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Christmas Novena

by 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***

Be Watchful! Be Alert!

by 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

advent wreath week 1

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

by 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

the best paleo pancake recipe

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

 

Coconut Flour Pancakes

coconut flour pancakes

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

 

Almond Meal Griddle Cakes

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

by Filed Under: Birthday, Marriage, Retreat

Mom and Dad
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!
Castillo de Amirosa
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.
King and Queen
we were a king and queen for the weekend while rose manned the home front.
Mass at the Castle
our trip started with sun. Mass (in the Extraordinary Form)at the castle’s chapel.
castellodiamorosa collage
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.
napa misc collage
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!
Dad in the castle
Happy Birthday, my love.  May you continue to seek the intercession of the Holy family and surrender to His will.

New Pancakes

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Recipes 2 Comments

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!!!

~~~

The Best Paleo Pancake Recipe

the best paleo pancake recipe

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

 

Coconut Flour Pancakes

coconut flour pancakes

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

 

Almond Meal Griddle Cakes

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.

Fast Food

by Filed Under: Dinning Out Leave a Comment

Dad and I got away for the weekend.  We ate clean, majority of the time away from home but we did splurge.  We found a drive-in burger stand in St. Helena—Gott’s Roadside.  The line was out to the street so we figured it had to be good. 
It far surpassed our expectations.  Gott’s serves up a mean grass-fed beef burger.
The menu is packed with mouth-watering items but Dad and I craved a juicy burger.
image

On our visit, (yes, we visited Gott’s more than once), we tried the Cheeseburger and Wisconsin Sourdough.  We also had the sweet potato fries.  I begged for more so Dad took me to their other location in Napa.  I ventured out and tried the Western Bacon Blue King and Dad had the Texas Burger.  We shared the garlic fries.
gotts

Healthy Options for Thanksgiving

by Filed Under: Dinner, Recipes, Sides, Thanksgiving Day Leave a Comment

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my sis’s house.  She is very supportive of our new lifestyle change and was very diligent to be certain that we would have options come dinner time.  We brought some of our own dishes to help us with our choices.

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Garlic and Herb Mashed Cauliflower

Garlic and Herb Mashed Cauliflower collage

This was a delicious dish once we got the cauliflower to the right consistency.  Rose ended up using the hand-held emulsion blender.  We never missed the mashed potatoes.

Slightly Sweet Cranberry Sauce

Slightly Sweet Cranberry Sauce collage

Dad can’t go without homemade cranberry sauce.  This definitely topped his traditional recipe that was loaded with sugar.  Those who like cranberry sauce, loved this recipe.  I could have used some honey for more sweetness but overall, I enjoyed it.

Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes

JOY

This was my favorite side.  It was good hot or cold.  This would be a great snack to have handy in the fridge.

Stuffed Mushrooms

stuffed mushrooms

This is a family favorite and it was one of our splurges.  Maybe, one day, I’ll be able to find a suitable substitute.  I did eliminate the Worchester Sauce.

Grain Free Carrot Cake

Grain Free Carrot Cake collage

Yummmmmmmmmmmmm!!!  I’m sure there was a time when I would gawk at the idea of a healthy dessert option, this dessert did away with all my past hang-ups.  We have been eating it non-stop since Thanksgiving Day.  Dragonfly has even led the troops in eating it for breakfast.

Papa’s Turkey

papa's turkey

This was the star of the show.

Another Year Closer to….

by Filed Under: Birthday, Dad

…Our Heavenly Father!

Dad celebrated a birthday on Nov. 18 – Dedication of the Basilicas of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

We celebrated Dad’s birthday by fulfilling his simple requests. This included a deviation from our normal diet to accommodate his cake request–Tiramisu Cake. It was delish!

dad's bday collage

He was showered with gifts from our GFG. They gave him slippers, shirt and tie, suit, iPhone accessory, money, and plenty of drawings. Rose also gave Dad, my favorite gift, a weekend of babysitting for the Little’s so that Dad and I could take an overnight trip.

In addition to celebrating Dad and gift giving, I love reflecting on they ways that Dad blesses me. 

I am blessed to…

  • grow in faith with you.
  • have you by my side for constant encouragement and a good laugh.
  • receive your unconditional love.
  • watch you shower our GFG with love and affection.
  • be led by your humble headship of our family.
  • have my needs met by you on a regular basis.
  • serve you.
  • grow old with you.
  • hear from you on a regular basis via phone/text while you’re out.
  • have you include me in all of your experiences.
  • witness your ever growing devotion to all that is good and pleasing to Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
  • reach a higher level of intimacy with you, year after year.
  • share everything with you.
  • be called your wife!

May the Good Lord continue to lead us closer together so that we can truly become one and give Him glory. 

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