Charlotte wanted to give some loving to sleepy Baby K
Then it was time for a bath, and Charlotte was very curious
I need a better look!
Very interesting!
I'm liking this cousin gig!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
new coffee table
Becky has a beautiful round coffee table that her mom had cut down from a dining room table, and she told me how little Marie loves making her rounds. What an inspiration, but how would such a table ever be found?
The Lord is Merciful, and the table was at the
House of Mercy Thrift Store.
Hope Charlotte and Kateri enjoy it!
and we are so thankful for the new look from this old table. :-)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
The daffodils on the River Dove in Yorkshire, England
Wild daffodils - also known as the 'Lenten Lily' and 'Narcissus pseudonarcissus' - have grown in this dale for centuries.
Saint Kateri Quote
“Mother, look at this cross; oh! how beautiful it is! It has been my whole happiness during my life, and I advise you also to make it yours.”
fingerling potatoes
Kenny has ordered some fingerling potatoes to plant in the garden this spring. We read somewhere that fingerling potatoes are a good choice for the garden because they mature faster than full size potatoes. We will be planting them, Lord Willing, in about 3 weeks...just around Easter. Ken ordered them from Colorado from potatogarden.com. All of their potatoes are non-GMO and organically grown and are certified disease free. We ordered Rose Finn Apple Fingerlings, La Ratte Fingerlings, and Banana Fingerlings. We've read that they grow well in containers, but we are thinking of putting them in the back garden. They also sell wide range of garlic and we are planning to order from them in the fall.
This spud's for you!
from Cheap, Fast, Good by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross:
Great Granola
cooking oil spray
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c pure maple syrup or honey
1 1/2 c brown sugar
6 c old fashioned rolled oats
1 c wheat germ (optional)
1 c coconut
2 c chopped walnuts, almonds or pecans
place oven racks in the 2 center positions and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 jelly roll pans with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking oil spray.
combine oil, maple syrup and brown sugar in 1 qt microwave safe bowl for about 3 minutes, stir to dissolve any lumps.
mix well with the oatmeal.
spread in pans, sprinkle coconut over oats, nuts over coconut and place in oven. (this is so that the coconut and nuts get a little extra toasty on top)
every 10 minutes stir and switch pan placement in the oven, for about 20-25 minutes, taking care not to let the granola get too brown.
enjoy this delicious blessing!
pajamas for charlotte
It was an interesting little project. The kimono top pattern is from the following site
which provides kimono measurements
from sizes 0-6months through 8 years
fun illustrator
Emily Sutton is an illustrator from England, and here are a few of her pictures to enjoy.
and last but not least:
here's to you, Betty!
Friday, March 08, 2013
Thursday, March 07, 2013
cousins say howdy...
actually charlotte welcomed two cousins in one week as
Michelle and Brendan had little Christian Patrick Hilleary on
March 9th.
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Congratulations and prayers!
Happy day! Congratulations to Tom and Kris! Their baby is due October 31. We are so very happy for you and praying for an easy pregnancy and safe delivery. Praise God!
St. Katharine Drexel Quotes
* The Eucharist is the continuation of the Incarnation. In it Jesus communicates Himself to me and to every human heart and becomes in very truth the Vine that bears God's plants, sending the sap of His Divine Life into all their branches and shoots, causing them to blossom and bear fruit of eternal life.
* The active life to be productive must have contemplation. When it (contemplation) gets to a certain height it overflows to active life and gets help and strength from the heart of God. This is the way the saints produced so much fruit, and we're all called to be saints.
* I wish to be one who conscientiously takes part in the unfolding of God's plans, and eventually have a glorious part in the final unfolding of time into the glory of God's Kingdom in heaven. If we are disciples (of Jesus) we shall be happy to spend ourselves and be spent for the salvation of souls.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Welcome, Little Kateri Anne Grenier!!!!!
February 25
3:01pm
6 lbs 14 oz
and lots of dark hair
welcome little Kbird
Praying for Tee's safe delivery
Laura, Charlotte and I stopped in at Holy Trinity to pray for Teresa this afternoon.
and what a blessing! Kateri was born while were were at the church, at 3:01pm.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."
It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!
Cast your cares on the Lord,
and He will sustain you.
psalm 55
Pope Benedict's farewell
“Dear brothers and sisters…The Lord is calling me to "climb the mountain", to devote myself even more to prayer and meditation. But this does not mean abandoning the Church, indeed, if God is asking me to do this, it is so I can continue to serve the Church with the same dedication and the same love with which I have done thus far, but in a way that is better suited to my age and my strength”. "We will always be close in prayer!".
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Miniature Cattle
Teresa told me about this new trend for smaller farms. Here's a fun article on miniature cattle.
I'm hoping Christine is interested! hint! hint! :-)
Ten Miniature Cattle Breeds for your Small Farm
“Mini-Cows”
Miniature cattle are the perfect size livestock for smaller farms and acreages, they are much easier and safer to handle than standard sized cattle, and they are ideal as organic or grass-fed beef.
Butchering one animal provides the right amount of meat for a small family and has more choice-cuts. One “mini-cow” will feed a family of four for six months. Mini-milk cows are perfect for families who prefer cows milk to goats milk and wish to consume organic, hormone-free milk.
Minis range in size at three years of age from 36″ in height to a maximum of 48″. This is one-half to one-third the size of normal cattle.
Being herd animals, several mini-cattle would be well suited to two or three acres. They are 25-30% more feed efficient than large cattle. The gestation period of a mini cow is around 285 days, which is the same length as a full-sized cow.
Due to more homestead and hobby farms, miniature cattle numbers are growing rapidly, though they remain a miniscule percentage of the total cattle here in the U.S. Small cattle breeds are utilized in pastoral areas of the developing world and in the past they were favored by small peasant farmers in Britain.
Purchasing miniature cattle can cost between $500 to $12,000 USD, with the rare Panda possibly selling for $30,000. There are now more than twenty breeds of mini-cattle, the more common ones being less expensive.
Some refer to mini-cattle as the “green” red meat.
Below are photos and brief descriptions of ten breeds of mini-cattle.
Belted Galloway
Miniature Belted Galloway
photo credit: Leiper’s Creek Valley Farm
The Galloway cattle originiated in Scotland as an extremely hardy breed with a great temperament. They are the oldest polled breed of cattle in the world and come in several colors with a white belt, black being the most common. Their unique double layer of hair gives them more climate flexibility. They are non-selective grazers and can be run with sheep. Cows are good mothers and good milk producers.
Further information: Mini-Beltie.org.
Dexter
Dexter Mini Cow
Photo credit: wikipedia
The Dexter breed originated in Ireland. Dexter cattle are about half the size of a traditional Hereford. Mature cows weigh 600–700 pounds (270–320 kg) and mature bulls weigh 1,000 pounds (450 kg). They may be of several solid colors, black being the most common, with horns. Dexters make excellent milk cows, producing 2 to 2.5 gallons (7.6 to 9.5 liters) per day, but they are also excellent meat producers. Their third common use is as oxen.
Many of the miniature cattle breeds have been made by crossing Dexters with other breeds over these past two decades.
Further information: Oklahoma State
Zebu
Miniature Zebu
Miniature Zebu Cow with Calf
Zebu originated as naturally small primitive cattle and may date back as far as 6,000 B.C. in South Asia. They are a tropical breed which is slow to mature, hardy, and disease resistant. If raised in cold climates, they require a barn. Mature cows should weigh 300 to 500 pounds, and bulls, 400 to 600 pounds. They come in a variety of colors.
Further information: International Miniature Zebu Association
Jersey
Jersey Miniature Cattle
Photo credit: flickr
Further information: Wikipedia.
Panda
Miniature Panda Cow
photo credit: wikipedia
The “Miniature Panda” is very rare, and has a white belt with a white face and black ovals around the eyes, giving it a panda-like appearance. A panda calf can bring as much as $30,000. It may result from a cross between an Irish Dexter and a Belted Galloway.
Further information: mini cattle
Hereford
Miniature Hereford
photo credit: flickr
Miniature Herefords have been created by “breeding down,” or selecting the smallest livestock for breeding purposes. They consume about half that of full-sized cows and produce 50-75% of the meat. They weigh 500-700 pounds. There are over 300 miniature-Hereford breeders in the U.S., compared to only two dozen in the year 2000.
Further information: Australian Miniature Hereford Cattle Association.
Lowline Angus
Lowline Angus Bull
photo credit: wikipedia
Developed in Australia, like the mini-Hereford, the Lowline Angus was also created by “breeding down” or selecting the smallest stock from the established Angus breed. On average, Lowline Angus cows weigh 650-950 pounds and are 36-42 inches in height, while bulls weigh 950-1350 pounds and are 39-46 inches in height. They are black, docile, and naturally polled, while calving easily. Their carcases have higher dressing percentage, marbled meat, and are well suited to beef production on grass.
Further information: Oklahoma State
Texas Longhorn
Texas Longhorn Miniature Cow with Calf
photo credit: Indian Mountain
Miniature Texas Longhorns have been bred-down from standard-sized longhorns to approximately 1/3 the size. They are very hardy in dry climates, come in many colors, are gentle, and are good lean beef producers.
Further information: Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.
Highland
Miniature Highland Cattle
photo credit: AmByth Estate
Miniature Scottish Highland cattle are said to be similar to the size of the original cattle found on the Scottish isles. This ancient breed is used for beef and dairy and also as oxen. They are hardy and thrifty, have a stocky build and a long coat. They adapt well to mountains and colder climates.
Further information: Ruatiti Highland Cattle NZ
Holstein
Miniature Holstein Cow
photo credit: Cumberland Miniatures
These are miniature milk cows and may produce 2-3 gallons of milk per day. The milk is of the same quality as from the full-size Holstein cow. Mini-milk cows are perfect for families who prefer cows milk to goats milk and who prefer to drink organic milk. The black and white Holstein originated in the Netherlands, as an excellent grass-raised dairy animal.
Further information: Mini cattle pros
REFERENCES:
- Mother Earth News: Raise Small-breed Milk Cows.
- LA Times: Farms downsize with miniature cows.
- Microcattle
- Seattle: Sustainable Cattle Farming that’s good for cows, people, and the environment
- VIDEO (3 Minutes)
- Frequent Q & A about Mini Cows
- Mini-Cows for Mini-Farms
- Wikipedia
Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet
Maybe you saw this on New Advent. This recording is 25 minutes long, but it is a loop of an elderly man singing:
Jesus' Blood never failed me yet, never failed me yet.
There's one thing I know
For He loves me so.
Jesus' Blood never failed me yet.
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