It Couldn't Be Easier Potato Soup

I created a potato soup recipe a while back and, while it's delish, I found myself wanting to simplify this particular meal one Friday recently. As I rummaged through the pantry, I had an aha moment - why not just use a can of soup as a starter and then make it my own? So here's what I came up with. It's cheap, it's easy, and the boys say it's very tasty.

Couldn't Be Easier Potato Soup

1 can Nacho Cheese soup

3 cups almond milk

1 cup sour cream

6 small potatoes

4 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon of minced onion

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt (or to taste)

1/4 teaspoon black ground pepper

Wash potatoes and cube, leaving the skins on. Place in steamer on stove-top and cook until tender. You can also boil them if you don't have a steamer. Combine soup, almond milk, and sour cream in crock pot (set on high) and whisk until smooth. Add spices to crock pot - either as listed or to taste. Drain potatoes and add them and butter to the crock pot. Using a potato masher or fork, smash potatoes until they are reduced to large lumps and/or desired consistency is achieved.

Voilà! That's it - ready to serve as soon as the potatoes are added. Serve with garlic toast or bread sticks for a quick, hearty meal. Great for Fridays or Lenten meals.

Reduce your setting to warm and you can feed your family in shifts, since the soup will be ready to serve all day. Great for snow days when a quick warm-up would be appreciated, with little effort or time required.

Note: Stores well and can be frozen. Use regular milk if you prefer.

12 Favorite Posts for 2014 - A Year In Review

Well here we are, another year in the books! In keeping with the premise of remembering the past while ringing in the new, I've compiled a list of my 12 favorite blog posts from 2014. They may not have been the best - or the most popular - but for varying reasons they were favorites of mine.

Please join me in this brief walk down memory lane. Maybe some of my favorites were your favorites too. Or maybe you've missed one or two that you would have liked - and here's your second chance.

December: 

All Dogs Do Not Go to Heaven: What the Pope Really Said

I have to admit, I've been looking for a reason to use this photo I took of our Dachshund and Beagle for years now. When the claim that Pope Francis said animals go to Heaven was broadcast, it was the perfect fit.

November: 

Necktie Onesie for Baby Boy

After 4 years without a baby over whom to drool, we were finally blessed with Jacob. As much as I love to frufru up the little girls, boys present a unique challenge. That's why I was so happy to find this darling project on Pinterest.

October: 

Don't Be Spooked by Hallowe'en

We've all known people who used to 'do' Halloween, only to be frightened away by misunderstanding the Catholic roots of this holiday (holy day) honoring our beloved dead. Here I presented some solid history and facts about this joyful time.

September: 

Marriage: God First, Spouse Second, Children Third

We're often confronted with differing priorities. Who comes first? Is it the worldly view of 'looking out for #1' or is there a more godly perspective?

August: 

Cancer While Pregnant? Both Mother and Baby Can (and Should) Live!
There are so many stories out there about heroic mothers who forfeit their treatment and very lives in order to protect their unborn children. Yet, cancer treatment and a healthy baby are not mutually exclusive. I offer an inside track of the facts - up close and personal.

July: 

5 Ways Facebook Can Bless Your Life
We've all done it. Wondering if Facebook is a virtuous tool or a source of devilish temptation. Here I outline my thoughts on the subject.

June: 

Mom's Mistakes Strengthened Our Faith
Not all choices made by our parents are perfect. Families aren't perfect. Yet what one takes away from living in the messiness of family life can be the perfect guidebook for a virtuous life.

May: 

Veiling and You: 5 Things Catholic Boys and Girls Should Know
The devotion of veiling is gaining ground all over the world. Yet it's still very misunderstood. In this post I address the younger members of the Body of Christ and explain some sound reasons why veiling should at least be considered as a beautiful form of outward expression of our faith.

April: 

I am One of the Faces of Abortion - My Face Looks Just Like Yours
In my work for the pro-life cause, I've made many friends who have experienced an abortion and wish to witness for life. My friend, Emily, shares an intimate look at the face of abortion and how she has blessed others with her witness.

March: 

5 Fabulous Meatless Meals for Lent
Even is you don't abstain from meat all year long, you will need to find creative, meatless ways to feed your family during Lent. Here I share five of my favorite recipes.

February: 

EGG-straordinary Rosary Project for Lent
With Lent approaching, I was looking for a way to encourage children and families to pray a daily Rosary. This little project is both easy and fun for everyone.

January: 

Cancer, the St. Peregrine Novena, and a Miracle
Being a part of a 'cancer family' I have petitioned Saint Peregrine on more than one occasion. I've also been blessed to have witnessed a miracle resulting from prayer!








Well, there you have it - the year in review.  Thank you for spending 2014 with me! I look forward to seeing you in 2015!

Which were your favorite posts? Were you able to catch up on something you liked and missed? Did I leave any of your favorites out?

Happy New Year!

Ridiculously Easy Tomato Paste - Plus 2 Recipes Using It

If you're like me, you either have a flood of ripe tomatoes right now - or your neighbors do. So what to do with this onslaught of 'love apples'? Make tomato paste, of course! My husband and I love making our own pizza, spaghetti sauce, and barbecue sauce - so why not make them using free tomatoes from the garden? This is a recipe I developed about four years ago and, I confess, was created out of pure laziness. I'd gone the route of blanching and peeling the tomatoes, but decided there had to be a simpler way. Boy was I right!

Ridiculously Easy Tomato Paste

Ingredients:

Tomatoes

Tools:

Soup Pot and/or Crock Pot
Knife
Cutting Board
Strainer

Process:

• Cut tomatoes into halves or quarters - don't peel or core, just remove stems.

• Place into soup pot or crock pot and simmer until they fall apart. I cook 12 quarts at a time and it takes 24 hours.

• Use the soup pot lid until liquid begins to form, then uncover to enhance evaporation.

• Run stewed tomatoes through a colander or strainer, making sure to leave only the skins behind.

• Pour tomato meat and juice into crock pot and simmer, uncovered, on 'low' setting until desired consistency. This might take longer than you'd expect - don't hurry the process.

• Allow to cool.

• If you want a smoother paste, run through a food processor or Ninja at 'high' speed.

• Place into containers for freezing. I use 4 oz. plastic baby food containers (for pizza) and Zip-Lock sandwich baggies, containing 2 cups of paste (for barbecue or spaghetti sauce).

While this process may take some time, it couldn't be easier to carry out. I occasionally stir, as I'm walking through the kitchen from time to time. No need to babysit the paste, it will continue to simmer, unattended, quite nicely!

I've been using this process for four years now and am amazed at how fresh the paste remains - even after an entire year in the freezer.

NOTE: to prevent discoloration (which doesn't affect flavor), add a few drops of lemon juice.

RJ's Tangy Barbecue Sauce

2 cups tomato paste
3/4 cups brown sugar or Splenda (for low carb version)
1/4 cups red wine vinegar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoons hickory-flavored liquid smoke
1 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

• Pour tomato paste into a non-reactive sauce pan (I use stainless), on low/medium heat. Add butter and begin to simmer. 

• Add all other ingredients and simmer until desired consistency is obtained, stirring frequently. 

Serve immediately or allow to cool and store. I use an old, squeeze ketchup bottle. I'm a MasterPiece Barbecue Sauce lover, and this is just as good. If you use Splenda, this recipe is good for low carb diets. 

Will be good to use for several weeks - but probably won't last that long!

RJ's Artisan Pizza

Your favorite white bread recipe (will make two pizzas)

For each pizza:

1/2 recipe of bread dough, ready to bake

6 oz. tomato paste

Toppings as desired

Seasonings as desired

Mozzarella cheese (we make our own)

Roll out dough and place on pizza stone. Add paste and spread evenly. If you use raw vegetables add them as well. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-7 minutes. Remove from oven. Add other ingredients and layer as desired. Make sure fresh herbs and seasonings are beneath other ingredients, including cheese. Bake for an additional 6-7 minutes and then kick up to high heat broil, until golden brown. Allow to rest, then cut and serve.

This pizza dough is light, tender and thin. If you have a favorite recipe for pizza dough or prefer a thicker dough, use your own recipe. We sometimes bake it in a large cast iron skillet as well.

What type of homemade foods do you make? Ketchup? Cheese? Breads? Share your recipes in the combox!

Meatless Friday: Tantalizingly Tasty Tuna Salad

It's time to share another recipe from our meatless Friday menu. This time it's an easy, rich tuna salad that lends itself well to sandwiches or scooped onto a bed of lettuce. Packed full of veggies and other good things, this is kid friendly and healthy. It's also low carb, if served without bread.

Tantalizingly Tasty Tuna Salad

2-3 cans of Tuna - I prefer albacore because it's flaky, not mushy
1/2 celery heart
1 small red onion
1 small apple
6-8 dill pickle spears
1 avocado
1 hard boiled egg
4 T Hellman's mayo (not low fat)
1/2 t Lawry's seasoned salt
1/4 t coarse ground pepper

Drain tuna well and place in bowl. Chop items 2-4. I use my handy dandy Max, which is a mini food processor, and chop all of the vegetables, the apple, and the pickles. Place in bowl as you go. Cut avocado into chunks and add to bowl. Peel and chop egg and add. Next add mayo, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly. This can be served immediately or chilled for later use. The flavors permeate well, when this dish is stored, so tastes at least as good if served the next day.

NOTE: I use the same ingredients for a hearty, creamy chicken salad. Just add chicken instead of tuna and 1/4 t of curry.

Meatless Friday: Hearty Crock Pot Potato Soup

It's been a while since I added any recipes so I'd like to share another contender for meatless Fridays. We all know how difficult it can be to maintain this penitential practice and yet offer variety, so I created this recipe and tried it out on my son and daughter this week. This crock pot recipe can be prepared ahead of time, yet accommodate busy families with varied schedules and eating times. Give it a try and let me know what you think. FYI, I have submitted this original recipe to AllRecipes (dot) com. If you really like it you might leave me some ratings love as I wait for the test kitchen to give it a try.

• ½ gallon milk
• 1 stick butter
• 1 can crème of celery soup
• 1 c sour cream
• 2/3 c shredded cheddar
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• ½ stalk celery
• 1 medium onion
• 2 t minced garlic
• 1 c potato flakes
• 5 medium potatoes
• Lawry’s salt and pepper to taste

Fresh, chopped chives and extra shredded cheese for garnish (optional)

Pour milk into crock pot, set to high. Chop celery and onion finely and add. Add all other ingredients except potato flakes and potatoes. Bake potatoes at 350 for 1 hour and then coarsely chop. Add to crock pot along with potato flakes and stir thoroughly. Allow to simmer in crock pot for at least 2 more hours, stirring occasionally. Set to warm and serve as desired.

If you would like to add dessert to your menu, might I suggest my Easy Blackberry Cobbler, that recipe has been approved and can be found here or on this blog here. Again, ratings love would be much appreciated. Bon Appetit!

More recipes on Designs by Birgit:

Moses Basket Breakfast
Low Carb Broccoli Salad
Meatless Fridays: Garlic Alfredo Shrimp
Zesty Coleslaw for Barbecue
Meatless Pierogies Stroganoff
Crock Pot: Pork Cacciatore
Easy Pizza Pockets

 Also linked at a recipe share at Home to 4 Kiddos

Eucharist as Perjury

This past Sunday, Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron put forward that Catholics who receive Communion while advocating gay marriage would "logically bring shame for a double-dealing that is not unlike perjury".  Likewise, Detroit Canon Lawyer, Dr.Edward Peters, says that "Catholics who promote 'same-sex marriage' act contrary to Church law "and should not approach for holy Communion". Adding that, "they also risk having holy Communion withheld from them ... being rebuked and/or being sanctioned". Not unlike the admonishment that politicians who publicly support and work for abortion rights, this goes to the heart of what Catholics believe - have always believed.

Let's take a closer look

The Catholic Church has a special set of beliefs that encompass acts that are intrinsically evil. According to the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):

"There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor. These intrinsically evil acts must always be rejected and never supported. A preeminent example is the intentional taking of human life through abortion."

Other intrinsic evils include euthanasia, human cloning, destructive research on human embryos, and homosexual marriage. These beliefs are a part of the Dogma of the Catholic Church. According to the CCC  the "Church's Magisterium exercises the authority it holds from Christ to the fullest extent when it defines dogmas, that is, when it proposes, in a form obliging the Christian people to an irrevocable adherence of faith, truths contained in divine Revelation or also when it proposes, in a definitive way, truths having a necessary connection with these". Unlike discipline - a practice that can be changed (think abstaining from meat on all Fridays of the year) - dogma is definitive and can never change.

So what are we to take away from all of this? Since these intrinsic evils are not subject to change, individuals who perpetrate or formally cooperate in them are making a statement to themselves, the Church and society as a whole. In essence they are saying, "we, with full knowledge of our willful disobedience, stand squarely against a dogma of the Church to which we proclaim to belong". While going through the motions of being in full unity with the Church, they publicly fly in the face of her most deeply held teachings.

What Eucharist Is

To understand the gravity of the situation one must examine exactly what Holy Eucharist (Communion) is, when referring to its fullest definition according to the Catholic faith. When Jesus said, "truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you", He wasn't speaking symbolically. This hard truth, the Eucharist as Christ's true Body, even caused some of His disciples to turn away from Him. Had he been speaking only symbolically, there would have been no reason for protest. His clear intent was the institution of the Eucharist, "the source and summit of the Christian life". Thus we know that "the other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself".1324  When we allow ourselves to acknowledge the full impact of everything this means, it is no longer possible to treat the Eucharist lightly. Holy Eucharist (Communion) is our unity with Jesus Christ Himself and through Him, with each and every one of our Catholic brethren - for we become what we consume, the Body of Christ.

What Eucharist Says

Once we recognize the miraculous reality that is Eucharist, we must acknowledge what partaking of Him through this sacrament says about us. If we strive to know (accept) Him and His gift to us, we must also cooperate in the intent of this giving of Christ of Himself. The Catholic Church has always been very clear about the disposition of those who present themselves to receive Him in Holy Eucharist. They are to be free from serious moral impediments and must be in full communion with the teachings of Holy Mother Church - that is, that we are to present ourselves for reception only if we are loyal to and aware of that which the Church (through Jesus) holds as Truth. So when we go forward to receive Him - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity - we are making a public statement that we know Who the Eucharist is and that we fully support His laws.

Eucharist as Perjury

The common name for the Eucharistic sacrament is Holy Communion - as in communion defined as 'solidarity or concord'.  This is a telling indication of what is expected of those who seek to participate in such an intimate way with Jesus and His Church. The act of receiving is a pledge to have a common faith, an intimate fellowship, with everything presented to the Body of Christ which is His Church. Along with the Communion of Saints, we are bound to each other through Him Who binds us. So the act of receiving is a public pronouncement of unity. If one stands up, publicly, to contradict a firmly held belief and yet publicly presents himself as in communion with the Church, that action is a lie - perjury of the highest degree in the court of God. St. Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 that we are to present ourselves worthily or we "eateth and drinketh damnation" to ourselves. It is no stretch, then, to surmise that receiving unworthily - especially in public, causing scandal - is akin to perjury. Because it is an oath not kept - a lie given in action.

As much as it might appear desirable to see the sanction of those who perpetrate this scandalous perjury, it would be far more beneficial to all concerned to have the desecration of the Eucharist come to an end. These actions may likely give aid to a persistent lack of belief in the True Presence and could lead others astray. What is needed is a renewal of faith - both in understanding and action. Unfortunately faith in the reality that is Eucharist is at an all time low. As members of the Body of Christ, this impacts us all, for as 1 Corinthians tells us, "if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it". Let us join in communion with one another for the good of the whole. May God have mercy on us all - sinners that we are!

Meatless Fridays: Garlic Alfredo Shrimp

My husband and I have recently taken a low carb direction with our foods. This lifestyle change has been difficult for me because I'll admit that I am a carba-o-holic. After impressive results (12 lbs lost in less than 4 weeks) we are both nicely settled in for the long haul. Since we love to cook, we simply refocused our attempts. Below you will find one such recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Garlic Alfredo Shrimp  

Ingredients:

2 T butter
1 1/2 c heavy cream
3/4 c grated Parmesan
1/4 t minced garlic

1/4 t basil
1/8 t ground black pepper
1/8 t ground nutmeg

1 bag frozen salad shrimp

Melt butter and stir in heavy cream. Stirring well, allow sauce to reduce until slightly thickened. Add grated Parmesan and spices. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce has the desired consistency.

Combine shrimp with sauce and serve immediately. Broccoli goes well with this dish and extra sauce can give it a bit of zip as well.

1/6th of the sauce contains 2 grams of carbohydrates and works well with a low carb diet.

Zesty Coleslaw for Barbecue

Memorial Day Weekend! The family will arrive in droves tomorrow after Mass. As usual, our 25 acres and sprawling living space will be the gathering place...have I mentioned that I love my big family?! Rick is a great Sous Chef (this will probably get me in trouble - lol) and Chef in his own right and handles the meat and most breads for our food extravaganzas. One of his favorites is making pulled pork. This year I decided to come up with an accompanying coleslaw recipe that not only compliments this tender, savory meat dish but can also stand on its own. 

I introduce you to my newly created Zesty Coleslaw for Barbecue. Eat it alone or join the southeastern trend of putting it directly ON your sandwich!

NOTE: I cook for a large family so you might want to make half.

• 2 pkgs Coleslaw mix
• 2 c Hellmann’s mayonnaise
• 1 c horseradish spread (comes in a squeeze bottle)
• ½ c honey
• 4 T celery seed
• Seasoned salt (I use Lawry’s) and pepper to taste
• Optional – one bunch of green onions, finely sliced

Combine ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add coleslaw mix, stir, and chill. Tastes fabulous with (or on) pulled pork sandwiches!

A Little Validation

One of my blogging sisters made a comment last night about how she felt that she has arrived in the blogging world because one of her posts had received a snarky comment - her first. With tongue-in-cheek, I responded that I was 'non-validated' because I hadn't received a single negative - ever. Was I being too cautious in my posting? After all, I can generate really snarky comments in person or on Facebook! Or was my readership not what it should be? The numbers are pretty good considering I'm just a housewife in rural KY.

Today, though, I found validation! OK, so it wasn't that sought after snarky comment, but...my CatholicSistas post was picked up by The Pulpit! Granted, it's not one of my 'deeper' posts, exploring spiritual growth or advocating for the unborn, but still...

I feel my needed sense of validation - I know it's pitiful to admit this, but come on, don't all bloggers have just a touch of healthy (?) narcissum? After all, why else do we 'put it out there' for all the world to see (at least we hope they see what we post)?

Although I am still waiting for my first snarky comment - the ones that I get in my Facebook inbox don't count (cowards!) - the waiting is now a bit more bearable.

::smiling::

Meatless Pierogies Stroganoff

Pierogies are a type of boiled dumpling or pasta pocket that are stuffed with various ingredients, usually including, but not limited to, mashed potatoes. They are a wonderful and tasty alternative to pasta or gnocchi in one-dish meals. Pierogies can be deep fried, sauteed or boiled. For this dish I sauteed them in butter.

Stroganoff is a dish usually based on beef (strips or cubes) that is browned and then served in a sauce made with sauteed onions, mushrooms, sour cream, and herbs. For meatless Fridays, however, I have developed the following recipe:

Ingredients:

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2/3 cup sour cream

3/4 cup milk

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 T basil

3 T butter

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 pkg mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

1 bag pierogies (I buy them at Walmart)

Directions:

In a crock pot, combine the first 5 ingredients and set to 'low'

Melt 2 T butter in a skillet and saute onions until caramelized 

Add green peppers and allow to sweat

Add garlic and saute for another 2 minutes

Stir the vegetables into the sauce

Melt 1 T butter in a skillet and add pierogies, cook until brown and warm inside

Serve:

Place several browned pierogies onto a plate 

Spoon a generous amount of sauce over them

Garnish with parsley or basil leaves and serve

Meatless Fridays: Quick 3 Ingredient Meal

Hmmmm...it's Friday and the troops are hungry, but I've simply been too busy to worry about that...

...that is until the rumbling bellies distracted me from other matters!

I need a quick solution and have three ingredients:

• Frozen ravioli - generic from Walmart
• Pasta sauce - large from Sam's
• Parmesan cheese - yep, the green shaker type - the hard block for grating is waiting for a more glamorous meal.

This is going to be quick and simple:

Pour enough sauce to cover the bottom of an 8 x 13 pan.

Layer in the ravioli and pour on remaining sauce.

Evenly sprinkle any spices you usually use to 'enhance' jar sauce. (OK, I know that's more than three items but I'm not counting optional ingredients.) No need to mix...I said it was simple!

I used: 

• Pepper
• Minced garlic (Tones)
• Italian Spices (Tones)
• A bit of brown sugar (it reduces acidity from the tomatoes)

A quick taste, to make sure it's 'top chef' fixin's. Cover with aluminum foil and it's off to a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes. And me, I'll just lay down on the living room floor for a quick nap with Molly the Frog!

I'll let you know how it turned out...but if it's like last time, it was DELICIOUS!

Rainy Days and Mondays...German Pancake Rollups

As the old Carpenters song bemoaned (yes, I'm old), 'rainy days and Mondays always get me down'.

But with a little creativity and a dash of love, it doesn't have to be that way! I think I'll make my Rainy Days and Monday idea a regular post. Isn't it better to start the week with a bit of a smile in your heart - and in this case your tummy as well?

As a child, who spent her first 9 years of life in Germany, I have acquired both tastes and recipes from that culture. Isn't it funny, then, that I had never heard of 'German pancakes'?! My dear husband, and co-chef, surprised me one weekend morning (yes, I know I'm lucky) with this tasty recipe. Originally, the ingredients were intended to be mixed and then poured into a cast iron skillet and baked in the oven. The result was a thick, tasty egg dish that was great with syrup.

Of course, creative person that I am (who never found a recipe she couldn't change), I decided to make it into a 'fun food'! So without further ado, I present German Pancake Rollups!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 T sugar
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 pinch salt
• Butter
• Optional toppings

SIMPLE as PIE!

• Break eggs into your blender and beat slightly.
• Add all other ingredients (except butter) and blend.

• Place a crepe pan (any small pan will do) onto medium heat and add about 1/3 pat of butter. Melt.
• Add just enough of the mixture to cover bottom of pan and cook until it is solid enough to turn.
• I make two at a time to speed up the process although it doesn't take long to cook these.

• Flip over and immediately place onto plate.

NOW for the FUN PART!

• Add the filling of your choice.

              Sugar and cinnamon
              Fruit preserves
              Nutella (yum)
              Pureed fruit (strawberries come to mind)

• Spread  filling evenly, roll tightly and then slice into bite-sized pieces.

YUMMY Monday!

My Lenten Journey - REHAB PROMISES!

Well, Lent is officially upon us and I can't remember a time when I was more excited about the prospect. I don't know if it's all of the wonderful Catholic friends I've made during the past year or if I'm just getting a bit further along on my 'journey'. Maybe it's a bit of both. In any case, I have been compiling a list of sorts for my Lenten Journey and this post will make it official. I'm blessed to have married exactly the right man and as we were discussing Lent today, he told me that our plans for Lent are very similar. He's working out of town for the next week, so we will begin this journey apart from each other; that's why I promised him a post to read Ash Wednesday morning.

So here is a listing of the ideas that I have developed over the past few days. I've left off the obvious ones that we do every year, so this is a newly hatched list - a.k.a. REHAB PROMISES:

Rosary - there's an app for that! Rosary Audio says the prayers with you. Perfect for travel!
Electronics - I will use them smarter, by limiting myself to only worthy pursuits!
Health - not a diet, but a better attitude to strive for a healthy sense of physical well-being.
Activity - do something instead of being passive...get up out of that (computer) chair!
Blog about meatless dishes and other Lenten activities, prayers, and meditations.

Projects - sewing and crafting will become a more routine part of my life. No idle hands!
Relearn the art of writing cards and letters to those I love.
Organization - making an effort to minimize 'stuff' and then sharing it with those in need.
Make magnets for the refrigerator and then choose at least 3 of these activities per day.
iBreviary - Mass readings have never been easier to read. Make this a daily, shared experience!
Simplify my day with more quiet time - give myself a chance to hear the whispers of God.
Early to bed, early to rise promises to be a difficult, yet doable, objective for this night owl.
Start submitting Pro-life Corner posts for parish bulletins again.

Just for the fun of it, I ran the first letters of my list through one of those word descramblers. The result? You guessed it - REHAB PROMISES. I couldn't think of a better way to describe how I'm going to attack this list. Like a true addict of things of this world, I will try to stay 'clean' throughout these 40 Days and begin my 'new normal'! Stay tuned as I elaborate on my progress from time to time.

Happy Lent and let us all pray for one another!

Also check out my posts for children - My Lenten Journey for Kids and EGG-straordinary Lenten Rosary Project for Your Family

Good morning, Sunshine!

It's been our pleasure to have 3 year old Sarah spend the week with us while our son competes in the Augusta Iron Man 70.3. Since I enjoy creating fun things for my kids to eat, I decided that we would make 'sunshine toast' on her first morning here. It was a big hit and has therefore been requested each morning since. Here are the very simple specs:


Ingredients (per 1 serving):

Butter
1 egg
1 slice bread
Shredded cheese

Tools:

Skillet (I prefer cast iron)
Biscuit cutter (cookie cutter or cup)
Spatula
Fork



Procedure:

1.) Place about a pat of butter in skillet and melt.

2.) Cut out a hole in the center of the bread with biscuit cutter or small cup (get creative and use other shapes if you wish).

3.) Place bread into skillet and absorb some of the butter and then flip over.

4.) Place egg into hole and break up yolk with fork.

5.) Allow to cook until  bottom of bread looks toasted and then, using metal spatula, turn over.

6.) Sprinkle with a small amount of shredded cheese and allow to cook until center feels firm.

7.) After removing your 'sunshine toast' add a bit more butter to the skillet and place centers of bread into melted butter.

8.) Allow to toast and then remove.





Now you are ready to wow your pre-school crowd with your culinary skills! This will encourage even picky eaters to finish their breakfast (especially if they sprinkle their own cheese) and is easy to do. This one got me 'Top Chef' ranking ;-)