... to all of my dear readers!
Just taking a quick break from preparing what I can today for tomorrow's feast. Well, I did take a break this afternoon to play Monopoly, of all things, with my 8 year-old. That was a couple of hours ago. My good hubby relieved me a bit ago so I could get back to my kitchen, and now they're battling it out. Our son, I think, would never tire of playing the game.
My cranberries are prepared and in the fridge. I love standing over a simmering pot of these red little beauties and listen to their pleasant popping as they are transformed into a delicious spiced sauce without which I just can't serve a turkey.
I have one pie half-made, just waiting for a crust to cool. I still need to mash my sweet potatoes for the sweet potato casserole which is good enough to call dessert, and chop celery and onions for stuffing, then I can relax this evening! In the morning we'll get busy again. I say we because that same good hubby will be at my side in the kitchen all Thanksgiving morning, helping me with all the rest of the preparations.
It will be just us and my father-in-law, as our Thanksgivings have been since marriage, except when my mother-in-law joined us too, may she rest in peace.
So very much to be thankful for: Faith, Family, Friends, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
God bless you all this Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What We've Been Reading
Early this year I began reading The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, to the boys. They loved the adventures of Bilbo Baggins as he, along with a band of dwarves, heroically fought and defeated the dragon Smaug on the Lonely Mountain. Having once taken my boys to the land of Middle-earth, our obvious next read-aloud would be Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy.
We spent all spring and summer journeying with Frodo and Sam, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, Gandalf and the rest, as their once intact fellowship, became broken and spread out, but nonetheless persevered as with one heart to defeat the evil Lord Sauron of the dark land of Mordor.
The boys enjoyed each book, but their enthusiasm to listen to the tale each evening was further bolstered by the fact that they knew they would be allowed to watch Peter Jackson's film version of LOTR only after we had finished reading it.
And so, having finished Return of the King about the time the new school year started a couple of months ago, they have watched the movies several times. Each Sunday they have their choice as to what they will watch for their 'Sunday Night Movie', something they look forward to all week. Perhaps needless to say, any of the three movies in the LOTR trilogy have received top billing for some weeks now. But that's okay; I don't mind knocking Star Wars out of first place for a while!
Just a few nights ago we started Heidi, by Johanna Spyri. The boys are familiar with the story, having watched the movie at their grandma's house, the version with Jason Robards playing Grandfather. It is a touching story, and I think we're all enjoying the book as much as, or more than, the movie. (Yes, the boys saw the movie first on this one!) Heidi is a very endearing character, and even the boys, who are going through an 'eeewww, girls!' stage right now, are pulling for this little heroine. They always beg for one more chapter, so we're speeding through it.
On their own, the boys have recently discovered Henry Huggins books, by Beverly Cleary. They are loving reading them! Henry's sign on his clubhouse door which reads 'No Girls Allowed' immediately struck a chord with them! They were also surprised and pleased to read about landmarks with which they are very familiar from visiting my home in Washington (state). The other day my youngest was quietly reading when he called out to me and said, 'Hey, Mom, listen to this!' He proceeded to read to me about their huckleberry picking on Mt. Hood. Ms. Cleary, the author, grew up just outside of Portland, Oregon, and she incorporates local names and places into her books. As a friend of mine said, next time we're out that way, we'll have to go find Klickitat Street in Portland and show the boys where the stories 'took place'.
As for me, I haven't picked anything up since I finished Dracula a couple of months ago. As much as I want to, being back at it with homeschooling, keeping up with every other daily task about the house, family life in general, on top of spending time reading with the boys, it seems my own reading time is swallowed up.
No complaints though. All too soon the years of homeschooling and evening read-alouds will be but a memory, and I'll have all the time in the world to pull my books off the shelf. I know too that by then I'll look back fondly on these days and years and wish them back. With that thought, I will cherish every turn of every page I read with them today.
We spent all spring and summer journeying with Frodo and Sam, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, Gandalf and the rest, as their once intact fellowship, became broken and spread out, but nonetheless persevered as with one heart to defeat the evil Lord Sauron of the dark land of Mordor.
The boys enjoyed each book, but their enthusiasm to listen to the tale each evening was further bolstered by the fact that they knew they would be allowed to watch Peter Jackson's film version of LOTR only after we had finished reading it.
And so, having finished Return of the King about the time the new school year started a couple of months ago, they have watched the movies several times. Each Sunday they have their choice as to what they will watch for their 'Sunday Night Movie', something they look forward to all week. Perhaps needless to say, any of the three movies in the LOTR trilogy have received top billing for some weeks now. But that's okay; I don't mind knocking Star Wars out of first place for a while!
Just a few nights ago we started Heidi, by Johanna Spyri. The boys are familiar with the story, having watched the movie at their grandma's house, the version with Jason Robards playing Grandfather. It is a touching story, and I think we're all enjoying the book as much as, or more than, the movie. (Yes, the boys saw the movie first on this one!) Heidi is a very endearing character, and even the boys, who are going through an 'eeewww, girls!' stage right now, are pulling for this little heroine. They always beg for one more chapter, so we're speeding through it.
On their own, the boys have recently discovered Henry Huggins books, by Beverly Cleary. They are loving reading them! Henry's sign on his clubhouse door which reads 'No Girls Allowed' immediately struck a chord with them! They were also surprised and pleased to read about landmarks with which they are very familiar from visiting my home in Washington (state). The other day my youngest was quietly reading when he called out to me and said, 'Hey, Mom, listen to this!' He proceeded to read to me about their huckleberry picking on Mt. Hood. Ms. Cleary, the author, grew up just outside of Portland, Oregon, and she incorporates local names and places into her books. As a friend of mine said, next time we're out that way, we'll have to go find Klickitat Street in Portland and show the boys where the stories 'took place'.
As for me, I haven't picked anything up since I finished Dracula a couple of months ago. As much as I want to, being back at it with homeschooling, keeping up with every other daily task about the house, family life in general, on top of spending time reading with the boys, it seems my own reading time is swallowed up.
No complaints though. All too soon the years of homeschooling and evening read-alouds will be but a memory, and I'll have all the time in the world to pull my books off the shelf. I know too that by then I'll look back fondly on these days and years and wish them back. With that thought, I will cherish every turn of every page I read with them today.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
November - The Month of the Holy Souls
There are so many beautiful posts out there in Blogdom about the Holy Souls. Check out St. Louis Catholic for one very nice piece on Suffering Souls. It gave me pause to think again of loved ones and friends who have gone on before me.
The Month of the Holy Souls has very personal meaning for me this year, having just lost my dad. There is much that I can do for him and indeed for all the Holy Souls, by way of prayers, and penances on their behalf.
We all bear crosses, some are visible, some are unapparent to others, but they all have eternal value if only we will offer them up. If we imagine our loved one being released into the light of Eternal Beatitude in the presence of Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother, in part due to our own offerings and prayers, does it not make the cross-bearing here on earth more meaningful, more tolerable?
Offering our sufferings is but one way to help the faithful departed though. CatholicTradition.org has a very nice list of many charitable acts we can do for them. Click here and scroll down.
Remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory especially this month!
The Month of the Holy Souls has very personal meaning for me this year, having just lost my dad. There is much that I can do for him and indeed for all the Holy Souls, by way of prayers, and penances on their behalf.
We all bear crosses, some are visible, some are unapparent to others, but they all have eternal value if only we will offer them up. If we imagine our loved one being released into the light of Eternal Beatitude in the presence of Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother, in part due to our own offerings and prayers, does it not make the cross-bearing here on earth more meaningful, more tolerable?
Offering our sufferings is but one way to help the faithful departed though. CatholicTradition.org has a very nice list of many charitable acts we can do for them. Click here and scroll down.
Remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory especially this month!
* * *
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Trying Something New
I am very happy to say my appointment with our Family doctor went well. He has prescribed for me a drug called Naltrexone, with the hope that it will indeed halt the progression of my MS.
Naltrexone is a drug that’s been around for years, but it was not originally intended to treat auto-immune diseases like MS. However, a couple of physicians in the U.S. have found this drug, in a low dose form, to be effective in patients with MS and other disorders.
After years of being on interferon injections three times per week, and watching my MS continue to progress all the while, I am thrilled that my doctor will prescribe it for me (not all docs, including my own neurologist, are willing to prescribe it). This is an oral med to be taken nightly before bed…. Hooray! No more needles!
While the research done on Naltrexone for MS is, at this time, limited, the anecdotal evidence is abundant, and much of it is glowing. MSers are finding not only is it slowing down and even halting disease progression, many are experiencing symptom relief as well.
I am hopeful; at the same time, I am guarded. I know this medicine is not a cure for MS. I also know what it is to be disappointed when a promising therapy does little to help me. Will I be one writing a glowing testimony of my improvement on Naltrexone? Only God knows, and the outcome is truly in His hands. Still, I can’t help but be enthusiastic to begin.
I am so thankful for this doctor we have. Without him I don’t know if I would have had the opportunity to try Naltrexone. But what makes it even better, is that he is a faithful Catholic who cares for our family body and soul.
As he gave me the prescription and sent me on my way, the last thing he said to me was, ‘You will be in my prayers.’
Now that’s good medicine!
Naltrexone is a drug that’s been around for years, but it was not originally intended to treat auto-immune diseases like MS. However, a couple of physicians in the U.S. have found this drug, in a low dose form, to be effective in patients with MS and other disorders.
After years of being on interferon injections three times per week, and watching my MS continue to progress all the while, I am thrilled that my doctor will prescribe it for me (not all docs, including my own neurologist, are willing to prescribe it). This is an oral med to be taken nightly before bed…. Hooray! No more needles!
While the research done on Naltrexone for MS is, at this time, limited, the anecdotal evidence is abundant, and much of it is glowing. MSers are finding not only is it slowing down and even halting disease progression, many are experiencing symptom relief as well.
I am hopeful; at the same time, I am guarded. I know this medicine is not a cure for MS. I also know what it is to be disappointed when a promising therapy does little to help me. Will I be one writing a glowing testimony of my improvement on Naltrexone? Only God knows, and the outcome is truly in His hands. Still, I can’t help but be enthusiastic to begin.
I am so thankful for this doctor we have. Without him I don’t know if I would have had the opportunity to try Naltrexone. But what makes it even better, is that he is a faithful Catholic who cares for our family body and soul.
As he gave me the prescription and sent me on my way, the last thing he said to me was, ‘You will be in my prayers.’
Now that’s good medicine!
* * *
St. Jude, Pray for Us!
St. Jude, Pray for Us!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Prayer Request
Tomorrow I will be seeing my doctor to discuss a new approach drug-wise to treating my MS, in yet another effort to find something that will stop the train.
I, with my husband, go into this appointment with hope and prayers, and ask you, dear readers, to join us with your prayers.
May God's holy will be done!
Thank you... and may Our Blessed Lord reward you for your charity!
I, with my husband, go into this appointment with hope and prayers, and ask you, dear readers, to join us with your prayers.
May God's holy will be done!
Thank you... and may Our Blessed Lord reward you for your charity!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Pachelbel's Canon
One of my favorite pieces of classical music is Pachelbel's Canon in D. Whether played on piano, organ or strings, I think it is simply beautiful. It was this piece played on organ to which I walked down the aisle at our wedding 10 years ago.
Well, now the boys are playing Pachelbel's Canon on the piano. Their somewhat simpler version is in the key of C rather than D, probably because they are just learning to play 16th notes, and why throw the black keys in on top of their first 16th-note runs?
It is a delight for me to listen to them, even when they're trying to master such repetitive tunes as "What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor?", but when a piece like the Canon comes along, I feel like they are really playing the piano!
Last week the boys' teacher assigned the first 12 measures of the piece. One of my boys is the more reluctant pianist, practicing only as he must. He accomplished the assignment well enough, his teacher was pleased, and this week he has the next 12 measures to work on. My other boy sees every piece as a challenge to master well, and quickly if he can. He practices more of his own accord, especially if it's a piece requiring more study, as this one does. With his extra effort, he was able to play the entire piece for his teacher this week! His next assignment is to polish it, working on the dynamics throughout the piece.
As I have said before in this space, we are very blessed to have piano music in our home. As the boys progress, they will have the opportunity to play a world of beautiful music, like Pachelbel's Canon. And as we pray before each piano lesson, may it all be to the glory of God!
Well, now the boys are playing Pachelbel's Canon on the piano. Their somewhat simpler version is in the key of C rather than D, probably because they are just learning to play 16th notes, and why throw the black keys in on top of their first 16th-note runs?
It is a delight for me to listen to them, even when they're trying to master such repetitive tunes as "What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor?", but when a piece like the Canon comes along, I feel like they are really playing the piano!
Last week the boys' teacher assigned the first 12 measures of the piece. One of my boys is the more reluctant pianist, practicing only as he must. He accomplished the assignment well enough, his teacher was pleased, and this week he has the next 12 measures to work on. My other boy sees every piece as a challenge to master well, and quickly if he can. He practices more of his own accord, especially if it's a piece requiring more study, as this one does. With his extra effort, he was able to play the entire piece for his teacher this week! His next assignment is to polish it, working on the dynamics throughout the piece.
As I have said before in this space, we are very blessed to have piano music in our home. As the boys progress, they will have the opportunity to play a world of beautiful music, like Pachelbel's Canon. And as we pray before each piano lesson, may it all be to the glory of God!
St. Cecelia, Patroness of Musicians, Pray for Us!
Question of the Day
I know I've been scarce in these parts of late; just trying to juggle life and homeschooling and, well, life.
But today I am returning to blogdom to ask a quick question, and that is:
Where in the world do all the pencils go???
We started our school year with three large boxes of No. 2s, and an equally large supply of extra pencil-tip erasers, and today we are out of all them!
Somewhere in this house we must have a pile of pencils and erasers, but I haven't seen it if there is. You would think it would be noticeable.
Am I the only homeschooling mom with this problem??
(Annoyed sigh).... Target, here we come. Again.
But today I am returning to blogdom to ask a quick question, and that is:
Where in the world do all the pencils go???
We started our school year with three large boxes of No. 2s, and an equally large supply of extra pencil-tip erasers, and today we are out of all them!
Somewhere in this house we must have a pile of pencils and erasers, but I haven't seen it if there is. You would think it would be noticeable.
Am I the only homeschooling mom with this problem??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)