Quiet Light

We all share our own special things on our blog, happenings in our life, our home and family, our feelings and beliefs, and even some secrets.  When my blog sisters create a post sharing their thoughts and ideas, they are brave when it comes time to press that "publish" key at the end.  We share so many things, but there are some matters that we keep tucked deep inside our hearts.  This week, I prayed for something that was important to me, and when my prayer was answered and I received what I asked for, I was so thankful that I wept with joy after.  I wanted to share one of the prayers with you on my post today.  Mother Mary is humble, and understands and has compassion for what her children go through in life.  She is the gentle hand that guides us and helps us through our earthly journey.

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven.
Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.
Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.
Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity.
(Mention your request here)
There are none that can withstand your power.
Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (say three times).
Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (say three times).
Amen.

Holy Spirit, You who solve all problems, light all the roads so that I can attain my goal. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all the evil against me. In all instances in my life, You are with me. I want, in this short prayer, to thank You for things as I confirm once again that I never want to be separated from You in eternal glory. Thank You for your mercy towards me and mine.

*After the prayer recite 9 Hail Mary's and also you can include the "Queen of the most Holy Rosary, Pray for Us".

Recite this prayer for 3 consecutive days. After the 3rd day your prayer will be answered. You must promise to publish this prayer after the 3rd day. God Bless!

February This And That

We have had typical Winter days of clouds and rain, with the sun shining through from time to time.  I got my heaters fixed, and it's nice to have heat throughout the house again.

Do you love the decorative boxes like I do?  I was looking for one to put the grandgirls' drawings, notes, and cards to me, and I found this box in cheerful yellow colors.  There was a bow attached, but it was too bulky, so I want to replace it with a simple silk one.

I thought the words on the lid of the box were just right.  A child always creates with imagination, and then gifts their art to us with love.

It was a hot dog kind of day, and I stuffed them with ketchup, mustard, relish, tomatoes, cheese....and onions make everything taste better.

Charlotte on Mardi Gras day.

Poor baby is teething lately.....and still smiling.

This is the Rosary Jess got me from her trip to Hawaii.  It is made of rose petal beads.  They were on the Big Island in Kona, exploring the village one day, and she noticed a Catholic Church.  If she sees a Catholic Church when she's traveling, she always tries to stop in and say a prayer of thanks for their safe arrival and the opportunity to see a new place in the world.  It took some effort to get to it because there were lots of steps for a pregnant lady and five year old.  After saying a prayer in the church, they saw a gift shop, and she thought it would have a special Hawaiian gift there for me.

Isn't this huge pine pretty?  It's in my back yard!

The color during Lent season in the Catholic Church is purple, so you will be seeing some purple decor on my blog posts ahead.  I'm really not a pastely person, and I've always been drawn to this color.

Since we don't eat meat of Fridays, I think of ways to make meatless meals.  Today, it was burritos with tortillas, eggs, potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and hot sauce.  They sure were good.

This is a boutique that I go to sometimes.  They have clothes and jewelry, and it's one of the few shops that I enjoy visiting up here.

Pork chops and yellow squash, and brownies for dessert.

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely."

~Louisa May Alcott

I've been going through pictures lately, cause it's cold and rainy out, and that's what we sometimes do in winter, and came across this picture that we took in the crazy photo booth.

"Heirlooms we don't have in our family.  But stories we've got."

~Rose Cherin

Well, the story with this picture is Nel said something funny right when we were ready to pose, and I couldn't stop laughing, no matter how hard I tried.  It's a "had to be there" kind of moment.

Polish sausage and rice.  I do enjoy cooking more during the wintertime.

Some of you know that I am part Polish on my dad's side (his mother).  I wonder what the story was on this particular day.

"And in the Winter, wild and cold, 'Tis merry, merry too."

~William Howitt

Loved this.

Have a wonderful week.  ; )

~Sheri 

 

Mia's Craft Project

I'm sure you heard about the storms that are happening here in California, north and south.  Rain, high winds, mudslides, and snow has made its way into our state.  My small heaters in the bedrooms stopped running, and have been trying to get a technician to come out and fix them.  It's been really cold the last few days.  Thankfully, the heater in the main part of the house is still running.  We really do appreciate the heat living up here.  We had lots of rain, but no flooding in the mountains where I live, and we also got some more snow!

Mia's latest craft project - it's a mouse!

Mia had her first library visit at school last week, and she checked out this sewing book.  She really wanted to make this mouse, so Nel went to Michael's to get the supplies they needed, and Mia actually helped to sew him!  It was a step by step project, so it was pretty easy and fun.  She wants Mia to learn how to sew, as it's such a great skill.  His name is Mr. Whiskers!

~All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth~  Remember that song?  Francesca lost her two front teeth!

  

It's that time of year again - Girl Scout cookies!  My little neighbor was going around the neighborhood, and when she knocked on my door, I just had to buy a box.  And of course, the thin mints are my favorite.

It brought back memories of when I was in Blue Birds, and going around my neighborhood selling this or that.  Not everyone bought something, so I got so excited when they did!  And we always knew that neighbor that would take the time and buy something.  A young me at eight years old in my Blue Birds uniform.  I love the fact that my mom labeled everything on the back of pictures and such.  She was such a devoted mom.

I make a mean meatloaf.  And leftover meatloaf sandwiches are the best.

And some oatmeal with bananas, just cause it's cold out.

I came across this picture of my three valentines.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh, I had to throw in this picture of Charlotte.  Made me laugh.

~Sheri 

Shopping And The Little Brown Book

I love shopping with my daughters.  Even when I don't buy anything, the outings are always nice.  When I was visiting them in So Cal recently, we did lots of shopping, and we paused and took a break to get a bite to eat.  This was the day when we had those fantastic tacos in the village.

I wanted to get them a little something, and bought Nel a tea cup candle, and Jess a small stand that says simplify.  She's been wanting to have a more simple life by clearing things out and organizing.

Before and after.

This was at an ice cream shop with Jess.  The ice cream was really good, thick, and creamy.

Many of you know the story of the song I often heard after my dad passed away, What a Wonderful World.  I would hear it in the grocery store, in the car while I was driving, just anywhere I was.  I heard it when my son came home from Kindergarten and sang me the song he learned at school that day.  When all my family was in Old Town San Diego, as we were walking through a festival, there was a man sitting on the side of the street playing his guitar and singing this song.  When me and Nel were shopping a couple years ago at a quaint home shop, shortly after we walked in, this song came on.  This song always seems to surface when my family is together.  The most recent moment occurred when me and Jess were shopping at a cute home store this last visit, and this time it didn't come in the way of a song, but in words inscribed on a little brown book, a journal.

I truly believe that it's still a wonderful world.

I came across this version of the song that I thought was so pretty.  I hope you enjoy listening to it.

~Sheri