The Feast of the Holy Family

 (Lk 2, 51)  Jesus went down with them, and came to Nazareth and was subject to them.

The Holy Family, by Fancesco Zaganelli da Cotignola (1480 - 1532)  (This masterpiece for sale at Christie's right now for only $1, 584,414)

 O Lord Jesus Christ, Who by subjecting Thyself to Mary and Joseph didst consecrate family life with wonderful virtues;  grant that, by their joint assistance, we may fashion our lives after the example of Thy Holy Family, and obtain everlasting fellowship with it.  Who livest, etc. 

~ Prayer from the feastday Mass of the Holy Family

A coloring page to click and print for today:

* This week:  Amusements and Meditations on "Family"...

Let It Be Hereby Affirmed and Celebrated:

William Thomas is a big boy now.

And not only will he eat split pea soup...

He actually likes it!

"It's not just peas," he says, "They're split."

Sepia Saturday: The January Edition

This wintery shot of my Dad and my Uncle Wick was taken in Baltimore, MD in the late '30s.  Don't you love the pose?  Most of the photos in our albums from this era are carefully arranged portraits, either professionally taken for special events, or brownie camera shots taken at home with six or seven relatives shoulder to shoulder, smiling dutifully.  But this one is fun and playful and there's a gleam in my Dad's eye that makes me wonder if the photographer didn't get creamed with that snowball.

 I love the vintage quality of this photo, too, and how the snow has yellowed with age.  My Dad's brown curls peeking out from under his hood remind me of a couple of my curly-headed sons, and I wonder if my Dad was much like them at this age.  I'm guessing he was. In the fundamentals I expect boys are much the same now as they ever were -- but goodness how the trappings have changed!

Check out the 1930s snow day gear, for instance.  Young boys still wore knickers -- which couldn't have been any too cozy -- but I'm guessing my Dad's stripey socks are wool: warm, but I bet they were itchy.  The coat and little Uncle Wick's snow suit were probably made of wool, too, and though they were likely good and warm, I bet they were a bugger when they got wet.  Heavy and smelly.  Bet it took forever for them to dry, too!  Do you suppose they had a place near a woodstove or furnace that they hung their wet woolen hats and mittens and coats to dry?  I love the vintage "hominess" of  that image.  I can picture my Dad reading a book on the floor in front of the radio, listening to Jack Benny while his coat and scarf dry by the wood stove...  Everything sepia-toned and smelling like apple pie...

=sigh= The past is so romantic when it's lived in a scrapbook...

But, in reality?  Seriously --  I wouldn't want to go back in time, if for no other reason than I wouldn't want to wear all that wool.  No way.  I like our super light and waterproof synthetic coats, our nice warm microfiber scarves, and underarmor.  If it gets dirty, throw it in the washer; if it gets wet, throw it in the dryer.  Quick and easy. And you don't smell like a wet sheep when you come in after playing in the snow.

And this I say with the conviction of a mother whose little sons (7 y.o. Gabe and 6 y.o. William) went sledding down the muddy driveway into a big snowmelt puddle yesterday afternoon.

So, yes...  I guess we're pretty spoiled, but I'm convinced it's a good kind of spoiling, these modern textiles.  I like to be warm and dry on a cold day; I like my children to be warm and dry on a cold day.  And I would not like to have to wash my uncle's little wool snowsuit.  I love looking at the vintage photos, but wool coats  really only work well if you're outside playing in sepia-toned snow.

(No, not that kind of sepia-toned snow!)

Lots of great Sepia Saturday posts here.

This Epiphany Morning

Well.  There they are.  All the company finally got here.

Theophany:Three Kings' Day: Epiphany

Kings?

Wise Men?

Magi?

Seekers.

Like us.

Many Happy Returns and Blessings of the Day to Everyone!



*Just an aside:  I wanted very much to write out a listing of traditions and history of this day, but find myself handicapped on Blogger these days. I changed over to the new Blogger format the other day and wish I hadn't, because now I can't link anything, can't right click to copy/paste, can't save pictures on my images window, can't pretty much do diddly-squat -- and Blogger won't let me have the old format back. And, on top of all that, my photo shop program seems to have vanished off my computer and I'm going to have to buy a new one.  Grrrr....   Anyway.  I'm certainly not the only one lovin' up on this feast day.  Zip around the Catholic blogger world for lots of good stuff!  Or you can search "Epiphany" or "The Three Kings" on this blog search engine for my old posts, if you'd like.  :0)

On the Road Again

I was going to say something like: It seems we barely get settled these days before we move again...  But, that's not exactly true.  You know that insulation that you can spray into cracks -- and it puffs up, expanding into every possible nook and cranny of space?  Well, that's us.  We aren't into a house two weeks before all the pictures are hung; the humidifier's hidden away; the muffin papers have their own little cupboard corner, the construction paper and colored pencils are stationed; the lint bunnies are multiplying under the beds; and marbles are in the heating vents.

And I won't even go into how thoroughly we occupy the barn.  Let's just say: don't go in there.

But, alas...  (and here I really do insert a heavy sigh)  We find that it's time to leave our cozy little log house.  And, oh boy, am I gonna miss it. ( I am spoiled forever by this great room!) But just plain old prudence is twisting our arms and we have no choice but to find cheaper digs.  We'd originally intended to buy this house, but, as is the story in so many places, our landlord is upside-down on his loan and requires an over-the-market sum -- both for the purchase and the rent of this house -- and he can't lower his price. And, same as most places these days, real estate prices in our valley are shrinking with the pinpricks of a bazillion foreclosures, and rentals are still quite low for the most part.  So, in short -- though we love this house and love being a walk to church, we're not millionaires and can't just throw money away.

This is not the actual house...

Plus, after researching and watching and praying for a while,  we found a house only ten minutes away, with five bedrooms, a bazillion outbuildings, on fifteen irrigated acres, with lots of big shade trees, next to an orchard and winery -- for literally half the rental price.

So, we're moving.  How could we not?

We have a month to move less than ten minutes away, so it's going to be death by a thousand cuts a nice, slow, organized move.

Um.  Yeah.

But, it's all good.  The landlady has given us free reign to do whatever we like with the house, short of tearing down walls -- and I've already got a notebook full of ideas and paint chips.  Call me a glutton for punishment, but I'm actually looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.  The old girl (the house, not the landlady!) is 109 years old and is less conventional and certainly less convenient than the house we're in now -- and it's old and drafty and somewhat awkward.  But it has lots of character. 

We should fit right in.

 I hope you'll join in on the fun of the makeover and move in.  I'll be needing a cheering section!  And it should be interesting. The Christmas decorations get packed this weekend, and the "slow, organized move" begins right after that.   I'll keep ya posted!

January

T''was the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,
the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales
there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store
(less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend the winter disguised as a man!"

So, away went the last of the sour cream dip.
Got rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

(Luke 2, 21)  At that time, when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the Child, His Name was called Jesus, the Name given Him by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

(Phil. 2, 10-11)  At the Name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should cnfess that the Lord Jeuss Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

(Ps. 8, 2)  O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is Thy name in the whole earth.

Seminarian Cinnamon Rolls

Recipe compliments of Chef Jon, the Seminarian

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!



On the Feast of the Presentation

From Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B.
in the Liturgical Year

Our new-born King and Saviour is eight days old today; the Star that guides the Magi is advancing towards Bethlehem, and five days hence will be standing over the Stable where our Jesus is being nursed by His Mother.  Today the Son of Man is to be circumcised; this first sacrifice of His innocent Flesh must honour the eighth day of His mortal life.  Today also a Name is to be given him; the Name will be Jesus, and it means Saviour.  So that mysteries abound on this day; let us not pass one of them over, but honour them with all possible devotion and love.

But this day is not exclusively devoted to the Circumcision of Jesus.  The mystery of this Circumcision forms party of that other great mystery, the Incarnation and Infancy of our Saviour -- a mystery on which the Church fixes her heart not only during this Octave, but during the whole forty days of Christmastide.  Then, as regards our Lord's receiving the Name of Jesus, a special Feast, which we shall soon be keeping (* The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated tomorrow, January 2nd!), is set apart in honour of it.  There is another object that shares the love and devotion of the Faithful on this great Solemnity.  This object is Mary, the Mother of God.  The Church celebrates today the august prerogative of this divine Maternity which was conferred on a mere creature, and made her the co-operatrix with Jesus in the great work of man's salvation;.

The holy Church of Rome used formerly to say two Masses on the first of January; one was for the Octave of Christmas Day, the other was in honour of Mary.  She now unites the two intentions in one Sacrifice, in the same manner as, in the rest of this Day's Office, she unites together the acts of her adoration of the Son, and the expressions of her admiration for and confidence in the Mother.

The Greek Church does not wait for this eighth day, in order order to pays her tribute of homage to her who has given us our Emmanuel.  She consecrates to Mary, the first day after Christmas, that is December 26th, and calls it the Synaxis of the Mother of God, making the two days one continued Feast.  She is thus obliged to defer the Feast of St. Stephen to December 27th.

But it is today that we, the children of the Roman Church, must pour forth all the love of our hearts for the Virgin Mother, and rejoice with her in the exceeding happiness she feels at having given birth to her and our Lord.  During Advent we contemplated her as pregnant with the world's salvation; we proclaimed the glory of that Ark of the New Covenant, whose chaste womb was the earthly paradise chosen by the King of Ages for his dwelling place.  Now she has brought him forth, the Infant God; she adores Him, He who is her Son.  She has the right to call Him her Child and He, God as he is, calls her in strictest truth His Mother.

Collect for the day's Mass:

O God, who by the fruitful Virginity of Blessed Mary hast given to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech thee, that we may experience her intercession, by whom we received the Author of Life, our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son.  Who liveth, etc.

The Nativity Scene at Our House, 2011

Built on the little yellow work table by the wood stove,

under one of the big north-facing windows, and comprised of:

* Eight Total Trees (decorated with ornaments and beads Christmas Eve)

* Two handmade bridges

* One beaten up, wooden "box" stable made by an old, old utility drawer

* One set of steps down to the west-side lower level, made by Jon a few years ago

* One set of steps down to the east-side lower level, made by Paul last week

* One pond, winding around the east side of the stable to

* One beaver dam

* Three rats

* Three raccoons

* Two beavers

* One hedgehog

*Two frogs

* One weasel

* One turkey

* Three "greater owls"

* Five or six "lesser owls"

* One squirrel

* One skunk

* Four turtles

* One bead spider in one wire spider web

* One hiding mouse

* Seven sheep

* Two sheep dogs

* Two shepherds

* One dear St. Joseph

* One beloved Blessed Mother

* One Divine Infant Saviour

(* Oh, and one cup of coffee for St. Joseph on Christmas morning.)

Things To Do Over Christmas Vacation

Play with Gavin

Play Football in the Snow

Nathan



Gabey (Caught that one!)


Attend the school Christmas Play:
A Christmas Carol
(December 22nd

Theresa was an awesome Marley!

But I'm not sure she's gotten quite all the white out of her hair yet...

William front row, left; Gabey right next to him there -- in the boys' side of the Christmas chorus



William as Tiny Tim and Anna as Martha Cratchit, hugging her "Dad" Bob Cratchit



Cathy and Shell think the play is definitely high art.

Play Some More "Snow Ball" 

Goof Around

Play With Gavin

Color

Goof Around

Play Poker/Pinochle/Board Games

Goof Around

Play With Gavin

Continue Nerf Wars

Goof Around

Challenge William on the Wii/Playstation



(William's so good at the Wii, that Paul made him play with a handicap.  Here he's having to play with one eye closed.  I think he still beat his big brother.)

Play With Gavin

More Poker, etc.

Challenge William, Upside-down

(I'm not sure who won this one...)

More Goofing Around

More Poker

Michelle's p.p.p.p.poker face

More Lovin' Up on Gavin

And...