Vatican rebuffs Obama ambassador picks

The Obama administration has put forward three candidates for consideration as US Ambassador to the Holy See but each of them have been deemed insufficiently pro-life by the Vatican, commentator Massimo Franco says. Source

To help clear up some of these disagreements, a meeting between the Pope and the President is seen by some as a matter of urgency, particularly in view of Obama’s campaign pledge to build consensus between both sides of the pro-life debate. Failure to do so will confirm what some Vatican officials already suspect of Obama: that his talk of reaching out to all sides was empty talk, designed to deceive. Source

Wow.

One morning in March

I had some free time this morning and was able to go to Mass and Rosedale before I had to pick up Nick. (So here's a brief, random photographic summary.)

When did Epiphany put those giant screens in? I don't remember seeing them before. It was like everything I don't like about sports bars (but with a crucifix). Very bad. I would take the most obnoxious tambourine Mass at St. Paul's before sitting through this one again.
Yes, Father had to turn around during Mass to sing what he didn't have memorized. This in no way counts as ad orientem.
We were told by the giant screens to sing "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field." This will not be on my iPod >:-(
Fortunately, the day perked up when I saw the cutest dress ever at White House, Black Market.
... and a guy repairing the elevator. Nick, you were wondering what it looks like under there. The guy I talked to said it's just a big conveyor.

Indulgences (and Fr. Jon) in the Strib

Indulgences: What's old is new again

That opinion is supported by postings on Internet blogs, where people write about finding "a sense of comfort, connection and renewed hope" and the security that comes from "reclaiming historical traditions in a time of uncertainty."

"We're seeing a resurgence in the interest of traditional piety, especially among the young," said the Rev. John Paul Erickson, director of the Archdiocese's Office of Worship.

At the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, student after student confirmed Erickson's view.

HELP!

(really)

UPDATE: I emailed Father, who graciously took responsibility for the oversight. We now have an oasis next to our desert.

Portion Distortion in Home Kitchens

It's not just fast-food restaurants that have supersized the way Americans eat. Cookbooks share the blame.

So-called portion distortion, the trend of eating larger and larger servings, is as much a problem with recipes as it is restaurants, and it has been going on even longer, according to a study published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The study, which looked at how classic recipes have changed during the past 70 years, found a nearly 40 percent increase in calories per serving for nearly every recipe reviewed, about an extra 77 calories.

The study identified the trend in numerous cookbooks, but it focused on American kitchen icon "Joy of Cooking," first published during the 1930s and regularly updated with new editions since then, most recently in 2006.

Of the 18 recipes published in all seven editions, 17 increased in calories per serving. That can be attributed partly to a jump in total calories per recipe (about 567 calories) and also to larger portion sizes.

Only the chili con carne recipe remained unchanged through the years. The chicken gumbo, however, went from making 14 servings at 228 calories each in the 1936 edition, to making 10 servings at 576 calories each in the 2006 version.

Read the full article here.

Just in case...

Finally! Something worthwhile has come from an Obama administration

I could make this stuff up, but I'd probably never develop the idea to the point where I could sell it on the 'net.

Now I just need to decide which is my favorite: Determined Chia Obama or Happy Chia Obama.

Go to their site - you can watch it "really grow" before your very eyes!

In honoring our 44th US President, the Chia Pet company presents this Special Edition Chia Obama.

On the side of the Chia Obama planter are his famous words:

'"YES WE CAN."

Can you grow one?

YES YOU CAN.

Easy to do..... Fun to Grow.
Full growth in 1-2 weeks