"How beautiful then is modesty and what a gem among virtues it is." (St. Bernard, Confessor and Doctor of the Church)

Lenten Reading

Are you looking for something good to read during Lent? I just rec'd my Ignatius Press catalog in the mail...WOW do they have tons of books that look good! Lenten reading here we come!

Check these out:
When Hitler Took Austria by Kurt von Schuschnigg - A memoir of heroic faith by the Chancellor's Son
http://www.amazon.com/When-Hitler-Took-Austria-Chancellors/dp/1586177095/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329152293&sr=1-1

Adam and Eve After the Pill by Mary Eberstadt
http://www.amazon.com/Adam-Eve-After-Pill-Revolution/dp/1586176277/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329152119&sr=1-1

Harry Potter & the Paganization of Culture by Michael O'Brien - if your children have read Harry Potter or want to, you need to read this book! Also addresses the Twilight series and The Golden Compass
http://www.amazon.com/Potter-Paganization-Culture-Michael-OBrien/dp/8362207019/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329151863&sr=8-1

One of my favorite blogs, The Modest Mom (http://www.themodestmomblog.com/) , is posting pics of outfits she wears to give us ideas. I thought I would post what I wore today :o) I went shopping with a couple of friends, so my shirt, sweater & jewelry are more than what I would wear on a typical day, but this jean skirt goes everywhere! I love it! I wear it to clean house, run errands, whatever...basically it is my pair of jeans :o) I will try to post pics once in awhile, because I know how much it helps me to see what others who are trying to dress modestly wear...and where they purchase things...and what shoes they wear! My skirt came from Style J (http://www.denimskirts.com/). The shirt & sweater came from Christopher & Banks. Usually my outfits come from Goodwill :o) But I have more than gotten my money's worth out of this outfit...it's one of my favorites! I don't know what the 'style name' for these shoes are, but they are basically brown loafers. In the winter I usually wear cotton tights or long johns under my longest skirts because I am usually cold.

True Christian Motherhood

One of my favorite bloggers has just written a new e-book that looks fantastic! It is called "True Christian Motherhood" and I can't wait to read it! It is only $7 and you can find it here: http://www.truechristianmotherhood.com/ You can also go here http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/ to register to win the e-book & LOTS of other great prizes from Christian companies. Wise Woman is my dream blog :o) I hope someday soon I will be able to go through her consulting program and develop a truly wonderful blog! Thank you WW for all of your help & encouragement!

I love these skirts!

The Modest Mom has some great skirts! Love a couple of their new ones...Check out the Rainbow Striped Denimn Skirt and the Women's Flowing Long Black Skirt. http://http://themodestmom.com/category_12/Womens-Skirts.htm They are definately on my wish list! Just need a job or to win at the St. Helena 4th of July raffle tonight :o) If you live in Northeast Nebraska come on over to St. Helena, NE for the BEST fireworks in the country...and believe me I've seen some good ones :o) They are up close & personal & AWESOME! But check out these skirts too! LOL

Coupon Clutch

If you want to be cool while you save...this Coupon Clutch is for you! You can receive $5 off a $25 order now using the code TAKE5. Very tempting...I know with what I have saved clipping coupons in the last couple months I could buy this tote!
http://http://www.couponclutch.com/index.php
Thank you Stockpiling Moms for this lead!
http://http://www.stockpilingmoms.com/

Blogging Help Giveaway!

Here is a great giveaway to enter if you want to earn money with your blog and connect with people who can help you have a great blog!
http://http://www.raisingarrows.net/2011/06/connections-network-giveaway.html#comment-18650

31 Days to Clean

This looks like a fantastic e-book! Mary & Martha are always struggling within me :o) http://http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com/home/ (click on this link TODAY & find out how to get your copy for free). Check out this link to see how you can get a copy of 31 Days to Clean for only $4.99: http://31daystoclean.com/ I think it will be worth every penny! I can't wait to be Mary & sit down & read this book :o) Blessings, Ladybug

AWESOME Bible Coloring Sheets

With Holy Week coming up, you will want to check out the "Jesus, the Christ" section of this website for great coloring sheets! Then look through all of the other wonderful Bible coloring sheets they offer as well. They are great even for older children because there is a lot of detail. Beautiful pictures! Thank you Catholic Icing for sharing this link! http://http://www.tne.net.au/~abdaacts/cbible.html If you like what you see on my blog, please follow me :o) Blessings, Ladybug

Coupon Binder & Cash System

Thank you "Stockpiling Moms" for this link to "Coupon Binder!" I am just using a regular 3-ring binder for my coupons and had some recipe card sheet protectors that have 2 pockets per page. One of the blogs I read said you could use the protectors for baseball/trading cards, but then you have to fold the coupons. Even if you just use a regular 3-ring binder, you can purchase these sheet protectors that would be much easier to use because you wouldn't have to fold your coupons. So glad to have this link for when I need to order more sheet protectors!http://http//couponclutch.com/products/3_Pocket_Coupon_Binder_Pages_10_pack-6-2.html Too cool! Now I just need to find some type of clutch for in my purse that I carry with me all the time with restaurant coupons and gift cards and my cash divided among its categories. We use the cash system for most of the things that I purchase & it works great!!! I spend SO much LESS money because I need that tangible reminder of how much I am actually spending & how much I have left. I like to be able to see & feel my money :o) We use cash for: groceries/Walmart, clothes, eating out/entertainment, piano lessons/special recreation & classes for the kids, gifts, etc. I am using a coupon organizer from the dollar store right now, but it is ripping already. I have tried the Dave Ramsey wallets too, but they just have paper envelopes as well. , so I have ripped out of those too. Will just have to keep looking...at least I can get a new one for $1! Blessings, Ladybug

Bargains!

Found some great bargains for online coupons...unfortunately they expired today or I'd post the links for you! Will try to be more on the ball next time & share :o) I had a $20 off $30 Microsoft accesories coupon for Staples so got a new wireless keyboard that actually types all of the letters I hit on the keyboard :o) Also printed coupons for JCPenny's for $10 off $25 purchase, which my husband, daughter, and I were all able to use, so our family saved $30 on leggings for DD to wear under dresses, red towels for the kitchen that you can't see through, and purple towels for the bathroom that don't have pink spots on them! LOL We also started car shopping...I am in love with a pilot...he he he...a Honda Pilot that is! We test drove one today and it was really nice! Also looked at a Honda Ridgeline Pickup, but didn't have time to test drive it. They both have some really nice features...I have especially miss having anti-lock brakes & traction control, so will be glad to have those features back...and if we get heated seats, a sunroof, and DVD player in the deal...hey...sounds good to me! Hopefully we can find a good deal before the '94 Saturn with 200,000 + miles bites the dust completely.

DD & I also went to an ENDOW retreat today.http://http://endowonline.org/. It is a really neat faith-study program. I am going to pray about becoming a facilitator so I can conduct the study programs in my area. ENDOW stands for "Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women"...something greatly needed today! The programs study different Catholic Church documents, saints, and the Bible and help women to realize and embrace their dignity and vocation as women!

Blessings!

Feast of the Annunciation

March 25 (tomorrow) is the Solemnity of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary's "yes" changed history and salvation! Since the Annunciation is a Solemnity, we do not have to abstain from meat tomorrow...of course an extra sacrifice never hurts :o) But we are supposed to celebrate Solemnities! Pray the 1st Joyful Mystery together. Bake a blue cake (wouldn't this be great for any feast of Mary???) http://http//www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/royal-blue-velvet-cake/bce7c4e4-8c6a-49cd-ac3f-9fe629722d9c. An angel food cake would also be appropriate, frost with light blue frosting. Make an angel craft. Draw the word "YES" with bubble letters and let your children decorate inside the letters. Pray the Angelus. Play a game of Mary Memory. Tell Mary "thank you" for saying yes...and practice saying "yes" to what God asks of you..."let it be done to me." God bless you!

One Thing I Am Doing for Lent!

I have decided that the girls & I are each going to 'get rid of' 40 things during Lent this year. I know some people do 40 bags, but that thought alone is overwhelming to me...especially since I am working full time outside the home right now. So I think we will concentrate on 40 things. I am starting tomorrow by donating some pictures and office supplies that I no longer use/need to Mary's Choice http://www.maryschoice.org/. So I will be ahead of the game by at least 4 things :o)

I think we will also start praying 5 decades of the Rosary each night. We have been pretty consistent about 2 or 3 decades per night, so it's time to step it up!

Blessed Lent to you!

Mini Cookie Dough Brownies

I haven't even made the brownies yet, and these are ruining my diet! If you love cookie dough, you've GOT to try these! Hurry...Lent starts next week :o)

You need to make the mini cookie dough balls first & freeze them for at least an hour.

Fudgy Saucepan Brownies:
1-12 oz pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c butter
1 c white sugar
1 1/4 c flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 large eggs, beaten
mini cookie dough balls, frozen (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 pan. Melt chocolate chips and butter in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently and till smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar, flour, vanilla, baking powder, salt & eggs. Mix till combined. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle top with frozen cookie dough balls. Pat down with hand. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or till center is set.

Mini Cookie Dough Balls:
(I doubled the recipe so I could use the whole can of sweetened condensed milk. I am going to put the dough balls I don't need in a baggie & leave them in the freezer till I make these brownies again...if I don't eat them all first! I also added mini chocolate chips...YUM)

1/4 c butter
6 T brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 c + 2 T sweetened condensed milk (half of 14 oz. can)
mini chocolate chips, to taste, if desired

Combine all ingredients in medium mixing bowl till smooth (I used the mixer). Using fingertips and palms of hands, make miniture (less than 1/2") balls out of cookie dough. Place on a waxed paper lined baking sheet. Freeze at least one hour before baking in the brownies.

Thank you to www.dreamingofwhitechocolate.com for this awesome recipe!!!

Lenten Recipes

Believe it or not...I am still alive :o) Oh, to have more time to blog! Another believe it or not...Lent starts in 2 weeks! Here are some of our favorite recipes for those meatless Fridays:

CHEESE ENCHILADAS
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 8 oz pkg cheddar cheese
1/4 c sliced green onions (optional)
6 large flour tortillas
1 8 oz jar salsa or enchilada sauce
chives (optional)

Blend cream cheese till smooth; add 1 c cheddar cheese and onions or chives. Spread 1/4 c cheese mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seam side down in 9x13 pan. Pour salsa or enchilada sauce over tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes longer.

CREAMY POTATO SOUP
6 large potatoes, diced
diced carrots
1/2 c butter
onion and/or garlic
2 T flour
4 c milk
cream soup...any flavor without meat :o) (celery is good)
1/2 c shredded cheese
spices as desired, I usually add pepper

Cook potatoes and carrots in large kettle, drain & set aside. Saute onion and/or garlic in butter till tender. Stir in flour till blended, then gradually add milk. Bring to boil; cook & stir till thickened. Add cream soup, cheese, potatoes, carrots, and spices. Mix well. Stir till cheese is melted and soup is heated through.

FISH PARMESAN
(this recipe is from my friend Michelle's mom)
3/4 c dried breadcrumbs
3 T parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp each pepper, oregano, basil
6 pollack fillets
1/2 c melted butter

In shallow bowl, combine crumbs, cheese, parsley, and seasonings. Dip fish in butter, then in crumb mixture. Arrange in 9x13 pan. Bake uncovered at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

TUNA & CRAB HOTDISH
(my Grandma made this for us every Good Friday when we went to visit them in Denver)

***Must be made the night before.

8 slices bread, cubed
1 can crab meat, drained
1 c celery, diced (optional)
1 green pepper, diced (optional)
4 eggs
3 c milk
2 cans tuna, drained
1/2 c mayo
1 onion, diced (optional)

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c milk

Butter 9x13 pan, put 1/2 bread in bottom. Saute onion, celery & pepper in butter. Combine with mayo; add tuna and crab, spread over bread; put rest of bread on top. Beat eggs & milk, pour over top. Cover and put in frig overnight. Bake 15 minutes at 325. Combine 1 can cream of mushroom soup & 1/2 c milk. Pour on top of casserole. Top with grated cheese. Bake for 1 hour.

SALMON PATTIES
Stir together 1 can salmon with juice, onion to taste, and 2 eggs. Add 16-18 crushed saltine crackers. Make small patties and fry in butter in frying pan set at 250. Turn over when brown. Add more butter for each batch.

ENJOY :o)