Weekend Words with the Wee Wittle One

I haven't seen much of my kids the last few weeks due to summer camp, vacationsawayfrommommy and a broken air conditioning unit, but yesterday I had the good fortune of spending an extended amount of time with My Little One (MLO). She's seven years old. Seven. Remember that.

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Walking out of My Mom's apartment to the car, it was quiet then she it me with this factoid:

MLO: Did you know if you step on a fly that red guts squirt out? NO! I mean blue guts. Blue guts squirt out.

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*jumping up and down in front of my bathroom mirror, naked, awaiting the shower temperature to be tolerable*

Me: *walks in & catches her and immediately starts giggling* What are you doing, silly?
MLO: *laughing wildly, still jumping*  My pudge jiggles like your pudge, Mommy!

(At least I felt better about my body after hearing that!)

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During the consecration of The Host in Mass...

MLO: *whispers* Why doesn't Dracula like the sun?

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We're walking to the car from the swimming pool at the end of the evening. We'd just been talking about all things friends and swimming, then there was a pregnant pause.

MLO:  Mama, do you ever wonder why God doesn't tell you how He was created, or where He comes from?
Me:  Yes, I do wonder that sometimes.
MLO: It's like he's keeping a secret. Why would he not want us to know?

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I love the inquiring minds of children! These are such perfect moments to be a parent and grow as a person.

Thank you, babygirl!

Asian Crunch Slaw

I love pot lucks! Don't you? There's a fabulous fusion of cultural dishes. The smells, sights, textures...yes! (And, yes, some of them are notsopleasant, true....)

On Sunday, I had a meeting to attend, and it included a pot luck dinner.  The dish I prepared was quite a success, so to satisfy the request of my "seesters" and to share with the world, below is the recipe (not my own):

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Slaw:               4 tsp. Sesame seeds

                        1 cup slivered almonds

                        3 tbsp. butter

                        1 pkg. angel hair cole slaw

                        1 pkg. broccoli slaw

                        4 green onions, cut fine

                        2 pkgs. Ramen noodles (3 oz. size), any flavor, crushed

In large bowl, toss cabbages and onion.  Saute sesame seeds and almonds in butter until almonds have a toasted look.  Caramelize the crushed noodles in skillet with ¼ cup sugar, over medium heat.  Watch very carefully.  Do not let it burn.  Stir often.  Put these 3 ingredients in a bowl to cool; set aside.

Dressing:         4 tbsp. sugar

                        6 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

                        2 tsp. salt

                        1 tsp. pepper

                        1 cup oil

                        2 flavor packets from Ramen noodles

Mix all ingredients together well.  Let stand at least 2 hours or overnight.  Just before serving, add dressing, toasted almonds, sesame seeds and noodles to slaw.  Mix well.

NOTE: I have always used the chicken flavored Top Ramen.

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Enjoy!

World Youth Day: Rio

I love this new Pope!

"We need saints without cassocks, without veils - we need saints with jeans and tennis shoes. We need saints that go to the movies that listen to music, that hang out with their friends. We need saints that place God in first place ahead of succeeding in any career. We need saints that look for time to pray every day and who know how to be in love with purity, chastity and all good things. We need saints - saints for the 21st century with a spirituality appropriate to our new time. We need saints that have a commitment to helping the poor and to make the needed social change. We need saints to live in the world, to sanctify the world and to not be afraid of living in the world by their presence in it. We need saints that drink Coca-Cola, that eat hot dogs, that surf the internet and that listen to their iPods. We need saints that love the Eucharist, that are not afraid or embarrassed to eat a pizza or drink a beer with their friends. We need saints who love the movies, dance, sports, theater. We need saints that are open sociable normal happy companions. we need saints who are in this world and who know how to enjoy the best in this world without being callous or mundane. We need saints."

- Pope Francis WYD Rio De Janeiro 2013

AMEN!

Revolving Door

Ran across this infographic. Sickening.

Moore, Oklahoma

I live in Texas, about an hour south of the Oklahoma -- the Red River. Oklahoma is to Dallas as El Paso is to Juarez, Chihuahua -- they're practically intertwined and even though there's an unspoken discontent, there's a larger respect and harmony that co-exists.

When Oklahoma gets hit by tornadoes, it affects us here in The Big D. So many folks from Oklahoma live here, work here, go to school here. Texans camp and vacation in Oklahoma, some actually (dare I type it?!) go to college there! *gasp* They even *whisper* live there.

We're practically One.

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To All Who've Suffered at the Upredictable Fright of Tornadoes,

Please know you're being prayed for, rooted in hope and faith. Humanity uplifts, not destruct, even though media 'teaches' us differently. When times get bad, REALLY bad, like now for y'all, you see and experience the power of the Human Chain.  Sure, there will be hassles from institutions such as insurance companies, hospitals and whatnot, but believe you'll rebound. 

Tornados are nightmarish. I cannot imagine for one second what it is like to be close to one, let alone literally piecing my life back together in the aftermath of one.

My little blog isn't going to help you. I'm here in Texas and though I have a willing heart, I don't have the means to get there to help. But I'll post a link for those selfless, able and/or willing people to show acts of love to you and yours.

Much love and prayers to all of you.

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