THOUGHTS....'AROMAS' IN THE KITCHEN AND FAMILY MEMORIES

"AROMAS" IN THE KITCHEN AND FAMILY MEMORIES

Tuesday, March 18th is my son Joshua's Birthday!!!!

*LINK TO JOSH AND JENNY WHEN YOU CLICK GREEN

Happy Birthday Son!!! We are so proud of you and love you!!!!!

I was in my kitchen on Saturday and my mom ( who is visiting)and I were making fresh green beans and potatoes for part of our dinner that evening. As we were peeling potatoes; small onions and snapping our beans memories began to flood my soul!

I remembered sitting on our back porch in the summertime with a large bowl and a small container on the other side of me "snapping green beans" for supper. My mother had taught me to do this. Years later, I took my girls out in the sun with a large bowl and we "snapped beans" and chatted and laughed while we did this task.

My mom and I also sliced up some fresh green pepper and put it into baggies and again the "smell" of the green pepper and onion reminded me of the years mom would make "potato salad" for our Easter dinner. Memories of Easter dinners at home with my dad and mom. Ham; mashed potatoes; potato salad; fresh cut up veggies and on and on.

I thought............"AROMAS" remind us of times before. Most of the time ; they remind us of good times. "AROMAS" when the smokey smell of bacon cooked in the morning air; the aroma of a good fresh coffee lifted us from our sleep! "AROMAS" when a ham; turkey; or roast cooked in the oven and we felt warm all inside. "AROMAS"of sweet breads baked and sat awaiting the final spread of glistening butter. "AROMAS"of memories of home. " AROMAS"of memories of warmth. "AROMAS"of comfort.

What is that "smell" or "AROMA"that provokes a memory in you?

RECIPES........MOM NELSON'S PORK CHOPS

MOM NELSON'S PORK CHOPS

* My husband loves pork chops especially my moms!

Serves 6-8

7 thin boneless pork chops ( of course you can use thicker or bone in if prefer)

small onion sliced

flour (seasoned)

1. Season flour set aside


2. Take each chop and dip in flour and shake excess off


3. In large skillet........add 2-3 T of olive oil and warm


4. Cook until brown on each side ( about medium heat) * Add sliced onion and saute Place in a 9x13 glass dish * may spray with Pam ( I usually dont) ** Add 1/8 to 1/4 cup of water to bottom. Cover with foil.


5. Bake for 20 mins ( if thin) or 30-40 if thick or until brown and firm in middle 350 degrees

May serve with warm mashed potatoes; fresh steamed broccoli and whole wheat roll.

* Thank you to Marcy for the sweet card reminding me of my dads homegoing a year ago.
This was a dish Mom Nelson made for him several times!

DECORATING FOR THE HOLIDAYS.......BASKETS

ELEGANT EASTER BASKET

TRADITIONAL EASTER EGG BASKET

FUN FILLED EASTER BASKET

I have long loved the tradition of "Easter baskets". It is a tradition in my family .

When I was a young girl mom would buy little baskets and fill them with little treats and grass and hide them in the corner behind the big chair. Then on Easter morning ; after church we would go find the baskets. Mom would fix a big Easter dinner for our family and extended family and then later that day the "eggs" would be hidden out in the backyard and we would take our "baskets" and find the colored eggs. No prizes just the hard; colored; now cracked eggs! And it was so fun!!! ha

I too, did try and keep the same traditions as much as possible. When our oldest son was born on March 18 my husband and I colored eggs together for him and put them in a basket. He was just brand new but the tradition had begun and I am glad my husband didnt feel it was beneath him to enjoy this little tradition of mine. Two more children; (now girls) later; we continued to buy those fresh white eggs and colored dye and our family would sit around and color the cooked eggs. They would have so much fun with their dad making all sorts of silly fun eggs concluding dumping all the egg dye in one bowl at the end and making the "ugly egg"!

I too, had "baskets" filled with the dreaded "Easter grass" that stuck to everything for weeks later. But that didn't matter. That was the fun of it! Some years I would fill with jelly beans; chocolates; and other small candies. Then some years I began to fill with small books; a stuffed animal and such. One year I saw the cutest baskets made out of felt that looked like a bunny sitting down with his arms around the square basket. One had a baseball hat on ( Joshua's ); and the other two had pink little dresses and pearls ( Becky and Ruthies). We used those years and years until they were older. They would laugh saying : " Mom are you going to use those baskets again?"....... I did! " As they grew into college age I put a "big basket" on the kitchen table filled with grass and donned with treats for all to enjoy.

I have given many baskets away to others at this time of year filled with treats for those who need a little love. Easter baskets can mean many things to many people. For me they are a tradition for a family. What are they to you??

DECORATING FOR THE HOME............WITH THINGS YOU LOVE

MY 'BELIEVE SIGN' THAT ENCOURAGES
A LITTLE BUNNY TO SAY HELLO IN MY FOYER

A SMALL PART OF OLD BOOK COLLECTION
A BUNNY SITTING AMONG THEM
AN OLD PRINTING PRESS OF THE HYMN
"WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER"




PART OF A FUN SIGN IN THE BATHROOM

ANOTHER "OLD BUNNY" HIDING AMONG

THE ' BIRDHOUSES'


I really believe that you should decorate with things you love. Everyone has a different personality so thus you alone speak of your home. I have friends and family with all different ideas and so many are beautiful. If you are the type of person that does not even like the word decorating then think of what you like that makes you feel like home sweet home. My mother has always loved "blue and white" and things traditional. My one sister decorates very traditional classic of beautiful whites; tans; and browns. Another has deep rich traditional Wiliamburg blues and reds; while another has an Ethan Allen look with every nook and crannie filled with beautiful things she loves.

Some friends have themes such as Paris; English Country; Primitive Country; or the new robin egg blues and aquas. Some love flowers; some love simplicity; some love alot of little things while I love it all! I do have to say I love simple; English country with bits of homey touches.

Decorating can be fun! When I was a young bride I gathered pictures in magazines and thought and thought how I could get my "home" like this particular look. Now that I am "older" I find its more than that. Its what I love! And ...... I can find this anywhere. You can find big items such as sofas; chairs; and beds at places like JC Pennys or if you cannot afford that you can look for sales at other fine stores or even the thrift store can hold chairs slightly worn that you can fix up. You can find small chairs; desks; or even dressers at tag sales in the summer. Its the fun of taking something old and making it new and useful again!

If you do not know where to begin then begin with your life and what your needs are. Do you need a simple and clean home with your small children; or do you need a place where you would have to entertain? Use this as a stepping stone to a purchase. My daughter-in-law is very wise as she thinks and plans each piece she decorates with. She saves and even does without until she finds a good piece that she needs to purchase.

I find that whatever I use to decorate or add to my home the best thing I can remember is to keep it neat and clean. You can have a beautiful home but if there is clutter tossed all about the floors and counters it can loose its beauty.

What are some of the things you love to beautify you home?

A SMALL SIDE TABLE FILLED WITH SOME

OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

MY LITTLE KITCHEN TABLE DRESSED FOR

A BREAKFAST OF WARM OATMEAL

PERSONAL CARE..... MY SISTER-IN-LAW LINDA = KINDNESS

PERSONAL CARE.... MY SISTER-IN-LAW= KINDNESS


When I was deciding to write on my "Personal Care" this week my sister-in-law; ( she's like a sister to me) came to my mind. I know of people who never get along with their relatives and such as sister or brother-in-laws. I know I am blessed because I have the Best extended family in the world!





Last year when my husband fell ill of a heart attack and we spent a month in the hospital and several weeks afterward in recovery Linda came to my side. She had a young child at the time and still thought of me personally. She came with my mother-in-law and my Aunt Michelle in a snowstorm up several hours to be with us at the hospital. She is also a nurse by profession but now a full time mommy and she was there to answer any questions we had.





For me personally her and her husband Tom cared for me and my family with dinners; bedding and blankets for our bed for when my husband returned home; comfortable clothes and pajamas and a robe for him to rest and relax in when he came home; slippers; and others niceties. I felt very loved and very cared for.





When my husband returned home we needed to start on a diabetic lifestyle with insulin.


I had a afternoon course in this at the hospital. ( they had done away with the other program)


I felt lost but one call to Linda and she helped me through days and days of sugar highs and lows of where my husband was unaware of what was going on. Many a time she came to our call.





After some weeks of my husbands return I found out my Dad had a heart attack and thus drove a couple of hours with him to the hospital in which my dad would stay for the next two weeks. As I stood in the waiting room (again) there came my sister-in-law with a huge package and full of nice pretties for me. Makeup; bath products; and other items. My mother-in-law also helped with this. Never the less I did cry tears of thankfulness. Again she helped through what my dad was going through and came to his funeral as well .





The rest of the family on my husbands side also came to care for me. They all gave a "Walmart" gift card of sizable amount to help with money for medicine.Grama Musser; Uncle Mark; Aunt Kim; Uncle Dennis and Aunt Karen; and Tom and Linda. I felt humbled and loved.





A year later my daughter and her husband had our new grandbaby! Once again, Aunt Linda came to care. She had had a daughter Kalin and she had beautiful clothes. They had their family complete so she saved Kalin's clothes and toys and gave them to my daughter!!!


Huge blessings!





I guess I could say she is one of my biggest blessings. She is my sister-in-law of whom I adore and love very much. I love you Linda and thank you!

OTHERS........"GOING THE EXTRA MILE"

My daughter Becky and her husband Dan

MY SISTER PHYLLIS AND HER HUSBAND JAY

BELLA ROSA BRIDAL SALON

My sister Phyllis is a "Bridal Consultant" in Richmond, Virgina at a beautiful salon called "Bella Rosa". She has been there many years and helped many brides to have a beautiful and sweet wedding! When I thought of writing about "others" today I could not help think of how she "goes the extra miles" with her brides. The bridal salon hosts many contour lines and is exceptional in itself! But when that bride enters the store.........my sister enters that brides life!

She asks what they are looking for and then takes them to a room to try on. If the bride has any family she immediately includes them in the decision making of this special time in their life.

She gets several dresses for them to try on. She then seats the mother; grandparents or daddy's outside of the room and has the bride to model and takes pictures if possible. She listens and gets any accessories; veils; jackets; or other items needed. She also helps mother-of-the brides; bridesmaids; and others in the wedding party. But ...........she does not stop there. When they leave whether or not they purchase a dress that day; she writes to them and follows up.

When the bride returns she cares for that bride and her extended family. She has pictures of special moments with family. She makes this special day of the bride her purpose for them!

She has had many a bride send her a thank you; send her a picture; give her small tokens of thanks with a gift or beam with joy!

When my daughter and I went looking for that "special dress" I can say we were both so excited! This was a "big" moment in our family. The ladies that helped us were kind but nothing like my sister has done for others. She makes her job not only a job but a "purpose in her life".

Here are some things I have learned about going the "extra Mile" for others:

1. If you are looking to help someone learn to follow-up or drop a note. * I know friends that have been that to me and I am thankful for it.




2. If you cant seem to remember all those that are in need have a place to write down those you need to write too; take a meal to; pray for * I easily forget things so I have to write it down.




3. Get organized and schedule your days and time. * Sounds crazy but I know of smart ladies that have one day a week to "do for others" or " send correspondence.




4. Keep things on hand such as note cards; box cake mix; or even cash for others.

What are so ways you "go the extra mile'?

THOUGHTS.....SHE'S ALL THE WORLD TO ME!

MY BOOKSHELF WHERE SOME OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS SIT

BABY ELLA JOY ...........GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER

MY MOM AND BABY ELLA VISITING AND ROCKING

SHE'S ALL THE WORLD TO ME.........................MY MOM!

This week my mom ( now 88) has come for a weeks visit. This is such a great time because for years my mom never came to visit me for daddy had had a small stroke and he was not comfortable to make such a trip and she didn't drive. Dad went to heaven last March 18 and since then mom has been such an inspiration to us all! When she was a young girl she lost both of her parents before the age of 12. She lived with her 10 other brother and sisters and survived on what food was brought to them through the church; leftover scraps at the market; or any other means. She never really had a mother to teach and train her yet when she married she became the best wife and mother she could be. She was married to dad for 69 years and had 6 children.

She was tested and proven many times in her life yet she endured and God has blessed her greatly!

This week I plan on redeeming the time she has with us now. I made a plan on things to do this week while she was here for fun for her and for us. We have already made "moms meatloaf dinner and potatoes and carrots and that was fun and delicious! We make breakfast fun and special. My husband even made her a " heart" shaped toast to enjoy with her breakfast!

We plan to make little puppets for a craft; go to the "tea shop" with my girls and great granddaughter; go to a nice little antique store nearby; have a "hobo lunch"( what she calls fast food); talk; laugh; and listen and just enjoy our time together. I even have shown her my new "blog" which is so new to her! She likes it and enjoys my son Joshua and Jennys blog who just moved to Reno, NV and their fun pictures; Ruthies Tips; and Beckys life with her family. A whole new world for a 88 year old lady!

Here are a few ideas that I have learned from others about having guests: .

~~Plan your time together (as much as possible)

1. Make sure the room they are staying in has fresh sheets; nice comfy pillows; a table to set their things on; maybe some flowers in the room




2. Dont worry too much about entertaining but plan on making them feel comfortable.




3. Buy a little gift if possible (coffee; stuffed animal; basket full of goodies)




4. Keep clean towels; soap available for them.




5. Have some things they enjoy to drink or eat.




6. Let them rest when they are tired * you as well




7. Have some nice books or magazines for them to look through




8. Let them know if you have to "go somewhere" and when you will be back




9. Dont be perfect but enjoy your time together.

What are some things you do when you have guests?