Company Muffins

I love these muffins.....they remind me of carrot cake...good even without the yummy cream cheese frosting! LOL

1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. oat bran
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. finely shredded carrots
2 lg. tart apples, peeled, cored and shredded
1/2 c. raisins (optional)
1 c. chopped pecans
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. skim milk
2 eggs, slightly beaten (or use egg substitute, or 4 egg whites)
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, oat bran, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in sugar. Add carrots, apples, raisins and nuts. Stir well. Make a well in the center. Add oil, milk, eggs and vanilla. Stir just until moistened. Use a 1/4 cup measure to scoop muffin batter into greased tins. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until nicely browned. Makes 18 muffins.

Thankful for my husband

If there is a silver lining to back surgery it's that my husband has been home for the last couple of weeks and has a few more for recovery. When I wake up he has tended to the woodstove and the coffee is made (usually my jobs). Such a nice treat on these cold, cold mornings! As I write this I'm watching big fluffy, soft snowflakes fall. What is it about snow that just calms one's soul?

While I don't advertise for anyone I received an email this morning from AllCatholicBooks.com and they have two of my favorite things on sale....Divine Intimacy and a Leather set of Liturgy Of The Hours. I also have this 2009 Daily Planner. Just thought I would pass it along!

Happy Anniversary!

Today my husband and I have been married for 30 years! 30 YEARS! And we look forward to the next 30!

Devotion to Mary

As a Secular Carmelite, each day we are to honor Mary in some way, rosary, prayers, etc. I found this prayer on the Padre Pio Calendar website and wanted to share....


Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother,
Daughter of the Eternal Father, pray that we recognize our unity as children of the One Father.
Mother of the Only-Begotten Son, pray that we accept each other as sisters and brothers in the same Jesus.
Spouse of the Life-Giving Holy Spirit, pray that we be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, leading us to the fullness of life.
Mary, Virgin Made Church, Mother of the Mystical Body of Christ, First Tabernacle, First Monstrance, be with us in life’s journey, and help us see and follow Jesus. Amen.

Do Not Lose Hope In The Face Of Threatening Clouds

Pope Benedict's address to the General Expectorate can pertain to us as well as we go about our duties....loved this part...

"If undertaken with love", he added, "such service becomes prayer, a prayer even more welcome to God when your work is thankless, monotonous and tiring, especially during the night and in bad weather. It is by doing their duty well", he concluded, "that each of the baptised achieves his or her vocation of sanctity".

Here is the whole address..

"Do Not Lose Hope In The Face Of Threatening Clouds"

Many prayers needed

I wish I had a better picture on my computer of this special boy. Flash, my husband's best buddy had to be put down today. It's all rather sudden....he collapsed on Saturday and many tests later we have learned that his heart was beyond repair. We started medication but it was pretty evident that it was not going to do what we had hoped. Goodbye buddy....you were such a sweet boy.

And in the midst of all this, my husband will be having back surgery tomorrow morning (just found out a few moments ago) - a lot to process in such a short time.

Trying to embrace my crosses today.........

Happy New Year

Holy Mary, mother of God and mother of all the faithful, I place my daughters under your motherly protection. To you I completely consecrate them, body and soul. Take them under your care and keep them always. Guard them and keep their hearts pure, their thoughts ever holy and directed to God and the things of God. Protect them always throughout life - in their joys and sorrows, in successes and failures, in dealings with others. Always and in all things be a true mother to them, Mary, and preserve them. I commend them entirely to you. Remember, Mother Mary, that through this act of consecration they become in a special way your children as well as mine; guard them and keep them as your very own. Amen.

It doesn't matter how "old" your children are...they still need or prayers. One of my resolutions this year is to consecrate my daughters to Mary every morning!

God Bless all of you today and always!