Against all the rules of entertaining, I decided to try a new recipe for a recent Christmas party. I was blessed as it turned out to be the best dessert of the evening so thought I would share in case anyone needs a tried and true cake recipe for their own Christmas or New Year.
Banana Sheet Cake
6 tablespoons solid shortening
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 cup pureed bananas - about two, large bananas
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup sour cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray or grease an 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 pan or whatever will accomodate the batter.
Combine the milk and sour cream and set aside for now.
Beat together the shortening and sugar until well-mixed and crumbly. Beat in the eggs until smooth. Add the rest of the rest of the ingredients including the milk/sour cream mixture, and beat until just mixed and smooth. Pour into the prepared pans and bake at 350 degrees until top is golden and springs back when lightly touched. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack before icing the cake.
Browned Butter Frosting
1 stick or 1/2 cup butter (margarine won't work!)
Approximately 3-4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
In a small pot, slowely melt the butter and simmer it (watching carefully!) until it JUST starts to brown and remove it immediately from the flame and pour into a mixing bowl. Beat in small amounts of powdered sugar and the vanilla extract until you get a spreadable icing. Ice the cake and refrigerate to set.
Monday, December 24, 2012
A Blessed Christmas!
The frantic weeks before Christmas should now calm down as we prepare ourselves for Christmas 2012 - the first, last, and only 2012 Christmas that will ever happen! As we wait in the Vigil of Christmas for the celebration of the Birth of Christ, tomorrow, it makes one rethink how this past year has been spent.
As we celebrate with our families, remember to give the gift of prayer to all the people whose Christmas has been changed for them over this past year, friends that have lost loved ones, people involved in tragedies and, especially, the recent event in Connecticut. Cherish the Christmas you have as the next one could entail unexpected changes.
As we celebrate with our families, remember to give the gift of prayer to all the people whose Christmas has been changed for them over this past year, friends that have lost loved ones, people involved in tragedies and, especially, the recent event in Connecticut. Cherish the Christmas you have as the next one could entail unexpected changes.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Explains the problem with our world . . .
“We've
had enough of exhortations to be silent! Cry out with a hundred thousand
tongues. I see that the world has become rotten because of silence.”
~St. Catherine of Siena
There is a time for rejoicing . . .
Someone passed this on to me via e-mail and I had to share. It is like a ray of sunshine in a gloomy world right now. It is a wonderful way to remember all our friends and family that have gone before us, too.
Twas' 11 days before Christmas,
around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven," declared a small boy.
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven," declared a small boy.
"We're spending Christmas at God's
house."
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
Socialism lurks beneath . . .
I always wondered how intelligent people can buy into socialism and not think it a problem for some to work harder than others but everyone shares equally. I saw this mentality come into play up front and personal at a church I used to attend.
The pastor there was kind enough to allow any family to set up a table and sell baked goods to help them make some money to offset their children's college expenses. We called it the Starving Students Bake Sale and it was very popular. Each family had their own table and what they earned from their own baked goods, they kept. The idea was that you made some money based on how hard you wanted to work for it. The first event had five or six families setting up long tables piled with homemade family favorites. It was a great sight and anyone passing through the aisle of tables lining the walk were sure to be tempted by the displays and smells of sugar and cinnamon. Everyone did a brisk business. Parishioners enjoyed buying treats to take home.
As we were closing down after the last Sunday Mass, a woman came up to me and asked, "Where do I go for my share of the proceeds of the bake sale?" I must have looked very blank because she added, "I have college students and we could use some extra money, too." I kindly explained to her that each family was responsible for their own table and for their own baked goods. It was not a combined effort. Now the woman looked blank and objected, "It said in the bulletin that this was a bake sale to help college students with expenses and we have expenses, too!" I explained, again, that the premise of the event was that each family could bake and set up a table and the money they earned came from their own, personal efforts. She went on, "But, I saw your display and you baked a lot of cookies and cupcakes. I saw a lot of customers at your table so you must have made a lot of money! Shouldn't that be shares?" Back to a blank expression for me as I, again, stated that each family made an effort in their own capacity and earned money based on how hard they wanted to work for it. I told her there was going to be another sale in a week and she could participate with her own table of baked goods. She turned and walked away.
The next bake sale, the same woman showed up with a small card table which she set up at a good location. She then proceeded to divide up packages of store bought cookies, donuts, etc. She didn't do a great business when people had a choice of fresh baked and overpriced factory treats. At the end of the day (and having her glare at me and my well-stocked table), she closed shop and told me it wasn't a very good or fair idea for everyone. I never saw her, again, but always shake my head in disbelief at her entitlement mind set that allowed her to think that taking the proceeds from other people's efforts was fair and being disgruntled when making the least possible effort wasn't successful. Even worse was being peeved at everyone's hard-earned success.
We are kind of seeing that in our world today only it is on a much larger and even scary level. People don't want to be rewarded for hard work so much as showing up to share in the hard work of others.
The pastor there was kind enough to allow any family to set up a table and sell baked goods to help them make some money to offset their children's college expenses. We called it the Starving Students Bake Sale and it was very popular. Each family had their own table and what they earned from their own baked goods, they kept. The idea was that you made some money based on how hard you wanted to work for it. The first event had five or six families setting up long tables piled with homemade family favorites. It was a great sight and anyone passing through the aisle of tables lining the walk were sure to be tempted by the displays and smells of sugar and cinnamon. Everyone did a brisk business. Parishioners enjoyed buying treats to take home.
As we were closing down after the last Sunday Mass, a woman came up to me and asked, "Where do I go for my share of the proceeds of the bake sale?" I must have looked very blank because she added, "I have college students and we could use some extra money, too." I kindly explained to her that each family was responsible for their own table and for their own baked goods. It was not a combined effort. Now the woman looked blank and objected, "It said in the bulletin that this was a bake sale to help college students with expenses and we have expenses, too!" I explained, again, that the premise of the event was that each family could bake and set up a table and the money they earned came from their own, personal efforts. She went on, "But, I saw your display and you baked a lot of cookies and cupcakes. I saw a lot of customers at your table so you must have made a lot of money! Shouldn't that be shares?" Back to a blank expression for me as I, again, stated that each family made an effort in their own capacity and earned money based on how hard they wanted to work for it. I told her there was going to be another sale in a week and she could participate with her own table of baked goods. She turned and walked away.
The next bake sale, the same woman showed up with a small card table which she set up at a good location. She then proceeded to divide up packages of store bought cookies, donuts, etc. She didn't do a great business when people had a choice of fresh baked and overpriced factory treats. At the end of the day (and having her glare at me and my well-stocked table), she closed shop and told me it wasn't a very good or fair idea for everyone. I never saw her, again, but always shake my head in disbelief at her entitlement mind set that allowed her to think that taking the proceeds from other people's efforts was fair and being disgruntled when making the least possible effort wasn't successful. Even worse was being peeved at everyone's hard-earned success.
We are kind of seeing that in our world today only it is on a much larger and even scary level. People don't want to be rewarded for hard work so much as showing up to share in the hard work of others.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Connecticut Tragedy and how you can help . . .
This was passed on to me from a good friend. Please consider sending a note and/or card to these devout but emotionally overworked priests to encourage them in this difficult time for the victims, their families, and their parish communities. Even if you are not a US Citizen but are reading this, consider the joy for these people to know they have an international caring community.
God bless,
Barbara
God bless,
Barbara
In your charity, remember the priests
of St Rose of Lima parish, its parishioiners and the community of Newtown, CT,
in your prayers. There is even an address to which you can write.
Fathers, perhaps it's possible for you to offer Mass, especially for the priests who need the grace to carry on.
This letter was posted on Facebook by the sister of the parochial vicar of St Rose of Lima Parish, Fr Luke Suarez. The pastor's name is Msgr Weiss.
In Christ, AnnMarie
My friends,
All of you, I am sure, have heard so much about the tragedy in Newtown, CT. Many of you have received emails from me about my younger brother, Father Luke Suarez, who is a priest at St. Rose of Lima parish, a Catholic church just down the road from Sandy Hook Elementary. He, and his pastor, Monsignor Weiss, arrived at the school within moments of the shooting, and have been caring for the community ever since. The picture I have included was taken at the school.
Father Luke has an impossible task before him. His diocese is without a bishop right now…. Monsignor … is personally devastated by the losses. The parish is very large…. The rectory has received serious threats, and as my brother gave the homily Sunday at the noon mass, the church had to be evacuated by SWAT teams. After experiencing identity theft and online hacking incidents, he had to erase all of his internet accounts. After a weekend of endless media requests, notifications and vigils with heartbroken families, and little sleep, he now has two wakes and two funerals every day, until the fourth Sunday of Advent. Father Luke has not even been ordained two years.
My large family has been trying to send Father Luke our love and support from afar, and one of my brothers was able to visit with him briefly a couple times. All he asks for is prayer.
I have been wracking my brain, trying to think of a way that our beautiful, loving community could tangibly reach out to Father Luke, Monsignor Weiss, and the St. Rose parish, to support them in this most awful of times. I have sent many prayer requests, and I am asking for more prayers again. But I also want to ask everyone to search their hearts, and if the Holy Spirit moves you, please consider sending one of your family’s Christmas cards to the rectory, with a few words of love and encouragement. Here is his address:
Father Luke Suarez
46 Church Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470
My brother has said over and over again that without the prayer support he is receiving, he could not keep going. And this week is only the beginning. Everyone there is still in shock. Their peaceful home has been desecrated by violence. They will need to live with this sorrow forever.
But in our weakness is His strength. Grace abounds. Can you help me carry him through this time of trial?
On a hopeful note, Father Luke did say that no media coverage has even touched the deep, beautiful awakening of faith that has occurred there. Their tiny church, where my children have received sacraments and where Luke was ordained, has been full of people in prayer without ceasing since this tragedy happened. Love is stronger than death.
Please feel free to share the address with your family, friends, and community. An outpouring of love will sustain these good priests through their impossible ministry–impossible on their own, but possible with God.
I am so grateful to live in this community. We are all so blessed with one another. Every day, I see you all loving one another as Christ loved. Thank you for letting me reach out to you now.
With humble appreciation
Fathers, perhaps it's possible for you to offer Mass, especially for the priests who need the grace to carry on.
This letter was posted on Facebook by the sister of the parochial vicar of St Rose of Lima Parish, Fr Luke Suarez. The pastor's name is Msgr Weiss.
In Christ, AnnMarie
My friends,
All of you, I am sure, have heard so much about the tragedy in Newtown, CT. Many of you have received emails from me about my younger brother, Father Luke Suarez, who is a priest at St. Rose of Lima parish, a Catholic church just down the road from Sandy Hook Elementary. He, and his pastor, Monsignor Weiss, arrived at the school within moments of the shooting, and have been caring for the community ever since. The picture I have included was taken at the school.
Father Luke has an impossible task before him. His diocese is without a bishop right now…. Monsignor … is personally devastated by the losses. The parish is very large…. The rectory has received serious threats, and as my brother gave the homily Sunday at the noon mass, the church had to be evacuated by SWAT teams. After experiencing identity theft and online hacking incidents, he had to erase all of his internet accounts. After a weekend of endless media requests, notifications and vigils with heartbroken families, and little sleep, he now has two wakes and two funerals every day, until the fourth Sunday of Advent. Father Luke has not even been ordained two years.
My large family has been trying to send Father Luke our love and support from afar, and one of my brothers was able to visit with him briefly a couple times. All he asks for is prayer.
I have been wracking my brain, trying to think of a way that our beautiful, loving community could tangibly reach out to Father Luke, Monsignor Weiss, and the St. Rose parish, to support them in this most awful of times. I have sent many prayer requests, and I am asking for more prayers again. But I also want to ask everyone to search their hearts, and if the Holy Spirit moves you, please consider sending one of your family’s Christmas cards to the rectory, with a few words of love and encouragement. Here is his address:
Father Luke Suarez
46 Church Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470
My brother has said over and over again that without the prayer support he is receiving, he could not keep going. And this week is only the beginning. Everyone there is still in shock. Their peaceful home has been desecrated by violence. They will need to live with this sorrow forever.
But in our weakness is His strength. Grace abounds. Can you help me carry him through this time of trial?
On a hopeful note, Father Luke did say that no media coverage has even touched the deep, beautiful awakening of faith that has occurred there. Their tiny church, where my children have received sacraments and where Luke was ordained, has been full of people in prayer without ceasing since this tragedy happened. Love is stronger than death.
Please feel free to share the address with your family, friends, and community. An outpouring of love will sustain these good priests through their impossible ministry–impossible on their own, but possible with God.
I am so grateful to live in this community. We are all so blessed with one another. Every day, I see you all loving one another as Christ loved. Thank you for letting me reach out to you now.
With humble appreciation
Oh, dear! NOT before Christmas!
I'm a plan-ahead sort of person so most of my handicrafts and shopping for Christmas is completed already. Except for a very few items, they are wrapped and ready to be delivered or set under the Christmas tree. Overseas packages went out earlier in the month with hopes that they arrive in time for Christmas. Now, they tell me that according to the Mayan Calendar, the world is ending tomorrow! I could have saved myself all that work. All that money spent and no place for the gifts to go after December 21st!
Seriously, it is funny to hear people taking such predictions to heart. A great majority of the population is Christian and believe in the Bible. Don't remember any notice about tomorrow being the Second Coming. I also believe it is quite clearly stated that we won't know the time or the place for the end of time.
It was very sad, however, to hear people saying what they would do if they knew for sure tomorrow was the last day. Most of the remarks dealt with sinful acts, gluttony, and greed. Kind of shows the state of the world that few people thought of anything except having the most fun they could before it was all over. No one mentioned, perhaps, making amends, praying, getting it right with God. Me, I'm a coward in that I don't want to be bad nor do I want to be caught being bad and since God sees and knows all, it seems like a good idea to just try and behave . . . not matter what.
I would be very surprised if tomorrow brought an end to the world as we know it. I don't think there are any second chances at that point. Yet, people who are leaning towards the proposed end of time on December 20th (as in tomorrow!), seem more concerned in grabbing all they can in respect to fun, games, and sin than preparing their souls for eternity. More people will face their own 'end times' long before the final time comes. It is a little disheartening that the first thought in the face of the possibility heads them sinful acts rather than prayer and repentance.
With all that in mind, it is either a 'see you tomorrow' or 'happy endtimes'!
Seriously, it is funny to hear people taking such predictions to heart. A great majority of the population is Christian and believe in the Bible. Don't remember any notice about tomorrow being the Second Coming. I also believe it is quite clearly stated that we won't know the time or the place for the end of time.
It was very sad, however, to hear people saying what they would do if they knew for sure tomorrow was the last day. Most of the remarks dealt with sinful acts, gluttony, and greed. Kind of shows the state of the world that few people thought of anything except having the most fun they could before it was all over. No one mentioned, perhaps, making amends, praying, getting it right with God. Me, I'm a coward in that I don't want to be bad nor do I want to be caught being bad and since God sees and knows all, it seems like a good idea to just try and behave . . . not matter what.
I would be very surprised if tomorrow brought an end to the world as we know it. I don't think there are any second chances at that point. Yet, people who are leaning towards the proposed end of time on December 20th (as in tomorrow!), seem more concerned in grabbing all they can in respect to fun, games, and sin than preparing their souls for eternity. More people will face their own 'end times' long before the final time comes. It is a little disheartening that the first thought in the face of the possibility heads them sinful acts rather than prayer and repentance.
With all that in mind, it is either a 'see you tomorrow' or 'happy endtimes'!
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