Getting Ready for Christmas

I know that Thanksgiving is still around the corner, but it is never too early to get ready for Christmas. Enjoy!

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My Very Own Chicken Herder

Chicken update: the chickens are well. Charles just loves spending time with them. He is the official chicken herder in our family. He supervises their outings in the yard and always makes sure they are watered and fed. He is the first to check on them when we've been away for the day and he loves to just play with them. He is quite responsible in caring for the chickens. It makes my life easy! The coop is finally complete. The latches have been fixed, a feeder bin and perch have been installed and a mesh floor has been stapled into place. It is a castled for our feathered friends.


Doors open wide to air out the coop (jk). The chickens are playing with Charles in the yard. The electrical cords hanging provide light and heat for the chickens. When they are cold, they huddle together under the light to keep warm.









This is Izzy (named after St Isadore, the farmer.) This is the beloved baby chick that we incubated and hatched.







Izzy is somewhat of an odd chicken. Can't really explain it, but he/she is definitely not like the others. I don't know if it's because Izzy was alone in a box for too long or what. When you hold Izzy the right way in your hands and arms, it'll fall asleep on you. Izzy also likes to be pet lightly on the chest. Izzy goes around pecking lightly at the other chickens and likes to be alone.





These are the 3 adopted chickens. Phoenix is the black one on the right. Henny, the golden breasted one in the front and Dimmy, the darker golden one in the back. Don't know if we will be keeping the names yet.


Yes, we weren't going to name them, but the 3 came with names. We thought about naming them Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Savanna's friend, Megan, wanted to name one Sizzle. I told her that was the sound it would make when it hit the pan. She didn't like that too much. We are still waiting to see if they are roosters. We think that Phoenix may be a rooster (he's Charles' favorite.) We will not be keeping the roosters. I don't think the neighbors want to be waken at the crack of dawn.


Charles got a lot of practice herding chickens in our friend Cindy's backyard. It's a tough job, but someone has got to do it! Unbelievably, he keeps them in a small area in the yard. He stands out there with a stick and chases them around. It's quite comical to watch.

It's Good to be the Mom

Savanna belongs to the Sacramento Childrens Chorus. This is her second year singing. Last year she sang in the Cantate choir. Cantate is entry level and the training choir where the kids learn the basic nuts and bolts of music. She was very excited when her conductor/teacher moved her into Chorus the following year. Chorus is a little more demanding both on the academic side and the performing side. The entire SCC performs twice a year in a winter concert and a spring concert.

Chorus sometimes performs by themselves at local venues. This year they were asked to perform at the Grand Opening of Phase I of the Westfield Galleria, Roseville. The mall was alive with eager shoppers and visitors dying to see the new and improved mall. We spent the morning singing at the grand opening festivities and taking a peek around the mall. WOW! $160+ million later, there are 13 new stores to browse.




Who is that cute, litte girl with the pigtails?












Being a parent brings special moments into our lives. Today was one of those that makes you feel good about being a parent. I found myself excited at first as the Chorus came out and lined up. As I listened to them sing, I felt a sense of pride for the kids singing, especially for the cute little girl in pigtails. They sing so beautifully. I could listen forever! If you are intersted, their winter concert is Dec 6th at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento at 7:30 pm. They sound like angels singing there! Let me know so I can direct you for purchasing tickets.



Here they all are singing like little birds.

A Novena to my Blessed Mother

One of the best things about the Catholic faith is the rich treasury of prayers. Novenas are aren't just a prayer. It's a way of giving your worries, problems and desires to Our Father in Heaven. Novenas bring peace and an openess to God's divine mercy. You really can't ask for more. In just the past 4 months, I have said 3 different novenas. By the grace of God, I have followed His will and desire. I may not have received my desires in all cases, but I did receive what the good Lord wanted me to receive. Knowing that, I am content and wouldn't ask for any more. Other times, my prayers were answered in ways words just can't describe. The following is a novena to the Virgin Mary. Our Blessed Mother has a very special place in my heart and my life. I ask that all who read this, please keep my intentions in prayer. Thank you. God Bless you and your families.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin (Never known to fail)

Oh most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven.

Blessed Mother of the son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.

Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in my necessity (state request).

There are none that can withstand your power.

O, show me here-in you are my mother.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (say three times).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (say three times).

Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (say three times).

Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen

This prayer must be said for three days and after three days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published.

Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Pray for us.

Saintly Fun

All Saints Day took us to Grass Valley. Our friends the Zeiters put on a spectacular All Saints Day party! There were about 30 kids there. It was pouring rain outside, but the kids were having the time of their lives inside! There were many games to play and tons of prizes to win! Nobody went home with an empty hand or stomach!


Here are Savanna and Charles dressed up as St Bernadette and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.














Savanna chose to be Saint Bernadette on All Saints Day this year. St Bernadette was a peasant in France. In 1858, as a young girl, Bernadette was sent out to gather firewood with her sister and friend. At a nearby grotto, above a rose bush, a very beautiful Lady appeared to her, the Lady was dressed in blue and white. The lovely Lady made the sign of the cross with a rosary of ivory and gold. Bernadette immediately knelt down and began praying the rosary. The beautiful Lady was Mary, the Mother of God. Our Lady met with Bernadette 17 times. She told Bernadette to pray for sinners, do penance and build a chapel in her honor. Many people didn't believe Bernadette. One day, Our Lady told Bernadette to dig in the mud. As she did, a spring of water began to flow. The spring grew larger every day. Many miracles began to occur when people began using the water. The spring is Lourdes, France. Even today, many people go there to be healed.

The body of St Bernadette is incorrupt. That means, it never deteriorated and is still intact as when she was a live. St Bernadette's feast day is April 16th.


Here is a illustration of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette.


Saint Bernadette, pray for us.












Charles may look like an ordinary boy in the picture above, but he was "dressed" up as Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (Check out this link: Catholic Fire: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati there is a short video about him there.) Pier was an incredible young man. He was born in Turin, Italy in 1901. He was an athlete, skier and mountain climber. He loved being outdoors and took groups of his friends and other young adults on outdoor adventures and evangelized on the way. He always persuaded a priest to come along to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. He lived his faith to the fullest.

Unbeknownst to his family, Pier helped the poor and took care of them. Sacrificing his money and time, he made sure to fill the needs of the homeless and the poor as best as he could. Pope John Paul II called him a man of the 8 beatitudes. He lived a life of faith and charity. At the age of 24, he became very ill and died shortly after. Many of the poor of Italy came to visit his family. It was then his family learned about the generous heart of their beloved Pier.

Pier's body is also incorrupt. During World Youth Day, his casket was on display in St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia. I was able to pray for his intercession, right there, in front of his casket when I was in Sydney earlier this summer. His feast day is July 4th.

Photo of Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati

One of my favorite quotes from Blessed Pier:

“To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing.”

Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us.


Much fun was to be had at the party. All the Saints were running around playing tons of games and eating tons of cotton candy! Here we have Savanna and her friend Emily.


The Blessed Virgin Mary (Emily) and St Bernadette (Savanna)











Zak Zeiter got all wet bobbing for apples.











Charles wins his prize! Notice the wet shoulder. He pretty much dove into the water!








Filled with candy and good food, Mike and Savanna take a rest.





All Saints Day was lots of fun for both kids and adults. We look forward to more years of Saintly fun. God Bless.

Yummmy...gotta try this one

Pumpkins seeds are always a big hit around here. This year, I think I will try this new recipe out. Something new... Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe | Simply Recipes