Sweet Remembrances of Home

We're all born into a family. By the time I entered the picture I had a dad, mom, sister, and a brother. We would add two more sisters and one more brother to make our family complete. When I look back on all the memories of home and my childhood, I contribute all the sweet remembrances to two people.... Mom and Dad.

My parents brought their children into the world with a purpose. To love, guide, teach, nurture, and provide experiences that would allow for growth, exploration and creativity. They came together and brought unique characteristics from their families. They brought some traditions and created some of their own that have been and continue to be a part of my life, my children's lives, and now my grandchildren's lives. 

Memories of home and my childhood have etched deep in my heart and soul and have shaped me into the person I am today. My parents are gone now, but I hope they are looking down from the heavens with pride and like the person I am becoming... much because of them.

My dad was full of adventure. He was a biologist and big game manager for Utah State Fish and Game. He was one of those rare dad's. He actually took his family to work when he could. We spent our summer months in the mountains camping, riding horses, and playing games like kick the can. Dad took us canoeing, fishing, hunting, and counting deer. And he planned big excursions of river rafting when we got older. Us kids didn't think it was work at all! 

It was not unusual for dad to bring home animals that needed rescued until they could be taken to a place of rehabilitation. He also had a soft, tender side and taught his children to love and respect all God's creatures and the world we live in.

Dad taught his family how to be part of a team. We worked together and played together. That was what families did! We planted a garden, raised animals to care for and eat, sang silly songs as we traveled, and slept under the stars listening to the call of coyotes. So many adventures and the list could go on and on and on...  

Mom also loved the outdoors, but her heart was in her home, surrounded by her children. She was an excellent manager of home. Our house seemed to shine with cleanliness and truth! She taught her girls how to make beds, dust, clean the bathroom, wash dishes, vacuum, hang clothes on the line, bottle fruits and vegetables, and sew clothes. 

Mom was a beautiful woman. I never saw her without her lipstick on. She loved flowers and pretty things. Mom made us barbie couches and chairs and clothes. And then played with us! She made every birthday and occasion a holiday. She created magic in the simple things... like losing a tooth. Christmas, Easter, and every holiday throughout the year was so magical and memorable. Us kids may not have recognized it at the time, but great care and thought was put into every single holiday... from home decorations and displays to matching clothes and perfectly arranged gifts. I completely adore my mother. 

Both my father and mother worked together to give their children opportunities to learn skills and talents. They bought apartment buildings and rented them out. We picked seed together as a family to earn money for extracurricular activities. And the list goes on...

With dedication and hard work as a family and the foresight and wisdom of great parents, us kids were able to participate in dance, baton twirling, piano lessons, playing in school band, sports, 4-H, and other worthy endeavors.

My parents told us "you can be anything you want to be!" And... I always believed that!

Most importantly, my parents taught their children truth. The truth about God, about making right choices, about service, and love for each other and all people. 

From my dad, I take away sweet remembrances of adventure, hard work, tenderness, love and respect for nature, service, and what it means to lead a family.

From my mom, I take away sweet remembrances of home, love of family, magic in the simple things, beauty, compassion, and service. 

Is it any wonder that I enjoy and teach my family the same things. 

          Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

Mother, I Need You!

Time passes quickly in life. Too quickly. My mother has been gone for over 4 years now. But your mother is always your mother! Sometimes it is only she who can provide the comfort that comes from being sick, feeling afraid, and experiencing heartbreak. Only she can dry your tears, rock you in her arms, hug you, and whisper in your ear that everything will be ok. It doesn't matter how old you are, or if your mother is here or not, sometimes you just need her. And no one else. 

That has been the case with me lately. Since my mother's passing, I have lost a daughter and a son, as well. Stress and illness have taken a toll on me. I long and yearn for my mother's comfort and hugs. My father was always a strength with wise words of wisdom, but mother always knew how to console and comfort. A gentle touch of her loving hand on mine let me know I could make it through this, too. In my deepest and darkest hours, I want to cry out... "mother I need you!" Even though I can't hear her, I often feel her near. And my memory takes me back home. Back home to mother, when I was young.

Like most children, sometimes I stayed home from school from an illness (real or not), and mother always made our day together special. She nursed me, pampered me, and covered me up in blankets as I lie on the sofa. She often put the back of her hand across my forehead to check for a rising temperature. Oh... how she cared for me! I felt loved. It was only her and I! Being home with mom on a school day with no one else was the best treat ever. And, she made the best lunch ever! Tuna fish and pickle sandwiches on toasted bread, smothered with butter. Home bottled peaches or pears were the perfect accompaniment. Sometimes she would surprise me with potato chips and a banana. 

Now that I can't call my mother and hear her soothing words and feel her comforting arms around me, I make myself a toasted tuna fish and pickle sandwich and open a bottle of homemade pears or peaches. It brings me comfort. It takes me back home where I feel wrapped in the arms of her love. Oh... how I love and miss my mother!

Home... at last!

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." -- Maya Angelou - Now Write

childhood home

When I look back on my life and think of home, I feel gratitude in my heart... because... home was a place of peace, of refuge, of love, and acceptance. 

My father was thrifty and resourceful. He never liked debt. So, it seemed as if we were always living in a state of improving and remodeling. But somehow that didn't bother me. It was a "normal" way to live because that is what I knew. The constant remodel didn't take away the spirit that emulated in and around home. I knew my parents loved me.

Mom and dad taught us kids what it meant to be a family. We worked together, played together, worshiped together, ate together, and everything else together.  

There is no one right way to raise a family successfully, but my parents took their parenting seriously and tackled each problem that came up with thought, prayer, and good old-fashioned guidance and disciplining. Somehow that worked for the most part. 

I was the middle child and was pretty much a peacemaker. I have been my entire life. But, that didn't mean I didn't throw some curve balls at my parents. As a teenager I didn't always make the right decisions and I know it caused a lot of grief and heartache for them. But mom and dad did everything possible to encourage me to make good choices. They loved me. They accepted me for who I was. I felt safe with them. 

I married my high school boy friend against my parents wishes. They could see things I couldn't. And... it would only take ten years after being married, with five children of my own, to understand their wisdom. And, I came to know what true love really means. My home... my parents... where they were, became a life-long place of refuge from many fierce storms that beat upon me.

My parents home in my adult years

Divorce was hard... really, really hard. I cried many tears. My heart was broken. Completely broken. But I had home! I had my parents. They loved me. They loved me and my five beautiful children. They allowed me to come home. They listened to me. They cried with me. They encouraged me... to carry on, to make good decisions for the future. They became guidance counselors once again. They picked up the pieces of my emotional wreck of a life. 

I had many talks with my father. I will never forget what he told me one day.... "Carol, you can do anything and become anything you want in life!" He was positive. He was supportive. Both mom and dad became my biggest cheerleaders. I moved 3 hours away from home to go to school. It was hard with five children and being all alone in a new place. But... I had mom and dad! They were only a phone call away when I needed them. Most weekends, I would load the car with kids and luggage and head for home. Home to my parents. Home to my sisters... who were and still are, anchor's in the storms of life. 

My first marriage was blissful... until it crashed. My second marriage a challenge. Blended families take so much work, and I wonder if there is such a thing as a successful blend... Really. 

Home... my parents, still continued to be a place of refuge during difficult and trying periods of my second marriage. I don't know how they did it... watching me over the course of a couple decades struggle with things that didn't need to be so hard... had I made better decisions the first time around! The only way I can explain it... is love. Pure unconditional love.

Yes... I've made my life harder than what it needed to be. But, I've grown. I've grown a lot. I have more confidence, more faith, more experience, more appreciation, more wisdom, more understanding. I've made good and worthy goals and have accomplished them. I have a beautiful family and lots of energetic and talented grandchildren that fill my life with joy and happiness. My life is full of so many blessings! 

My parents passed away before I lost my daughter from an act of domestic violence in 2013. My mother only a year previously. It was very hard not to have them to go home to. But I'd like to think... just maybe all the hard knocks of life, unconditional love and Christ-centered teaching from my parents, support from family and friends, and faith... saw me through and continues to do so. Eventhough my parents were no longer here on earth...

THIS I DO KNOW... They were there to get Shaniel at the time of her passing. They were there to take my sweet daughter home. Their granddaughter. Home to heaven. Home to live with them. Home to take her in as their own. Home to comfort and guide her. Home to listen to her. Home to love and bless her. Home to help heal her broken heart. Home... where she is surrounded by family, peace, beauty, and unconditional love. She is HOME! She is safe at last! How much more comfort can I receive than this!

I love my parents! Not only did they provide a loving and safe HOME for me... but they did for my children... as they now do for Shaniel. For this I am eternally grateful.

To see how we celebrated Shaniel's Angelversary, February 10th, click on Shaniel's Story or the tab above.

This post was hosted by

Mama Kat's Pretty Much Famous Writer's Workshop.

Sugar Pie

The year 2011, most of the kids came up for Thanksgiving. We had a scrumptious and plentiful dinner, which included all our favorites and traditional dishes. Like turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, brown glazed carrots, stuffing and cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, apples and yams, cheese stuffed celery and olives, and bread and butter pickles. 

And then we made pie... lots of pie! Chocolate, Banana Cream, Pumpkin Turtle, Cherry, Apple (with fancy lattice strips), and mom's Sugar Pie! What a  special treat! 

Who can not remember those fond memories of home as kids when we anxiously awaited for mom's Sugar Pie. I remember mom rolling out the left over pie crust, with help from us kids. Then we would sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over top and slide the pie pan in the oven. I remember peering through the glass window of the range, watching and waiting... waiting and watching. I could hardly wait for Sugar Pie to come out of the oven. As soon as it was cooled enough, we each got to break a piece off to eat. Sugar Pie was such a treat because we got to eat it even before Thanksgiving dinner began.

Mom's Sugar Pie will be on the menu again this year!

How about you? What are you fixing for Thanksgiving this year?

Happy Birthday mother! I love and miss you so much.

Advice--unexpected

The best advice I received from my mother was at the end of her life. It didn't come from words so much. It was mostly by example. When I planned a visit to mom's, I stayed a few days with her. We would end each day with meaningful conversation.. filled with memories, humor, laughter, gratitude. Prayer was offered every night before going to bed. 

I loved my mother's prayers. They were full of conviction and love for the Lord and her family. She expressed thankfulness for all her blessings. In looking back, I can see how advice to me came in way of prayer. She expressed her gratitude for me. For taking time to visit and spend time with her. For helping her, taking her places, and being kind and thoughtful. She expressed her love for me. She expressed gratitude in my ability as both a daughter and a mother. It was her way of teaching me. She expressed gratitude for the earth's beauty, the seasons, food to eat, knowledge, opportunities to serve, for faith, and family. Her prayers were genuine, sincere, and from the heart. They ascended to heaven. She could kneel in prayer for a long time! 

Mother's advice came in way of example and prayer that spoke volumes--loud and clear, to my heart and soul. It was her way of teaching me; imparting advice. In a way least expected.

Her advice--

Love and serve others, especially my mother in her aging years. Keep these most important--God, family, faith. Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be helpful. Be grateful. Care for others. Express love. Express concern. Be compassionate. Practice patience. Find humor in life and self.
Laugh! Enjoy the beauties of the earth. Plant pretty flowers. Love and beautify home. Keep connected to family members--immediate, extended, ancestors. Enjoy being a mother and grandmother. Create memories. Throw lots of family parties! Love being a homemaker.Take pride in home and yard. Dress nice; dress modest. Be clean; look nice.
Encourage children and grandchildren to develop talents and skills.. and then support them. Treasure simple moments. Play with the kids. Be creative. Never stop learning.Teach by example.

Mother not only taught them to me...she prayed them to me!

Mother's greatest advice of all time.. growing up.

"If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all!" 

(famous words from Bambi)

Another tidbit from mother's reservoir of advice...

 "Do unto others as He would do unto you."

(the Golden Rule)

Watching my mother's health decline over the last few months of life, and watching her struggle with walking and doing even simple things, brought a whole new perspective to this other bit of advice...

 "Don't judge someone without walking a mile in their shoes."                      

A post written about mother, May 2012.

Mother Dear... Come to Tea, Please!

I've had a lot to think about these last few weeks.  More often than not, MOTHER seems to be the center of those thoughts.  It's Mothers Day, the first one without my mother.  I can hardly stand the thought.  If I could just one more time... sit at her knee and be taught, held in her arms to be loved, kiss her tender cheek good night, listen to her prayers to be comforted, feel of her spirit to be blessed. Oh... I would give anything!  I miss her so much.  Mothers Day Tea at Kelsey's was full of love, friendship, and togetherness. My good pleasure of being a daughter and mother, started with Mother... my mother.  I am blessed.  My thoughts, my actions, my hopes and dreams are centered in mother's teachings and Christ-like example.  

I invited you along today, mother.  I hope you were here and enjoyed the Tea!

Writing prompt #2: Advice your mother gave you.

Hosted by

Writer's Workshop: Mother's Cinnamon Rolls

I was lucky enough to be born in the late 50's! I grew up with the BRADY BUNCH, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, FATHER KNOWS BEST, MY THREE SONS, ANDY GRIFFITH, among others. These shows conjure up fond memories of home. That was the way we lived. Dad was the provider. Mom was the homemaker.

Mom was the center of home. She did all the domestic things a mother was known for. She spent many hours in the kitchen fixing and preparing the most scrumptious meals for her growing family. Our kitchen was in the center of our house and so you can imagine the delightful smells that radiated out from there, to fill every room, in the early morning hours as we got ready for school. Then… the smell of dinner cooking in the oven tantalized my hungry taste buds and I could hardly wait to sit down to another feast.  Mom’s dinners were just that. Well balanced to include all the food groups, and very colorful. And… every meal was not complete without dessert. Imagine that! But that’s the way it was for us. It was also a common occurrence to walk in the front door after school to the smell of freshly baked cookies, bread, and cinnamon rolls. And everything was made from scratch.

Mom’s cinnamon rolls were the best… especially fresh from the oven! I can still see the home made icing melting and running down the sides of the hot rolls, filling up every crevice and fold. The roll could easily be pulled apart and when you put it in your mouth it would melt like butter. Even thinking about it makes my mouth salivate. I don’t know how she did it, but there was the perfect balance of cinnamon, sugar, and raisins. Eating a cinnamon roll was truly a treat. She made them for Family Home Evening nights, Easter dinner, picnics, family reunions, and whenever anyone requested them. Requests often came from extended family. Neighbors and friends would rave over them. You could say my mother was famous for her cinnamon rolls. Everyone loved them!

The smell of fresh baked rolls, breads, and pastries remind me of my mother. She is no longer with us, but the memory of her being in the kitchen, preparing meals, cooking, baking… all for the love of family… brings a smile on my face, warms my heart, and comforts my soul.

The last family reunion mom was alive, my brother requested cinnamon rolls. It was not an easy thing for her to do, with here declining health. But… she did it… all for the love of family!

I think I’ll make a batch of cinnamon rolls this week. They may not equal mom’s, but I’ll have the pleasure of going back in time to a place of comfort, warmth, security, and love.

Mother's Cinnamon Rolls - Family Reunion 2010


Mother's Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

2 eggs,1 c sugar, 4 t salt, 4 c lukewarm water, 1 c butter, melted, 1 pkg (3 T) dry yeast, 1/2 c water, 7 c flour, 1 c powdered milk, melted butter, cinnamon, sugar, raisins (optional), nuts (optional)

Directions:

1)   Beat 2 eggs ‘til foamy; add 1 cup sugar, 4 teaspoon salt, 4 cups lukewarm water, and 1 cup melted butter. Mix well. 

2)   Dissolve 3 tablespoons dry yeast in mixture of ½ cup warm water and 4 tablespoons sugar. Let work.

3)    Add to liquid mix.

4)    Add 7 cups flour and 1 cup dry milk. Beat vigorously or 5 minutes with bread mixer. Add 7 cups flour, or enough that can be handled without sticking.

5)    If bread mixer is used: beat 10 minutes. If by hand, knead well

6)    Let rise ‘til double in bulk. Knead. Let rise again. Then proceed as follows:

7)    Roll dough into rectangle.

8)    Brush liberally with melted butter.

9)    Sprinkle with mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Add nuts and raisins, if desired.
10)  Roll up and slice 1-inch thick.

11)  Let rise.

12)  Bake in 400* oven for 20 minutes.

13)  Frost with icing made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla

writing prompt #1: A smell that makes you think of your mother

writing prompt #2: Share a recipe that everyone in your family loves

                                                               

Mother's Caramel Turtles

My mother made the best caramel turtles I have ever tasted! When December rolled around, I made a trip to mother's house for the annual making of the caramel turtles. It was an all day event. Don't let the simple sounding recipe fool you! 

The best part of making turtles is when the caramel finally reaches the soft ball stage. It is perfectly cooked to a gooey soft and slightly chewy stage. I drop some caramel in a cold cup of water, swirl it around in my fingers and form it into a ball. I set it on my tongue... it sits only for a moment and then melts away, giving my taste buds the sensation of pure, caramely deliciousness! It can take a couple of hours to get it to the stage of perfection. I never use a candy thermometer. It gets in my way. One bite, that's all it takes, and you are hooked for life. You can't live without them ever again. Mom's caramel turtles are to die for!
  
I started making turtles with mom when I was a young mother. In the mid 80's. My husband and I and our small family moved from Utah to Colorado and was too far away to enjoy the luxury of having turtles just down the street. I decided then and there I was going to learn how to make turtles. And I have every year, ever since. Most of the time I made the trek to mom's house. It was a treat to spend the day chatting and making merry in the kitchen with mother. It's now only a sweet and treasured memory. Mother passed away in October of 2011. My siblings were spoiled. Mother made them turtles every year, so they never learned for themselves. Last Christmas, I had a lot of requests from family members for the turtles recipe. I gladly shared with them. I made the above recipe card with some pictures of mom and home and sent it out in a Christmas card to about 40 caramel turtle craving families.

I think I have perfected the art of caramel turtle making. My daughters and granddaughters have become interested in making them with me. It's become a tradition... passed from my mother, to my daughters, and granddaughters. It makes my heart happy!

Enjoy!

writing prompt #5: Share a favorite holiday inspired recipe!

Courage

dedicated to mother who passed away on October 5, 2011

(The above picture - two weeks before passing, my sister and I celebrated our annual birthday lunch with mom)

I knew exactly what picture I wanted to use this week for my quote. My mother was the most courageous person I ever knew. Her mind was alert, her head in the Lord's plan for her... right up to the point of passing. Mother knew what was happening. She was in it every step of the way. She had a desire to pass away from this life triumphant. And that she did! She was prepared. She was pure. She endured faithfully to the very end. Was she afraid? Oh, yes! But she was brave. She did not waste what precious time she had left on earth. Mother spent her end of days giving gentle guidance and expressing unconditional love to all family members. The last few months of her life were spent in a Nursing Home/Rehabilitation Center for her broken leg. As hard as she worked. As hard as she tried. It was not mean't to be. Her example of patience, long suffering, and faith in God sustained not only herself, but the rest of the family. Here's to you mother... my HERO! Both in life and death.

Fall is Here!

What better way to celebrate Fall than doing some of my favorite things. I will call it my

Fall Bucket List

1. Carve jack-o-lanterns with the grand kids

2. Go for a drive up the canyon with the hubs, take a picnic and gather colorful leaves

3. Plan Harvest Fest... an annual event with the family to celebrate the end of harvest

4. Make scarecrows with the kids and grand kids

5. Birthday lunch with a favorite sister to celebrate both our birthdays (one week apart)

6. Create a Homestead Christmas Shutterfly book 

7. Plan this year's three-day Homestead Inn Christmas at Midway

8. Decorate Home for Fall Holidays

9. Visit Mom and Dad's grave

10. Cook up Halloween treats, a new Autumn dish, and make desserts that include pumpkin and apples... yummm!

Beautiful Fall Leaves... Sardine Canyon

Harvest Fest

We usually center Harvest Fest around a theme. One year we did Pirates. The kids had to follow a treasure map. When they got to the bottle of (root)beer. They had to sing 20 bottles of beer on the wall, while dancing around the tree. At the end of the hunt, they had to dig up a treasure box filled with coins, necklaces, and other pirate treasures. It was a very fun year. We also do a Spooky Hollow Forest walk through the orchard where they follow clues from a story to collect prizes as they encounter graveyards and bones, bats and ghosts, and a witch at the end. They have to grab their last prize from the witch's hut and run to the tractor and trailer that is filled with straw bales. Grandpa then takes them on a hay ride back to the barn. Harvest Fest is one of the big things I look forward to in the Fall.

Fall is my favorite season. I love to decorate the house, porch, and yard with gourds, pumpkins, leaves, and candles. A daughter, who is very creative with florals, made me the beautiful Fall wreath for my door. The witch in the center is my daughter-in-law who played the witch at the end of the Spooky Hollow Forest walk.

Homestead Inn Christmas

This is a big event that we do every five years. We take the family to the Homestead Resort in Midway for three days, just before Christmas. We ice skate, ride the Polar Express, tube, sleigh ride, play games, play in the snow, and exchange gifts around the Christmas tree. On Sunday, before going home, everyone dresses in their best and we go to Sunday Brunch together. I am looking forward to this year's family Christmas at the Homestead and can't wait to finalize the plans.

As you can tell, all my favorite things center around family! 

Writing prompt #5:  Fall is here! List your 10 favorite things about this Fall  

Goulash... the MANLY kind

I think most people have eaten goulash at least once in their lifetime.  We were no exception.  Goulash is usually considered a poor-man's meal.  But not my mom's!  No siree.  Her's was Manly in every way.  Not the Wimpy kind that you associate goulash with. You know... the macaroni and loose ground beef, tomato sauce, and a few left over veggies thrown in. Mom's goulash had the most delectable combination of flavors.  She fashioned bite sized meatballs, sliced fresh carrots, potatoes, and celery.  A perfect blend of soup and milk made up the gravy.

Mom's goulash was a complete and well-balanced meal and full of color.  It was the perfect meal for any season. I loved it as a child and love it as an adult.  I fixed it for my children growing up. They still consider it one of their all time favorite meals and request it when they visit.  Mom's goulash was, and still is, a First Prize, Blue Ribbon meal in our family!

GOULASH

Meatballs:

• ground beef
• small grated potato & carrot
• 2 T. onion, grated
• 3 T. flour
• 1/4 t. garlic
• 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup evaporated canned milk
• salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients together and shape into walnut size meatballs.  Put in fridge for a half hour.  Place a small amount of oil (I like Canola) into a large fry pan and cook meatballs until done, turning as needed.

Vegetables:

• potatoes
• carrots
• celery

Peel and cut potatoes into walnut size pieces.  Peel and slice carrots.  Slice the celery. Combine in a saucepan and cook until semi-done.  

Gravy:

• can of cream of chicken soup 
• rest of canned milk

Mix soup and milk together.  Pour over meatballs.  Add vegetables.  Heat just to warm gravy mixture.  

I like to add a green salad and homemade rolls and jam to make the meal complete.