Winterr's words

Thanks to American Papist blog, I found a fantastic CNN video Remembering the life of Pope John Paul II
I think this is a great time to view it, with the anniversary of his death comming right up.

Today in my spam folder I received mail supposedly from myself. My public email is carmelb@gmail.com and someone copied it to look like it's me I suppose. The email asks you to send money and all that, so if you get it, IT"S NOT ME!! I don't want your money, ok? Don't you just love spammers? :/

Also, last night Jonathan and I went out for dinner to this fabulous restaurant, I didn't expect it to be so nice, the food was great, the views etc, and it's one of the best places I have eaten at so far, but..... I ate like a pig, and that's no exaggeration. I didn't realize that I was so full until I stood up. So our evening ended with me complaining to Jonathan, "ouch my stomach hurts" and "Honey, I can't believe I ate like a pig, I feel like a pig... help me feel better" etc. Poor Jonathan had to console me lol. So if you happen to get in front of some good food, don't act as I did or your night will be painful. YES, I'm ashamed of my glutton behavior!! NO, I don't ever eat like that, but I guess there is a first time for everything. (I did not break my Lenten fast at least!)

We had some better weather a few days ago, so
Jonathan and I went out hiking. Some of the parks around here are just gorgeous! We have been jogging out there too, it beats the indoors of the gym. Well here is a picture I took on our hike:



There are some geese in that pic but you can't see them.

Also for the first time ever I saw a ground hog! He or she was so cute, and I took some pictures, but you can barely see it. I also saw 2 groundhogs fighting after I threw some strawberries out for them, perhaps I won't do that again!
This groundhog lives under the shed in the yard.
So here is my evidence of my sighting! If you look hard you will see a brown object, that will be it lol.




So there is not much else to tell except for that we are going to visit a shrine this weekend, it's about a 2 hour drive or so from here. And tonight we are going out for dinner, which I always love to do!
I am loving it here and don't want to go back yet!
I still have a while at least.

Stef has some great photos of her time in Thailand, my favorite one is of her teaching the monks! Go Steffi! If you want to see her photos go here

I came accross these cute puppies for sale. I can't buy one but they are so cute. Check out these cute tiny dogs
here
But just for a preview here is a picture of one of the most CUTEST dogs I have seen: Isn't it cute? I would guess it's a little baby girl!!



On a different subject, I have been inspired by
Dymphnas Well to write about tea.
I have been drinking a lot more of it lately, but have always drank it at least once per week, more so in winter because it warms me up! And since being in Ohio I need some warming!
What I want to do is give you some benefits of tea. The following information has been taken from here

So here are some benefits that I chose from there:

Allergy eraser: Thyme tea can help soothe and heal allergy-addled sinuses. A natural antihistamine, thyme also has antiseptic properties to help purge infections. Brew a cup and breathe over it (you'll get a cleansing facial too) or simmer yourself in a thyme infused bath.

Flu fighter: Do you turn to echinacea or goldenseal the moment you feel a cold coming on? "Most people don't know you have to cycle off echinacea or you'll build up a resistance to it. And goldenseal is too potent for long-term use," says Victoria Zak, author of "20,000 Secrets of Tea." Next time, consider a tea of Pau d'arco, aka "the divine bark," an herb with immunity-building properties, which can be purchased at most health food stores and ingested daily. It is antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial, and it's packed with iron, calcium, selenium, zinc, and C and B-complex vitamins.Tummy tamer: Instead of popping Tums, brew some spicy tea to soothe digestive ailments. Ginger, known as "the hot root," warms you from head to toe and stimulates digestion-aiding enzymes. It also cures both morning and motion sicknesses. And look no further than your spice rack for relief from menstrual cramps, gas and heartburn: "Fennel, anise, coriander and cardamom all have antispasmodic properties and help create movement in the intestines," says Augustine, who suggests you add these herbs to your cup o' tea.

Beauty brew: Tea made from rose hips is the ultimate age-defying and skin-hydrating brew, thanks to nutrients such as longevity-promoting vitamin K and free-radical-damage-fixing bioflavonoids and citrics. Shiny horsetail grass is one of the richest sources of silica, an essential element in tissue repair. Revive lackluster hair, skin and nails by drinking tea prepared from this prehistoric plant. Make it work double duty by placing warm tea bags on your eyes to reduce puffiness. If your hair is dull from product buildup, try a rosemary tea rinse. Rosemary cleans hair follicles and promotes hair growth, says Zak. Use once a week for thick, super-clean hair and scalp.

Disease beater: In recent years, scientists have been lauding the cancer-fighting abilities of the powerful antioxidant polyphenols found in black and green teas. "These teas contain properties that not only protect the cells from carcinogens, they also shrink tumors," explains Paul Lechance, Ph.D., executive director of the Neutraceutical Institute at Rutgers University. "While we can't say you'll never get cancer if you drink tea, you are certainly doing yourself some good by drinking it." What's more: A study from the University of North Carolina concluded that people who drink three cups of tea a day reduce their risk of heart attack by 11%.

Hunger helper: If you're looking for an afternoon energy boost without all the fat of chocolate and the calories of soda, Augustine favors oatstraw tea. In addition to its high-fiber content that leaves you feeling full, this potion provides high nutritional value (vitamins A, D, B1 and B2, calcium, iron and selenium) and can boost immunity and energy. Augustine also recommends bitter herb teas such as chicory and dandelion as natural appetite suppressants.


There seems to be many benefits right? It's amazing for something that tastes so good!

Thanks to the blog Dymphnas Well who found out from the blog Recta Ratio
I discovered A Little Flower Garden which is a lovely blog named after Saint Therese of Lisieux, written by Elizabeth who is entering the convent this year.

Word surely gets around!

While Jonathan was at work today, I was on a mission, armed with so many clothes that I could barely move, even a thick beanie to keep my ears warm, I fronted the freezing weather.
My mission was to take some pictures outdoors, although I did take some inside. I do have my photo blog but I want to post them on here too.
I am not a great picture taker or anything as you can see but it was fun. I was looking for some little birdy to come by so I could photograph it, one did that but flew away once I lifted my camera. Oh well, this is what I got:



The infamous bird feeder!


Jonathan has the most beautiful scenery out here... (yeah that's the other birdfeeder lol)

I don't know what berries these are, so I didn't eat one, in fear of poisoning :)
I like this room, I edited the photo so it looks old, and gives the appearance of warm weather, just because i'm so cold.


I know, it's just a window but I like it..

There you have it, there are more but it takes me so long to upload them.
Peace all!

There has been something wrong with my blog for almost 2 weeks. My margins look weird and all. Has anyone else been having problems? All your blogs look ok and I havent added anything. This is driving me mad.

This came to me through email, I thought it was cute. I have seen it before but thought I would link over to it today and share it.

Happy babies

Blogger was down for me for a while and I had to get Jonathan to help me fix my template. So I lost a few little things on my side bar and it looks a little different, but i'm so glad I didn't lose all my links to your blogs!
It's so cold here in Ohio, a few weeks ago I was complaining how hot I was in Australia! It's certainly a shock to the system, I have been wearing so many layers of clothing that it's been kinda hard to move properly :)
I have also been eating lots of this yummy food, Jonathan cooked for me which was sweet, but we do have to work off some of this good food! (I have been sticking to my fast though)
I hope you all had a great feast day of St.Joseph, I saw some great blogs about him and prayers related to the day.
We have been having a great time, St.Patricks day was awesome, green beer and all. I wore a green Irish button saying "kiss me i'm Irish" i'm not Irish at all but it was fun. We went out and I have been having a go at trivia, I can't say i'm any good but it was fun, Jonathan knew almost every answer as usual.
I am hoping to take more photos, it's just so pretty around here, next week it should warm up a bit and I shalll get out and take some, I will share some by posting them.

COMESPRING!!

I can't remember what Jonathan called these bushes, but they are so pretty! My photo taking skills are not fantastic but I had to go out and get a picture. Now I hope spring weather gets to Ohio very soon!

COMESPRING!!

Since I have no time for many words, I leave you with a pic of me and Jonathan on St.Patricks day. I wish you all a great week and will be checking your blogs soon. xxxx

I am glad that it's friday! It has been such a hectic week, but I am ready to have it slow down as I do nothing but sit and travel. I will be updating my next blog entry from the USA, there will be no time, unless my hotel has some good priced internet hours to offer me! I am seriously praying for no flight delays, I slept in Dulles airport once because of weird weather, but it was an interesting experience to say the least.
I cannot imagine what cold weather feels like anymore, so arriving in Ohio will be a shock to my system, since we have been having some extreme heat waves over here, i'm so sick of it, sweat pours like waterfalls around here!
I have been trying to share some of my faith beliefs over at a group blog I joined called God conference, now I wrote a post before but deleted it because I was so sad about the reactions I have had. But there is no point in getting upset, I tried my best to give and show people what my faith means to me, and I just get angry reactions, why do people get so angry over things like this? I never push my beliefs and was happy to listen to different ones, but Christianity sparks up some surprising stuff, I felt like I was looked down upon because I actually believe in God and the biblical events. But I have the upmost respect for every member of that blog no matter how they reacted to my Christianity.
On a nicer note, my Church fathers readings are going well, I have one day to catch up on though, so I have to read 2 of them tonight, I find them to raise some interesting thoughts, and I have been looking at myself harder lately, knowing that I can do better things while im alive, things to help make me a better person.
When I look at some of my favorite people like Mother Teresa, I feel guilty when I compare her life to mine!
I think trying to do better is a good thing anyway.
That's all from me, have a wonderful weekend and keep safe. x

"Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me." (Matthew IV: 8-9)



Through the Lent season , we abstain from meat on , Ash Wednesday , Friday's and Good Friday. A lot of people perform acts of penance or such things as, giving up sweets, television, alcohol and certain types of things similar to those mentioned.
But what is the connection here to the 40 days of Jesus in the desert?

Well lets look at what this 40 days in the desert is:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter (Satan) came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

It's always struck me when Satan tempts Christ with his words "If you are the Son of God" tempting him to authenticate his deity by a miracle.

It's also obvious that Satan knows the bible.

More temptation:

"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."

It seems a little obvious here that the kingdoms of the world belong to Satan, perhaps, although I cannot be sure.

So I see the desert time, or time in the wilderness as a time of deprivation.

Through our deprivation, we find that we are not all powerful. We are slaves to our stomachs, to pleasure, to what others think, to what everyone else has, the lastest fads, etc.

We feel a bit of pain, so we take a pill. We don't like how we look so we diet, face lifts, colour any grey hairs if we are getting older etc. So doing away with some of our things that we choose to fast from can actually show us something, we can be bigger than all this, we are not chained to the things we seem to think we are. This is a great time to reflect on what we are truly slaves to in this world.

Lent means spring, and this time can be a good time for that spring clean within yourself. And we can be reminded that man does not live on bread alone, just like Christ said. But there is something we do need, and that's God and his bread. He provides us with all we need, the spiritual food, not only for our body but for our soul. This is a time to remember that we need God above all else.

Through fasting, learn to feel compassion for the poor and hungry and to save our own resources so that we can help those in need. As my priest said to one person who was giving up wine , "if you give up your wine, don't just stock up for when Lent is over, use the money you save for a worthy cause"

Since i'm a bit of a cat fan, I thought this was a cute link:

Stuff on my cat




Hat tip: Patrick

Sorry for not updating much, things have gotten quite busy, but I will be blogging from the USA at some point too.
I have been able to read some blogs, although not as much. This week will be the most hectic I dare say.

I want to leave you with some great reading that I have done. Firstly

The Church Fathers Lent Reading Plan it's been an amazing experience.

I have also been reading Natural Family Planning and the Conjugal Relationship It's been great, Dr.Evelyn Billings is great, although I am not using her NFP book but another great one that is used with Couple to Couple League.

Have a great week all!

I haven't got much to tell you, except that it's only a matter of days until I leave for the US, I have been frantically planning things like someone to feed my kitty cat, water my garden etc, lucky for me I have my trusty family who takes care of everything, but they need to have lists set out so they don't forget ;)
I have to leave a day early and spend a day in the city, I used to live there so I know all the ins and outs and have a great time all on my own, I find my own company really good (lol).
I spent time alone in San Francisco when I was coming home from visiting Jonathan, I was pretty sad about leaving but decided to make the most of my time stuck there and go check this city out. It was fantastic, if you like shopping then this is your place, the train took me right to a shopping mall!

Anyway here is a soppy quote from a movie that I like, it sounds old fashioned and warm, and we could use more "warm" these days. I like the movie it came from too, so here you go:

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.
That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.
~ Captain Corelli's Mandolin

I hope that I have not made you sick! :b
But I like this, the movie is good too if you haven't seen it.