K is for Keepsakes: A Special Walk Down Memory Lane

I had the chance to sit and visit with my dad this weekend and he pulled out a beautiful treasure that he'd received in the mail from our cousin.  The old pages of the photograph album were filled with black-and-white memories of long ago -- pictures I'd never seen of my grandparents, my dad, and his brothers as babies, toddlers, and little boys.

As dad and I sat around the table turning the frail pages of the album, we stepped back into a time of happiness and revisited sorrow together.  The hours were especially dear to me.  I am named after my dad's mom -- a grandmother I never knew  -- and it was touching to see just a small glimpse into her life.

Dad shared the stories that he remembers and we marveled at the styles of clothes and old cars as we laughed at how the old homeplace has changed.  I took quick pictures of my kin folks using my cell phone so that I could in turn share them with my children -- and you.  Please indulge me and forgive the quality.

These are the keepsakes that I treasure.

My grandparents, T.C. and Faye Whittington, on their wedding day.

Mama Faye holding my dad

Don't you love the vehicles and fashions?  I love seeing a mother's love shine through and the proud poppa holding his boy.

And then there were two . . .

Off to church

The happy family

And now there are three . . .

This picture is my favorite.  It is a stunning portrait of love and affection.  And it is heartbreaking because my grandmother was dying of cancer at this time -- and knew she would not see her boys grow into men.

a mother's love

I debated on including this picture.  In the end, I decided I would.  It grabs my heart and will not let go.  My grandfather, who we called PawPaw, and my dad saying goodbye.  Oh, parting is such sweet sorrow.

And the boys played on . . .

On so many levels, these pictures tug at my heartstrings.  As a mother, as a wife, as a granddaughter -- just to think what could have been.  What a reminder to make every day count.

Black and white keepsakes.  Do you have similar treasures hiding in a box?  A picture is worth a thousand words.  Get them out, take a look, listen to their stories.




I'm linking up with my friends Cristi (over at Through the Calm and Through the Storm) and Meg (over at Adventures with Jude) for the Blogging Through the Alphabet Challenge.  Stop by for more alphabet adventures.  We'd love to have you join us on our journey from A to Z.

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F is for Friendship: Some are Silver and the other Gold

I think that I am the luckiest girl in the world because I have been blessed over the years with some pretty fabulous friendships.  I treasure those people that have taken the time to invest in my life and allowed me the privilege to invest in theirs.  Angie, Ann, Beckie, Betsy, Beverly, Bonita, Brianna, Carol, Cathy, Christy, Debbie, Debra, Edie, Ellis Anne, Emily, Jana, Janet, Jennifer, Jeralyn, Jewell, Kathy, Kristy, Lisa, Lola, Lori, Lynda, MaryNell, Shannon, Tina, Tonya, Wendy.  These women have helped to shape my heart and make me who GOD calls me to be.  I could name so many more, and to be honest, I'm already worried that I've left someone off of this list and I'll hurt feelings, but my point here is that I have been blessed.  (And I'm just saying -- Not that it probably even matters, but I've done this list in alphabetical order only. :)  You know how we are!)  

Some of these ladies have been in my life for a very long time and some for a relatively short time.  Some I have only met through clicking fingers on a keyboard or through the telephone, and some have allowed me to cling to their shoulders in real-life cry sessions.  No matter how or when GOD brought them into my life, they have touched me.  

Make new friends, but keep the old.

One is silver and the other gold.  

My oldest friendship is with Wendy.  We met when my family moved two houses up the road from her family.  I was 6 and she was 5.  We lived in that neighborhood for 10 years and we spent most every weekend spending the night at one another's house.  One weekend she stayed at mine, the next weekend I stayed at hers.  

We rode the schoolbus together every day.  We jumped on her trampoline and played in my backyard.  Summers found us in the swimming pool and riding bikes.  We dressed up in her mama's clothes when she wasn't home.  We shared our first crushes (her on Rick Springfield, me on Gregory Harrison) and a love of Journey -- and can still sing all the words to all of the slow songs.  We even roomed together in junior college -- her freshman year and my sophomore year.  

41 years later, we are still friends.  Wendy knows all of my secrets -- she even knows my true hair color because she's the one who does my "root maintenance" every 6 weeks or so.  We've been to two plays together this week -- A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life.  Perfect reminders that friends are important.  Wendy is one of the gold pieces in my life.  I think I'll keep her.  

Have you celebrated a friendship today?


I'm linking up with my friends Cristi (over at Through the Calm and Through the Storm) and Meg (over at Adventures with Jude) for the Blogging Through the Alphabet Challenge.  Stop by for more alphabet adventures.  We'd love to have you join us on our journey from A to Z.

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E is for Encourage: Build Each Other Up

One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:11.  It says that we should "encourage one another and build each other up."  When my oldest girls were just little things, we had a cassette tape with this verse set to music and we sang along as we rode to and fro in our van.  Now my girls are not so little and I don't know about them, but I still sing this song frequently.  It is forever ingrained in my head.  Yes, I learned as much as my children on those rides across town as we surrounded ourselves with GOD's Word.  What a great way to learn Scripture and teach our children to hide it in their hearts!

When I think of encouragement, I am reminded of the movie Pollyanna.  Pollyanna was such an encourager to all those she met.  Do you remember her "Glad Game?"  Pollyanna's missionary parents had taught her to look for the good -- in things, in circumstances, in others -- and not to focus on the bad.  What great parents they were!  They modeled life after GOD's Word and taught their child to do the same.  And isn't that exactly the kind of parents we all should be?

A few years ago, it became popular to choose a "word" for your year and I joined in.  My chosen word for 2015 was ENCOURAGE.  (You can read about WHY I chose it and what GOD has been speaking over me, if you'd like.)  I am still working on being a better encourager to others -- and I'm being intentional about dwelling in the good more often that I dwell in the bad.  I'm not Pollyanna yet, but I'm not quite the Eeyore I used to be either.

So what about you?  What are some things that encourage you?  How can I be an encourager to you in the days ahead?  Can I pray for you and with you?

I'd sincerely like to hear from you.

I'm linking up with my friends Cristi (over at Through the Calm and Through the Storm) and Meg (over at Adventures with Jude) for the Blogging Through the Alphabet Challenge.  Stop by for more alphabet adventures.  We'd love to have you join us on our journey from A to Z.

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D is for Daisies: watch them grow

It's been a difficult few months on the "mommy" front.  I'm watching my children grow up and although I know it happens, it can still be tough.  My babies are now 21, 19, 16, and 14.  It's so hard for me to wrap my head around, because in my head, they are still toddlers.  You know what I mean?

Just last week, my youngest daughter welcomed new "little girls" to  the Girl Scouting family.  As a 10-year Scout, she's considered an Ambassador Girl Scout and helps lead the brand new Daisy Girl Scout troop.  I love this picture of their Investiture -- such sweet faces of the new Scouts glowing beside the beautiful faces of the Cadettes (light blue shirts) and the Ambassadors (dark blue shirts).  These girls are something else.

Watching the excitement of all the little girls and looking into the growing-up faces of the big girls, I couldn't help but remember all three of my girls as little Daisies.  Ah, it makes this momma's heart ache.  Where does the time go?

This little Daisy is in Grad School.

This little Daisy is married.  (This picture was the Daisy Christmas Party and my girl was dressed as Mary.)

And this little Daisy is now leading Daisies.  

We've been Girl Scouting for 17 years now and it's been a privilege growing Daisies and watching them bloom.  How lucky I am to have three of the most beautiful flowers in the bunch.

What are you growing in your garden?

I'm linking up with my friends Cristi (over at Through the Calm and Through the Storm) and Meg (over at Adventures with Jude) for the Blogging Through the Alphabet Challenge.  Stop by for more alphabet adventures.  We'd love to have you join us on our journey from A to Z.

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C is for Comfort: MeMe's Corn Casserole

I've heard it said,
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn.
And we are led to those
Who help us most to grow if we let them.   (For Good)

People come and go in our lives and the reasons are manifold.  The memories that we share with them last a lifetime.  I just put Me-Me's Corn Casserole in the oven to take over to church this morning.  25+ years later and it's still one of our favorite comfort foods.

Food stirs such fond memories.  I remember the very first time I ever tasted her corn casserole.  I remember where I was standing in her kitchen, the sounds of family talking all around.  I knew from the very first bite that I'd have to have that goodness again and again.  I wrote the recipe down that very day and I'm so glad I can share it with my family and friends and those I love.  It emanates the kindness that was her to me.  She had the most angelic smile.  I will always and forever remember her smile -- and her hands.  They were soft and kind.  Surely hands can be kind, right?

Weird things I remember, huh?

When I shared this with MeMe's daughter, she responded with this:

GOD bless you.  MeMe loved you.  I remember she made mints for your wedding reception.  I am so glad you remember goodness of my Momma!  Sometimes, when I look down at my hands, I see Momma's.  Memories are peculiar sometimes, but whatever promotes them is a blessing.  Sometimes a smell brings another sweet memory!!!!!  Grins and giggles . . . seeing you and your people  on facebook makes me grin!!!!!

MeMe's Corn Casserole

2 cans ream-style corn (although I use fresh creamed corn when I can)
4 eggs
1 cup oil (I use Canola)
1 envelope Mexican Cornbread
Grated cheese, to top and taste (I use sharp cheddar)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Mix all ingredients except cheese.  Pour into a 9 x 13 dish.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Top with grated cheese and return to oven to melt and brown.

This is just pure comfort on a spoon.  Trust me -- you're going to want to make sure and keep these ingredients on-hand always.  It's really that good.

Sharing comforting finds along the way,

I'm linking up with my friends Cristi (over at Through the Calm and Through the Storm) and Meg (over at Adventures with Jude) for the Blogging Through the Alphabet Challenge.  Stop by for more alphabet adventures.  We'd love to have you join us on our journey from A to Z.

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B is for Breakfast: A Special Family Bonding

Yes, I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  My Grandma Bonnie always made sure that we had plenty of food to get our day started when we visited her house.  I'll never forget the long table with family gathered around and endless bowls of grits, eggs, sausage, bacon, country or tomato gravy, and biscuits, biscuits, biscuits.  

The biscuits were my favorite part.  They melted in your mouth and their platter seemed to never go empty.  Eula was the cook at Grandma Bonnie's and she had a "secret" recipe for those little bites of delight.  (No one in our family ever quite figured out how to make Eula Biscuits, but several tried.)  With Eula and Grandma Bonnie in the kitchen, life was good.  Those two sets of hands knew how to serve up love and they did just that.  

That admitted, we don't always have the hardiest breakfast around.  I was trained better, but Pop Tarts, cereal, grits, or oatmeal are our usual fare.  It's quick and easy and helps us get started around here.

The MainMost does make an awesome waffle, though, and some Saturday mornings he treats us to them.  Except not lately -- because we haven't had a free weekend in MONTHS.  Seriously, it's been MONTHS since we have awakened with absolutely nowhere to go.  Until last weekend.

FINALLY, a weekend arrived and we were free.  Across the board, we were free.  Woo-hoo!  

The MainMost and I woke up and we had breakfast on the mind.  It was really fun just hanging out in the kitchen, dancing to the music he had blaring in the living room, and deciding what kind of a smorgasbord we could prepare for the kiddos with the ingredients we had on hand.

And I think we did pretty good.

The MainMost chopped ham leftover from supper during the week.  I chopped onions and bell peppers from the refrigerator and freezer.   He got busy cooking and I started cracking eggs.  Omelets in the making?  Oh, yeah!  Add a little salt, pepper, milk, and cheese makes for super-yum.

Of course, the perfect breakfast also has to have the perfect biscuit.  Since we can't make those delicious Eula Biscuits, we've spent years trying to find something close enough.  My mother-in-love first shared the Formula L Biscuit Mix with us and it is some special stuff.  If you want a good Southern biscuit, this is what you need.  A little buttermilk makes for pure heaven in a bite, but regular milk ain't bad either.

The BEST biscuit mix we've found

The MainMost is a stickler for perfectly-shaped biscuits (instead of the "crazy" biscuits I usually make) and he uses the round screwtop of a canning lid to get them that way.  Aren't they pretty?

For our grand finale, we decided that country-fried potatoes would hit the spot.  I've heard my husband talk about his Grandma's fried potatoes for as long as I can remember so I chopped all of the potatoes we had in the house and added a chopped onion to the bowl.  A little salt, a little pepper, a coating of flour, and hot bacon grease and the potatoes were sizzling on the stovetop with sensational smells wafting through the house.

There was coffee and orange juice and chocolate milk -- and smiles and laughter all around.  We even found a "Saturday morning cartoon" for our entertainment.  It was wonderful having a Saturday to hang out at home and we had a good time making breakfast for the kids.  Of course, I wish I'd taken the time to take a picture of our plated masterpiece, but we were so hungry we dove right in and I forgot.  The rain fell steady all day long and the MainMost decided we should rearrange our bedroom.   Hmmm . . . it was a good thing we had that power breakfast to start our day.  It really was our most important meal.

What family breakfast memories do you have?  What recipes do you pass down to your children?

I'd love to hear from you.  Please share.

I'm linking up with my friends Cristi (over at Through the Calm and Through the Storm) and Meg (over at Adventures with Jude) for the Blogging Through the Alphabet Challenge.  Stop by for more alphabet adventures.  We'd love to have you join us on our journey from A to Z.

 

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A is for Adventure: Places I Want to Visit

I enjoy planning.  I especially enjoy planning trips for places I want to visit.  I am currently planning a trip to Atlanta that will {hopefully} take place in September 2016.  The MainMost has a conference so the kids and I are tagging along -- like we did to Chicago last year.  There's so much to see and so many new places to visit since I was last there, and the Eagle Scout has never been (actually, he has been, but he was only 2 months old so  . . .  he remembers nothing).  I'm working to put together a trip that will hit all the highlights for me and the still-at-home kids while the MainMost is in classes each day and then he can join us for a little fun and good food in the evenings.

There are other places I'd like to visit  -- or re-visit.  So many adventures to be had, so many things I'd like to see!  Here are just a few of the places that call my name and beckon me to visit:

1.  Washington, D.C. -- one of my very favorite places ever

2.  New York City -- I can't wait to go back to the Big Apple

3.  Walt Disney World -- another place the Eagle Scout has never been but his sisters have all seen

4.  Grand Canyon

5.  Niagara Falls
6.  Philadelphia, PA
7.  Yellowstone National Park
8.  Mount Rushmore

9.  London -- I'd like to return and see it with fresh eyes.

I've been to some of the most beautiful places on the Earth.  Guatemala was stunning and grabbed my heartstrings and refuses to let go.  Thailand reminded me that there is more and that people need LIGHT.

I have an urge to travel and see and taste and touch new things. I know that there are many, many more places that I'd like to visit and I plan to keep adding them to this list.

Adventure awaits,

I'm linking up with my friends Cristi (over at Through the Calm and Through the Storm) and Meg (over at Adventures with Jude) for the Blogging Through the Alphabet Challenge.  Stop by for more alphabet adventures.  We'd love to have you join us on our journey from A to Z.

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