Aunt Shirley

My Aunt Shirley passed away on Mother's Day. She was my mom's older sister.

I have good memories of my Aunt Shirley.  She was  married to Uncle Gordon, who was career military police in the U.S. Army.  They lived all over the world and when I was growing up they spent a lot of time in Germany and Iran.  It was different then and if she called from Germany it was a big deal and was only for three minutes.  Aunt Shirley was a good military wife and went with the all of the moves and distance from her family with grace.

In between posts her family would come to stay at my grandparent's dairy for several weeks at a time.  One year they came with a big, brand new convertible. I remember sitting in the back seat with my legs straight out and not able to reach the front seat. I can still picture her hands on the wheel, she always had a beautiful manicure, as we flew around the curves on Wiser Lake Road. Oooh, I thought she was so glamorous.  She had diamonds and rubies, diamonds and sapphires and diamond and emerald sets.  She collected Hummels that she'd bought in Germany.  She sent my Mom exciting birthday gifts from around the world.  She shipped home Landen's hand me down clothes from Germany for my sister and I.  They were beautiful clothes.  Not like anything from the Lynden Department Store!

When I was in first grade she lived in Monterey, California while Uncle Gordon was in Korea. She needed to get everything packed for another move and then drive with Landen and Ed to Lynden.  My parents drove there to help her, and by helping I mean getting Landen and Ed out of the apartment.  My parents picked them up and we drove to Disneyland. Aunt Shirley packed up everything and then we all drove back to Washington. It was such fun and a good memory for me.

After Uncle Gordon retired from the military, they moved back to Whatcom County.  Then we all experienced Aunt Shirley's hospitality and delicious cooking. She worked for Trillium and set up a job interview for me to be the Syre family nanny.  I am so thankful for my years I spent with the Syre family.

Aunt Shirley always had an office job outside of her home, always ran her home beautifully and was a dear mother and aunt.  She was one of those women that seem to do it all with ease.  Though I am sure it wasn't easy moving all over the world and being away from her family.

I am so grateful for my memories of Aunt Shirley.

She was a gem.

Mother's Day 2017

Hubby and I hosted Mother's Day brunch on Sunday evening at our house. I set up a mimosa bar in the living room.  The moms sat in the sitting room for brunch and gifts.  Years ago we set up a Mother's Day table for the moms separate from all of the guys and toddlers.  It was a break from feeding kids.  The tradition has continued though everyone can feed themselves now.

 I used my Mom's wedding china for our Mom's only table.

My sister that is a Snapsister set up a photo shoot after we had eaten.

 Our Mom struggles with dementia and so we treasure her good days and her smiles.

Her sister, my Aunt Shirley passed away Sunday morning.  She also had dementia. I'll be sharing more about my Aunt Shirley in a later post. My Mom misses her sisters.

 Melinda, our sister from another mother (my Mom's youngest sister Clarice) joined us for dessert.  I made the Happy Birthday Cake because it was Kathi's birthday and she requested it.

Since Jodi's kids were all there, she wanted a quick photo shoot with them.  I was a little envious until I watched her try to get them to cooperate.

I am so thankful for my Mom and my sisters and my sister cousins.  We had a good day celebrating.

Clutter, Lists and Junk

When the guys were younger and still living at home we ate dinner at the table every night.

Hubby and I still eat dinner but not always at the table.  My house was tidy when the guys were here.  Now it's messy.  I have no one to blame but Hubby and myself.

I don't know how or why this has happened.

 I clear off the table and then it just fills back up with junk.  The sad part is that a lot of the piles are lists to help me be organized.  If they are lost in a pile they don't do anyone any good.

 Hubby brought me a new pencil. I hope it helps!

Today! I am going to clear off the table.  

It's a lofty goal. Each piece of paper represents something to do, an appointment to be made, a phone call, an errand, groceries to get or finding a spot for something new.

#thestruggleisrealandboring

Easter, What I'm Reading and some Random

First, an Easter recap because I want to remember this Easter.  It just felt extra special to me.

Our church gives us an opportunity to share a white lily, azalea or an orchid in memory of family or friends. Our church is full of flowers and it's a blessing to remember the hope we have in Christ.

We sang Up From the Grave He Arose, In Christ Alone and other favorite Easter songs. At the end of the service our church invites anyone that knows the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah to sing in the choir. 

After Church we went to dinner at Jeff and Kathi's place at Birch Bay. And then it was time for the Easter Egg hunt.  Uncle Jeff laid out the rules.  Yes, those are some big kids hunting for eggs.

 The Grandmas watched from a great vantage point.

 Washington beaches are rocky!

It was sunny, which was an Easter miracle, and Mt. Baker was gorgeous.

This week I've been substitute teaching.  I'm still having fun.  I love the actual teaching and the kiddos. Yesterday I had a kindergarten class and at one point a para educator came in and told me she was putting me on a prayer chain. Not just any prayer chain but her mother-in-law's heavy duty Southern Baptist prayer chain!  I needed it.  It was a really cute, energetic group of kiddos!

Yesterday, Hubby had a day off and I came home to dinner. Yes, those are some delicious beef ribs, roasted asparagus and whipped cauliflower.  He's figuring out that if I have kindergarten I may be a little tired when I get home.

 I did a lot of reading in Maui and I've kept it up since I got home. Hubby had some shift work so I filled my evenings with some good books.  The Nearness of You is a quick and enjoyable read.

I am reading Eliza Waite and enjoying it. The author is local.

As Good as Gone is my next read.

Max is coming home this weekend.  He's a groomsman for his college roommate's wedding.

Won't Max be surprised?  There is food in our fridge!  His last two visits happened while we were in Las Vegas and Maui and the cupboards were bare.  Mama's in Maui, get your own groceries!

Bo is coming too so I am dog proofing the house today. And I'm starting to clean the patio because eventually Spring and even Summer are going to show up in Washington.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Easter Basket Cookies

I haven't made these cookies for Easter since the boys were little but I guess I was feeling nostalgic and I wanted to bring back this Easter tradition. They are a fun treat while you're waiting for the Easter Egg Hunt to begin.

Chocolate No Bake Cookies aka Easter Basket Cookies

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup butter (some recipes call for 1/4 cup)

4 T. cocoa

1/3 cup milk

3 cups quick oats

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup peanut butter

In a sauce pan, combine coca, butter, milk and sugar. Bring to a boil  and boil between 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not boil longer.

Remove from heat and add oats, peanut butter and vanilla.  Stir all together.  Drop by scoop or spoonful onto waxed paper.  I use the medium scoop and my mini muffin tin from Pampered Chef.  Or my small scoop for the dropped version.  I sprayed my tin with cooking oil and they popped right out of the muffin tin.

The muffin tin gives a basket shape and the spoonfuls give a nest shape.

Press three small jelly beans into each cookie for the eggs.

I think they turned out okay this time but honestly Rice Krispie Bars and Chocolate No Bake Cookies are my nemesis in the kitchen. The struggle is real and y'all know that I can bake.

Happy Easter!

*Reminder, no one pays me to write this drivel or recipes.  Pampered Chef or Rice Krispies pay me nada.

Happy Easter Friends

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:5-6

Wishing you a Blessed Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior.