7 Quick Takes

The wonderful Jennifer Fulwiler hosts this great meme each week; which allows us the opportunity to express and sum up our bloggy-thoughts for the week. Click the link in the sidebar to visit Jennifer's GREAT blog and/or to add your own post for this week's Quick Takes. (Please scroll down to see the other recent posts as well...especially the WELCOME post for our new visitors on this blog! Thanks!)

Judy's Quick Takes for December 31st, 2010:

1) Well, the obvious...thinking of the passing of 2010 and preparing to ring in the New Year with my family tonight. We play games on New Year's Eve...it's the one time my hubby LIKES board games...the rest of us like them any time, any place, for any reason...hoping to find a place online to "watch the ball come down" since we don't have tv anymore. (Anyone have a link for that?)

2) As always, I think of my dear brother, who passed away on this date in 1978...hard to believe it has been more than 30 years...seems like yesterday. I still miss him so very much and would have LOVED for him to my children and husband and for them to know him. This anniversary of his death always compels me to tell others to LOVE their brothers and sisters and to embrace the JOY of having siblings...you never know when one will be taken away...and you never EVER realize how much you'll miss them until they are gone.

3) New Year, new beginnings...new plans...my darling hubby has dreamed up some plans (while on vacation at home with us this past week) for "sprucing up"; as he called it; our school room! Our desks are tattered, rickety and old...and he has plans for a new "counter top" style along the wall...and also ....drum roll please...and all of you homeschooling mommies raise your hands in the air and get ready to do the happy dance with me now...........also.........NEW BUILT IN BOOK SHELVES!!!!!! WOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!
He's getting EXTRA hugs and kisses for THAT one!!!!!

4) For some reason, I always feel the need for a bit of restructuring in our school days after the Christmas break...time to hit the books hard, get serious in our studies...and really focus on those areas that we began to see were weak points before the holidays arrived...Some of my ideas might make our school day a bit longer...but will incorporate some nice family time and team work into our day. Not all of my thoughts are focused on the book work...but also on taking a family break TOGETHER during our school day...time for hot tea or cocoa and a healthy snack...we have tended to let this slide this year, in an effort to get done with an adequate amount of work each day...(takes a while to get through 7 students and a toddler!)...but I can envision where this small respite in our busy schedule will add to our productivity in the long run by allowing everyone a snack and some time to socialize together mid-day.

5) Well...we had LOTS of discussion on my blogs about decorating during Advent/Christmas...now it's time to discuss: How long do you leave your decorations up? We keep ours up (and even keep adding to them) until the Feast of the Epiphany...or, as some call it...the Twelfth Night! The Wise Men will appear at our manger...and we will have made an effort to KEEP CELEBRATING Christmas all of these days. How about you? I was rather saddened to see that many people in our community had their yards empty already by the 26th! ::makes sad face::

6) Our Christmas Play for my husband was such a great success, that we've decided to do something of the sort annually...a new tradition!

7) The girls gave me some new nail polish for Christmas...isn't wonderful how something so simple can be so exciting and enjoyable? They chose some nice "holiday celebration" colors and I have had such fun indulging!

Tea Talk (three posts today)

Gathering with Ruth and her friends is always a lovely occasion...I'm a bit late to the table today, but I know that dear Ruth will still welcome me...and YOU, if you'd like to join us for Tea Talk! Follow my sidebar link to Ruth's and add your entry!

Today, I'm having...tea...Red Rose tea (we buy this kind because we get a free tiny ceramic figurine to collect in each box!)...a little cream and sugar...just right.

My cup is...a dainty and fragile floral cup with golden trim, given to me by my husband's relatives from the Czech Republic many many years ago. I don't have Laura's camera at the moment...I'll try to use this pretty little cup again next week and show it to you then :)

I am feeling...very eager to see my parents for a little Christmas visit. We will have my son, his wife, and their baby girl with us; and it's the first time my parents will see their youngest great grand-daughter in person! OH!
HAPPY DAY!

On my mind...something troubling my soul a bit...about the way things (at least in the USA) have grown so casual and laid-back all the time...everyone seems to dress down, talk down, act down...I have been longing for days of my youth when people DRESSED UP to go out...and had lively conversations around the table...and found reasons to make an occasion and enjoy life ...I have glanced into the windows of other cars passing me by lately...or at faces in the crowds in public...and so many people look depressed, angry, or just plain LOST. It is weighing on my heart and I'm trying to figure out what to do about it.

"A friend accepts us as we are yet helps us to be what we should"

  ~Author Unknown~

Small Successes

1) We managed to get all ten of us to the movie theater, NOT lose anyone, and had a WONDERFUL time!
We didn't even spill a drink!

2) Hubby has come to me whilst he's been on vacation break with some grand new and wonderful ideas for sprucing up our school room a bit! WOO HOO!

3) The girls made a beautiful platter of Christmas cookies to give to my parents when we see them soon!

YAY! Thanks for rejoicing in our success!
We'd love to hear about yours!
Click the link to Danielle Bean's Faith and Family Live site and add your entry today!

WELCOMING New Friends!

Sending out a joyful "HELLO!" to Robin Monk, Stacey Jeannette, and Lori, the newest friends to join us here on A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings! WELCOME to each and all of you! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, too! We're glad you're with us and hope you'll enjoy taking part in the collection of memes featured here each week!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Hello! Welcome to A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings! That's the title of this blog; and also the title of this meme that invites you to share in giving thanks to God for His many blessings each and every Wednesday.
Either use Mr. Linky to send us to your post; including the image above and a link for your readers which leads back here...or just leave a list of five things for which you are giving Him thanks...in the comment section below this post.
A thankful heart is a joyful heart!


Today, I am giving thanks to my loving Father in heaven for:

1) The very BIG adventure we had yesterday when, for the first time, our entire family went to the movie theater at the same time! Only Jake and Laura had ever been (of the kids that are still living at home, that is) and there were MANY WIIIIIIDE eyes when the Middles and Littles walked in to see the "GIANT tv"!!!
It was a splendid adventure and we had such a great time...thank You, Lord!

2) My uncle and aunt, who were the ones that sent us a little "treat money" for Christmas; which enabled us to pay for our movie tickets...anyone who's been to a theater in the recent past can do the math and know that tickets for 10 adds up pretty quickly! This was such a special gift and I'm so thankful for the generosity of my uncle and aunt...thank You, Lord!

3) The time my hubby has at home all week this week...his company shuts down for an entire week each Christmas...and I cherish every "extra" moment that he is here to spend "daily life" with us...everything is more special when he is a part of it...thank You, Lord!

4) A very nice long phone conversation that I got to have with one of my dear blogging friends the other night...her family and mine have become such great friends over the past couple of years...it doesn't matter at all that we've never met in person...our hearts and prayers join us together and I'm so thankful for their friendship...that goes for the other online friendships with which I've been blessed, as well...thank You, Lord!

5) Peace and quiet...it's so nice at the end of a day...or in the early morning...to have the stillness and serenity that comes from spending a little quiet time in prayer, reading, just thinking, or even getting a little work done...thank You, Lord!

Now it's your turn! What are you thanking Him for this week?

Hearts for Home

It's so nice to be joining my friend Gae for our last "Hearts for Home" of 2010!
Our lovely hostess helps us to cultivate our hearts and minds toward the better keeping of our homes by sharing our commitments for 4-6 things each week that will help us to create a home atmosphere of peace, joy, love, and service.
Care to join us? Click my sidebar link and visit Gae's today!

My Goals this Week:

1) To keep all of these energetic, bustling children happily busy and content while we are on Christmas break.

2) To provide some hearty, healthy foods to go with all of the sugary, non-healthy things we've been enjoying.

3) To make sure my darling husband gets lots of rest and relaxation while he spends this week at home with us! SO WONDERFUL TO HAVE HIM HERE!

4) And yes...to prepare a bit for next week's school classes, which will resume after the New Year.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy Hostetler blogs about the simple things in life; and she invites you to embrace a bit of simplicity as well...by taking part in The Simple Woman's Daybook with her (and HUNDREDS of others, too!) Click my sidebar link to Peggy's and you'll find a "December" link for the Daybook. You may add as many entries to that link as you like.

And here's what's happening in Judy's Simple Corner of the world:

Outside my window...cold, windy, sometimes snowy, wintry air.

I am thinking...of how the world was forever-changed the night Christ was born!

I am thankful for...Christmas and the gift God gave to us in His Son, Jesus.

From the learning rooms...enjoying our Christmas break with lots of treats, lots of prayer time, lots of good books, and lots of wonderful family-friendly movies!

From the kitchen...yummy leftovers of ham, stuffing, broccoli/rice casserole, sausage, and other tasty things.

I am wearing..."roomy" jeans (been snacking a lot, hee hee) and a black, stretchy, knit sweater; with comfy socks and my very cozy, full length blue poncho that my daughter made for me because she knows I'm always cold :))

I am creating...menu plans for an upcoming visit from my brother and sister-in-law, plans for new pages on our website, and ideas for our next co-op class which resumes mid-January.

I am going...to chat with one of my blogging buddies on the phone tonight! Our families have become such good friends even though we've never met in person!

I am reading...a little book that my daughter Laura gave to me for Christmas with 99 sayings/quotes from Good Pope John XXIII. There's much to ponder in his simple insights and wisdom.

I am hoping...that God will help me to find the right words to answer an email from someone who has sought my advice about a very important, significant, and serious family/personal/marriage issue. I want so much to make sure that I let "God do the talking" for me instead of letting my own thoughts and emotions get in His way.

I am hearing...wind...and my teens playing WII.

Around the house...new candles of "cinnamon bun" and "pear" in my kitchen and bedroom...such sweet gifts they were from my Littles!  Enjoying the baking talents of my girls who have been busy making all sorts of Christmas cookies together...feeling like I should use our "down" time to do some cleaning and reorganizing; but also feeling a little lazy in my desire and more inclined to just kick back and relax a while!

One of my favorite things...my husband's smile.

A few plans for the rest of the week...getting together with my eldest daughter and her family...choosing which games we will play for our annual family tradition of game night on New Year's Eve...laundry...Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at our regular weekly hour...and getting a few more movies on the five for five for five deal at our local video store (five movies for five nights for five bucks!)

A picture thought I'd like to share:

Happy Little Christmas Cowboy

CHRISTMAS BREAK (3rd post today)

Since Jennifer Fulwiler, hostess of Friday's Quick Takes, and Colleen Spiro, hostess of Sabbath Moments, have both taken a break from their memes until after Christmas...I wanted to wish you all God's blessings and a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS this weekend!

May our dear Emmanuel, our Infant Savior and King, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, bring JOY , PEACE, and BLESSING upon your homes this Christmas and each day in the New Year ahead!

I am thankful for our online friendships and I enjoy this  blog where we share a delightful collection of memes each week. I hope that you find as much joy visiting here and I do in writing the entries:))

LET US REJOICE! OUR SAVIOR IS BORN! ALLELUIA!

Small Successes (second post today)

Join the gang at Faith and Family Live for Danielle Bean's meme where we rejoice with one another in the Small Successes of our week! C'mon...think...you know you have had some...come and share the JOY of it all!

Our Small Successes:

1) This one is actually to my Gracie's credit...she's 9...and it was SHE that saved the day this morning, when, upon finding me lollygagging around in my pj's (not the norm, but I was celebrating our first day of Christmas vacation) she inquired in haste, "Mom...isn't this the morning we usually go to Adoration at church?!?"...YES IT WAS INDEED...and I was due there in less than one hour...thanks to Gracie...and some hasty preparing...we made it on time and spent a lovely, wonderful, peaceful hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!

2) The movie store was closed this morning was it was supposed to be open...we swung by again later this evening when we had to run to town on an errand...and lo' and behold, it was open...so we stocked up on the five for five movie deal for Christmas break! Five movies, five nights, for five bucks...can't beat it!

3) Made it through our secret dress rehearsal and sent my hubby his invitation for THE BIG PLAY...tomorrow evening..."A Christmas Story" in our dining room...which has been wonderfully transformed into a stage by my talented teens who have worked so hard on scenes,sets, and lighting...costumes are ready...props are prepared...and special snacks and refreshments are waiting to be made...the kids have worked so hard all through Advent and I just know my darling husband is going to love his special gift!

Tea Talk

My lovely friend Ruth invites you in to Tea Talk each Thursday. Please click the sidebar link on this blog to stop by and add your entry to hers; and many other wonderful ladies who join her each week. I am sliding in here at the last minute today; sorry...like many others, we've been busy wrapping and preparing and planning...THE KING IS ON HIS WAY!

I am having: Well, it is after 9 pm at night here...and I am actually enjoying a wonderful glass of red wine.

My cup is: A treasured, delicate glass with an etched hummingbird image on it that my mother gave to me years and years and years ago.

I am feeling: SO anxious and joyful about the coming of the INFANT SAVIOR in just a couple of days!

On my mind: Believe it or not...my high school, homeroom teacher, whom I just saw on my older brother's facebook page! What a surprise! And it was nice to reminisce for a bit and wish him and his family Christmas blessings after allllllllllll these years...YIKES...I graduated high school almost 29 years ago!!!!!!!!!! OH MY.

"If you cannot find happiness along the road, You will not find it at the end of the road."

- Unknown

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Welcome to my weekly meme: A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings; hence, the name of this blog.

Each Wednesday, I invite you to join in sharing thanksgiving for the many blessings God hives us in our daily lives. Either use Mr. Linky at the bottom of the post to send us to your entry (add the image above to your post and give your readers a link back here) or simply leave a list of five things you are especially thankful for this week in the comment section underneath this post.

A thankful heart is a joyful heart! Come join us as we offer our gratitude to the Lord!

I thank you, Lord, for the beauty of the season...the crisp air of winter, the glistening snow, the lights, the greenery, the scents and sounds and wonder...it is truly magnificent and it blesses me each day!

I thank you, Lord, for my husband's good health and physical strength...he has recovered well from his surgery last spring and  it is his hard work and labor that provides for all of our needs!

I thank you, Lord, for all of those who pray for our family...many the time that we have been sustained and carried by the graces received from their generous offerings on our behalf!

I thank you, Lord, for the Virgin Mary and  St. Joseph; the humble servants who helped to bring about my Salvation by answering your call so many years ago!

I thank you, Lord, for the gift of your Divine Son...this unfathomable love which you gave to each of us by sending us a Messiah, a Savior, and Redeemer so that we can be restored and brought to eternal life when our time to see you face to face does come...it is a gift above all gifts!

Hearts for Home

Last week, I mistakenly said that our lovely hostess, Gae, was awaiting her eleventh baby...she is awaiting her TWELFTH baby!!! What a BLESSING! All of this, and still, she finds time to encourage the rest of us along our journeys as wives, mothers, teachers, and women of God! Click the link in my sidebar to visit Gae's beautiful blog; and perhaps add an entry of your own today. We gather with Gae each Tuesday to commit ourselves to four to six things that will help us better cultivate our hearts and minds toward the keeping of our home:

My Goals this Week:

1) To spend time playing and cuddling and reading with my sweet Benny...he's at that stage when they want to read the same story over and over again...I LOVE that, don't you?

2) To finish preparations for Christmas and discuss the possibility of Saint Nick making an early visit so as to relieve my husband of the stress he's feeling because they're calling for lots of snow in DC which will mean he'll be gone for Christmas Eve, Christmas, and possibly, the next day too. He's worried as he has never "missed a Christmas" in all his years of plowing...now, he HAS been gone all Christmas Eve night and made the drive home just in time to greet the kids in the morning...but he's never missed it. I'm thinking that dear, sweet Baby Jesus wouldn't mind if we just celebrated His Birth a tad early to remove the worry from dear hubby's heart.

3) To give the boys my full attention whenever they come back inside from playing in the snow...they always have a half hour's worth of detailed "snowball fight stories" for me and I must admit that sometimes I listen with "half an ear"...this week, I will try harder to share in their delight and fully participate by stopping what I'm doing and engaging wholeheartedly in their narrations!

4) Put the finishing touches on the props and scenes for our secret play...this was supposed to be Christmas Eve night...not sure if we can do it early as our costumes have not yet arrived from the catalog company from which we ordered a few things!!! Still, I'll work to be as ready as we can and as soon as they come...we will give Daddy his special gift: "A Christmas Story".

Thank you, Gae, for helping me to focus and devote myself to the things  (and people) that really matter most in my life.

Music Monday

From the wintry wonderland of Canada, our good friend and lovely hostess, Shawntele, invites us here each Monday until Christmas to share some favorite songs of the season!

Today, just link to her blog via the image in my sidebar...and add your own entry to the musical celebration!

The special presentation I've chosen is something you'll want to gather any little girls you might have (or big ones!) who enjoy colors and "spinny" dresses and gowns and feminine beauty at its best!

My sweet little Benny was in AWE the whole time it was playing!

Enjoy!

Sabbath Moments

I just love this meme that Colleen Spiro offers each Saturday...a perfect way to begin the Sabbath; sharing the moments of our week when we have found ourselves to be keenly aware of "Him".
Colleen has some WONDERFUL audio reflections on her website for you this Advent Season. In fact, these are a part of my entry this week. ::smile:: Click the sidebar link on my blog page to visit Colleen and read other entries or add your own.

 Judy's Sabbath Moments this week:

1) Several times this week, when I felt a yearning for just a few moments of peace, quiet, and prayer, I snuck away (sneaked? hmmm...I'm from Pgh...and we say "snuck" but I don't think it's really a word...sorry...kinda' like "slippy" instead of "slippery"...oh well, you know what they say, "You can take the girl outta' Pittsburgh, but.......) Anyway, I WENT to my computer and visited Colleens' site...there is so MUCH there to relax the spirit...in particular, I've been enjoying the audio reflections she has published for the Advent Season. It's been like ducking out of the chaos of the day, to have a nice little visit with Our Lady....and when we visit with Our Lady...we are never far from HER SON.

2) Singing Advent songs to the children at bed time. My kids (even the older ones) still LOVE for me to sing to them before they go to sleep...it's been so nice to sing the songs of Advent, in the darkness of their room, with just a bit of moonlight coming through the windows...and their sleepy eyes looking up at me from their bunk beds....full of love...love for Jesus...love for me...love for each other...a peaceful way to end the day...

3) Writing out Christmas Cards...I've been doing this each evening. We haven't been able to mail any the past few years, so I'm happy to be doing it again...I love to pray for the person/people to whom I am writing...and to thank God for the wonderful people He has placed in my life.

7 Quick Takes Friday

Jennifer Fulwiler is one busy lady. She is the lovely hostess of this weekly meme. She is an author, a wife, a mother who is expecting another baby this coming year, a blogger, a former-atheist-Catholic-convert, and an all-around nice person! You can visit Jennifer through my sidebar link. Her 7 Quick Takes meme invites you to sum up your blogging thoughts for the week and share them with others.

Here are mine:

1) There's something quite cozy about blogging on a laptop while snuggled up on your couch, next to your lovely Christmas Tree; lights twinkling. Now to decide if coffee or wine should be added  to this picture...hmmm

2) I am really looking forward to having my son's family over this Sunday. We plan on having a guys against girls game of Outburst...and the girls are playing TO WIN!

3) This particular Quick Take is definitely politically incorrect (but, then again...so am I, lol) but this has been bugging me and I've just got to "say it" out loud and be done with it...several of our local radio stations have Christmas music on 24/7; which is fine with me...it's nice...however, today I heard "Silent Night" sung by Stevie Nicks and another beautiful Christmas song sung by Melissa Etheridge...well, I almost heard that one but I was so irritated that I turned the radio off. I am not a proponent of censorship...nor am I a judge of ANY person's soul or Salvation...but I am left to wonder why someone like Stevie Nicks, who, back in "my day" used to dress as a witch on stage and once had proclaimed herself (in an interview ) to BE a witch would want to sing a song about the birth of CHRIST...and I probably don't even have to proceed with the next one because most of you can see where this is going...but come on...Melissa Etheridge? An outspoken, "in-your-face", activist and proponent of lesbianism and homosexuality, singing songs about Jesus? I can almost feel the hate mail coming toward me for posting this...but it's just what it is....like I said...I am not judging a soul...I am just perplexed as to the motives of people like this to choose to sing songs that honor a Person (and, therefore, one would assume, honor the TEACHINGS of that Person) that contradict and even condemn the very things they (said singers) represent....ok...that's it...thanks for letting me vent...I'm done. On to number 4:

4) My eldest daughter turned 26 yesterday...whew and wowzie...talk about makin' this mamma feel "up there" in age...TWENTY SIX...YIKES. The most wonderful thing about this, though, once I get my head around the fact that that means I am FORTY six...is that my daughter, next to my husband, is truly one of my BEST friends in life...We have SUCH fun together and I know that she is always there for me...and I, for her...it is such a blessing in life when your kids grow up, make a life of their own, and then, come back to share that life with you...simply awesome.

5) I'm thinking that this weekend will be a good time to start making our annual peanut brittle. YUM Do you have a certain something that you only make at Christmas time? We also make these little pretzel treats too...one kind rolls the stick pretzels into melted chocolate and then in sprinkles...and the other kind uses the tiny pretzels that look like arms folded in prayer (which, by the way, is what it was meant to look like when pretzels were invented) and we place a Hershey's kiss in the center of each one...then we put them into a low oven for just a few moments until the "kiss" is glistening...which means it's beginning to melt...and we pull them out and press an M & M into the center of each one and let cool. All of these things are so festive and make such nice gifts...but we always enjoy nibbling some ourselves, too!

6) I will like you to keep a special intention of mine in your prayers if you would. There is a potentially really great thing going to happen for me...but it is, as of yet, undecided and I am not at liberty to speak about it at this time...except to say that I know your prayers can help...

7) SBI and SiteSell, the company we invested with to start our at home business online, is having a buy one get one free sale again this Christmas! Last year, we sold three packages to others this way...and I am happy to say that these families/people now have their own at-home business websites up and running! I am so thrilled that we were able to play a small part in helping each of them get started...and the fact that we and they are moving forward and succeeding in these business ventures is proof that SBI is a company of their word...I really can't say enough good things about our experience...they have followed through on each and every thing they promised they would do in order to guide us, teach us, show us, and support us in creating a long-lasting, successful business website of our own. Today, I just wanted to share the links of the friends that we've helped to get started in their business sites...feel free to leave a comment for them on their sites and tell them "Well done!" They have all worked really hard and have done a great job! So, if you get a moment, pay a visit to:


Catholic Prayer Life

Homeschool Resources

and Jekyll Island Reviews 

If you want to know more about starting your own business website from home...or more info on this great buy one get one free sale that is ongoing right now...just let me know....as an affiliate, I would earn a commission for any website purchased through our special links...so if you're interested, please let me know so that I can have you go through our link to get your site! Thanks!

Tea Talk (two memes today)

Ruth's table is always full and happy on Thursdays when she hosts her Tea Talk.
Come, won't you, and join us for  a moment's respite in your busy day?
Just click the sidebar link to Ruth's and Celebrate Friendship with us!

Today, I'm having a little bit of hot chocolate that my husband tucked away for me ~ xo

My mug is one of my old stand-by's...just the right size for this type of thing :))

I am feeling SO thankful and excited about our new grand-baby-to-be! There is something just SO SACRED and BEAUTIFUL about a young family...husband, wife, toddler, and now, awaiting another blessing from God! The simple day-to-day...learning to "be"...learning to grow together and closer to Jesus...it all makes me so happy and content.

On my mind...wanting to plan some menus for some upcoming visits and celebrations...and have a little shopping for Christmas yet to do.

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!  ~Albert Einstein

Small Successes

There's always lots of goodies awaiting you over at Faith and Family Live, with our hostess for this meme, Danielle Bean. Click my sidebar link and stop in to say "hi" and let us know what YOUR Small Successes have been this week! We will cheer you on!

The Small Dudich Successes:

1) We have been managing to keep our Christmas gift for my hubby; a play that the kids are doing, a secret thus far, by practicing during our school day and returning all the furniture to its place and hiding props by 3 pm...dh doesn't get home until around 6...but he's been known to "pop in" on occasion, so we wanted to be sure we didn't get caught rehearsing! Yesterday, he found a little table that is normally outside in the girls' playhouse in the basement (it's a prop and we had it hidden down there; although, apparently, not so well, hee hee) and when he asked what it was doing there...sweet little Sarah Peanut, who is five, chimed in with big eyes and a questioning tone in her voice and said, "Ummmmmmmmmmm....Clare and I were playing with it today????" The kids all tried very hard not to burst into laughter...and it seems to have been a success because Daddy was none the wiser!

2) Got some wrapping done!

3) I went to the little cupboard underneath my bathroom sink to get my hair brush...and it was THERE...right where it belongs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

I just love when Wednesdays roll around and we can gather here again to give THANKS to God for the many blessings we've been given! I hope you'll join us; even if it's your very first time...just post the above image on your blog and use Mr. Linky down below this post...to link us to your direct post url...if you don't have a blog and that's all mumbo-jumbo to you...then you are more than welcome to list five things you are thankful for today...in the comment section under this post!

In the meantime, I am so VERY thankful for:

1) The cute little snowflakes falling on my blog and all of the other fun and simple things that entertain me and give me such pleasure; especially in blogging...little clipart images, or blinkies, or fun gadgets etc. These things are far from necessary...but are FREE and they add a bit of fun and light-hearted JOY to my days. THANK YOU, LORD!

2) The marvelous news we received yesterday about our son and his wife expecting a new little baby come summer!!!! We are simply OVERJOYED with this announcement!!!! THANK YOU, LORD for FAMILY and NEW LIFE!!!

3) My son, Jacob; who was SO appreciative of his birthday dinner, party, and little gifts yesterday. This young men NEVER forgets to say thank you...for EVERYTHING...be it a meal...time spent together...an act of kindness toward him...a gift...whatever is done for him or offered to him...he ALWAYS shows his gratitude.  THANK YOU, LORD!

4) I am also thankful for Jacob's tooth repair. Several years ago, he was hit in the mouth when his snowboard flew out from under him and his front tooth broke right in half...before that accident...he'd always had a TWINKLY ear-to-ear smile...when his half of his tooth was missing...that smile left with it...he still grinned...but always with a closed mouth. The other day...our insurance covered a tooth repair for Jacob and our dentist did a MAGNIFICENT job...if you didn't know he'd had an accident...you'd NEVER know because the repair looks SO natural!!!! It is not a cap...but they actually squirted some sort of foamy stuff onto his tooth that quickly hardened as they filed, sanded, and shaped it into a new tooth! AMAZING!
We are SO thankful for this...AND for the fact that Jacob's ear-to-ear smile has returned!!! THANK YOU, LORD!

5) St. Joseph. I have been pondering this kind, gentle, obedient, humble, and faithful man lately...we have been practicing our little play in secret during school time...and as I watch my little Joseph act out the night where the angel came to him in a dream, telling him to take Mary for his wife....and then, the scene where he's trying to find a place for them to rest for the night...I can't help but ponder how stressful that all must have been in real life...and yet, this man did not doubt that God would provide. I am so glad he was there to care for Our Lady and Her Son...and I know that he cares for my family too, by praying for us each day. THANK YOU, LORD!

Your turn!

Hearts for Home

How often I think of my sweet friend, Gae, who is the hostess of this meme; as she carries her eleventh child in the womb and devotes herself to her dear family in Australia. I am so blessed to know her through blogging; and often wish there were a way for us to know one another in person as well...if you'd like to meet Gae, just click the link in my sidebar...she'd love to have you join us for this meme: Hearts for Home, which helps us to commit ourselves to 4-6 small things each week that inspire us toward the things that create a peaceful, joyful, holy atmosphere in our homes.

My goals this week are to:

1) Make Jacob's birthday special today! You all know how it is when someone has a birthday near Christmas...we have 2 December birthdays in our family...(my married daughter is two days after Jake)...
Today, we will slow down and give thanks to God for this WONDERFUL boy who brings us SUCH joy in life! Jacob is kindhearted, grateful, compassionate, determined, innovative, funny, fun, and faith-filled. I love just being around him...he inspires me in so many ways...and so, today, I will let him know how much I love and appreciate him:))

2) Be "on call" to help my dear hubby get ready and out the door when the snows in DC hit and he needs to go plowing...there's so much to think of in preparation for these events; as sometimes he is gone for days (or almost weeks last year!) at a time! He needs LOTS of hot coffee, sets of dry clothes, plenty of hearty food for sustenance...and a treat or two to get him through. It's very stressful if we're not prepared and he's running around last minute...I realize that I can help so much by thinking ahead and being ready to act on the moment's notice. We REALLY appreciate his hard work!

3) I wish to keep a spirit of JOY amongst us as we work in SECRET to practice for the play that is to be my husband's Christmas gift this year...it takes a lot of doing to rehearse for we have to move the furniture out of the dining room each day and then BACK in order before hubby comes home and becomes the wiser! On top of school and planning for birthdays and Christmas...this has the potential to go sour and become stressful...the kids are really putting their hearts into their performances...and I am aware that so much of "how it goes" depends upon the "tone" I set...Thus, I  will CHOOSE JOY!

4) I would like to start doing some Christmas baking with the children this week; or, at least, this weekEND.

The Simple Woman's Daybook (second post for today)

Peggy Hostetler blogs about the simple things in life; and she invites you to embrace a bit of simplicity as well...by taking part in The Simple Woman's Daybook with her (and HUNDREDS of others, too!) Click my sidebar link to Peggy's and you'll find a "December" link for the Daybook. You may add as many entries to that link as you like.

And here's what's happening in Judy's Simple Corner of the world:

Outside my window...just plain nasty...freezing cold and icy-sleet everywhere...it's one of those stay in with a good movie and something hot to drink under a blanket days.

I am thinking...of the birthdays that are coming up in our family this week; my eldest daughter will turn 26 and my son Jake will be 14!

I am thankful for...the season of Advent, which helps me to prepare my heart for the coming celebration of Christmas AND for Christ's coming in the end of times.

From the learning rooms...Just the basics...and then clearing the dining room for our secret play practice...getting ready for Daddy's big surprise Christmas Gift!

From the kitchen...I am hand-pouring boiling water into my coffee pot filter to "perk" it as it broke over the weekend and will not perk itself :(((

I am wearing...jeans a fuschia colored short-sleeve knit shirt...but I'm cold, so I need to get a cardigan.

I am creating...the invitation that we will send to my dh in the mail for the play and menus for our Christmas Dinners! (I say "dinners" because we have our own and then another when our married kids and their families come during the week!)

I am going...to take the kids to the "help decorate the school" party in our CCD rooms at church

I am reading...well, I WAS reading my new copy of Above Rubies newsletter, but someone seems to have confiscated it...hmmmm...

I am hoping...that I find it, for I enjoy it so much and I'm already frustrated over the coffee pot thing.

I am hearing...icy/sleety rain and LOTS of wind

Around the house...twinkling lights, candles, wreaths, and lots of pine...getting ready for our VERY Special Guest!

One of my favorite things...when someone writes to us or calls us and tells us that they love our website...this is so humbling, yet joyful at the same time...we are so grateful that God is able to share His love through our pages!

A few plans for the rest of the week...caroling with our fellow parishioners, sorting food and gifts for "Christmas for Others" at our local community center, a tiny bit of shopping, Jake's birthday party, and more play practice.

A picture thought I'd like to share:

Music Monday

Our wonderful hostess, Shawntele, is feeling very festive this month; thus she is bringing back this meme EVERY Monday from now until Christmas; instead of just the first Monday of the month as usual :)
In keeping with the Season, here's a song that I think is a good reminder for us all! Enjoy ~
Oh, and by the way, use my sidebar link to visit Shawntele if you'd like to hear more great music or add a song of your own choice today!

Sabbath Moments

Colleen Spiro is a wonderful lady and a beautiful friend of mine...she invites us to visit her blog each Saturday (via my sidebar link) to share the times we have been aware of God's presence in our busy weeks. I love this meme as it helps me to BE more aware of God's presence throughout the week! Thanks, Colleen!

My Sabbath Moments this week:

1) Jake, Laura, and I attended a communal penance service at our parish the other night...4 priests who came together to offer the beautiful Sacrament of MERCY in Reconciliation prayed with us, sang with us...and blessed us....and although ALL of that...and going to confession ....were Sabbath Moments in and of themselves....the Sabbath Moment I'd like to share more about is something that occurred after I had come back from Penance and was praying and sitting quietly. As I looked up toward the Sanctuary...where one priest was seated on the far far left and our pastor was seated on the far far right....I saw a beautiful thing happen....all of the people who had been in the two lines leading to these Confessors were gone...and after a momentary pause....our pastor got up and quietly walked across to the other priest and knelt down to receive
Penance.  Now I know, of course, that all priests, bishops, popes, and so forth; receive confession.
But...to see our dear pastor, humble himself "amongst the congregation" and publicly and visibly seek God's forgiveness by going to confession face-to-face right there, right then, with the rest of us....was a beautiful, wonderful sight to behold. I felt SO close to Jesus as I witnessed His own priest, the man, go to Him with a contrite heart and receive mercy. The whole church was filled with such peace.

2) I might have mentioned something similar to this before in these memes...but I hope you won't mind my repeating....I love to shake out our tablecloth after dinner! I step out onto the deck and shake it over the back railing ...it is always sooooooooooooo quiet out there as evening falls....it's dark...and our sky (here in the country, away from city lights) is FULL of stars....the air is crisp and still....and I always pause to breathe deeply and thank My Creator for His beautiful world and my wonderful home and family.

7 Quick Takes Friday

Jennifer Fulwiler, hostess of this meme, is definitely one of my most favorite online writers!
Use the sidebar link and visit her...you'll be glad you did!
If you like, add an entry while you are there to offer your 7  Quick Takes today: a summary of your blogging thoughts for the week.

My Quick Takes:

1) Hmmmm...what to do with a three year old who dashes down to the basement in footie pj's when he sees that it's snowing...puts on his sister's (who is 7 years older than her so much larger) coat, a pair of boots, ONE glove, and a hat, and makes a mad dash to the woods with 5 siblings in tow, chasing him down to come back inside and get dressed properly....such is my life.

2) Even though number 1 is the apparent reality of my existence...I wouldn't change it for the world!!!!!!!!!

3) YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! It's SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4) So...I learned how much FUN Twitter contests can be when I entered one this week that SiteSell was having. They tweeted five times a day for three days, each time including a secret clue word within the first two words of their tweet...and we had one chance to get the 15 word phrase correct for a prize of either $300 in cash or TWO FREE websites!!!! The winner beat us by MERE seconds!!!!!! It was SO exciting as the kids and I sat here waiting on pins and needles for that last clue to come through....I knew the phrase earlier...but was afraid to submit my answer because if I were wrong, I'd be out of the contest...of course...now I wish I would have taken the chance! I'd have won! Anyway, it was really exciting and fun and we hope to do it again sometime. Perhaps our website, Homeschool Faith and Family Life will even HOST a Twitter contest sometime!

5) I really think that I love the aromas at this time of year better than all others. Did you ever notice that each season has its own unique "smells"...Spring time smells like freshly mowed grass and wild onions...Summer smells like tropical lotions and roses....but this time of year ....this time of year offers a plethora of tantalizing,
comforting, refreshing, AND soothing scents...from apples and spice...to fireplace wood...pies and cookies...and cloves and cinnamon...hot chocolate...and hearty soups....a nose can find SUCH delight in every day of this season!

6) As I wait upon the coming of the Lord, Jesus...both in the celebration of His birth and in His Second Coming as well...I can't help but ponder what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph as they waited for the birth of their Son. I know that in my own life, there have been times when we found out we were expecting a baby at what would have seemed (from a secular or outside point of view) to be the WORST possible time and state-in-life to have a child...Thus, I can somewhat relate to some of the emotions and worries with which Joseph and Mary might have struggled...but also...I can relate to the unfathomable peace and joy that comes from "surrendering all" and "TRUSTING" in Christ in those very moments...His plan, carried out in His time and in His way....is always SO PERFECT.

7) As I finish this post, I am glancing out of my big picture window in my dining room...where I see 6 brothers and sisters frolicking and playing in the new-fallen snow....life is good.

Tea Talk (two memes today)

It's so nice to see you ladies again.
I just love having Tea at Ruth's with you all each week.

Thanks to our lovely hostess for helping find a few moments of respite in our week.

Click the sidebar link and stop over to Ruth's...she'll make you feel right at home!

I am having:  steaming hot coffee...it is super-duper cold here this week!

My mug is: not quite big enough for how much coffee I'd like to drink today:)

I am feeling: filled and overjoyed with the spirit of this glorious and wonderful Advent Season!

On My Mind: wanting to make a trip to Pittsburgh soon to see my folks. The children have been writing letters to them this week; and Laura is presenting them with a very special gift....she sketched them, using a photograph taken some years back when they were attending my niece's wedding...the likeness is wonderful and I just know they'll cherish it with delight!

     "Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope.…
     It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."

~ Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger ~

(better known today as: Pope Benedict XVI)

Small Successes (first of two memes today)

I love the way Danielle Bean helps us to rejoice in the things we do right during our busy, sometimes messy, sometimes not-so-good weeks...there's always some GOOD in there somewhere!

Visit Danielle at Faith and Family Live with my sidebar link and take part in this fun meme!

Dudich Successes this Week:

1) We totally rocked Saint Nicholas's Feast Day...got the treats ON time, put the shoes out ON time, and enjoyed a day watching videos and reading stories about this wonderfully generous man!

2) We've read lots and lots of stories, under blankets, by our pretty tree!

3) Got everyone ready and made it to the holy day Mass on time last night! AND...(this particular success has a second half, hee hee)....AND got ALL of the Church coats hung neatly back up in the closet when we got back home!!!!!!!! (In the Dudich house, this is a GYNORMOUS success!)

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Hello! It's Wednesday! Yay! I love to gather here each week and share in thanksgiving with you!
A thankful heart is a joyful heart!
And so, this meme invites you to share five things for which you are giving thanks to GOD this week...just copy the above meme image into your post; and use Mr. Linky below to link us there...please share a link back here for your readers, as well!


No blog? No worries! Just leave your list in the comment box!


This week, I am feeling keenly aware and grateful for my senses. So............

1) I thank You, Lord, for my eyes that see the beauty of Your creation! I thank You for allowing me to see my family, my friends, the beautiful birds and the critters of the woods...I thank You for the books I can read and the movies and videos I can watch....for the light of the candles that make my heart smile each time I look at it...and for being able to SEE the Mass!

2) I thank You, Lord, for my ears that hear...for the beautiful sounds of the voices of children and babies...
for MUSIC that inspires me and raises my heart to Thee....for being able t hear Your Word as it is read to me each week...for the sound of a passing train (I LOVE THAT SOUND)...for wind-chimes...and for the sound of my darling husband's voice...his laughter....his wise advice...his wit....even his admonishment that helps us all to grow closer to You!

3) I thank You, Lord, for the gift of smell...I am always amazed at how a certain aroma can excite, calm, or bring comfort to me.

4) I thank You, Lord, for the gift of taste...this not only brings me JOY as I delight in the wonderful textures and savoriness of many foods...but it also protects me as I can tell right away when something is NOT good for me too!

5) And finally, I thank You, Lord, for the gift of touch....the softness of a baby's skin against my cheek...the strength and firmness of my husband's hands...silk, or wood, or sand, or smooth stones...being able to touch and feel sends an instant message to my other senses!!!!!

Help me never to take my senses for granted, Lord; and know that I am truly thankful for each one!

How about you?

What are you most thankful for this week?


3)

Hearts for Home

This meme is hosted by a wonderful lady who devotes her days to the love and care of her family in Australia; sharing the Faith, learning along-side her kiddos each day, and making time to help the rest of us better ourselves as wives, mothers, teachers, and believers. Use the link in the sidebar to visit Gae and add your entry if you like.

This week I am trying to:

1) Begin thinking of making lists, making gifts, and shopping for Christmas. We try very hard to keep it simple and to keep it meaningful.

2) Help the children make some Christmas cards for my parents. This is a yearly tradition of theirs. My mother and father LOVE receiving their homemade cards and I love to see the great time, detail, and effort they put into making them :))

3) Get with my hubby and set some dates down on the calendar for some upcoming visits with friends and family. Each gathering takes a little planning and I do not like to get overwhelmed. Fellowship is a grand part of this glorious season...but as I said in number 1, above...I like to keep it simple and meaningful. Staying organized with dates and times goes a long way in making things less stressful, don't you think?

4) Spend LOTS of time with the children sitting by our beautiful Christmas tree; gazing at the lights and cherished ornaments...singing songs of waiting like "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", playing "I SPY" with all of the trinkets hanging there, and just being together, drinking in the beauty of the season.

5) Spend LOTS of time in quiet reflection and prayer.

Music Monday

Things I like about First Mondays:

New month, new opportunities to grow in Christ!
That, and the fact that my lovely friend Shawntele hosts THIS MEME on the first Monday of each month!

Hope you'll enjoy this song as you strive to live for Him this December!

Have a song you'd like  to share? Or, just want to listen to some more great music today? Use my sidebar link and visit Shawntele...she welcomes you!

Sundays

Hello! Welcome!
If you have arrived here today, looking for the usual Sunday meme, "Praise!", I have decided to change the format here on A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings; and take Sundays off.

All of the other weekly memes will remain the same and I hope you all continue to stop in throughout the week to share the fun, the inspiration, and the fellowship with me!

God bless and have a wonderful day of REST!
Judy

Sabbath Moments

As you read this, I will be off having some Sabbath Moments at our parish today. Our pastor is offering a parish retreat day, starting with early morning Mass and then gathering for some talks, food, fellowship, quiet time and prayer...I'm actually one of the speakers and will be sharing thoughts on "Families and Advent".

Another Sabbath Moment this week came to me when I had some quiet time very very late at night, on the couch, next to our Christmas Tree; which is in the stand but undecorated as of yet...it was so peaceful and I could smell the pine...I had such a nice talk with the Lord there, in the quiet of my living room while my family slept.

Then too, I was blessed with an hour of Sabbath Moments when Mary Clare, Sarah, and I went to Adoration this week...my sweet little girls took turns leading me in the rosary as we sat before the Blessed Sacrament...we sang...we read some poetry...and we just rested in the presence of OUR SAVIOR AND KING!

And finally, God blessed me with Sabbath Moments when I was able to talk to my two best friends on the phone this week...it was like having a Mom's retreat...we shared, we uplifted, we encouraged, we prayed...
I always feel God so closely when I am with the friends He's given me.

Want to share your "God" moments with us today? Visit my wonderful blogging friend, Colleen Spiro (to whom I am so very grateful for this meme) through the sidebar link on this page, and add your entry.

7 Quick Takes

Joining Jennifer Fulwiler, hostess of this weekly gathering, in 7 mini posts to sum up my "bloggy" thoughts for the week. Care to take part? Click the link in the sidebar and head on over to ConversionDiary.com where you can enter a link. You'll love it there...Jennifer's a great writer!

My Quick Takes:

1) Don't you just hate it when something simply disappears...vamoose!...into cyberspace?!?!?!? No matter how careful I am, how diligent, how "techy", how "aware"...every once in a while, I go to get something I need from a folder somewhere and BOOM...it's gone...vanished...wiped out...just...GONE. Anyone else have this problem?

2) A few of the kiddos are having tummy aches the past few days...sure hope that's not a sign of "pre-Christmas season stomach flu virus" to come!

3) We've been on a lunch time mushroom soup kick around here lately...a neighbor, with whom we always share our jalapeno peppers in our garden, dried out a bunch and crushed them into a tasty seasoning powder that he uses to flavor jerky...just a sprinkle on our soup adds the perfect bit of oompffh! Throw in some saltine crackers and we are a happy lunch hour crowd!

4) My sweet baby Benjamin is just growing up TOO quickly. He came to me the other day, SUPER proud that he can now put his own belt on!!! His own belt...at three years old...and he did it correctly, too! ::makes a Mommy pout and thinks of how she misses having babies in the house::

5) My super-savvy-thrifty-clever eldest daughter has discovered that we can use those last bits of candle wax in the bottom of jar candles to make our own wax-melts for those little tea light holders!!! We have a pretty one with cut outs of Christmas bells and holly on it...so that when you burn the tea-candle, the light shines through the image...I tried her idea with some leftover coconut/vanilla candle I had in a jar...and it works! Big money-saver here because we love candles and those melts can be expensive!

6) My best friend who moved to Washington State a while back has had over 6-8 inches of snow already and temperatures falling to 8 below zero!!! WHEW!!! Now THAT is cold! We finally got everyone boots and snowpants that needed them this year...(and Daddy threw in a couple new Church coats too, when he saw them on a half price sale!!! YAY, Daddy!)...so we are ready for snow and eagerly awaiting its arrival...we've had a few flurries but nothing much to speak of...although...by the kids' excitement, you'd have thought we were having a full blow-out blizzard, the way they flew to the basement to don their winter dress and head outside yelling, "It's snowing! It's snowing!!!!!!!!!!!"

7) About this time, I'm wishing I had a little bit more of Colleen Spiro's "public speaking" courage...our pastor has asked me to give another little talk on "family" at our upcoming parish retreat this Saturday...NOT my cup of tea...I'm a MUCH better "listener" than "speaker"...waaayy outside my comfort zone here, but I'll do my best :)

Small Successes (second post today)

Danielle Bean hosts this meme each week, inviting you to rejoice in the little things that you've gotten "right" !
We all need a bit of encouragement now and then...so hop on over via the link in my sidebar and share your Small Successes with others today!

::does happy dance::

We managed to:

* carry out each activity on our family Advent Calendar so far this week!

* make snowflakes for our windows and kitchen ceiling...it's a little tradition of ours to hang them each year...they look so lovely at night with our twinkly lights!

* stick to our plans of not taking on any new outside activities this month so that we can stay home more together and really enter in to the spirit of Advent

::does happy dance again::

How about you?
What great Small Successes have you had this week?

Tea Talk

Hello ladies! So nice to gather with you again at our friend Ruth's:)
If you're new here and would like to join us, just use the sidebar link that matches the image above to visit our lovely hostess and learn more about how you can participate!

Today, I'm having...hot coffee, with sprinkle of cinnamon in the grounds for aroma and flavor!

My mug is...one of the sturdy, harvest-themes ones I picked up a while back (I think it's time to invest in some Christmas/Winter ones now, don't you?)

I am feeling...worried about one of my brothers because I had a dream that he had a heart attack! Don't you just hate those dreams that seem so real that you awaken thinking they actually happened?!?

On my mind...ways to embrace the true spirit of Advent with my family...I am feeling a great need for peace and quiet and calm, soothing activities for our souls...preparing our hearts for the coming of the Lord.

Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen. 

~Mother Teresa of Calcutta~