Candy Bouquets

It's wedding season and I'm having a blast. The last two months have been busy preparing for the wedding of the oldest daughter in a family of nine children. This family takes care of my parents on a daily basis. Catering the reception is the least I can do in return. But mostly it's because I love to plan parties!
Budgetary constraints force me to be creative in my decorations. I'll share more after the wedding. My grandchild who must have something diary-free on the dessert buffet inspired this one. Buckets of candy!

A bag of suckers, a pail for the dollar bin at Target and floral
 foam from your craft store is all you need.

Trim foam to fit snuggly in the top of the bucket.

 Make sure the foam is snug enough that it rests at the top of the bucket.Looks like a green snowcone!

Insert first sucker in the center of foam and begin encircling
it with the next row. This could also be done with flowers.

 It was so much fun I made six of them. I didn't get a picture of the last one I did. All the suckers were butterflies! In retrospect I could have put bits of tulle on picks where filler was needed, but time was a constraint as well.

I plan to use the buckets again for a granddaughter's birthday party! How about using school colors for a graduation party or red, white and blue for 4th of July? The possibilities are endless....

My Mother-The Proverbs 31 Woman

Mom occasionally rode her mule Bandit to town and did
her banking in the drive-through. She stopped the practice
because the bank didn't appreciate the deposit left by the mule.
(Photo by Naylor Made Photography)

I knocked four kinds of poop off my boots and directed my Toyota Hybrid back to Dallas. A visit with mother leaves me in awe.She is the most amazing woman I know--the living, breathing picture of the woman described in Proverbs 31.*

Newlyweds

The eldest of four daughters born during the Great Depression to a West Texas cotton farmer, she was driving a Model-A pickup truck by the age of seven. By 12 she was not only driving a tractor in the fields, she cooked meals for the family, and took care of her younger sisters.Her parents sacrificed to send her to college where she met my father during her freshman year. Their love story had an auspicious beginning with her beaning him with a snowball from her dormitory window. He admired her spunk and strong arm. Almost 62 years later, she still knows how to get his attention. Generally, it's with a hot plate of food served on a tray in front of the television. However, Mom says there is no reason why a woman can't get anything she wants when she owns a 100% of the thing her husband wants the most.(A little naive, perhaps. I've known spouses to look for it other places, but not my dad.) 

The trailer had no indoor plumbing or refrigerator.

After a six-month courtship Mom and Dad married in July of 1951. When Dad graduated from college  they drove to California towing their home. Dad attended Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco while building several small churches. To support his burgeoning family he worked as a carpenter, in a saw-mill, and for Union Oil. He wasn't home much, but he said every time he threw his pants on the end of the bed Mom got pregnant. Their first child, Randa, was born in 1952. Three more children followed in quick succession.

From left to right, Randa, age 6, Tim, age 2 1/2, Lacene, age 4 1/2. In front, Ranell, 2 months.

Mom is a great cook. Every hearty meal was homemade including the bread. It wasn't complete without our choice of homemade pie or cake for dessert. If we "only" had cookies it was served with ice cream. This explains much about my sugar addiction.
She made all our clothes and her's too. Very often our dresses and Tim's shirt came from the same bolt of fabric, a practice we resisted as we grew older. My love of fashion comes from my mother. She taught me to design my own clothes and choose the appropriate fabric. She also taught me to feel the fabric to judge its quality and squash it in your hand to see how it holds up with wear. She taught me to make the most of my figure. "An A-line skirt suits you best! A pencil skirt makes your behind look like two pigs wrestling to get out of a burlap sack." She was right. (Curvy girls take note!) She would piece together several different patterns and create my vision.
Her years as a missionary took her from the cotton fields of Texas to the tropical Philippines. She adapted to a new culture and learned a new language. She went from being a field hand to managing household help which included a cook, a laundress, and a gardener. She home-schooled all four of  us until we went to boarding school at age 14. Learning to let go may have been her hardest task.
Now 81-years old, Mom can still work circles around me. She and Dad live in an "assisted" living facility--Dad assists Mom and Mom assists Dad!--on seven acres in Whitesboro, Texas.
Mom rests in her recliner while watching the Mavericks and the Rangers play, but her hands are rarely still. She uses this quiet time to crochet. Every child, grandchild and great-grandchild in our family has one of her afghans. She's created and given away hundreds of crocheted stocking caps to friends, neighbors, store clerks, and waitresses.She's filled mission boxes going to Mexico with the same.

When she isn't crocheting, she shells beans, cracks pecans, and any other chore she can do while sitting still.

Stop by their home on Bones Chapel Road and you will be treated
 to a tour of the garden. I guarantee you won't leave empty-handed.

In spite of Mom's protests, Dad planted 1,100 onion plants.
Because everyone needs 1,100 onion plants.

They set out 85 tomato plants. This summer Mom will can tomatoes and tomato sauce
Part of the onions and tomatoes will go into picante sauce, The rest they will give away.
They will not go hungry next winter, nor will anyone they know.
 (The rusty buckets protect the plants from late spring freezes.)

A couple of rows of Dad's favorite flower, gladiolas, will brighten up the garden.

Tip for the organic gardener: Plant radishes within your row of
crookneck squash. It will keep the bugs at bay. 

Mom found a tiny mewling Coppertop tossed out on
the road in front of their house.

Rescued and loved, he never goes hungry either.

Fresh eggs are always available. The hens lay about 50 a day.
If you want rich yellow yolks try the duck eggs. She's got those too.
Mom supplements their income with what she can sell.

These ducklings were incubated and hatched in the laundry room.
Mom loves to nurture all living things. A telephone lineman stopped by
once with a tiny squirrel which had fallen out of a tree.
 Mom nursed it to health with a bottle.

I couldn't get a good picture of this hyper little pup, but she is
Mom's five-month old German Shepherd. Dad decided she needed
something to train besides him.

You can't talk about animals without including her horse. Mom is showing off a little bit,
but that's part of her too. She still rides, although it makes me a nervous wreck to watch her.
The bandage on her arm is where a chicken attacked her. He only did it once. We had him for lunch.
 You don't want to cross her.

My dad says, "The best thing I ever did as a father was pick you a great
 mother!" I quietly agree, but he also made her fee protected and loved her
 unconditionally. It gave her the freedom to be the best woman she could be.

I'll never be the woman my mother is but I keep trying. It just won't be on the farm.
Happy Mother's Day! So glad you are my mother!I

Proverbs 31:10-31 A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!

If you get up to Whitesboro, it's about an hour north of Dallas, between Sherman and Gainesville on Texas Highway 82. You can spend a lovely afternoon browsing the shops on Main Street.

Shop at Lovejoy's On Main for a unique gift. Rita will fix you a sandwich in the tearoom or
have one of Hank's creations at the soda fountain.

If you are interested in gently used Antiques Cook's Main Street Mercantile is calling your name.
I found a white glass pitcher and lace tablecloth for a wedding reception at very reasonable prices.
 The company and conversation were priceless. Tell them Lace said to stop by!
You can find them at !www.facebook.com/CooksMainStreetMercantile‎

Mom and I enjoyed a yummy old-fashioned burger and fries at the The Finish Line Diner across the street. We couldn't help but gawk at the gentleman in the next booth. Served the largest hotdog I've ever seen, topped with chili, cheese and onion rings, he was forced to use a fork and knife to get it to his mouth.

Ode' to A Cookie or First Quarter Update!

Milk and cookies! Not just for breakfast anymore!

The first quarter of 2013 is over so I thought it would be a good time to check the progress of my New Year’s Resolution—to control what goes in and what comes out of my mouth.

Mmmm, well, I weigh 2 pounds less than I did January 1^st. So if my goal was to lose weight, I made some pitiful improvement. If it was to eat healthier, I’ve made some headway.

I love sugar and it loves me. (I know that because it has taken up residence in my thighs.) I love sugar combined in any way imaginable with eggs, fat and flour. 

Not to brag, but I’m a pretty dang good baker. Whether it’s bread, cakes, pies, or cookies, I don’t think I have ever had a flop, but my specialty is cookies. 

I can’t tell you what my favorite cookie is because I never met a homemade cookie I didn’t like. They are a practical food which needs no table, plate, fork or napkin. They can be eaten with one hand leaving the other hand free to hold a beverage, accomplish a task, or grab the next cookie. They can be eaten in the kitchen, in the bedroom, in the car, or if necessary, in the closet. (I no longer eat in the closet—that was my first marriage).  

They can be eaten any time of day or substituted for a meal. For breakfast I love a dense oatmeal cookie full of fruit and nuts. That’s healthy right…fruit, dairy and whole grain? Oh, and a big crunchy peanut butter cookie can be a source of protein for lunch. It’s also a decadent desert with Nutella spread between two cookies. A spicy cinnamon Snickerdoodle or Gingersnap is perfect with a cup of hot tea. I would be remiss if I left out the beloved chocolate chip cookie. Individually or baked in a pizza pan they can be the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy. I invented an oatmeal toffee cookie chockfull of coconut which my husband adores. (If you need a good cookie recipe, just leave me a message).

The only way for me to stay out of the cookies is not to have them in the house. I’m weak. I’ve tried baking and giving them away, but I still need to test at least one when it comes out of the oven. Not one from each batch of dough, one from each cookie sheet.The best way for me to avoid that particular temptation is not to bake. However, I love to bake and I love the adulation I get from others when I do.

I’ve volunteered to do the baking for a “desserts only” wedding reception. The first week of baking I went hog-wild eating all the cupcakes and cookies I wanted. Nothing else, just cupcakes and cookies. Four pounds attached themselves to my frame like lint on a sock. Easy to put on--hard to take off.

The alarms went off when I stepped on the scale. I stepped off resolved to fulfill my commitment to bake, but not to carry anything extra to the wedding except desserts. I slowed down long enough to read a book on the effects of sugar and high-glycemic foods on the metabolism. Armed with information and determination, I also asked for spiritual help to break my sugar addiction and drop a few pound. 

I found this very practical scripture:

Proverbs 27: 7 says, “When you’ve stuffed yourself, you refuse dessert; when you’re starved, you could eat a horse.” How true! I have little self-control when I’m hungry. Now I protect myself by eating a well-balanced meal before I start baking. I also drink plenty of water and chew a piece of gum.

Over the years I’ve also learned:

• You don’t need will-power. You need DON’T- Power. Don’t buy it, don’t bake it, and don’t put it in your mouth. Walk away. Just say “No!”
•  It doesn’t matter what you DON’T put in your mouth, only what you DO eat. I found myself eating my reward because I had been so disciplined during the day. Sabotage at its finest. Yeah, just a little crazy.
• It’s not fair that my husband can consume almost twice as many calories as I can. He can sneeze and lose weight. No, it’s not fair, but my being angry does not change a thing. My body processes calories the same way whether I’m angry or not.
• I have a slower metabolism than many people. I once went to a weight-loss doctor who measured my metabolism while I was lying in a little box. The nurse kept thumping the box because she thought it wasn’t working properly. Nope, it worked just fine. My metabolism was so low it didn’t register. So I will always have to watch my weight. Being angry doesn’t change that either.
• I work out four to five times a week for an hour. I need to do more, but it isn’t worth it to me yet. Instead I try to incorporate more activity into my daily routine; parking at the back of the parking lot; using the stairs; walking the dog, etc.

Let me leave you with this comforting verse from 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; He’ll always be there to help you come through it.” 

Next week--how I'm doing on what comes out of my mouth. 

Random Acts of Kindness

The only way to beat evil is with love. In light of the horror of the Boston Marathon finish line, I challenge you add light to this dark world by sowing seeds of love. You might know it as performing a random act of kindness.

One of my favorite things to do is to pay for the food of the car behind me when I'm in a drive-through. I've gotten so excited about it, I have driven off without my food. I always return an item to the shelf or give it to a staff member to return  if I change my mind about a purchase. I always return my shopping cart and sometimes stray carts as well.

When I'm shopping I put clothing which has fallen on the floor back on the hangers. No one knows, but I get a rush knowing I made some clerk's day a little easier. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Peter said: "I make the Master proud of me by being a good citizen. I respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, I might cure the ignorance of the fools who think I'm a danger to society. I exercise my freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. I treat everyone I meet with dignity. I love my spiritual family, revere God, and respect the government. 1 Peter 2:13-17 (The Message)

Leave me a message here or on Facebook and let me know if you found a way to be randomly kind. I promise it will bring you joy.

Here are some other suggestions which I found at www.daretobeanangel.com:

	Compliment a stranger sincerely
	Write a thank you note to someone
	Look for something around you that can be fixed up, picked up, or attended ie, put shopping carts up, pick up some trash laying around, pick up something that has fallen over
	Give a lottery ticket to a stranger
	Send handmade cards or a letter to someone you care for
	Write a note to management or someone themself who has treated you nice while doing their job (waiter, clerk, sales person...ect)
	when you go somewhere to get or do something, ask someone around you if you can pick up, drop off or do something for them while you do
	Cut coupons out and leave them at the grocer register for others
	Cut an article out of the newspaper that would interest a friend and mail it to them.
	Leave have a nice day stickers at a front desk
	Put together a writing kit with stationery, envelopes and stamps, pen and give to hospital/nursing home
	Put a comment on someone's webpage that you really like...... let them know you enjoy it
	Send a card to someone in the military overseas
	Start a conversation up with a co-worker that you don't know
	Leave something cheery or nice for all your co-workers (in spring bag of seeds, fun post its, fun office supplies
	Put change in a row of vending machines
	Visit a nursing home. Spend time visiting with someone who doesn't get visitors
	Put something you no longer need on Craig's list free spot for your area
	Leave something for someone at an area where it most might be used, (lighter near smoking area, book in reading area, umbrella near door on rainy day)
	Leave a book you have already finished somewhere for someone else to read.
	Drop off a toy or game at a hospital
	Drop off a toy or game at a homeless shelter.
	At post office leave some extra stamps at the stamp machine.
	Send a picture you have taken which includes a friend and send it to them with a note remembering when it was taken
	Buy a phone card and give to a homeless shelter for them to give to someone.
	Open the phone book, pick a name, and send them something (movie tickets, thank you card, you are appreciated card, book, etc.) anonymously.
	Take flowers to a hospital ward and give them to someone who hasn't had any visitors.
	Take some cake, chocolates, flowers etc. to the neighbors, or a senior citizen nearby
	Send someone a small gift anonymously
	Make a cd of your favorite songs and give to a friend
	Donate one hour of your time if you offer a service for a living, or one product, or one seminar, or one class, or just one of whatever it is that you do as a gift to someone else.
	Invite someone who is alone over for dinner.
	Share a comic strip or something funny with someone else.
	Leave a chocolate for a co-worker.
	write a note, send a e-greeting "just to say hello" to someone who might need a pick me up
	Visit hospitals with smiles, treats and friendly conversation for patients.
	Send a thank you to the employees at a hospital, or anywhere else that a cheerful thank might add a smile
	Put a quarter in a parking meter that has expired
	Write a thank-you note to a person from your past who has made a difference in your life.
	Drop off a plant, flowers or apple pie at a public service orginization or your neighbors house.
	Send someone an animated greeting card on the internet.
	Write a note to the boss of someone who has helped you, praising the employee.
	Drop off teddy bear to police department to give to traumitized children
	Drop a few coins in an area where children play, where they can easily find them.
	Copy a favorite recipie and give it to someone
	Buy a copy of your favorite book and donate it to your local library or hospital
	Write letters of appreciation to groups who are helping the community, the environment, etc.
	Send a card to a friend or relative you haven't seen for some time. Include a photo of yourself and/or your family.
	Make a point of introducing yourself to someone you see all of the time but never say hello to.
	Send an anonymous scratch card, lottery or theatre ticket to someone you know - or a gift voucher, a funny card, a chocolate bar, or whatever you feel they would enjoy
	If you know someone who is having a hard time financially, pop a $5, $10 or $20 note in an envelope, disguise your writing or type the envelope, and post it to them.
	Offer to baby sit
	Donate clothes to goodwill
	Put change in a charity change bottle
	Bring cookies or some snack to work for office
	Drop off cookies at a random establishment
	Tape some change to a payphone with a card saying it is for whoever needs it
	Write anonymous, loving post-its for strangers to find.