{Friday Foto Friends} Mardi Gras to Ash Wednesday

I actually remembered to take some pictures this week!

CH & I at the Mardi Gras celebration hosted by the Knights of Columbus at Church last Friday. We left just as things started hopping...literally...just after the Second Line finished. 

 I went to Mass Saturday morning in this beautiful nearby church.

 This is looking towards the back of the church, into the choir loft.

Just above the altar, the dome has a dove right in the middle of it. I couldn't get it to show up with the light. I had to look up several times during Mass and just take it in.

Sunday morning breakfast was french toast with a secret ingredient. It doesn't matter what kind of creamer you splash in, it gives the toast an extra "umph"!

Sunday afternoon, CH & I brought up this bookcase that my daddy made, along with some dressers for YS. There's still a lot to be done at the house; luckily we aren't really on a time schedule!

I played at Ash Wednesday Mass and received the best ash cross I ever remember having! Thanks, Father Bill!!!
I got my camera out the other day and took a few pictures of a cardinal that was singing loudly in the back yard. It's rare when I can actually see them; I mostly hear them. I just didn't have the time to get the picture off my camera. 
Have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend!
I'm linking up with Deb at Breathing in Grace today!

Slowing Down for the Hodgepodge

1. 'Slow and steady wins the race'...tell us about a time this was true in your own life. 

I don’t think I do anything slowly.  I’m starting off on a good note, aren’t I? I’ve got absolutely no answer to this one!  

2. 'As slow as molasses'...Do you like molasses? How about maple syrup? Caramel? Butterscotch? What's your favorite of the slow moving treats mentioned here, and what's your favorite food made with that sweet treat? 

Now, we’re talking! Of the 4, I don’t like molasses...unless it’s in cookies! My favorite is caramel, and I’m not picky when it comes to things being made with it!

3. Your favorite slow song? 

There are so many good slow songs that I’ve heard and loved; I can’t pick just one! Anything by The Carpenters or Barry Manilow will do the trick.

4. Your favorite thing to make in a slow cooker or crock pot? 

Red & White Chicken Chili. I found the recipe in the box of the crockpot liners. Very good!

5. 'You may delay, but time will not.' ~Benjamin Franklin Are you more a hurrier or a delayer when it comes to unpleasant tasks that need doing? What are you currently either delaying or hurrying to get through this week or month?
See #1.

I just hope March goes as slowly as February did. I have a feeling Spring Break will go by in a wink of an eye.

6. Tell us three things you encounter regularly or even just occasionally that you find to be annoyingly slow.
1. The weekdays

2. Some drivers on the road to 1 of my schools

3. The line I get in while at the grocery store (It doesn’t matter which line I’m in, it’s going to be the slowest. I’ve thought about warning the people behind me so they won’t get stuck.)

7. March is National Craft Month. Are you crafty? Tell us about something crafty you'll try in the next thirty one days. Or something crafty you'd like to try or wish you had the skill to make happen. 

This really isn’t crafty, since I’m not a crafty person, but I have plans to paint a couple of the bedrooms in our house.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

As things are settling down, I’m finding myself with a little more time. I actually finished a book Monday evening! Goodreads says I have 3 more to go before I’m on track to completing my reading goal for the year. I’m sure we’ll have some camping weekends, so I’ll get caught up pretty easily!

{Weekend Wrap-up} Last Weekend in February?

The last weekend in February. Wow; just...WOW. This has not been a good month at all. It can only get better, right? 
CH & I kicked off the weekend with a Mardi Gras celebration at church. The Knights of Columbus do a bang-up job with any celebration they hold. We sat with a couple we didn't know, and some friends of theirs joined us. We left early; CH was tired and I had to get up early on Saturday.

Saturday morning, I went to a nearby church for a Women's Conference. The sister who spoke was young, funny, and really brought the story of Martha & Mary to life.  We attended Mass before the conference began. The church is fairly new, being built in 2008. I loved that it was built in the style of old churches. Just beautiful!

We went to Mass Saturday evening, because we thought the mass intention was for my daddy. As it turns out, someone in the office made a mistake, because the mass was said for a man on the 30th anniversary of his death. Oh, well. It was a little awkward when we both were in the Narthex of the church, ready to take up the gifts. 
That left Sunday morning open. We lazed around, then went down to Daddy's house & moved a few things. I spent the rest of the afternoon moving some things around to get ready when some other pieces of furniture are ready to be moved. Here's a bookcase my father made in its new home:

OH! I almost forgot! We booked our campsite for next year. Looks like we'll be spending New Year's Eve in Panama City Beach again. This time, we'll be waterfront. It's not The Keys, but it's a lot closer & we don't have to go through Atlanta.
Ash Wednesday is this week. What are you doing to gear up for Lent?