In the quiet waiting of Advent... let us pray to the Lord.

and count our blessings. The first day of Advent Nov. 28th I was so blest to see my sissy Karen. This pic was taken at the home in Bedford where she lives. Mamma got to go with us. Mark was our driver and picture taker. We had a very nice visit with precious Karen. She is 18 months older than me. Mamma and I reflected on Karen recently, wondering what she would be like if she were normal. Would she be like me or would she be completely different. At any rate, we love her dearly for who she is.

I have been doing lots of holiday baking! Also I am enjoying reading in a very old copy of Charles Dickens Christmas stories, and currently reading "A Christmas Carol". I love it!!

I feel so full of blessings this Advent. I just love gazing at the Christmas tree drinking in its beauty and feeling so thankful for my gift of vision.

Today Holy Mass was so beautiful. We attended the Spanish Mass at St. Bartholomew, and it was full of lots of love for Our Lady of Guadalupe for this is her Feast Day. I love you my Heavenly Mother!!

We are getting snow out there today and tonight. It is absolutely beautiful!! Above is Bethie and I with our doggies. They are all dressed up warmly to go out on a walk in the snow!

I wish you many Advent and Christmas blessings. Lots of love, Kim

A wonderful time with two Sweeties!! Patsy and Lilly!!

Last Wednesday I had a great time with Lilly and Patsy!! Our friendship goes back a long way as we were in nursing school together. They picked me up Wed. morning and we headed off to Cracker Barrel. There we ate a delicious breakfast and had so much fun visiting and chatting!!

I am glad I was able to share some goodies with them!! They are always soooo good to me!! Years ago, they had a baby shower for me when I had Jacob. I will always be thankful for them!!

Lilly shares a birthday with Jess, Oct. 12. Girls, I cannot wait until our next get together and until then, take care and behave yourselves!!!!

Love ya both!!

Kim

Blessings and more Confirmation pictures

What a blessing to feel the nice cool breeze coming through our open windows!! Fall is so wonderful!!

Last Saturday night Jess and Nick made DELICIOUS chili!! It was such a blessing to be able to have supper fixed for us, and to be able to enjoy that special chili in the fall. And to top it off, they had the most delish cinnamon rolls for dessert!! YUM YUM!!

I got to do more canning this week! Daddy had spaghetti sauce and chili sauce mixes that he didn't use. Jean Ann was so kind to give them to me. I used them this week with some fresh tomatoes, (we are so blest that summer lives on still, in our garden!!) and peppers that we are still harvesting. Also some canned tomatoes and tomato paste. It was fun to make!!

Well, I would like to share some more pictures of Bethie's Confirmation night. Also a picture of Bethie and Scottie. He is so sweet!! So is his Grandma who I met today!!

I hope fall is a special time this year for all of you!
Blessings,

Kim

Elizabeth's Confirmation!

It was a beautiful night indeed!! Holy Mass was beautiful and I am so thankful that Beth received the Sacrament of Confirmation!! Thank you dear Holy Spirit for coming to Elizabeth in a special way that night. She is now Elizabeth Joan Alexandra Schoettmer!! How blest I am to have been able to go to the Cathedral two times recently.

Praise be to Jesus!!

The only bad thing that happened was we left our lights on in the blazer and had to have a jump start when we got ready to leave. Thanks to the kind lady who gave us a jump!! Thanks to you dear Colleen for coming up to see Elizabeth be confirmed and for giving her the special gift. We love you Colleen!! Thanks to Julie Haney and all of you wonderful people who helped with Confirmation this year!! Thanks to Bishop Higi, all of the priests who were there and Deacon Steve for the beautiful Mass!! Special thanks to Bishop Higi for confirming the dear teens!! Thanks to the choir from Holy Angels Church for providing beautiful music that night!! I am sorry if I have left anyone out.

Thank you Jacob for being such a good sponsor for Bethie!!

Praise Be To Jesus Now And Forever!!!!!!!!!!

Strand Theatre, Confirmation and odds and ends!

Last Saturday, the same day as the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome, Mark, Bethie and I were blest to be able to go to an old neat theatre in Shelbyville, IN to watch Jessica in a poetry play. The name of the theatre is Strand Theatre. I love old theatres like this!! The actors and actresses read parts from poetry written about 1915. It was really neat and I enjoyed it thoroughly!! By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jessica today!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lilly too!!

Last Wed. we got to go to the beautiful Cathedral in INDY, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral for Bethie's confirmation practice. She will be confirmed there tomorrow night and I cannot wait!! I love the Cathedral!! Above is a picture although I don't think you can see it too well here. But we shall be taking more pics tomorrow night.

I got more walnuts today at beautiful Donner Park. I am enjoying the walnuts, with the exception of missing a nut tonight and hammering my thumb. Ouch! Yes, the nut shells are so hard, that it requires breaking them with a hammer. At least that is the only way I know to break them.

I shared some walnuts with Rose. She loves to get them too! She gave me some tomato plants that I am going to try to keep alive this winter in the house. I put Miracle Gro on them today. We shall see. They are looking droopy after transplanting them from her garden into a clay pot.

I am loving my big shelf with all of my canned goods on it as well as other things too! Daddy I know you are responsible for my terrific canning season this year as well as my "new" shelf to put it all on! You have quite the sense of humor Daddy! You always did love for me to can! So you are making sure I have lots to can this year as well as freeze. The freezing is going well too. Been freezing pumpkin bread lately!! THANK YOU JESUS for so many blessings!!!

Gotta run for now as my neck and head are bothering me. Too much computer this evening. Rita I love and miss you!! I am wondering if you have been making your carrot bread lately??

Sissy Linny, I hope you are doing well. I love you too!!
Goodnight Moon!

The Buddy Walk!

Today I had the pleasure of walking in my first Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome! Thank you so much dear Brenda for inviting me to be in the walk. It was a beautiful Oct. day for the walk. It was just a mile walk, just perfect for my old bones! LOL! How awesome it was to see so many pulling together for this most dear and important cause!! People seemed so excited to be there and doing what they can to help these precious souls with Downs. I saw so many of the precious Downs souls there. I so much enjoyed seeing Nick Feldman and meeting his sweet Mamma. Nick's hair is just beautiful!! How innocent and precious he is. And so is little Brittany!! She looked so sweet and precious holding the sign with a couple of others. What an awesome event!! What a nice time I had as I was walking chatting with dear Camilla, Brenda's mom. I was truly blest!!
Brenda you have a lovely family!! So glad your parents could make it to Columbus this weekend!! A true blessing indeed. Praise Be To God!!!
I hope to raise even more next year and be in the walk again!!
May God bestow many special blessings and graces to all those with Downs. Bless each and every one of their dear little hearts!!!

So Thankful!!

Tonight my heart feels full of gratitude.

God is so very good and forever to be praised!!!

Nothing serious was found wrong with Bethie. She was diagnosed with Functional Abdominal Pain at Riley. All of her tests came back normal. They told us that ten percent of teenage girls have this. The pain can be severe at times, but so far she is better since going to Riley. She is taking two new meds and has made some changes in diet.

Gabe is doing well with his treatments in Indy, Praise be to God!! Keep up the good work Gabriel!! I do love those precious babes Nik and Madi Gail!!

Jess is busy with wedding plans even though her wedding is a year away. She will be a beautiful bride!! We are so happy that Nick is so willing to get married in the Church. What a good guy!! Nick you are special to us!! I will always treasure the way you asked Daddy on his deathbed for permission to ask for Jess's hand in marriage. That means so much to me, and then to ask Mark's permission as well.

Jacob is quite the trooper balancing school and work, AND is the perfect Confirmation sponsor for Bethie. Keep up the good work Jake. I love to sneak up to the college library when you are in class.

Jon just walked in from taking a shower. Sure does smell good!! Jon is so sweet and does everything I ask him that he is able to do. Thanks a million Jon!!

I gets lots of calls about sweet sissy Karen, but thankfully none of them have been anything serious. I do love my two sisters!! I love my Mamma too. And Mom and Dad S. too!! And of course Jean Ann!!

I was blest with a wonderful BIG shelf this week for all of my canned goods, and it even holds my canners. Daddy, you have quite the sense of humor. Not only sending me lots to be canned this year, but a nice big shelf to store it all. I LOVE IT!! I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU DADDY!!
Thanks my dear Mark for thinking of me with the shelf. I would rather have it as a new diamond ring!
I hope Louis, Chris, and Nathan are doing well in school. I just bet they are. :-)

A BIG HELLO TO THEIR MAMMAS, lINDA, CLAUDIA, AND MELISSA!! I LOVE YOU DEARS!!

I do love my doggies!! They are so much fun!! They can be annoying sometimes when they bark at company, (and Peyton shows her bad side to company), but they are well worth it!!

Dear Lord I thank you for so many blessings that you have bestowed upon me. I feel so thankful. Thank you for this nice cool weather. Thank you even for the walnuts that I found and collected today. Help me always to strive to be in the center of your divine will. Thank you for the gift of Holy Mass.

I love you so much Dear Lord.

In Jesus Holy Name I pray. AMEN

Happy Birthday Mother Mary!

A Big Happy Birthday today to you Dearest Mother Mary!!! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and love. I am so thankful for your love and for being my Heavenly Mother.
Brenda Preusz, I am thinking of you today. Also Cathy N., Jane Bean, and Jo Ann. I love you all and so does Our Blessed Mother. I am thinking of other dear friends too. Claudia, Monica L., Melissa N., Sissy Linny, Deborah S., Karen Sue Miller, Sandra C., Becky L., Traci Y., Toni M. Margot, Sarah Stadolka, and the list goes on and on. I love you all!! Oh yes, I love you Dears Patsy and Lilly!!
I LOVE YOU MY MOTHER MARY!!!

A recipe that sounds so yummy!! Chicken Enchilada Dip

I haven't tried this yet, but plan to do so! It sounds like something some of you might like. Becky L. , perhaps you? Maybe Monica L. and some of my other dear home school mom friends?? Maybe Sherry? It comes from dear Karen Sue Miller over on the My Catholic Kitchen yahoo group. Love that group! I also love other yahoo groups that I belong to. Trouble is finding enough computer time. Oh well, I tune in to them when I can. Also I have to limit my computer time due to neck pain :-(
If you choose to try this recipe, I hope you enjoy! If you get a minute let me know if you tried it, and if so, did you like it?

CHICKEN ENCHILADA DIP

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts (2 breasts)
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese - softened
1 cup mayo
1 (8 oz.) pkg. mild cheddar cheese
1/2 of 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chili peppers (I use the whole can)
1 can Del Monte Zesty Tomatoes - do not drain
Tortilla Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chicken in casserole dish with about 1 cup of water in bottom, season
chicken with salt and pepper, cover, cook about 10-15 minutes in microwave.
You can prepare it the same way using a pan on the stove as well, remove, cool
and shred.

Mix all ingredients.

Place mixture into a medium baking/casserole dish.

Bake uncovered for 30 min. at 350 degrees until edges are golden brown

APPLES!!

Apples!!
Lots and lots of apples!!! I feel so blest!!! Free apples for the picking, (also picking off the ground as well as the trees!) and now its busy in the kitchen making apple butter and applesauce for canning. I have discovered a new website from dear friend Karen Sue Miller with an awesome looking recipe for apple pie filling that I intend to try, and can as well. Hopefully my headaches will stay away and I can get lots of canning done over the next few days with these apples. I already have applesauce and apple butter in the fridge to can. Also the crockpot is all ready with another load of apples, cinnamon, sugar, and red hots to turn on in the AM to cook into more apple butter. Dear Cathy, (Niese) I wonder if you have been able to can this summer. I hope so!!
I bet you dear Sandra C. have been canning at your Minnesota homestead.
Well, its off to bed soon so I can get up with Elizabeth in the AM to get her off to school, and then turn on the crockpot that will fill the house with the wonderful aroma of apple butter cooking!!! Poor Mark is sick with a cold :-(
I just gave him some Tylenol and cold medicine. Friday we head up to Riley with poor Bethie to try to figure out this stomach pain thing :-(
Tomorrow dear friend Connie has heart surgery. Connie we are praying for you and holding you close in our hearts. Dad S. you are in our hearts and prayers too with your dr. visit tomorrow. Goodnight little Nik and Madi. You are mamma's sweet babes!!
Linda W. I bet you really miss Louis. I know I do. I miss Nathan and Chris too. At least I still have Jake and Jon here! And Garrett is close by although I haven't gotten to see him for awhile. Hopefully soon....
Goodnight all! Goodnight Jess, Nick, Gabe, Kelley, Mommy, Jean Ann, Bethie, Jake, Jon, Mark Randall, Uncle George, Aunt Norma, Aunts Anna and Libby, cousins Rita and Dolly and all the family and of course Brenda, Claudia, Jane Bean and so many dear friends! I love you all!

Poor Sick Elizabeth and Tidbits

Poor Elizabeth has been having stomach problems for quite a while. She has undergone an ultrasound, upper GI, gallbladder hide a scan, all showing nothing conclusive as to the cause of her pain. Tomorrow we go in for her to have a CAT scan, and then next Friday its up to Riley to a gastro intestinal specialist. Poor baby...
Thank you to all who are praying and to Claudia for offering to help in any way we need it!! I am thankful for all of our friends.
Beth has also started Columbus North, but poor thing has missed quite a bit due to illness and tests. But she keeps steadily working away at it and even did cross country for a few days. But due to stomach problems, had to stop.
Little Niki is in second grade now. That doesn't seem possible. It is great that he and pappa are at the same school. Pappa is blest with little Nik hugs while at work! What a blessing!
Canning continues! Was blest with lots of carrots last Friday and Mark chopped quite a few of them for me, which made the canning much easier!
Now I am working on tomato juice.
Jess, I am looking forward to trying the salsa that you and Nick made!! Don't forget I have the canning book to give to you.
Jacob is in his second year of college. How did that happen? He is doing well so far. John William Luckmann is also in his second year. So far, he and Jake have not had a class together :-(
Also Garrett, Nathan, Louis and Chris are all in their first year of college. Courtney and Kayla as well. It sure doesn't seem possible. Years just fly by too fast :-(
It doesn't seem long ago that the boys were doing Conquest. How thankful I am for that opportunity for the boys!! What awesome days those were!! Fr. Matthew is such a wonderful influence and blessing for the boys.
Jake and Jon stay busy too with their Walmart jobs. They both work in the same department and can ride together.
God is soooo good!!!!! Forever to be praised!!!!!!!
I wonder how Sissy Linny is doing? I need to sit down Sissy and write you a long letter. I promise to try to do that very soon!
Well, its off to the shower. God bless you all and I hope you all have a blessed autumn.

Garrett!

Our dear buddy Garrett Preusz has been in Brazil for several weeks visiting a friend and his friend's family. What a great opportunity!!! Garrett, we are praying for your safety and a fun time. You are due to come home soon, and it will be very nice to see you again. I know your mamma has missed you so much and can't wait to hug you. She told me so! I know your whole family has missed you. I miss you too. You are a special friend! Good luck with college.
With love from Mrs. Schoettmer

WOW! How can it be August?

Gee where has the summer gone?? Little Nik is big seven years old now. Madi is three. We have had our silly little puppy girl Peyton for about a whole year now.
I simply cannot believe that school will be starting soon. How can Jake be in his second year of college, (so glad he is still at home!!) and how can Beth be a sophomore in High School?? Mind boggling!!
Five months since we lost Daddy. I didn't want to give up winter as in the winter we had Daddy alive. Now I have loved summer and don't want to give it up :-(
It has been a really hot summer. My container plants have done well for the most part. I am harvesting peppers now. Mamma got to go with us to Brown County Inn a few weeks ago for a fun two night stay. It is nice to get away and we all LOVE Brown County Indiana!
This summer we lost our beloved Fr. Tom. (but we will visit him one of these days) We really do miss him. He is up in Indy now. We have a new Fr. John who seems really nice. I just don't take change very well. Is that a sign of getting old?? I think so!
But I am thankful for all of our priests as we would not have the Holy Mass without them.
Jess and Nick are engaged now and Jess is having the mostest fun making wedding plans. Here is hoping all goes well for them!
All is well. Goodnight Moon.
Happy harvesting to all who have gardens. Enjoy fall that is just around the corner. As for me, I will hang onto summer every minute I can. But I know when it comes I shall love fall too.
That's me away!
Kimmy

Canning Continues!!

Hello! Greetings from INDIANA!
Well, today I canned chili. I am so excited!! I have been wanting to can soups for quite some time. This is my first attempt to can anything with meat in it. All the jars sealed, YAY!! I used some of our home grown peppers in it.
Hope you are all well, and I wish you many blessings.
In Jesus,
Kim

Happy and Sad days :-)

July 23, 2010

Happy days as it is canning season and I love canning! I canned 17 quarts of green beans this week. Also canned some cinnamon pickles, and zucchini pickles recently. Beth and I don't really like the zucchini pickles though :-(
Happy days as I love gardening!!
Sad days as I miss Daddy so much. We lost him March 4th. I am filled with gratitude that I got to spend a lot of time with Daddy the past several months before he passed, and I was right by his side when he passed. He let me know just hours before he left us that he loved Jesus alot.
I first didn't think I could ever can again as Daddy always loved canning and it was so sad for me. But I know that he would love for me to continue the art of canning. Also dear friend Cathy Niese told me that Dad is with me as I fill each jar. I know he is :-)
Well, others are talking to me as I try to type. I better hop off of here. Jake and Jonathon are both working at Walmart now.
Love to all and God bless!

Winter!

Well I am enjoying my day at the library here at the Columbus Learning Center. I came up here with Jacob today only he is having classes. I crocheted for awhile, and am now checking emails and then I will check in on yahoo groups. Poor Dad remains in Columbus Health and Rehab, slowly gaining strength and wanting so much to be home. Hopefully he can be home before too long. Hopefully by warm weather he can be home.
I love the recent snow we got! I really do enjoy winter. Thankfully it was decent weather when the teens got to go to the March for Life in Wash. DC. I am so thankful for this opportunity for them to be a great witness for life. Many people gather there with a common bond. LIFE! Jacob, Jonathon and Elizabeth all got to go, (as well as many of our friends!) I believe there were about 300,000 people there although I have not heard the final count yet. I am hoping that Mark and I get to go next year. God willing.... Sherry if you read this, I am thinking that it would be wonderful if your family could go. I have already started saving change for it. I may not be able to save enough, but time will tell.
We didn't have to pay for any of the teens to go this year. It was all covered for us, and I am so thankful.
A few weeks ago, the pond near us froze solid and it was fun venturing out on it. Even little Niki enjoyed it! The dogs were cute out on it! We of course had to make sure it was solid first. I thought as heavy as I am I would break through, but did not.
Elizabeth has been doing a lot of baking lately. YIPPEE!! She has become a better baker than her momma. Sherry, I wish I had one of your good cookies right now! Yummy! If I remember right for Jonathon's 8th grade graduation party, you made eight different kinds of cookies. Seven or eight? I know you made many different kinds. How neat!
Well, I better run. Hope everyone is enjoying winter. Curl up under a warm blanket, grab a good book to read, and sip on hot chocolate. Cozy, warm, fun....!!