Reflections on the Nativity

Nativity painted by DH's maternal grandmother.

This Advent has been quite fruitful and rather well, revealing. The night prayer and daily examination has been really good for my soul as is the monthly confession. The revealing part is that I could probably go to confession weekly. Do I need the grace! I have been working hard on preparing my heart for the Christ child but it just feels so sinful and unworthy. But the Feast of the Nativity isn't about me, it's about Him.

While at my adoration hour, I read the Nativity reflection in the book, Rosary: Mysteries, Meditations, and the Telling of the Beads by Kevin Orlin Johnson, PhD. The reflection is an historical, sociological, cultural and spiritual review. Many things I didn't know, like Christmas wasn't celebrated until after 650 AD and even then it wasn't a major holiday. There were many reasons for this such as paganism being more popular than Christianity and the Christians had to wait to place Christmas at the proper time in the calendar year so it wouldn't get lost among the other pagan holidays. So, we have much to be thankful for in terms of being about the celebrate Christian feasts in the world today.

The major point by the author is that the Nativity shows us how marvelous God is and how much He loves us, to send us His only Son. God followed the natural order of the Earth, bringing His Son to us via the womb of a real human woman. He did breathe life into that womb, but He was brought into the world by natural means, "and he arrived as what is the most beautiful and fragile in human life, a baby, so that we would not be dazzled by His splendor but move to love Him." Yes, moved to love Him. There is something so beautiful, vulnerable, and lovable about a baby. How truly amazing that God came to us as something so easy to love. God's natural order is full of splendor and awe. And that I try not to question and just respect. So, like Mary I strive to love Christ and be completely open to His will for my life.

May God spread great blessings on you and your families this Christmas.

Pre-Advent Quick Takes (A Day Late)

1. This year for Advent we are doing some traditions newly started last year and some old ones. Using the St. Andrew Novena, advent wreath, advent calendar, and some Saintly celebrations are all in order. 
2. I bought a calendar to put on the fridge so we can both look at it and see what is coming up instead of having it on our computers. We put on when we are decorating the house & tree, when get-togethers are happening, daily mass, and cards go out.  I hope this helps! 
3. Liturgical New Year Resolutions: I have been told by 2 priests to get to confession more often so there it is. It is on the calendar for the whole year. Also, I am trying my best to pray an evening prayer with an examination of conscience so I can remember my sins more clearly, another suggestion from the priest. 
4. Trip out West: We flew to Seattle as a family last week. It was a fabulous trip and we had a great time. We saw many sights there, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Aquarium, the Zoo and a dear priestly friend. But, we were so happy to be home. 
5. Heroic Husband: When were were leaving Seattle, we were trying to get through security and I couldn't find my wallet. I was sweating profusely and on the verge of tears and my husband swooped in with quick thinking and quick feet. He ran back to the rental agency (including taking a shuttle) and found my wallet. We were both feverishly praying to St. Anthony and my wallet was found, we got through security and got right on the plane. The kicker was the plane had to sit at the gate because the president's plane was leaving at the same time. Oh well!
6. We had a quiet Thanksgiving due to the recent travel and jet lag. Very few sides, a quiet day, and yummy turkey were all on the menu. Probably my most relaxing Thanksgiving, ever.
7. Little E decided she wanted to potty train on our trip. She went almost everywhere we went, on the plane, at the aquarium, etc. Some say you should stay home for a week, not us, we need a cross country trip! The challenge is now to keep up with it since it isn't quite as fun to just go at home. ;)

{CWA} A Link Up

Thanking God for…
The gift of my daughter and husband.

 Looking out my window…
The fall breeze is beautiful rustling the leaves.

I am praying…
For so many...friends with chronic medical conditions, friends newly pregnant, a good and holy bishop for our diocese and a for a newly ordained priest in our diocese that died a couple weeks ago.

I am pondering…
Our new zero balanced budget. (I know, so exciting.) But its working so far.

I am reading…
The Soul of Saint Elizabeth Seton
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Triathlon Training
The Complete Guide to Money

I am (should be) creating…
A saint costume for my daughter (and one for me and my DH).

I’m learning…
To be patient (but not very well).

In the kitchen…
I have more peppers and tomatoes to do something with but I am just.so.tired.of.preserving.

Around the house…
Cleaning up for a group meeting I am having here tonight.

I’m wearing…
Gray leggings, a black cotton dress and cardigan.

I’m Listening to
Sesame Street in the living room and those rustling leaves.

Look what I found…
A Catholic program for managing money

I am looking forward to…
Tonight's meeting, another Wednesday date with my DH, and our rosary group on Saturday night.

A favorite quote for today…
Not a quote but a poem:

Try Try Again

by T. H. Palmer

'Tis a lesson you should heed, If at first you don't succeed, Try, try again; Then your courage should appear, For if you will persevere, You will conquer, never fear Try, try again; Once or twice, though you should fail, If you would at last prevail, Try, try again; If we strive, 'tis no disgrace Though we do not win the race; What should you do in the case? Try, try again If you find your task is hard, Time will bring you your reward, Try, try again All that other folks can do, Why, with patience, should not you? Only keep this rule in view: Try, try again.

The week ahead…
Meeting tonight, library tomorrow, friend visit Wednesday and Friday.

Captured…

On Gardening and Canning

Or "Why I wish it would frost."

In the summer months (and sometimes into the fall), we spend a significant amount of time gardening and canning. For the record, this was something that I did not  grow up doing. I married into it.

Concord grapes from my DH's aunt. 

Let me explain.

My lovely DH grew up gardening and canning with his parents. His dad would garden for half of their 1 acre plot. My MIL would can or freeze (or cook for the family) most of what they grew. And more. You see, my FIL has a great relationship with local gardeners. Some people that they know from living in this community for 35 years and some from listening to a local radio program, Tradio on the Radio (yes, that is the real name of the program).

This was another gift from my MIL, an antique jelly bag, sieve and stand.

This year, I tried to keep a record of where my FIL goes for this type of produce and that. And we even went on a few car trips with him. It was fun to tag along with him and talk with the other gardeners.

We also grew a sizable garden this year. DH tried a few new things like growing potato in recycled dog food bags so we didn't have to dig them when they were ready. The eggplant and purple cauliflower didn't grow well at all this year. We try to keep some records of what we grow and where it grows but usually by this time of the year it isn't updated, the weeds have outgrown many of the plants and quite honestly, I just wish it would freeze.

DH planted 38 tomato plants. Yes, 38. I think this yielded about 5 bushels of tomatoes or more. I have canned barbecue sauce, catsup, spaghetti sauce, vegetable juice, salsa, enchilada sauce and tomato soup.

If you are going to do anything but can around here in the summer, you must do it next to the produce.

One family tradition is making sauerkraut. My in laws own an antique slaw board from my MIL's grandparents. So we all make sauerkraut every year. Basically, we just slice the cabbage on the board into a galvanized tub and add salt and stuff it in quart jars. The jars sit in the basement for 6 weeks. Then it is ready to eat. So cheap and so good. But best of all, it is a fabulous family tradition (even if it a stinky one).

Throughout this season I have been reflecting on why I do all this canning. There is plenty of time to think when chopping, cooking, stirring, turning the sieve, and waiting for the canner to boil. Why do I spend so much time doing this? The quality of the products are so good. We have a great stock in case the economy tanks. I can win some money at the county fair.

But most of all, it is a family tradition.

Foghorn provides beautiful background music when picking tomatoes.

I have bonded so much with my MIL and FIL. Since we don't have the same views on religion, this gives us something to talk about. We share each other's frustrations when a "go" doesn't turn out. Or when it seems like the tomato season isn't ending. Or when all the lids buckle when canning peaches (this happened to us this year, I bailed and went to bed and DH stayed up and re-canned them). We sit and talk while snipping beans and delight in each other's rows of jars freshly canned. Best of all, we share in enjoying our preserved food all year and especially during the holidays; seven day pickles at Christmas time, sauerkraut on New Year's Day, spaghetti sauce in March for my MIL's birthday, and tomato soup on a lazy Sunday. I tend to forget the frustration, hard work, cut fingers, dirty kitchen floor, and anxiety over the proper method when I am enjoying my preserved food with loved ones. It really is so worth it. Even when I wish it would freeze.

I often think that if Mary lived today, she would can and preserve food for her family.

3-2-1

3 Things I am Thankful For…
1. My in-laws. Always willing to babysit. Tonight DH and I get to go out and have an un-interrupted conversation.
2. Sleep. A few times a week I wake up at 3 AM and can't go back to sleep. But not last night. 9 hours!
3. My (husband's) garden. It provides tons of tomatoes for canning. Just canned tomato juice this AM. Yum!

2 Places I Would Love to Visit…
1. Rome
2. Florida in the winter

1 Place I Love to Go…
1. The Adoration chapel.

7 Quick Takes: Its About Time for an Update

In no particular order.

1. We spent 4 days on the NJ Shore with family and I got suckered into riding this ride with E and her cousin B. They had a great time and I get to be in this incriminating picture. We are not really beach people for many reasons but the best part was riding our bikes on the boardwalk and around town. E hated the ocean and just liked to play in the sand. It was a good trip, though! 

2. When there is lots of canning to do, the 3 year must help and turns out to be very good at cranking.

3. DH won a few blue ribbons at the county fair for his garden goods. He was excited and I was happy for him.

4. But for the record I won 1 more blue ribbon than he did. But, we won the same amount of money at the fair. Good times, though. My MIL won more than 10 ribbons and really did great! It was lots of fun to support the fair.

5. We spent a day at the National Zoo and E loved riding the carousel the best. She picked the crocodile all by herself to ride on, great fun!

6. DH finished his chicken coop for our 6 chickens. The project probably took a little longer than it should have but the results are worth it. He can wheel it around the yard and the chickens are happy. DH even designed it himself.  

7. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary at the end of June with a private TLM in a historic chapel in our little town. We had a renewal of vows and Little E even said "I do," too. It was cute and a beautiful celebration. We are richly blessed.

Bonus: Little E fell this week and sliced open her forehead and has 4 stitches but she is getting them out tomorrow morning. She was a real trooper. It was traumatic for both of us but she is healing great.

Summer Daybook

Outside my window...
A thunderstorm is brewing and a half created chicken coop on my front porch to house the 5 chicks we have in a box in our basement that are getting bigger everyday.

I am thankful for...

Miss E's third birthday and well, just her. She is a complete joy. She had the time of her life this weekend playing with her cousin, visiting with family and enjoying a backyard birthday cookout.

I am thinking about...

Our upcoming 10th anniversary mass and dinner with close friends. I am joyful for our marriage, it hasn't been easy but we are working on it!

In the Schoolroom...

We don't really have one yet. I decided no preschool next school year for Miss E. She knows her letters, numbers to 10, colors, shapes and can almost write her name. She gets plenty of social activity and quite honestly, I want to spend as much time as I can with her.

From the kitchen...

Just eating leftovers from the party.

I am creating...
A menu for our dinner on Friday.

I am working on...
Just keeping the house picked up.

I am reading...

A Holy Life. The story and letters of St. Bernadette of Lourdes. It is excellent and very inspirational. A great reminder that that Lord reveals himself to the most humble

I am praying...

For my great Aunt who is dying of cancer and a holy death for my grandmother. And a complete conversion of my father. And my friends who are suffering.

I am hearing...
The rumbling thunder.

Clicking around...

Just catching up on blogs.

Around the house...

Putting away birthday gifts and party items.

One of my favorite things...
Lacto-fermented lemonade. So yummy.

A few plans for next week...

Getting ready for our anniversary celebration and dinner, TLM mass on Saturday, family get together with friends on Sunday. And then enjoying having DH off for 4 days.

A Picture...