Mary's Muse

More prayers for Catherine!

Please continue your prayers for Catherine. Double them, if you can.

Here's an update from my godmother:

Tom and Catherine were at her doctor appointment yesterday. Her myeloma doubled since Friday.  The doctor changed medicine to one she has taken by infusion, but now it is in pill form. She is shaky, weak, and tired.  She doesn't have so many nose bleeds, but she has clots in her throat, which makes eating a chore.  She still has her great smile and enjoyed a trek to Christmas Mountain last Thursday and Friday to watch teh children enjoy their Christmas snow toys.  Tom has taken off the month of January, God bless him, and Olivia has stayed home from her masters classes this semester.  You may see a need for prayer here.  We're still waiting for her miracle, which is all that will save her.  Every day is a gift!!!

 

Sisterly Love

Fatima

DQ and I just finished Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto: Shepherds of Fatima.  Knowning how much those children suffered at their tender ages and without complaint for reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus it's no wonder they have been recommended for canonization.

Still in That Holiday Spirit

A veritable sleep fort.

Looks like the Coliseum.

Traditional Christmas Fare

We adopted my family's traditional meal of spedinis (to your right). Spedinis are fun to put together, so I get lots of help.  I also added some Greek marinated chicken kebabs, using a Martha Stewart recipe, (on the left) to give a nod to my husband's origin.

Above are some Sicilian spiced olives.  Yum!  Haven't had those in years!  This was a new/old tradition.  I only learned how to put this together this year.

On the grill, as traditionally cooked.

We also had loaded baked potatoes and fresh vegetables. I don't know from what nationality that comes, but we're out one cook top and one oven, so these had to be something easy and filling.  It was a wonderful day.

For Jesus' birthday cake, I made Banana Spice Cake with gluten free flour mix.

How Many Ways Can You Say JOY?

From my creative Miss Responsibility to our friends.  She's hooked on making these. 

 

Cookie Baking

It's a messy job, but somebody had to do it!

A Gift of Hope for Catherine

I felt moved by the Holy Spirit to make 'fresh' flowers for Catherine, the woman for whom I beseech you to pray.  The girls and I made paper, tissue paper, and pipe cleaner flowers.  We intend to fill the box with them.

But then, Miss Responsibility took it one step further.  She said, "Mom, let's make her something she can keep."  So we offer this simple, homemade gift of hope, a gentle reminder that with God, all things are possible.

Soup Wednesday

Today's meal isn't exactly soup.  It's meatless chili, which the whole family enjoys.  Following is the original recipe from "Light & Tasty," a Taste of Home magazine.

Mexican Bean n' Barley Chili

1 large onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tbsp olive oil

1 green & red pepper, chopped

2 cups frozen corn, thawed

3/4 cup quick-cooking barley

2 cups water

1 can chili beans in sauce, undrained

1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can vegetable broth

2 cans chopped green chilies

2 tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp pepper

Saute onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes.  Stir in the peppers and cook 3-4 minutes longer, until tender.  Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring toa boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until barley is tender.

To adapt this to our family, we eliminate the peppers (we only like them fresh), the barley (because I'm gluten intolerant), and the sauce (we like a more brothy texture to our chili).   We use water instead of vegetable broth.  And we use what beans are on hand, which usually means kidney, in place of the pinto beans.  Pinto beans are already present in the chili beans with chili sauce.  I would recommend that you don't replace the black beans. They have a wonderful flavor all their own.  We also double the recipe.  And it goes fast!

Smart Gifts

Our neighbors gave us this huge box overloaded with apples from their orchard.  They had a much better year than we had with our three trees.

And some friends gave us a box of oranges.  I put them in this eye-pleasing arrangement so that hopefully, the kids will eat them. 

We've already had apple crumble and apple muffins.  I don't know how to make applesauce and the only other homemade apple sauce the kids ate, they weren't really thrilled about.  Any other apple recipe ideas would be greatly appreciated.

What a smart gift food is to give to someone with a large family!  They're useful, consumable (that's big around here), and everyone loves them!