Remembering Bishop Ken

This week was the anniversary of Bishop Ken's death. It's been a dozen years without him. It seems as if he led me to find this picture. I have been searching for it for several years. I still don't know the artist.

I went to a talk Bishop Ken gave where he handed out these postcard sized pictures. He talked about that young girl contemplating what the angel had told her.

I often think of that when the world has me questioning our purpose. It gives me comfort to look at this picture.

Happy Easter

May the hope brought to us by the Risen Christ

fill our hearts with love and tenderness.

Can't Decide

This Michigan weather!  It can't decide whether to rain or snow. Sitting at school waiting for Ayva to get out. Lots of rain with REALLY BIG snowflakes.

Palm Sunday

Still love Art and Environment - it's a joy working with Jean and Nancy and Pat.

Turkeys, Crocus, and Easter Art and Environment

It must be Spring!

First time we've seen turkeys, it must be because the water is high.

I was really surprised to see the crocus up. They are beautiful.

Bill asked me to help with figuring out some draping for Easter at their church. I like what we came up with. It was good to work with Bill and Amy again.

Ides of March

My sister, Jane, has a friend named Mary. This was her Facebook post! I love it.

I complained to Sr. Carmelita I wasn't learning anything from Sr. Elizabeth Rose. A few weeks later I mentioned it was the Ides of March. She smiled and asked, "Mm, who taught you that?"

Walking

Well, we are back on track.  Literally, walking at the track at Freeland Sports Zone.  We had a couple of false starts.  I had to get used to walking again.  Then my back was hurting so I bought a new pair of shoes.  The Skechers I purchased are very comfortable.  I put them on at Meijer and then shopped in them before I bought them! After walking for 1/4 mile I had to add a bandaid on the back of my right heel, but then it was fine.

My goal is to walk two miles, five times a week.

I'm Back!!!!

A virus program was holding my blog on my phone hostage!!!  It kept saying there was a virus - then when I read the report it said there was no problem with the site. I couldn't find the program on my Galaxy Notes 3 - but I couldn't get any help from the stupid virus company.  Finally, after searching dozens of sites for help I saw one little comment that told me it was in my Verizon apps.

It was very frustrating.  Glad to be back.

Potato Casserole

Potato Casserole

Preheat oven 350

1 lb hash browns
1 can light cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 stick unsalted melted butter
2 shallots diced fine
Salt & pepper & Mrs. Dash
Squeeze garlic and Italian tubes
2 sleeves small or 1 large Ritz crackers, crushed
1/2 stick unsalted butter melted

Instructions
Mix soup, sour cream and onion
Melt 1/2 stick butter salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, garlic and Italian seasoning
Combine with hash browns in 7 x 10 casserole dish.

Melt 1/2 stick butter add cracker crumbs. Sprinkle on top.

Bake 1 hour

Pat out in the wilderness!!

Not really!  In our front yard. We found out last night at a Condo meeting that Dow Chemical is going to clean up the waterfront in June.  That should provide some activity to sit on the porch and watch.  It will stabilize the bank of the river as well as get rid of a few of the trees by the edge that are causing erosion.  It was nice to meet some of our neighbors.

Yeah!

Mr. Agresta gives his thumbs up to be the track coach in the "New Beginnings" book!

Can't even begin to explain how that makes me so happy.

Say a Prayer

Just asked someone if I could use him in the "New Beginnings" book that I am writing.  I think he probably will say no, but I just had to ask.  So say a prayer because I think he really belongs.

Lent

St. Dominic - Ss. Peter and Paul Site

Ash Wednesday - 2016

Grandma Shea

I found this picture behind another in a frame.  I am so glad I found it.  Grandma Florence Shea was so stylish.  She had many professional pictures taken over the years, but this is one of my favorites.

1st Cookout

Cindy is at Mike and Ksenja's home in New Jersey helping out with Lilliana. Jim took Cindy but the apartment is small so he stayed at Kim and Fred's and then flew home. He will fly back out next week to bring Cindy home.

So he came over for dinner last night. It was so beautiful out that Pat cooked steaks out on the grill. They were perfectly cooked medium.

I'm starting to feel like this is home. We have a new neighbor in the condo across the hall so we are officially not the new kids on the blick.

Small fold up scrapbook

I saw this on Sheala's Facebook page and remembered going to my friend Amanda's to learn how to make one.

I want to teach Ayva and Javie how to do this.

Still Unpacking

Three more boxes done.  This is never going to end.....  I have about ten more to go.  It is getting more and more difficult to find places for the things I want.  More things are going to Goodwill.

Extra cookbooks that Maria put together.... Can't get rid of them.... need to pass on to the grandkids....

Blankets....  These I love to have in the house.  Ayva and Javier made a huge fort yesterday.  If I get rid of the blankets they won't be able to do that.  So I have to find something to store these blankets in.  The obvious choice is the cedar chest.  Nope.....  It has all the kids toys in it.....

MMmmmmm...... I am seeing a pattern here......

New Neighbor

Haven't met her yet, but our condo building is now full. She moved in Friday and Saturday. Lots of people helping her so we stayed out of her way.

I'll go say hi today or tomorrow.

Pileated Woodpecker

Many times we have caught glimpse of these magnificent woodpeckers while walking in the woods. Yesterday we watched one out our living room window for twenty minutes. We feel like we won the lottery!

Winter

Winter is here

The Tittabawassee River froze yesterday. On Sunday it was sunny and the river was flowing very fast. Monday it stopped dead in its tracks. It will be interesting to see if it stays frozen.