Remembering Dublin

It is sad what the big guys of Dr Pepper have done to the small town of Dublin, Texas.  That's my only commentary.  Better words were written by my friend, Julie.  And the local news story explains the situation well.  Watch the video for the full effect.  So for now, I leave you with just one piece of how Dublin Dr Pepper has been a part of my life.

"Dublins" were special in Dad's family, thanks to his Papa, who loved them.  He would make the almost 2-hour drive just to get the special drinks.  I was introduced to Dublin when I joined the family.  Almost 14 years ago, my new husband & I toasted with Dublin Dr Peppers at our wedding reception.  (He's also a Dukes of Hazzard fan, as you can tell...)

Dublin Dr Pepper, you will be missed.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am so blessed that I get to be called Mom, Mama, Mommy, MomMom, Mother and Ma! I'm excited that next year there will be another one finding (his) voice in the noise. My heart goes out to those who have lost their little noise makers or were never able to have them in the first place.

I am so blessed that I had a wonderful Momma who was an amazing woman and a great example of all of the fruits of the Spirit that I'm now teaching to David: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I miss her very much on this first Mother's Day without her.

One Year Already

Tonight when I was awakened in the night by your cry, I did not roll over and groan. I did not think, "cry it out." Instead, I thought, "This is not going to last much longer." I was motivated to go to you.

I held you in my arms and rocked as you nursed back to sleep. You were totally relaxed. Totally trusting me. But no longer totally dependent on me.

You move around the house with ease, albeit on all fours. You joyfully follow your brother and sister and absolutely love it when they follow you. You light up with fascination when you realize that something happened because you pushed a button.

You love to be outside, to crawl through the grass, to watch the animals, to watch your family. You love the wind blowing in your face and hair. You love to eat scrambled eggs, pancakes, cereal, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, crackers, bread, puffs, yogurt, bananas, blueberries. You love to feed yourself. You love to eat the crumbs from under the kids' table... especially dessert crumbs! You have 4 teeth - two are center bottom, but the top two are off center.

You say Mama and Dada, Dadid, and just yesterday I realized something was trying to sound like Elizabeth. I wish I could remember what it was, but I'm sure I'll be hearing it again soon. You say byebye with an adorable little wave.

You crawl across me and anyone else on the floor like we're a speed bump that doesn't really slow you down. You are so comfortable in your home. You are happy. You are loved.

Saturday we will celebrate you with a birthday party. Next Wednesday you will be one year old. It was gone in the blink of an eye. The only regret I have for you is that you will not have the privilege of knowing first hand how much Grandma and Papa loved you.

I know the coming years will fly by. Who will you become? I can't wait to get to know you, to teach you, to love on you even more. You are more precious to me than you'll ever know. And no matter what happens, I hope you'll always remember our song:

Mama loves Rebekah, Mama loves Rebekah, Mama loves Rebekah, I love you!
I love you, girl! Love you, girl! I love you, girl! Love you, girl!
Mama loves Rebekah, Mama loves Rebekah, Mama loves Rebekah, I love you!

Tiny Talk Tuesday in Memory

I haven't felt much like blogging lately. But I'll do this one in memory of Grandma, my Momma, who passed away February 11, 2010. She loved to read Tiny Talk Tuesday.

Grandma & David, 2007

Uncle Jimmy came to visit Grandma last week. My kids had never met him, so I asked: So what did you think of Uncle Jimmy?
David: He had girl hair.
Elizabeth: Yeah, it was white!
Uncle Jimmy has gray/white hair in a long pony tail.

Aunt Sissy was making David & Elizabeth peanut butter sandwiches last night and asked: Do you want squares or triangles?
Elizabeth: Triangles!
David: I want it like a man! (a whole sandwich, not cut)

Grandma & Elizabeth, 2009

We've had to talk about the subject of death. When I explained heaven, David replied: Now there are two people in heaven - Great and Grandma.

Dad did an excellent job when he talked to David. One night at supper, David said: Grandma's soul is in heaven.

We love you Grandma and miss you greatly.

Grandma holding Baby Rebekah, 2009

...for my upbringing

I am thankful for

my upbringing.

I had a really good childhood and I am thankful to my parents for all the love and support they've given me over the years. They continue to give to this day and I am blessed. I am also thankful that I was raised on a farm and that I was raised in church. Thanks, Momma & Daddy, for my upbringing!



Photo stolen from my sister.

Birthday #3 for the Week & a Halloween Flashback

Today we celebrate my big sister's 43rd birthday! Also known around here as Aunt Sissy, that's her up there as what appears to be a black cat. It also appears that Uncle Bubba (left) must have just done something to scare me (middle). He looks guilty, doesn't he?

Thanks to Aunt Sissy, I enjoyed my 15 seconds of fame at the checkout at Jo-Ann's yesterday! I'm sure crafters around the world are in awe of Aunt Sissy as they read through Somerset's Holidays & Celebrations magazine. I guess it's been out for a while, but I just got my copy! I wowed the check-out girl at Jo-Ann's by forcing her to look at my photo in the magazine before I'd let her ring up the sale. : ) There's Jordann pointing to my photo on page 11.


So congratulations, Aunt Sissy, on getting older and for the (not one but) two articles in the magazine! (Matchbox Advent Calendar & Holiday Matchbook Cards)

He was born *MY* senior year...

I can't believe it. My nephew, Andy, was born my senior year of high school when I was in library period. I knew he was expected that day, so when I was paged to the office for a phone call, I raced down the hall, and actually pushed my English teacher out of my way because I was so excited. I can't remember who called, probably Grandpa. Library was my last period of the day & it seems like Mrs. Blake (the English teacher) let me go ahead & leave early.


Later that school year, Andy & Lauren both attended their first high school graduation - mine. I was wearing the same red robe & same sash... with a slightly different year on it! This photo is for Bubba & Lynne, who didn't remember attending my graduation - That little boy is Andy & it looks like Lynne holding him. I remember y'all being there. Grandma is holding Lauren.

Next thing you know, these two will be next. I'll upload the rest of my photos to my Flickr soon. Lynne ran the photo session like it was a wedding, so there were LOTS of pictures! : )

During the photo session, Dad & David needed something to keep them from being bored, so they found a set of light sabers & had David's first light saber fight! Looks like he enjoyed it, doesn't it!?

Speaking of Andy's graduation, Grandpa has some photos & video from the ceremony on his blog. Surely Bubba will put some up when he has time, too.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Today was our annual visit to Santa! David looks so big in this year's picture - 3 1/2 years old!


Elizabeth never would smile, but she didn't cry, either, so I consider this a good first visit to Santa's lap at a few days shy of 11 months old!


Here are their close-ups. Santa asked David what he wanted. David replied, "A Christmas card."

The first ever together-in-Santa's-lap shot (of my kids, at least!):

And this Mom thinks this is the BEST picture with Santa of all time:

Cousin Will even got in on the action... after some hefty persuasion from his friend Haden and from Santa himself! I was surprised by how persistent Santa was! Looks like Will might get more than a lump of coal after all!

Wanna see how David has grown? Check out his previous Santa pictures:

2006

2005

2004 (is a Polaroid in his baby album)

500!!! and the Tea

This is my 500th post!

I need to have some type of hooplah to celebrate, but I couldn't think of anything. Too much cookies & Tea going on this week, I guess. But the best thing of all, my best friend is coming to visit tomorrow!!! And boy do I need some time with my best friend! That will be my hooplah! Watch for pictures to be posted on Monday or Tuesday.

Want to take a little trip down memory lane to see just where this blog started? Click here to see our very first blogged pictures of David and the Christmas season two years ago! Just look how little he was!

Now on to today! It was the Ladies Christmas Tea at Grandma's church. Here I am with my Momma (aka Grandma), and my Sister-in-Law. Don't we look festive?! Look how shiny Lynne is!!!

Ladies getting together at a Baptist church = good food! Check out that cheesecake! Mmmm... it was wonderful! The food courses were served on clear plastic plates, sat upon our pretty place settings at each table. Here, you can see Grandmama's beautiful china showing behind the cheesecake. Click on yesterday's picture to see the entire table setting.

The fellowship hall was filled to capacity. I think I heard there were around 200 ladies there from the community, relatives (sisters, daughters, mothers, aunts, etc) , and a few ladies who'd moved off came back for the Tea to visit old friends. Marci Hatfield was the speaker.

Here I am with Dad's side of the family. I will list them in relation to Elizabeth, starting on the bottom row: Great Grandma Grana, Great Aunt Marlene, Future Cousin Suzanne, MawMaw. And on the back row: Me, Elizabeth, Cousin Rachel, and Great Aunt Jan. I think Rachel & Suzanne will be 2nd cousins to Elizabeth. Did I get that right? So from Grana to Elizabeth, that's 4 generations! Suzanne, Jan & I are married in.

We even had one more set of family there that I failed to get a picture of: Marie, Joyce & Emily. I think it was a very enjoyable day for everyone there. David really had fun in the nursery, too!

Cookie Exchange #2: Candy Cane Cookies

This was one of my favorite recipes that I remember making as a kid. I think this was my favorite cookbook, too, Betty Crocker's Cookie Book. In case you can't read the recipe, here it is (the cookbook is a little more wordy):

Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup sifted confectioners sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Heat oven to 375*. Mix shortening, sugar, egg, and flavorings thoroughly. Measure flour by dipping or sifting. Mix flour and salt; stir into shortening mixture. Divide dough in half. Blend food coloring into one half.

Roll a 4" strip (using 1 tsp dough) from each color. For smooth, even strips, roll them back & forth on a lightly floured board. Place strips side by side, press lightly together and twist like rope (see sketch).

Bake about 9 minutes, until lightly brown. While still warm, remove from baking sheet with spatula and sprinkle with mixture of candy & sugar.

This cover below sure looks a lot fancier than the cover to our old book!

Visit my sister's Virtual Cookie Exchange

for more recipes!

Black Friday & Time to Start Baking!

Thanksgiving is officially over. Yes, I did get up at 4am and enjoyed an early morning shopping spree with my parents. On the way to town, we reminisced about our first After Thanksgiving Sale. Let's see if I can remember the details we discussed... It was Daddy & me. We went to what we think was the first ever 7am sale at our local Wal-Mart. This was back before 24-hour Supercenters, back before everybody opened early the day after, back before there were so many specialty superstores, back before there were Golden Arches in the store, back before the term, "Black Friday." We got to WM right around 7 & there were just a handful of other cars there. Shopping was easy, uncluttered, quick and quiet. I'm sure we went to McDonald's for a sausage biscuit afterwards.

Today, I enjoyed my annual trek out again. I usually stay clear of electronics & usually have a pretty good day. Today was no exception. We did see the masses around the electronic devices, cars everywhere, but I saw people helping each other & being friendly. It was good, bonding with strangers over Cars pajamas, and back home before lunch. I got the family stockings up & after the kids went to bed, wrapped all the gifts that were purchased today.

Today was Elizabeth's first Black Friday! She slept through most of it. And this is her first real stocking! We had a little pink one hanging with our stockings last year, but since our stockings are packed still, I'll get her "home" stocking next year. David enjoyed a morning home with Dad.

Now to start baking! My sister is hosting a cookie recipe exchange next Tuesday! Come on over & join us!

I'll be sharing my Ginger Molasses Cookies and maybe even my husband's favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I started with Texas Toddler Mix. This is unique because I used Texas shaped pretzels and Goldfish. While it was cooling, I kept hearing crunching some out of the kitchen, followed by a little voice, "I ate a hot Chex, Mama!"

Eleven Days 'Til Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful that my parents raised me in church. We were there all the time... they even left me there once! (Churches sure do get dark when everybody but the janitor leaves!)

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I don't know what makes some people like going to church and some people not like going (other than God), but I am also thankful that I enjoy going to church.

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And finally, I am thankful that David is enjoying going to church. He loves Cubbies and his Sunday School class.