St Teresa of Avila

Know that even when you are in the kitchen, 

our Lord moves amidst the pots and pans. 

(St Teresa of Avila)

 We'll be celebrating with some paella on the grill- it's probably the last time it will be warm enough to grill out. My metal turkey roaster makes a perfect paella pan, and I simplify by using a bag of frozen mixed seafood.

(Image Source: Gerard, St Theresa, 1827)

Hospitality and Hostess Gifts

My friend Jamie has an especial knack for bringing the loveliest hostess gifts. While wine and flowers are always appreciated, she always selects something thoughtfully appropriate for the occasion. During neighborly social calls while I was bed-ridden due to hyperemesis, she made sure I was never short of reading material and would bring a fancy beverage, like sparkling lemonade. While visiting me at the hospital following the Lenten delivery of my youngest child, she brought me a platter of homemade gingerbread and strawberries. For a recent high tea celebrating a hobby horse's birthday, the first pomegranates of the season. Her gifts are not expensive, but show a spirit of creativity and consideration I only wish I could emulate.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
(Lk 17-19)


 Sunday Supper Idea: Eggs St Denis
(Feast day October 9)



(Image Source: The Healing of the Sick, fresco c. 980)

Our Lady of the Rosary

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

And if Our Lady of Victory wanted to interecede for Our Lady's football team, we wouldn't mind one bit!

Image source: Bray, Still life with Symbols of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St Bruno

By your work you show what you love and what you know. When you observe true obedience with prudence and enthusiasm, it is clear that you wisely pick the most delightful and nourishing fruit of divine Scripture.
(A letter by Saint Bruno to the Carthusians)

And perhaps some pretzels to accompany your toast of the patron saint of brewers...

Image source: Vision of St Bruno, Ribera

St Francis of Assisi

Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society. 

(Saint Francis of Assisi)

Image source: El Greco, Francis Meditating

St Theodore Guerin

With great trust in Divine Providence, Mother Théodore overcame many challenges and persevered in the work that the Lord had called her to do. By the time of her death in 1856, the Sisters were running schools and orphanages throughout the State of Indiana. Mother Théodore Guérin is a beautiful spiritual figure and a model of the Christian life. She was always open for the missions the Church entrusted to her, and she found the strength and the boldness to put them [the missions] into practice in the Eucharist, in prayer and in an infinite trust in Divine Providence. Her inner strength moved her to address particular attention to the poor, and above all to children. (Pope Benedict XVI, canonization homily of Saint Theodore)

Image source

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord replied,
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
(Lk 17, 5-6)

Sunday Supper: Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with Mustard and Sage

St Therese of Lisieux

Jesus set the book of nature before me and I saw that all the flowers he has created are lovely. The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. I realized that if every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness and there would be no wildflowers to make the meadows gay. It is just the same in the world of souls – which is the garden of Jesus. He has created the great saints who are like the lilies and the roses, but he has also created much lesser saints and they must be content to be the daisies or the violets which rejoice his eyes whenever he glances down. Perfection consists in doing his will, in being that which he wants us to be. Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be – and becoming that person.
(St Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul)
Image source

ISO your favorite movie recommendations

One of my family's favorite rituals is Friday Night Pizza and a Movie. I love having my family together, the cares of the week behind us, the curtains drawn, and plenty of warm pizza and maybe a glass of wine rounding out the evening. Thanks to my favorite library book, Truly Madly Pizza (pictured: fig with cheddar and roasted red pepper; salmon and broccoli; white pizza with kalamata olives and broccoli; egg and cherry tomato), we have no trouble being inventive with the former, but a couple years in, and we are on the lookout for new movies (suitable for a five year old and a two year old, but not so dull as to alienate the adults). We started with the Disney animated films, then their live action movies like Swiss Family Robinson and Herbie, and classics like The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. We enjoyed the Kenneth Branagh Cinderella and are eagerly awaiting the live action Beauty and the Beast, but are looking for recommendations. What have you enjoyed?