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Almond Scented White Cake from the Williams Sonoma cookbook |
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| Kate is readying the first pizza crust. |
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| Mary is rolling the second one. |
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Goodies From the Kitchen
Kate was busy yesterday making a delicious raspberry filled cake, and pizzas. She is a daughter not generally known for her culinary skills. This is proof that she can and does cook. We enjoyed both for dinner last night.
Family room finish (almost)
As promised, here is a picture of the family room after our New Year's weekend painting project.
The faux painting was almost covered up. We sanded, a lot, but if you look close some of the globs are still evident. One more testimony that there are some home decorating ideas that should not be done by non professionals. It is now neutral, and for now neutral is nice.
We also solved out dilemma with the sectional. The corner piece was relegated to the basement, so now we have a veerrryyyy long couch. By moving the television the entire room is being used.
Next project will likely involve eliminating the rail in the foreground, and painting over the hideous wall paper you can see. This is in our kitchen. A complete renovation of the kitchen/breakfast room, as well as replacing floors will probably be accomplished in 2 or 3 years.
As our temporary resident visas expire in September, we'll have to just wait and see.
We also solved out dilemma with the sectional. The corner piece was relegated to the basement, so now we have a veerrryyyy long couch. By moving the television the entire room is being used.
Next project will likely involve eliminating the rail in the foreground, and painting over the hideous wall paper you can see. This is in our kitchen. A complete renovation of the kitchen/breakfast room, as well as replacing floors will probably be accomplished in 2 or 3 years.
As our temporary resident visas expire in September, we'll have to just wait and see.
Friday, January 7, 2011
New Year, New Room
We spent our New Year's Weekend painting out the old faux paint in the family room! What a beautiful difference. Visitors can tell you how hideous the painting was. Here are a few "work in progress" pictures. I'll get some finished shots soon.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas
A few photos that show some of our Christmas. We were together, excepting our German adventurers, and had a quiet holy day.
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| Kate was busy making gingerbread the day before. |
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| Kate, Meghan and Mary with their "real" earrings! |
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| Tom holding "to the man from the boy" gift. The wrapping paper was duct tape! |
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| Our eclectic tree. It is always so much fun to remember how, who and why each ornament in on the tree. |
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| Peter, with a rare smile! |
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| Me, looking forward to some brain work ... thank you Peter! |
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| Later the same day, diving into our stockings. Note the mural and our faux walls ... now you know why we painted this room the following weekend. |
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| Kate with Dolly the cat curled up, both sound asleep. It was a good day for that! |
Thursday, December 23, 2010
O Emmanuel
"O Emmanuel: O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: come to save us, O Lord our God."
Lord, I am more than thankful that at each Mass I am able to see you in the Blessed Sacrament. I am more than thankful that You feed me with your precious body and blood. May all the holy priests you have placed in our lives be affirmed in their faith, whether they are strong or struggling with their own private demons. May all the bishops who have played key roles in our lives be covered in Your grace and continue to be wise shepherds of Your sheep. And finally, dear Lord, for those in our families who have fallen out of the practice of their faith, stumbled away from You, or have immediate need for Your intercession be given hearts penetrated by Your love, and a deep desire to know You and return to righteousness.
Lord, I am more than thankful that at each Mass I am able to see you in the Blessed Sacrament. I am more than thankful that You feed me with your precious body and blood. May all the holy priests you have placed in our lives be affirmed in their faith, whether they are strong or struggling with their own private demons. May all the bishops who have played key roles in our lives be covered in Your grace and continue to be wise shepherds of Your sheep. And finally, dear Lord, for those in our families who have fallen out of the practice of their faith, stumbled away from You, or have immediate need for Your intercession be given hearts penetrated by Your love, and a deep desire to know You and return to righteousness.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
O Rex Gentium
"O King of the Gentiles (O Rex Gentium): O King of the Gentiles and desired One, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth."
Most of our family is now gathered at our home for Christmas. Our oldest and her husband are in Germany, and we look forward to chatting with them on Christmas Day. Tom picked up our two college girls from Detroit yesterday. It is with much anticipation that we are now together.
I read an interesting op-ed piece yesterday. http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/michael_coren/2010/12/17/16594481.html
I am finishing this book as well.
It has been a wonderful "short course" on political science in the 20th century. Since we started on our adventure of home educating our children, I have been drawn very much to studying history. Our approach, while using some text books, has also included seeking books and resources that tell "the other side" of the story.
And I am looking forward to locating this book for future study.
In the meantime, our final Advent baking day is here! We plan to bake like crazy today, and get dozens of bags ready to deliver tomorrow. On the baking list we have: Cranberry Chews, Glorified Shortbread, White Almond Bars and Scandinavian Kringler (a scrumptious coffee cake). For my sisters, Tom's sisters and brother, plus Grandparents, we hope you receive your own goodie boxes before Christmas!
And, since we have doubled the number of bakers, we may very well tackle a handmade gingerbread village! If it materializes, we'll be sure to post pictures.
Tomorrow is our "new" annual ravioli making day. It will have a special significance, as we know Cathy (Tom's mom and the kids' "Nonnie") will be smiling from heaven.
To tie this all into the title, well, it really is the reason for the season. God is real, God is our source of life, God has sent His only Son to be the Rex Gentium! May you deepen your own understandings and faith in what is real, true and beautiful.
Most of our family is now gathered at our home for Christmas. Our oldest and her husband are in Germany, and we look forward to chatting with them on Christmas Day. Tom picked up our two college girls from Detroit yesterday. It is with much anticipation that we are now together.
I read an interesting op-ed piece yesterday. http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/michael_coren/2010/12/17/16594481.html
I am finishing this book as well.
It has been a wonderful "short course" on political science in the 20th century. Since we started on our adventure of home educating our children, I have been drawn very much to studying history. Our approach, while using some text books, has also included seeking books and resources that tell "the other side" of the story.
And I am looking forward to locating this book for future study.
In the meantime, our final Advent baking day is here! We plan to bake like crazy today, and get dozens of bags ready to deliver tomorrow. On the baking list we have: Cranberry Chews, Glorified Shortbread, White Almond Bars and Scandinavian Kringler (a scrumptious coffee cake). For my sisters, Tom's sisters and brother, plus Grandparents, we hope you receive your own goodie boxes before Christmas!
And, since we have doubled the number of bakers, we may very well tackle a handmade gingerbread village! If it materializes, we'll be sure to post pictures.
Tomorrow is our "new" annual ravioli making day. It will have a special significance, as we know Cathy (Tom's mom and the kids' "Nonnie") will be smiling from heaven.
To tie this all into the title, well, it really is the reason for the season. God is real, God is our source of life, God has sent His only Son to be the Rex Gentium! May you deepen your own understandings and faith in what is real, true and beautiful.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
O Oriens
"O Rising Dawn (O Oriens): O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."
Wonder and awe strikes me whenever I am up early enough to watch the sun rise. Our last visit to Colorado allowed that, and the dawn was glorious. I know it is physics, light bending, various parts of the prism breaking through at different speeds, etc. But, it still draws awe from deep inside my being. Watching a new day emerge never ceases to draw my soul toward rejoicing in the everlasting dawn of the Son of God.
Today is our shortest day, longest night of the year. We weren't up to watch the lunar eclipse, to watch the moon show red. Though, with our wintry cloud cover, the motivation wasn't there. This is a rare occasion, and many people have placed special meaning on it. But, it is also just physics. The author of our world, who actually is the source of those laws people have termed laws of physics, gravity, chemistry, etc. has indeed created a world full of wonder for all of us!
May your remaining days of Advent be filled more with joyful anticipation than frantic preparation.
Wonder and awe strikes me whenever I am up early enough to watch the sun rise. Our last visit to Colorado allowed that, and the dawn was glorious. I know it is physics, light bending, various parts of the prism breaking through at different speeds, etc. But, it still draws awe from deep inside my being. Watching a new day emerge never ceases to draw my soul toward rejoicing in the everlasting dawn of the Son of God.
Today is our shortest day, longest night of the year. We weren't up to watch the lunar eclipse, to watch the moon show red. Though, with our wintry cloud cover, the motivation wasn't there. This is a rare occasion, and many people have placed special meaning on it. But, it is also just physics. The author of our world, who actually is the source of those laws people have termed laws of physics, gravity, chemistry, etc. has indeed created a world full of wonder for all of us!
May your remaining days of Advent be filled more with joyful anticipation than frantic preparation.
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