Points

I recently replaced our old bathroom scale with a digital one.  It was an instant hit, with the kids so excited to weigh themselves.
Today Teresa stepped on and called to me from the bathroom, "Mom!  Come in here and see how many points I got!"
It must be like golf . . . a low number is a good score. :o)

stacking blocks & following the path

Rachel's new hobby is stacking blocks.  I think her record is 4.  Yes, I do believe that girl is a genius.  (And, yes, she is wearing a crown thanks to her big sister.) :o) 

Our days also have included moving along our Lenten path.  Since Teresa is ALWAYS counting the sleeps until something, this printable from catholicicing.com has been great in counting the sleeps until Holy Week and Easter Sunday!

Cooking for the Multitudes & a Recipe

Well, life has certainly picked up a bit! 
Not long ago, I was BORED.  God has such a wonderful sense of humor, doesn't He? 
I thought I had my March figured out.  I knew I had been chosen as a co-chair for the All Saints Confirmation dinner on March 16.  I know my way around a kitchen, I have prepared food for 100 or so people at our school dinner theatres.  Piece. Of. Cake.  Well, guess what?  Our little parish will be hosting up to 200 guests for this dinner!  It is absolutely wonderful to have 11 confirmands and their families to celebrate with them.  But--I'm really trying not to panic now!
My free moments have been spent talking to/texting/emailing my co-chair Kris and making sure we remember everything we need to remember.  David suggested last week that I take my list to the grocery store and have them box all of the ingredients, dinner rolls, etc. to have them ready for me to pick up a day beforehand.  The ladies at Customer Service started at me blankly when I asked if they have that service. 
Then they asked to see my list.
My list included, among great quantities of other things, 100 pounds of grapes.
We will pick up our boxes on March 15. 
It will all go fine, thanks to the ladies who will be helping us, but--WOW!  We are making what is known in the parish as "Funeral Hot Dish."  I think after this meal, it will earn the better title of "Confirmation Hot Dish."  :o)

Before I skedaddle off again, I want to share a soup recipe with you.  I've been a fan of soups this winter and recently found this one in a Quick Cooking cookbook.

Lasagna Soup

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 pkg lasagna Hamburger Helper

5 cups water

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can whole kernel corn, undrained

1 T Parmesan cheese

1 T Italian seasoning

 

Brown beef and onion. Add sauce mix, water, tomatoes, corn and Parmesan cheese. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes.  Add lasagna noodles.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until noodles are tender.  Makes about 10 servings. 

 

I didn't have any whole kernel corn (just "floaty corn" in my pantry), so I didn't add it.  Also, the Italian seasoning wasn't in the recipe, but I thought it needed a little more spice. 

The Three Trees

This story has been around for a long, long time.  Maybe you have heard it.  I just discovered it recently when I ordered a copy for our family.  I thought it was so neat, I ordered one for all of our nieces and nephews for Easter. 

The Three Trees has its origin in Lebanon and is a story of, obviously, three trees who each have a dream for their lives.  One wants to be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world, one wants to be the strongest sailing ship in the world, and the last one dreams of being the tallest tree in the world in order to be closest to God. 

Just when it looks like none of these dreams will come true, God makes them a reality--and even better than any of them could have imagined.  

This story is a great little lesson in faith, patience and trust.

 

This version is available from Pauline books, and also available on Amazon.

 

a little less slumpy

I'm not quite as much of a "slumpy" (thanks, sister-in-law Angela for that great name) this week.
It probably has something to do with finding a babysitter, venturing off the farm for a few hours, and spending some fun time at the new Italian restaurant in Aberdeen for my mom's birthday celebration on Saturday.  I also had a group of fun ladies over yesterday afternoon for a Clever Container party.  Ahh . . . it's amazing what some real conversation with adult humans can do for a mama! 

The kids and I went outside this evening after school.  Rachel was not impressed with the snow impeding her ability to walk.  She would much rather be toddling around the house in her squeaky-soled shoes!
After finding mamas for all but two calves, we picked up another new baby yesterday.  Miss Moo is called a "baldy" calf because of her white face.  So, if someone ever asks you what cows that have white faces are called, you are now ready to impress them with your knowledge of cattle. :o) 
Here's to a less slumpy week!