Joyous Tomorrows

Recipe Experiment That Worked.

2012-01-13T21:51:00.000-08:00

I was tired. There was still an abundance of left over turkey, so I decided to try an make impossible turkey pie in muffin tins so I could freeze some ahead if they tasted good.
[If my children come on and comment, it will be something like "Mom, you are taking the 'Impossible Pie' to a whole new level". They all complained that Impossible Pie recipes were a regular menu item while I was working.]
When I got the link, I discovered someone else had a similar idea. Great minds.

My Impossible Turkey Pie in a Muffin Tin.

First, I filled the muffin tin with chopped turkey, peas and carrots, and a sprinkling of Colby Jack/Monterrey Jack cheeses. Sprinkled with garlic powder, onion salt, and a pinch of sage for taste.

Next in a 1 cup measuring cup, I mixed 1/2 cup of Bisquick, 2 beaten eggs, 2 Tbs of Plain Stoneyfield Yogurt, then finished with enough milk to make a cup.

I slowly poured this mixture over the turkey mixture allowing it to sink in.
I had preheated the oven to 350 degrees.
Now I popped the muffin tin in the convection oven. Since I had never done this before, I set the timer for 15 min. At 15 minutes, they were not done. I added another 5 minutes and they were golden brown, with the same sizzling look that Impossible Meat Pies have.
I sprinkled some grated cheese on top and allowed to set for 5 minutes.

Mmmmm, yes, they tasted good, but don't take my word for it. My son who is NOT like Mikey, grabbed them up and I was lucky to get two. Now I will have to make more to freeze ahead. ; )

Hope your day was a good one.

A Dream Came True Last Friday

2011-12-22T18:42:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to my son and his wife for a job well done. He finished his degree. He graduates with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and an Associate degree in International Business. There is another Associate degree that is related to Air Plane Engines, but do not know the title.

The California sister and her family flew in, the Texas sister and her family drove over. I came and his wife's parents came. Yes, it was a big deal to us. He readily recognized the role of his wife in obtaining the degree and bought her a beautiful necklace as her gift for graduation. It was funny, he had hid the necklace under a tee shirt that was from his college. He had to point out to her, that she had missed a box. She was surprised.

We are all so very happy for them. Now, he is job hunting, and they are pursuing their dream of having children through adoption. Check out their website. Their adoption site.
The mom is so excited to see their lives moving ahead. YEAH!

Sheet Pajamas and Pillowcase Gown .... Recycled Is Good

2011-09-23T19:15:00.000-07:00

This is a blog piece I planned while in California. When I came back to Texas, things were crazy. I decided today I needed to begin to catch up.
My granddaughter Miss T loved her 'Chutes and Ladders' sheets. I guess you could say she loved them almost too much, the sheets became worn with a hole or two Thus the mom requested while I was visiting and waiting on the newborn, would I make some pajamas for the two older girls from the sheets.
We started with the sheets,

I just couldn't stop with a plain top, there had to be decorative stitches, ribbons... she is girly.

We ended up with pajamas for Miss T and a pillow case gown for Miss E.

Now the video my daughter sent to me when I got home.

I think they are beautiful.

Slice of Life #62: Howdy Neighbor! My Many Good Neighbors

2011-07-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

This is written for the meme prompt by the pirate princess on Sharing a Slice of Life .
I have lived a life on the fringes of town. There never were children around to play with.
When I lived in Pawnee, we lived in the country, but I remember there was a wonderful black man who came and comforted me while my mom was getting help for the out of control fire. You can read about that here.
He didn't live next door, but he saw a small crying girl and reached out to comfort her.
When we went through the tornado, I remember driving around with my dad to check on all the other farmers in the area before we made it to my aunt's making sure no one was hurt. Tornado story.
This was my life pretty much.

In Edmond, my neighbors were an elderly lady and an elderly brother and sister who lived across the street. They let me come by and visit and help them. There was always a sweet smile. When I left for college, I never saw them again. They left an old wardrobe and sewing machine which my daughter has now, to me as there wasn't any family. They remembered me as a sweet little girl who loved them.

In college, I had a roommate that I had gone to high school with. She supported me through some painful times. We both met our spouses in Houston. I stayed, she moved to the East coast. We drifted apart.

The Hero and I moved to the country miles from the city. We had some neighbors, unfortunately when my dad had his heart attack he said some hurtful things that did not help with relations. There were some that we still would watch their land if they were away and vice versa.
My neighbors during the ordeal of the Hero's bout with cancer were actually cities away. I had a friend who would call with a joke daily to uplift our spirits, if I were low she would cry with me. My cousin would call from another state to do the same. We had home teachers and old home teachers who would come to what ever hospital or town we were in and visit, bless, and uplift during our time of need. One of the home teacher's wives became my close friend. They lived miles away, but she brought food if I were sick, she would call to make sure everything was okay. She is moving to Dallas area, but I know we will still stay in touch as she was a helping hand neighbor in her heart.
I live out there by myself now. My son is my neighbor. He is a wonderful person. Sees to many of my needs. When he was growing up he was part of the "good neighbor" helping hands in the Katrina and Rita clean up. The Hero and my oldest son participated in that. They were happy to travel hundreds of miles to help others who were overwhelmed by the hurricane damage.
My daughter did live here but she moved away because she needed to become her own person. She has always been a person who wants to help other people. I will miss her and her children.
I do have a couple down the way who visits as I drive down the road. Our dog escorts them as they go on walks. They are friends and I know they will watch out for our farm if we are away. My son hit their dog when it ran into his car. He offered to pay for the vet bills for its recovery. They were grateful he was caring but did not require his money.
I have moved into an new mode of good neighbors now. I have my blog neighbors who drop by and comment, uplift and encourage. I have missionary neighbors who are states away who "drop by and visit" by Skype.
I guess my definition of neighbor is closer to Christ's admonition to "love thy neighbor". One who looks to others needs and reaches out to uplift, assist, and comfort. I have been blessed in my life with many of these good neighbors, and strive to meet the challenge of being one my self.

http://www.storiesnow.com/pictures1 free pictures of Christ

What You Do When Waiting For Baby to Arrive? Cut Your Hair?

2011-07-08T16:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were having a pleasant time with a leisurely morning. My daughter said to me, "Mom cut my hair". I said "All right", assuming I would be trimming her long locks.

I went in to the sink where she was and found her with her hair up in a long pony tail on top of her head. I decided that she had decided against cutting her hair. Oh no, she motioned to the scissors and said "Would you get a measuring tape, please?" My mind was wondering, 'what is she doing?' Okay, I finally said, "How am I cutting you hair?" She now remembers she has forgotten to tell me that her plan is to have 10" and donate to Locks of Love. (Locks of Love is an organization the takes the hair you donate... at least 10" and helps disadvantaged children suffering from hair loss. It is a very worthy cause.)

We measured. Sure enough there was 11" enough to spare. She motioned where she wanted me to cut. I did and my eyes widened as she took off the third pony tail holder and ruffled her hair.
Some way she had pulled it up, she ended up with a small section of 1" hair at a cow lick at the very top. There were uneven areas all over. (We did not get a picture of this, must have been the shock.) She looked at herself in the mirror with bewilderment and said "The last time we did it, it just fell in nicely around my head. Can you even it out?" "Nope", says I "not even. Do you have a hair dresser you can call?' She was disappointed, but called and they said come on in.

The girls and I went for a drive while she was in the salon. We all clapped when she came out in a very flattering style. They didn't even try and deal with the 1" section but layered the hair.

When we arrived home, I told my daughter, if she was bored, I could think of a lot better ways to pass the time while waiting for the baby to come. ; )
All is well that ends well.

Big Whoop! Happy Birthday MomE! Milestone again.

2011-07-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law turned 92 today.

Doing the happy dance. As I am not home, I called her and had a nice visit. She said the assisted living home treated her great! Cake, songs, and lots of friends to congratulate her. Her son and daughters were not home today either. They will be celebrating tomorrow.
I love this lady greatly. Glad I at least got phone hugs. My daughter had hoped, oh,okay, I hoped that my daughter would have the baby on her birthday. I thought what a great present, but alas, still no new baby yet. Join me in wishing MomE a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Mom's Fashion Show...

2011-06-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

I am late getting this posted. Here it is for the family.
My mother-in-law who is 92 was excited to be chosen as one of the fashion models for her assisted living home. It is a joy to see her so wonderful active and involved in life. You will rarely catch her in her apartment. Usually she is playing cards, sometimes putting a huge puzzle together or off visiting. Really an amazing lady, but, I digress, off to the fashion show.

The show began with sports wear. Early afternoon attire. Isn't she beautiful!

Wonderful color and smile.

The second set of clothing was evening casual wear... for the dinner date.

She paused to show the lining. Deep sigh was not in focus.

She looks beautiful in this outfit. She sparkled.

The last portion of the show was the evening dress. Once again, beautiful colors and it looks so good.

All of the ladies posing in their finery for a final shot. I hope I look this good at 80 and up!

You Never Know When You Will Be Needed.

2011-06-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

I am sorry this is long, but was quite a story yesterday. There is more after the picture. Thanks for stopping by)
The day started out well. I had lunch with an old friend. I was dressed in my pale pink gingham outfit, very summery and cool. As I left the restaurant to go and meet my family a blast of hot wind hit my face. Texas is so hot and dry right now. I felt a stab of pain for my friends who are in the throes of fighting a 5000 acre fire 15 miles west of my home. Homes have been lost and animals. One friend was involved in animal rescue.
I met my daughter, her 2 teenage sons, and 2 toddlers and my son and his wife. They had just finished eating. We stopped, picked up flowers, and went out to my husband's grave. My "adopted daughter" and her 3 sons came over as they live next to the grave yard. It was a wonderful reunion of sorts. I learned that her husband was off helping at the fire. Too soon it was time to leave. We were going to visit my mother.
My daughter, daughter in law, and 3 grandsons left in her car. I was driving my son and one grandson in my car, so my grandson could tell his plans for upgrading my 1989 Mercedes. She left a minute or two before we did. O'kay son, it was not because I backed out the wrong way. (Rolling eyes).

As we were rounding a corner, I got a frantic call from my daughter telling me to warn my adopted daughter that there was a fire going just down from her house. We were there. I pulled to the side of the road because, although it was a small fire, there was only an older man with a folded up blanket on one side of the fence and a teenager on the other side with a shovel. It was a natural that I said "are we going to help?" The son had already opened the door. The grandson said, 'I guess'. (silly me did not see he had on thongs.) I sat and called my adopted daughter while watching. The older man would plop down the big blanket and whoosh out would go some sparks. The grandson had found a bottle of water in the trunk to douse a flame. He and his brother then started kicking out dirt to the flames. My son was up by the teenager kicking dirt on the flames but one side was still inching out. My childhood instinct (click here to read about why it affected me) kicked in. Dressed in a pink gingham pant suit, I grabbed an old table cloth my son had rejected using, and went to the edge of the flames on my side and started throwing the table cloth down and stomping the cloth. It worked. My cloth didn't catch on fire but it may be damaged, oh well. With in minutes the efforts of three teenage boys, my son, and two older people were able to stop the potential damage some one had started by apparently throwing out a cigarette on the side of the road. (Where was their minds! We were in a Red Flag warning! There was a 5000 acre fire going on because of a barbequing spark. The wind and dryness are horrendous.) As we were turning off the road on the highway, the fire trucks were tuning down to the fire site. We knew they would extinguish any potential for fire springing up from the ashes, and our thought turned to Slurpee at the local convenience store. I laughed and said "I forgot to take a picture". My son laughed at me. (They just don't understand my 365 blog... picture would have been so cool).

So I took a picture of my table cloth when I got home.

The rest of the story... My daughter had come around the corner to see a small patch of fire on the side of the road and part of the ditch. No one was around, so she pulled over and her teenage son, jumped out to stomp it down. She called out to him, "Be careful and remember stop, drop, and roll!" There was more fire making material than he had feet, so quickly, she saw his efforts would not be effective. She called him back and drove to the house (we are in the country here) to let them know about the fire and called the fire department to let them know. The owner was not home, but his son was. Just as they had all arrived back at the fire, we came around the corner and a man from down the road had pulled over. It was perfect timing.
My son found out the irony was the house belonged to the Fire Chief in our town. I would say he was reaping a blessing of giving service. Because he was helping others, there was someone there to help him and his family in time of need. It was all good.

Big Huge Sorry

2011-06-04T21:49:00.000-07:00

I am so far behind in keeping up with my person blog. I will get back in the groove quickly.
Just not tonight. ; P
Hot, Tired, no Air Conditioning, and the temp is 95 in my bedroom. Not conducive to thinking.
Later my family and friends.

Finished My Promise

2011-04-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

Sewing again. I had promised my second daughter 'Little Miss Sunshine' last fall to make her a dress for her birthday. The grandchildren stepped in and messed up my timing, then she found out she was pregnant and I would not be able to make the same dress. Or could I? After some alterations to the pattern, I came up with a beautiful dress for her. This was done even when the the button hole attachement wouldn't work, and I had to do the button holes and lace by hand.

Good thing I started sewing before all the gadgets on sewing machines.

Hope you enjoy. She is beautiful, a glowing mommy.

Sharing a Slice of Life #41 Going to the Zoo.

2011-04-13T23:22:00.000-07:00

As our group grew, we did not go to the zoo as often. Unfortunately, work took our weekends more often than not.
Your first trip to the zoo with your first child always holds a special memory for a parent. You are now a family and you are taking a trip to the zoo. Oh yeah.

The Oklahoma City Zoo was TexasBlu's very first zoo trip. They had begun to have huge open runs for the African animals. It was disconcerting to be pushing a stroller along and hear thundering hooves at your back. You would turn and see the giraffes, antelopes, etc. running freely. It was before the big safari ranches we have now, so the sight was breath taking.
Texasblu wowed the Aviary attendant, because a Toucan decided she was his object of attention. He followed her, sat next to her and just watched her. It was interesting to see. He was not aggressive in manner.
Her favorite was the giraffe and riding on her dad's shoulders to be up near them. Wonderful memory and so glad we have the pictures including Texasblu drinking out of a lion's mouth.
There is one more picture I will add later with her on her dad's shoulders, when I find what I did with my TexasBlu files. Sigh

Sharing a Slice of Life #42 First Aid

2011-04-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Lynn's house was the scene of my first injury. My great grandmother lived near Aunt Lynn. The family was coffee drinkers and my great grandmother Gildon used snuff. They would save their coffee cans for her as a spittoon. They used more coffee than my great grandmother used the spittoons. Thus the spare cans were kept in the barn until they were needed. For those of you who never had coffee in their houses, the cans were opened on the top and were razor sharp. Today they have it in plastic reusable containers. Oh well.

My cousins and I were playing hide and seek in the barn,when I managed to trip over the cans and slit my throat. Donald and Robert ran up to the house with me dripping blood everywhere. I remember them setting me on the kitchen table trying to figure out how bad it was. They finally got it cleaned enough to see it would take stitches to close the wound. I was wrapped in a towel and taken to the emergency room. There is where, my memory stops. I had to have 9 stitches to close the wound, and still have the scar today. As I grew, it moved from my neck to under my chin. No one was really upset that much, when you live on a farm, accidents happen.

Slice of Life #40: Candlelight Dinner

2011-04-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

I warned you I am far behind. Candlelight Dinner, writing this story has to have the Hero in it. Oh duh.

This involves my romantic daughters. As they were growing up, going out to eat was not a real option, thus our anniversary celebrations were usually at home.

This particular special evening was planned by my two older girls. They helped plan the food, set the table and get the candles out. We had grape juice in wine glasses and a full course meal. Don't ask me what we ate, maybe one of the girls will remember. There was music in the background and soften lights. The Hero and I were filled with love for our imps who were so determined that we have a beautiful, romantic evening. My eyes still tear up at the thought. What a joy it was to look across the candles at my sweetheart and feel his loving gaze. The girls, of course, sat on the stair part of the time, I hope feeling pretty proud of themselves for accomplishing a special evening for us. Romantic dancing. The warm feeling still comes back after all these years. How grateful I am we had daughters who cared and we had the quiet loving atmosphere to make a memory with.
You don't have to be a millionaire to have a special candlelight evening.

Please Bear with Me.

2011-04-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have been falling behind in telling my stories to my daughter for her Sharing a Slice of Life meme. I am constantly telling everyone to write their stories, and here I am not accomplishing the goal. Daily I will be playing catch up so forgive me for being so slow.

Nanny Dog and The Granddaughter

2011-03-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

My son's part Siberian, part Labrador dog has been talked about by me before. He is so good with my grandchildren and a very vigilant dog too. Especially when it comes to the squirrels. He keeps them away from the house and the dog food. LOL. He greets me when I come home. I know I am loved. His nose comes in the door as I open it and his whole huge self if I don't fuss at him. I thought I would share one of his days with the granddaughter. It is is pictures. It does not require words. Hope you enjoy.

Oh so, you are bored!

Another long day

Just A Thought

2011-03-04T15:48:00.000-08:00

Today is moving slowly, a blessing for me. I have had time to think and ponder. As I have been researching and helping others, I have been listening to R. Carlos Nakai playing the Native American Flute music in the back ground. My thoughts have been why am so drawn to the Native American Flute and to Pan Pipe music. There is something in me that reaches out to the tones and vibrations. I love it and am contemplating buying a cedar Indian flute and taking lessons. If you are thinking she must have Native American Ancestry, nope, rumors, but no fact. Have you ever experienced this feeling toward music? My granddaughter has longed for a harp. Her parents just purchased her one. Now she is waiting for her father to drive to pick it up. Can't wait for her to start. Skype here I come to listen. Grandparents are blessed to have internet these days when they are far away.

The pictures are from Native American Style Flutes which I am considering purchasing, I may start off with a less expensive learner's flute, but I am pretty sure I am going to venture here. Of course we all know why I am looking at the Hummingbird totem.

Preparing for a Pretty Spring

2011-02-26T16:58:00.000-08:00

I have a boat load of subjects to blog about, a 40 acre fire just 2 miles over, my mother-in-law having pneumonia, yep, a boat load. ; )
I will instead blog today about the pleasant time I spent with my granddaughter making a pretty hanging basket.
Today we started out with new potting soil. I was able to buy Miracle Grow Potting soil for under 5 dollars...I used it. I had a beautiful black iron hanging basket. The granddaughter loves petunias and the grandson loves how they smell. It was a given, annual petunias with alyssum would fit the bill.

Of course when you give a 3 year old a watering can you are never sure how it will turn out.

All finished and fertilized and blessed to grow.

The splash of red in the background is a groove of Redbud trees.

We will let you know how it turns out.

Just in Case You Were Wondering

2011-02-17T20:54:00.000-08:00

I have several badges to different sites on my sidebar. I do not receive any compensation for the sites. They are places I loved and thought someone else might like to know about them.
Just FYI. ; )
Hummer

Sharing a Slice of Life: Sports

2011-02-10T22:25:00.000-08:00

Texasblu gave us the prompt at Sharing a Slice of Life to write about Sports.

This is hard for me. I played on a soft ball team when I was in grade school for summer time activites. Outfield...I was terrible at catching the ball. It was my freshman year of College before I actually learned to swim. I guess you would say I wasn't sports oriented.
I did play for the marching band and we did half time at every football game from Jr High through High School. When I graduated, I actually felt a little at loss because, the sport didn't have an appeal to me other than as a band activity.

I don't know why I was never really a sports fan, because my mother and grandmother were avid sports fans.

I can remember my grandmother had a television schedule. It went something like: Tuesday, bowling leagues, Saturday Baseball or Football or Basketball which ever season. She had terrible degenerative arthritis and had a hard time walking. It had started when she was in her teens. I guess that is why she loved sports and lived vicariously as a spectator all year long. She loved her Yankees. During a game, the air would resound with her advice and praise of them.

My mother played basketball in High School and loved the game. She was totally into all the school sports. As a teacher, she would have given support anyway, but for her it was a passion. She loved professional, college, and high school sports. We would hear her two acres away yelling for her OU team, the Oilers, and various other teams. The children would make a wide berth around her house during a game. It was funny to hear. Well, some of the words might not have been so funny, but her enthusiasm was.

I guess sports are necessary for an outlet of frustration and enthusiasm; I just never needed it because with 6 children it was a circus of events everyday at our house.
Was sports an important part or is it still an important part of your life? I know some who feel they can 't miss a game. It's all good.

Sharing a Slice of Life: Commercials

2011-01-29T23:53:00.000-08:00

When I was a small girl we did not own a television. I was about 10 when we purchased an older television that looked something like this.
I actually listened more to radio and followed "The Lone Ranger" and other similar shows. However, it was on this television that I was introduced to "The Mickey Mouse Musketeers" and "Howdy Doody Time" . Although the commercial of the Campbell's Kids singing "M-m-good, m-m-good, that's what Campbell's soup is - m-m-good." began many years before I was born, the jingle was a standard commercial for soup in the 50's as I was growing up. Below is a short commercial jingle.

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories: Cooking (Week 3)

2011-01-18T20:06:00.000-08:00

Lorine at Olive Tree Genealogy Blog prompts us to blog weekly of memories. I decided to combine something new with something old.
My grandmother was an awesome cook. Her rolls were to die for, unfortunately when we lost her we lost the recipe too. She didn't write it down. Have you been guilty of having a special food that everyone in the family asks for and you don't write it down. (The old I will later syndrome). She didn't write down her yummy Boiled Spice Cake recipe either, but that one I had helped her make and was able to recreate.
She passed down to my mother a love of cooking. When my mom cooked it was always 'gourmet'. Something new, or ethnic. I was sad when she quit cooking other than frozen foods.
I got my love of cooking from both of them. In keeping with that I made a memory for Jean tonight. I fixed a Mediterranean meal for my Jean, my sister-in-law tonight to entice her to eat and try something new. I have the recipes here and the end result, I did not have time to capture each step. She loved it.
The menu was Humus, Focaccia Bread, Lettuce Salad, slices of Avocado. My one regret was I forgot to make the Tabouli Salad the day before and so we had a Lettuce Salad.


Click to see larger


click to make larger the click back to return

Captured Jean's eye and she enjoyed.

Sharing a Slice of Life: Pets

2011-01-09T23:02:00.000-08:00

I have had many pets over the years. I loved them all, but the one in my childhood years takes the center stage this time.

This little puppy looks much like she did.

When I was 8 years old, my dad was given a small half Pekingese puppy. No one knew what the other half was, and further more did not care. We named her Princess. I must tell you she was not an ordinary puppy. My aunt in Pawnee found her. Knowing my father and his amputation, she figured our home would be perfect for Princess. Princess had been running with the rest of the puppies and tried running through a hog wire fence. She was small but not small enough. The fence caught her just right to break her leg at the shoulder in a manner that caused the leg to be amputated.
We knew about amputations and that they needn't hamper one's progress. She responded to our love and play and soon was off and running. Literally. She could keep up with me on my bike. She loved to cuddle. Her personality was as human like as a dog can get. I loved finding her waiting for me when I got home from school, and for years she was my best friend. I shared all my challenges and heart aches with her.She would listen intently looking at me with her soulful big brown eyes. Her love was unequivocal.
When I went off to college, she had deteriorated because of arthritis to the point of needing to be carried around. She was 90 years old in people years. My dad with great pain, and sadness had her put to sleep when she could not stand at all. It was years before he was able to tell me what happened.
She and my dad showed me there are no limitations other than what you put on yourself.

Do You Ever Ponder?

2011-01-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Have you ever reflected on "How well did I spend my life hours this day?"

We only have 24 hours in a day, but there are times when I have leaned back on the pillow and reflected "Did I accomplish anything today? " Driven by this thought my first inclination was to become more organized. I bought all the appropriate tools, calendar, planner, filing implements, etc. I accomplished planning my life down to the hour. Then, along would come a child, a friend, an organization with a need and out the window would go all my lengthy planning. My day would turn into a whole new place.
I could say "No, I don't have time" and move on, but it is not in my nature to do so.
That set me on a new idea. I needed to understand my nature and how to make it productive. I tend to spend lengthy amounts of time on the computer (were it in earlier years, the children would tell you it was on the phone). My time is focused on helping or finding a way to uplift others, or find answers to help other's needs.
My dilemma was how to incorporate my nature into a more productive life style. You notice I said more productive, not unequivocal productivity.
The plan was to do the dishes as soon as I finished a meal, if I had laundry to put it in the washer, and and pick up one thing in that room an put it in its proper place as I moved into another room. Then I would work some on the computer. The process would be repeated all day as long as I was at home, with emphasis on helping someone during the day.
An example is this evening. I was writing my blog, answering emails in between taking care of my sister in law and washing laundry, fixing supper, and cleaning dishes.

I now lie back on my pillow and can say I accomplished amount of____ with my life hours during the day. It is all good.

A Challenging Day, But This Too Shall Pass

2010-12-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

Today is the second anniversary of my husband's death. It is time to give a report to my family.
This has been a hard year. I was surprised. I had thought that it would get easier. Maybe I have just not stopped long enough to let the emotions clear. My sweetie and I were, as the children were fond of saying, 'so close that we were joined at the hip.'
I do not know what I would have done had I not had all the joyous love that my family and Ned's family has given me. There is a purpose in everything, I am just trying to sort it out.
This was a scripture my husband loved from D&C 76:22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

Ned loved Christ and the gift he gave us. This is what keeps me moving. The knowledge we will be together again. It is Christmas time, a time to rejoice and be glad. I can do this.

LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2010 Contest

2010-12-18T10:26:00.000-08:00

I love reading and there are some awsome genealogy books too!

Click Here LDSWBR to enter.

***Countdown to Christmas 2010 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on December 26, 2010 for a $50 Amazon Gift Card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some great LDS authors.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

Oh, Say Can You See? by Laurie (LC) Lewis

Backlash by Traci Hunter Abramson

Alma the Younger by Heather (HB) Moore

True Miracles with Genealogy by Anne Bradshaw

Dingo by Anne Bradshaw

Second Kiss by Natalie Palmer

Cross My Heart by Julie Wright

Cold As Ice by Stephanie Black

Meg's Melody by Kaylee Baldwin

Save the Child by Margaret Turley

Anasazi Intrigue (ebook) by Linda Weaver Clarke

Mayan Intrigue (ebook) by Linda Weaver Clarke

The Star Prophecy by Joan Sowards (and Walnut Springs Press)

A cute, handmade apron by Joan Sowards

How to enter:

Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Christmas 2010 posts. Comments can be added on any of the countdown posts at anytime during the contest period (December 1, 2010 through December 25, 2010). Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Christmas" post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.

Follow us on Twitter: @LDSWBR - then send us a direct message to let us know you want to be entered in the Countdown to Christmas 2010 Contest. If you are already a follower send a direct message telling us you want to be included in the contest.

Tweet this message each day (one entry per day). Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2010 at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com! Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card & great books! @ldswbr

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**BONUS +5 entries**- Blog about this contest on your blog in a post that includes a link back to the LDSWBR blog, then send us the link to your specific blog post.

Here are the rules:

Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 25, 2010. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on January 3, 2010 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.

LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.

Physical book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Authors taking part in the countdown are eligible to participate in the contest.

The drawing held on December 26, 2010 will be a raffle-type drawing. All entries will be combined and names drawn for the prizes.

Please join us in counting down to Christmas with some great reads!

Happy Birthday My Gorgeous Granddaughter!

2010-12-17T19:59:00.000-08:00

I have been looking at some of my old journal recently. When this date snuck up on me I thought to myself...hmmm...I can blog about the years from then to now? or maybe, how I love this granddaugher. She was my first grandchild. I will not reveal the birth year...we have our privacy you know...; )

On this date (ahem) several years ago, Athena was born at Doctors Hospital in Texas. Her poor mother's labor room was over flowing with family, myself, her sister Lil' Miss Sunshine, and Red Beard. It had not been planned that way but it was a great experience (for the rest of us).
We all laughed when Red Beard left long enough to attend the breast feeding class that TexasBlu had not taken yet. He was full of commentary when he got back.
Later Lil' Miss Sunshine was pulled in to coaching when Red Beard began to hyperventilate while breathing with TexasBlu and had to sit down. Red Beard was not one to stand back and watch. When TexasBlu went into transition stage, Red Beard inched into Dr Campbell's space and put his hand on the area that he had just been told was sterile and to stay out of. The main thing that TexasBlu remembered was Dr Campbell saying "Use your head, Red Beard!"

The little red head that was born was beautiful, full of personality and her father was crazy about her. They have played through the years.

Her Aunt Me and I have been her captive admirers since she was born. She is wonderful and I am so proud of the young lady she is turning into.
Happy Birthday Sweetie,
Your GrandmomE loves you. <3

First Quilting Project a Growth Chart.

2010-12-05T22:52:00.000-08:00

This last month, as you know, I spent with my wonderful grandchildren in Idaho. Each child has such distinctive personalities. I absolutely loved my time spent there.
Nana and SuzyQ were both interested in learning to sew. The machine says that 10 is too young so SuzyQ was relegated to cutting and ironing which she did well. I did not get any pictures of her unfortunately.

Photo by Hummer

I was very impressed with Nana. She took to piecing quickly and became very precise in the size and shape. I am sorry I had to leave before she finished, but I will share with you the finished product when her mom sends me a picture. Lets give the girls a big hand for being such good beginning quilters.!

Thanksgiving is More Than Turkey 2010

2010-11-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

The first example of Thanksgiving in America as recorded by William Bradford Governor Of Plymouth Plantation. Not of a feast, but of thanksgiving out of gratitude because "instead of famine now God gave them plenty.."P132 (1)
Edward Winslow wrote a letter on 11 Dec 1621 to a friend in England describing this day of thanksgiving.
"Our harvest being gotten in , our Governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week. At which time amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest King, Massasoit with some 90 men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted. And they went out and killed five deer which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our Governor and upon the Captain and others." p60-5 (2)
In his book, William Bradford affirmed Edward Winslow's letter. "Besides they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports." P90 (1)
Many think they were feasting on all that meat, but not so. The Indians were grateful for the kindness extended them and the custom was to give back, the gift of the meat to the Governor and others were prepared for preserving the colony through the winter. When you read his book you get to know, Governor Bradford was a pious man. He was not vain nor did he do things frivolously. You understand the thanksgiving feast was just that, taking time out of labors to give thanks for the blessings they enjoyed.
We enjoy reading the first hand account each Thanksgiving and applying an attitude of gratitude to our lives expressing thankfulness for family, friends, the bounteous blessing that God has bestowed upon us.
I am thankful for my ancestor William Bradford for coming to the country and instilling in his posterity the love of God, and the desire to keep the ability to worship as one desires to worship.

As I sit here an write, I look around at the modest home of my daughter and know she is greatly blessed as are her children. I am blessed to be here to spend time with them. Many years ago, a mother often would not see her children again after they moved far away. I am thankful for what I have.

I wish blessing on all this Thanksgiving.
Hummer

1. Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 by William Bradford (A New Edition edited by Samuel Eliot Morison)
2. Mourt's Relation

Dressing Up Through the Generations.

2010-11-01T21:32:00.000-07:00

Unusual costumes has been a regular for my TexasBlu girl. She loved dreaming up something different for me to make for her when she was little.

This is her at 8 with her dad and siblings at a County Maintenance Barn Halloween activity. The character is Mrs Bianca from the Rescuers.

About a month and a half ago, one of my grandsons, who has decided he will be a scientist, advised his mom that GrandmomE was going to make him a lab coat. 'Sure,' says I, 'that will be easy enough.' Well, the oldest then decided GrandmomE was going to make him a cowboy outfit. Still easy enough.
The mom then decided how about making the twins a HeMan outfit. (That was a popular cartoon series in the 80's [when TexasBlu was little] and is still on old channels). Can't deny that part of my insanity was, I have never made anything for the boys it has always been for the girls. Must do this.
As I was working, a poem I cross stitched for TexasBlu when she was about 10ish kept going through my head. She was kind enough to find it for me.

This is the poem:

When I'm a grown up woman
With hair up on my head,
I'll sit and sew till very late
And never go to bed.

Could be because, before I was finished, I did do an all night session in order to mail the HeMan costumes in order for them to arrive in time.

The grandson here with big eyes and solemn expression would admonish me to work on the costumes, because he needed a Batman costume. Of course I could not turn that down and I finished his the day before Halloween. He was on cloud nine. Me too.

Here are the pictures of the finished products:


The cowboy and the scientist who started it all


The twin HeMan. One was a little big but as you can tell the sword was everything.


I did not make my granddaughter's costume, she created her own. Awesome.


I love this. I made the fairy costume, but did not get the poodle skirt done she had to borrow one.

Our Little Batman. So Fearless. ; )

This was a time of remembrance for me, click here for my blog on the Hero about this, and a time of making memories with my grandchildren. The granddaughter is 16 and will remember this marathon and the fun her little brothers had. It will be a Family Story.

Halloween Celebration At Mom's Assisted Living

2010-10-28T22:12:00.000-07:00

When Mom told me she had decorated her own Halloween T-Shirt, I knew I was going to have to go and see. I was not expecting the totally fun evening we all had.
They had a wonderful trio that sang and played bouncy music. My sister- in-law figured out how to bounce and grove to the music.

She also won the Family Division Costume contest. She shows you can be sexy at seventy. Whoo Hoo. She's got legs.

My brother in law wore a mask from the movie Avatar. It was a bit spooky you could see his eyes, but the mask so hid him. I like him better without the mask don't you?

The Facility workers had all dressed up like the old rock n roll group "Village People" and did a rendition of YMCA, which my sister-in-law jumped right in and sang and made the motions. It was really fun.

Here is the reason I went. Isn't she gorgeous. 92 years young.

Happy Halloween 2010 to you all.

Spiced Banana-Walnut Muffins Heart/ Stress Healthy

2010-10-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

As I have been letting you know, I have been searching for a way to reduce my blood pressure. I am tired of whining, so I thought I would share some positives I have found with you.
Sheila G. West, PhD, of Pennsylvania State University team did a study of diet for possibly reducing stress with omega 3 fatty acids from plant sources. They used my favorite nut, walnuts and walnut oil in the study.
The findings were positive for reducing stress and reducing cardiovascular illness. Click here to view the write up about the study.
That article and others like it, along with the knowledge that potassium also is helpful, led to me get out my Banana Walnut Muffin recipe and modify it to be heart healthy friendly. [I see you smiling. Yes, I needed some comfort food. ; ) ]

Spiced Banana-Walnut Muffins

Servings: Serves 6
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour (I used 1 Cup Gluten Free flour and 1/2 tsp Xanthum Gum)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup olive or Walnut oil
1 cup (2 to 3 whole) very ripe mashed bananas
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 tsp. orange zest
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 egg whites.
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Line a standard 6-muffin tin with paper liners or grease well; set aside.

Yes that is my sewing in the background.

Put flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into a large bowl; set aside. Put sugar and butter or oil into a second large bowl and beat until well combined. Add bananas, applesauce, zest, vanilla, and egg to the sugar-butter mixture, and beat again until combined. Add flour mixture to banana mixture in three parts, stirring well after each addition; fold in walnuts.

Spoon batter into prepared tin; bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 minutes (With my convection oven it is 18 minutes). Serve warm or at room temperature.
My evening muffin really tasted yummy and squelched any desire for more snacks for the evening.

I went to SparkPeople.com to calculate the nutrition and calories. Click on SparkPeople to view their set up. Really healthy and tastes good too. Life is all good.

Nutrition Facts
6 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories                   299.6
Total Fat                   12.5 g
Saturated Fat              1.6 g
Polyunsaturated Fat    3.1 g
Monounsaturated Fat 7.1 g
Cholesterol                0.0 mg
Sodium                228.4 mg
Potassium            273.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate51.3 g
Dietary Fiber          2.3 g
Sugars              31.1 g
Protein                   4.5 g
Vitamin A               0.7 %
Vitamin B-12          0.0 %
Vitamin B-6         12.4 %
Vitamin C              6.4 %
Vitamin D              0.0 %
Vitamin E              6.8 %
Calcium                 3.2 %
Copper               8.6 %
Folate                   3.0 %
Iron                      8.7 %
Magnesium           6.2 %
Manganese         22.5 %
Niacin                 7.0 %
Pantothenic Acid 1.3 %
Phosphorus       3.2 %
Riboflavin           6.9 %
Selenium             1.5 %
Thiamin               9.0 %
Zinc                  1.7 %
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Hope you weekend is an exceptionally bright and happy one.

Shouts of Joy! I Feel like the Calf Roper!

2010-10-14T22:11:00.000-07:00

I have been multi tasking lately. In addition to my volunteer work, and taking care of business, I have been trying hard to fulfill my grandsons confidence in me.

Cowboy on the left and Scientist on the right

My daughter had related to me earlier this summer that one of the boys had decided he was going to be a scientist, the older of the two (they are 6 months apart) said "well, what am I going to be?"
Said the other, "You can be what ever you want to be."
I some how feel without knowing it he was quite profound. "We can be what ever we want to be."
At the end of August, it was announced by our scientist that GrandmomE was going to make his lab coat. That was good. I knew 2 months before Halloween, which is what we are striving for. The older then decided I could make him a cowboy outfit.
I am so excited that I have finished both and am getting ready to do He Man outfits for the younger twins...a rush job it will be, and wings for my fair princess CopperTop, and a poodle skirt for the dreamer.

My equipment is elderly but useful. The sewing machine has seen better years, but there are many memories written on its soul.

Here are the boys' outfits.
[Remember you can click on the pictures to enlarge them and click the back arrow to return.]

Yes, of course I branded them. ; )

We are now boxed and ready to go tomorrow! Whoo Hoo.... Boys are your excited?

I Am Moving Along. That is Should Be.

2010-09-20T00:03:00.000-07:00

Curves internet page.

My second son has been after me for sometime to get my health in order. I told you that I joined Curves. I really have enjoyed going to exercise early in the morning and love the people I have met there as well as my "adopted" daughter goes with me and we have fun too. No, I am not advertising for Curves, just thought that those in far away places might like to know what it is. (click on the title under the picture to view their web page.)
There have been set backs such as a sciatica problem that sent me to the chiropractor to have my back adjusted. It helped until I moved the wrong way again. Sometimes I just wonder if I am meant to get this weight off. On the other hand, I know that it is the right thing to do. So, as soon as I am walking in an upright manner again, ( my daughter called me the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I have to admit that almost walking on all fours to get around did present a funny looking picture. No, she did not take a picture of me. ; ) ) I will be going back to move along in this journey. I remind myself 'shoulder's back, chin up, face the challenge to ta ta".
Borrowing a stanza from Gloria Gaynor's song "I Will Survive" says it all.
"Did I crumble
Did I lay down and die
Oh no, not I! I will survive!
Oh and as long as I know how to love I know I stay alive.
I've got all my life to live, I've got all my love to give.
And I'll survive!
I will survive! Hey, hey."

And with that I will close for the night.

Back Up for Birthday Celebration

2010-08-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of being treated to a Belated Birthday dinner with my sister-in-law by my mother-in-law. Jaq's birthday was on Thursday and mine was in July. My mother-in-law wanted to take us both out to a nice restraurant so we waited until Jaq came over from Arizona.

What a fun night we had at Carmello's. The owner treated us very well. The food was wonderful. I had the red snapper, yummy. The company was awesome. We all had family stories to share. Dick shared about his Mat having burned up the engine not seeing the oil was empty. Jaq's family is doing well, and Marie is involved in learning politics and how to be active in her community. It was lively conversation.
When we left, I went over to my second daughter's home for the night and had a fun day at the park with her and the toddlers and her two. Of course, there had to be a story time.
It was a marvelous way to back up to celebrate your birthday. ; )

Photo property of Hummer 2010

photo property of Hummer 2010

Workless Wednesday

2010-08-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

There is Wordless Wednesday, and Wisdom Wednesday. Today is my Workless Wednesday.
Where is my photo with my feet propped up on the desk? Maybe a photo in the hammock...oh wait, I don't have a hammock. Sigh... It appears my life has been centering around activity. I am taking a day off. Haven't do a lick of work all day. Heading off with the toddlers to their Aunt's house. Depositing them there and having dinner with my favorite lady, my mother-in-law. It will be a wonderful ending to my day.

I Have Been Avoiding Reporting

2010-08-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

My goal in life has always been to be industrious. I love the symbol of the beehive for industry. In my life there has been a change of events that has thrown me off my usual bee buzzing activity.
About a two months ago, I had a bout of bronchitis. It curtailed my activities. At the same time my blood pressure became a challenge. I have not been able to get in to stay in ranges below stroke danger levels. (179/115) I am using every natural method I can think of. I have now joined 'Curves' to be able to get exercise in, because outside it has been excessively hot. Indexes over 105 degrees. If I get out and work my garden even early in the morning, it takes 2 hours to cool down and reduce my blood pressure. I am in a dilemma. It has caused my ability to concentrate on tasks to falter and oh my, I am way behind again in the house cleaning. I could use some prayers to inspire me on a better method ...do not say go to the doctor, I did he gave me a medication that would make me cough more, which caused my blood pressure to go back up... Hopefully the exercise will do the job and I can stay away from sugar.

The second son did help me greatly. He fixed the plumbing in the bathroom, so the sink is working and the bathtub puts out more than a trickle of water to shower in. Good things.

I don't mean to be a complainer. I am just reporting on why I am performing on a lower scale.

Fun Decorating for Home or Office

2010-08-10T00:04:00.000-07:00

I found this on Home Made Simple last year and I just found it again. The letters are made out of miscellaneous junk in your junk drawer. I think it is cool now if I can just get my round tuit going...

My World through my Camera Lens: Hollard Garden - finding beauty

2010-08-06T00:04:00.000-07:00

I found this to be a beautiful blog that the flowers are so uplifting to look at. Betty has a good eye for capturing their natural beauty.

My World through my Camera Lens: Hollard Garden - finding beauty

Report on the Progress of my Holy Basils

2010-08-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

I went out to the garden to water this morning. We have been having 101 plus temps, no moisture. Wasn't sure what I would find. It is looking rather pathetic, but the cucumbers and the tomatoes seem to be rallying for a come back. The herbs are looking beautiful. I took pictures of all the basils.

I have had good luck with the red stemmed or Rama Tulsi, or Holy Basil. The Vana Tulsi has struggled but it appears one plant is going to make it.
Chitra if you have and suggestions for helping the Vana grow, I will appreciate it.

I forgot to tell you how different the leaves of the Tulsi taste and their fragrance is so wonderful. I see why the Hindi people revere it.

It would be wonderful having it just outside your door.

There is one area that I have Cinnamon Basil, Sweet Basil, and Rama Tulsi. They all seem happy together.

I tried catching the bees that were busy pollinating, but they were too fast for me.

Planning on saving some seeds.
This has been a good year.

Summer Time Fun Playing With an Uncle

2010-08-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

One of the activities of our summer was to go over and spend a few days with my son and his wife.

The toddlers loved getting to play with their uncle. He got to give them rides, tolerate his shoes being used, and showered them with love and attention. It was a great time.

It was a wonderful visit. Memories galore.

Peace /Anguish

2010-07-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I received a message from a niece that I have not seen in a year. No one could tell me where she was or how she was doing. I have worried over her and said prayers for her because she was my Hero's god child. He took that seriously and would seek her out when he was alive. I remember driving to her apartment when she was much younger and checking how she was faring after a bout of Crohn's Disease. We love her very much and it has been distressing to not know where she has been.
When answering her message, I added a link to my blogs so she could read the stories of her uncle. The words peace and anguish came up as identifying words to publish my links. My eyes filled with tears, as that was what I was feeling. Peace that I heard from her. Anguish that I can't give her a hug. How did it know. If I had a wish then it would be a hug to her from me.

Fig Preserves with Spices

2010-07-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

What happens when your fig tree has a bummper crop. I am talking 84 pounds of figs and more coming. Well, of course, you experiment.

I had never made microwave preserves before, and never used spices in fig preserves, so here is my experiment.

It worked.! Not to mention, it tastes yummy too!

Fig Preserves with Spices.

4 cups smashed fresh figs.
3 cups sugar
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp butter

Your choice to either peel or leave the peeling on the figs. I like to remove the imperfections.

Mix the ingredients in a 8 qt. measuring glass cup. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow them to soften in the sugar. I use Celeste figs, Mission figs would really need it, the celeste are so yummy soft they just soak up the sweet and spice. : )
You put the fig mixture in the microwave and cook it approximately 15 minutes, stopping at about 8 minutes to stir. My bowl is deep so it took 8 min to get to boiling. At 15 minutes, I checked the viscosity, because of the depth of my bowl, it was still runny. ( You are wanting the jam to become thick to where it sheets off your spoon.) I returned it to the microwave and let it cook another 8 minutes to achieve the sheeting off the spoon.
[I had cleaned, then sterilized my jars by heating them in the oven at 200 degrees F. for 10 minutes.]
I used my handy dandy funnel and filled 7 half pint jars leaving a quarter inch head room from the lip of the jar.
Then I put them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Set them out on trivets to cool and listens for that pleasing sound of 'plink' when the sealing takes place.
This is a zesty recipe and you will love it on oat bread or dark wheat bread toast. Another way to enjoy it is to add 2 T of the jam to plain yogurt.

A sampling of the various canned fig jams I have made in the last few weeks.

Sorry, I just couldn't wait for you. It does taste so (long emphasis here) good!
Thanks for stopping by.

The Hummer

These are my pictures taken in my yard and kitchen.

If Not Cared For and Loved, Things Fall Apart

2010-07-22T00:25:00.000-07:00

I was visiting Muddy Boot Dreams blog. (Click on the name to see her photos.) She was reminiscing about where her nursery had displayed for garden shows while she worked there. It took me back to the days that I managed a nursery in Conroe.
That is where I got the name Hummer. The name of the nursery was Hummingbird Gardens Nursery. We closed it because sales went down so low. Here are some photos of it then, and now. When I went by to take the pictures, it made my heart so sad to see that no one tried to keep it beautiful. Instead, they just let it die.

This was hard to see because the nursery was a dream of mine and to see it in shambles is so sad. Maybe someone will find it and return it to its beauty.

A Link to a Beautiful Poem

2010-07-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have such talented daughters. I am more than pleased with all. Some have learned faster, some use their talents more; it matters not to me because I love them all for who they are.
My third daughter wrote a beautiful poem based on her perspective of perfection and imperfection. It looks best on her blog, so I will put a link to it here just click on mE and My Life. mE and My Life Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting.
The Hummer

Slice of Life Meme 'Good Byes'

2010-07-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

Texasblu at Slice of Life has given us the topic of 'Good Byes' to write about. I actually needed to write this down.

The hardest goodbye I ever made was in my heart in the dark of night in a hospital room.

I was no stranger to good byes. My grandmother, father, father-in-law, and friends had passed from this life to a better one in the next life. My husband and I along with my mother-in-law and his siblings, sat at my father-in-laws bedside and watched him pass from this life. I had spent so many hours with him while he was ill, that he was a part of me too.

This was different. This was my husband that I loved so dearly and we had been one so long that I never thought we would have to part for longer than a short time. I had been at his side every moment while we went through his cancer treatments, fighting like a lion for his recovery. This incidence he had had an overdose of morphine and ended up in ICU for draining his lungs and stabilizing his breathing. While he was in the intermediate care, he was not back in this world a hundred percent. I was sitting with him and he did not know me. That was another fight to get them to change his medication; however, what happened during that time had a significant impact on me. I was holding his hand, which he normally wanted, when all of a sudden he jerked his hand and said 'Let me go'. I let his hand go, but could not quit reflecting on what he had said. I knew he did not want to be kept on machines and sedated to mindlessness. As I lay upon the couch that night listening to his breathing, I reflected upon what he had said. Was he asking me to let his hand go? Was he asking Me to Let Him go? I cried like I had never cried before. I knew in my heart there was the cry in his heart to let him leave this life. I silently told him good bye that I would get him home to die in peace.

I accomplished that goal. He was able to come home on hospice. He was able to tell his children and grandchildren he loved them. I remember him looking up at me, as I was changing his tubing, and saying 'I love you' through his oxygen mask.
The morning he left us, my son was holding his hand and we were in the living room next to his bedside as he took his last breath.
It was expected. I handled it well, because I said good bye many weeks before in a different room. I knew he loved me and he knew I loved him.
I know I will see him again, and I am thankful that my heart heard his cry to prepare me for letting him go.

As The Little Ones Say...in drawn out tones...I'm Sick.

2010-07-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just feel like you need a hug.

I was trying to be good and rest to recoup from bronchitis. The alternating fever and sweats were driving me to distraction. I was sitting in bed feeling sorry for myself that my hero wasn't here to hug me, when I received a call from my daughter who said 'I am coming over to finish your tomato and cucumber canning for you'. My other daughter (not official, she is just as dear to me) called and said 'I am coming to help'. I admit it, I teared up. I had been feeling so bad that everything was rotting.

They arrived. I was able to sit and rock the grandchildren, and visit with them.
The girls finished the canning, washed my dishes and took out the trash. It was like having angels come down and caring for me.
I admit it, it was a beautiful hug to receive from two service minded young women. I am thankful for each. May you be as blessed as I was if you get sick.

Slice of Life 'Fireworks'

2010-07-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

The prompt from Texasblu is to write about our family stories of celebrating our countries freedom. Click here if you would like to join.

When I was a little girl, we would go into my aunt's house that was two blocks from the court house as a family gathering. In the late evening, we would take a blanket and walk over to the court house lawn, find a good spot and sit down to await the evening fireworks. Funny, it was understood that the Fourth of July was a special day, but I don't remember anyone ever talking about it. My dad and most of my uncles fought in World War II, so they were always quick to stand up and salute the flag and put their hands over their hearts when the national anthem was played. I guess that is where I began to learn respect for my country.
Back to the fireworks, it was much different from the fireworks of today. There were some that were bursting in the air, some cannon booms, but it was the finale we all waited for. It was actually on a stand. It must have been some kind of sparklers, because it was the American flag sparkling. The "Star Spangled Banner" was played by the High School Band. I remember the excitement and the people clapping. It would have been something like this from glitter works.
glitter-graphics.com
To this day, I still like to watch the fireworks with music being played in the background. I have been known to find a station playing patriotic music on the car radio, and watch the fireworks from the car.

My Daughter The Writer

2010-06-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

My Daughter is a beginning writer, she has started her own writer's blog and invites others to visit it, make comments and assist her as she grows. Click here to go to her blog I am really proud of my girl. She is really growing in the world of writing. I just sit back and smile watching her grow. Actually all of the girls are writing. This one is the one leading the way. I am posting a button on the side bar Living in the Write World so you can visit her anytime. She is trying to build traffic as told to her by her mentor. Thanks for coming by.

Who Says That Functional Isn't Beautiful

2010-06-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Look at my beautiful bean blossoms,

My Cinnamon Basil next to the Red Sage, take note of the small tomato in the background.

It is so pleasing to sit and enjoy the natural beauty in my garden

The berries were breath taking in the amount they bore this year. Plenty for us and for the birds. My fine feathered friends are singing their hearts out in my mini Texas Rain Forest.

Working for balance here.

Garden Report June 19

2010-06-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

You know how it is.

You start out with seeds or small seedlings, and pray and hope, and sweat until all at once the whole kit and kaboole seems to have come ripe at the same time. Sigh. I am in that category right now. While I was at the Lavender Festival and picking peaches, the son was watering the garden, but not picking. I went out last night and here is my basket.

So not only do I have peaches to can, I now have to make zucchini bread for freezing and tomatoes to can. The daughter made steamed green beans tonight. They were tasty. Here are pictures of where the garden is now. I will make blogs later on the peaches and bread. ;-)

(The seedling in the hands is from Glitter Graphics)

Lavender Festival Fun with the Toddlers

2010-06-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

We were fortunate to be able to make it this year to the Blanco Texas Lavender Festival.

Blanco in Spanish means white, but since Blanco has become the Lavender Capital of Texas they are now Lavender in color. Although the Lavender Lemonade was pale yellow, and an absolutely delicious to taste.! And the Lavender lemon cookies are the best ever.!

We skipped the court yard market to go straight out to the farms to see the demonstrations. Unfortunately, we arrived late.

We did get to attend the how to raise Lavender class at Hill Country Lavender Farm. . The lady there was really good at answering questions. I bought 2 plants to go in the garden at home. They had Lavandula angustifolias or English lavenders, Munstead Lavender. It was the best for the drier climate.

The second farm we went two was Heron's Nest Herb Farm. Our purpose for going there was to learn how to distill the oils from herbs. I ended up buying a purple hat, and we did see the distilling process, just too late for the instructions. They had beautiful herb gardens, and the toddlers had more fun here because they could get down and walk. Got some great shots of the herb gardens but will have to share later.

It ended with a trip to DQ for the toddlers and a good ice cream blizzard to cool everyone down. The girls were worn to a frazzle. I thank them for going with me and humoring me.

I will leave you with the Lavender Lemon Sugar Cookie Recipe.

Lavender Lemon Sugar Cookies

…a taste of golden, lemony Summer!

    * ½ cup butter
    * 1 cup white sugar
    * 2 Tbsp. dried Lavender flowers
    * 2 Lemons, zest & juice
    * 1 egg
    * 2 tsp. baking powder
    * 2 cups + white flour

Set oven @ 350° F.
Blend butter, sugar & Lavender.
Add in lemon zest & juice then the egg
Blend in the 2 cups flour & the baking powder next.
Dough should be soft
Add more flour by the TBSP if needed.
Chill 20 minutes.
Roll out and cut into ½ inch thick rounds, makes approx 30-36.
Bake 10-15 minutes max, “bottoms” pale gold.
Sprinkle with Lavender sugar Click here for how to make Lavender Sugar or purchase at Health food Store.

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

2010-06-02T21:29:00.000-07:00

My weekend started off with taking first my mother-in-law to my father-in-law's grave with my second daughter, her children, and the toddlers.

The next day, my youngest daughter, her children (the toddlers) and I took my mother to my father's grave and the Hero's grave. I visited with all my children in person or by phone, and had time to work in my garden some.

We were glad to have the time to teach the toddlers respect for the dead and for their living elderly.

It was good to spend time with the two ladies that played a great deal of influence in my life.

Slice of Live First Experience First Birth

2010-05-23T00:09:00.000-07:00

TexasBlu at Slice of Life has started her weekly Sunday meme. This week's prompt is Sharing a story about a first experience. If you click on Slice of Life, you will see other stories that are linked.
When you get to be 60 plus, the number of first's grows. Let me see what would be of interesting read.

Ah.My first child birthing experience.

For most, I suppose it would be a spiritual like experience, a life changing experience. For me, it was 'I will never have the same experience again!'

I was a second year nursing student.

The doctor never really discussed what labor would be like and everyone else, I suppose, thought the same as he did, I was a nursing student so I knew all about delivery. NOT.
Hmmm, what were my expectations, Oh yes, cramping. My stomach would start cramping, and I would have the baby. Naive.
The doctor, a boisterous huge man of Scottish descent, Dr McClanahan, was sometimes overwhelming. You just went with the flow, and did not ask questions, he told you. He was surprised that at 40 weeks and facing finals, I was not even having small contractions. At 41 weeks, he saw me and said 'anytime'. When, I finished my last final...the Hero said, "Wow! We made it, let's go and celebrate.!" We went to a great tasting Mexican Food restaurant on Westheimer in Houston. I loved it but, by the time we arrived back at home, my stomach was queasy and my back was killing me. I started having diarrhea. I just sat on the floor in the bathroom groaning. Well, the Hero was more astute than I. He said, "I am calling the doctor." "No," said I. "It is just food poisoning, I am having diarrhea." He called the doctor anyway, and off we went to the hospital. As it was back in the dark ages of delivery, they put me in a wheelchair and rolled me off to the depths of delivery leaving the Hero in the waiting room. (He wrote me a poem...which I can not find now..sigh). He always laughed that my last words to him as I went out of sight was...."I'll be out in a minute, it is just diarrhea."...
When I arrived in the labor area, I was so tired...a week of finals and no sleep. The kind nurse said, "Here, we will give you a light sleeping pill to help you rest, you are having back labor, and it will be a long time since it is your first." Okay, that should have been a flag...did not know that all labors are not the same. They gave me pain meds, a sleeping pill, and a type of hypnotic that they used to give mothers to help them forget...Oh awful.
I slept right through the delivery which was in 4 hours. Then, I proceeded to sleep for another 8 hours afterwards. I haven't any idea what the delivery was like. The Hero saw our beautiful daughter before I did. He told me she looked perfect. Not like a newborn at all.

Did he have fun with this?.Oh yes he did. I was teased "forever" about it.

"Diarrhea, yes that is what she said...."

My First Born at one month and myself.

Reporting on My Tulsi or Holy Basil

2010-05-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

I sent off to an Herb farm in Oregon called Horizon Herbs that specializes in medicinal herbs for my Tulsi seed. They sent all three varieties of this Basil. (It is not the same as the "Thai Basil" sold for Thai cuisine.)
Tulsi is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely known across South Asia as a medicinal plant and an herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has an important role within the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving Tulsi plants or leaves.
If you go to Ocimum tenuiflorum by clicking on it's name here you will see a complete write up about it.

I am so excited about the Tulsi. You can tell which seed is the hardiest.

The Rama Tulsi has developed to 3 inches. The Krishna is the second to grow, then the Vana is the apparent weakest here. In the write up about the Tulsi, the plant is just divided into green and purple leaved.

I love basil plants. I have African Blue Basil, Cinnamon Basil, Sweet Basil, and Genovesse Basil. Each has its own characteristic and wonderful fragrance. I can hardly wait to see what the new basil will be like. I am already planning on where I will be planting the seedlings.

CTR Ring and Sealing Anniversary

2010-05-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

In our church, this ring is usually worn by the youth as a Choose The Right ring to remind them of choices they make affect the rest of their life. The Counselor to the Prophet of our church gave the thought to the members that it would be good for the older set to wear it as a reminder for "Current Temple Recommend". I wear it for a dual reminder, to remember the choices I make affect me eternally and thus my reuniting with the Hero when I leave this life. I also wear it to remind me to keep my temple recommend current. I wear this instead of a wedding ring.Today is the 33rd anniversary of our going to the Mesa Temple to be sealed.

New Meme for Sharing Memories

2010-05-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday, I share a story about my hero on my Family History Blog.

My daughter on Haven just shared that she has started a sharing a slice of life meme. She is hoping for a great response from others to begin taking the time to write memories before they are gone. This is from her website. If you click the link at the bottom it will take you to her blog. Hope to see you there!

Hello, and welcome to the rules for sharing a slice of life meme! To participate is easy!

Why do Sharing a Slice of Life?

1) We all know we need to write our stories for posterity. Rare is the individual who can sit and write it all out in chronological order, but we can all remember a slice at a time.

2) By joining a meme, you might find yourself remembering and writing about things you wouldn't have thought of!

3) Support and fun! It's interesting to see how many different angles can be written on the same subject matter. It's also easier to stay committed when you have others cheering you on for your efforts.

4) Working on family history is a great Sunday activity!

Rules

Every Sunday I'll have a new prompt for you at Haven. Go to your blog and post something on that subject - whether it's a story, a poem, a description, a photo.... whatever you want, as long as it's out of YOUR life (or an ancestor's is fine) that has to do with the subject matter. Be sure to link back so others can find us and join in the fun.

A Surprise for Mother's Day.

2010-05-15T23:00:00.000-07:00

This is a little late, but I had to wait for pictures, then put together my thoughts.
My mother had hoped for years to have a blue bird take residence in the brown unsightly bird house in our side yard. I was just about to have my son take it down.
Then, this last week end, my oldest son went out to take pictures with his new camera. Lo and Behold he discovered not only was there a blue bird at our house, but there was a family of blue birds in residence. He was excited and took pictures to share with my mother at the assisted living home. She could hardly believe that her bird house was finally being used after 6 years of hope. Here are his shots.

You can tell that he has found a feeding source. He can have the worms on my lettuce too. lol

May 4th is Mom's Birthday

2010-05-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

May 4 is my son and Mother and her Twin's birthday. When my son was born, my mom was so excited that she had a birthday baby. He has always been kind to her as a grandson. She was disappointed when he could not make it to celebrate with her this year.
To make it special, we met with her sister, a friend of hers and myself, a granddaughter and four great grandchildren at IHOP, a pancake house. She and her sister turned 82. They are the last of their family of 13 children that are living.
(My mom is in an assisted living facility because she has dementia. Her sister still lives at home and goes out to play bridge regularly and sometime participates in local community theaters. She was very upset by my mom's dementia. )
When we arrived at the restaurant, I asked if they had cup cakes for the two.. They said no, but they did have an ice cream dish with a cherry on top that they did with song. LOL, I said okay.
Then I realized I had forgotten my camera. My daughter was able to take some shots with her camera, but she missed the expression on their face when the ice cream and staff in song came to the table to serenade them. They were so happy and pleased.

It was worth every minute of the 3 hour drive we had to make. Grandchildren and the Birthday girls had a ball. Life is good.

Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Lady

2010-05-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

Some of us age gracefully. My sister-in-law had her 70th birthday just recently. We are blessed to still have the Hero's mother with us at 90. Mom took us to a nice restaurant we had lots of fun. I told my children, I hope my aging is a great as these two ladies.
The fun part of the evening was that my brother-in-law at 64 is still a bit of a rascal. She had said,"It is a perfect party, don't sing Happy Birthday." Well, her grandchildren were there...hello....a small cake was brought out and all sang happy birthday. She blushed, but the grandchildren were delighted and came for their hugs. It was a delightful time.

Aren't they lovely, the birthday girl is in the center and mom on the right.

Celebrating The Hero's Birthday

2010-05-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

Before my sweetheart died, he gave me the best gift I could ever have asked for. It has taken three years to really accomplish it, but I am really working in the raised garden he insisted on having built for me before he died.

He had the joy of planting it the spring before he died. Last year, I planted some, but really wasn't home enough to work it correctly. I reaped that benefit, I am fighting fire ants like crazy. Once again, I digress.

This spring I have planned my plants, and where to plant them. I decided to plant strawberries in one corner and blueberries in the far end. I ordered 25 strawberries from Stark Bros. and they arrived yesterday. Today, I planted the strawberries in the garden.
I was happy as I finished. I feel I am saying thank you to him for his effort to make something that would help me for years to come. I am grateful that he loved me enough to have done this. I just wish he were here to play with me in the garden too. Well, I planted one of his shoes with Thyme for a giggle in the garden. He would have had fun with it. "Running out of Thyme?"

This is my entrance, you notice there is a hanging pot of strawberries. I have my flag. The garden is in its infant stage, but I have great hopes for it. My beans have come up, I have planted 5 different kinds to see which gives the best yield. I have 4 bush one package was from Renee's Garden . They are called Tricolor Slenderette Beans. The other is a Blue Lake Bush bean, and a pole bean called Scarlet Runner. They are up and appear to be flourishing. My Holy Basil has peeped up over the edge of the soil, but that is for a different post.

If you click here you will see the Hero's Birthday post

Kai The Nanny Dog

2010-04-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

This morning as I headed out to the garden with the toddlers, I was struck by the joy my granddaughter expressed as she saw Kai waiting just out side. She ran to him and hugged him as if he had been gone for a long time. Kai is half Siberian Husky and half Chocolate Labrador and belongs to my son who shares him with us. I was not sure what to expect of him as he grew from a puppy to an adult dog. I have read of the Japanese using the Akita breed as playmates for their children. Kai appears to have a similar temperament. I looked up the meaning of the name and it is "sea" in Hawaiian, or "keeper of the keys;earth" in Wales. I think he leans towards the earth.

Later we returned to the porch and they began to play. You can see the loving relationship they have.

It is a blessing to have a dog that adores children.

The Bluebonnets Are In Bloom !

2010-04-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

When April comes in Texas, we have a tradition. The cameras come out and you load your children in their Easter clothes and head for the fields of bluebonnets. Everyone wants to their child's picture in the bluebonnets. My daughter is always out there too. Today, I went along to help and took the toddler's with me so they could have their pictures taken in the bluebonnets. (if you click on the pictures they can be seen larger, then click the blue arrow back)

They were like 'why am I here?'

Then vanity took over and the two year old patted the four year old on the shoulder and stepped into the lime light.

The daughter had her two year old, the infant, and teens trying to catch a shot...since the two year old would not leave her side, the shot was in her lap.

She has that shot.

Then there was the reasoning that you must not pick the bluebonnets. Be careful don't step on them...

That was a take...lol

They finally relaxed for a smile.

All in all it was fun and I do love the bluebonnets.

Hang Around For A Week or Two and the Weather Will Change.

2010-04-08T18:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a regular muggy Texas day. We had gone from light frosts almost overnight to the highs being in the 80's and the lows in the 60's. We had brought out all the warm weather clothes and put up all the cool weather clothes.

Then last night a front went through, it dropped to the 40's and although it is 60 degrees, the Northwest wind chill makes it much cooler. We are searching for sweaters and sweatshirt jackets.

That did not stop the flowers though.

The Texas Coral Honeysuckle is growing like everything. The Toddlers like to suck on the end and enjoy the sweet nectar. It grows wild along the road near my house and in the back of the farm. If you click on its name you can read about it. Then click the back arrow to come back here if you like.

This is the toddler's mint garden. There is Spearmint, Chocolate mint, Peppermint, and Pineapple mint, also Mexican Bush Sage on the side which is already beginning to bloom, and Columbine on the top for pretty flowers. Both the 2 and 4 year old love to feel and smell and taste the mints. The two year old can't reach the columbine...that is why the flowers survive. ;)

I am loving being out side with the toddlers, and I am thankful that our plants were not bothered by the temperature change.

If you can not tell we also are growing flowers to attract hummingbirds. All the flowers I mentioned are hummingbird attracters.

The Phone Rings at 10:30pm

2010-04-05T21:20:00.000-07:00

glitter-graphics.com

I was sitting and finishing emails at 10:30 when my phone rang.

I wondered who could be calling at this hour as I walked over and picked up the phone. I glanced at the number and saw it was the second daughter, I thought she is usually in bed long before now, I wonder what could be wrong. I said "hello?" No answer, I was wondering....Hello....Then I heard a giggle.

It was my cutie grandson 'Little Red'.

He babble talked a bit then said "love you" and gave me a kiss.

At this point his mom took the phone and
laughed saying he had been giving his dad a hard time and they called me thinking I was the only person they knew they could call safely that late at night.

You Bet...I will accept a call to say 'I love you' from my grandson at anytime.

It is good to be loved.

Flowers and the Toddlers

2010-04-02T21:29:00.000-07:00

We started out our week ridding our garden of fire ants, then we decided to go hunting for wild flowers. Weeds such as Flea bane qualified.

The granddaughter wasn't sure what to do when told to smell the flower.

We found some wild onions (which I know are really in the garlic family) and woodland violets.
I love these.

After our search the grandson watered our vertical garden of mints.

Oops some have escaped. Wonder what mowing it will be like.

Some People Are Bigger Than Life

2010-03-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

This is a tribute to a special friend who passed from this life to the other side of the veil this week.
He was a professional golfer who taught many and loved the game, but that is not what he will be remembered for. He was a friend to many, mentor for young and old, and a religious adviser who never forgot duty or honor.

In our church, we have a program that is called home teaching.[The Elders of the church visit assigned families monthly.] He was our home teacher for many years. Every once in a while you find a person like my friend whom I will call Sunshine. Now why Sunshine. Because he would always have a story or joke to bring the light of laughter or the positive rays of happiness into our living room. When we faced some of our darkest hours, his friendship and encouragement was there...not just on a monthly basis, but frequent calls, just dropped by, secret helps. He was always a doer of secret acts of kindness. He had a heart capable of unconditional forgiveness. When a young man committed an act which caused the loss of his son, Sunshine was able to forgive and encourage the young man to change his life.

I am glad I was fortunate enough to have him as a friend. Sunshine will always be remembered by my children, because he made the effort to know them as individuals. We know he is in Heaven and that we will see him again some day, but our world is a little dimmer with out his sunshine.

Stirrings Of Spring Time

2010-03-12T19:58:00.000-08:00

I love the spring time. The first budding of the trees. the sprouts of grass, and the warmth of the sun. I am so very excited about my fruit trees. Look! As I was driving in to the driveway coming home after being away for 4 months helping my daughters, I was greeted by a cheery daffodil.

As I was unloading the car tonight, I looked up and the pear tree was glowing like a ghost tree in the dark. I, of course, had to get a picture of it. My whole small orchard is in blossom. Pray there isn't a late freeze.

The blossoms give the promise of pear jam and canned pears. Not to mention, a beautiful cheery spot in the garden.
Tomorrow I will start pot cleaning, preparing to plant now that I am home. I am excited!

Sharing Memories (Week 13): Junior High Grades 7-8

2010-02-25T21:13:00.000-08:00

When we left elementary school, in Edmond, OK., we "graduated" to Junior High School. It was somewhat traumatic in that the close-nit group of kids I had gone all the way through elementary with were joined by 3 other schools. Interestingly it really didn't matter because I was involved in a church group and we tended to do things together at school also. Most of all, I loved the movement of Junior High School. It was a mini High School, we changed classes, had lockers, and could leave if we wanted between 3 period and 4th for lunch. The High School mascot was the Bulldogs and that was true for the JR High also. We even had school colors the same, gray and maroon.

Did I say that choosing the courses I wanted to take,and freedom were several reasons I loved this age. I could not tell you who my instructors were, but they were okay. I did well in my classes. Not all A's, but then not all C's. I have some of my report cards in a box somewhere.

It was in Junior High School that I began my love affair with music. I chose band as an elective and began to play the french horn. We even learned to march and would occasionally join the HS for a football half time. We would march in the homecoming parade. I don't think the parades even exist any longer,

I loved the melodious sounds of the french horn and most of all, I loved the harmonious sounds of all the instruments playing together. I was an okay player, but just one of the group, not what you would call out standing.

I also learned about drama. I had always loved the programs we had in elementary, but they were never anything other than singing in a group or standing in place. In drama class, we learned to act. It was so much fun. We performed for the school. I remember there was one play in which I played one of three witches. Someone forgot their lines, and I had to ad lib until they were prompted for their lines.
I was on the pep squad, we had a football and basketball team. I never played sports myself, but enjoyed rooting for the team.
My best friend and I went to church together, were on the pep squad together and hung out at each other's homes. We were friends until we graduated from High School. Then she married and I went away to school.
Now we try to keep in touch via the internet.

This was just before I 'graduated' to High School. Don't you love the hair.

Kiddo's, I look at your schools now in contrast to my school then and I will tell you, we were in an age of innocence compared to yours. I loved the ability to walk home from school, it was only 2 miles. I loved walking to my aunts house where she made me lunch, then walking back to school for the afternoon classes. Girls were modest, the boys were dressed in shirts and jeans, no t-shirts back then. But most of all, there was modest language and actions, with respect to authority. I will tell you when I saw the changes begin, I was in High School. I am sorry I can not seem to find any of my Junior High pictures, if I find them I will post them for you.
Do you agree that things have changed?

New Arrival! It Is All Good!

2010-02-22T18:26:00.000-08:00

glitter-graphics.com

glitter-graphics.com

My daughter gave birth to a beautiful 7#5oz little boy this morning. We are all excited. She went through 2 months of bed rest to give him time to develop that healthiness. The teenage boys are happy to have another rug rat to pester, and the toddler is glad there will be a baby to rock. As you can tell the boys and the grandmother are just as happy as the mom. What a treasure to have another addition to our eternal family! I know that the grandfather is joyful in heaven that his grandson arrived safely. Life is all good.

And now the grandmomE got her chance to hold him..

Precious bundle.

What Do You Do While Waiting On a Baby to Come

2010-02-22T18:14:00.000-08:00

If you are like the toddler or the next to the oldest, you might crawl up in bed turn on a preschool show and wait. Of course, you may fall asleep.

If you are the oldest, and trying to meet a class activity dead line. You might stay up and make a Blueberry Cheesecake to take to school the next day. Of course, your grandmom will have to stay up with you...; )

Yes! We sampled the blueberry topping. MMM Good.

Can you tell that by 12:30am we were getting tired?

With five hours of sleep, the grandson was ready to take his finished product to school.

We gave up at 1am and went on to bed to be awakened at 4:45am with the news.

That is for the next post.

Sharing Memories (Week 12): Valentine's Day Stories 'Loves Beginning'

2010-02-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

I am continuing to join Loraine at Olive Tree Genealogy Blog with her Sharing Memories Prompts.

My Valentine memories are as far back as my mom and dad's continuing courtship as I grew up. My dad would always buy a Valentine and even roses for my mom on Valentine's Day. It is a small wonder, that as my children grew, it was a remembered holiday. However, there was an added factor. It was the day my Hero and I reconnected. Here is how the story went.

When the Hero and I first started dating it was in October. We dated for about two months and I was deeply entranced by him on my way to loving him. We were having fun and enjoyed our dates, so it was a shock to me when he said, "I won't be seeing you any longer", just after Christmas. Now that was just not right, no warning, no reason, just bye. I was shocked and needless to say spent several days crying. I could not understand his reasoning, because we related so well. The thought of not even being friends was just unbelievable. My roommate knew how I was suffering and would listen to my questions of why and empathize with me. Two months went by and Valentine's Day was nearing. I (devious woman that I was) thought he can't turn away Fudge. So I called, and he and his roommate ( I had included his roommate so he wouldn't take it personal ; ) ) accepted my offering of fudge. I took it over and visited awhile, then went home. That night he called and asked if we could just friend date, like going to the library to study, etc. That was good. I accepted and our courtship began again, we dated for another 6 months and he asked me to marry him...that is another story for another time. He admitted to me many years later that the time we were apart, he had spent trying to forget me by dating others, it just didn't work, because he would stand them up. He did not understand what was happening to him until I brought the fudge over and then he knew he just didn't want to forget me. Ah, the power of Fudge, I, of course, kept the tradition of a special fudge, gifts, cards, on Valentine's Day for our family in remembrance of the day my Valentine opened up his door to me.

The Valentine Card above is from The Graphics Fairy.

Somethings Don't Change

2010-02-15T20:05:00.000-08:00

Over the years somethings just don't change and I am glad. For Valentines Day I received a card that was designed and made by my grandson's. It reminded me of the cards I would make when I was in elementary school. I looked in my keepsake box and found card that I had made when I was 8 for my mom and dad. That made me think, what fun a scrapbook page would be, using the two cards made 2 generations and 52 years apart. Sentiments are the same and the fun of making your own creation and giving it to someone you care about is still a uplifting activity.

Thank you my grandsons for being so special.

Love GrandmomE

Elements and paper are from Misty Belle

This is Some Fun and A Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-13T22:04:00.000-08:00

Chitra at My Pilgrimage.blogspot.com was kind enough to award me a Sweet Award. She is really the one who deserves it. I love her blog. She takes trips and shares the sights of her country and insights into her religion. She is a lovely lady, and I thank her.

There are 3 rules, one is acknowledging the blogger who passed it on which I have done. The second is to share ten things that makes me happy, and the third is to pass it on to 10 bloggers.

Here are my 10 things that make me happy.
1. My faith in Christ
2. My family (focus is on my six children and 14 (& one on the way) grandchildren
3. Listening to the sounds of nature sitting on my back porch on the farm
4. The delightful sound of children's laughter
5. Finding my ancestors and helping others do the same
6. Gardening, flowers or veggies.
7. Sharing with others
8. Giving Hugs
9. Finishing a sewing project that turns out well. LOL
10.Making a meal that others enjoy.

I have received this award on my genealogy blog so I am running short on names, but if I duplicate it is because I love you. Some may chose to not accept because of the nature of their blogs, but I would like to show appreciation for them and their influence in making my blogging time a happy one.
1. Lisa at A Light That Shines Again her knowledge of Irish research has given me a resurgence of hope.
2. Alana at A Twig in My Tree She has such interesting stuff and keeps me really thinking.
3. Sara at Art by Sara Soules I love her art work and I feel happy looking at her work.
4. 'Blondie' at Blondie'sJournal I feel uplifted by her beautiful pictures and arrangements.
5. Brenda at BryAntics She has the most creative poems and rhymes.
6. Wendy at Changes with Seasons Her pictures and insights are beautiful
7. Sherry at Country Wings in Phoenix If you want to be awed and hear uplifting as well as funny thoughts she has it
8. Carrie at Ginger-Lemon Girl marvelous gluten free recipes and a boon to my recently diagnosed daughters
9. Deb at Life on the Funny Farm Her down to earth stories are great.
10. Christina at Blessings Realized A happy young lady.
You never know how you are touching others. Bless you all.

Sharing Memories Week 11 Elementary School Days

2010-02-08T22:43:00.000-08:00

The majority of my elementary days were spent at Campus Elementary that was in the above building call Old North Building of Central State College (It is now Central State University and the elementary school is no longer there). The picture was before I came there. It was the original building of the college which was considered a 'normal' college, meaning it taught teachers to teach. (A normal school was a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose was to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name.)

I was in the second grade when we moved to Edmond, OK. My teacher was Mrs Russell. I loved the room I was in. It was bright and sunny and there were great manipulative toys/learning tools to use if we could not go outside at recess. The lunch room was down stairs, the library was in the next building and the PE was across campus as was the music classes. We went to where the college's buildings for those disciplines were.

In the third year my teacher at Campus was Mrs Stanton. It was a fun time. My mother was preparing for her student teaching, so she would come and get me to do demonstrations in her classes at college. She had to do her student teaching the second half of the third year, so we moved to another town for 6 months. I do remember that I stepped on a nail and could not walk at the end of the year. My dad carried me to the park so I could picnic with the class on the last day of school.

We were back at Campus for the fourth grade. Mrs Gayle was my teacher. She was in her 50's, had gray hair and wore it in a pony tail. I remember struggling with math, but I loved reading. My favorite day was library day because we would go and spend several hours at the library. I was beginning to dislike recess, because the boys delighted in calling me 'Frances the talking mule'. Of course I was bad and would chase them. My mother would get angry because frequently I would come home with a torn dress.

The fifth grade I am not sure who the teacher was. I hated PE because I was skinny and they would have us swim with the boys, and I could not figure out how to swim. I was in Jr. High before I knew how to float, and college before I learned to actually swim strokes. I remember once being on the balance bars with my friends... I said "look no hands". The next thing I knew I was sitting on my bottom on the ground. We all had a good laugh.

The sixth grade was marvelous. I forgot to mention every year the Music department of the college would prepare the grades to have a "big production" program. Usually it was at Christmas. I loved music. I took lessons from one of the professors. I wish I had made better use of my opportunity. The program below is of our Christmas program that year. If you click on it you can read it. I was an 'angel'. With that I will close. I loved elementary. I had a wonderful environment and marvelous teachers that encouraged and gave us the full scope of education. Not everyone was so lucky, I am thankful I was.

My Special Dress And A Dream Prom

2010-02-04T21:54:00.000-08:00

As I was reading through some of the best posts of the week, I came across injaynesworld post with the premise that everyone should have that one special dress. She finished her post with "what was your special dress?" I thought about it and had an ah ha moment. This was a story for my granddaughters and grandson's.

My special dress was my Junior Prom dress. Interestingly, I had just been talking with my granddaughter about prom dresses. I told her that every girl should have a special store bought dress for her first prom. There is something about having that dress that makes you feel fine. You know from the moment you put it on that you and the dress are one and it brings out every good point in you.

As we were nearing our Junior/Senior Prom. The Juniors always planned and implemented the prom for the Seniors. I worked on the committees and engaged in the "girl talk" about who was going with who. As the date began to near, I could see the young man (the one who attended my 16th birthday party) was not going to ask me, as a matter of fact no one had asked me.

At first, I was sad and feeling blue, then some friends said "we don't have a date either, why don't we all go together?" My response was "why not". That threw my mom into a tizzy. We had to go shopping. I had to make an appointment for my hair. My dad was like, "Well no boy asked my girl out...they'll be sorry." (You know how dad's are.) There were only a few dress shops in town, so it was not hard to visit them and narrow down to the dress that was my heart's desire. I must digress here. I always felt out of step with my time. I was enamored by the clothing of the civil war (you know where I am going). I loved hoop skirts. This was not the dress of 1964. I found the only hoop skirt dress in town. I put it on and oh my, I felt like I had stepped into another era and was Miss Scarlet. Well, it wasn't that big of a skirt, but it did swish and sway. The color was perfect for me and my dad loved it. He took me to have my picture made after I had my hair done. I was allowed to drive myself to the dance.

When I arrived, I was the center of attraction, some good, some not. No one else had a full skirt. I did not care, I was having fun. I was living the life of Maria in West Side Story, "I feel pretty, oh so pretty, I feel witty and pretty...and I pity any girl who isn't me today..."

A little after we arrived, in came my "crush". He was dateless, because his date had stood him up. I should have been glad, but I felt sorry for him. He joined our group. The only way I can describe his walking up to me and asking me to dance was the song "Lady in Red". He loved the way the dress swayed and would swirl me around. I never sat one dance out. It was like a dream, every minute was perfect. The dress and I were one. I felt beautiful. The whole evening was permanently imprinted in my feelings and in my memory.

Sharing Memories Week 10 First Day of School and Year

2010-01-31T22:06:00.000-08:00

I am again joining Olive Tree Genealogy Blog for Journaling. I find this to be helpful in writing my stories for my grandchildren if you would like to visit Lorriane click her name for the link.

My First Day at School was scary for me because that year was a great time of change in my life. My dad had to enroll me because my mother was living at the college she was attending 60 miles away. She was not able to drive back and forth daily. We only saw her weekends.

I was shy, and this was a huge step into the world. We lived in the country and my only friends were my cousins who were older or younger than I was. The room seemed large and spacious with wooden desks. There were windows, that later I remember I would look out of and day dream. There was a playground with swings, slides, a tether ball pole, see saws, and there were steps on the side that we would play on. I don't remember classmates names. I do remember my teacher was Mrs. Stafford. She was a lovely older lady and I still have my picture of her which I would post if I were at home. My dad knew her husband well and took me over to meet her before I started school. She understood shy children, and quickly put me at ease.

Since it was a small town, there was a bit of 'class' division. In other wards, there were those who considered themselves, wealthy and those they considered less because they were poorer. Because my father had lost his leg and was working washing dishes to put my mom through college, we fell into the poorer class. Funny, I didn't really have a sense of class. They were all just friends to me. There was one incident in which there was some drama. At the end of the year, I was chosen May Queen for my class ( we had a May pole party every year). My dad was so excited, he went out to find a dress for me. In the mean time the wealthy store owner was miffed that her daughter wasn't chosen and she had already purchased a dress for her. She insisted I shouldn't be allowed to represent the class because my parents wouldn't be able to purchase an appropriate dress. The principal gave in and my dad was upset, but I still didn't get to be the May Queen for my class. Oh well, I knew I was his princess.

Two other things that happened that year. One was, my cousin would pick me up on the way her way from high school since my dad worked. She had and activity and I started playing with my friends, some egg and color game that I vaguely remember now. Long story short, she didn't see me and went on home. I sat on the steps and waited wondering why no one had come. As it was getting dark, my friendly big giant uncle (he seemed that to me) drove up and came over gave me his big hand and smiled. Apologized that his daughter had forgot and took me home.

My gentle giant Uncle Ed and little Fairy Aunt Dora

The second memorable event involved the girl that her mother later took my "Queenship away". Once again it was after school and three of us girls were playing on the swings waiting to be picked up. This girl had long auburn hair and a pretty white rabbit fur coat. She was the envy of all the girls.

We were taking turns playing on the teeter totter. Suddenly, she slipped off the seat and fell hitting her head on the concrete at the base of the swings which was next to the teeter totter. The back of her head had a huge gash in it. She, of course, was crying. I stayed with her while the other girl ran for help. I will always remember the red blood running down the white coat and her hair all matted in her face. I don't remember her name though. A teacher, not ours, came running out and took her inside. I was scared, but she was back at school bandaged up the next day.

The year had more memories than I thought when I first started. It wasn't a bad year, my biggest problem was math. I got a B. Math just was not my subject. I did learn to love reading in this class. Mrs Stafford was a great story time reader, and it was always nice to get close to her when we were in story time circle.

Have you written about your first day of school and year? What kind of memory did you bring to mind.

Butter Before Jelly or Just Jelly

2010-01-29T16:42:00.000-08:00

This is my fun post for the month. An a wee bit of family history included.
Grandchildren, your grandfather LOVED peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He used to "bug" me, because I would make a 'gourmet' meal and what would he do?...He would have to make a peanut butter jelly sandwich afterwards or the meal was not complete. I would say "I am so insulted, I worked so hard on this meal and you don't think it tastes good without a peanut butter sandwich." Then I would pout and he would give me a smile, a kiss and finish his sandwich. I so wish I had a picture of him with a PBJ. He had a special technique for making his PBJ sandwich.

The first step was to put butter (real butter) on the bread.

The second step was to add the peanut butter.

The third step was to add jelly.

The final step (I had to enlist the grandson for this )was to eat it all up.

The grandson decided that butter definitely added a great "eatable" flavor.

I asked on my Facebook page which would be preferred butter before the jelly or no butter at all. My cousin answered my question with an affirmative. She preferred, as my husband did, real butter then jelly. She remembered something I had forgotten. We used to eat sandwiches with butter and sugar. Mmmm good.

Which would you prefer? With or without butter?

Sharing Memories: Birthday Parties week 9

2010-01-27T20:11:00.000-08:00

When I first thought about this challenge of writing about a memorable birthday party of when I was young, I drew a blank. I could not remember a single birthday party. Not one. I mulled the challenge over, reflecting on the fact that I could remember my children's parties. My second daughter and I reminisced over her two most memorable birthdays.

Then the other afternoon while driving, a picture came to my mind. I am not home, so I don't have it to post, but it was of me and the boy I had a crush on for several years at my Sweet Sixteen birthday party. We were sitting under a tree with our heads together, looking at the charm he had given me for my present. My mother must have caught the shot when we weren't aware. It was late in the evening so the lights were soft and the mood of the picture was innocent. He and my best friend came to help me celebrate a special time in my life.

That night, I received my first kiss. (Yes, my grandchildren, your grandma was sixteen and had never been kissed.)Your first kiss is always memorable, especially when it is from someone you have "dreamed of giving you a kiss". It was soft and sweet, enough said.

The cake was simple, white icing with pink writing on it saying 'Sweet Sixteen'. The party favors were just matching plates and napkins.

The picture above was taken of me getting the table ready for the "party". I have to say, I was never a big socialite, I have always preferred small groups where I felt comfortable. When I was of elementary age and younger, it was mostly my mom and dad or a couple of my cousins over to have cake sometimes with homemade ice cream.

Besides receiving my first kiss, it was probably memorable because it was one of the few times I had a "party". The evening was special because I felt special. My two best friends and fun of sharing jokes, and music we liked. I stayed friends with both of them until the young man, no longer a young man, died a few years ago.

Yes, I remember now........the memory is like a hug across the years.

Sharing Memories Week 8 Winter Time Fun

2010-01-19T21:57:00.000-08:00

Winter time was never a time of excitement. My dad was an above the knee amputee as a result of a winter time logging accident. Going out for activities in the winter was just not thought of.

I can remember the winter I wrote about in an earlier post, the snow was so deep that I went out side and made a snow angel. I can say I don't remember doing that when I was little. My memories of winter was sitting around the pot bellied stove and cracking nuts, listening to the adults tell stories, which I can't remember now. Drat!

That is not true. We did do one thing of winter time fun, and that was to make snow ice cream. I am salivating thinking about it. I loved to make the snow ice cream. It was fun and tasted sooooo good!

Fresh Fallen Snow Ice Cream
Ingredients:

1 gallon snow

1 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups milk
Directions:

When it starts to snow, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect the flakes. When full, stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. Serve at once.

Hmmm, maybe it wasn't the snow...maybe it was the vanilla. LOL Hope you had a good memory to pull up!

The Teacher That Made a Difference in My Life

2010-01-13T22:43:00.000-08:00

This is part of a writers challenge that Lori at Family Trees May Contain Nuts has posed for us to write about teachers that have made a difference in your life --good or bad. If you click on the title of her blog, you can see other's posts on the same and participate too.
I have had many teachers in my life. There were some who were not so uplifting or found wanting in their desire to impart knowledge. Some, like my mother, were dedicated and inspiring. I am indebted to them all for various things.

The subject of this post is Wanda Beryl Gossett, born April 26, 1920 in Oklahoma, was my Junior High Sunday School teacher. She was a selfless, loving person. When she taught her classes, the students listened because she was sharing her love of Christ as well as the beauty of the love she had experienced in his love for her. Her eyes would light up as she spoke and she had a wonderful engaging smile.

I remember vividly one Sunday, she taught a class on the love that Jesus Christ had for us. I don't know if it was the passion and deep feeling she was able to impart on this subject, or if it was the fact that she, herself exemplified the very teachings she was telling us about. She and her husband were deeply involved with the youth program, so we had the opportunity of observation up close and personal of her actions. She never went contrary to what she taught.
I can truly say, Mrs Gossett, that was our name for her, was the source of my beginning testimony of Christ. She taught us to think of Him as a personal being we could communicate with. I took her up on her advice, and that was the beginning of my long talks with Christ, and the beginning of my deep abiding faith in Him. I have told many of her and her influence on me. I am glad of the opportunity to share the love I have for her and my appreciation of her willingness to serve that opened the doors for me.

While I was working as an Inhalation Therapist in a hospital in Oklahoma City, she came in for an operation. It was distressing to me that she developed an infection and never recovered. She died September 23 1968. This was my first test of faith, because I found it hard to understand why someone so young and spiritual would be taken away. It is an affirmation of her ability to impart her belief to others that my faith did not waiver and I held on tight to that which she inspired in me.

Thank you for listening about an teacher that I hold in high esteem. She is a lesson to all; that one person can make a life changing difference in someone's life.

Sharing Memories Week 7 Winter Meals

2010-01-10T19:39:00.000-08:00

I will be joining my friend Lorraine at Olive Tree Genealogy Blog in writing 52 weeks of Sharing Memories--a Genealogy Journal. I know my grandchildren will enjoy the journey.
This week's subject is memories of winter meals.
My mother was a teacher so she usually got home after I did. I have the memory of when my grandmother would come to visit, I would come in to a warm great smelling kitchen. She would bake and cook wonderful tasting meals. I am not sure about specific meals, but I do know that I have winter comfort foods. Potato Soup was a favorite of my father, and corn bread and beans is still on my list of favorites. I have a special corn bread I make that tastes so good it has been passed down to all my children including my sons, so they could include it in their cookbooks per their request.
My all time favorite winter comfort food comes from my best friend in High School. After school we would go over to her house, and her mom would be in the midst of baking cookies for us to eat. We would sit around in the kitchen watching her make the cookies and snack until at least one pan of cookies was gone. It set a pattern for me. I liked to have a good smell of baking food in the air when my family came home from school or after being outside in the cold. There was a special recipe that my friend' s mom had. When I went away to school, I begged for it and she gave it to me. It is a traditional cookie at my house now. When my children would come home from school in the winter or over the holidays we always made these cookies. They are now called "Mom's Sugar Cookies", but to me they will always be "Evelyn's Sugar Cookies" The thought just makes my senses go wild. I love the fragrance and the taste is divine. I will have mercy on you and share the recipe...I hope you enjoy.

Mom's Sugar Cookies
Oven 325 degrees 10 min or until crispy golden

Ingredients:

1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Brown sugar
1 Cup Butter
2 Eggs
2 Cups Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Soda
1Tbls Baking powder
2 Cups Rolled Oats
1 Cup Coconut
Opt 1 Cup pecan pieces

Mix first 3 ingredients together, Add beaten eggs, Mix in each of the other ingredients on at a time. Drop tablespoon size batter onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake.

Sorry no picture now. Maybe tomorrow, I will make some for my grandsons for when they get home from school. Something I know now that I didn't when I was young is another reason you bake in the winter is to help warm the house.

The picture is of my friend and I after we had children of our own and came back home to visit.

What Do You Do On a Really Cold Night?

2010-01-08T22:28:00.001-08:00

Prologue

This is a fun post for me. It all started out with my teasing my daughter that she needed new glasses when she was playing a video game with her boys. She couldn't figure out what I was saying at first, then she gave me the slow grin that she has and said " oh, I am just being intense". That was the beginning of our teasing her. Of course she is on bed rest to keep from having her baby 2 months early, so she does have an excuse for not being involved. LOL.

The Story

What do you do when you are facing bone chilling COLD weather?

If you are on bed rest, as my daughter is, you might face fighting an addiction to playing video games. my little grandson is good at bringing the daughter back to reality.

We all have been having a good time and teasing her for her intensiveness at trying to win.
The boys have told her she can lose.
I reminded them she dates doing games back to before they were born. Her father would play Tetras, Frogger, Pac Man, and Joust with her and her siblings.

The boys don't have a chance.

On the other hand, as the clock begins to strike 10, and the older boys are not prone to seeking bed, you might pull out a good book and read to them in front of a warm fire. The wonderful thing is the boys really look forward to reading a chapter a night if it is possible.

Do you have such a tradition?

Our reading time was as we drove down the road, someone would read, but I digress...

This is the first really cold front that has stayed longer than a day or two in fourteen years on the Texas Coastal area. I still remember the last time it was this cold. I had just started growing my windmill palms. I spent the afternoon in already freezing temperatures watering my half acre of palms to keep the baby roots insulated. It was 3 hours after I went into the house, and a long warm bath, before my temperature came back up to normal. As you can tell, it made an impression on me, but it was worth it. I only lost two palms to the 15 degree temperatures.

I am glad that this time my choices are reading a book, writing on the computer, and cooking for my grandchildren. It will be interesting to see what the rest of this 'winter' brings. ; )
The first picture of the fountain was taken by my friend in Madisonville at her school.

Winter Weather Memories Week 6

2010-01-04T20:26:00.000-08:00

Charlie Wilson of Weather History described the four-day snow and ice storm as the worst major ice storm in Oklahoma in more than a decade. The storm affected all but the southeast part of the state, with ice accumulations of a half to 1 inch. Local ice accumulations of 4 inches were reported at Cordell. More than 225 people were treated for injuries, after slipping on the ice. Charlie reports that there were at least 170 of the injuries in the Oklahoma City area. I called it 'The First Blizzard of My Life, and I Wasn't Prepared For It.

This picture is of a later snow storm but it is very much like the one I went through and this link is a picture of a road near where I drove in 1967

Lorraine, of "Olive Tree Genealogy Blog", invited us to join her in weather memories for the 'Sharing Memories a Genealogy Journal'.
This is a memory I had just shared with my daughter while I was in California.

I was 19 and working as a telephone operator in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I lived an hour away from my job. I had not yet learned the value of watching the weather for what to expect. When I left home at 9am, it was sunny warm and a beautiful day. I was dressed in a light skirt and blouse with sandals on, silly teen girl. About 8pm, some of my co workers began to talk about there being a storm coming in. Still I did not think much about it. It was Oklahoma, weather was always changing.
At midnight, I walked out into a blowing, snowing, icy world. I slipped and slided my way to my car. I had never driven on snow or ice before, so my mind was searching for the instructor's words for what to do if your car started in a spin. Something about turning your wheel. It was not coming back to me. I began my journey towards my home. There were people sitting on the side of the road everywhere. I was not dressed for a night in the ice and snow, and I had not (another improvident act) filled up my gas tank, so it was precariously close to empty. I had enough gas to make it back home, if I could not stop to fill up. I was doing fine, until I hit the ascent to the over pass. At that point, I began to slide, I turned my wheel because I did not want to slide into the cars near me, it caused my car to go into a spin. I came to a halt sitting with my front wheels off the road and on the slope down towards the feeder street. I couldn't get traction to go backwards on the road, so I held my breath and put the car in drive and slid down the hill to the feeder. It was a go. I made it and proceeded homeward. After two hours of inching down the road, I arrived at home, hurried inside, and collapsed down in front of the fireplace to tell my story to my dad, who had waited up holding his breath hoping that I would make it home safely. There weren't any cell phones back then.
Two years ago, I made a trip to Idaho at Christmas time. My son could not understand the apprehension I had about driving in the snow. I just said, it is not my thing to do. Oh yeah, I have a weather memory!

Happy New Year to All

2010-01-01T01:04:00.000-08:00

Thank you to The Graphics Fairy for the Vintage Post Card

Stone Accents graphic contributors are my source for the scrapbooking elements

Goal for the New Year: Learn to Make Chapatis

2009-12-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

You will laugh when you read this.
I grew up with my grandmother and aunts making Fried Indian Bread, American Indian. They always had their flour bowl ready for whipping up a batch when guests arrived.

Tonight I had bought some Tabouli and Hummus for supper. When I arrived back at my daughter's, she said, 'We need some pita bread', she then called her husband, but he was not able to stop on his way home for pita bread. I said look up how to make flat bread. She did but was unable to find a recipe. I then suggested she look up Indian fried bread, thinking of my grandmother's. She excitedly exclaimed I found it! Chapatis!. I looked over her shoulder and there, sure enough, was a recipe for Indian Chapatis. The two breads are very similar in ingredients. The preparation of Chapatis is definitely different.

Chapatis and Indian Fried Bread are both made with flour and water, but you just make a patty of the Indian Bread and fry it. The Chapatis you knead, form into balls, then form patties, roll into 1/6" circles and fry in an oiled skillet.
The flavor of the Chapatis Bread is great and is wonderful with hummus.
The evening was great.

The finished Chapatis.

Reporting on Progress The First Year

2009-12-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have known I would have to make this post for a month now. I have mulled over in my mind how I would write it. This will be long but it is needful to be so. It is the first anniversary of my husband’s death. He died Dec 23, 2008, after, in the terms of cancer battles, a short battle of colon cancer (less than 3 years). I have missed his friendship, but I was not left wanting. The memories are very uplifting, from the first time we met, to the last “I Love you”. We met when I was working nights in a cafeteria. He was still trying to find out why his first wife had divorced him. Our eyes met and I knew him as a special person for me. Although I must say, I was leery of dating a divorced man. I got over that in a hurry and I knew on our first date I would marry him. It took him 6 months more to figure it out. (smile, and a wink) We were married a year and one month after our first date.

I remember him holding me in his arms protectively when I thought I was going to miscarry our first child. Our crying when we thought our marriage was dying 2 years later. Then the triumph we felt, after spending two weeks on a trip together, and we figured out for ourselves the secret to unity. We read, discussed scriptures, politics, and life goals together and never stopped in our 39 years of marriage. He was always looking out after the family. He had a special link with his children and always knew when one was in trouble or needed help in some form. That is a loss of guidance for me. It was the special gift Heavenly Father gave to him. One of the hardest challenges has been to not have him at special family milestones such as baptisms, blessings, and birthdays.

One time as I was walking in the grocery store after a hard day at work, he caught up to me and unexpectedly placed his hand in the center of my back. I felt a loving warmth flow through my back and shoulders, allowing me to relax. He didn’t know what he had done, he had just felt I needed his touch at the time. Do I miss him? Oh yes!

This is us posing in American Gothic form. I made him the jacket. He loved it. We had some crazy fun times too. Laughter and humor were staples in the joyous areas of our life. The highlight of his turning sixty was our winning the 'Twist' Contest at my High School reunion in 2006. When he was sick, he tolerated very well my attempts to cheer him and to keep him in a positive mood. I fear that I as I pressed him to be positive, I did not allow him to voice the depth of his pain. He wrote about it in his journal, and only said how I was an angel that lifted him up when he was in great pain. He is my hero.

We had trials. We went through the loss of a job when he was 44. I remember holding his hands and kneeling in prayer with him, as he worked through the anxiety of job searching at the age of 44. He found odd jobs to see us through until he found another good paying job. He believed in sustaining his family. When he discovered that he had cancer, we became more one than ever. I never left him alone for more than a couple of hours to take care of business. He would worry about what was going to happen to me. He made sure that his will, life insurance, etc was all in order. Our home was paid for and so were the cars. I made sure that his wishes to be aware (not drugged), and able to make his own decisions was met. Sometimes it was a precarious road, but we made it. (My only regret was I fell asleep the morning he crossed to the other side.)

The day before he died; he had quit eating and drinking. I would urge him to eat to his irritation. That afternoon, he spoke to most of his family and was able to say I love you. He knew our oldest daughter was traveling through snow to try and get there. That evening, he looked up at me after being cleaned, and said through his mask, “I love you”. I know he does, and I am able to forge ahead in service of others to live up to the little messages of love and confidence he expressed about me in his journals and to his friends who have shared how he said he love me and appreciated me as a companion.

While it has been occasionally tears, as I have been driving alone, on a pillow late at night, or when sharing stories with my children, it is alright. It is a natural process of pain of the absence of my sweet heart. I do not walk alone. I have his love and the love of my Heavenly Father to sustain me, as well as the knowledge of the atonement of Christ to give me light to see that there will be a day I will see him again.

This is my report at the end of the first year.

Saying Good Bye Will Be Hard

2009-12-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

I will be leaving on Tuesday to go back to Texas. I have had a wonderful time and the joy of being with this special family has been like a breath of spring.

I know I will shed a tear when the parting time comes because my sweetie T and I have shared some special times this visit. She has a special spirit, and a sweet loving countenance. Is she perfect? To answer that question, I would ask is a two year old perfect? No. She is a masterpiece in the making, and I love her so.

Her mom and dad and little sister are special too. I will have to return at some point to get to know little miss Em when she gets a wee bit older.

Walking through life and having to leave those you love is heart wrenching, but the blessings are knowing that that walk was worth it.

GrandmomE will be back.

It All Started With Bubbles

2009-12-16T23:41:00.000-08:00

If you have ever worked in a toddler nursery, you know one way to capture the attention of a little one is to get the bubbles out and blow bubbles for them. They are fascinated.

(Clip art from Fotosearch)

On the second day, after I arrived at my daughter's home, my granddaughter wanted to go outside and blow bubbles. We did. She had so much fun chasing them around and trying to stomp on them. There was one that was so pretty and I wanted to catch a picture of it just resting peacefully on the grass stem when, WHAM!...the little foot came down and with a peal of laughter she was off to catch another bubble. We were both fascinated with the one that rose gently and gracefully into the sky and passed over the house until we couldn't see it anymore. What a fun memory it is to have.
That day was also the day she discovered that my screen saver on my computer is bubbles. It fascinated her. She will come into my room with a sweet shy smile and say "Bubbles?". If my computer is off, I turn it on. If it is on, I tell her to be patient and they will come out and play for her. She will sit for a long time just watching the movement of the bubbles, sometimes I sit with her and we make up stories about what the bubbles are doing.
Somewhere along the way, I decided that I would make her bubble pj's, if I could find the fabric. I found some frogs and bubbles flannel fabric online at Hancock's. I went to Hancock's to buy it, but they did not have the fabric there. Luckily they did have some wonderful ducks and bubbles fleece and now you get to see my animated, happy bubble girl in her new bubble ensemble.

She was so excited to see her new outfit in the mirror and had to tale with herself about it.

It was a bit hard to accept that it was time to go to bed.

Then we found our matching pillow and it was all right.

And we wish each of you a good night. ; )

The Snow.

2009-12-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

Late Winter Snowfall

Snow falls

on snow.

Lazily drifting

above to below.

I shuffle

through the white.

All is still...

no sounds tonight.

The trees covered

in frozen ash.

Quiet, serene

they watch, abashed.

I am obtrusive,

so I leave.

Saddened by thoughts

I cannot conceive.

Outside snow

falls on snow.

What else is out there?

I do not know.

Copyrighted by Texasblu

(click on this to view other poems by Texasblu)

The Fun of Creating Christmas Decorations For Your Children.

2009-12-07T00:04:00.000-08:00

As my children were growing up and my first grandchildren, I would make ornaments that would be personally theirs for putting up on the tree. My oldest helped when she was little then the others followed suit each year making salt dough ornaments. We had a full set of Dorthy of Wizard of OZ, Disney Characters, and misc. bears, angels etc. I was heart broken when we moved to the country and mice got into my storage and ate most of the ornaments. (Hope they got heart burn.)
My next attempt at personal ornaments were embroidered ornaments. We had a panda bear, angels, my favorite were the Holly Babies ornaments, and mercy the rest escapes me. My aunt, their great aunt, made crocheted bells, and stockings to put on the tree. As they left home, I would give them their own ornaments to keep. I bought some porcelain Holly Baby Angels to represent each of my children on my own tree as mine grew bare from giving away theirs. I still have those.

It had warmed my heart to see my Em crocheting her own ornaments for her tree. But! Tonight after her daughter went to bed, she unveiled her crocheted manger scene to be a surprise for her daughter to play with as the season progresses. I had not seen it yet. I was amazed at the detail she put into each of the manger scene people. Her husband takes great delight in her creativity. Hope you enjoy seeing her manger scene. Some traditions around the birth of Christ are just wonderful.

A Christmas First For Me,

2009-12-05T22:25:00.000-08:00

My son-in-law saw a flyer for an old fashioned Christmas parade in downtown Tehachapi. Tehachapi is in a valley surrounded by mountains. At this time of the year it is cold. I was excited and joined in with a "Yes! Let's go". The day came for the parade and I was ready to go into town at noon. 'No', I was told, it is not until the end of the day at 5pm. That's good, I can do that. Now something I have not told you was that all I brought with me was a knitted poncho for a coat. I had a hoodie, so I decided that would be enough, after all it was 47 degrees and the sun was nice as we left. My daughter was on the cell and was not paying attention. We got into town, the streets were busy as people began choosing the site they wanted to sit at to watch the parade. Everyone had parkas, blankets, hats, gloves, I began to ponder the situation. The sun was setting, the wind was "breezy". I began to get cold. It was evident that I did not have enough layers on. The granddaughter was cheery, but by 5:30pm the sun was down, it was 27 degrees, and the wind chill was 17. As you can tell, between my shivering and the granddaughter's the pictures took on a blurry view. The parade was nice the community put lots of thought into their floats. There was a consensus amoung the citizens that Christ was the focus of Christmas. I was uplifted by that. On the other hand, I have never been to a parade at night and never at 27 degrees in dress pants, a sweat shirt hoodie, and no gloves or stadium blanket. I am still warming up.

When we got home, we made homemade chili and added Fritos and cheese to make Frito Pie. We also made wassail. The granddaughter was not sure she was all that festive yet, so it was hard to get her to sing along with the carols we were having fun with.

After supper, we all retired to our rooms to snuggle under warm blankets to sleep and dream of warm sunny beaches with a nice warm ocean breeze.

The video is of the Tehachapi Marching Band. The town is very proud of them and they handled the circumstances well.

Setting Up For Christmas

2009-12-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

Conversations around picture taking time....

Introducing our new Christmas Wreath!

"Mommy, do I have to?"

'Yes.'

"Okay"

Click

"Ha ha ha I did it"

I love Christmas time, but I love my blog background because it feels like me.

So I will include Christmas in my blogs.
These are pictures of our Family Evening on Monday. My ham granddaughter is showing off the wreath we made using rose hips and rosemary. She is a joy. Next she 'helped' her dad with the lights. Afterward, we made stain glass windows with tissue paper and construction paper...she helped with the glue
; ) .

This is always a fun time for me seeing the excitement in the children's eyes. There are things that will be changed and adjusted but that just adds to the fun.

The scriptures "Parenthood is a sacred obligation and privilege, with children welcomed as a 'heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3) and 3 Jn. 1: 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." Tells my feelings towards my children and grandchildren. I guess what I am saying is, that Christmas is a time, that I am able to bring a spiritual aspect into my relationship with my family young and old to become focused on the great event of Christ's birth and prepare us for listening to teachings of Christ as the new year proceeds. I have a cloth Manger scene for the babies to love on, and story books for the midsized ones. The other we always read the story of Christmas out of the scriptures.

Hope your Christmas is homey and bright...come by and visit as we progress towards the night before Christmas.