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
Monday, March 21, 2016
Sunday, March 13, 2016
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.
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.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
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.
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.
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.
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