MOTHER'S DAY

My mother was an impeccable housekeeper and a green-thumb gardener. She even ironed her cleaning cloths because she said they looked better in the drawer. Her garden was full of flowers, especially lots of roses; and she brought into the house bouquets every day. Until I was in grade school, I thought everyone lived that way. Didn't everyone have a hand-painted iris vase with iris in it on their dressing table; or roses floating in a crystal rose bowl on the breakfast table? And, why wouldn't you iron and dust everything in site?? I realized that my mother had something special going on, as not only was I and the house her focus; she worked full time building her career for 40 years with the U. S. Government. Among the many things she instilled in me, however, was a special appreciation for a sparkling household with beautiful things in it!

I miss her every day.

I've also been blessed with a great mother-in-law. When the stories circulate about mother-in-law antics and problems, all I can say is that I sure didn't think I would have a mother-in-law for 53+ years. Yes, she will celebrate her 98th birthday next Wednesday. In her heyday, she was a prolific cook and seamstress while also working in the family grocery store plus she raised three kids. My mother was a great cook when she chose to, but she and I shared the same feelings about the kitchen -- it's at its best when clean and closed for the day. My mother-in-law, though, cooked constantly wonderful goodies - I've learned lots about cooking and sewing from her over the years.

The iris vase is the one that belonged to my mother, and it is sitting on her dressing table that now resides in our bedroom.

In the second picture, the small picture is of mother and I; and the larger picture is of my mother-in-law with Bob and his two sisters.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, EVERYONE!

FAVORITE THINGS - MOTHER'S DAY

I'm joining in with Laurie at Bargain Hunting with Laurie

for her Saturday Favorite Things party.

Be sure to check out her blog for always a fun read, plus a list of today's Favorite Things participants.

Since it is Mother's Day weekend, I thought I would show you four of my favorite pictures of my mother.  She was so intelligent, actually brilliant, that she started 1st grade on the day she turned 5 years old, skipped the 7th grade, and had graduated from junior college at age 17 before she married my Dad.   When I started to school, she started working for the federal government rising in the ranks until she was in charge of offices all over the state retiring at the age of 65 after a long, successful career.  She was always a mother, then a grandmother first, however.  She gave me a wonderful childhood, then supported me in everything I ever did.  Failing health took her too young, and she never did enjoy her retirement years.  

There is never a day I don't think about her - there is something every day I wish I could share with her. I so would like to introduce her to her great-grandchildren, for instance; as she enjoyed my kids so much.  

Here are my favorite pictures of her:

The first one was taken when she was in the May Day court in college (1937).

I was six-months old, and Mother was only 19.

Mother loved to shop, and we made regular trips to the city.  This was taken on the streets of Pueblo, Colorado.  She had just bought this 'Gone with the Wind' Scarlett doll for me, and she was trying to keep me from running into people.  I couldn't take my eyes off of Scarlett.

MET MONDAY

It is Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Susan of

Between Naps on the Porch.

This is a fun event where everyone can show their before and after pictures. Be sure to go by Susan's charming blog to check out all of the other participants.

My little cupboard in my dining room is always ready for a metamorphosis. I usually try to dress it up for the different holidays throughout the year. So, today my BEFORE pictures are of my Mother's Day memorabilia.

This little cubby hole contains a picture of Bob with his mother and sisters. The little shoes were Bob's when he was small. Bob's mother was 95 years old on Saturday.

Now a picture of my mother and me shopping. She had just purchased this doll for me, and I couldn't take my eyes off of her - she was a Scarlett O'Hara doll. I'm sure Mother was telling me to watch where I was going.

A picture of mother and me again. I've included four generations of baby silverware and cups.

A cup that says Mama and a Mother's Day card from 1912.

Now, the time has come to morph my cupboard into the patriotic holidays of the summer.

In this cubby hole there are antique postcards, a school picture of me during WWII, and draft cards of my family from WWI, WWII, and the Viet Nam War. Did I mention that my family never throws anything away?

An old flag that I found in my great-grandmother's belongings and a stereopticon card from the late 1800s.

Another old postcard, a campaign pin from the early 1900s, a dog tag from WWII, and a Boy Scout membership card from the 1930s.

And finally, another old postcard, a picture of Betsy Ross, and, of course, George Washington.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

FOODIE FRIDAY & MOTHER'S DAY

Michael, the creator of great tablescapes, beautiful food, and the blog,
Designs by Gollum
is once again hosting the fun event - Foodie Friday!! Be sure to stop by her blog to see the list of participants for this week. I'm sure you will witness a plethora of beautiful food.

My friend, Sue, at Rue-Mouffetard
is on a mission to instill in me the joy of cooking. I am a decent cook, but even during all of my 50 years of marriage; I have never really enjoyed cooking. Sue is always encouraging me to try different recipes so that I might find some fun in what to me is a chore! Recently, she emailed me a recipe for Easy Danish telling me how easy and good they were. So today it was my turn to fix dessert for our supper club, and I thought I would give it a go.

Even though they are traditionally thought of as a brunch or breakfast pastry; I served them with ice cream for dessert. They were a big hit!

This afternoon as I was in the kitchen working on the Danish, the postman brought me a package. AND, the package was from Sue. How eerie is that?

You can see the Danish cooling in the background as I opened the box!

Look at this wonderful note.

I couldn't believe it that someone I only know through blogging would do something like this for me. I was overwhelmed!

Look at this beautiful little dish.

Thank you, Sue!! I will cherish it forever.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO SUE AND ALL OF YOU OUT THERE IN BLOGLAND! When we adopted our daughter, someone told me that "caring, not bearing, makes you a mother"! I know you all care deeply, so to all of you have a joyous day on Sunday.

Sally