Mother's Day Breakfast is a tradition in our family that goes way back. When our children were young, their idea of such a feast was so wonderful. Their daddy would allow them to do their version. I would be presented with a plate of a bananas or an apple, jelly beans, red hots, bread with jam, and various other items that the children would think to be the perfect breakfast.
As they grew up, the food on the plate changed, but the enthusiasm did not.
Heather has been planning Sunday morning breakfast with Dorothy for a week. She has promised her that they would make breakfast together.
Yesterday, Chris told Heather that he was going to be off on Mother's Day. She was so excited. He has been planning the day off for two weeks now.
The day of the Mother's Day Breakfast was changed to this morning. Dorothy was so excited. Brian had decided to join in on this great event.
Heather began by grinding the wheat, some corn, and barley together for pancakes. Then Dorothy and Brian joined her in the kitchen and helped her add the rest of the dry ingredients into the flour. Dorothy added the baking soda and Brian added the baking powder. They each took turns stirring. They are learning that to stay in the kitchen they are to totally obey Mommy.
Cooking is the one event in the children's lives that they want to participate in from start to finish, so the process is a great teachable moment about following directions, taking turns and group participation.
The next step was to put together the wet ingredients. Heather pulled out two eggs and as Brian observed, Dorothy was allowed to crack the eggs and open them up into the bowl for the first time, then Brian was allowed to scramble the eggs. Dorothy then poured the buttermilk into the measuring cup while Heather held her finger at the level where she needed to stop. Then Heather added the vanilla.
Dorothy stirred the wet ingredients into the dry as Brian cheered, and then he was given his turn to stir.
As Brian sat and watched, Dorothy poured the batter onto the hot griddle and stood watching and waiting for the time to turn the pancakes. By the time she turned the third pancake, she was an expert pancake flipper. Then it was Brian's turn at the stove and he was so excited to be Mommy's helper.
Dorothy was allowed to use a knife to cut her own pancakes for the first time at this momentous breakfast. She was so proud of her accomplishments of the morning.
Since Brian is the man in the house when Daddy and Granddad are gone, he said the prayer over breakfast. "God. Thank you for this food. In Jesus' name. Amen!"
As we sat and ate our pancakes with maple and cinnamon syrup, and a cold cup of whole milk, Heather and I decided that these were truly the best pancakes that we had ever eaten. We thanked Dorothy and Brian for their wonderful efforts in the kitchen and loved seeing the joyful smiles on each of their faces.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Matching Furniture. What Is That?
Most of our married life, Mike and I have had various used living room sofas and accessories. Only once or twice do I ever remember buying anything new in the way of furniture for the family room. We always had the idea that once the children were grown that we could focus on such a luxury as matching and coordinated furniture.
Mike sells furniture at a local furniture store. He and I were recently visiting about our day and he told me of a sale he made of a sofa that he really would love to have himself. I responded, "Not until the children are older", and he agreed.
It took a moment and then we both looked at each other and with laughter, I inquired, "Didn't we have this conversation twenty-five years ago?
Our mismatched furniture is of good quality and is comfortable. We purchased it at Goodwill when we moved into our home almost 3 years ago. Along with the dining room table and chairs, we spent less than $200 total. We have a large desk that was given to me by a co-worker, and old piano, a small computer desk for the children to use as a writing desk, and two nice large bookshelves that are the newest pieces in the room. The biggest thing we have is the peace of mind that we have no debt on such items.
When I think of spending money on furniture at this point in time with small children in the house, my thought goes to the relaxed way we sit and watch movies and eat popcorn on the sofa. Sometimes peanut butter sandwiches, gram cracker, Cheerios and a myriad of finger foods are eaten while we cuddle on the sofa and read a good book.
Wrong or right, it would be hard for me to enjoy the same events as much if I was concerned about the dollar amount of the piece of furniture we were sitting upon. It is more important to me to make memories with Pippi and Tommy than to have everything in my living room color coordinated. So we will enjoy and praise God for what we have.
We cherish and consider of great value the many hugs and kisses we receive daily from Tommy and Pippi as well as from one another. "I love you", is a song to our hearts. "Please", "Thank you" and "Your welcome" are so nice to hear. "I am sorry. Please forgive me?" and "I will forgive you." are practiced by all in our family.
Watching Pippi and Tommy learning about our Heavenly Father and seeing their developing love for Jesus is such a great treasure that we will hold dear for all time.
Listening to Chris reading to Tommy at night; and Heather reading to Pippi; hearing the giggles during pillow fights; watching the adoring way Pippi looks at her daddy and the smile on her face when they are preparing for a date and the way they dance to the oldies are priceless and treasured memories. Listening to Tommy's gruff little voice when he plays; hearing Pippi and Tommy shout, "Granddad" or "Goo" when Mike or I walk through the door after working all day, playing Chickenfoot, (including Tommy), are all wonderful memories to possess.
We may not have much in the way of worldly possessions in the eyes of some, but we are so rich in love, respect, honor, laughter and tears as we live a full life together under one roof.
Mike sells furniture at a local furniture store. He and I were recently visiting about our day and he told me of a sale he made of a sofa that he really would love to have himself. I responded, "Not until the children are older", and he agreed.
It took a moment and then we both looked at each other and with laughter, I inquired, "Didn't we have this conversation twenty-five years ago?
Our mismatched furniture is of good quality and is comfortable. We purchased it at Goodwill when we moved into our home almost 3 years ago. Along with the dining room table and chairs, we spent less than $200 total. We have a large desk that was given to me by a co-worker, and old piano, a small computer desk for the children to use as a writing desk, and two nice large bookshelves that are the newest pieces in the room. The biggest thing we have is the peace of mind that we have no debt on such items.
When I think of spending money on furniture at this point in time with small children in the house, my thought goes to the relaxed way we sit and watch movies and eat popcorn on the sofa. Sometimes peanut butter sandwiches, gram cracker, Cheerios and a myriad of finger foods are eaten while we cuddle on the sofa and read a good book.
Wrong or right, it would be hard for me to enjoy the same events as much if I was concerned about the dollar amount of the piece of furniture we were sitting upon. It is more important to me to make memories with Pippi and Tommy than to have everything in my living room color coordinated. So we will enjoy and praise God for what we have.
We cherish and consider of great value the many hugs and kisses we receive daily from Tommy and Pippi as well as from one another. "I love you", is a song to our hearts. "Please", "Thank you" and "Your welcome" are so nice to hear. "I am sorry. Please forgive me?" and "I will forgive you." are practiced by all in our family.
Watching Pippi and Tommy learning about our Heavenly Father and seeing their developing love for Jesus is such a great treasure that we will hold dear for all time.
Listening to Chris reading to Tommy at night; and Heather reading to Pippi; hearing the giggles during pillow fights; watching the adoring way Pippi looks at her daddy and the smile on her face when they are preparing for a date and the way they dance to the oldies are priceless and treasured memories. Listening to Tommy's gruff little voice when he plays; hearing Pippi and Tommy shout, "Granddad" or "Goo" when Mike or I walk through the door after working all day, playing Chickenfoot, (including Tommy), are all wonderful memories to possess.
We may not have much in the way of worldly possessions in the eyes of some, but we are so rich in love, respect, honor, laughter and tears as we live a full life together under one roof.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Year Round Knitting!
Knitting has taken over a lot of my spare time. Preparing gifts for Christmas has been an ever present task over the past few months. Shawls and scarves for friends and family scatter my bedroom.
Although Christmas has past, the knitting still continues. Finishing a yellow blanket for Pippi and a blue one for Tommy before his birthday is now the focus of my time. There are more friends and family that I want to make scarves for before the winter season passes. Giving gifts year round as "just because" is sometimes more memoriable.
In the evening when Heather and Pippi read bedtime stories, a new tradition has been birthed. They crawl in my bed both clad in the shaws that I have knitted for them. Listening to the stories of fantistic characters like "Grandfather Frog", "Raggedy Ann and Andy", "Big Susan" as well as many other wonderful tales while knitting is a delight.
Making memories with family and creating a sence of history in the lives of the children enrich the lives of all involved.
My heart is full. Blessings overflow. Our Father has given us a unique opportunity while living under one roof.
Although Christmas has past, the knitting still continues. Finishing a yellow blanket for Pippi and a blue one for Tommy before his birthday is now the focus of my time. There are more friends and family that I want to make scarves for before the winter season passes. Giving gifts year round as "just because" is sometimes more memoriable.
In the evening when Heather and Pippi read bedtime stories, a new tradition has been birthed. They crawl in my bed both clad in the shaws that I have knitted for them. Listening to the stories of fantistic characters like "Grandfather Frog", "Raggedy Ann and Andy", "Big Susan" as well as many other wonderful tales while knitting is a delight.
Making memories with family and creating a sence of history in the lives of the children enrich the lives of all involved.
My heart is full. Blessings overflow. Our Father has given us a unique opportunity while living under one roof.
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