Gifts of my son to me and Potato Soup

This story is dedicated to the soldiers who have fought for centuries for what is right but especially for those who took up the sword for our country. Today is Memorial Day. I pray we never forget why it is set aside as a holiday and who made it possible.







Potato Soup

Stock:
Place chicken skin and fat in about a quart of water. While the water is coming to a boil, cut up a whole onion, several stalks of celery and two carrots. Boil until the onion is clear. Pour the stock through a colander and toss the chicken skin and vegetables. Stock can be stored in the refrigerator, frozen or used immediately.

One quart chicken stock
4 cups of quartered potatoes (more or less... I never have measured it)
1/2 stick or a good size spoonful of butter/margarine
salt
pepper
more water
instant potatoes if you want the soup thick

Place the stock in a large pot bring to a boil and add the potatoes. Add water to the stock to cover the potatoes and have a good broth. Bring to a boil then turn down to medium high or place in a crock pot. Cook until potatoes are tender. You can finish it now or if you put it in a crock pot it will stay warm for several hours. You can serve it just as it is with a clear broth or add instant potatoes slowly.. a tablespoonful at a time until it is the thickness you like.

** Some people use flour to thicken their soups. I like to use instant potatoes instead of flour because it does not change the taste or become lumpy.

I remember the slow dance of mom and son at his wedding and I tried so hard not to cry but Scott put my head on his shoulder and brushed my hair. It was a beautiful day, his bride was amazing and I did not want to spoil it. As we heard the words to the song You Lift Me Up, he reminded me that his new bride would take care of him but she did not know how to make the soup he always wanted when he was sick; my homemade potato soup. I would always be welcome in his life.

A few months later I got a call from Abigail. Scott was not feeling well... could I share with her my recipe for this soup and I remembered his words. I am thankful for such a loving daughter-in-law and to know that God's plan for me is so much more. While I gave him life, my son and his wife gave me something that is so valuable to me... acceptance. I don't fully know His plan for me but I am taking steps to go forward as He leads me. Sometimes the only thing I can do is make soup. Some days that may be enough.

Isaiah 58:8 Your light will break out like the dawn.

Love,
Nana

Why Grandmas are Grandmas and Mommies are Mommies and Strawberry Shortcake

This blog is dedicated to Abigail who is glowing as her tummy grows and her heart expands beyond anything she thought possible. She is a mommy in waiting.















Strawberry Shortcake

Fresh Strawberries
Store bought glaze
Pound cake

Cut up the strawberries, mix with glaze and serve over generous slices of pound cake. Sometimes life should be simple.


There is a story of a woman who had a baby at 60. It was considered a miracle and her friends came to visit her. She served them tea and generous portions of strawberry shortcake. They sat with her and she began to talk to them about what was new them until somebody finally asked her "where is the baby". She sat quietly for a moment then said "I am waiting for him to cry so I remember where I put him".

Our life is about stages and we don't always understand them a we go through them. It's not just about children but other things in our lives like pets. Little dogs belong with young girls who also have boundless energy. Fat cats belong with older women and grandmas. In between we can have a variety of pets; I have no pets yet both fat cats and a little dog follow me around. That might not always be the greatest for them. This morning I fed the cats but I forgot to feed dog. I started to feed him. On the way to garage to get his food, I put the bowl on the washer but then I did something else. I knew I was forgetting something when I walked into the laundry room so I came back. I tried to remember and in the meantime, I put in a load of laundry. For the life of me I could not remember what I forgot do so I did something else. That little dog was under my feet everywhere I went! I stopped for lunch. There he was under my feet again! Before I put him outside so he would not annoy me, I decided to look to see if he ate... I looked all over the kitchen and patio but I couldn't find his bowl. Finally, I spotted it in laundry room. The washer was filled with the laundry that I almost started earlier. I started the washer now 5 hours later from when I put the laundry in. I feed the dog for real now and when my tummy growled I remembered my own lunch on the table.

That's why I think grandmas are not supposed to be mommies. Grandmas and nanas have a special role to play with new babies. We smile and enjoy being part of the process. Today I learned I am too old for the little dog that follows me around, too young for a fat cat that we associate with grandmas and retirement...perhaps I need a fish.

Genesis 1:1 "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth". He knew what he was doing then and His timeline is perfect for us now.

Love,
Nana

Mom's Day and Sun Tea

I chose this menu from a pharmacy in the '50s and 60's because it has a special memory to many people. Buntings had the best hot dogs in the world and loosing the pharmacy has left many of us missing a time of simpler things. This blog is dedicated to Roberta, Penny, and the many others who can remember what it was like to walk down our main street and feel like you were at the best place on earth. Special thanks to Penny for finding the words of the original poem that set our mothers schedules... and the revisions that all of us can apply to our lives today. Mom... this is for you. Thank you for teaching me to take life a day at a time and giving me the tools to be organized which I need to use today.

Sun Tea... according to Henry and in memory of him

Choose a glass or plastic gallon jug with a lid. Clear is the best. Fill close to the top, add 10-12 tea bags. Place in a sunny area until done. Add your favorite sweetener and lemon if desired. If you are in most places, you can have tea for dinner. Here in the desert... tea is ready before the ice cubes freeze.

Monday: Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my
selfishness and vanity, so I may
serve you with perfect humility
through the week ahead.

Tuesday – Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out
all the wrinkles of prejudice.
I have collected through the years
so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday – Mending Day
God, help me mend my ways
so I will not set a bad
example for others.

Thursday – Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust
out all the many faults I
have been hiding in the
secret corners of my heart.

Friday – Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop
wisely so I may purchase eternal
happiness for myself and all
others in need of love.

Saturday – Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a
big kettle of brotherly love and
serve it with clean, sweet bread of
human kindness.

Sunday – the Lord’s Day
O God, I have prepared my house
for you. Please come into my heart
as my honored guest so I may spend
the day and the rest of my life
in your presence.

Times change... one thing I avoid is ironing and shopping is no longer reserved for Friday which was the traditional payday then. We don't do things in order then wonder why we get nothing done... we say we have "no time" for things we should and could do. I can do better than I do. We all can. It just takes more organization and having your priories spelled out. Take time for the little things and the big things will not seem quite so burdensome. Our time is now... it was chosen and ordained by God for His purposes. Don't miss a moment of it in worry or regret. Tell the ones you love that you do and resolve the pain in your heart between yourself and your loved one and yourself and God. Today is Thursday... guess I better get to cleaning.

Psalms 139:16 All the days for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Love,
Nana