It's in the details.

Yesterday was the 38 year we have lived without daddy. I think so often of his laughter and the lessons he taught, of him dancing in the living room with me in his arms, while he sang "Turkey in the Straw." ...I still see his hands, roughened by time, in mine while we tromped in the woods for hours, while he told me of stories from his boyhood. His gentle smile but strong belief that we should be forever grateful for the life we enjoyed.  [This picture- what would be only months before his passing. He and Danielle on Sunday morning before her 1st birthday] It was mutual adoration.

Today would have been mama's 91'st birthday, she's been gone almost 4 years. It seems like a lifetime, until I make her sour cream pound cake- then I feel her very close. When I watch my daughter throw her head back and laugh out loud, I see my mother again. 

I still keep her favorite pair of slacks in my closet. I bury my face in the leg of them on occasion. How can they still have her scent on them? They've been washed several times to remove the dust, yet they still smell like her?  [These three would get to her as often as they could. Cari in her arms, Danielle on the left, Crandy on the right.]

Then, this. While reading my devotion this morning about the building of the tabernacle and the furnishings, the mercy seat of God, I see.  

"God is a masterful designer. Details are important to Him. (I am important to Him) He is never random or haphazard. And just like the tabernacle furnishings, every detail of your life (my life) has a divine design."

Ahhh... I see what you did there, Lord.  Why is it so hard for people to believe we have a intentional, adoring God? 

The lamp stand was about seventy-five pounds of pure gold and sculpted with almond blossoms. Details. It was used by the priests to see as they served. It also points to Jesus. He is the light of the world. He dispels the darkness. God GAVE me this. Today, when I am close to tears, longing to remember more. Some will think it is coincidence but nothing is coincidence with God. Nothing. 

Why do we fight so hard against? Why is it so hard to believe He desires our closeness? Why is it so hard to believe He wants to cradle us in His arms? Why is it so hard to believe He wants us to place our trust in Him, that he has all the details worked out?  Wow. 

Lord, thank you, oh thank YOU.  Help me to slow down today and see the details, remember how precious  both mama and daddy were, relish the memories, look forward to the day I will see them again. Teach me to love more and forgive quickly. Most of all, thank you for giving so freely, Your son -my Savior and allowing me the comfort of your peace. Thank you Father for the details AND that I am yours. 

Amen.

Happy memories of pancakes, jets and blue eyes.

I love Fall.  It's a time of year for the best food ever and cooler days and unlike Spring which feels new, Fall feels more like a rest. A reprieve.  It's also a time of birthdays in our family.  Our daughter, son and most of our nieces and nephews were fall babies. 
September 16th would have been my Daddys 91st birthday.   This picture was at 22 yrs, after he returned from war and then married our mother.  Handsome devil, huh?

 There are days when I miss my dad more than other days.  Today is one of those days.  Today it was an iron skillet I was putting away when the memories of Saturday morning pancakes flooded my soul. 
He dropped out of high school at 16 to go to work and help support his mother, sister and little brother.  One of eight children, he grew up in a time when everyone was poor.  His father died of tuberculosis and he had no choice but to quit and go to work.  Although, I never in my nineteen years of living with him ever heard him complain or lament. 
Daddy had the brain of an engineer, proving it over and over as his career was shaped at Hayes International [Later to become Pemco Corporation]  Daddy built airplanes, fighter jets and even helped design and build some of the equipment used in the early Gemini flights into space. 
I was told stories by Mama of blueprints sent to Hayes and to daddy from the engineers.  My father, this man with no formal education would send word to the engineers - "these plans won't work"  The engineers would wait for daddy to redesign the plans which were sent back to the engineers and placed on new blueprints, then returned to Hayes for daddy to build.  They received a contract during the war for eleven jets and it took a month to build each jet.  Hayes built eleven fighters in nine months because daddy knew they could do it.  He was not afraid of hard work.  He was honorable, responsible and slow to anger.  He had a dry sense of humor that amused me to no end. 


And those pancakes? They were HUGE, he poured one into the skillet and he turned them perfectly every time.  I can still see his calloused, rough hand on the skillet handle, humming and smiling, with a sparkle in his eye as he served up my pancake on the plate. My blue-eyed daddy was a good cook and although not perfect as none of us are, he was MY perfect earthly father. 
Our Patrick​, born on daddy's birthday bears his middle name, Warren.  [Patrick, who also makes a mean pancake]  Today this memory brings a smile to my face and warms my heart.  Our little grandson Bryant, his birthday this month as well, also bears the same name.   See what happened there?  Memories have glimpses of sadness but most of all they are sweet and comforting.  They remind us of the best of the people we loved and times long gone.  Reminding us of where we come and what is expected of us still and even give us love deep in our soul long after they are gone.  I see through the same blue eyes.
Happy birthday Daddy.

Halloween - Party Mix time!

 Ah memories of homemade costumes, driving miles between stops with one objective, Get Candy.

 

 While the children enjoy the fun and festivities, maybe you want something better than a pack of smarties.  This is my very favorite party mix, given to me by a friend.  The crunchy with the buttery sweetness.  Heaven!

Halloween Party Mix             

                                                        Preheat oven to 250 bake

12 oz. mini pretzel twists

1 large jar dry roasted peanuts

1 box 12 oz. peanut butter Ritz Bits

Spread in large pan w/1" sides.  [I use my broiler pan that came w/the oven]
In a 2 qt saucepan combine,
1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup  

Mix well, bring to a boil and boil ONLY 5 minutes.  Add 2 tsp vanilla & 1 tsp baking soda. 
Pour over pretzel mixture and briefly stir to cover. 

Bake 45 minutes @ 250 Bake, STIRRING every 15 minutes.  
Turn onto wax paper and pull pieces apart quickly and let begin to cool.  Add 

1 lb M&M's 

12 oz Candy Corn                

Store in airtight container or Ziploc bags.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the family

 This is certainly one of our most vocal family members and recently became the most valuable.  Kitty Witchens came to us as a mere baby.  His daddy no longer wanted him as he now shared a dog with his future wife and there was no place for "Witchens".   It was senseless to hold ill will toward the young couple as you only have to lay eyes on our beautiful daughter-in-law to understand why our son "tossed" the cat like yesterdays bathwater.  The Kat however held a grudge for long time.  [more about that in a later post] 
Kitty Witchens spent his early days with us in some measured degree of turmoil.  There were definite behavior issues but they were mostly resolved over time with firm discipline and lots of love.   In recent months we lost our beloved Miss Chevious aka Little Cat to kidney failure.  She was a demure and beautiful girl, a Persian Seal Point, barely nine when she died. 
The two cats never adored each other but seemed to come to a mutual understanding to co-exist in our home.  We had absolutely no idea how much Witchens actually hated Little Cat until she died.  He has been on cloud nine ever since.  At first we thought it was simply because he was missing her but it soon became apparent that he loved not having her here, skipping around like a youngster and the constant purring he hadn't done in years. 
Witchens has largely been a good natured cat with human friends, as long as you don't over stimulate him.   He sleeps on 'his chair' in the living room, spends most of his days on  the screen porch soaking up the sun and watching squirrels, eating large quantities of what must be the most expensive cat food in existence and chasing his lady bug.  Okay, he does more "looking" at the ladybug than chasing these days but he's just a great cat.  He talks when he's hungry or sleepy, or simply desires your attention or to let you know there are squirrels outside again.  He is feeling better now after a recent illness.  Again, a post for another day. 
Kitty Witchens says Hi!

Kitty Witchens posing for the camera. Spring 2014