Peach State says: A Graceful Lady Passes

The day had finally arrived.
We had all expected the news…yet who really wants to hear the words. “Mema passed away this morning.”
These words are still ringing vividly after almost two weeks. Let me just say…

“A Graceful Lady Passes!”

A sweet gathering of friends and family remembered Mema in the quietly spoken words and gentle hugs. Memories flooded the small chapel as her beautiful reminder lay quiet. “Funerals are not one of my strong suits!”
The minister had asked for memories from the grandchildren and great-grands. Funny thing is…the words were all the same. He spoke with me before the service and asked if was the author of a certain memory. I smiled and said yes…Here are the words.

“Just a few words or brief memory…impossible! This is the best I can do.
Butterscotch ( buttered rum) Lifesavers, Juicy Fruit gum, Clove gum, 7-up and grape juice, Welch’s Grape Juice, taffy pulls, coloring, fluffy comforters, her grace and elegance, dress-up like a princess, etiquette lessons, crossing legs at the ankles, using correct grammar, life lessons and shared wisdom, simple made special, fresh tomato sandwiches, tuna sandwiches and tomato soup, We don’t play with the buzzer, the joys of conversation, walks on the beach, choosing a good book, the preparing of a tray and successfully carrying it to the sun parlor, and the importance of a good cup of coffee.
Mema impacted my life and will continue to impact my life with everything she taught me. I love you Mema!”

It has been difficult to walk through my home and not think of Mema…
I run my hand on the back of the four chairs that used to occupy her home. These memory filled reminders tug at my heart with lessons and laughter from the past. Even now, as I sit out on my screened-porch, I find a smile on my face as I recall the conversations we had over morning coffee. The calming appreciation of the scampering squirrels chasing each other through the trees and crunchy ground cover as well as the gentle breeze stirring the tall slender trunks of leafless branches were just one of the valuable lessons she passed on to those who would take the time to listen. “I listened!”
“Of course…I need more coffee to truly experience this memory…Be Right Back!”

Well that’s better! Granted she wasn’t an espresso drinker!

There was a picture at the service of Mema sitting in the white chair that now sits in my foyer/dinning room. I, sadly, do not have that photo but will be inquiring about it!

The little pink “Princess Chair” sits in my room and has been used quite a bit. “I put my shoes and socks on while sitting in this delicate chair.”

How can I not think about her at every turn in my house?

So with a tearful eye and enriched heart I cast a “royal like wave”, as only she would wave, up to heaven to let her know she may be gone but in no way forgotten.

“May your cup runneth over with joy, love and laughter oh, and really fabulous coffee!”

Peach State

Peach State says: Downtime Day

Boy did I need a day like this…well at least a morning like this. I opened the door this morning to let “Precious Princess”, aka…my dog and shadow, out for her morning duties. The air was heavy and, as my eyes began to focus, I could see a blanket of moisture on the various surfaces.
I looked toward the streetlight to see gentle drops of rain falling as a slight breeze swept through the falling leaves. Just what the doctor ordered…a Downtime Day!

Well at least part of the day! I will busy myself with cleaning and planning the menus for today and tomorrow due to extra activities on the schedule.

Today I will attend the funeral of a sweet spirit and musician at 4 PM
AND
Tomorrow I have an all day Beth Moore Simulcast event!

I will take care of my daily challenges and chores with routine diligence and refill my coffee as needed. “I am still playing catch-up on the lattes!” I will take it slow…due to doctors orders and the view outside my window with definitely help with this. Today would be a great fuzzy-sock-curl-up-with-a-book kinda day but…the duvet cover needs to be changed out and I need to organize a few things…like the pantry, office, dinning room. “The boys have been generously helping in the house-hold maintenance and I can barely get into the pantry much less the folded laundry that belongs to the boys on the dinning room table.” I guess there are things to still be learned about how to put things away.

Today is just what I needed…Downtime Day …we all need time to catch-up. Don’t you agree?

Have another cup and think about it…and…Have a great day!

Peach State

Peach State says: It’s Not a Typical Saturday!

As I sit here, in the dimly lit room, gentle reminders of my day invade like shadows flowing over the grassy meadow. This day is way outside the box in the realm of our normal Saturday activities. There will be no yard work today! There will be no major cleaning! We are all going in different directions…except for my youngest…he will be with me! It’s Not a Typical Saturday!

Everything started normally with morning coffee and visiting of Facebook and emails. “Yes I checked my blog stats too!” I prepared my husbands breakfast and latte and took it to his office. This is when my day changed…my 18 year old, who is typically up around 8:45am on Saturdays, was up and getting ready for his day. “Oh yeah! He has the walk today!” He is helping his girlfriend with her Senior Project…a fundraiser for a Wounded Soldier! I am very proud of my son and his girlfriend for taking this on! Anything for our service men and women!
When he finishes with the fundraiser he will be going to a community function and volunteering there. It is an Easter Egg Hunt and usually has over 200 children attend…not to mention parents.

My oldest is moving today…He is relocating to another apartment on the other side of the state. He seems very excited at the direction his life is going. I can only give him advice and pray for him!

My 21 year old and my husband are off to their jobs…Me on the other hand am headed out of town today! It’s Not a Typical Saturday!

I mentioned earlier this week about the conflicting schedule commitments…Well arrangements made were changed and I am headed about two hours south…for the funeral of a dear family friend.
He and his family have been part of my family since I was 17 years old. The recent struggles, of this sweet spirit, were numerous as the doctors tried to fix one problem only to find others lurking below the surface. His health diminished quickly and the family began to prepare for the worse.
This will be a “home going” funeral. We have all been touched and will miss him. This will be a bittersweet reunion of family and friends.

This man and his family have been involved in most of our family celebrations. My baby sister and the daughter of this man resemble Siamese twins separated at birth. I have fond memories of this large, teddy bear like man meeting me at the door of my old church. His arms were open wide…not to hug me but to take the precious cargo I had in my arms. I had moved to Washington State and not been home in quite a few years. I had come home and had my first born with me. “He is mine…give him over…don’t worry he won’t be passed around…he will stay with me!” I just smiled knowing this gentle giant wanted to be the first to hold him and would not share! He was this way with each of my sons…meeting me at the door in silly anticipation. As the boys have grown…they have still maintained a relationship of sorts with this sweet man and his family. When I told the boys of his passing…a quietness settled and voices quivered. Disbelief and the typical questions for those affected followed. My boys have not experienced death this close except twice. They have been aware of other losses but not influenced directly. It’s Not a Typical Saturday!

I must go get started…a lot to do in and hour and a half! I will head out and arrive early at the little church. The family will be gathering before the service. There will be many familiar faces quick to give a hug with tear filled Kleenex in hand. This is the third funeral (Home Going’) I have been to this month.

Take care of those important people in your life…and have a great day!

Peach State

Peach State says: It’s One of Those Days…I Need More Coffee!

First things first…I thrive when I am busy…but there are days I would love to crawl under the covers and sleep for a few more days. It is not because I am tired or not feeling well…I just have to make a big decision on top of having a busy, errand running day! It’s One of Those Days…I Need More Coffee!

My To-Do list is not that complicated…it has the normal schedule of up in the morning, drink some coffee, get my son off to the bus, drink some coffee, get husband out the door to work, drink some coffee…well you know the routine! I will need to do a more thorough cleaning than usual today…best get started when they leave. It’s One of Those Days…I Need More Coffee!

My son has another doctor’s appointment today at 3:00. This is a good thing because I have been trying to get his medicine changed and you have to have a new appointment for this. The only opening was at the end of April so I got lucky! I will need to either have dinner just about ready or need to make a zappit dinner. Oh great! “What’s for dinner?” At 6:30 two dear friends are coming over…not to visit although it will be a time filled with laughter and fun. We sing together on a trio and have to get some songs ready for a civic event. One of my friends may come by early and have…you guessed it…coffee. “It will be in the form of a latte’!”

See…it is not that bad of a day…but!

A sweet friend of mine is getting married on Saturday at 11am. The wedding is about 2 hours north.
And a dear friend of the my family died and his funeral is Saturday at 12:30. The funeral is in my hometown about 2 hours south. I have know this friend since I was 17 years old…so a long…long..(okay you get the idea) time. My friend who is getting married I have know for about 10 years but have only been good friends for about 3 years. What to do?

I am really torn and know my family would rather I attend the funeral.

I was asked last night if I was going to the wedding and I said yes…then saw the funeral was pretty much at the same time and in the opposite direction. No way I could attend both services. I guess I will have to weigh the decision and do what any good person would do…drink more coffee and wait for certain key influences to wake up so I can seek their advice. “What do you think about that solution?”

My husband is almost ready to leave…I can hear his shoes clicking as he crosses the floor upstairs. My day is planned for me and I have a plate full of fun-filled hours of activity. Spring Break is next week and my 18 year old turn 19 on Easter…along with all of the singing and songs to be learned…but those stories and details will be saved till next week.

Yesterday I told you I would give out the recipe chosen for the cookbook!
The Hashbrown Casserole recipe was asked about. I do not think I will use this one in the cookbook but I will give it out now!

1 bag of frozen shredded hashbrowns
1 package of diced ham (of course you can cut up ham if you have some leftover)
1 bag of shredded cheese ( I use Sharp Cheddar but if there is another flavor you like…use it! Swiss is good but my boys like “the orange cheese” better!)
1 medium onion finely chopped
1/2 cup if butter or 1stick sliced

Brown ham in skillet and add onions…remove from heat

Layer the hashbrowns in the bottom of your greased dish and salt (like you are adding salt at the table…not to much! ) spread ham mixture over the hashbrowns. Sprinkle cheese over the ham and repeat the layers. (I usually have 2 layers of each ingredient)
Place the remaining cheese on top and add the slices of butter over the top.
Bake until hashbrowns are cooked and done.
I have found that I can save time using the microwave to cook the dish then add the final layer of cheese and brown in the oven.
Serve with a salad and bread of choice!

I am just about done with my cranberry oatmeal and will start my cleaning day in the kitchen.
It’s One of Those Days…I Need More Coffee “At least I know I can and will get a lot accomplished and won’t have much to do tomorrow. Have a great day!

Peach State