Jaclyn Rose's 1st Holy Communion

This weekend was my sister Jaclyn's Communion. We had a family party in the backyard at my parents home. I made 5 different quiche, all the favors (which there will be a blog post about later this week), vegetable dip and a salad. Mom made a lot of brunch style food and my husband made muffins, they were a hit! Good job babe! The weather was not the best but we had a tent to combat the dampness. My Uncle provided the music and neighbors chip in to let us use their patio furniture. It was a really nice time and Jackie had a blast hanging with all her cousins for the day.

The End of Lent - Easter

Over 40 days ago I wrote my Lent Blog post. I mentioned in that post that I was not giving up anything for lent but was going to try and make some chnages with myself and donate more. Below is what I origionally wrote and then what I actually did.

Here is what I am giving up planning for Lent:

1. Give up cursing (really something I should and need to do)

I cut back a lot.

 

2. Cultivate a life of gratitude- show and tell people what they mean to me

I hand wrote more than 10 cards to let people know how I feel about them. I showed interest in others activities and try to learn more about my friends and family

 

3. Make a weekly donation to some of my favorite charities.

I made donations to

Susan G Komen (Breast Caner research)

Long Island 3 Day Walk for a Cure

March of Dimes

Bay Shore United Methodist Church

 

4. Start a prayer rhythm & Create a daily quiet time

I can not say I have done this well enough. I am getting a start at it, but not a dail rhythm yet.

I read some articles and iformation on Lent. I participated in the Easter Service at my church and hosted Coffee Hour for the day.

 

 

I think that Religion is something very personal. Everyone has their own beliefs and ideas. I don't want to use this blog to influence people into my belief system. But I wanted to recognize that religion is important to my life. I try to recognize that I am not perfect- I may never be. However if I can improve something small about myself every day, then I am better than the day before.

Keeping a Holy Lent

I do not talk about my faith that often on this blog but wanted to give mention that today starts Lent. I belong to Bay Shore United Methodist Church and have been a member since I am 8. As many people sacrafice many things for Lent they do not know the reasons why we do this. I have found a very "youthful" explanation of what Lent is at Lent 101 .

Here is what I am giving up planning for Lent:

1. Give up cursing (really something I should and need to do)

2. Cultivate a life of gratitude- show and tell people what they mean to me

3. Make a weekly donation to some of my favorite charities.

4. Start a prayer rhythm & Create a daily quiet time

Hope that everyone has a peaceful and thoughtful Lent!



Kim in the Kitchen - Cookie Order

This year marks the 200th Anniversary of my church, Bay Shore United Methodist. I have been a member since I was 8. Sunday October 24th is the celebration. We are having a Pot Luck lunch, I decided to bring baked ziti and also cookies. It was mentioned that if I could do "200th" cookies it would be cute. So, that is what I did. Below are the some of the cookies that I made for this event.

small & large squares / crosses 

packed up and ready to go

It took a while to get 200 cookies baked, glazed and just basic decorating. I give tons of credit to the other cookie makers out there who do multiple orders in one week!

 

 I made these cookies along with the Church order. The Pink Ribbon with the "Thank You" tag were for my Hematologist office. I made 20 individual cookies wrapped.  I am there at least twice a week for treatments and they deserve something sweet for the excellent care they give. The "A" cookies were a small pack of 20 I made for Book Club. We read The Scarlet Letter this month and I figured... Why not! 

Be Mine

Happy Valentine's Day -belated ;)

I once again hosted Coffee Hour at my Church with my Grandpa this past weekend. I really like doing it, it is nice to have something for people to enjoy (besides weak coffee) after church. My church is Bay Shore United Methodist. Greg and I were married there in 2008, and I have been a going there since I am 8. Here is a favorite photo from our wedding of the alter of the church.

The past week I made over 70 "Conversation Heart" Cookies for the coffee hour. They went over great! I am thinking that I might have to host more often.