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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Oh, The Joys of Homeschooling!

School has been going very well, but of course, it's crazy.  The more I delve into the year, the busier I become and the less time I have on social media.  If I miss a Modest Monday or What I Wore Sunday post, please know I probably have a pile of school to do and try my best to remember that I indeed have a blog!!! :)

One of the reasons I might have more to do is because I got behind because my dog laid on my homework.  No, not ate, laid.


As you can see, I was peacefully doing my history and poetry reading when our dog Clifford decided he wanted me to pet him.  So I stop my reading, put my book down, and pet him.  He suddenly decides to lay down on my book.


( I zoomed in so you can see the corner of Fingal's Quest underneath his collar. )

Then when I finally finagle the book out from under him and go back to my reading, I feel a gentle touch on my back.  Clifford had rolled over and his paws were resting on me.  I just love homeschooling!!

Also, to add on to my post from yesterday, today was Favorite Sport/Sport team Day for Homeschool Spirit Week!! To learn more about it, check out this link here

Then, yesterday evening was AWESOME!!!!!  The Hobbit dinner turned out great!!  Also to celebrate Bilbo and Frodo's birthday (The reason for National Hobbit Day) we watched The Desolation of Smaug for the first time!!  I love it more than the first!!  If you are following my Pinterest, expect to see a lot of Tauriel and Legolas ( I will only mention those two, though the list goes on!!)



What I wore Sunday

Here is the What I Wore Sunday  post I missed this week!!



Anyway, this is me in what I call my "modern Cinderella dress."  I wish it were a little longer, but that would be kind of hard to find these days.


The dress is a Bonnie Jean from Burlington Coat Factory.
The shoes are American Eagle from Payless ShoeSource.
(Those two stores are where we d a lot of our Sunday shopping.)

To look for more Sunday ideas or share your own, check out the What I Wore Sunday link up .

Monday, September 22, 2014

Today's an Important Day!!

Today is awesome!!!  Not only is it backwards day for Official Homescool Spirit Week, but it's also Official Hobbit Day and the first day of Fall!!!  Today for 'supper' I decided to make beef stroganough with cooked mushrooms (recognize those? ;)).  I'm going crazy!!!

And of course, I must post this pic for today. :)

And this! :D

This is what I wore when I made dinner!

 I made it last Saturday at our Homeschool Sewing Clinic.  When I chose the fabric, I wanted something that conveyed comfort. ("...: it was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort." ~The Hobbit, Chapter one, sentence two! :)).  As I searched through the fabrics, nothing conveyed hobbit to me.  I found everything from, "The eagles are coming", to elvish green, but I figured that of all the people in middle earth, a hobbit would be the one most likely to wear an apron.  I was just about to give up hope when I spotted this fabric (the one I used for the body.)  It was perfect, and Walmart had just a yard left, or in other words, the exact amount I needed!!  I was ecstatic!!

(That's me making dinner (oops, supper!).  Please excuse the hair, as I did not have time to brush it this morning or even fix it before my sis snapped the pic. :))

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Now to The Adventurous Side of Me...

I know this is a really random post, but our family just re-watched the first Hobbit Friday night and ever since I have either been belching out "Blunt the Knives" or randomly quoting parts of the movie.  It is the best movie ever!!!!  As well as I just have to share with the whole world this photo.


If this quote was not owned by Balin, I would say it is mine.  Though I only like Thorin in the movie, because to me in the book he's plain stuck up, and I don't see that as much in the movie, just Thorin, the proud son of Thrain.  As well as Richard Armitage does the best job of portraying the bravest, awesomest, handsomest, hero I've ever seen.

One of the things I love about Tolkien's books is the symbolism of the Catholic faith he incorporated into it.  Maybe It's just me, and a wild guess, but I believe Aragorn symbolizes Jesus. (I have no proof, just a thought, so don't judge too hard if I'm wrong.)  The prophecy makes that easier to believe, especially the, well, whole thing!  Then there's Frodo, and although I can't put it into words very well, he is you and me.  His troubles are our troubles, and we can either choose to let temptation take over, or persevere.  Thankfully, each and every one of us has a Sam along the way!  I just love The Lord of the Rings!!!   And yes I have to put another picture!!!


If you can not already tell, I really like Thorin and Aragorn.  My other favorites would be Pippin, Legolas, Ori, Balin, Bofur, Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, and the list goes on still. :)  Other than that, let's see,… I would give all the books a five star rating, suggest it for anyone 10 or above, (comprehension and content,) And close here so I don't bore you to death with something I could go on, and on, and, you get the gist of it!! :)

What I Wore Sunday


I've decided to join the What I Wore Sunday linkup!
This Sunday I wore a Bonnie Jean dress w/ shrug from Burlington Coat Factory with blue American Eagle flats from Payless ShoeSource.


Also, to top off a sweet morning starting Mass, I made donut muffins dipped in cinnamon sugar while my mom cooked scrambled eggs with polish sausage and potatoes on the side.  God has truly blessed us on this blessed feast of the Triumph of the Cross!


(Left: topped with blueberry compote, Center: Coated with cinnamon sugar, Right: topped with homemade chocolate sauce and whipped cream.)

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

The Dangers of Homeschooling

This is a hilarious, and quite true video.  Being home-schooled, I can agree with what he says, as I'm sure many other home-schoolers do as well.  If you are considering homeschooling your children, please watch this video before any serious consideration takes place. :)


(Courtesy of Broken Lens Productions)

Monday, September 8, 2014

What is Modesty and Why?

Many people question modesty for lots of different reasons.  Modesty contradicts today's fashions, as well as some from the recent past.  Sometimes modesty seems too strict, for ex., why can't we wear skirts above the knee, or why aren't pants more appropriate than skirts since in a way they do cover more?  This video explains everything and might just change your life.  It certainly changed mine.  Before watching this video I hated when my mom made me wear skirts, and I always argued with her about wearing skinny jeans, me in favor of it.  After watching this video I don't wear shorts or pants as much, and if I do, they are at least mid-thigh and loose.  I hope this video sheds as much light on modesty for you as it did for me.


Once again, September has come..

...and school has officially started!  Hopefully everyone has had at least a semi-smooth start to the year.  Thankfully, ours has been really great so far.

First, I would like to start of my post with Happy Birthday Mother Mary!! (Today is the feast of the Nativity of Mary.)

Secondly, If you know me, you know I hate Algebra.  At least, I did.  I found my new favorite schoolbook series: The Life of Fred math books.  Along with my regular Saxon Algebra 1 workbook program, I now read a part from Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra (As Serious as it Needs to Be!)  It makes Algebra fun and easy to understand.  I actually understand how to find x!  Amazing, right?! Plus, it tells fun stories of a six-year-old math professor.  Many times I've been laughing throughout the lesson, making math, for once, enjoyable!  I have also discovered a new fun book series by George MacDonald, the first of which is The Princess and The Goblin.  I finished it in a week, but would have finished it sooner had I had more time to read.  It was very good, and I highly suggest it for Lewis and Tolkien fans. (In fact, Lewis got his inspiration for his books from Tolkien, who got his inspiration from MacDonald.)

          
Thirdly, our schola has started singing at another parish as well as our parish, but only once a month.  It is a Latin Novice Ordo (New Mass) with an organist, and choir loft.  It's a really cool experience being above everyone, and it's really nice knowing that you're not the cause of anyone's distractions.

Other than that, life has been normal, which means me driving my sister crazy with my singing "Blunt the Knives" and "Misty Mountains", dreaming of one day sewing my own Middle Earth apparel (and wearing it), and the Catholic life I lead. 


Saturday, September 6, 2014

Mary's First Saturday Devotion

This is a beautiful devotion that unfortunately we didn't see until our Mass times were over, though we can start it in October instead.  My mom saw this on Facebook after the St. Benedict Center posted it.

During her July apparition at Fatima, Our Lady said to Lucia, “I shall come to ask... that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.” Although she made no further mention of this devotion at Fatima, on December 10, 1925, our Blessed Mother again appeared to Lucia at Pentevedra, Spain, where the seer had been sent to the Dorothean Sisters to learn to read and write. It was there Our Lady completed her request for the Five First Saturdays and gave her great promise.
Appearing with the Queen of Heaven in that apparition was the Infant Jesus, Who said to Lucia: “Have pity on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother. It is covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to remove them with an act of reparation.”
Our Lady then spoke: “See, my daughter, my Heart encircled by thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Do you, at least, strive to console me. Tell them that I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, in order to make reparation to me, on the First Saturday of five successive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.”
The elements of this devotion, therefore, consist in the following four points, all of which must be offered in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One should make this intention before carrying out Our Lady’s requests. A renewal of the actual intention at the time is best; however, if such an intention is made now, it will fulfill the requirements if, for instance, the actual intention is forgotten at the time of confession.
Confession: This confession can be made before the First Saturday or afterward, provided that Holy Communion be received in the state of grace. In 1926, Christ in a vision explained to Lucia that this confession could be made a week before or even more, and that it should be offered in reparation.
Holy Communion: Before receiving Holy Communion, it is likewise necessary to offer it in reparation to Our Lady. Our Lord told Lucia in 1930, “This Communion will be accepted on the following Sunday for just reasons, if my priests allow it so.” So if work or school, sickness, or another just reason prevents the Communion on a First Saturday, with this permission it may be received the following Sunday. If Communion is transferred, any or all of the other acts of the devotion may also be performed on Sunday if the person so desires.
Rosary: The Rosary is a vocal prayer said while meditating upon the mysteries of Our Lord’s life and Passion and Our Lady’s life. To comply with the request of our Blessed Mother, it must be offered in reparation and said properly while meditating.
15-minute meditation: Also offered in reparation, the meditation may embrace one or more mysteries; it may include all, taken together or separately. This meditation should be the richest of any meditation, because Our Lady promised to be present when she said “...those who keep me company....”
To those who faithfully follow Our Lady’s requests for the Five First Saturdays, she has made a wonderful promise which she, as Mediatrix of All Graces, will certainly fulfill: “I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation.” This means that our Blessed Mother will be present at the hour of death with the actual grace of final perseverance, (which after the gift/grace of Faith), is the most important grace.
After completing the Five First Saturdays, one may continue the devotion simply to console the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady. A tender love of our Blessed Mother will lead one to do all he can to make reparation for the sins which pierce her Immaculate Heart. Let us remember, too, that although Our Lady made this promise to those who would observe five such First Saturdays in succession, in her July apparition she asked simply that Communions of reparation be made on every First Saturday to atone for the sins of the world.

During her July apparition at Fatima, Our Lady said to Lucia, “I shall come to ask... that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.” Although she made no further mention of this devotion at Fatima, on December 10, 1925, our Blessed Mother again appeared to Lucia at Pentevedra, Spain, where the seer had been sent to the Dorothean Sisters to learn to read and write. It was there Our Lady completed her request for the Five First Saturdays and gave her great promise.
Appearing with the Queen of Heaven in that apparition was the Infant Jesus, Who said to Lucia: “Have pity on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother. It is covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to remove them with an act of reparation.”
Our Lady then spoke: “See, my daughter, my Heart encircled by thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Do you, at least, strive to console me. Tell them that I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, in order to make reparation to me, on the First Saturday of five successive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.”
The elements of this devotion, therefore, consist in the following four points, all of which must be offered in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One should make this intention before carrying out Our Lady’s requests. A renewal of the actual intention at the time is best; however, if such an intention is made now, it will fulfill the requirements if, for instance, the actual intention is forgotten at the time of confession.

Confession: This confession can be made before the First Saturday or afterward, provided that Holy Communion be received in the state of grace. In 1926, Christ in a vision explained to Lucia that this confession could be made a week before or even more, and that it should be offered in reparation.

Holy Communion: Before receiving Holy Communion, it is likewise necessary to offer it in reparation to Our Lady. Our Lord told Lucia in 1930, “This Communion will be accepted on the following Sunday for just reasons, if my priests allow it so.” So if work or school, sickness, or another just reason prevents the Communion on a First Saturday, with this permission it may be received the following Sunday. If Communion is transferred, any or all of the other acts of the devotion may also be performed on Sunday if the person so desires.

Rosary: The Rosary is a vocal prayer said while meditating upon the mysteries of Our Lord’s life and Passion and Our Lady’s life. To comply with the request of our Blessed Mother, it must be offered in reparation and said properly while meditating.

15-minute meditation: Also offered in reparation, the meditation may embrace one or more mysteries; it may include all, taken together or separately. This meditation should be the richest of any meditation, because Our Lady promised to be present when she said “...those who keep me company....”

To those who faithfully follow Our Lady’s requests for the Five First Saturdays, she has made a wonderful promise which she, as Mediatrix of All Graces, will certainly fulfill: “I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation.” This means that our Blessed Mother will be present at the hour of death with the actual grace of final perseverance, (which after the gift/grace of Faith), is the most important grace.
After completing the Five First Saturdays, one may continue the devotion simply to console the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady. A tender love of our Blessed Mother will lead one to do all he can to make reparation for the sins which pierce her Immaculate Heart. Let us remember, too, that although Our Lady made this promise to those who would observe five such First Saturdays in succession, in her July apparition she asked simply that Communions of reparation be made on every First Saturday to atone for the sins of the world.

Of course every adventure needs a soundtrack...listen to the music at the top of my blog!

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