A Silver Anniversary

Frank and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary ... of celebrating the coming of a new year together.

The year before our engagement, we celebrated the New Year with a lobster dinner. Now, for 2 young people who were discussing the future, a lobster dinner was a huge expense.

The year we got engaged, we had a lot of big things happen: college graduation, engagement, purchase house (all in a 4 month period - what were we thinking?). A lobster dinner seemed like a great way to celebrate the beginning of our lives together; expensive, but do-able. And so the New Year's Eve Lobster Dinner tradition was started.

Our dinners have ranged from just the two of us; to a house full of people. We have Frank has cooked anywhere from 4 to 28 lobsters; depending on how many people join us. The past few years, we have a few friends and their children over to celebrate with us.

Frank heads out to the Portuguese Fish Market in the next city over and gets our lobsters. At some point, he has to get the littles in the kitchen with the lobsters and try to have lobster races across my kitchen floor. Another part of the tradition that has built since we started adding children 18 years ago.

(This year he has to get a job done in the morning, so the lobster races will have to wait until later.)
We set the table, cook some food and then feed the children.

As soon as they are done eating, we kick them out of the kitchen and get ready to have a fun adult-only sit-down dinner.  We re-set the table with clean linens and the china and good glasses. Last year we went around the table and each of us spoke of what we were most thankful for during the past year. I do believe this will be a permanent addition to the tradition.

During dinner we ignore the newly-fed children while they run amok in my house play games together nicely.

After dinner, clean-up is pretty quick and we then get down to the business of getting ready for the new year. The men play with the children, either inside or outside, and the women sit around the fire resting and chatting.

We wait and gather in the family room to watch the ball drop (if we can get the channel to change from the one hosting the 'Three Stooges Marathon'). The ball drops, we all hug and yell Happy New Year!", and then everyone is gone about 15 minutes later!"

Really, is there any better way to start a new year?

May you all have a great and blessed New Year. 

(I will try to get some pictures up tomorrow - along with the Christmas pictures I promised. I got a new camera - I am confused - this may take a bit!)

Yarn Along #36 - Dec 29th

 

From Ginny

 ~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

 

It has been nuts here. The crocheting stopped for a few days. I totally missed the link-up last week due to last minute preparations as well as many, many last minute dentist and doctor appointments. I discovered I had a pinched nerve in my back, which resulted in not much crocheting as the nerve in my back affects the nerves in my hand - weird, but true. Off to physical therapy next week to see what we can do about this issue..... maybe I'll get some good massages out of this!

 

Anyway - back to the yarn... we were at my Mom's for my family's Christmas celebration (pictures to come later!) yesterday so I am a bit late on this weeks link-up.

 

CROCHETING:

I am still working on:

 

Catherine's shrug

This is made in two parts and then joined. I have the upper part finished, and now am working on the lower part. I love the way this yarn just looks so sparkly when I am working on it. The picture does not do this justice at all. Lots of stitches to go - this might take longer than expected.

 

Olivia's Sweater:

I have the front and back finished (actually got the front finished this morning about 2am while watching movies with my teens. Why do teens like to visit and talk after midnight? Especially when the younger crew prefers to visit and talk before 7am. Not conducive for much lengthy sleep cycles!)

This one is actually pretty quick as it is a bulkier yarn. Hopefully the sleeves will go quick and I can get it finished for her before classes start up again in Jan.

No reading done other than gluten-free cookbooks right now. I need to get my 2012 education plans finished before we are back to school next Monday. We shall see what gets read in the meantime!

Off to Ginny's to visit and see what everyone else is working on!

Blessings for a Happy New Year!

 

A Christmas Brief

It has been absurdly busy here, hence, not much chance for posting the past week or two.

Christmas was great and we all had a wonderful day with family.

However, my children made me cry!

Their gift to Frank and me this Christmas was....



I LOVE THIS PICTURE



The oldest two girls coordinated the trip to the mall to get formal pictures done of the children.
They planned the outfits and the 'story' of why they all were out together.

They picked the weekend Frank was on retreat - back in early November

I was told: "Mom, we thought we would take the kids out so you can have a few hours by yourself before you have all the kids the whole weekend by yourself." - really, who is going to questions this gift of solitude?

They inspected all the frames of family pictures in my house, my mom's house, and Frank's Mom's house to make sure they ordered the correct pictures in the correct orientation to update all pictures for their parents and grandparents.

My littles DID NOT spill the beans!
We have wonderfully thoughtful children and are so blessed by them.

I couldn't wait to share.... back later with more memories of our Blessed Christmas - when I have time!

Yarn-Along - Moving On

 

From Ginny

 ~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

Not much reading going on beyond the Advent reading we are doing as a family and the gluten-free reading I am doing. And that is ok for now.

Crocheting is another story though!

Current projects:

My lace bookcase runner.

I have a small bit of the last row of stitches to finish. I should be done with this tonight.

A sweater for my oldest daughter.

O asked me to make her another sweater just like the one I made about 10 years ago. It is just the right size and length in body and sleeves. She went out and bought the yarn and picked a different weight than the original sweater. It is a little heavier so it is good that I have the original to compare. I am hoping to be finished soon as it is going quickly.

A shrug for my 2nd oldest daughter.

C liked this pattern. We picked up the yarn. I am looking forward to starting this one. This weekend!

Off to Ginny's to see what everyone else is working on.

Happy Birthday Nathaniel!

Oh My!

My baby is 12.

Ok, he's not really my 'baby' as that position has been passed on 3 times since his birth. But still....

from 2006 - doing his favorite thing:
"building Legos"

Nathaniel - what can I say about Nathaniel?

His is such a wonderful not so little anymore boy.



from Easter 2006

His Dad is his hero. From the time he could talk, he has said "I am going to be electric, like Dad" (Frank is an electrician, just in case you didn't know)

In Storyland in NH - Sept 2007

He loves his little brother. Now he has someone to hang with and teach things: like how to be a ninja!

He loves his sisters - older and younger

taken Christmas 2009

He is very talented. He can create things that amaze me.

His Lego church completed 2010

He loves to serve God, always.

He is a great scout.

receiving the 20 pin Webelo award

He is a wonderful soccer player.

Opening Day 2010

He can be a little goofy.
He makes us laugh until it hurts. So he does this frequently!

He is a wonderful young man and we are very proud of him!

taken yesterday... the last day as an 11 year old

WE LOVE YOU, NATHANIEL!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

St Lucia Day

Happy St Lucia Feast Day

I am having a bit of a problem staying with my program. I am also realizing that is OK! Whatever doesn't get done this year, will be new for next year! (hence, no projects from Dec 8 to Dec 12!)

However, I did get back to things a little today.

We did not get to the whole St Lucia breakfast thing - I was as the registry getting a new license as mine expired yesterday (which I remembered at 5:00 last night)

We did read our St Lucia books - today instead of yesterday and today:



And for our project, we painted candles:

I just got a package of 12 small filled glass votives:

and then I gave the littles some paint and brushes and let them have at it!

"But Mom, I'm not done!"

Julianne's

Nathaniel's

Lucas' - notice the paint on the face as well -
it is a whole-body experience when that kid paints!

Isabel - finally done!

The Christmas Tree Catherine painted

We are looking forward to seeing them on the dinner table tonight!

Going to link up with Emily over at theNest - and then off to see what other lovely ideas have been posted lately...

Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena - Day Nine

Ninth Day

     O Holy Virgin, enthroned on the spot which you yourself chose, in teh very heart of an idolatrous nation, you marvelously accomplished its conversion.  After seeing your Image on teh tilma of their countryman, Juan Diego, the Indians stripped their temples of all idols and built beautiful churches on whose towers gleaming crosses shone in the sun.  The huge drum, which innumerable times had announced human sacrifices in honor of their gods, was heard no more.

     As Juan Deigo spent the remaining seventeen years of his life in giving your spoken message to the Indians, so permit me, my loving Mother, to help in making known your celestial message among my countrymen.  Animate and bless all who join in the Apostleship and Novena, in order to propagate the Catholic religion among their friends, having as their banner your admirable Image on Juan Diego's tilma, together with the cross, the emblem of our redemption.

     I beg your special aid in procuring the conversion of __________.

say four Hail Mary's and the Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe

     Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions.  You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.  Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, either for the common welfare, or in personal anxieties, was left unaided.

     Inspired by this confidence, we run to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God!  Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before your presence, certain that you will fulfill your merciful promises.  We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness, or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

     You wanted to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life.  Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.

     Our Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us.  Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena - Day Eight

Eighth Day

     After Juan Deigo had cut the flowers that had bloomed suddenly on the barren hill of Tepeyac, he brought them to you at the foot of the mount, where you were waiting. With your own hands you arranged them in his tilma, tying it around his neck, telling him to take them to Bishop Zumarraga, and that this sign would induce him to start building your temple.  The last words which he heard from your adorable lips were: "You are my ambassador worthy of confidence; go in peace."

     The sacred picture, on the coarse cloth of the tilma, could not have been painted by human hands.  It convinced the Bishop, as it ought to convince every person who looks at it, that Juan Diego's message was truly yours.

     Humbly I beg you, my Queen and Mother: Let me be your ambassador like Juan Deigo, to give the doctrine contained in your Image to all my friends; to convince them also, whether they be believers or unbelievers.

say four Hail Mary's and the Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe

     Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions.  You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.  Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, either for the common welfare, or in personal anxieties, was left unaided.

     Inspired by this confidence, we run to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God!  Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before your presence, certain that you will fulfill your merciful promises.  We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness, or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

     You wanted to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life.  Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.

     Our Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us.  Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena - Day Seven

Seventh Day

     The emblem of our redemption, stamped upon the golden brooch fastened to your garment, served to tell the Indians that the religion of their conquerors was the one they were to embrace.  The cross on the banner of Hernanado Cortez and on the brooch was the same.  When they saw it upon your Image, they flocked around the Spanish Missionairies, eager to know its meaning.  They were told about the Saviour, Who came form Heaven to redeem the human race, through His death on the cross; and that you are the Virgin Mother of the Divine Victim, associated with Him in the mystery of our redemption.

     Happy the nation to whom you revealed yourself and God.

     Holy Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, my Queen and Mother, more than four hundred and fifty years have passed since you spoke to Juan Diego, and, so far, only a few of your children in other lands have become aware of the purpose of your Image on the altar of your shrine.  Inspire us, then, to see in this, your miraculous picture, the instrument for the conversion of ALL to the Catholic Apostolic Faith, you who are the adorable Queen and Mother of all the Apostles, and of all Missionaries.

say four Hail Mary's and the Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe

     Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions.  You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.  Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, either for the common welfare, or in personal anxieties, was left unaided.

     Inspired by this confidence, we run to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God!  Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before your presence, certain that you will fulfill your merciful promises.  We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness, or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

     You wanted to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life.  Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.

     Our Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us.  Amen.

A Review and Give-Away

December 10 Edit....

So; it looks like Julie was the only comment - so guess who wins the free ebook!

That's right! Julie!

Congratulations Julie - look for the book in your inbox!

POST FROM DECEMBER 9: (Contest closed)

I volunteered to review a new e-cookbook.

Good and Easy Eats by Kim Wilson at http://goodandeasyeats.com/

I have to admit I signed up for this because:

1.   I like easy
2.   I am trying to change a couple littles to a gluten-free diet and the pre-made mixes are expensive.

I like this book.

Really.

The set-up was very nice. Easy to printout the recipes I wanted to try. Not too busy on the page, with enough space to make my own notes, if needed.

We are big bread, cake, muffin eaters. Desserts a must - daily. This e-cookbook helped me to make some great gluten-free alternatives to what I was already making here for everyone: banana muffins, chocolate chip muffins, brownies. I haven't gotten to the lunch or dinner lists yet; priorities, ya know.

The 'bonuses' were great. The printable stock-up list; organic purchasing tips; menu-planning tips; thrifty shopping tips. Most of the menu-planning and shopping tips I knew, but seeing it in print was a great reminder.

Moving to more wholesome foods rather than processed foods is something that I have been trying to do for a long while. It was great to have some place to go with an organized list of recipes to try already sorted by meal. And the foods needed were easy to get and most I already had on hand.

At first, I was rather put-out that this was an e-book rather than paper. But, after a bit, I realized this actually worked better for me because if I liked a recipe, I could just print it out and add it to my recipe notebook instead of having a book taking up space in my limited cookbook shelf.

Really, I would recommend this e-cookbook to anyone who is looking for a quick and easy way of providing a little more healthy alternative to processed foods. If you are looking into trying gluten-free eating - get this to start out - good food, easy cooking and an easy transition (try the muffins and brownies for a start)

For $4.99, a great stocking stuffer! Try It!

And to help .... a GIVE AWAY!

If you leave a comment below, you will be entered to have a chance to win a free copy of this book. I know I am late in getting the review in, and I will be away the rest of today and tomorrow, so I have to say the pick will be done tomorrow night; December 10.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena - Day Six

Sixth Day

     The fires that burned on the altars of the false gods were extinguished forever, after the Indians had contemplated your Image, and saw you clothed with the sky covered with stars.  This showed them that the stars had been created by the Indivisible God to serve humankind and, therefore, could not be gods to whom adoration and sacrifices were due.

     Most Holy Mary, who through your Image, stamped by God on the Indian's garment, hast brought millions of pagans into the light of the true Faith, I beg you to obtain for me the grace of understanding the message it contains.  Shed upon me the light of your countenance; direct and sanctify all my undertakings.

say four Hail Mary's and the Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe

     Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions.  You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.  Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, either for the common welfare, or in personal anxieties, was left unaided.

     Inspired by this confidence, we run to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God!  Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before your presence, certain that you will fulfill your merciful promises.  We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness, or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

     You wanted to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life.  Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.

     Our Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us.  Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena - Day Five

Fifth Day

     For centuries, the natives of Mexico had worshipped the sun, sacrificing countless human beings in its honor.  But when they beheld your beautiful Image blotting it out, so that only its rays are visible, they understood the lesson it was intended to convey.

     After the Indians had heard your message, and read what your Image contains, they abandoned their false gods and embraced the loving doctrine of your Divine Son.

     Never have they ceased to give thanks for the great mercy that the Almighty God showered upon them, when He sent you to be their Queen, their Mother, and their teacher.

     O Holy Mary, through the mystery of the Incarnation of your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, wherein our salvation was begun, obtain for us ligtht to understand the greatness of the benefit He bestowed upon us in becoming our Brother, and in giving you, His own venerated Mother, to be our Mother also.

say four Hail Mary's and the Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe

     Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions.  You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.  Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, either for the common welfare, or in personal anxieties, was left unaided.

     Inspired by this confidence, we run to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God!  Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before your presence, certain that you will fulfill your merciful promises.  We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness, or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

     You wanted to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life.  Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.

     Our Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us.  Amen.

Jesse Tree - #5-8

As I mentioned before, we are creating clay figures to go with each day of the Jesse Tree based on the above shown book - we absolutely love this book!

Anyway, we finished days 5 - 8 yesterday and got to the clay this morning....


Ram
Sacrifice of Isaac
by Julianne

Ladder
Jacob
by Lucas

Coat

Joseph

by Nathaniel

Cup
Joseph in Egypt (The Famine)
by Isabel

I do beleive the children are enjoying this ongoing project!



An "I'm Finished" Yarn-Along!

 

From Ginny

 ~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?

YAHOO!

YIPPEE!

WOO-HOO!

A big fat 'Snoopy Dance' happening here.

The quilt afghan is DONE!

DONE, I say.

Really - I am excited (can't you tell! LOL)

And can I say: "THANK YOU, GINNY, FOR DOING THIS YARN-ALONG!" Really, without the added 'pressure' of a post today, I would not have plowed through the weaving and sewing the past few days.

I missed last week's Yarn Along - busy planning and doing Advent projects.

I could have posted a picture of all the squares finished.

That's a cool pile. And then I realized I had to weave in all the ends. UGH!

THE BACK-SIDE OF THE FIRST 9 SQUARES SEWED TOGETHER

36 squares. 7 colors each. That's at least 14 ends per square. That's over 500 ends to weave in. And I waited until I was done to start weaving. What was I thinking?

Anyway, it's done. (I know, I said that already)

And here it is:

I am quite pleased with the way it turned out.

I had to go upstairs and actually make my bed in order to show the whole blanket - that is a queen size blanket. Nice to know!

I even think I might do another one for a Muscular Dystrophy Fund Raiser my brother and his family will be hosting. We shall see how I feel about that come February (which is when I will have to start it to get it done by the end of April.)

Tonight I will begin working on a sweater my oldest daughter requested (and really, when your 18 year old requests you make something for her, you really should!) After that, or while doing that, I need to finish my lace bookcase runner, start a hat requested by my sister-in-law, make a flower afghan for another sister-in-law and probably some other things as well. After working on only one project for the past 2 months, I am in the mood for variety!

My reading this week has been Advent books from our list and a new e-cookbook. I received a pre-release copy in exchange for a review. If you check out the review to be posted on Friday and leave a comment, you could win a chance to get a free copy. Not a bad deal. (and I think you will like the cookbook, too!)

Thanks for visiting, and now off to Ginny's to see what everyone else is reading and 'yarning'.