Super Bowl Party

The Gracious Hosts!

The Cute Baby!

some of the beautiful guests

Uncle Buncle Johnny!

And doting grandpapa and Uncle Buncle Peter!

Oh, and I think there was a football game, too! :-)

Cooking Adventures with Ina

I received this lovely book from a friend

and this is the result of the first recipe!

the roasted kale was delicious and i definitely would like to fix it again.

jeanne and mimi

Sisters are also the pepperoni 

on the 

pizza of life!

Jeanne and Teresa

Tee came over yesterday to write thank you cards to all the generous friends who have given the Greniers so many lovely baby gifts.

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.

The Blessed Sacrament, our best Friend on earth!

The words of St. Catherine Laboure

"Whenever I go to the chapel,
I put myself in the presence
of our good Lord and I say to him,
'Lord, I am here. Tell me what
You would have me do.'

"If he gives me some task,
I am content and I thank him.

"If he gives me nothing,
I still thank him since I do not deserve
to receive anything more than that.

"And then, I tell God everything
that is in my heart.
I tell him about my pains and my joys,
and then I listen.

"If you listen, God will also will also speak to you,
for with the good Lord,
you have to both speak and listen.

"God always speaks to you
when you approach him plainly and simply.

Visiting Falcons Landing

 Betty, Laura, Charlotte, Mimi, Peter and I braved the wind chill and traffic this bright February morning to visit Nonie and Nano.

Charlotte enjoyed seeing the "greats"!

Uncle Peter helped her keep her balance on the little oak chair.

Mommy sat there too :-)

Aunt Betty had some fun games to play.

Loving from Mimi

Charlotte found an upside down reflection in an unlikely spot and was very intrigued about that other baby.

a couple candles and a tray bought at The Store

Blessings!  Thanks be to God for His Mercy!

Happy Feast of St. John Bosco

Praying for this dear saint's intercession for our family!

On our way to Mass this morning, John asked, "Where are your shoes, Peter?" "In the trunk," was the reply.  I added, "They really smelled terrible yesterday, so Peter put put them in there."  John said with a smile, "So, why isn't Peter in the trunk?" 

Beaver Dam visit

Yesterday Peter and I scooted down I95 for a visit with Christine and the boys.

Christine and I enjoyed visiting.

making candles

and having soup for lunch.

Thanks be to God for a lovely visit!

I conveniently  accidentally left a library book, so another visit is in order, 

hopefully with Betty next time.  

Thirtieth Anniversary!

there's been a lot of growth

it has been an amazing journey

we've lived in 4 houses and 3 different states

and had at least 10 dogs,  but...

we've managed to keep going....

one way or another!

I'm so glad that we are in this race together, and Thanks Be To God!

He has filled us with His Mercy!

Here's to the next 30!

Tee's baby shower

Yesterday was Teresa's baby shower.  Tee and Pat's baby was welcomed with joyful celebration yesterday.  Teresa hosted the event which was attended by at least 25 people.  We had cupcakes, dipped strawberries, meatballs, candy, punch and sparkling apple cider.  It was a wonderful party!  Now we are just excited for a certain little someone to make her appearance.

How you can develop a Catholic sense of humor

By Father James Martin - OSV Newsweekly, 9/25/2011


Is there such a thing as a “Catholic” sense of humor? That is, beyond simply appreciating Catholic jokes? Or chuckling over funny comments by famous Catholics?

I think there is.

Not long ago, a somewhat academic distinction was proposed between the Protestant imagination and the Catholic imagination. The Rev. Andrew Greeley, drawing on the work of the Catholic theologian David Tracy, noted that while in classic Protestant theology God was radically absent from the world (and reveals himself only at rare occasions, for example, in Christ) for Catholics God is always and everywhere present. Plus, in the Catholic worldview, God makes himself known through the sacraments, which use everyday things like bread, wine, water and oil to reveal God’s presence.

Too theological for you? Try this: Catholics believe that God is everywhere. As a result, it’s easy to make the leap that if we want to experience Christian joy, to use humor as the saints did, and to view laughter as an element of a healthy spiritual life, then there are many opportunities to develop a sense of humor just by looking around. If God wants us to experience himself in the entire world, and part of that experience is of joy, humor and laughter, then the world reveals itself as a more lighthearted place. In other words, the Catholic imagination can find humor in a great many aspects of life.

Lighthearted approach

So, how do you develop that sense of humor? First of all, by laughing at yourself. Catholics have a tendency to take themselves far too seriously, and to see Catholicism as something that is always and everywhere serious, even gloomy. Why do I say that? Because I’ve met far too many “professional Catholics” (i.e., bishops, priests, sisters and brother, as well as chancery officials, directors of religious education and pastoral associates) who rarely crack a smile. Some of this, I believe, comes from people taking themselves way too seriously. Reminding ourselves to laugh at our own foibles brings us down to earth, grounds us in our common humanity, and reminds us who’s in charge: God. As G.K. Chesterton said, “The angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.”

Second, remember that Christ is risen. That may sound obvious, but the central belief of our faith (besides, say, the Incarnation) is that Christ is risen. And in case you haven’t not noticed, that’s a joyful message! On Easter Sunday, don’t you think that the disciples were filled with joy? Grounding ourselves not only in faith, hope and charity, but in joy, helps us to see life with a good deal more lightheartedness. As St. Paul said, “Rejoice always!”

Following Jesus’ example

Third, remember that Jesus laughed. For he surely did. Jesus of Nazareth was not just the Son of God; he was “fully human.” And how could someone be “fully human” without a sense of humor? There are also plenty of indications of Jesus’ sense of humor in the Gospels. For one thing, anyone who told clever parables and funny stories must have laughed. In fact, at one point Jesus is even criticized for not being as serious as John the Baptist. “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’” (Lk 7:34). Jesus is being critiqued for living it up. Here was a man who could enjoy life and enjoy laughter. Thinking about Jesus’ sense of humor can help us value our own sense of humor and enjoy life.

So, looking for a Catholic sense of humor? Laugh at yourself. Believe in the Resurrection. And remember that Jesus laughed. Once you do all that, you may find yourself smiling a great deal more — even in prayer, with God, the source of all joy.

Humorous holy people

Last Updated Thursday, September 15, 2011 3:05:00 PM

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Humorous holy people

By Thomas J. Craughwell - OSV Newsweekly, 9/25/2011

Blessed Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

Pull just about any biography of a saint off the library shelf, flip to the index, and I will lay serious money you will not find a listing for the saint’s sense of humor. It is a quality that we do not expect in saints, and so it rarely pops up in writings about them. But there are exceptions:
St. Lawrence (died 258): During Emperor Valerian’s persecution of the Church, this Roman deacon was arrested and condemned to be roasted on a grill. His dying words to his executioners were, “Turn me over. I’m done on this side.”
St. Thomas More (1478-1535): Thomas More was a clever boy who grew up to be a witty man, and his wit did not abandon him, even as he was going to execution. The scaffold steps were unsteady, so he asked one of the king’s officers to help him up. “As for coming down,” St. Thomas said, “let me shift for myself.”
St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582): Once, while traveling in a violent rainstorm, Teresa’s donkey lost its footing and she fell. She broke her wrist, she was covered with mud, and some valuable legal documents in her baggage that had taken months to acquire were ruined by the rain. Frustrated and in pain, she cried out to God, “Why did you let this happen?” And God answered her, saying, “This is how I treat my friends.” Teresa shot back, “No wonder you have so few.”
St. Philip Neri (1515-1595): Once an earnest young priest asked Philip Neri’s advice: What was the most appropriate prayer to say for a newly married couple? St. Philip thought about it for a few minutes and then replied, “A prayer for peace.”
Blessed Pope John XXIII (1881-1963): Pope John XXIII may have been the Church’s most humorous pope. Shortly after his election, a reporter asked him how many people work in the Vatican. Pope John replied, “About half of them.” While passing through a crowd he overheard a woman exclaim, “He’s so fat!” The pope stopped and said, “Madame, the conclave is not a beauty contest.” During a visit to a Roman prison, Blessed John passed a cell where the prisoner turned his back on the pope. “What is his crime?” the pope asked the warden. “He murdered his wife,” the warden answered. Then John asked that the cell door be opened. He stepped inside, put his hand on the convict’s shoulder and said, “If I had a wife, I might have killed her, too.”

summer's never ending garden chores.

Ken's

been

hard

at work.

it is

never ending

keeping

up

with

the

garden.

garden produce

we have been enjoying produce from the garden.  today's haul was the best so far.  these are from one early girl tomato plant, and some cherry tomatoes.  yum!

also, today is mimi's 20th birthday.  Mimi is at work right now, but this evening we are planning to take her to the Outback for dinner.  Hopefully, Laura and Mikey will be able to join us, as well as the rest of the family.  What a lovely little "fruit" Mimi was, and continues to be!  I love her so much, and thank God for the blessing she is!!!!  Mimi's birth was so peaceful and easy, and then afterwards the nurses forgot to take her out 24 hours for all the newborn testing,etc.  so i enjoyed every moment getting to know wee little mimi, and loved having her all to myself.

It is harder to put into words what a wonderful blessing it has been to raise mimi.  With all her gifts and her strong mind, her sense of humor, and wonderful will, i know Ken would agree with me that it has been absolutely amazing to see her grow into the lovely young woman she is today.  I am often amazed at her insight, wisdom, generousity and affection.

Mimi is a blessing!  May God bless you, Mimi, today and always!

Happy Birthday!

Truth exists, the incarnation happened

Today was the funeral Mass for dr. Warren Carroll, founder of Christendom College, may he rest in peace!

Quotes about the family

Speaking of Families. . . .

A round-up of quotations - from the silly to sublime
Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! ~Albert Einstein

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts. ~Author Unknown

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained. ~ Winston Churchill

A happy family is but an earlier heaven. ~ George Bernard Shaw

Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice. ~Author Unknown

It's funny that those things your kids did that got on your nerves seem so cute when your grandchildren do them. ~Author Unknown

A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be. ~Author Unknown

Children in a family are like flowers in a bouquet: there's always one determined to face in an opposite direction from the way the arranger desires. ~Author Unknown

We never know the love of our parents for us till we have become parents. ~Henry Ward Beecher

The family you come from isn't as important as the family you're going to have. ~Ring Lardner

A family with an old person has a living treasure of gold. ~Chinese proverb

He that raises a large family does, indeed, while he lives to observe them, stand a broader mark for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too. ~Benjamin Franklin

To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others. ~Pope John Paul II

Sister is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship. ~Margaret Mead

The family is the test of freedom; because the family is the only thing that the free man makes for himself and by himself. ~Gilbert K. Chesterton

A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian... and most of all, his family ought to know. ~Dwight L. Moody

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family - in another city. ~George Burns

Govern a family as you would cook a small fish - very gently. ~Chinese Proverb

In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future. ~Alex Haley

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter. ~Brad Henry

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it. ~George Moore

Family is not an important thing, it's everything. ~Michael J. Fox

Blue and Grey Ball

Yesterday Tee and Pat joined Laura and Mike, Mary and Nick and Maryann and Chris for an evening of dance at Harris Pavilion.

Quick takes Friday

We are just finishing a busy week. Here is a summary:

Enjoyed 4th festivities with the greniers, Mikey and Laura, tee and pat and the wittmans....and fly and buddy. The dog days of summer!

Went to Shenandoah and enjoyed picnic with the gregas' family and went on a short hike. No bears, but one turkey spotted.

Distressed 8 orphan nighties by many dastardly deeds such as raking them with a cheese grater, kneading them into the cement front porch, spraying with red wine, grinding coffee grounds into them, and dirt, adding leaf stains, tearing, ripping, sewing patches, etc. Tons of fun! They look great totally awful!

Thinking of homeschooling Jeanne 10th. Which would give her a chance to focus on her school work, and take piano and voice lessons

Garden beautiful. Just one tomato but many more coming.

A/C went out but thank goodness, we were able to get a guy out to fix it the next day. It was a hot time in the old town that night.

Tee very sick with either mono or strept.

Laua also very under the weather. May Jesus help them!

2 weeks until Annie opens

Tee's 27 and Mary 26 this past week, too! Happy birthday!

Tee and pat and Laura and Mikey have bought tickets to the blue and grey ball which commemorates the 150 anniversary of the battle of mannassas. They are hoping to go in period costume....we are hoping to borrow one civil war dress and sew the other.

So that is the summary of the week. thanks be to God!

interesting link about fatima, the atomic bomb and the blessed mother

http://cantuar.blogspot.com/2011/07/atomic-bomb-rosary-and-fatima.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+taylormarshall+%28Canterbury+Tales+by+Taylor+Marshall%29

what a story!

On the day the Pope was born, she entered the convent

From Spanish daily ABC:

Sr. Teresita has spent 84 of her 103 years within the walls of the cloistered convent [monastery] of Buenafuente del Sistal (Guadalajara) [Castille-La Mancha, Spain], which gives her the right to be considered as one of unbreakable faith. A member of the Cistercian order, and a superior for over 20 years, Sr. Teresita will break her record of permanence inside an enclosed monastery to be received by Pope Benedict XVI for World Youth Day.

This religious woman, a native of Foronda (Álava) [Basque Contry], received her habit on the same day on which Benedict XVI was born. She did not have an early vocation, but her father convinced her to be a nun, and her prayers to the Virgen Blanca [the White Virgin], the patron saint of Vitoria, gave her the strength to continue. "In order to please my father, I prayed to the Patron saint of Vitoria, and asked her to grant me vocation... And she surely gave it to me!", she declares in her book, "What does a girl like you do in a place like this?", in which she describes the lives of nine other cloistered religious women.

Her given name was Valeria, but she decided to change it for that of the saint who most helped her begin her life in the convent. "I was afraid to come in. But the Lord helped me. He, and Santa Teresita [Saint Therèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face]."

this time of year, don't you just want to go camping?

three of a kind

The Rohan's surprised Petes the other day with the same haircuts!

happy 15th Jeanne

mary kate came over as did mikey and laura--for panda express and key lime pie.

Happy Birthday, dear Jeanne!  We love you!

snakes alive!

today a dream come true for john

a copperhead was in a friend's yard.

naturally, he brought it home.

in a tupperware container.

he released it near Bull Run Marina.

we were amazed at the strength and quickness of this snake.  Mimi wanted to hold it as well, but johnny had his hands full a couple times, so he thought better of it.

all in all, a blesssssing!