Doing The Salsa, Peach That Is...

Here is a jar, ready for the freezer.


A few years ago I was looking for a good salsa recipe. And I don't mean just any salsa. I wanted a salsa with PEACHES as the main ingredient. I love the contrast in tastes between all of those unexpected flavor combinations. Refreshing.

I tried several recipes and none of them seemed to be what I was looking for. Some used tomato along with the peaches and that was not "it". Many used sugar and I preferred to mostly let the sweetness of the peaches stand out. So I started mixing things up a bit. I'd add some of this recipe, some of that recipe, and some of my own ingredients. And I finally came up with one we love.

When peaches are in season I try to make this salsa to eat fresh. But peach season doesn't last too long so I also make some to freeze and also can it when I run out of freezer space(I don't like canning it as much because, for safety reasons, it has to be heated through and I prefer the peaches to be more firm -- but it's better than none). I thought I'd share my concoction. I hope you enjoy it!


Here is how it looks from the top of the jar. In this batch, I put a slice of ginger on top of the salsa as an experiment to see how much of the flavor spreads before we eat it. I also added pears to this batch.


But I Had A Tiara's Fresh Peach Salsa

6 peaches, diced into bite sized pieces, sometimes I add pears which is also a refreshing twist. You could probably add apples also, or even substitute with whichever of three fruits you have on hand. (I also make one with cranberries a little later in the season. The colors are gorgeous. I will share that later.)

Peppers to taste, chopped very small, to taste (I have used Bell, Anaheim, Pablano and Jalapeno peppers). Leave the seeds in for more heat on the hotter peppers, take them out for less heat. If you use a couple different kinds it adds more color too.

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup orange juice

Onion to taste (red adds pretty color)

Juice of one lime (I put mine in the microwave for 30-40 seconds to make it easy to juice. BE CAREFUL, it will be VERY hot)

A bunch of chopped cilantro (to taste)

Optional: Sea salt (to taste)

Optional: Ginger, peeled and grated, add to taste. This adds another totally different taste.

Stir it all up and eat with chips, crackers, over greens for salad, or over meats. It is stupendous served over cream cheese, over baked brie, eaten with a spoon...whatever!!!

Ohhh, and I found these adorable canning jars. They are the new "Platinum" line. They are silver in color, not really platinum. But isn't the size and short, rounded shape sooo cute?


For the joy of the Harvest,

Menu Plan Monday, week of Sept. 29-Oct.5

For more menus, go to orgjunkie.com and see her HUGE Menu Plan Monday Mr. Linky list

I am out of town visiting with my grandma so this week will be somewhat simplified so my guys still at home can quickly and easily get dinner the two evenings I will not be there.

I am really looking forward to spending time with family members who live here. Indian Summer days are in the forecast so we'll be having picnics and visiting fun places as long as Grandma has enough energy:)

If you haven't looked at or participated in my Soup Recipe Carnival, "Soup's On Saturday", read all about it here. Have a great week -- I know I will!

Monday: Chili (I made it and froze it so all they need to do is take it out of the freezer and add some salad on the side).

Tuesday: Sundried Tomato and Provolone Sausages with rice, green beans

Wednesday: Cranberry Nut Turkey Salad over greens or on croissants

Thursday: Em's Potato Soup

Friday: Creamy Dill Salmon served with Vegetable Rice Medley

Saturday: Leftover Buffet if any, or Chef Salad

Sunday: Stew in crockpot (Stew beef, carrots, onions, celery, carrots, potatoes with dried onion mushroom soup and 1 can cream of mushroom soup) Crusty Bread and Baked Pears for dessert.

Tea Talk

I love having a nice hot cup of tea on a cool autumn morning. My favorite is when I get up early and read outside on the deck overlooking the valley and sip on it. Or waking up early while camping and having my first cup while the air is still brisk. On school days, I almost always have a cup within arm's length. Often it isn't hot by the time I drink it, but I like it anyway. I like it when my kids join in too.

A few years ago I picked up some wonderful tea on our way out of town for camping. It love chai lattes and buy chai mix sometimes. But the only time I had bought chai tea, I was less than impressed. But for some reason I decided to try a brand I hadn't tried before. I was I glad I did! I loved it. And, on a subsequent camping trip, so did my niece Jess. And my little girl, and anyone else who tried it. I drink it plain or, sometimes, for a special treat, I add a little honey.



That first tea was Zhena's Gypsy Fireside Chai. This is a chai that is made with a rooibos tea so has a bit of an earthy flavor. Since then I have discovered more flavors that Zhenas makes and I enjoy them all. Some of my friends already drink it, some even order it through our co-op. In case you've never tried it, I thought I'd share it here. They also have Chocolate Chai, Coconut Chai and King Chai.

Their Earl Grey is wonderful too -- and they have a Raspberry Earl Grey that is delicious! I had never had a flavored earl Grey other than lady Earl Grey (which I looove). If you like green teas, their Earl Green would be a great one for you to try too.

Do you have a favorite tea? Or a favorite way of making it? Or something different you add to your tea?

I look forward to having more Tea Talk with you:)

Blessings,

Soup's On! Saturday: Lots of Onions Soup

Soup's On! Saturday


If you did not see my initial post about this blog carnival, click here to read all about it.


Will YOUR family hear you say "Soup's On!" this Saturday? I hope to have my very own button by next week so it will be on each post and I will try to provide the html so you can put it on your blog too if you want:) Fairy Blogmother says she can help me, but I haven't had time to even do my part yet.


I have not yet tried Em's soup from last week. I am planning to make it for tomorrow or Sunday, depending on how many leftovers we have from the Cheesy Ham and Rice Soup I made today.


Did any of you try my recipe or Em's? What did you think? Did you do anything to customize either one for your own family? I sure enjoy that extra little pizazz the toasted almonds give the Cheesy Ham and Rice Soup!


Well, the weather forecast here calls for temperatures in the upper 80's or low 90's for at least part of next week. I won't be making soup on those Indian summer days, that's for sure! But as long as it stays a bit chilly -- or when it gets chilly again, which it is sure to do, I will be back to looking at more soup recipes! Maybe by then we'll have a real collection going. And, don't be shy, even if you don't have a blog, I can list your recipe right here. So make sure ya'all scroll down below the Linky to see if any recipes have been posted. And don't forget to tell your friends so they can add some for themselves and for us. Oh yeah, and check back all weekend as perhaps we'll have more than one linker now that this has been around a whole week!




French Onion Soup

I have been making this recipe since 1996, so I know it is definitely tried and true! I adapted it from one I found it in my favorite magazine, Taste of Home. One of these times I will write more about that fab mag. For now, cozy up with your warm soup bowl and enjoy the autumn season with one of the soups I consider to be on the short list of comforting foods I enjoy!

I slice, dice and/or chop the equivalent of at least 4-5 onions. I have used red, white, yellow (sweet or not), green onions and leeks (white part only). I prefer to slice the round onions and chop the greens and leeks. Then I add at least 1 garlic clove (to suit your own taste), throw them them in a fairly large cooking pot and saute them using butter or olive oil. I like to try to cook in as few dishes as possible to save on clean-up, so I use a pot that can accommodate all of the ingredients.

I have not had good success with any method of making beef broth that makes it strong enough for this soup. But if you prefer that, you'd add a little less than a quart and a half of homemade broth. Or you can use bouillon if that is your preference. I find that too salty myself. I use 2 cans of beef broth (or equivalent to one quart if you use boxes instead of cans like I do) and one can of beef consomme (found in canned soup section at store).

To this you will add approx. 1 teaspoon Worchestershire Sauce (do not omit) and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Bring to boil and simmer for about half an hour (I have skipped this step and it is fine, just a bit richer when all of the flavors have time to cook into each other).

Meanwhile, toast slices of bread. Most recipes call for french bread but I like sourdough. Whole wheat doesn't work very well IMO.

If you have those cute little oven proof soup bowls, you can now add desired amount of swiss cheese to the bottom of each (I'd say I put a few Tablespoons in each bowl). Then ladle your soup on the swiss cheese, place bread on top of soup, sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan cheese (approx. 6 Tablespoons for entire recipe) and place under broiler until cheese is bubbly.

If you don't have those bowls, as I didn't for many years, you can place your bread at the bottom of your bowl, cover with swiss cheese then soup and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

This recipe makes about 6-8 bowls.

One of my all time favorites and so very easy!

Now go post a recipe for me! Then come back and link it here for everyone else, would ya (see Mr.Linky below)? Have a lovely autumn day,

Soup's On Saturday Reminder....

This is just me, reminding YOU about Soup's On Saturday.


I will post the linky this evening and I recommend posting your recipe to your own blog anytime now, and linking by the end of Sunday as that is when most people will click on it (eventually, when there are more than a couple linkers!).

I will be posting a yummy soup recipe too. One of my personal favorites.

P.S. If you do not have a blog, you can send me your recipe and I will post it here.

Contest

Do you want one of these?


Then go say hi to her.(Mama Kat)


Leave her a comment. "Hi, Gorgeous. I hear you write a great and funny blog. My friend Tiffany, she's, like, the one who dreamed you two were on Ellen together, yeah, uh-huh, HER. She says you are so gifted at blogging that Hoover sent you a new vacuum plus one to give away. And so I says to myself, I says, 'I think I will give 'er a try'. So here I am, you writin' and rockin' mama, hoping I might win. Though Tiff needs it more what with all those kids and animals and a new puppy and all. So, anyways, nice meeting you and you are beautiful and kind." (compliments get you another chance at winning.)

Give her lots of compliments.

Tell her I sent you.(Tiffani Amber Thiessen)

Okay, that's not me, but I used to be told I looked like her. We share the same name. Except she ends with i and I am y.

Also her. (Courteney Cox)
HEY!!! I didn't say it about myself. So, people get carried away with the dark hair and blue eyes thing...

(Linda Carter)
So if someone has dark hair and blue eyes, I've probably been told I look like her. Yes, even Wonder Woman. Especially Wonder Woman.


(Brooke Shields)
Now this one I reeally can't figure out.


(Brooke Shields Brows)
'Cept I was told this in the 80's and 90's. And my brows probably looked similar.



And this one, uh-hem, go figure. I think people just knew my name is Tiffany and she was in a movie with my name in it so, subliminally, they thought I WAS her.


(Audrey Hepburn)
She has a very teeenny tiny face. I have a roounnnd face. But, there again, she has dark hair and light eyes -- although they really are brown.


But aaaaannnnnyway, if you like vacuuming, the color turquoise or funny bloggers, this is for you.

Please tell me if you win.

Then you can tell me thank you and say I have a figure like any of my lookalikes above.

Compliments get you, well, I don't have any vacuums to give away. So, well, I value sincerity. So just say nothing. Okay?

Luvya.

Menu Plan Monday Week of September 22-28, 2008

Organizing Junkie hosts Menu Plan Monday each week. This week she has asked for at least one tried and true recipe to be included in each meal plan. You will see a picture and recipe below for a recipe my family recently tried and loved. Got to her site to see links to lots more plans and recipes.


With the fall weather having begun in my part of the country, I am trying to "think cozy". The pages in the calendar can flip all they want, time can pass, occasions come and go, but isn't it largely the weather that influences our measure of time and even our moods? I always find it fascinating that each year the weather can become cooler for days - or even weeks, but the first time we get a good, soaking rain, I get all kinds of calls and emails asking to order candles!

Well, we haven't had a soaking rain yet, but it is getting colder, especially at night, and I felt like creating a cozy and "fall-ish" menu for this week. If you haven't seen it yet, I have also started a new weekly blog carnival "Soup's On" Saturdays. Soup is definitely cozy and fallish. Come back each Saturday to find new soup recipes -- or post your own! Have a cozy and Fallish week!


Monday:
Spicy Chile Casserole
Fruit with yogurt for dessert

Tuesday:
Caramel Apple and Gorgonzola Pork Chops (didn't make pork chops last week after all)
~ Will post recipe next week if it turns out
Red potatoes and green beans from our CSA cooked in crockpot with 4 tablespoons butter, 4 chicken stock cubes from freezer and organic ranch dressing mix

Wednesday:
Sausages - A local family makes and sells special varieties. We will be having my favorite, Nut and Berry, as well as Beer Sausage. They also have wonderful bacon, chorizo, chicken and cheese, old fashioned frankfurters and more. Delicious!
Homemade Sauerkraut recipe from Nourishing Traditions Cookbook
Vegetable Rice Medley - I will use brown rice and cook it all in the rice cooker
Note: when putting food away for the winter, I cut up the squash, zucchini and dill and froze them in bags for this dish so each time I make it, it will be very easy!

Thursday:
Cheesy Zucchini Basil Casserole
(See below for pictures and recipe)

Friday:
Em's Spicy Veggie Beef Soup
Cornbread

Saturday:
Buffet of Leftovers:) OR try another new zucchini recipe

Sunday:
Cheesy Ham and Rice Soup (adapt for slow cooker)
Biscuits

As I mentioned last week, I tried a new recipe using some of the fresh produce of which I had an abundance. It was definitely a winner. My 13 year old had thirds - "even though it is pretty much a pot of vegetables", as he said. Yes, it is good AND good for you. I was so excited this turned out so well. I looovve veggies!

As I said last week,this dish is my kind of food -- lots of veggies -- then throw in some cheeses and some protein along with some whole grains and I am a happy mom with happy tastebuds and a happy family.

I adapted this recipe from another one by tweaking it with ingredients and amounts that work for my family.

Cheesy Zucchini Basil Casserole

~ 3 pieces whole wheat bread. Rip into pieces that you can fit around the bottom and sides of a glass pie plate. I tore each piece into quarters. I used a quarter or two to grease the pan with olive oil. Then fit bread to mostly cover pan.


~ Saute 3 medium zucchini (or 4 cups) in real butter (I used homemade this time)

~ After the zucchini is mostly softened, add 5 roma tomatoes (or what you have on hand) AND at least a half cup fresh basil. I did more because I LOVE fresh basil. Stir in 3 Tablespoons whole wheat flour. Keep in pan just until stirred in (don't you love my gorgeous red enamel cast iron skillet?).


~ Transfer zucchini mixture to bread lined pan




~ In separate bowl, beat two eggs. Then add 1 cup cottage cheese, 3/4 cup plain yogurt and swiss cheese, about 1/2 cup or to taste, and stir until mixed well.

~ Pour over veggie mixture.

~ Garnish (if desired) with 1 roma tomato, sliced and placed around edge of pan, and a sprig of basil in middle. Again, I love basil so I do more of that here too.



~ Sprinkle top with 1/3 cup parmesan cheese



~ Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until middle is firm and cooked through.

~ Use sharp knife to cut into wedges. Serve with love:)

This made enough for the family members I had home that night. Next time I will try doubling or tripling the recipe in a casserole dish as the pie plate size won't be enough when everyone is home! I also think trying mozarella cheese on top might be good. Mozarella is always good with basil and tomato. Or feta...hmmmm....

Introducing "Soup's On" Saturdays!!!!! : Cheesy Ham and Rice Soup

My family is a soup eatin' family. We like to drink it, eat it with a spoon, slurp it, dip bread in it, we reeaaally like to top it -- we heart soup. Soup can be nourishing and healthy. Sometimes it is loaded with cheese or bacon or other not- always- considered-so- healthy ingredients. Sometimes it is just plain old comforting. When I am sick with a cold, I like to eat Chicken Noodle Soup and watch Perry Mason. Soups can be thick like Chili or thin like Egg Flour Soup. They might have bases of milk or broth or vegetables. Soups are usually hot, but they can be cold (although I definitely prefer the hot ones in cooler weather!). There are soups that need to simmer all day and fill your home with all sorts of good smelling aromas. And there are soups you can throw together in just a few minutes. You can serve them plain, with toppings, or with an accompaniment like bread or biscuits. You can even serve them in a bowl made of bread or in a veggie -- like a pumpkin. With soup, there is something for everyone!

Several times recently I have found myself in conversations about exchanging soup recipes. And one of my friends just posted a request in my comments too!

I love soup recipes. I love finding new family favorites. So, I finally decided it is time to try my very first "blog carnival". On Saturdays, now and at least through the fall and winter months, I will host "Soup's On Saturdays"!!!

I am still working on making it a pretty carnival. I need to talk to my Fairy Blogmother about what help she may be able to offer. But I figure, the cold weather is just beginning and we are all beginning our quest for warm, comforting SOUP. So we may as well jump right in!

You can post and link anytime all week. But posting between Saturday by 10am (or Friday evening if I get the post and links up by then) and Sunday night is probably best if you want alot of clicks. If you don't make it this week, you can join in next week.

First, write your post on your blog. Please make sure it is a recipe you have made, was successful and your family liked. We don't want icky experiments! Then find your permalink. Please link using your permalink for this specific post, not the link to your entire blog. Here's where you can read about that if you are not sure how. Insert it below, where it asks. If you have questions, I will help you if I can. But remember this is my very first experience being the hostess so I might have to look into it. A learning experience.

Make sure you look at everyone else's posts and recipes too. Leave them a comment or two, especially if you do try their recipe. And, if you don't have a blog, never fear. Send me your recipe and I will post it for you.

My mouth is watering just thinking about all of the scrumptious soups we'll all post:) So, here is my first recipe. It is one of our favorites. I have guarded our specific secrets in this soup until recently. Mmmmm, I'd love to eat it right now!


I found the basic recipe years ago and have tweaked it for my own family. We love the more chewy texture the brown and wild rices add. I have substituted real cheese for the Velveeta called for in the opriginal recipe, but if you care to use that, only use 8 ounces. I also love that it packs a great punch of veggies but you don't even notice. You can also blend up zucchini or other veggies and add them -- they might not get noticed either! And, always note. When I cook, I don't use exact measurements. So you can be creative too:) Add more broth or less cheese -- whatever works for you.


Cheesy Ham and Rice Soup

5 celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter cubed
6 medium carrots, shredded
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups half and half
12 oz. grated cheddar cheese (I add until it looks right, this is an estimate)
3 cups cubed fully cooked ham or turkey ham
2 and 2/3 cups cooked brown rice
4 cups cooked wild rice
3 Tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
8 cups water
slivered almonds

Saute celery and onion in butter until tender, add carrots.Cook and stir for another couple of minutes. In a big kettle combine flour and pepper. Gradually stir in half and half and bring to a boil, stirring continually, and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. Add ham and rice, water and bouillon, then veggie mixture. Return to boil.

Sprinkle almonds on individual bowls of soup. Don't miss this step as it adds such a nice taste of texture.You can toast the slivered almonds if desired, or just use them raw. I serve this soup with homemade biscuits.

I will be having voting each week for the previous week's soups you have tried. And an occasional prize or two...

Okay, Link Away!!!

Eating Seasonally

I have heroically saved quite alot of zucchini from certain unpleasant demise. It was barely scraped in spots and a day or two old. Mrs. Farmer says many subscribers are very picky and would rather have less and have it be perfect than to see any imperfections in their produce. She says to take all I want.

I only took half. I was sort of embarrassed to take it all. Mostly, I knew I would need to do something with all of it and knew my week was busy.

I started researching and discovered even more uses for zucchini than I had already thought! So now I am kicking myself and hoping she has more compost for me soon, before the zucchini has bid a final farewell to the vines in her fields.

So, as winter progresses and we are longing for summer again, I will occassionally share with you something new and yummy I am doing with all of the zucchini I am canning and pickling and freezing.

Tonight, according to my meal plan, I was supposed to let each person in my family make their own Flatbread Pizza.

But I have these piles of fresh zucchini plus some garden tomatoes and basil I grew in containers on our Hummingbird Deck. My freezer and cabinets are loaded with zucchini and I am starting on alternate food storage areas.

I want to "eat fresh" while we can, and I don't want anything to spoil.

So I switched.

I made something SO yummy. My kind of food. If you know me well, that might be a hint. But don't get too confident. It isn't a salad, which is normally "my kind of food".

I am excited to share it with you. On Monday.

Meal Plan Monday

For more Meal Plan Monday ideas go to Organizing Junkie


Well, no matter that we are very much still experiencing beautiful summer weather, school starts this week in our house! So, projects are second fiddle (or third or fourth or...) and school becomes the center of my days. I will be writing more about school later. But knowing my schedule is pretty much spoken for definitely makes me find security in planning. Planning meals is a big time saver for me.

Monday: supposed to be 95 degrees outside so don't want to use the stove!
Grilled Tomato and Provolone Chicken Sausages
Mom's Cucumbers
Watermelon

Tuesday:
Salmon - Marinate in plain homemade yogurt with lemon juice then cook in foil on grill with lemon, onion, garlic and fresh tarragon.
Grilled potatoes and broccoli wrapped in foil with homemade garlic tarragon butter
Green salad with cheese and fruit, viniagrette dressing

Wednesday:
Pork Chops with
Homemade apple and pear sauce - I will remove cores only, puree in Vitamix and serve raw with cinnamon and/or over pork chops.
Salad using CSA produce

Thursday: I have my Pursuit of God book club today so need something quick. This pork from Costco has been in the freezer awhile and I need to use it up. So will doctor it up a bit and serve it "my way".
Pork Chile Verde with Corn Tortillas and Rice
CSA produce

Friday:
Flatbread Pizza- Build Your Own (see below)
Raw Veggies and Hummus
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: This week was the last Burger Thing at church so I need to start my crockpot recipes back up so food is ready when we get home and we are not tempted to eat out. This week I am planning both a crockpot recipe and a picnic plan. If the weather is still hot we will picnic at a local park after church. If not, I will make the crockpot recipe.

Picnic:
Mom's Cucumbers
Pretzels and Dip
Baguettes/Crackers
Cold cut meats (ham, turkey, roast beef)
Cheese
Hummus
Sweet But Sugarless Iced Tea (see below)

Crockpot:
Homemade Chili (already made and in freezer, will put in crockpot when I wake up on Sunday so it will be warm when we get home)
Cornbread made in bread machine




Flatbread Pizza: Whole Wheat Flatbread, brushed with melted garlic butter. Sometimes I mix in some ranch dressing mix instead of garlic. Allow each child to build their own with whatever ingredients you like. I tell mine they have to choose at least one veggie. If they put spinach on beneath the cheese it will cook down well and they will hardly notice it. Bake at 350 until heated through and cheese is bubbly.

Sweet But Sugarless Iced Tea: My family loves iced tea. We don't drink soda as a general rule. And I don't like them to add too much sugar but they like it sweet. I don't. I only like it a tad sweet. So they often make theirs and I make mine. Then I made this for me one time and now they want it. Fine by me:)
4 Peach Cold Brew bags, cold water to taste
8 Black Tea bags, 8 cups (or to taste) hot water
1/4 cup honey (or to taste) added while water is hot
Let both sit until water is cooled.
Pour together into one jar or pitcher. Add ice just before drinking.

Sunshine On My Shoulders

My baby loves John Denver. He was laying in bed with me a couple nights ago and there was a special on PBS on John Denver. He was captured and enraptured. "Mommy, Zhon Denvuh. Moah (more)? He doesn't understand that there is nothing I can do about commercials.

He especially loved the duet by John Denver and Johnny Cash, singing 'Country Roads Take Me Home'. "Mama Zhon Denvuh, guy, gee-taah (guitar)?"

Personally, I am partial to 'Sunshine On My Shoulders'.

When I was a little girl my parents were divorced. Every other weekend the three of us would go to visit our dad. We joined three other "yours, mine and ours" siblings. There were three boys and three girls. The three boys slept in the rooms to the right of the stairs and my sister and I to the left in a double bed (our younger sister slept downstairs). Often, as we went to sleep, dad would sit on the steep stairs and play his guitar and sing to us.

As I watched the special this week, it dawned on me that my dad must have been younger than 30 at the time. With six kids. I know how tired I am sometimes at night now that I have six of my own. He must have been tired too. I am glad he took that time. It is precious to me.

It was the 70's so we got to hear songs from that era like The Rose, Unchained Melody, Misty - and lots of John Denver. It must have been when John Denver was in his heyday.

'Sunshine On My Shoulders' is my song. I don't know if dad ever sang it just to me. If he didn't, I must have pretended it was just for me. As a young adult I realized I would get teary eyed when he sang it. When my own baby came along, I cried more and wanted dad to sing it to my baby as he played the guitar. Now I cry whenever I hear it. Even when I was watching the special with my baby.

I can't really share with you why I cry. But it has to do with divorce and separation and wanting to belong.

I'm glad my baby loves John Denver. I think I will sing the Sunshine song to him.

And hold him close, and let him know he belongs.

I love John Denver.

Let's Talk About Grief: Anniversaries Can Be Hard

One year, ten years -- it doesn't matter how long. Once a loved one is gone, they are always gone. And their memory is a part of who we are. So anniversaries are often hard. It can be the anniversary of a birthday, a wedding anniversary, the anniversary of a special time spent together ... or the anniversary of their death. That is why I write today.

Seven Years. I don't think any American hears the numbers 911 or 9-11 without remembering. And when we remember those who died, in sympathy we think of those who knew them. Those who walked along beside them and were witnesses to their lives. Those who loved them and were loved by them. And our hearts are squeezed anew with sadness.

I think of so many others who are suffering on this day because of the war that ensued. Lives have been valiantly given. Many people have paid the price, either by giving their life or by the loss of a loved one who courageously paid that price.

And I think of people who have recently lost loved ones and grief is fresh. A sweet young mother in our church died unexpectedly this week. She has a husband and an 8 year old daughter. Heartbreaking. Heart rending. Raw grief.

There are those of us who are further along in grief, yet still have aching hearts, and who yearn for that someone who is not here. Every day can bring memories, every year more anniversaries. Once you have grieved, truly grieved, you are never the same.

This is the human condition, yet not a condition we were created for. I don't personally believe death is natural. That is why we struggle with it so. We were not created unto death, but unto life. And one day there will be no more death. No more death of our bodies and no more death of hopes and dreams and expectations.

For each of these griefs we can turn to the Bible for comfort. There is so much there that sustains. When we lost our baby boy in 1998 I turned to it often. I was so grateful for the passages I had "hidden in my heart". And I read alot of books whose authors pointed me toward that Source, and who made so many of the words and concepts more understandable.

"Here we will attempt to show that God is dependable in grief always - no matter what causes it - and that once we accept the loss there is a chance for participation in healing for the stricken person left behind.

Are you rebelling already at that word accept? To accept the irrevocable fact that a loved one is gone, whether by natural death, desertion, divorce, suicide, or accident is the first necessity. But in the early hours of our journey through any darkness,true acceptance is often impossible. You will say "You don't need to remind me that my loved one is gone. It hurts to breathe." But true acceptance does not stop with mere acknowledgment of the fact. True acceptance, when one is counting on God's redemption of grief, includes our agreement to join God in bringing an end to our night of weeping. And you who grieve, only you, will know when the moment comes that you feel you can begin to participate with Him." ~Eugenia Price

We are all today, in our collective grief, remembering. May we be comforted as we comfort one another. And if you are weeping today in your personal pain, I pray you too will find comfort and solace. Let us all reach out in love and compassion. We never know who is sitting right next to us with an aching heart.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be abel to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with whcih we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds in Christ." 2 Cor. 1:3-5

Joy In Whimsy And In Fango-Mangoes

Whimsy: 1. An odd or fanciful idea; a whim.

2. A quaint or fanciful quality"

I love whimsy. Sometimes I see it somewhere and it is outlandish -- or so loud it practically forbids even the birds to sleep a wink. Those times I am glad it isn't my own whimsy, but it brings me a great deal of joy to look upon for a moment or two. It looks fun and happy and is not just "going with the flow". Out of the ordinary.

Maybe I am in the doldrums, driving down the road, a bit mopey. Then I spy a silly yard ornament or a ridiculous Bobble Head Elvis on someone's dashboard. It makes me smile. Even if just a little.... or when someone creates art that is contradictory. Like the now well known Bear Dance. I remember when it first came out I loved it. In fact, we still have it in our basement family room. I love that the style is traditional, like an oil painted feel that is sort of stuffy, and you glance at it with little interest. Then you spin your head back around after your eyes tell your brain that it is not what you expected, for the subject matter of bears dancing and having a party in the woods is far from stuffy! (I like it better without the words on the bottom, but this is what I could find)



There is a house nearby that is painted in at least 20 colors I'd say. Not shades of the same color, but actual different colors -- pink, purple, green, yellow, blue... The man who owns it told me it was his wife's idea and he wasn't really that cracked up about it. But he did it for her anyway. Now we all know his dedication to her, don't we? Since it was built and painted I have admired it. I don't want it. But I love seeing it up on the hill as I drive by. Even the style of the house is similar to one from Grimm's Fairy Tales!


A neighbor on our road painted their well house like a child's color collage. (Remember making those, coloring for hours and hours in hopes that your step-mother might frame it and put it over the piano?)


Whimsical. It's fun and unexpected to see.


Our front door is a little whimsical (especially without a doorknob).




And the metal finial to an old wood stove that we have in our perennial garden is quaint.



Can silly looking Flying Nun goats be whimsical?

This is Clementine. I think that even her name is whimsical. Oh my Darlin'...


Today I saw this bus shelter and I think it is adorable.




A few years ago I painted our old, worn out Adirondack chairs in loud and busy colors. I wish the picture showed the true colors of periwinkle purple, forest green and orange. I will need new ones soon and I shall paint them just the same!

I put them in front of our living room window so I can see them when I look out. They are even more unique now that they are barely holding together. I love the metal flower too, crafted by a local man. I bought it at a Farmer's Market.

The fire-hydrant-turned-watering-spigots in the Healing Garden at the Burn Center where my cousin is right now is whimsical (pictured on page one of the pdf document linked above). The kids who come to visit loved ones can fill watering cans here and go around and water the plants and flowers. You can see why they call it a Healing Garden. These suffering people need whimsy much more than I do.

We have a watering can shaped like a flamingo. I bought it as part of the decorations for a birthday party for my husband. The theme was Flamingo Lounge and we all dressed up in styles from the 80s. I'll post more about that another time.
Our baby boy makes that cute watering can even more delightful. He carries it around and calls it a "Fango-Mango". Isn't that sweet and whimsical? I kind of hope he never says it correctly.

And look! Another natural smile instead of a cheesy grin.

And now each time we drive down our driveway I get to hear Little Man say "Mama! One, two, four Fango-Mango!" (this is his way of saying there is more than one of something). Because, well, look what the neighbors put in their new garden... in front of their new barn... which is right at the bottom of our driveway...


Two Fango-Mangoes! Fango-Mangoes are whimsical aren't they?

Especially in the northwest,

out in the country,

in front of a barn:)

I love whimsy.

So there you have a few of the things things that give me my whimsy joy. Do you love whimsy? What whimsy is in your home or yard or life? What whimsy makes you smile? Or do you prefer to stay more traditional?

Maybe I should start "Whimsy On Wednesdays"!....



(I must consider the question: Where is the line between whimsical and just plain tacky? There definitely is one...)

My Sweet Angel, Being Molded...

I especially love this picture because it is a rare find. When he sees a camera pointed in his direction, he cracks a "cheesy grin". While it is cute, I have so many of them -- and it makes his nose turn into a triangle. This one is a real smile. Sweet and precious. And cuddly too.

Tonight my not-yet-two year old walked in on me, through a closed bathroom door, where I was trying to put my nightshirt on with some degree of privacy. I said "Baby, you shouldn't walk in when Mommy has the door closed. You should close the door, then knock before you come in, You Silly". Of course, this was kind of rhetoric, like when I said "thank you" for him when he was 8 months old to eventually train him to say it himself.

Do you know what that baby did next?

He said "Yes (small pause) Mama", closed the door, then knocked! Yes he did!

When I said "Come in" I saw the biggest beam on his face become bigger still as I told him what a good and obedient boy he is. All of this hard work, training an apparent "naughty" (active, spunky...) baby has been paying off in spades as he has been very deliberately saying "Yes Mama", "Yes, Daddy" and even sometimes to one of his brothers, like tonight when he said "Yes, Nathan".



These are the sweetest days I'll know...