Good morning friends.
Another cold day in Oklahoma. When will this winter end? We have sunshine, but at 23 degrees it is just a little too cold to get excited about spring. I want to wear white jeans..............too cold today..........and if I obey my mom's advice, I won't be wearing them until after Memorial Day.
So, it will be Experimental Thursday at my house; too cold to be outside and I am certainly not in a cleaning mood. I went grocery shopping on Monday and brought home $400 worth of food. I bought more produce on Monday than I ever remember buying at one time so the refrigerator is full.
So, I will be making and experimenting on, but not limited to the following:
another chicken recipe for my son-in-law, basically a hot wing only using breast meat and brown sugar.
guacamole since I have 4 in the refrigerator.
lettuce salad since I have a head of iceburg (because I always have to have iceburg lettuce), green leaf lettuce (because Crest had it at 68 cents a head), and a 2 pound bag of romaine; not to mention bok choy, cabbage, 2 pound bags of spinach, broccoli slaw, 1 1/2 pounds mushrooms, 4 pounds of tomatoes, and various other salad ingredients.
asparagus because I bought 4 pounds......
....................I must have been nuts to get this much produce at one time.................. I have two refrigerators and they are both overflowing. I am off to the kitchen to see how I can best use the ingredients.
Come on over and I'll make you a salad and some hot wings.
That's all the news I have from the Tucker house today. I'll get my mojo back one of these days.
I love you.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Turquoise
Good evening. I feel very light-hearted tonight. Happy.
I read somewhere that if you want to get someone a gift, look at their pins on Pinterest. Well, get right to it. Get on over to my Pinterest boards. Look around.........turquoise is definitely my color. Buy me something turquoise. Lots of it. It can be jewelry. It can be a rug. It can be a bowl. It can be eye shadow. It can be a porch swing. It can be a dress. It can be nail polish. It can be a sun hat. It can be a swimsuit or it can be a towel. It can be a couch or it can be a bed spread. It must be turquoise in color........................but what I like the most is jewelry. And.............if you want to get me something truly special, buy me some turquoise with gold........ooh I do love that combination. But then again, I love turquoise with silver. Well, I am sure I will be quite happy with anything you pick.
I write all this in jest. I am feeling giddy tonight and I am not quite sure why, but I am going to enjoy this feeling. I am even thinking of repainting my bedroom soon, and I think I will add some turquoise accents..........maybe a new bedspread.
I hope you have a light heart tonight, too.
I love you.
I read somewhere that if you want to get someone a gift, look at their pins on Pinterest. Well, get right to it. Get on over to my Pinterest boards. Look around.........turquoise is definitely my color. Buy me something turquoise. Lots of it. It can be jewelry. It can be a rug. It can be a bowl. It can be eye shadow. It can be a porch swing. It can be a dress. It can be nail polish. It can be a sun hat. It can be a swimsuit or it can be a towel. It can be a couch or it can be a bed spread. It must be turquoise in color........................but what I like the most is jewelry. And.............if you want to get me something truly special, buy me some turquoise with gold........ooh I do love that combination. But then again, I love turquoise with silver. Well, I am sure I will be quite happy with anything you pick.
I write all this in jest. I am feeling giddy tonight and I am not quite sure why, but I am going to enjoy this feeling. I am even thinking of repainting my bedroom soon, and I think I will add some turquoise accents..........maybe a new bedspread.
I hope you have a light heart tonight, too.
I love you.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Just Another Saturday Morning With the Tuckers
Just another Saturday morning with the Tuckers.
The hubby came in from getting the morning paper and asked me if I had seen the mound under the dryer vent. He seemed rather perplexed. "Let me get my glasses", I said.
"What in the world?" I asked.
"I have no idea," he said. "I'm going to get my machete."
"Do you want me to get the hoe?" I explained that I could whack it as it ran out, just in case he missed it. I continue, "I think you need to put the dog inside. We don't know what kind of creature is in that mound and we sure don't want Stormy to go after something that might bite him."
So after we put the dog in the house, after we armed ourselves with machete and hoe, we approach that unusual mound with some trepidation. What was in there? "It is too small a mound for a skunk," he says which is a relief to me!
We had no idea what we were going to find. A rat, maybe? So with my hoe at the ready and the hubby with his machete, we are ready for battle! The hubby slowly starts tapping the soil. He pushes a little dirt away, a little more, and suddenly he uncovers a foot-long branch. What in the world? There is an animal big enough to pull that log over him????? This is getting very scary, my hearts thumps a little harder. I am now expecting something to run right for me. I have visions of a flying squirrel jumping up to my chest and attacking my face. Then the hubby begins to laugh. "That isn't a branch, that's Stormy's bone. I bought him this bone last week and he's buried it", he chuckles. We were all prepared to make sure that creature was bashed, blood and guts flying, and it was a BONE!
We let the dog back out and giggled as we put our weapons away and talked about our brush with a dangerous creature. Walking back to the house, we notice the dog had almost gotten that bone reburied right in the same spot. Little did he know how close his bone came to being hacked to death.
Just another Saturday morning with the Tuckers.
I love you.
The hubby came in from getting the morning paper and asked me if I had seen the mound under the dryer vent. He seemed rather perplexed. "Let me get my glasses", I said.
"What in the world?" I asked.
"I have no idea," he said. "I'm going to get my machete."
"Do you want me to get the hoe?" I explained that I could whack it as it ran out, just in case he missed it. I continue, "I think you need to put the dog inside. We don't know what kind of creature is in that mound and we sure don't want Stormy to go after something that might bite him."
So after we put the dog in the house, after we armed ourselves with machete and hoe, we approach that unusual mound with some trepidation. What was in there? "It is too small a mound for a skunk," he says which is a relief to me!
We had no idea what we were going to find. A rat, maybe? So with my hoe at the ready and the hubby with his machete, we are ready for battle! The hubby slowly starts tapping the soil. He pushes a little dirt away, a little more, and suddenly he uncovers a foot-long branch. What in the world? There is an animal big enough to pull that log over him????? This is getting very scary, my hearts thumps a little harder. I am now expecting something to run right for me. I have visions of a flying squirrel jumping up to my chest and attacking my face. Then the hubby begins to laugh. "That isn't a branch, that's Stormy's bone. I bought him this bone last week and he's buried it", he chuckles. We were all prepared to make sure that creature was bashed, blood and guts flying, and it was a BONE!
We let the dog back out and giggled as we put our weapons away and talked about our brush with a dangerous creature. Walking back to the house, we notice the dog had almost gotten that bone reburied right in the same spot. Little did he know how close his bone came to being hacked to death.
Just another Saturday morning with the Tuckers.
I love you.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Just Like Her
Last night we never turned on the TV, not even to watch the news. I turned on the Pandora app on my Ipad and relaxed and read to some easy listening music. It reminded me of the times I would stay the night with Aunt Norma and Uncle Milo when I was a teenager. We'd all go to bed at the same time and every night Aunt Norma would put an album on the stereo to play as we fell asleep. I loved that; soft, easy listening music. The house was quiet with only the music in the living room; very soothing. I am sure her family has many pleasant memories. I sure do! Thanks Aunt Norma Lu (she'd always be Aunt Norma Lu to me). I always wanted to be just like her when I grew up.....just like her. I still do.
I love you.
I love you.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Don't Go to Cheap
I have a black ceramic range top which gets terribly dirty. It could be because I have a tendency to cook at too high temperature. It could also be because I am just a messy cook. When it comes to clean-up time for the range, I cringe. I put it off..............another time. You have to wait until it cools down and by that time I have the kitchen cleaned and have adjourned to the living room...........so I don't clean it all that often. It gets a quick rub down and a promise of another day.
Well, that promise had to be fulfilled today. There was no putting it off. So I grabbed the Wright's Range Top Cleaner and my little red scrubbing pad specifically made for range tops. I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. Most of it came off without much work, but there were a few tiny, tiny specks that just wouldn't budge. Then it occurred to me that I have a new pad. Maybe it would work better if I used a new pad! I pulled it out and went to work. Within 5 stokes with that new pad, those tiny, tiny specks came off.
About that time, the hubby came through the kitchen so I told him of my breakthrough with the new pad. He grinned at me and said, "Don't go too cheap." I had been using that old pad for the last year, spending many minutes of HARD labor on that range top. Once the fibers wear down enough to read the paper through it, it might be time for a new pad. Don't go too cheap!
I feel so blessed that now we "don't have to go too cheap." We don't have to reuse the old stuff over and over. We don't have to "get by". We can afford to spend for the little extras on things that make our life more pleasant and a little easier.
Don't go too cheap, Regina.
I love you.
For 13 years I was a stay at home mom. There were times when we lived from paycheck to paycheck. We got by and sometimes we got by because we went cheap. There is nothing wrong with that. There is nothing wrong with squeezing out the last dab of toothpaste, there is nothing wrong with scrapping off the butter from the wrapper...it might just be enough for that slice of toast. There is nothing wrong with serving sausage gravy the night before payday. There is nothing wrong with saving tinsel from the Christmas tree. All that and more is why today we no longer have to go too cheap.
Well, that promise had to be fulfilled today. There was no putting it off. So I grabbed the Wright's Range Top Cleaner and my little red scrubbing pad specifically made for range tops. I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. Most of it came off without much work, but there were a few tiny, tiny specks that just wouldn't budge. Then it occurred to me that I have a new pad. Maybe it would work better if I used a new pad! I pulled it out and went to work. Within 5 stokes with that new pad, those tiny, tiny specks came off.
About that time, the hubby came through the kitchen so I told him of my breakthrough with the new pad. He grinned at me and said, "Don't go too cheap." I had been using that old pad for the last year, spending many minutes of HARD labor on that range top. Once the fibers wear down enough to read the paper through it, it might be time for a new pad. Don't go too cheap!
I feel so blessed that now we "don't have to go too cheap." We don't have to reuse the old stuff over and over. We don't have to "get by". We can afford to spend for the little extras on things that make our life more pleasant and a little easier.
Don't go too cheap, Regina.
I love you.
For 13 years I was a stay at home mom. There were times when we lived from paycheck to paycheck. We got by and sometimes we got by because we went cheap. There is nothing wrong with that. There is nothing wrong with squeezing out the last dab of toothpaste, there is nothing wrong with scrapping off the butter from the wrapper...it might just be enough for that slice of toast. There is nothing wrong with serving sausage gravy the night before payday. There is nothing wrong with saving tinsel from the Christmas tree. All that and more is why today we no longer have to go too cheap.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Peaches N Cream Barbie
I had a perfect day with my daughter, shopping, shopping, shopping. We were just browsing, talking, having lunch, laughing, and browsing again. All the sales associate were especially nice and sweet to us today which made every thing more fun. All the sales associates were gushing over my "near to be mom' daughter. One girl we met told us if she could look as good as Shawna, she would have another baby. Just walking through the mall, another stranger stopped her to tell her she'd never seen a prettier pregnant woman. I have to agree with them. She really looked beautiful today even though she is 3 weeks from delivery. She just glowed and waddled and smiled and glowed. And I basked in her glory.
JCP has tons of beautiful prom dresses out. My daughter waddled over to dresses and said if she were going to the prom, (we had a giggle over that one) she'd choose the pretty peach dress just like her Peaches N Cream Barbie. I don't remember her having that doll, but I guess she knows more than I. Looked on line and one was for sale - $249 - quite a bit more than the prom dress.
Yesterday, my little girl was playing with her Peaches N Cream Barbie. Last night my little girl was wearing the peaches and cream dress to the prom. Today my little girl was waddling down the halls of the mall with another precious grandchild of mine on the way. I may be searching for another Peaches N Cream Barbie one of these days; one of these perfect days.
I love you.
JCP has tons of beautiful prom dresses out. My daughter waddled over to dresses and said if she were going to the prom, (we had a giggle over that one) she'd choose the pretty peach dress just like her Peaches N Cream Barbie. I don't remember her having that doll, but I guess she knows more than I. Looked on line and one was for sale - $249 - quite a bit more than the prom dress.
Yesterday, my little girl was playing with her Peaches N Cream Barbie. Last night my little girl was wearing the peaches and cream dress to the prom. Today my little girl was waddling down the halls of the mall with another precious grandchild of mine on the way. I may be searching for another Peaches N Cream Barbie one of these days; one of these perfect days.
I love you.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Recipes
Good evening.
I made a delicious German type meal on Sunday and thought I would share with you. I found all recipes online, but added my own tweaks. I won't say this is Old Germany good, but it is much more reasonably priced which is always good. So when you don't want to go out here's a recipe for Red Cabbage and Pork Schnitzel. Add some fried potatoes and you'd have a great meal.
Red Cabbage
In a large pot, sauté a couple of small sliced onions in about 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil for a few minutes, but don't brown. Translucent is good. Add a whole head of shredded red cabbage. I used my mandolin, but be careful to not slice your hand off. Turn it often till it wilts, about 5 or so minutes. After wilted, add 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar. Mix it in the cabbage. Add 4 rounded Tablespoons white sugar. Mix in. Add 2 1/2 t. mustard seed. Don't omit it! You could use a little less, but I love mustard seed so 2 1/2 teaspoons is good for me. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for at least 15 minutes. Call me and I will be right over. This makes a lot, 10 servings I would guess. I could eat a quart at a time. Easily halved.
Regina's Pork Schnitzel
Pound 4 or so boneless pork chops with the blunt side of a meat mallet till they are about 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. Mix enough flour to coat the chops with salt and pepper in a shallow bowl and set aside. Mix an egg with 2 Tablespoons milk in a shallow bowl and set aside. Mix a cup of bread crumbs (Panko works best) and 2 Teaspoons of Paprika together in a shallow bowl and set aside. Heat 1/4 cup Olive Oil in skillet. Now, dip your pork slices in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs. Sauté the pork chops, one or two at a time - don't crowd) till done; takes a very few minutes since they are thin.
Now the Good Stuff - Dill Sauce
Add a cup of chicken broth to the skillet the chops were in. Mix in the bits. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup sour cream with 2 teaspoons dill. I used dill from the spice isle, but would be much better with fresh. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix a little hot chicken broth in the sour cream mixture and stir. Then add the sour cream to the chicken broth and heat until thickens a bit.
Use the Dill Sauce with the Schnitzel. I would double the dill sauce next time.
Another recipe I used today and will be a new favorite is for a marinade for chicken. It is intense in flavor which will be nice as it was today when you get tired of chicken.
Simple Basil Lemon Marinade - enough for only one chicken breast. Double for two.
Chop 1 T. basil leaves. Add 2 garlic cloves - chopped. Add 1/2 T. Olive Oil. Add juice of 1 lemon. Mix. Pour over chicken breast which has been pounded as the pork chops above. I put all the marinade and chicken in a zip bag and put in the refrigerator for 3 hours. I sautéed my chicken breast in a little olive oil. You could grill the chicken or even broil it.
I love you.
I made a delicious German type meal on Sunday and thought I would share with you. I found all recipes online, but added my own tweaks. I won't say this is Old Germany good, but it is much more reasonably priced which is always good. So when you don't want to go out here's a recipe for Red Cabbage and Pork Schnitzel. Add some fried potatoes and you'd have a great meal.
Red Cabbage
In a large pot, sauté a couple of small sliced onions in about 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil for a few minutes, but don't brown. Translucent is good. Add a whole head of shredded red cabbage. I used my mandolin, but be careful to not slice your hand off. Turn it often till it wilts, about 5 or so minutes. After wilted, add 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar. Mix it in the cabbage. Add 4 rounded Tablespoons white sugar. Mix in. Add 2 1/2 t. mustard seed. Don't omit it! You could use a little less, but I love mustard seed so 2 1/2 teaspoons is good for me. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for at least 15 minutes. Call me and I will be right over. This makes a lot, 10 servings I would guess. I could eat a quart at a time. Easily halved.
Regina's Pork Schnitzel
Pound 4 or so boneless pork chops with the blunt side of a meat mallet till they are about 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. Mix enough flour to coat the chops with salt and pepper in a shallow bowl and set aside. Mix an egg with 2 Tablespoons milk in a shallow bowl and set aside. Mix a cup of bread crumbs (Panko works best) and 2 Teaspoons of Paprika together in a shallow bowl and set aside. Heat 1/4 cup Olive Oil in skillet. Now, dip your pork slices in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs. Sauté the pork chops, one or two at a time - don't crowd) till done; takes a very few minutes since they are thin.
Now the Good Stuff - Dill Sauce
Add a cup of chicken broth to the skillet the chops were in. Mix in the bits. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup sour cream with 2 teaspoons dill. I used dill from the spice isle, but would be much better with fresh. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix a little hot chicken broth in the sour cream mixture and stir. Then add the sour cream to the chicken broth and heat until thickens a bit.
Use the Dill Sauce with the Schnitzel. I would double the dill sauce next time.
Another recipe I used today and will be a new favorite is for a marinade for chicken. It is intense in flavor which will be nice as it was today when you get tired of chicken.
Simple Basil Lemon Marinade - enough for only one chicken breast. Double for two.
Chop 1 T. basil leaves. Add 2 garlic cloves - chopped. Add 1/2 T. Olive Oil. Add juice of 1 lemon. Mix. Pour over chicken breast which has been pounded as the pork chops above. I put all the marinade and chicken in a zip bag and put in the refrigerator for 3 hours. I sautéed my chicken breast in a little olive oil. You could grill the chicken or even broil it.
I love you.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Soup Spoons
Another good WINDY sunny Monday morning to you and Happy President's Day! Comments I hear around here go, "Man, if it weren't so windy outside, I'd.............." It is THAT kind of wind. Makes you want to stay inside with earphones just to block that noise. You know the noise I am talking about--the kind that makes you want to hide you head in the couch pillows.
I want to talk about spoons today, not just any spoon, I am talking large spoons that comes with a five-piece flatware setting. Normally, I think these are referred to as soup spoons.
Anyway, yesterday, I made a simple German meal which turned out to be fantastic. Red Cabbage and Pork Schnitzel with Dill Cream Sauce. Yesterday for some odd reason, I used one of my metal soup spoons from the drawer, not my usual wooden spoons. I was stirring my dill sauce just like I did when I was 16, just as Momma taught me (only I never, ever, ever made dill sauce), curved side down against the skillet. Then it occurred to me. I don't remember my mom ever using a wooden spoon. She always stirred the gravy with an old soup spoon, curved side against the bottom of the skillet circling the bottom of the skillet.
So............if you are ever out antiquing and see a set of flatware where the bottoms of the largest spoon are worn more than the rest of the pieces, chances are someone used the soup spoons just as my mom did.........for stirring. Oh, by the way, not only did we use them for cooking, they'd be the serving spoons as well...........and I don't ever remember them ever being used for soup UNLESS all the teaspoons were dirty. The smaller teaspoons were used for soup..............and for adding sugar to ice tea.............only in later years did we actually find long teaspoons for tea...........so, if you lived at my house, you made do.
I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the 20 MPH winds. The wind only gets stronger the rest of the week. Keep you hat on.
I love you. Oh by the way, I am going to publish my German meal recipe tomorrow. I know you just cannot wait. {WINK}
I want to talk about spoons today, not just any spoon, I am talking large spoons that comes with a five-piece flatware setting. Normally, I think these are referred to as soup spoons.
Anyway, yesterday, I made a simple German meal which turned out to be fantastic. Red Cabbage and Pork Schnitzel with Dill Cream Sauce. Yesterday for some odd reason, I used one of my metal soup spoons from the drawer, not my usual wooden spoons. I was stirring my dill sauce just like I did when I was 16, just as Momma taught me (only I never, ever, ever made dill sauce), curved side down against the skillet. Then it occurred to me. I don't remember my mom ever using a wooden spoon. She always stirred the gravy with an old soup spoon, curved side against the bottom of the skillet circling the bottom of the skillet.
So............if you are ever out antiquing and see a set of flatware where the bottoms of the largest spoon are worn more than the rest of the pieces, chances are someone used the soup spoons just as my mom did.........for stirring. Oh, by the way, not only did we use them for cooking, they'd be the serving spoons as well...........and I don't ever remember them ever being used for soup UNLESS all the teaspoons were dirty. The smaller teaspoons were used for soup..............and for adding sugar to ice tea.............only in later years did we actually find long teaspoons for tea...........so, if you lived at my house, you made do.
I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the 20 MPH winds. The wind only gets stronger the rest of the week. Keep you hat on.
I love you. Oh by the way, I am going to publish my German meal recipe tomorrow. I know you just cannot wait. {WINK}
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Just a Little Saturday Morning Humor
Good Morning Everybody.
I have to tell you about this woman. She lives at my house. I see her every morning. I wish you could see her, but she disappears by 9:30. Funny thing is that I only see her when I look into certain mirrors. When I apply my makeup, I see her. She looks back at me, smiles at me, and she is gorgeous. No wrinkles. No sags. No bulges and no swollen eyes. And no wrinkles.........I have to repeat that! No wrinkles. I am not going to suggest she looks 30, 40, or even 50, but she might pass for a good looking 60. But sometimes she looks 40.
As I walk down the hall to the main bath, I begin to see her disappear. When I see her again in the entry hall mirror, she is even dimmer and I begin to see glimpses of myself. By the time I get to the kitchen and look for her in the little mirror I have magnetized to my refrigerator, she is completely gone. Faded completely away. Sad............ So sad............ I kind of like her........... We could be friends.........., I think...........but I would be jealous of her.
Where does she go, this woman? I have no idea what happens to her. Some time over all these years, she has faded, no longer the woman she thought she was. BUT I have good news, she does come to visit every morning between 8:00 and 9:00. Come over, look over my shoulder and you will see her.
Just a little Saturday morning humor. By the way, that little mirror on my refrigerator is the most truthful mirror in the house. You might not want to look at yourself in it.
I love you.
I have to tell you about this woman. She lives at my house. I see her every morning. I wish you could see her, but she disappears by 9:30. Funny thing is that I only see her when I look into certain mirrors. When I apply my makeup, I see her. She looks back at me, smiles at me, and she is gorgeous. No wrinkles. No sags. No bulges and no swollen eyes. And no wrinkles.........I have to repeat that! No wrinkles. I am not going to suggest she looks 30, 40, or even 50, but she might pass for a good looking 60. But sometimes she looks 40.
As I walk down the hall to the main bath, I begin to see her disappear. When I see her again in the entry hall mirror, she is even dimmer and I begin to see glimpses of myself. By the time I get to the kitchen and look for her in the little mirror I have magnetized to my refrigerator, she is completely gone. Faded completely away. Sad............ So sad............ I kind of like her........... We could be friends.........., I think...........but I would be jealous of her.
Where does she go, this woman? I have no idea what happens to her. Some time over all these years, she has faded, no longer the woman she thought she was. BUT I have good news, she does come to visit every morning between 8:00 and 9:00. Come over, look over my shoulder and you will see her.
Just a little Saturday morning humor. By the way, that little mirror on my refrigerator is the most truthful mirror in the house. You might not want to look at yourself in it.
I love you.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Happy Valentine's Day 2014
Good Sunny Morning Everyone and Happy Valentine's Day.
Gosh, without it even being Valentine's Day, it is a great day! If you live in Oklahoma this winter, you have been pining away waiting on a day like this. OK, so it is a little windy, but hey, you live in Oklahoma. We are used to wind........and snow..........and ice........and sleet.......and lightening.........and fires.........and lots of earthquakes.........and even lots of tornadoes........and sometimes a little teeny bit of rain, and WIND!! Other than rain, wind is probably the most desirable of all those.
Well.....it's Valentine's Day. I guess I am repeating myself, but it is Valentine's Day. Nothing special going on at my house other than a trip out to find fabric to recover a chair and maybe even a fabric for my dining chairs, otherwise known as the chairs to the kitchen table that we can't seem to get rid of after 36 years.
So Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Hope it is a special day for you.
I love you.
Just a little bitty memory: Remember all those little Valentine's banquets we used to have at our little country church? As a preteen, that banquet was what I waited for all year because that might be the year that someone special would go with me. Not that any of us ever had a boy to set beside us, but we sure dreamed about one. Oh, what wonderful memories that our church and our mothers gave to us. They would decorate with white table clothes and red heart doilies, flowers, paper cupids, flowery decorations, even place cards. One year, they fixed a tomato aspic for an appetizer.....not that any of us even tasted it, but it was the thought, right, and it was red. They treated us like we were grown-ups, serving us in courses, serving from the left and clearing from the right, refilling our tea glasses, the table setting was perfect. There is never, ever, ever a Valentine's Day that I don't have those sweet memories come to my mind. Happy Valentine's Day 1961! I'm going to look up a tomato aspic recipe right now.
Gosh, without it even being Valentine's Day, it is a great day! If you live in Oklahoma this winter, you have been pining away waiting on a day like this. OK, so it is a little windy, but hey, you live in Oklahoma. We are used to wind........and snow..........and ice........and sleet.......and lightening.........and fires.........and lots of earthquakes.........and even lots of tornadoes........and sometimes a little teeny bit of rain, and WIND!! Other than rain, wind is probably the most desirable of all those.
Well.....it's Valentine's Day. I guess I am repeating myself, but it is Valentine's Day. Nothing special going on at my house other than a trip out to find fabric to recover a chair and maybe even a fabric for my dining chairs, otherwise known as the chairs to the kitchen table that we can't seem to get rid of after 36 years.
So Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Hope it is a special day for you.
I love you.
Just a little bitty memory: Remember all those little Valentine's banquets we used to have at our little country church? As a preteen, that banquet was what I waited for all year because that might be the year that someone special would go with me. Not that any of us ever had a boy to set beside us, but we sure dreamed about one. Oh, what wonderful memories that our church and our mothers gave to us. They would decorate with white table clothes and red heart doilies, flowers, paper cupids, flowery decorations, even place cards. One year, they fixed a tomato aspic for an appetizer.....not that any of us even tasted it, but it was the thought, right, and it was red. They treated us like we were grown-ups, serving us in courses, serving from the left and clearing from the right, refilling our tea glasses, the table setting was perfect. There is never, ever, ever a Valentine's Day that I don't have those sweet memories come to my mind. Happy Valentine's Day 1961! I'm going to look up a tomato aspic recipe right now.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Tried and True
Good morning everybody. This is going to be a good day. Why? Because I forgot to eat my bacon, that's why. Every morning I have one slice of turkey bacon and usually a bowl of oatmeal. Today, I finished my cup of tea, my bowl of oatmeal (or all I could get down--sometimes it gets a little hard to swallow--ugh), and looked down and I had not eaten one bite of my bacon. Now I get to enjoy the bacon all by itself. Aren't you glad you know that? What a way to end the first meal of the day.
Ladies, do you have something that you have used for 43 years (and I am not talking about your hubby)? Excluding the hubby, I have a headband, a pink headband, that I have used almost every day since 1970 when wide neon pink headbands were in style. It gets a bath now and again, but it pretty much looks the same as it did in 1970 except maybe for the holes on one side of the two-layer band. I love that old thing. Tried and true........why do I need another...........I certainly won't wear it in public or even around the house..........only to pull my hair back when washing my face. Tried and True.
Speaking of Tried and True, there are certain things in life.....especially recipes, no matter how one tweaks it, the old way is the best. Take Deviled Eggs........hubby told me he loved the way I made Deviled Eggs...........the old (perhaps old-fashioned) way. No cilantro, no jalapeños, no horseradish, no hot sauce, no nuttin'! A little bit of mustard, some mayo, the egg yolks, of course, salt and a dash of pepper. That is it! Tried and True.
Mom's pot roast -- Tried and True! Irises - Tried and True! Red River - Tried and True! Chicken Enchiladas (at any restaurant) -- Tried and True! Hamburger King in Shawnee -- Tried and True! Swings on front porches -- Tried and True! Teresa's recipe for basil pesto -- Tried and True! Rook (yes the card game) -- Tried and True! Lobster -- Tried and True!
I could go on and on and perhaps I will someday. You can't wait, can you? Today I have things to do. The cold weather is finally getting warmer so perhaps spring is not far behind. Can't wait -- minus the tornadoes. Now I must get busy. Hope you have one of those Tried and True days.
I love you.
By the way if you read and see my sense of humor, then you get me.
Ladies, do you have something that you have used for 43 years (and I am not talking about your hubby)? Excluding the hubby, I have a headband, a pink headband, that I have used almost every day since 1970 when wide neon pink headbands were in style. It gets a bath now and again, but it pretty much looks the same as it did in 1970 except maybe for the holes on one side of the two-layer band. I love that old thing. Tried and true........why do I need another...........I certainly won't wear it in public or even around the house..........only to pull my hair back when washing my face. Tried and True.
Speaking of Tried and True, there are certain things in life.....especially recipes, no matter how one tweaks it, the old way is the best. Take Deviled Eggs........hubby told me he loved the way I made Deviled Eggs...........the old (perhaps old-fashioned) way. No cilantro, no jalapeños, no horseradish, no hot sauce, no nuttin'! A little bit of mustard, some mayo, the egg yolks, of course, salt and a dash of pepper. That is it! Tried and True.
Mom's pot roast -- Tried and True! Irises - Tried and True! Red River - Tried and True! Chicken Enchiladas (at any restaurant) -- Tried and True! Hamburger King in Shawnee -- Tried and True! Swings on front porches -- Tried and True! Teresa's recipe for basil pesto -- Tried and True! Rook (yes the card game) -- Tried and True! Lobster -- Tried and True!
I could go on and on and perhaps I will someday. You can't wait, can you? Today I have things to do. The cold weather is finally getting warmer so perhaps spring is not far behind. Can't wait -- minus the tornadoes. Now I must get busy. Hope you have one of those Tried and True days.
I love you.
By the way if you read and see my sense of humor, then you get me.
Monday, February 10, 2014
We'd Have Roast Beef
It is getting bigger all the time........it all started today, 66 years ago. Yes, our family began 66 years ago today. Happy Anniversary to my family, for now we celebrate our beginning since we cannot celebrate with Mom and Dad. Our parents didn't know when they eloped to Gainesville, TX, that their home would soon be filled with happy little children. Certainly they didn't know there would be a collection of 5 of those happy little children. They didn't know that those 5 children would produce them 8 grandchildren. They couldn't even fathom on the day of their beginning that there would be 14 great grandchildren to their lineage. Soon there will be 15............and, of course, there are all the other family members who are not related by blood, but my love.
Today I fixed one of my mom's 'go to' meals. Pot roast. I fixed a pot roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, and sautéed brussel sprouts. Before you get on my case, I don't think my mother EVER fixed brussel sprouts, EVER! But the roast beef...........wow, that woman could make a great pot roast. I think her roasts were so good because she usually fixed two large roasts at once. The house smelled wonderful all day long. What a wonderful memory.........
So in honor of this special day in my family's life, I am sending Happy Anniversary wishes to my family. I wish we had another party in Mom and Dad's honor.............we'd have roast beef.
I love you.
Today I fixed one of my mom's 'go to' meals. Pot roast. I fixed a pot roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, and sautéed brussel sprouts. Before you get on my case, I don't think my mother EVER fixed brussel sprouts, EVER! But the roast beef...........wow, that woman could make a great pot roast. I think her roasts were so good because she usually fixed two large roasts at once. The house smelled wonderful all day long. What a wonderful memory.........
So in honor of this special day in my family's life, I am sending Happy Anniversary wishes to my family. I wish we had another party in Mom and Dad's honor.............we'd have roast beef.
I love you.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Don't Let an Electronic Device Become Your Loved One
If you have read my blog, you know how I am about cell phones, especially smart phones. I am definitely against having cell phones at the table. This morning we went to breakfast at a popular Midwest City restaurant. A young couple came in and were seated beside us; the young woman on her phone. Then the young man pulled out his phone.........then he pulled another phone out. He was texting on one, talking on the other. They were either dating or newly married, and already their attention was not on each other, but on an electronic device. Someone on the other end of those devices took precedence over each other. Sad.......
Then I noticed another family right behind the couple with the three phones. The child, probably 7 years old was on his tablet, his dad was texting away on his phone...........and mom..........well she was texting, too. Sad.......really sad. It was sad that this family unit was so bored with each other that they had to divert their attention to something more entertaining..........not even 20 minutes..........not even at the table.
Put your phones away people. In fact, just leave the phone in the car. I dare you! It seems so rude to your dining partners, like they don't really matter; like you don't find them worthy of your attention.
Will your children look back on their childhood and remember mom and dad always on their cell phone? Think about it. Please think about the message you are sending your children when you are constantly glancing at your phone.
Don't let an electronic device become your loved one.
I love you.
Then I noticed another family right behind the couple with the three phones. The child, probably 7 years old was on his tablet, his dad was texting away on his phone...........and mom..........well she was texting, too. Sad.......really sad. It was sad that this family unit was so bored with each other that they had to divert their attention to something more entertaining..........not even 20 minutes..........not even at the table.
Put your phones away people. In fact, just leave the phone in the car. I dare you! It seems so rude to your dining partners, like they don't really matter; like you don't find them worthy of your attention.
Will your children look back on their childhood and remember mom and dad always on their cell phone? Think about it. Please think about the message you are sending your children when you are constantly glancing at your phone.
Don't let an electronic device become your loved one.
I love you.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Just Give Me Some Heat
It's a balmy 21 degrees out there right now. I want summer. I NEED summer. I am tired of the day's high only being in the teens. I am ready for hot summer days. I long for hot summer nights.
Yes, give me hot sand between my toes............swimming pools with tepid water...........fireflies..........
white beaches at the ocean..............walking barefooted............tomatoes.............the smell of freshly mowed grass..............lemonade.............snow cones..............concerts in the park.............trips to the farmers market.............fishing............going to the lake...........camping...........sun tans............pink lipstick.............shorts..............sandals.............alfresco dining...........painted toenails..................okra...............fresh corn on the cob..............vacations..............wading in the creek..............open windows..............barbecues...........Diet Cokes with Lime..............trips to Sonic.........short haircuts.............drive-in movies.............Windexing (bet you didn't know what was a verb, huh?) without it freezing to my outside windows...........convertibles..............watching my boys play in the sprinklers.............school out.............hammocks............picnics............basil.............some more basil............some bruschetta............Caprese Salad................and heat. Just give me some heat!
Winter, I am so over you. Just give me some heat!
I love you. Have a great Friday and turn up the heat!!!
Yes, give me hot sand between my toes............swimming pools with tepid water...........fireflies..........
white beaches at the ocean..............walking barefooted............tomatoes.............the smell of freshly mowed grass..............lemonade.............snow cones..............concerts in the park.............trips to the farmers market.............fishing............going to the lake...........camping...........sun tans............pink lipstick.............shorts..............sandals.............alfresco dining...........painted toenails..................okra...............fresh corn on the cob..............vacations..............wading in the creek..............open windows..............barbecues...........Diet Cokes with Lime..............trips to Sonic.........short haircuts.............drive-in movies.............Windexing (bet you didn't know what was a verb, huh?) without it freezing to my outside windows...........convertibles..............watching my boys play in the sprinklers.............school out.............hammocks............picnics............basil.............some more basil............some bruschetta............Caprese Salad................and heat. Just give me some heat!
Winter, I am so over you. Just give me some heat!
I love you. Have a great Friday and turn up the heat!!!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Burlington, Iowa
Years ago, maybe 1961 or so, Daddy was offered a job in Burlington, Iowa. The Sylvania Plant in Shawna had announced that they were closing. They had offered some of the employees jobs in Burlington and sent the employees there to see if that offer would be a fit for them. Maybe they sent these employees to set up the equipment being transferred from Shawnee to Burlington...or perhaps it was both. At any rate Daddy went to Iowa.
We stayed home, of course; mom and all five of her little ones. Did she cry herself to sleep every night Daddy was gone? Did she wonder how we kids would adjust to a new home? Would we buy a little farm? Did she wonder if they would find a church that would welcome them? Would they make friends? Did she wonder if she would ever get back to Prague, Oklahoma? How would she be able to leave her sisters, her mom, her dad? Did she worry that Daddy might accept the job without consulting her first? Back in those days, we did not have a phone so that could have been a real possibility. Would he decline the offer? What was going to be her future?
Uprooting our family of seven must have been heavy on both mom's and dad's minds. Weighing the certainty of a new job in a new state and the uncertainties of the future without a job back home -- what a dilemma. We all know how the story ended. We stayed right there, bought another farm, and Dad got a job at Tinker. It all worked out just like it was suppose to.
I love you.
All these years, I thought about what my mother went through during that uncertain time and wondered how she handled it. Just as I was writing this, I started thinking about how different my own life would have been had Daddy taken that job. So glad it turned out the way it was suppose to. I have friends and family like you. Love you all.
We stayed home, of course; mom and all five of her little ones. Did she cry herself to sleep every night Daddy was gone? Did she wonder how we kids would adjust to a new home? Would we buy a little farm? Did she wonder if they would find a church that would welcome them? Would they make friends? Did she wonder if she would ever get back to Prague, Oklahoma? How would she be able to leave her sisters, her mom, her dad? Did she worry that Daddy might accept the job without consulting her first? Back in those days, we did not have a phone so that could have been a real possibility. Would he decline the offer? What was going to be her future?
Uprooting our family of seven must have been heavy on both mom's and dad's minds. Weighing the certainty of a new job in a new state and the uncertainties of the future without a job back home -- what a dilemma. We all know how the story ended. We stayed right there, bought another farm, and Dad got a job at Tinker. It all worked out just like it was suppose to.
I love you.
All these years, I thought about what my mother went through during that uncertain time and wondered how she handled it. Just as I was writing this, I started thinking about how different my own life would have been had Daddy taken that job. So glad it turned out the way it was suppose to. I have friends and family like you. Love you all.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
I Am No Baker
Remember the old days when you'd ask someone for a recipe and you quickly jotted it down in the margins of the latest copy of Good Housekeeping? No Internet back then for every recipe in the world with reviews no less. No, you'd jot down "about a half cup of flour, mix with m, add s, add sug, cr ch, and eggs.
That's how a lot of my favorite recipes are written; just come over and look for yourself. So when I pulled out the old cornbread recipe the other day, I realized I should have gotten more specific instructions. Salt - more to taste. (How in the world do you adjust salt in a cornbread? You wouldn't know until after the bread was done. Buttermilk - ? That was what was written; just a question mark. Was buttermilk an option or was the amount needed optional - to taste????
I had everything needed except the bacon grease so I decided to substitute oil. I remembered when I used this recipe a few years back that it was dry so I increased the oil by one tablespoon. What could it hurt? Well, let me tell you. The texture was somewhat dense.....think brownies. Maybe next time I won't use so much oil. Oh, and I didn't have buttermilk but I used the old substitute, milk with vinegar.
Hmmmm, not such a good cornbread. In fact, the next day the hubby crumbled the leftovers for the birds. He came back in and showed me his hands. He said he didn't realize cornbread had so much oil. I will stick to Shawnee Mills Yellow Cornbread Mix - the best on the planet. And if I don't have any I will send the hubby to the store......gonna throw this recipe away. Twice in the last few years, and both times the bread was inedible.
I would say my problem with baking is inadequate instructions. Nope that isn't the case. I used the recipe on the back of the Nestlé's package yesterday to make White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies. I must have been drunk or something. I decided that there was something missing.......something more was needed to bring this up a notch.............something more than just plain old delicious white chocolate chips........something more than macadamia nuts..........hmm I am thinking butter brickle chips (are these going to be good or what). After I put the first batch in the oven I realized that I had used 1/4 cup more butter than called for. Then I noticed I added one too many eggs. I just stood there and stared at that uncooked cookie dough and finally decided I couldn't "fix" it at this point. Surprisingly, they were delicious; however, they were thin, but very chewy. I think I am on to something.
It appears my disdain of baking is justifiable. I can make a mean savory appetizer, but I make a mess in the baking department. Next time I will just call Shawna and tell her I need cookies. Looks like she is going to inherit a lot of baking ingredients in the next few days. Coconut, butter brickle bits, white chocolate chips, white chocolate coating mix, chocolate chips, red cherries, green cherries, dates............{why do I buy all this stuff at Christmas time?}
I may be a lot of things, but I am no baker.
I love you.
That's how a lot of my favorite recipes are written; just come over and look for yourself. So when I pulled out the old cornbread recipe the other day, I realized I should have gotten more specific instructions. Salt - more to taste. (How in the world do you adjust salt in a cornbread? You wouldn't know until after the bread was done. Buttermilk - ? That was what was written; just a question mark. Was buttermilk an option or was the amount needed optional - to taste????
I had everything needed except the bacon grease so I decided to substitute oil. I remembered when I used this recipe a few years back that it was dry so I increased the oil by one tablespoon. What could it hurt? Well, let me tell you. The texture was somewhat dense.....think brownies. Maybe next time I won't use so much oil. Oh, and I didn't have buttermilk but I used the old substitute, milk with vinegar.
Hmmmm, not such a good cornbread. In fact, the next day the hubby crumbled the leftovers for the birds. He came back in and showed me his hands. He said he didn't realize cornbread had so much oil. I will stick to Shawnee Mills Yellow Cornbread Mix - the best on the planet. And if I don't have any I will send the hubby to the store......gonna throw this recipe away. Twice in the last few years, and both times the bread was inedible.
I would say my problem with baking is inadequate instructions. Nope that isn't the case. I used the recipe on the back of the Nestlé's package yesterday to make White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies. I must have been drunk or something. I decided that there was something missing.......something more was needed to bring this up a notch.............something more than just plain old delicious white chocolate chips........something more than macadamia nuts..........hmm I am thinking butter brickle chips (are these going to be good or what). After I put the first batch in the oven I realized that I had used 1/4 cup more butter than called for. Then I noticed I added one too many eggs. I just stood there and stared at that uncooked cookie dough and finally decided I couldn't "fix" it at this point. Surprisingly, they were delicious; however, they were thin, but very chewy. I think I am on to something.
It appears my disdain of baking is justifiable. I can make a mean savory appetizer, but I make a mess in the baking department. Next time I will just call Shawna and tell her I need cookies. Looks like she is going to inherit a lot of baking ingredients in the next few days. Coconut, butter brickle bits, white chocolate chips, white chocolate coating mix, chocolate chips, red cherries, green cherries, dates............{why do I buy all this stuff at Christmas time?}
I may be a lot of things, but I am no baker.
I love you.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
More
Good morning all. It is almost noon here in Oklahoma. Time for a little bite to eat and I do mean a little bite. This morning I hit an all time high on the old scales! I don't know what happened. Could it be the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies? Could it be the tamales? Could it be the guacamole? Could it be the White Cheese Dip? Maybe it was that one lone carrot I ate yesterday. Yeah, that is it! At any rate, I will be eating fruit for lunch today.
Even though I have told you about my weight, I am going to get better. You see I have a new magazine coming, More. I took this magazine a few years back so when I got this two-year offer for $15 I thought I would try it again, besides I am getting More.
Just by the brochures with the offer, I know I will get More.
I know I will stay young with Yoga.
I know that guavas are a source of potassium which will keep my blood pressure in check.....since it is always below average, I might not want to eat guavas.
I know that getting caught in a style rut will make me look old. Hmmmm, is that all it is?!? Hold on to my wallet, I am going shopping!
I know that I don't need Botox. I need a cold probe. (Stop laughing. Some people have thought that for years.) You literally freeze the nerves. Don't worry, the nerve ending will gradually grow back. Yeah, let's hope so!
I know that Retin-A cream is the gold standard when it comes to combating sun damage, fine lines, sagging - and large pores. You notice they didn't mention large line and craters. Goodness knows, I need to combat those fine lines (that are inside the craters)!!!!!
I need to wear color so it will brighten my face. Since I cannot turn back the hands of time, I should do this. I am thinking lime green.
I know that just by removing all my makeup from my face before bedtime every night and moisturizing my eyelids, the aging of my eyelids MAY NOT be so obvious. Notice they didn't use the words WILL. Notice also that they used the words "so obvious". Yeah I am thinking there isn't anything that's going help this area of my body.
Yep, this magazine says I deserve More inspiration, More substance, More style. In just a few short months, I expect to be a More me. I expect that Chico's will be seeking me out for their fashion magazine. I will probably run for Congress. I will probably be crafting so expect to see me at the next art show with my vases made from cream corn cans.
If you think all this sounds like I work for More you'd be correct. I have been hired as their new Editor in Chief. Yea for me!!
I love you.
P.S. The first paragraph of their "come on" letter reads "Throughout your life, you can count on a few special girlfriends who really get you. All of you. Your silly side and your serious side...your fashion-conscious side and your practical side. Your curious, romantic, confident, and shy sides."
That paragraph really resonated with me. No, it didn't inspire me to buy the magazine, but it did make me stop and think. I hope we all have someone who gets us. If you see the humor in this post, you get me.
Even though I have told you about my weight, I am going to get better. You see I have a new magazine coming, More. I took this magazine a few years back so when I got this two-year offer for $15 I thought I would try it again, besides I am getting More.
Just by the brochures with the offer, I know I will get More.
I know I will stay young with Yoga.
I know that guavas are a source of potassium which will keep my blood pressure in check.....since it is always below average, I might not want to eat guavas.
I know that getting caught in a style rut will make me look old. Hmmmm, is that all it is?!? Hold on to my wallet, I am going shopping!
I know that I don't need Botox. I need a cold probe. (Stop laughing. Some people have thought that for years.) You literally freeze the nerves. Don't worry, the nerve ending will gradually grow back. Yeah, let's hope so!
I know that Retin-A cream is the gold standard when it comes to combating sun damage, fine lines, sagging - and large pores. You notice they didn't mention large line and craters. Goodness knows, I need to combat those fine lines (that are inside the craters)!!!!!
I need to wear color so it will brighten my face. Since I cannot turn back the hands of time, I should do this. I am thinking lime green.
I know that just by removing all my makeup from my face before bedtime every night and moisturizing my eyelids, the aging of my eyelids MAY NOT be so obvious. Notice they didn't use the words WILL. Notice also that they used the words "so obvious". Yeah I am thinking there isn't anything that's going help this area of my body.
Yep, this magazine says I deserve More inspiration, More substance, More style. In just a few short months, I expect to be a More me. I expect that Chico's will be seeking me out for their fashion magazine. I will probably run for Congress. I will probably be crafting so expect to see me at the next art show with my vases made from cream corn cans.
If you think all this sounds like I work for More you'd be correct. I have been hired as their new Editor in Chief. Yea for me!!
I love you.
P.S. The first paragraph of their "come on" letter reads "Throughout your life, you can count on a few special girlfriends who really get you. All of you. Your silly side and your serious side...your fashion-conscious side and your practical side. Your curious, romantic, confident, and shy sides."
That paragraph really resonated with me. No, it didn't inspire me to buy the magazine, but it did make me stop and think. I hope we all have someone who gets us. If you see the humor in this post, you get me.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Maybe Love is All That is Needed
Good morning everybody. Since I have been drinking hot tea instead of coffee, my mornings start off kind of sluggish. The good news is I don't have jitters at 10:30 in the morning and I no longer run to the kitchen scrounging around to find something to counteract those jitters.....like Cheez-Its. The bad news is that I no longer have that 2 hour spark of energy. (Hand me that pillow.)
Over the past year, I have gained a few readers, and each time I hear of someone reading my blog, I begin to question what I am writing. I think of one person and think they don't want to hear that so I change my post. Then I think of someone else and think that they would like to hear something nostalgic. Then I think of the next person and think they would want me to write something humorous. It's a hard life...............being a writer. (Gee, I hope you don't take me serious. Everything I write is tongue-in-cheek.) So with that in mind, I am going back to when I was writing totally for myself; the time when no one, not even my daughter, knew I was writing. So.....
Have you ever wondered how you got to be the person you are? Just like everyone, a lot of baggage has been piled on me over the years, some good and some not so good. I guess all that has made me who I am today. I am somewhat skeptical about a lot of things. I don't think that is a good thing. I tend to worry. I don't think that is a good thing. I am so a control freak. I don't think that is a good thing. I am also very practical. I don't think that is a good thing. I also have the ability, or should I say disability, to see things played out to the very worst scenario. I, for sure, don't think that is a good thing. In fact, that one is particularly horrible and can be debilitating.
Some where or some time along the way, I became an adult. I became a mother. I became a grandmother. Now I am the person others come to for advice. Really? How did all this happen? I am still that little 9 year old girl, still afraid of my own shadow, still hiding behind my mom's skirt. But.........I have to pretend like I am strong. Maybe I am. I have to pretend like someone else can take charge........ooohhhh that one is hard......giving up control???..... I have to close my eyes to all those worst case scenarios. I can keep all those worst case scenarios to myself for they tend not to ever happen anyway. The easy one and the most fun thing will be to give up practicality. Occasionally (she says with an air of practicality) it will be fun for me to just buy something just because I want it. I associate practicality with spontaneity so it will be fun to wake up one morning, throw a couple of pairs of jeans in the bag and head out to places unknown.
I guess we all reflect back when we get to a certain age. As I do so, I often wonder if my mom did. Did she ever want to tell us kids that she didn't have ANY of the answers? Did she want to tell us she was just a kid, too? Did she want to tell us to find our answers from someone wiser than her? I fear that my wisdom is NOT WISE. I don't feel like I have any of the answers. Maybe there are things in life that have no answers. Maybe we have to just let God work with us in his own mysterious way.
Here's the good news. I remember my mother having all the answers. I remember her giving the best advice. I remember loving us five, then 10, then 8 more, then the greats..........loving us. Maybe that is all it takes. LOVE. Maybe that is all that is needed.
Just this last minute, I feel lifted. Maybe love is all that is needed.
I love you!!!!
.
Over the past year, I have gained a few readers, and each time I hear of someone reading my blog, I begin to question what I am writing. I think of one person and think they don't want to hear that so I change my post. Then I think of someone else and think that they would like to hear something nostalgic. Then I think of the next person and think they would want me to write something humorous. It's a hard life...............being a writer. (Gee, I hope you don't take me serious. Everything I write is tongue-in-cheek.) So with that in mind, I am going back to when I was writing totally for myself; the time when no one, not even my daughter, knew I was writing. So.....
Have you ever wondered how you got to be the person you are? Just like everyone, a lot of baggage has been piled on me over the years, some good and some not so good. I guess all that has made me who I am today. I am somewhat skeptical about a lot of things. I don't think that is a good thing. I tend to worry. I don't think that is a good thing. I am so a control freak. I don't think that is a good thing. I am also very practical. I don't think that is a good thing. I also have the ability, or should I say disability, to see things played out to the very worst scenario. I, for sure, don't think that is a good thing. In fact, that one is particularly horrible and can be debilitating.
Some where or some time along the way, I became an adult. I became a mother. I became a grandmother. Now I am the person others come to for advice. Really? How did all this happen? I am still that little 9 year old girl, still afraid of my own shadow, still hiding behind my mom's skirt. But.........I have to pretend like I am strong. Maybe I am. I have to pretend like someone else can take charge........ooohhhh that one is hard......giving up control???..... I have to close my eyes to all those worst case scenarios. I can keep all those worst case scenarios to myself for they tend not to ever happen anyway. The easy one and the most fun thing will be to give up practicality. Occasionally (she says with an air of practicality) it will be fun for me to just buy something just because I want it. I associate practicality with spontaneity so it will be fun to wake up one morning, throw a couple of pairs of jeans in the bag and head out to places unknown.
I guess we all reflect back when we get to a certain age. As I do so, I often wonder if my mom did. Did she ever want to tell us kids that she didn't have ANY of the answers? Did she want to tell us she was just a kid, too? Did she want to tell us to find our answers from someone wiser than her? I fear that my wisdom is NOT WISE. I don't feel like I have any of the answers. Maybe there are things in life that have no answers. Maybe we have to just let God work with us in his own mysterious way.
Here's the good news. I remember my mother having all the answers. I remember her giving the best advice. I remember loving us five, then 10, then 8 more, then the greats..........loving us. Maybe that is all it takes. LOVE. Maybe that is all that is needed.
Just this last minute, I feel lifted. Maybe love is all that is needed.
I love you!!!!
.
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