FROM MY MOM'S KITCHEN

It took dad weeks, packing his belongings into boxes, before the big move.  Such a difficult task for anyone moving out of a home filled with such wonderful memories. 

Dad sorted and packed what he was taking with him, and left the rest in boxes for us to go thru and take what we would like.  In a box of kitchen utensils, bowls and cups I found my mom's Betty Crocker Cookbook.  What a treasure!  Opening the book brought so many great memories of mom and I baking together.    I remember her tying one of her hand made aprons -- a little big for me (but covered me real well because I was a messy cook) and put me up on a chair so I could reach the bowl to stir the batter.  Mom was a great cook and always let me lick the beaters when she made her famous cake and cookie batter. 

She did have her specialties, one was her special white cake..like no other, she would make it for all those special occasions like the holidays or our birthday.

She made the best french meal-- "Ragu" which was a ground pork dish with potatoes and dark brown gravy. It was a custom for our family to have this meal on New Years day.  Mmmmmmm I can taste it now!! 

30 years ago I bought my own Betty Crocker Cookbook but it was not the same...it didn't have character-- like my mom's cookbook.  The stains and dog eared pages represent her love for cooking and when I thumb thru the pages I still feel her love.            Missing you mom.

My Room of Scrap

It's true what they say - someone's trash is someone's treasure.

Truly the paper scrap collection in a rainbow of colors in my scrapbooking room would be considered as trash to some.   It's is a treasure to me because I can use that small piece of colorful paper in the layout of a scrapbook page, or homemade card. 

Remember that favorite blouse that you've outgrown, or maybe it has a stain from that chocolate ice cream cone you had with the family a few years ago and it's hard to let go because of the most beautiful buttons.  You'll have a much easier time getting rid of that blouse if you cut the buttons off and place them into a dish or jar.  How about those extra  buttons given to you as replacements when you buy a brand new sweater....add them to the button collection. Keep them on display or use them in your scrapbooking layout.