II Corinthians: Swap Card

I just completed these cards for a fun swap at SCS- Scripture Rolodex Cards. The idea is that after the swap is complete, we'll have a set of pretty rolodex cards to display on our desks or wherever. I've never done one of these before, but I can't wait to get the swap back and see what others have come up with!

Magnificat: a personal mass companion

When I received the June issue of Magnificat from The Catholic Company, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Was it going to be just another listing of daily mass readings? Another pamphlet that would gather dust on my nightstand?

Instead, I found a complete purse-sized book with all of the readings, prayers, and meditations I could want for each day of the month. Here's what The Catholic Company says about Magnificat:

At 400 pages each month, Magnificat features the complete readings for each Sunday, weekday and feast day Mass; daily reflections on the Gospel from the church’s greatest minds past and present; a fresh take on the lives of the saints.

Each day also includes beautiful prayers for both morning and evening, drawn from the riches of the Liturgy of the Hours; and each issue concludes with a discussion—and quality reproduction—of a masterpiece of sacred art. Magnificat publishes 12 monthly issues a year, as well as two special issues for Christmas week and Holy week.

For myself, it's actually a lot more information than I'm likely to use each day. However, if you're looking for a complete personal mass companion, Magnificat might be exactly what you're looking for... check it out!

Spring Reading Thing: Wrap-Up

Here was my list for Spring Reading Thing this year:

• VOWS: The Story of a Priest, a Nun, and Their Son -- I read about half of this and then got distracted with other books. It was good, and I do intend to finish it.
• The Maker's Diet -- I read a portion of this, but finally returned this one to the library without finishing it-- it was not practical for my family.
• One for the Money (Stephanie Plum, No. 1) - Enjoyed & reviewed here 5/21/09.
• The Excellent Wife- Still in the to-read pile on my nightstand.
• Just After Sunset: Stories - Still sitting on my book shelf.
• Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children Finished it only because my church group was meeting on it. Reviewed here 5/17/09.
• Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life I still haven't gotten a copy of this one. I'm hoping it comes up soon on my list at PaperBackSwap.

I haven't done much reading over the past month or so-- too many other things going on! I did get half-way through my list, though, and I've enjoyed reading others' book reviews. Check out everyone else's wrap-up posts HERE... and thanks to Katrina of Caddipillar Days for hosting!

Prayer Request

I haven't been around the 'ole blog much lately, mostly due to some chronic health problems that are finally getting the better of me. I have a CT scan scheduled for Tuesday, and I'd appreciate your prayers- specifically, that the doctors can finally find out what's wrong, and how to treat it. Thanks!

Sick Days

To Whom It May Concern:

Please excuse Amy from blogging this week due to illness. Amy has an appointment this afternoon and hopes to return to her regular blogging in a few more days. In the meantime, she's leaving you this list of Real Notes Written By Parents- TN school district in lieu of any real posts.

Thank you,

's blog

WFMW: copycat Arby's

We just tried this for supper tonight, and I'd say it's pretty close to the taste of Arby's. As usual, I took the original recipe and tweaked it to better suit our tastes-- here's my version:

Amy's Copycat Arby's Roast Beef Sandwiches

1 lb. of deli roast beef

hamburger buns

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 cup of ketchup

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp yellow mustard

a dash of each: salt, pepper, and chili powder

Combine all sauce ingredients into a large skillet over medium heat. While sauce simmers, cut roast beef into strips (I did this before seperating the slices). Stir roast beef into sauce and simmer until warmed through. Serve on hamburger buns.

I got five sandwiches out of this, but they weren't piled too high. If you want bigger sandwiches or are feeding several adults, I'd suggest doubling the recipe.

Fast food taste at a much smaller cost... that definitely works for me!

Where do babies come from?

The birth of my nephew a few days ago has prompted that dreaded question: "Mommy, where do babies come from?" We've been through this before, and up until now, our six year-old has been satisfied with our blanket answer of "God puts them in the mommy's tummy".

Now, though, she's starting to question things. When I tried that answer again on Saturday, she said that she knew that, but she didn't understand exactly how that happens, because on Jon & Kate Plus 8 she heard them talking about the doctors helping them get pregnant. (Note: before the recent scandals I always considered Jon & Kate Plus 8 to be an appropriate family-friendly show that we often watched together. I don't remember them talking about how they got pregnant, do you?) ::sigh::

So, now what? DH and I don't want to give her more information than she's ready for, but we also don't want to avoid answering her questions. We plan to answer her questions honestly... but the exact words haven't come to us just yet. Any advice? Good books you can recommend?

WFMW: Worry-free Slime!

Pardon the repeat, but I think this simple "slime" is such a fun and easy thing to do that I thought it was worth repeating for this week's "Mom, I'm Bored" edition of WFMW!

Originally posted June 4, 2008.

This week WFMW has a theme: cheap and easy summer entertainment for kids. My idea was swiped from my son's physical therapy class... but rest assured, they won't mind a bit. All you need to make this slime is already sitting in your kitchen cupboards. It won't stain, won't make a mess, and if it gets on clothing, just wait until it dries and brush it off. Whoo hoo!

So, what is this magical forumla? Simply, a little cornstarch and water. In class, the therapist puts a small pile of cornstarch in front of each child on a table, and then sprinkles on a little water from a cup. Mix with fingers, and it turns into slimy goo in your hand. Let it hit the table, and it appears solid. Pick it up again, it's goo again, drop it, it's solid on the table. Kids love it!

The fascination with simply picking up and dropping the slime will last for a while. After that wears off, try driving toy trucks through it, painting hands with it, or whatever else your kids can come up with.

It's cheap, easy, stain-free, and it definitely works for me!

Free Root Beer Floats!

Sonic is giving away free root beer floats from 8 PM until midnight tonight. You can see if your local store is participating HERE. Sounds like a good reason for special after-bedtime car ride to me!

Tempt My Tummy: Broccoli Salad

I'm really hungry for this today... I think it's just one of those recipes that screams "SUMMER" to me. We'll be having this for supper tonight along with some cheap steaks... or maybe pork chops... or whatever I find a good deal on at the grocery store! ;)

Broccoli Salad
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I prefer the Kraft crumbles if available- they seem to go better with the bulky veggies in this salad.)
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 red onion, chopped

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
In a small bowl (or large measuring cup) combine the following:

1 cup mayo (I almost always use fat-free.)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Toss the salad with the dressing and chill until serving time.

Check out more tasty recipes @ Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays!