The Good Shepherd Garden Dinner ~ week 3

~ The Heavens Tell God's Glory ~

(For details please visit Charlotte or Jessica's blog)

With a overloaded fun filled weekend, we had our Garden Party as dinner just this evening.  We also took advantage of the 90 degree weather outside to eat enjoying the outdoors. 

Having spent the better part of this weekend enjoying God's creations...the clouds, the winds, flowers, and mountain sides in the distance this dinner was such a nice way to bring it all together.

We added these books for week 3, reading about...

...the sun, rain, clouds, and winds

To get dinner on the table we made tonight's Good Shepherd's dinner a family affair

They were all a big help!  There isn't a picture of Max or Papi but, they were as helpful as the girls.  Though they did sneak pieces of fruit from Lucy; from time to time.

~ The Sun ~

Psalm 19:1-6

Like many others we've had our fill of cake and cupcakes.  And, with a birthday in a few days (Rose is turning 6) we opted to serve a bowl of sweet pineapple for the sun.  I think the kids thought it just as sweet as if it was a cupcake.

~ The Cloud ~

1 Kings 8:2-11

They got to eat these created clouds using the whipped topping after some time in the freezer.  Rose stated that she couldn't believe I was letting her eat this sweet treat after her rainbow dessert from dinner.  She thinks her momma has gone a bit loony.  But, she is enjoying it while it lasts.  Too funny.

~ The Rain ~

Matthew 5: 43-48

I didn't get a picture of our rain.  We served a pitcher of water for the rain.  Not to creative here but, it worked.  I mean water-rain-rain-water...the kids got it.  Here is the cool part.  The water was pretty cold so Rose and Max noticed water droplets running down the pitcher.  Both started to yell with some excitement...

"Hey it's raining down the pitcher...how cool!"

That made the dinner!

~ The Lighting & Hail ~

Job 28: 20-26

Job 38: 28-30

Thanks Ms. Charlotte for creating and sharing these lightning rods for our drinks.  The kids really liked these.  And we used the crushed ice for hail.

Since we were having dinner we also used the lighting and thunder pasta that was suggested.  I did add a few things to ours...a bit of Alfredo sauce.  Since my "honey" prefers red sauce and some meat in his pasta I also added this to our dinner.  I liked the contrast in colors on the dish though.  It looked good and tasted better!

~ The Wind ~

Ezekiel 37: 7-10

O.K, we did have the cupcakes on the table.  You can see them in the picture of the table. 

But, as I stated earlier we were out and about this past weekend.  Sunday we drove out to see the California Poppies in bloom.  This area gets pretty windy.  At one point the kids just kept noticing the Heaven's from the Good Shepherd.  Through out the hike we heard,

"Hey mom look at the clouds...momma the sun look it's the sun...it's the wind"

So, we took a picture of the kids against the wind.  They all thought it very appropriate for our Garden Party.  I agreed.

~ The Rainbow ~

Genesis 9: 12-15

We served a rainbow parfait for dessert.  A little bit of blueberries, kiwi, and strawberries within the yogurt was yum-O and healthy.

The end result...

We had such a lovely dinner! 

These two little ones opted to eat on the trampoline.  They had there own little Garden Dinner.

Thank you all for inspiring such lovely memories!! 

For a look at more please visit Catholic Cuisine.

Feast of St. George

With my younger brother now residing in Merry England, St. George has been taken in as an 'honorary' favorite saint around here.  And since we baked our very first dragon cake last year you bet the kids didn't let me forget about baking another one.  We didn't get to meet up with the cousins as we did last year.
But, it just so happened that we had scheduled a field trip to attend the school/homoschooled only day at the Renaissance Faire on St. George's feast day.  Disclosure...I've never been to one of these events before but, I was told that the school day would be way tamer than the days open to the regular public.  So we went....and ended up having a 'verily' good time.

The day began with reading St. George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges on the way to the faire.  I told the kids that the time period isn't the same as when St. George lived but it would be close enough to get some feel for the way people were.  And it was.  There was jousting, fencing, knights in armor and many of "fair lady" and "Sir Priest" to be heard.

After a long day of practicing our knife throwing and pressing flowers we came home to finish our cake. Here are the highlights in pictures:

Children in the kitchen with their momma is the best.

 

Our St. George about to slay the dragon

St. George Pray

for us to seek the same courage you displayed in following God

The Good Shepherd Garden Party ~ week 2

"Welcome to the Lord's Table"

For information you  may visit Jessica's blog

Our second week proved to be as busy as the first.  We've had a series of tragic events around us so, my spirits this week have been pretty low.  But, Saturday morning Max remembered our tea.  He looked up and yelled from across the room...cuz walking over to me was just way to hard lol..."Momma, our tea...when are we going to have it?"

so

~The Table and Chairs~

We had our second party with the Good Shepherd early Saturday evening.  It was a pretty evening too, making it all the better to be outside.  Lucy and Rose set the table and put our cushions back on the chairs.  That was the extent of decorating the chairs.  But, they did a lovely job with the table.

~The Bread & Pot of Honey~

All I did here was put together buttermilk biscuits into the shape of the lamb.  He came out really cute and my little ones thought it was the "coolest".

For the honey I didn't make the honey butter but opted to use some Cactus Honey from our local "bee farm".

~The Wine~

Max began to make the Grape Wine as suggested by both Jessica and Charlotte.  But, the poor boy poured the juice into a container we use for decorations.  It has a hole on the bottom and isn't made to hold liquids.  Thus, we had grape juice running over the counters and none left over to make the wine.  Luckily, I did have some sparkling cider on hand.

Good enough...

~The Fruit~

We didn't use the 12 fruit salad instead, we used what we had on hand.  Some of our favorites...kiwi, pineapple, strawberries and melons. 

~The Milk~

I think you need to just look at that boy's face to know what a hit this was.  We waited until after we had our fruit and tea (or cider).  Each made there own version of a sundae and proceeded to eat with delight as they jumped and flipped on our trampoline.

We had our party after a late lunch.  So, this menu worked for us.  Next year I may incorporate a main dish so that we can have it for lunch. 

For a look at what others are doing please visit Catholic Cuisine

As I mentioned above there have been a series of "bad" news going around.  May I ask your prayers for the following people:

My friend Yvette. 

Her cancer is back after 20 years of living cancer free.

The Horey family

Patrick Horey

Patrick will be put to rest on the same day as his birth, April 21st.

For the repose of Lincoln's soul

Thank you ladies!  Your prayers are greatly appreciated

Littlest Flowers Meeting ~ Humility

Our meeting on Friday came at a busy time for me.  Burn out is on is on my mind and probably on everyone else's.  So when meetings like this past one occur they feel like a nice litte break.

Saint:  Venerable Anne de Guigne

Virtue:  Humility

Craft:  Violet Bookmarkers

Tea Craft:  Embroibered Tea Napkins & Invitations

~ Reading & Chat ~ 

  We read from the story of Anne de Guigne, a young girl once a bit spoiled and prideful then after the death of her father decided that she would be kind and obedient.  She would practice humility until her death, offering her suffering as a gift to Jesus to help sinners.

Humility is a funny virtue to "teach" young girls.  Yes, it's the opposite of pride.  But, how do you convey that to 5 & 6 years old?  We did a lot of role playing...it was the easiest way to show them humility.  We don't boast, or compare.  We seek silence rather than to speak for the sake of speaking.  So after a bit of explaination & chatting, one little one asked...

"What is humility?"

  I love this virtue. 

~ Craft ~

Veronique bought violets and used a microwave technique to dry the flowers.  We opted to use them as bookmarkers with a picture of each girl and included a scripture verse about humility from Matthew 18:3-4.  The moms will be recieving these as gifts at our Little Flowers Tea in May.  

~ Tea Craft ~

Our tea craft this month, and last, were the actual invitations.  My SIL printed out the invitations on cardstock cut out as tea pots.  We then had each girl decorate her invitations with ribbons, stickers, lacy paper; as she wanted for a personal touch.  I need to post a completed one here.  They came out really cute!

Our main leader, Sarah, also sent our Evites to all the moms and ladies that are invited to the tea.  I don't think you can read the bottom of the actual invites but, Sarah has arranged for the Carmelites of Alhambra to be our guests of honor.  These lovely and generous sisters will be talking to our girls about their order and each virtue they live out daily.  A huge gift for our girls and all the guests.

Our second tea craft, did I say the invitations were the last one?  Sorry, I meant second to the last one.  Anyhow, our 2nd craft was awesome.  Each group had their girls embroider on their tea napkins.  Since our girls have little to no experience in embroidery, we opted to use these iron transfer fabric crayons from Crayola. 

Veronique had done a project with them before and they worked great.  She pre-drew a flower design on a piece of paper and had each girl color the drawing using the fabric crayons.  She is later going to transfer their coloring onto their napkins and possibly do a quick stitch design on the corner.

~ Snack Time ~

 

I made this earlier in the day.  I tried to find some type of treat/snack for the girls without baking cupcakes.  Since we had the fresh violets, a bundt cake decorated with pretty flowers did the job just fine.  And there were pieces of cake for the moms too!

We ended with prayers and lots of free play time.

Anne de Guigne pray for us

to act humbly througout our day!

Divine Mercy Sunday

After Mass it was nice to just come home and relax.  We had a busy weekend but I didn't want to allow such a special Sunday to pass us by without something extra sweet.  Max and Lucy are old enough to understand what gift we have in Divine Mercy Sunday. 

Fr. K had explained it so beatifully in Mass.  Literally I had goose bumps from his Homily.  So when we got home I made a simple treat with the image of Jesus and His pouring mercy on cupcakes.

I used this quick explanation from EWTN to talk further about Jesus's message using the ABC

A- Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and

asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.

B- Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to

extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.

C- Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our
trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.

"The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous;

the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These

two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at

that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the

Cross....Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for

the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."

`  St. Faustina Kowalska

The Good Shepherd Garden "Tea" Party ~ week one

The Good Shepherd's Garden Party

(details)

I didn't think I could pull it off.  My mom was due to arrive mid-morning for a visit and babysitting help. Lucy had a softball game at 11 and I had to get ready and pick up a friend 40 minutes away so that we could drive another hour or more further, to meet our husbands by 6:30pm. 

Seriously, I thought I had bit a little too much than I can chew for even contemplating the Shepherd's Garden Party.  But, the kids already knew about it and offered to help.  They really wanted to do this for my mom too.  As a "surprise" treat for her.  How could I not do it.

I owe a huge hug to both Jessica and Charlotte for the menu plans, shopping list, and ideas!!!!

With a little help from these two girls...

We were able to treat my mom and have our Garden Tea with our Good Shepherd

I wasn't able to 'decorate' and the original thought was that we would have our Good Shepherd Garden Parties outside.  The time I had just didn't allow for it.  But, it was fun to have my mom with me as I prepped and made the menu.  She was clueless as to what I was doing.  We live about 3 hours away from one another and my mom stills works...so I don't get to see her as often as I like (sniff sniff) and she doesn't get to often see what the kids and I do.  So, as I went along making the list of eats she was confused.  Then she was "impressed".

* The Shepherd's Crook *

I had to make mine using crescent rolls since I couldn't find the premade bread sticks at our store.  But, they worked out fine.

* Individual Shepherd's Pie *

The picture doesn't do these little goodies justice.  I did follow the recipe as suggested by Jessica & Charlotte and they were good.  So good that I plan to serve these as little appetizers for an up coming party.  Kids just ate these up!

* The Gate of the Sheepfold *

I had the kids make their own gates which the older kids liked.  The younger ones started out o.k but wanted my help to make a straighter gate.

* God's Sheep *

Popcorn is a favorite around here.  These fluffy reminders of sheep didn't last long enough to be put into a sheepfold...

* The Ewe and the Ram *

My little ones desperately wanted to decorate the faces and though the older ones thought they looked a bit more like puppies than an Ewe or Ram I thought they were the most precious.  I didn't have the large marshmallows (a certain someone got into the bag and they have disappeared from our pantry) but they would have made better ears for sure.

(I loved Charlotte's Ram...very cute!)

* The Wolf's Paws *

We used Pepperidge Farm Tahiti cookies, melted chocolate and little white chocolate chips for the claws.  After, assembling these cuties I did place them in the freezer so they could set.  Great tip!  But, because they were in the freezer we almost forgot them. 

Even though I was totally a bit rushed we had a lovely afternoon.  I didn't get to make the Lamb's Wool this time around...there is always next year.

The kids are already excited about week 2...how cool is that!

Just for now...

My blog normally set on private is open for public view....

Sharing Our Easter ~

Holy Thursday

We had a nice simple dinner of chops (they were suppposed to be lamb chops but only had pork) and asparagus.  The asparagus for Green Thursday and because they looked so much like Jesus' crown of thorns.  Rose was thrilled to have the white linen out and the candles lit.  As we ate we read from the New Testament and spoke about what was about to occur. 

Our candle was lit one last time...

...until we are able to relight our new Paschal Candle after Easter Vigil

Celebrating together quietly and joyfully what was to come

Good Friday

After the Stations of the Cross the kids and I sat together for a Lenten Tea. The ideas were from Alice Gunther's Liturgical Teas. I made little placecards for each scripture food that was served. It was so great to see how the kids "got it"...as they served themselves they told each other what the connection was between what they were eating and the Passion.

~ The King's Crown ~

Tositos scoop style chip became the crown of Kings

"And Pilate asked Him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And He answered him, 'You have said so.'"

 Mark 15: 2

~ Pilate washes his hands ~

After boiling the water for our tea I placed it in the bowl.  I used a laddle to scoop out the water and served it with green tea

"took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this righteous man's blood.'" Matthew 27: 24.

~ Out of Envy ~

Gucamole was the obivous chose for the green of envy and to go along with the 'kings' crown'. 

"[H]e perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered Him up." Mark 15: 10.

 

~ The Purple Cloak ~

 
We used cut up fruit leather for his cloak

"And they clothed Him in a purple cloak . . . ." Mark 15: 17

~ The Crown of Thorns ~

Round cracker spread with peanut butter and 'crowed' with pretzel pieces to look like the crown made by the soldiers...then placed on his head

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"...and, plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him." Mark 15: 17

~ Golgotha Eggs ~

Hardboiled eggs because these sad little things will be a joyful color come Easter Sunday.  I didn't draw the skulls on the eggs but opted instead to spear them with these clip art skulls I got from the computer

"And they brought Hime to the place called Golgotha (which meand the place of the skull)"

Mark 15:22

~ The Seamless Garment ~

Cut up tortillas for his tunic and pieces of mozzarella cheese for the dice cast by the Roman soldiers

"But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.'" John 19: 23-24

~ Two Robbers ~

Two sprigs of spinach is what we used to stand for the two thieves crucified along side Jesus.

"And with Him they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left." Mark 15: 27

~ Vinegar to Drink ~

We each a bit of this balsamic vinegar and also had each child try a tiny bit of the plain vinegar.  Rose was the only one who refused (can't belame her) but everyone else tried a bit on their tongue.  "Yuck" was Princess's reaction.

"And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying 'Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.'" Mark 15: 36

~ Torn in Two ~

Here each child rips in half their paper napkins.  Very symbolic and oh so intense.  Each face was serious and sad....

"And the curtain of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." Mark 15: 38

~ The Roman Centurion ~

We used plum tomatoes and cut them in half to equal the 100 Roman Soldiers that stood watch during the crucifixion

"And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that He thus breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God.'" Mark 15: 39

~ Laid in the Tomb ~

Older girl made these date cupcakes and then hollowed them out.  We put strawberries inside for a special "suprise".  Each one the kids enjoyed this small sweet.

"And he brought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb."

At one point during the Stations of the Cross I looked over at Rose and she was crying.  She saw that I was looking at her and hid her face in her arms.  Poor baby...even at 5 she knew the sorrow of what was happening.  So during our tea she looked at me and said she felt so bad for Jesus.  She hugged me so tight!  Then she asked me when was she supposed to be happy?  I told her that it was for us that Jesus died and that through his death we can have life in Heaven.  That on Easter Sunday we would experience great joy...He has risen and showed us the goodness in even the sorrow of his crucifixion.  She offered me a smile and said she was glad we had Jesus in our corner.  Yes, indeed I am so glad we have Him on our corner.

Later that evening we all made some Hot Cross Buns.  We kept some without the icing and left the rest to ice on Holy Saturday. 

Holy Saturday the Hot Cross Buns looked like this

Easter Sunday

We had a lovely Easter morning breakfast of bacon, coffee, eggs and awoke to a transformed home...The Garden of the Good Shepherd was out, the crown of thorns is now a nest with pretty eggs (gifts from our own chickens) nestled inside it. The Resurrection set is now the center of our table and their Easter baskets waiting for little hands.

We then attended the afternoon Mass.  Older Girl sang in the choir and there were 2 babies being baptized.  Another great gift to renew our own baptism.

We spent the rest of the afternoon at my in-law's home.  It was such a nice day.

I don't know why Older Girl looked so serious...but she made it up here

Only Boy looks so "grown up"

~ The Easter Egg Hunt ~

Papi and momma do the hiding...

So of course the eggs end up in places like this

They found them though...

And one lucky little girl found the "golden egg"...

We hid this golden egg on a branch from the lemon tree.  Each of the kids got close enough to touch it but it was Rose who found it first.  Well, actually Rose and Only Boy were neck and neck to finding it.  She saw it, literally, seconds b4 he did.  He was a good sport about it though

~ Dinner ~

...was yummy!  Ham, slow cooked pork ribs, mashed potatoes, veggies, Rum Bread Pudding and a lamb shaped cake made by yours truly.  Unfortunately, our lamb had a bit of an accident en route to grammas'.  This is the only picture I have of the poor little thing...

It tasted good though.  I used this white cake recipe and it was good...

My SIL made this table runner.  She made it using a purple material on one side with this Easter print piece on the other.  Very smart and cute!!

We hope your Easter was as equally blessed!