cherished but even they aren't the same help when the original price of the item is higher than usual.
You have to wonder what our politicians and unions are thinking when they increase taxes and abstain unions from any real cut backs. When they increased the sales tax in our state, we cut back our spending which earned the state a lot less than if they had left our taxes alone. The powers that be should take a basic lesson in maintaining a checking account - you don't write checks if the funds aren't there!
Anyway, I'm back from the grocery store trenches and did pretty well and saved over $40 on my purchase. My husband calls my store receipt, my report card and he said I get an A for today!
Israel needs our prayers . . .
Why is it that when things could not be worse in the world, a faction finds a way to make them worse? I find war, in itself, something I'd like to avoid but, at least, it is a more 'organized' event in which each side knows and sees each other in a way. Lines are drawn and care is often employed to avoid civilians.
Today, a suitcase bomb went off at a crowded bus stop in Israel killing at least one and injuring 31 - at last report. I wonder how many armed soldiers were in the dead/injured? How many of them had grabbed their shopping bags and school books to enter battle today? I can't help being so awfully sad to think how many families have been tragically changed in the space of a few minutes.
Hope everyone remembers all these victims in their prayers this evening. I know I will. Eternal rest grant onto them, O Lord . . .
Today, a suitcase bomb went off at a crowded bus stop in Israel killing at least one and injuring 31 - at last report. I wonder how many armed soldiers were in the dead/injured? How many of them had grabbed their shopping bags and school books to enter battle today? I can't help being so awfully sad to think how many families have been tragically changed in the space of a few minutes.
Hope everyone remembers all these victims in their prayers this evening. I know I will. Eternal rest grant onto them, O Lord . . .
Trying to buy clothing . . .
My son and I are taking a much anticipated trip in a few months and I needed a few items of clothing. Shopping for relatively modest clothing, these days, is not an easy task!
I have often heard the phrase custody of the eyes but never really took time to think about it in today’s terms and life styles. One day, during a trip to the mall, I decided to try maintaining a strict custody of the eyes yet still do my planned shopping. That one trip to the mall showed me that it is near impossible to avoid seeing visual near occasions of sin without bumping into the people you are trying not to look at! Where has respect and modesty gone in this day and age?
You walk past the first store or shop and the mannequins in the window are dressed provocatively, showing off acres of enameled skin with all the details that can be put on a dummy. Even though these are not real people, little is left to the imagination - a near occasion of sin just waiting to be taken advantage of right there in public view.
If you are interested in refurbishing your underwear wardrobe, you will have absolutely no problem finding the department. There are numerous displays of garments that definitely should be kept under clothing. You and everyone else will know what is being worn under today’s clothing. My oldest son considers it gross right now but as he gets older what kind of impression will this make on him?
It isn’t easy telling the difference between the underwear and the bathing suit sections! Actually, there is more fabric in what is worn under clothing than is flaunted on the beach. How many times have you seen someone get flustered when a door accidentally opens and they are caught wearing just their underwear? Yet, these same ‘prudes’ go out in public with much less for the sake of fashion.
Weddings are not the pleasant occasions they once were in church. The brides seem to be having one last fling as they go down the aisle exposing excessive skin. The fashions they wear on their wedding day isn’t in line with what the purity of what a white wedding dress is all about. One woman told me that a deep, heart-shaped neckline was fashionable and it has always been the style to have a plunging back on the wedding dress. It is a classic style. Well, so is hell a classic.
One of the saddest fashion statements today can be found in the children’s section. Rack after rack of immodest fashions cut down for the four, five and six year old girls. Perhaps, the mothers think it is cute now but how will the child learn what is womanly and what is just, plain sinful. You can be a near occasion of sin at a young age and if the child doesn’t know better, wouldn’t you have to lay the blame at the parents’ door?
I often hear parents bemoan the fact that they have no control over what their children wear. Why not? If they aren’t over eighteen, who pays for the clothing. Do you just put up with super tight jeans and improper clothing for Mass to avoid confrontations? Today, the word ‘no’ is an underused word in the modern child-rearing vocabulary.
I think too many people go by what the majority do and figure that if everyone does it, then it is sanctioned by society. Of course, it is sanctioned by society but society hasn’t been a model for grace, spirituality and goodness for a long time. You don’t have to be of the world to be in the world. “To be merely modern is to condemn oneself to an ultimate narrowness . . .” G. K. Chesterton.
If you start thinking about how you appear to other people, perhaps you will go to greater lengths to protect the virtues God has given you. Do you want to be popular and a near-occasion of sin? Or do you want to be in God’s Graces? It is called free will.
“Modesty in human beings is praised because it is not a matter of nature, but of will.” Lactantius
Barba
I have often heard the phrase custody of the eyes but never really took time to think about it in today’s terms and life styles. One day, during a trip to the mall, I decided to try maintaining a strict custody of the eyes yet still do my planned shopping. That one trip to the mall showed me that it is near impossible to avoid seeing visual near occasions of sin without bumping into the people you are trying not to look at! Where has respect and modesty gone in this day and age?
You walk past the first store or shop and the mannequins in the window are dressed provocatively, showing off acres of enameled skin with all the details that can be put on a dummy. Even though these are not real people, little is left to the imagination - a near occasion of sin just waiting to be taken advantage of right there in public view.
If you are interested in refurbishing your underwear wardrobe, you will have absolutely no problem finding the department. There are numerous displays of garments that definitely should be kept under clothing. You and everyone else will know what is being worn under today’s clothing. My oldest son considers it gross right now but as he gets older what kind of impression will this make on him?
It isn’t easy telling the difference between the underwear and the bathing suit sections! Actually, there is more fabric in what is worn under clothing than is flaunted on the beach. How many times have you seen someone get flustered when a door accidentally opens and they are caught wearing just their underwear? Yet, these same ‘prudes’ go out in public with much less for the sake of fashion.
Weddings are not the pleasant occasions they once were in church. The brides seem to be having one last fling as they go down the aisle exposing excessive skin. The fashions they wear on their wedding day isn’t in line with what the purity of what a white wedding dress is all about. One woman told me that a deep, heart-shaped neckline was fashionable and it has always been the style to have a plunging back on the wedding dress. It is a classic style. Well, so is hell a classic.
One of the saddest fashion statements today can be found in the children’s section. Rack after rack of immodest fashions cut down for the four, five and six year old girls. Perhaps, the mothers think it is cute now but how will the child learn what is womanly and what is just, plain sinful. You can be a near occasion of sin at a young age and if the child doesn’t know better, wouldn’t you have to lay the blame at the parents’ door?
I often hear parents bemoan the fact that they have no control over what their children wear. Why not? If they aren’t over eighteen, who pays for the clothing. Do you just put up with super tight jeans and improper clothing for Mass to avoid confrontations? Today, the word ‘no’ is an underused word in the modern child-rearing vocabulary.
I think too many people go by what the majority do and figure that if everyone does it, then it is sanctioned by society. Of course, it is sanctioned by society but society hasn’t been a model for grace, spirituality and goodness for a long time. You don’t have to be of the world to be in the world. “To be merely modern is to condemn oneself to an ultimate narrowness . . .” G. K. Chesterton.
If you start thinking about how you appear to other people, perhaps you will go to greater lengths to protect the virtues God has given you. Do you want to be popular and a near-occasion of sin? Or do you want to be in God’s Graces? It is called free will.
“Modesty in human beings is praised because it is not a matter of nature, but of will.” Lactantius
Barba
Back to the schedule . . .
My son serves almost daily Mass at our parish so we have a lot of early mornings getting up and ready and there in time for him to help set up. Tuesdays, we take off so a growing teen can have one morning to sleep in to his heart's content. It is also my day to get an early start on my weekly overhaul of the house and getting into some neglected nooks and crannies that need cleaning. Lately, I've had this need to downsize things so have been sorting and tossing and giving away items I only see when I dig far enough into the depths of the closet! Hey, even one really cleaned cupboard seems to make the whole house feel elevated to a new degree!
Back to first-thing-in-the morning Mass today. I like morning Mass during the week as it is usually quiet and you have time for reflection to find a bit of peace in your soul. That was until a week or so ago when three people in the congregation, without permission, decided to sing hymns during the entire Offertory, throughout Communion, and a lengthy recessional that went on long after the priest had exited the church. The hymns are not uplifting but seem to have the tone and beat of something better sung around a campfire. One woman when up to one of the instigators and point blank asked WHY they were doing this. The woman replied, "To make people happy." The questioning woman retorted, "Well, it's NOT making me happy!" I just listen and observe. I learned a long time ago to not sweat the small stuff and to stay out of fights that arent' worth winning.
Anyway, on Mondy, the trio picked out three hymns that THEY didn't know the music for and it went from annoying to painful. I don't know how long they struggled with the recessional hymn, however, as I exited the church when the priest did.
It is really kind of sad that the laity of today takes over aspects of the Mass like this without checking with the priest who has been as surprised as the rest of us over this recent evolution.
So, it is with some interest to see if the pastor has heard about the recent 'changes' in morning Mass and if things have been toned down. Don't get me wrong, I like some uplifting music even at daily Mass but there should be some restraint. If everyone acted out on their desires to have the Mass celebrated THEIR way, it would end up being a most unproductive time of worship as it would be dealing with more ME than GOD.
Back to first-thing-in-the morning Mass today. I like morning Mass during the week as it is usually quiet and you have time for reflection to find a bit of peace in your soul. That was until a week or so ago when three people in the congregation, without permission, decided to sing hymns during the entire Offertory, throughout Communion, and a lengthy recessional that went on long after the priest had exited the church. The hymns are not uplifting but seem to have the tone and beat of something better sung around a campfire. One woman when up to one of the instigators and point blank asked WHY they were doing this. The woman replied, "To make people happy." The questioning woman retorted, "Well, it's NOT making me happy!" I just listen and observe. I learned a long time ago to not sweat the small stuff and to stay out of fights that arent' worth winning.
Anyway, on Mondy, the trio picked out three hymns that THEY didn't know the music for and it went from annoying to painful. I don't know how long they struggled with the recessional hymn, however, as I exited the church when the priest did.
It is really kind of sad that the laity of today takes over aspects of the Mass like this without checking with the priest who has been as surprised as the rest of us over this recent evolution.
So, it is with some interest to see if the pastor has heard about the recent 'changes' in morning Mass and if things have been toned down. Don't get me wrong, I like some uplifting music even at daily Mass but there should be some restraint. If everyone acted out on their desires to have the Mass celebrated THEIR way, it would end up being a most unproductive time of worship as it would be dealing with more ME than GOD.
Sharing Quotes . . . again!
Zoo: An excellent place to study the habits of human beings.
- Evan Esar
A man's respect for law and order exists in precise relationship to the size of his paycheck.
- Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
- Evan Esar
A man's respect for law and order exists in precise relationship to the size of his paycheck.
- Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Brownies - Just another way to eat chocolate!
I usually bake some special treats for family and friends for Easter. Also, a lot of the Easter candy around this time of year makes good decorations for the various cakes and cookies. My family also treated me to a couple new cake pans at Christmas which I'm anxious to use . . . as soon as Lent is over!
One of the favorite cookies on a plate always seems to be brownies. While I have several recipes, I'm sharing one that is usually popular. For me, the combination of chocoate, orange, and hazel nut is hard to resist.
Mocha Hazelnut Orange Brownies
Eight ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup butter (two sticks)
5 eggs
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla
2 tablespoons coffee crystals
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Melt chocolate and butter in microwave. Stir in coffee crystals. Cool slightly. In another bowl, beat all, sugar and vanilla on high speed for five to eight minutes. Blend in melted chocolate mixture on low speed. All flour, beating just to blend. Stir in nuts.
Spread mixture in greased 13 x 9-inch jelly roll pan or in two 8 x 8-inch cake pans. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 25 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake.
Frosting
½ cup butter (one stick)
1 pound powdered sugar
3 heaping tablespoons Nutella spread.
Juice of one orange
Grated rind of one orange
Beat the butter and Nutella with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar until well incorporated. Add grated orange rind and enough juice to make the frosting spreadable but not runny.
When the brownies are completely cooled in the pan, generously frost. To make them easier to cut, refrigerate until frosting is set.
One of the favorite cookies on a plate always seems to be brownies. While I have several recipes, I'm sharing one that is usually popular. For me, the combination of chocoate, orange, and hazel nut is hard to resist.
Mocha Hazelnut Orange Brownies
Eight ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup butter (two sticks)
5 eggs
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla
2 tablespoons coffee crystals
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Melt chocolate and butter in microwave. Stir in coffee crystals. Cool slightly. In another bowl, beat all, sugar and vanilla on high speed for five to eight minutes. Blend in melted chocolate mixture on low speed. All flour, beating just to blend. Stir in nuts.
Spread mixture in greased 13 x 9-inch jelly roll pan or in two 8 x 8-inch cake pans. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 25 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake.
Frosting
½ cup butter (one stick)
1 pound powdered sugar
3 heaping tablespoons Nutella spread.
Juice of one orange
Grated rind of one orange
Beat the butter and Nutella with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar until well incorporated. Add grated orange rind and enough juice to make the frosting spreadable but not runny.
When the brownies are completely cooled in the pan, generously frost. To make them easier to cut, refrigerate until frosting is set.
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