Kitchen Keepsake

Yesterday I spent another day at Dad's house going through Mom's things. While I worked in the house, Kaden helped Pappy to mow. Why didn't I have my camera? I was kicking myself for leaving it at home. It was so adorable to watch. At first Kaden just followed Pappy up and down the rows as he mowed. Then Kaden and Pappy both were pushing the mower, up and down the rows. Afterward Pappy had to clean Kaden off with the broom and rub the grass from his hair.

My chore for the day was in the kitchen. Mom did all the cooking. I have one memory of my father cooking. Mom must have been in the hospital having my baby brother. I can still see Dad at the stove making fried eggs! Now that Mom is gone Dad has no use for all her spices, sweeteners, etc. Once I cleaned out the cupboards there were only two seasonings left on the spice rack -- cinnamon and black pepper. Dad mastered fried eggs years ago and does want to learn some other basics -- quick oats, oat bran cereal, jello, frozen pizza, mac and cheese, etc. Anything beyond that and he has no interest. While cleaning out the microwave cupboards I came across a keepsake I was hoping Dad would let me have. Many years ago Mom gave me her pink butter dish. It was always on our table at meal times when I was young. I didn't have a butter dish at the time and gladly accepted the gift. Yesterday I found the creamer to go with it!
Without even first explaining that Mom had already given me the butter dish, Dad told me to take it!

Thanks Dad! I love having the complete set of this kitchen keepsake!

In Honor of Mom

Friends of my mother from her church gave a "Summersweet" bush as a gift to be planted at the church in my mother's honor. The original plant was brought to the church on the day of Mom's funeral, but it died. The Stremmels took it back to the nursery where they bought it and exchanged it for another one. We were suppose to plant it during Sunday School hour on the day of Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary as part of their church service, but it was raining so hard that morning that we had to put it off until the following Wednesday, August 5th. Family that could, gathered at The Gettysburg Church of the Brethren to once again honor my mother.
Mr. Stremmel digs the hole for the bush.

Dad helps fill in dirt around the plant.

This is my oldest brother Mike giving it some water.

Dad with Mr. and Mrs. Stremmel.

I emailed this picture to the church secretary and it was then put in their September newsletter. Dad says the plant has already made significant growth since it's planting. We hope to one day place a plaque next to it.

At our little service, Mrs. Stremmel talked about when she first met my mother. They were new at church and Mom was in charge of gathering home baked cookies for a large church event. Mrs. Stremmel approached my mother and asked what kind of cookies were needed. Mom acted so overjoyed that Mrs. Stremmel was willing to help. My mother also invited Mrs. Stremmel to come with our family to the Mother/Daughter Banquets. She just felt like my mother went out of her way to see that Mrs. Stremmel was included and felt loved.

A Celebration, Fifty Years in the Making!

My mother passed away 13 days before her fiftieth wedding anniversary. Oh, so close. Even without Mom being there, we decided there was still much to celebrate. My parents were together more than fifty years, have four children and fourteen grandchildren. We gathered on the day of their anniversary, August 2nd, at my brother Dave's house. We were each to bring some of our favorite recipes that had been handed down from Mom. She was known among family, extended family, church family and friends as being an awesome cook and baker. After the meal we played games, one of them included Mom. I think it was called "Imagine If", or something along those lines. For part of the game we were talking about, "Imagine if Nana..." It was fun reminiscing, laughing, celebrating the union of my parents.Dad with my three brothers. Dave, open your eyes!!
When we attended family reunions, everyone expected Mom's ham potpie. Brenda (Dave's wife) made that and Mom's famous sticky buns.

I just had to make O'Henry bars, a favorite of my children.

Sticky buns... sorry Brenda, not quite like Mom's, but close! No one ever seems to be able to match what Mom could do when it comes to her sticky buns.

Maria (Tim's wife) made Mom's chocolate eclair cake. My nephew CJ calls it "clairity cake", so we now have a new name for an old family favorite.

I also made Mom's zucchini bread recipe.

I can still remember years ago when I asked Mom how she made her cucumber and onion slaw.

When Dale first tasted Mom's pickled red beets, he was hooked. Any time we would see them served at a picnic or in a restaurant Dale would have to have some. He was always disappointed. After tasting someone else's red beets for the last time he declared, "I'm never eating another pickled red beet unless your mother made them!" Dale has eaten other red beets since, ones we made using Mom's recipe!

Ahh... Mom's dill pickles. It doesn't get any better. She gave me that recipe too! Brady loved Mom's pickles so much he used to ask for them for his birthday! One time Mom gave us a jar for no reason. There were only eight people in our family at the time, and there were eight pickles in the jar. After each of us had our pickle the kids started yelling, "I get the garlic! I claim the onion!" Once that was eaten the kids started grabbing for the dill sprig and grape leaf. Finally, there sat the jar completely empty except for the pickle juice. You guessed it... we passed the jar around the table and drank that too!! Now that's a good dill pickle!!

The day we buried Mom

Because Mom's funeral was on a Saturday, and because her burial site is nearly two hours from Gettysburg, in Mohrsville, PA, we had to have the burial on Monday, July 27th. We tried doing everything in one day, but it just wasn't going to work. Unfortunately for Brady, he had to leave for Scout camp the morning of Mom's burial so he wasn't able to help as pallbearer that day, and he missed the service.

The burial service was attending by immediate family, a few friends from Gettysburg who were unable to make the funeral service, and relatives from the Mohrsville area.

The minister at Mom and Dad's church is awesome! He just became their pastor one month before Mom became ill. He was so diligent in visiting Mom, counseled with my father, was always available in whatever capacity he was needed. I know Pastor Karl was sent to the Gettysburg Church of the Brethren at this time, just the right time, just the right man to help my family. Here he is getting ready to start the service.

Dale played two hymns on his fiddle at the burial service, "In the Garden" and "How Great Thou Art". I know Mom was smiling!

Sitting from left to right: My Dad, Mom's sister Mary Lou and Dad's sister Anna.

Kaden holds a rose from Nana's flower arrangement.

Since we traveled so far, we might as well stay and watch the whole process.

The lid to Mom's vault.

This is also the burial site for my Dad's parents, now my mother, and some day my father.

Mitch (My brother Tim's oldest son.)
Some of the grandchildren took the opportunity to shovel ground onto Mom's grave. It's like Dad said, "This is something the grandchildren will always remember."

Kenzie

Bryson

Avery

Kaden, with a little help!

Immediate family that attended the burial, standing in front of my great grandparent's tombstone.

After the service, we stopped on the way home to enjoy a meal together.

Aunt Mary Lou tells stories of Mom and their family.

Avery and Bryson were being themselves and had to act goofy in the restaurant. I think Mom would have laughed along with them!

Another beautiful service for a beautiful person, my mother.