Dave and I met Amie in Provo for a follow-up appointment at the Theta Wellness Center. We went shopping and picked up some comfort items for Rachel. She is about to start her chemo treatments. We had a nice visit with her. She is a brave and courageous woman. I admire her strength and faith. She is positive and uplifting. Isn't it something to be so inspired by the person who is facing challenges of the unknown! She has a special spirit about her. I pray that she will be able to get through the treatments well enough to keep up the demands and activities of a young family. And what a blessing it is to have Jenny move back home! She truly is an earthly angel.
Dave and I always eat at Leslie's Family Tree Restaurant before leaving Santiquin. They make the biggest, most delicious scones ever! Slathering the honey butter on the hot scone makes for the best treat as it slides it way into all the crevices of the bumpy scone. Oh... so delicious! I can't even remember what we had for the main dish! But I do remember Dave lost his sunglasses somewhere in between Rachel's and the restaurant.
February 4 - Deer in Orchard... again!
This time Dave is chasing them out with the 4-wheeler.
February 7 - Watching the grandkids
I watched Audrey's kiddos this morning while she went to an appointment. Ben made some ridiculous moves with his yo yo... like walk the cat. James played with his roller car rack. Fun morning!
February 10 - Shaniel's Angelversary
We decided to have brunch at our house for Shaniel's 4th Angelversary. Ham, pancakes, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, orange juice, and chocolate chip cookies. Yum! Getting the family together on her death date distracts our minds from the tragedy of it. We wear purple. We paint our fingernails purple. We create memories of today while remembering the treasured memories of yesterday when our sweet daughter and sister was yet alive and with us.
February 14 - Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day was memorable this year. Not only did Dave get me some red roses... love, love, love! But he got me a card. No, he didn't buy me one. I bought him one. He took it, signed his name to it and gave it back to me with the roses. How clever! It made me laugh. Think we might have started a new tradition! There's no reason to go to the expense of buying two cards, don't you think?
My favorite Valentine picture is worth a thousand, and more, words!
There's an advantage to being the Relief Society Midweek Coordinator. Ideas for projects come about when thinking of things I can do for my family. This year I put together some jars for four of my youngest grandchildren that contained notes of why they make me smile. Simple and fun! And it was a big hit at Relief Society.
February 16 - Pruning the trees
It's never too early to start pruning trees. It's hard to believe the sun came out and melted all the snow. Raul has been in the orchard for several days pining away at the branches. I do enjoy him. He sings his heart out! Of course it's in Spanish, but I love it!
Audrey's family came up today and got in the big tub for a bubble bath. I remember my kiddos getting in my mother's big tub for bubble baths. The best thing ever for little munchkins.
February 22 - Flood
Seagulls take advantage of the wet fields across from Kelsey's house.
It looked as if there was a natural lake on the road to Kelsey's, in West Corrine. The water was so expansive across the fields that you could not see the end of it. Unbelievable!
February 23 - Snow
Another late winter snow storm came in last night.
February 24 - Eight more inches of snow
Winter's not over yet!
Orchestra Concert
I love going to Makaela's concerts. There's nothing better than listening to good music.
Prom
Makaela modeled her prom dress and red shoes for me today. Beautiful!
Riding bikes
Who says you can't go outdoors for a bike ride in winter! These kiddos had a blast stretching their legs and riding their bikes.
Skiff of Snow
As quick as the snow melts... another blast of winter appears.
Treasures and Memories
Chair Pad
Some things just hang around forever! And the memories that come with it finds a place in your heart to stay. The year 1975 seems so long ago, yet feels like yesterday. Greg bought me this beautiful rocker so I could rock my babies to sleep. I remember singing lots of lullaby's to them. Five babies later and that rocker more than served its purpose. I loved it! It came with a pad. I still have it. I have it sitting on a dining room chair and it still looks like new.
Steve's Farmers Book
I have always loved books and I have always loved buying books for my kids. When Steven was a toddler, I bought him a Farmer's Book. He loved to snap open and shut the book as I tried to turn and read the pages to him. That little book has become a favorite treasure. I have it sitting on a shelf in my office. One day I came in and noticed it was open. My heart started racing! It brought back memories of those years long ago. The grand kiddo's must have gotten it down to read. Some things, like this, are past treasures to be reminded of and treasures to be loved today.
Mom's Candy Dish
Mom's candy dish sits on my dining room table, just as it did on her's. As each holiday rolls around, you can be certain to find a treat in there. I love this connection to mom and the past. Oh... such lovely memories!
Frosted Flakes... Just like dad!
Occasionally, I would take a trip to Price to stay with mom and dad for a few days or a weekend at a time. There home was my sanctuary. As mom's health started to decline and she was not up to fixing meals in the evening, I would often times find dad the kitchen having a dish of Frosted Flakes. Funny... I do the same thing! I do like to add my blueberries.
Betty Crocker Recipe File Box and Chocolate Chip Cookies
One day I was craving chocolate chip cookies. The only one I knew that made a permanent place in our cookie jar was from a recipe I made for my young family years ago. I made them regularly and we loved them!
Enter in the mid 1970's.... The Betty Crocker Recipe Box was all the craze for homemakers across America. The first month the file box came with the recipe dividers. Then every month, thereafter, a new stack of recipe cards came and was added to the box. One of our favorite recipes was the chocolate chip cookie recipe that came from "Men's Favorites"!
My Betty Crocker Recipe Box has long been gone from many years of use and moves. But I kept many of the recipes that our family grew to love. The Chocolate Chip recipe being one of them. I was fortunate enough to get my mother's recipe box at the time of her passing, so now I have the entire collection again.
Eggs on toast and bottled peaches
Scrambled eggs on toast is pretty much a staple for me. I can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Add a bowl of bottled peaches and I have one of the best little meals I can think of. Mom did not like eggs, but in the last years of her life she was faithful in eating her eggs on toast for breakfast, just like this, to ensure that she got enough protein for the day. When I would visit her, I would be awakened in the morning with the smell of whole wheat toast cooking in the toaster. Another very pleasant memory!
And it does not surprise me one little bit that after her passing, and when I needing comfort... especially after Steve passed away, I would be awakened to the smell of toast cooking in the kitchen. To have my mother near during those dark and difficult days was truly a blessing and a comfort.
The days of Tang
Instead of orange juice, we drank Tang in the 70's. We drank it every morning with our breakfast.
Occasionally my mind will wander back to the days of my youth and one particular day I thought of drinking Tang. I hadn't thought of it for years and wondered if it was something you could buy today. The next time I went to the store I was pleasantly surprised that they still made it. I bought it and have since served it at breakfast and brunches. The kids love it! And, so do I!
1 comment:
Beautiful pictures! You have a very good eye for capturing a story.
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