Another Use for Basic H

Another three weeks left to go on the heart monitor. I think it is a waste, but the cardiovascular department insists upon it before I have the tilt table test. And so the vertigo diagnostic saga continues. The adhesives from the electrode pads have left my skin red and raw. (If I am not mistaken, Shakespeare used those very words in his poem about winter!) I have even passed on the band-aid like patches which I am supposed to use over the electrodes and wires, to reduce the break-down, but it has helped  very little. The hospital put some Med Sol wipes in my pouch for wiping off the adhesive when I change pads, but the little 1.5"x 2" wipes do not do much, and smell like Goo-Be-Gone. This morning in desperation I whipped out my bottle of Basic H to use after the wipe. I know that the Shaklee Corporation says Basic H is not tested for use on skin, but hey, I am from the generation that used dish detergent for bubble bath. I am sure that Basic H is safer than Ivory Liquid, Dove, or Dawn! I have to say that Basic H is easier to use in the bathtub than as a wash in the shower, since it does not suds well. I shall have to use it on a wash cloth next time. Anything to get the goo off.

I finished the next three books in the Little House early years series by Melissa Wiley, the Charlotte years. I was disappointed that the books did not give more of the story of how Martha came to live in the United States, and how Charlotte's family moved to upper Michigan. However, in looking up the titles of the books before sitting down to type, (I have already passed the books on to my daughter), I see that there is one more book in each of the two series which I do not have. Those two books may give me more clues as to why Martha's family left Europe, and why Charlotte's family left Massachusetts. I will be looking for them on Friday at Barnes and Noble  as we attend the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School fundraiser.

I finished Jan Karon's Shepherds Abiding. I checked for the next book in the Mitford series when I was at Savers on Friday. No cigar. However, this morning as I was picking up in the girls' bedroom, I realized that I had the next volume on the shelf. Cool! Now I can take it with when I go to my Mom's today.

I am back to sewing fleece mittens and hats again. I wanted solid colors for the girls, and had seen nothing at the stores. I also wanted heavy mittens for Maja, but nothing in that category in the stores, either. I decided that I will simply have to make my own. It took an evening to dig through my patterns to find the ones I wanted. Then, after cutting out two hats, a headband and two pairs of mittens, I had to remember how my mitten pattern got put together. Then after sewing the first hat I saw that the size was too small for Maja, and I had intended that color for Ari. I am suspecting that the next size given in my book will be too large for Maja,, so it is time to get out the compass and draw a new pattern. My thought was to make two hats and two pairs or more of mittens for each girl, so that they would have some to lose. I figured that sizing would be an issue, which is no big deal, since I figured that anything not fitting them would go to Catholic Charities. While I am at it, I will cut out mittens or whatever fits out of the fleece I have left over from baby blankets. That has been sitting here for four years waiting for me to use it up.

Then one of these winter days I will have to start quilting again.

Shaklee Sales

It has been five years since I last sat at a booth to sell Shaklee. I had a table at the St. Augusta Legion Craft and Vendor Sale this past Saturday. I have to say that I feel enriched by the experience. The show was very small, with only about fourteen vendors. It was on MEA week-end, and the weather was "October's bright blue". The crowds were people dropping by in groups of threes and fours. I knew it would be a good size for me, not too intimidating, and people I might possibly know. It was great to hear those who were familiar with Shaklee tell about their favorite products. It was also interesting to compare myself with other vendors who were there. I realized that not everyone was there because they loved the products that they were selling. One complained about all of the merchandise she gets stuck with because her company updates so frequently, and she has to stay on top of the new items. Another talked about how her company was making so much money off of someone's grandma's simple recipe, because people do not know how to cook or bake. Some of the products were clearly luxury items that had no appeal to me; jewelry which I didn't need, and food mixes for fattening dips which I would do better without. I had one customer remark to me that a company she had previously done business with required her to purchase $80 in products each month, whether she needed them or not. Shaklee is so wonderful because I can get my distributor benefits off of my own purchases, and there is no pressure to sell if I do not want to. All of that for my lifetime distributor membership of $40 with a free product thrown into the mix. I overheard another vendor talking about her low start-up cost, and I thought, I did not have to purchase anything except for brochures and some catalogs. I just pulled products off of my own shelves for the show, and pulled out my collection of empty bottles which I had saved from the last show. I really use what I sell. My up-line thought it funny when I told her how many samples of the Joint and Muscle Pain Cream I gave out, and that as people took samples, I was able to tell them I had it on my neck at that very moment. The thought that really stuck with me from the sale was how important it is to take care of customers, and to keep in touch.

I felt grateful for a couple of things besides the show last week. One was for the time I was able to spend in front of Planned Parenthood with 40 Days for Life. I find it much easier to say my rosary and chaplet when walking the sidewalk than at any other time. I also find that my walking speed has rapidly increased over the past month since the vigil started. I am also grateful for the things which Ari is learning at school, the rosary, the story about Maximillian Kolbe, and her having a sixth grade painting buddy. I also had the experience of going to confession after waiting in line for three other very long confessions, and I am able to ponder the workings of God's grace which brought the others there before me, and the consoling words the priest gave to me. I am grateful for our two little granddaughters and how they laugh and play together.

Another accomplishment of the week was that I finished 18 cards of one design suited for serious illness. I was able to use up all that was left of one of my colors. I had to color the stamps with a marker for almost every impression, but I did it, and so saved some waste. I also used up some of my chalk pastels. My Stampin' Up supplies were expensive, and it is good to be able to say that I used the investment. Here is my design. Oh. I have to say that the stamp sets used on the card are actually both garage sale purchases, though they are Stampin' Up.

             

More Gourmet du Village Recipes

Summer Recreation

Ari and I completed our first Vacation Bible School at Holy Spirit this year. She started the week shyly, clinging to Grandma the first day. On the second day she said, "Grandma, you do not have to be with my class today." On the third day she was a bit more emphatic: "Grandma, don't stay with me today." She made a new friend, and was bugging me about play dates the second day. I also met some new people from our cluster. Loads of grandparents dropping their grand kids off for the day, and then picking them up again at the end. About half of the adults helping were grandparents, some with grandchildren attending like myself, others not, but all seeing the need to pass on the faith. Oh, but now I have the SonWest Roundup songs stuck in my head. "We're gonna ride, we're gonna ride, we're gonna ride with Jesus Christ."

On Saturday I stopped at Saver's to look for the next two Jan Karon books, Out to Canaan, and A New Song. No luck. I checked out a few garage sales, but no luck there, either. That means I will have to go dig through books at the Treasure Chest some day. Instead, when I was not able to sleep last night, I crawled into Ari's bed with Little House in the Highlands (Melissa Wiley, Harper Collins, New York, 1999).  This is the first of the series of children's books about Laura Ingalls Wilder's ascendants. My sister had given me a collection of the series several years ago, but I had never gotten around to reading them. This one has captured my attention and kept me interested.

One more session of physical therapy to go for my neck. The therapist strongly recommends that I do the MRI scheduled by my family practitioner, and do follow-up with a neurologist, and then a neuro ophthalmologist. There is concern that numerous concussions have taken their toll over the years, but also some hope that a neuro ophthalmologist can put a prism in my eye, or at least order eye exercises for the nystagmus I have had since childhood. I am reticent about so much treatment. On the other hand, I am all for anything which will help my eye sight, given our family history of macular degeneration. I do not know what I would do should my eagle eye fail, since my right eye is almost useless as it is now.

Fourth of July

We are home for the Fourth. I have been up since 7:00 AM. After mass and a British style breakfast of grilled-in-the-pan toast (buttered on both sides), two eggs and a cuppa, I had to sit and read my Jan Karon book while Husband went out golfing. After that I folded clothes and sheets, and started cooking. I made a pot of chili for tomorrow (one container for the freezer), and then dug potatoes and made potato salad. Then I baked a turtle pecan dessert and two batches of muffins. I look forward to our typical Fourth of July supper of hamburgers, onions, potato salad, watermelon and chips. Then I get to wash more dishes, do a little bit of gardening, and then go back to my book! Tomorrow I have to call and find out if we do, in fact have a Catholic United Financial meeting. Otherwise it will be time to do some ironing and dust-mopping.

Blessed John Duns Scotus

My latest read was a little gem which I picked up at the Flores Mariae gift shop when we visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin two weeks ago. It is Blessed John Duns Scotus: Marian Doctor,  written by Fr. Stefano M. Manelli, FI, and published by Academy of the Immaculate in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It caught my eye because it was about a philosopher, it was short (106 pp. plus an appendix), and the price was just right at $5.

What a refreshing read! It was enough of a combination of philosophy, theology and hagiography to give me a good scope of the development of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, scholastic philosophy and the heroic virtues of Blessed John. At the same time it did not get so bogged down in detail that I could not understand what was written. The author wanted a book for the layman, and something which would incite love for Our Lord and for Blessed John, and I certainly came away feeling so. I have a new appreciation for scholasticism as the perennial philosophy of the Church. I will continue to meditate on the primacy of Christ which I understand to mean that Christ is not only God, but the perfect man, the necessary bridge between God and man irrespective of the fall. Mary is the perfect woman. The Incarnate Word and the Blessed Mother are the supreme acts of the Creator.

Thank you, Fr. Maneli for this thoughtful book.

Strawberries

We have more strawberries than we can eat in a day or two. We do not care for frozen strawberries, so I decided to make jam. I thought I would do freezer/refrigerator jam since We do not have tons of berries. Then I thought, I really do not care to have all of those jars taking up space in the refrigerator or freezer. I decided to process the jars. After about three hours of cleaning and cooking berries, washing the canner, jars and rims, and processing the completed jam, I ended up with only four half pints of jam. Hardly worth the effort. That is enough jam to last the two of us for the entire year.

Resurrection Cookies

Resurrection Cookies

Make these on Holy Saturday.

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place pecans in a Zip-loc plastic bag. Let the children beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. After Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the soldiers. Read John 19: 1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put it into a mixing bowl. When Jesus was thirsty he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Jesus' followers wept salty tears. Read Luke 23:27.

Let the children taste the sugar, and then add it to the bowl. Jesus died for us so that we can experience the sweetness of His Salvation. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat the mixture on high speed for 12-15 minutes until it forms stiff peaks. The white color represents purity. Read Isaiah 1:18.

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

The children might feel sad because they have to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' disciples were also sad when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open, and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Happy Easter!

Fr. Williiam Doyle, S.J.

I cannot remember if I wrote to you about Fr. William Doyle, S.J. after reading his biography, Merry in God. It took me almost a year to read that book, but it made a great impression upon me. I found another blog, Remembering Fr William Doyle SJ which continues to post a daily meditation from Fr. Doyle's writings. I pass along to you a free download from that blogger for your Holy Week meditations. I am grateful for all of the work which PK has done to promote Father's cause. Pray for me this Holy Week, particularly over the next few days as I approach the sacrament of confession. The best description of my feelings this pas week-end has been a cross between ballistic and hysterical. But then, feelings are feelings, and I have received some wonderful moments of grace through it all, and the love and prayers of my "pew mates" and my husband to carry me through.

While I am at it, I also give a public thank you to the writers of the devotionals for 40 Days for Life (www.40daysforlife.com). You, along with those who walk the sidewalks of east St. Cloud in front of the Planned Parenthood Clinic there, have taught me a great deal about patience, long-suffering, compassion, and mercy. Thank you!

https://fatherdoyle.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/stations-of-the-cross.pdf

Old Capitol Tavern

Tonight we stopped at Old Capitol Tavern in Sauk Rapids for our date. It was our first time there, and our venture to try something different. Different it was. It was not crowed, but the music was a bit loud and obnoxious for us when it was on. It seemed intermittent, so we looked to see if it was coming from a juke box. We did not see anything. The menu was pricier than we are used to spending for both food and drinks. Hot dish is one of their specialties for $16 a plate. I almost ordered the beef stroganoff since I do not put mushrooms in the food at home, but chose the Rueben instead to see how I liked it with gardiniere vegetables. The meat was chunky, and the heat of the vegetables blended well with the salt of the sauerkraut. Still, I would not go out of my way to have it again. Were I to eat there again, I would try the beet salad. I did enjoy the beer cheese soup with popcorn garnish. The popcorn seemed particularly crispy and tender, and tasted good in the soup. The soup also had some chunks of vegetables and some spice. It warned  me through on a damp evening. The waitress brought us three samples of beer, all of which Arthur liked. I liked the two that I had; he did not leave enough of the third one for me to try. He ended up ordering the Lift Bridge Farm Girl from Stillwater, which was a bit ironic since we were in Stillwater a couple of weeks ago, and did not stop at either the winery in town, or the brewery. He told me that next time I would have to order my own beer. I would have enjoyed it had I had say, an eight ounce bottle instead of a twelve ounce bottle, or had I been having a glass of beer with popcorn instead of a big meal. I was stuffed when we left. One of these days I will remember to pass on the fries altogether, or make my husband eat a larger portion. They are giving me indigestion in my old age.

We had the girls here Friday night to Saturday. Ari wanted to rake out in the yard, so we worked on uncovering the flower beds. I hope it is not too early. Next, to go trim back the Autumn Joy sedum and the bee balm which I left up for winter interest. Still no sign of the bulbs which Ari and I planted last fall.

Ari an I saw two pairs of cardinals on the Autumn Blaze maple tree. Actually, more like two males after one female, and another female lagging behind longing for attention. Shortly thereafter we saw a bluebird checking out the bird house. What a treat! I made sure that I filled up my feeders later that afternoon.

Ari is getting detailed in her paintings. She had to give each of us the correct eye color in her portraits yesterday. She gave herself a twirling skirt. The night before we had made some very realistic looking carrots out of play dough. Hope we each get to improve on our artistic expressions as time goes by.

Maja had a nightmare in the middle of the night, so I got up with her. Then she refused to go back to sleep. I carried her with me out to the kitchen in the dark to get a fresh bottle. In the process I knocked something plastic onto the floor. Maja said loudly and clearly, "Oh, oh!" I knew then that she was wide awake. Despite the hour I had a good laugh to myself.

Spring

I did my usual walk around the yard yesterday to check for signs of spring, specifically to see if any of my bulbs were coming up. I saw none. That means that it is still a bit colder here than in town (St. Cloud, that is.), where I saw crocus about two inches high outside of the barbershop on Wilson Ave. However, I did notice that my pussy willow has catkins. I can't believe I have been forgetting to look at it. Also,  my sedum are pushing up loads of stems, and the Johnny jump-ups are jumping up all over.

My Catholic United Financial newsletter is finally finished and in the mail. I did almost 300 pieces. Next, to update council records on the computer, start calling for workers for the bake sale, and then work on my Christian Mothers newsletter. No rest for the wicked.

Barbecue

On Sunday Husband and I decided to go on a date after the Catholic United Financial Holy Hour for Vocations. We both had colds, and did not feel up to dancing, so we decided to try The White Horse in St. Cloud. When we got there they had a fundraiser going on, and were not able to serve food for another half an hour. We looked at the menu, saw the prices, and decided to head for our second choice, The Old Capitol Tavern in Sauk Rapids. That place was also new to us, and we did not know which direction to turn on Benton Drive. We saw Smoke-In D's BBQ first, so we stopped in there.

Smoke-In D's is dine in or take out, so we wandered up to the counter to have a look. They could tell by our gawking that we were new, so they offered to bring us some samples. We were give a seat, so we figured we had to stay. The samples we had were rib tips with mild sauce, baked beans and Caribbean Cabbage. They were all good. We settled for rib baskets, with four rib bones, fries, rolls, beans, and a side of coleslaw for me.

Our food was good! We had REAL butter for our rolls, unlike the margarine, or neither butter nor margarine which we get at some other rib places. I liked the beans, which had the smoky molasses flavor similar to B&M Baked Beans. The French fries had a good cut to them, and were good and hot. The rib sauce was thinner than some, good, but flavors which I could not quite distinguish. I thought I tasted oil once, vinegar another time. It was mild going in, but had a bit of a hot after bite.  I was glad I did not have the hot sauce! The coleslaw was average, loaded with celery seed. Arthur did not care for the atmosphere, but the music was quiet enough that we could talk. The décor consisted of historic pictures of the 1960's. I liked the  woodwork around the door, which, though new, was designed to look like an older building with it's molding. We were well filled with our four ribs. A half rack would have been too much for one person to finish alone. We might go back sometime. It certainly was as good, and even better, than other rib places we go.

Presidents Day Getaway

It has been over two weeks ago that we took our little getaway down to Stillwater. That means I have had my cold for two weeks as well, and it shows no signs of leaving. Desperately waiting for my Shaklee package of Defend and Resist and Vitalized Immunity to arrive.

We visited my mom in Mahtomedi, and then spent the night at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater. Husband had done some homework on the computer before we left, and discovered that we could have a room with a four poster bed, a hot tub and a fireplace for $89/night. We decided we would give it a try.

I was a bit uncertain when we walked into the lobby. I was expecting elegance, and there was some elegant furniture there, but what I noticed first was what looked like dark curtains hanging on all of the walls behind the desks. It turned out to be a drapery design on the wallpaper, but I did not think it at all pretty, or elegant. The design of the front desk and other work areas also did not make for an elegant lobby. No inviting fireplace or comfy chairs to say, "Come here and set a spell." It felt creepy.

Our room was on the third floor. We walked up the enclosed staircase, which looked like the original staircase of the building. The stairwell was filled with artificial plants, and crowned by a square, domed skylight which was apparently only recently uncovered, though it was original to the building. That explained why it looked dirty, and in need of repair. The halls had the smell of old wood, and as we approached our room, we smelled popcorn. I thought of my sensitivity to odors with trepidation. When we opened the door, we were surprised to find the bed in the anteroom. This is what it looked like. Very elegant. I loved the picture centered low to the bed, and the beautiful furniture. The marble tabletops and table cloth were also rich touches. The wallpaper was beautiful, although the border along the ceiling (not shown) did not fit rest of the décor.

 A short hall connected the bathroom, and then a very spacious lounge with the fireplace, a large-screen television which we did not use, a desk, sofa, coffee pot, hot tub, and patio, which opened onto the St. Croix River and the old bridge.

The wallpaper was absolutely gorgeous. The carpet not so much. Again, it did not seem to match the time period. Otherwise, we were one of only a handful of guests that night, so after dinner at the Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter, we had a very quiet night. No doors slamming, no televisions too loud, and no voices. 

Because there were only a handful of guests the next morning, we got to choose our breakfast off of the restaurant menu instead of going through a breakfast buffet. I had the Irish Toast, a creamier version of French Toast. Arthur had eggs, hash browns, bacon and some sausage, which he enjoyed very much. The hash browns were nice and greasy, as he likes them!

The Water Street Inn is right in the heart of historic Stillwater, so we were able to walk to the shops. The downside of visiting Stillwater in the off season is that some of our favorite stores were closed. We did do a few antique shops, and a book shop. We purchased nothing, but I did see a book about the Peterkins at one shop, which made me want to sit down and read on the spot. Instead I waited until we got home, and looked it up on the internet. I was able to find a hardbound edition of The Peterkin Papers for .99 cents plush shipping, so I lucked out. That is my next read after I finish the 18th chronicle of Brother Cadfael, The Summer of the Danes.

Since then my life has been crazy busy between the girls, my February stint at the food shelf, and my work as fraternal secretary for our Catholic United Financial Council. The latter brought three activities in close succession, the fish fry, the newsletter, the holy hour for vocations, and a few member funerals. Makes me feel like I am working full time.

Another Book Under My Belt

I have had a copy of The Spanish Match (Brennan Pursell, Sophia Institute Press, Manchester, NH, 2011) on my shelf since it came out five years ago. I jumped at the title since I had been reading other books of that same time period. I knew that Charles I of England had been dethroned and executed by the Puritans. One of my knitting books has a picture of the tunic he wore on the day of his execution. I also knew that St. Claude de la Colombiere fit in there somewhere with one of the monarch's, whose wife was Catholic. I had heard that James I was homosexual, and yet I also knew he had children. I also knew some of the Spanish royalty through my reading on Isabelle and Ferdinand, Catherine of Aragon and Philip II. At any rate, you get the idea of what made me snatch up the book when it was published.

I give The Spanish Match a low rating for two reasons. First, if a person is familiar with history, he already knows how the book ends, so there is no real suspense to the story. Second, unless a person is very well versed in the controversies surrounding this royal courtship, it is too difficult to determine what in the book is real, and what is an entire work of fiction, in spite of the author's disclaimer at the end of the book.. I had to go back to my reference book on the kings and queens of England to get a grip on the time period and the personalities, and to be able to distinguish at least in small part between truth and fiction. The up side of the book might be that he does not sugar coat the self serving behavior of the royals or the courtiers. Philip IV's French queen is portrayed as a cold, selfish wife, and the Duke of Buckingham as the lecher he apparently really was (I do not think he was bisexual in the sense of having a real attraction for men, but rather that he acted out of political expediency).  Philip is portrayed as having affection and consideration of the Infanta, his sister Maria. The one thing in the book which made me pause was the picture of Catholic Spain at a time when meat was not allowed during the entire season of lent. Talk about penance! For the peasantry who probably did not have much variety in food to begin with, this would have limited choices even further. For those who were better off who were accustomed to meat, this would have been a great sacrifice. Just another example of how weak we are today in comparison to our forefathers.

If this book had been better I would pass it along to one friend or another. As it is, I will either donate it to the Treasure Chest, or leave it at Catholic Charities for someone to pick up for free.

On another note, I purchased the new, numbers stamps and framelits from Stampin' Up. I have to make an anniversary card for a friend, so I will get to use that set this week. I am not sure why it took Stampin' Up so long to come out with a set like that. I am guessing that it will be a big seller. It will work for graduations, anniversaries, and birthdays. Adding numbers is a great way to personalize a card.

I got my three shelves put up in the basement for my stamping supplies. I can't say that it makes it much easier to get at my stuff than the old system of plastic bins and baskets which I had upstairs, I still have to open almost every bin whenever I go to make a card, and then I have to haul everything upstairs. At least it is not as difficult to dig through my stamp sets. I can get to my punches a little bit easier, too.

Got my three thrift store skirts altered and mended. I am looking forward to wearing the wool wrap, although it would be more exciting if it were -40 as it was in Minnesota winters gone by. It has to get ironed first, however. No telling how long that will take!

My wardrobe is almost exclusively in my autumn palette now. I discovered that I prefer the darker oranges, rusts and terra cottas to the lighter pumpkin color. I was thrilled to find an orange dress blouse at Saver's, but after spending all kinds of time altering it, the color  is not as rich as I first thought. Oh! Well!