All Saints Day 2012

Sarah and I found the time to get our crews together for our annual All Saints Day party.  It was pretty laid-back, just the way we like it!  A fun time was had by all, but as usual, the day passed much too quickly for both kids and moms.

Baptism

Marcus Laurance Lahlum was baptized on September 29th, 2012 (Feast of the Archangels – how’s that for a great feast day!) at 10am at Holy Rosary Church.  His Godparents are good friends, Camille & Duane Smith.  So, very thankful that we were able to find a date that worked for godparents, grandparents, a few siblings… and us!  Father J. Okafor officiated.

Collin, Anne & G. Golden Acres trying to keep all the little kids quiet during the baptism.  It’s a challenge when all the cousins get together!

Eric, Fr. Okafor, Marcus (he’s screaming & Fr. is still smiling!) and me.

Camille & Duane – Godparents

Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres with Marcus

Grandpa & Grandma Golden Acres with Marcus.

Wednesday DayLook: 1/11/12

 

Looking out from my back porch... it’s a grey day.  There are snowflakes falling every once in a while and it just looks cold.

I am thankful for... a somewhat quiet day, husbands who offer to take daughters to dance, the idea of quiet (something to yearn for!), the ability to MAKE time to read, my kitchen, the gas fireplace to warm us at night, the BISON win this past Saturday!

I am reading…

‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ by Julia Child (I am soooo craving poached eggs and hollandaise sauce!)

‘The Omnivores Dilemma’ by Michael Pollan

‘The Pure Joy of Monastery Cooking’ by Brother Victor-Antoine d’ Avila-Latourrette

‘Let Freedom Ring’ by Al and Joanna Lacy.

I am praying for... less stress.

I am wondering… why it seems that only adults loose their voices (from a sore throat or some other innocuous reason) and never kids. 

From the School Room... we are back in the swing, but it’s still not a very smooth ride.  Some students just need to question every darn little thing, and I’m getting worn down and stressed.  There are days when I think the next three years could just not go fast enough.  Please, pray for that kid, cuz my hubby is ready to send him to school.

From the Kitchen... I’m definitely in the mood to spend more time in the kitchen.  Cooking and baking are a stress reliever for me.  I so want to try some of the recipes from the cookbooks mentioned above.

From the FarmYard… the Barred Rock rooster is perilously close to ending his time here on earth.  I don’t dare let Louis (who is smaller) go out there as this rooster is mean to Grandma, Grandpa, Angelina, Zeke and Graham.  The kitties have made a successful transition from being housed in Grandma’s brown garage to living in the barn!  In fact, they often make their way up to our home to walk around the porch.  Happy hunters keep the mice away!

A successful moment… I did finish a puzzle on New Year’s Eve with about 20 minutes to go till the new year (Angelina helped with a handful of pieces), but there are no pictures except for the one below, which just DOES NOT do it justice.

A few plans for the rest of the week… headed to Fargo for a meeting and our CCL chapter is getting together for a potluck.  Blessedly, there are no plans for the weekend.

A picture memory...

Zeke put together the tool bench for Louis and he’s been having so much fun.  And, this is about at much snow as we’ve been able to get this year.  Of course, it melted within three days.

Yes, bright and early on the first day of the New Year, this is what happened to the puzzle.  I tell you, I didn’t even get to look at it in detail.  I was not a happy camper.

This was one of the best gifts this year.  Our old upright piano is on it’s last leg, as it will hardly hold a tune.  So, this will be our back-up and intermediate piano.

The kids’ Christmas program at church was on the Feast of the Epiphany.  This Three Kings cake for the potluck turned out really cute. 

All Saints Day!

On a whim (that means just this weekend!), Sarah and I decided we could pull off an All Saints Day party for our kids this year.  She emailed and I responded with a loud email “COME”!  We had a feast – St. Patrick’s Irish Stew, St. Lucy’s eyeballs, St. John the Baptist Brew, Holy Ghost cookies (btw, Keebler Elf cookies work when the grocery store is out of Nutter Butter’s!), Bone Salad, and Saint Halos (powdered Sugar Donuts).

Louis’ birthday is coming up, so Sarah brought his gift along (she is his prayerful Godmother).

Our little Saints in the making portraying Saints:

The Holy Ghost by Miss S.

Graham as St. Simeon and Miss E as…. St. Elizabeth of Hungary!  She’s beautiful, though, and getting so grown up.

Zeke chose the character out of Tomie De Poala’s book – Clown of God.  It’s been a long time since I’ve read the book.  I didn’t supervise their choices this year and am not sure the character portrayed is actually a saint… but he had fun dressing up and the juggler certainly did love Mary and the Christ Child.

Blessed Lucia by Miss N.

Angelina as St. Cecilia, above, and Mr. L as Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, below.

Dash didn’t have much time to prepare, so didn’t come as a saint.  He and Mr. L had a good time with this wig, though!

Sarah and I.  Crazy day, but it’s worth it, right Sarah?? 

My gosh, I just realized that I took NO pictures of my dear God-daughter!  She’s adorable and so good natured.  Sarah said this is the first longer car trip she’s taken, while awake, where she didn’t fuss and cry (or make Sarah wonder “Why am I doing this!”).  Dear sweet God-baby, may God bless you always.

Happy All Saints…

and for All Souls:  Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace. Amen.