November My Thanksgivings

Thirty days in our month of thanks, one offer of thanks for each day

I am thankful for…

1.     my husband

2.    new beginnings each day

3.    shared recipes

4.    inspiring blogs

5.    voices of Grandchildren

6.    candlelight

7.    an afternoon viewing of “It’s A Wonderful Life”

8.    pumpkin bread

9.    a Mother who fully embraces life

10.   the stately walk of a sandhill crane

11.   good health

12.   the songs of Irving Berlin

13.   the warmth of my Mother-in-law’s handmade quilt

14.   long distance conversations

15.   freedom

16.   reacquainting with cousins

17.   crockpots on a busy day

18.   my last Thanksgiving spent with my Dad in 1989

19.   tea times leading to richer friendships

20.   loyal Aunts

21.   prayers of others

22.   old and new relationships

23.   smiles in spite of pain

24.   slow dancing

25.   autumn leaves

26.   fresh insight

27.   growing old together

28.   hope

29.   positive words

30.   tomorrow……  


Cornucopia:  David Gooding

Help For Home

Practical pointers have helped me to manage a more efficient home.   I purchased Making A Home by Better Homes and Gardens several years ago.  We accumulate know-how by trial and error over time but the aid of someone else’s information saves me time and energy. 

For instance this concisely written book offers me a quick guide to everything from cleaning routines to entertaining.  The Home Environment chapter includes tips on how to choose a house pet, pest control, and indoor air and water quality.  Nursery safety pointers include furniture and window treatment wisdom.

This kind of resource is always at my fingertips to scan while listening to relaxing music or sitting over a cup of tea at mid-morning break.  I don’t always like to research online because I can end up on rabbit trails, searching each specific point I run across.  And I think it is healthy to not always be clicking away at my laptop when family is home.  Sitting on my sofa with a book in the evening, with my husband in the same room says to him, “I enjoy spending time with you, Honey.”

Your Number One Treasure Is....

If you are like me you cherish your possessions that have been handed down from members of your family tree. To me each one is as special as the other.  One of the dearest treasures I enjoy is the war banner my father’s mother, Mollie, had displayed in her window when three of her sons were serving in the military during World War II.  My father, John, enlisted in 1940 and two uncles, Glenn and Bill enlisted in 1942.  When I look at this banner with its three stars carefully placed, I try to imagine the emotions my grandmother must have dealt with while waiting and praying for their safe return.  All three did return, each with his own private memories.

My tri-photo picture frame holds a picture of toddler Mollie, on the left, and she can be found in the picture on the far right with her mother, Rachel.  The photo in the center is my maternal grandmother, Bessie.

I made a shadow box with the banner, photos of each man in uniform, and a card that was sent by dad and his brothers from overseas.  They sometimes signed their cards, “The Three Musketeers”.  I couldn’t rank my family heirlooms in importance but I certainly value my grandmother’s effort to preserve this moment in history.  What is one of your top treasures from the past? 

My Favorite Tradition

Some time ago I began a tradition with my granddaughters, tea parties.  I have been hosting ladies tea times for years.  My mom, sisters and daughters were my first invited guests.  As I became more comfortable with my own style of tea times I expanded to include friends and acquaintances.

I always use tablecloths and cloth napkins even for my littlest granddaughters.  Usually I prepare two types of small sandwiches like chicken salad and egg salad with small tea cookies, grapes or strawberries, and nuts. At times I serve muffins, scones, and quick breads instead of tea sandwiches.  Lemon curd, apple butter, whipped butter, or a topping of your choice is perfect on the scones.

My Mother has been available to join the granddaughter’s annual tea for a few years now.  Undoubtedly having three generations together is a treasure to me.  One year we had a multi-lingual tea party when my sister-in-law born in the Philippines, my Russian born niece and her mom, joined my sisters, mom and I for a beautiful fall tea.

By far the most important thing to me about tea parties is conversation.  My number one purpose is ‘relationship’.  In my mind I have prepared conversation starters if the ladies are quiet.  As we reminisce childhood or special experiences we come to know each other better, often with a new insight into our friend’s life. 

Our Basics

We work hard at our home on atmosphere.  Atmosphere has a broad meaning.  I try as I manage my home to create an environment that is tidy (not immaculate), appealing to the eye and smells good.  But the aspect of atmosphere I’m speaking about today is an air of safety and respect.

Courtesy

Simply stated, we have learned to extend courtesy to all within our home.  Often folks are more polite in public than in their homes.  We work hard at extending polite verbal behavior.  Thank you is one of our well-used phrases.  Speaking with respect makes so much difference when it comes to ‘making a point’.  We try to be considerate concerning another’s level of stress, need for privacy or to vent about an issue.  Just a simple consideration of volume levels of music, computer and television makes good sense.

Dignity

Years of living in a home also produce an ongoing increase in recognizing the worth and dignity of all members.  Each person’s specific situation is important to that individual, so his or her feelings or sense of urgency are real.  For instance a child’s scraped knee hurts, so I offer a caring smile regardless of the size of that scrape. That child is valuable.  Another example, when someone tells a story of victory he deserves an affirming listener.

We intentionally try to value everyone who is in our home whether he/she resides here or is just visiting.  If guests are spending an evening in our home we want them to sense a freedom to express their beliefs.  We may not agree with their thinking, but they are entitled to voice their thoughts.

Timing

Timing is everything! Co-existing is challenging to say the least.  So when an issue needs to be discussed, take into account the mood and stress level of those with whom you will be talking or debating.  If your spouse has had a bad day, is rushed to meet a schedule, or mentally overloaded, it is not the right time!  And when that time comes, tone of voice is of paramount importance.  A non-condemning, calm and average volume level voice is the plus that can bring success to the outcome of the conversation.

Lemon Blueberry Bread

I serve this lemon blueberry bread often when entertaining ladies for tea or celebrating a mini-family reunion.  This is my favorite.  I really enjoy pumpkin and zucchini carrot, too.  But this lemon blueberry has such a lovely presentation.  The lemon/sugar glaze adds an inviting shine.  I use a fresh lemon for the peel, not the jarred dried lemon peel sold on the spice shelves.

·         1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

·         1 cup sugar

·         3  tablespoons lemon juice

·         2  eggs

·         1½  cups all-purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon baking powder

·         ½ teaspoon salt

·         ½ cup milk

·         2 tablespoons grated lemon peel

·         ½ cup chopped nuts

·         1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

·        

·         Glaze:

·         2 tablespoons lemon juice

·         ¼ cup sugar

In a mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, juice and eggs. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; stir into egg mixture alternately with milk. Fold in peel, nuts and blueberries. Pour into a greased 8 in. x 4 in. x 2 in. loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 – 70 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Meanwhile combine glaze ingredients. Remove bread from pan and drizzle with glaze. Cool on a wire rack.  Yield: 1 loaf

Recipe by Julianne Johnson of Grove City, Minnesota

Making Memories

How many demands have been placed on your life for today?  Don’t forget about the unexpected ‘urgent’ requests that might pop up.  Are you wondering if you will get into bed at a reasonable time?  We all are more than a tad too busy.  What a shame!  Our lives can become so overloaded that we don’t have time for the really important matters.

The older I grow the more I see the value of making memories.  When my children were still at home we made plenty of memories.  But if I could do it all over again, I would concentrate on building so many more.  Life is absolutely too quick.  Time with family and friends seems brief.  So I spend a lot of energy trying to make long-lasting memories.  From traveling and phoning if at all possible visiting dear ones to baking and entertaining while enjoying the conversations, the extra work and preparation are worth it. 

The wonderful photo of all the little ladies in hats is from a tea party I had with my granddaughters.  Two of the photos are of me and my sisters, often when we get together we recreate the “Sisters” number performed in Irving Berlin's "White Christmas."  Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen we are not, but we sure do have fun.  My husband and brother-in- law share a special visit in the other picture.  All, good memories that will live on!

Place Mat Magic

I’m amazed at what difference place mats can make on my day.  The various colors, patterns and seasonal mats change the mood of the whole room.  If I don’t have time to do anything else, just changing the place mat scheme brightens the atmosphere.  And, lifts me up, too! Then the revitalized tabletop invites me to think about an appropriate centerpiece. Fun!

Over the years I have shopped the sale shelves at the better stores like Dillards, Belk and Pottery Barn.  I rarely buy any at full price. Most can be washed and maintained easily.  Some of the special winter or Christmas ones I am more careful with. The red yarn-loom mats were made by my Mom.  I use them at Christmas and Valentine’s Day, or anytime I’m in the mood for red. The patchwork table mats were made by my Mother-in-law, Marion.  These two sets hold a special place in my heart.