Happy Birthday, Daddy!

LIVE: PRESIDENT TRUMP FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE NATION 1/19/21

[Family Guy] The Rose - driving song

Recipe # 217: Chicken Alfredo Lower Michigan Style

 Wednesday night, no Survivor, and I wanted to try something new in the kitchen. I had some boneless chicken fingers ready in the fridge, and a half pint of mushrooms screaming 'EAT US!'.

1.5# 3” boneless chicken cutlets

2 tbs EVOO

1 small white onion rough chopped

seasoned with garlic power, ground black pepper, and garden herbs

½ c butter

1 ½ cups heavy whip cream

2 tbs minced garlic

8 oz sliced mushrooms

¼ tsp ground pepper

2 cups Parmesan cheese

4 oz wheat linquine

2 quart water for boiling.

I cooked the seasoned chicken in my favorite T-fal skillet until they were all 150+ and set them aside.

I started the noodles – these only need 7 minutes at a roll for al dente.

Next, in my Cooks Essentials stainless 12 inch pan, I started the sauce: first the butter and cream until the butter melted, along with the sliced mushrooms and garlic. I added a bit of ground pepper here as well.

A couple minutes on a medium fire and then I added the Parmesan cheese. This, I must add, made the dish taste a bit more salty than we would have liked; as I used the processed Parmesan you sprinkle on spaghetti.

I then added the cooked chicken and let it all simmer for a couple minutes, until the chicken was good and hot again.

Over the noodles, this chicken and sauce mixture is true comfort food; desirous on this the 13^th of January in mid-latitudes Northern hemisphere. I am headed back for a second low-fat, low-carb, low salt bowl; I am only sorry I took no photos.

May our LORD bless you and keep you steadfast in His peace and joy; alleluia!

Musings on the possible thoughts of Judas Iscariot, based on the text of Sacred Scripture's Gospel of St Matthew.

More teaching, more stories, more parable, more teaching, foolish virgins, bury the talent, sheep and goats, …

At Bethany, what a waste of resources!

I will use my talents to serve the Priests. 'What would you give me if I hand Him over to you?'

The price of a slave.

I will bide my time.

Evening at the Passover meal.'One of you will betray me.'

Might He possibly know? Have I been spied upon and found out?!?

'Surely it is not I, Lord?, surely it is not I?' they all repeat.

'The one who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one...'

…?

To appear chaste: 'Surely it is not I, Rabbi?'

'You have said so.'

…

'You have said so'?? I 'have said so'?? No I haven't really said so; I was merely asking, not unlike all the others...

And now He appears almost kingly, priestly; yet still with great humility. He blesses the bread, breaks it, and offers it to each of us: 'Take and eat, this is my body.'

'This is my body'?? What would Moses, or the priests have to say about such verbiage during this sacred meal?? Does He not blaspheme?!? What can it mean??

And yet, still He continues with the chalice:'Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.'

FFS can we just sing a hymn and be done?!?Nobody knows what He is talking about, and some are already beginning to nod off!

Finally, the Meal is finished, and we head toward the Mount of Olives.

Yet He continues this incessant prophetic babbling: 'This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written:

“I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed”;

but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.'

Thinking back, I do believe that my faith has been shaken for some time now...

But hoi! Hear Peter: 'Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.'

Bumbling arrogant fisherman: 'Mine will never be'!

Ha, and His reply? 'Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times.'

Still holding on to his zeal and fidelity, Peter retorts, 'Even though I should have to die with You, I will not deny You.'

'Nor I, Lord.', 'Nor I, Lord.' echo the rest (who aren't yet sleeping)...

The master went on with the others to Gethsemane, I quietly left and found a small angry crowd gathering outside of the temple. The chief priests and elders were there reminding the fake witnesses what to say, and passing out clubs. At the appointed time, I led the throng back to Gethsemane, looking for the One I was to betray with a kiss.

There He is: 'Hail, Rabbi!'; and then the kiss.

There was no affection in my kiss, although, somehow, I wanted there to be.

His next words haunted me afterward – not just the words, but the manner in which they were spoken: with a knowing peace that passes all understanding: 'Friend, do what you have come for.'

I did not have time then to mull on any of this: at this point there was a brief skirmish, and those with clubs and torches laid hands on Him. In response, one of His faithful companions drew a sword, and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear.

Again, His reply was baffling: 'Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you not think that I cannot call upon my Father and He will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?'

'Twelve legions of angels'? Who could ever claim this type of authority?

…

Have I made a mistake??

But He continued, ' Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize Me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest Me. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.'

We all forsook Him then. We all ran and hid – some far, some not so far; some fearful of local jurisdictions and temporal retribution, but others, mainly myself, now fearful of having committed far worse transgression: betrayal of the Son of God.

He was sent to Caiaphas, where more false witnesses accused Him.

Why did they need false witnesses?

Surely this Man has committed grievous blasphemy and deserves death!! Surely!!! 

(Though it would ease my conscience, but I begin to think it may not be true.)

He was abused, and did not retort. He was jeered and slapped and punched and spit upon... must it be this way?

In the morning, the entire council convened one last time with one purpose: to make sure this Man was condemned to death.

…

My heart is heavy, and I cannot bear it. In His last words to me, He called me 'friend'. Knowing my purpose, and knowing His plight, still He called me 'friend'.

Even then.

My heart is heavy, and I cannot bear it. Could I ever make recompense? Could I ever un-do what I have done?!?

How could I make recompense?!? How might I repent??

…

Perhaps I will find the chief priests and elders, and return their money; … and my heart will not have this guilt to bear. My heart will not be heavy, even though I know I still have played a major part in this Man's demise. The price of a slave will be returned, and I will no longer be their slave!

I will no longer cry out inside begging for forgiveness. Yes...

'I have sinned in betraying innocent blood'

'What is that to us? Look to it yourself.'

I probably could have predicted that. They care not, as long as this Man is done away with.

I tossed the bag of silver into the temple and left. But the sorrow and grief remain – there is no solace, there is no repose.

What have I done?!?

There is no solace, there is no repose.

My heart is heavy, and I cannot bear it...

Lost In Space - Dr. Smith lets The Keeper's monsters go!!

'I will need time to study the controls'

Recipe # 3: New Years Backstrap

 

This dish is made possible by my buddy Doug's venison and a variation on a recipe from Malcolm Reed (https://howtobbqright.com/).

1 # thick sliced bacon

1 venison backstrap

1/3 of a brick of cream cheese

1/2 of a small white onion diced

1/2 of a green pepper diced

4 oz mushroom diced

tbs dried parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

I started by adding the vegetables and herbs to the softened cream cheese and combining well. With a sharp knife I butterflied the loin making a pocket for the stuffing. 

The cream cheese mixture goes in the pocket, and then the bacon wraps up the meat into a nice package. 

I kept the grilling temperature up between 350 and 400 and let the meat cook indirectly for about thirty minutes. The air temperature was right at 30 and we had freezing rain/snow/sleet falling throughout the cooking process, but our proven Char-Griller was up to the task. 

The bacon was cooked but not crispy, and the internal meat temp got right up to 130 - good for medium rare.

I let the meat rest under foil for about twenty minutes, then sliced between the bacon for perfect little stuffed steaks. The result was the absolute best loin I've ever cooked. Moist and tender, the cream cheese and bacon stuffing complemented the meat flavor so that there was not even a hint of the gamey taste so many folks lament. Melt in your mouth goodness. 

Thank You, Father, for another wonderful meal. Thank You for always providing more than we could ever need - You are indeed benevolent! All glory and honor and praise to You - eternal Father, Son, and Spirit!

Reading along with the good folks of the Diocese of Lansing: Matthew 10

 I love this commentary from Scott Hahn and Mark Shea, posted with to-day's reading on the Diocese of Lansing's web: Matthew 10:

In the tenth chapter of his Gospel, Matthew continues the theme of shepherding lost sheep. Jesus reveals that the message of the kingdom of heaven first is to be preached to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Even though the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC, God hasn't forgotten them. Jesus comes as the Father's emissary, sent to seek and save the lost. In God's divine plan, Jesus chooses 12 of his disciples to help him continue his own mission: “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (Jn 20:21). The road to restoring humanity to divine sonship isn't easy. Disciples of Jesus can expect to encounter many dangers and trials. Because of this, they must be equipped with the heart, mind and power of their master. To be an apostle — a word that means “one who is sent” —one first must be a disciplined learner. Once Christians grasp the fact that they're joining God in an all-out search-and-rescue effort to bring back the Father's lost children, they'll be able to face trials and tribulations with true apostolic zeal. 

'...equipped with the heart, mind and power of their (M)aster.'

Perfect Father, soften our hearts, that we might carry on with true apostolic zeal, to bring back Your lost children. Give us the grace to accept our mission as sent disciples; open our hearts so that we become disciplined learners. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.

 The Twelve Disciples

1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
 

The Mission of the Twelve

5 These Twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay. 9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, salute it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
 

Coming Persecutions

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly,
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-elzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
 

Whom to fear

26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
 

Taking Up One's Cross

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
 

Rewards

40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. "

So much in this chapter! And much of it speaks contrary to our yuletide mantra of peace on earth. Jesus says 'have no fear of them' that would flog in the synagogue and deliver unto death; rather, fear He Who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Wow. He who does not 'take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.' Wow. 

I think about all the things I fear (and I would be too ashamed to name them here), and then see Christ's words in this chapter and am really humbled. There is much in my worldview that needs adjusting, to be sure.

Forgive me, LORD, for being so scared. Forgive me for seeking after my self instead of seeking You and Your Kingdom. Forgive me for not having the fortitude to accept my mission, and to take my cross daily. And forgive me when I haven't received a righteous man, or a prophet, or one of these little ones. To-day is a new day, a new beginning; and I thank You and praise You for being the God of new beginnings. All glory, honor and praise to You, God In Three Persons! Alleluia, alleluia!

Bible Commentary; Scott Hahn and Mark Shea, Gospel of Matthew, ed. Jennifer Phelps, Catholic Scripture Study (Charlotte, NC: Catholic Scripture Study International, 2007), 91.

Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.

Mindy Gledhill - Patapan

Fr. James Martin, S.J. on "Good King Wenceslas" by the Roches

What Child is This - The Petersens (Live)

 We have been doing some interior work on the home this past summer, starting with laying down 3/4" plywood in the kitchen and living room. We extended this into the bathroom, as the previous thin plywoods I had put down were crunching under our feet. The bathroom is still not finished, but i have a good sheet down where we walk and what a difference it makes! We are thankful - no more soft spots in our floors anywhere! The LORD provided us a new roof almost a year ago now, we are so blessed to not have leaks or a squooshy floor. Next item is gutters (drip right over our doors), a new washer (drum beats on the cabinet when it spins - loud!), and a new fridge (long story:-)

Alexa played us 'traditional CHRISTmas carols' all day yestreday while we worked on finishing the fireplace wall and above-mentioned floor. 

 

 

Last winter mantle for comparison

 

We're going to next paint the rest of the living room and kitchen walls white, add some more black to trim and accessories, and then trim it all out in pine. So excited to see what it will look like.

Straight No Chaser - The 12 Days of Christmas (original from 1998)

Coventry Carol - Pentatonix Cover Lyric Video

 I have had very few events in my life that would be considered 'life-changing'. I have never had a broken bone or lost a very close loved one or been hit by a car or a falling piano. Our Lord let me deal with diabetes, heart failure, and partial blindness; and hopefully these have helped draw me closer to Him, but they certainly haven't pushed me hard enough to make the life long changes I know I should make. 

I still have a very strong affinity towards pizza and bourbon. I remember when I was first diagnosed with diabetes melitus, one friend told me I will have to give up pizza. That was thirty years ago, and my average monthly DEP (days eating pizza) are probably higher now than then. In fact I guarantee it's higher now than then. I trained myself to seek out and frequent establishments that provided slices of pizza with minimal to no wait time. The first one I can remember is Toaramino's on Ford Rd in Dearborn Heights back in the 90's - their slices were wrapped in foil to keep them moist and were about 16 inches long. Oh even as I type I am drooling, mercy!

Driving across State to various jobs has allowed me to investigate and frequent the finest pizza Michigan has to offer: Shepherd Bar (didn't have slices, but the best THICK crust pies) Fowlerville Grand Nickel party store, St John gas station, Bear Lake Blarney Castle right across from the lake, Ellen's Corners in Mesick had seven or eight pies to choose from, The Cabin just west of Mt Pleasant had phenomenal pizza, along with the coldest tap beer. Stofer Rd Marathon on N Territorial used to have fantastic slices but have moved into a bigger building and now host Ultimate Pizza and Chicken, whose chicken tenders are exceptional. There was a dirty little gas station on Whitmore Lake Rd in Brighton that I hadn't been in ever until about a year ago. They had a girl come in and bring her baked goods and pizza to sell - it was pretty darn good. East of town, the Brighton Market sells fried chicken, sandwiches, and of course great slices. Gus' Pizza in town also sells pretty good slices at their little shop on Grand River. On the west end, O'Connor's Deli has very good pizza slices along with cheese bread, and their very pricy garlic dip.

I must say, I grow weary of these monkeyshines.

MAGA YMCA parody 2.0

Bryson Gray - “Hate Speech” (Official Music Video - WSHH Exclusive)

Star Spangled Banner - Forgiato Blow x Bezz Believe x Bryson Gray

Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind (Demo "Movie Edit" Version) [HD, exten...

Tyson James - Mask Off ❌😷❌ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO ❌😷❌