July 2009 Archives

A friend of mine mentioned that she is reading the e-book Simplifying Your Domestic Church: A Spiritual Journal to Help Declutter, Organize and Systemize the Home. I was interested in it because with another little one coming into the house, I've been trying to declutter and make more room, but there is room for so much more improvement!

I downloaded the ebook this morning and have started reading it. Each chapter has pages of practical tips on different areas. (ie. organizing, managing your time, money budgeting etc.) There is a page of self-examining questions. (ie. Do I have a hard time detaching from this of this world?) Then there is a page of saint quotes/scripture for each day of the week and a blank page for your notes. Some of the tips are geared towards a homeschooling family but I was able to adjust them to our own schooling situation. The book totals 110 pages and you can print it out or just read from your computer.

To learn more about the book, the author and her apostolate Project Nazareth check out this article. You can order the book at Catholic Heritage Curricula.

Wow, I am barely getting a chance to comment on Sunday's show right now, but what a show it was! Brian insists that the current FN stars would never make it through the challenges these new guys have to go through! It was funny but online Bobby Flay was asked how he'd do on the NFNS and he laughed that he'd be the first or second person kicked off for having a bad attitude (or something to that effect.)

Anyway, the previews were deceiving and I was worried for Melissa but she actually pulled her own and did well. Debbie was bright and bubbly but she got the same "Korean/taste" criticism. Jeffrey was painful to watch because he was going so strong but got killed with the risotto. When it was time for the elimination I literally did not know who was going home and am still shocked that Debbie was sent home. (I think all the negative feedback FN received about her played a part in the decision.) However it happened, I am excited about the final two and would watch either show. As to who will actually win? My vote is on Melissa. Brian thinks it'll be Jeffrey. We'll have to wait and see!

Tiny Treasures Tuesday is dedicated to celebrating the lives of your children.

My little baby girl is becoming a young girl at age 7 3/4 now. She has a tender heart, sensitive spirit and joyful outlook on life. She can always brighten up my day with one of her smiles. She is truly a mama's little helper, which has been a relief to me with taking care of Andrew and my growing belly.

Right now she is enjoying summer vacation and putting all her energy into her swimming lessons. She has taken lessons in summers past but never made much progress, still having a fear of getting her head into the water. This year we found a great local girl who gives private lessons and Bella has really taken to her. She has been making a lot of progress and now just has to get over her fear of letting go and trying to swim on her own.

Our "little papi" is two years old now and is full of life and energy. He is more mellow in public but at home or with people he knows well, he is eager to run, laugh and play. He is growing into the comedian of the family and loves to make people laugh, such as when he dramatically pretends to fall to the ground yelling, "Whoo, whoo!" He sometimes drives me nuts with his love of dumping out bookcase and laundry baskets but when he runs up to me and squeezes me with a hug, I just melt.

This pregnancy has been relatively easy besides the usual aches, pains and tiredness the 9th month brings. I have to take it easy because I tend to get too many Braxton Hicks (which are really starting to hurt) and we don't want another another premature birth (as Bella was.) I will say that my little one seems much more active than Bella and Andrew were and I am getting a lot of practice at waking up at all hours of the night. Not to mention that I look I am about to pop - as you can see in the pic!! LOL!

Okay, last night I finally had a chance to catch up on the last two episodes of the Next Food Network Star. (Have I ever admitted out loud that I love my DVR??)

Episode 6: Bye-Bye Michael - Brian and I were going crazy with this episode! First of all I was literally stressing out for the contestants because my major weakness in the kitchen is getting all the food cooked and on the table in a timely manner. I always underestimate how long it will take me, then stress out when things aren't done. So I was in a tizzy just watching them!

Second, my amusement with Michael reached it's limit. One more, "Who loves you?" and "Mama's working it!" and I was going to scream. (Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones.)

Third, Debbie, Debbie, Debbie. What were you thinking? I remember after the very first episode I was miffed when Debbie said she stayed in budget but never explained that it was only because she didn't buy so many of the other contestant's needed ingredients. But that was nothing compared to the martyr role she played at the elimination when she actually left her team out in the cold. I didn't think she'd be voted off for it (assuming Michael would be next) but it certainly didn't win her any popularity points. (Brian is still lamenting she was not let go.)

Episode 7: Jamika's Crash and Burn - I feel so bad for Jamika. She has such a warm way and contagious smile and seemed to be doing so well at the beginning but this week she spent most of her time frowning and being ticked off. She was not my favorite but I wanted so badly for her to do well and really shine. Oh, well.

So who will actually win it in the end? Melissa is still my favorite (and Jeffery my second choice) but I think it'll come down to Melissa and Debbie. However, I'm not sure if Melissa could win it all. It just seems like Debbie has a greater uniqueness and won't seem like another Robin Miller or Sandra Lee. I hope I'm wrong.

I was just putting together the new pages of my planner when I came across this Catholic version. I use the Franklin Covey system simply because I like the "pocket size" versions that fit easily in my purse/diaper bag. But if I were to go to a larger size, I'd definitely enjoy this Catholic Woman's Planner by Family-Centered Press. and I have a feeling when I show Brian the Catholic Men's Planner, he is going to want me to order one for him!

Also be sure to check out the "Freebies" column on the left if the page. There are printable pages of Family Budget Forms, Fitness Logs, Menu Plans, Liturgical Calendars and Homeschooling Resources. Very cool.

Here is a post Brian wrote for RoL.

On Thursday July 16th, the Carmelite Order along with the Universal Church will be celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. I believe this special day, which honors the Queen of Heaven, is deeply significant for lay Catholics because it calls us to reflect upon three very important spiritual facts. First - Our Lady's love for us, second - the brown scapular and third - a life of prayer.

A Brief History

The feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel came into existence in the 14th century in commemoration of the "approbation" given to the Carmelite Order by Pope Honorius III. The specific date July 16th was chosen because it was on that day in the year 1251 that St. Simon Stock, the 6th Prior General of the Carmelite Order, had a vision of Our Lady who presented him with the brown scapular saying, "This shall be to you and all Carmelites a privilege, that whoever dies clothed in this (scapular) shall never suffer eternal fire."

Our Lady Loves Us

When St. Simon Stock was Prior of the Carmelite Order, the Order faced numerous difficulties and challenges. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Simon went to Our Lady because he knew that she loved him, and because she loved him, she would help him. Like St. Simon, we should have great confidence in the love the Blessed Mother has for us. And we should never forget that while Christ was hanging on the cross, He gave us His own mother, to be our mother.

The Spiritual Value of the Brown Scapular

The brown scapular is considered a sacramental, which is a "sacred sign" instituted by the Church that help prepare us to "receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it." In a society where sin is exalted and darkness is steadily growing, we need spiritual armor to remain in a state of grace and the light of Christ. The brown scapular is Our Lady's armor. By wearing the scapular we will be clothed with Our Lady's protection and prayers and be able to withstand the attacks of the enemy.

A Life of Prayer

The Carmelite Order is about many things, but first and foremost it is about "prayer." Whenever I think about the Carmelites, I think about John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Elizabeth of the Trinity and Therese the Little Flower. These saints are beacons of light that reveal the power and importance of living a life of prayer. The feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is a fantastic day for us to renew our commitment to pray daily.

By recognizing the love Our Lady has for us, the protection souls receive by wearing the brown scapular and the importance of prayer we can truly celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in awesome fashion.

God bless!

I've been running around all day and now that I am home I have no energy to even get out of my chair. So I thought I'd give the quick take Friday thing a try.

I just received my order of Pampered Chef items. I am looking forward to trying them out. I especially want to make the mini-quiches we had at the cooking party. I have to laugh at the recipe since it lists all their products within it, but regardless, they were delicious.

My mom is flying up from Southern California on Sunday and she will spend a week with us to help me with some pre-baby things - finishing the nursery (which is a corner of our bedroom), wash the baby clothes, do some bigger chore housework etc. Most of all I just love having her around and hearing her laughter. I can't wait! (And as I think more about the upcoming labor, it is also comforting to know that if she could handle nine labors, I can surely handle my third.)

I was looking at a friend's photos of their trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and it made me miss not going there more often. So I finally bought an annual pass for the whole family. Bella has been excited to see the new Sea Horse exhibit and I know Andrew will love the hands on kid's zone. Hopefully I can take my mom while she is here.

What I Am Reading: I took a break from my Agatha Christy novels when I borrowed a copy of Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. I had started it but never got to finish. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it!

What I Am Watching: I love old B&W movies and am leery to watch remakes of the old classics. Case in point - I rented the new version of The Women and it was so bad I couldn't finish it. Don't even bother. Rent the 1939 version with Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford. It's an interesting (and at times heartbreaking and at times humorous) view of female cattiness, marital infidelity, forgiveness and the "bad guy" getting his (hers) in the end.

What I Am Listening To: Matt Kearney's City of Black and White. Loving this disc right now.

Brian will be home in a few minute so I have to keep this last one short. He works so hard for us and even when he is tired he'll help me out with the kids or cleaning the shower or scrubbing toilets because it is hard for me to bend over with my growing belly and he doesn't want me smelling cleaner fumes. Sometimes I forget that it's all the little things he does that says he loves me. So tonight I have one of his favorite meals and the kids are going to bed early so we can have a little one-on-one time after a long and busy week.

Have a blessed night and weekend yourself!

I love this idea from Katherine at Domestic Church. She started a tradition by making personal rosaries for each of her children whle she was pregnant with them. She plans on giving it to them as gifts when they are older. That's such a great idea! Check out the story and the pics.

Not being as crafty as that, my tradition was to keep a pregnancy journal addressed to "my little one." It is nice to have "conversations" with each child and share what I was going through with their pregnancy and what I hope for their future. After their birth, I try to update their journals on their birthdays so they can get a glimpse of how they are progressing and how our family is growing. I am not sure when I will give the journal to each child but I am hoping that one day they will really enjoy it.

Here is a pic of the journals: Bella's, Andrew's and the latest edition. :-)

(Note: Not pictured are the journals I kept for my second and third pregnancy; both ended in miscarriage. You can read one of the journals online at RoL. I pray that one day instead of giving my two other children a journal, I'll just be able to hold them in heaven.)

Since I was gone last weekend, I had two episodes to watch of The Next Food Network Star. (And I had to avoid all news of the show since I hate knowing the outcome before I watch the show! I like to savor the as-it-happens drama. LOL!) But it was no surprise when Teddy went home. The guy was so annoying on camera, you felt bad for him. This week's dismissal of Katie was sad but I think it was obvious she was next in line. (Bella is still upset since she was her favorite.)

As for the rest of the bunch, my favorite is still Melissa even though she can be so hyper and spastic at times. If she could calm down and take a deep breath, she is enjoyable and I'd be most likely to cook her food and relate to her. I also really love Jeffery and don't think he is "too zen," but then again, I am used to the California vibe. However, it seems that lately there is something missing with him and I hope he can pull it together and at least get to the top two.

Debbie is funny and friendly and seems to be a fave of the judges but I don't think I'd ever cook her food. Jamika seems so sweet and has a nice personality but she is definitely next if she doesn't snap out of the funk she is in. Again, I'm not sure if I'd cook her food but she is enjoyable to watch, or at least she used to be. Lastly, Michael is a character and he cracks me up with his weirdness. I don't think I'd watch a cooking show with him but he'd be fun to watch (at last for a while) on one of those "educational" cooking shows that interacts with different people and places, sort of like Adam Gertler does.

Speaking of Adam, do you watch his Armchair Judge videos. He is hilarious. Love it! Well, we'll see what happens next week! ;-)

I know there are sooo many great blogs out there but I just don't have time to read them all. Heck, I can barely post here. But I do have a few favorites that I make sure to read at least once a week. A new favorite that I've grown to love is The Domestic Church by Katherine. Stop by and check it out!

I love to make enchiladas but I didn't like the fact that it was a bit time consuming. Now when I want the taste without all the frying and rolling, I make this enchilada casserole instead. (Note: I don't care for the taste of canned sauce so I use a sauce recipe my dad put together. If you like the canned stuff, you can sub with that instead.)

Ingredients for Sauce

1 28oz can of tomato sauce
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
1-3 tsp of chili powder (For flavor but mild heat, use only 1 tsp. You can add more after if you'd like.)
Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for Casserole/Lasagna

2 dozen tortillas (estimate)
Cheese - Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack or a Mexican Blend (I usually make sure I have at least a small block of cheese. You can use more if you want it extra cheesy.)
Filling - You can pretty much use anything you like: beef, carnitas, turkey, chicken, fish or just cheese. You can get as fancy or as simple as you'd like. My family especially likes when I use 1 lb of ground lean turkey, 1 sautéed chopped onion, 3 sautéed minced garlic cloves, 1 can chopped olives and salt & pepper.

To Assemble

Mix the sauce ingredients together. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Let cool. (Note: This is enough sauce for a 13x9 baking dish.)

Warm about 2 dozen corn tortillas. (You can substitute with flour also.) You can use a grill to warm them and place them in a folded dish to keep them soft. You can also warm them in the oven wrapped in tin foil.

Cut the tortillas in half. Spread sauce on the bottom of you pan. Make a layer the tortillas. Spread sauce to cover tortillas. Make a layer of your filling. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover with sauce. Make another layer of tortillas. Repeat the process 2-3 more times, depending on how thick you want it.

Cover the dish with tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Take out of the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Enjoy!