Milestones

We're BIG on celebrating milestones in our home.  

 

Claire's 10th birthday was spent at Grandma's home and a tour of one of the many treasures New Iberia has to offer.  She invited Emma, Maddy, Paxton and Payton to come along for the celebration.   We toured "The Shadows on the Teche" and each wore a dress that little Mary Weeks would have worn back in that era.  The girls were eager to dress the part and marveled as they were told the stories of long ago.  The girls couldn't believe they would have to kill their own chickens, pluck them and prepare them for supper if you had lived in that time!   We left the Shadows and headed to grandma's for cake, games and a sleepover!  Grandma even had trick candles on the cake!!  A fun time was had by all that evening at grandma's home! 

As we left New Iberia the following morning we were suprised by a phone call from a friend who had promised Claire that when he shot an animal worth disecting he would bring it to her since she had shown an interest in this a while back.  Was she excited ...you bet!  It was nice to find Claire wasn't one bit squeamish.

 

Who would have thought her 10th birthday would be a day in the life of little Mary Weeks with the skinning and disecting of an animal.    

Yes, it was a nutra rat and can be eaten since they are vegetarians.  

Humm . .  Nutra jerky anyone! 

Happy 10th Birthday Claire!  

St. Joseph's Abbey

"Who may stand 

in the Lord's holy place?" the Psalmist wonders.

The response follows quickly:  "Those with clean hands and a pure heart." (Psalms 15 24:4)

Saint Benedict, who's teachings live on through the Abbey reiterates this question in the prologue to the Rule for monks.  Benedict has developed a thought and a process in striving to become clean and pure.  It is evident as you walk the grounds of the Abbey.

I've spent a short time there, only twenty-four hours.  The invitation came from Cindy, a friend who made the journey with me.  And so we went.... just for a day, to walk the grounds and take in some of the more simple things within The Abbey.   We met up with Lydia and Susan, Cindy's friends who made our stay that much more enjoyable.   While shooting the alter,  my eyes glanced towards a stairwell in which (in my humble opinion) I would surely find the bells of the Abbey.  Susan eagerly offered her assistance as we made our way up the winding staircase of the bell tower.   We ventured up the tower only to find the last door locked shut! I suppose  shooting the bell will be conquered on our next visit to the Abbey.  

We ended our stay with the sharing in a meal. . . something St. Benedict would have certainly smiled upon.

To view more imagery click on the link here.   http://www.imagesinternos.com/  click on Commercial.  Go to Proofing.  Password/St. Joseph's Abbey.