Merry Christmas!

This evening we celebrated, "post sun down" as defined by our archdiocese, the joyous event of Christmas Eve. I worked the two Masses I was assigned of course with children, and there was some craziness with the celebrations that I'd say only a select few noted once we got started, which is optimal. My role is usually behind the scenes and I hold my breath through most of it. When the Masses came to their ends, everything had sailed without much of a hiccup.

But it struck me that with all the getting ready, finishing out classes, and then all the hyperness of the Masses, did I welcome Jesus? How do I even do that when throughout the Mass I'm preoccupied with what's coming next and scouting for trouble to head it off at the pass? That was the question that bopped around my head, and I was quite frustrated by it. Then tonight, this morning I guess, I realized a big part of it for me is letting go of formalities as I've defined them, and welcoming friends, letting His love in through the eyes, expressions and hugs from others. That's where I'm finding Christ-mas. That's how I welcome Him into my heart.

May all our hearts, open to receive Him and do something with that love to benefit others.

Haven't blogged or emailed in forever...again. Did finally catch up on my best friend's blog and found this quiz...stay away from Mt. Dew - Oh no! I can't have been myself when answering those questions.

You Are 7 Up

Understated and subtle, people warm up to you slowly. But once they're hooked, they can't imagine going back to anyone else! Your best soda match: Diet Coke Stay away from: Mountain Dew

What Kind of Soda Are You?

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

My sister has been asking for this recipe for the past week. Check the previous post ; )
So here is the listing based on a recipe submitted by Helen Reynolds found in Vegetables section of the Chartiers-Houston Community Library Cook Book of 1990, Houston Pennsylvania. You won't believe what's in the Miscellaneous section!

(I of course have made some changes, starting with the title.)

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
1 regular sized bag frozen broccoli crowns
1 cup "Minute" rice or other rice (but why take the time?)
1 cup minced to chopped onion (two words - 1. food 2. processor)
2 regular cans cream of mushrooms (not the hugemongous family sized things)
1 jar of "Cheez Whiz" (you can use the lower fat too, but seriously why?)
Colby jack shredded cheese for topping

Cook the rice, place in large bowl-enough to mix all the above ingredients. Saute the onion in a couple of tablespoons of butter. Mix the rice, Cheez Whiz, mushroom soup, onions and broccoli together and put into a sprayed 9 x13 casserole. Scatter the shredded cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes or until it's all bubbly and goldenesque on the top. Let cool slightly before serving.
(It's always better the next day - so says my husband.)

***My version is a doubled version of the first, and it's gotta look and feel right. As you might have guessed, I'm not much into recipes, so best if you come by my house and watch me make it, then try it at your house!

The original recipe also calls for 1 cup chopped celery, one stick margarine into the mix, and slivered almonds on the top with the cheese, but I don't remember Jeff's Auntie Ann putting that stuff in, so I don't either, but if you want to, go right ahead.

She was right, I was...wrong.

It's been forever since I've posted. My "wife" today told me I only check my mail like once a week and was kind enough not to mention the last time I posted. I of course said "NAHHHHH" I check my home email way more than that...but she was right. I haven't had the inclination to check when I've gotten home, it's been late and dinner and dishes and....we don't even have kids. Well not any little ones...

But I'm going to try to keep up mostly because 68 emails is a lot to take at one time, but the spam blocker thank God works well! Unlike the one at work where we average 68 emails a day! And most of them are for stock options and male enhancements. I don't even look at the subject lines anymore.

So in readying the "wife's" blog, which I do much more often than post to my own, I saw this quiz. Good news for all you friends out there. Not looking so hot for my current work vocation...

Which Positive Quality Are You? Your Result: Love You are Love. Love is the glue that binds us all together. The love of family, the love of friends, the love between husbands and their wives--these things form the foundation of our happiness, our security, and our comfort. "All you need is love."
Friendship
Courage
Charity
Peace
Faith
Which Positive Quality Are You?

Other notes:

For those of you who know Mom, she's doing much better. Getting along with the walker well and starting to go back to physical therapy. Each day is an adventure and my new phrase is..."I'm a ray of sunshine." O.K. it's really "I'm just a freak'n ray of sunshine" while forcing a smile. But it's a smile : )

I am planning on driving the streets of our fair hamlet looking for the Christmas lights, photographing them and sharing them on the blog. I've seen some doozies (how do you spell that word anyway?)

I've taken to cantoring at the funerals this week- singing for the dead - Yep that's my new avocation! Like I "needed something else to do" - that was from my staff. "Finally, I get to tell her what to do"- from our Music Minister! Seriously, I enjoy working out the vocal muscles again, remembering that I really can sing and if burying the dead is a spiritual work of mercy, then I figure singing for them, well that's just icing on the "works cake"!