Her parents must be SO proud . . .

On two, different radio talk shows, today, they related that a college student went for a Congressional hearing to object to the possible overturning of the obama mandate re. free contraceptives. She claimed, that as a college student, she struggles enough with college costs and birth control is costing her and her friends over a thousand dollars a year. She even added a sob story about a friend being turned away from the pharmacy because she couldn't afford birth control pills and  possibly being forced to have unprotected sex. The insinuation was this was happening to a majority of the female students.

I had to wonder about that and shake my head over the state of morality in the world today. Why would anyone be forced to have unprotected sex? Is the rule of the dorm such that everyone either wants to or is expected to be that free? Seems to me that students do a lot of growing up and decision making when they go to college. Since this young female and her friends have obviously and, seemingly, proudly opted to require full-time contraceptive help, wouldn't this be considered a decision on her/their part? Why would she expect taxpayers to pay for her recreational decision? And does no one wonder that such an aspect of married committment would be considered a pasttime? Where has the value and blessing of pro-creational relationships gone? Why would a female stand before a hearing and proclaim long and loud that she wants what she wants when she wants it . . . but doesn't want to pay for it? She didn't mention the likihood of STD's but probably expects everyone except herself to pay the tab for that, too.

When I mentioned sarcastically to my husband that this female's parents must be so proud of her, he sadly said, "Given this student's mind set and attitude, I'm willing to bet her parents raised her this way and probably are proud of her."

Some of these 'modern' college students may come to regret their actions. Then, again, others will raise children (the ones they allow to live!) like themselves and beam as their own daughter announces her lack of moral fiber to the whole world and demands that someone takes care of the bill.

Why Abortion is the Opposite of Love . . . by Father Frank Provone

Lent teaches us the meaning of love. Jesus endured His passion and crucifixion for each of us, giving Himself away that we might have life.

Abortion, on the other hand, is the opposite of love, because it takes life.

Love says, “I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person.”

Abortion says, “I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself.”

Strangely, the same words are used in both cases. Supporters of abortion say, “This is my body, I can do what I want.”

Jesus says, “This is My Body, given up for you.”
The same words are spoken from opposite ends of the universe, with totally opposite results.

Let us resolve to live those words as Jesus did, giving ourselves away for the good of others, born and unborn.

All funny with that pesky grain of truth . . .!

"Conscience is what makes a boy tell his mother before his sister does."
-- Evan Esar

"About the time we think we can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends."
-- Herbert Hoover

"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home."
-- Ken Olsen

"When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him: 'Whose?'"
-- Don Marquis

How humble and how glorious is the gift of prayers . . .

"How great the power of Prayer... To be heard it is not necessary to read from a book some beautiful formula composed for the occasion... I do like children who do not know how to read, I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences, and He always understands me. For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus." ~St. Therese of Lisieux

Not your mother's boxed cake mix recipe . . .

As you can tell by now, I prefer to bake from ingredients not from prepackaged mixes, however, I do stock up on boxed cake mixes when they go on sale for a dollar or less. I need a quick batch of cupcakes, they are in the oven fast. There are also recipes for using the boxed mixes for cookies. Of course, there is lots of room for personal creativity so most people don't realize when I've taken advantage of a shortcut.

 

This recipe is one of those quick fixes that doesn't taste like a cake mix and will suprise your family on an evening when they thought you were too rushed or stressed to spoil them with an after-dinner treat.

 

Coconut Walnut Apple Cake

 

1 yellow cake mix, your choice

1/2 cup of butter, diced (butter should be cold)

1/2 cup of coconut, toasted

1/2 cup  chopped walnuts, toasted

3 large green apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

Juice of half a lemon and lemon zest

1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Pinch of ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1 cup regular sour cream

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray an oblong baking pan approximately 9x13-inches or a comparable-sized pan.

 

Place your coconut on one side of a baking sheet and the walnuts on the other. Toast in the oven until fragrant. Be careful to avoid burning! Set aside to cool before using.

 

Combine the apples, lemon juice, zest, sugar, and spices.

 

Roughy blend together the cake mix,  butter, coconut, and walnuts.  Mixture should be lumpy. Spread mixture into the baking pan and press down. Bake for ten minutes and then remove from oven. Arrange your prepared apples over the cake layer. Beat together the egg, sour cream, and vanilla. Spoon over the apples to cover. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes.

 

This goes great, warm from the oven, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!