God of justice, help me to look outside myself and be alert to the needs of others. Help me to remember that I serve You through service to others.

From my Loyola Press devotional this morning, based on 1 Cor 11:27-29: http://loyolapress.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=8d9fc2308c8f28d2a7d2f6f48801c705.1858&ref=twitter&twitter=share

 

Laetare Sunday 2022

 Will this be more ramblings, or will it take more form and have substance?  .. .. .. 

I've been working with my brother and sister on a birthday shindig for mommie dearest, who turned 80 this past December. We decided to make the open house in June of this year be a sort of dual birthday celebration and 60th anniversary commemoration, which is coming up this 6th of October. Much of the preparation has been delegating and concurring on time, format, menu, guest list, etc; it has good pretty smooth so far. I am on the books for (and this is just me thinking out loud, if you will) coleslaw, hotdogs, fixins bar, rice krispy chocolate and peanut butter as per Ree Drumond treats, lemonade, a summer sangria iced beverage, firewood, bottle water, soft drinks, ice for coolers and drinks, 

The communication yestreday was on point and to the point, God be praised!! More so than much accomplished, I would say much was initiated - all towards the goal of a 'successful' endeavour. 

Father in Heaven, we entrust this event to You - all the planning and preparations, decisions and details, food and fellowship - all to Your glory! Thank You for what we have accomplished so far; continue to be our Guide and Ultimate Provider. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; amen.

We have our next phone gathering for 3:00 pm our time on the 9th of April, two weeks hence.

So far tentatively we have

Mom and Dad providing the yard, home, rented canopy with tables, fire pit, indoor food presentation and lavatory facilities, fried chicken, 

Nancy Ann working on the decorations and cake, and further providing fruit, potato salad. She did agree to sing Be Still My Soul as per TLH arrangement, and also volunteered her daughter Belle as a fourth, and possibly a soprano.

Gary and Mary Baldner bringing Nicholas and Joshua Michael, as well as desserts; and creating and mailing the invitations. Gary also agreed to sing Be Still My Soul for ma.

My beautiful bride Monica offered to make her world famous pasta salad; my remaining responsibilities are listed above. 

Recipe #33: Goodass Spaghetti

 Third Sunday in Lent, and I'm ready for a little bit o' pasta I think. After a blessed trip to Aldi yestreday, we have all the fixin's.

Ingredients:

one turn of the pan EVOO

1 big old can of crushed tomatoes (maybe 30 oz?)

about a cup of chicken broth

1 beefsteak tomato diced

1 white onion diced

1 green pepper diced

tablespoon of minced garlic

about a pound and a quarter ground turkey (85/15)

one container of sliced mushrooms

onion powder

dried parsley/sage/rosemary/thyme from the garden

dried basil

dried oregano

thin spaghetti noodles

Order of operations:

I warmed up the oil then added the onion, pepper, garlic (oh that aroma!) and then the meat, and cooked until the meat was done. I added the broth and tomatoes, and then the seasoning and brought it to a boil. Then I lowered the heat, and let it simmer covered for about an hour. I added about half a box of noodles to the sauce and let that go probably another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Serve with some grated parmesan and a fat slice of butter bread, and sit down with the clicker for some college basketball. 

God bless you all. 

Lenten Tartar

 I've been experimenting for years - trying to get the most flavorful tartar sauce imaginable. We both agreed last week's version was pretty darn close, so I want to record it here for posterity. Amounts (as ever) are approximate.

3/4 c mayo

1 squirt dark brown mustard

tbs Worcestershire

tbs lemon juice

1/4 c diced dill pickles

1/4 c finely diced red onion

pinch of dill seed

a couple grinds of black pepper

Combine all in a Kitchen Aid bowl with a tight lid; this will last til next Friday in a good cold fridge, if there's any left. 

Should it seem not thick enough, add more mayo/pickles to stiffen it up a bit. You may add salt if your palette deems it necessary, but we don't add table salt to any dishes (mayo, mustard, Worcestershire, and  pickles all contain sodium!).

God bless 

this makes me smile

 

TLH # 145 Jesus, Refuge of the Weary - tune = O du Liebe

 

St. Patrick's Breastplate (Prayer of St. Patrick) - Jean Watson

TLH # 144 Jesus Grant that Balm and Healing - tune = Der am Kreuz

 

TLH #143 O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken

 

TLH #140 Jesus, I Will Ponder Now

 

Ash Wednesday 2022

 The good folks at Loyola Press send me a retreat every morning containing a brief excerpt from Scripture (not necessarily corresponding to the Mass readings, but always relevant), a paragraph to contemplate and then a couple of hard questions and a prayer. I am thankful for these retreats. I am quoting from to-day's here, without permission:

As we enter this prayerful season of Lent, how do we ready ourselves? We are encouraged to ritually prepare our outsides in readiness for our internal transformation. Anoint your head - bless yourself as a child of God on the journey to the Kingdom. Wash your face - ready yourself for this pilgrimage of the soul. Mark yourself with the cross of your salvation and enter into this journey with your head up and your eyes forward. 

 Based on Matthew 6:16-18: 

“When you fast,

do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.

They neglect their appearance,

so that they may appear to others to be fasting.

Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast,

anoint your head and wash your face,

so that you may not appear to be fasting,

except to your Father who is hidden.

And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”