where's the beef??

Hello my friends...I know that your expecting a Tasty Tuesday installment today but alas between some computer issues and a nasty cold I can neither post nor smell a darn thing. So I promise a return to all things yummy in a day or two.

So as we begin the Immaculate Conception Novena tonight, enjoy this repost from December 19, 2008.

Our Lady Smiled Down Upon Us

Blessings and Grace,
Mary

the rhythm of the home daybook...advent begins

Outside My Window ~

I woke up to frost on my windshield this morning. Took me a little by surprise at 5:20 a.m. on my way to the gym. Now I am going to have to plan a few more minutes of prep to account for the change in weather. Happy for the change of seasons...not always happy for the extra work that goes with them. 

I am Listening To ~

Courtney snoring ever so lightly while she takes a little nap before dinner. The washing machine is running the third load since getting home from substitute teaching today. Chicken Pot Pie is baking in the oven and the salad is ready to go.  As I type I am watching the Food Network. Always learning something new.

I am Wearing ~

Comfy jeans and a long sleeve lavender t-shirt. Working at Court's school can be quite physical at times changing and lifting kids in and out of wheel chairs so comfortable clothing you can move in is key. Looking forward to jammies after dinner. Soooo looking forward to it!

I am Blessed and Grateful For ~

#79 ~ a four day weekend filled with lots of laughter, sleeping in and yummy adventures in the kitchen.

#80 ~ long phone calls catching up with family and friends

#81 ~ turkey...lots of turkey...and stuffing...yummm!

#82 ~ well organized Christmas decorations that were easily found and are now being out up around the house. 

#83 ~ a working washing machine

#84 ~ a son who is capable of doing his OWN laundry!

#85 ~ cookbooks that inspire and rejuvenate a tired palate.

#86 ~ St. Andrew's Chaplet

#87 ~ Advent traditions a generation old...

I am Pondering ~

The New Year. I have decided to not make a ton of resolutions this year. I will only disappoint myself yet again. This year there is just one word. FINISH! That's my resolution.

I am entering a new season of motherhood now with a 21 year old. My job becomes more about prayerful support than practical, although practical is happening just with less frequency. I know this is the natural course of events but it still makes me a little sad to say goodbye to certain childhood traditions. 

I am Reading ~

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider

Cross Fire by James Patterson

Rachel's Contrition by Michelle Buckman

Preparation for Total Consecration by 

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

I am Creating Something of Beauty with My Hands ~

Christmas decorations and a few gifts for family and close friends. can't give anything away now.

On My Ipod ~

Christmas music...LOTS of Christmas music!

 I am Writing ~

this blog post...

Towards Rhythm and Beauty in my Home this Week ~

This week I will be putting up Christmas decorations a little at a time so that by Saturday we are set. So far I have the outside lights us, the front door wreath, the Christmas tree is up and ready for lights and ornaments. The banister is next and then the carolers scene. The Nativity will be put up tomorrow night. The Jesse Tree is ready and holding it's first ornament.

I have written down my cleaning goals to try to stay ahead of things. I don't want to feel any more stress than necessary. This season goes by so quickly I want o savor every moment.  

Living the Liturgy Daily ~

I have been praying the St. Andrew's Chaplet as well as a Novena to St. Joseph. It's a lovely way to end my day with my eyes and heart on Christ. Tomorrow I will attend the first night of a Novena to the Immaculate Conception. There will be prayers, Mass and a talk by a very learned priest. I can't wait to soak it all in. The Advent wreath is out and ready for lighting. First week is the purple candle. 

I am Hoping and Praying for ~

* little Caleb Andrew...that he continues to grow and that his lungs will get stronger so they can decrease his oxygen intake. 

* for Andrea as she recovers from an emergency appendectomy while 5 months pregnant.

* for Lynne/Dave, Beth/Dave and the Unwin's who all renewed their vows celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversaries. Such a wonderful mass of celebration!

* for Mr Bryce to sleep better so his Momma can get lots of rest.

* for Lachlan and the healing of his little heart ( for his Mom and dad too)

* for my husband and son

* for dear, dear friends who are waiting for God to bless them once more with another child...if it be His will.

In the Garden ~

lots of dead leaves...

In the Kitchen ~

I will be baking some lovely cranberry apple muffins as well as a few new Giada and Barefoot Contessa recipes this week. 

I am really happy to have a fully stocked freezer with meals ready to go. All that work will really pay off this week since I am working every day.

A Few of my Favorite Things ~

sweet sleepy sounds from my girl

the smell of freshly washed hair while snuggling after a tubby

Harney and Sons Christmas Blend Tea with a dash of honey

warm wooley socks

cinnamon sugar

pasta dripping with a lovely basil sauce

Courtney's World ~

Court has been dealing with a pretty nasty cold the last ten days or so and she seems to be finally moving past it thank the Lord. She is still working on gaining those six pounds she lost during her recent brush with the ROTO virus. Slow and steady wins the race with this young lady. She loved art class today painting with her hands smiling the whole time. I love days like that when she seems to really be in tune with her surroundings. Lovely!

A Picture Thought ~

turkey...turkey...turkey...

celebrating with dear friends many years of joy and happiness...

Thanks to Ann@Holy Experience for hosting Multitude Mondays.

stuffed like a turkey...

delivering baskets and gifts to a hurting family who is safe for the first time in awhile...wishing I could bring them home with me...wanting to fix everything that's wrong...frustrated that's not to be...grateful for all I have been blessed with...hours cooking, baking, stuffing, laughing, chatting with loved ones...a meal that will stay with me for a year with the feeling of warmth and grace...my mother laughing, teasing her eldest grandson...sleeping in and snuggling close to my guy on mornings that are getting colder by the day...Courtney's happy yelp when she gets extra stuffing and pumpkin pie...scrabble...wii...movie marathons...crazy mall shopping...Jonathan's first day at work was Black Friday and he lived to tell the tale...Laughing with friends who truly accept and understand you, flaws and all...dragging down trunks filled to the brim with decorations of the season...more pumpkin pie with an apple pie chaser...no working out for four days straight...unless you count lifting my fork to my mouth...watching dear friends renew their vows celebrating 25 years of faith-filled love...watching their children beaming with joy...feeling blessed to be present...frustrations with new circumstances...feeling pressed for time...realizing that Advent has arrived and I am caught unprepared...holding Christ in my hands as I am privileged to distribute Holy Communion...praying the St. Andrew's Novena...praying for so many hurting...praying...praying...

happy thanksgiving!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

"The LORD bless you and keep you;the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." 

Numbers 6:24-26

May your day be blessed beyond measure.

May your table be full of love and the fruits of your labor.

Blessings and Grace to each of you from my house to yours!

Love, 

Mary

tasty tuesday ~ chicken zucchini casserole

crunchy chickeny goodness

I'm sure right now all your thinking about is how you will possibly get through the most important meal of the year on Thursday. When I was thinking of what to post this week I knew I wanted something that was versatile and cost effective given the time of year. I dug deep into my recipe stash and hit pay dirt with this gem. It's got flavor, lots of veggies and a little crunch for good measure. You can also use leftover turkey meat instead of chicken.

This reminds me of my Mom's stick to your ribs cooking growing up. She could make miracles happen with a can of cream of mushroom soup. When I made this recipe I was smiling the whole time because my Momma was with me while I chopped and stirred and baked.

Thanks Mom for teaching me the the lessons of what makes a great casserole!

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

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This weeks recipe is being shared with Balancing Beauty and Bedlam , Raising Homemakers and City Wife Country Life , The King's Court IV as well as Frugality and Crunchiness w/ Christy! Head on over to their blogs and check out other fabulous recipes.

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sorry for the blurr but it was quite yummy...for real...

Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe

recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients:

1 package (6 ounces) stuffing mix

3/4 cup butter, melted

3 cups diced zucchini

2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1 medium carrot, shredded

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine stuffing mix and butter. Set aside 1/2 cup for topping. Add the zucchini, chicken, soup, carrot, onion and sour cream to the remaining stuffing mixture.

Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with reserved stuffing mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. 

the rhythm of home daybook ~ gobble, gobble!

Outside my Window ~

The sun has set on a stunning fall day spent with my guy finishing our Christmas shopping. The few things I have left I will be purchasing online. I was surprised at how crowded the stores were. Santa was already at the Mall. Seriously? I am so glad to be done. A peaceful Advent it shall be.

I am Listening to ~ 

Jonathan doing the dishes after giving up on the Colts. Hubby has head phones on and is writing like a mad man. Courtney is humming one moment and yelling the next. I don't think she's happy with Peyton either. I think even her curls are frustrated.

I am Wearing ~

Yoga pants, t-shirt and my fuzzy lambs wool slippers. I have a blanket over my shoulders and am perched happily on the sofa.

I am Blessed and Grateful for ~

My husband and his determination to provide the best life possible for our family. That man works so stinkin hard every day and I am so grateful to him. I don't think I could ever thank him enough for all he does for us.

#71 ~ for Jonathan who turned 21 this past weekend. 

#72 ~ for Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee that makes everything sweet taste better.

#73 ~ for my new sofa, the first piece of new furniture we have purchased in seven years. I have been smiling for thee days.

#74 ~ for the Feast of Christ the King and an end of the liturgical year. Next week Advent begins...Jesus is coming!

#75 ~ for my mother who gives me so much gentle guidance and love. I don't know what I would do without her in my life.

#76 ~ a part-time job that allows me to be close to my girl while serving others like her. It is a privilege to work with the special ones.

#77 ~ flannel...blankets, jammies, shirts and quilts. I love them all!

#78 ~ electricity and proper plumbing...precious things.

I am Pondering ~

from today's meditation in the word among us:

He … transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. 

(Colossians 1:13)

"History is filled with fallen monarchs whose reigns were characterized by selfishness and bloodshed. They built luxurious palaces while their subjects struggled in poverty. They isolated themselves by building walls and hiring bodyguards. And they dealt with neighboring countries with greedy brutality.

If this is what we expect in a king, it’s no surprise we find it hard to bow before Jesus. He held no political office. He led no army. He doesn’t present himself as a dictator who tramples on our liberty and demands blind obedience. He uses neither force nor guilt to maintain his rule. He doesn’t have to.

At the Last Supper, Jesus revealed his plan to take over the world. And what secret weapon did he have in his arsenal? Love. It could appear to be insignificant and powerless, but look at the history of the church. Divine love has conquered millions of people, restored millions of people, and inspired millions of people. It has sustained multitudes of saints and converted multitudes of sinners. Love changes history."

I am Reading ~

The Bible

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider

Cross Fire by James Patterson

Rachel's Contrition by Michelle Buckman

Preparation for Total Consecration by 

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

I am Creating Something of Beauty With My Hands ~

I am almost done with Courtney's dress. I think I will make a warm pair of flannel jams for her next. I will also be making more baby blankets and I might even cross-stitch a bib or two. I was thinking it might be time for an Etsy shop. I need to think about it some more. What do you think?

On my Ipod ~

Chris Tomlin's new album And if Our God is For Us. 
Powerful praise music. 

I am Writing ~

...letters...lots of them. I try very hard to write at least 2-3 hand written letters a week. I realized yesterday that I had agreed to being someones pen-pal six months ago and I have never written a letter. Oh mY word! That is not good. So a letter or two we shall write. 

Towards Rhythm and Beauty in my Home this Week ~

This week is all about proper prior planning in order to avoid burnout by Thursday. Tonight I will finish my baking plan. I have two days off from school this week so I need to get some muffins and quick breads made for the freezer so that the rest of the Advent season goes well. 

Then I will be cleaning the house from top to bottom to get ready for the big day that way after the feast is eaten the family and I can just chill out for a few days. It will be a busy few days but the payoff will be a major one. I need to remember to breathe and exercise daily to maintain some semblance of balance under all the stress.

Living the Liturgy Daily ~

Advent begins on Sunday. I have the wreath and new candles for this year. I am still trying to figure out what meditation to use for the season. There are so many good ones to choose from. I also want to make a family plan so that we keep the Reason for the Season front and center over the nest four weeks. I love this time of year. The anticipation is awesome. Jesus is coming and I want to be ready.

I am Hoping and Praying for ~
~ for Caleb Andrew and his Mom and Dad. 
"Lord may his lungs grow stronger and may the surgeries for his other ailments go smoothly"

~ Courtney's cold to pass quickly

~ for Jonathan as he begins his new seasonal job

~ several friends who are struggling with new financial constraints given the current climate. It's a scary world right now.

~ for a my brother and sister-in-law who lost someone dear to them this week. For the healing of their hearts and for the family of the one who has died.

~ for young people struggling with depression and anxiety

~ for Fr. Ephrim who leaves our parish this week to continue his studies. He is such a gentle soul and will be greatly missed.

~ for our dear friend Marques and the others who will take vows as permanent Deacons in January. The church is blessed to have you all serve in this way. 

In the Garden ~

not much...a little frost every now and then

In the Kitchen ~

This week will be spent mostly in the kitchen. The menu for the first half of the week is pretty simple. Their will be no poultry of any kind given that we will be eating for the next few billion weeks! There will be baked fish w/veggies, rigatoni w/mushrooms and a fresh salad, and a soup of some kind. Then it will be Turkey Day! Here is my menu:

We will be nibbling on Cheddar Biscuits with Pecans by Martha Stewart and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms by Giada DeLaurentis while the turkey is roasting and the football games begin.

Brined and Roasted Turkey by Emeril Lagasse stuffed with my Grandmother Steucken's sage stuffing

( I also make my own herb butter to smother it while it's roasting in the oven)

Smashed Potato, Parsnips and Rutabaga by Paula Deen

( we made this for the first time last year and it was the belle of the ball...oh so good...it's downright sinful!)

Inspired by the Thanksgiving Throwdown won by my BFF The Pioneer Woman we will be giving Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranates and Vanilla-Pecan Butter by Bobby Flay a try. They looked so scrumptious on screen.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing by the Barefoot Contessa

(yes, two stuffing's because Jerry loves anything with sausage as y'all know so well)

Sweet Potato Casserole from allrecipes.com

I haven't decided on the cranberry sauce yet. It will either be Cranberry Fruit Conserve by Barefoot Contessa or Spiced Cranberry Sauce from Mad Hungry by Lucinda Scala Quinn

Whole Wheat Parker House Rolls using my Whole Wheat Hot Roll Mix from cooks.com

(I may make some honey butter to go with these but we shall see)

Sugar Cranberry Pie by Alex Guarnaschelli

(Mom will be bringing the pumpkin pie)

I can't wait to get started!

A Few of my Favorite Things ~

~ ready whip on top of homemade hot chocolate is simply divine

~ homemade applesauce

~ quilt squares ready to go

~ netflix and a sweet date

Courtney's World ~

Miss Court has her first winter cold right now. So we are sneezing like the Abominable Snowman and let me tell you of your not expecting it, it will make you jump. So she is getting lots of TLC this week and tons of Vitamin C to help dry things up. I think I need to make some Elderberry Syrup to help support her immune system which is just shot. She is tolerating her stander at school much better which is great. This way she can bear some weight on her feet keeping her bones strong. She only has two days of school this week and then it's just us girls on Wednesday getting ready for the big day. I think she can handle the dusting. What do you think?

A Picture Thought ~

I love the look on Jonathan's face as he is carded for the first time.
Too funny!

Cheers to the newly minted 21 year old!

Thanks to Ann@Holy Experience for hosting Multitude Mondays.

sweet sundays ~ duncan hines lemon cake mix cookies

light & crisp filled with lemon goodness

Last week I was delivering a meal to a new Mom and I needed something sweet that was quick and easy to do. I went to the pantry for inspiration and found a lemon cake mix from Duncan Hines. On the side of the box there was a recipe for lemon cookies with a lemon drizzle and they only took 20 minutes to bake. We were in business!

These cookies had an lovely lemon flavor with a crisp texture on the outside, chewy on the inside. I baked them, drizzled them with a very light powdered sugar/lemon glaze, topping them with a sprinkle of rainbow colored sugar. They were scrumptious. My friends husband thought I had bought them from a bakery! High praise indeed.

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

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Add caption

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

from the side of the Duncan Hines cake mix box

Ingredients:

1 pkg. Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake mix

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. lemon zest

Directions:

Mix cake mix, oil, eggs, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice together. Dough will be very stiff.

Drop dough on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-14 minutes.

While cookies are baking, make glaze: mix powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and lemon zest together in small bowl.

Let cookies cool for 1 minute, then top with glaze.

mary's book basket ~ "an simple amish christmas" by vannetta chapman

I love a good Christmas story. Throw in a little animosity between the hero and heroine reminding me of Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepard in Moonlighting and we are set for a delightful weekend read. In A Simple Amish Christmas, author Vannetta Chapman has written a charming debut novel set in Amish country. After three years away Annie Weaver has returned to her beloved home a changed woman. Amish "doc" Samuel Yoder challenges her patience from the beginning creating tension between the two.

Product Description:
Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make.


A Simple Amish Christmas is a sweet romance that provides all the tender feelings one expects from a Christmas story. Ms. Chapman has a well-written plot with realistic characters that are strong enough to carry their own book. The pacing is right on track and the breaks of humor show a side of the Amish that the reader may not expect. A truly enjoyable read!

Happy Reading!
Mary