Craft for today's Gospel (Fisher of Men) and we have a little secret

Today's Gospel was Jesus calling the disciples to come follow Him and He would make them fisher of men! 

We began the morning with a prayer to St Michael 

St. Michael the Archangel, 
defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 
by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. .

We read the Gospel as a preview to mass. 

Matthew 4:12-23

12Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; 13and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Caper'na-um by the sea, in the territory of Zeb'ulun and Naph'tali, 14that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15"The land of Zeb'ulun and the land of Naph'tali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles -- 16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." 17From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. 23And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. 

We reviewed a map to see where they would be fishing. 

Now the craft.

I found a neat idea over at Art Camp  and expanded the idea just a tiny bit.  You know I am always saving cardboard tubes, I add some googly eyes and the red was just a scrap of a red envelope saved from Christmas.  

I tried making one before class to see how long it would take to make and dry.  Using acrylic paints, they dry very fast.  The metallic paint created something fun. 

I packed up my art bag and headed for the church hall. 

They loved the craft and I think they turned out well. 

We discussed what it meant to be "fisher of men".   Bringing others out of the water (baptism perhaps?)  and to follow Jesus.  So we decided we would spread the Word our way. 

We printed up images and put them on small bags of Gold Fish crackers  and left for snacks after mass. 

This really got them sparked and they requested we do something for the senior center in our little town in the future.  Wow. 

Back to the homestead.... We have been keeping a little secret.  It has been three years since Dude's back surgery.  He got the go-ahead from him his doctor to start riding a horse again about a year or more ago.   Dude has found a horse and been riding and taking care of her at a stable in the foothills. The prior owner paid the stables through the end of next week and trail rides. She told Dude he could keep them until we bring her home Feb. 1st. He goes twice a week and on the weekend to ride and just be with her.  She is only 8 years old and her name is Daisy. 

peace 

Tuesday homestead update -garden, kids, and horses

We have begun decorating for Christmas .  We put a small tree on the table so the new pup wouldn't be tempted but I think the cat is mocking him (or us). 

I am trying hard to turn around my eating habits.  This also encourages me to keep the gardens and greenhouse growing. This morning I went out to get some spinach for the morning drink. 

Added strawberries, plain yogurt, ice, and almond milk. 

It basically tasted like spinach salad but it was okay. 

Then time to exercise.  Our granddaughter worked the horses. 

The skies against the mountains are a little polluted lately.  Sometimes it get socked in and with so many people in Colorado lately, well, the extra traffic doesn't help. 

Someone is waiting for me to return from putting homemade Christmas cards in the mailbox.

Our chicken butcher also smokes his own hams... this is going in the crockpot for dinner. 

It was a very lucky day to see TWO grandkids.  I love see their excitement about Christmas.

Tonight we are Christmas baking - some recipes from the 1700's, some passed down and others from a box -heehee.
In between we will be playing board games. 

peace

Carrots, candles, soap, horses and pie ohmy!

I couldn't sleep last night.  Too excited about putting mulch around the apple trees, pear tree, grapes, plum tree and the raspberries.  My brain was full of way to use up more land for planting next year now that the roof is on the house. Next year the water tanks are added.  We have them they just need to go on.  It is so cool when you see your dream coming to fruition.

Farmers are harvesting sunflowers and sugar beets around here and planting barley.

Carrots were pulled up. We still have more in the greenhouse but we will start with these. Most of these will go in the dehydrator.

Cleaning day to get ready for the holidays.  Carpets cleaned up, bathrooms scrubbed. Family stopped by yesterday to ride the horse. 

This is still our canning season. One thing that took off this year was the strawberry pepper jelly. A lot of people liked and are asking for it. This week I will make more.

One of my sons came over today to replace facets and fix my printer. I am eternally grateful for having a talented son. 

My daughter-in-law and I made this really simple lavender and oatmeal soap. 

Then candles were made.

I did get catnip pillows made with a bit of resistance.

Early in the morning we headed out for a prayer walk.

Dude has been resting most of the afternoon so I set to making dinner. 

Dinner - Impossible Pie -Oktoberfest!  My good friend Sunny gave me some of the most amazing sausage.  So, I combined it with our sauerkraut from our homegrown cabbage to make a wonderful meat pie.  It was heaven. 

 Cheesy goodness! 

A full and wonderful weekend. 

peace