Cathedral Worship Pictures

These are some of the Art and Environment pictures from

St. Mary Cathedral, Saginaw, Michigan
 

St. Mary Cathedral 2001 - 2007

Confirmation

Big day for Javier. Tonight is his Confirmation.  He has been preparing for this and as his sponsor I can tell you he is ready. I am honored and pleased that he asked me to be his sponsor.

Looking forward to Sunday for his 1st Eucharist.

This has been a big year for him. He was Baptized along with his brothers and sister in May last year.

Javier was the one that kept asking Grandma Colin about church. This family is such a blessing.

oh.... Remind me I said that after watching the two little boys while Jesse helps Pat tomorrow!

1964 Blue NSU

This was like my first car. We paid $350 for it in 1972. It was a 1964 Blue NSU. The bottom was rusting out and I used a kitchen spatula to scrape the ice off the inside front windshield, but it got me to my job at Kinder Kare every morning.

Changes Coming

Cooking Tuesdays sort of went by the wayside. They became Nana cooks on Tuesdays.

Javier eating his snack called the Javi Plate

Colby Jack cheese, pepperoni, salami and crackers.

Ayva making a pile of money.

Just fun time before homework.

Lots of changes coming soon.

• Only one more religion class next week for Javier and Ayva.
• Sheala will be preparing to move to a new school.
• Swimming lessons are done. Both Javier and Ayva moved to the next level.
• Javier passed the swimming test to be allowed into the deep pool by himself.

So life goes on. Kids grow up.

Michigan Spring

I love springtime and I love Michigan. We went to St. Ignace Friday night. Came home  Saturday afternoon.

Stopped at the lighthouse.  It was 57 degrees on the expressway on our way in, but dropped to 46 by the Lake.

We watched some of the Tiger game at the Keyhole Bar in Mackinaw City. It was fun watching John capably be the bartender, waiter and cashier. He worked hard. Joked with the customers who obviously were tourists, and they loved it.

Then we drove across THE bridge. We checked in at the Quality Inn by the Big Boy restaurant - we will never stay there again. The most uncomfortable bed anywhere ever. We watched the end of the game then went for a ride to the Cut River bridge.

Stopped at the Casino. Lost $20 in 5 minutes. Left the Casino with my other $20 still in my pocket.

Then we came home the next afternoon. Short trip filled with sunshine, deep blue water, ice still covering parts of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It was a great trip.

Playing Catch with Papa

Javier played well with Papa today. He has a good arm. Reminds me of Robbie playing catch in the backyard then climbing the trees till I threw a fit!

My Sweet Cousin

Mary Lynn sent me this beautiful art quilt.  I promptly hung it in my kitchen. I love all her art, but the Chihuly inspired has a special place in my heart.

Sunshine, Blue Skies and Estate Sales

We are out driving around to estate sales. The first one was a dud. Hopefully the next one will better.

It still seems funny to see Christmas dishes and not buy them. I am always looking for cake plates.  I still put together an auction item for the Children's Museum every year.

I'll update if I find something.

Easter at All Saints

I like this. Amy Bartels Roe sent it to me. I'll post it here to add to Pinterest.

Pantry Moths - yuk

We just spent the morning at our tenants - we started seeing pantry moths in our bathroom and some in the living room. None in the kitchen. To be on the safe side we threw out any food in boxes. Anything like noodles, rice, couscous.

Today is trash day so I called Marge and asked if she had moths. She said yes she had some on her ceiling. Pat and I went over. Oh Yuk - hundreds. Not exaggerating. I had to tell her we needed to throw everything out. She kept wanting to keep stuff. Nope. Not happening. We emptied her cupboards. Washed dishes.Washed the cupboards with vinegar.

Then I told her she needed a cleaning lady.  I called Stephanie and left her a message.  She may say no to this but I have to try.

As I washed dishes, Marge dried. I brought up about her obituary - not written. Then about her funeral - not planned. Then about the cemetery - that one is covered. Her niece us coming at the end of the month and I told her she needed to talk to her about this stuff.

Goodness I am exhausted.

Easter Monday

We stopped to see the bunnies

before swimming class

Easter Weekend

Start a new tradition - 

Read a book together over the Easter Weekend

Free Book Promotion - Beginning Good Friday - 4/3/15 - 4/7/15

The perfect book to share with your child over the Easter weekend.  Easter Break in Florida is a short story of a life changing mission trip to Florida.  The high school students from St. Mary Cathedral, in Saginaw, Michigan embark on a week of work in a parish in Miami.  One group will be doing carpentry work for Mrs. Lopez de Garcia. The other group of students will be running a vacation bible school.

A student needs to seek forgiveness for being rude to a teacher.  A teacher needs to heal a broken heart.  The students come face to face with poverty in America. 

God bless you during this holiday.  Enjoy the story.

Well...

We walked into church and.... no palms behind the cross.  They were okay for Saturday evening Mass, but the palms shriveled and wilted overnight.   Jean had to take them down.

So the plan for next year is to buy eight large palms. Put four up on Saturday and replace them for Sunday. We'll keep the extras in the refrigerator overnight.

Oh well... live and learn.

Palm Sunday

For Lent I am reading the book of homilies of Bishop Ken. This morning was about the game he attended where the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. He said the excitement was more than just the game. It was the fans being there witnessing together. He compared it to coming together for liturgy. Surely we can pray anywhere - the car, the woods, anywhere. But coming together to witness makes the celebration much more.

That is why the music, the environment even the stained glass windows help to create an experience worth remembering. 

Today we decorated for Palm Sunday. Outside and inside. It meant so much to me because of Ken's homily.

Perspective

Saginaw had gloomy grey skies and a temp of 11. The wind was blowing cold and damp. Pat suggested going on a wine buying trip to Traverse City.

Are we ever glad we did. Even though the temp was still 11, the sun was so bright. The wine so delicious. Our dinner at Michigan Tavern on Old Mission Peninsula yummy!

We had a fabulous day.

Lunch with friends

We had such a nice lunch. Clarence, Tom, Kathy, Joan, Elinor, Jan, Pat and I went to Owosso. We ate lunch at El Protero then went to the Shiawassee Art Council then to Curwood Castle.

A great afternoon filled with laughter and good friends.

Cinderella

I love the new Cinderella.  Today Joanna, Sheala, Alicia and her friend Dru, Caroline, Ayva, Javier, Pat and I went to the movie.

I loved every bit of it. The dance took my breath away. Do not wait to see it at home. It is fabulous on the big screen.

Happy Birthday Kathy

Dinner with my family to celebrate Kathy's birthday. We met at Fandangles' in Flushing.  It was the most fabulous time. I love being with my family.

The food - yup the best anywhere.

Salmon, steak, bass, pork beteeen us - no matter what each of us had we were so happy we ordered it.

We live a very good life.

Grand Nieces

We had a wonderful time with Jane and Chris, two of their daughters and two of their granddaughters.

We went to the scrapbox. Ella and Margot loved the gems. Then to salvation army. Lots of good buys. And the bonus was sitting with my sissie looking at a book filled with pictures of sisters.  The little girls were all over the store!

Then dinner at Sidekick in Ypsilanti. Best burgers ever.

Grilled Steak

Mmmmm.... grilling steak. Actually even if we are grilling burgers I season them exactly the same.

I use olive oil, red wine vinegar, Mrs. Dash, garlic powder, Thyme, salt and pepper.

These are big steaks. Pound the steak. Season. Grill over hot coals 4 minutes on each side.

1st Eucharist Class

We had a good day with Javier at his retreat. We learned about the food pantry and garden. Then Javier made a flower craft for someone that is sad to be a pick me up.

Then we made a wreath to send to Robbie.  It has all Easter signs on it.

The last thing was folding a house form and talking about the homeless.

Roh Roh

I can't get a handle on this!!!!

I think Pat has had it!!!!!!

He suggested I get a big box and put it in the basement.  That of course is so he can move it around seventeen times in the next two years.  This is a compilation of years and years of memories.  Some from Hoyt Street - my Mom didn't want to throw it away when she moved from Jefferson to the first apartment and I took it for her.  So, here I am sorting all that junk and mine too.  Anyway I have thrown out several trash bags.  This has to be whittled down to half - it is giving me ulcers.

Decisions

Well, they are very difficult to make. Sheala called to say she didn't get on the airplane. I know she can't stand to be away from Conner. She just couldn't come home yet. We are waiting for her next flight information to pick her up. She says it will be this week.  I know this was a tough decision and she is the only one who can make it. Hope this decision was the right one.

This screamed "Romeo" at the Goodwill in Owosso. A little rusty but very sturdy. I can't wait for Spring! He is going to love it.

Oh, and a side note, Pat says to me this morning, "That was fun going to Goodwill yesterday. Maybe we should do a few shows this year."

What!?! I just gave dozens of dishes to Goodwill. Mmmmmmm......