Tomato soup on the one month anniversary of dad's passing/sharing the LIGHT today/“See that you not be deceived..." Jesus

Dad had fresh from the stove - our first tomato soup of the season on August 10th... our 7 canners full!  How he loved his homemade tomato soup and went through a jar a week!  He also would eat a bowl of our applesauce for lunch and went through many quarts of that also!  That is why we joyfully do the work!

Meals were a challenge, but it made me so happy to have him love our hard work!  His last few weeks he would have a bowl either lunch or supper every day.  His eyes would light up and his smile would be big with delight when I offered him a hot bowl of tomato soup!

Canning day in August was at my house, so that I could be close by for my dad throughout the day.  Mary, Ruth and Simon headed up the canning team like clockwork.  We have family canning days down to a science and dad got to be there and see it first hand!

Over a hundred quarts!  It was so awaited by my father as when he came in April we were down to our last few jars, which he quickly ate up.  We tried soup from the store, but never as good as ours.  Finally we had soup for dad, and he was happy!

Too cute - Ruth and her two high schoolers!  How did that happen so fast?  Makes you realize you had better take time with them as soon they will be off on their own at college and beyond.

The field work is done!  The tractor is parked for the year as the cows are now  home and the field is worked.

Winter is in the air...

Brought lunch over for Pat, and we shared tomato soup in honor of the one month anniversary of dad's passing.  Tomato soup will always bring him to mind now.  

I know that both mom and dad loved our home canning.  They were one of the 7 families we can for.  I would take them applesauce, tomato soup, fresh vegetables from the garden in season, and meat.  Mom loved the big tomatoes I would bring, and beets!  She would eat a large tomato with breakfast, lunch and supper.  

When my tomatoes were in season this past summer, dad would have a thin slice on his sandwich at noon... more in honor of mother's love for them than for his own likes.

The chickens now in the heated shop and eggs abound!  

Carpenter Pat and Ruth built a plywood cupboard with a ledge so that the eggs don't drop out and break.  Fun to see one in there in the laying position and the egg, too!  

Ruth has been finding homes for her fall kittens - this lonely guy was climbing on Pat while he ate his soup.  It made me laugh to hear him talk about how he doesn't even feel them climbing on him with his many layers of clothes.  He stood up and there was a kitten hanging on his jacket... too cute!!!

Ready, set, climb!

Such a big girl!!!  Birdie is now in her own high chair!  You really realize that John and Bobbi have two babies - only 13 months apart and so to take Jude out of the high chair and in a booster just seemed too soon...

Side by side!  Jude is so cute - when he gets up from his nap you will find him sitting in his high chair ready for his snack!

Mommy or daddy sit in the middle and supervise.  This is so sweet and cute just like they both are such wonderful happy and healthy and peaceful and loving and just plain wonderful children!  They are overjoyed at these wonderful gifts of LIFE!

So appropriate today is dad pointing out LIGHT to us and how it has to do with our seeing The Truth clearly!  So important when we take to heart the words of Jesus to us today in the Gospel!  

He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ 
Do not follow them!   Luke 21

Where do we find that LIGHT of Truth?  In The Church's teachings and dogmas and Jesus in His Word, and Body and Blood and Sacraments.  Prayer throughout the day!  

Today also from Brother Victor - Antione and dad showing us the way...  Through the Cross to the LIGHT!  Yes, we are called to suffer to bring us to the reality of our weakness and we are humbled and call out to our Lord in our need!  His Spirit fills us if only we die to self!  

From my mother today...I see this "beauty" in The Church!  Any time you see a church for the beauty and gripping factor in a movie - it is a Catholic Church with the votives, the stain glass, the crucifix with the body of Christ upon it, the statue of Mary and Saints - so beautiful and powerful and REAL!  

Mom speaks of "reality" as a quality of the soul... I have never really thought about that but when you walk into The Church - you know that Jesus is truly there in the tabernacle or in the monstrance for adoration or in you and I after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist!  What JOY! How I love to go before the tabernacle in The peaceful Church and pray to Jesus through Mary with my rosary beads in my fingers and endless prayer in my inner temple!

The kids and baby kitty...

"Been farming long?"  

A new tradition begun with Jude... he will want to paint now when he comes to grandma's house.  I do have my grandma things that I love to share with my grandkids!  Very special memories indeed.

Jesus, we love you and long to die so self so that you may live in us.  We are nothing without you and we see with eyes of Faith that we are weak and lowly without your unconditional love and forgiveness.  May we then return that love and forgiveness to all those we see each day especially those in our domestic Church/family.  May we give without counting the cost.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah!

Another grandma thing is always having my rosary beads in my hands and my prayers in my heart and soul - inner temple.  Sharing that with the little ones and their innocent prayers that fly to heaven is a gift that I cherish along with ALL LIFE from conception to natural death!  So many prayers these days for our #20 grandchild in the womb!  We had a big scare a few weeks ago, but all is well.  "It is asking for more prayers."  WE are on it!  Bless-bless, Barbara

On Friday - gazing up peacefully at the maker of heaven and earth and the giver of all life!

Gingerbread Cathedral is amazing!

Wow!

Even in gingerbread The Church is stunning!

People with many gifts make this world a bit more wonderful!  How we need that uplift these days of darkness and worry.  "Fear not" from the Lord to us each and every day!

Dad's roses to Mary stayed beautiful for weeks!  Our heart is lifted up in great JOY! 

Lauren Daigle - you say

Carter Rubin singing You say!  Wow!