One month gone by...

So we are now ending this first month of the new year 2011.  Perhaps we have reached some of our new year resolutions, perhaps we have not even tried any of them.

Personally, I did not make any new year resolutions speciafically.   I have tried to do things right away, in order to avoid procrastination and last minute rush.  Like for example: paying off bills, enrolling daughter in middle schools and making son do his homework daily instead of waiting to the day before its due.

So far, things have worked out well.  I did have one bill  that was due this month and somehow it was never mailed and I had to pay online one day before it was due.  I prefer now to pay all my bills online as soon as I get them.  This way I avoid paying them late. 

My husband was off work for a whole month.  That mean that we had to use money from our savings.  Last year I was able to save enough money to last us for at least three month in case husband did not work.  This was so helpful for me, this past month.

Planning your Menus for a week and making weekly grocery list have helped me a lot to save money and only buy what is needed. 

I have organized my pantry a couple of times this month.  This has helped me to see what I need to buy and what I have over stocked.

I started a new prayer shawl with a loom.  I'm trying to work on it daily while I'm praying the rosary.  I will show you pictures later. 

Well  I hope you all are doing well.  And now I back to my home blessings.

MARCH FOR LIFE

I'm watching the live coverage of the 38th March for Life from Washington D.C. on EWTN.

Three years ago we participated for the first time in a local March for Life.  It was a moving experience for me.  I have not attended the last two years due to other events scheduled at our parish.   But I hoping and praying that next year we will be attending our Local March for Life.

May God continue to increase awareness of the lies of Abortion activist.  And many more will become defenders of Life.  May the Abortion laws be overturned and may we one day live in a country that is PRO-LIFE.

Frida Kahlo

I have always been intrigued by the life of Frida Kahlo and her art.  I will say that since my high school years.  I felt very much that I looked like Frida.  The uni-brow look.  I had a book long ago of her life, with colorful pictures.  I'm not sure what happened to the book.  Probably lost in one of the drawers or boxes in my mother's house or garage.

I did keep one clipping from the book,  a portrait of Frida from 1938/1939 taken by the photographer Nickolas Muray.

I love this portrait.  Her hairstyle, and red rebozo make her look elegant.   I always kept this picture in a frame in my home.  And for the traditional "Dia de Muertos", I will add it to the altar de muertos.  I felt she was part of my heritage. 

When I read her biography, I was very moved by her story and the suffering she underwent do to her illness and accidents. 

Recently while shopping at a bookstore, and browsing through different sections of the bookstore for a particular book.  I found this book about Frida and her cooking recipes.

It is quite expensive, beyond what I will normally pay for a book.  But I thought it was worth the investment.  I did get a 20 percent discount with my membership. 

The book was written by the daughter of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo's husband.  Her name is Guadalupe Rivera and co-author's name is Marie-Pierre Colle.

Guadalupe retells how she met Frida, and she talks about her fiestas and her cooking.  The recipes are divided by months.  She gives a little reference to particular feasts of that month and the pictures in the book are taken at Frida Kahlo's house in Mexico.

I am not a cook,  but it will be great if I try some of these recipes at least once or twice a month.  Then I can let you know how they came out.  Any of my followers that love cooking can also try them and we can share comments about them.

This book is going on display in my kitchen.   My sister loves Diego Rivera's art.  She has some in her office and in her kitchen as well.  She has a curtain made of bamboo with a picture of Frida on it.  Now she does not cook at all.  But her kitchen remind me of Mexico style kitchen's.   With old morcajetes, and cookware that belonged to our grandmother.  Her restaurant style art on the walls.  Not that I want to copy her style, but one day I will have my kitchen decorated in a similar way.

Family Reunion

This is a very happy family, reunited after 10 months of being apart.

Remember that I had told you about my brother-in-law who was waiting for his residence aproval?

Thank God, just before New Year his letter of aproval was received.  It was a happy moment for everyone.  All our family was praying.  And God heard our prayers.

So how did they manage to stay apart for such a long time?  It was hard, but thanks to modern technology, they were able to communicate with him via webcam.  Almost every night the children will talk to  their dad and he could see them too.  

Now they have their dad back home.  And I was so happy to see them all on Sunday morning together as a family at church.  In fact we were all together.  All my sisters, Dad and Mom, our children and I.  We celebrated my parents 27th wedding anniversary.

After church we went to a Chinese buffet.  And later at home my other brother-in-law, set up a home photo studio.  We all took pictures with our parents.  Then with our children.  I still don't have the digital copy of them.  This is the only one that I was able to get from my sister's profile on facebook.

 We did not go to a professional studio, because Dad did not want to go.  I think the pictures came out fabulous.  A phone camera, some big lights hooked to the family room's ceiling fan and two standing lamps. And curtains hanged on the sliding doors of the family room to create a backdrop.  I can't wait to show you the rest of the pictures.

Women's Group

I know is been a while.  I am becoming more distant from my blog.  But I still keep up with some of my favorite blogs.  I just do not have time to sit an write something.  I have so much to share and at time I just do not have time. 

Have kept my house under control after the holidays.  Returned most of the holiday decor back into the attic.  And I did manage to bring some order to the attic too.  The only room now that need attention is the kids rooms.

My husband left to Mexico three weeks ago.  And the kids decided to sleep in my room.  So their beds are now the ideal place to drop off all the clutter from the living room.  But I let them know that we have two days to get the room clean. 

My husband returns on Saturday evening, so the kids have to go back into their own beds.
There has been some accomplishments that happen all on their own.  One is my son finally co-operating to spend at least an hour on his homework every day.  This week he finished all his homework on Wednesday  and its not due until tomorrow, Friday.

I have been busy also searching for a middle school for daughter.  Attended an open house for a charter school that is one of the best in the area.  I have two other school in mind, but I am hoping she gets admitted to the one that is best for her academically.

Another great accomplishment this past month, has been the women's group.  There is only three ladies in the group at the moment.  But I praying an hoping many more will come.  I enjoy my time with the other two ladies.  We are taking turn in sharing something with the others.  Then we read the Psalm for the day together.  And we finish with a mistery of the rosary.  Then we take some time for fellowship.

I am reading a new book.  Its a project book for married women.  I will tell you more about it after I finished with the book.  I will just let you know the author's name.  Kathi Lipp.  I also bought books for my daughter and son.  We are going to be spending at least 30 minutes per day reading our books.  It is a requirement for my son's homework.  And daughter loves to read, so she did not mind at all.

Back to Ordinary Time

I removed all the Christmas decorations from my living room.

And changed a few things at the feast table. 

Ordinary time starts again tomorrow, so I will change the table cover to green on Monday. 

For now just a hint of green inside the pillar candle holder. 

On the adjacent wall, a new addition.  

I found this plate holder, with the words,

Love,

Hope,

Faith,

on the holder and on each plate.

Spent a few hours in the attic, organizing all the Christmas decorations in boxes and storing them away.

The Candle party went well.  Four guests showed up. 

I will be hosting another party later, because sisters where not able to come.

And most of the people I invited had other things to do today.

I am very tired, and going to sleep early.

Good night.

I 

Hosting a Party

A few months back, my neighbor hosted a Partylite party.  They offer great scented candles and home decorations, such wall decor, candle holders, and they also have scented lotions and soaps.

I really liked a glass pillar candle holder that you can use as a vase or decorative accent in your home.  So I decided to host a party myself in order to get the whole set at a lower price with my discounts for party sales.

I had to postpone the party to this month due to all the holiday celebrations but I did purchase the small pillar. My other friends and family loved the scented candles and they want to buy more.  So I will be hosting another party this weekend.

I wanted to share with you because, I know you will love this products too.  Here is the link to their website.   Partylite      If you decide to order, please look up the party I am hosting.  Click on the Shop section and look for my name. You need to write at least two letter of the last name to search.  Look for Rosario Tr.   The party is on January 8.

Thank you in advance if you make an order.  You will be getting a great product.    I also purchased the cross on the wall, that you see in this picture.  I added the red pointsettas to add some color.

3 Wise Kings Day

 I am still trying to setup my new digital camera.  Some pictures come out to blurry or to dark sometimes.  Here is the Christmas cards display for this year.  Lots of picture cards from family.

Today we celebrate the coming of the 3 wise kings.  Traditionally in Mexico children sent letters to the 3 wise kings and they receive gifts.  They live their shoes or stockings near the nativity set and in the morning they find wonderful surprises.

Unfortunately the 3 wise kings skipped our house this year.   I believe because my children have not been the best they can be.  Plus they allready have lots of toys and they got lots of gifts and presents.  Or was it because forgetful Mom forgot to place the 3 wise kings.   I left them in the box and decided to place them after Christmas.   But I did not do this until this morning.  "Its all your fault!", my daughter said to me. 

Oh!  I do feel bad, but my children need to learn a lesson.  If you missbehave, there will be consequences.

I will make them something special for this afternoon to celebrate the 3 wise kings day.  The traditional "rosca de reyes", its a bread shaped like the letter O and hidden inside is a small baby toy.  Whomever get the baby gets to make a party on Candlemas February 2.  Candlemas is the celebration of the presentation of baby Jesus at the temple. 

Well, I better get started on the "rosca de reyes".  My kids have a short day today so I have until 1 PM to get everything ready.

Christmas Pictures

 This will be the feast table decorations from Christmas until the feast of our Lord's Baptism.

 The small nativity set will be on display also for a few more weeks.  I still I have to add the three wise kings.

 The small tree in my living room.  A few ceramic houses and decorations.

This  is are the rest of my holy icons.  A few new additions.  The "peregrinos", and St. Patrick.  I will be using this bookshelf to keep them until their feast day comes back this year. 

St. Anthony is now on the feast table.  He is one of my favorite and I am always asking for his intercession.

I back home, and ready to start on my New Year resolutions.  I have to first make a sign with the word ACTION, on it to remind me of my word for this year. 

So I must continue with my home blessings.  Have a great week everyone.

NEW YEAR BLESSINGS

Today the start of a new year.   I reflect on the blessings of the past year. 

My word for last year was HOPE.  This new year my word will be ACTION. 

I have been procrastinating to do many things in my life.  Physically and Spiritually. 

This year, I will try my best to do things right away.  Not wait till later. 

Sometimes perfectionism gets in the way and we wait to do things because we want them done perfect.  Just do them the best you can.

I am going to make a list of ten things I want to accomplish this year and start on them one by one. 

I will share with you later what they are.  I do have a few priorities.  My own health.  My home, family, and the bible study group.

At the moment, I am at my parent's home.  Today we are celebrating my brother's birthday.  The guest are starting to arrive. 

Thank you Diane, Xhonane, and Grissy for your comments.  I do miss reading your comments and inspiring posts.  I will try to daily dedicate some time to reading your post.  I have learned so much about Faith through each of your post.  You are amazing.