Wool dryer ball, quilting, seed planting, and a prayer walk

Happy Palm Sunday. 

We had a good day. We celebrated with a fun and simple game. It is a box that can be tilted a travelling  pinball to see who can get the most points. Dude loved it. 

We had to head to town for feed and potting soil for the seeds. 

When we got home Dude put everything away and made a bigger area for the chicks since they are growing. 

I worked on wool balls for the dryer.  I used scraps that I had carded and then made into roving.

I pulled wool through a spoon to make roving. 

Then wound them into a tight ball. 

I put them in a panty hose leg and tied a knot between them. 

They were tossed in a load of laundry twice and through the dryer twice.  Then I cut them apart and removed them from the hose. 

Now they are ready to be full fledge dryer balls.  We will put essential oils on them before putting  them in the dryer. They are suppose to reduce static cling, reduce drying time and be used in place of dryer sheets. 

Dude got trays of soil ready for seeds. We will use one whole tray for each type of seed, for example... this one will be all beets. Another will be only lettuces, another for collards, etc. 

I finished two lap quilts ... finally. 

After all that sitting it was time for a prayer walk. 

We said hello to the horses on the way out.  It was cool and very windy today. 

I brought in fire wood. It's suppose to snow tomorrow night. 

 We started watching The Ten Commandments for our Holy Week Tradition.  I began to make 10 inch crocheted squares for a yarn bombing event in Virginia. I am so excited to send a bunch of squares. 

Faith

"Live simply and justly in solidarity with the poor and marginalized and be a good neighbor. Make no war on them, rather, be one with them in spirit, truth, and love. "  -Archbishop Oscar Romero

Yesterday, I mentioned one of my favorite movies for Lent = Romero.  Today is the anniversary of his assassination. On March 24, 1980 , Archbishop Oscar Romero was murdered during mass.  He was a champion of El Salvador's poor. Today, Pope Francis has cleared him for sainthood. 

"ASPIRE NOT TO HAVE MORE, BUT TO BE MORE." -OSCAR ROMERO

peace

Day of rest, Cabbage recipe #3 and a prayer

Today I rested... hard to believe even for me but it's true.  I went for a walk , read and ate.

 It stormed most of the day.  I never realized one of my cats is afraid of storms.  She howled in the middle of the floor. I opened my bedroom door thinking she wanted on the bed and she ran under it until the storm was over. 

I did make dinner.  Cabbage recipe # 3 and one of my favorites.  When I was in my twenties and starting life I thought I was not going to miss any opportunity that came my way.  I majored in electronics on two scholarships ... unheard of for a young lady to major in electronics. I was me and one young lady, also just out of high school, in the class. It was fun and exciting.  And then when I got asked to go live in Hawaii I jumped at the chance. I left and got married. We were so poor. Two of my sons were born there.  While there I met some amazing people and some lived right next door.  My neighbors were from the Philippines and it was wonderful learning so much from them. One of the things they taught me was how to make lumpias.  They taught me using vegetables and sausage.  I used tofurkey sausage today since I wasn't sure if Dude would be home in time for dinner (shhh he is but don't tell him it's not real sausage. He can't tell so far). 

They are very simple.   Chop or shred cabbage, carrots, onion, garlic and set aside.  Brown chopped or ground sausage ( I chopped a tofu breakfast sausage).  Add dried parsley.  That's it.  You could salt and pepper it if you like. 

I use these wrappers since they are the largest I could find.  I love how soft they feel before you cook them. 

I can Thai dipping sauce each year and will again this year. My sister has already asked for more. This stuff is addictive and so good.  Vinegar, sugar, pepper flakes and lots of garlic... not sure what else right off. 

Here is how I wrap them. 

Repeat. It is very meditative.  I used the time to try and memorize a prayer. I will post it at the end. 

Heat up oil on the stove, about an inch, and fry your lumpias.  Let them drain on a paper towel and wait to cool. (I didn't get a picture because the roof isn't finished and the old skylight was dripping on me from the storm)

Then enjoy.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend. 

Prayer

The Lorica of St Patrick  (Lorica means breastplate)

Lore states that upon saying this prayer it helped protect St Patrick and his men when the king's men were pursuing them. They passed them thinking they were deer.  Thus it is a prayer of protection. I am a slow learner and it will take me a while to memorize.  It is long and I will be happy if I just get the first four parts memorize ~ smile.  My intentions are good. 

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through belief in the threeness
Through confession of the Oneness
Towards the creator.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension
Through the strength of his decent for the Judgement of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim
In obedience to the Angels,
In the service of the Archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of Holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun
Brilliance of moon
Splendor of fire
Speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind
Depth of sea
Stability of earth
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s host to secure me
against snares of devils
against temptations of vices
against inclinations of nature
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear,
alone and in a crowd.

A summon today all these powers between me and these evils
Against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of heathenry,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that endangers man’s body and soul.

Christ to protect me today
against poison, against burning,
against drowning, against wounding,
so that there may come abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Thrones,
Through confession of the Oneness
Towards the Creator.

Salvation is of the Lord
Salvation is of the Lord
Salvation is of Christ
May thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

                                                  peace

Stepped off the prairie today

Today we headed south to Kiowa Colorado to check out another new horse today. It is a beautiful day and we started out before the high winds started.  As with any roadtrip , I brought a project along to work on... a cocoon cardigan.

Gorgeous day. 

So clear we could see Pikes Peak in the background. 

When we got to the ranch... the locals greeted us. 

We drove up to where the saddle was ready and waiting. 

There we met Libby. She was sweet and adorable. Introductions were made and we spent time getting to know her. 

Then these rascals ran by, snorting and digging. 

Then it was time to ride. 

Libby made a great impression on Dude.  Looks like she will be coming to the homestead next week. 

Then we traveled northwest to Cabrini Shrine located in the foothills of Golden, Colorado.

Time for many prayers for a good friend.

It's a great place to pray and meditate.

I did pick up a few pine cones along the way. A treat since we have no trees ...yet.

Extremely high winds were whipping all around and herding tumbleweeds by the time we got home ...again. 

As soon as we opened the gates they ran across the yard as fast as they could! 

 This blog is all about what I am learning and cooking is one of my lessons. Rack of Lamb for dinner and it smells wonderful !

Ready for the oven

I don't like my lamb rare. 

Yum! Time to eat.  ...where's that mint jelly we made? 

One last thing.. today's gospel was the Transfiguration.

GospelMT 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, 
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them; 
his face shone like the sun 
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, 
"Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here, 
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, 
then from the cloud came a voice that said, 
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him."
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
"Rise, and do not be afraid."
And when the disciples raised their eyes, 
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
"Do not tell the vision to anyone 
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

peace