Mr Coffee

 As soon as he was big enough to take on the job, our morning bird, hopped-to morning coffee detail.  Crack of dawn, the smell of coffee drifts through the house and we know our youngest boy is up and at 'em.  This kid.  He even makes a mean bulletproof -- blender and all.  Then brings it to me every morning, first thing.  Sometimes before I'm ready to get up, bless him.

My William.  He never fails me.

He told me so himself this morning when I thanked him.  "I never fail you!" he says -- with a pause...

 "Except once."

"How's that?" I ask

"Once I started everything and forgot to put the pot back under."

"Uh oh," I said.  You see, our particular coffee pot doesn't have the "pause" feature that stops the brewing when the pot is removed.

"It was a coffee disaster," he recounts, and warming up to his story, he perches on the side of my bed.  "It took fifteen paper towels -- and they were all dark brown when I was finished.  And two towels -- also dark brown.  You'll find those in the laundry room."

"Seriously?" I ask, not remembering seeing these towels.  "How recently did this happen?"

"Very  recently."

I raise my eyebrows as I lift my cup of BPC to my lips.  "Like... when?"

"Like: just now."

Ha!  Caught!  Little stinker.  He says he cleaned it all up.  But we all know how well this little baristo cleaned up that coffee mess, don't we? =sigh=  But, it's all good.  It's a small price to pay for free coffee delivery and this happy smile in the morning.

I guess I'll go check out the damages.  As soon as I finish this cuppa coffee here.  I have a full day ahead of me.  Seeds to get started and set out to germinate.  And I started a part-time job at an antiques store down the road, so have to go to work this afternoon.  More on that later!

But for now.  Hope everyone's day starts out with smiles and no spilled coffee!  Happy Saturday, everyone!  Can you believe we're finally w

arming up to start Holy Week! Hope everyone's is blessed and fruitful.

Happy Happy Birthday to This Guy...

Our wonderful, handsome, charming, and pious son, Frater Philip!

(What? Me, biased?  Ya think?)

Frater's in Oklahoma for the weekend with his brother Dominic (and Fr. G. and Frater Francis), helping out with the choir in the mission church there for Palm Sunday.  He's just that kind of guy, ya know.  Even if he weren't obliged to make the trip out of obedience, being a Religious, he'd go anyway if he knew they needed him.  And there are few people out there who can bring a choir along more nicely than Frater Philip.  He's an amazing musician - a talented director - a patient teacher.  Plus he's just a lot of fun.  I'm jealous of the Oklahoma parish this weekend!  They get to have our boy for his birthday!  But I know they'll treat him well.  They always do.  :)  I think they kinda like him, too.  Naturally.   (No, not biased. Really.  And he'll never see this, so I can brag on him.  ;))

We're all looking forward to seeing Frater here at home, if not Easter day, at least Easter week!  Then we can give him more birthday presents (already gave him one) -- of the edible variety because it will be a feasting week and no longer Lent!  Woot!

* Please pray for Frater Philip and all his fellow seminarians.  They are the future of our Holy Faith, No priests, no Sacraments.  No seminarians, no priests...  I know they appreciate all the prayers they can get!  Thank-you!


And now... I hope you'll indulge me (especially since it's still Lent and everything... ) But, in honor of FraPhi's birthday, I'm letting a little wishful thinking spill into this post.  A little day dream I'm having... A little hope that someone will exercise some charity... Can you smell the cinnamon?  Can't you just imagine the butter and glaze melting down your chin...?  Is your mouth watering like mine right now?  Wouldn't you just die for a bite of one of Frater's cinnamon rolls?

Suppose somebody around here might get the idea to make these Easter week...?  Hmmmm?

What better way to break the Lenten fast?  That's what I'm sayin....

Seminarian Cinnamon Rolls

Recipe compliments of super chef, Frater Philip

For one pan (regular size cookie sheet) of app. 1 dozen rolls.

In mixer bowl, mix together:

2 cups warm water

1 Tbs dry yeast

1 Tbs sugar

1 Tsp salt

* Gradually add app 4 1/2 additional cups of flour

 into mixer with dough hook attached.

* Mix until it starts to come together, then add about

1/4 cup oil (any oil not too heavy tasting).

* Roll dough flat, but not too thin. Should be about 12"x12" square.

* Soften (nice and soft, but not melted) a whole stick of butter and spread it evenly over the dough.
* Sprinkly generously with cinnamon/sugar (mixed 3:1)

* Roll up.  Take a piece of ordinary string, loop it under the dough, about 1" from the end; twist over the top and pull, to cut the dough cleanly.

* Repeat until 12 rolls are cut. (Can be more, depending on size of rolls).

* Grease pan, and place rolls fairly close together.  Cover and set on stove to rise while oven preheats to 325.

* Once risen, bake for approximately 20 minutes, until lightly browned.

* DO NOT overcook.

Frosting

1 stick butter -- room temperature (optional)

8 oz package cream cheese -- room temperature

2 - 3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla, almond, or orange extract

* Using mixer (or beating vigorously with fork), mix the butter and cream cheese together (or just the cream cheeese alone), about 3 minutes on medium speed until nice and smooth.

* Add the extract and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to the sweetness and thickness you like.

* Spread on cinnamon rolls with a blunt knife or spatula.

Enjoy!

And, let me tell you, folks -- not because I'm his mom and I have a sweet tooth,  though I certainly do -- but, seriously, these cinnamon rolls are ambrosia!  If nobody else volunteers, I guess I'm gonna have to make them, my own self.  ;)

Feast of Our Lady's Seven Sorrows

There are actually two feasts that honor Our Blessed Mother's seven sorrows.  Today's feast, always falling on the Friday following Passion Sunday, one week before Good Friday, is a "major double" feast day. It was originally founded in 1413 during a provincial synod of Cologne  to counteract the crimes of the iconoclast Hussites.  The feast was originally observed in northern Germany, Scandinavia, and Scotland, but was extended throughout the universal Church in the early 18th century.

The second feast honoring the Seven Sorrows comes in September and was originally granted to the Servite Order in the 17th century (the Seven Dolores of Our Lady are the chief devotion of the Servite Order). This feast day was raised to the rank of a double second class and extended throughout the Church in 1908 (though the Servites celebrate the feast day as a major double).  If I understand the rankings properly,* then, it would seem that today's feast takes higher technical priority than the feast in September.   .  

I think I understand this distinction.  Or, well...  at least it seems appropriate, considering the timing that today's feast ranks highly.  Though the honor and sentiment are the same, today sets up the emotional backdrop for us prior to Holy Week in a special way.  We begin the most solemn ten days of the liturgical year by remembering what real sorrow is.  Granted, if we've understood the season of Lent properly, we've already been contemplating Our Lord's sacrifice since Ash Wednesday.  Theoretically, as we've suffered through our own Lenten sacrifices, we should have been meditating on the Passion, compassionating with Our Lord.  I hope we have.  I hope I have.  But I admit it's hard to persevere for forties days with the proper mindset.  Being human and all...  Well, it's just so easy to forget that I'm supposed to be uniting my voluntary penances, and all my little life inconveniences to the real agony suffered by Our Lord. I fail quite often.  But, to justify myself (pathetically, yes...), I think the most pious among us needs to be periodically reminded of what Lent is all about.  It so easily becomes just a countdown - to Sundays' freedom, ultimately to Easter, and the end of our sacrifices.  

But, if we're paying attention, today's feast day can take us out of ourselves and lead us to back to Christ.  Who better to re-direct our focus going into the last week of this penitential season than Our Blessed Mother?  How can we feel sorry for ourselves remembering the breaking of her tender mother's heart?  How can we be callous toward her Son, seeing  His suffering through her loving eyes?  How can we not be moved, remembering her walk alongside Our Lord up the cobblestone road to Calvary?  We can't love Jesus better than by walking with His Mother this coming week.

Prayer to the Sorrowful Mother

Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into thy Heart, pierced by so many swords, do thou welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the companion of thy sorrows at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus died for the redemption of the world. With thee, O sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer all the trials, contradictions, and infirmities which it shall please Our Lord to send me. I offer them all to thee in memory of thy sorrows, so that: every thought of my mind and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and of love for thee. And do thou, sweet Mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to thy Divine Son, Jesus; keep me in His grace and assist me in my last agony, so that I may be able to meet thee in Heaven and sing thy glories.

Most holy Virgin and Mother, whose soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the Passion of thy Divine Son, and who in His glorious Resurrection wast filled with never ending joy at His triumph, obtain for us who call upon thee, so to be partakers in the adversities of Holy Church and the Sorrows of the Sovereign Pontiff, as to be found worthy to rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and peace of the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

* An explanation of the ranking of feast days forthcoming -- because I want to understand them, myself!  

PRAYERS BY ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI

Litany of the Sorrowful Mother

The Seven Sorrows

1. The prophecy of Simeon.

2. The flight into Egypt.

3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple.

4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.

5. The Crucifixion.

6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.

7. The burial of Jesus.

Some Ways to Observe the Feast day

* Begin the day by saluting Our Blessed Mother under the title "Mother of Sorrows."  Pray one or more of the prayers in honor of her sorrow throughout the day.  Attend Mass if at all possible.  Pray the rosary.

* See if you have a purple veil to add to a family statue of the Blessed Mother, or a wreath of purple and black flowers, as a reminder that this is a day to compassionate with our Heavenly Mother.

* Catholic Icing has some nice craft ideas for the feast day, including a Seven Sorrows mobile that is simple for children to put together.  (We'll be doing this one, I think.)

*   Catholic Cuisine has shared numerous recipes and ideas for celebrating this feast day.

*  Observe, if possible, a hushed silence through the day, behaving as you would if you shared your rooms with someone grieving.  Omit sweets today if they haven't already been offered up for Lent.  Or perhaps add some other special sacrifice to the day to help everyone remain mindful.  Maybe drink nothing but water. If there are children at home, have them memorize the Seven Sorrows if they haven't already done so.  For an art lesson, they could illustrate one or several of them.  Alternatively, two coloring pages follow.  Just click and print:

*  Prayers and images from CatholicTradition.org.

Happy Feast of the Annunciation!

Pour forth, we beseech, Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and death be brought to the glory of the Resurrection. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ...

(From The Angelus)

Meditation on the feast of the Annunciation, by St. Francis DeSales (1521)

“This sacred Virgin was, then, a very perfect religious, as we have said, and she is the special Protectress of souls who dedicate themselves which she practiced and manifested more excellently than all others on the day of her glorious Annunciation, virtues which I will only mention in passing and then I will conclude. First, a virginity and purity which has nothing like in in all creation. Secondly, a sovereign and profound humility, joined and united inseparably to charity.”

“Virginity and absolute chastity is an angelic virtue; but though it belongs more especially to angels than to men, yet the purity of Our Lady infinitely surpassed that of the angels, having three great perfections above theirs, even that of the cherubim and seraphim…that of the angels is sterile and can produce no fruit. On the contrary, that of our glorious Mistress was not only fruitful because she produced for us this sweet Fruit of Life, Our Lord and Masters, but in the second place she has begotten many virgins. It is it in imitation of her, as we have said, that virgins have vowed their chastity.”

“But she was not only virgin par excellence above all others, angels as well as men – she was also more humble than all others. This was manifest excellently on the day of the Annunciation. She then the made the greatest act of humility that was ever made or ever will be made by a pure creature; for seeing herself exalted by the angel who saluted her, saying she was full of grace and that she would conceive a Son who would be both God and Man…Our Lady, being reassured by the angel and having learned what God willed to do with her and in her, made this supreme act of humility, saying: I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say. She saw herself raised to the highest dignity that ever was or will be, for though it should please God to create anew many worlds, He could never make a pure creature be greater than the Mother of God.”

“Our Lady humbled herself and acknowledged herself unworthy of being raised to the high dignity of Mother of God; therefore she was made to be His Mother, for she had no sooner uttered the protestation of her littleness than, having abandoned herself to Him by an act of incomparable charity, she became the Mother of the Most High, who is the Saviour of our souls.”

* Lovely coloring pages for today (with all the mysteries of the rosary, including the Annunciation):  here.  And here.

* Another nice read for the day:  Fulton J. Sheen's When Freedom and Love Were One: The Annunciation


Blessed to have this great feast day as his birthday, our son Kevin!  Happy Birthday, Kevvy!

We sure do love you!

On the Feast of St. Gabriel

What Do We Know About St. Gabriel?

In a nutshell: He is one of the three archangels mentioned in the Bible; his name means "strength of God." The first time we were introduced to the Archangel Gabriel was in the time of the Old Testament when he appeared in order to be of help to Daniel (Dan.8: 15-17).  Then we don't hear of St. Gabriel again until he appeared to Zachary to inform him that his elderly wife, Elizabeth would bear him a son who would be the precursor of Christ -- St. John the Baptist (Luke 1:11 & Luke 1: 18-19).  The third and last time we see this great Archangel mentioned by name is when he carried the most important message of all time to Nazareth to the humble maiden, Mary, at the time of the Incarnation:  Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women...  Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus. (Luke 1:31).  

The great St. Gabriel is aptly named patron saint of messengers, postal workers, radio broadcasters, telecommunications workers, diplomats -- and stamp collectors.  (Stamp collectors?  Wondering about that last one...)

                                                
What St. Gabriel Looks Like

  Ven. Mary of Agreda's description of the Archangel Gabriel:

The appearance of the great prince and legate was that of a most handsome youth of rarest beauty; his face emitted resplendent rays of light, his bearing was grave and majestic, his advance measured, his motions composted, his words weighty and powerful, his whole presence displayed a pleasing, kindly gravity and more of godlike qualities than all the other angels until then seen in in visible form by the heavenly Mistress.  He wore a diadem of exquisite splendor and his vestments glowed in various colors full of refulgent beauty.  Encased on his breast, he bore a most beautiful cross, disclosing the mystery of the Incarnation, which He had come to announce.

Pere Lamy (1855-1931), a mystic and visionary, recorded his vision of St Gabriel, relating that he is "taller by a head than the other angels.  It is by this that I recognize at once a spirit of a higher choir."  And he added, "The Archangel Gabriel has his hair well cut and wavy."

Prayer to St. Gabriel for Others

O loving messenger of the Incarnation, descend upon all those for whom I wish peace and happiness. Spread your wings over the cradles of the new-born babes, O thou who didst announce the coming of the Infant Jesus. Give to the young a lily petal from the virginal scepter in your hand. Cause the Ave Maria to re-echo in all hearts that they may find grace and joy through Mary. Finally, recall the sublime words spoken on the day of the Annunciation -- "Nothing is impossible with God," and repeat them in hours of trial -- to all I love -- that their confidence in Our Lord may be reanimated, when all human help fails. Amen


                                           And happy name day to our very own Gabriel Joseph!

Named for two very important figures in the life of the Blessed Mother, we pray that they both help you to be close to your heavenly Mother -- and with her help be fruitful on this earth and happy forever someday in Heaven.

Catching Up -- Part II: The Gatherings

Last Friday

(The day before the big wedding everyone came to town to attend.)

L-R: Theresa, Rafi, Kevvy, Dominic, Gabe, Anna, Brenda, Omar at breakfast

Dominic and Michelle horsing around.

Kevin and Ina

Omar, Michelle, Brenda (and half of Ina..  Sorry, Ina!)

Dominic and Cathy

 Last Sunday After Laetari Sunday Mass

(At the Park Downtown)

Mostly girls, this shot (boys all  down at the bottom).  Left to Right: Bridget V., Mikki, Monica F., Cathy, Carolina B. Theresa, Olivia S., Anna, William, Sophie, Michelle, me, Frater Philip, Gabe, and Dan

Michelle, Omar, Kevvy

Dan and almost me.

BFFs since they were born:  Brenda and Michelle

Believe it or not -- also longtime besties: Frater Philip and Omar mugging for the camera

On the pedestrian bridge that spans the Missouri River.
Our three girls in front: Anna, Theresa, Michelle.
Behind them: Dominic and Dan (and a slew of others!)

When you stand on this "manhole," and talk or sing, you sound vibratey...
William trying it out, with Anna, me, Theresa, Dominic, Murena V.,
Cathy's head, and Frater Philip.

The front of half, the back of half.  (Don't ask me why.  I don't know.)

The boys (most of them, anyway)...Bottom - top and Left - right: Austin E., Kevvy, Omar, Dan -- Joseph B.,Dominic, Frater Philip -- John D., Gabriel -- William (the ham!)

*  Many thanks to Omar and Dominic for sharing these photos with me!  I didn't have a camera with me on this excursion!

Michelle's Bridal Shower

( This past Wednesday. Hosted by her Aunt Nina in Denver)

The four sisters together with Ina
(Anna, Michelle, Cathy, Theresa)

Shelly, with the Fanny Farmer Cookbook we gave her. She grew up with
the recipes in this book, as this was one of the few gifts from my
bridal shower that I still have and use all the time.  We also gave her
all the tools she'll need to get into her new kitchen and do some baking for
Ben.  We will be expecting her to send us a package of cookies some time
this summer.  (Eh, Shell?)

I took a bazillion pictures of Michelle opening gifts; I couldn't possible share them
 all (and you'd get sick of  'em right quick!), but thought this one was cute, with
 the flipflop card (so Michelle!) -- especially in light of the "foot picture" below...

Couldn't possibly identify all of these feet -- except for those closest to the camera,
and those are most definitely Anna's.

A wonderful time was had by all -- and Michelle is very pleased to report that her newlywed kitchen will be admirably stocked.  Our loving gratitude to all the dear friends and family who came to the shower, were so very generous -- and who made the party so much fun!  Special thanks to Aunt Nina for hosting, too.  Everything was perfect!

And, since I have nothing more to add (just at the moment, anyway)...

(But, be warned...  I'll be back!)

Bored? Part I: The Road Trip

Good heavens. but this past week and a half have been busy!  So busy I have to share in a series of posts. In a nutshell, though:after Miss June moved out last Wednesday to return to her old stomping grounds on the western slope of Colorado, we did a bedroom switcheroo, painting and decorating a new "spare room" just in time to fill up the house with guests. Because there was a big wedding in town last weekend, we got to see Michelle and Kevvy and his girl, Ina -- and pretty much everyone we know, in and out, back and forth, stuffed into the nooks and crannies of the house. It was great. :) I'll pull all those pictures together tomorrow probably.

But, second things first here... Wednesday of this week, the girls and I drove to Denver for Michelle's Denver Bridal Shower -- which is a whole other subject -- and a whole other post!  But, leaving the little boys behind with Dominic...  we set out on the eight hour trek across the prairies -- driving out on Wednesday, then coming back on Thursday. (Oh, my aching back!).  

Here are some photos of the boredom on the way... For your consideration: Three girls, some plastic spoons, an apple -- and a camera.

These two nuts (Cathy and Anna, with Theresa as photographer)

Apple

Apple + Vegges =

Lunch!

Apple in Hair

Apple on Foot

Apple in Hand

Channeling Snow White

Apple with Mom

Apple with Sunset

Apple Closed in Window

And now...  what three boys left at home with a camera (actually, Dominic's phone camera!) do with boredom:



Are these guys crazy, or what?