I remember years ago, driving along a two lane Greenfield Road, with cotton, corn, and maze fields lining each side as far as you could see. It was the best route we could take from our house on Juniper St. in Mesa (W of Mesa Dr. and N. of Brown). We'd take the two lane (then) Brown road east, that separated major citrus groves on each side. It was a beautiful ride to and from Grandma and Grandpa Buehner's; especially in orange blossom season. It's amazing how much cooler the air gets when you're surrounded by green and irrigation.
I remember having only 2 year old Jeff in the car as we drove along. I rolled down his window so he could feel the beautiful air from his car seat, kiddy/corner from me. What was even better than the fresh air, was the look of pure joy on Jeff's face as the wind blew through his wispy hair. I could hardly keep my eyes on the road because every time I turned back to see his delight, he would look back at me with a huge, wet lipped grin as he leaned his head back against the seat. He was in heaven and I thought I was, too.
I probably would have forgotten this sweet memory, except it came back in a flash last week. I had the privilege of watching Henry (almost 2) for the morning, and we drove to Gilbert to see Grandma B. We had a fun filled time; dogs, roosters, feeding chickens, petting horses, playing games with Grandma, and lunch. He was such a delight, it was hard to leave. But we packed him up and after the "huggins", we were off.
Greenfield Road is now a busy, multiple lane thoroughfare. We headed north on that beautiful spring morning. As Henry sang away, I couldn't help rolling down the window to add to his happiness. That's when it hit me. . . I've done this before! My heart skipped a beat as I quickly turned around in anticipation to see . . . Henry's flawless face, with a grin that spread up to his big bright eyes. There it was again - only a sweet generation later. Pure joy! He was in heaven, and so was I.
Happy Birthday, Jeff!
I love you! (and Henry!)
Mom
Friday, March 14, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Today is Mom's (Grandma Buehner or Grandma B, to some of you) Birthday. She'll is 84. I bravely ask her how old she would be and she said, "Well, it's not hard to figure out. When you're born in a year that has a zero on the end, you always know the last number!" 2014? Yep, that would be 84. She was born in 1930. Anyway, Jon and Jim and family's are out of town, so we're treating her to Sunday dinner here (with Dad, Aunt Chris, and our little family - minus Carianne and Kate).
I've been reminiscing about life when I was a young girl. I have recipes of dishes Mom used to make that today, still bring back the memories. Today we're serving chicken ala king. It's been a long time family favorite. In 1963, Weight Watchers was formed. Mom was proud to inform hungry consumers that this dish was a Weight Watchers recipe. Somehow that made anyone seem like they were in the know, if they served one of their recipes!
Another recipe I remember fondly, though it wasn't for today, was Italian bread loaf. Mom used to watch Rita Davenport on local TV. She always had good hair. Mom could always find someone with a good hair- do. It made her especially happy when she could find a magazine picture to snip out, take it to the beauty shop, and say, "I want to look like her!" So, Rita demonstrated this recipe on her show and it became a family favorite. We always ate it all; but maybe Mom would have never tried it if Rita didn't have good hair!
I'm also making emerald salad for today. This was one of her staples. I think it was a recipe that her mother used to make. Mom would always make it in a 9 x 13" pan.. The reason is that, in those days, the movers and shakers of the food entertaining world, would display their salad presentations on a separate plate, above the fork. So, back to the rectangle pan, the set salad would be carefully cut into squares and placed on top of a bed of lettuce on the plate. I still love the salad, as does our family. But Mom might cringe if she knew I sometimes make it in a bowl, to be spooned out onto the dinner plate. Thank you Grandma Neeley!
I'm making saucepan cookies, also. This is a recipe that has been handed down since my Grandma Neeley, too. Mom made these all the time. Chocolate chips, brown sugar, eggs, flour, etc are spread in a rectangle cake pan and baked, then cut into squares. My entire life she made these, and still does.
We grew up on Cheery Lynn in a home surrounded by citrus trees. That meant lots and lots of fresh orange juice. I can still hear the juicer running if I close my eyes and dream. That was a familiar morning sound, and I simply can't be your friend if you don't love fresh orange juice. It's HEAVEN!
I can't forget the cooked oatmeal Mom would make most mornings before school. If anyone hated cooked oatmeal, it was my brother Jeff. I don't remember the oatmeal as much as I remember bracing myself for his reaction!
Dear Mom, life is definitely sweeter with the memories of love you showed in your preparing favorite foods for us. Today's dinner is only a sample of a Big THANK YOU! It just occurred to me that I have an abundance of 9 x 13" pans - some glass and others metal. I pride myself on my collection. Somehow I don't think this is a coincidence!
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I Love You, Dearly!
Jody
I've been reminiscing about life when I was a young girl. I have recipes of dishes Mom used to make that today, still bring back the memories. Today we're serving chicken ala king. It's been a long time family favorite. In 1963, Weight Watchers was formed. Mom was proud to inform hungry consumers that this dish was a Weight Watchers recipe. Somehow that made anyone seem like they were in the know, if they served one of their recipes!
Another recipe I remember fondly, though it wasn't for today, was Italian bread loaf. Mom used to watch Rita Davenport on local TV. She always had good hair. Mom could always find someone with a good hair- do. It made her especially happy when she could find a magazine picture to snip out, take it to the beauty shop, and say, "I want to look like her!" So, Rita demonstrated this recipe on her show and it became a family favorite. We always ate it all; but maybe Mom would have never tried it if Rita didn't have good hair!
I'm also making emerald salad for today. This was one of her staples. I think it was a recipe that her mother used to make. Mom would always make it in a 9 x 13" pan.. The reason is that, in those days, the movers and shakers of the food entertaining world, would display their salad presentations on a separate plate, above the fork. So, back to the rectangle pan, the set salad would be carefully cut into squares and placed on top of a bed of lettuce on the plate. I still love the salad, as does our family. But Mom might cringe if she knew I sometimes make it in a bowl, to be spooned out onto the dinner plate. Thank you Grandma Neeley!
I'm making saucepan cookies, also. This is a recipe that has been handed down since my Grandma Neeley, too. Mom made these all the time. Chocolate chips, brown sugar, eggs, flour, etc are spread in a rectangle cake pan and baked, then cut into squares. My entire life she made these, and still does.
We grew up on Cheery Lynn in a home surrounded by citrus trees. That meant lots and lots of fresh orange juice. I can still hear the juicer running if I close my eyes and dream. That was a familiar morning sound, and I simply can't be your friend if you don't love fresh orange juice. It's HEAVEN!
I can't forget the cooked oatmeal Mom would make most mornings before school. If anyone hated cooked oatmeal, it was my brother Jeff. I don't remember the oatmeal as much as I remember bracing myself for his reaction!
Dear Mom, life is definitely sweeter with the memories of love you showed in your preparing favorite foods for us. Today's dinner is only a sample of a Big THANK YOU! It just occurred to me that I have an abundance of 9 x 13" pans - some glass and others metal. I pride myself on my collection. Somehow I don't think this is a coincidence!
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I Love You, Dearly!
Jody
Thursday, March 6, 2014
We Love Thy House, Oh God
Jody
and I completed our first day working in the Gilbert Temple. It was a
busy but very fulfilling day. We're back tomorrow at 5am for another go
of it. So glad for the opportunity!
This is my dear friend, Laurie's facebook post. I'm not a "selfie" type, but this photo HAD to be taken. It is a validation of one of the most beautiful days of my life! She and I started working in the Mesa Temple in September 2013.
The festivities leading up to the opening of the Gilbert Temple have been so touching. Over 140,000 people came through the two week open house. Some were members, but so many were not. It was a pleasure to be a greeter there. We watched, humbled, as 12,000 youth performed mightily at a beautiful Celebration in the pouring rain. President Monson was in our midst Saturday for the Celebration, for the Dedication on Sunday, and for a special first session in the Temple on Monday.
Tuesday was the first day for patrons. Since our shift is early (6 AM prayer meeting) this week all shifts started one hour earlier for training. That put us there at 5 AM, ready to go; and you can do the math about when we set our alarms to be there!
The opening song was, "We Love Thy House, Oh God" This is truly His house. I'll never hear it again without thinking about the thrill it was to be ready to serve in His temple, on that first shift in its history. . . Humbling.
The day was so unbelievably beautiful and busy. We found ourselves there for the next day's prayer meeting at 5 AM also!
Yes, it is that wonderful!
This is my dear friend, Laurie's facebook post. I'm not a "selfie" type, but this photo HAD to be taken. It is a validation of one of the most beautiful days of my life! She and I started working in the Mesa Temple in September 2013.
The festivities leading up to the opening of the Gilbert Temple have been so touching. Over 140,000 people came through the two week open house. Some were members, but so many were not. It was a pleasure to be a greeter there. We watched, humbled, as 12,000 youth performed mightily at a beautiful Celebration in the pouring rain. President Monson was in our midst Saturday for the Celebration, for the Dedication on Sunday, and for a special first session in the Temple on Monday.
Tuesday was the first day for patrons. Since our shift is early (6 AM prayer meeting) this week all shifts started one hour earlier for training. That put us there at 5 AM, ready to go; and you can do the math about when we set our alarms to be there!
The opening song was, "We Love Thy House, Oh God" This is truly His house. I'll never hear it again without thinking about the thrill it was to be ready to serve in His temple, on that first shift in its history. . . Humbling.
The day was so unbelievably beautiful and busy. We found ourselves there for the next day's prayer meeting at 5 AM also!
Yes, it is that wonderful!
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