Lena {JOYfilledfamily}

Christmas Novena

November 29, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 12 December, 12 December Saints, Advent, Christmas, Novena, St. Andrew 21 Comments

Starts on St. Andrew’s Feast Day – November 30 ~ Ends on Christmas Eve – December 24

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St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

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I created a printable novena card. You may print and share, freely.

***UPDATE***

Christmas Novena Chaplet

Advent Mix-up

November 29, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Papi 2 Comments

Papi had a bit of a mix up. He was so excited to see the Advent box come in from the garage, that he mistook his Advent wreath for the girls’ St. Lucia Crown.

May we all have Papi’s excitement this Advent as we prepare our hearts for Jesus.

Be Watchful! Be Alert!

November 29, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent 4 Comments

“ Be Watchful! Be Alert!…to receive Christ, in whatever form he may come to us…As we know neither the day nor the hour, let us keep our hearts clean and free and ready to meet Jesus when He comes…”

~Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

Let us allow the Virgin Mary, Mother of the God-who-comes and Mother of Hope, to guide us in this waiting.

May She whom we will celebrate as Immaculate in a few days obtain for us that we be found holy and immaculate in love at the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

~Pope Benedict XVI

New Pancakes

November 27, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Breakfast, Recipes

The kids needed a break from eggs for breakfast. Dad and I decided to try three recipes this morning. We wanted to find a go to pancake recipe for our new family recipe book.

We have a winner!!!

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The Best Paleo Pancake Recipe

This was our winning recipe. The consistency and taste was perfection.

Coconut Flour Pancakes

This was our second fav. They were tasty but the consistency was a bit off for us.

Almond Meal Griddle Cakes

This was our least favorite recipe. Perhaps its because we substituted the almond meal with coconut flour. We couldn’t even cook these babies. My eldest daughter used this batch for her pie crust. It worked great as a pie crust.

Little PEACE of Italy

November 26, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Birthday, Marriage, Retreat

we escaped for the weekend in celebration of dad’s birthday. it was a last minute getaway that came together within four days and managed to stay within our very limited budget. praise God!

we traveled to a near-by getaway that seemed like we were in another country—Castillo de Amorosa in Napa, CA.

it was a first for us, on many levels. we haven’t taken a weekend getaway (without kids) in 6 six years, first trip to napa as a couple, and first wine tasting.

we were a king and queen for the weekend while rose manned the home front.

our trip started with sun. Mass (in the Extraordinary Form)at the castle’s chapel.

then we ventured on for a full tour and wine tasting. we were blessed to have a semi-private tour. there was only one other couple in our group. dad and I did not want to leave the authentic, medieval castle.

we laid low after our visit to the castle. we had no plans and winged the rest of the trip with whatever our hearts desired–simple food and relaxed days.

we thoroughly enjoyed discussing our date night questions.

it was a blessed weekend. we give all thanks and glory to the GOOD LORD!

Happy Birthday, my love. May you continue to seek the intercession of the Holy family and surrender to His will.

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