The Way We Are

Lately I have been thinking about all the wonderful women in my life. I come from a family of Sisters (no Brothers), and my Mother came from a large family of Sisters (six Sisters and one Brother,-the baby). My Dad had four Sisters. I also have one Mother in Law, three Sister-in laws, two Daughters, one Daughter in Law to be, and one very close girlfriend of my Son. That doesn't include all of my beautiful Nieces, and of course the many cousins, friends, and aquaintances.

This little army of women keep in touch regularly. I have at least 4-5, hour long telephone conversations each week, not to mention the visits and the holidays, etc. This means that there is a lot of communication going on.

And what I have found as the common thread among all of these wonderful women, is the caring and compassion they have for each other, their families and everyone around them. These conversations do not focus on themselves. They are focused on being there for others, helping out in any way they can, taking charge in trying situations, comforting, stepping up, listening, doing whatever it takes.

One is dealing with a husbands' serious health issue while simultaneously being there for the birth of a baby in the family, and planning a baby shower for a co-worker. One just took over the planning and arranging of a memorial service for a young family members' untimely death, so her sister and her husband could grieve, while also helping launch her only daughter out into the world and give comfort to a friend who also lost a young son. One is dealing with loss in a big way, losing her Mother and planning a move, and being there for her young daughter who has to suffer all the upheaval. I could go on and on, as each one of these caring and devoted women weave the golden thread of love and caring into the tapestries of their lives, intertwined with each other and forming a strong and resilient cloak of love, understanding, and compassion. These women keep things together, yet do it as second nature, without a second thought.

I am sure that all of you are the same, giving of yourselves, helping wherever needed, willing to put an arm around a shoulder or listen to a grieving friend or family member. And we do all of these things without being asked. Because that is The Way We Are.

Moonscapes

We are having clear skies here in the Pacific Northwest finally! Last night we were able to see the moon rise over the foothills and it was so beautiful I thought I would share it with you.

Hubby and I kept going out on the deck to watch it, but the chill in the air drove us back inside. Without the cloud cover, the temperatures dropped and when I woke up this morning the temperature read 32 degrees! There was a little sheen of ice everywhere the dew settled. I was so worried about my flats of flowers that I haven't even planted yet, but they seemed to have survived.

Now I need to get to work potting them up while it is still sunny. I have lots of plans for hanging baskets and window boxes and marigolds under the apple trees. I hope you are having beautiful moonscapes and flower dreams, too.

Oatmeal Cake

My son D and his girlfriend J stopped by on Saturday for a little visit. The plan was for D to help Hubby burn some brush while 'the girls' had a nice visit. But D had come down with a little cold and although his intentions were good as far as helping out his Dad, the body wasn't going along with the idea, so we stayed at the kitchen table drinking coffee. I had made Oatmeal Cake to serve, as it is one of D's favorite's from childhood. I think that you would like it too. It is very versatile, and can be served as a coffee cake, in a lunch box, or prettied up and brought to a potluck. It keeps very well and is moist and flavorful. It also freezes well. You can serve it as is, or with ice cream, vanilla yogurt, or whipped cream. Or just sprinkle some powdered sugar on top to pretty it up. You can also add raisins, currents, dates, nuts, or a little grated orange or lemon peel to the recipe. (I save peels and let them dry, then grind them in blender and store in an airtight jar) This recipe can also be doubled to fit into an 18" baking pan.

 Oatmeal Cake

1 1/4 cups water

1/2 cup butter

1 cup oatmeal (quick or old fashioned)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs beaten

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 1/3 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsps grated orange or lemon peel- (fresh or dried)

1/2 to 1 cup raisins, walnuts, dates, or currents if desired

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in oats and butter (slice butter into pats or use room temp). Cover and let stand 20 minutes until all the water and butter is absorbed into oats.

Combine remaining ingredients. Stir in oatmeal mixture, blending well.

Pour into a greased 13x9x2" baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Cool completely before cutting. Keeps several days in refrigerator, well wrapped, or 3 mos. in freezer. Serves 10-12

Kitty Cat Collecting

I found this sweet cross-stitched kitty at my favorite thrift store a couple of months ago. Someone had put a lot of time and love into it, and I couldn't pass it by. The price was right, too, only $4.00. I stashed it in a closet and quickly forgot about it, as it needed a new frame and a good cleaning.

 Then I came across it again, and decided to see what I could do to spruce it up a bit. I already had a pair of framed embroideries from the fifties in my sewing room, in darling little black frames, one a little kitty, and one a poodle (so fifties!) That gave me the idea to paint the frame black and put them together.

I also had a needlework kitty pillow, a gift from my dear Mother a few years ago, so I put that on my sewing chair. My stuffed sewing caddy cat that I made so long ago to hold pins and notions by my sewing machine fit right in. And the little white ceramic cat came from my Mom's estate. I had a collection and didn't even know it!

I just sanded the frame a little bit by hand, then used black craft paint and a small brush. It is always helpful to use plastic underneath when you are painting something that might stick, rather than newspaper, and I always save my old shower curtain liners for that purpose. I also save little fruit crates as throw-away craft caddies for little projects. Oh, and those plastic lids from the yogurt containers are great for squirting glue or paint onto when you only need a little bit, then you just throw it away. No clean up.

So don't pass up a nice piece of needlework or art just because the frame is old and beat up, paint it! It only takes an hour or so, and it can really turn an ugly duckling into something beautiful.

Banana Bread

This is the very best banana bread. I experimented with so many recipes over the years and this one came out on top.  If you are like me, you always end up with bananas that are past their prime. This recipe calls for over ripe bananas, so instead of throwing them in the compost heap, put them to good use! You can also freeze them to use for later. Just be sure to thaw them before using. Speaking of freezing...this banana bread freezes very well and is great for gift giving on the holidays.

1/4 cup room temp. butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

3 med. bananas (extra ripe)

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 to l cup chopped walnuts or dates (if desired)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Grease a glass loaf pan with solid shortening and dust with flour to prevent sticking (or use a non-stick pan)

In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or masher, then add the butter and mash together well. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon just until moistened and blended. Do not over mix or the bread won't rise.

Bake in middle rack at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until knife or pick inserted into the middle, comes out clean.

Cool completely before removing from the pan. Will keep for several days if wrapped well and stored in refrigerator.