After the Storms

My thoughts and prayers are with many friends waking to a different world today.

A world of devastation and loss in wake of yesterday's storms.

There are also many still keeping watchful eyes on the sky and clouds,

as well as rising rivers.

May everyone be safe.

Buildings can be rebuilt.

Material items can be purchased.

None of you can ever be replaced.

Storms, Salad and Friends

Photo via wfaa

Much of yesterday was spent with an eye on the sky, and an ear tuned to weather forecasts.

Seems like we are doing a lot of that these days.

Finally, the sun began to peek through and the clouds cleared.

I quickly threw together a salad, and scurried off to enjoy a monthly gathering with friends.

 I started with a package of spring mix salad greens, to which I added a package of baby spinach leaves.  Tossed in a handful of dried cranberries, and a can of drained mandarin oranges.

Next, was some yummy crumbled feta cheese.

I was planning on toasting some pecans or almonds, for a little crunch.  With time short, I was not sure the nuts would cool sufficiently before being added to the greens.

Instead, I happened to have a package of these.

A few sprinkled on top was perfect!

I made a salad dressing from this Junior League of Birmingham cookbook.

Guess it was a good thing to snap that photograph before serving.

I returned with an empty bowl!

Red Wine Vinaigrette

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine ingredients in a jar with tight-fitting lid and shake to blend.  Chill in freezer for 10 minutes or in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Add dressing to salad, mix well.

Serve immediately.

~Contributed by Lori Johnson Goodson~

This does make a sweet dressing, and I might reduce the amount of sugar next time -- or maybe not!

I just wish I had some of the salad for lunch today.

There could be more storms this afternoon, so guess I better go check that sky!

Hope everyone else is staying safe and dry.

It has been a rather wicked Spring thus far.

 

Easter Sunday Blessings

They asked me how I know it's true

That the Saviour lived and died . . .

And if I believe the story

That the Lord was crucified?

And I have so many answers

To prove His Holy Being,

Answers that are everywhere

Within the realm of seeing . . .

The leaves that fell at Autumn

And were buried in the sod

Now budding on the tree boughs

To lift their arms to God . . .

The flowers that were entombed beneath the snow

Pushing through the "darkness"

To bid the Spring "hello" . . .

On every side Great Nature

Retells the Easter Story.

So who am I to question

"The Resurrection Glory."

~Helen Steiner Rice~

He is Risen!

Happy Easter Sunday!

Easter Memories

Between packing, unpacking and a few other activities in our home and lives, Easter seems to have sneaked up on me.  Only a few days ago, I managed to bring out the Easter Egg tree, and surround it with my mother-in-law's much loved Herend bunny collection.

But the much loved sugar eggs from my mother, which I shared here last year, remain safely snuggled in their boxes.  As do the needlepoint bunnies, also shared here last year, and many other favorite Easter decorations.

I know in my heart that Easter is not about the chocolate bunnies, brightly painted eggs, and cute baskets overflowing with colorful paper grass.

But, if I am to be perfectly honest, I do miss seeing all those things around my house this year.

So, I am thinking of Easters past, when those and much more were in great abundance.

My first Easter as a mother.

The thrill of the hunt!

For me, the search for the perfect little appliqued outfit and miniature top siders.

For him, that special egg!

The annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt, and a sugar induced high that lasted all afternoon.

No nap for him.  I was the one who needed it more!

Family.

Dearly departed, but never forgotten, family.

Brunch at Memphis Country Club.

I can still taste the cheese blintz with raspberries!

Real bunnies with whiskers that tickle!

No, these are not the things of which Easter really is.

Or, are they in some small way?

Because of a greater love, I have all these blessings.

A tiny hand was placed in mine, and I put my faith in His hands to guide us both, through hunts for hidden eggs and other adventures in life.

The holiday brought family and friends together.  Work and worries ceased for the moment.

There were smiles, hugs and happiness.

There are now special memories etched forever into our hearts and minds.

There is the promise of eternal life, and the glorious reunion with those we miss even more when we gaze at sugar eggs and beloved bunny collections.

I believe that God speaks to us in so many different ways, and holidays can be celebrated and savored in just as many ways, too.

And sometimes, we just all need to indulge in the simple and silly things that make us smile!

If you choose to celebrate Easter,

may you be abundantly blessed as you prepare your home and heart for this sacred day.

Southern Cooking and Reading

I own more cookbooks than I will ever possibly use.

However, that does not stop me from purchasing more.

My latest purchase is A Southerly Course, Recipes & Stories Close to Home by Martha Hall Foose.

This is her second cookbook.  Her first, Screen Doors and Sweet Tea, also resides in my kitchen and has actually been used!

For those of us in the smocking and heirloom world, these are more than just cookbooks by some unknown author.  Martha's mother, Cindy, is a well known and much loved teacher of sewing and smocking.

Creative Needle, November/December 1999

Her beautiful designs often graced the pages of Creative Needle.

Students in Cindy's classes were not only treated to her vast knowledge of sewing techniques, but also her talent as a great storyteller.  Her daughter inherited that same skill.

Martha's latest cookbook is filled with mouth watering recipes, and tales of her life in the South.

The book is also full of wonderful photographs.

Many are all about the food,

and very much drool worthy!

It is obvious much thought and care went into each photograph.

No detail was too small.

For instance, this photograph of Grilled Frog Legs is presented by a lovely lady wearing what?

A frog printed housedress, of course!

Such humorous and endearing details are sprinkled throughout the pages.

I am not sure the recipe for frog legs will be the first thing I try.

Chocolate Chiffon Pie may win that honor!

Yum, yum, yum.

The photographs are not only about food,

but also heartwarming illustrations of Martha and her family's life in the Mississippi Delta.

Martha's knack for combining food and tales make this more than just your average cookbook.

I recently shared with a group of friends an article about Martha from the current issue of Garden & Gun.  Many were not famliar with this magazine about life in the South.

I would not have known about it either, except a very sweet customer told me about it last year.  It has now become one of my favorite magazines.

You may read more about Martha Halls Foose, her coobooks, personal appearances, and her role as food stylist for the movie, The Help, at her website.

Additional information for Garden & Gun is available at their website.

Happy reading, cooking and eating! 

Something about Iris

They seem to always be wearing their Easter finery,

complete with bonnet, frills, and ruffles!

Happy Monday!

Palm Sunday Blessings

April Showers

It is definitely Spring in Texas!

That means the weather can change in seconds.  It brings not only gentle showers, but thunder, lightening and destructive winds.

Our week started like that.

A night where you are not sure whether to try and sleep, or stay up with the local television weatherman.

Fortunately, our immediate area received no damage.

Instead, I am enjoying beautiful blooms on one of my antique rose bushes!

Hope everyone else is staying safe from storms and flooding.

I am taking a break from unpacking and organizing to have lunch with a friend today.

May there be friends, laughter and sunshine in your day, too!

Blessings

Lily of Valley in handpainted thimble!

It was no accident . . .

that the seasons came round and round year after year.

It was the Lord speaking to us all and showing us over and over again the birth, life, death, and resurrection of his only begotten Son.

~Francine Rivers~

And He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up kings;

He gives wisdom to the wise

And knowledge to those who have understanding.

Daniel 2:21

Spring vs Sinus

Dallas Blooms 2011, Dallas Arboretum

The Good Lord knew to bless Spring with awesome blooms in beautiful colors, under sunny skies.

It makes the accompanying allergy and sinus problems a tad more tolerable!

Now, if I could only unravel the mystery behind moving boxes.

Why is it for every one that is unpacked, two or three more always appear?

I am slowly making process, though.

Thank you for the many kind and encouraging messages regarding the recent closing of my brick and mortar store.  They mean the world to me, and have made this transition a little easier.

During the past eighteen months, my time at the store was limited due to health issues, medical appointments, and surgeries.  However, even when a business owner is not physically present at their business, they are still very much consumed by it.

I am enjoying a more relaxed schedule, and know my health will ultimately benefit from it.

There are still orders to fill and customers to help.

I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to help others keep stitching and creating, through my website.

I am also still planning to spend more time in my own sewing room, once that last box is unpacked, if not sooner!

Available here

One thing I often regretted as a business owner, was not having time to support other businesses -- especially other small local businesses.

As I have made daily runs to the Post Office with orders, I have also made time to reacquaint myself with other stores in my neighborhood.

While not a small or locally owned business, I did enjoy browsing through the nearest location of World Market the other day.  A few of the double insulated tumblers followed me home.

I plan on spending many sunny summer days sipping something delightfully cool and fruity!

May your weekend be filled with Spring goodness, and not too much pollen or too many sneezes!.

Monday Munching

There are certain Mondays when you need something pink and sweet with sprinkles on top!

Hope your week is off to a delicious start!

Blessings

Often God delays purposely,

and the delay is just as much an answer to your prayer

as is the fulfillment when it comes.

~Emilie Barnes~

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,

and He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Psalm 27:14