Sunday, February 03, 2013

Mosaic/ Macro Monday

Desert Beauty 1
Being here in Tucson has offered me the opportunity to reflect on those things I take for granted and the things I learn to appreciate.  

I have taken for granted the diversity of peoples and the ways they live.  I forget that all that is created by God has value and worth, even the cactus and the dry earth. Never must I forget these things and become so complacent in my environment that I allow these insights to lose their importance.


The desert beauty
Under the winter sun gives
The hope of New Spring

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Stop by  The Little Red House and offer words of encouragement to Mary.  Mosaic Monday is postponed this week due to the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.   Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Friday, February 01, 2013

Haiku My Heart

                                       
                               

As through a tree we were made
 debtors to God, 
so through a tree we receive 
the cancellation of our debt.
~~Saint Iraneaus~~


All is possible
When we release our Ego
And trust in our God!

For through creation
Beauty and serenity
Are to us given.


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy


Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 




I'm also joining Lou Ceel at Haiku Friday.  Come play with words.  It's such a joy!!!




Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Joy in Haiku



Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.
And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as
celebrating the beauty in words.
must be open to it!
~~~~~~~~~~
For  Equilibrium

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

As the wind loves to call things to dance 
May your gravity be lightened by grace.

Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what's said,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
To hear in the depths the laughter of God.
                                       by John O'Donohue
                                       From To Bless the Space Between Us

                                         
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                                     

Joyful is the Word
Liltingly spoken in love
Lifts the soul higher


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy


Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 




I'm also joining Lou Ceel at Haiku Friday.  Come play with words.  It's such a joy!!!




Monday, January 21, 2013

Time Flies



Time flies, is flying, has flown.  I've not been here for a very long time.  Like the phases of the moon, life is just like that.  Every changing yet staying the same.  Since I last made an effort to write here that is what my life has been doing.

The Holidays spent with family and friends, treasured times.  The deaths of friends, the void left by their loss, yes, to be treasured, for they will always be there in some way.  The sorrow of those left behind, so real, palpable.

Yet through it all there are the miracles, oh so many, and too numerous to share at this time.  

It's like starting all over again here.  I will try to post as often as I can.  But time does fly and I must do my best to keep up with it.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Joy of Saint Nicholas Haiku







Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.
And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as
celebrating with Saint Nicholas
the love of God in the Incarnation.



must be open to it!
~~~~~~~~~~

Good Saint Nicholas
Most generous follower
Model of giving

Good Saint Nicholas
 He teaches humility
Heed his example
~~~^j^~~~

So it is that we are called to follow the Savior in HUMILITY and LOVE for all.  And Saint Nicholas lived his life in such a way that we might know that it is possible even today to be giving and loving as our Savior and Lord has taught us to be.
*
***
*****
*******
|
~~~~~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy


Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 




I'm also joining Lou Ceel at Haiku Friday.  Come play with words.  It's such a joy!!!




Sunday, December 02, 2012

Mosaic Monday


























Santa's Helpers

The fairies and elves on last Christmas-tide
Decided to open their hearts very wide,
And spend extra time, throughout the whole year,
In helping their grandfather—Santa Claus dear.

"Our fingers are nimble. We'll quickly make toys
Enough to supply all the girls and the boys,
And Santa may watch us to see if it's right,
So all will be ready before Christmas night."

Then bravely they all went to work with a will,
And soon all was quiet in workshop and mill;
For old Santa said, "Enough, and well done,
We've toys enough now to make all kinds of fun."

We thank you, old Santa, and your helpers, too,
For all of the many kind things that you do;
And should you need more help in making your toys,
Just call on your small friends, the girls and the boys.

by M. Nora Boylan


It's been so very busy here at the Keller's that I've not had a chance to visit all my friends in the "neighborhood."  Hoping to be able to spend for time during this glorious season.  Wishing you all the very best!!!  And here's hoping that, you all are bein' the best helpers to Santa you can be.

*
**
***
****
*****
|
~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy


 The Little Red House and offer words of encouragement to Mary.  Mosaic Monday is postponed this week due to the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.   Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Joy in Haiku



Today I join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.
And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as
God's palate



must be open to it!
~~~~~~~~~~

Healing always comes
It's many forms surprising
Smiling, laughter, tears

Happiness and joy
God's abundant love, mercy
Thanksgiving treasures

~~~^j^~~~

Will be at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods this weekend for recommitment as a Providence Associates.  Pray with me!!!

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy


Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 




I'm also joining Lou Ceel at Haiku Friday.  Come play with words.  It's such a joy!!!




Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Once Upon A Time Recipes


There is always that special recipe that brings back wonderful memories of holiday meals with family and friends and grand times spent together.  Thanksgiving and  Christmas holidays are one of those times when memories flood back for me.  What about you?

It's always been a challenge for me to make chicken and dumplings.  Here in Indiana chicken and dumplings is another way of saying chicken and noodles (wide noodles).  But being raised in Colorado I always knew chicken and dumplings as chicken soup with fluffy puffs of batter steamed atop the soup.

******
And the challenge was not the soup...It was the dumplings.  As a wedding gift a dear friend gave me a cookbook called The Complete Book of High Altitude Baking by Donna Miller Hamilton and Beverly Anderson Nemio.  (I'm not sure if the book is still in print, but I did find 2 used copies on Amazon.com.)  I decided one afternoon those many years ago when the wee ones were napping that I'd make chicken and dumpling.  And so the adventure began.

Chicken Soup

3 boneless chicken breasts                1 medium white onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced                 1 49.5 oz can of chicken broth 
2 bay leaves                                        salt and pepper to taste

Add all ingredient to a 6-quart sauce pan.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken is done.  Remove the chicken from the broth and when it is cool enough to handle cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.  Return the chicken to the pot and simmer until you are ready to add the dumplings.  (I also make the chicken soup in my large  Crock Pot and then when I get home from work I only need to transfer the soup to the sauce pan to make the dumplings.)


******
Dumplings 

1 egg, slightly beaten                            1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted                 1 teaspoon parsley, chopped
1 cup milk                                                 OR  1/4 teaspoon thyme
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted                 savory, if desired
2 teaspoons double-acting
   baking powder. 

Blend egg, melted butter and milk together.

Sift flower once before measuring.  Mix and sift together flour, baking powder, salt and herbs, if desired.

Make a well in the center of dry ingredients.  Add small amount of liquid mixture.  Blend quickly.  Add remaining liquid mixture, using as few strokes as possible to blend  the two [mixtures] together.  Dough should be stiff.  Add a small additional amount of flour if necessary 

After having removed the bay leaves, bring the chicken soup to a rolling boil.  Reduce the heat to medium.  Then drop dough by tablespoonfuls into hot broth.  Cover with lid and cook 10 minutes.  Uncover and cook 10 minutes more.  (I have never adjusted the recipe because of altitude, but you can if you desire.)

Recipe yields 12 dumplings.  

I serve it tonight with Cheese Biscuits.  The mix a gift from Jimmy and Kelly because they know how much I love Jim 'n' Nick's when we visit them in Alpharetta. ( If you find a copy of the cookbook the recipe is on page 106.)  

What an adventure it has been, because for 44 years now I've been making and loving those chicken and dumpling meals on a chilly Autumn/Winter evening.


~*~*~*~
Thanks be to God!!!


Cathy


Please join the fun. Share your family recipe and memories surrounding it. Make your comments here and then go to Mr. Linky so we can visit and share your recipe. Who knows your recipe might start a new holiday tradition at someone else's holiday gathering.


Sunday, November 04, 2012

Mosaic/Macro Monday


Tis the season for anticipation and reasons for giving thanks.  The family gatherings, harvest moon, and the glory in God's creation!

On the Wednesdays during the preparations for these wonderful holidays please join me for Once Upon A Recipe.  Share your recipes and tradition stories behind them from Grandmas sugar cookies to Mom's best stuffing recipe!!!  All are welcome and what fun we'll all have sharing these memories!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Stop by  The Little Red House and offer words of encouragement to Mary.  Mosaic Monday is postponed this week due to the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.   Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween "Once Upon A Recipe" with Joy in Haiku


Today seems like the perfect day to share a "Once Upon a Time" Recipe. Why? Well it's Halloween, a beautiful chilly Fall day and I'm thinkin' hum...baked macaroni and cheese.

This is one of those recipes a family acquires but is never sure where it came from because it's been used for years. I started making this when we lived in Burlingame, California (just south of San Francisco) nearly 35 years ago. I have no idea how I got the recipe, I just know a week seldom went by without making it. Now it's the "Mother-In-Law" recipe. You know "The One Your Husband Asks You To Make Because His Mother Made It This Way" Recipe? So without further ado, here it is.


Baked Macaroni and Cheese

1 stick of margarine/butter
4 cups macaroni, uncooked
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups grated Colby cheese/favorite cheese
5 cups milk
1 package smoky links

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9" x 13" baking dish melt margarine/butter in the oven. Add macaroni with salt and pepper to the baking dish and coat with margarine. Evenly distribute macaroni mix and top evenly with grated cheese (I sometimes use more that 2 cups). Cover mixture with milk. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and top with smoky links. Return to oven and bake another 15 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes before serving.

I usually serve it with french cut green beans, and the kids always like to put ketchup on it and the "links."

Please join the fun. Share your family recipe and memories surrounding it. Make your comments here and then go to Mr. Linky so we can visit and share your recipe. Who knows your recipe might start a new holiday tradition at someone else's holiday gathering.


~~~~~~~



Tomorrow I'll join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.
And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as
Halloween!


must be open to it!
~~~~~~~~~~
On All Hallows Eve
We gather to play and tease
Tomorrow we pray.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy



Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart on Friday. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!!