Fulton J. Sheen always knew best!

"The whirlwind on the tongue is the sign of the tempest in the soul."
"Speech is the summation of a soul: all that it has been, all that it is, and all that it will ever be."


"A smile is laughter's whisper and has its roots in the soul."



"Think before you speak; then talk to yourself."


"Society can live only by standards of right and wrong."

A Parent's Plea . . .

God give me work, Till my life shall end, And life, Till my work is done. Winifred Holtby, (1898-1935)

Salad Days . . .

The family joke is that the colder the weather, the more likely I am to make salads! Yeah, I tend to serve hot soup during the summer, too. I woke to an overcast day and my first thought was . . . making a salad! Here are some of my shortcuts to getting a salad on the table and cut some expense in purchasing expensive salad dressings.

Super Simple Dressing
3/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3/4 teaspoon salt
Ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon minced onion or one garlic clove, finely chopped.

Combine all ingredients in a jar or container. Shake well. Refrigerate covered. Shake well before using. Makes approximately one cup.

Olive DressingTo the Super Simple Dressing, add 1/4 cup chopped, stuffed green olives.

Hearty DressingTo 3/4 cup Super Simple Dressing, add:
1 hard-cooked egg, chopped
1 teaspoon minced parsley
1 tablespoon minced pimiento
1 teaspoon minced green onion
Dash of paprika

Mix well and refrigerate until used.

Marinated Green Beans1 to 2 cans of green beans
Your favorite Italian salad dressing
1/4 to ½ cup slivered, toasted almonds

Drain green beans and place in bowl. Toss in dressing. Just before serving, scatter the almonds over each portion.

Cucumber SlicesTwo large cucumbers
Super Simple Dressing to taste
½ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Peel and slice the cucumbers. When you are ready to arrange your salad plate, place the slices on the plate. Drizzle with dressing and pepper to taste.

Pickled Beet Salad1 to 2 cans sliced or julienne beets
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
A sprinkling of caraway seed

Drain beets and place in bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, toss gently and refrigerate.

Tomato/Feta SaladFour to six ripe tomatoes, preferably Roma
4 ounces Feta
½ teaspoon dried dill
½ teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon ground pepper
½ teaspoon salt or to taste
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped, red onion, optional

Cut the tomatoes into bite-sized chunks and place in bowl. Mix the olive oil, vinegar, onions, spices and herbs together in a small bowl. Pour over tomatoes, toss gently and let marinate for at least a half hour before serving. Just before using, crumble in the Feta. The room temperature tomatoes make a nice contrast to the chilled cheese.

Marian Feast Days . . .

May is the Month of our Blessed Mother. Although we are not anywhere near that month, I thought it would be interesting to note home many feast days we have during the year in which to honor the Mother of our Lord. How many feast days do you know of and celebrate in thought, word or prayer?

The Immaculate Conception, December 8th. This feast commemorates Mary's conception without Original Sin.

The Birth of Mary, September 8th. Although we do not know the date of Mary's birth, it has been celebrated on this day since the seventh century.

The Presentation of Mary in the Temple, November 21st.

The Annunciation, March 25th. This day celebrates the conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary.

The Visitation, May 31st. This celebrates Mary's visit to her cousin, Elizabeth.

The Birth of Jesus, December 25^th.

The Solemnity of Mary, January first. This is the second celebration of Jesus' birth with focus on Mary as the Mother of God.

The Presentation of the Lord, February second. Although the focus is on Jesus, it is still a day to reflect on Mary's role as the Mother of God.

The Assumption, August 15th. The day Mary was assumed into Heaven, body and soul.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 16th. This was where the Order of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was founded about 1154. The feast was placed on July 16th because, according to tradition in 1251, Mary appeared to Carmelite St. Simon Stock on this day.

The Dedication of St. Mary Major, August 5th. The Basilica of St. Mary Major, in Rome, was the first church dedicated to our Blessed Mother.

The Queenship of Mary, August 22nd. We venerate Mary for her unique part in the redemption and because she is first among the saints.

Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15th. Mary endured many sufferings during her life, ultimately as witness to her Son's passion and death.

Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7th. The entire month of October is dedicated to the Rosary.

Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11^th.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12th.

Pondering some quotes . . .

Don't know to whom the credit should go to on these quotes, but they are certainly keepers.

More lives are ruined over a cup of coffee than by the shot of a gun.

A day hemmed in prayer is unlikely to unravel.

Good character, like good soup, is usually homemade.

Another Christmas Craft Idea for the Children . . .

It seems that when my children were younger and excited about Christmas approaching, they would want to make presents for everyone. Since they had no visible means of income, they were always at a loss once mom said she could/would not hand over bundles of cash for them to go shopping!

We always, however, have a habit or tradition of packing away the Christmas cards we receive with the decorations at the end of Christmas. Turns out it was a good idea in more ways than one. I could sit the children down with the pretty cards and all the items they would need to make bookmarks. With a little help from the presiding parent, they could make gifts for friends and families.

Bookmarks

lightweight cardboard
sequins, lace scraps, ribbon bits, etc.
marker pens
last year's Christmas cards, Holy Cards
glue
clear contact paper
yarn pieces
hole punch
scissors
(some adult supervision!)

Cut out cardboard approximately two by six inches. Decorate each bookmark with the sequins, lace or ribbon bits. Or, you could combine them with a cut out from a Christmas card. Use the markers to enhance your designs or put on a message.

Cover the decorated paper with the contact paper Put a hole with the hole punch at the top and in the middle of the bookmark Tie yarn through the hole to form a tassel