Sursum Corda 2013

I am so excited!!!  They announced the dates for the 2013 Sursum Corda!!!  And it will be in Chicago!!!!
If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you may have realized that Sursum Corda is one of the highlights of my year.  If you haven't been reading my blog, I refer you to the following posts:
Sursum Corda Camp 2011
Sursum Corda 2012
And another note

If you are a Catholic Young Adult between the ages of 18 and 35 (or so,) especially one with a love for Tradition, please come and join us!  This year it will be held June 21-24, at Mundelein Seminary. Cost has not yet been announced, but it will probably be between $200 and $250. Stay tuned for more details!

My 100th Post... On Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Perseverance

"The world must keep one great amateur, lest we all become artists and perish." 

   When I started this blog, three years ago three days ago, I chose the above quote by G.K. Chesterton as my tagline because I knew that my work here would not be perfection.  A month ago, it was pointed out to me that I had “parish” instead of “perish” up there.  Good thing I’m not a perfectionist.  Except maybe I am. 

   You see, it took me almost a month to write this post.  Assuming, of course, that I actually finish this post. I’ve started it so many times in my head, and even on paper, so perhaps I shouldn’t assume anything!  But, being my hundredth published post, I wanted it to be something special.  Alas, my perfection led to procrastination.  

   Isn’t that the way it goes, though?  We are afraid to do things, because we are afraid we can’t do them well.  Sometimes, it is because of fear of ridicule from others.  Other times, we don’t want to “waste our time.”  Or perhaps it is the money we don’t want to waste.  And there are times when we are right to hesitate.  For example, sewing your own wedding dress when you have never sewn a stitch is a very, very, very bad idea.  And I suppose there are those who would argue that those who have no literary degree should not be writing.  Or those who have not been trained to sing, should not sing.  

   Well, if you are one of those miserable naysayers, I suggest you go find something else to do, and leave me to my fun.  Because that’s all this blog is - a bit of fun.  Hopefully now and then I hit on something truly edifying, but that isn’t really why I started it.  I started it, if I recall correctly, because I felt that sharing recipes and patterns and ideas was a very good idea.  This was before pinterest, mind you.  I had lots of ideas on what I could share.  And really, it’s just because I like to do lots and lots of different things. I do them because I enjoy them.  Not always because I’m especially good at them (playing the piano comes to mind.  And the guitar.  And the violin.  And the recorder.)

   What WOULD happen if there were no amateurs, only artists?  Well, I think we would lose many special things.  Like creativity and innovation.  But not just that.  We would also lose mothers singing lullabies, and fathers building doll houses.  We would lose grandma’s crocheted scarves (a little too long) and grandpa’s paper airplanes (a little too heavy.) Would Joe dare to write a letter?  Would Judy dare to bake a pie? 

   Another favorite quote from Mr. Chesterton: “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.”  Perhaps our defense is not eloquent enough (or graceful enough,) but still the defense must be made.  Or the profession of faith.  Or of love! Attempting something new can be challenging.  For example starting a blog.  It looks easy at the outset, and is great fun.  But pretty soon it is a week, or two weeks, or three months between posts.  Why bother?  It’s not like I have many readers, anyhow.  If I had any sense at all, I’d just give up.  

   But you know what?  I don’t want to.  I like blogging.  I like having somewhere to share my ideas and my perfect Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.  I don’t care if it’s not perfect.  Well, I do, but I know that if I allow my perfectionism to kick in, it will drag along procrastination, and do it’s best to bump off perseverance.  So begone, perfectionist! You don’t belong HERE.  This is a blog strictly for amateurs.  And if it takes me another three years to make it to 200 posts, so be it.  I’m going to hang on and enjoy the ride...and the scenery.  

Be my Valentine?

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!  

   Now, as a secular holiday, this one can get pretty depressing.  I mean, all over the place we see ads for chocolate, and here it is the beginning of Lent.  Talk about bad timing.  Not that it works out that way every year, but hey, it happens.  Oh, not to mention the high expectations getting dashed and the longing that gets multiplied in every lonely single heart out there.  We shall conveniently ignore the immorality that abounds out there.   Wait!  Don’t go!  I do have something good to say!!!  Sorry for the sad start, but hey, it’s out there.  Hopefully you’ve never experienced it, but I’ve read enough blogs and forum posts to know that lots of people do find this a horrible tradition, best to be defended against either with no expectations or with “making their own fun” so they don’t feel so left out.  All because of this false, worldly idea of “love.”  But what, pray tell, is love?  And what does a priest martyred for his faith eons ago have to do with romance?

   Don’t get me wrong here.  I don’t think there is anything wrong with “romantic” love.  Actually, I think it’s awesome, and great fun.  Flowers, love letters, chocolates....Mmmm, chocolate...What’s not to love?  It’s all wonderful.  I mean, I’m a hopeless romantic, probably too much of one.  But don’t tell anyone.     Yet I can’t help but feel that romance is the wrong focus for this feast. True, St. Valentine is the patron of married and engaged couples, but I mean, think about it.  When I ask someone to “be my Valentine,” am I really asking them to “be my sweetheart”? Shouldn’t it be “be my holy friend, who will instruct me in the truth and bring me closer to Christ, regardless of the cost”?  Which, if you think about it is absolutely, totally, brilliantly, awesome.  And it’s what friendship is all about. Not to mention true love.  
   May your St. Valentine's Day be full of many true Valentines.  And chocolate, even if you have to save it for Sunday.  Because both good friends and chocolate are further proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.Love and God Bless,Rae  

Farewell to Pope Benedict?

     I woke up to some bigger-than-usual news on my Facebook this morning. I’m sure you all know by know that Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation. So, unless something changes in the next couple of weeks, we will have a new pope. Extra prayers for the college of Cardinals certainly are in order. 

    Now, popes don’t usually resign, although it has a happened a few times. Just not in the last oh, six hundred years or so. Longer, if we are talking voluntary resignation. But with life expectancies being longer now and people living though things they used to die from, and living in a weaker body than they used to...well, I suppose it is reasonable for a Pope to resign if he feels he can no longer do his duty. Of course, now every one is talking about prophesies and anti-popes. Well, not EVERYONE, but the chatter is out there. Nothing new. If I were to take a minute to ride that bandwagon, I would call a Pope’s resignation the perfect and logical way for an anti-pope to take the Chair of Peter. I mean, that’s usually how it goes in the books...although generally there is an assassination attempt involved and everyone THINKS the real pope is dead, only he isn’t. Goodness! This could be the end of the world! It could be the start of the great tribulations! Aggghhhhaaaa!!!!!!!
Of course, it could be that life will continue as usual. Always hard to tell with these things.

Does it really matter? Seriously?

Yes and No.

    First the no. No, it doesn’t matter if it is the end of the world, because we need to be prepared for Judgement anyhow. For you or I, the end could come in two minutes and twelve seconds. Or not for another sixty years. Our souls should be in the state of grace regardless. I mean, we’re talking about a healthy relationship with God. Is there really a good reason to ever put that in jeopardy?
     And another thing. Truth doesn’t change. It doesn’t matter if it is good times or bad, Truth is True. Whether anyone believes it or not, it is still true. Practice may look easier or harder depending on the times, but Christ is ever faithful, and nothing can change that truth. So really, if we have our trust in God, it doesn’t matter if the times are good or bad.

    Now for the Yes. Yes, it does matter. Because if we are living in times of tribulation, or even the times at the end of the world, we are going to be challenged more. There will be more confusion. If we are looking at the end of the world, things are going to get really bad, because our purgatory will be on earth. The stakes are higher and the time shorter. Where we expect to find truth, we will find lies. That is the danger of the anti-pope, as it is of the anti-christ. Lies coming out of not only the mouths of high ranking Church officials (and dishonest media reports,) but out of the mouth of the man himself. So our main concern is to know the truth, or how can we can recognize the lies? Again, this ought to be a standard, regardless of whether we have a new pope or not. The truth does not and cannot change. That’s the really nice thing about truth. But if you don’t know the truth, it really doesn’t do you much good, does it. This is probably why Pope Benedict gave us this “Year of Faith.” We need to really wake up and work on strengthening our faith and our knowledge of the truth.

     I am very grateful for all Pope Benedict has done during his papacy, most especially for giving us back the Tridentine Mass. He will be missed. I am not going to assume that the next pope is the anti-pope. Nor am I going to panic that this is The End Of The World As We Know It - although I have had my suspicions since November.

    What I am going to do is pray. I pray for Pope Benedict. I pray for our Cardinals and for our next pope. I pray for Catholics everywhere, especially those facing persecution, not only for what they believe, but also just for believing that there is an absolute truth. I pray for those Catholics who DON’T believe, whether from choice or from poor instruction. You know, there is no such thing as “Catholic in name only.” Even an apostate is still Catholic, whether they like it or not. Not even excommunication can change that status. I pray for our political leaders, and I pray for those who persecute us. And for those searching for the truth.

God Bless,
              Rae

This is the photo on my iPieta app.  Get it, it's awesome.

Insert Catchy Title

   G’day to you!  Me again, popping in to say hello.  See, I knew it was no good saying when I’d be back.  I’ve had a terrible streak of writers block.  For that matter, I’ve had a terrible streak of thinkers block.  Ever have that problem?  No?  Oh.  Well, in that case, I can only tell you that it is quite uncomfortable.  The brain gets annoyingly mushy feeling.  Unfortunately, if there is a cure, a person with thinkers block will never find it.  They can’t think well enough to find it.  But anyhow, I digress. I think.  Hmmm...

   So, I follow this lovely little blog called “Experimental Wifery.”  Love it.  All sorts of good thoughts and advice, even if you aren’t married.  And really, I feel that one should gather as much information on marriage and raising children as one can before the fact, because afterwords there will likely be no time for such things.  Hmmm, perhaps I should say, when people ask me what I do, that I am a private chef while studying for my MRS degree.  Teehee.  Yup, I did just change that on my blogger profile.   

   Ah yes.  I was talking about Experimental Wifery.  Great blog.  And she is doing this thing called “12 Months to a Better Woman.”  Each month focuses on something different.  Last month was self care.  That was lots of fun, especially when I got my new eyeshadow.  I am probably the only girl on the planet who ordered eyeshadow to get the trial-size mascara that came with it. But what can I say?  It’s just that good. This month, the topic is “self-reflection.”  Now THAT is a challenge.  But a good one.  I know I for one don’t make self reflection a habit.  Self-DEflection, maybe. I spend lots of time AVOIDING myself.  So here I am, reflecting upon myself.  do-di-do-da-do.  Hmmm.   I think I need a mirror....never mind.  I look terrible.  I’ve been sick for over a week, I have an excuse to look terrible.  But really, a mirror probably won’t show me much.  A mirror can only show what the world sees, not who I really am.  But it is important that we are “ourselves” sometimes.  And even more important that we take are really good look, inside and out, at who we are, and who we are becoming.

   Enter Lent.  I love lent.  It’s my training camp.  It’s my yearly opportunity to push myself a little harder, with that feeling of (stronger) outside accountability. It’s climbing the mountain.  It’s diving into the deep end. It’s....well, you get the idea.  Lent is the PERFECT time for self-reflection.  It’s a great time to look at our weaknesses and work on them, and pray for help overcoming them.  So I am really glad that these two challenges overlap each other this year.  And now I’d like to challenge you.  When finalizing your lenten sacrifices this year, take a moment for self-reflection.  Are the things you are doing and giving up chosen because they address something you are struggling with?  Or are you just doing them because that’s what you’ve always done?

God Bless!

P.S. 

There is a lot of wisdom in fasting.  It can generally strengthen any virtue, and weaken the hold of many a sin.  Nothing like telling the flesh who’s boss, dontcha know. 

TwoGirlsandaPuppy and 20 Hours...

For those who missed this little flash facebook news story, allow me to recap.  Yesterday (about 20 hours ago according to the page I am looking at right now,) two little girls created a facebook page and put a picture of themselves and their three little brothers on it, holding a sign.  The sign read “Hi world.  We want a puppy! Our dad said we could get one if we get 1 million likes! So LIKE this! He doesn’t think we can do it!”  As of right now, 20 hours later, this photo has 1,249,589 likes.  In 20 hours.  That’s a lot of people.  In not a lot of time.  That, my friends, is social media.  

Personally, I think the family should look for a GoldenNewf to rescue, don't you?

Now why was this so popular?  Probably because it contained cute kids, no political statements, and the fact that this family had a dog who died of cancer not too long ago. The fact that there was no foul language in sight helped too, I’d say.  People liked it, and they shared it.  I liked it and shared it - and I rarely do that.  So now five little kids are getting a puppy.  Yay for them!  I think it’s great.  It makes me smile. 

Lets look at this.  Not only did over one million people all over the world see this picture, they also acted.  Granted, it was a small act, but it was an act.  How many more ignored it? It doesn’t matter, because over one million people DID act.  

I would like to ask you to do something very small.  It costs no money.  It only takes 5 minutes. You don’t even need an internet connection. You can do it where you are sitting, or while you are driving, or while you are sitting on hold.  You can do it while you wait for your latte.  You have five minutes, I know you do.  What is it I want you to do?  Pray one decade of the rosary.  Just one.  Who doesn’t have five minutes to do that?  Pray one decade of the rosary a day, for the conversion of hearts to Christ the King.  

If you do that, and you get four other people to do it, that’s five decades of the rosary that weren’t being prayed before.  And if this goes viral...who knows?  

We can’t change the world through legislation.  We can only change it by changing hearts and minds.  Yes, it is helpful when the state agrees when something is right or wrong, but in the end it is only by the people believing it that there is any effect. 

One depressing thing about social media is that you see first hand that the saying “for those who believe, no proof is necessary and for those who do not, none is sufficient.” People hear and see and believe what they want to.  Yes, we must put the truth out there, but it is only by God’s grace that people will listen.  It is only by His grace that we listen.  So, we must pray for that grace, not only for ourselves, but for our family, neighbors, friends, coworkers, and that nut on youtube who seems to have no idea what logic really is.  Because calling names does nothing, and arguing does little.  Without grace, it's just water off a rock. 

I will encourage you to pray a full five decades of the rosary a day, with your families.  But maybe you aren’t ready for that - just as I’m not ready to pray a full 15 decades, even though I know that doesn’t take much longer.  So lets start with one decade, every day.  And let’s see how many decades we can add up together.  God Bless,Rae

P.S. 
I won't even bother predicting when I'll post again.  I give up.  

Pretty, Pretty Christmas Cookies

Aren't they lovely?

'Tis the season for baking.  Especially Christmas baking.  Especially Christmas cookies.  And I made the most BEAUTIFUL Christmas cookies yesterday.  I can't help it.  I love the way these look.  And taste, of course.

They are very simple, as simple as peanut blossoms.  Actually, they were inspired by peanut blossoms, but instead of chocolate kisses, they are made with peppermint kisses.  And since peanut butter and mint are just weird together, I had to use a different cookie.  We used snickerdoodles last year, and they were very good.  But this year I was flipping through my Taste of Home cookbooks and came across the recipe for Chocolate Crackle cookies.  Perfect!  They are nice and chocolatey, and easy to make.  Excellent compliment to the peppermint kisses.  And this combination is not only great for eating, it is also very pleasing to the eye.  At least, I think they are.  So without further ado, I give you my Pretty Peppermint Kiss Cookies.

Pretty Peppermint Kiss Cookies
Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar6 Tablespoons oil (I used coconut)2 eggs6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon saltpowdered sugar36 Peppermint kisses

In a large bowl, beat sugar, cocoa, and oil until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until chilled - at least 2 hours or overnight.  I didn't take it out until right before scooping and I didn't have any trouble.


Shape dough into 1-in. balls - I used my small cookie scoop, so about 1 Tablespoon size. Roll in powdered sugar. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks. Immediately press one peppermint kiss in each cookie. They do tend to puddle a little, but if you don't jostle them and have the kitchen cool enough, they should hold their shape. Makes about 3 dozen.

Here's the original Chocolate Crackle Cookie recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Old-Fashioned-Crackle-Cookies