4th Sunday in Advent

Today we light the 4th and last candle on our Advent wreath as we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent.  Our preparation for Christmas is almost finished...THE BIRTH OF JESUS is now imminent. Very soon we will be celebrating the memory of that great event. Today’s Mass prepares us for the Christmas celebration. It is appropriate that the readings for this Sunday are so pregnant with hope and anticipation; they mirror and magnify the excitement that comes with true waiting, knowing we are on the cusp of experiencing God's unlimited love made manifest to us once again.
Today the Pope in his Sunday Angelus spoke of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin, Elisabeth – the episode narrated during the Gospel reading for the day. 
The Holy Father focused on hospitality as he said, " Wherever there are those who welcome one another, where there is careful attention, wherever there are people who make room for another,” he said, “there is God – and the joy that comes from Him."  
“Let us imitate Mary in the Christmas season, visiting to those who are experiencing difficulty, especially the sick, the imprisoned, the elderly and little children,” prayed Pope Benedict, “and let us also imitate Elisabeth, who received her guest as God, Himself.” The Pope concluded by asking the faithful to pray that all men might seek God earnestly, and find that it is God Himself who comes first to visit us.” 
 

Pope Benedict XVI on Gaudete Sunday

This third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudete Sunday" -- "Rejoice," we are called to rejoice because the Lord is near. . . the "nearness" of God is not a question of space and time, but rather a question of love: Love is near! Christmas will come to remind us of this fundamental truth of our faith and, before the crèche, taste Christian joy, contemplating in the face of the newborn Jesus the God who drew near to us for love. As we renew our hope in Jesus and look forward to His coming, may we experience in our lives the deep joy of His salvation . . . who in His birth brings God's benediction to men.
Pope Benedict XVI

3rd Sunday of Advent ~ Gaudete Sunday ~

Today we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent, also known as "Gaudete" Sunday, which means "Rejoice!" Today also the 3rd candle on the Advent wreath is lit, it is usually a pink candle different from the other purple ones, a little lighter as we are now more than half way this Advent towards Christmas which makes us rejoice. Let us continue to prepare ourselves with prayer and repentance for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2nd Sunday in Advent

“As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God ... (read more... http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-12-09

"...The 'voice' of the great prophet asks us to prepare the way for the coming Lord in the deserts of today, internal and external deserts, thirsting for the water of life which is Christ.” — Benedict XVI

Advent and the Advent Wreath

This coming Sunday is the start of Advent and I'd like to share with all my followers this special page that explains this tradition.  Read this page for lots of interesting information as well as prayers that can be said during this special time.  I suggest you print out this page and have it handy to read out from just before every evening meal. Towards the end of the page is a link for prayers for very young children.

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/adx/adwreath.html

ENJOY!

Almond and Chocolate Pie (Torta tal-Marmurat)

This is a traditional sweet/cake made mostly around Christmas time in Malta. Click on the recipe for a sharper image.

Treacle Rings Recipe

This is a traditional sweet enjoyed throughout the year in Malta but mostly at Christmas time. This Maltese speciality dates back to the 15th Century and may be enjoyed with wine or as a dessert or even at tea time. Some people also like to call this sweet 'Honey Rings'.  I made this recipe a few years ago and I was very pleased with the result...maybe I'll give it a go again this year : )
                                                                                  

Ingredients

For the filling*:                                                         

900g (2 lb) treacle                                                       

An equal amount of water                                            

Zest of tangerine, orange and lemon                             

A small amount of candied peel (optional)                    

A pinch of cloves

2 tablespoonfuls jam

400g semolina

For the pastry*:

800g flour

2 egg yolks

1 tablespoon butter

Water to bind

* You can use half the amount if you only plan to make 3 rings.  Adjust amount of all ingredients accordingly.

Method

Sprinkle the baking trays with semolina. Put aside.

For the filling

Place all the filling ingredients, except for the semolina, into a saucepan.

Bring to boil and thicken with semolina.  Add half the amount at a time and stir, then add the remainder ingredients.  Cook for a few minutes.  Let cool for several hours, preferably overnight.

To make the pastry

Sieve the flour, rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Bind with egg yolks and water.  This pastry will keep well, wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

Divide the pastry into six pieces, and roll out one piece at a time into rectangles. Again out of each rectangle cut out rectangles,  10cm(4") wide x  18cm(7") long.  Depending on how thin you roll out the pastry you will have several strips now ready for the filling.

To make the treacle rings

Take a dessertspoonful of the stuffing and place it on the cut rectangle, shaping it into a sausage shape 3-4cm (ab.1 1/2") thick and as long as the pastry rectangle.  Dip your fingers into semolina, sprinkled on the board to help you shape it.  Fold the pastry over - there's no need to dampen the edges.

Bring the two ends of  the folded pastry roll together in order to form a ring.

As each ring is ready place on the prepared baking sheets. Do not let the rings touch each other.  When they have all been prepared, cut five or six slashes on top of each ring with a sharp knife, lifting the pastry gently so as to let the stuffing show through.

Bake in a moderate oven for about 20 minutes or until the pastry is only slightly coloured. Let cool.  You can wrap these in cellophane to give as gifts.  The fresher they are the tastier of course!  Enjoy!

Have a Happy Halloween and be safe too!

Although in Malta we have very few areas where children go trick or treating, it is important that we always street proof our kids for any occasion when they are out in the streets with their friends.
For those of you whose children may be trick or treating this evening please make sure they are safe on the road...here are some safety tips to read and follow and some more here and here and here.

Make this a safe and happy experience!

Spooky house graphic is from shared files

Trick or treat bag graphic is from http://www.halloweenclipart.com/halloween_clipart_images/bag_of_trick_or_treat_halloween_candy_0515-1010-1003-0308.html

Our Next Fair is at Lejlet Lapsi in St.Julians

Event: Lejlet Lapsi
When: 6th June, 2011
Where: St.Julians Bay and Promenade
Time: 6.30pm ~ 12.30am


A Folk Festival used to be held in the times when the Knights were in Malta, with the Grandmaster organizing a grand feast for the Knights around Lapsi * to encourage them in whatever circumstance or encounters they had to face especially with the Turks.

From early afternoon, free wine and food would be distributed from the Spinola Palace Gardens and surroundings to all present including St.Julians residents as well as those who would come to the bay from B'Kara. This feast was extremely popular with the Maltese.

To bring this feast back to life, the St.Julians Local Council in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Consumer, Fair Competition, Local Councils and Public Competition as well as with the Tourist Authority will be organizing Lejlet Lapsi. St.Julians Bay and all along the Promenade will be transformed into a Folkloristic Village.


There will be various stands of Maltese crafts and Maltese products. Banners and flags will decorate the area. Animators in the children's area will provide entertainment for the kids and there will also be Arts and Crafts, Bouncing Castles and other fun and games. Musicians playing traditional Maltese instruments as well as singers in costume will mingle with the crowds.

One of the highlights of this activity will be the Re-enactment of the time when the Grandmaster used to visit this location. Around 90 actors as well as horses and a canon salute will bring this episode to life. This colourful spectacle will start from Balluta square around 7.30pm where a regiment of soldiers will march towards Spinola Bay. I'll let the rest be a surprise for you should you be there!

You will be entertained with colour, music and so much more all through the evening which will come to its close with a spectacular show on the main stage set up in the bay where some of our best singers will give a rendition of great Maltese songs.

This is a great occasion for a great evening out with your family and friends.


* Lapsi is the feast of the Ascension, celebrated 50 days after Easter.

Seher ir-Rabat ~ History, Crafts, Food and much more...

I know I have not been on here recently but as you

all know, sometimes family life takes over.

Also I have been rather busy getting ready for my next fair,

this time the activity is SEHER IR-RABAT which as the name suggests

will be held in Rabat.

Read more about it here (in English)

and for the Maltese version click here

The festivities start at 9am and will go on until the evening,

however the craft exhibition and sales will end late afternoon

so be there early for the best choice.

Make it a family day, start your Christmas shopping and enjoy the lovely culture and tradition in the old part of Rabat known as ir-Rabat tal-Imdina.

Hoping to meet you there!

N.B. Note there is ample parking across from Howard Gardens (close to the Roman Villa), then head to the old streets and alleys...the main activity will take place along Triq San Pawl, San Guzepp and Pjazza L’Isle Adam.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

A Thanksgiving display in our hallway ~ can you see

the REAL Maple leaves my dear cuz brought us from their yard?

I know I am posting this a little late and our Sunday is over but just wanted to post to wish all my Canadian friends

A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~ well, it is still Sunday in Canada : )

We had a lovely day with my Mum and my dear cousin and

her wonderful husband, on holiday here from Canada

...it was indeed very special

to have them

spend this day with us.

“Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.”
Edward Sandford Martin

Blessings to one,
Blessings to all,
Blessings especially during this fall!
Doreen : )

Irish Blessing

This is so totally and uniquely beautiful, I had to share it here with you especially today being St.Patrick's Day.
Do not be put off by the first part which you and I may not understand although it still sounds so soothing. I am sure you will want to listen to this more times than just once.


The Song comes from the CD "Healing Angel" By Roma Downey (Monica in Touched by an Angel), with music by Phil Coulter.

Artisans Market Valletta ~ March 6th 2010

It started off as a dull grey day with clouds promising rain, but my husband and I along with our son ventured out early and were in St.Georges Square by 8am. No tables had been set up as yet and we chose the spot that was actually the same one as I had during the Christmas Fair.

It was quite a chilly morning but we definitely prefer it to a hot day.
As soon as the set-ups, tables and chairs arrived and were duly distributed to the waiting artisans, everyone was happy to have their crafts displayed and set up so that by around 9am the market was set to go! We were by now happy to enjoy a cup of take-away steaming coffee while we waited for the crowds to arrive.
The turnout was pretty good, quite a good number of tourists as well as locals attended so it was a busy scene. One of my first sales was a decoupaged tealight my daughter helped me with and when she joined us later, she was happy to know it was sold although I secretly know the feeling of not wanting to part with something you made!

The above collage is made up of pictures my son took of my craft display and the one below (pics I took) shows the different trades and crafts that were taking part. Although sales were not as good as our Christmas Fair, yet I thoroughly enjoyed the experience especially getting to know the other artisans there.

We were very lucky that it did not rain, thank God, and around mid-day the sun came out and it was quite hot for about an hour or so! So with favourable weather, my family to help out, new friends, nice comments by people who appreciate handmade products as well as having the opportunity to sell my own crafts, what more could I ask?

I would like to thank the team at Malta Crafts Council for their continued help and support and for giving us the opportunity to display and sell our handiwork.

Pictures

1a Filigree craftsperson

1b Filigree Jewellery display

2 Fabric weaving machine or loom

3 Ceramic Jewellery

4 Natural Handmade soap

5 Ceramics

6 Qubbajt (Maltese nougat)

7 Maltese honey and wax products (incl. a real beehive with bees)

8 Local artist's paintings

9 Basket weaver with his raffia products

10 Some of my glass products & you can also see one of (my sister) Sue's handmade frames.

The day really ended well for when we got home I found mail from the Crafts Council inviting us once more to take part in Fairs that will be organized in different towns and villages around the island so I guess I'm going to be busy, busy once more!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.....2

This is the second time I am posting a Thanksgiving message this year, this time to my American friends who are many and whose friendship I appreciate so much.
It is a time to be thankful for all life has to offer, for family and friends and blessings great and small!

"God bless us, every one!"

~Tiny Tim in Dickins' A Christmas Carol~

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.....

to all my family and friends in Canada hoping you will have a lovely holiday weekend.


This afternoon I finished making the scarecrow in the picture, the head and hat I bought ready made but I dressed him up with shirt and dungarees, straw and all! I am really pleased with the way he looks! Stay safe, drive carefully and have a wonderful weekend.

So once in every year we throng

Upon a day apart,

To praise the Lord with feast and song

In thankfulness of heart.

~Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving

MAY...I garden...

May...spring...the outdoor life, what lovely thoughts!

After the long rainy winter and the hibernation that goes with it, I feel all set to be out, stay out and enjoy whatever space is available for relaxing outdoors. Our rooftop is one of them. Yesterday evening my dear husband and I spent some time re-potting and planting. Since we do not have a garden we try and make the best of pots, pots and more pots! Unfortunately our roof is not sheltered and it gets so very hot in summer that not many plants survive in the peak hot months. But some plants do thrive and we do enjoy some 'greens' around our barbeque area in the evenings so it is well worth the effort. I do hope the seeds will come through and flower, I'm keeping an eye on them...we even covered them with a plastic sheet to prevent the birds from eating them!



We re-potted our Basil, hoping it will grow well and abundantly...I love having a herb garden and mint, basil, rosemary and chives are our favourites......mint or basil are delicious on Hobz biz-zejt, that's our traditional summery bread treat/appetizer which is slices of crusty bread with olive oil, tomatoes, salt and pepper and other ingredients like sliced onions, capers, anchovies, etc depending on the individual taste...and great after a swim!






We ran out of potting soil so we will be getting some more to finish off our planting and re-potting. My husband says he is now going to revamp our barbque next so we will be getting busier and getting more of the outdoors again soon.

St.Joseph the Worker, May Day, International Workers Day

Today May 1st is a the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

who is also the patron saint of our Parish Church.

God our Father creator and ruler of the universe,

in every age you call us to develop

and use our gifts for the good of others.

With Saint Joseph as our example and guide,

help us to do the work you have asked

and receive the rewards you have promised.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Picture and prayer from The Franciscan ecard site...

http://holyecards.com/ecards.php?action=build&id=1543

For Maltese speaking patrons of this blog here is a link to our parish website...http://www.sanguzepphaddiem.com/

Today is also May Day, a national holiday in many countries, synonymous with International Workers Day or Labour Day. In pre-Christian times May Day celebrations focussed on the festival of Flora the Roman Goddess of flowers, also the Walpurgis Night (a religious holiday of pre-Christian origin) celebrations of the Germanic countries.





Dancing around the Maypole is another way of observing this feast in America and Europe.


The giving of "May baskets," small baskets of sweets and/or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbours' doorsteps is a tradition that has unfortunately been slowly fading this past century.




During the process of conversion in Europe many pagan celebrations were abondoned or christenized and today we celebrate this day mostly to commemorate the Worker and his/her rights mostly with peaceful parades or marches. Check here for more on how this day is celebrated in different parts of the world... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Workers%27_Day






In the Roman Catholic tradition May is also observed as Mary's Month and throughout the month of May especially in various schools the Crowning of the Queen of the May is a yearly ceremony that is very much looked forward to. I remember how we used to prepare a crown of flowers or a golden tiara and one of the pupils dressed in white would crown the head of a statue of Our Lady in class, this was also a significant celebration when it was done with the entire school.

Here is a special page for children for the month of May

http://www.annieshomepage.com/may.html

May the month of May shower on all of you

many Blessings of strength to work,

good will to persevere

and friendships to uplift you!