How do you...

...stretch six bananas into breakfast for eleven?

With this delicious banana bread recipe from Company's Coming, Muffins and More.

Butter softened .............................. 1/2 cup
Sugar .............................................. 1 cup
eggs ................................................. 2
Mashed ripe bananas ................... 1 cup (3 medium)

All purpose flour .......................... 2 cups
Baking Soda .................................. 1 tsp
Baking Powder ............................. 1/2 tsp
Salt .................................................. 1/2 tsp
Walnuts .......................................... 1 cup (we ommited them due to allergies )

Cream first four ingredients adding eggs one at a time.

After blending dry ingedients togethere, add to banana mixture, stirring only to moisten.

Bake in greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan @ 350 for about 1 hour or until inserted toothpick comes clean.

We enjoyed two of these loaves this morning compliments of our 11 yr old son, Noah. Read more!

Silver Linings

Everyone was busy with different tasks and I was busy on the lap top, researching something or other. I spied a short curly red head pass me out of the corner of my eye, my desk being in one corner of the dining room where I can supervise the kitchen, as well as the front door.

The curly head stopped beside my desk and sat down. On the rim of a rather large water bucket that was half full. Of course, not being designed as a seat for toddlers or anything short of a small bird this half full bucket tipped and emptied its contents, including the surprised toddler, onto the floor. I gasped, as did Bethany, who also happened to be in the same room. We stared in shock for a few seconds at the river and small currents of water that were spewing in all directions around Elsa, who for the first time that day was motionless, her legs sprawled out in front of her soaking up the cold water.

Bethany and I looked at each other and then we flew in differnet directions looking for towels of any size or description. As we bent together and sopped up the ever flowing water Bethany smiled and said; "Well, at least it is not carpet like in the old house!"

"YES!" I agreed fervently, at least it is not carpet! Thank God for small favours I thought as I plucked the still frozen curly head from her bed of water. Read more!

The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her:
"The Lord our justice."

Jer 33, 14-16

Our first Sunday in Advent was spent very quietly. We bought some healthy snacks and put on two funny DVDs back to back and enjoyed a peaceful afternoon laughing and giggling together as a family. While I know where BOTH of our wreaths are and had one pulled out and ready to go, four crema coloured candles and ribbons of both purple and pink... we were unable to to light our candle.

Someone accidently dropped some heavy cans on the candles cracking them . In addition to this, when we tried to place them in the candle holders, they cracked even more and then proceeded to fall over each and every time we tried again to place them on their individual holder. Our 19 year old son dug deep into his pockets and came up with as much change as he could and went to the little store across the road and bought three candles, one purple and two white. It was all they had. They would not stay in place either. I am not sure how I managed it last year, although I suspect I glued them.

But never mind, the first Candle has been lit in each of our hearts as well as in the heart of our family. And the Baby Jesus knows this. Read more!

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A new review...

When you get a chance drop by
Catholic, Classic, Current Books & Movies
to read the most recent review.

Read more!

Shicken Run...

So far my readers who think Saint Nickolas should bestow Emma with her beloved"Shicken Run" are in the lead by about 20 percent. And here I was worried her siblings would attempt to tip the scales with repeated voting!

(Click HERE to read the story behind the poll!)

Read more!

Advent Carnival

Advent Baking Carnival

Danielle has asked for some recipes for an advent baking carnival. This recipe is a great tradition for us and one that was started, like so many of our traditions have been, by the iniative of one my oldest children, in this case - my oldest daughter, Amanda.

We were living on Patterson Lake in Canada and she decided it would be fun to bake some cookies to leave for St. Nickolas, in honour of his feast day on the sixth of December. All children were banished from the kitchen, and when she was done a most festive picture was unveiled. Yet, I was dubious as she had decorated molasses cookies that have a hint of ginger to them with chocolate candies that in Canada are what we call Smarties, but resemble what here in the States are called M&Ms.

I was made to wait until the next morning when I was presented with one of the largest and most colourful cookies with a hot cup of coffee and I was immeadiatly addicted. I humbly apologized to my daughter for have doubted her culinary abilities, and then consumed another two or three.

Saint Nickolas day for us as well as Christmas morning, just isn't complete without these delicious cookies.

Preheat oven to 350 F

1/2 c White Sugar
1/2 c molasses
1/2 c shortening
1 egg

1/3 c HOT water

2 tsp baking Soda
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon

2 1/2 cups of flour

1 - 2 cups M&M

Cream the first four ingredients in a large bowl.
Add the HOT water to these creamed ingredients. They will appear to have curdled but don't worry all is right!
Then mix all the dry ingredients in a seperate bowl. Slowly blend this flour mixture into the wet ingredients.
You may need to add more than 2 1/2 cups depending on the humidity. You want a soft dough that you can easily roll out on a floured board or counter.

Roll about 1/3 inch thick and then cut with you favourtie cookie cutters and decorate with the M&M's

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes.

ENJOY!!! Read more!

Stationary Gymnastics...

I have discovered a sure fire way of putting Elsa to sleep whilst burning oodles of calories and working towards my goal of being down a couple of sizes in time for the wedding! It all started the other day when Elsa was desperate for me to hold her and kept skirting past my knees while I pedaled away a couple of miles and watched a DVD on the laptop. Determined not to stop peddling as internal computer that was being generated by my spent energy would cease operating and I would have start all over again, I bent over and scooped her up. She settled into my shoulder and was asleep in less than a minute. I held her the rest of my tour de France as I figured her sleeping weight in my arms had to help burn off those nasty little calories. The next day, she was ready for our bike ride and off we took. This time though she decided she wanted a little snack as we sped up and down the imaginary hills on my screen, so she scrunched over sideways and nursed while I pedaled. Again, she was out like a light in a minute, much to my relief as balancing her while she nursed, even if on a stationary bike, is a challenge. Again today, she nursed herself to sleep whilst I biked a solid 2.7 miles. Olympics 2008, here we come. Assuming there is a category for Stationary Gymnastics, that is!

Read more!

Old Tech VS New Tech

My six year old computer geek who can locate and sign into Rush Limbaugh and select whether he wishes to watch the video, or listen to the show, has spent the past hour exploring a small manual type writer. It was not even electric.

The look of delight on his face, as his tongue stuck out to the left while he concentrated was immeasurable. He practiced changing the ribbon from red to blue. He learned how to make capitals. He struggled not to hit the keys too quickly and so cause them to catch togethere.

He grinned when he sat back to survey the results of his hard work. Lots and lots of even black and red letters all in a row. He accidently knocked the ribbon out of alignment and delicatly worked with it, trying to get it back in place. He took breaks to watch the large trucks, and the men who are operating them, as they dismantle huge pieces of machinary and then carefully washed his hands before coming back to the challenges this 'new' piece of equipment posed to him.

So today old technology was new for a while, at least to one little boy. Read more!

Survey Results are IN!

Answers How do you seek peace in your life?
1. Through my prayer life. 15%
2. Attending Adoration. 15%
3. Frequent reception of Christ through attending Mass. 2%
4. A quiet afternoon ride through the country side. 2%
5. Contemplating my childrens' faces while they sleep. 4%
6. Sharing a hot mug of coffee/tea/etc with my spouse. 0%
7. A combination of above. 46%
8. What I do is not listed. If so please share how YOU seek peace with us! 16% Read more!

Whew...

...another review is up and running! It is taking a little longer to write my reviews than I had anticipated. I think over time I will get a little more stream lined and hopefully the kids will be able to help with the research soon. I am trying to really provide lots of information, not just about the movies but interesting facts about the actors, director or producers.

And of course, the diaper changes, hot chocolate breaks as well as school lessons have a way of interfering with one's concentration!

Hope you enjoy this newest review !

A word to the wise, last year we had a lovely line of Christmas movies set up in Netflix, but come Christmas time none of the ones on our Netflix list were available any more. I can not think of any other options to suggest other than getting some early and watching them to see if they are something you wish to have in your own private library. Our mix of movies as well as our reviews are going to include some that are not Christmas themed so as to help a little with this problem.

Look for reviews to come for:

Eloise at Christmas Time, as well as the Twelve Dogs of Christmas and a book review to boot! They just might not be posted as quickly as I originally anticipated.

If you have heard of a movie or book that you are unsure of and want to know if we have read it or if it is on our list of future reviews - drop us a note through email mum2twelve ( at) gmail.com or through the comments. You can leave a comment on this blog, or on our review blog. Read more!

Emma's sleep over PART TWO

A short while after Jenny had called earlier to sort out the details of when I was coming to see "the" dress, the phone rang again. It was Jenny. I guess she had picked up on my disquietness that I seemed to be so completly not needed by Emma.
I answered to heavy breathing on the other side and a whispered " Say hello, Emma!" in the back ground.

Emma acquiesced and I heard her sweet voice greet me joyfully.

HI Mummy! and as I responded her voice ran over mine.

"I'm going to the park with Jenny, Jonafin and John, can I go to the park with them? Yeah I'm going...

A voice interrupted her in the back ground and there was a whispered conference.

"Oh Jon has to work today Mummy, so I is just going with Jenny and Jonafin Mummy."

Realizing permission had been requested and assumed in one breath I moved onto the nextx topic on my mind.

"I mis... ah I LOVE you Emma!" (Not wanting to cause homesickness to set in I thought better of the original statement on the tip of my tongue!)

"Yeah, I has watched Shicken Run Mummy, okay we are going now, Bye Mummy!"

Simultaneously 'CLICK' "Okay see you at lun... time. Uh, bye."

Well - I felt better, I think.


(Post Script, it was nice to learn that Emma not only wears out her 45 yr old mother daily, but she is also capable of really keeping her brother and sister on their toes!) Read more!

Prayer request...

This prayer request was posted on a yahoo group that I subscribe to. One can never have too many prayers so I have decided to post it here minus the last names.

A fellow homeschool mom's (Clara E.) baby
(Garrett) was sent to Houston for testing. He stopped
eating and is only nursing as well as having
difficulty going to the bathroom or not going at all.

Last week he was brought to OLOL because for several
nights he was screaming and in pain--this had been
going on for some time. He did have some kind of GI
virus and was dehydrated. The doctor admitted him
for dehydration and the insurance wouldn't pay for any
tests for the other problems. So, they gave him a
feeding tube and sent him home.

Doctor friends from their church suggested their
daughter in Houston who is a pediatrician. At Texas
Children's Hospital, they were very careful about what
they admitted him for. Now they can run the needed
tests to rule out things and make a hopefully make a
diagnosis.

Garrett is comfortable as long as he does not take
solids--this has stumped the doctors. The doctors
are supposed to come together with the results they
have so far and try to figure this out---there is a
team of doctors on this case.

Please keep the family in your prayers. It has been
really heavy on my heart and I just want to uplift
them and the doctors with as many prayers as possible.
Lori

Thank you in advance for your prayers! Those of us who are parents know there is nothing worse than watching your child suffer.

Read more!

Reviews...

At long last, a few more reviews have been posted on our Review Blog. Be sure to check them out. Our goal is to add at least two reviews a week.
We want to try and provide lots of choices
For Christmas Holiday Viewing.
Drop by Soon by clicking

HERE!

Read more!

First Sleep Over...

Emma is totally in love with Chicken Run (pronounced Shicken Run as if spoken with a light French accent). After we received our first copy two years ago the strip of film contained within the video case was almost worn bare with the amount of viewings that the family endured for the next six months. And then somehow mysteriously the video simply disappeared, worn filmstrip and all. The Clam shell case remained but was empty much, to Emma's complete horror.

The family sympathized deeply with her loss but not one person seemed to know what had happened to it. It was even suggested that perhaps her own guardian angel, tired of watching it daily, might have had a hand in it's disappearance. Given the hostility that had lately begun to be expressed each time this flock of birds flew across the TV screen, and the new found gusto with which chicken pies were being consumed in our home, it is possible that her angel just might have been protecting his charge by causing the video to simple vanish.

It was not under the couch, behind the video case, nor had it slipped upstairs to a book shelf. It was gone. After a few weeks, Emma moved on to another favorite but whether it was because she was wiser and feared its disappearance, or it simply could not completely replace the soft spot in her heart for 'Shicken Run', she did not ask to watch it multiple times - daily.

And then yesterday while at her sister's house for Thanksgiving dinner what to her wondering eyes should appear but a copy of SHICKEN RUN!

Emma gasped and grabbed the clamshell cover, opened it and within it, her eyes lovingly embraced the actual video. She pulled it out and scurried over to Jenny and begged that she be allowed to watch it. Now we were 16 people crowded into a small, nay tiny 2 bedroom house with the living room a mere 15 by 15 feet by a generous guess as to size. A light tremor was felt through the floor when the family, as a collective, shivered at the prospect of watching Emma's beloved film of squawking chickens.

Jenny’s eyes locked with mine across the room and she saw weakness in mine but I strengthened my resolve and suggested:
“After we eat Emma, we can watch it after we eat dinner.“

“Oh, but I am not hungry.”

Seeing that I was wavering, Jenny surveyed the room and thinking quickly she then suggested to Emma, “I know, how about you stay all night with me and then we can watch it together.”

Emma was torn, she had been pining to sleep over at her big sisters but to have to wait even another minute before watching her beloved Rocky and Ginger was almost too much to bear. I leaped on the band wagon and encouraged her to stay all night, whilst wondering how I would cope with leaving my darling Emma Wee wee behind when we returned home for the night. But Thanksgiving must, after all, be spared at all cost!

A few minutes later I saw Emma and Jennifer in conference with said movie in hand and Emma left her side and came to me asking with great animation and concern written across her face; “When are we leaving Mummy? When are we going home?”

“Well, I don’t know.” I replied somewhat perplexed. “We haven’t eaten yet and I thought YOU were staying all night with Jenny.

“Oh yes, I am and we are going to watch Shicken Run, so when are we leaving?”

“Oh I see, you mean when is the family leaving?”

She nodded solemnly.

“Ummmm, after we eat. I guess when it’s dark.”

Her eyes darted to a window as if gauging how much sunlight was left in the day.

Okay she sighed and traipsed back to Jenny. “They is leaving at night time Jenny, when it is dark outside”
“Okay,” Jenny smiled, ‘we can watch it then, Emma. When it is dark outside.”

The crescendo of noise grew in proportion with the delicious aromas issuing forth from the tiny kitchen and I mused over how Emma’s “own special Momma” had been so easily replaced by - a movie, of chickens no less. And Emma continued to watch the window and to measure how much lower the sun was in the sky. At moments she could not bear it and would ask an adult, a different one each time. “Can we watch Shicken Run now?” Somehow though there was a unity of thought and each person relied, ‘after Dark Emma, after dark.’ Finally fearing she would ultimately lose the video by dragging it through the house as well as outside when watching her brothers rake leaves I encouraged her to relinquish it to me and together we placed it in a pantry cupboard when she could see but not reach it.

Finally a trip to the local park was suggested and full ninety minutes of sunlight was worn away in great fun and energy (Look for pictures soon!) on swings , slides and foot races around the perimeter of the play ground.

It was not long after their return to the house that the turkey was pronounced ready for carving and we all gathered around for Grace and the feast began. Emma did not even notice the sun set but suddenly she realized that it was DARK outside. Her goal even closer in hand she willingly helped dump plastic plates and cutlery in the garbage bag. Finally, finally it was time to say good bye and I wondered; would she really be able to stay and watch the van drive off. She had never slept anywhere but in her own home and still often awoke in my bed cuddled up to ‘her special momma’.
Her eyes looked a little worried but stood her ground and waved good bye as we drove away. Tens minutes of driving and I could not stand it any longer and I called to see if she was bearing up to being left behind.

She was too busy to come to the phone - Ginger was leading the flock to another escape and Emma was cuddled with her big brother enjoying every minutes.

“Okay, I sighed” That is good.” and I hung up.

This morning the phone rang, early. Too early for me. It was my daughter Jenny.

“What’s up?” I mumbled.

“Not much, just wondering when you are coming up to go look at the (wedding) dress with me.” We discussed the details and finally I just had to ask what Emma was doing.

“Watching Chicken Run.”

Now my dilemma is; Should Saint Nicolas bring a new copy of Shicken Run or should we just let sleeping dogs lie? Read more!

Happy Thanksgiving

Father Corapi wrote so well about all that we have to be grateful that I felt I did not need to try and write something myself.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Holiday with your family and friends. We had a wonderful time. Originally we were to eat here at our house but last minute change in plans took us to our soon to be married daughter's house. We had a great time.

Now without further adue, here is Father Corapi's message of Thanksgiving.

As we in the United States approach another celebration of our holiday of Thanksgiving, we would do well to recall indeed what we have to be thankful for--everything.
All that we have is a gift from God. All of us, at one time or another in one way or another, have failed to live a true spirit of Thanksgiving, as well as express it with words. Whenever we feel deprived, depressed, or otherwise unhappy, a simple prayer of thanksgiving will go a long way toward healing those feelings. The fact of the matter is that we are truly blessed in so many ways. Despite all of the ups and downs locally and nationally, we still live in the best country in the world. If you don't think so, evaluate how many people are trying to get out of this country, and how many are trying to get in.
Thank God for the United States that we are privileged to live in. Thank God for the blessing of our family and each and every unique member of it--even the ones who drive you crazy. After all, they are contributing to your sanctification. They sure make us exercise virtue, don't they?
Thank God for the gifts of sight, hearing, smell, touch, and every other physical sense we have been given. Thank God for physical strength, agility, speed, and other such physical blessings. Oh, you don't have those anymore? Thanks be to God for the lack of such things. More to offer to God. After all, St. Paul says "It is when I am weak that I am strong."
Thank God for the ability to empathize with the pain and suffering of others. Thank God for the gifts of faith, hope, and charity. Thank God for the gift of our religion, for the intellect and the will to try to know, love, and serve this good God with our whole heart, mind, and strength.
In the end, as an old friend of mine used to say, "Thank God for God!"
We have a lot to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving, we would all do well to pray in that spirit of thanksgiving and to live that thanksgiving to God each and every day from now on.
Happy and blessed Thanksgiving to each and every one of you.
With God's Blessing,
Fr. John Corapi

To my readers in Canada, Australia and England, I believe that what Father says here about how wonderful the country is that we live in - can be applied to your countries as well. I hope ALL of you had a blessed holiday. Read more!

Thank you Senator Kerry...

While eating fries at MacDonalds...

Me: "Some MacDonalds have really nice salty fries, like this place."

Miguel: "Yeah."

Me: "You would think that they would be more consistant and be salty in all of their locations."

Miguel: "Well, it is not like the managers can stand around watching each cook as they salt the fries."

Me: "I know, but you would think there would be a standard they would all follow though, and teach the employees that you complete so many shakes of salt over the fries."

Miguel: "Yeah, but it's not like MAcDonalds is known for their salty fries..."

Me: "Well, they were when I was kid, they always advertised their salty fries."

Miguel: "Well, that was a really loooong time ago."

Me: Jaw drops!

Miguel: Face reddens. "Ah I mean..." laughs awkwardly then says "Hey, I just botched a joke, I was really just trying to make fun of Bush."

At which point I blinked for a second, and then collapsed in a fit of laughter almost falling off my stool. Read more!

Grammar 101 for 4 year olds...

After a fairly hectic week I was ready for some important work. So I gathered the three youngest and we dug out a movie I have heard playing in the back ground fairly often lately, but had yet to see. But the giggles often heard while it was on had my interest piqued.

With Elsa on my lap and Emma and Nathaniel each guarding one side of me we hit play on the clicker (remote) and sat back to enjoy the movie. Before long something really silly happened in the movie causing Emma to giggle and look at me saying:

"That isn't the silliest thing I didn't ever see!"

"Is it?" I asked her seriously.

"Yeah!" she said and glued her eyes back on the screen.

I was left thinking over "That isn't the silliest thing I didn't ever see"

Hmmmm, translation anyone? Read more!

At last...

We have been able to post a few reviews. Our goal is to post at least two reviews a week and during November and early December we hope to concentrate on movies that will be fun to work into our holiday viewing when looking for a quiet activity to do with friends or family during the Christmas break.

We hope to have a mix of religous, classic as well as just pure funny family entertainment included in our reviews. Please peek into Catholic, Classic and Current Book and Movie Reviews often, and see if we have reviewed something you might like to watch. Read more!

Handled it like a Pro, she did!

One must be careful when trying to carry on two IM conversations at the same time as my husband learned today. You need to be especially careful if one is with your wife and the other a stranger with whom you are conducting a business transaction.

Employee: It will take a moment for that to go through, sir.

Hugo: I need to know how to make hearts signs right away!

Hugo: Ooops that was meant for someone else.

Employee: Not a problem, is there any thing else I can help you with?

Hugo: No thank you.

Tears of laughter ran down my face when he im'd me what he had done. Read more!