From the monthly archives: November 2008

God provides!

By On 30 November 2008 · 3 Comments · In Happy Wife and Mom

Just yesterday hubby and I were discussing when would be a good time to get new blinds for our dd-17′s windows. I said let’s wait for a sale, I don’t have time to research right now.

Today a Freecycler was giving away 8 pair of blinds. Hubby just picked them up.

How’s that [...]

Just yesterday hubby and I were discussing when would be a good time to get new blinds for our dd-17′s windows. I said let’s wait for a sale, I don’t have time to research right now.

Today a Freecycler was giving away 8 pair of blinds. Hubby just picked them up.

How’s that for awesome?

 

Good Deeds List for Advent

By On 30 November 2008 · 3 Comments · In Roman Catholic

Tell your sister(s)/brother(s) what you like best about him/her. Be kind to someone who is hard to get along with. Tell someone the story of when Jesus was born. Give everyone in your family a hug! Say a prayer for the poor, the hungry and the homeless. Clean your room without being asked. Put a [...]

  1. Tell your sister(s)/brother(s) what you like best about him/her.
  2. Be kind to someone who is hard to get along with.
  3. Tell someone the story of when Jesus was born.
  4. Give everyone in your family a hug!
  5. Say a prayer for the poor, the hungry and the homeless.
  6. Clean your room without being asked.
  7. Put a dollar of your own money in the Church collection.
  8. Write a Christmas letter to a faraway aunt/uncle.
  9. Help Mom with a chore.
  10. Go through your closet and gather what you can donate to charity.
  11. Write a Christmas letter to a soldier who is overseas.
  12. Call up your grandparents just to say hello.
  13. Read an Advent story to or with your sibling.
  14. Ask Mama Mary to prepare your heart for Jesus’ coming.
  15. Smile and be cheerful today.
  16. Talk about the REAL meaning of Christmas at dinnertime.
  17. Pray for the sick.
  18. Ask Dad for a chore you can do.
  19. Help Mom wrap gifts.
  20. Pray for the souls in purgatory.
  21. Write a list of all the things/events/people you are thankful for this year.
  22. Write a thank you note to Dad for everything he does for us.
  23. Play for 30 minutes with a younger sibling, without arguing or fighting.
  24. Sing Christmas carols while helping decorate the tree.
  25. Start the day with a prayer of thanks to Jesus for coming to save us.
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First Week of Advent Readings

By On 30 November 2008 · Leave a Comment · In Roman Catholic

Printing these out today to put into our advent calendar boxes.

Sunday
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.

Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be [...]

Printing these out today to put into our advent calendar boxes.

  • Sunday
    Isaiah 7:14
    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.

    Micah 5:2
    But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.

  • Monday
    Matthew 1:18-24
    18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

    Luke 1:26-33
    26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

  • Tuesday
    Luke 2:1-5
    1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
  • Wednesday
    Luke 2:6-7
    6 And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
  • Thursday
    Luke 2:8-9
    8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
  • Friday
    Luke 2:10-12
    10 And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; 11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
  • Saturday
    Luke 2:13-14
    13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”
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Twenty-Five Years Ago

By On 29 November 2008 · Leave a Comment · In Roman Catholic

Reagan wrote this unsolicited article for Human Life Review on Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation. Oh Lord, how far we have come… how do we turn back?

Reagan wrote this unsolicited article for Human Life Review on Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation. Oh Lord, how far we have come… how do we turn back?

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Thanksgiving Prayer

By On 27 November 2008 · Leave a Comment · In Happy Wife and Mom, Roman Catholic

For All Your Gifts, Father, Our Thanks.

For the blessings of hearth and home.
For a husband who celebrates his fatherhood with joy and faithfulness
For Your gift of life. Especially new life.
For the children that surround our table, along with their smiles and squabbles.
For the food that You [...]

For All Your Gifts, Father, Our Thanks.

For the blessings of hearth and home.
For a husband who celebrates his fatherhood with joy and faithfulness
For Your gift of life. Especially new life.
For the children that surround our table, along with their smiles and squabbles.
For the food that You have lovingly provided.
For the livelihood that helps keep us warm and well-fed.
For family to share time with, to love and miss from afar.
For friends who share our journey.
For the gift of forgiveness.
For Your unending Mercy and Love.
Father, we give thanks.

__________________________________________

Father in Heaven,
Creator of all and source of all goodness and love,
Look kindly upon us
And receive our heartfelt gratitude
In this time of giving thanks.

Thank you for all the graces and blessings
You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal:
Our faith and religious heritage
Our food and shelter,
Our health,
The love we have for one another,
Our family and friends.

Dear Father,
In Your infinite generosity,
Grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year.

This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Amen.

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For Denise: Lechon Turkey / Pabochon

By On 26 November 2008 · Leave a Comment · In Foodie, Pinoy

Lechon Turkey/Pabochon

1 10-12 lb. turkey, rinsed thoroughly, giblets, etc. removed
1 cup fish sauce (patis) (or 2 cups kosher salt or 1 cup table salt) (available in Asian stores, a good Filipino brand is Rufina)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons freshly [...]

Lechon Turkey/Pabochon

1 10-12 lb. turkey, rinsed thoroughly, giblets, etc. removed
1 cup fish sauce (patis) (or 2 cups kosher salt or 1 cup table salt) (available in Asian stores, a good Filipino brand is Rufina)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons or 10 calamansi (aka calamondin, a tiny, green, round citrus fruit found in Asian stores)
10 large cloves garlic, crushed but unpeeled

In a large stockpot or other container that will accommodate turkey, combine fish sauce with 2 gallons cold water. Add turkey, and additional water if needed to just cover turkey. Refrigerate for 12 hours. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, oil and black pepper. Rinse lemons or calamansi and pierce with a fork all over. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Remove turkey from brine and rinse thoroughly under running water. Pat dry with paper towels. Stuff cavity with lemons and garlic. Truss turkey if desired (I prefer mine untrussed). Pour 1 cup water into a shallow roasting pan large enough to accommodate a roasting rack for the turkey. Set turkey breast side down over a roasting rack and brush all over with the soy sauce mixture. Roast for 45 minutes. Using paper towels, carefully turn turkey onto one side (wing/thigh up) and baste with soy sauce mixture. Replenish water if it’s drying up. Roast 15 minutes. Repeat with the other side. After 15 minutes, turn turkey breast side up. Lower heat to 325 degrees F. Start basting turkey every 15 minutes with juices from pan. Continue to roast until thickest part of thigh registers 180 degrees F on a meat thermometer. Juices should run clear, not pink or reddish. The last 30 minutes of roasting, baste turkey all over with soy sauce mixture. If turkey is browning too quickly, cover with a loose tent of foil. Remove from oven and let rest for 30 minutes before carving. Serve with lechon sauce.

Cook’s Notes:

- If using turkey that has already been brined, you may omit the brining process. (I like to brine my own turkey though so I try to buy unbrined turkey.)
- If you’re going to bake the stuffing in the turkey, omit lemons and garlic. Stuff turkey just before roasting. Do not fill turkey up completely, as the stuffing will expand as it cooks. The remaining stuffing can be baked in a separate dish. Trussing is not optional if you stuffed the turkey. A stuffed turkey will take longer to roast than an unstuffed one.
- A handy cooking time calculator can be found at Butterball.com

Easy Lechon Sauce:

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup minced onion
1/3 cup liver pate or liver spread, or liverwurst or finely ground chicken livers
1 cup water
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup breadcrumbs

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute garlic and onion until garlic is golden and onion is limp. Add liver pate, water, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring until smooth. Lower heat and add breadcrumbs. Let simmer 5 more minutes. Serve with turkey lechon.

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I thought all my Thanksgiving recipes that appeared in Asian Journal 3 years ago (?) were already here — but I guess I put it in the old “Beyond Adobo” blog. I’ll work on putting them here sometime. Sorry about that!

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Tea Reviews

By On 25 November 2008 · Leave a Comment · In Foodie, What's in the Pantry?

St. James Darjeeling Tea *

Taylors of Harrogate Assam Tea *

Harney and Sons Decaffeinated Earl Grey **

Bleh. You get what you pay for. This has spoiled me.

St. James Darjeeling Tea *

Taylors of Harrogate Assam Tea *

Harney and Sons Decaffeinated Earl Grey **

Bleh. You get what you pay for. This has spoiled me.

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Food, Humor, Organization, and Gift Ideas

By On 25 November 2008 · 1 Comment · In Foodie, Happy Wife and Mom, Homemaker, Homeschooler, Roman Catholic, What's in the Pantry?

Luxury for Mom:

Started off the early morning with 1/4 cup of Mariebelle Aztec Hot Chocolate… just enough for me to handle in the dark hours of the dawn…

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Yena’s Quote of the Month: “Mom, what’s the name of that movie, Princess Diarrhea?” (Princess Diaries)… [...]

Luxury for Mom:

Started off the early morning with 1/4 cup of Mariebelle Aztec Hot Chocolate… just enough for me to handle in the dark hours of the dawn…

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Yena’s Quote of the Month: “Mom, what’s the name of that movie, Princess Diarrhea?” (Princess Diaries)… oh my child, so blessedly out of the loop.

Tip for Slow Food Lovers in Wintry Weather:

Take some oxtails from your favorite grass fed beef farmer, put in water in a large heavy pot, bring to a boil, then simmer overnight on LOW LOW LOW. Wake up in the morning to falling-off-the-bone tenderness. Take out meat pieces with slotted spoon, leave pot with stock outside in the cold (32 degrees F here right now), covered. In the early evening an hour before dinner, take pot inside. Scoop out solidified beef fat (could probably use this for a birdseed feeder?), bring stock to a boil, season with salt and add yummy things like peeled quartered potatoes, lots of onions, whole black peppercorns, green beans and cabbage leaves. Return meat to pot and simmer just until all warmed up. Perfect for fall.

Prayer to Saint John Bosco for our Young Driver

O glorious Saint John Bosco, who in order to lead young people to the feet of the divine Master and to mould them in the light of faith and Christian morality didst heroically sacrifice thyself to the very end of thy life and didst set up a proper religious Institute destined to endure and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth thy glorious work, obtain also for us from Our Lord a holy love for young people who are exposed to so many seductions in order that we may generously spend ourselves in supporting them against the snares of the devil, in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world, and in guiding them, pure and holy, in the path that leads to God. Amen.

Keep her safe from irate drivers who are impatient to get to where they’re going…

On my to-do-list today:

Off to do my 15-minute-each-room tasks, so I can check them off Toodledo, THE (so-far) perfect online spot to help me accomplish tasks according to GTD principles. Still working on a paper-based organizational tool, but haven’t perfected *my* system yet.

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A Compilation of Reviews for Twilight (books and film)

By On 22 November 2008 · 8 Comments · In Homeschooler, Roman Catholic

No, we have not read them. No plans of doing so right now. Label me fanatic, that’s fine. But I’m more than a bit struck with weird things going on in the world today…. I know my dd feels it too. Like this huge black cloud wanting to envelop us. I’m not prophesying doom and [...]

No, we have not read them. No plans of doing so right now. Label me fanatic, that’s fine. But I’m more than a bit struck with weird things going on in the world today…. I know my dd feels it too. Like this huge black cloud wanting to envelop us. I’m not prophesying doom and gloom. Every prayer and reading in the Liturgy of the Hours, esp. since after the election, reminds me of just how much God is in control and I’m not fearing His abandonment. But there is a sense of something not quite definable (or maybe it IS definable but I don’t want to define it for you)…. that’s hovering, or waiting…

A few months ago a friend of my daughter started reading Twilight and was encouraging her to read it. Thankfully my daughter isn’t so easily swayed anymore by peer pressure and conveyed her disinterest — the young lady didn’t insist so nothing more was said. Again and again since then the subject has come up between her and several more girl friends, and she still hasn’t changed her mind (too many things to keep her busy, especially a course right now on Anglo-Saxon literature that is MUCH TOO enjoyable for her to consider additional reading). Meanwhile I’ve kept my radar up since seeing the books at B&N and Borders, wondering when I’d start hearing about it from the moms. I’m sure I need not mention how much I respect and love and admire the ladies that post there. Their opinions hold a lot of weight with me. Interestingly enough, there are parallel discussions all over the blogosphere and other online lists I’m on, so I’m compiling the links here — for further discussion with dd should the need arise. We may or may not decide to read the series, but I am definitely on guard about it.

In terms of choosing literature, my main objection is not so much any sort of evil depicted in these stories — though those of course are always cause for scrutiny. But some authors have dealt with these and beautifully (CS Lewis and Tolkien come to mind), and that’s the point. There are literally THOUSANDS of books out there that are so much more worth reading… and there is NEVER enough time to read them all (Lord, is there a library in heaven? Would we even care?)… proof: the TALL piles of books on both mine and dd’s bedside tables. Why waste time on subpar stuff?

Regina Doman’s Review

(Maria’s dd) Michelle Rioux’s review at The History Place (membership required)

Catholic Mom at Catholic Media Review — along with some giddy teen comments; why am I not surprised?

Jennifer’s review

You Are What You Read and Eat, from Nancy — I second the recommendation for Regina Doman’s books, which my dd loves

Julie in CT, who recommends the books for teens only for 17 and up — my dd knows girls 12-16 that ARE reading the books sans advice from parents… it’s that insidious thing going on again… like how to boil frogs and all that…

Maureen Wittmann’s

Amy Welborn’s compilation

Very thorough reviews and commentary from Spes Unica

The Best Thing Since Harry Potter? from Clare Cannon

from Sarah Reinhard at Just Another Catholic Pondering (added 12/2/08)

___________________

What about the movie?

Catholic Media Review on the Twilight Movie

from Plugged In Online

from the USCCB

and a must read from Steven Greydanus at Decent Films — I’ve been waiting for this review and I wasn’t disappointed!!

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Cafeteria Catholics… Aren’t They Hungry?

By On 20 November 2008 · 4 Comments · In Roman Catholic

Maria Shriver on being a ‘Cafeteria Catholic’

Wouldn’t people rather go to a feast and savor every single morsel, than pick and choose what looks good or appetizing? Why fool oneself, why use a name to which you can’t/won’t even commit? Why call yourself a Catholic when you can’t even say the word [...]

Maria Shriver on being a ‘Cafeteria Catholic’

Wouldn’t people rather go to a feast and savor every single morsel, than pick and choose what looks good or appetizing? Why fool oneself, why use a name to which you can’t/won’t even commit? Why call yourself a Catholic when you can’t even say the word without a “but”? Don’t people want something in their lives that they can embrace wholeheartedly, be proud of, be exultant about, suffer for, live for? What is a faith that doesn’t fully envelop, fill, inspire, define a person? Why even call it faith? What’s the appeal of “being” Catholic when you see so much that you have to be apologetic for, or explain away, or change, or that’s inadequate? Wouldn’t it be much simpler to just pick another “religion”? How do Cafeteria Catholic parents explain their faith — if they could call it that — to their children?

 

But, but…. isn’t the beauty of the candle really in the flame?

By On 18 November 2008 · 1 Comment · In Homemaker

No point to this post really, except that

I don’t think I can warm up to this idea, green or not.

Really. It reminds me of these: Fireplace DVDs

No warmth, no aroma, just the visual and audio (how exactly does that work when it’s 19 degrees outside?).

[...]

No point to this post really, except that

I don’t think I can warm up to this idea, green or not.

Really. It reminds me of these: Fireplace DVDs

No warmth, no aroma, just the visual and audio (how exactly does that work when it’s 19 degrees outside?).

What is the world coming to?

Ooh, ooh!!!! I will actually go for this

since we don’t have any pretty fish. The only fish that seem to survive our TLC are the ugly ones, like these.

 

Call to INaction: Boycott the Nov. 22nd-23rd Collection for CHD

By On 18 November 2008 · 1 Comment · In Roman Catholic

Don’t put anything in this weekend’s envelope for CHD. Some people are putting acorns in, ‘though I don’t see that that would affect anything.

Here’s why:

CCHD BOYCOTT: Catholic Citizens of Illinois calls on all Catholics to boycott the annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development on the weekend of November [...]

Don’t put anything in this weekend’s envelope for CHD. Some people are putting acorns in, ‘though I don’t see that that would affect anything.

Here’s why:

CCHD BOYCOTT: Catholic Citizens of Illinois calls on all Catholics to boycott the annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development on the weekend of November 22 and 23

Catholics probe aid directed to ACORN

Catholic bishops cut all funding to ACORN

If you need help connecting the dots, click here: Fr. Neuhaus on “Obama and the Bishops”.

or here: Too close for comfort: CCHD, sex and abortion

Bishop discusses reasons behind cutoff of ACORN funding

If you need more background information, here’s my October post about this.

Why we still need to boycott the CHD collection this weekend despite the statements from the bishops: NOT ALL parishes are aware of the problem or choose to be obedient. Hence if you put anything in that CHD envelope, you won’t have any control over whether that money still makes it to ACORN or not.

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Daniel

By On 15 November 2008 · Leave a Comment · In Happy Wife and Mom

Hee….

Click here for more like this.

Hee….

Click here for more like this.

 

Vote for American Papist

By On 11 November 2008 · Leave a Comment · In Roman Catholic

Thomas Peters is in the running for a scholarship — so if you’ve enjoyed his posts as much as my family and I have, please vote for him.

American Papist

I think he’s a great role model for our kids, and it would be awesome for us Catholic homeschooling moms to show [...]

Thomas Peters is in the running for a scholarship — so if you’ve enjoyed his posts as much as my family and I have, please vote for him.

American Papist

I think he’s a great role model for our kids, and it would be awesome for us Catholic homeschooling moms to show him our support!

 

Surely I’m Not the Only One

By On 11 November 2008 · Leave a Comment · In Roman Catholic

…. who has noticed just how timely and prophetic these last few days’ readings have been.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God who, as he tested our ancestors, is now testing us. Remember how he treated Abraham, all the ordeals of Isaac and all that happened to Jacob. For as these ordeals [...]

…. who has noticed just how timely and prophetic these last few days’ readings have been.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God who, as he tested our ancestors, is now testing us. Remember how he treated Abraham, all the ordeals of Isaac and all that happened to Jacob. For as these ordeals were intended by him to search their hearts, so now this is not vengeance that God exacts against us, but a warning inflicted by the Lord on those who are near his heart. Judith 8:25-26,27