A prayer (and a recipe) to warm the body and soul

      Before Joe begins his school day, we say prayers to help him calm and get ready for the day. We say the Hail Mary (sometimes several times) and the Guardian Angel prayer, along with any intentions that we may have. As I drove home today, I was thinking about other prayers that we could say, and I believe that this prayer is a beautiful way to begin the school year. It is from the dear St. Francis of Assisi:


Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

What a beautiful way to place our lives in the hands of God, and to help turn our hearts toward others.....

And as the year turns to Fall, I pulled out one of my favorite recipes. The rain is coming down, it's a little cooler, and I realized that it is a perfect day for Autumn Soup. This recipe that I have is from my mother and is written in her beautiful handwriting.

Soon, my home will be full of the smell of this lovely soup, and along with it, memories of childhood. My sisters and I loved coming home and having this smell (and her wide smile) greet us at the door.

Autumn Soup ~ A "Beautiful" Soup

1 lb lean ground beef                        1 t bottled brown bouquet

1 chopped onion                                   1/4 t pepper 

4 c water                                                1 bay leaf

1 c carrots, cut                                       1/2 t basil

1 c diced celery                                      1 large can tomatoes w/juice

1 c cubed potatoes

2 t salt

In a large saucepan, cook and stir meat until brown. Drain well. Cook and stir onions with meat for 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients except tomatoes; heat to gentle boiling.
Reduce heat; cover and cook for 20-25 min. Add tomatoes; cover and simmer 10 more min. until veg. are tender  ~ Serves 6

NOTE: Have fun with this soup. Add corn for yellow, turnip and parsnips for off-white, winter squash or pumpkin for orange. Those vegetables can be boiled in a separate pan and then added into the mixture.


I love her added note. It's the artist in her.... And come to think of it, this really is a beautiful soup....

May you have a beautiful start to the school year, no matter what "school" is for you... Blessings...