Grandma's Love and Prayers

 

It was the summer of 1968 and I (along with a friend from jr. college) was working in Lake Tahoe as a maid at a small mom and pop owned motel.  I had my first car, a BIG Buick circa 1950 something and it was giving me trouble.  Evidently my mother shared my car woes with my grandmother because soon mail arrived from her. 

Mail but not just any run of the mill mail.  This was mail covered, smothered and oozing her love and prayers for me, her grand-daughter. The envelope contained a letter, two prayer poems written on 3x5 cards, another note with more words and telling me she missed the mailman the day before.  There was a dollar bill to go get a hamburger with and also the name of a gentleman she knew in Lake Tahoe who might be able to give me car advice.

No one will ever know how all these years later this bundle of love and prayers touches my heart and encourages my spirit.  It is hard to do this post with tears flowing down my chin faster than I can contain them.  My grandmother was a little lady of very few words but oh, was she special to me.  I knew she loved me and I knew she loved the Lord. 

I loved my grandmother and I miss her terribly.  She lived a life of faith just like she encouraged me to do in those notes.  She was often lonely and I know her heart was broken which led to her leaving this earth but she left me with a knowledge that I could put my trust in the Lord and for that I am eternally grateful.

Now I am a grandmother and lately my heart feels like it may break with situations beyond my control but as Grandma wrote, "God is my help in every need".  I will look to Him the Source of all I need and then in turn pass on the encouragement to those around me just like Grandma did.

What's In Your Pocket?

In my humble opinion an apron without pockets is useless.  As I go about my day it is so much easier to stash things in my apron pocket and put them away later.  My phone too finds a cozy place that makes it handy for me.  Last night as I emptied the contents of my apron pocket I just had to smile.  It reminds me of emptying my sons' pockets when they were little and now doing the same with my grandsons' when they visit.  You never know what you will find for sure! So what's in your apron pocket?

The History of Aprons

I received this in an email today and it reminded me that I had copied it a long time ago into my homekeeping file.  Thought it would be worth sharing here with you.  It makes me smile for sure.  I for one wear an apron pretty much everyday.  I call mine my work uniform.  

 

The History of  'APRONS' 

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few and because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons required less material.  But along with that, it served as a potholder for  removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears,

and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.    

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
 

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
 

And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.
 

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
 From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.
After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
 

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
 

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes. 

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.  

Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
 
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Clam Chowder

I know it is late in the day but did not want to miss Lisa's Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hook-up.  With the hope of cooler days ahead thought I would share a great recipe for clam chowder.  Very easy and very good.  I always add more clams than it calls for which makes for a happy Precious Husband.  Yum.  Personally I love good soup anytime of the year.

Clam Chowder

2 (6 1/2 oz.) cans minced clams

1 cup finely chopped onions

1 cup finely chopped celery

2 cups diced potatoes

water

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup flour

4 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon sugar

salt and pepper to taste.

Drain clams, reserving juice.  In a large saucepan, combine clam juice, onions, celery and potatoes.  Add enough water to just cover vegetables.  Cook until tender.  While veges are cooking combine butter and flour in large kettle and cook over low heat and add milk making white sauce.  Cook and stir until smooth and thick.  Add clam and potato mixture and sugar, salt and pepper.  Heat through about 15 minutes.  Serves 6.

Little Eyes Little Ears

and little feet . . .

 Last Friday I unexpectedly had the opportunity to pick up my 4 little grandchildren for a few days.  I was so thankful to have spaghetti sauce all made up in the freezer - but that info can make another post another day.


It never ceases to amaze me how observant children are.  They are watching and listening all the time.  The question I must constantly be asking myself is what are they observing?  Is it good, is it wholesome, is it encouraging?  Is it beneficial?


My 4 year old TLC #2 brought this to my attention when he pointed to the cup on the kitchen counter and said, "Look Mémère, the cup has feet!"  (This reminded me of the little bible song, "Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little feet where you go . . .") Kids don't miss a thing.  I want to be a good example to them of all God wants us to be and I also don't want to miss an opportunity to teach and encourage my grandchildren.

Titus 2:6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity . . .