February 23, 2012

Thoughts as Lent Begins

February 23, 2012/ Elizabeth Foss

Sometimes I think that the devil drives the information superhighway. He claps with glee when moms log on. Lent is a time of discipline. Ascetism is about growing in self-discipline. This prayer helps me to see how I must order my time and my attention. Quiet stillness is a good thing. Idleness is not. Concern is a good thing. Despair is not. A home to grow in is a good thing. Chaos in that home is not. Encouragement and support in my vocation is a good thing. Empty talking is not.

Layer by layer, we peel away the things that stand between ourselves and godliness. We make more time for and pay more attention to the good things. And we leave behind those things that are not.

Lent: Day 2

February 23, 2012/ Elizabeth Foss

Fast

Let the answering machine pick it up! Let your caller leave a message and only return essential phone calls today.

Pray

"Blessed are the ears which hear God's whisper and listen not until the whispers of the world." (Thomas a Kempis

Give

"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough; money can be got, they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go." (Blessed Teresa of Calcutta).

February 22, 2012

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012/ Elizabeth Foss

Fast

‎"Outward sacrifice, to be genuine, must be the expression of spiritual sacrifice: "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit..." The prophets of the Old Covenant often denounced sacrifices that were not from the heart or not coupled with love of neighbor. Jesus recalls the words of the prophet Hosea: "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice." The only perfect sacrifice is the one
that Christ offered on the cross as a total offering to the Father's love and for our salvation. By uniting ourselves with his sacrifice we can make our lives a sacrifice to God." (CCC #2100)

Pray

Listen. God is speaking to you right now. Stop interrupting.

Give

The new evangelization is accomplished with a smile, not a frown ... it is all about a 'yes' to everything decent, good, true, beautiful and noble in the human person. The Church is about a 'yes!', not a 'no!'

—His Eminence Timothy Michael Dolan, Cardinal-Archbishop of New York

Read or watch the entire reflection here. Truly a gift for this time.

February 21, 2012

Sponsor Giveaway~ St. Luke's Brush

February 21, 2012/ Elizabeth Foss

The gifted artists at St. Luke's brush are offering this lovely wooden peg doll to inspire you as you about your daily round. Garry writes, "I would like to give away a St. Martha doll this time, to honor women
of all ages who labor to make home a place of refuge for their family.
Thank you so much for doing it!"

Saint Martha of Bethany is a one of a kind, made to order 3.5 inch
wooden peg doll hand painted with non-toxic acrylic paints and sealed
to preserve this keepsake toy.

Visit St. Luke's Brush and see what they have to offer. Don't miss the beautiful Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Last Supper set. Amazing.

Leave a comment below and tell us what inspired you.

An then, you will be entered to win the St. Martha doll.

February 19, 2012

What's for Dinner?

February 19, 2012/ Elizabeth Foss

I'm gathering recipes and writing menu plans for the first next three weeks (to rotate again the following three weeks). Might as well gather them here, right?

Monday: Taco Salad

Tuesday: Whole Chicken on the grill, garlicky green beans, sweet potatoes.

Wednesday: White Bean Soup, pumpkin muffins

Thursday: Maple Dijon glazed grilled pork chops, Creamed corn, Asparagus

Friday: Firecracker Red Beans, Pineapple Rice, and big salad. (recipe forthcoming)

Saturday: Spanakopita meatloaf (we discovered that these hamburgers benefit from the addition of a couple of eggs and make really nice meatloaves), roasted potatoes, big salad

Sunday: Rustic Chicken, Butternut Risotto, Roasted Broccoli