Memorable Afternoon

My oldest granddaughter spent the afternoon with me this week. There are so many aspects of a visit with Sydney that are sweet and inspiring; it’s hard to list them. She has a beautiful heart. Her personality reveals loyalty to family and friends. Yes, she teaches me.

She exhibits a pure respect for older generations. Just sitting with her opens up my heart, and I feel I can connect with her on any topic. On this visit I shared some photos, charts and audio recordings about my maternal family tree. I tried to glean historical living conditions from the information I’ve gathered. Looking at photos of great-great-great- grandparents who bore eleven children, only to lose five in death, brings a sad reality to their life story. Simultaneously, we revere our family chains of the past.

Sydney’s Great-great Aunt Betty recently provided us with an audio account of the crowded housing conditions during the depression. Since Syd’s great-great grandfather was laid off from his job and lost the family car, he was forced to move his wife and children into the home of his in-laws. Aunt Betty recalls ‘not even knowing they were poor or in need.’ Obviously her outlook at the time was due to wise parenting. Her memory recollects calm living conditions with cooperative adults setting the tone.

Sydney and I prepared a delicious ham and white bean soup for dinner. The dinner rolls were a complete different story. I don’t know what I did wrong. I think I added too much flour, and the wheat/white flour portions were probably wrong. Oh well – next time, maybe.

I’m hoping my granddaughter enjoyed the day as much as I did. Windows into the past offer a wealth of insight. But for me, undoubtedly, the most special aspect of my afternoon was just ‘being with Sydney.’ 

Delicious-Looking Salmon

 

Whether our meal is a quick last minute version or a full meal that took hours to prepare, I arrange the items on my husband’s plate. I want his dinner to look appetizing. It just takes an extra second to imagine how the colors or size of portion will appear. I think years of my culinary habits have rubbed off on my man. He always adds ketchup and Tabasco sauce to his salmon patties. With a huge smile, I had to snap a photo of his handiwork during dinner recently. I must say, “I rather admire his culinary art work.”

 

An Irish Mix

A little bit of that green Irish blood flows on my side of the family tree. My husband’s side flows very green. So I couldn’t resist trying Irish Soda Bread for the first time. Recipes abound online. The one I used called for two tablespoons of dried oats or seeds, such as sesame, poppy or pumpkin. I used dry roasted pepitas.

Buttermilk in the recipe added nice moistness to the baked mixture of wheat and white flour. Warm out of the oven, I enjoyed the taste and texture to complete the pot roast I served for dinner.

Actually I think the part of baking and preparation I enjoyed the most was the journey I took in my mind to Ireland. From there my imagination traveled aboard ship to the new land being settled by others from Ireland, Germany, England and various European countries.

Interestingly, centuries ago both my husband’s and my ancestors settled in the same region in Pennsylvania. The melting pot in that part of the country flows with Irish, Polish, German, Hungarian and English blood, just to name a few.  My heart was warmed as I hearkened back with curiosity. Not knowing many details about their personalities, I’ll reminisce with appreciation the Irish bloodline of six generations ago, who were born in Ireland and are part of the lineage of my fourteen grandchildren.   

Irish Soda Bread

Catching Up

Catching up with friends is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. I’ve been thinking lately about the value of time. I agree with the philosophy that we need a healthy balance of activity, productivity and relaxation. For example, being well-rounded in what we read results in a more informed family member, friend or team player in the workplace.

Sadly, sometimes I neglect simply enjoying friends by letting daily responsibilities and busyness gobble up my energy and schedule. This week I welcomed very special friends for an afternoon of tea. How I enjoyed our time talking, laughing and of course eating. So if I measured the weight of time spent with my sincere and kind friends, the scale would be filled with words like: wise, sensible, and judicious. Now that is a fine investment in healthy balance. Our calendars are already marked for a June afternoon to meet again. I am anticipating their companionship. Hummmm, I wonder what goodies we’ll eat!  

 

Not Being Organized = $$$

Money – Money – Money, why do I continue to spend over my budget! I finally took the time to straighten up the shelves that hold my paper and storage products. To my surprise I found turkey-baking bags and storage bags that I didn’t even know were there. I had spent money on these products, spending budget funds that were not in my purchase plan.

On to the next cupboard, it is time for an inventory! Oh no, I forgot I had those beans, why did I buy the cans of pinto beans last week. Shame on me!

Now I see that extra flour. I didn’t need flour after all.

 

Fortunately I didn’t buy an unneeded expensive spice. My alphabetized shelves are very visible. Oh well, another lesson learned. Take the time to organize before my next shopping jaunt.

 

Love and Friendship Tea

With hushed voices and ladylike posture each of my granddaughters arrived for our tea party.  The ambiance created by the table set with china, napkins, frilly decorations and fancy goodies seems to illicit a modest, refined behavior.

My theme for the afternoon is the value of love and friendships. As we share about tea parties celebrated in books and movies, we also enjoy remembrances of our tea parties together over the years. The reminiscence by each granddaughter is precious.  I love the peek into each of their hearts.

Some share poems and recitations that are loved. One of my delightful granddaughters, Ashley, recited the Preamble to the Constitution.  And I must say this idealistic, patriotic Grandmother beamed from ear to ear.

Blessed to have my mother/Great-Grandma and one of my daughters, Dawn, contribute their thoughts to the conversation added to the success of our tea. Great-Grandma’s carefully decorated mini-cupcakes were the favorite treat of the day.  Our smallest little misses, Tessa and Janie, are still talking about how yummy they were.

The motivation for all of the tea times I’ve had with family and friends over the years is letting each attendee know that I care and cherish their friendship. What a treasure to share the afternoon with my mother, daughter and granddaughters! I hold dear every opportunity I have to talk and laugh with each one.  The charm of their unique personalities spawns contentment in this Grandma’s heart.   

 

Great Grandma

Thank You Anne!

Many Years Ago - My Husband's Grandparents Residence

“I went looking outside myself for my ideals.  I discovered it’s not what the world holds for you, it’s what you bring to it,” Anne of Green Gables in the Sequel self-assuredly proclaims to the young man who has loved her for years.   The novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery and later movies written and produced by Kevin Sullivan are filled with thought-provoking snippets. 

When I think about my desire to create my home into a pleasing and inviting harbor for my family and guests, I began to see my mission in a beautiful way.  Anne’s discovery of the value of offering ‘herself’ to the manner of living, can be applied to providing an amicable and comfortable mood in my home.  Instead of looking outside of my four walls for approval or comparison, my focus can be on accumulated knowledge, ideas and lessons learned.  What foods have been tasted and enjoyed?  Where do my guests feel the most comfortable – talking over world matters at the table, up close and personal?  Or would conversation flow more easily while nestling into the sofa and recliner?  Are there too many breakables within a toddler’s reach?

What topics would be insensitive to discuss?  Am I listening with my heart?  I am alert to clues that my guest is tiring?  Is my sincerity evident without being gushy?  What can I bring to the atmosphere of love and acceptance within our home?  O.K. Anne, you’ve got me thinking!               

It's Fun Being A Girl

Sydney, Timmie, Great Grandma, Zoe
Haley and Ashley
Our Tea Party about Seven Years Ago 

Each dress will be carefully chosen, every hair in place, smiles and giggles revealing feminine delight as my nine granddaughters and my mother join me for our traditional tea party.  Three generations sipping tea from delicate cups while nibbling on tasty sweets.

Over the years I’ve been so tickled to see the current smallest little lady in attendance placing the cloth napkin across her tiny lap.  It slips off a few times during our chatter.  But automatically one of our more mature young ladies, without a word, will retrieve the napkin and slip it right back on the appropriate lap.  It is a real joy to watch toddlers grow into young ladies as time passes.

Magically the atmosphere in the room emits sweetness and good manners.  Sometimes we sing.  We have composed a multi-verse song mentioning each of the girls by name.  One time we colored a “tea party memory” on construction paper.  This year we will be talking about tea parties that have taken place in Anne of Green Gables, Alice in Wonderland, Jane Austen’s Emma and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s The Long Winter.  Our youngest little ladies will be singing an all-time favorite, “I’m A Little Teapot”.

Time is precious.  I cherish the memories made at the tea parties with my Mother, Sydney, Zoe, Haley, Ashley, Timmie Faith, Macy, Megan, Tessa and Janie.  I can’t wait for our upcoming afternoon of femininity.  I’ll update you with photos in the days to come.


Megan at a 2012 Tea



Fresh 2013 Home Ideas?

Calendars, journals, online banking…all of my notes, checks and appointments require a second-thought.  Did I get the year correct?  Another change, yes, but it is also another opportunity.  A new, fresh season arrives.  I think about a new beginning.  What shall I read this year?  Something new on my dream list?

Well, what about my home!  This refuge of comfort and safety, so needed at the end of a long day, plays a huge part in our fresh chance to bless others.  Not to mention, it is so cozy and relaxing when the cold wind is blowing.  I think I’ll ponder a list of ‘resolutions’ for the new year in my home’s existence.

It is so much fun to find new ways to display our personalities through home décor.  I prefer to use the special items in my possession, rather than buying new pieces.  The well-used, sentimental books, photos and teapots tell stories as they rest on the dainty doilies and tablecloths.  If my teacups could talk they would reminisce about the wonderful women and young ladies who have chatted and cried while sharing about tender topics over steaming tea and muffins.

Let’s see…Grandma Churchman’s cups dress up the piano.  Grandpap Mann’s shoe last prompts my mind as it stands by the coffee server, “How did he repair the same pair of shoes over and over during the Depression?”  By far, though, the best memories this year will come as I listen to the hearts revealed by our guests as we share a cup of coffee or evening meal.