Quote from George Washington!

A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."  --  George Washington

 

 

Guarded Truce . . .

 Fresh, the cat on the left, is a part-time cat that comes through our house ever so often. She would very much like us to dump our black and white cat, Marcella, and let her take over the home. In the meantime, she often stops by to warm up and take a nap. She usually growls herself to sleep because she does not like our cat, Marcella. Marcella, however, loves everyone and would like to cuddle up with Fresh.



 It was particularly cold, yesterday, and in order to save my furniture from cat hair, I put down some towels. Seems that being warm got the best of Fresh and she allowed Marcella to share the sofa with her for several hours. Nap over, Fresh began her peeved growling and left.

The Memory Bowl . . .

 My favorite mixing bowl is an old, battered stainless steel one. It is my go-to bowl for whipping egg whites, chilling salads, and holding lots of popcorn on a cold evening with a good video at hand. It belonged to my mother and when her household was distributed at her passing, this was the one item I truly wanted in my own home. It's memories started at my mother's home and it had a 'liturgical' beginning and came into my memory bank one Easter Vigil.

My mother was helping set up for the Easter Vigil services and we lacked a receptacle for the Blessing of the Water that evening. A day or two before, my mother finally saved up her pennies and had happily purchased this bowl,  a dream of hers to own. It was shiny, unscratched, and never used when she offered the loan of it for the Easter Vigil Service. I didn't know until that evening at church that her now-favorite mixing bowl was playing an important role in the Resurrection!

As usual, the Easter Service began in a dark church. The Easter candle was lit, people shared the new flame, and the church was illuminated for the Blessing of the Water. It was beautiful and I had to smile when my mother leaned over and whispered, "Do you see the beautiful container for the Easter Water?" I nodded and replied, "It's your new mixing bowl, isn't it?" My mother asked, "When did you realize that?" I grinned, "When I saw the price tag sticker on it!"

For some reason, it didn't take away from the service and I doubt anyone but us noticed the tiny white sticker. I've used that bowl a lot in the last ten years since my mother passed away. It is always there for me and makes me smile. These days, however, it is just a well-used bowl with scratches and dents from much use. There was a time it played a more dignified role and looked golden in the reflection of the flame of the Easter Candle.

Words to the Wise . . . Shared from a friend . . .

In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal and delivered a prophetic message to mankind. 

She warned mankind of the consequences of sin and the necessity for world conversion.

 

Our Lady's request is divided in three parts:

1 - Prayer, especially the recitation of the Rosary and the Fiver First Saturdays Devotion.

2 - Sacrifices, offered both as an act of reparation for the sins against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and 

the Immaculate Heart of Mary and for the conversion of poor sinners, especially those in immediate risk of going to hell.

3 - Amendment of life in order to stop offending God and to obtain graces and blessings from heaven.

Easy Street Cake

Another easy cake that takes minutes to get into the oven and will provide a treat for the family during the approaching holiday season. The cake can be dressed up with a fancy icing or served with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. Need something more 'portable', bake them as cupcakes.

Easy Street Cake
*1 box cake mix (your choice!)
*1 small package instant pudding mix
3 large eggs
*/2 cup chopped nuts (your choice!)
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup club soda

This recipe is good for a bundt pan but can easily be a sheet cake or cupcakes. Vegetable oil spray your pans of choice or line cupcake wrapper in a muffin tin. Set aside while you prepare the batter.

Mix together thoroughly all the ingredients except the club soda. Then, quickly mix in the club soda to incorporate and pour into prepared pan(s).

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes depending on type of pan(s) you used. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing.

The fun of this recipe is that you can mix and match your cake mixes, instant pudding mix, and choice of nuts. I always watch for cake mix sales, especially around the holiday seasons, and stock up just for this sort of occasion.

Frugal Cake - Spicy Tomato Cake

I like this recipe because it is easy, I usually have what I need on hand, and it is always enjoyed. People tend to ask for the recipe and are always surprised at the inclusion of tomatoes. A great cake to whip up while you put up the tree or come back from a busy day of shopping.

Spicy Tomato Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pinch of salt
Freshly grated zest of one orange
3/4 cup brown sugar (You can use granulated sugar if that’s what you have on hand)

 

1 cup, canned diced tomatoes, drained and pureed to measure one cup
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 Vegetable oil and spray either an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

 Combine all the dry ingredients including the zest in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients until well combined.

 Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combines. Do not beat or over mix the ingredients. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched or a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean of wet crumbs.

Cool on a rack and then think about icing with a lemon or orange glaze!

For the Romantics Among Us - Favorite E-Mail of the Day!

An elderly couple  had just learned how to send text messages on their mobile phone.

The wife was a romantic type  and the husband was more of a  no-nonsense guy.
One afternoon the  wife went out to meet a friend for  coffee. While waiting for the friend to arrive she decided to send her  husband a romantic text message and wrote:
"If you are sleeping, send  me your dreams.
If you are laughing, send me  your smile.
If you are eating, send me a  bite.
If you are drinking, send me  a sip.
If you are  crying, send me your tears.
I love  you."
The husband texted back to  her:

"I'm on the toilet.   Please advise."