Eagle Brand Memories

Some of my birthday treasures

I was surprised by my dear sister's in Christ with a quaint birthday celebration after our Bible study this week. Each of my sisters gave me a can or two of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk. I also received two spoons. Yes, I do mean the spoons that you eat with.

I had recently shared a memory with "K" about my grandmother and the idea was born. You see, "K" is a very thoughtful and creative person. We were texting back and forth when she brought up the topic of desserts and asked me what was my favorite. My list was long and full of the sweetest desserts there are. As I told "K" I'm only in it for the sugar. She laughed in disbelief when I told her Eagle Brand milk. Then I proceeded to share the story of my love of the sugary stuff.

My Grandmother was not a healthy woman. She often had issues keeping a healthy weight. She was tiny. She bore and raised thirteen children during her lifetime. I asked her once when I was young why she had so many children and she told me "that's how many names she had picked out". It made sense to me at the time. I have wondered many times if that was her standard answer for anyone that asked her that question. My Grandmother's doctor suggested that she eat a can of Eagle Brand milk due to it's high calorie content to help her gain some weight. Grandmother would open a can up, retrieve two spoons from the drawer and sit down at the table. I would soon find my way to the kitchen. I would climb into the chair next to her where my spoon would be waiting for me and we would indulge in the thick rich substance until it was gone.

The two spoons represented my Grandmother and myself sitting together at the table and the Eagle brand is my treasured memory. The ladies and I also shared a coconut cream pie. It was on my list too. I imagine that they didn't want to indulge in Eagle Brand that early in the morning and perhaps not at all. What a wonderful day! What a wonderful memory! Thank you Grandma and thank you my dear sister's for the loving kindness that you have bestowed upon me.

Black Friday

Oh Boy! Number One convinced me to run to Bass Pro at 3 am this morning to pick up a couple of "Black Friday" specials. I have never participated in the Friday after Thanksgiving sales trap, because I always considered it nuts and I was right. First of all, it's 3 am. Second, it takes about an hour an a half to get to town. Third, it was five degrees when we left the house and last but not least, it may have been a six hour sale, but they do not have unlimited supplies for the six hour sale. With my trusty wake up tea in hand(Number One made for me) we headed out the door.

When we got there we must have been 300th in line. With our coats, hats and gloves in place we waited in the cold. Not too terribly long. At least I didn't have flip-flops on like the young lady in front of us did. It was at least twenty degrees warmer in the city. It was three degrees when we arrived back home at 7 am.

I lost sight of Number One immediately when he took a wrong turn for the gadget line. Pretty soon I caught a glimpse of him heading towards the back of the line. Within fifteen minutes all the gadgets were gone. We picked up our "one per person" gadget just in time and then they were out. It should be called the "10 Minute Sale". No rain checks ya' know. By the time we went through the entrance other dedicated shoppers were already checking out heading to their next conquest no doubt.

I splurged and bought myself two Lodge cast iron bread pans. Perhaps a deterrent for next years invitation? They were not on-sale. I have seen other pans, but they are not made in America like Lodge. I just cannot see a life time of potential poisoning from made in China type brands.

The media was there filming the event. I don't know if they had crews at every sales event or if they just picked Bass Pro for some reason. Donuts and instructions were handed out, including instructions on proper behavior. I would like to say that everyone seemed to be in good spirits including the sales staff.

We came home and Number One fell asleep in the chair. I made some hot tea, took the dogs out and watered the chickens. After yesterday's feast, this morning's shopping and just a few hours of sleep I'm ready for a day of relaxation with a good book and more tea by my side. I may have to switch to coffee, strong coffee...

A Puritan Prayer Of Thanksgiving

A week ago, I attended the Ladies Thanksgiving luncheon at Church. It was a beautiful time of fellowship. This was the prayer that was read before our meal. Number One and I will pray this prayer before our Thanksgiving meal.

I pray that each of you have a blessed day of Thanksgiving with your family and friends. May God bless each of you spiritually, physically and financially. Have a blessed day...

Government Shutdown?

I hopped on the computer today to check the weather and saw this notice that informed me that this site was unavailable due to the government shutdown, however, in the same notice it also informed me that it would still be maintained. This seemed a little strange to me and thought that I would share it with you.

 

 

Government Shutdown Notice

Due to the Federal Government shutdown, NOAA.gov and most associated web sites are unavailable. However, because the information this site provides is necessary to protect life and property, it will be updated and maintained during the Federal Government shutdown.
Read More...


On my way home from town this afternoon I noticed that that there were numerous vehicles parked on the road near a rest area. I thought that there must have been an accident or something, but as I passed by I realized that the entrances were closed by gates. This did not stop the occupants from getting out of their cars to walk on the trails and take pictures of the beautiful views. This area is a gateway to a national park that the main highway winds through. There is a little Ranger's station that sells books, hands out maps and promotes attractions. They do not have flushable toilets or water for sinks. Now I can see keeping the store closed, but why everything else? It is always open 24 hours even when the Ranger's station is closed. This also seemed a little strange to me.

Then I read that 83% of the government is still functioning and the employee's that are furlowed are going to get paid. This is confusing. No work is getting done. What exactly is the point of this shutdown? They are still spending the money. The only people that are suffering are "We The People". Is this their desired effect? I do not want one soul to be out of work or out of a paycheck. I would like our government to be fiscally responsible. I am appalled by the treatment of our Veteran's at WWII War Memorial. I pray that the solution will "truly" be what is best for us and not what they deem is best for us.     

What In The World?

I haven't been on the computer much lately, so I was totally shocked by the headlines today. Shootings, murder, road rage, government shutdown, capital lock down, national monuments and parks closed. This is not some third world country it is the great United States of America.

Have we lost our minds or only our morals? When you can't go for a Sunday drive for fear of  motorcycle thugs attacking your family there is something really wrong with our world. Is fear the new normal? Does having a good time require beating up a stranger? No charges filled? Where is the justice in that?

Everything seems to be topsy-turvy. Is wrong the new right, right the new wrong? This trend is very disturbing to me. It's not just here, but worldwide. Miss M is in Kenya right now helping out women in need. She left just days after the mall siege. Miss M was a little worried about her own safety and the safety of those traveling with her, but they went anyway. They went to make the world a better place. We can do the same thing right here. Don't be discouraged doing good deeds. Those deeds still make a big difference to those they touch.


Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

 

 

Catastrophic Emergencies

There have been so many tragic events over the last ten years all around the world. In 2004 a tsunami in the Indian ocean killed 230,000 people. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. In 2010 an earthquake killed 220,000 people. A tsunami in Japan killed at least 15,000. In Moore Oklahoma a monster tornado struck this year. The wildfires in Colorado in the past two years and now the devastating  floods that continue to wreak havoc today. I'm sure that there are more tragedies that I have not mentioned.

Just because they do not make the headlines in the newspaper or on the evening news anymore does not mean that people are not having to deal with the after effects of the catastrophe everyday. People are still suffering. Think about those who did not have insurance to replace their homes like in Hatti or right here in the United States. How many years did victims live in  FEMA trailers in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina?

I read this the other day that "it has been said that everyone is either in the midst of the battle, just coming out of a battle, or about to enter the battle. At first glance, this is often not visible. A smile often masks deep feelings. The writer of the Proverbs put it this way, "Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief." (Proverbs 14:13 NASB)

We are instruments in Gods' marching band. We use a smile to a stranger on a street corner like a flute to brighten their day. We also use our words like musical notes to encourage one another. Our wallets are like a roaring trombone easing the suffering of others.

I encourage you to reach out to those around you. Reach out to your neighbor who has lost their job in this troubled economy. It is a simple act of kindness to stop and visit the lonely elderly widow who lives down the street. It may seem like small potatoes to you, but to her it could mean the world. Don't underestimate a kind deed.   





Mercy Me "Hold Fast"

To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast

Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope

You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes

Dedicated to those who need help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ufoo7EIXmA

The Legacy Of The Wooden Spoon



My 26 year old wooden bread spoon and the well worn wooden spoon I inherited.


When I was first married I decided that I would master the art of bread making, so I purchased a "hippie" bread book and began my training in the craft. The book suggested that I needed a sturdy wooden spoon in order to mix the dough properly and anything else would not do, so I headed back to the "hippie" store where I purchased the "hippie" bread book and bought a fine wooden spoon. If you had to mix six cups of wheat flour into a cup or so of water you too would need the sturdiest of wooden spoons. My new wooden spoon, however, did not stop my first attempts at making bread from taking on the form and density of a large heavy brick.

Number One has a great sense of humor. He has had to endure many food tragedies during our 26 years of marriage. He has used his humor to encourage me to not give up on my natural ability to cook, but mastering whole grain bread has been a circus act at best.

My wooden spoon has only been used for bread making, so it still has a new look to it compared to my cherished wooden spoon from my "Other Mother", Number One's mother, who left us to be with the Lord in 2002. I have know idea how old her spoon may be. I know that it has been around since before I was united with my husband some 26 years ago.

It is well worn from use. I inherited it after Number One's father passed away last year. I saw it standing tall in the crock where it was held for so many years and it brought back many fond memories of meals shared with family and friends that I just had to bring it home with us.

In our family the kitchen is the center of the home. The act of sharing a meal is a very social event. It is a time to share the events of the day whether good or bad with everyone that is at the table. Sometimes the conversations would run into each other. The volume getting higher and higher with laughter from many stories going on at once.

I wonder just how many dishes it has stirred in it's lifetime? I use it daily to prepare our meals now. Every time I pull it out of it's crock from under the counter I remember the delicious food prepared by a wonderful beautiful woman who loved her family beyond measure. I remember preparing months of Meals for Number One's dad using this wooden spoon before it traveled home with us. We would visit as frequently as we could. During our visits "Other Dad" and I would sit and discuss the food he wanted to eat for the next month and then drive to the store to pick up the ingredients. We would enjoy a glass of wine while I cooked and taught him how to fix his favorite meals with the handy spoon by my side.

We miss them and thank them for the legacy of the wooden spoon that gives us frequent reminders of the love they both bestowed upon everyone who entered their home and shared a meal with them. I praise God for the blessing he has given me by being a part such of a loving family.


This is a poem that I gave to my "Other Mother" for mother's day one year. It is framed and still resides in their home to this day. I read it aloud to her to tell her again what she meant to me a couple of days before her death.

"To My Other Mother"

To My Other Mother

You are the other Mother I received,
The day I wed your son.
And I want to thank you Mom,
For the loving things you've done.
You've given me a gracious Man,
With whom I share my life.
You are his lovely Mother,
And I his lucky Wife.
You used to pat his little head,
And now I hold his hand.
You raised in love a little boy,
And then gave me the Man.
Author: Unknown