Lord, I want to be your disciple.
Help me to show greater discipline
in seeking what is truly important
and not the trivial.
I know I have denied you
countless times.
Please help me to always return to the cross,
to the Eucharist,
to You.
Showing posts with label lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lent. Show all posts
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
At Home Journal vol. 7
Outside my window: Cloudy. We got a dusting of snow this weekend but the lawn is showing 80% I'd bet. Kate and I have been noticing lots of robins and I'm hoping one will nest on the ledge by our front door again this year (I cleared it off for them!!). Our neighbor tapped one of our maple trees last weekend. The weather hasn't cooperated for the sap to run much yet but we've got 1/3 of the 5 gal. bucket full. Hope to have more next week as I plan on having a group come check it out! Field trip to the Snyders!
Around the house: We're gearing up for some spring cleaning all to be completed before Triduum. Wish the bug had bit sooner in Lent. It has been needing to be done. And now I've got some motivation as Easter and Kate's birthday approach. It will be nice to have done for hosting company!
The baby: He's the sweetest thing. Pretty much growing cuter by the day and so interactive! I need to take more pictures of him. He just woke up so we'll see if I can get this finished in one sitting!
The kiddos: The girls have been really into crafting lately. Mostly coloring and cutting, pasting if I'll let them, play-doh, markers, stickers and so on. Kate has been going through this "I don't like any food you feed me" phase. I hope it's a phase! Ugh! And she's been whiny! I could do without the baby talk. On the plus, she's all about turning 5 and all the rights and responsibilities that come with it! Can you believe she'll be 5 soon? I can't. Julia still is struggling to master #2 on the toilet. Ugh, those diapers are the worst. I've been trying not to obsess over or over think it. She is nearing the whiny threes and has picked up a few 'lessons' from her big sister, much to my chagrin. Oh, and I must mention the singing! Everything can be a song or spoken in "Mother Goose" tongue. Kurt is VERY amused and eventually annoyed by this. She gets it from me. Bedtimes are improving all around.
Bringing me joy: Getting rid of stuff. This is difficult for me. As is organizing. But when I buckle down and do it I find it so satisfying. Now if only it wouldn't be such a messy process and my kids wouldn't interrupt the action. Hehe! Some days and weekends filling up in the future- a concert for Katie's birthday gift, family visiting to celebrate, a Brewers game and weekend in Milwaukee, a trip to Green Bay, a family reunion, swimming lessons, the 4th of July etc. I know, summer seems far off but I'm still excited.
Thinking about: The disaster that was me at Mass this weekend and how I can prevent that from happening again. How the roots of the word Eucharist - Thanksgiving - and the root of the word thank - think. So when I think of something...I am in a sense thankful for something. And how do I pray with that in mind. Holy Week and what's got to get done.
Reading: Just finished Son, the last book in The Giver quartet. Got a few others I'm looking forward to from the library...we'll see.
Pictures to share: These are from last year at this time. The chicks come soon! Happy Easter! We're looking forward to their arrival. On another note-- Interested in chicken? Place your orders now!
Around the house: We're gearing up for some spring cleaning all to be completed before Triduum. Wish the bug had bit sooner in Lent. It has been needing to be done. And now I've got some motivation as Easter and Kate's birthday approach. It will be nice to have done for hosting company!
The baby: He's the sweetest thing. Pretty much growing cuter by the day and so interactive! I need to take more pictures of him. He just woke up so we'll see if I can get this finished in one sitting!
The kiddos: The girls have been really into crafting lately. Mostly coloring and cutting, pasting if I'll let them, play-doh, markers, stickers and so on. Kate has been going through this "I don't like any food you feed me" phase. I hope it's a phase! Ugh! And she's been whiny! I could do without the baby talk. On the plus, she's all about turning 5 and all the rights and responsibilities that come with it! Can you believe she'll be 5 soon? I can't. Julia still is struggling to master #2 on the toilet. Ugh, those diapers are the worst. I've been trying not to obsess over or over think it. She is nearing the whiny threes and has picked up a few 'lessons' from her big sister, much to my chagrin. Oh, and I must mention the singing! Everything can be a song or spoken in "Mother Goose" tongue. Kurt is VERY amused and eventually annoyed by this. She gets it from me. Bedtimes are improving all around.
Bringing me joy: Getting rid of stuff. This is difficult for me. As is organizing. But when I buckle down and do it I find it so satisfying. Now if only it wouldn't be such a messy process and my kids wouldn't interrupt the action. Hehe! Some days and weekends filling up in the future- a concert for Katie's birthday gift, family visiting to celebrate, a Brewers game and weekend in Milwaukee, a trip to Green Bay, a family reunion, swimming lessons, the 4th of July etc. I know, summer seems far off but I'm still excited.
Thinking about: The disaster that was me at Mass this weekend and how I can prevent that from happening again. How the roots of the word Eucharist - Thanksgiving - and the root of the word thank - think. So when I think of something...I am in a sense thankful for something. And how do I pray with that in mind. Holy Week and what's got to get done.
Reading: Just finished Son, the last book in The Giver quartet. Got a few others I'm looking forward to from the library...we'll see.
Pictures to share: These are from last year at this time. The chicks come soon! Happy Easter! We're looking forward to their arrival. On another note-- Interested in chicken? Place your orders now!
 |
Katie said that when she turns 5 she might hold one! |
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Bean Sacrificing?
One of the additions to our Lent this year at the prompting of Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure is the Bean Jar. For every sacrifice made put a bean in the jar (or in our case the jar is our "Lenterpiece"). On Easter morning all those sacrifices turn sweet as the beans are replaced with jelly beans!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Lenten Recipes
Prompted by an email group conversation I thought I would post this here, too.
Some of our Kieler Lenten (meatless) favorites...
Shrimp and Pasta
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic (more if you're a garlic person)
Thawed medium shrimp (we buy frozen and pre cooked)
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
Pasta (cook as directed)
Thaw shrimp (enough for each person to get a serving), rinse, drain and dry. In a skillet over medium heat heat butter, oil and garlic until fragrant. Add shrimp (and veggie of choice if you're daring). Cook until warmed or seared if you like them that way. Mix with drained pasta and add Parmesan cheese while still warm. Quick and EASY! And YUM!
Fettuccine Alfredo
(courtesy of Rachael Runde)
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 small onion finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, crushed
2 c. skim milk
1 c. chicken broth
3 tbsp. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 pkg. (16 oz) fettuccine
1 pkg. (16 oz) broccoli florets
In nonstick skillet (12 in.) heat oil over med. heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is golden brown about 8 min. In bowl, with wire whisk whisk milk, broth, flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Add to onion mixture and cook, stirring until sauce has thickened and boils. Boil 1 min. Stir in Parmesan.
Meanwhile, cook pasta. After pasta has cooked 7 min (or so) add broccoli to pasta water cook approx 3-5 min longer. Drain and toss pasta broccoli and sauce together. A little more work but a tasty alternative.
Baked Ziti
(courtesy of Natalie Elskamp)
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 (28 oz.) can of crushed tomatoes
1 (14 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. of fresh minced basil or 2 tsp. of dried
1 Lb. pkg. ziti or other short pasta
8 oz. of shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
Cook pasta until firm to bite. Reserve 1/2 c. of pasta water when draining. In med skillet brown garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes. Bring to simmer. Stir in basil, sugar and salt and cook till thickened. Add sauce to pasta, use pasta water to loosen sauce as needed. In oiled 9x13 in baking dish, spread half of pasta mix, top with half of both mozz and parm cheese. Repeat with remaining halves. Bake at 350* for 20 min. or until golden brown. Let sit 5 minutes and serve. (Total time takes less than an hour!)
Rice and Bean Enchiladas
(courtesy of the Statz-Lauper family)
tortillas
refried beans
rice
enchilada sauce
shredded cheese
a can of diced tomatoes or salsa
Cook rice. Afterwards, combine all ingredients in a large frying pan and heat through. Place in tortillas and roll (taco bell style). Top with extra sauce and cheese and bake at 350* for 20-30 min.
Oh and two other mentions I can't forget!
1. Kurt's Nearly Famous Smoked Salmon (If you're interested I'll have to ask to reveal the recipe)
2. The Kieler Church Lenten Fish Fry- the best church fish fry we've found! And we make the rounds. ;-)
Happy Cooking and a Blessed Lent!
Some of our Kieler Lenten (meatless) favorites...
Shrimp and Pasta
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic (more if you're a garlic person)
Thawed medium shrimp (we buy frozen and pre cooked)
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
Pasta (cook as directed)
Thaw shrimp (enough for each person to get a serving), rinse, drain and dry. In a skillet over medium heat heat butter, oil and garlic until fragrant. Add shrimp (and veggie of choice if you're daring). Cook until warmed or seared if you like them that way. Mix with drained pasta and add Parmesan cheese while still warm. Quick and EASY! And YUM!
Fettuccine Alfredo
(courtesy of Rachael Runde)
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 small onion finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, crushed
2 c. skim milk
1 c. chicken broth
3 tbsp. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 pkg. (16 oz) fettuccine
1 pkg. (16 oz) broccoli florets
In nonstick skillet (12 in.) heat oil over med. heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is golden brown about 8 min. In bowl, with wire whisk whisk milk, broth, flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Add to onion mixture and cook, stirring until sauce has thickened and boils. Boil 1 min. Stir in Parmesan.
Meanwhile, cook pasta. After pasta has cooked 7 min (or so) add broccoli to pasta water cook approx 3-5 min longer. Drain and toss pasta broccoli and sauce together. A little more work but a tasty alternative.
Baked Ziti
(courtesy of Natalie Elskamp)
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 (28 oz.) can of crushed tomatoes
1 (14 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. of fresh minced basil or 2 tsp. of dried
1 Lb. pkg. ziti or other short pasta
8 oz. of shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
Cook pasta until firm to bite. Reserve 1/2 c. of pasta water when draining. In med skillet brown garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes. Bring to simmer. Stir in basil, sugar and salt and cook till thickened. Add sauce to pasta, use pasta water to loosen sauce as needed. In oiled 9x13 in baking dish, spread half of pasta mix, top with half of both mozz and parm cheese. Repeat with remaining halves. Bake at 350* for 20 min. or until golden brown. Let sit 5 minutes and serve. (Total time takes less than an hour!)
Rice and Bean Enchiladas
(courtesy of the Statz-Lauper family)
tortillas
refried beans
rice
enchilada sauce
shredded cheese
a can of diced tomatoes or salsa
Cook rice. Afterwards, combine all ingredients in a large frying pan and heat through. Place in tortillas and roll (taco bell style). Top with extra sauce and cheese and bake at 350* for 20-30 min.
Oh and two other mentions I can't forget!
1. Kurt's Nearly Famous Smoked Salmon (If you're interested I'll have to ask to reveal the recipe)
2. The Kieler Church Lenten Fish Fry- the best church fish fry we've found! And we make the rounds. ;-)
Happy Cooking and a Blessed Lent!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Piety
We have been working on reading though the Gospel of Matthew on Tuesday mornings with the church ladies. This week we are working on Matthew 6. The lesson focuses on piety, our deep devotion to God that comes from inside us. In reading and hearing the reflection for tomorrow's lesson I was really moved to write a bit about the three acts of piety also known as the works of mercy: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.
These three acts are typically part of the Catholic Lenten experience. A key to understanding these penitent acts is found in 1 John 2:15-17
To combat the lust of the flesh- FASTING. Lusts of the flesh are those things we seek to serve our body, food and sexual pleasure are probably on the forefront of these. Fasting helps us to acquire mastery over our instincts and true freedom of heart. In Matthew 6 beginning in verse 16. Christ warns us that we ought not be actors in our fasting. True fasting is done for the good of the penitent and for God alone not so that others might see.
To combat the lust of the eyes- ALMSGIVING. When all I can think of is what I want (whether it be a better job, a bigger house, this TV, that computer, accessories etc. I struggle with lust of the eyes. And the Lord's cure all for this desire for things is to give. If I've been saving up for that new pick-up and have $3000 saved perhaps I give, $1000 away. The lesson of course is that God provides what we truly need and nothing of this earth can satisfy us. Matthew 6 reminds us that it is treasure in heaven that is of primary importance, not the things of this earth (A great reminder in this economy) and what we ought to seek is the Kingdom of Heaven and the rest will be provided at an as needed basis. Tough, isn't it? We also are reminded that almsgiving is not about the publicity.
To combat the pride of life- PRAYER. The pride of life is "a disordered self trust" St. Thomas Aquinas says. This temptation shows its ugly face in human history from the beginning in the Garden of Eden. The choice Adam and Eve faced is the same one we face daily. Can we trust God? Or would we rather take matters into our own hands? Jesus doesn't admonish public prayer but rather reminds us that real prayer is an interior thing. We ought to pray whenever and wherever! But it isn't about the show but rather that conversion of heart that takes place when we turn to the Lord and present ourselves as we are to Him. We are reminded that who we are when no one is watching is our truest self.
So, let's take a look at our lives! Let's use these tools to combat sin!
Here's to a blessed Lent!
These three acts are typically part of the Catholic Lenten experience. A key to understanding these penitent acts is found in 1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; bu he who does the will of God abides forever.The point of the works of mercy are to combat sin- particularly these three common sins which I highlighted in bold. The Christian is called to be on the offensive when it comes to sin and these three pious acts are our weapons.
To combat the lust of the flesh- FASTING. Lusts of the flesh are those things we seek to serve our body, food and sexual pleasure are probably on the forefront of these. Fasting helps us to acquire mastery over our instincts and true freedom of heart. In Matthew 6 beginning in verse 16. Christ warns us that we ought not be actors in our fasting. True fasting is done for the good of the penitent and for God alone not so that others might see.
To combat the lust of the eyes- ALMSGIVING. When all I can think of is what I want (whether it be a better job, a bigger house, this TV, that computer, accessories etc. I struggle with lust of the eyes. And the Lord's cure all for this desire for things is to give. If I've been saving up for that new pick-up and have $3000 saved perhaps I give, $1000 away. The lesson of course is that God provides what we truly need and nothing of this earth can satisfy us. Matthew 6 reminds us that it is treasure in heaven that is of primary importance, not the things of this earth (A great reminder in this economy) and what we ought to seek is the Kingdom of Heaven and the rest will be provided at an as needed basis. Tough, isn't it? We also are reminded that almsgiving is not about the publicity.
To combat the pride of life- PRAYER. The pride of life is "a disordered self trust" St. Thomas Aquinas says. This temptation shows its ugly face in human history from the beginning in the Garden of Eden. The choice Adam and Eve faced is the same one we face daily. Can we trust God? Or would we rather take matters into our own hands? Jesus doesn't admonish public prayer but rather reminds us that real prayer is an interior thing. We ought to pray whenever and wherever! But it isn't about the show but rather that conversion of heart that takes place when we turn to the Lord and present ourselves as we are to Him. We are reminded that who we are when no one is watching is our truest self.
So, let's take a look at our lives! Let's use these tools to combat sin!
Here's to a blessed Lent!
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