Pascha is Coming

With this the final week of Great Lent before us and the long-awaited Holy Week just beyond that...a "brightness" looms in the near distance. Although the tones, the prayers, the fast, and the entire ecclesiastical rhythm still looms in shrouded purple, that which is to come begins to peek through.

As the sun makes its way toward the horizon, leaving behind its springtime warmth, I am reminded of the nearness of Pascha. The little birds chirping at the feeder outside, the baby playing happily at my feet, the cool breeze of the afternoon, the warm scent of orange blossoms on the air...all echo hymns of life and hope. They tell of that glorious day when death was trampled by death, through which we are endowed with Life.

With somber anticipation, we wait.

May we be counted worthy to celebrate your Holy Passover, O Lord.

Just for Fun

Thanks Alana and Carmen for this idea...

Name four bad habits you have:
1. Chewing ice
2. Procrastinating
3. Forgetting to return phone calls
4. Being bossy

Name four things that you wish you had:
1. A big dog to take hiking and to the beach (one that doesn't poop, smell, or lick your face)
2. More friends my age with babies
3. DSL or cable...my dinosaur dial up is sooo slow!
4. An espresso machine

Name four scents you love:
1. Wet soil
2. Wild grass on summer nights
3. Clean laundry
4. Freshly baked bread

Name four things you'd never wear:
1. Leather pants
2. Really high heels
3. Cropped tops
4. Fake nails

Name four things you have done today:
1. Took a shower
2. Played with Basil
3. Returned phone calls
4. Laundry

Name four of your favorite things to do:
1. Make things
2. Be outdoors
3. Laugh
4. Swim

Name the last 4 things you have bought:
1. Groceries
2. A cookbook
3. Fabric for a friend's baby blanket
4. Camp chairs

Name four things you regularly drink: (not counting water)
1. Juice with crushed ice
2. Coffee either iced or hot with milk
3. Milk with cookies
4. Fruit smoothies

Name four things you are thankful for:
1. God's mercy
2. My family and friends
3. Good health
4. Our new car

Lenten Recipe of the Week

Sara's Easy Pasta Fagioli
(serves about 4 adults)

1/2 lb elbow macaroni
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 t fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 C oil
4 C vegetable broth
1-15 oz can great northern beans, drained
1 package frozen spinach (or 2 bunches fresh leaves)
S&P to taste

1. Heat oil, saute rosemary and garlic shortly.
2. Add broth, bring to a simmer
3. Add pasta, bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until pasta is soft, about 20 minutes.
4. Add beans and spinach

I took this from some website and then changed it a bit...we think it's pretty tasty!

Things have been mighty busy around here. Thankfully, it looks as though it will be quieting down soon.

Lenten Recipe of the Week

This is by far the best lenten cookie recipe that I have tried so far...enjoy!

Lenten Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 C margarine or shortening
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/4 C plain soymilk (for some reason the SILK brand works best, but any kind is fine)
1 t vanilla
2 1/4 C flour
1/2 t salt
1 t baking soda
12 oz. semi sweet or dark chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream margarine and sugars until light and fluffy. Slowly add soymilk, cream well, then add vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, then fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Drop by tablespoons on cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes

10 Things I've Learned in Six Months of Motherhood

1. The only things you need to mother an infant: two breasts and a sling.
2. A small balloon tied to a six-month-old's wrist will entertain him for a good 20 minutes.
3. Take lots of pictures because babies change so quickly.
4. You can get a heck of a lot done during naptime.
5. Take others' opinions about parenting with a grain of salt, and give yours only when asked.
6. Breast leakage can be a fashion statement.
7. Sometimes you just need to get out of the house.
8. Waking up to a laughing baby is just about the best way to start the day.
9. The question people most love to ask new parents is, "Is he sleeping through the night?"
10. It's ok if you don't shower until noon and you'll feel better once you do.

Oh, Yeah...I have a BLOG

I just wanted to apologize to my hundreds of faithful readers (that's a joke, in case you didn't catch it). Forgive me for my lack of postings. I wish I could say that it has been due to an intensely mystical lenten journey or something, but alas...our internet connection has not been working for quite some time.

It seems that switching phone plans a few weeks ago was not such a good idea. Little did I know that the new plan didn't include caller id, call waiting and some other high-tech features. Somehow, it screwed up our internet connection. I was just trying to be nice to the poor salesman on the phone...who knew?

So anyhow, I am back in action and anxious to catch up on what I've missed around here.