Wednesday Medley of Memories of Moms

Wednesday Medley this week is all about Mother's Day! None of us would be here without them! 

MOTHER’S DAY

Everyone has one or has someone who is like a mother to them.  On the second Sunday of May, we honor those women who are our mothers. Whether we shower her with gifts, take her to a fancy dinner or make her a homemade card, what moms want most is to be surrounded by the love of their family.  Knowing the people they love are safe, sound and healthy is a mom’s number one priority.

Grab the questions from Terri's blog right here and link up tomorrow with your answers.

1. Where did your mom grow up? 

Her first 13 years were spent in Oklahoma City and then the family moved to a small town in Arkansas for country life. Her Dad felt he needed to get his family away from the worldly influences in the city. Momma and her siblings weren't too thrilled about the move, but I am very happy about that decision since she met my Dad in Arkansas.

Mom and her older sister, Doris,

with cousin Merle in the middle in Oklahoma.

2. Tell us about her siblings, if she has/had any. Did you have a favorite aunt or uncle? 

She had a brother and two sisters. I loved all three of them. Aunt Doris, the oldest, lived farther away, but we loved visiting her. She was a sweetheart! Uncle Sonny was fun and a teaser, and Aunt Nancy was closest to me in age and maybe she was/is a favorite? Nancy is now the only one still living at age 79. She reminds me so much of my mom.

3. What is ONE of your favorite memories you can share with us of your mom? 

Terri knows we can't share just one! There are so many things about my sweet Momma to cherish. I thought it was pretty cute that after we kids were gone to school that she pulled out a pair of our roller skates and skated on the driveway and garage! One of my favorite memories was the delight she experienced when my husband and I took her and Daddy on vacation with us to Colorado. Although she was suffering with cancer, she never let it rob her of the happiness in being with her family or the things she could still do. Even sleeping on an air mattress on a camping trip! 

4. Please share a picture or two of your mom with us.

She loved being outdoors working in the yard.

She liked dressing up.

She began working outside the home after we were gone and she loved her job.

She loved her grandbabies!

(Robyn was the first!)

A sweet and loving Momma!

A Mother's Day sometime in the  early 80's!

5. Let's not leave out the grandmothers. Share what you will. 

My maternal grandmother was Granny. She had a big heart and a big laugh. Always sweet, always giving, visited us often, gave good hugs and gifts. My paternal grandmother was not really given to outward affection, but we knew she loved us. 

Granny with my sister and me.

Granny and Momma

Me, Granny and Momma

6. Do you have any special plans for Mother's Day? No clue. 

This I know! My Momma endured many hardships in her brief lifetime and counted it all joy! She has been an inspiration to me over the years, more so as I grow older and think of all she did and sacrificed. The one thing most important to her she shared with her children and that is our Savior's love for us and us a love for Him and His Word!

Wednesday Medley and All Kinds of Fun

One of the more popular rituals was harvesting flowers and giving them to neighbors and strangers in cone-shaped baskets. These “May Baskets” become more commonly known as “May Day Baskets”. The current tradition is observed by hanging a cone-shaped basket full of flowers or other gifts on the outside doorknob, then knocking or ringing the doorbell and run away.

(The above paragraph is an excerpt from the National Calendar which is on Terri's page.) Here is a basket of flowers for all to enjoy!

1. Ahhh... May Day!! Happy May! Did you celebrate this when you were a child by dancing around a Maypole or leaving flowers on someone's porch? 

Mom told us they celebrated around a Maypole when she was a youngster. We did not celebrate May Day with flowers, but rather May 1 was when Mom declared "Barefoot Day"! Yay! Kids get to take off their shoes and free those feet for the summer!!

Looks like my sister and me were a little too free in this pic!

Will you be celebrating a special occasion in May? My birthday! And the memory of my sweet mom on Mother's Day!

2. National Mother Goose Day was founded in 1987. Can you name a nursery rhyme that would fit your life as it was in 1987? I couldn't think of one that fit 1987, so I did a search and found one that comes very close.

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth,
Three for a wedding,
And four for death

One for sorrow - my brother's bone marrow transplant.

Two for mirth - My two year old nephew was our joy during that time.

Three for a wedding - DH and I were married in 1987

Four for death - my precious mom passed away.

If you are a youngster and not yet born in 1987, you may pass, of course, but do you have a favorite nursery rhyme? HERE is a list of nursery rhymes.

I liked almost all the nursery rhymes and so it's difficult to think of a favorite. 

Until I was an adult, I never realized the dark meaning of Ring Around the Rosy, which had to do with the black plague. 

3. National Chocolate Parfait Day is also honored on this day. Parfait means perfect in French. Tell us about a perfect day, in your mind, and would/could it end with a chocolate parfait?

A perfect day would be a great cup of coffee with my morning devotions, mild temperatures, sunshine, no wind, a walk with my dog, sitting out on the patio with my husband, an evening with friends, and a good meal! And yes! I will have a chocolate parfait to top off all of that perfect day! (Truthfully, a perfect day does not have to have all of the described elements. A day with my Dear Heart at home with food on the table and a roof over our head on a cold or rainy day is also a perfect day.)

4. National School Principal's Day was founded to celebrate these school administrators who support and guide quality teachers and staff to provide productive learning environments for our children. Did you have a good Principal when you were in school? Yes.

Do you remember his/her name? Mr. Bays, who also served in the armed forces!

5. And perhaps the most important one is Silver Star Service Banner Day which honors the sacrifices of the combat wounded, ill, and dying service members from all branches of the military. Do you have family members who have served this country in uniform? Tell us about them, if you will.

My Dad, my husband, and several relatives and friends. More recently, both my nephews have served in the army. Chase graduated from West Point, became an Army Ranger, Green Beret and served in special forces in the Middle East. He has gone on to another government job and we are very proud of him. It was his dream to serve in the Army since he was a child. Billy is presently serving as captain who trains new recruits, I believe. He is getting ready to have a change of command this month and we may attend that ceremony. All of these men and women who serve are heroes! So are their families!

Returning from one of his deployments

Soul man Billy and his wife, Crystal served in Seoul for two years!

6. It's Hump Day! How is your week going so far?

It is a good week so far. We had Kate all weekend and she was a pleasure. Monday I tried to go shopping for a new purse and some other items, but it was "Operation Fail" when I realized I left the credit card at home. Yes, sure, I could have written a check, but using the card helps me track where money is spent and also we get cash rewards!! Today was a follow-up visit for DH with the cardiologist, Ladies of Grace, haircut time for DH, and tonight we will go see a Tony Evans special movie called Kingdom Men Rising. Looking forward to that.

Saturday 9: Every Time You Go Away

Saturday 9: Every Time You Go Away (1985)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about separation. Who is the last person you said goodbye (or maybe just "so long") to?
Our friends, Kay and Wilson are moving next week and we went over on Wednesday to visit and tell them we love them and say good-bye! Their daughter promised they would come back for a visit, but Wilson and Kay are both in pretty fragile condition healthwise.

2) This week's featured artist, Paul Young, was a gifted athlete during his school days and briefly played professional football (aka soccer). Sam enjoys playing tennis, though her serve doesn't give Serena Williams anything to worry about. What's something you enjoy doing, even if you don't excel?
Playing my piano.

3) Mr. Young and his wife Stacy were married for 31 years, until her death in 2018. What do you think is the key to a happy marriage?

Trusting each other, accepting your roles, sharing your faith, laughing, good communication, never going to bed angry, forgiving.

4) Paul Young's performance of this hit song was one of the highlights of the July 1985 Live Aid Concert. This international benefit raised more than $100 million to alleviate hunger in Ethiopia. Tell us about a charity you support. 
Besides our church and others, one of our favorites is an orphanage in Nicaragua that is run by one of our former pastors and his wife, Bob and Barb. They have done so much with these children and the kids are excelling and winning awards in a variety of areas. 
Here is a link to their website: https://nicakellys.blogspot.com/

5) This song was written by Daryl Hall, of Hall and Oates. What's your favorite Hall and Oates song?

Kiss on my List from 1980  – That tells you how long it’s been since I’ve heard one of their songs.

6) In 1985, when this song was popular, the New Coke was unsuccessfully introduced. What's the last beverage you drank? Coffee

7) In 1985, the New York Stock Exchange had to close because of Hurricane Gloria. Has a hurricane shared your name? (Find a list of recent/upcoming storm names here.)

8) 1985 was the year that the Titanic wreckage was discovered. There have been at least 11 movies and TV shows about the fatal voyage. Have you seen any of them?
I saw bits and pieces of the current one and the one with Barbara Stanwyck and Clifton Webb. Robert Wagner was the young man in that one.

9) Random question: Would you rather own and run a coffee shop or a shoe store?
Maybe a coffee shop. 

Why? They are so popular now and I do love the smell of coffee. I guess owning a shoe store would be very lucrative because women seem to have so much of a thing about shoes.

My Friday Fotos!

A Happy Sunshiny Friday!

Different wildflowers around this area.

We still have bluebonnets

This will most likely be the last year you see two little boys dancing together!!

Cooties, you know. Haha!

Jack is in the royal blue shirt.

Sweet second grade children performing songs for their families. Their music teacher seemed a gentle soul with his guitar, but judging from the way the children sang, he must have the gift of bringing out the best in those kids! They were most entertaining. Jack sang his heart out, as did all the others, except for those moments he was looking out at us and grinning, or when he jumped off the back row of the bleachers. 

The truck pulling the raft was our son who is with the swift water rescue team here and they were deployed to Abilene to help with rescue for floods and then to Waco for the same. It turned out to be precautionary in Abilene, but they rescued six people in Waco who were camped at an RV park by a creek that got out of control. We are so proud of them and glad they are now home safely. 

The last pic is of dear friends from the past 25 years who will be moving to South Dakota in the next few days. Wilson, a prince of a man, has been suffering with cancer resulting from agent orange while he served in Vietnam. He and his sweet wife, Kay, have been “ordered” to move by their children who want them nearby to care for them. Wilson and Kay aren’t eager to leave their home, but they are certainly blessed to have kids who care so much for them. We will surely miss them so much as we have spent time in each others' homes for Bible study, shared meals together, especially burger nights for years and the men's Wednesday breakfasts!

We had sooooo much rain this week and everything is totally saturated. Yesterday was one of those rare Texas days with 70 degrees, sunshine and NO WIND!!! I went to the nursery and bought a few things to get me started with spring planting. 

And the skies the other night after the rain were so pretty, with the clouds in the east almost, but not quite, hiding a full rainbow, which I could not capture due to the house next door and the trees! But we all stepped outside to enjoy it as it was so huge across the sky.

My photos are so amateurish, but still I cannot resist trying to capture the moments of beauty that God provides for us from day to day!

I did have to drive home in the storms on Tuesday night after Jack's program, praying all the way and this song running through my mind! These days it seems I'm either driving ahead of a storm or driving into one. Isn't that kind of like life? 

HE WILL PILOT ME

Although I cannot see the way, o'er life's tempestuous sea,
I know that Jesus is my friend, and that He'll pilot me
He'll pilot me from day to day,
When blinded eyes can't see the way.
Let come what may, On life's dark sea,

My Blessed Lord will pilot me – pilot me.

Dear Lord what e'er the storm may be, I'll simply trust in thee.
Relying on thy love so true, to safely pilot me.
He'll pilot me from day to day
When blinded eyes can't see the way.
Then come what may on life's dark sea

My Blessed Lord - will pilot me.

Wednesday Medley and Wiener Warmers!!

It's time for another Wednesday Medley medley of questions from Terri, Your Friend from Florida. No rules and there is no obligation. Link up if you want to.  This makes for a fun Wednesday blog and, if you are interested, then I invite you to join in and link up with other ‘Meddlers’ tomorrow!! 

1. Typically served as an hors d'oeuvre, have you ever made or had a Pig-in-a-Blanket? Do you like Pigs-in-a-Blanket?

Sure. They are usually served at a Christmas potluck or brunch: sausages in a Pillsbury crescent roll. The Pancake House also had pancakes wrapped around sausage on their menu. 

2. Pigs-in-a-blanket are also known as devils on horseback, kilted sausages, and wiener winks. (Seriously.) Please make up another name for this fun little appetizer! 

I like the Wiener Winks, but how about “Wiener Warmers?” Or Lazy Pigs since Pigs in a blanket are wrapped up in something and just lay there.

3. In the UK, pigs-in-blankets are small sausages, or chipolatas wrapped up in bacon. Which country's version is most appealing to your taste buds? 

Not the U.K. version! 

4. The first written record of pigs-in-a-blanket occurs in Betty Crocker's Cooking for Kids in 1957. In this digital world, do you still have a favorite cookbook you use most of the time? Is there a recipe you can share with us from that cookbook?

Before the Internet and Pinterest, my Betty Crocker cookbook and my Betty Crocker Dinner for Two cook book were my favorites. The oatmeal raisin cookies have been baked over and over again. And the Dinner for Two cookbook guided me with menu ideas each week, which helped me tremendously when I first married. I shopped for the listed ingredients and cooked straight from the book! 

We ate from the "Frankly Thrifty" section quite often.

Always a success!

5. What is your favorite cooking show on TV? 

I like Pioneer Woman, Alton Brown, and Barefoot Contessa. 

6. Tell us something random about your week, please.

Last night we celebrated our grandson Jack’s 8th birthday. His restaurant of choice was the Lazy Dog restaurant, and from all the wonderful choices on the menu, he ordered a Nathan‘s hotdog. I thought that was funny. 

We had so much fun at the restaurant with plenty of laughter and sharing funny stories. Then we had cake and ice cream at our house. Jack had specifically asked for a one layer cake with chocolate chip cookies forming a circle on top, and vanilla ice cream in the center of the circle. He also wanted some Cookie Monster ice cream on the side! 🤢 he told me it all met up with his expectations and imagination! That boy!

This evening we are going over to see the second graders sing. He sang the song Buenos Dias for us last night just in case we don’t make it over there. Kate played Happy Birthday on the piano and we all sang to him. It was a wonderful evening. 

A Special Weekend - A Special Day

This Easter weekend was filled with times of celebrating and also rest! Good Friday services at church, Saturday morning services at Beth Sar Shalom, resting Saturday evening, and two Sunday services!! Whew!! It was all good!

A couple of weeks ago, I invited the kids over for dinner on Easter, but we came to the decision we would meet on Monday for Jack's birthday celebration. Well, as life holds many surprises, Amy texted me Saturday evening asking whether they might come to church with us on Sunday and lunch afterward! Well, sure!!! Delighted!!

So, although I was serving in two services, we still managed to connect on Sunday morning and make it to lunch. The kids (Jack especially) were expecting Easter Egg hunts in the backyard, so I was glad to have candy and other surprises on hand along with the Easter baskets from the past few years. It was fun, but somewhat sad as this probably will be the last Easter Egg hunt in our backyard! We had a great lunch, and fun in the afternoon.

I love this pic!

Looks like Bear didn't feel like having his pic made!

Jack's only disappointment yesterday was that he couldn't open birthday presents. But his Daddy was working on Sunday and today is actually Jack's birthday. He is so funny! His special request for birthday celebration is that we eat at the Lazy Dog Restaurant and that I bake a one layer chocolate cake, with chocolate chip cookies in a circle on top and monster vanilla ice cream in the center of the cake!! Pretty specific on what he likes and wants. So, the cake is now ready except for putting on the candles and the ice cream in the center.

And besides all that, it's his day and so it's all about his choices!

Happy Birthday, Jack Jack!!!

Thank You, Jesus!