Pumpkin Pie

My friend, Kim, is probably the most amazing baker I know.  Now, I can cook - but I can't bake.  You see to bake, you are required to follow the directions to a tee!  Kim even weighs her flour.  However, she was kind enough to share this recipe with me last year and it really is pretty easy and delicious.  She says it is the absolute best pumpkin pie you ever had!


For the pie:


10 inch baked pie shell
3 egg yolks
3 egg whites
1 c. sugar divided
1 1/4 cup of canned pumpkin
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 TBSP unflavored gelatin
1/4 c. water


Beat 1/2 c sugar and 3 egg whites until stiff and set aside.


Beat 1/2 sugar and egg yolks until thick.  Add pumpkin, milk, salt and spices.  Cook in a double boiler until thick.  Add gelatin to water and stir and then add to mixture after removing from the heat.  Let cook and fold in egg white mixture. Pour in a baked shell and chill thoroughly.


Praline Topping
3 TBSP whipped cream
6 TBSP brown sugar
6 TBSP butter
3/4 c chopped pecans



Measure cream in a sauce pan, add sugar and butter. Heat to a boil and cook one minute.  Remove and stir in pecans.  Cool and then spread onto cool pie.


I hope you enjoy.  Kim is always a fantastic dessert queen!

Brunch

There is just something that has a festive ring to the word "brunch".  It is a social gathering of fine food in a beautiful setting among friends and family.  Brunch has to be on of my favorite occasions.  It is not a meal we eat daily like breakfast, dinner, or supper.  It is a special meal designed for a gathering on a special occasion. We celebrate many festive meals such as Easter Lunch, Thanksgiving Dinner or Christmas Eve Supper.  These are celebrated at specific times on certain days annually.  But Brunch.........you can do that anytime you want to celebrate.

The meal itself is perfect.  Whether you like breakfast food or lunch food, there is something for everyone.  It's not early but not late, and can be long or short depending on the company.  It can be for any reason or no reason at all.  Today is one of my favorites with clients and friends.  Happy Sunday...........I'm off to Brunch!

Friendship from Afar

I have many many friends from all walks of life and scattered the world over.  I am thankful for Facebook, email and other social media that allows me to keep in contact with them and keep up with the important things in their life.  I have friends that mean so much to me but because of the distances in our homes, obligations in our lives with family and demands in the work place that we rarely get to spend any quality time together.

Last night I got to spend some time with one of my dearest friends that I only get to see about once or twice a year.  I am so thankful for the time we had to catch up and share what is going on in our lives with our kids, spouses and families.  We think so much alike because we love deeply, appreciate our southern roots and traditions, and both have such positive attitudes.  We laughed and giggled, talked seriously and plotted and schemed.  

Friendship comes in many different sizes and shapes.  Don't let distance keep you from connecting. Money is necessary, stuff is great, and time is fleeting. Relationships are the true blessings in life.  Make each and everyone of them count.

Thinking of Daddy

Today I have been thinking about my Daddy.  It has been a little more than 18 months since he went home to be with Jesus.  Certainly not a day goes by that I do not miss him terribly, but I have seen God's hand in his death with the timing, the blessings, and faith that I have had to have to deal with this loss.

I drove by the farm not too long ago and looked to see if his pickup was there.  Of course it was not but I still looked out of habit.  I begin to think about that last time he drove out to the farm.  Did he realize when he left the house that he would never see my mother or any of us again?  Did he take in the sights on the drive out there? Did he realize as he pulled into the farm and unlocked the gate that he would never drive out?  Those thoughts made me realize that we don't know when we will draw our last breath.  

So after that day I decided to enjoy life a little more.  I decided to talk to Jesus a little more every day and thank him for all the blessings I have in my life.  I decided to use my crystal and my china because every day is special.  I decided to go ahead and order enough Christmas china so everyone can have a plate at Christmas.  These may seem like simple decisions but there were more.  My message is just to enjoy life for every day is a new day and a blessing. Because we don't know when it will be our last, enjoy your life.

Flashbacks

This has been a fun and amazing weekend for me.  There have been moments of joy, sadness, euphoria, and stress.  I spent the weekend with two of my dearest childhood girlfriends.  We laughed, remembered, and made new memories.   We loved, giggled, and made plans for the future.  We celebrated, shared, and made sure that we are always there for each other.  We told funny stories about ourselves, our children, our grandchildren, and our mates.  We took a chance on a slot machine or two, enjoyed an adult beverage, and did a lot of people watching. 

We had lunch on Saturday at Posada's in South Shreveport where we planned to do a little shopping. I remembered the last time I ate at that restaurant.  It was for my nephew's graduation party.  It was the last time I ever ate at a restaurant with my father.  It was a great flashback and reminded me of all that I have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season.  It reminded me that no matter what - your family (that you are born with and that you choose as family) are really all you can count in on in life.   Money can't buy happiness.  But family that you love and friends you can count on are worth more than any bank balance you will ever amass.

In remembering this weekend - I will always remember how blessed I am!

Weddings

There is something special about weddings.  Every time I attend one I am reminded about the special day that I married Ray Crass.   Weddings are the beginnings of new family.  It is the start of a new home.  It is the blending of two people who bring out the best in each other.

When you look at how two people found each other and how they fell in love, every story should be a fairy tale.  True love does exist.  But the wedding should be a day to remember.  It should not be all about the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony.  It should be about watching two people share the joining of their lives with friends and family.  

I was lucky to attend my cousin Brian's wedding this weekend.  He is such a great man.  I met his wife for the first time this weekend and I think she is a pretty lucky lady.  Brian will love and adore her for the rest of his days.  I am so glad he has found someone to be his best friend and love him.  His brother said it best in his toast,  "Take care of my best friend."

Congratulations, Brian and Ashley!

Turning 50

Since my last post, I have turned the big 50!  I have hit the big milestone. But I have tried to do it with grace and dignity. I have decided to celebrate 50 days of 50 beginning on September 20th (according to my Mother).  

I actually had a formal dinner on my my actual 50th birthday. My friends gathered and celebrated with me on the patio. The weather was perfect and the evening was as picaresque as it could be.   The dearest friends, the most amazing dinner and the picture perfect setting was the key to an unforgettable dinner and party that a girl could ask for ever!

It's Been A While

It has been a while since I posted my last blog.  I've been sick.  I've been out of town at a convention and I've turned 50.  Did I mention that I have hit the big one?  Did I mention that I have celebrated my 50th birthday?

I actually started celebrating the 50 days of 50 on September 21st when me, my baby sister, her hubby, my mother and my sweet son started the party at Lake Greeson in Cabin #6 at the lake of our childhood that weekend. 

I  grilled steak that night which is a favorite of our family at our cabin. It was awesome. Low key celebration, hot tubing, and family in a cool mountain settling. I  can't tell you how much fun 

the weekend was at our cabin.

We took care of our family business, enjoyed some low key family time and planned for the future. How lucky I am to have these fine people in my life.

Life is Good

My life is far from perfect.  I have problems just like everyone else.  But I have realized as I have turned 50 years old that life is a gift.  How you live each day determines how you appreciate the blessings God bestows on you.  It's not the big things in life that matter, but the little small kind gestures of friendship, kindness and love that really are important.  What counts in life is the love you have for Lord and the relationships you nurture with friends and family that make your life rich.  Friends and family are the treasures that money can't buy.  Memories last a lifetime and no one can take those from you!

Turning 50

This week was the big one.  I turned 50 years old.  That's right - the half century mark.  It was a monumental occasion.  First, I never thought I would live to see 50.  Second, I always thought 36 was old.  Trust me -36 is nothing!  Turning 50 was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

I have celebrated in style all week.  I have several new thoughts as I enter the next half century of my life.  I plan to live to be 100.  I plan to celebrate each day as a gift from God.  I plan to be positive and uplifting to those in my life.  I plan to be best I can be.  I plan to stop and smell the roses.

I also have several things that I will no longer tolerate in my life.  I will no longer have any negativity in my life.  I am not going to be around depressed, sad, mean or negative people.  I am not going to entertain sad or depressing thoughts.  I am not going to live with negative forces in my circle.

I hope that you will adopt my motto no matter your age and live life to the fullest.  Don't wait until you are my age to make that decision.  Start today with all things positive!  Go for it-----and watch your face light up with a big fat grin!

Getting Exercise

Well I did it again today - I got up and walked.  We are trying so hard to be healthy.  I realize that as I approach 50 - being healthy takes a lot more energy than it did when I was younger.  I do take more medicine, I try to eat right and limit my wine intake to somewhere around two glasses a day.  (I use large wine glasses).  

What do you do to stay fit?  How do you motivate your body to exercise?  Help !!!!

College Football

Today is a day that I have been looking forward to for a long time.  The beginning of the 2012 College Football Season.  I have been planning for this evening for quite some time.  Ray and I are having Frito Chili Pie and watching the game.  South Carolina and Tennessee start the season tonight.  I have planned the entire Labor Day weekend around the College Football Schedule. 

There is nothing quite like College Football.  There is pageantry, spirit, team loyalty, tailgating, and excitement.  No matter the ranking of a team, you can never always predict the outcome in college football.  Years of rivalry can change the BCS rankings on any given Monday.  An upset on Saturday afternoon can spur a team to bowl game before the season is over.   I am a proud supporter of my Baylor Bears but I love watching Big 12 and SEC football teams as they dual to the final play of the game.  The fans and supporters are always ready for the next game regardless of the outcome.

So here's to college football.  Let the season begin!

New Hair

I  love going to the salon and having my hair cut and colored.  I can't think of anything else that can make you feel like a new person in such a short amount of time.  I love laying back with my head in the bowl while Jeannie scrubs and massages my scalp.  That warm water cascading over my head puts me into a whole new relaxing world.  The smell of great shampoo is just so relaxing to the senses.

Tonight was my turn with Jeannie.  She is so delightful.  She knows when I want to visit and when I just need to be still.  She knows what I like and I trust her instincts when I want to change something.  The salon is professional - not a gossip mill but staffed with real professionals who abide by a dress code and work together as a team.

I think the other reason that the salon is so relaxing is that I can't use my cell phone at all while I am at the salon.  I can't text, check emails or talk on my phone.  The whole time I am there is all about making me feel prettier.  What a treat today was at the salon!

Placemats

I was raised by a woman who believed in setting the table.  I think that is why I am so fascinated with placemats and napkins.  I love to see a table set and how pretty the plates are on a beautiful placemat.  

I think the food tastes better and is not gobbled down when it is presented in a lovely setting.  I know I enjoy eating more when I am seated at a table and have the opportunity to enjoy the company that I am with and the food that is before me.  

Garden Ridge has a great selection of placemats that are not expensive if you are looking to start a collection.  I have fall, spring, Christmas, Valentine, and pretty much a set for any occasion.  I love to find a  set on a sale with matching napkins that goes with any of my dishes.  Next time you want to really enjoy a meal, start by setting your table with a set of placemats and matching napkins!

Exercise

I would love to say that I exercise regularly. I am even a member at a gym - where I never go!!!  But today I am changing.  Today I started to exercise.  Today I walked in my neighborhood with my friend - Jburd.  This is my plan for the next six weeks.  I will get up and walk four mornings a week.

They say it takes 21 days to make a habit.  So for the next six weeks - I plan to exercise for four days per week.  So by my 50th birthday I can say that I regularly exercise. Check by in with me then and I'll let you know if I stuck to my goal.

It was nice to be able to tell the doctor this today that I exercise.  I mean that I have exercised today.  That is a shade of truth and not really a bold face exaggeration of the truth.  I have made day one of exercise.........hoping I get up and make it again on Tuesday.

Rib Rub

Sunday afternoon was a rib cooking afternoon.  My sweet, Rhett, loves ribs, and since he was visiting this past weekend, I wanted to cook his favorite foods.  Ribs sound difficult but really are very easy to cook.  The key is to get the seasoning (rub) just right and to smoke them consistently over a 250 degree fire.  You can't just put them on and leave them.  It requires you to constantly check the fire to keep it at the right temperature.

My rib rub is really good.  You would think it was this amazing concoction of many spices but I really only use three things in my rib rub.  A few people have been privy to my rib rub but for the time being I plan on keeping a secret.  I am considering marketing it someday under the name of Ray's Rib Rub.  Catchy huh?  

I tell you what......if you can help me come up with a great name for my Rib Rub, I'll share the secret with you!  

Family Meals

I have had the best time this weekend with my nephew, Rhett, and his sweetie, Rachel.  He is so grown up and really a lot of fun to be around.  Friday night we had the most wonderful dinner and sat around the table eating and visiting.  He is so appreciative of whatever you cook and always compliments the meal.  Plus he eats everything.  It is such a pleasure cooking for him.

He is such a kind young man. We spent Saturday in town doing a bit of shopping and touring the downtown area.  Saturday night was spent watching the movie Bernie. Great and funny show to watch.  I feel like I knew the folks in the movie. 

I have had such a great weekend enjoying family and cooking for Rhett, Rachel and Ray.  Life is fun when you have family and friends to enrich your life.

Mills County General Store

On Friday afternoon, I rode with Ray to Goldthwaite to  the General Store there to pick up a gun he wanted to purchase.  This is a gun that is hard to find but we found it at the General Store for sale.  Of course I always enjoy a General Store because of the neat cooking items they often stock. 

Ray had a great time "shopping" while purchasing his gun.  He found plenty of  great dove hunting stuff for he and Blair to play with on the dove lease.  His great purchase was a battery operated dove whose wings spin around.  According to Ray, these fake doves whose wings spin are perfect for attracting dove to the area.   I like looking at the dove in my backyard so I may just borrow it after dove season and see how many I can get to flock to my patio. 

The General Store had an amazing cooking section too.  I bought an old fashioned cornbread mini stick iron skillet.  My Grannie had one that was a little bigger but I love this mini one.  It makes the cornbread sticks with lots of crust - just the way Ray likes cornbread.  I also purchased a tortilla warmer but for the purpose of cooking corn on the cob in the microwave.  It is awesome!  

General stores have so many wonderful things to view and purchase.  I can't wait to go back and spend some time browsing again.

I love to host a great party.  I always enjoy having friends and family around my kitchen while I'm cooking and then delight in pleasing them with the prepared meal.  Saturday night was just such a night.  I had planned to grill some steaks but thankfully the Lord blessed us with a rain shower that was heaven sent.  

I had to cook the steaks in the house and have learned how to do so in the oven.  They are as good as you would put on a grill and even more tender.  You must start with a thick tenderloin or porterhouse steak.  You will also need an iron griddle.  You can use a an iron skillet if there are only two of you for dinner.  I have a big iron griddle that I use to cook 8-10 steaks.

You start with great meat.  Trim it up and let it get to room temperature.  Then heat your oven to 500 degrees and put the iron skillet/griddle in the oven to fire up.  I then remove the skillet/griddle and place it over the open flame on my stove and sear one side of the meat.  When you flip the meat, it's time to put it back in the oven and cook it for 4 to 9 minutes at 350 degrees.  You do about four minutes if you want it rare.  Five for medium rare and seven for medium.  Nine to ten minutes will get you a well done steak.   

It's so easy to cook and takes less than 15 minutes.  Why not buy some big juicy steaks and invite some friends over for dinner this week.

Birthday

Tomorrow is my Mother's birthday.  We will all gather at her house to celebrate.  I can't believe she is another year older.  She sure doesn't look it or act like it.  She still mows her yard, washes her windows twice a year, and wipes down her baseboards every month.  I've always said that if cleanliness is next to godliness, Mother will be sitting in Jesus' lap.  

It's funny too that when I was a kid - I hated to clean.  I still don't much care for it but her values of a neat home inspire me today.  I don't like to go to bed at night with my kitchen a mess.  I make my bed up every morning (unless Ray is still in it!).  I don't mind getting rid of clutter.......I'm great with a big garbage sack!  I am even trying to do better at keeping up with the laundry.

You know they say that you do become your mother.  Boy I hope so!  She is one amazing, beautiful woman.  I hope that I have her strength, beauty (inner and outer) and zeal for life.  She is fearless and protective yet gentle and compassionate.  She sets high expectations not only for herself but for all of around.  Happy Birthday, Mom!  Thanks for making sure I had the best Mother ever!

Lillies

I am just not a great gardener.  I can whip up a meal in no time flat.  I can set a beautiful table.  I can speak to a group of a thousand with little or no preparation.  But growing things from the ground-not so much.  

I was delighted this year when my lilies that I planted last year sprouted up again this year.  They are slow growing and I was not really even sure if it was a flower or just a weed in that sprang up.  I trusted my gut and didn't' pull it.  Boy, was I ever glad that I did not do that.  


I began to see little buds forming at the top.  I knew my gut was right and that it was not a weed.  As the weeks went by, I realized that my beautiful plant was a lily.  Last week, I am pleased to report that they bloomed to their fullest in the most brilliant hue of fushia.  My Mother was in town and was able to enjoy them as well.  


I may make a gardener yet!

Chicken Salad for Andrea

My sweet neice, Andrea Blair, was looking for a chicken salad recipe one day.  You know I think a recipe is really just a list of ingriedients but here goes. 

1 chicken  - boiled and deboned (or you can use two large cans of chunk white chicken drained)
2 stalks of celery (chopped finely)
1 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp sweet pickle relish
1/4 c. slivered almonds
Mayonaise to blend it all together ( I use real mayo - not Mirace Whip)

Now my good friend, Doc, would say it is not chicken salad unless you add some onion (well lots of onion) and maybe some olives.  He loves onions and olives.  So there are a couple of added ingriedents just in case you like onions or olives.

Chance Meetings

Last Saturday I traveled from Austin after a conference. Feeling a little tired, I pulled into the town of Italy where I lived some 25 years ago when I attended Baylor Law school. The town is still very much the same – some rundown buildings, the trailer park where I lived and some even more run down trailers. Out by the interstate are some new businesses – some fast food restaurants, gas stations and even a beer and wine store. After I toured the little town of Italy, I had hoped to stop in to the Uptown Cafe for a piece of pie and to visit old friends who used to run the place. Unfortunately, it was closed which is just as well because I don’t really need the pie.

I did however stop in to the Texas Best Smokehouse where there is a Sonic to get my signature glass of iced tea. Surprisingly, I ran into an old classmate from Baylor Law School – who was returning to Dallas from Waco where he had helped his daughter move into her new apartment. As I continue on this journey called life, my trip down memory lane has brought back so many fond memories. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me and my family.

Spaghetti

I love it.  I love to make it.  Mine is not real Italian spaghetti.  It's Texas Meat sauce over Noodles.  It's chunky and not saucy.  I admit that I do use a jar of sauce as a base but I do add my own touch to flavor the sauce.  I brown my meat with onions, bell peppers, celery and mushrooms.  Then I add a bunch of cheap Italian seasoning I get at the Dollar Store.  Finally I add a big can of diced Italian tomatoes, sauce, tomato paste.  Sometimes I even add mushroom soup.  I know its not real spaghetti because I would just as soon eat it over rice.  Go figure.   I don't even know how to make real Italian Spaghetti!  Leave a comment with your suggestions.

Living

One year ago today when I woke, I knew it would be a difficult day.  I knew that this was the day that I laid my Daddy to rest at the cemetery.  There would be a big lunch with lots of family and friends, followed by the visitation, the funeral and finally the cemetery.  I knew that today would change my life forever.  It did.  My Daddy's funeral was not sad.  It was the culmination of a man who lived his life to the fullest.  It was the celebration of all of his many accomplishments.  It was the recognition of his love for God, his family and friends. 

The church was overflowing.  The service was not only a celebration of my Daddy's life but also of the life he built with my Mother.  She has got to be the strongest most amazing woman I have ever known.  She is still sad sometimes and daily misses my Daddy but she and Daddy have always had the attitude that life is for the living. It's that attitude that she has instilled in me.  We choose to continue to live life, not sit around in sackcloth and morn, nor have a daily pity party.  I choose to be happy.  I have also chosen to surround myself with positive people.  Life is meant to be lived.  Let's start living!!!

The Last Year

One year ago Monday I lost my beloved Daddy. On that day on June 4, 2011, the phone rang. I missed the call as the phone was charging in the other room. My Daddy had been trying to call me. I tried to call him back several times but we were never able to connect. Unfortunately, at 9:40 that night, I received a call from my Mother telling me that Daddy had died walking through the gate at the farm from feeding the goats. She could not reach Carolyn or Jake but it was time to come home.

I always wondered what my Daddy and I would have said had we talked together those last few hours before he died. I often wondered if he knew that Saturday, June 4th would be the last day of his life. Today as I write this I am saddened that I shall never see him on this earth again. I’ve cried some over the week but more than anything I have reflected on the fact that I had an amazing childhood and a long adulthood where I developed a great friendship with my Daddy. I am blessed to still have my mother. So this past weekend, instead of mourning my Daddy, I celebrated that I still have one amazing parent left on this earth.

Publix and Piggly Wiggly

What an exciting adventure this past week.  I traveled with friends to Hilton Head Island, SC to spend a few days enjoying some R&R in a wonderful resort.  As always when we arrive at a condo, we make a grocery store run.  You always need to some wine, coffee, diet coke, cheese, crackers, fruit and breakfast foods.  So naturally you get on your iPhone and locate the nearest grocery store. 

What a surprise when I discovered that there was an actual Piggly Wiggly and a Publix nearby.  Publix is a great market - clean, upscale and wonderful selection of cheeses, wines, fruit and coffee.  My first experience with a Publix was last year when we traveled to Florida.  Publix must be our Texas version of HEB.  It is sad when you look forward to a great grocery store.

However, to my great surprise was that there was a Piggly Wiggly on the island.  It has been in the same family since 1969.  There was a Piggly Wiggly in my hometown growing up.  I loved going to Hiram's store.  He (and later his son David) had a wonderful grocery store.  Steve was the butcher and always selected the best cuts of meat.  They always carried your bags (paper of course) to your car no matter how many or how few groceries you had.  And there was a always the pig you could ride in the front of the store.  Mr. Hiram was generous too.  He gave away turkeys at Thanksgiving. 

This was a great trip down memory lane.  We are so spoiled to fantastic supermarkets that we forget how important personal service is in the retail business.  I'm glad I grew up in a town where there was a Piggly Wiggly!

Help

Most of the time I am pretty free with giving advice and tips. But one of the things I learned many moons ago is that you are never too old to learn anything new.  So I pose the question to those who read my blog and eagerly await your responses.

What I want to know and learn is about tips and tricks for organizing and decluttering my kitchen.  I have cleaned it out, downsized, moved things around and trashed old stuff and appliances I never use.  I have made a point of not buying too many "pantry items" or perishable goods so that I don't waste food.  Although my kitchen is where I feel the most at home and so very comfortable, I still feel like it is cluttered.

So, help me out.......give me some tricks, tips and hints to make my space more user friendly and less congested.

Relaxing

I decided Sunday afternoon was a great day to lounge by the pool.  I love sitting out and looking at the plants. I love my palm trees and banana plants as it just makes the backyard look tropical.  I so enjoy listening to the waterfall and seeing all the birds I regularly feed.   It has taken me a while to learn that some of life's best moments are in the still and quiet of your own backyard.

The Kentucky Derby

Every year I look forward to the Kentucky Derby.  I am not really a horse racing fan but after having been to the Derby once time, I love the history and traditions of the race.  I love the hats, the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" and of course, the mint juleps.

In 2008 we attended the Derby with two special couples, Doc and Patty & Hoyt and Bev.  It was a great trip.  We have so many wonderful memories from that trip.   I hope I can attend again just one more time in my life.  The following year, I hosted a Kentucky Derby Party.  The array of hats was just divine.  Janice won best hat.  I think it may be time next year to revisit Louisville during the race weekend.  Let me know if you plan to join us !!!!!

Fresh Flowers

There is nothing quite like getting fresh cut flowers.  Most women would never admit but they love to have a bouquet of fresh flowers in their kitchen.  I have always admired friends who could do grow flowers and make arrangements from their own gardens.   I have never had a green thumb at all. 

Since I moved behind the gates, I have been inspired by my two neighbors Patty and Janice.  Janice always could take anything from the yard and arrange it into something wonderful.  Patty could grow anything.  She has the greenest thumb of anyone I know.  I aspire to learn to love to dig in the dirt like she does.  I'm not there but I'm learning.

Over the past three years, I have been planting a little here and there.  Lulane recently gave me some gardening gloves as a little sussy - so I have put them to use today.  I repotted two plants that were root bound that I had not killed last winter.  One was a plant called Texas blue belles that I grew from seeds.  They are beautiful annuals that can withstand our Texas heat.  The other was a big ole fern that my son Jake gave me for Mother's Day before he left for Alaska last year.  

As I was finishing up, I decided to snip some magnolia blooms and hydrangeas to put on my kitchen windowsill.  They are beautiful.  They remind me that you can do anything you set your mind to doing - even gardening.  I have real fresh flowers that I grew in my yard in my house for the first time ever.  I only wish my Grannie Lester were still here to see how beautiful my hydrangeas are!  I am sure she is looking down from the heavens smiling today!

I am heading back out to yard to clip some more fresh blooms to take to my friend, Patty, to remind her of her great influence on me as a gardener.  

Trees

I have really do love trees.  Part of the reason we bought the house we live in today is that there are an abundance of beautiful palm trees around the pool.  The other reason are the three gorgeous magnolia trees.  I have always loved magnolia trees.  I have tried to grow them in every house I have ever lived in since I have been on my own.  I have never been successful. 

When we moved into this house, I didn't realize the sprinkler system was not turned on to water the trees. Daddy kept telling me that I would lose those big magnolia's if I did not water them.  I kept assuring him it was just summer and it was hot but I had them on a sprinkler system.  Fortunately, I figured it out and did not lose them and today they are just full of blooms.  I smile every time I see those three trees loaded with Magnolia's as I am reminded of the silly argument with my Daddy about watering those trees.

See I never figured Daddy for much of tree man because he loved to trim trees.  It was always a joke at our house growing up because when Daddy got his chain saw out, the trees in the year always looked like  they had been to barbershop.  He would rip up Mother's favorite weeping willow tree until it just stood straight up in the air with very little "weeping willows" left.  She would fuss at him every year for doing it and he would kill a few from time to time.  He would always promise he would not do it again.  And then next year rolled around.

Yesterday I walked over to my dear neighbor's, The Taylor's.  Patty is a master gardener and selected some delightful plants to plant in the shade of her trees in her back yard.  To her horror she walked out to find that Doc had "trimmed" the trees.  All her hard work will be in vain shortly as those plants will just blister in the hot sun.  I had to chuckle to myself as I was reminded of how my Daddy used to love to trim the trees.  Maybe its a generational thing, but it sure brought back some fond memories of Daddy and his obsession for tree trimming!

Hydrangeas

My Grannie Lester was a delightful woman.  I spent many hours at her house sitting on her porch.  On the north side of the porch, Grannie had the most beautiful hydrangea bushes.  They were always plentiful with big bluish purple blooms.  The memories of these beautiful flowers will forever be embedded in my memory.

When we bought our house in Cleburne, I was so excited that I had this amazing hydrangea bush.  We have lived there for four years now and never had a bloom - until this year.  I actually have blooms on the plant this year.  I am hopeful that they will be big and purple but I'll take the pink ones too.  I am told it has to do with the acidity of the soil.  That may be a project for next year, but for this year, I am just so excited to have blooms on my hydrangea.

I'll post more pics as soon as it blooms.  Isn't it amazing  how the little things in life can make us so very happy.

My "Pot" Garden

My Daddy always had a garden.  My grandparents always had a garden as did my aunts and uncles.  As my Daddy got older, he would inquire if we were coming home to help "shell" peas, "shuck" corn, "dig" potatoes, or "cut" okra.  I always seemed to find an excuse to be working, out of town or just not up to the trip home for those events.

As I look back I now realize how much I truly enjoyed the bounty from these gardens my family grew each year.  Last year when Daddy died in June, he and his friend, Joe, had planted five (5) acres of purple hull peas.  Daddy was not really able to get out and work the garden and Joe was so kind to help him.  But Daddy loved peppers, tomatoes, and other things that grew in the garden.  Since he was not able to walk very far, he gathered up some tacky tubs, huge pots, and even hung some upside down strawberries (as seen on TV - and given to him for his birthday by Rhett) in a corner in the back yard.  It was really a sight to behold and he kept telling Mother not to worry that his "Pot Garden" would yield some of the best vegetables ever and they would be right out the back door.

We as you can imagine, he died in early June leaving Mama with that "tacky" Pot Garden to tend, water, and harvest.  By the way, it was nearly impossible to mow around so it was by no means manicured.  And of course, he left Joe with that five acres of peas to pick and leaving Mama to help shell peas all summer long.  We have all had a few words to say about that as we each had to come in pretty often to help wind up Daddy's affairs and always got roped into pea shelling.



Well I miss my Daddy's garden almost as much as I miss him.  So this year, I have planted my own little "Pot Garden".  I have two tomato plants, green and red bell pepper, banana pepper, onions and cucumbers.  I hope he is smiling up there in heaven watching me "tend" my little garden.  I plan to enjoy the bounty this year in hopes he has passed on his green thumb to me.

And by the way---Joe only planted two acres of peas this year!  I do hope he will share.  I don't think I would even mind shelling a few - just to remember the good ole days!

Dying

Daddy's birthday this week reminded me of the loss I suffered when he went to heaven last June.  This past week I have also experienced loss again.  Miss Ann, as she was affectionately known, has suffered so since her surgery and her family made the decision to honor her wishes in her living will.  Another family is losing one of its core members.

Miss Ann's situation has brought forth so many good memories in spite of the tragedy of this situation.  Last night as Kim and I talked we were recalling the things from our past about her Mother that were good memories.  I wanted to focus on some of things and the lessons that I learned from them.

When I was in the 9th grade and tried out for majorette, Miss Ann was my twirling teacher.  We discovered too late that she was gifted in that area and didn't really put much effort into trying out.  But the thing I learned from Miss Ann was to try harder.  And I did.  And I won the next year.

When Kim was a but a little girl and times were hard for school teachers, Miss Ann cooked four pieces of fish for the family.  Kim assumed they were having a fish fry and invited our whole family for dinner.  Much to our family's surprise, there was but four pieces of fish.  Miss Ann cobbled together some other stuff from the fridge and we all ate together as if we were having a big ole southern' fish fry.  I learned that you are gracious as a hostess no matter what and that you are gracious as a guest - no matter what is served.

I will never forget the night before Jacob was born.   My Mother was playing bridge, my Daddy was home with me and Kenny was traveling from Dallas.  I went to Miss Ann's and burst into tears exclaiming that I was not ready to be a mother.  She assured me that I was and that it was really too late to change my mind.  A week later when I brought Jake home from the hospital and everyone had gone back to work, she came over when I panicked about bathing him.  She assured me that Dial soap and water would not kill him and that he was a pretty sturdy little guy.  I learned alot about not stressing over the little things from her in those early months and years of Jake's life.  She and my Mother taught me that kids can eat rice cereal before the pediatrician tells you they can, Dial soap will not rot the baby's skin off, and boys are going to get cuts, bruises and scrapes as they go through life.

She raised a lot of kids at "Miss Ann's Day Care" and I am sure there are so many others that can share a life lesson learned from Miss Ann.  As she approaches the final days of her life, lets not dwell on the sadness but on the memories of great things that we learned from our Southern friend - Miss Ann!

Daddy's Birthday

Every year on March 26th we celebrated the birthday of my sweet Daddy. Roy Wayne "Buddy" Cagle was born on March 26, 1933.  He passed away last June.  Mother made a big deal out of birthday's.  She always taught us that YOUR birthday was your special day to celebrate your life and blessings God had bestowed upon you. So every year, Mom would host a big birthday party for Daddy for the immediate family and close friends. 

The party has traditionally been held at Hamp's cabin the last 10 years and Hamp would always fry fish for Daddy.  We would all trek in for the party with gifts for the man who had everything.  As our lives got busier, our kids grew up and we moved farther away from home, it became more and more difficult to find a day that everyone could gather for the "party".  But Mother always insisted that we celebrate the birthday of Daddy and we always knew that it could be the "last" birthday we ever celebrated with him. 

We would bring gifts of an interesting nature.  He got a squirrel bungee for the backyard, an strange tool that would do just one special thing, a rock that came from an interesting place or a handmade knife (as if he didn't have enough) that was made especially for him.  He always delighted in the gifts, the cake and the fish but at the end of the night when we sang "Happy Birthday dear Daddy", he would always say that the best gift of all was having us all together as a family to fellowship with him.

I learned many lessons from my Mother and Daddy but one of the most important lessons is to love your family and enjoy the love they have for you.  Little did we know that last year was the LAST year that we would ever celebrate Daddy's birthday with him.  As I reflect today on him, I join my Mother and sister and our "family" as we celebrate his life in spirit with him.  He was a great man and I was so blessed to call him my Daddy. 

Daddy, I especially miss you today because I did not get to celebrate your birthday with you this year.  I hope you are celebrating in Heaven with those who have joined you there!  I love you and I miss you so much.  You were a great Daddy!

Gathering of Friends

Do you know value of real friends?  I do and I cherish those special people in my life.  I love having them around to talk to and laugh with as much as I can.  Since my Daddy died, I really do appreciate having those special people in my life that are the people I call my friends.  These people are the family you pick because of their importance in your life.

I am so blessed to have so many dear and wonderful friends. I have also learned that to have many friends, you must be a friend.  Being a friend is giving when you are tired, smiling when you are sad and putting someone else above your own wants.  Being a friend is letting someone into your heart and sharing your world with with them.  Being a friend is going that extra mile for someone just because.........

I love having friends.  They are worth more than riches and gold. They are the pearls that enrich your life because of the memories you have made!  I listened last night at a gathering of friends talking about old times and people in their lives.  Making memories with friends sustains us on cloudy days when we are out of sorts.  Planning with friends gives us positive things to look forward to in our lives.

If you are my friend, thank you for being there for me!!

Like Father - Like Grandson

Every year my Daddy would call one of us and ask us to get Mama some pretty flowers.  This is the first year that Daddy has not been around to get her flowers.  It was bittersweet for all of us.  However, my sweet son was right there to make things right.  When my Mom returned from Vegas yesterday, she called to tell me that my son had left her a lovely bouquet of beautiful tulips on the table for her for Valentine's Day.

My Daddy made sure that my son always knew to celebrate special days with the ones you love.  His tradition continues.  He taught my son so much.  How blessed to have had my Daddy's influence in my son's life.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day to everyone.

Jane Ann's Slaw

Last night was just so much fun.  Great friends, good fellowship, wine and food!  Nights just don't get much better than this around here.  My dear friend, Blair, was kind enough to make a huge pot of stew for us for dinner.  All I had to do was make some cornbread and a salad.  Of course, my go to recipe for quick salad is always Jane Ann's Slaw.  Jane Ann is my sister-in-law and one of the world's best cooks ever.  She was kind enough to share this recipe with me.

Well, my friend, Dana, was helping me around in the kitchen as we were drinking wine and cutting up.  I asked her to chop the green onions for me for the slaw.  I poured the shredded cabbage in the bowl and she added the onions.  When she asked what to do next, I told her to just put in it the icebox.  She could not believe I was going to serve it just like that.  I told her there were better things to come........it would get better in the icebox.

Later, I dressed the slaw and she could not believe it did not have mayo in it.  She fell in love with it and asked me to post the recipe here today.   So, for Dana - a sweetheart that I started kindergarten with and eventually went to college with at SFA - here is that recipe for Jane Ann's slaw.

Jane Ann's Slaw

1 bag of shredded cabbage/slaw
1 bunch of green onions
1 pkg of Ramen noodles
1 c. sunflower seeds
1/3 c sugar
2/3 c. peanut oil

Chop onions and add to slaw mix.  Refrigerate.  Crush Ramen noodles and set aside.  Mix sugar, oil and the seasoning from the Ramen Noodles and let sit in the fridge for an hour.  When you are ready to eat, add the crushed Ramen noodles and sunflower seeds to the slaw mix.  Dress with the oil/sugar/seasoning you mixed up and Serve!  Will easily feed 8-10 people.

Dishes

My Mother is so wonderful.  She bought me the most amazing gift for Christmas this year - a set of 8 plates.  Not just any ordinary set of plates, but Christmas China.  The pretty one from Lennox with the gold rim.  I loved them so much I ate my black eyed peas and cabbage on them for New Year's Day.  This started a new tradition for me.  I plan to eat the peas and cabbage every New Year on my beautiful Christmas China.

Southern mothers know how important it is to acquire lovely dishes to hand down to your children.  My Mother has made sure I have an incredible set of good china.  It's a 12 piece place setting and I have every single piece from the oval serving platter down to the sugar bowl.  The other thing my Mother taught me was that it is important to USE your good china.  I host an intimate dinner party at least once a month and use the good china. 

What is the point of having nice things if you put them on a shelf and never use them?

Did You Miss Me?

Have you been wondering where I have been lately?  Well I've been busy.  I had all of my six grandkids for one night at Christmas.  Left on Christmas Eve to spend the holiday with my Mother.  We did church, cooked, ate, ate some more, had gifts and saw many friends.  The day after we traveled in the bus to visit relatives and take a short vacation only to cut our trip short to visit a friend who lost her father.  Finally ended the year at the ranch with the dearest of friends and then home to lots of laundry.  What a great holiday-------now it time to get back to work.