A Perfect Friday

Merry, merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you had a beautiful & blessed Christmas day, and are enjoying the holidays with your family and friends. I know I sure am.

Today, December 28, 2012, marks the 22 anniversary of my parent's marriage. I cannot believe how blessed me, and all my siblings, are to  have them as parents. It is incredible to think that with about 50% of the population's marriages ending in divorce (and probably more then that are split up) my parent's could stay true in their marriage. I know that in comparison to say, my boyfriend's grandparents who celebrated 61 years of marriage, 22 years seems so small. However, when half of the country's marriages are dissolving after a year or two, 22 years is a lifetime. My Mom has been married to my father for almost half of her life...

So, in honour of my parents, and their beautiful marriage I decided to make a list of things their relationship has taught me. I know some people will read this and consider me and optimistic idealist, but is that not better then being a pessimist, saying that my own marriage to someone some day (God willing) will be something easily dissolved?

Without further ado,

1. Marriage is constant work.

I know that this should be obvious, and entering a marriage expecting anything less would be detrimental to the relationship. However, I think it is something that maybe we hear so often that we forget just how much work needs to go into a marriage.
From the moment you wake up your day is about someone else. Yes, if you have children, it will most likely be mostly about them. But, when you wake up and look at the other  half of the bed there is someone there that you work with and work for.
You work with them to build your house into a home. You work with them to pay bills and make ends meet. You work with them to see that your children are nurtured and loved. You work with them to make sure the garbage is taken out, the wood is cut, the groceries are bought, the dishes are done.
You work for them so that when they get home after a hard day they can have a few minutes to relax. You work for them so they don't feel as if they are running your family alone. You work for them so they know you appreciate them and all they do. You work for them so they can do things they enjoy, like play golf, go to a hockey game or have a girls night.
It is constant work and sacrifice.

2. Marriage is spending every day with your best friend.

Yes, marriage is work, but it also hold so much joy!
The older I get the more I am able to reflect over my life and see how much my parent's lives have altered and shifted. Not in a bad way, but in a way that I find very intriguing.
My parent's don't have a ton of friends. They have a lot of acquaintances and people with whom they are friendly. But, once upon a time, when I was little, it seemed that there were a lot of people my parents spent time with. However, now when I look at my parents I realize that my mother's best friend is my father, and my father's best friend is my mother. I know that that is all they need. Yes, they have people with whom they are close, and talk to about important things, but at the end of the day, when an important decision is made, they go to their very best friend.
I think that is so incredibly important and beautiful.

3. Love is not a feeling.

Infatuation is a feeling. Sadness is a  feeling. Happiness is a feeling. But love...Love is a sacrifice and a commitment. Some days you will not feel in love with your spouse. Some days they will drive you crazy. But, you love them anyway, because it is a commitment, a sacrifice, and the good they do always out does the bad.

4. Cheesy Romantic movies & books can place undo stress.

Yes, there is romance in marriage, but it isn't like those chick flick books or movies. Reading or watching too many of these things can place unneeded stress on your husband. Yes, they are cute and funny and a few are okay. But, you can sub-consciously begin placing them expectations from fictional characters on your husbands, and that is not fair.

5. God is constantly first.

Your spouse has to love God more then he loves you. Not as much as, but more then! If they do this, then no matter what happens they will always have the ability to love God in you. Even when you yourself may be less then deserving of their love.
My parent's place great value in family prayer, and that, no matter what, brings us together. It is so important!

That's all I have time for today, but they have taught me so much more! I hope you enjoy this and have a beautiful day.

Happy Anniversary Dad and Momma!

God Bless,

Emily xo

A Festive Bush?

The other night I was visiting my parent's house and my sister told me that she'd just hears that at some Public schools in Canada the words "Christmas Tree" are not allowed.Wait, what?

Okay, so if you aren't going to allow Christmas trees to be called Christmas trees then you probably shouldn't have them at all. However, that is not the case. Christmas trees are allowed to exist, you just have to call them another name. And what is that name, you ask?

Festive Bushes. No, I am not kidding you. Is that not the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard.

1. They are not bushes. They are trees. When I hear "bush" I think of a little shrub in someone's yard, not a giant tree that stands in the homes of millions people around the world, decked with lights and ornaments and popcorn strings.

2. If you are opposed to the use of "Christmas Tree", then I would imagine that you are opposed to Christmas, as a whole. So, if that is the case, then why in the world do you have a Christmas tree, or feel the need to talk about them.  I have no problem with people not celebrating the same holidays that I do. I respect that they have their own beliefs, and it does not bother me at all if they celebrate their holidays. Why in the world then do people insist on referring to parts of Christmas as anything but the word Christmas.

I find it disgusting that as first world nations we cannot be okay with Christians celebrating Christmas. Canada was founded and formed on the bases of Christianity. Come on, people!

Well, that is my rant for today!

Merry Christmas,

Emily xo

Pre-Christmas Musings

I realize it has been awhile since I have posted on this sweet little blog...but I can explain. Okay, there really is no good explanation. Blogging is one of those new adventures I thought I would try, and I usually start out strong, and then, alas, the typical Emily takes over and my zeal peters off.

You would think this is because I adore change and new things and my interests are constantly shifting and changing and that's what my interests dwindle and get left under a pile of dust. However, that is not the case. I am not bored of blogging. Not at all. In fact, I am fascinated with it. I just cannot convince myself that someone out there on this big ol' world would take interest in what I have to say and so I give up trying to amuse people.

I have put my thinking cap on and thought and thought and thought about what I could write about. I have not really come up with anything so insightful or profound I had to share it, but I did draw a conclusion for all this musing. Sometimes what I write does not matter...Sometimes it's just the fact that I write at all. For my sake, and to help lift the spirits of someone who blindly stumbles across this blog.

Are you ready for Christmas time? We are only a week away! I cannot believe how close it is. I am so excited. It is looking very Christmas-y outside this afternoon and I love it (despite the fact that I had to drive on the treacherous roads today). Yesterday I spent the day re-decorating the Christmas tree that my room mate's cat destroyed, baking and wrapping gifts. All the while singing along to Christmas carols. It was a lovely day...very well spent.

I know this is extremely last minute, but I wanted to share with you a quick gift idea that's thoughtful and not crazy expensive. I put this together for my boss this year, and I think she'll be delighted by it. 

What you need:

-A bowl or basket of some kind (I bought a really cute green Christmas one with gingerbread men on it from the Dollar Store)

-A movie (any one will work, just take into consideration the taste of the gift receiver. I got one from the $5 Christmas movie shelf at Wal Mart)

-A beverage of some kind (I bought some Coca-Cola in the old fashioned glass bottle because that's her favourite treat to drink and she isn't really a lover of alcohol)

-Some snackies (I used a family sized bag of Ruffles original chips because I know they are my bosses favourite. I also includes 2 bags of microwave popcorn)

-An empty Pringles tube. Clean it out, and wrap it in pretty Christmas paper. I baked 2 kinds of cookies- lemon and chocolate chip, and stacked them in the tube.

-Cellophane, scissors and ribbon (I used clear cellophane & red & gold ribbon)

Once you have all these items, or your substitutes, according to what the gift receiver enjoys, place them all in your basket/bowl in a pretty way. Place the full basket/bowl in the centre of a large piece of cellophane. Cut the cellophane to the appropriate length (it should be large enough for both sides to reach to the top centre of the items in the basket, with some excess. 

Once cut, gather the ends of the cellophane at the top. You may want some back up for this part. Get someone to hold the cellophane in place, and cut your ribbon. It should be long enough to secure the cellophane into place with enough left over to make a pretty bow and curl the ends. Tie the ribbon tightly round the gathered cellophane and knot a couple of times. Tie a bow and curl the ends of the ribbon. 

The Finished Product!

Lemon cookies in the newly decorated Pringles tube!

Look how cute this is!?

Just to make things a little more classy (well, as classy as Coke can be-heehee)

use a glass bottle as opposed to cans or plastic.

I chose the Ultimate Gift- a really cute movie!

Make sure to knot the ribbon a couple times! You don't want it 

coming loose.

This is the bowl I picked up. It's the perfect size to use as a 

chip bowl, & is adorable & Christmas-y!

Voila! You have made an adorable gift basket. It's perfect for a date night, family movie night, or whatever! You could also do this and replace the movie with cards or a fun, new board game!

Wishing you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas,

Emily xo

Do Not Be Afraid

Today was, well, a bad day. It seems like nothing is right for me now, and I feel like my little world is crashing down around me. It is so very hard not to loose hope in all of that; to not become disheartened.

Today I came across this quote and it reminded me of something I often forget when I let my wimpy, first world problems consume me.

I hope that this will help you too, in whatever way you need it today. Remember, we have a God who is merciful, and who loves us with a love we cannot imagine.

We are blessed, always.

Prayers and love,

Em

Good Ol' Homemade Pizza

Growing up, we had pizza pretty well once a week. It was most definitely a crowd pleaser at out home and my Mom was a master at making it. I wanted to share with you the most delicious pizza crust recipe, that is so incredibly easy you will be amazed.

Pizza Crust

1Tbsp. yeast (I use quick rise yeast)
1 cup warm water
1 tsp. sugar
1tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. Vegetable oil
2 1/2 cup flour

1. Mix together the yeast, water, sugar, salt and vegetable oil in a large bowl.
2. Slowly add the flour to the mixture.
3. Combine it all into a large doughy ball (don't be afraid to use your hands!) and let sit for a minimum of 5 minutes, covered with a clean dish towel.
4. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Toppings:

Once the dough has sat for 5 minutes you can now remove it from the bowl and stretch it to the appropriate size for your pan. This recipe makes a 9"x13" rectangle sized pizza (I use a cookie sheet as the pan).
Grease your pan, and place the stretched dough on it and continue to pull the dough to all the outside edges and fold over the edges like you would a pie crust. You can also cut long, slender pieces of your favourite cheese and place that in the folds as you go around the outside for a stuffed crust.
Now you are ready to add sauce! I usually just use pasta sauce as opposed to pizza sauce because I find it adds more flavour, but you can use whatever you like. Make sure to get the sauce to the very edges of the crust.
You are now ready to get creative and you can add whatever toppings you like to your pizza.

Pop your creation into the oven and let it bake for appropriately 15 minutes, or until the edges and bottom are golden brown.

Enjoy this quick and easy pizza and let me know what you think.

Prayers,

Emily x

Pumpkin Muffins- The Most Delightful!

Okay, so this may be a wee bit late since it is November 21st, and here in Canada Thanksgiving is long over and we are awaiting snow, which surprisingly, has yet to arrive! However, I am a firm believer that pumpkin things are always delicious and need not only be eaten in fall.

This past weekend I went on a five hour drive with my younger brother to visit my younger sister who is away at University. Her request- bring me delicious things. So I got into baking mode and created some things to take with me. I had some left over pumpkin that I had wanted to use, so I thought muffins would be a wonderful way to use that up, and I went on a hunt for a pumpkin recipe. I combined a few that I found and created one delicious batch of pumpkin raisin muffins.

Without further ado, here is my recipe:

Pumpkin Raisin Muffins

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1 cup canned pumpkin 

1 1/4 cup flour

1/3 tsp baking powder

2/3 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ginger

2/3 tsp. salt

1/4 cup water

2/3 cup raisins

1. Mix together sugar and oil until well combined.

2. Add egg and pumpkin. Mix well.

3. Sift all dry ingredients into separate bowl and mix well.

4. Add alternatively with water to the pumpkin mixture.

4. Stir in raisins (feel free to add more then the 2/3 cup if you like raisins!)

5. Pour into greased muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until cooked through.

-This recipe makes 12 muffins, and takes a total time of about 40 minutes.

I hope you enjoy these tasty treats, we sure did! Let me know what you think.

Many prayers,

Em xo

Month of the Holy Souls

I know November had a whole lot of hype around it, mostly because it means Christmas is just around the corner, and because all the moustached men come out and about in honour of Movemeber.

If you don't know what "Movember" is, it is a movement in Canada (it may be other places as well, but I only know for sure that it is in Canada) where men let their facial hair get a little wild. Millions of Canadian men & woman support this movement by proudly sporting moustaches, real or fake, all month. The point is to register https://www.movember.com/ca/register/and raise funds that go towards research of men's health issues, mainly prostate cancer and male mental health.

Needless to say, November is a very exciting month here in Canada! However, there is a bigger reason that this month is near and dear to my heart. In the Catholic Church, this month is designated to remembering the holy souls. We kick off the month by honouring All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd).

All Saints Day is a holy day on which we honour and celebrate all the saints that we have. I know a lot of people don't really get what Saints are. If you are not Catholic, or familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church, this can be kind of confusing. Basically, a Saint is the term given to anyone who is in Heaven. Any person who dies and enters Heaven becomes a saint. Super cool business! Now the tricky part is that only a handful of saints are actually recognized.

The Catholic Church has specific, 'criteria', if you will, that has to be met in order for it to be confirmed that the soul of a person who has passed away is in fact in Heaven. Miracles that have happened in their name, etc. Many hours, days, months and years are spent investigating certain situation in which a person may be a saint. And, of course, there is a whole pile of praying involved.

Once the Church has decided that a certain person is to be declared a Saint the become "Blessed", for example, right now Pope John Paul II is Blessed Pope John Paul II. Then, the next step in Canonization. Which is a fancy word for saying they are now Saint <insert name here>.

*please note, this is just a very brief overview! 

You can read up in the Cathechism of the Catholic Church

for more details, etc. You may also want to research on

http://www.catholic.com/browse. or chat with a priest, Brother or Sister!

This does not mean that the only people in Heaven are those who are canonized by the Catholic Church. There are people in Heaven who lived lives of holiness and who God was gracious enough to bring home to Him, that we will never know about until, God willing, we get there one day too.

Now, onto All Souls Day. This is a day on which we honour all the deceased members of our families, friends, and anyone really. When a person dies they can go to one of three places. Hell, Heaven or Purgatory. Obviously it is not my place to say who goes where, but I will explain this briefly.

Heaven- Fairly self explanatory. If you die with a pure, innocent soul you go to Heaven. So, wee babies who have yet to have sin (other than that of Origional Sin) go to Heaven. And, just basically, if your soul is entirely without blemish you meet God face-to-face. What an incredibly honour! Definitely worth living (& dying) for!

Purgatory- I would say that the majority of people who die and don't go to Hell, go here. Most of us will die with some sort of imperfection, no matter how large or small, on our soul. Purgatory offers a time for cleansing, and the length of time here depends on your soul, on your Earthly suffering, etc. The thing about these souls is that they cannot pray for their own souls to be released into Heaven. This means we have the beautiful honour and responsibility to pray for them so they can get closer to meeting Jesus. The souls here will go to Heaven, in time. It is like Heaven's waiting room in which we are prepared to meet our perfect King.

The following prayer was given, by Jesus, to St. Gertrude with the promise that each time it was said 1,000 souls would be released from Purgatory. 

Eternal Father,

I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus,

in union with the Masses said throughout the world today,

for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory,

for sinners everywhere,

for sinners in the Universal Church,

those in my own home and within my family.

Amen.

Hell- I am not going to give this much attention, as I don't believe that Santan, or his Kingdom deserve even a mention. But, it does exist, and we need to be aware and very concious of that fact, but not live in crippling fear of it. Basically, if you die in a state of mortal sin http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm you will go to Hell. Obviously I do not know every circumstance and only God will be the judge of that, but to the best of my knowledge, mortal sin=hell.

So, yes, that is what happens when you die. The Catholic Church has deemed November the month of the Holy Souls and so this is a time to visit graveyards and say some extra prayers for those who have passed away, especially those who were close to us and deceased members of our families. It is also a good idea to have Masses said for deceased members of your family, for your friends, or just for the holy souls in general. You can get Masses said any time of the year, but November is kind of a special time for souls.

Please, tuck in some prayers for the souls. I hope someone remembers to do that for me when I die!

Anyway, that is all I have for you today :)

As always, you're in my prayers.

E xo

Saint Gertrude, please pray for us!