The fabric that weaves a culture together from one generation to the next, besides love, is tradition. Richly displayed most often during a particular culture’s holidays and religious ceremonies,
Continue reading →Preparations for Mother’s Day and the celebrations that accompany it range from simple to extravagant. A Mother’s heart treasures the phone call from a child far away, scribbled notes with lopsided flowers filled with love and the family meal at home as much, if not more than the extravagant dinner at a 5-star restaurant. But an extravaganza prepared by your kids–well that’s another story. A friend of mine, Vicki Andrews found a unique way to help her young grandchildren present … Continue reading →
Centerpiece on our kitchen table Cooler, fall weather whistled through the maple trees on campus today and the smell of a campfire drifted on the air. As I gazed at the blue sky through branches of pine trees in the desert, I felt as if I could get lost in this moment forever. Peace swirled around like fallen leaves and I imagined myself playfully tumbling into a pile of orange and crimson drifts and resting with my face turned … Continue reading →
When Oldest was in kindergarten, the students made a Mother’s Day present that included their handprints and part of a little one’s poem. I still have those handprints framed and hanging on the wall that leads up to our bedroom. It was a special reminder today of pudgy loving hands, warm hugs, and bedtime stories that never seemed to end. Cuddling up with my memories. My little hands reach up to you for hugs before I sleep … And … Continue reading →
Each year on Holy Saturday, we have a family tradition. The making of Italian Easter Bread. This mildy sweet breakfast bread with its creamy, sweet glaze and five colored eggs poking up is a symbol of the Risen Christ. For our family, for my parents before me, and for my grandparents before them, it was a sacred Holy Saturday tradition to prepare the bread for Easter morning. Much like Christ’s body was prepared for burial–only to rise on that … Continue reading →
Mom’s Orange Loaf Rich aromas wafted from the kitchen up to the computer area and I suddenly became aware of the tasty orange loaf I had baking in the oven. This was one of my mother’s favorite recipes that we make each year with orange juice squeezed from fresh-picked fruit in our backyard. This year we are especially blessed to have this pound-cake style treat as our citrus were damaged severely by freezing temperatures. The aromas carry … Continue reading →
Chubby little fingers once wrapped around the knit Nativity pieces plopping them in place as we read about the birth of Jesus. Those toddler fingers that so desperately tried to show reverence while placing Mary and Joseph during the gospel reading would be spotted days later clutching a sheep or donkey while his pudgy legs raced pell mell ’round the living room. Occasionally, even Jesus took off in flight. It was a sight that still lifts the corners of … Continue reading →
One small candle glows “Hope” amidst the dark reminding us to be prepared for His coming. For He will come again just as He said (Mark 13:26&27). Tonight as we light one purple candle, we pray that our hearts focus on Him, be filled with Him as we celebrate the season that commemorates His coming to earth as a baby. We pray that our hearts not be distracted by the commercialism that now drives this once sacred … Continue reading →
Right after stuffing the turkey and tucking it in the oven to roast succulently, I begin our age-old Thanksgiving family tradition. The stretching and frying of the bread dough for Italian pancakes. When I was a child, Mom would go to the local bakery and order a pound of sweet bread dough. Excitement welled up just at the thought of going to the bakery. I knew it meant a delectable breakfast treat the next morning. It was … Continue reading →
This week we celebrated Hubby’s birthday with his favorite meal, Beef Stroganoff. For me, it always requires a lot of juggling to make everything finish at just the right time, without drying out, overcooking, or turning limp. So, Hubby gets it once a year or a nice dinner out. After dragging my feet the whole weekend, contemplating if I was up for the challenge, I finally moved into action on Sunday and put it in high gear. With … Continue reading →
