Quick! Do you like to file? Do you like the lovely vista of file folders all neatly labeled, sorted and placed in the cabinet in a perfect logical order? No? Neither do I. In fact I detest filing and everything associated with it. Except I do like Avery sticky labels. But that's IT. We do … [Read more...]
Luscious Dessert and Just the Right Size – Mom’s Small Date Cake
My Mom used to make two date cakes, this one in an 8 inch square pan, and a larger cake in a 13 1/2 by 9 inch oblong. I didn't realize until getting married and baking them myself that the recipes are so different. Mom's small date cake has dates with no nuts or spices and you serve it with … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Doughnuts! Homemade Delicious Breakfast Surprise from Dave
Yes, I am spoiled. No question. When your husband gets up and makes homemade pumpkin doughnuts for breakfast while you're in the shower? That's having it all! Can you tell he was surprised when I took his picture? I got out of the shower to this wonderful smell of - can it be? - yes! … [Read more...]
The Cat Who Will Live Forever – Norton and Other Fine Cats We Love
As the priest said at my Mom and Dad's funeral, "There is nothing good about death." And as Peter Gethers quoted in this book, The Cat Who'll Live Forever: The Final Adventures of Norton, the Perfect Cat, and His Imperfect Human, "the only thing wrong with our pets is they don't live as long as we … [Read more...]
A Weekend for a Wedding – Families and Joy
My nephew married his long-time sweetheart this weekend. Zach met Anna at a church-sponsored building trip in Appalachia when they were in high school. Anna graduated this spring and they married. It was a happy wedding, full of joyful people. The bride and groom smiled all through the Mass, all … [Read more...]
Hillside Around the Corner on My Lunch Time Walk – Magical Hills
I love hills. Midland, where we grew up, is flat, flat, and yes, really pancake flat. Dave and I moved a little ways out of town where our backyard sloped down to a creek. Heaven. We loved having the little hill. When our son was younger he would take his sled to the top of the steps, slide … [Read more...]
Visiting Escanaba, Michigan. Upper Peninsula Memories
My parents are from Escanaba. Mom was born in Chassel, a tiny town near Houghton, and her family moved to Wells which is just outside of Escanaba when she was about 7. This was the Depression and her dad found work as a sawyer in one of the local sawmills. Dad's family had a home in Escanaba … [Read more...]