Saturday, December 24, 2011

Just popping in to wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Christmas - from my family to yours!!

Word of the day:
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), Mass at Midnight - Solemnity
Feast of the Church : Tonight: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), solemnity
Saint(s) of the day : St. Sharbel Makhluf, Priest (1828-1898), St. Delphinus, Bishop († 403)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2:1-14.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

Friday, December 23, 2011

It's been many years since I've made cannoli completely from scratch. I made some last year, but cheated and bought the shells. Tonight I made some shells. Nicola requested cannoli from scratch for family Christmas night dinner. Here you go, Neener Beaner!!

I spent the day with Claire and Clayton.  We puttered around the house, and then after dinner we went to run some errands and buy a Christmas present for their daddy.  We started at the church where I unloaded some gifts for the staff.  Clay and Claire are always fascinated with the interior of St. Mary's Church.  Clay says he always feels like someone is watching him.  I turned on the Christmas lights so they could see how pretty everything looked.  Then we took Fr. Thai his Christmas gifts so Clay and Claire could meet him.

After locking the church back up, we spent a while in the "castle park" behind the church.  Then we headed to St. Louis to Mount Saint Joseph to drop off a few more gifts.  From there we went to the dollar store so they could buy Daddy's present.  They decided they needed chocolate animal cookies, and since there weren't any at Dollar Tree, we went to Walmart.  They each bought a snack for the SA bell ringer, they talked me into buying some of Grandpa's cereal for them to take home (they love his Honey Nut Cheerios), and then we we needed to get to Wendy's because we were all hungry.  (And we forgot to buy the animal cookies.)

We pulled into Wendy's and they each wanted chicken nuggets and a Frosty.  I learned earlier in the summer that a Frosty and a milkshake are NOT the same thing.  Claire had been complaining all day that her stomach hurt.  Since it usually coincided with her not getting her own way about this or that, I didn't really take it seriously.  However, shortly after we sat down at our table she started to cry and complain that her tummy hurt her.  She came over to stand beside me and to tell me that she felt like she was going to hurl.  And hurl she did - all over my tray, her skirt, and my jeans.  Clay started making wretching noises so I made him go around the corner until Claire felt better.  The couple behind us gave me a stack of napkins. (Bless you!!)  As I hustled Claire to the ladies room I heard them chuckling over Clay's comment "whew,  at least she didn't puke on MY food."  Hmmmmmm.

Word of the day:
Feast of the Church : The Great O Antiphons: "O Emmanuel"
Saint(s) of the day : St. John of Kanty, Priest (1390-1473), St. Servulus († c. 590)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:57-66.

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John."
But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name."
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

I am still trying to get gift bags together.  I spent the morning and early afternoon at church working with others to get it decorated for Christmas.  Decorating the church is my least favorite job in the world, but it was fun visiting with people and the time went pretty quickly.   I wish I had taken a picture.  I'll try to remember to take my camera with me on Christmas Eve.  It's not quite as elaborate as in years past, but it still looks beautiful.  As Deacon Al says, "less is more." 

Clay and Claire are spending the night tonight.  We just finished watching "A Christmas Story."  Poor little Claire waited and waited for Ralphie to get his Red Rider BB gun, and then she fell right to sleep.

As hoped, the lilac looks much better out of the mold and sliced.  I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out.
I also made a last minute batch of Christmas tree candles for gifts for some people at church.

Most of the house is clean - cluttered, but clean.  The kids always want pancakes when they stay over so tomorrow will be a pancake morning.  They'll stay until afternoon while Mommy and Aunt Anna shop, and help me run some errands.  I'll come home and finish cleaning and the last two stockings for a family order..  Then I have a few more gifts to wrap and I should be good to go.

I am really excited about Harold's present, but I am not going to show it here because this will be the one time he reads my blog.  He doesn't have  clue as to what I got him.  It is one of the best gift ideas I've had in a long time.

Word of the day:
Feast of the Church : The Great O Antiphons: "O Rex Gentium"
Saint(s) of the day : St. Ischyrion, Martyr († c. 250)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:46-56.

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The week is winding down, or rather winding up, to the great feast of Christmas.  I finished up most of the major things I need to do so I took a break tonight and made a batch of soap.  This time it was lilac.  It's strange that my house smells of autumn in summer, of Christmas in the fall, and of Spring as Christmas approaches, but such is the life of a soapmaker.  Because cold process needs at least a month to cure, we are always running ahead - that is, if we plan carefully.  Lilac is not my favorite scent to work with, but many of our customers love it.  This particular fragrance oil causes the soap to set up fast and has a tendency to rice so I'm not able to get the smooth, lovely swirls that I get with other scents. This would have been good for piping, but I had some soap florets that I wanted to use up.  It doesn't look as nice in the mold as it will when it is set and cut into slices. 

Very little goes to waste in my studio.  I use plastic bags as fillers for my tin can tealights and then seal the rest of the can with old wax melts that have lost their scent.  None of this shows, and it makes me feel like I am doing my small part to reduce waste.

This time of year always finds me waxing nostalgic.  A few months ago I made a new soap scented with Rose Geranium in memory of my mother.   The smell of roses always reminds me of Mama.  I'm not sure why.  Rose is not a scent I've ever been fond of.  Most likely because roses used to be the favored flower for funerals and my mother's funeral was the first I had ever been to. Mama's favorite flowers were actually gladioli. 

Over the years I have avoided rose-scented anything.  When Harold brought me roses after each of our kids were born, the vase had to sit on the other side of the room.  I think that roses reminded me that nothing in life is permanent - that we are mortal - and that my mother died too young. 

Lately I have come to peace with the scent of roses, and I remembered something that had been buried in my memory.  Mama used to let me borrow her overnight case when I went to stay the night at my grandparents' house.  She had a rose sachet that she kept inside it.  I recently found the sachet and realize now the scent of roses is also tied to a happy memory. This week I have been burning a rose geranium candle and letting the memories of my mother surround me.

It's been a bit of a sad year in some ways.  I lost some dear friends - one of whom was a mother figure for me.  She was a good friend - someone I could always talk to.  I still talk to her.  I often drive by her house and remember the good times we had as friends and co-workers in ministry.

But it's also been a happy year - with the birth of a new grandson

and the expectation of a new grandson in the spring.  We had lots of family time and I am blessed that all of our kids live in the state.  We have everything we need and everything we want, and enough left to share with others.  What more could one want in life?

Tomorrow we will decorate the church for Christmas, but before that there will be morning Mass.  One of my favorite priests once said, we are never closer to our loved ones than in the Eucharist.  I will remember that tomorrow morning as I remember Mama, Daddy, Marian, and all of the loved ones who have gone before me.  Merry Christmas all, and a bright and beautiful New Year!

Word of the day:
Feast of the Church : The Great O Antiphons: "O Oriens"
Saint(s) of the day : St. Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church (1521-1597)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:39-45.

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

Thursday, December 15, 2011

First of all, Happy Happy Birthday to my beautiful first-born.  This is how she referred to herself when she was a little girl. Anna Bubbles Beep Beep Indian Baby Moeggenborg Milliron.  Or Bubbles for short.

I have finally gotten my soap making mojo back.
Yesterday I made a batch of Monkey Bars Soap.  I love the scent of this one - bananas, pineapple, with a touch of cocoa.  I swirled it with gold, colorona bordeaux, and cocoa powder.  I really like the way this batch turned out.  I have a batch of matching candles cooling.  One of the candles came up short on weight so it will be my tester. 

Last week I made a batch of Honey Blossom

And the week before that, a batch of Peppermint Patty:

I began the day with morning mass - always a good start to the morning.  Orders have slowed down so I've had a chance to finally get some cleaning done.  Right now I'm at the sort stage, but I feel like I'm accomplishing something.  I want to paint the spare bedroom this summer.  I have not made any Christmas cookies this year so tonight I am making a recipe that is Harold's new favorite.  Double chocolate with peanut butter inside.

Word of the day:
Thursday of the Third week of Advent
Saint(s) of the day : St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli (1587-1651)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 7:24-30.

When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out to the desert to see--a reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces.
Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom scripture says: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.'
I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, and who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Happy St. Nicholas Day, all!






Well, things haven't slowed down a whole lot - a little, bit, but not much. Sad to say, I have not gotten our Christmas lights up on the front porch. I can't even find them. :( On the positive side, there has been lots of family fun going on.

Littlest granddaughter, Meghan, celebrated her first birthday and is now walking -albeit a bit unsteadily, but still, walking. As you can see, she liked her birthday cake!

We have been getting a lot of local orders for Christmas which is a very good thing. 
For the next 5 days, we are taking orders for custom gift baskets.

I've managed to keep up with the Farmhouse group. I slid by the wayside during craft season. Don't forget, Our Etsy Team - Old Farmhouse Gathering - is sponsoring an end of the year giveaway! On December 13, some lucky person will win everything you see pictured in the post further down the page!
Details can be found at The Old Farmhouse Gathering blog.  This is an amazing collection from a group of amazing crafters.  Our Snowman Tealight is one of the prizes!  The Farmhouse Gathering team has wonderfully talented artisans and the winner of this giveaway is going to be a very lucky person, ideed. We are also hosting an open house in our Etsy shops.

Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Second week of Advent
Saint(s) of the day : St. Nicholas of Bari († 342)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 18:12-14.

What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Started the day with a staff meeting.  That's always fun.  The day gets better from there.  LOL!  I copied some music for the Christmas choir folders, assembled music packets for the student instrumentalists who will be joining us this Christmas, came home and looked at the messy house and proceeded to ignore it.

December 1 finds me still playing catch up, but I am slowly getting there.  I actually made a batch of peppermint patty soap today. 

I made a batch last night - tried to oven process it - it wasn't pretty. It will eventually end up in the old crock pot and be re-batched. I had a customer who wanted it and I thought I could oven process it and she would have it for Christmas. I haven't ruined a batch of soap in a couple of years. Oh well, keeps me humble.

I also made 6 lamps, 2 batches of room spray, a batch of honey blossom candles, delivered an order, packaged up another order for shipping, assembled a large order for another customer, answered a third email asking us if we're still making stockings for this year (we aren't), made a dent in the dungeon cleanup, assembled folders for the Mass tomorrow with the school kids, and I need to make a couple of stockings. All-in-all, a good day's work.  

Word of the Day:
Thursday of the First week of Advent
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 7:21.24-27.

Jesus said to his disciples: «Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - A Winter Giveaway from our OFG Team

Our Etsy Team - Old Farmhouse Gathering - is sponsoring an end of the year giveaway! On December 13, some lucky person will win everything you see pictured below!
Details can be found at The Old Farmhouse Gathering blog.  This is an amazing collection from a group of amazing crafters.  Our Snowman Tealight is one of the prizes! 

Word of the day:
Saint(s) of the day : St. Andrew, Apostle
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 4:18-22.

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them,
and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

Monday, November 28, 2011 - It's Cyber Monday and my anniversary

Today is my anniversary! At 7:00 pm tonight it will be 11 years since I put out my last cigarette!
The tree is up and decorated.  Here are a few pics from the fun.  They look slightly bored, don't they.  Claire is wearing her "tree decorating crown." 

Of course, we had to stop for a snack.  They raided Grandpa's birthday present.

.
Clay stole Claire's crown.  A minor skirmish ensued.

Meghan and Madison found a surprise when they got here this morning.

I have finally finished the last of the website stocking orders that have to go out by the 30th.  We still have a few odds and ends orders, but for the most part, the stress is off.  This afternoon I will finish putting together the choir folders, make a couple batches of fudge, a couple batches of white chocolate chex mix and December should find me ready to enjoy the season.  Now if Madison would just quit singing "Trick or Treat, smell my feet."

Just a reminder that the Cyber Monday sale is going strong on Etsy
In order to take advantage of this promotion, you will need to add this code to your shopping cart when you check out, "OFGthanksyou2011".
Under the payment area in your shopping cart, it will say "apply shop coupon code", click on that and enter the code.

The percentage discount the shop is offering will automatically be deducted during checkout for all the items in your cart (except for shipping).

Make sure you do not place the code in the comments section - it will not work.
Here is the list of participating shops offering 10% or more discount on your order.
(Thank you, Barb at Barb's Heartstrokes for providing the above instructions)

Shop handmade this year - you'll be glad you did!

















http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoeggenborgSugarBush
http://www.etsy.com/shop/barbsheartstrokes
http://www.etsy.com/shop/basketsbyrose
http://www.etsy.com/shop/catsdesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cavecreekprimitives
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ewenmeprintables
http://www.etsy.com/shop/farmersattic
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FirecrackerKid
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck
http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebybette
http://www.etsy.com/shop/happyvalleyprimitive
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MapleStreetShoppe
http://www.etsy.com/shop/49pamela
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MotherlodeToad
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NancysWorkshop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NoJumbledDucks
http://www.etsy.com/shop/paintspotsnsplinters
http://www.etsy.com/shop/primchick
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Primgal
http://www.etsy.com/shop/printandsew
http://www.etsy.com/shop/publishedartist
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBarnHollow
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tinsandtreasures
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tomorrowstreasures
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WickedlyCreative
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlwaysPrimitive
http://www.etsy.com/shop/primpennystitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/yorkiesprimitives
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetbearcreekwhims

Word of the day
Monday of the First week of Advent
Saint(s) of the day : St. James of the Marches, Franciscan Priest (1394-1476)

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him,
saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully."
He said to him, "I will come and cure him."
The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven,

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Oh happy day!  Stopped at Walmart on the way home from church and found Sugar Free Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer.  Whoo hoo.  Doesn't take a lot to make me happy. 

Well, tomorrow is cyber Monday and our OFG team is gearing up for a sale in our shops.
Some of the team members of the Etsy Old Farmhouse Gathering team are offering discounts of 10% or more in their shops as a token of thanks to their valued customers. The offer is valid from Thursday, November 24 through Tuesday, November 29.

In order to take advantage of this promotion, you will need to add this code to your shopping cart when you check out, "OFGthanksyou2011".
Under the payment area in your shopping cart, it will say "apply shop coupon code", click on that and enter the code.

The percentage discount the shop is offering will automatically be deducted during checkout for all the items in your cart (except for shipping).

Make sure you do not place the code in the comments section - it will not work.
Here is the list of participating shops offering 10% or more discount on your order.
(Thank you, Barb at Barb's Heartstrokes for providing the above instructions)

Shop handmade this year - you'll be glad you did!


















http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoeggenborgSugarBush
http://www.etsy.com/shop/barbsheartstrokes
http://www.etsy.com/shop/basketsbyrose
http://www.etsy.com/shop/catsdesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cavecreekprimitives
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ewenmeprintables
http://www.etsy.com/shop/farmersattic
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FirecrackerKid
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck
http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebybette
http://www.etsy.com/shop/happyvalleyprimitive
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MapleStreetShoppe
http://www.etsy.com/shop/49pamela
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MotherlodeToad
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NancysWorkshop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NoJumbledDucks
http://www.etsy.com/shop/paintspotsnsplinters
http://www.etsy.com/shop/primchick
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Primgal
http://www.etsy.com/shop/printandsew
http://www.etsy.com/shop/publishedartist
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBarnHollow
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tinsandtreasures
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tomorrowstreasures
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WickedlyCreative
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlwaysPrimitive
http://www.etsy.com/shop/primpennystitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/yorkiesprimitives
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetbearcreekwhims

Now I'm off to finish the rest of my stocking website orders and then later the kids are coming over to help decorate the tree.  (and get their picture taken - shhhhhh - don't tell them.)  I must go and dig out Claire's tree decorating crown.

Word of the day:
First Sunday of Advent – Year B
Saint(s) of the day : St. Maximus, Bishop († 460), St. Virgil, Bishop († 784)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 13:33-37.

Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"

November at the Sugar Bush

Word of the day:
Saturday of the Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time
Saint(s) of the day : St. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop & Martyr († 311)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 21:34-36.

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise
like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Just coming up for air today. I have been locked in my craft room trying to get caught up on stockings. We have suspended all of our listings, but there are always a few people who waited too long and "really, really, please, please, please, pretty please, it's our first grandbaby,  our first baby" etc. The hard part is that often they want something changed which puts us even further behind. But do I say no? Never!! Can't disappoint a new mom or a new grandma. That is just not right. LOL! So far we will be able to ship everything by December first, but of course there are some gremlins who live in my craft room and like to gum up the works. Why can't people be more like me? I never ever wait until the last minute for anything. I'd better sign off before I get smited. hahahaha

Word of the day:
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome - Feast
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 2:13-22.

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
His disciples recalled the words of scripture, "Zeal for your house will consume me."
At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?"
Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?"
But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken

.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Hmmmmm, 37 years ago today, I met my husband.  It was a chance meeting, but 4 kids and almost 6 grandkids later, it just doesn't seem possible that so much time has gone by!

I have been buried in a sea of stocking orders - not to mention all of the other excitement going on around here.  We are at 160 stockings for the season now and if the pace keeps up, we may need to pull our listings early.  I really need to bookmark this or have Anna, Melisa, or Nicola send it to me when I start slacking off in March.
We will take orders until November 30, unless we get too many orders to be able to ship in time for Christmas. So far we are keeping up, but just barely.  With a new baby due any time, things could change quickly.

Word of the day:
Thursday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel Lk 15:1-10
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So Jesus addressed this parable to them.
"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
"Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep."
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.

"Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
"Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost."
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents."