New Beginning

It has been a year since my last post.  In that year I have lost my father,  become a grandmother,  begun and finished some remodeling projects.  Last night and tonight I attended a reunion and reconnected with some old friends.  One particular friend had kept up with my blog and encouraged me to reboot.  Don't know where this new journey will take me, but I am ready to start again.  Perhaps I will write about how much I love my new cork floor or my renewed faith in traditional decor.  The holidays will provide much food and entertaining experiences to write about.  So here we go.

PS

Mike, I am trying to keep my promise so keep your promise and do not post that horrible photo on Facebook because even at my age I am a tad vain.

As We Lay Sleeping

Many nights have I spent in hospital rooms. I have kept vigil with aunts, mother, mother-in-law, father-in- law and friend. The medical staff that work the night shift at hospitals share a camaraderie with each other and the night sitters. Folks, all of us just trying to make it through one more night. The night staff readily shares their coffee and conversation. I am sure they are less interrupted by tests, food delivery, visitors,etc. I have great admiration for hospital staff. They allow us to maintain a dignified relationship with our loved ones. So as we lay sleeping, let us not forget those angels of the night.

Special thanks, thoughts and prayers for the staff on 2200 at St Bernards in Jonesboro, AR as this night and their shift comes to an end.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Where in the Heck Have I Been and How Much Longer 'Til Fall?

I have been thinking about fall and the 110 plus temperatures have just made it difficult to move or write.  Design predictions or trends are all over the map.  Think of all the stylist that work for catalog companies and you can just imagine how difficult it is for them or buyers for your local shops to think about fall and winter when the temps are in the hundred plus category.  One item that can make a big change or impact on your decor is the addition of decorative pillows.  Pillows make a big impact when considered to make seasonal change.  Two types of pillows that will be everywhere this fall are crewel embroidered pillows and suzani pillows.

Here is a set of suzani style embroidered pillows from Acacia.com.  This set offered at $103.97 for three give much bang for the buck.  Two sets of these on a neutral sofa would set the tone immediately for the fall season.

This little number from Cost Plus World Market is only $ 19.99.  Added to other fall pillows will add that ethnic look that is so popular for fall.

These two are original Suzani pillow covers from Uzbekistan for sale on www.eBay.com. The price is $ 32.00 - $ 42.00 for two.  The workmanship is incredible for the money.  Just look like fall on a pillow to me.

Another set of eBay Uzbek pillows.

Another category of pillows that add punch for fall is the crewel or the embroidered pillow.

These two felt with crewel embroidery sport colors that are hot for fall.  Purple,lavender and orange.  These two are available on www.amazon.com for between $ 9.00 and $ 12.00.  So much color for so little money.  Can see these in a nursery as well.

These two traditional crewel beauties are from www.potterybarn.com  and will add a touch of fall to any decor.

From Pier I Imports a softer crewel for $ 29.95.

For those with a modern approach to decor these crewels fit the bill.

These two are offered by www.PillowsandThrows.com for $ 120.00.  Nutmeg and sage green inspire us to think about fall and cooler temps.

These two bright, happy fall beauties are embroidered and are from www.bedroomfurniture.com.  They can add the right touch to any room for  $ 75.00 - $ 85.00.

Be it crewel or suzani the search for the pillows, for the right room, for that fall pick me up should be fun to find.  Start the search now.  If you find the right one, let us know where and how much.

Easter Bonnets

Easter 1962.  We were at my maternal grandparents house.  Gathered for food and fun.  Lindsey was eleven and one can tell by her expression she is not happy to be participating.  She was way over the notion of ankle socks and Easter egg hunts.  The boys are looking dapper in there slacks and blazers.  Guy is sporting a bow tie which I think looks especially nice. 

Caroline has all the makings of an Easter doll; hat, gloves, and natty little handbag.  I doubt that my mother could have kept us in an Easter hat.  Mike is the baby and he is in, ofcourse, all white.  We are sporting those terrible pixie hair styles. A hat might have covered our terrible hair styles.   Mother always told us it was just too much to do up three sets of pig or pony tails.  With a brood of five I can certainly understand that. 

The weather around Easter is so unpredictable.  Lindsey and I  have jackets but Paula and Caroline must be freezing.  As I have shopped and looked at all the adorable Easter frocks available today for female children I have observed the dresses are still being made without sleeves or with short sleeves.  Today you are offered a tiny sweater to complete the Easter outfit.  Tiny sweaters are a good idea so that the female tot doesn't freeze. 

I certainly do not believe that those horrible, little nylon anklets helped protect us from the chill in any way.  They may have looked sweet with those patent leather maryjanes,  but we all hated them and could not wait to become old enough to dump them.  I am sure as soon as photos were made we, like Lindsey, got rid of them and had the blisters on our heels at the end of the day to prove it.  

I searched high and low for photos of any of us wearing Easter Bonnets.  I think they fell out of fashion in the 1960's.  Such a shame.  I am sure Katy remembers my forcing hats on her on Easter but somehow they never made it into a photo.  I love a good hat.  I wear them often.  I find myself wearing my hats mostly at the pool or the beach.  Sometimes I throw caution to the wind and just sport one around town. Hats make me feel more feminine somehow.  I seem to carry myself a little taller.     Sometimes a good hat is difficult to find.  Easter is the perfect occasion to don a new hat.  Hats seem to be more prolific in the stores today.  I hope that forecast that more women will be wearing hats.  I recently treated myself to three new hats and I am having a difficult time deciding which to wear on Easter this year.  All you saints out there rest assured  that I will be seated in the back so as not to block your view.  Maybe some of you can suggest which hat would work best. 

This white hat is simple.  I have a bucket head so all my hats tend to have a wide brim.  I have a simple shift with blue and green print that this would be perfect with.  I have never owned a white hat so I feel quite brave about this one.

This Italian natural straw hat has a very dramatic brim.  I see this with a simple linen ensemble.  I fear the brim would interfere with communion so I will possibly save this one for a hot summer day when I am too lazy  to spend 45 minutes with the blow dryer.  Linen slacks and a loose tunic would work just fine on a hot summer day .

This Italian straw is sophisticated, yet fun at the same time.  Simple black suit or sheath with black heels and pearls would complete the picture here.  The brim is not so intrusive as to cause an accident at the communion rail. 

I am so looking forward to the spring and summer hat season.  Easter seems to be the beginning of new life and a new season in many ways. If we are lucky, Easter day will be sunny and warm.   I will be out and about wearing my hats all spring and summer.    Don't think I will wear the anklets as I don't think they will work with my pumps and pearls.

Sassy's Chicken Salad

Sassy was famous for her chicken salad.  Those who enjoyed it wanted to be on the list so they could receive a quart when she next cooked it up.  Her rule:  If you don't return my quart jar (glass), you are off the list.  Unfortunately, she did not leave a recipe.  If one asked her for the recipe she would give you a list of ingredients and then you were on your own.  Katy spent several days with Sassy watching her and she has the recipe down.  She,like mother, cannot tell you amounts, only the ingredients.

Today Lindsey and I tried to duplicate the recipe.  I was cooking for a friend who is off her feet for eight weeks.  The menu:  Homemade Pimento Cheese, Homemade Carrot Cake, and Sassy's Homemade Chicken Salad.  I was grating carrots at 7:00 am for the cake.  Thought it would be cute to use my six inch cake pans.  I have decided that few families can eat a regular size layer cake and besides the little cakes are just too cute.  I carefully prepared the pans, made the batter and placed them in the oven.  Quickly, I discovered I had neglected to add the four cups of carrots I had risen so early to grate.  I jerked the cakes out and added the carrots. I had to wash the cute pans, dry them and regrease and flour.   Whew!

 On to the homemade pimento cheese.  This recipe requires three kinds of cheese, so out with the food
processor.  At this time I put my chicken breasts on to cook.  I was so preoccupied with other prep that I somehow missed the smoke billowing from the oven. I had neglected to adjust  the recipe for those cute little pans and the batter overflow was burning on the oven elements.  I decided to let them cook unless I saw flames as I knew time would not allow me to bake another scratch cake.  Thankfully, the weather is temperate today so I opened the door to let in some fresh air so that  I could breathe.

All the while I am washing dishes as I go.  I just can't stand dirty things about me when I cook.  Pimento cheese is done. As both pimento cheese and chicken salad require hand mashing,  their is much hand washing going on in between.   I move on to draining and cooling the chicken.  At this point I think it safe to remove cakes to cool.  They look a little strange with the centers saggy and sad but I am thinking the homemade pineapple, cream cheese frosting will hide the damage.  Back to the chicken salad.  Chicken is cool so I set about to process it.  Ofcourse, the processor bowl had to be washed and dried from the pimento escapade.

Lindsey arrives to help and bring the celery that I forgot to pick up at the store.  Eggs are boiling.  We wash, clean and cut celery.  All the ingredients are to be processed separately or as Katy says one will end up with chicken salad pate'.  Lindsey and I are both nervous as we have never attempted Sassy's Chicken Salad.
We are at a critical point.  We have processed:  boiled eggs, chicken, pecans, celery.  I am afraid there are not enough eggs.  Lindsey says it looks fine to her.  We move on to the most critical point.  The additon of mayonaise and Durkees.  The amount of Durkees is critical and I am working on borrowed time as I have a 12:00 p.m. hair appointment.  I am certainly willing to spend a morning cooking for a friend but not at the expense of a missed hair appointment.  We add amounts, taste test and add more or not.  As I have a cold, I must depend on Lindsey to give the final decision.  She concludes it is a success and I am on my way to clean up the kitchen and make that hair appointment.

The cute little cakes were saved by the frosting.  Lindsey said frosting was yummy as she was licking the bowl, so I pray my disaster goes unnoticed.

Needless to say I was completely exhausted when I arrived at the hairdresser's salon.

Sassy's Chicken Salad

Chicken Breasts:  cooked and shredded
Boiled eggs
Celery:  Not too much
Sweet Relish:  just a plop
Pecans:  Whatever you have
Mayonaise:  A glug, glug
Durkees:  A glug

Process each ingredient separately so you don't have chicken pate' in the end.  Mix ingredients and hope for the best.

This is as was told to me.  Good luck.

Paula, One Beautiful Smile

My sister, Paula, has a  birthday  March 1.  It is the most difficult birthday to remember because February is so short and it sneaks up on me. I am always ashamed that I can't remember until I look at a calendar and then it might be the 27th or so of February. I am  ashamed because  she has always had the most beautiful smile and the most unforgettable laugh and I should remember to thank her for sharing that especially on her birthday.  She is just a toddler in the first photo. We spent many happy days together growing up in a large and loud family.  I remember when she was about this age and we were playing outside (I am sure we were barefoot).  Somehow Paula met with a nest of hornets and they proceeded to give chase.  We chased Paula as the hornets chased her and screamed our lungs out for help.  By the time help arrived she had hornet stings on her head and hand.  What a sight that must have been and what pain she must have suffered.

You can see for yourself how beautiful she and her smile were.  This was taken before my wedding.  She and Lindsey served as bridesmaids on one of the hottest days in June.  The color yellow suited both she and Lindsey so well.In this next photo she is pictured at Lindsey's wedding.  She is so tiny and cute.  Once again she is wearing that incredible smile.

This is a photo of Paula, Mawmaw(our grandmother), Sally(our mother), and Sarah (her daughter).  Four generations of women.  Once again she is wearing that beautiful smile.All three girls are  pictured here with our mother and grandparents.  Must have been the 80's.  What dreadful clothes, shoulder pads and all.  Paula just radiates.  I am sure someone had said something funny.  Maybe Paula. 

Paula and I have not had the opportunity to live in the same community since 1972.  We keep up through visits and the phone and now the internet.  I miss having her beautiful smile and personality with me. 

I write this today as I am thinking about March 1.  I know she will be sharing that beautiful smile with someone.  I hope it will be me. 

Mother's Safe

Geneological research is time consuming and fascinating.  Writing pieces for this blog has encouraged me to attempt to write an oral history for G4 and  G5.  My cousin, Caroline, has labeled our family's  generations so conversations will be easier and sorting photos much easier.  She is the brainy one of the group and has a creative mind as well.    G1:  My grandparents or relatives older, G2:  my parents, aunts, uncles,  cousins of theirs, G3:  me, my siblings and cousins  G4:  our children, cousins, etc  G5: our grandchildren, great nieces, etc.    So many stories are lost to me before I begin.  My search is not for facts, ages, or dates, but for the story of how the generations are connected.  Sometimes one must look at the facts, ages and dates to have a point of reference.  The search for a point of reference led me to my mother's safe.  I always knew mother had a safe but never asked to know what valuables were kept there.  Privacy in a large family is held in high regard.  As I never rummaged through my mother's purse or her drawers, I would never have dared to explore her safe.  I was aware that as arthiritis had begun to  ravage my mother's hands she had  stopped wearing her rings and put them in her safe.  Other than that I was unsure of the mysteries hidden in the safe.

The hunt for my parent's birth certificates, passports and social security cards sent Lindsey and I on the mission to find these items.  We first searched secretaries, secret drawers, and some very obvious hidy holes.  This part of the search produced multiple children's social security cards, immunization records, report cards, newspaper articles, various historic legal documents and a multitude of disjointed photographs.  We were also delighted to find a baggie full of handwritten recipes.  These were written on envelopes, receipts, and anything mother had available for jotting on. We have hidy holes yet to explore.   Our hunt led us to the safe.  We first were granted permission to explore the safe by my father.  We found the usual coins, silver certificates, deeds, titles, etc.  We found mother's birth certificate, passport and social security card.  Dad's were not in the safe and is a search we will continue.  The most interesting item we found in the safe was a copy of mother's permanent record.  We laughed as we looked at the record of her grades.  We realized this item was put in the safe to keep young and curious eyes from seeing.  My mother was a very capable and bright woman.  Her grades reflected that she sought  a very social experience throughout her academic career.    Most of mother's children were like her in that regard.  Lindsey and I have discussed the fact that we attended school mostly as a social activity.  We did what we had to in the academic realm, just enough to keep dad and mom happy or sometimes not so happy. Our main focus was our friends and groups of friends.  Maybe mother thought if we did not see the evidence of her school social life we would be more academic.  DNA often wins out over influence and certainly was the case here.  Once again we found ourselves in our mother.  The connection so strong.  Strong enough that the metal and locks could not have changed how our personalities developed and how we approached our formal education.

Many of us look back over our academic lives and have regrets.  I don't think mother really had regrets, she just wanted us to be more academically engaged.  Maybe she knew that the women of our generation would be called on to be more formally educated and to have a more active role in the working world.  She was from the generation where women were expected to  be mothers, nurses, or teachers.  Any academic acheivement past that was unusual and looked at as odd.  I took my secondary education much more seriously.  I was engaged in the process of learning and developing the skills necessary to work as a professional.  Even though I had advanced my education to the secondary and master's level,  I knew that Mother was much more intelligent than I.  I have found that the social connection gene she passed on to us has been much more valuable at times than my formal education. She was so wise and had the courage to tell the truth as she saw it, to anyone, regarding any situation.  That type of confidence can not be taught in an academic setting.  It is a confidence that comes from knowing what does and doesn't work and being observant enough to remember the difference in the two.

I haven't hidden my report cards in a safe.  I really don't know where they are.  I am eternally grateful that Mom put that record in her safe as it made us mindful once again of the good DNA passed on to us.

Note:  As spell check is unavailable at this time please forgive any errors that I did not catch on my own.  Spelling was never my forte and if I have to get out Webster's for every questionable word it would drive my academic or is it social soul crazy.

Antidote:  I get very upset and emotional when I make an error.  Richard has always reminded me that "it won't go on your permanent record".  Praise Be.