Andrew's Candidacy Mass

The  Crew

Procession

Rite of Cadidacy

Getting a hug from the Bishop

A Year By the Sea by Joan Anderson

A few years ago my mother read this book. She loved it and highly recommended it since she and I both LOVE the beach and our family has gone to Cape Cod for the past few summers. Last year, as I was preparing for my wedding, I read this book for the first time. It is an incredible memoir and the descriptions of life by the sea are amazing. The book chronicles her life as she tries to make sense out of all that is going on with her life and her marriage.

I reread this book a few weeks ago. (It is a quick read.) It was just as good as I remembered it being. I probably will reread it at least one more time before the end of the summer!

Quaker Oats Vanishing Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Last Sunday night, I decided to bake for my co-workers since I knew that this past week was going to be a busy one. For a long time, I wanted to make the recipe on the underside of the oatmeal lid.

So, here it is!

Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2  cup (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4  cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2  cup granulated sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon salt (optional)
• 3  cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
• 1  cup raisins

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time Time: 08 min

Congratulations all around!



On Friday, our friends Tara and Christian tied the knot!

Today, my students will graduate! Congrats to the class of 2011! You have worked hard these four years and your efforts have surely paid off!

Tomorrow, a Mass will be celebrated in honor of my brother's departure for Rome in July. At this Mass, he will officially be recognized as a candidate for the sacrament of Holy Orders.

My Favorite Things!

Our kids are going to Cincinnati next summer and they are starting to fund raise during finals week. Earlier today we were talking about what we could sell that would raise money for their trip. I was mentioning how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE creamsicles.Well, the food gods must have heard me because today the cafeteria had FANTASTIC creamsicles. My dear friends bought me not just ONE BUT TWO!!!! Pure bliss during these super hot days at the end of the school year.

Prior to this conversation I had been looking into the ice pop maker that Williams Sonoma keeps advertising. It is taunting me! As a kid, I remember my mother would make us "ice pops" out of fruit juice in these molds from Tupperware. Could the ice pop maker be considered a school supply if we use it for the kids fundraiser?