Easter Brunch

For the most part I use ground turkey in my recipes instead of ground beef.  I was pleased to find this Easter brunch recipe in, The Twelve Teas of Celebration, by Emilie Barnes.

Turkey Sausage

Mix together thoroughly with a fork:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon sage
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Shape into 12 small patties. Fry in ungreased skillet or bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes in shallow pan until done. Do not overcook or patties will become tough. Oven baking produces juicier patties and is easier when feeding a crowd. Makes 12 patties (serves 6).

Challenge to Create

“There needs to be a homemaker exercising some measure of skill, imagination, creativity, desire to fulfill needs and give pleasure to others in the family. How precious a thing is the human family. Is it not worth some sacrifice in time, energy, safety, discomfort, work? Does anything come forth without work?”

― Edith Schaeffer, What Is a Family?

Holidays of the Past

Wired to reminisce,

past Easter seasons are revisited in my thoughts

Grandmother Mollie’s treasured

scrapbook drew me to 1943

three of her sons

are serving overseas, defending

our nation

Mollie watches for mail everyday

she opens the envelope

anxiously looking for a sign of their

well-being

her heart is comforted by the love of her sons and

touching verse….. read over and

                                                              over again   

Easter Is in the Air

Christ arose!  What better excuse could there be to add ‘life’ to my home with colorful reminders of the celebration!  The beauty of flowering buds with their transforming petals as the colors shout out their own form of praise, is room-changing.  And I have a lot of fun with my wreath of eggs each year.  

My overflowing flower basket
 apron will come in handy
while cooking and serving 

A Few Twigs from My Family Tree



Quilt made by my mother-in-law, Marion, while she was very ill

My sister, Nancy, just gave me an updated copy of our family tree.  I can't imagine how many hours she has spent locating this information.  As I go through the document I am amazed at the pages and pages of names, dates and locations.  A family tree is filled with generations of precious lives.  I feel as if I'm a tiny little twig sprouting from one of the giant redwoods in Yosemite Park.  I don't take lightly the contributions and footprints that walked before me.  Thank you for all the labor over our tree, Nancy.  I know it was a labor of love.
I share with you a few photos of items that belonged to some of the dear women in my life.

My Mom's Candy Dish
Aunt Betty's Bird Decor

Maternal Grandmother's Tea Cups

Nancy and I Admire Our
Paternal Grandmother's Glass Easter Egg

Always Another Milestone

I just had a visit with some of my grandchildren who span the ages of two to seventeen.  So here we were, a group get-together of toddlers, teens, adults and senior adults.  One commonality linking all of us, each is living through some stage or rite of passage.  Whether it is diaper to potty chair, bicycle to automobile, young adulthood to mid-life season, or career to retirement, we are just like many other average families.  Very little remains the same at any given point in life.  Change comes whether we welcome it or not.  Some transitions are anticipated with joy.  At times un-invited circumstances jolt us to a standstill while we catch our breath.  An unexpected illness or disability sometimes forces our rite of passage into a detour.   

Amazingly though, our home and safe harbor can create an atmosphere that embraces the changes.  I think the key to this safety zone is remembering to live with an awareness of each family member’s signs of maturation or struggle.  Secondly, celebrating the milestones initiates excitement about the new aspect or role.  Finally, and most importantly, seeing that each person dealing with the transition, is treated with utmost dignity.   Awareness! Celebration! Dignity!

Our Homes Tell A Story

It is not really necessary to pen an autobiography in order to reveal our personal story.  When we enter another’s home we immediately see clues about the loves and passions of the homemaker’s heart.  I love visiting family, friends and acquaintances.  What a privilege it is to be included in their lives and welcomed into their homes!

I respect and enjoy the individual personalities reaching out to my senses through the photos and decor.  A bird or flower lover, fan of cats or dogs, antique collector, admirer of bold colors, what fun to discover and enjoy each woman’s efforts in building her nest. 

Even the color and style of our dinner plates reveals a little something about us.  Practical and budget driven choices or dishes that make a fashion statement, each pantry tells its own tale.  I find the process of making a house a ‘home’ interesting, fun and intriguing.  I wish you and I could visit each other today.  How I would enjoy relaxing, cup of tea in hand, in your special abode!

(The infant dress hanging on my hat rack is my baptismal dress, decades old…pictures of many family members…memories)