I believe in Reincarnation....

at least in the kitchen.

After Thanksgiving Tara's sweet potato casserole with marshmallow fluff had a second life as a pie. Who would ever know? I made my own flaky piecrust. Mixed three cups of the sweet potatoes with three eggs, tasted it for sweetness -- mmm -- pured it in the crust and baked at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes. What a winner. For a gourmet look, add whipped cream or ice cream on top with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans. Yum. I just had some for dessert after lunch and it is mm-mm good.

The Cheerful Pilgrim: November

NOVEMBER: REMEMBRANCE

"Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shall return."         

Ash Wednesday admonition

    November arrives gently with crisp, frosty nights and warm days. We go to morning Mass for All Saints Day and enjoy the little ones dressed up as saints. One young boy, obviously St. George, carries a sword to vanquish his little sister, the green dragon with the spiky tail trying to keep up with him as they march down the aisle. St. Bernadette, St. Therese of Liseux, the three little shepherds of Fatima, King Louis of France in his regal robes and crown, St. Michael and St. Gabriel, St. Joseph with his hammer, and a mini Blessed Mother in a blue dress, white veil, downcast eyes and hands beautifully folded – all the saints, the heroes of heaven, pass in review. How can the minds and hearts of the congregation not be lifted up to the Church Triumphant with such a display of her holy treasures?

I'm Going to Write a Book: The Cheerful Pilgrim

I decided this week that I'm going to write a book. Whether it ever gets formally published is less important to me than the writing. It will take me a year because each chapter will be a pilgrim's journey through a month and I'm beginning it now. It won't be a diary in the sense of keeping a slavish record of daily happenings, but a collection of the months' experiences from both now and in the past.

Since I'm starting with November the beginning is the end chronologically, which I think is appropriate. Pondering on the end gives a different perspective to the rest putting it in the context of the last things (death, judgment, heaven, and hell) which should really be among the first things for the pilgrim journeying through life. Keeping our end's goal in sight is the only way to reach it. So I invite you to join me along this pilgrim's journey through the year and in fact follow your own journey. We are all walking the path and, what a shame, if we don't study it along the way. As Socrates said, the unexamined life is not worth living. So let's examine ours together.

Check out the Denver Cathedral

We went to Mass at several churches in Denver. One was traditional; one was more modern. Check out the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception downtown. What a beautiful and inspiring church. It lifts the heart and mind to God. I've posted photos at Les Femmes.