Has it been twenty years?!

Growing up as a youth in the Church of the Brethren, I attended district youth activities. It was at one of these events that I first met Kelly. We later worked together at our church camp, Camp Eder in the summer of 1982. From there we entered BVS (Brethren Volunteer Service) together in the fall of '82. After a month of training we went our separate ways. I served in Dixon, IL and Kelly served in Kansas. Following BVS Kelly and I got together when we could. I spent some time with her in her Newville, PA apartment, going with her to work at her day care job. We also did some camping together. Kelly then had the opportunity to move to Switzerland to work as a Nanny. It was only to be for one year, but she's still living and working there today! The last time I saw Kelly was after I met Dale, but before I was married -- 20 years ago! Kelly came to the states during fall break from her teaching position in Switzerland a couple of weeks ago and we were able to meet up in York. We had a very nice dinner at an Italian restaurant and later stopped at the local Maple Donut shop! Kelly just had to taste the best donuts ever made before leaving the states! It was so good to see her again! We share some great memories. We're already planning another reunion with another girlfriend of ours who is also living in Switzerland. They'll both be in the US next summer! Can't wait!

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!!