along the way...

Had To Share!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:17:00 +0000

Staring at Daddy, waiting for him to finish his Jello...

so she can lick the bowl! ;)

Healthy Eating Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 06:12:00 +0000

I feel like I'm finally succeeding in eating better, and it feels great! My mood is really improving as a result, which I'm sure my husband thinks is great. LOL!

I used to come up with these strict meal plans and almost as soon as they were written down I stopped following them. This time I've just decided to follow a few guidelines based on what I know works for me.

Breakfast:

Choose 2 meals to rotate throughout the week. This week it was homemade parfait's and oatmeal (I actually love oatmeal) with blueberries.

Lunch:

Change it up! Lunch is something I'm not getting too picky about, so at the end of the day I don't feel like I want to eat every carb loaded, sugar filled item not nailed down. My main issue with lunch is portion control & too many carbs, so as long as I keep myself in check in that regard I should be good!

This week I had a quesadilla, clam chowder, and tuna salad with romaine lettuce. I would have had a tuna sandwich, but given how much mayo was used I thought I'd make the smarter choice and eat it with lettuce. All of this was accompanied by a piece of tangelo, which is my choice of fruit for the week.

Dinner:

No Carbs!! The plan for dinner is to have a salad loaded with veggies, along with chicken, turkey, or beef, and a green veggie side dish. I have noticed how much better I feel physically (less bloated) in the morning having not eaten carbs for my last meal of the day.

This week I had tri-tip and salad, lettuce wrapped sushi (from store), chicken sausage and veggies. That's all I can remember actually.

Dessert:

Sugar Free Jello!! That's this week, and probably the next too, until I can think of something else.

Here are some photos from this week!

Lettuce wrapped sushi.

Homemade parfait. Vanilla yogurt (Dannon light & fit) with

blueberries, strawberries, banana, and Bran Buds on top.

Sugar free jello. Portioned out for the week.

Chicken sausage and veggies. This was last Sunday's dinner!

Tuna salad and lettuce.

That's what I had for lunch today!

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 03:12:00 +0000

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Window Shopping - On ETSY!!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 00:09:00 +0000

On days that I decide to walk on the treadmill I usually goof off on the computer, and sometimes I manage to some get blogging done. You can actually tell how much exercising I get done by how often I post, and as you can see it's been a while...

Online window shopping is one of my favorite ways to kill time, especially on Etsy. I love sharing great finds, and below you'll find a quite a few recent favorites. I have to admit, I did not share everything because some things were added to my cart. :)

Just click on the photos and you will be taken to where you can purchase that item.

Vintage Crucifix

Vintage 70's Oxford Pumps

Indian Sari Skirt

Mother Teresa Quote

Cross Stitch Bookmark

Icon Bracelet

The Practice of the Presence of God

Rosebud Belt

Our Lady of Grace

Gypsy Skirt

Immaculate Heart of Mary - wooden toy

Thai Fishermen Pants

Antique Sterling First Holy Communion Medal

Antique Virgin Mary Brooch

The Passion

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 04:49:00 +0000

MODESTY: WHAT IS THAT?!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 17:48:00 +0000

I enjoyed this blog post on MODESTY, and wanted to share it. When I read postings on the topic I try not to read it as a 30 year old woman, but as a young teenage girl.

I think this view on modesty is simple, direct, yet might actually cause a young girl/woman to think about it, instead of turning them off of the idea of modesty completely, especially those who have no strong religious or moral convictions.

Here's a tidbit. Please click on the link to read the whole article.

Modesty. What is the first image that comes to mind when someone mentions modesty? Do you have pictures of Amish women and nuns running through your head? If so, I would like to show you a different definition of modesty, and why it is so very important for young girls and this generation.

Modesty isn’t solely about “how much skin do I have to cover”, it’s an outside and inside type of lifestyle. The question shouldn’t be, “how much skin can I show without getting into trouble?”, it should be, “by wearing this, what am I trying to achieve or convey?”

MODESTY: WHAT IS THAT?!

She Needs A Name!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 23:35:00 +0000

This is our newest family member, in fact we just brought her home today. We are still working on a name but I would love some ideas if you have any. She is 2 months old, her breed is a Shih Tzu-Poodle mix, and she's sweet and calm. The exact opposite from Cookie. Cookie came with an Energizer battery inside of her and it's still going...

The Cooks (Paul's name for Cookie) is not very happy, but it's only the first day so I hope that will change.

Any name ideas??

Puppy Prays Before Meal...Sweet!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:28:00 +0000

Found this video at SANCTE PATER

Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 20:53:00 +0000

In early May my dad, and step mom Michelle moved to Arizona, but my baby sis Cassidy (she's 16) stayed in CA to finish the school year.

My brother Tim and I just got back on the 16th from taking her out to AZ. It was a fun trip!! I've really missed my dad, and even though we didn't see each other every day it's hard knowing I can't just go see him anytime.

It was hard being away from Paul for that long, but he was away at a conference on Church history that week. That's why I planned the trip when I did.

There aren't many pics from the trip and what I did take was on my phone so the quality may not be so great. :/

There's also a short video of a lightning storm!

The view on the drive up. We're almost there!!

Cassidy on our first day exploring.

Dad & Tim on our first day fishing.

Cassidy & her new friend! :)

Our dinner that night...the BIG one was mine! ;)

My dinner!!

Tim & Cookie on the back porch.

Pretty rainbow (view from backyard)!

Same rainbow.

Michelle, Cookie, Tink (chihuahua), and Bella (Mastiff) relaxing!

Tim at the top the mountain at the ski resort. We rode up, but hiked down. Tim, Cassidy, and I didn't stay on the trail, we went into the trees where we knew there were bears and things because we saw a bear cub cross the trail on the way up. It was fun!!

Another view.

Cookie chillin' on the back porch...I think she misses it! :(

This storm went on all day, the day before we left. I'm just glad it was clear the next morning.

Homemade Dog Biscuits (with rice flour)

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 18:37:00 +0000

Last night I really wanted to bake something, but I also don't want to eat any sweets right now, so I decided to make something for Cookie.

I did a search for dog biscuits and this recipe I found was one of the simplest and I also knew I had all ingredients on hand.

The only thing i did differently was use Rice Flour instead of whole wheat.

I only used 3/4 of the dough last night (that filled up my baking sheet), and I just stored the rest in the fridge. I'll probably make up the rest tomorrow.

Recipe from Dog Treat Kitchen.com

Isn't she CUTE!!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 18:00:00 +0000

My sister took this pictures over the weekend, and since they're the best pictures (in my opinion) taken of Cookie I felt I should post them here.

I think this one is my favorite!

From the Missal

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:48:00 +0000

This spoke to me so much today at Mass, that I had to share it.

I can't even count how many times I've read over these lines, but for whatever reason they really jumped out at me today.

These words should be spoken daily.

I hope everyone had a blessed weekend!!

Love This!!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:27:00 +0000

So true.

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A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:56:00 +0000

Yesterday I finished reading the 4th book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, and now I have to wait for the 5th and last book to be released. I'm just glad I only have to wait a few weeks and not a few months.

Some may not be aware, but I love reading Amish Fiction (found in Christian Romance in bookstores).

I just discovered Amy Clipston, and I'm so glad I did. I really enjoy her style of writing, and how she truly brings to life the Kauffman family and make you really wish you were at least their friend, if not family.

Something I've learned since reading these novels is that there are Catholic Communities that live almost the same as the Amish do. They dress the same, but I do think they have electricity. I'm sure there are many differences, but they dress like Amish. I've often wondered if I would be willing to join such a community...

I'm still thinking about it...

Memorial Day Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Wed, 30 May 2012 02:08:00 +0000

Getting back into blogging....

I know, I know, I've said that before, but I really mean it this time.

Today caught up on housework, but I still have a lot to do tomorrow...ugh!!

This weekend was great. Saturday we went to a party with all of the people who were on the Holy Land trip with us, and we had a great time. Sunday, after Mass we went to my moms and hung out with her and my brother who had his two dogs with him (Zion & Kia), and since we had Cookie with us it made for an interesting visit. It was still fun though! On Monday once Paul got home from golfing we went for a walk by a lake near our library with Cookie (pics below), got lunch, then napped, watched Bridge on the River Kwai, had dinner and went to bed. I'm sure people assume that since it's just the two of us, we spend time like that all the time, but we really don't, so yesterday was a much needed relax with your sweetie kinda day!!

Spring Inspired!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:53:00 +0000

A Quiet Week

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 03:14:00 +0000

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my blog, and I don't plan on disappearing for another 6 months, but it will remain quiet around here until after Easter.

I hope you can be patient with me.

A Happy & Blessed Easter to all!!

Holy Week - CONFESSION TIMES!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:01:00 +0000

We received this Holy Week Schedule (pic below) in the mail yesterday, and I couldn't help but smile after reading it.

Notice the list of CONFESSION times!!!

This schedule is from San Secondo d'Asti Catholic Church. It is the Church where we were married, and attended frequently until the TLM was available close by (it's a 45 min drive for us), but I wish we were able to get there more often.

The Church itself is 150 years old and it has the ambiance you would expect from a Church that old. But that is not the main reason we wanted to be married there...

The Pastor, Fr. Marx (yes that's his last name, people actually call him by his last name), Is very Traditional in his teaching and administering the Sacraments (as you can tell). Now I'm sure some would think "if he's that traditional he must be rather stern", or something along those lines, but that's so far from the truth, Fr. Marx is the kindest, most soft-hearted man I know, during his sermons he refers to the congregation as "my dear ones".

When I see something like this schedule for Confessions I know he "gets it", he gets what's really important. I know that because this schedule is not unexpected. His Parish offers Confession every day of the week, and before every Sunday Mass.

This post is not meant to say no other Priest takes the Sacraments seriously, especially one as important as Confession is, but this morning I went online to the websites of our near by parishes and most have already had their Penance services and will not have any other scheduled Confessions before Easter.

I hope you will join me in praying that in years to come (sooner would be great!!) we see more Holy Week schedules like the one from San Secondo d'Asti...

Catholic Cookie Jar: Stop worrying, start trusting

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:54:00 +0000

If you are the kind of person who worries about everything (I know I am), then this post is for you. There are some great quotes that will really make you think about what we're really doing when we worry, as well as some great book recommendations.

Catholic Cookie Jar: Stop worrying, start trusting: I have a tendency to worry. A lot. My mom can attest to the fact that I need many reminders to focus on the present and stop worrying abou...

The perfect end to a great lunch...

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:23:00 +0000

The Next Great Evil

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:04:00 +0000

I just read a great post from A Woman's Place about what was once considered EVIL, is now considered trendy.

Here is a tidbit. Please click on the link to read all of it.

In the last century we've watched as things that have been taboo in the past, have become the norm for our society. Until 1930 all Protestant denominations condemned contraception as a sin. Legalized abortion made murdering our children legal in the 70s, and in the 90s some in the pro-death camp were still saying they wished that it was "rare" which, let's face it, admits that there is something wrong with tearing another person apart limb by limb. But that facade of ethical belief is now falling away, as some in the anti-life camp proclaim that the real evil in this world is adoption and that abortion in itself is actually great...read more...

A Night Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:56:00 +0000

Jesus Christ, my God,

I adore Thee and I thank Thee

for all the graces Thou hast

bestowed on me this day.

I offer Thee my sleep

and every moment of this night,

and I beseech Thee

to keep me free from sin.

Therefore I place myself

in Thy most sacred side and

under the protecting mantle of

our Lady, my mother.

May Thy holy angels help me

and keep me in peace,

and may Thy blessings be upon me.

~St. Alphonsus Liguori

Afternoon Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:43:00 +0000

It rained really hard all day yesterday, but today it was beautiful, so this afternoon Cookie and I went for a walk. I took some pictures along the way, and some back at the house.

Love the colors of this tree. We walked by a few of them.

Blue skies!

Somebody needed to stop & rest a bit.

Roses in the front yard. I would show the whole plant, but it's still new so there's not much to it yet. But these sure are pretty.

Our whole front yard is lined with Geraniums.

We planted Snap Dragons all along the back wall & they're lookin' good.

Fresh flowers for Our Blessed Mother!!

Fried Ice Cream

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:07:00 +0000

I like to take pictures of food. In fact, I am one of those people that posts food pictures all the time on facebook, but since I gave up facebook for Lent, you get to see it. :)

This is from Saturday night at a Mexican restaurant we went to.

Paul ordered one for each of us since we didn't know how big the scoop of ice cream would be. I was amazed when they came, they were HUGE!! I only ate 1/4 of mine, but Paul ate the rest of it & all of his. He has the same metabolism he had at 18, it's amazing!

I just realized something while writing this. If I posted this picture on fb, all the post would be is the picture, with a caption like "yummmm", or "mmmmmm...good!".

LOL!

This way I could write a whole story about my Fried Ice Cream.

Nazareth & Cana

noreply@blogger.com (Molly) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:12:00 +0000

The day we arrived in Israel we went straight from the airport to the Mount of Beatitudes Hospice (Tiberias) which is where we were staying, so there were no real pictures from that day. Just a couple scenic photos. I posted two of them to give you an idea of how green it was. When we arrived to the hospice it was dark, and we were tired, so we ate dinner then headed to bed.

The next day we went to Nazareth to see Mary's Well, the Church of St. Joseph which is built over the Nazareth home of the Holy Family, and the Basilica of the Annunciation where we heard Mass.

Sadly I had trouble with one of my memory cards and LOST pretty much all pictures of the Basilica and the Church of Saint Joseph. I will find some pics online and post them on a later date, so you know what we saw, but I do wish I had my own photos, I know I had some great shots I really wanted to share with you. But luckily I had another card on me, otherwise I would have lost all pics of Cana too.

View from the bus driving to Tiberias

Nazareth

You can see the top of the Basilica of the Annunciation in the middle of the photo.

Mary's Well

This is called Mary's Well, but it's actually just an extension. The actual Well is inside St. Gabriel's Church.

Amer (our tour guide) explaining all of this to us.

He was born and raised in Nazareth, and still lives there today.

He was awesome!!

Paul at "Mary's Well".

St. Gabriel's Church

Actual site of the Well, just up the hill a bit.

Inside St. Gabriel's Church

Actually Mary's Well

Water spout

Inside St. Gabriel's Church

Basilica of the Annunciation

This is the only picture I have. The inside was beautiful, and Mass was said just outside Grotto of the Annunciation in the lower Church.

There are two levels.

Down the street and around the corner. If I remember correctly the sign was put there during the Pope's visit (I think John Paul II), so that he would see it as he drove by. It was never removed because that piece of land is Muslim property.

Can you find the misspelling?

Cana Wedding Church

Inside the Wedding Church

Where we (and all couples in our group) renewed our wedding vows!!

Painting behind the Altar

Me & Paul

Cana Wedding Church

Main Church