Lent 2013

What have I done today to help others 

or make myself a better person?

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.
-I Corinthians 13:4-8, the Bible-

 ~~~Wishing you all much love today and always~~~

Yummy Cranberry and Cream Cheese Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar OR 1 cup Fructose
4 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and fructose (or sugar) until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Fold in cranberries and walnuts (or pecans) Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Makes 2 dozen muffins +

My daughter Chelle and I used the recipe found on this site and slightly adapted it to our needs... http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Cream-Cheese-Cranberry-Muffins

A Poem on Mum's 2nd Anniversary

 

Your smile was so precious,

Your words wisdom to me,

Your look so loving...

All would agree.

Your memory I treasure

So warm was your embrace,

I close my eyes and cherish

Your gentle, loving face.

Thank you Mum for everything,

You have always held the key

To love and life and all good things

You've ever done for me.

I hear your voice in the whisper

Of a soft wind, gentle and free,

Your words caressing my mind

As you lovingly hug me.

You were unique and blessed

With God's blessings so true,

I thank Him now and forever, as

For my Mum He chose...You!

Doreen Scerri © 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas now, the day after and forever more...

I can hardly believe that Christmas has come and gone already.  While hoping that you all had the nicest Christmas, I must say ours was very relaxed and quiet as this year we decided not to do any invites on the day itself. After having redecorated the house, I felt we needed a break.  
The Midnight Mass celebration was beautiful, a lovely memory to keep.  In the morning, we got to chat with our dearest son and his lovely girlfriend over skype (wonderful invention) and gifts were opened then, it was as if they were right there in the room with us : )
And it was indeed a lovely Christmas day too, we even managed to watch a few Christmas movies together, that is my husband and I and our daughter.
And now today, the day after Christmas, I can hardly believe Christmas has come and gone already!  But as I mentioned on my radio show earlier during this season, we should keep Christmas with us all through the year.

Here are the words from the Sesame Street crew from their Christmas special...words to keep in mind...

When Christmas time is over and presents put away, don't be sad  
There'll be so much to treasure about this Christmas day and the fun we've had 
So many happy feelings to celebrate with you  
And, oh, the good times hurry by so fast,  
But even when it's over there's something you can do to make Christmas last
 
Keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, You can keep it near. 
Think of this Christmas day When Christmas is far away.
 
Keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, Save some Christmas cheer. 
These precious moments, Hold them very dear 
And keep Christmas with you All through the year.
 
Christmas means the spirit of giving 
Peace and joy to you, 
The goodness of loving, 
The gladness of living; 
These are Christmas too.
 
So, keep Christmas with you All through the year,  
When Christmas is over, Save some Christmas cheer. 
These precious moments, Hold them very dear 
And keep Christmas with you All through the year.

Blessings to you all this Christmas 
and throughout the coming New Year

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.”