a new angel in heaven...

Please pray for the soul of Matthew Karol who is now home with God. May Our Lord continue to walk with his Mom and Dad as they grieve their precious little one.

Eternal rest grant to Matthew Karol, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

7 quick takes friday (vol. 2)

So happy it's Friday! This week started out with lots of medical drama for Courtney and has ended with some peace of heart and mind. Thank goodness. So here's what's happening at Chez Lenaburg:

#1

God has once again revealed how powerful prayer can be. I am humbled and awed by His faithfulness to our family. We cannot thank all of you prayer warriors enough for all you have done for Courtney this week. It has been miraculous. Truly! To see what happened and where we go from here check out this post.

#2 

I was one proud Momma this week when my 19 year old son came home from his moving company job and shared a bit of a struggle he has been having at work. Apparently he has been faced with some interesting social situations. One gentleman (I use the word lightly) asked him why he had never been to a strip club. J's answer, "Since the only woman I ever plan on seeing naked is my wife and I know she's not there, I think I'll skip it." Not bad son. Nicely done.

#3

My daughter is a warrior. She has had a very rough few months and she stills smiles and laughs at her mommy even after the nurses have taken yet another vile of blood. Oh how I love this girl!

#4

I forgot how awesome it was to have a day with no doctors appointments. I actually folded laundry and baked some muffins. I couldn't stop smiling the WHOLE day! It also gave me a chance to catch up on my blog reading. Here is a great post on discipline over @Phases of Womanhood. Just fantastic!

#5

Went to see "The Ugly Truth" last night with hubby. I felt like a schizophrenic. One moment I was laughing and the next I was completely offended. It was a crass crude take on Cyrano de Bergerac. If this is what our young people are flocking to see, no wonder this world is so confused about real love. Sex does not equal love! Love does not equal sex! I am so glad there are a few young hero's out there spreading the Good News!

#6

Hatcherville in the House tonight!! Can't wait to spend time with my godson Peter and his family! It will be an evening of fabulous food and great fun! Life is good!

#7

I have been practicing my "pitch" for the National Catholic Writers Conference being held next week in New Jersey. If you feel so called...pray I don't throw up on the editors shoes!

Check out Jennifer@Conversion Diary for more fabulous 7 Quick Take Fridays!

Happy Weekend!

Mary

show us your life ~ bridal party and ceremony

Here we are again for another round of "Show Us Your Life" hosted by the lovely Kelly @ Kelly's Korner. This week we continue with the wedding theme and we are talking about the wedding ceremony including bridal party attire, music and flowers.

I was married in August in Maryland. Can you say HUMID! Oy vey! This was before the Academy had air conditioning. Needless to say this played heavily into the planning for the day. For starters I had silk flowers because my mother thought real ones would not make it through the day. This is one thing I would change in a heartbeat. The silk were nice, but nothing beats the real thing.
These two beautiful people were my ring bearer (Robbie H.) and his older sister my flower girl (Katie H.). I loved their outfits. Katie was in a Laura Ashley dress and Robbie had on a simple white shirt and pants with a navy blue bow tie and cumber bun. Both were in cotton. Great choice for the weather. My wedding colors were Wedgwood blue and mauve. If you were married in the late 80's yours were probably similar. I do wish Katie's bouquet were bigger and of course real.
Here is our wedding party. Nothing is more handsome than a man in dress whites. The ladies were wearing Laura Ashley dresses with dyed shoes to match. Oh the horror story on those shoes sent me to therapy for weeks after the wedding! One thing I would change would be to remove the very large BOWS that are on the back of the dresses. There is never a good time for a woman to wear a large bow across her rear end. Never!!

The music was wonderful. I will never forget walking down that aisle with the organ playing and trumpets sounding. My own Princess Di moment. The one thing I laugh about today was how many times our priest said the words "be fruitful and multiply" during the ceremony, 12! Yep we counted and yes we multiplied, twice!

Check out the other entries in this weeks "Show Us Your Life Gallery". Until next time...

small successes (vol.1)...

So on this beautiful Thursday morning I though I would join in the fun at Faith and Family LIVE! with a few small successes of my own. 

1. I am so glad that hubby and I decided to steal away for a late movie last night. We needed to laugh so much. I am blessed to walk beside this man.

2. I woke up this morning feeling more energized than I have in a long time. The fact that I stayed away from sugar and carbs yesterday was a MAJOR act of the will and really hard. I hope I can do it again today. 

3. I didn't lose my temper with the 19 year old who changed his plans last evening without informing anyone. I just simply pointed out that we are a team and we all count on each other. It was also just plan rude. This morning he left me a sticky note with his daily schedule and a smiley face. Progress I think.

So take a moment and write down your three small successes this week. Then go to Faith and Family Live! to share them with the rest of the blogging world. 

Have a fabulous day!

Mary

great reads...

Here are some great blog posts about purity, modesty and femininity. Make sure you leave a comment and let these lovely ladies know what you think.

Blessings, 

Mary

Purity is Diversity by Courtney @ Phases of Womanhood

What Our Grandmothers Knew by Hallie @ faithandfamilylive

Sophisticated Woman and Porn by Mary @ Phases of Womanhood

my life as a snow globe...

Thanks to my friend Therese for the fabulous visual of my life as a snow globe. You know how a snow globe works. Each time you shake it up something different happens and the whole scene changes. Well that's how life feels at the moment. So let's review all the goings on over the past ten days with the lovely Miss Courtney...

About 2 1/2 months ago her seizures began to increase, so the neurologist upped her meds. Seizures kept coming and she has not responded well to the change. Our only other choice for meds would be to giver her a cocktail of phenobarbital and felbitol the latter of which can cause aplastic anemia. That's a heck of a choice. NOT!

As we have been making the rounds for our yearly check-ups with the specialists in various fields ,each doctor has expressed their concern over the dramatic change in Courtney's alertness and activity. This leads them to use words like "lethal situation" and "compromised health".

Really...I hadn't noticed.

The complexity of Courtney's medical outlook and the enormity of what may be coming down the road for us leads one physician to make a bizarre comment about "how clean Courtney's wheelchair is. That must mean we're taking good care of her. Right?"

I am sorry is that an actual question? Seriously?

Today we met with the orthopedist, Dr. H. He has been with us for 7 years now and is one of the best. We talked about Courtney's spine and the severity of her scoliosis. As usual we came away with some answers and more questions.

She will not be having a steel rod placed in her back. This is a HUGE answer to prayer. The type of scoliosis she has cannot be helped with this surgery.

However he is concerned with her left shoulder, her inability to hold her own weigh while standing and her pelvic obliquity (one hip "sits" higher than the other causing a curvature in her lower spine). All of these things have shown up in the past three months.

So now he would like us to get a special Brain/Spinal MRI to take a look at the connection between the two, as well as the muscles surrounding the spine to see if there is any inflammation causing the problems.

***cue shaking of the snow globe***

We don't know if this is possible because of her VNS device. It may be incompatible with the magnets in the MRI machine.

***see snow globe moment. told you so***

So now we wait for the company to call back and tell us whether or not she can have the test.

Are you as confused as we are??? I advise a margarita to help you figure it out. Worked for me!

We have been to five specialists in ten days with three major procedures left. An upper GI (Aug 10) to make sure her Nissan wrap is still intact keeping her reflux in check. A swallow study (Aug 13) to determine if she can continue to eat solid foods by mouth or if she is aspirating too much. Finally, Courtney's VNS battery replacement surgery (Aug.25) to make sure she is powered up for the next five years.

Yep, life is a big fat snow globe! Shake, shake shake. Shake your grove thing! Hey, it's a little cold in here. Want to join me?

"unredeemed"

On August 25, 2009 Selah will release it's new album "You Deliver Me". It promises to be their best yet. I can't wait to listen to the whole disk. Their harmonies will blow your mind. 

I am especially excited about the song "I Will Carry You" which is Audrey's song. The lyrics always pierce my heart and move me. I think of my Courtney when I hear that song. I promised my God long ago that I would carry her through this life no matter what came our way. So when my heart is struggling with so many uncertainties and unknowns, I love to listen to music that uplifts, celebrates and praises my God. 

Life is a journey that can take us along many hidden roads and through many valleys. We are never alone for Our Lord who made us walks with us always. May God bless Selah and all those artists that choose to raise their voices in praise of Him! Enjoy the preview of "Unredeemed".

Blessings, 

Mary

in the moment...

Many lessons are coming from this time of prayer and reflection. One HUGE lesson is that I must be in this present moment. God has not given me tomorrow and yesterday is gone. I am asked to give my best today, this moment. At the end of the day when I am examining my conscience, I want to be able to say to my God, I gave it my all.

When it comes to Courtney, I have a tendency to get carried away with the "larger" picture. God has been very direct with me this week telling me to give Him the future, to trust Him with all of it. All He is asking of me is to walk with Him, trust in Him and be present to my daughter and my family right now. So I shall...one moment at a time.

Tomorrow is a big day. Our appointment is at 1:45pm with the orthopedist. They will X-Ray Court's back and see how her scoliosis has progressed. If it goes past 50% then we may have to consider surgery, placing a steel rod in her back. Not an optimal situation at all.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our girl and also keep storming those gates for Stellan. He's not out of the woods yet. Your the best.

Blessings,

Mary

fruitful frustration...

There is a song called "God is God" sung by one of my favorite artists, Steven Curtis Chapman. The chorus is as follows:
God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God

I have been struck this past week by the power of prayer. It's ability to give answers and provide peace of heart and mind. I don't understand why things are happening as they are, but I do know that God is with us during this time of trial and decision. I can only see part of the picture but what I do see is bright and wonderful. God's hand is upon my daughter and He is guiding the decisions we need to make. As much as I don't want ponder some of these things, I must.

I thank God for His wisdom and strength during this time. I thank each of you for your prayers in support of our family. We could not take one step without them.

May He be praised and glorified always!Mary

prayers for stellan...

As the parent of a medically fragile child, I know the power of prayer. I humbly ask all of you who will read this to keep Stellan and his parents in your prayers in the next few hours. He is really struggling right now. He needs all of us to storm those gates for him.

Pray Hard!

Mary

giada's lemon ricotta biscuits

These "biscuits" are a favorite in my house. I make them at least once a month. They last for a few days and are simply lovely with a hot cup of tea in the afternoon.

I usually double the recipe because they freeze so well and I always like to have something on hand for last minute company. You can also pair them with fresh fruit and a boiled egg for a quick breakfast on the go.

I absolutely love the crunchy sweet almond topping. Yumm! Gotta love the "little italian chick". She never lets me down.
Bon Appetite!Mary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nonna's Lemon Ricotta Biscuits
Recipe by Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar or more as needed for sprinkling
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/3 cup thinly sliced almonds
Directions
Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat 1 cup sugar, butter, and lemon zest in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the ricotta. Beat in the egg, lemon juice, and almond extract. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until blended (the batter will be thick and fluffy).

Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the almonds and then the remaining 1 teaspoon of sugar over the muffins. Bake until the muffins just become pale golden on top, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

show us your life ~ wedding dress

One of my favorite bloggers, Kelly@Kelly's Corner, is hosting "Show us Your Life". Today's edition is the wedding dress. I just could not resist joining in the fun. I LOVE weddings and all the trappings that go with them. I was married at the US Naval Academy 21 years ago and it was one the best days of my life. The chapel is quite impressive and I felt like Princess Diana walking down that aisle.

In 1988 "Dynasty" and "Dallas" were driving much of the fashion of the day. It was a time of big hair and even bigger sleeves. I had a shorter veil and a three foot train. There was beading and lace on the bodice and sleeves as well on the edges of the train. I would wear this dress again today. I love the way it cinched my waist.

My hair was very short at the time. I wore the Dorothy Hamill style for many years.

I have been blessed to spend these past 21 years with my favorite officer and a gentleman. He took my breath away then and still makes my heart race today.

Go to Kelly's Corner to check out more wedding dresses. Next week it will be bridal parties and flowers. Can you say Laura Ashley?

7 quick takes friday (vol. 1)

So, I decided yesterday to join Jennifer@Conversion Diary in her "7 Quick Takes Fridays" letting everyone know how the week has gone. Let me know what you think of the idea by leaving a comment on this post. Here we go...

1.

The best therapy in the entire world is a pint of Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch Ice Cream. Nothing beats it...well maybe hearing Courtney laugh for the first time in two weeks!

2.

I am amazed by how quickly God is answering prayer, not just our prayers about Courtney's care plan, but prayers that were said for many months and even years that He is just now revealing the answers to us. God Rocks!!

3.

You really can survive your 19 years old first fender bender with his new "used" car. Just breath deeply, let hubby handle "the safety talk" and then hit the Ben and Jerry's. Therapy anyone?

4.

Writing a book is a marathon and I stink at pacing myself. I start sprinting right away and then flame out. Argh...patience and perseverance shall win the day. Now if I could just find mine, I'd be all set. Maybe it's hiding in the Ben and Jerry's.

5.

I love sloppy kisses and sugary hands on a sweet two year old who happens to be my goddaughter. I would share her lunch any day of the week. I love you my precious one! Thanks C for the treat of spending time with your wonderful children, your sweet encouraging smile and laid back calm. I needed that this week.

6.

I am blessed with the best girlfriends on the planet. Thanks to Christine, Maria and Kathy V. for reaching out and checking in. Your lives are just as crazy as mine, yet you find the time to call and make sure I am OK. Thank you for being there.

7.

Motherhood is the best job in the world. This week I am reminded that my children are not really mine, they belong to God. I just get to borrow them for a season. For that I am eternally grateful for the honor God bestows upon me. Now if He would send me a laundry fairy, I would be all set!

Check out more Quick Takes here!

mary's book basket ~ "worth a thoushand words"

The latest inspirational release from local author Stacy Hawkins Adams, Worth A Thousand Words  is a gutsy emotional tale showcasing modern struggles that each character holds close to them, secrets they do not wish to be revealed.

"Worth a Thousand Words dramatically explores the tough decisions one woman must make in the world of love, relationships, and career. Will Indigo find the courage to face her own truths—and accept those 

being harbored by the people she loves most? Either way, she risks 

losing everything she’s ever wanted."

Revell Publishing

This book challenged me. I was shocked by some of the struggles the main characters deal with, especially Brian the hero. However, it really made me think about how I would react in my own life if faced with the same situation. We are called to "love one another". It's a universal call from our Creator. It doesn't matter what secret one holds in their heart, it's how we deal with it, how we react to it.

I think Ms Adams is incredibly brave to explore some of today's most challenging problems such as suffering, long-term illness, bulimia and homosexuality. This is not something you see very often in Inspirational Romance novels. I loved how she wove the thread of God's redeeming love throughout this book especially when the hero and heroine are exploring their inner conflicts. It was handled with such delicate grace and really made me stop for a moment and contemplate my own heart. 

I love it when a book makes you think about your own preconceived ideas and pushes you outside your comfort zone to search for what God is trying to tell you through the authors words. God talks to us all the time, through what we read, what we hear, what we see, who we talk to. 

This book is thought provoking, spiritual and courageous. It's not your typical love story but rather a love story between the hero, heroine and their God who is calling them to be the best version of themselves and sometimes that takes you on a very different journey than the one you think you should be on. 

This was a page turner, thanks to Ms. Adams and her ability to pull you into the lively town of Jubilant, Texas. You can smell the barbecue and feel the heat. I for one would love to have my hair done by Aunt Melba. Oh the conversation we would have! 

Happy Reading, 

Mary

barefoot bloggers ~ peach & blueberry crumbles

I was so glad to see that this week there would be a Barefoot Bloggers project with the recipe chosen by Aggie@AggiesKitchen. Nothing calms me like baking and this week, I truly needed to find some inner peace. So I turned on the oven and got to work.

This recipe from Ina's Barefoot Contessa at Home cookbook, incorporates some lovely summer fruit with the peaches and blueberries. It's like a picnic in your mouth, sweet and tart with a crunchy top. Just yummy. I know it's not the best picture, but don't let that stop you from enjoying this truly delicious dessert.

Bon Appetite,

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peach & Blueberry Crumbles
recipe by Ina Garten

For the fruit
2 lbs firm, ripe peaches (6-8 peaches)
2 tsp grated lemon zest
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup fresh blueberries (1/2 pint)

For the Crumble
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 lb (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Immerse the peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until their skins peel off easily. Place them immediately in cold water. Peel the peaches, slice them into thick wedges, and place them in a large bowl. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and flour. Toss well. Gently mix in the blueberries. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture into ramekins or custard cups.
For the topping, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until the butter is the size of peas. Rub the mixture with your fingertips until it’s in big crumbles, then sprinkle evenly over the fruit. Place the ramekins on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and back for 40 to 45 minutes, until the tops are browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly. Serve warm or at room temperature. If you want to make these early, store the unbaked crumbles int he refrigerator and bake before dinner. Serves 5 to 6.

His plan..

After sending emails, posting on facebook and making phone calls alerting anyone and everyone that we are in prayer for Courtney over the next nine days, I went to bed last night with a very heavy heart. No mother wishes to see her child suffer, ever. Courtney has battled for 17 years to have a life filled with breath and peace of mind and body. She is a miracle. Of this I have no doubt.

I also know that God has never left this child or her mother. He has walked with us through it all. You see, Courtney is not mine. She belongs to the Father. I just get to borrow her for a short season of life. My sole job is to prepare her to go home to the Father. What is amazing about this whole process is that Courtney has been preparing me to let her go, not the other way around.

I woke up this morning and after bathing my princess, we went to Mass. I prayed my heart out. I begged, I pleaded for some sense of peace. Then I spoke to my friend Brian, our Youth Minister. He told me that he had been praying for Courtney last night after he saw our email.

He said:

"I just saw her sitting straight up and staring right at me. She was laughing. I was confused for a moment and told her that she didn't sit up on her own and she never looked at me in the eye. She laughed again and she said to me:

"You don't need to pray for me. I am OK. I am with God. I pray for you and so many others every day. Pray for my family, my mom and dad. They need your prayers now more than ever. I am OK."

Brian was very moved by this encounter. He told me that when the world looks at Courtney they see a broken young lady who is a burden to her family. They see her through the eyes of sin. They cannot see what God sees which is perfection and purity."

How's that for some answers? Wait...there's more...

When I started reading my meditation for the day, my breath caught and my heart stopped for a moment. When you read it below, you will understand why. God is here in this moment of indecision and uncertainty. He is listening and He will not leave us. For that I am forever grateful. We will continue to pray and open our hearts and mind to listen to Him whisper in their silence. May God be praised now and forever, AMEN!

Mary

++++++++++++++++++++++

Here it is from the Word Among Us:

Meditation: Exodus 14:21–15:1

The Lord was fighting for them. (Exodus 14:25)
God is totally involved in your life. When you come to him in prayer, he is right there, listening to you, inspiring you, and reminding you of his greatness. He is blessing you even when you are not asking. His gaze is fully set on you all the time.

And guess what? God wants all of you in return.

The God of Isaac and Jacob came to set his people free. The Israelites headed out of Egypt and found themselves trapped at the edge of the sea as the Egyptian soldiers pursued them. It may have seemed strange to Moses when God asked him to stretch out his hand over the sea. But when he did, God miraculously parted the sea so that they could cross to safety. This miracle didn’t happen because of a quick prayer that Moses made up in his mind. No, God told him to get his body involved as well, standing erect and raising his arms over the waters. Both body and spirit were involved in this miracle.

When God formed us, he created us spirit and body. And when he saved us, he saved us spirit and body as well. This means that God wants us to know freedom with him that includes all of us, not just our souls or spirits. This is why we have sacraments, in fact: We eat and drink. We immerse in water and anoint with oil. We give voice to our sinfulness, and we exchange rings and vows. All of these actions are sacred ways in which we can bring our whole selves to God, sacred ways in which we can meet God in our bodies as well as our souls.

As you come to God in prayer today, bring your whole self to him. Raise your hands in praise. Kneel in worship. Sing for joy. Maybe even lie prostrate in awe and adoration! Just as Miriam danced for joy at the people’s deliverance, go ahead and dance before the Lord. Remember: The more you bring to God, the more you will receive from him!
“Father, I give myself totally to you, my spirit and my body. Lord, part the waters before me, and lead me to freedom. Thank you for your unending love.”

it's not a good day when...

a. the doctor uses the word "lethal" to describe the current medical state of your daughter.

b. the doc then goes into detail about all the ways her seizures could end her life (hence the "lethal" comment)

c. then turns around and gives an alternative medical treatment in which 1-10% of all patients end up with aplastic anemia when they take said drug.

d. when your choices are to do nothing and watch her slip away over time (how much is in God's hands), take away some meds and deal with heavy grand-mal seizures again, but enjoy her being more present in between them, or try a new "cocktail" that may bring on leukemia.

Definitely NOT a good day filled with lots of choices to make, none of them good ones. So what does one do then...we pray.

Please join me in praying the Divine Mercy Novena beginning tomorrow 7/21/09 and ending 7/30/09. We will be praying for discernment and peace about which way we should go with Courtney's medical care plan. Please pass this prayer request along to everyone who wishes to join us. I thank you for carrying us through this difficult time. I have no doubt God will work through all things to bring about His glory.

Blessings,

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Divine Mercy Novena

I fly to Your Mercy, Compassionate God, Who alone are good. Although my misery is great and my offenses are many, I trust in Your Mercy because You are the God of Mercy, and it has never been heard of in all ages, nor do Heaven or Earth remember, that a soul trusting in Your Mercy has been disappointed.

(State your intentions)

Jesus, Friend of a lonely heart, You are my haven.

You are my peace.

You are my salvation.

You are my serenity in moments of struggle and amidst an ocean of doubts.

Amen

home...

I am back from my great writing adventure. I spent a week immersed in a completely different world than the one I ordinarily call my own. I was surrounded by smart, ambitious woman some of whom were published, some not. Steeped in the popular cultures idea of sex and romance and how to write the great romantic tale, I started each day praying for strength and wisdom to live as an authentic Catholic woman who knows and loves my God. Some days were easier than others, but in the end I feel by His grace alone, I was successful. 

In the world of romance writer's, those that write "sweet" romance or inspirational romance are sometimes cast to the edges of group. I was determined not to be a fence sitter, but to be as proud of my Catholicity as others were of their alternate belief systems. If the occasion called for it, I would speak of my faith and defend my Church and what it teaches all while learning new tools to improve my fiction writing skills. 

It was a fascinating experience filled with a tremendous amount of evangelizing and serious Holy Spirit intervention from time to time. I learned so much about myself and how much I really do know, about my faith and how to have the courage to live out loud, unafraid of being the unique Christian woman God made me to be. 

How you might ask? Listening. Lots of listening. Never respond in anger or judgement when you have the choice to respond with love and understanding. People feel the way they feel about God because of their life experiences. Some of them have been good and some very hurtful and damaging to their heart and soul. Evil exists in this world and I saw first hand this week some of the damage it has left in it's wake.

I realized that many woman write fiction to empower themselves defeating insecurities and demons in their own lives. Many write to support their families. Many write for the sheer joy of the gift their Creator has given them. They are all passionate, intelligent daughters of the King. I left myself open to be a vessel and God certainly took advantage of that many, many times. I can't wait to tell you all about them in the coming days. 

For now, I am off to do another load of laundry and prepare for another doctor's appointment for Courtney tomorrow morning. Life moves forward and so shall I. 

Blessings, 

Mary

off on another adventure...

I am off to the Romance Writer's of America National Conference just down the road in Washington DC for five days of workshops all about writing and publishing. I am looking forward to seeing old friends and making a few new ones. 

If your able to PLEASE join us on Wednesday, July 15 at the Marriott Wardman Hotel for the 2009 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing. 500 authors will be there to sign their latest work and all the proceeds go to local literacy foundations. It is free (accept for the books you buy of course) and open to the public. You can find a list of authors at the above link.

I hope to be checking in from time to time throughout the week to let you know what I am learning and who I get to meet. 

Keep me in your prayers...

Talk Soon, 

Mary

busy...busy...busy...

Busy weekend. Lots going on. This weekend I have:

~ made 37 meals for the freezer to make life easier this next month (and beyond). I am finally getting back into the homemaker mode.

~ did too many loads of laundry to count. Folded it all while catching up on my FoodTV.

~ enjoyed the company of my fabulous mother Saturday night as we shopped and visited

~ had the privilege to be an Extraordinary Minister of Communion today at Mass. Is there any greater privilege?

~ made my schedule for the next two days of errand running and packing in preparation for my writing conference this week.

Now time for a friendly family game of Dominoes!

Happy Sunday!

Mary

ham, ham, ham, ham...

This recipe is an oldie but goody here at Chez Lenaburg. It comes from one of my favorite cookbooks of all time, Once-A-Month-Cooking by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg. You can tell I use it at least once a week with it's stained pages and bent binding. Awesome cookbook! This recipe is perfect for leftover ham. I also add in asparagus, broccoli or any other green veggie I can find.

Bon Appetite,

Mary

Linguine a la Anne

(with a Mary twist)

adapted from the recipe by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg

1 (12-ounce) package linguine

2 tablespoons butter/margarine

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (12-ounce) can evaporated skim milk

1 (4-ounce) can mushrooms stems and pieces (I use fresh)

1 1/3 cups chicken broth

4 cups cooked, cubed ham

1/2 cup grated Romano cheese

1 sliced red bell pepper

1 sliced green bell pepper

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup mozzarella or monetary jack cheese (for topping)

Cook linguine in a large pot according to package directions, drain, and return to pot. While linguine cooks, melt butter/margarine in a sauce pan over low heat. Stir in flour and salt, adding evaporated milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir, 1 minute. Add reserved liquid from mushrooms and chicken broth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sauce is bubbly and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

Saute peppers and any other veggies you wish to add. Combine with mushrooms, sauce and pasta. Place in buttered casserole dish, add topping, bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or cheese is bubbling.

the winner is...

rachel

Congratulations! I will send your info to Susan and she will mail the book directly to you.

 

Thanks everyone for participating in my first book giveaway. Keep checking in to see what's coming round the bend. I like to keep my audience riveted!

I am off to do some Once-A-Month cooking. I will share in the next few days. 

Happy Saturday!

Mary

barefoot bloggers ~ pasta w/sun-dried tomatoes

This weeks Barefoot Bloggers recipe was chosen by Delta Whiskey. Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes can be found on pg. 58 of the Barefoot Contessa Family Style Cookbook, one of my absolute favorite cookbooks.

It has a Mediterranean feel to it with the olives, garlic and capers while remaining fairly light.The tomato flavor is powerful and makes me think of what it would be like to eat al fresco at a small cafe in Italy or Greece. I used wheat pasta for a healthier punch and added pieces of roasted chicken to make it a complete meal. The dressing was complex and wonderfully rich. I will make that again to prop up a plate of simple summer greens. Give this one a whirl. Ina hits a home run once again!

Bon Appetite!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
recipe by Ina Garten

Ingredients
1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta
Kosher salt
Olive oil
1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
1 pound fresh mozzarella, medium-diced
6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

For the dressing:
5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
6 tablespoons good olive oil
1 garlic clove, diced
1 teaspoon capers, drained
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 cup packed basil leaves, julienned

Directions
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool. Place the pasta in a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth.

Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and basil, and toss well.

mary's book basket ~ "the shape of mercy"

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

In the Inspirational novel The Shape of Mercy, author Susan Meissner's masterful use of the central theme of judgement, as well as her ability to develop the internal conflict of her characters for the reader, make this spell-binding page turner a fabulous summer read!

Meissner draws the reader into the private challenges of three generations of women whose stories are told in a combination of present day narrative as well as through a 400 year old journal. The historical accuracy is spot on and the journal entries are riveting.

The book opens with Lauren Durough, a privileged young college student taking a transcription job from Abigail Boyle, an 83 year old eccentric, to prove to her father that she doesn't need him or the family money to live her life as she wishes.

"The thing is, I don’t want my destiny handed to me. I want to choose it. This is the treasure the impoverished forget they have: the ability to choose a new road. They may struggle all their lives to stay on it, but at least they chose it for themselves…
…When you only do what is expected of you, you never learn what you would’ve done had you chosen for yourself."

As the plot unfolds both Abigail and Lauren are convicted at different times of how judgemental they are of others. Abigail holds shame in her heart for how she treated the true love of her life before walking away from him. Lauren keeps bucking up against her inability to see the individual without judging the "outside" package-things are not always as they seem.

Mercy Hawthorne is a Quaker living in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Her diary explores the daily life of the seventeen year-old as she cares for her ill father and falls in love for the first time. She loves to write and besides the diary, keeps a book of stories about fairies and fantastical creatures. She is the odd woman out in 1692 and begins to see that this may eventually contribute to her demise. As she bears witness to Abigail and Lauren of the truth behind the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trails, both woman are drawn into the injustice of Mercy's situation.

Meissner gives us a unique inside perspective of this tumultuous time in our nation's history. There are unexpected twists and turn in both 1692 as well as the present time. I could not put this book down. I needed to know what happened to Mercy and how it would affect Abigail's and Laurens perspective of their own journeys.

*Spoiler Alert*
Then came the biggest twist of all. Mercy is accused of being a "witch" and is imprisoned. The reader is pulled into her anguish and disbelief. Lauren and Abigail are devastated 400 years later and frustrated with not being able to affect the outcome. They clearly see how the mass hysteria at the time took over from common sense.

The night before she is to be hanged in the public square Mercy hangs herself in her cell in order to save her beau from being accused of sympathising with a "witch" and being arrested and punished himself.She offers herself for the life of another, leaving behind a letter explaining why. A bold move on behalf of the author, especially considering this is an "inspirational novel". However in her defense, she has revealed Mercy's heart so clearly, instead of anger, I felt overwhelming sadness for her.

Mercy made the mistake of not trusting her Redeemer with her fate and the fate of her beloved. While I empathise with why Mercy would do this, as a Catholic I cannot condone it in any way, even as a reader. Taking one's life is a mortal sin and separates one from God for eternity. That said, Our Lord is merciful and I have no idea if she repented before she took her last breath. I am just sad that she chose not to trust in God's providence.

Mercy's lack of trust in God in 1692 greatly affects Lauren and Abigail in 2008. They both make huge changes in their lives so they don't repeat the mistakes of their pasts. Not only did Mercy "save" her beloved, but she also "saved" Abigail and Lauren.

I highly recommend this novel because of this bold statement by Meissner.This novel has started many a conversation between myself and many of my writing friends in the past few weeks on the topic of trust in God, no matter what situation He allows in your life. This book demonstrates the power of the written word to generate dialogue about difficult topics. Meissner provides a tremendous opportunity for discussion and reflection about judgement and trust in God's providence. It's a powerful read. Well done Susan!

Happy Reading!

Mary

*As a surprise, Susan has offered to send a signed special edition ARC (advanced reading copy) for one lucky reader. So please comment on this post and I will randomly draw a name this Sunday (7/12).

spicy~zucchini~pineapple bread

This recipe comes from the The Comfort Table by Katie Lee Joel. This cookbook is filled with charming southern recipes that are simple and filling. The forward is by Paula Deen, and the food styling and photography is stunning. So far, everything I have made from it has been successful.

This recipe was moist and dense, fabulous for a breakfast on the go paired with some fruit and a hard boiled egg. You can also split the flour between regular and whole wheat pastry flour. It becomes a bit more crumbly, but still tasty. I have also swapped 1/2 cup flax meal for flour. I am always looking for ways to add more fiber.

Bon Appetite!

Mary

Spicy~Zucchini~Pineapple Bread

by Katie Lee Joel

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan

In a small mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.

In a medium bowl, beat the sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla until well combined. Mix the zucchini and pineapple. Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in raisins.

Pour batter into the loaf pan. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Carefully turn out the loaf to finish cooling on a wire rack.